Top 10 wines of the week

Napa Valley dominates this week’s list, with six Cabernet Sauvignons/Bordeaux blends and two Sauvignon Blancs. The remaining two wines are both from Paso Robles. As always, my full reviews and scores will appear in future issues of Wine Enthusiast. Today, I’m off on a trip I’ve been looking forward to: to tour the wineries of the eastern side of Oakville and figure out how the Cabernets differ from those grown on the western side, where the soils, light, fog and rainfall patterns are quite different. Have a great weekend!

Moone-Tsai 2008 Cor Leonis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $175, 220 cases, 14.5%. A terrific wine, made from fruit grown in Pritchard Hill and Coombsville.

Hestan 2007 Stephanie Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $50, 1,600 cases, 14.9%. Flashy and rich.

Merryvale 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $65, cases not revealed, 14.5%. Ripe, balanced and delicious.

Brander 2010 Mesa Verde Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley. $22, 560 cases, 13.5%. Unoaked, but rich and fruity.

Nickel & Nickel 2008 Martin Stelling Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville. $140, 373 cases, 14.5%. Very tannic, per the house style, but massive in fruit. A wine to age.

Dominus 2008, Napa Valley. $149, 4,500 cases, 14.1%. A solid wine off the Yountville estate.

Fuse 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $22, 1,963 cases, 14.5%. Another great value from this brand.

Kiamie 2006 Kiamie Kuvée, Paso Robles. $38, 800 cases, 15%. An offbeat red blend, soft and rich.

Vina Robles 2010 White4, Paso Robles. $16, 3,910 cases, 14.2%. A dry, savory blend of several white varieties.

Cliff Lede 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley. $23, 6,552 cases, 14.7%. A fine example of a ripe, Napa style Sauvignon Blanc.