Special California reds for very nice prices
Here are four wines worth more than their reasonable price tags.
How much more? That's for you to decide.

CRAVEN & LATTIN  Pinot Noir
"Armagh Vineyard" Sonoma Coast 2006, $24
The vineyard, named for the Northern Ireland County Armagh, is - you guessed it - quite cold...about as cool as it gets for superb Pinot Noir. Kendra Craven & David Lattin are husband & wife, owners & winemakers. They make outstanding, well-priced "boutique" Sonoma Coast wines. If you're a lover of red fruit-driven, nicely earthy & aromatic Pinot Noir, you will be happy to have a few bottles of this for your Thursday night 30 minute meals.
My tasting notes: Beguiling nose of red roses, sweet spices and wild cherries. In the mouth, it's fresh, silky, bright, medium-bodied and a little exotic. This beautiful, aromatic, feminine Pinot Noir does well with a half hour of decanting. Enjoy this with good ol' grilled or roasted salmon filets.

BLUE ROCK Cabernet Sauvignon
"Baby Blue" Alexander Valley 2006, $23

There's a good chance you've enjoyed the Blue Rock Cabernet from us. I've been smitten with Blue Rock since their 2000. When I tried their second label, "Baby Blue," at less than half the price of Blue Rock, I didn't taste that much difference between the two. (Not that I'm throwing the Blue Rock under the bus...it's a great buy as well at $48). "Baby Blue" comes from "Baby Vines" of 3-10 years. The vineyard is just west of Highway 101 outside of Geyserville.
My tasting notes: boasts the silky texture and persistence of it's proud Papa. Full of plums, blackberries and dark raspberry flavors. A nice touch of lavender and sweet oak. Not a heavy wine, but not light either. Finish sticks around longer than you'd expect for its weight. I timed it at 20 seconds. The light touch of oak fits the juicy, bright berry fruit like a glove. 900 cases made.  

BALDASSARI Syrah, North Coast 2005, $27
Excerpt from my "Food is Fun" page: The town of Sonoma has a fantastic Portuguese restaurant called La Salette. The food is flavor-packed, hearty and thoughtful. A wood fired oven roasts away behind the chefs. We've only dined here twice, yet it's on our top ten restaurants in Wine Country. I spotted the BALDASSARI Syrah, North Coast 2005 ($27 at Back Room Wines), and ordered it to match our entire meal. Fire roasted fresh sardines with a warm onion compote, seared sea scallops on sweet potato puree, then lamb...a grilled chop + braised leg in a special sauce. All were outstanding dishes on a cold winter evening. The wine elevated the meals flavors and textures perfectly.
Here's a great example of balanced, fruity, spicy, luscious California Syrah. Nose has black pepper, juicy blueberries and blackberries, black olive, licorice and mocha. More of the berries, & plums, in the mouth. Medium body, silky texture, cinnamon toast and vanilla bean from the barrel, a lovely creaminess more from the fruit than the oak. 142 cases made.

LE PETITE VICE Red Wine,
Napa & Sonoma Counties 2005, $42
60% Russian River Valley Syrah. 40% Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paul Hobbs, Winemaker. A grand marriage of grapes one rarely sees at this quality. Black plums, cherries and raspberries, currants and pomegranate. The Syrah gives black pepper, oil-cured olives, spicecake and bacon. The Cab gives structure, tobacco and cedar. Careful use of oak here. 777 cases.
We carried this wine last year and made many happy at $50/bottle.
Now it's $42 before possible 10% case discount (mixed case is fine).