daily wine picks

$15 to $30

Oct. 10, 2005: TORBRECK Cuveé Juveniles Barossa Valley 2004 (90 points, $25)

Smooth, ripe and generous, brimming with cherry, raspberry, pepper and bittersweet chocolate flavors, which linger enticingly on the fine-grained finish. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Drink now through 2010. 6,000 cases made. —Harvey Steiman

Oct. 08, 2005: PLANTAGENET Shiraz Western Australia Omrah 2003 (90 points, $16)

Juicy, distinctive stuff, lively with red berry, rhubarb and black pepper aromas and flavors that linger on the fine-grained texture through a well-formed finish. Has style and grace, and the stuff to age. Drink now through 2008. 5,000 cases made. —Harvey Steiman

Oct. 07, 2005: JEAN-MAURICE RAFFAULT Chinon Les Picasses 2003 (90 points, $20)

Rustic for an '03, with briary tannins and olive and chalk notes holding the upper hand over black currant fruit. Firm, structured finish shows game and black olive hints. Complex and lengthy. Drink now through 2008. 2,900 cases made. —James Molesworth

Oct. 06, 2005: PAGO DE LOS CAPELLANES Ribera del Duero Crianza 2002 (90 points, $29)

This modern style red shows a strong oak note of chocolate and vanilla, but there's enough ripe fruit to balance, with black cherry and plum flavors. It's rich, with integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and refreshing. Drink now through 2010. 60 —Thomas Matthews

Oct. 05, 2005: ALAIN JAUME Lirac Clos de Sixte 2003 (90 points, $20)

Showy, opulent raspberry and blackberry jam aromas and flavors lead the way for firm hot stone, iron, cocoa and tar notes. Muscular finish really pumps out the fruit and structure together. Impressive. Drink now through 2010. 900 cases imported. —James Molesworth