The Bodega’s flagship is called Selectus; no 2006 was made but the 2007 Selectus was worth the wait. A blend of 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, it was aged for 18...

A very powerful red with the structure and intensity of a great Rioja from the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s. Real gran reserva. Dried fruits such as plums, prunes and cherries. Hints of figs too. Layered and so structured...

An elegant, tensile red whose strawberry, cherry and mineral flavors are stretched taut across its linear profile. Vibrant and long, but needs time to unwind. Best from 2011 through 2020. 91 cases imported. — BS

All of the Left Bank firsts are tasting excellent, but Margaux stands out for the tightness and clarity of its sweet cherry and cassis fruit expression, the menthol grip on the finish, and the perfume that runs through...

The 2007 Saffredi is drop-dead gorgeous. Roasted coffee beans, grilled herbs, mocha and dark fruit emerge from this beautiful, textured wine. The richness of the fruit radiates through to the long, polished finish. The...

A smooth wine, rich for the vintage, with black currant and bright fruits and a strong underlay of wood. The acidity, though, is quite striking, with the freshest fruit and tight tannins. ROGER VOSS

A winemaker's vintage ('extreme Oceanic' is how Lafleur's cellar master Omri Ram put it), where you really had to know how to react to the climate as it impacted your own vineyard. The result, at 12 years of age, is a...

An expression of exotic, candied fruit leads off, followed by effusive smoke, mineral and berry notes. Rich yet fluid, with a juicy, glycerollike texture and a refined, lengthy aftertaste.—Tasted non-blind in Burgundy...

They have kept 2005 and 2006 for now, and they are releasing the 2007 Único from a lighter vintage that is accessible already; they will even sell 2008 before 2005 and 2006. 2007 was a cold vintage in Ribera and it...

A wonderfully spicy, elegant and exuberant nose of red berry fruit and violets complements to perfection the classy and stylish middle weight flavors that are not especially concentrated or powerful but the refinement...

A similar extroverted, sexy style to the '09, just on a slightly smaller scale, the 2007 Hermitage Ex Voto offers sensational black raspberry, creme de cassis, creamy licorice and crushed flower-like aromas and flavors...

Very little wine is produced (about 400 cases) from this tiny 5-acre vineyard but it is always among the most concentrated and richest of Bordeaux. The inky/purple-colored 2007 offers sweet cassis fruit notes interwoven...