’03 Château Reignac Bordeaux Supérieur $21.97
“Reignac is the poster child for a modern-styled, “better than its pedigree” Bordeaux Superieur. The wine’s high quality is a testament to the exceptional commitment demonstrated by proprietor Yves Vatelot. This large (125 acres) hillside vineyard, planted in gravelly/clay soils, is composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields are often lower than many classified growths. The elegant, spicy 2003 Reignac reveals sweet cassis fruit, notions of smoke and herbs, supple tannin, and low acidity. While this sexy, seductive 2003 may not possess the extra level of concentration found in such top vintages as 2000 or 2001, it offers beautiful fruit as well as equilibrium. Enjoy it now and over the next 7-8 years.” —WA 89

’04 Elias Mora Toro Crianza $23.99
“The 2004 Elias Mora Crianza is an opaque purple with intense aromas of cedar, spice box, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate it is larger in scale than the 2003, richer and sweeter, and more smoothly textured.” —WA 92+

’03 Château Armens St. Emilion (Net) $24.97
One of the growing names in Saint-Emilion, Château Armens has improved in quality and reputation under the tutelage of Alexandre de Malet Roquefort and winemakers Michel Rolland and Phillipe Gard. Blended from 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, this vibrant, aromatic wine has lots of lush black fruit with rounding touches of vanillin and toasted oak. Rich and deep, this New-World style Bordeaux is drinking very well now and will continue to blossom in the cellar over the next few years!

’04 Arrocal “Tinto Seleccion” Tempranillo $27.99
“The 2004 Arrocal Seleccion is 100% Tempranillo aged for 15 months in French and American oak and bottled without filtration. The wine has a very expressive nose of pain grille, spice box, black currants, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a youthful, slightly reticent, tightly knit wine encapsulated in a full-bodied personality. The wine is well structured for the long-term and merits 2-4 years of cellaring. It should provide pleasure through 2020.” —WA 91

’03 Magrez Tivoli Médoc (Net) $29.97
“A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at a meager 18 hectoliters per hectare, the amazing, powerful, potent, deep ruby/purple-colored 2003 boasts heady, port-like notes of creme de cassis, graphite, black currants, and melted licorice. This seamless, voluptuously-textured, serious Medoc possesses plenty of tannin in the finish, but most of it is concealed by huge amounts of glycerin and concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014.” —WA 90