Serious wine drinkers really appreciate it if someone cares enough to give the best. Here is a shopping list of the best California wines I have tasted this year but not yet reviewed.

Cabernet Sauvignon2006 Chappellet Signature ($42)2006 Ehlers Estate 1886 ($95)2005 Hidden Ridge 55 percent Slope ($75)2004 Mayacamas ($65)1996 Mayacamas Library ($150)2006 Joseph Phelps Napa ($54)2006 Rocca Family Estate ($75)2006 Sbragia Monte Rosso ($50)2006 Sbragia Rancho Del Oso ($75)2006 Sbragia Cimarossa ($75)

Bordeaux Blends2006 Bennett Lane Maximus ($35)2005 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages ($90)2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia ($200)

Merlot2006 Chappellet ($30)2006 Duckhorn Napa ($52)2006 Ehlers Estate ($45)

Pinot Noir2007 J Vineyards Nicole’s ($60)2007 Sea Smoke Southing ($50)2007 Sea Smoke Ten ($80)

Syrah2005 Fess Parker Big Easy ($45)2005 Fess Parker Rodney’s ($45)

Chardonnay2006 Chateau St. Jean Reserve ($45)2007 Grgich Hills Estate ($42)2006 Mayacamas ($35)2005 Mayacamas Library ($45)2007 Patz & Hall Hudson ($55)2007 Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch ($39)2007 Sbragia Gamble Ranch ($40)2005 Talbott Diamond T ($52)2005 Talbott Cuvee Carlotta ($63)—Rich Mauro has been writing about wine since 1995. He is a policy analyst for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Reach him at rich@rmpeoplespalate.com or Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901.

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