Mar 11, 2008  CHÂTEAU CHASSE-SPLEEN  Moulis 2005 (90 points, $35)
Shows blackberry and fresh mushroom on the nose. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and an aftertaste of chocolate and delicate fruit. Best after 2012. 36,730 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 10, 2008  ANTINORI  Umbria Cervaro della Sala 2005 (93 points, $43)
Shows aromas of papaya, green apple, lemon and light vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with subtle apple pie, cream and light vanilla flavors. Creamy and beautiful. Needs time to develop, but so good already. Chardonnay and Grechetto. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 08, 2008  DOMAINE SERENE  Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Yamhill Cuvée 2005 (92 points, $40)
Supple and distinctive for its cinnamon- and clove-scented cherry and blackberry flavors, riding smoothly on a layer of superfine tannins. This comes together suavely on the lingering, enticing finish. Drink now through 2015. 4,265 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Mar 07, 2008  CHÂTEAU DE RAYNE-VIGNEAU  Sauternes 2005 (92 points, $40)
Bright aromas of lemon, spice and honey follow through to a full body, with loads of dried apricot, honey and nutmeg. Very sweet and very lively. An intense wine. The best from this estate in a long time. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 06, 2008  CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE  Haut-Médoc 2005 (90 points, $33)
Shows blackberry and plum skin aromas, with hints of vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a pretty, fruity aftertaste. An elegant, balanced style. Lingers on the palate. Best after 2012. 33,330 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 05, 2008  CHÂTEAU D'AIGUILHE  Côtes de Castillon 2005 (92 points, $30)
Displays gorgeous aromas of vanilla bean, mineral, raspberry and blackberry. Full-bodied, with very round, soft tannins and a long, rich, fruity finish. Beautiful. Best after 2016. 8,330 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 04, 2008  CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAGES-LIBÉRAL  Pauillac 2005 (93 points, $44)
Very aromatic, showing blackberry and currant aromas, with some licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a rich, decadent, fruity finish. Caresses the palate. Stylish and opulent. Best after 2011. 10,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 03, 2008  CHÂTEAU GLORIA  St.-Julien 2005 (92 points, $37)
Licorice, blackberry and fresh cèpe on the nose. Full and velvety-textured, with lots of fruit and a long, caressing finish. Pretty and rich. The best Gloria in years. Best after 2014. 18,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 01, 2008  CHÂTEAU FOMBRAUGE  St.-Emilion 2005 (91 points, $37)
Dark in color, with intense aromas of dried mushroom and very ripe fruit. Almost raisiny. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of ripe fruit. Turns meaty and raisiny. A very mature style, but one that I like a lot. This is always a wonderful value. Best after 2013. 13,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 29, 2008  CASALE TRIOCCO  Sagrantino di Montefalco 2003 (93 points, $37)
This is big and powerful, showing loads of ripe fruit, with big, juicy, layered tannins. A blockbuster style, but stylish and exciting. Goes on and on. Best after 2009. 2,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 28, 2008  DR. LOOSEN  Riesling Spätlese Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Erdener Treppchen 2006 (92 points, $32)
An elegant style, with typical apricot, lime and slate notes, along with strawberry cream. It's light-weight, seductive and succulent, with a lingering finish. Drink now through 2028. 250 cases imported.
- Bruce Sanderson

Feb 27, 2008  PRATESI  Toscana Carmione 2005 (92 points, $35)
Very attractive toasty oak, pepper and blackberry character follows through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This is multidimensional. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best after 2009. 2,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 26, 2008  ROSENBLUM  Petite Sirah Napa Valley Pickett Road 2005 (89 points, $35)
Complex, tight and tannic, with chocolate and coffee flavors that give richness to the ripe cherry and berry notes. The tannins get chewy on the finish, but the flavors linger nicely. Drink now through 2008. 3,125 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Feb 25, 2008  WILSON  Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Sawyer Vineyard 2005 (91 points, $32)
Laserlike in focus, with black cherry and sage aromas and concentrated yet ripe plum, pepper, licorice and mineral flavors that take on depth at the end. Best from 2009 through 2011. 1,400 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 23, 2008  BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER  Alfa Crux Uco Valley 2003 (91 points, $39)
Modern style, but not overly flashy, with mocha and spice notes that meld quickly into the blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Long and lush on the finish, with alluring vanilla bean and incense notes. Tempranillo, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2010. 500 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Feb 22, 2008  MONCARO  Rosso Conero Vigneti del Parco Riserva 2003 (91 points, $33)
There's lots of crushed currant and berry, with a pleasant chocolaty mineral character. Dense and full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a fruity finish that leaves a licorice aftertaste. The best from this producer in 2003. Pure Montepulciano. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 21, 2008  MCPRICE MYERS  Grenache Santa Barbara County L'Ange Rouge 2005 (93 points, $32)
Lush and rich, this is jammed with ripe fruit. Aromas of wild berry and spice lead to layered, smoky blueberry and toasty vanilla flavors that finish with a zesty flourish of pepper. Best from 2009 through 2011. 435 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 20, 2008  FALESCO  Lazio Montiano 2005 (92 points, $45)
Very pretty mineral, blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with ultrafine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Merlot. Best from 2008 through 2014. 5,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 19, 2008  RODNEY STRONG  Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve 2005 (90 points, $30)
Impressive for its richness, balance and finesse. Intense and focused, with fresh, vibrant pear, apple and lemon-citrus notes, with subtle toasty oak shadings. Ends with a long, lingering finish. Drink now. 1,400 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 16, 2008  SCHIOPETTO  Tocai Friulano Collio 2006 (92 points, $37)
Aromas of peach stone, light honey and lemon. Full-bodied, with mineral, white pepper, flint and ripe peach. Long and flavorful. This is a crisp, superclean wine, with loads of character and finesse. Stylish. Drink now. 3,775 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 15, 2008  VINEYARD 29  Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Cru 2005 (90 points, $50)
Well-crafted, tight and structured, with focused currant, mineral, sage and dried berry fruit that's intense and concentrated, with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2013. 2,943 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 14, 2008  SBRAGIA FAMILY  Chardonnay Napa Valley Gamble Ranch Vineyard 2005 (90 points, $40)
Fresh, floral and creamy-textured, with delicate pear, fig, spice and light hazelnut flavors that are complex, focused and lingering. Drink now through 2011. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,075 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 13, 2008  BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA  Chardonnay Mendoza Alta 2005 (92 points, $35)
Really enticing nose, with flavors of pineapple, cherimoya and yellow plum fruit. Has a suave grilled hazelnut streak and a long finish that shows excellent clarity. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Feb 12, 2008  BABCOCK  Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Grand Cuvee 2006 (90 points, $40)
Starts out supple, with fresh complex aromas of earth and black cherry fruit, picking up a hint of sandalwood and spice. Chewy but ripe tannins provide structure. Drink now through 2012. 950 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 11, 2008  ELENA WALCH  Alto Adige Beyond The Clouds 2005 (93 points, $46)
Offers very ripe fruit aromas of peach pie, pineapple and apple. Full-bodied and very rich, with loads of fruit and a long finish. This is big, rich and satisfying. One of the best whites in Alto Adige. Drink now. 850 cases made.
- James Suckling