Aug 20, 2008  KISTLER  Chardonnay Sonoma Valley Kistler Vineyard 2005 (93 points, $80)
Rich without being overblown, with smoky, toasty oak joining ripe pear, melon, citrus, honeysuckle, mineral and fig flavors that are notably elegant and refined, keeping a tight focus and ending with a lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 1,830 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 19, 2008  FRANZ HAAS  Vigneti delle Dolomiti Manna 2006 (90 points, $45)
Aromas of peeled orange and peach follow through to a full body, with loads of fruit and a rich finish. Layered and complex. I am a big fan of this wine. Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon. Drink now. 3,330 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 18, 2008  JERMANN  Chardonnay Venezia-Giulia 2007 (90 points, $40)
Very fresh, with loads of apple pie, lemon and mineral character. Full and rich, with a slightly oily texture, but long and crisp. This is really delicious. Drink now. 12,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 16, 2008  TRAPICHE  Malbec Mendoza Viña Eleodoro Aciar 2005 (90 points, $50)
A big, broad style, with lots of ripe plum, blackberry and raspberry fruit backed by a healthy dose of sweet toast. Rich and juicy through the finish, with a lingering note of melted licorice. Drink now through 2010. 1,193 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Aug 15, 2008  CAPARZO  Brunello di Montalcino 2003 (90 points, $58)
Aromas of slightly stewed cherry and berry, with hints of coffee bean, follow through to a full body, with plenty of fruit and a velvety, soft and round finish. Pretty and moreish. Best after 2009. 8,300 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 14, 2008  PROVENANCE  Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2005 (92 points, $85)
This is rich, intense and concentrated, yet offers a measure of finesse, with a complex mix of dried currant, spice, blackberry and wild berry fruit that's expressive without going to excess. Drink now through 2014. 1,625 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 13, 2008  LUCA  Chardonnay Altos de Mendoza 2006 (90 points, $33)
Rich but focused, with enticing yellow apple and grilled hazelnut notes followed by additional hints of toast, brioche and citrus fruits. Long, rich finish. Drink now through 2009. 1,600 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Aug 12, 2008  LAMBORGHINI  Umbria Campoleone 2005 (90 points, $55)
Aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, soft, claylike minerals and flowers follow through to a silky, full-bodied palate, with quiet intensity and good length. Tannic and a little austere now. Best after 2011. 2,300 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 11, 2008  HEWITT  Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2005 (94 points, $85)
Intense and concentrated, big and expressive, with layers of ripe currant, plum, sage, pencil lead and black cherry, all flowing rather seamlessly. Tightly focused, this is rich without being heavy, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014. 4,750 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 09, 2008  KOSTA BROWNE  Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2006 (91 points, $48)
Smoky, savory dried berry, sage, cola and hints of anise and herb fold together in this sleek, trim, focused youngster. Medium- to full-bodied and well-proportioned, ending with a mix of fruit and cedary oak. Drink now through 2011. 3,567 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 08, 2008  STAGLIN  Chardonnay Rutherford 2006 (90 points, $75)
Refreshing and clean, with snappy citrus, green apple and melon notes that unfold to reveal hints of clove, spice and floral scents. Complex and concentrated, this is a wine that can stand short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2012. 1,200 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 07, 2008  BURLY  Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 (92 points, $60)
Firm, rich and intense, with a complex core of wild berry, currant, black cherry and plum, framed by toasty, cedary oak. Well-focused, deep and persistent. Best from 2009 through 2014. 1,250 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 06, 2008  VIÑA DOÑA PAULA  Malbec Luján de Cuyo Selección de Bodega 2005 (91 points, $35)
Concentrated but bright, with fresh raspberry, cherry and floral notes leading the way for additional licorice, blueberry and plum sauce notes. Very silky finish shows excellent length as it airs in the glass. Very nice combination of power and elegance. Drink now through 2011. 1,050 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Aug 05, 2008  MORGANTE  Nero d'Avola Sicilia Don Antonio 2005 (91 points, $43)
Very attractive bright fruit, with licorice and blueberry. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish. This is really polished and pretty. Long and delicious, with a silky texture. Why wait? Drink now. 3,330 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 04, 2008  DOMAINE DE FABRÈGUES  Coteaux du Languedoc Le Cœur Red 2006 (90 points, $36)
Dark, rich and intense, with lip-smacking flavors of mineral, red berry and dark plum. Good trim and plenty of structure, with a long finish of spice and smoke. Should reward time in the cellar. Drink now through 2013. 830 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Aug 02, 2008  VIE DI ROMANS  Sauvignon Blanc Isonzo del Friuli Vieris 2005 (92 points, $45)
Ripe and rich aromas and flavors of lightly honeyed citrus fruits, with a hint of celery salt. Full-bodied, with good balance and a long, fresh finish. Rich and powerful. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 01, 2008  TRIMBACH  Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2002 (91 points, $45)
Crackling acidity holds the firm structure of this salty white together. Modest fruit flavors of pear and lemon mix with a hint of earth, and this ends with a lip-smacking finish. Best from 2010 through 2020. 4,100 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Jul 31, 2008  BERGSTRÖM  Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Bergström Vineyard 2006 (93 points, $75)
Polished, with a velvety edge to the gently spicy red plum and black raspberry fruit. A generous mouthful of flavor that doesn't get thick or dense, but instead lets the flavors hover enticingly over the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2016. 1,100 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Jul 30, 2008  KOSTA BROWNE  Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2006 (90 points, $48)
Offers a pretty burst of ripe plum and black cherry fruit to accompany the herb, sage, dusty berry and loamy earth flavors. Ends with a complex aftertaste and hints of anise and toasty oak. Drink now through 2011. 3,627 cases made.
- James Laube

Jul 29, 2008  LYNMAR  Chardonnay Russian River Valley Quail Hill Vineyard 2005 (91 points, $40)
Smooth, rich and concentrated, this is tight and focused, with aromatic citrus, pear, fig and spice, remaining sleek and rich, with subtle oak shadings. Drink now through 2011. 1,480 cases made.
- James Laube

Jul 28, 2008  ORIEL  Gigondas Jocunda 2005 (91 points, $35)
A restrained, aromatic style, with lots of spice box, tobacco and incense notes leading the way for blackberry, currant, braised beef and tar notes. The finish really gains steam, with nice riveting acidity underneath. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Made by Louis Barruol of St.-Cosme. Drink now through 2012. 1,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Jul 26, 2008  VIÑA NEYEN DE APALTA  Espíritu de Apalta Colchagua Valley 2004 (92 points, $65)
Structured style, with loam, black currant, fig paste and black licorice notes that drive through the grippy, tar-tinged finish. Hints of grilled herb and tobacco flitter in the background. Strong showing for the vintage. Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2012. 1,375 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Jul 25, 2008  PAUL HOBBS  Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2006 (92 points, $45)
Well-executed in a rich, smoky, toasty oak style, with layers of spicy fig, apricot, honeysuckle and melon flavors that fan out and coat the palate, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2011. 3,003 cases made.
- James Laube

Jul 24, 2008  PAUL HOBBS  Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2006 (91 points, $45)
Aromas of cola, dried currant and blueberry, sage and fresh earth give this a complex mix of flavors. Delicate and balanced, with subtle flavor nuances that are sharply focused on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 3,028 cases made.
- James Laube

Jul 23, 2008  DARIOUSH  Chardonnay Napa Valley Signature 2006 (91 points, $41)
A well-executed mix of tight, focused pear, melon, spice and apricot flavors framed by light toasty, cedary oak, ending with a long, persistent finish that gains subtle flavor nuances. Drink now through 2011. 1,880 cases made.
- James Laube