May 09, 2008  MILBRANDT  Chardonnay Washington Legacy Sundance 2006 (89 points, $20)
On the lighter side, with nicely focused pear and apple aromas and flavors shaded with hints of lime and spice, lingering gently. Drink now through 2010. 2,300 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

May 08, 2008  A TO Z WINEWORKS  Night & Day Oregon 2005 (87 points, $20)
Smooth, generous and nicely focused to show its cherry and dark spice flavors, lingering on the well-formed finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and others. Drink now. 5,976 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

May 07, 2008  SEBASTIANI  Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2005 (87 points, $18)
Tight and focused, with a firm band of dried currant, spice, cedary oak and floral notes that are complex and persistent. Drink now through 2012. 53,000 cases made.
- James Laube

May 06, 2008  J. FAIVELEY  Mercurey Domaine de la Croix Jacquelet 2005 (89 points, $23)
There's purity to the violet and black currant aromas and flavors and this is balanced, with a solid structure that needs time to integrate. Nice length. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,500 cases imported.
- Bruce Sanderson

May 05, 2008  OMAKA SPRINGS  Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2007 (89 points, $18)
This is fragrant, with very good intensity to passion fruit, jasmine and guava nuances. Grass, savory herb and fleshy peach flavors carry through the finish, with briny undertones. Drink now. 16,000 cases made.
- Daniel Sogg

May 03, 2008  SEVEN TERRACES  Pinot Noir Marlborough 2006 (89 points, $20)
Presents vivid wild berry, rose, cherry and spice notes, with a core of crushed stone flavors. Cedary oak and a hint of chai linger with dried herbs and streamlined tannins. Drink now through 2010. 4,300 cases made.
- Daniel Sogg

May 02, 2008  WIRRA WIRRA  Church Block McLaren Vale 2005 (86 points, $20)
Firm in texture, with pretty blueberry and cedar notes weaving through the medium-weight frame. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now through 2011. 53,300 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

May 01, 2008  DOMAINE MÉNARD-GABORIT  Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Cuvée Prestige 2005 (88 points, $17)
Very juicy, with tasty lemon verbena, fleur de sel and chalk notes that show excellent cut on the bracing finish. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Apr 30, 2008  SBRAGIA FAMILY  Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch 2006 (90 points, $26)
A rich, smoky-toasty roasted marshmallow style. Bold and complex in a distinctive style, with fig and candied apple flavors that are a bit raw but very complex. Needs a year. Drink now through 2010. 2,190 cases made.
- James Laube

Apr 29, 2008  TORRE ROSAZZA  Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli 2006 (87 points, $18)
Offers rich aromas of honey, mango, pineapple and cream. Medium- to full-bodied, with plenty of fruit. Finishes minerally and crisp. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.
- James Suckling

Apr 28, 2008  ROMBAUER  Chardonnay Carneros 2006 (89 points, $30)
Fresh and floral aromatics highlight the fruity attributes. Clean, balanced and perhaps a touch sweet, with pretty oak shadings. Refreshing. Drink now through 2010. 32,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Apr 26, 2008  GREEN POINT  Shiraz Victoria 2005 (88 points, $18)
Bright and juicy, with an interesting waxy edge to the blueberry and currant fruit, finishing on the crisp side and lingering especially well. Drink now through 2011. 8,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 25, 2008  SOUTHERN RIGHT  Sauvignon Blanc Walker Bay 2007 (89 points, $17)
This is a fine example of the nervy style, with tangy lime, sea salt, mâche and asparagus notes followed by a long, chiseled finish. Drink now. 3,600 cases imported.
- James Molesworth

Apr 24, 2008  CAPE MENTELLE  Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon Margaret River 2007 (87 points, $16)
Light and tangy, with pretty mint-accented green apple and passion fruit flavors, lingering gently on the fresh, harmonious finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 23, 2008  GLEN CARLOU  Cabernet Sauvignon Paarl 2006 (89 points, $18)
A nice core of raspberry and currant fruit is held together by dark toast and licorice notes. Drink now through 2009. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Apr 22, 2008  J. LOHR  Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles Seven Oaks 2004 (87 points, $15)
Rich and focused, with grapey currant, herb and vanilla bean oak flavors that are intense and persistent. Drink now. 300,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Apr 21, 2008  DRY CREEK  Fumé Blanc Sonoma County 2006 (86 points, $15)
Fragrant, with zingy acidity that frames the grapefruit, lemon-lime, guava, peach and nectarine flavors. Has good intensity and a persistent finish. Drink now. 34,295 cases made.
- MaryAnn Worobiec

Apr 19, 2008  TINTARA  Shiraz McLaren Vale 2005 (89 points, $18)
Smooth and velvety, with an attractive range of plum, red berry and mint flavors mingling well and lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 12,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 18, 2008  FLYING FISH  Merlot Washington 2006 (87 points, $15)
Fresh and silky, with pretty currant and cherry fruit and a hint of sage lurking in the background. Drink now. 12,000 cases made.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 17, 2008  CAVE DE RASTEAU  Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rasteau Tradition 2006 (89 points, $16)
Chewy but fresh, with dark fig, tobacco, tar and mineral notes that are pushed by briary tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 20,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth

Apr 16, 2008  SCHUMANN-NÄGLER  Riesling QbA Rheingau Christopher Philipp 2006 (88 points, $15)
Ample flesh supports the peach and pear flavors in this firm white. Picks up a stony element on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 4,000 cases made.
- Bruce Sanderson

Apr 15, 2008  TURKEY FLAT  Rosé Barossa Valley 2006 (87 points, $18)
Has more character than most rosés, without losing the charm, offering strawberry and rhubarb flavors with a hint of carnation on the finish. Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 14, 2008  ROSEMOUNT  Chardonnay Mudgee Show Reserve 2006 (88 points, $15)
Light and refreshing, with juicy pineapple and grapefruit flavors in modest proportions, lingering nicely. Drink now through 2011. 5,000 cases imported.
- Harvey Steiman

Apr 12, 2008  BUEHLER  Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 (90 points, $27)
Well-proportioned, with a mix of spicy currant, blackberry, cedar and mineral notes, picking up a hint of anise on the finish. Ends with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2013. 13,000 cases made.
- James Laube

Apr 11, 2008  CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL  Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2005 (88 points, $30)
Dark but fresh, with ripe blackberry, licorice and spice notes. The fine-grained structure frames the finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 11,665 cases made.
- James Molesworth