it

Here is a pure expression of Syrah from sunny Sicily that represents a very successful match between variety and territory. This is a plush, rich and penetrating red wine with loads of mature fruit, white pepper and smoke.

fr

Wonderfully aromatic wine that brings forward red cherry fruit over the more solid tannins and dry core. It is open, packed with fruit and acidity, obviously ready to drink, although likely to age.

fr

Yeasty wine, with strawberry acidity and an edge of bitterness. The wine is light, frothy in the mouth, the fruit tight with a red currant finish.

es

Compact and condensed, with aromatic subtlety that suggests maturity. The palate is still fairly juicy and tight, with core intensity and surrounding flavors of black plum, berry and spice. Complex and tasty, but probably at its peak level; drink now.

US

A very nice price for a Cabernet this good. It's drily tannic and interesting, with berry, currant and herb flavors that offer a degree of complexity. Good grapes went into the making of this wine, and good winemaking too. Drink now.

it

Magno Megonico, from Calabria in the deep south of it, is an edgy, sharp wine with a pointed vein of acidity that carries through the end. That natural freshness and 14% alcohol helps underline the wine's aromas of raspberry and forest fruit. Pair this wine with a fatty food cooked with butter or cheese.

es

Gold in color, then oaky and resiny, with a strong barrel element, honey and baked fruit on the nose. Full, sticky and catchy in the mouth, with resin, toast and baked apple and peach flavors. A unique style of mature, barrel-aged Viura. Not for everyone.

es

Deep aromas of mint, raisin, Christmas spice and hickory reflect ripeness and 24 months in barrel. The palate has a choppy feel due to firm acidity and tannins, while the flavors are roasted and leathery but also suggest earthy fruit. Not a sweet, modern wine; it's more meaty and savory. Drink now through 2015.

US

This is a big, rich, extracted, dryly tannic Cabernet. The suggestion is ageability, but the wine seems to lack the dynamic tension to ride out the years. It has plenty of ripe blackberry fruit, but snaps to a quick finish. Quite good, but a disappointing expression of the Stagecoach Vineyard.

cl

Shows a mix of balsam wood, black fruit and olive on the bouquet. The palate offers proper body and balance along with blackberry and plum flavors that are common but nice. Finishes with some dark toastiness, licorice and pepper. A little grabby but overall it's more than good.

es

Prune and lead pencil are the key aromas, and there's raisin in the background. The palate offers a mix of lushness and pulsing acid shocks, while the flavors are dark, sweet and pruney. Short on the finish and overall it's more dark and sultry than your average Graciano.

at

Warm style of wine, with a light prickle on the palate, the spice as well as the green fruit making it classic Grner. Delicious, soft, open, while still refreshingly textured. Screwcap.

cl

Sweet, rooty and robust, with a firm palate that hits with cassis, blackberry and mild herbal flavors. A juicy, lively, well-balanced Cab with earthy fig notes and chocolate on the finish. Nothing complicated; just plain old proper and drinkable.

it

Extremely floral on the nose and well structured in the mouth, this pretty white wine from Sardinia offers aromas of yellow rose, vanilla bean and almond paste. There's enough density here to pair with pistachio-encrusted sole or sea bream.

US

Lots of juicy, extracted cherry, berry, plum, mocha and spice flavors in this Mourvdre, Grenache, Syrah and Counoise blend. It's a bit soft and one-dimensional, but a pleasant sipper to drink now.

US

Doesn't show quite the rich complexity of Sequana's single-vineyard Pinots, but a fine wine nonetheless. Dry, tannic and crisp in acidity, it has berry, currant and spice flavors with a nice earthiness.

US

Falls off a notch from the '07, with tart acidity and sweet oak dominating. The depth just isn't there, although it's certainly a fine wine. Tastes like buttered cinnamon toast spread with raspberry jam and sprinkled with white pepper and cocoa.

US

Dramatically reduced production coupled with a fine vintage add up to a stellar Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc in 2009. Loaded with melon, citrus and apple fruit flavors, this brisk and refreshing wine is reminiscent of a racy Quincy. Perfect springtime sipper.

US

A Washington Pinot Gris that has some of the flesh and texture of a fine Oregon version, yet brings the spice and verve of bright Washington fruit into play. Pear, apple, acacia, orange candy, even a bit of pineapple combine into a fruity and delicious wine. All stainless, no malolactic.

US

A textbook Pinot Noir for drinking now. Showing the variety's lighter side, it's savory in raspberry, cola and spice flavors, brightened with brisk acidity. Yet there's enough complexity to make it interesting.