Nov 19, 2008  FAIRVIEW  Shiraz Paarl 2006 (88 points, $15)
Ripe and fleshy, with a mix of raspberry ganache, spice cake, coffee and graphite notes backed by a juicy, lengthy finish. Still fresh too, despite its age. Drink now. 4,500 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Nov 18, 2008  GRANS-FASSIAN  Riesling QbA Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2007 (90 points, $21)
Iris and tuberose notes mingle with apple and nectarine in this delicate, detailed Riesling. There's an undercurrent of mineral, and this gets support from the lively structure. Fine length. Drink now through 2018. 1,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Nov 17, 2008  BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA  Malbec Mendoza 2006 (91 points, $25)
Enticing, with lots of mocha, fruitcake, raspberry and boysenberry flavors stretched over a lengthy, fleshy finish. A delicious, fruit-driven version. Drink now through 2010. 57,000 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Nov 15, 2008  DOMAINE DE LA MORDORÉE  Lirac La Dame Rousse 2006 (90 points, $30)
Offers a nice mix of red berry, blackberry and blueberry fruit, with a beam of sweet spice and toast notes. Shows good grip and focus through the finish, where there's a racy minerality. Should age well. Drink now through 2012. 2,750 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Nov 14, 2008  D'ARENBERG  Viognier-Marsanne McLaren Vale-Adelaide Hills The Hermit Crab 2007 (90 points, $16)
Shows the aromatics of Viognier, with a drier, less silky palate, lending an exciting raw feel to the pear, apricot and spice flavors. Drink now. 5,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Nov 13, 2008  MILZ-LAURENTIUSHOF  Riesling QbA Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 180° 2007 (90 points, $19)
Lovely spice and mineral components play off one another, while the apple and peach notes add depth and complexity. Beautifully balanced and succulent. Drink now through 2018. 1,200 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Nov 12, 2008  YALUMBA  Viognier South Australia Organic 2007 (91 points, $15)
Smooth and silky, this is generous with its pear, lemon curd and floral aromas and flavors, coursing gently through the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2011. 1,500 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Nov 11, 2008  BONTERRA  Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County 2006 (88 points, $16)
Supple, elegant and polished, with ripe, fleshy plum, black cherry, mineral, spice and light cedary oak flavors that are well-proportioned, gaining length. Drink now through 2011. 96,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Nov 10, 2008  VASSE FELIX  Chardonnay Margaret River 2007 (90 points, $19)
Generous, balanced and appealing for its orange-scented pear and spice flavors, lingering effectively on the polished finish. Drink now through 2013. 1,200 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Nov 08, 2008  DR. LOOSEN  Riesling Kabinett Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Blue Slate 2007 (90 points, $22)
There's a spicy, tangy quality to this white, along with quince and anise. It's all underscored by a mineral element and a vibrant structure, with a fine, lingering aftertaste of stone and anise. Best from 2009 through 2022. 3,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Nov 07, 2008  DOMINIO DEL PLATA  Malbec Mendoza BenMarco 2007 (91 points, $20)
Very juicy, with fresh-cut plum and fig fruit flavors laced with violet, graphite and high-toned spice notes. Long, racy finish. Drink now through 2010. 11,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Nov 06, 2008  MAPEMA  Malbec Mendoza 2006 (90 points, $20)
Ripe and forward, with dark licorice, fig, currant preserve and chocolate notes riding along round, rich tannins. Rock-solid finish. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Nov 05, 2008  ANGOVE'S  Chardonnay Limestone Coast Vineyard Select 2006 (90 points, $17)
Refined, elegant and vibrant, delivering a lively mouthful of lime-accented apple and pear fruit, weaving delicate shades of cream and toast into the finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,500 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Nov 04, 2008  SELBACH-OSTER  Riesling Kabinett Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2007 (90 points, $25)
On the dry side, with a lively structure driving the apricot, peach and violet aromas and flavors. Very balanced and accessible now, but should age as well. Drink now through 2020. 3,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Nov 03, 2008  SOGRAPE  Dão Callabriga 2005 (90 points, $16)
A ripe, rich and powerful red, with concentrated flavors of blackberry, dark plum, smoke and spice. The long finish has blueberry and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2012. 10,000 cases made.
- Kim Marcus

Nov 01, 2008  DOMAINE CARNEROS  Brut Carneros 2005 (92 points, $26)
Beautifully focused and refined, with Gala apple and raspberry aromas and flavors that are crisp yet layered, with creamy lemon and lime notes and a finish that lingers with mineral and a hint of yeast. Drink now through 2012. 45,000 cases made.
- Tim Fish

Oct 31, 2008  GOLAN HEIGHTS  Chardonnay Galilee Yarden 2005 (90 points, $16)
Rich and well-structured, with ripe apple and apricot flavors accented by mineral and citrus notes. The crystalline finish ends with spice and hints of sea salt. Kosher. Drink now through 2011. 6,971 cases made.

Oct 30, 2008  CAVES DES PAPES  Gigondas Marquis de Valclair 2006 (90 points, $24)
Ripe, with thickly layered fig, currant and coffee notes offset by buried minerality and a tangy, sanguine hint on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2013. 6,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Oct 29, 2008  PURE LOVE  Shiraz Barossa Valley Layer Cake 2006 (90 points, $16)
Smooth and round, with plenty of personality, offering juicy raspberry and plum flavors, shaded with granite and mint character weaving through as the finish rolls on nicely. Drink now through 2016. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 18,000 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Oct 28, 2008  AIA VECCHIA  Toscana Lagone 2006 (91 points, $16)
Has sweet berry and fresh herbs on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Tight now, but shows excellent potential. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2010. 10,800 cases made.
- James Suckling

Oct 27, 2008  TEMPLE BRUER  Shiraz-Malbec Langhorne Creek 2005 (89 points, $15)
Silky in texture, with layers of ripe currant, blackberry and roasted meat vying for attention as the flavors course smoothly through the long finish. Drink now through 2015. 3,000 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Oct 25, 2008  DE MARTINO  Syrah Choapa Valley Legado Reserva 2006 (90 points, $16)
This is alluring, with shaved vanilla and cocoa powder notes followed by a ripe beam of focused black cherry and currant fruit. The long, fine-grained finish stretches out nicely. Drink now through 2010. 6,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Oct 24, 2008  CAPE MENTELLE  Shiraz Margaret River 2005 (90 points, $25)
Bright, lively and appealing for its juicy plum and blueberry fruit, playing against savory pepper, smoke and clove notes as the finish zips impressively through the long finish. Drink now through 2015. 3,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Oct 23, 2008  HENRY'S DRIVE  Dead Letter Office McLaren Vale-Padthaway 2006 (90 points, $30)
Dark and spicy, with lots of tarry, peppery character around a lithe core of black cherry and blackberry fruit, finishing smooth. Shiraz. Drink now through 2014. 6,800 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Oct 22, 2008  GREG NORMAN ESTATES  Shiraz-Cabernet Limestone Coast 2006 (89 points, $15)
Polished, round and generous with its red berry and loamy earth flavors. Not a big wine, but well-formed and focused, finishing well. A hint of bitterness is only a slight hindrance. Drink now through 2014. 11,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman