CALIFORNIA

Dry Creek Valley

Dashe Cellars
2005 Louvau Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel; $32
14.5/20 — Conveying scents of raspberry, cherry and spice, this dark purple Zin’s palate consists of round, chalky tannins and flavors of black raspberry, cherry, lavender, anise and clove.

Chalone

A Donkey and Goat Winery
2006 Brosseau Vineyard Chardonnay; $40
14.5/20 — A refreshing, crisp wine with good structure, an aroma of apples and a subtle taste of honey. This unfiltered Chardonnay has an elegant mouthfeel, and a lively aftertaste, without a hint of butter or oak.

Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Dutton-Goldfield
2007 Dutton Ranch—Shop Block Pinot Blanc; $25
15/20 — Mineral-enhanced stone fruit and blossom aromas on the nose are followed by peach and citrus flavors in the mouth. Pairs well with shrimp stir-fry and grilled vegetables.

Guenoc Valley

Langtry Estate & Vineyards
2006 Genevieve Vineyard Chardonnay; $35
14.5/20 — This Chardonnay’s layered flavors of tropical fruit, sweet oak and butterscotch precede a long finish. Pairs well with sea scallops and chicken.

Los Carneros

Carneros Della Notte
2004 D III Vineyard Pinot Noir; $150
15/20 — Filling the palate with flavors of black fruit, black cherry and spice, this balanced Pinot Noir reveals soft tannins and hints of vanilla and toast. Sip with a meal of grilled salmon.

Carneros Della Notte
2005 ECLIPSE Late Harvest Pinot Noir; $60
14.5/20 — Following its honey, ripe fruit and honeysuckle blossom aromas, this silky Pinot Noir reveals flavors of plum, honey and black cherry.

Monterey County

Robert Talbott Vineyards
2004 Talbott Diamond T Estate Chardonnay; $65
14.5/20 — This Chardonnay, exuding scents of hazelnut, lemon zest, pineapple and guava, reveals a creamy texture with flavors of tropical fruit, lemon meringue and vanilla beans.

Napa Valley

Andrew Lane
2006 Gamay Noir; $19
12.5/20 — This light, Burgundian cousin of Pinot Noir exhibits a bright fruity character with Bing cherry, strawberry, raspberry and spice flavors.

Black Coyote
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve; $65
15/20 — A bouquet of cassis, violets, earth and leather on the nose complement this Cab’s velvet texture and flavors of plum, black cherry and jammy red currant.

Faust
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon; $50
15/20 — Including eighteen percent Merlot and three percent Cabernet Franc, this Cab exhibits aromas of red and black fruit along with dense flavors of plum, blueberry and dark cherry with hints of light cedar, herbs and tobacco.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2004 Insignia; $200
17.5/20 — With aromas of syrupy blackberry and blueberry greeting the nose, Insignia reveals velvety tannins, a round finish and flavors of cassis, incense, graphite, plums and black currants.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2005 Syrah; $45
14.5/20 — Exuding scents of coffee, bacon fat, licorice and white pepper, this Syrah displays flavors of black fruit and dried flowers, and pairs well with grilled steak.

Paso Robles

Tablas Creek Vineyard
2006 Grenache Blanc; $27
14/20 — This white displays flavors of candied lemon, anise, green apple and marzipan, and pairs well to a meal of shrimp scampi or lemongrass beef.

Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon; $20
14/20 — Small amounts of Malbec, Blaufrankisch and Syrah were blended to this Cab, which exhibits flavors of cherry, raspberry and blackberry, and notes of anise, cocoa and clove.

Sonoma County

V-Twin Vineyards
2005 Poker Run Zin Zinfandel; $24
15/20 — With aromas of strawberry, black cherry and black pepper on the nose, this red exhibits jammy flavors of raspberry, plums, caramel and earth, and provides a soft, smooth finish.

Temecula Valley

Mount Palomar Winery
2001 Shorty's Bistro Red; $16
14/20 — Made from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rubired, Carigne and Cabernet Franc, this red blend exhibits aromas of black cherries, spice and chocolate, and has a long, soft finish. Sip with grilled burgers and ribs.

Multiple AVAs

Ghost Pines
2005 Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon; $23
14.5/20 — Flavors include blackberry, dark cherry, Asian spice, smoke and roasted vanilla. This layered red reveals firm, integrated tannins, and enhances a grilled steak dinner.

MISSOURI

Hermann

Stone Hill Winery
2004 Port; $19 (500 ml)
13.5/20 — Made from the Norton varietal, this dense Port displays blackberry and cassis flavors, and serves well with nuts and flavorful cheeses such as Stilton.

FRANCE

Champagne

Champagne Pommery
Brut Apanage; $50
14.5/20 — This bubbly’s aromas of fresh, buttery citrus fruits complement a creamy mouthfeel and flavors of hazelnuts, dried apricots, vanilla, light tobacco and shortbread.

Côtes du Ventoux

La Vieille Ferme
2007 Côtes du Ventoux Rosé; $7
13/20 — Blended from 50 percent Cinsault, 40 percent Grenache and 10 percent Syrah, this dry pink wine shows off fruity flavors and makes for a good summertime aperitif.

GERMANY

Mosel

Weingut St. Urbans-Hof
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett; $16
15/20 — This semi-sweet white wine displays complex fruit flavors with a smoky minerality infused by the vineyard’s slate soil. On the nose are floral notes reminiscent of woodruff, nutmeg and white pepper.

Weingut St. Urbans-Hof
2007 Riesling; $12
14.5/20 — Crisp and fruity, this Riesling has a hint of sweetness and a light character. Pairs well with smoked fish and Thai cuisine.

ITALY

Casa Vinicola Zonin
Prosecco Special Cuvée; $12
14/20 — Aromas of wisteria flowers and Rennet apples frame this well-balanced white, which displays delicate notes of almonds, and serves well as an aperitif.

Toscana

Tenuta di Arceno
2004 Arcanum II; $96
14.5/20 — Based on Merlot, this red exudes scents of ripe blueberries, spice and cedar, and displays flavors of dark ripe fruits, chocolate, nutmeg and cinnamon. Serve with roasted pork loin with garlic vinaigrette.

SPAIN

Rioja

Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres
2001 Gran Reserva; $35
14/20 — Consisting of mostly Tempranillo, this red displays a bouquet of mature fruit, vanilla and refined leather aromas, and a palate of fleshy, crystallized fruit. Sip with spicy lamb stew.

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