Mar 24, 2008  CHÂTEAU BRIOT  Bordeaux 2005 (84 points, $12)
Berry and lead pencil aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fruity, vanilla aftertaste. Best after 2008. 20,830 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 22, 2008  ARESTI  Chardonnay Curicó Valley 2006 (85 points, $9)
Light and fresh, with peach, apple and a hint of melon rounding out the slightly stony finish. Drink now. 14,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Mar 21, 2008  CHÂTEAU HYOT  Côtes de Castillon 2005 (87 points, $12)
Round and juicy, with clean blackberry, vanilla and fresh herb character. Medium-bodied, with a medium finish. Enjoyable now, but will improve in the bottle. Best after 2009. 6,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 20, 2008  VIÑA SANTA RITA  Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Reserva 2006 (86 points, $14)
A fresher style, with pear and apple fruit carried by nicely embedded acidity. Bright, lingering finish. Drink now. 31,500 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Mar 19, 2008  HEY MAMBO  Swanky White California 2006 (84 points, $12)
Fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle notes, with a tropical punch of acidity and fruit flavors. Herb and celery finish. Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat Canelli and Chenin Blanc. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Mar 18, 2008  CHÂTEAU GRAND JEAN  Bordeaux Supérieur 2005 (85 points, $9)
This clean, simple claret has berry and vanilla character, with hints of Indian spice. Drink now. 8,300 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 17, 2008  ARESTI  Merlot Chile 2006 (84 points, $9)
On the sweet side, with tobacco, toast and modest plum fruit flavor. Toasty, slightly firm finish has a hint of grilled herb. Drink now. 22,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Mar 15, 2008  CYCLES GLADIATOR  Syrah Central Coast 2004 (84 points, $10)
Wild berry flavors are ripe, with perfumed floral notes, a smooth texture and persistent finish. Plum, prune, spice and cedar notes have good intensity. Drink now through 2012. 12.000 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Mar 14, 2008  CHÂTEAU BEAUREGARD-DUCOURT  Bordeaux 2005 (86 points, $13)
Blackberry and wet earth aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with mineral and berry character and medium tannins. A little rustic. Best after 2009. 18,330 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 13, 2008  AGRO DE BAZÁN  Utiel-Requena Rosado Mas de Bazan 2006 (84 points, $13)
Soft, rich flavors of Linzer torte and roasted plums. It shows more structure than many rosés. Pair with food, roast chicken, for example. Drink now. 4,000 cases imported.

Mar 12, 2008  CHÂTEAU LA RAME  Bordeaux 2005 (85 points, $13)
Offers good red fruit and vanilla on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins, but a little short and austere. Best after 2008. 4,100 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 11, 2008  VERAMONTE  Merlot Casablanca Valley Reserva 2005 (84 points, $10)
Medium-weight mix of red and black cherry fruit backed by some sweet vanilla. Slightly candied finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 20,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Mar 10, 2008  HAHN  Syrah Central Coast 2005 (87 points, $14)
Elegant, direct and tasty, with fragrant pepper and floral notes. Firm, cedary tannins and a core of wild blackberry flavors that persist on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 10,000 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Mar 08, 2008  GEORGES DUBOEUF  Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2007 (85 points, $12)
A juicy red, with kirsch and strawberry flavors backed by light spice and sandalwood notes. There's enough structure to match with food. Drink now. 16,000 cases imported.
- Alison Napjus

Mar 07, 2008  VIÑA CARMEN  Carmenère Rapel Valley 2006 (84 points, $9)
Light-weight, with slightly jammy raspberry and cherry fruit notes. Dash of vanilla and herbs on the finish. Drink now. 4,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Mar 06, 2008  MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES  Rioja Crianza 2004 (85 points, $14)
This crisp red shows cherry, sweet vanilla and light herbal notes, with modest tannins. Easy-drinking, with enough grip for lighter foods. Drink now. 40,000 cases imported.
- Thomas Matthews

Mar 05, 2008  CONCHA Y TORO  Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Casillero del Diablo Reserve 2006 (88 points, $10)
Fig, hazelnut, floral and orange blossom notes run through this focused Chardonnay. Good length on the finish. Drink now. 270,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Mar 04, 2008  CHÂTEAU COUR D'ARGENT  Bordeaux 2005 (88 points, $12)
Dark ruby in color, with plenty of blackberry, spice and coffee bean undertones. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a medium, caressing finish. Has a nice core of fruit. Best after 2010. 9,815 cases made.
- James Suckling

Mar 03, 2008  ROSENBLUM  Chateau La Paws Côte Du Bone Blanc California 2006 (86 points, $14)
Fragrant and juicy, with vivid floral, apricot and peach notes, a sprig of green fresh-herb notes, and racy tropical flavors that carry on the finish. Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne. Drink now. 4,404 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Mar 01, 2008  CHÂTEAU TOUR D'AURON  Merlot Bordeaux 2005 (85 points, $14)
Blackberry and light chocolate aromas follow through to a medium body, with silky tannins and a firm finish. Turns tannic. Pure Merlot. Best after 2008. 5,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 29, 2008  GREG NORMAN CALIFORNIA ESTATES  Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2005 (86 points, $13)
Clean and fresh, with a mix of spicy apple and pear flavors that are well-focused and persistent. Drink now. 18,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Feb 28, 2008  LA VALENTINA  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 (87 points, $14)
Offers plum and berry character, with a hint of milk chocolate. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Drink now. 16,600 cases made.
- James Suckling

Feb 27, 2008  VERAMONTE  Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Reserva 2007 (86 points, $11)
Tangy and herbal, with white asparagus, garlic chive and thyme notes backed by a mouthwatering, citrusy finish. Begs for oysters. Drink now. 70,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Feb 26, 2008  BODEGA TAMARÍ  Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2006 (84 points, $13)
Good raspberry and toast flavors, with a dash of grip. A touch short on the finish.
- James Molesworth

Feb 25, 2008  GOATS DO ROAM WINE COMPANY  Goats do Roam Rosé Coastal Region 2007 (86 points, $12)
A fresh, enticing rosé, with notes of dried cherry, cranberry and watermelon, backed by a nice stony hint on the finish. Drink now. 6,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth