2010 Campuget Rose, Costiere de Nimes, France: This fresh and delicious Rose is from a small family-run estate south of the Rhone valley. Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, this rose has bright, light red fruit aromas and flavors with minerally, crisp finish. It’s the first release of 2010 rose out there so it epitomizes the optimism of warmer weather ahead. The perfect springtime sipper.

Sauvignon Blanc Flight:

2009 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, CA: Bonterra was at the fore-front of the Organic and Biodynamic movement in wine decades ago – and to this day all of their wines are 100% organic, biodynamic and completely sustainable. This wine from the relatively cool climate of Mendocino exhibits flavors of crisp grapefruit, melon and kiwi. Bright acidity and a touch of lime-zest continue on the palate for a clean and tart finish.

2009 Project Paso Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, CA: From a brand new winery debuting in Oregon, this has been a small, old-school operation in Paso Robles who just decided to go bigger and come into Oregon. From the warmer Paso Robles climate, this sauv blanc will have more tropical fruit and round flavors with bright acidity and a clean finish.

2009 Matua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ: New Zealand sauv blanc is all a-craze these days, and it’s because of the flavor “explosion” they tend to showcase. Great mineral content in the soils combined with the marine influence, winds, cool climate with sunny weather make for bright grapefruity, grassy, expressive sauv blanc. Matua’s is a brilliant example – tart citrus, tropical and herbaceous flavors with a zippy texture on the palate linger long in through the finish with enough round creaminess that you can hardly believe all the interesting flavors and textures can be exuded in the same wine. Delicious!

Cabernet Sauvignon Flight:

2008 Penfolds Koononga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia: Penfolds, one of the most iconic wine brands in Australia and the whole world, deserves the acute attention it receives. The wines are always of supreme quality. This cab is medium weight with dark blackberry fruit, a touch of spice and dried herbs – typical of the South Australia wine growing region. Supple tannins and forward round fruit flavors make for an expressive, smooth Cabernet.

2008 Chateau St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA: Chateau St Jean has received more accolades than any other Sonoma country winery in history. Margo Van Sant, the world class winemaker, has been named winemaker of the year from Wine Spectator more than once. This Cab is an incredible value with delicious blackberry and cocoa/mocha flavors, smooth tannins and great acidity for food pairing and to keep your palate begging for more. Lightly oaked, beautifully balanced, the fruit shows the Sonoma county terrior and the craft of a world-class winemaker.

2005 Torres Grand Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon, Penedes, Spain: Torres is the oldest winery in Spain, coveted for generations and was also recently rated and the #1 “Green” and Environmentally Friendly winery in the world. Still family owned and operated, this world-class winery’s Cabernet shows the Spanish terrior with dark fruit, spice and herbal aromatic complexity. Ripe cherry, plum jam and toasty flavors from the balanced use of oak complete the wine with voluptuous texture and silky tannins.