Bocanova, Willi's Wine Bar, The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews

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My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode.

2010 Flying Goat Cellars, Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, California ($39) -- This is a Pinot with power. Full-bodied and a touch earthy with ripe flavors of dark cherry and cocoa, it’s a wine that takes a manly approach to a typically feminine variety. Pair alongside beef dishes or hearty cheeses.

2010 Flying Goat Cellars "Goat Bubbles - Blanc de Blancs," Santa Maria Valley, California ($38) -- The label depicts a frolicking goat as a testament to winemaker Norm Yost’s “mission of merriment” with wine. This Chardonnay-based sparkler is rich and creamy yet still maintains vibrancy. Toast to the goat!

2011 Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy ($11) -- Not many Pinot Grigios with this price tag have this much complexity. Taut and vibrant with a zip of fresh lemon, it’s an ideal summer wine to stock up on for poolside -- or tableside -- sipping.

2011 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California ($35) -- You may not have heard of this producer...yet...but you will. Situated in California’s Paso Robles region high atop a rugged hillside, the winery is run by the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel. Committed to quality, this dark berry and peppery-scented red sports a lush texture and supple tannins. A show-stopping red to drink now with grilled lamb or age for up to a decade.