Jan 06, 2009  ROSEMOUNT  Syrah McLaren Vale Balmoral 2004 (91 points, $45)
Firm, focused and distinctive for peppery and floral notes that run through the juicy plum and blueberry flavors, finishing with slightly gritty tannins that need time to soften. Best from 2010 through 2016. 1,486 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Jan 05, 2009  PANTHER CREEK  Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Shea Vineyard 2006 (90 points, $45)
Rich and ripe, brimming with blueberry, tobacco and smoke flavors, persisting on the firm-textured finish. Best from 2009 through 2013. 2,500 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Jan 03, 2009  ARGYLE  Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Nuthouse 2005 (93 points, $60)
Bright, effusive and generous with its raspberry, red cherry, nutmeg and cream flavors, lingering impressively on the polished finish. This jumps out of the glass, not for its size or any single element, but for its seamlessness and focus. Drink now through 2013. 3,040 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Jan 02, 2009  RIDGE  Geyserville Sonoma County 2006 (90 points, $35)
Just like the tasty Sonoma field-style blends of yore, with distinct toasty dill and berry cobbler aromas and zesty raspberry, cracked pepper and earthy sage flavors that end with slightly rustic tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Mataro. Drink now through 2015. 12,000 cases made
- Tim Fish

Jan 01, 2009  DOMAINE LA BARROCHE  Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (91 points, $55)
Round and mouthfilling, with an ample core of plum and currant fruit intertwined with notes of tobacco, game and roasted herb. The solid, fleshy finish extends nicely, with raspberry and mineral notes chiming in. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2018. 1,650 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 31, 2008  CAYMUS  Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 (92 points, $70)
Full-blown, ripe and rich, with intense and sharply focused dried currant, wild berry and blackberry fruit that's still fairly tannic at this stage. Ends with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2010 through 2015. 33,900 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 30, 2008  DOMAINE DE FERRAND  Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (93 points, $56)
This is really stuffed with dark, macerated currant and fig fruit, along with well-integrated toast and juicy, buried acidity. Dark cocoa, loam, melted licorice and spice notes flitter through the finish and bode well for cellaring. 95 percent Grenache with the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2009 through 2028. 1,375 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 29, 2008  DRAPPIER  Brut Champagne Carte d'Or NV (90 points, $44)
Fresh and pure, offering floral, yellow fruits and mineral flavors, this bubbly is graceful and beautifully integrated. The texture is firm and refined, with a subtle nutty note on the finish. Drink now. 75,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Dec 27, 2008  CHARLES ELLNER  Brut Champagne Réserve NV (90 points, $42)
Rich and medium-weight, offering citrus and ginger flavors, with a touch of honey. It holds together well, with a mouthwatering finish. Lovely ripeness overall, with a firm structure underneath. Drink now. 2,300 cases imported.
- Bruce Sanderson

Dec 26, 2008  SOKOL BLOSSER  Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2006 (90 points, $38)
Light and open-textured, with an earthy edge to the pretty raspberry and tangerine aromas and flavors, finishing silky. Drink now through 2013. 5,671 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 25, 2008  KRUPP BROTHERS  Syrah Napa Valley Black Bart's Bounty 2006 (90 points, $45)
Tight and firm, with mineral, sage, dried berry, pepper and spice presented in a compact, concentrated style. Needs time. Best from 2009 through 2016. 1,125 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 24, 2008  CHARLES ORBAN  Brut Champagne NV (90 points, $50)
Fresh, with well-defined mineral, candied citrus and honey aromas and flavors. This is elegant and full of finesse, lingering nicely on the finish, where a nutty accent peeks through. Drink now. 6,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Dec 23, 2008  DRAPPIER  Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Cuvée Signature NV (91 points, $49)
A bright version, chock full of citrus, peach, pear and pastry notes. Harmonious and refined in texture, this glides to a long, nutty aftertaste. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Dec 22, 2008  BETHEL HEIGHTS  Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée 2006 (90 points, $50)
Smooth and vibrant, with distinctive raspberry, white pepper and mint aromas and flavors against fine acidity. The flavors persist nicely into the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,625 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 20, 2008  PAITIN  Barbaresco Sorì Paitin 2005 (93 points, $48)
Dense and concentrated, with lots of berries and cherry, with a cut wood note. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a mouthpuckering finish. Needs lots of time in the bottle to come around, but should be really outstanding in the end. Best after 2013. 1,200 cases imported.
- James Suckling

Dec 19, 2008  PAUL AUTARD  Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (90 points, $45)
Delivers a nice beam of raspberry, graphite and sweet earth notes, backed by a toasty, slightly firm finish. Should round out nicely with modest cellaring. Best from 2009 through 2018. 1,665 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 18, 2008  DOMAINE DROUHIN  Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006 (90 points, $45)
Crisp, with an open feel to the meaty cherry and blood orange flavors that persist nicely through a veil of fine tannins and linger on the refined finish. Best from 2009 through 2014. 12,500 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 17, 2008  FELTON ROAD  Pinot Noir Central Otago 2007 (91 points, $50)
Juicy and concentrated, with fine balance to wild raspberry, blueberry and pervasive wet stone character. Sandalwood and subtle spice highlight the mineral nuances on the finish. Opens up nicely with air. Drink now through 2012. 8,000 cases made.
- Daniel Sogg

Dec 16, 2008  ARGYLE  Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Reserve 2006 (92 points, $43)
Lithe and open-textured, with a welcome transparency to the blackberry, currant and plum fruit and the shadings of star anise and black pepper. The finish sails on with minimal impediment from tannins. Drink now through 2014. 6,450 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 15, 2008  PAUL AUTARD  Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Côte Ronde 2006 (94 points, $65)
Very expressive, with gorgeous aromatics and flavors, this has a racy, fruit-packed core of raspberry ganache, fig and boysenberry buttressed by dark cocoa, espresso, roasted chestnut and graphite notes. Long and intense through the finish, with fruit and minerality intertwined for the long haul. Drink from 2010 through 2023. 1,250 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 13, 2008  LEONETTI  Merlot Columbia Valley 2006 (91 points, $65)
Lean and crisp, almost delicate in its subtle, supple structure, with raspberry, blackberry, coffee and sage aromas and flavors that linger extensively and expressively on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2013. 2,723 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 12, 2008  STOLLER  Pinot Noir Dundee Hills SV 2006 (90 points, $40)
Soft, silky and open-textured, this shows its ripe currant and cherry fruit beautifully, shading it with hints of black olive and forest floor aromas. The finish lingers enticingly. Drink now through 2014. 1,578 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Dec 11, 2008  SBRAGIA FAMILY  Chardonnay Napa Valley Gamble Ranch Vineyard 2006 (91 points, $40)
Big, rich and creamy, with toasty oak, fig, melon and a hint of butterscotch, ending with flavors that fan out in a complex manner. Drink now through 2011. 1,380 cases made.
- James Laube

Dec 10, 2008  E. GUIGAL  Condrieu 2007 (91 points, $55)
Very juicy and still a touch compact, with green almond, fig and anise notes waiting to come out from behind the fennel and mineral. Long finish. Cellar short term to let this open up. Best from 2009 through 2011. 20,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Dec 09, 2008  COELHO  Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Paciência 2006 (90 points, $35)
Supple, fragrant and appealing for its pulsing currant, blackberry and dusky spice flavors, which focus sharply through fine tannins on the long finish. Best from 2009 through 2014. 1,566 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman