"Dogliani" is a new DOCG which denotes highest quality wines produced from Dolcetto grapes in this cooler, higher elevation growing area in this southern part of Piemonte. Pronounced "TETCH" as in 'Einaudi have the touch' with Dolcetto. Produced from 100% Dolcetto fruit from select marl/calcareous and clay soils from 2 hectares of favored old hillside vineyards on the estate near the village of Dogliani, Einaudi Vigna Tecc Dogliani is a Dolcetto of superb concentration and breed: deep ruby in color with glimmers of violet; suggestive aromas of fleshy berry fruit, underbrush, Alpine-informed Piemontese soils, truffle and liquirizia; ample, almost richly textured on the tongue, with gentle rounded tannins and tantalizing and intense berry fruit flavors and that telltale hint of bitter almond stretching out long on the finish. La Dolcetto Vita, indeed!

Produced from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 4% Malbec fruit from choice vineyards in the Napa Valley and under the supervision of none other than Christian Moueix of Dominus Estate and Château Petrus fame. Lovely deep ruby in color with aromas redolent of a fine winegrowing soil, cassis, sweet tobacco leaf, toasted baguette; supple on entry, then expanding to polished and round with smooth soft tannins that carry fresh vivid Cabernet flavors long to the finish. Superb value in classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

From multiple vineyards, varietals and vintages, ex and always-Aussie proprietor Rob McDonald has fashioned a signature wine in what would appear from here as a nod to his late great Aussie pal, Dr. Bailey Carrodus at Underhill, Yarra Yering, Victoria, Australia. The Messenger Telegram Red Wine Number Two is produce of 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 3% Viognier from sustainably farmed vineyards in northern California. Discreet aromas with a fine balance of grape and earth and spice; supple and round on the tongue, then building in volume, becoming quite sumptuous and satisfying, with a nice burst of complex flavors supported and carried on by ripe round tannins. This is good ol' California daily-drinkin' red wine alright, but at a such a down-under price.

This is one of France's classic and great liqueurs, an original blend of Brillet Cognac and the essence of Pears Williams (Poires Williams). The perfectly matured pears, carefully selected, were picked at their peak of ripeness, macerated then blended with fine Brillet Cognac. It is quite simply, absolutely delicious. A most flavorful, contemplative liqueur. Perfect for the holidays.

Produce of 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco, 15% Pinot Nero from 134 vineyards in the Franciacorta area of Lombardia in northern Italy. In our humble opinion, the bubblies of Franciacorta are among the few sparkling wines on the planet to give Champagne a real run for its money. Bright, lustrous, straw golden in color with the finest of tiny bubbles, delicate aromas that subtly suggest brioche dough and lemon curd on toasted baguette; fine light creamy textured, round and supple on the tongue with a delicate and refined sparkle and subtle citrus and toast flavors that last long. Regularly $37.50 the bottle, now while supplies last:

The Maximin Grünhaus estate lies at the foot of a long steep south-facing slope on the left bank of the Ruwer river, about two kilometres before it joins the Mosel. The estate belongs to the von Schubert family and is divided into three separate but contiguous vineyards: the Abtsberg, the Herrenberg, and the Bruderberg. Wines harvested from the Abtsberg vineyard were originally destined for the table of the Abbot of the Abbey of Sankt-Maximin. The site covers 14 hectares (just shy of 35 acres), parts of which have been planted with vines for over a thousand years. The subsoil is blue Devonian slate and the hillside runs south-east to south-west, achieving a gradient of up to 70%. Abtsberg wines are characterised by a finely structured, subtle minerality, racy acidity, generous fruit and great delicacy. They are amongst the longest lived Rieslings of the region.

Always among our favorite crus Beaujolais, the 2010 vintage Fleurie Les Moriers of Domaine CHIGNARD continues the string of successful vintages at this address: lovely vivid ruby to fuchsia-like at the edges in color with engaging aromas of fleshy freshly macerated berries; full, robust even on the tongue, with ample ripe chalky tannins and tart berryish crisp acidity giving lift to flavors of myriad fresh ripe berries that linger long and fresh and tantalizingly. Oh, if ever there were a wine that could make the heart sing ... Vive les vins du Beaujolais!

The lovely village of Saint-Vérand (note the different spelling) is located half-hidden amongst the hills in the Mâconnais region of southern Burgundy, between Pouilly-Fuissé and the Beaujolais. Its Jurassic chalky soils are a continuation of the limestone strata found in the Côte d'Or and are ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. Harvested by hand the grapes are immediately and gently pressed, then passed into stainless steel to undergo a slow and cool fermentation. The wine is bottled the following spring to retain its inherent freshness, fruitiness and roundness. Green-gold in color with discreet and pure Chardonnay aromas suggesting flesh of crisp green apple, citrus and stone; fine, elegant Chardonnay flavors are refreshingly crisp and mineral, but at the same time broadening on the tongue, becoming more sumptuous and satisfying, delivering a nice wallop of excellent dry white Burgundy wine for the price of mere everyday Chardonnay.

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red is produced from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane primarily from vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, replicating the old Cal‑Ital field blends there. Characteristically deep ruby in color with forward Zin aromas suggesting blackberry and spiced plum; at once balanced and generous, lush and supple on the tongue with a nicely rounded and mouth‑filling finish — the same up‑front and delicious wine we've come to know and love over these last fifty‑something lots. And, true as its ever‑blue label, Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red remains steadfast in its value.

The 2009 Geyserville is a gorgeous wine. It shows expressive inner perfume, sweet black cherries, menthol and minerals. This is an understated, exceptionally elegant red endowed with considerable finesse and fabulous overall balance. A round, sensual finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. In 2009 the blend is 74% Zinfandel, 17% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mourvedre. Drink: 2012-2029. Rated 94.. ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 196, August, 2011

It is good to see this property on the rebound as I have fond memories of some of their older vintages (I drank several cases of their gorgeous 1982). The 2008's sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with sandy, loamy soil and licorice undertones are presented in a fruit-forward, precocious, sensual format with medium body, ripe fruit, beautiful density, good freshness, and velvety tannins. Drink: 2009-2021. Rated (87-89). ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 182, April, 2009

Lunta Malbec is produce of 100% Malbec from the southernmost parcel of the Mendel estate vineyard which lies in Lunlunta, a small district within Mendoza’s Lujan de Cuyo department as one approaches the Mendoza River. The vines are planted at elevations averaging 3,280 feet and are an high average age of 82 years. About 2/3 of the wine is aged in oak, 1/3 each new, one and two year barrels, and about 1/3 in stainless steel. The result is really, really good: dusty, arid soil-inflected aromas, earth, plum, dark cherry nuance of fine chocolate and mint; medium-full in body; richly-fruited with polished round tannins and bursting flavors; warm and invigorating to the finish; superb choice for heartier fall and winter cuisines. And absolutely splendid value!

Produce of 100% Tempranillo from its home turf in Rioja in northern Spain — Riva Rey is the right Rioja for these tight economic times. Lucid garnet red in color; compelling aromas suggesting an arid winegrowing earth, berry, and a subtle toast; supple and welcome on the tongue, rounded at the edges with an appealing warmth and depth of toasty berry flavor that lasts long.

There is a certain chic about Chardonnay, an undeniable élégance. Among white wine grapes, it is certainly the most well‑travelled, it is planted to some of the finest soils in some of the finest wine‑growing areas, and it arguably produces among the rarest, finest and (yes, the proof is often in the price) most expensive white wines on the planet. But, thank our lucky stars, there is still to be found a modicum of sanity in the world of wine. We've recently discovered a rather more down‑home version of Chardonnay — down‑home in that this is Chardonnay from Chardonnay, the village of Chardonnay, that is, what may well be the very birthplace of the grape in southern Burgundy. Comfortable in its own skin, the wine speaks easily of the place and the grape, with fresh aromas suggesting sweet citrus flower and limestone; cool and crisp on the tongue, just rounded at the edges with delicately intense fruit flavors that refresh and reverberate long. This is one delicious drink of Chardonnay, from Chardonnay itself!

A harbinger of the good things to come with the 2009 vintage in Burgundy? Bouchard Père et Fils 2009 vintage Bourgogne Pinot Noir Réserve is clearly a more well-endowed vin regionale than may be typical: dark cherry-skin red in color with aromas suggestive of cranberry, black cherry, baking spices and earth; at once supple, delicate and crisp, but engaging, challenging and just warm with ample weight and body and that telltale mouthwatering Burgundian acidity keeping things fresh to the finish. Will this impress on the level of, say, your every day Grand Cru Chambertin? Not likely. But for those who truly love Burgundy, this is a most impressive, if not every day, perhaps every other day red Burgundy.

From Douro Valley vineyards of the Symington family in northern Portugal — vineyards which have traditionally supplied the famed Porto House of Dow, including Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, Dow’s primary vineyards on the Douro river. Vale do Bomfim represents a new style of wines from the Upper Douro valley where the region's wealth of grape varieties, mature vineyards and modern winemaking have been successfully combined. Produce of 55% Tinta Barroca, 22% Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo), 17% old mixed vines, 3% Touriga Nacional and 2% Touriga Franca (née Touriga Francesa), and grapes, hand selected and vinified at the Quinta do Sol winery, one of the most modern winemaking facilities in Portugal. While a comparison to Bordeaux may be compelling, there is something a bit more delightfully old-world about this wine: deep purple red in color; expresses itself initially like any proper claret showing reserve and restraint, but then steps on out of those shoes to declare itself more surely of Iberian origin with aromas of fleshy wild berries, ripe plum, blonde tobacco and a woodsy, cinnamon stick-like spice; finely balanced; just structured with nicely resolved chalky tannins that fan out broadly on the tongue yielding delicious flavors of berries and spice that burst forth quite unreservedly, warm and long on the finish. Absolutely splendid value, too!