1) Ravens Wood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2004 (California) - I had saved this one for a little while and I opened it because I was in the mood for the powerful bold. blast of zinfandel like I experienced with Amador Foothills.  Not quite the same thing.  On the bright side I would say Ravens Wood is more balanced, less fruit forward, and thus would probably be more enjoyed by people who lean to classic wines.  But let's be honest, what I like about red Zinfandel and came to expect after Amador Foothills is a bomb of flavors in the mouth, and in that regard Ravens is completely eclipsed by the power of Amador Foothills.  I definitely do like Ravens.  It was reasonably priced and good to take as a gift.  I just don't see it to be a rare gem.

2) Sipavola Rosso di Sicilia 2005 (Nero d'Avola 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%)(Sicily, Italy) - I really quite enjoyed it and see it as a safe fun gift to bring.  It's a smooth, easy drinking, balanced wine, with decent flavor.  Worth a repeat.  Not too expensive, and it's the first wine I bought from Best Cellars' recommendations which I thought truly lived up to it's description (at least of the 3 or so I tried so far).