Aug 28, 2008  MONTEVETRANO  Colli di Salerno 2005 (93 points, $105)
Very ripe and raisiny, with tar and licorice character that turns to volcanic ash and dried flowers. Full and chewy, yet balanced and polished, with a solid core of fruit and a long, subtle, flavored finish. Best after 2009. 1,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 27, 2008  PAHLMEYER  Chardonnay Napa Valley 2006 (90 points, $70)
Intense, if a bit raw in texture. The core pear, apple, spice and citrus notes are fresh and vibrant, and the finish is long and persistent. Needs bottle time. Best to cellar through 2008. Best from 2008 through 2012. 3,025 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 26, 2008  VIE DI ROMANS  Pinot Grigio Isonzo del Friuli Dessimis 2005 (91 points, $40)
Delicious, almost exotic mix of apple, sultana and Christmas cake spice on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with intense flavors mirroring the nose and a lingering, almost oily finish. Exquisite. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 25, 2008  JERMANN  Venezia-Giulia Dreams 2006 (92 points, $83)
There's apple tart on the nose, with cream and caramel undertones. Full-bodied, with lots of dried tropical fruits, such as mango and pineapple. Long and very flavorful, yet racy and fresh. Gorgeous and generous Chardonnay. Drink now. 3,300 cases made.
- James Suckling

Aug 23, 2008  BEAUMONT DES CRAYÈRES  Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne Fleur Noire 2002 (92 points, $45)
On the dry side and crisp, yet with fine intensity to its cherry, currant and ginger flavors. It has a firm structure, rich texture and borders on full-bodied. Nice dried berry aftertaste. Drink now through 2012. 4,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Aug 22, 2008  PETER MICHAEL  Chardonnay Sonoma County Belle Côte 2006 (92 points, $75)
Sleek and restrained, with flavors that build slowly, revealing subtle pear, fig, tangerine and honeysuckle notes that unfold gracefully, ending with a tight focus and smoky, toasty, fruity flavors. Drink now through 2011. 2,700 cases made.
- James Laube

Aug 21, 2008  CANTINA TERLANO  Sauvignon Alto Adige Terlaner Quarz 2006 (94 points, $54)
This is very serious for a Sauvignon, showing rich yet focused pineapple, mango and lemon character, with just a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and a long, long finish. Powerful yet flavorful. One of the great Sauvignons of the world. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
- James Suckling

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