Bordeaux blockbuster one of the great hidden 2005s

It really pays to have great neighbors. Château Béhèré is an extraordinary Pauillac micro-property that totals 6 acres facing first-growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. In fact, part of the Béhèré vineyard lies in the middle of the Mouton vineyards.

This tiny production is entirely hand harvested. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. If there were ever a case for greatness rubbing off this is it.

With Parker and the rest of the wine press anointing 2005 as the greatest recent vintage in Bordeaux (and much of the rest of the world), this is a smart lay-down for anyone serious about what they're going to be enjoying 5+ years from now. Highly recommended! (sterling)

CHATEAU BEHERE 2005, Pauillac, Bordeaux $49.97 (regular $54.95)

Our new fave - a must-buy Pinot Grigio

This light Pinot Grigio hails from Alto Adige in northern Italy, and is truly as pretty as the picture on its label. Fresh and crisp, it has floral aromas, flavors of tropical fruits with a note of honey and well-balanced acidity.

There's a slightly salty mineral tang to the finish. It is produced by one of Italy's numerous consortiums, the Consorzio Viticoltori Alto Adige, established in 1984. As with any Pinot Grigio I point out, this one tastes like a wine of real character. It will be great as an aperitif or with an afternoon snack of leftover turkey.

SAN PIETRO PINOT GRIGIO 2008, Italy CAP $9.97 (save 28% - regular $13.95)

All aboard!

There are plenty of times when nothing but a red will do. This great little Shiraz-Cabernet blend does exactly what you'd expect when the meal calls for flavor but you just don't need a powerhouse fruit bomb. Graham Beck Wines is now entering its third generation as a family winery.

It was established in 1983 when entrepreneur Graham Beck purchased a farm outside the South African Western Cape town of Robertson with the passion to establish a world-class winery.

The success of the Robertson winery was extended to the second Graham Beck cellar in Franschhoek, one of the oldest wine-making regions in South Africa. This great value red was fermented in a way that ensures optimum fruit and soft extraction. A portion of the blend was matured in 4th fill French and American oak barrels for 6 - 8 months, with the rest of the blend kept unoaked for upfront berry fruit flavors and freshness.

This gets our all-thumbs-up for great fruit expression and instant appeal. Order this by the case.

RAILROAD RED 2007, Western Cape - South Africa $10.97 (save 15% - regular $12.95)

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Pinot Noir's cousin - we're close friends

While Domaine Chandon is best known as one of America's top producers of sparkling wines, the winery also produces limited quantities of still wines from the component grapes used for the bubblies.

I jumped at the chance to buy a bottle of this Pinot Meunier when it first came in: it's such a unique grape and rarely bottled on its own, even though it has a wonderful flavor. There are bright aromas of lavender, plum, and white pepper with hints of raspberry and nutmeg while the flavors are of cherries, red plums and strawberries.

Like Pinot Noir, it's a great match for food in general, and while I served it with salmon the first time, I would aim for duck breast as a special treat for this one on my next bottle. (anje)

DOMAINE CHANDON PINOT MEUNIER 2007, Carneros CAP $23.97(save 20% - regular $29.95)

Fritz masters Pinot

No question, the star grape in the Russian River Valley in my mind is Pinot Noir (although you can also find great French-style Chardonnays and intense Petite Sirahs). These come in a range of styles, from intense and earthy to aromatic and delicate. One to enjoy comes from Fritz. A blend of four clones, this was aged in 40% new French oak for 11 months. 

This wine expresses aromas of blackberries and dried cranberries, followed by tobacco and vanilla notes.The palate lends flavors of black cherry, cocoa and spice with well integrated tannins .

FRITZ WINERY PINOT NOIR 2007, Russian River Valley CAP $29.97 (save 16% - regular $35.95)

From every which-a-way this is one cool Pinot

Chris Ringland and his partner Bill Downie are great winemakers, even if their definition of the word 'permutation' isn't quite what the dictionary says. This wine is really a combination of grapes from a number of vineyards in Victoria, with vine ages ranging from five years to 30.

Matured in 14% new French oak hogsheads for seven months, the wine is then bottled and packaged with 24 different labels featuring fantastically clever illustrations from the great British illustrator Paul Davis. Even better is the taste: light and fresh with classic Australian mineral characteristics.

There are aromas of plum, red berries and herbal notes, with berries and rosemary following on the palate. Full of subtle, sweet dark fruit, there's just enough toasty oak to add complexity and structure.

PERMUTATIONS PINOT NOIR 2008, Australia $14.97 (save 17% - regular $17.95)

More fun with Lapostolle: here's a really nice You Tube video of a vertical tasting of their great red: Clos Apalta.