It is exciting to write this set of reviews because for the first time in a long time they're all winners.

Julien Labet, Fleur de Savagnin, 2005 (Cotes due Jura, France) - The latest tried at work and a real treat.  We first got a taste of this at the "Grapes You've Never Heard Of" wine tasting event last week at the Wine Bottega in  Boston's North End.  One of my co-workers then bought a sample to bring back to our tasting group (and it's not cheap - it's over $30).  Simply amazing.  It's a rich and complex white periodically exhibiting a full butteriness and/or a strong floral character.  Great stuff.  We even kicked around the idea of making it the official white to share with VIP guests at work.  Anyway, I'll easily score this an 8 out of 10, which is rare for me, and possibly I should have scored it higher.

Danie de Wet, Limestone Hill, Chardonnay, 2006 (South Africa) - This was highly recommended in a store and they sure were right.  Despite it's reasonable price in the $15 to $20 range this is a surprisingly rich, zesty, and buttery chardonnay.  It seems to have little or no oaking and despite that even Nancy really liked it.  Pick this up whenever you find it.  8 out of 10, a very good score.

Tikalo, Albaliza, 2004 (Spain) - This is 65% Tempranillo and 35% Garnacha and came highly recommended by the store.  It's great.  I haven't been this moved or excited about a Spanish wine since I had a really good bottle of Las Rocas Garnacha.  Every glass of this was bold with interesting flavors and a high zing carried through glass to glass.  For $10 this is a steal and will make a great gift to anyone who likes big and bold wines.  7 out of 10.  I was tempted to even score it higher and I think I only hesitated because I couldn't get my finger on the exact tastes which were blasting me.