The 2007 Les Abeilles is made in a fairly reserved style, with pretty suggestions of white peaches, ripe pears, lemon zest, flowers and minerals. This medium-bodied dessert wine is only moderately sweet and is an excellent choice for readers who prefer a medium-bodied style of dessert wine that favors freshness over sheer opulence. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2013. From top to bottom this is a superb set of wines from Les Cretes that form essential drinking for readers who want to learn more about the wines of Valle d’Aosta.Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799

The 2006 Les Abeilles is a late- harvest wine made from Muscat and Petit Grain. Peaches, cantaloupe spices, lime peel, pears and minerals emerge from this focused yet generous sweet wine. There is gorgeous balance and overall poise here, yet this remains a somewhat understated linear style. The wine is best paired with cheeses that aren’t too aged. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799