Offers a mix of delicate loamy earth, dried berry, cedar and anise, with wilted rose. Pleasingly complex on the finish. — James Laube

The juicy, lively red currant and raspberry flavors are pure, focused and vibrant, with spice, pepper and dried violet details. Smooth and polished, never weighed down by the tannins, with a long finish. — MaryAnn Worobiec

A tight wine with notes of almond and green fruit that add tension to the structure. The acidity is dominant in this complex, textured wine. — Roger Voss

This is a deliciously ripe wine, aged in wood to give roundness to the blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. It is full bodied and rich in the mouth with orange and pineapple flavors giving a great lift to the mineral texture. — Roger Voss

Smoky cherry and earth aromas are the opening salvo on this bullish yet well-made wine. Expect a full mouthfeel that wraps itself around toasty, creamy flavors of chocolatey plum and spiced tea. Barda excels on its lively finish, which is long, properly acidic and spicy tasting. — Michael Schachner

This wine, with its blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, shows a crisp character, its acidity given brightness by lemon and green-plum fruit flavors. There's an attractive edge of minerality to add some tautness to the wine. — Roger Voss

One of the "Year's Best Southern Italian Wine."

Bright and focused, offering a core of chalk dust, white peach and honeysuckle notes inlaid with a wet stone accent. Shows good tension on the finish, with a fennel seed hint lingering. — James Molesworth

Alluring, with light toasted almond and brioche aromas followed by lemon curd, chamomile, white peach and nectarine notes that stretch out vividly through the well-defined finish, where a warm stony element glides in. — James Molesworth

Very pretty pure fruit on the nose: crushed berries and minerals with a licorice and graphite undertone. Full body, medium sweet with chewy tannins that are polished and firm. This shows balance and harmony, but remains powerful, muscular and toned. — James Suckling

Beautiful nose of flowers with plums and cherries; more like a fine table wine on the nose. Full body, medium sweet with super-refined tannins and a long, superb finish. All about finesse here. Only 310 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from 19th century vines at the Vargellas estate. — James Suckling

Beautiful aromas of violets and blueberries with hints of blue slate. Full body, medium sweet with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. A leafy, stemmy, nutty undertone to this with hints of shaved milk chocolate. Very refined and beautiful. — James Suckling

Very grapy and leafy with hints of spices on the nose. Full body, medium sweet with fine, chewy tannins. Powerful, long finish with nuts and shaved chocolate. This young Fonseca has grip. — James Suckling

What pricey Champagne should you buy? Watch the new Baz Luhrmann film “The Great Gatsby,” based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, and you’ll come out of the theater thirsting for Champagne. If Jay Gatsby were holding court in Hollywood today, he wouldn’t be pouring obscure grower Champagnes, however thrilling, but bottles everyone would recognize as top of the class. Here are a few other high-status Champagnes for reference and/or drinking: Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2002: Made from Chardonnay from the Côtes des Blancs and aged in 13th century cellars, with its notes of citrus and lime blossom, this is the Champagne to pour with an extravagant tiered seafood platter. — Irene Virbila

Slightly darker than the Taylor 40. Beautiful old nose of treacle, butterscotch, celery seed. Very complex. — David Rosengarten