The tax season is upon us. It is once again time to account our savings and expenses; and pay-off our due. This month I will be featuring a broad range of good value wines from California and Washington. All these wines can be purchased for $18 or under per bottle. We have four Merlots, four Pinot Noir and four Zinfandels. Merlot Wine Reviews Avila 2003 MERLOT SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $13-$15 Full-bodied and richly flavored. A powerful wine of excellent price. Ripe with hints of woody and spicy flavors. Possess long, persistent finish. 6,500 cases. Drink through 2007. Castle Rock 2003 MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY WASHINGTON $11-$13 Fruit-forward and supple. Well-balanced and long on the palate. Feature the flavors of ripe berry, plum and subtle oaky tendencies. 5,000 cases. Drink through 2007. Columbia Winery 2001 MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON $16-$18 Round, intense and full-bodied. Features subtle oaky character and light tannic finish. Taste reminiscent of cherry, black currant, toast, and herbs. 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 5% Sangiovese. 21,823 cases. Drink through 2008. Shooting Star 2003 MERLOT LAKE COUNTY $16-$18 Delicate and enticing. Full-bodied, jammy flavors and moderate length. Laced with lightly oak aromas/flavors. Drink through the end of 2006. Pinot Noir Red Wine Reviews Castle Rock 2004 PINOT NOIR MENDOCINO COUNTY $11-$13 Great quality and value. Features distinct flavors of plum, pepper and raspberry. Well-balanced and full-bodied. Drink through 2007. Chalone Vineyard 2004 PINOT NOIR MONTEREY COUNTY $16-$18 Deep ruby color. Intense flavors of baked cherry, cranberry, raspberry, toast and nutmeg. Full-bodied and persistent long finish. Drink through 2007. Greg Norman 2004 PINOT NOIR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $18 Ripe and fleshy. Features flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum. This is an impressive Pinot Noir that can be availed of at such a reasonable price. Good depth/balance and long finish. Subtle oak hints that accentuates its fruity character. Trinchero Family 2004 PINOT NOIR NAPA VALLEY $12-$14 It possesses well-balanced acidity, crisp character and persistent finish. Round and full-bodied. Tasting of raspberry, plum and toast. 13,000 cases. Drink through 2007. Zinfandel Red Wine Reviews Artezin 2003 ZINFANDEL MENDOCINO-AMADOR-NAPA $14-$16 Delicious wine of great value. Full-bodied and intensely flavored. Tasting of berries, berry jam, pepper and cherry. Long and persistent on the palate. 67% Mendocino, 21% Amador, 12% Napa. 11% Petite Sirah. 5,000 cases. Drink through 2007. BV Coastal Estates 2003 ZINFANDEL CALIFORNIA $10-$12 Extraordinary Zin of fleshy and full-bodied character. Features flavors of blackberry, cherry, pepper with toasty overtones. Persistent, long finish. 4% Petite Sirah. Drink through the end of 2006. Bogle Vineyards 2003 OLD VINE CALIFORNIA $12-$14 Ripe, oaky and moderately rich. This Zinfandel features deep flavors of berry jam, licorice and toast. Medium length. 70,000 cases. Drink through 2007. Gallo of Sonoma 2003 RESERVE ZINFANDEL SONOMA COUNTY $13-$15 Ripe and supple. Full bodied and rich. Features flavors of blackberry, cherry and blackberry jam accentuated with pepper overtones. Medium long finish. 10,000 cases. Drink through the end of 2006.