2007 Ceviche Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast, California, $8.25, tasted 12/3/09. Grapefruit peel, medium grassy nose with some spice. Good fruit, though rather short with a little bitterness on the finish. (Distributed by Joshua with Heidelberg) Raymond Rating = 82 points
2006 Ten Mile “Lost Horizons” White, 53% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, and 20% Chenin Blanc, California, 11.50, tasted 12/3/09. Mineral, lemon, tropical fruits, and a very slight skunkiness on the nose. Good fruit and finish with medium-plus length and some complexity. (Distributed by Joshua with Heidelberg) Raymond Rating = 86 points
2008 Penelope Sanchez Garnacha/Syrah, 85%/15%, Tinto Joven, DO Campo de Borja, Spain, $12.50, tasted 12/3/09. Smoky, meaty nose with blackberries and some herbal notes. Medium fruit, medium-plus tannins, and some complexity. Tannins dominate the finish of medium-plus length, though with enough balancing fruit. It is drinking nicely now, but will hold for a few more years, though likely with little improvement. (Distributed by Joshua with Heidelberg) Raymond Rating = 88 points
2007 Vallobera Pago Malarina Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, $14.90, tasted 12/3/09. Licorice, dried parsley, raspberries, and tobacco on a nose that opens with air. Medium fruit, tannins, and finish. (Distributed by Joshua with Heidelberg) Raymond Rating = 85 points
NV Shargren Sparkling Red (Shiraz), Australia, 13.5% alcohol, $12.00, tasted 12/3/09. Black cherry, berries, and a light yeasty note on the nose. Slightly sweet with some tannins on the berry-dominated finish. (Distributed by Joshua with Heidelberg) Raymond Rating = 84 points