These wines recently won favor in a blind tasting by the Chronicle panel while also offering excellent value and good availability. Unless otherwise noted, prices are what Spec’s charges for a cash purchase, but most can be found elsewhere locally or by ordering on line.

2010 Tangent Albariño
Overall Score: 19.1 (9.1 for quality, 10 for value)
Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.2. “Nice citrus notes, with sprite acidity.”
My score: 8.9. Rías Baixas meets Edna Valley. Who would have believed it? The temperate climate – the vineyards are halfway between Monterey and Santa Barbara – features a long, cool growing season, meaning conditions are perfect for the great grape of Galicia. Its zesty flavors and good minerality are deftly expressed by Clayhouse’s winemaker, Christian Roguenant.
Buy it: $14.39

* 2010 Adler Fels Gewürztraminer, Russian River
Overall Score: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value)
Our tasters: Two didn’t recommend it, but one scored it a 9.5. “Nice lychee fruit . . . floral notes.”
My score: 8.9. The Alsace meets the Russian River Valley, under the direction of Sonoma cellar veteran Harry Parducci, Jr. The wine could use a little more acidity to better hold its own with spicy food, but it’s a bright, nicely perfumed and tasty sipper – only 11.5 per cent alcohol - at a delicious price.
Buy it: $10:49.

2010 Cupcake Shiraz
Overall Score: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value)
Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.2. “
My score: 8.6. The Barossa meets . . . Actually, this is sort of a hybrid. The grapes are indeed Aussie in provenance – the winemaker is Australian - and the wine is made there, too, but the finished juice is actually bottled in California. It’s hardly a complex wine, but it sure goes down easily at a price that’s quite easy to swallow.
Buy it: $8.99

2007 Roagna Nebbiolo d’Alba
Overall Score: 18.2 (9 for quality, 9. 2 for value)
Our tasters: One didn’t recommend it, but four awarded scores of 9 or higher. “Floral, rich and elegant.”
My score: 9. Igino Roagna has made a name for himself in Houston with his barbera d’Alba, Perpetuae, but this wine is on the cusp of becoming even more popular as sommeliers and retailers embrace the chance to sell a poor-man’s Barbaresco at a barbera price. Although the vineyards in the Roero aren’t far from the Langhe, the real estate is vastly cheaper. This is a great food wine.
Buy it: $25.35

2008 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon
Overall Score: 18.4 (8.9 for quality, 9.5 for value)
Our tasters: Only one didn’t recommend it and three awarded a score of 9 or higher. “Lots of smoke and vanilla.”
My score: 8.8. The estate-grown fruit comes from vines planted on the famous Rutherford Bench. The wine reflects the classic terroir, full of blackberry and spices with vanilla and nutmeg notes. Yes, even a little cigar box and pencil shaving. It screams Napa Valley in every way except the price.
Buy it: $26.49.

2008 Sequana Vineyard Pinot Noir
Overall Score: 17.6 (9.1 for quality, 8.5 for value)
Our tasters: Received a unanimous recommendation with four scores of 9 or higher. “Smokey and crisp with lots of cherry.”
My score: 9.1 Planted in 1999, the Sundawg Ridge Vineyard is just now reaching maturity and the Sequana folks should be delighted with the results. Pinot expert James MacPhail presides over the wine-making, fermenting each block separately, then aging the wine sur lie in French Oak for 11 months. Despite the forward fruit, this big Dawg is 15.1 percent alcohol.
Buy it: $44.99.

Our other recommendations:

WHITE

8.9
* 2010 Clayhouse Estate Grenache Blanc, Red Cedar Vineyard, Paso Robles: $23 from clayhousewines.com. Received a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9. My score 9.

8.7
* 2010 Clif Family Wines “The Climber” Sauvignon Blanc, California: $14 from cliffamilywinery.com. Received two scores of 9. My score 8.8.
* 2009 MacRostie Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast: $10.49. Received two scores of 9 or higher. My score 8.5.

8.6
* 2009 Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley: $7.46. Received two scores of 8.6. My score 8.3.
* 2009 Stuhlmuller Chardonnay, Alexander Valley: Received a high score of 9.1. My score 8.7.
* 2009 Gallo Signature Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: $22.79. Received two scores of 9 or higher. My score 8.4.

8.5
* 2010 Ghost Pines Chardonnay, three valley blend: $15.99. Received two scores of 8.9. My score 8.2.
* 2010 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley: $20.78. Received two scores of 9 or higher.
* 2009 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay, Sonoma County: $21.84. Received a high score of 9.2.
* 2009 Hestan Chardonnay, San Francisco Bay: $47.39. Received two scores of 9 or higher. My score 8.5.

RED

9.2
* Lafollette Manchester Ridge Pinot Noir, Mendocino: $49.99 from Lafollettewines.com. Received five scores of 9 or higher, including a 9.3. My score 8.9.

9.1
* 2008 Martini Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. The vintage isn’t yet available for sale. Spec’s has the 2007 for $108.99. All but one taster recommended it with two scores of 9.3. My score 8.8.
* 2008 Ravenswood Icon, Sonoma County field blend: $75 from ravenswoodwinery.com (Spec’s has the 2006 for $72.46). Received a unanimous recommendation with four scores of 9 or higher. My score 9.1

* 2006 Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: $45 from hestan.com (Spec’s has 2005 half bottles for $29.99). Received five scores of 9 or higher. My score 9.1.
* Churchill’s 10-Year Tawny Port: $34.19 by special order from Spec’s. Received four scores of 9 or higher. My score 9.

9
* 2007 Penna Vigioto Nebiollo d’Alba: $34.99. All but one taster recommended it and four awarded a 9 or higher. My score 9.

8.9
* 2008 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands: $23.99. Received two scores of 9 or higher. My score 9.2.
* 2005 Lungarotti Rubesco Vigna Monticchio: $51.99 from bedfordwines.com. Received a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.2. My score 8.9.
* 2010 Cupcake Malbec: $8.9. All but one taster recommended it with a high scored of 9.1. My score 8.7.
* 2009 Cliff Lede Stag’s Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: $60 from cliffledevineyards.com (Spec’s has the 2007 for $49.99). My score 9.
* Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port: $17.59. Received three scores of 9 or higher. My score 8.9

8.8
* Domaine d’Ameillaud Côtes du Rhone: $$13.65. Received four scores of 9. My score 9.
* 2007 Marchesi di Gresy Martinenga Barbaresco: $42.64 from saratogawine.com. Received four scores of 9 or higher. My score 8.9.
* 2006 Malvira Langhe Nebbiolo: $25.34 Received two scores of 9. My score 9.

8.7
* Austin Hope Troublemaker NV, Paso Robles red blend. $20 from hopefamilywines.com. Received two scores of 9.2. My score 8.8.
* Messina Hof Papa Paolo Port Private Reserve: $21.19. Received three scores of 9 or higher.

8.6
* 2007 Scott Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco: $20.99. Received two scores of 8.9. My score 8.9.
* 2006 Baroli Barolo: $78.21 by special order from Spec’s. Received a high score of 9.2.
* 2009 Messina Hof Zinfandel: $8.89. Received two scores of 9. My score 8.5.
* 2007 Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine: $54 from hestan.com. Received a high score of 9. My score 8.9.

8.5
* 2005 Arnaldo-Caprai Collepiano Sagrantino di Montefalco: $50.99 from http://www.bassins.com. Received a high score of 9. My score 8.8.