fr

A beautiful, pure wine that combines freshness and intense richness. It seems to float while still giving a huge mouthful of plums, coffee and sweet, juicy tannins. A straight line of pure flavor all the way to the finish.

US

The fragrance is almost otherworldly; sweet, dense and lightly lifted. This is a sinewy wine, that begins with compact power and focused, tart red fruitspredominantly raspberry and currant. At first juicy and tart, with hours of breathing time the wine broadens out into a wider spectrum of Cabernet fruits; cassis, blackberry and black cherry.

fr

A supremely integrated wine, its richness and beautiful fruit just part of a story that starts with intense aromas and segues on the palate into a balance of tannins, dark red fruits, enveloping acidity and a beautifully orchestrated finale of berries, spice and aching freshness.

US

This very expensive release is one of the rare examples of Chardonnay that absolutely requires bottle age. Dry and leesy now, with a mineral compactness, it shows a rich core of baked peach, spiced apple, butterscotch and smoky honey. As it warms in the glass, it develops great flavor and textural complexities. Should come into its own by 2009, and improve for many years after.

fr

Beautiful, aromatic wine, with raspberry fruit floating above the spice and toast. This is shot through with acidity and some dense tannins, but above all it is the piercing fruit that dominates. One of Jadot's signature wines, it is wonderful, with considerable aging potential.

US

Bob Betz calls this his first-ever reserve style wine from Bordeaux varieties. It started with a single barrel of Red Willow Cabernet Franc and evolved into this six-barrel blend. Le Parrain opens with whiffs of smoke, gun metal and rock weaving through the dense red fruits. Pipe tobacco and licorice flavors come into play from the barrel aging. As the wine slowly opens, the flavors expand and blend, and the textural quality that Betz refers to expresses itself in a graceful, three-dimensional finish.

es

Dalmau, the ultrapremium Tempranillo blend from Marques de Murrieta, is 65% pricier in 2004 than '03. And that might be justified. This is a spectacular wine in every sense of the word. The nose blends alluring scents of smoke, asphalt, rubber and black fruit. The palate is saturated and smooth, with black cherry and blackberry flavors leading the way. Coffee, berry pie and mocha help the finish hold court and then fade away. Already good but best from 2010C2020.

at

Willi Brndlmayer uses the lyre canopy, open in the center like the ancient lyre of classical times, in part of the Heiligenstein vineyard. This, he believes, gives greater exposure, and therefore heat, for the grapes. Certainly this beautiful wine is richer than the other Brndlmayer Riesling from the same vineyard. But the intense concentration of flavor and beautiful currant and almond flavors are all there.

US

If you know Goldeneye's new Gowen Creek bottling, this is a near identical Pinot, and little wonder, for the vineyards are right next to each other. This wine dazzles with exotic, feral notes of wild blackberries and blueberries, and forest scents of pine needle, roasted mushroom, grilled meat, chocolate, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander. New oak adds even richer nuances of smoky caramel and vanilla to this compelling wine.

US

The 2005 Clos de Betz explodes from the glass with profound scents of pipe tobacco, violets, cherries and clove. Immediately supple and silky, this delicious blend of 56% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc offers more complexity than any Clos de Betz to date. Silky, tightly packed fruit flavors are seamlessly blended, with berries, currants and cherries galore. The tannins have been buffed to a fine lustre.

es

For the second vintage in a row, Vall Llach's signature red blend is out on its own. The bouquet is round and deep, with alluring cola, mint and blackberry aromas. The palate is alive but still quite dark, with huge black plum and blackberry flavors. Super long on the finish, with a subtle streak of vanilla and coconut. Delicious but also deft. 450 cases produced.

fr

Opulent yet so elegant, this wine has already achieved great balance. It comes from the soft richness of the generous fruit, the spice from both the wood and the fruit, and the roundness of the texture, which envelops you in its warmth and ripeness. And, at the end, just to give a great lift, along comes the acidity.

fr

Domaine de l'Arlot owns just over one acre of this grand cru vineyard in Vosne-Romane. This 2005 shows intense, complex fruits and tannins, both finely intertwined. There is power, but the strawberry flavors are just as important, flattering the palate.

US

This is the smoothest, most polished of Standish's quartet of new Pinots. It's a best-of-barrels selection, and really impressive in cherry, currant, licorice, cola and Proven?al herbs. With near-perfect balance, it exemplifies Anderson Valley and also is a standout in the great 2005 vintage. It was crafted, under Standish's guest winemaker program, by Zach Rasmussen, of Goldeneye.

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This Cab offers big blackberry aromas, brown sugar, dark concentration and a brooding disposition. It's plush and modern, and a true bruiser, with firm tannins and opulent flavors of toast and plum. Ready to drink.

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Nambrot features inviting aromas of sweet cherry, vanilla bean and espresso grinds. The wine is sweet and succulent in the mouth with blueberry flavors and a long, spicy finish.

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This Sangiovese and Merlot blend features delicate acidity and high aromatic intensity. The wine is redolent of spicebox, bramble, forest berry and almond and makes for a beautiful presentation overall. Silky tannins and more fruit flavors render a bright, vibrant mouthfeel.

US

From 130-year-old vines, this is a densely layered, bigtime Zin. The flavor concentration is just tremendous, a critical mass of briary, wild blackberries, black currants, dark chocolate, licorice and fabulous Asian spice. True, the alcohol is on the high side, but the wine finishes balanced and dry. Will take up to 10 years of cellaring.

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This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot has found enduring harmony and long-lasting persistency in this vintage. The quality of the aromas is top-notch, with cherry and toast spread equally in balanced competition. It is firm but yielding in the mouth with chewy tannins.

US

Bright and forward in red and black cherry, plum and new oak aromas, this lush Bordeaux blend comes from two small vineyards in St. Helena. It has a smooth, silky texture, very seductive and charming. Luscious now, but has the structural integrity to age through 2012.