daily wine picks

More than $30

Oct. 20, 2001: DALLA VALLE Maya Napa Valley 1998 (93 points, $125)

One of California's top Cabernet producers, Dalla Valle bucked the trend of weak '98's with yet another outstanding version of its top wine. Dark, ripe, rich and intense, with a complex, persistent beam of black cherry, blackberry, currant, anise and sage —James Laube

Oct. 17, 2001: KRUG Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée NV (93 points, $150)

One of the top Champagne houses', Krug's non-vintage wine is better than many houses vintage cuvées. This is distinctive and dramatic. New oak lends accents of vanilla and clove to the torrefaction flavors of coffee, nuts and citrus. It's all disp —Bruce Sanderson

Oct. 11, 2001: ALDO CONTERNO Barolo Colonello 1997 (94 points, $112)

From one of the region's great traditional style producers comes this outstanding Barolo. The '97 Colonello is a racy young wine, with lots of class. Very refined aromas of flowers, raspberries and plums, with hints of spice. Starts off slow on the palate —James Suckling

Oct. 08, 2001: DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS Bierzo Corullón 1999 (93 points, $55)

This new project from Alvaro Palacios (of Priorat fame) takes the little known grape Mencía to new heights. Intense and intriguing, this distinctive red is polished and savage at once, with flavors of ripe black fruit, toasty oak and fragrant wild herbs. —Thomas Matthews

Oct. 03, 2001: MARCEL DEISS Gewürztraminer Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim Sélection de Grains Nobles 1989 (95 points, $75)

Here's a terrific Alsatian sweetie, a late release from the superb '89 vintage. Take the classic rose, litchi, grapefruit and spice flavors of Gewürztraminer, concentrate and amplify them, and you have this intense, mature, beautifully integrated sweet —Bruce Sanderson