96 Laroche Chablis Les Blanchots 1996 $73
A model of ripe, sweet-tasting fruit enveloped in fresh, citrusy acidity.  Of medium body, this is a sleek wine, beautifully balanced, exploding with ripe pear, quince, orange and dried herbs.  Very little oak disturbs the clean lines and great finesse of this aerodynamic, non-filtered Chablis grand cru.  Drink now through 2010.  300 cases imported.

94 Laroche Chablis Les Vaillons 1996 $40
Class act.  Deep and complex, the for-now shy aromas titillate with their great promise while the wine, still closed, delivers a marvelously rich, thick mouthfeel and cascades with a multitude of flavors to a long, smooth but vibrant finish.  Cellar.  Best from 2005.  275 cases imported.

93 Laroche Chablis Les Vaudevey 1996 $NA
Beautiful.  Unctuous, generous, thick and ripe; it displays such finesse and terrific fruit – pear, melon, pineapple – while also delivering some morsels of earth and mineral.  Harmonious and balanced, with a lingering, succulent finish.  If you drink now, decant.  Best from 2005.  Not available in the US.

84 Domaine La Chevalière Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc Chevalière Réserve 1996 $12
Lively, with delicious berry, plum and leather flavors.  A good, quaffable red from the south of France.  Drink now.