2007 Qupe Rousanne, Bien Nacido Hill, Santa Maria Valley To anyone who loves Cali chard, please try this wonderful rousanne from southern California. The wine has a very aromatic nose of pineapple, apricot, pear and all manner of tropical fruit with white floral notes. On the palate, it’s big, round and smooth with lush, ripe fruit and well-integrated oak.

2008 Stag’s Leap S.L.V. Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley Compared with some of the big Washington wines in the Antinori/Ste. Michelle tasting, this iconic Napa cabernet was positively ethereal on the palate. An elegant mix of fresh red and dark cherry and currant with hints of red flowers and licorice. A lovely balance of acidity and well-integrated tannins. Full-bodied and lingering. 2009 William Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons, Burgundy, France A very ripe and juicy Chablis with citrus, peach and star fruit, white flowers and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is light and soft with a hint of creaminess and a clean finish.

2009 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos de la Mousse, Burgundy, France An absolutely elegant wine with a soft nose of strawberry, raspberry, earthy underbrush and smoke. The wine has a silky mouthfeel with ripe fruit flavors, a light body and soft tannins.

2004 Bodegas Luis Cañas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia, Rioja, Spain A funky dark fruit nose of black cherry compote with vanilla, cinnamon, coffee and grilled herb notes. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a dry finish.

2011 Loimer Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Austria Very bright, ripe apple and citrus fruits with floral and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is almost spritzy from a high acidity. It’s light, clean and refreshing, the perfect summer sipper.

2007 Marques de Griñon Caliza, Dominio de Valdepusa, Spain A blend of syrah and petit verdot, this non-traditional Spanish wine is full of dark, ripe fruits like wild blackberry, huckleberry and blueberry with earthy and peppery notes. Medium-bodied with round tannins and a long, dry finish. An interesting and unexpected wine in the Grand Tasting Village.

2009 Pago de Vallegarcía Syrah, Montes de Toledo, Spain Year after year, this is a go-to for me a the Grand Tasting Village. It’s just a good, solid syrah, full of dark blackberry and blueberry fruit and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is medium-full bodied with well integrated tannins. Definitely worth trying.

2009 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay, Atalayas Vineyard, Casablanca Valley, Chile A big, ripe nose of juicy pineapple and tropical fruit. Very full and ripe with a creamy, medium body and well-integrated oak. A nicely done wine.

2005 Trimbach Riesling, Cuvée Frédéric Emile, Alsace, France A real gem found in the Grand Tasting Village was this signature wine from Alsace. A big riesling with bright and fresh apple and tropical fruit notes matched by a lovely minerality. The age is beginning to show on this 2005 vintage with secondary notes of rubber and petrol. On the palate, the wine is medium/full-bodied with a balance of fresh acidity to match the ripe fruit flavors.