The recent re-launch of wired.com is notable in that they and designer Douglas Bowman went with latest w3c compliance using xhtml 1.0.

XHTML allows for more control over positioning and presentation layer through use of style sheets (CSS). This allows design and positioning changes to be made in one location, the style sheet to make global site changes. powerful.

Links:
http://www.stopdesign.com (Douglas Bowman's site)
http://devedge.netscape.com/viewsource/2002/wired-interview/ (Interview with D.B)
http://www.wired.com/