Jan 09, 2009  DOMÄNE WACHAU  Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Trocken Wachau Terrassen 2007 (91 points, $30)
Stone fruit flavors and cream notes fill this crunchy, rich-tasting white. White pepper and smoke fill the long, lush finish. Very sumptuous. Drink now through 2013. 2,500 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Jan 08, 2009  THE COLONIAL ESTATE  Shiraz Barossa Valley Explorateur 2006 (90 points, $28)
Lush in texture, but subtle in flavor, with black olive and meat notes adding interest to the dark berry and licorice flavors, lingering with finesse on the silky finish. Drink now through 2016. 8,500 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Jan 07, 2009  BRUNO PORRO  Dolcetto di Dogliani Ribote 2007 (90 points, $24)
Intense aromas of spices, blackberry and rose, with hints of soap. Full-bodied, with a thick palate. An impressive Dolcetto. Drink now. 1,700 cases made.
- James Suckling

Jan 06, 2009  ARGYLE  Brut Willamette Valley 2005 (90 points, $30)
Light and creamy, with white pepper and oatmeal nuances to the citrus and pear flavors, lingering on the fine bead of a finish. Drink now. 7,172 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Jan 05, 2009  LAURENZ FIVE  Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Niederösterreich Laurenz und Sophie Singing 2007 (86 points, $15)
Fresh and juicy, with apple, citrus and green peach flavors. The crisp finish features white pepper notes. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Jan 03, 2009  WEINRIEDER  Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Niederösterreich Alte Reben 2007 (92 points, $27)
Rich and ripe, with creamy, plush flavors of cream, ripe peach and glazed apricot. Seductive notes of quince, pear and spice fill the lush finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,250 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Jan 02, 2009  BODEGAS RAMÍREZ  Rioja Ramírez de la Piscina Crianza 2005 (88 points, $16)
A polished texture and balanced structure carry plum, leaf and light coffee flavors in this fresh red. The floral and cedar finish brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2013. 3,000 cases made.
- Thomas Matthews

Jan 01, 2009  ELK COVE  Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2007 (89 points, $19)
Light and fragrant, with cantaloupe and pear aromas and flavors, lingering on the silky frame. Drink now. 18,500 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 31, 2008  BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS HUGO Y EDUARDO PULENTA  Malbec Mendoza I 2006 (90 points, $22)
Lush and fruit-driven, with a creamy texture carrying enticing flavors of melted fig, crushed blackberry and spice. Long, alluring finish has plenty of toast, but it's well-integrated, with the fruit really shining. Drink now through 2010. 2,841 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 30, 2008  VIÑA MONTES  Syrah Colchagua Valley Alpha Apalta Vineyard 2006 (91 points, $28)
Richly layered, with ambitiously styled fig, mocha, espresso and bittersweet cocoa, backed by a lush beam of boysenberry fruit. Fleshy and toasty through the finish, with the dark fruit lingering well in the background. Superdelicious. Drink now through 2010. 7,500 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Dec 29, 2008  HAYMAN & HILL  Chardonnay Russian River Valley Winemakers Collection Reserve Selection 2007 (86 points, $15)
Floral, lemon grove and citrus aromas have a flinty, minerally edge, ending with a pleasant earthy streak. Lean and medium-bodied. Drink now through 2010. 18,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 27, 2008  RODNEY STRONG  Chardonnay Sonoma County 2007 (86 points, $15)
Zesty acidity gives this medium-bodied wine plenty of vibrancy, highlighting the citrus and green apple flavors. Ends with a crisp aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 233,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 26, 2008  WINZER KREMS  Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Kremstal Kremser Goldberg Kellermeister Privat 2007 (88 points, $15)
Juicy and fruity, offering peach and white cherry flavors accented by honeysuckle notes, with salted almond accents on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 3,333 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Dec 25, 2008  WILLAMETTE VALLEY  Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2007 (88 points, $15)
Smooth and silky, with pear and melon flavors riding harmoniously over the dry finish, echoing nicely. This integrates its elements especially well. Drink now. 30,000 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 24, 2008  MAYSARA  Pinot Noir McMinnville Jamsheed 2006 (90 points, $25)
Light and fragrant, with pretty floral overtones to the cherry and roasted meat flavors, lingering softly on the seamless finish. Drink now through 2014. 3,000 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 23, 2008  HERVÉ BIZEUL & ASSOCIÉS  Côtes du Roussillon Walden 2006 (90 points, $15)
Firm and focused, showing concentrated flavors of dark plum, kirsch and beef, followed by a lithe finish of iron, mineral and spice, with plenty of dark chocolate. Drink now through 2013. 2,000 cases imported.
- Kim Marcus

Dec 22, 2008  BIG HOUSE  Petite Sirah Paso Robles The Prodigal Son 2005 (86 points, $15)
Fragrantly floral, with a bright fruit profile of red currant, cherry and fruit punch flavors. The chewy tannins stay in the background. Drink now through 2012. 8,500 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Dec 20, 2008  CROCKER & STARR  Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2007 (91 points, $28)
Focused and intense, with fleshy ripe peach, nectarine, melon and pear flavors, shaded by mineral, herb and floral notes. A refreshing acidity keeps all the intense flavors light on their feet and very juicy, with a finish that goes on forever. Drink now through 2011. 1,370 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Dec 19, 2008  DRY CREEK  Fumé Blanc Sonoma County 2007 (86 points, $15)
Balances an elegant light body with pleasant juicy acidity and pretty notes of lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and grassy herbal nuances that come together on the finish. Drink now. 29,908 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Dec 18, 2008  PERTINACE  Dolcetto d'Alba 2007 (88 points, $15)
A little earthy, but there's good berry and blackberry character on the nose and palate. Medium and juicy. Drink now. 12,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Dec 17, 2008  BODEGAS DIOS BACO  Amontillado Jerez NV (90 points, $20)
Round, this starts out lightly sweet, with caramel, bittersweet chocolate and walnut notes. It has good cut on the finish, with tangy iodine and smoke accents. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Dec 16, 2008  JEAN-MAURICE RAFFAULT  Chinon Les Picasses 2006 (90 points, $22)
Firm and focused, with a chalky spine adding definition to the core of black cherry and blackberry fruit. Additional olive, tobacco and spice notes fill out the finish. Well-integrated and solid depth. Drink now through 2010. 2,100 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 15, 2008  BRÜNDLMAYER  Riesling Qualitätswein Trocken Kamptal Kamptaler Terrassen 2007 (91 points, $30)
Redolent of fresh-cut Pippin apple and nectarine, with lots of ripe spice and tropical fruit notes. The racy finish is quite minerally. Drink now through 2014. 5,000 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Dec 13, 2008  GLORIA FERRER  Chardonnay Carneros 2006 (89 points, $20)
Mouthwatering acidity give the lemon-citrus and green apple flavors plenty of structure. Full-bodied and tightly wound. Drink now through 2011. 11,600 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 12, 2008  CANTINE VOLPI  Gavi Vobis Mea 2006 (87 points, $15)
Displays lemon peel, with cooked apple and pear on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and tropical fruit. Ripe and rich. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
- James Suckling