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June 22, 2009  GABRIEL MEFFRE  Côtes du Rhône La Châsse du Pape Prestige 2007  (88 points, $11)
A nice juicy core of red and black currant fruit is woven with tobacco, garrigue and black tea notes, followed by a silky finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. From France.
-James Molesworth

June 15, 2009  CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE  Riesling Columbia Valley 2008  (87 points, $10)
Ripe and effusive, with pretty pear and citrus flavors, finishing off dry. Drink now. 669,400 cases made. From Washington.
-Harvey Steiman

June 08, 2009  BODEGAS BILBAINAS  Tempranillo Rioja Viña Zaco 2006  (90 points, $15)
Black cherry and blackberry flavors are framed by smoky chocolate oak in this modern red, which is taut and focused, with firm tannins and bright acidity. Drink now through 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 10,000 cases imported. From Spain.
-Thomas Matthews

June 01, 2009  WATERBROOK  Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2007  (88 points, $12)
Crisp, minerally style has some pizzazz, offering green apple, white pepper and lime flavors, echoing on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 24,181 cases made. From Washington.
-Harvey Steiman

May 26, 2009  VIGNERONS DE CARACTÈRE  Vacqueyras Chemin des Rouvières Perfection du Rhône 2007  (90 points, $17)
Dark and winey, with a pure beam of dark fig and blackberry fruit laced with cocoa powder, black forest cake and espresso notes. Stays pure and driven through the solid, well-structured finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2010 through 2015. 10,000 cases made. From France.
-James Molesworth

May 18, 2009  BODEGA COLOMÉ  Amalaya Calchaquí Valley 2007  (91 points, $15)
Dark, with a core of crushed currant and plum fruit laced with black tea, hoisin sauce and a snappy mineral streak. Ripe, but not overblown, with a racy finish that lets sweet earth and licorice snap notes add length. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tannat. Drink now through 2010. 15,000 cases made. From Argentina.
-James Molesworth

May 11, 2009  ARBOR CREST  Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley Bacchus Vineyard 2006  (87 points, $10)
Crisp in texture and spicy in flavor, with toasty caramel overtones to the tangerine and apple flavors, finishing with refreshing acidity. Drink now. 3,385 cases made. From Washington.
-Harvey Steiman

April 20, 2009  MEZZACORONA  Chardonnay Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2007  (86 points, $9)
A clean and tasty Chardonnay, with nice apple pie and citrus character. Medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and a spicy kick on the finish. Drink now. 1,000,000 cases made. From Italy.
-Joe Cooke

April 13, 2009  CASA LAPOSTOLLE  Sauvignon Blanc Rapel Valley 2008  (85 points, $11)
Plump and forward, with tasty grapefruit and lemon verbena notes that stay fresh on the finish. Drink now. 18,000 cases imported. From Chile.
--James Molesworth

April 06, 2009  LOUIS BERNARD  Côtes du Rhône 2007  (88 points, $12)
Ripe and forward, with a solid core of dark plum and blackberry fruit laced with sweet toast and spice notes. Stays fresh and racy through the finish. Drink now. 150,000 cases made. From France.
--James Molesworth

March 16, 2009  BRANCOTT  Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2008  (89 points, $13)
Tight and tart, with sharply focused grapefruit, lime and peach aromas and flavors competing for attention as the finish races along, persisting impressively. Drink now. 100,000 cases imported. From New Zealand.
-Harvey Steiman

March 09, 2009  VIÑA SANTA EMA  Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2007  (88 points, $10)
Polished and clean in style, with mint, cherry and raspberry flavors backed by vanilla-tinged toast on the medium-weight finish. A terrific value. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 50,000 cases made. From Chile.
-James Molesworth

March 02, 2009  SOUVERAIN  Chardonnay Alexander Valley 2007  (90 points, $17)
Complex aromas of citrus, pear, apple and honeysuckle, with touches of toasty oak. Full-bodied, rich and elegant, with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2011. 35,000 cases made.
-James Laube

February 23, 2009  DE BORTOLI  Shiraz South Eastern Australia dB Selection 2007  (86 points, $9)
Smooth and vibrant, with a nice open feel to the raspberry and plum flavors, lingering on a crisp finish. Drink now. 50,000 cases imported. From Australia. --Harvey Steiman

February 16, 2009  VERAMONTE  Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Reserva 2007  (89 points, $11)
Quite ripe, with forward pear, fig and melon flavors backed by a toasty but well-integrated finish. There's solid richness and length, and this is a bit bolder in style than most Casablanca Chardonnays. Great value. Drink now through 2010. 20,000 cases imported. From Chile.
--James Molesworth

February 09, 2009  BODEGAS ATECA  Garnacha Calatayud de Fuego Old Vines 2007  (89 points, $8)
Ripe raspberries, creamy vanilla and spicy licorice mingle in this exuberant red. It's alluring, plush but tender, structured more by acidity than tannin. Drink now through 2010. 6,500 cases imported. From Spain.
--Thomas Matthews

February 02, 2009  STERLING  Chardonnay Central Coast Vintner's Collection 2007  (88 points, $10)
Aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and Key lime are friendly and caressing, fresh and lively. Medium-bodied, this has lots to offer in its array of ripe fruit flavors. Drink now. 345,000 cases made. From California.
--James Laube

January 12, 2009  EOLA HILLS  Pinot Gris Oregon 2007  (86 points, $10)
Silky, gentle and appealing for its pretty orange-scented pear flavors, echoing nicely on the open-textured finish. Drink now. 6,000 cases made. From Oregon.
--Harvey Steiman

January 05, 2009  BOGLE  Chardonnay California 2007  (87 points, $10)
Intense and vibrant in a full-bodied style, with lively pear, citrus, green apple and melon flavors. Ends with a pithy grapefruit peel edge that's complex. Drink now through 2010. 250,000 cases made. From California.
--James Laube

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