daily wine picks

More than $30

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

Oct. 02, 2001: DEUTZ Brut Champagne Classic NV (90 points, $39)

With the end of the year approaching, you'll start to see the results of our Champagne tastings. This offering from Deutz was one of the top NV bruts. Lovely aromas and flavors of hazelnut, honey and citrus mingle with a firm yet rich structure in this el —Bruce Sanderson

Oct. 01, 2001: TRIMBACH Riesling Alsace Clos Ste.-Hune 1996 (96 points, $120)

The Clos Ste.-Hune, Trimbach's top Riesling, comes from a 3.5-acre parcel of limestone and clay in the grand cru Rosacker vineyard. The '96 is a great Riesling, balancing intense, pure flavors of apple, quince, peach and apricot with a filigreed steel str —Bruce Sanderson

Sep. 25, 2001: TRIMBACH Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 1997 (93 points, $40)

Always one of the region's top wines, '97 is no exception for Trimbach's "Freddie Émile". Ultraseductive, this Riesling offers suave notes of smoke, quince, peach and stone allied to a steely structure. Beautifully integrated, its velvet fabric buffers t —Bruce Sanderson