Sometimes, when you taste a wine for the first time, and it immediately wakes up your senses to something quite unique, that is one of the great joys of wine discovery. This red blend from Sonoma County, consisting of 75% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah, offers bright rich fruit of blackberry and black cherry, with a creamy and smooth structure that doesn't interfere with it's muscular flavors. The Syrah is the only grape that see's any oak aging, while the small amount of Petite Sirah gives it added depth and richness. The journey through it's many layers make each sip a rewarding experience.

2009 COLLOVROY ET TERRIER MACON-VILLAGES

Within the boundaries of the Burgundy region of France, lay many small villages that express their Chardonnay winemaking skills in so many varied ways. In the Macon, Christian Collovroy creates some of the finest examples the region has to offer. Bright fresh apple, peach and apricot fruit, with a touch of black licorice, and a steely textured minerality that speaks it's local terrior, represent quality that is tough to beat. The length of it's velvety flavors make this a perfect match for seafood, chicken, or a creamy pasta dish.

2005 CHATEAU de HAUT SERRE

Though Argentina receives much of the world press when it comes to the grape varietal Malbec, it's the Cahors region of France that is truly home to one of the hottest grapes trends in the market today. Located in the Southwest, Cahors has been supplying the world with the finest examples of Malbec for hundreds of years.

This Chateau offers a dark, almost black fruit, robust in juiciness, fresh herbs, light earth, and a toasty character that comes from it's time in both French and American oak. More elegant than most of it's South American counterparts in the same price range, it might be time to treat yourself to a 2011 Malbec challange.