1 | Wine | New Arrivals, Merlot, $20 to $50

"This is what merlot can do. Walk into a humidor, now you are inside this wine. Aromas of the inside of a lady’s evening bag, black roses, tiny dark cherries (Amarene) and Oolong tea. Smooth and satisfying. A wine that would even make the Bordelaise proud."

"If you want to impress a friend with a pure, hedonistic St.-Emilion that also offers an intellectual challenge, the 2012 Croix de Labrie, a St.-Emilion fruit bomb, is the wine for you. Unfortunately, the 250-case production means this cuvee is limited in availability. Aromas of incense, Christmas fruitcake, Asian plum sauce, blackberries, licorice and truffles soar from the glass of this dense plum/purple-colored wine. Opulent, voluptuously textured and medium to full-bodied with no hard edges to be found, it will drink well for a decade after bottling." -Robert Paker