daily wine picks

$15 to $30

Feb. 03, 2012: ARNOUX & FILS Côtes du Rhône The Rhôn 2010 (87 points, $15)

Quite dark and smoky, with bacon and mocha notes, backed by fleshy plum sauce and currant paste flavors. Firm toast hangs through the finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. —James Molesworth

Feb. 03, 2012: QUINTA DO VALLADO Douro 2009 (90 points, $20)

Essence of blackberry and raspberry, with interesting accents of sage and tarragon. Offers understated power, with a fresh acidity that keeps it all lively. Finishes with mineral and black olive. Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Sousão. Drink now through 2015. 8,125 cases made. —Kim Marcus

Feb. 02, 2012: CLINE Syrah Los Carneros 2008 (88 points, $20)

Notably beefy and leathery, but in a pleasing way. Dense, chewy and extracted, with the core of dried berry and blueberry flavors ending with a minerally aftertaste and firm tannins. Drink now through 2020. 1,283 cases made. —James Laube

Feb. 01, 2012: VIÑA HARAS DE PIRQUE Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère Maipo Valley Character 2007 (89 points, $20)

Crushed black cherry and blackberry mix with earthy tobacco, smoke and licorice notes. Full-bodied, with medium tannins and a long, smoky finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases imported. —Nathan Wesley

Jan. 31, 2012: ILLAHE Grüner Veltliner Willamette Valley 2010 (86 points, $15)

Bright and jazzy, polished, with a sappy edge to the apple and green olive flavors. Drink now. 300 cases made. —Harvey Steiman