1995 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Pinot Noir, Los Carneros of Napa Valley

Taking a chance on a 12-year-old pinot noir proved to be a very good decision. The orange-red color testified to the wine's age, and it had somewhat lighter color as well. There was lots of floral perfume in the aroma, and enough varietal fruit in the taste to avoid the tea-leaf character of some PNs past their peak. A bit of mild tannin gave some structure, and the taste was fairly long Close-out price $19, regular price unknown.
Rating: Very Good

2005 Cristina Ascheri Gavi, Cristina Ascheri, Italy

Much better than I remember the 2002 and 2001 versions as being. Medium-bodied, with some depth, good varietal character and nice acidity. Fairly long taste. A very good deal at a close-out price $10, regular price $15.
Rating: Good ++

2001 La Bête Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill Vineyard, Oregon

Good varietal aroma and taste, with some perfume. Flavorful, with a touch of tannin and some firmness. Fairly long taste. Could use just a little more intensity. Close-out price $20, regular price unknown.
Rating: Good ++

2004 Morgadio Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain

Fairly mild and innocuous, without much flavor interest. Dry, good acidity, moderate length, and cleanly made. Close-out price $14, regular price $20.
Rating: Good

2004 Hécula, Monastrell, Bodegas Castaño, Yecla, Spain

Juicy and flavorful, like blackberries without a zinfandel-like sweet edge, and enough tannin and oak for some backbone. Dark color, fairly long taste. Held up well over several days. One of the wine mags gives it a 91, but I don't taste the kind of complexity. Still, a great value at a sale price $11.
Rating: Good ++

2005 Acacia Pinot Noir, Napa Valley - Carneros

Doesn't show quite the same floral perfume and seductiveness of previous years. Medium-bodied, moderately long taste with more cherry than raspberry, giving the flavors a darker tone. There's some firmness, with maybe a little less of a light touch with tannin and oak than before. I prefer to go with the 2004 version. Close-out price $21, regular price $30.
Rating: Good ++

2004 Pouilly-Fumé, Vielles vignes, Régis Minet, France

Probably the best Pouilly-Fumé/Sancerre that I've come across. The "old vines" had me concerned about the possibility of a heavily-extracted, lower-acidity, full-bodied wine. Instead, there was the refreshing tartness one expects of a Pouilly-Fumé, with very good but not overpowering intensity, complex flavors and a very long taste. It showed the superb balance of the French style, with none of the grassiness of a New Zealand SB. Close-out price $16, regular price $22.
Rating: Very Good +

2006 Croney Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Three Ton, Marlborough, New Zealand

Marlborough grassiness and vibrant acidity, in a somewhat austere package, good intensity and length. The "Three Ton" represents the yield per acre, intentionally kept low. I also like their back label statement that "Oak is the devil when it comes to top quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc." And, I would add, residual sugar. Their recomendation is to "Enjoy with anything that swims or clings to rocks." A winery to keep an eye on - I certainly like their attitude. Regular price $16, less 20%.
Rating: Very Good -

Red-tag close-out sales this month:

Whites:

2004	Pouilly-Fumé, Vielles vignes, Régis Minet, France	($16, orig. $22)
2004	Sancerre, La Porte du Caillou, Domaine des Trois Noyers, France	($12, orig. $19)
2004	Bourgogne Aligoté, Domaine Robert Chevillon, France	($12, orig. $17)
2006	Morgadio Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain	($14, orig. $20)
2005	Cristina Ascheri Gavi, Piedmont, Italy	($10, orig. $15)
2004	Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, Meulenhof, M-S-R	($12, orig. $16)
2001	Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett, Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe	($11, orig. $17)

Reds:

2004	Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Belle Pente Vyd., Yamhill-Carlton District, Oregon	($19, orig. $??)
1995	Robert Sinskey Vineyards Pinot Noir, Los Carneros of Napa Valley	($19, orig. $??)
2005	La Bête Pinot Noir, Stoller Vyd., Yamhill County, Oregon	($18, orig. $24)
2004	Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir, Carneros	($10, orig. $15)
2004	Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir, Waipara Valley, New Zealand	($25, orig. $40)
2004	Gigondas, La Gille, Perrin & Fils, France	($18, orig. $25)
2001	Château-Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée du Baron, France	($24, orig. $??)
1999	Conde de Valdemar Vendimia Seleccionada Garnacha Reserva, Rioja	($19, orig. $25)
2005	Salmos, Torres, Priorat, Spain	($12, orig. $18)
2001	Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy	($14, orig. $20)