In This Issue:

• Napa Valley Cabernets

As evidenced by a vast, nuanced array of world-class cabernet sauvignons, the Napa Valley is America's most fully evolved wine appellation. Rod Smith explores what makes Napa cab great.

• Bordeaux Overachievers

Looking for great Bordeaux without a first-growth price? Joshua Greene profiles five chateaux that have consistently performed beyond their classifications.

• Duel in the Duero

Spain's Ribera del Duero is the source of some of today's hottest cult reds. Bruce Schoenfeld visits three of the region's new-wave producers-Abadia Retuerta, Dominio de Pingus and Teofilo Reyes-and finds that creative tension fuels winemaking excellence.

• Pfalz Impressions

Once a pumping station for cheap Liebfraumilch, the Rheinpfalz is now growing many of Germany's most exciting wines. David Schildknecht leads a tour of the region's top producers.

• Twentieth Century Vintage Port

The greatest wine from one of the world's greatest wine regions, Vintage Port from this century will live long into the next. Joshua Greene reports on a tasting of the finest twentieth century vintages of the Douro.

• Niche Markets

Where to find that rare Rioja? That tightly allocated Aussie shiraz? W.R. Tish spans the US in search of top specialty retailers.

• PLUS:

December Tasting Stats
Top 10 Cabernet Sauvignons
Best Values Under $10
California Cabernets & Blends
Bordeaux '96
Barolo & Barbaresco
German Riesling
American New Releases
Imported New Releases