New Times / Kathy's Pick

Morgan 2011 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Consistently delicious, this is a really great buy from the highly touted Santa Lucia Highlands region in Monterey County. Beautifully balanced and delightful on its own, it is hard to resist. I loved the meld of tangy red cherry flavors with deeper notes of wild blackberries and plums, nicely nuanced with earth and spice notes. A great choice for the wild local salmon currently coming into markets, or enjoyed with a grilled New York steak, it’s currently on sale at BevMo! for $26.99. The best deal is at Tastes of the Valleys Pismo: only $23.99. I recommend a bottle to enjoy now and a couple of back-ups for the cellar.

Geyser Peak 2012 Sauvignon Blanc California

I found this dry white—a softer vintage from this longtime producer—refreshing and likeable. Normally bold with tart grapefruit flavors, the 2012 vintage is softer with sweet melon notes nicely weaved with classic notes of grass and grapefruit. It’s perfect for sipping and a great choice for the table because this varietal is amazingly versatile. It’s a good choice for spicy (not fired up) Asian or Mexican cuisine, or a salad with fruit and tangy goat cheese. A very good buy, it’s only $7.99 at Trader Joe’s, and on sale at $7.99 where it’s usually $9.99 at BevMo!