Note for this month's club selections: Even if the weather doesn't improve in the start of June, we've decided it's time to fire up the grill nonetheless. For the Sampler's Club this month we've chosen three reds because we figure everyone wants to have some great wine since the days have been so rainy and cold, and plus our ever watchful "hawk-eyes" for wine deals came across some amazing finds over the last several weeks. These are great wines to have on a deck, porch, or balcony as the cold of the evening settles in after sunset. Try it some night; you'll love the effect.

2007 Domaine de la Berthete Sensation Cotes du Rhone $14.00
The Domaine de la Berthete label has been a long time favorite, and the 2007 is another example of a smooth, medium bodied wine that is the essence of affordable French reds from the Rhone. Silky plum and cherry are accented with light spice notes as if carried on an evening breeze. As noted above, this is a great "deck sipper" wine for those who want a post-sunset glass of easy-going red. However, there is another great quality to this: the acidity and clam fruit profile make this an ideal wine for pairing with cheese. As you know we have been doing a lot of "experimenting" (well, somebody's got to do it!) with cheese from Sheri LaVigne's new cheese shop The Calf and Kid, right here on Capitol Hill. If you haven't been by, please pay her a visit: she's in the "Melrose Project" on Pike and Melrose. And after you buy some cheeses from Sheri, turn right around and walk over to the butcher across the way, Rain Shadow Meats. You're good to go for the evening now.

2006 Yellow Hawk Cellar Sangiovese $12.00
We cannot express enough sadness that one of our favorite wineries in Washington is closing. Yellow Hawk has been producing affordable, high quality and distinctive wines for years, but they are calling it quits. We purchased a bunch of stock in order that the club members can be sure to sample these wines. If you like this, buy it from us soon; there is not very much left, and after its gone, that's it. Sangiovese is an Italian varietal which has gained much fame here in Washington as it does very well in our climate. The winery notes are a perfect description of the pleasing visual, olfactory, and flavor characteristics: "A garnet beauty, medium bodied with consistent, balanced flavor and a long finish. Ripe cherry and blackberry with hints of toasted hazelnut and spice supported by soft tannins. A lovely pairing with Northwest salmon, pizza, red sauce pastas, grilled pork loin and savory roasted vegetables."

2007 Yellow Hawk Cellar Red Barn Red $9.00
An incredibly pleasing and easy to drink wine. In fact, be careful: we've polished off a bottle before dinner even got to the table. Oops! No matter, it is delightfully affordable, so open another one. Using Yellow Hawk Cellar's strikingly popular supply of Sangiovese and Barbera, this is a light bodied and extremely satisfying wine with slightly tart cherry notes decorated by hints of spice and a bit of smoke. We're not sure you could find a better wine to pair with pizza!