spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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US	Ripe pear fruit introduces a full-bodied Pinot Gris, and carries it through a satisfying finish. It's fruit all the way, dusted with a little taste of cinnamon spice.	The Orchards	88	18	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Left Coast Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Left Coast Cellars 2012 The Orchards Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
Italy	This is a dark, smooth and rich Riserva Brunello with a spot of sweet succulence and ripe cherry at the midpalate. The wine offers long, smooth texture and a clean, persistent mouthfeel.	Riserva	93	200	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Poggio di Sotto	null	null	null
US	Licorice and leather stand out in this softly layered wine that leans heavy on the palate. Made in a full-bodied, brawny style, it's single-minded more than complex, finishing in toasty oak and black pepper.	Dolinsek Ranch	88	40	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Syrah	Woodenhead	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Woodenhead 2012 Dolinsek Ranch Syrah (Russian River Valley)
France	90-92 Barrel sample. Complex wine, its botrytis character very dominant, heady, so concentrated it is almost dry. This is dense, very rich in character.	Barrel sample	91	null	Bordeaux	Barsac	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Caillou	null	null	null
US	This delicious, compelling, full-bodied wine blends luscious fruit flavors like red cherry and boysenberry with stylish, spicy oak accents and a firm backing of acidity and tannins to keep the mouthfeel vital. The fruit and softly spicy nuances mingle beautifully and seem to melt in the mouth. It's great to drink through 2020.	null	93	44	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	Arista	null	null	null
Germany	The soft, spicy scents of the bouquet mix grapes, flowers, talcum powder and a faint petrol note to create an almost Gewürz-like symphony. It's lovely and impressively complex, as layers of grape flavor, flowers, minerals and citrus rind gain power in the mouth. The mineral elements come up on the tangy finish. Exotic and smooth, it is immediately appealing but also built to age for 6–8 years.	Wachenheimer Rechbächel Spätlese Trocken	90	28	Pfalz	null	null	Riesling	Dr. Bürklin-Wolf	null	null	null
US	Still a bit fragmented, this offers a core of tight apple and peach fruit. It was barrel fermented (10% new) and that shell of barrel flavors has not yet smoothed into the fruit. Give it brisk aeration or another year in the bottle.	Five Faces	87	33	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Chardonnay	Fullerton	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Fullerton 2015 Five Faces Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
France	97-99 Barrel sample. It may be 14.5 percent alcohol, but, with its huge freshness, the wine almost sings with elegance. The texture is opulent, with intense black fruits and a core of solid tannins. Impressive balance.	Barrel sample	98	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Ausone	null	null	null
US	Tastes over-cropped, meaning that they had to produce a huge crop to get the price down this low. The wine is thin, herbaceous and raspingly dry. with sharp acidity and a watery finish.	Coastal Selection	82	13	California	Central Coast	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Mirassou	null	null	null
US	The Russian River Valley makes some of the state's greatest Sauvignon Blancs, in the right hands, and when those hands are Merry Edwards', you can be sure of what you're getting. The wine is dry and crisp in mouthwatering acidity, with citrus and lemongrass flavors that have richer tones of tropical fruits. It feels vibrant, elegant and complex in the mouth, a wine to savor over multiple glasses.	null	93	30	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Sauvignon Blanc	Merry Edwards	null	null	null
Argentina	Opens with pleasant, semiexotic blueberry and herbal aromas. The palate is bright and snappy, with moderate weight and balance and then fairly bright red berry, vanilla and herbal notes. Forward, lean and simple Malbec. Gets the job done.	null	84	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Argento	null	null	null
US	A big, bold and beautiful Cabernet. Will appeal to those who like the California style, although Bordeauxphiles will find it too ripe and fruity. Brims with blackberries, black cherries, currants, licorice and sweet toasted oak, wrapped into firm, mountain tannins. Now–2014.	null	92	65	California	Spring Mountain District	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Barnett	null	null	Barnett 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District)
US	Whether or not you consider yourself a fan of varietal Cabernet Franc, this is a wine to explore and to savor. Pure fruit is set amidst generous streaks of herb and earth, framed by firm tannins. The wine opens slowly, and pretty cherry flavors emerge, along with black olive, pencil lead and complex barrel notes.	Estate	93	25	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Franc	Tranche	null	null	null
Portugal	Spicy wine, with Moscatel giving an attractive lychee edge to the fresh apple skins and citrus. Lively final acidity.	Serras de Azeitão Branco	85	10	Península de Setúbal	null	null	Portuguese White	Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal	null	null	null
South Africa	Aromas of ripe plum, pepper, mint and spice give this value Shiraz a plucky introduction, and on the palate, the red berry and pepper continues, offering a clean, balanced sip. A good everyday red with spirit.	Cape Maidens	87	10	Robertson	null	null	Shiraz	Juno	null	null	null
Austria	Bründlmayer, one of Austria's most famed winemakers, finds that the lyre method of training the vine gives significantly more concentration. That's certainly true of this rich, full, intense wine, with its powering acidity and flavors of almonds, white currants and cranberries.	Lyra Zöbinger Heiligenstein	93	48	Kamptal	null	null	Riesling	Willi Brundlmayer	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Willi Brundlmayer 2001 Lyra Zöbinger Heiligenstein Riesling (Kamptal)
US	What a wine. It tries to intimidate. At first, by its bottle size and alcohol level, but in the glass this 100% Garnacha is like a purring kitten—well a purring 20-pound Maine Coon cat, joyous in its pretty red fruit, and its earthy, meaty, vanilla and cinnamon toast range of goodness. All lush, Twisted Oak's Torcido is, like a retro soap opera, brave and beautiful.	Torcido	93	32	California	Calaveras County	Sierra Foothills	Garnacha	Twisted Oak	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Twisted Oak 2009 Torcido Garnacha (Calaveras County)
US	From a vineyard poised along Eastside Road, this wine is juicy in flavor and dense in color and on the palate upon entry. Marked by great, well-defined acidity, it's gorgeously floral in fresh rose petal and orange peel with just a touch of reduction, with an additional weight of black tea and cranberry.	Calegari Vineyard	92	58	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Williams Selyem	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Williams Selyem 2014 Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
US	This young Pinot Noir is difficult and challenging. It's all acidity, cherries and pomegranates, tightly wound and aloof, giving little of itself. Yet there's enormous promise. The color is pale for a California Pinot, the alcohol is modest, and there are tantalizing hints of herbs, minerals, forest undergrowth, mushrooms, cedar, truffles. All indications suggest that this is a seriously ageable wine. Cellar until at least 2015.	MoDa	93	90	California	Anderson Valley	null	Pinot Noir	Standish	null	null	Standish 2009 MoDa Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
US	Strives for Champagne in the deeply toasted, yeasty nose and complex texture and flavors, but in the end the fruit’s a little too forward, the wine a little too full-bodied for Champagne. But in its own right it’s delicious. You can taste the sweetness of sun-ripened grapes in a way only California can achieve.	Reserve	90	47	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Champagne Blend	Schramsberg	null	null	Schramsberg 1994 Reserve (Napa Valley)
US	Good citrus fruit flavors, along the lines of grapefruits, limes and Meyer lemons, accompanied by zesty acidity mark this bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc. It really scours the mouth clean. Very nice with puff pastry mushroom appetizers, bruschetta with goat cheese and roasted red peppers, or crudités with a garlicky sour cream dip.	Rava Blackjack Vineyard	87	18	California	Monterey	Central Coast	Sauvignon Blanc	Darcie Kent Vineyards	null	null	Darcie Kent Vineyards 2009 Rava Blackjack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey)
US	This is an easy, tasty bubbly, with raspberry, orange and vanilla flavors. Blended from French Columbard, Chardonnay, Sangiovese and Gamay, it's crisp in acidity, with a sweet finish.	Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes	85	14	California	California	California Other	Sparkling Blend	Korbel	null	null	Korbel 2011 Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes Sparkling (California)
Spain	Avinyo does not make cookie-cutter cavas, and thus this wine is out of the ordinary and not always the better for it. The nose is lean and spritzy, with aromas equal to lemon-lime. The palate is drawn in for a brut, with tart flavors. Slim in profile, but not a bad or indifferent wine.	Brut Reserva	85	16	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Avinyó	null	null	null
Australia	Just a tiny serving of this dark nectar will last a long time. The malty, porter-ish aromas intrigue, followed by incredibly rich and syrupy flavors accompanied by mouthwatering acids and enormous peristence. Layers of complexity gradually unfold in the glass, revealing hints of honey, caramel and beguiling rancio notes.	Calliope Rare	98	86	Victoria	Rutherglen	null	Tokay	R.L. Buller & Son	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	R.L. Buller & Son NV Calliope Rare Tokay (Rutherglen)
France	Rich, concentrated, its creamy flavor complementing the ripe yellow fruits, this is a well-made, drink-now wine on the fruity side of Chablis: forward, just a thread of texture hinting at minerality. Imported by Cellar Door Selections.	null	88	26	Burgundy	Chablis	null	Chardonnay	Domaine Christophe Camu	null	null	null
Austria	A yeasty funk still hovers over this richly flavored wine: there are hints of Bosc pear, of miso and white pepper. The palate is taut and bright with lime and lemon zest and has ample concentration. From Vienna itself it explains that capital's enduring love affair with Grüner.	Bruch	92	22	Vienna	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Weingut Christ	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Weingut Christ 2015 Bruch Grüner Veltliner (Vienna)
US	Part of a Limited Release series, this Syrah is made from fruit that was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, and it's co-fermented with 5% Viognier. Solid and substantial, it offers clear flavors of coffee, licorice, herb and earth, plus a deep, saturated note of blackberry syrup. A touch of dark chocolate infuses the finish.	Boreal Red Wine	90	30	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Chateau Ste. Michelle	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Boreal Red Wine Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	Vinified in stainless steel, this affordable wine doesn't need new oak flavors to flesh it out. It's sharply defined, with crisp apple and pear fruit that carries a touch of spice. The length and precision are impressive.	null	91	22	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Chardonnay	Ponzi	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Ponzi 2015 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
Italy	Aromas of pressed yellow flowers, dried apricot, tropical fruit and a pastry note emerge on this luminous wine. The elegant palate delivers ripe Golden Delicious apple, toasted almond and a yeasty note of bread crust alongside an ultrafine perlage and tangy acidity. A hint of citrus zest closes the lingering finish.	Riserva Graal Metodo Classico Brut	91	45	Northeastern Italy	Trento	null	Sparkling Blend	Altemasi	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Altemasi 2007 Riserva Graal Metodo Classico Brut Sparkling (Trento)
US	A tiny-production wine from a windblown ridge in the Petaluma Gap, Badger Block is earthy and piquant in wild strawberry. Spicy and soft, it's almost velvety on the palate. Persistent in depth and length, the body is generous but balanced, spiked with the scent of fresh-picked rose petals.	Badger Block Vineyard	92	75	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Talisman	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Talisman 2012 Badger Block Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Argentina	Green, grassy and not very appealing. There's a can't-miss murky, green, herbal character here that yields almost weedy fruit flavors and carob. Sweet, candied, green and just not that good for a Paul Hobbs-made wine.	Felino	81	19	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Merlot	Viña Cobos	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Viña Cobos 2008 Felino Merlot (Mendoza)
US	Tastes like one of those long hangtime wines where the grapes got superripe. The result is enormous flavors, stupendous really, of melted chocolate, raspberry and cherry purée, gingerbread, chocolate chip cookie, crème de cassis, licorice; the list goes on and on. Yet the wine is fundamentally dry, with balancing acids and tannins. Drink now.	Masked Man Vineyard	91	35	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Syrah	Calix	null	null	null
US	Greenwood Ridge often does a good job at Sauvignon Blanc, but not this year. The wine is irritating in unripe feline flavors and it's also off-dry, with 1.9% residual sugar.	null	80	18	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Sauvignon Blanc	Greenwood Ridge	null	null	null
France	From old vines, this intensely flavored wine is deliciously ripe, a product of the hot summer of 2005, but retains the essential acidity and citrus flavors of good Sancerre. Packed with fruit now, it will soften, ripen and gain almond layers that will give it even more complexity. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.	Domaine de la Perrière	90	20	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Pierre Archambault	null	null	null
Greece	A single vineyard wine with plenty of oak nuances, this shows darker flavors than other Agiorgitikos: Blueberry mixes with the telltale cherry, while vanilla caresses the whole. Strong tannins envelop a medium-bodied wine with good acidity, while the nose offers supple blackberry and blueberry fruit, vanilla and some meaty notes.	Ammos	88	35	Nemea	null	null	Agiorgitiko	Palivou	null	null	null
Spain	Talk about a ripped, structured wine that could use more rest. This pumps out minerally blackberry and coconut aromas along with raw, inky intensity. The wine's texture is defined by a strong tannic backbone, while flavors of burnt toast, bacon, licorice and black fruits finish with graphite and energy. Drink from 2015–2023.	Edición Limitada	93	69	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo	Marqués de Elciego	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Marqués de Elciego 2010 Edición Limitada (Rioja)
US	This new label by a few friends who are veterans of the restaurant business is promising. This bottling shows peach, lime rind and melted butter on sliced apple on the open and inviting nose. Anjou pear, dried apple and jasmine flowers show on the palate, which is tropical in nature but not overly showy.	null	92	38	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Point & Line	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Point & Line 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
US	Very rich, ripe and bold, in the way of Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noirs, with mouth filling cherry, raspberry, red plum and mocha flavors, enhanced with smoky oak. Tasty, but a bit ponderous, with some sharpness through the finish. Try cellaring for 4–5 years and see where it goes.	Pisoni Vineyard	89	80	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Bernardus	null	null	Bernardus 2008 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Portugal	This opulent blend of all four Dão grapes (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen) is structured, full of tannins and sports a dry core. Its black fruits are in balance with this bold structure, giving a wine that is solid and concentrated, and still needing some aging. Drink from late 2018.	Fonte do Ouro Reserva	89	19	Dão	null	null	Portuguese Red	Boas Quintas	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Boas Quintas 2015 Fonte do Ouro Reserva Red (Dão)
US	This selection is from Terravant Wine Company, a custom-crush facility in Santa Barbara County. Dry and tannic, it shows classic Cabernet Sauvignon character. It has a smoothness often associated with Napa Valley wines and flavors of blackberry, black currant and oak.	null	90	13	California	California	California Other	Cabernet Sauvignon	Barrel Ranch	null	null	null
Italy	Firm and juicy, this opens with intense aromas of violet, ripe berry and baking spice. The vibrant, delicious palate doles out crushed black cherry, succulent raspberry and black pepper alongside bright acidity and smooth tannins. Enjoy it soon with everyday fare or for informal occasions.	null	89	20	Piedmont	Barbera d'Alba	null	Barbera	Paolo Scavino	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Paolo Scavino 2012 Barbera d'Alba
US	An easy-drinking red wine. It's silky, fruity and dry. You could substitute it as an interesting alternative to Pinot Noir. Shows cherry and tobacco flavors, with a brisk scour of acidity.	null	87	38	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Tempranillo	Yorba	null	null	null
US	Starts with a beautiful ruby color that's so pretty and gleaming. Appeals right away for its rich, attractive sour cherry candy, vanilla and anise aromas and flavors that are well-integrated with smoky oak. The tannins are firm, but ultra-refined, and the finish is entirely dry. A well-made, elegant wine of place that needs time. 2012–2018.	Melbury	93	275	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	BOND	null	null	null
Chile	Intense and dark, with an oily nose of mineral, leather and mocha along with ripe berry fruit notes. The blend (50% Carmenère, 40% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Syrah), works like a charm. The flavors settle on lightly herb-infused berry flavors and chocolate, while the finish is on the spot. Rich, ripe and with modest tannins; drink now–2009.	null	91	55	Maipo Valley	null	null	Red Blend	Antiyal	null	null	null
Uruguay	This blend of several grapes led by Tannat is a touch gritty and stewed. Yes, it has its qualities such as jammy berry and a nice, fleshy feel. But it's wayward and jumpy, and overall balance is elusive. Very expenisve for what you get.	Preludio Barrel Select Lote Number 60	84	50	Juanico	null	null	Red Blend	Establecimiento Juanico	null	null	null
Australia	Another very successful Virgilius, the 2013 comes across as slightly more restrained on the nose, but explodes on the palate with bold flavors of apricot, floral notes and layers of gingery spice. It's a big, rich wine, with a slightly warm but elegant finish. Drink now.	The Virgilius	93	45	South Australia	Eden Valley	null	Viognier	Yalumba	null	null	null
US	A very nice Zin that shows classic attributes at an everyday price. Dry, tannic and rich, it has berry, currant, carob and spice flavors with a strong streak of black pepper. Drink now.	null	86	14	California	California	California Other	Zinfandel	MC2	null	null	null
Australia	A classic Shiraz nose of plum pudding and rubber leads to a medium-weight palate that's got a bit of depth to it, with undertones of humus and fall leaves. Fresh black fruit pops up briefly on the short, crisp finish. Drink up.	null	84	10	Australia Other	South Eastern Australia	null	Shiraz	Bulletin Place	null	null	null
US	Using grapes sourced primarily from Lodi, this Merlot is oaky and smoky, expressing an aroma of cooked black olive. It also features a subtle and toasty berry cobbler flavor, and the finish is all cedar and caramel.	null	85	15	California	California	California Other	Merlot	Spellbound	null	null	null
South Africa	The nose on this red is soft and full of rounded spice and red berry fruit. Rich, balanced flavors of plum, black fruit and pepper are poised and backed by a good acidity. A classy Shiraz that will pair well with meat dishes and aged cheeses.	Wolfkloof Limited Release	90	19	Robertson	null	null	Shiraz	Robertson Winery	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Robertson Winery 2006 Wolfkloof Limited Release Shiraz (Robertson)
Italy	Lombrone Riserva is an earthy, nicely concentrated wine that needs more time to age and integrate. It shows great structure with tight tannins and a long, beautiful finish characterized by cherry and delicate spicy shadings.	Lombrone Riserva	92	85	Tuscany	Montecucco	null	Sangiovese	Collemassari	null	null	Collemassari 2006 Lombrone Riserva (Montecucco)
US	A bit less than perfectly ripe, this Pinot has a beet and tobacco edge to the cherries, raspberries and smoky oak. It's a dry, medium-bodied wine with Pinot's distinctive silky texture.	null	87	38	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	Breggo	null	null	null
Argentina	Opens with candied, chocolaty aromas that contradict its age. In the mouth, it's mature although the structure is breaking up; nonetheless, it's interesting and attractive, with herb, raspberry, tea, tobacco and chocolate flavors. Overall it's a different breed, and despite having lost its structure it's sly and well worth a go. Drink now.	Filósofos	88	60	Mendoza Province	Maipú	null	Red Blend	Viña El Cerno	null	null	null
Italy	This opens with a pretty fragrance of acacia flower and beeswax. The linear palate offers peach and citrus flavors as well as a bitter almond and saline accent. The vibrant acidity leaves the mouth refreshed.	Raphael	86	10	Central Italy	Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico	null	Verdicchio	Piersanti	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Piersanti 2012 Raphael (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico)
US	This shows both the finesse of the Anderson Valley and the '09 vintage that was so kind to coastal Pinot Noir. It has rich flavors of cherry jam and ripe pomegranate, with fine acidity, but there's an excessive oakiness that gives it a toothpicky sweetness.	Run Dog Vineyard	87	45	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	Baxter	null	null	null
France	With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026.	null	96	160	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Bélair-Monange	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Bélair-Monange 2014 Saint-Émilion
Portugal	This is a ripe and juicy wine that is full of fresh white fruit tones on the nose. It has ripe yellow fruits along with crisp lemon and a touch of minerality. The wine is ready to drink.	Assobio Branco	86	13	Douro	null	null	Portuguese White	Quinta dos Murças	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Quinta dos Murças 2014 Assobio Branco White (Douro)
Italy	Toast, espresso, coffee bean and dark berry aromas emerge on this firmly structured red. It's still very much on its oak, showing unripe sour cherry backed up by oak-driven spice including vanilla and coconut alongside grippy tannins.	Ascheri	88	60	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Ellena	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Ellena 2011 Ascheri (Barolo)
US	One of the more interesting California Tempranillos out there. The grapes come from the estate vineyard in a cool region of the southern Vaca Mountains. The wine has a minerally tang that must come from the soil. It's bone dry, silky and crisp, with earthy flavors of cherries and herbs. New oak has been tastefully applied. Tastes and feels like a combination of Pinot Noir and Merlot.	null	91	60	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Tempranillo	Jarvis	null	null	null
US	They aged this 100% varietal wine on the lees in French oak to make it layered and complex, but it's still a pretty one-dimensional wine. Some citrus aromas and flavors, but they're thin and watery. Very well made, but needs a bit more concentration.	Valley View Vineyard Reserve	85	18	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Sauvignon Blanc	Royal Oaks	null	null	null
Portugal	A powerful—possibly too powerful—wine that pushes forward with its superconcentrated black-fruit flavors. It fills the palate with richness and juiciness; this is a wine for lovers of blockbusters.	Vertice Grand Reserva Tinto	89	32	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Caves Transmontanas	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Caves Transmontanas 2008 Vertice Grand Reserva Tinto Red (Douro)
Italy	Clean and elegant with polished tannins and a silky texture. Caparzo makes some of the nicest Brunello you will find in the USA. This vintage is characterized by bright berry tones and a lean but elegant feel in the mouth.	null	91	45	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Caparzo	null	null	null
New Zealand	Light and fresh, this is an easy-to-glug rosé that's fruity--think strawberries and cherries--simple and clean, with a reasonably persistent finish.	Pinot Rosé	87	16	Nelson	null	null	Pinot Noir	Woollaston	null	null	null
Argentina	Concentrated, ripe blackberry and cassis aromas come with peppery spice and cedary oak notes. This is big and generous on the palate, with roasted, well-oaked blackberry flavors. A touch of heat lends sizzle to the finish. Drink through 2020.	The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree	91	30	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Matias Riccitelli	null	null	null
Austria	A rather neutral nose unfolds into fresh, light-bodied citrus on the palate. This is ultralight with lots of lemony zip and a refreshing finish, here and there is a notion of pepper and pear.	Ried Sätzen Reserve	88	30	Weinviertel	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Schwarzböck	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Schwarzböck 2014 Ried Sätzen Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel)
Italy	With its brick color, this wine appears far older than it is, a common trait of this difficult vintage. It opens with aromas of forest floor, dried tobacco leaf, mushroom and ripe berry, all of which carry over to the palate along with subtle cherry and a hint of cinnamon. However, this wine is already tired, with evolved tannins. Drink soon.	null	87	null	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Lazzeretti	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Lazzeretti 2009 Brunello di Montalcino
US	This is a heavy, rich, dry Syrah. It shows forward flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants, mocha and spices, with a touch of raisins. Not likely to age, so drink up.	null	85	25	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Syrah	Bluenose	null	null	null
Argentina	Scattershot aromas of wet paint and berries are the opening salvo. Acid-based red fruit carries the palate, while the mouthfeel is electric to the point of overbearing. Tastes alright but doesn't have the cuddly feel or lushness that's the signature of a good Malbec.	Reserva	83	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Tittarelli	null	null	null
Hungary	A beautiful, aromatic nose of honey, orange, apricot and spice unfolds extravagantly in this elegant dessert wine. Poised tones of honey, citrus, caramel and vanilla are rich but clean on the palate, thanks to a good acidity. The wine ends with a tart grapefruit spin.	Aszú 6 Puttonyos - 500 ml	91	100	Tokaji	null	null	Tokaji	Disznókö	null	null	null
US	Confusingly, a sparkler labeled extra dry is actually extra sweet. It's a French convention that probably should not have been carried over into American labeling, for it simply muddies the water. This is not terribly sweet or sugary, and has a distinctive, lime-flavored citrus streak.	Extra Dry	87	11	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	White Blend	Domaine Ste. Michelle	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Extra Dry White (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	A very dry Pinot Noir, notable more for its clean elegance than opulence. Feels really sleek and crisp in the mouth, almost like a white wine. The flavors suggest tart cherries with the skins, peppery spices and a touch of cedar. Drink now.	null	88	47	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Roadhouse Winery	null	null	null
US	This small-production Chard is a real success for J. It's comprised of their best fruit from warmer and cooler parts of the valley. The flavors are complex, ranging from apricots and tangerines to lemons and golden mangoes, while oak adds lovely notes of buttered toast and créme brûlée. Drink now.	Barrel 16	92	40	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	J Vineyards & Winery	null	null	J Vineyards & Winery 2009 Barrel 16 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
Italy	Plush, ripe, round and very intense, Corte Vaona is a dense, modern Amarone that is packed tight with spice, blackberry, chocolate, leather and tobacco. It shows impressive softness and concentration on the close.	Corte Vaona	91	45	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Novaia	null	null	null
US	Surprisingly good for the price, this Cab appeals for its dryness and elegance. With pleasant blackberry, blueberry and smoke flavors, its tannins are firm, leading to a long, sweet finish. Production was just under 1,500 cases.	null	89	10	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Family Vineyards	null	null	null
South Africa	A pleasant, easy-drinking wine with notes of lemon citrus, white peach and tart melon rind. Balanced and clean with a refreshing finish; a great pair with grilled fish or chicken.	null	84	10	Robertson	null	null	Chenin Blanc	Robertson Winery	null	null	null
Argentina	Generic red-fruit aromas are accented by sage and thyme, while in the mouth the feel is wiry. Full-blooded raspberry and cherry flavors come with pronounced acidity and lighter-framed tannins, so there's some sharpness. All in all it's a no-frills red wine with minimal Cabernet character.	Oak Cask	85	12	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Trapiche	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Trapiche 2006 Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
Italy	This has aromas of wood, vanilla and toast. The palate is already evolved and tired, and it lacks the fruit richness to carry off the oak.	Vintage Riserva Extra Brut	86	65	Lombardy	Franciacorta	null	Sparkling Blend	La Montina	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	La Montina 2006 Vintage Riserva Extra Brut Sparkling (Franciacorta)
US	Thick and chocolaty, this wine is medium in weight, oak and texture, and struggles to show its fruit.	Pestoni Family Estate	84	55	California	Rutherford	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Rutherford Grove	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Rutherford Grove 2011 Pestoni Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
Italy	There's a subtle candy-like element to this wine's pretty nose that recalls vanilla and cherries sprinkled with dried flowers and green herbs. The wine has a lean, compact feel in the mouth and refreshes the palate thanks to its blueberry flavors and crisp close.	Riserva	89	null	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Tenuta di Lilliano	null	null	Tenuta di Lilliano 2005 Riserva (Chianti Classico)
Italy	This impressive expression of Perricone (a native grape of southern Italy) will blow you away thanks to the purity and intensity of its black fruit aromas. This is not an overblown or exaggerated warm-climate wine. It maintains an elegant and focused quality to the end.	Ribeca	92	26	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Perricone	Firriato	null	null	null
France	A soft style, this is ripe with attractive apple and crisp pear fruits. The wine is refreshing with its acidity lacing through the flinty texture. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018.	Le Clos Chartier	87	25	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Jérôme Gueneau	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Jérôme Gueneau 2016 Le Clos Chartier (Sancerre)
Italy	Bright and fragrant, this opens with scents of wild berry, rose and violet. The vibrant palate delivers tart cherry, blood orange, anise and chopped herb alongside supple tannins and zesty acidity. There's no complexity but it's easy drinking and thoroughly enjoyable.	null	88	20	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Red Blend	Bibbiano	null	null	null
US	Picked at 33 brix and fermented in new French oak, this heavy, almost oily dessert wine has a floral aroma as intense as bottled perfume. Flavors suggest orange liqueur, honey and candied apricots. It pulls together just enough acidity to avoid falling into a fat, cloying finish.	Lacrima d'Oro	90	35	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Muscat	Apolloni	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Apolloni 2014 Lacrima d'Oro Muscat (Willamette Valley)
Spain	Zesty cherry aromas are offset by powdery softness and floral hints. This feels solid and correct, with bright acidity. Flavors of red-apple skins and citrus fruits finish direct and clean.	null	87	12	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Rosado	Viña Eguía	null	null	null
US	Amazingly rich, one of the most opulent Chardonnays you can drink now. Just wows the mouth with pineapple, pear, exotic tropical fruit, crème brûlée, vanilla custard, buttered toast and cinnamon spice flavors that go on and on through the finish. Also shows fine, tart acidity, which provides needed balance. Yes, it's superripe, but this is what California Chardonnay does at its best.	Allen Vineyard	95	50	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Williams Selyem	null	null	null
Italy	The 2010 vintage is hailed as one of the best ever for the hilltop hamlet of Montalcino. This has touches of worn leather and animal fur, backed by bright notes of cherry and blackberry.	null	85	20	Tuscany	Rosso di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Renieri	null	null	null
US	Dry and soft. It's a good Cabernet for everyday drinking, with pleasant berry flavors and a smooth mouthfeel.	Reserve	84	18	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Castle Rock	null	null	null
US	Muted aromas of red currant, raspberry and baking spice comes forth more on the structured palate. Flavors also evoke something woody and tobacco like, with hints of cinnamon.	Boxwood	86	29	Virginia	Middleburg	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Boxwood	Carrie Dykes	null	Boxwood 2014 Boxwood Red (Middleburg)
US	Sharp in raisin skin bitterness, this dry, dull wine has overripe cherry flavors, and is quite tannic. Lacks opulence and interest.	Estate	81	24	California	Livermore Valley	Central Coast	Mourvèdre	Fenestra	null	null	Fenestra 2007 Estate Mourvèdre (Livermore Valley)
Spain	Light and generally unexpressive, with peach and melon aromas. Basic honeydew and nectarine flavors lead to a waxy, grippy palate that carries some pineapple and banana flavors. Sweet but not overly. Imported by Haro Imports.	Semi-Sweet	84	11	Catalonia	Penedès	null	White Blend	Maset del Lleó	null	null	null
Chile	Heavy oak notes with a slight chemical/turpentine scent crowds the nose on this basic Chardonnay. A resiny quality carries over onto the palate along with citrus and cinnamon spice flavors.	Reserva	84	13	Casablanca Valley	null	null	Chardonnay	Casas del Bosque	null	null	null
US	A compact wine, with more than a trace of sweaty saddle, along with red currant, herbs and spice. Depending upon your liking for barnyard notes, this could warrant a higher score.	Reserve	87	23	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Snoqualmie	null	null	null
US	Lots of spice along with a veritable fruit cocktail of complex flavors open this understated performer. From green apple and bosc pears to melon and mint, it has an elegant integration of fruit and spicy, vanillin oak. Tangy acidity keeps it lively, and the wine finishes crisp and dry. Still tight, this could use a year to knit itself together.	Stone Côte Vineyard	91	33	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Hartford	null	null	null
Argentina	Candied fruit aromas lead to a hard, underdeveloped palate that houses tannin and oddly flavored raspberry notes. Not a lot else to say about it.	Finca la Daniela	81	10	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Bodega Familia Barberis	null	null	null
US	Intense and luscious with lots of barrel over bright raspberry fruit. The fruit intensity is extraordinary. It's delicious, sharp and lingering, with intense and pure fruit flavor stuck to a wall of toasty oak.	null	88	24	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Grenache	Willow Crest	null	null	null
France	The fruity characteristics are the star of this wine, with heady notes of forest berry, red plum and cherry that flood the nose and mouth. Accents of chocolate, menthol and sweet smoke add depth, but play a delicate supporting role to the fleshy fruit core. Medium weight, with fine tannins and a fairly easygoing structure.	Les Sorcières	88	20	Languedoc-Roussillon	Côtes du Roussillon	null	Rhône-style Red Blend	Domaine du Clos des Fées	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Domaine du Clos des Fées 2010 Les Sorcières Red (Côtes du Roussillon)
Portugal	From a top vintage year, this LBV has a fine richness and dry core to its blackberry-jelly and spice flavors. Despite being softened by wood aging, it could withstand a few more years in bottle.	Late Bottled Vintage	89	30	Port	null	null	Port	Niepoort	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Niepoort 2007 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)
France	A fresh and youthful wine, full of raspberry fruits with bright acidity. It has a dry, tannic background that goes well with the vivid fruits. For drinking over the next year.	Baronnie Madeleine	87	21	Loire Valley	Chinon	null	Cabernet Franc	Couly-Dutheil	null	null	null
Argentina	Argentine Nebbiolo is a rarity, and for one to be this good is a blessing. Leather, dark berry, earth and citrus aromas are mellow and subdued, but the palate is full and forward, with baked berry, molasses and espresso flavors. This is tannic and chocolaty on the finish, with lasting sweetness.	Coleccion de Familia	89	65	Mendoza Province	Luján de Cuyo	null	Nebbiolo	Viña Alicia	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Viña Alicia 2007 Coleccion de Familia Nebbiolo (Luján de Cuyo)
France	From vineyards in a protected natural park, this wine is rich and full in the mouth. It is a touch herbal as well as fruity, adding spice and pepper to the mix. Lively acidity balances the ripeness of the wine.	Le Château	88	21	Provence	Côtes de Provence	null	Rosé	Château Thuerry	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Thuerry 2015 Le Château Rosé (Côtes de Provence)

US

Ripe pear fruit introduces a full-bodied Pinot Gris, and carries it through a satisfying finish. It's fruit all the way, dusted with a little taste of cinnamon spice.

The Orchards

88

18

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Left Coast Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Left Coast Cellars 2012 The Orchards Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)

Italy

This is a dark, smooth and rich Riserva Brunello with a spot of sweet succulence and ripe cherry at the midpalate. The wine offers long, smooth texture and a clean, persistent mouthfeel.

Riserva

93

200

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Poggio di Sotto

null

US

Licorice and leather stand out in this softly layered wine that leans heavy on the palate. Made in a full-bodied, brawny style, it's single-minded more than complex, finishing in toasty oak and black pepper.

Dolinsek Ranch

88

40

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Syrah

Woodenhead

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Woodenhead 2012 Dolinsek Ranch Syrah (Russian River Valley)

France

90-92 Barrel sample. Complex wine, its botrytis character very dominant, heady, so concentrated it is almost dry. This is dense, very rich in character.

Barrel sample

91

null

Bordeaux

Barsac

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Caillou

null

US

This delicious, compelling, full-bodied wine blends luscious fruit flavors like red cherry and boysenberry with stylish, spicy oak accents and a firm backing of acidity and tannins to keep the mouthfeel vital. The fruit and softly spicy nuances mingle beautifully and seem to melt in the mouth. It's great to drink through 2020.

null

93

44

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

Arista

null

Germany

The soft, spicy scents of the bouquet mix grapes, flowers, talcum powder and a faint petrol note to create an almost Gewürz-like symphony. It's lovely and impressively complex, as layers of grape flavor, flowers, minerals and citrus rind gain power in the mouth. The mineral elements come up on the tangy finish. Exotic and smooth, it is immediately appealing but also built to age for 6–8 years.

Wachenheimer Rechbächel Spätlese Trocken

90

28

Pfalz

null

Riesling

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf

null

US

Still a bit fragmented, this offers a core of tight apple and peach fruit. It was barrel fermented (10% new) and that shell of barrel flavors has not yet smoothed into the fruit. Give it brisk aeration or another year in the bottle.

Five Faces

87

33

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

Fullerton

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Fullerton 2015 Five Faces Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)

France

97-99 Barrel sample. It may be 14.5 percent alcohol, but, with its huge freshness, the wine almost sings with elegance. The texture is opulent, with intense black fruits and a core of solid tannins. Impressive balance.

Barrel sample

98

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Ausone

null

US

Tastes over-cropped, meaning that they had to produce a huge crop to get the price down this low. The wine is thin, herbaceous and raspingly dry. with sharp acidity and a watery finish.

Coastal Selection

82

13

California

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Mirassou

null

US

The Russian River Valley makes some of the state's greatest Sauvignon Blancs, in the right hands, and when those hands are Merry Edwards', you can be sure of what you're getting. The wine is dry and crisp in mouthwatering acidity, with citrus and lemongrass flavors that have richer tones of tropical fruits. It feels vibrant, elegant and complex in the mouth, a wine to savor over multiple glasses.

null

93

30

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Sauvignon Blanc

Merry Edwards

null

Argentina

Opens with pleasant, semiexotic blueberry and herbal aromas. The palate is bright and snappy, with moderate weight and balance and then fairly bright red berry, vanilla and herbal notes. Forward, lean and simple Malbec. Gets the job done.

null

84

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Argento

null

US

A big, bold and beautiful Cabernet. Will appeal to those who like the California style, although Bordeauxphiles will find it too ripe and fruity. Brims with blackberries, black cherries, currants, licorice and sweet toasted oak, wrapped into firm, mountain tannins. Now–2014.

null

92

65

California

Spring Mountain District

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barnett

null

Barnett 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District)

US

Whether or not you consider yourself a fan of varietal Cabernet Franc, this is a wine to explore and to savor. Pure fruit is set amidst generous streaks of herb and earth, framed by firm tannins. The wine opens slowly, and pretty cherry flavors emerge, along with black olive, pencil lead and complex barrel notes.

Estate

93

25

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Franc

Tranche

null

Portugal

Spicy wine, with Moscatel giving an attractive lychee edge to the fresh apple skins and citrus. Lively final acidity.

Serras de Azeitão Branco

85

10

Península de Setúbal

null

Portuguese White

Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal

null

South Africa

Aromas of ripe plum, pepper, mint and spice give this value Shiraz a plucky introduction, and on the palate, the red berry and pepper continues, offering a clean, balanced sip. A good everyday red with spirit.

Cape Maidens

87

10

Robertson

null

Shiraz

Juno

null

Austria

Bründlmayer, one of Austria's most famed winemakers, finds that the lyre method of training the vine gives significantly more concentration. That's certainly true of this rich, full, intense wine, with its powering acidity and flavors of almonds, white currants and cranberries.

Lyra Zöbinger Heiligenstein

93

48

Kamptal

null

Riesling

Willi Brundlmayer

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Willi Brundlmayer 2001 Lyra Zöbinger Heiligenstein Riesling (Kamptal)

US

What a wine. It tries to intimidate. At first, by its bottle size and alcohol level, but in the glass this 100% Garnacha is like a purring kitten—well a purring 20-pound Maine Coon cat, joyous in its pretty red fruit, and its earthy, meaty, vanilla and cinnamon toast range of goodness. All lush, Twisted Oak's Torcido is, like a retro soap opera, brave and beautiful.

Torcido

93

32

California

Calaveras County

Sierra Foothills

Garnacha

Twisted Oak

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Twisted Oak 2009 Torcido Garnacha (Calaveras County)

US

From a vineyard poised along Eastside Road, this wine is juicy in flavor and dense in color and on the palate upon entry. Marked by great, well-defined acidity, it's gorgeously floral in fresh rose petal and orange peel with just a touch of reduction, with an additional weight of black tea and cranberry.

Calegari Vineyard

92

58

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Williams Selyem

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Williams Selyem 2014 Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

US

This young Pinot Noir is difficult and challenging. It's all acidity, cherries and pomegranates, tightly wound and aloof, giving little of itself. Yet there's enormous promise. The color is pale for a California Pinot, the alcohol is modest, and there are tantalizing hints of herbs, minerals, forest undergrowth, mushrooms, cedar, truffles. All indications suggest that this is a seriously ageable wine. Cellar until at least 2015.

MoDa

93

90

California

Anderson Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Standish

null

Standish 2009 MoDa Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

US

Strives for Champagne in the deeply toasted, yeasty nose and complex texture and flavors, but in the end the fruit’s a little too forward, the wine a little too full-bodied for Champagne. But in its own right it’s delicious. You can taste the sweetness of sun-ripened grapes in a way only California can achieve.

Reserve

90

47

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Champagne Blend

Schramsberg

null

Schramsberg 1994 Reserve (Napa Valley)

US

Good citrus fruit flavors, along the lines of grapefruits, limes and Meyer lemons, accompanied by zesty acidity mark this bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc. It really scours the mouth clean. Very nice with puff pastry mushroom appetizers, bruschetta with goat cheese and roasted red peppers, or crudités with a garlicky sour cream dip.

Rava Blackjack Vineyard

87

18

California

Monterey

Central Coast

Sauvignon Blanc

Darcie Kent Vineyards

null

Darcie Kent Vineyards 2009 Rava Blackjack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey)

US

This is an easy, tasty bubbly, with raspberry, orange and vanilla flavors. Blended from French Columbard, Chardonnay, Sangiovese and Gamay, it's crisp in acidity, with a sweet finish.

Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes

85

14

California

California Other

Sparkling Blend

Korbel

null

Korbel 2011 Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes Sparkling (California)

Spain

Avinyo does not make cookie-cutter cavas, and thus this wine is out of the ordinary and not always the better for it. The nose is lean and spritzy, with aromas equal to lemon-lime. The palate is drawn in for a brut, with tart flavors. Slim in profile, but not a bad or indifferent wine.

Brut Reserva

85

16

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Avinyó

null

Australia

Just a tiny serving of this dark nectar will last a long time. The malty, porter-ish aromas intrigue, followed by incredibly rich and syrupy flavors accompanied by mouthwatering acids and enormous peristence. Layers of complexity gradually unfold in the glass, revealing hints of honey, caramel and beguiling rancio notes.

Calliope Rare

98

86

Victoria

Rutherglen

null

Tokay

R.L. Buller & Son

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

R.L. Buller & Son NV Calliope Rare Tokay (Rutherglen)

France

Rich, concentrated, its creamy flavor complementing the ripe yellow fruits, this is a well-made, drink-now wine on the fruity side of Chablis: forward, just a thread of texture hinting at minerality. Imported by Cellar Door Selections.

null

88

26

Burgundy

Chablis

null

Chardonnay

Domaine Christophe Camu

null

Austria

A yeasty funk still hovers over this richly flavored wine: there are hints of Bosc pear, of miso and white pepper. The palate is taut and bright with lime and lemon zest and has ample concentration. From Vienna itself it explains that capital's enduring love affair with Grüner.

Bruch

92

22

Vienna

null

Grüner Veltliner

Weingut Christ

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Weingut Christ 2015 Bruch Grüner Veltliner (Vienna)

US

Part of a Limited Release series, this Syrah is made from fruit that was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, and it's co-fermented with 5% Viognier. Solid and substantial, it offers clear flavors of coffee, licorice, herb and earth, plus a deep, saturated note of blackberry syrup. A touch of dark chocolate infuses the finish.

Boreal Red Wine

90

30

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Boreal Red Wine Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

Vinified in stainless steel, this affordable wine doesn't need new oak flavors to flesh it out. It's sharply defined, with crisp apple and pear fruit that carries a touch of spice. The length and precision are impressive.

null

91

22

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

Ponzi

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Ponzi 2015 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)

Italy

Aromas of pressed yellow flowers, dried apricot, tropical fruit and a pastry note emerge on this luminous wine. The elegant palate delivers ripe Golden Delicious apple, toasted almond and a yeasty note of bread crust alongside an ultrafine perlage and tangy acidity. A hint of citrus zest closes the lingering finish.

Riserva Graal Metodo Classico Brut

91

45

Northeastern Italy

Trento

null

Sparkling Blend

Altemasi

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Altemasi 2007 Riserva Graal Metodo Classico Brut Sparkling (Trento)

US

A tiny-production wine from a windblown ridge in the Petaluma Gap, Badger Block is earthy and piquant in wild strawberry. Spicy and soft, it's almost velvety on the palate. Persistent in depth and length, the body is generous but balanced, spiked with the scent of fresh-picked rose petals.

Badger Block Vineyard

92

75

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Talisman

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Talisman 2012 Badger Block Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Argentina

Green, grassy and not very appealing. There's a can't-miss murky, green, herbal character here that yields almost weedy fruit flavors and carob. Sweet, candied, green and just not that good for a Paul Hobbs-made wine.

Felino

81

19

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Merlot

Viña Cobos

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Viña Cobos 2008 Felino Merlot (Mendoza)

US

Tastes like one of those long hangtime wines where the grapes got superripe. The result is enormous flavors, stupendous really, of melted chocolate, raspberry and cherry purée, gingerbread, chocolate chip cookie, crème de cassis, licorice; the list goes on and on. Yet the wine is fundamentally dry, with balancing acids and tannins. Drink now.

Masked Man Vineyard

91

35

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Syrah

Calix

null

US

Greenwood Ridge often does a good job at Sauvignon Blanc, but not this year. The wine is irritating in unripe feline flavors and it's also off-dry, with 1.9% residual sugar.

null

80

18

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Sauvignon Blanc

Greenwood Ridge

null

France

From old vines, this intensely flavored wine is deliciously ripe, a product of the hot summer of 2005, but retains the essential acidity and citrus flavors of good Sancerre. Packed with fruit now, it will soften, ripen and gain almond layers that will give it even more complexity. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.

Domaine de la Perrière

90

20

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Pierre Archambault

null

Greece

A single vineyard wine with plenty of oak nuances, this shows darker flavors than other Agiorgitikos: Blueberry mixes with the telltale cherry, while vanilla caresses the whole. Strong tannins envelop a medium-bodied wine with good acidity, while the nose offers supple blackberry and blueberry fruit, vanilla and some meaty notes.

Ammos

88

35

Nemea

null

Agiorgitiko

Palivou

null

Spain

Talk about a ripped, structured wine that could use more rest. This pumps out minerally blackberry and coconut aromas along with raw, inky intensity. The wine's texture is defined by a strong tannic backbone, while flavors of burnt toast, bacon, licorice and black fruits finish with graphite and energy. Drink from 2015–2023.

Edición Limitada

93

69

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo

Marqués de Elciego

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Marqués de Elciego 2010 Edición Limitada (Rioja)

US

This new label by a few friends who are veterans of the restaurant business is promising. This bottling shows peach, lime rind and melted butter on sliced apple on the open and inviting nose. Anjou pear, dried apple and jasmine flowers show on the palate, which is tropical in nature but not overly showy.

null

92

38

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Point & Line

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Point & Line 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)

US

Very rich, ripe and bold, in the way of Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noirs, with mouth filling cherry, raspberry, red plum and mocha flavors, enhanced with smoky oak. Tasty, but a bit ponderous, with some sharpness through the finish. Try cellaring for 4–5 years and see where it goes.

Pisoni Vineyard

89

80

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Bernardus

null

Bernardus 2008 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Portugal

This opulent blend of all four Dão grapes (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen) is structured, full of tannins and sports a dry core. Its black fruits are in balance with this bold structure, giving a wine that is solid and concentrated, and still needing some aging. Drink from late 2018.

Fonte do Ouro Reserva

89

19

Dão

null

Portuguese Red

Boas Quintas

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Boas Quintas 2015 Fonte do Ouro Reserva Red (Dão)

US

This selection is from Terravant Wine Company, a custom-crush facility in Santa Barbara County. Dry and tannic, it shows classic Cabernet Sauvignon character. It has a smoothness often associated with Napa Valley wines and flavors of blackberry, black currant and oak.

null

90

13

California

California Other

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barrel Ranch

null

Italy

Firm and juicy, this opens with intense aromas of violet, ripe berry and baking spice. The vibrant, delicious palate doles out crushed black cherry, succulent raspberry and black pepper alongside bright acidity and smooth tannins. Enjoy it soon with everyday fare or for informal occasions.

null

89

20

Piedmont

Barbera d'Alba

null

Barbera

Paolo Scavino

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Paolo Scavino 2012 Barbera d'Alba

US

An easy-drinking red wine. It's silky, fruity and dry. You could substitute it as an interesting alternative to Pinot Noir. Shows cherry and tobacco flavors, with a brisk scour of acidity.

null

87

38

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Tempranillo

Yorba

null

US

Starts with a beautiful ruby color that's so pretty and gleaming. Appeals right away for its rich, attractive sour cherry candy, vanilla and anise aromas and flavors that are well-integrated with smoky oak. The tannins are firm, but ultra-refined, and the finish is entirely dry. A well-made, elegant wine of place that needs time. 2012–2018.

Melbury

93

275

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

BOND

null

Chile

Intense and dark, with an oily nose of mineral, leather and mocha along with ripe berry fruit notes. The blend (50% Carmenère, 40% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Syrah), works like a charm. The flavors settle on lightly herb-infused berry flavors and chocolate, while the finish is on the spot. Rich, ripe and with modest tannins; drink now–2009.

null

91

55

Maipo Valley

null

Red Blend

Antiyal

null

Uruguay

This blend of several grapes led by Tannat is a touch gritty and stewed. Yes, it has its qualities such as jammy berry and a nice, fleshy feel. But it's wayward and jumpy, and overall balance is elusive. Very expenisve for what you get.

Preludio Barrel Select Lote Number 60

84

50

Juanico

null

Red Blend

Establecimiento Juanico

null

Australia

Another very successful Virgilius, the 2013 comes across as slightly more restrained on the nose, but explodes on the palate with bold flavors of apricot, floral notes and layers of gingery spice. It's a big, rich wine, with a slightly warm but elegant finish. Drink now.

The Virgilius

93

45

South Australia

Eden Valley

null

Viognier

Yalumba

null

US

A very nice Zin that shows classic attributes at an everyday price. Dry, tannic and rich, it has berry, currant, carob and spice flavors with a strong streak of black pepper. Drink now.

null

86

14

California

California Other

Zinfandel

MC2

null

Australia

A classic Shiraz nose of plum pudding and rubber leads to a medium-weight palate that's got a bit of depth to it, with undertones of humus and fall leaves. Fresh black fruit pops up briefly on the short, crisp finish. Drink up.

null

84

10

Australia Other

South Eastern Australia

null

Shiraz

Bulletin Place

null

US

Using grapes sourced primarily from Lodi, this Merlot is oaky and smoky, expressing an aroma of cooked black olive. It also features a subtle and toasty berry cobbler flavor, and the finish is all cedar and caramel.

null

85

15

California

California Other

Merlot

Spellbound

null

South Africa

The nose on this red is soft and full of rounded spice and red berry fruit. Rich, balanced flavors of plum, black fruit and pepper are poised and backed by a good acidity. A classy Shiraz that will pair well with meat dishes and aged cheeses.

Wolfkloof Limited Release

90

19

Robertson

null

Shiraz

Robertson Winery

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Robertson Winery 2006 Wolfkloof Limited Release Shiraz (Robertson)

Italy

Lombrone Riserva is an earthy, nicely concentrated wine that needs more time to age and integrate. It shows great structure with tight tannins and a long, beautiful finish characterized by cherry and delicate spicy shadings.

Lombrone Riserva

92

85

Tuscany

Montecucco

null

Sangiovese

Collemassari

null

Collemassari 2006 Lombrone Riserva (Montecucco)

US

A bit less than perfectly ripe, this Pinot has a beet and tobacco edge to the cherries, raspberries and smoky oak. It's a dry, medium-bodied wine with Pinot's distinctive silky texture.

null

87

38

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

Breggo

null

Argentina

Opens with candied, chocolaty aromas that contradict its age. In the mouth, it's mature although the structure is breaking up; nonetheless, it's interesting and attractive, with herb, raspberry, tea, tobacco and chocolate flavors. Overall it's a different breed, and despite having lost its structure it's sly and well worth a go. Drink now.

Filósofos

88

60

Mendoza Province

Maipú

null

Red Blend

Viña El Cerno

null

Italy

This opens with a pretty fragrance of acacia flower and beeswax. The linear palate offers peach and citrus flavors as well as a bitter almond and saline accent. The vibrant acidity leaves the mouth refreshed.

Raphael

86

10

Central Italy

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

null

Verdicchio

Piersanti

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Piersanti 2012 Raphael (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico)

US

This shows both the finesse of the Anderson Valley and the '09 vintage that was so kind to coastal Pinot Noir. It has rich flavors of cherry jam and ripe pomegranate, with fine acidity, but there's an excessive oakiness that gives it a toothpicky sweetness.

Run Dog Vineyard

87

45

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

Baxter

null

France

With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026.

null

96

160

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Bélair-Monange

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Bélair-Monange 2014 Saint-Émilion

Portugal

This is a ripe and juicy wine that is full of fresh white fruit tones on the nose. It has ripe yellow fruits along with crisp lemon and a touch of minerality. The wine is ready to drink.

Assobio Branco

86

13

Douro

null

Portuguese White

Quinta dos Murças

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Quinta dos Murças 2014 Assobio Branco White (Douro)

Italy

Toast, espresso, coffee bean and dark berry aromas emerge on this firmly structured red. It's still very much on its oak, showing unripe sour cherry backed up by oak-driven spice including vanilla and coconut alongside grippy tannins.

Ascheri

88

60

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Ellena

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Ellena 2011 Ascheri (Barolo)

US

One of the more interesting California Tempranillos out there. The grapes come from the estate vineyard in a cool region of the southern Vaca Mountains. The wine has a minerally tang that must come from the soil. It's bone dry, silky and crisp, with earthy flavors of cherries and herbs. New oak has been tastefully applied. Tastes and feels like a combination of Pinot Noir and Merlot.

null

91

60

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Tempranillo

Jarvis

null

US

They aged this 100% varietal wine on the lees in French oak to make it layered and complex, but it's still a pretty one-dimensional wine. Some citrus aromas and flavors, but they're thin and watery. Very well made, but needs a bit more concentration.

Valley View Vineyard Reserve

85

18

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Sauvignon Blanc

Royal Oaks

null

Portugal

A powerful—possibly too powerful—wine that pushes forward with its superconcentrated black-fruit flavors. It fills the palate with richness and juiciness; this is a wine for lovers of blockbusters.

Vertice Grand Reserva Tinto

89

32

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Caves Transmontanas

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Caves Transmontanas 2008 Vertice Grand Reserva Tinto Red (Douro)

Italy

Clean and elegant with polished tannins and a silky texture. Caparzo makes some of the nicest Brunello you will find in the USA. This vintage is characterized by bright berry tones and a lean but elegant feel in the mouth.

null

91

45

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Caparzo

null

New Zealand

Light and fresh, this is an easy-to-glug rosé that's fruity--think strawberries and cherries--simple and clean, with a reasonably persistent finish.

Pinot Rosé

87

16

Nelson

null

Pinot Noir

Woollaston

null

Argentina

Concentrated, ripe blackberry and cassis aromas come with peppery spice and cedary oak notes. This is big and generous on the palate, with roasted, well-oaked blackberry flavors. A touch of heat lends sizzle to the finish. Drink through 2020.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

91

30

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Matias Riccitelli

null

Austria

A rather neutral nose unfolds into fresh, light-bodied citrus on the palate. This is ultralight with lots of lemony zip and a refreshing finish, here and there is a notion of pepper and pear.

Ried Sätzen Reserve

88

30

Weinviertel

null

Grüner Veltliner

Schwarzböck

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Schwarzböck 2014 Ried Sätzen Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel)

Italy

With its brick color, this wine appears far older than it is, a common trait of this difficult vintage. It opens with aromas of forest floor, dried tobacco leaf, mushroom and ripe berry, all of which carry over to the palate along with subtle cherry and a hint of cinnamon. However, this wine is already tired, with evolved tannins. Drink soon.

null

87

null

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Lazzeretti

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Lazzeretti 2009 Brunello di Montalcino

US

This is a heavy, rich, dry Syrah. It shows forward flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants, mocha and spices, with a touch of raisins. Not likely to age, so drink up.

null

85

25

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Syrah

Bluenose

null

Argentina

Scattershot aromas of wet paint and berries are the opening salvo. Acid-based red fruit carries the palate, while the mouthfeel is electric to the point of overbearing. Tastes alright but doesn't have the cuddly feel or lushness that's the signature of a good Malbec.

Reserva

83

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Tittarelli

null

Hungary

A beautiful, aromatic nose of honey, orange, apricot and spice unfolds extravagantly in this elegant dessert wine. Poised tones of honey, citrus, caramel and vanilla are rich but clean on the palate, thanks to a good acidity. The wine ends with a tart grapefruit spin.

Aszú 6 Puttonyos - 500 ml

91

100

Tokaji

null

Tokaji

Disznókö

null

US

Confusingly, a sparkler labeled extra dry is actually extra sweet. It's a French convention that probably should not have been carried over into American labeling, for it simply muddies the water. This is not terribly sweet or sugary, and has a distinctive, lime-flavored citrus streak.

Extra Dry

87

11

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

White Blend

Domaine Ste. Michelle

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Extra Dry White (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

A very dry Pinot Noir, notable more for its clean elegance than opulence. Feels really sleek and crisp in the mouth, almost like a white wine. The flavors suggest tart cherries with the skins, peppery spices and a touch of cedar. Drink now.

null

88

47

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Roadhouse Winery

null

US

This small-production Chard is a real success for J. It's comprised of their best fruit from warmer and cooler parts of the valley. The flavors are complex, ranging from apricots and tangerines to lemons and golden mangoes, while oak adds lovely notes of buttered toast and créme brûlée. Drink now.

Barrel 16

92

40

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

J Vineyards & Winery

null

J Vineyards & Winery 2009 Barrel 16 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Italy

Plush, ripe, round and very intense, Corte Vaona is a dense, modern Amarone that is packed tight with spice, blackberry, chocolate, leather and tobacco. It shows impressive softness and concentration on the close.

Corte Vaona

91

45

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Novaia

null

US

Surprisingly good for the price, this Cab appeals for its dryness and elegance. With pleasant blackberry, blueberry and smoke flavors, its tannins are firm, leading to a long, sweet finish. Production was just under 1,500 cases.

null

89

10

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Family Vineyards

null

South Africa

A pleasant, easy-drinking wine with notes of lemon citrus, white peach and tart melon rind. Balanced and clean with a refreshing finish; a great pair with grilled fish or chicken.

null

84

10

Robertson

null

Chenin Blanc

Robertson Winery

null

Argentina

Generic red-fruit aromas are accented by sage and thyme, while in the mouth the feel is wiry. Full-blooded raspberry and cherry flavors come with pronounced acidity and lighter-framed tannins, so there's some sharpness. All in all it's a no-frills red wine with minimal Cabernet character.

Oak Cask

85

12

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Trapiche

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Trapiche 2006 Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)

Italy

This has aromas of wood, vanilla and toast. The palate is already evolved and tired, and it lacks the fruit richness to carry off the oak.

Vintage Riserva Extra Brut

86

65

Lombardy

Franciacorta

null

Sparkling Blend

La Montina

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

La Montina 2006 Vintage Riserva Extra Brut Sparkling (Franciacorta)

US

Thick and chocolaty, this wine is medium in weight, oak and texture, and struggles to show its fruit.

Pestoni Family Estate

84

55

California

Rutherford

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford Grove

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Rutherford Grove 2011 Pestoni Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Italy

There's a subtle candy-like element to this wine's pretty nose that recalls vanilla and cherries sprinkled with dried flowers and green herbs. The wine has a lean, compact feel in the mouth and refreshes the palate thanks to its blueberry flavors and crisp close.

Riserva

89

null

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Tenuta di Lilliano

null

Tenuta di Lilliano 2005 Riserva (Chianti Classico)

Italy

This impressive expression of Perricone (a native grape of southern Italy) will blow you away thanks to the purity and intensity of its black fruit aromas. This is not an overblown or exaggerated warm-climate wine. It maintains an elegant and focused quality to the end.

Ribeca

92

26

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Perricone

Firriato

null

France

A soft style, this is ripe with attractive apple and crisp pear fruits. The wine is refreshing with its acidity lacing through the flinty texture. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018.

Le Clos Chartier

87

25

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Jérôme Gueneau

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Jérôme Gueneau 2016 Le Clos Chartier (Sancerre)

Italy

Bright and fragrant, this opens with scents of wild berry, rose and violet. The vibrant palate delivers tart cherry, blood orange, anise and chopped herb alongside supple tannins and zesty acidity. There's no complexity but it's easy drinking and thoroughly enjoyable.

null

88

20

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Red Blend

Bibbiano

null

US

Picked at 33 brix and fermented in new French oak, this heavy, almost oily dessert wine has a floral aroma as intense as bottled perfume. Flavors suggest orange liqueur, honey and candied apricots. It pulls together just enough acidity to avoid falling into a fat, cloying finish.

Lacrima d'Oro

90

35

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Muscat

Apolloni

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Apolloni 2014 Lacrima d'Oro Muscat (Willamette Valley)

Spain

Zesty cherry aromas are offset by powdery softness and floral hints. This feels solid and correct, with bright acidity. Flavors of red-apple skins and citrus fruits finish direct and clean.

null

87

12

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Rosado

Viña Eguía

null

US

Amazingly rich, one of the most opulent Chardonnays you can drink now. Just wows the mouth with pineapple, pear, exotic tropical fruit, crème brûlée, vanilla custard, buttered toast and cinnamon spice flavors that go on and on through the finish. Also shows fine, tart acidity, which provides needed balance. Yes, it's superripe, but this is what California Chardonnay does at its best.

Allen Vineyard

95

50

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Williams Selyem

null

Italy

The 2010 vintage is hailed as one of the best ever for the hilltop hamlet of Montalcino. This has touches of worn leather and animal fur, backed by bright notes of cherry and blackberry.

null

85

20

Tuscany

Rosso di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Renieri

null

US

Dry and soft. It's a good Cabernet for everyday drinking, with pleasant berry flavors and a smooth mouthfeel.

Reserve

84

18

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Castle Rock

null

US

Muted aromas of red currant, raspberry and baking spice comes forth more on the structured palate. Flavors also evoke something woody and tobacco like, with hints of cinnamon.

Boxwood

86

29

Virginia

Middleburg

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Boxwood

Carrie Dykes

null

Boxwood 2014 Boxwood Red (Middleburg)

US

Sharp in raisin skin bitterness, this dry, dull wine has overripe cherry flavors, and is quite tannic. Lacks opulence and interest.

Estate

81

24

California

Livermore Valley

Central Coast

Mourvèdre

Fenestra

null

Fenestra 2007 Estate Mourvèdre (Livermore Valley)

Spain

Light and generally unexpressive, with peach and melon aromas. Basic honeydew and nectarine flavors lead to a waxy, grippy palate that carries some pineapple and banana flavors. Sweet but not overly. Imported by Haro Imports.

Semi-Sweet

84

11

Catalonia

Penedès

null

White Blend

Maset del Lleó

null

Chile

Heavy oak notes with a slight chemical/turpentine scent crowds the nose on this basic Chardonnay. A resiny quality carries over onto the palate along with citrus and cinnamon spice flavors.

Reserva

84

13

Casablanca Valley

null

Chardonnay

Casas del Bosque

null

US

A compact wine, with more than a trace of sweaty saddle, along with red currant, herbs and spice. Depending upon your liking for barnyard notes, this could warrant a higher score.

Reserve

87

23

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Snoqualmie

null

US

Lots of spice along with a veritable fruit cocktail of complex flavors open this understated performer. From green apple and bosc pears to melon and mint, it has an elegant integration of fruit and spicy, vanillin oak. Tangy acidity keeps it lively, and the wine finishes crisp and dry. Still tight, this could use a year to knit itself together.

Stone Côte Vineyard

91

33

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Hartford

null

Argentina

Candied fruit aromas lead to a hard, underdeveloped palate that houses tannin and oddly flavored raspberry notes. Not a lot else to say about it.

Finca la Daniela

81

10

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Bodega Familia Barberis

null

US

Intense and luscious with lots of barrel over bright raspberry fruit. The fruit intensity is extraordinary. It's delicious, sharp and lingering, with intense and pure fruit flavor stuck to a wall of toasty oak.

null

88

24

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Grenache

Willow Crest

null

France

The fruity characteristics are the star of this wine, with heady notes of forest berry, red plum and cherry that flood the nose and mouth. Accents of chocolate, menthol and sweet smoke add depth, but play a delicate supporting role to the fleshy fruit core. Medium weight, with fine tannins and a fairly easygoing structure.

Les Sorcières

88

20

Languedoc-Roussillon

Côtes du Roussillon

null

Rhône-style Red Blend

Domaine du Clos des Fées

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Domaine du Clos des Fées 2010 Les Sorcières Red (Côtes du Roussillon)

Portugal

From a top vintage year, this LBV has a fine richness and dry core to its blackberry-jelly and spice flavors. Despite being softened by wood aging, it could withstand a few more years in bottle.

Late Bottled Vintage

89

30

Port

null

Port

Niepoort

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Niepoort 2007 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)

France

A fresh and youthful wine, full of raspberry fruits with bright acidity. It has a dry, tannic background that goes well with the vivid fruits. For drinking over the next year.

Baronnie Madeleine

87

21

Loire Valley

Chinon

null

Cabernet Franc

Couly-Dutheil

null

Argentina

Argentine Nebbiolo is a rarity, and for one to be this good is a blessing. Leather, dark berry, earth and citrus aromas are mellow and subdued, but the palate is full and forward, with baked berry, molasses and espresso flavors. This is tannic and chocolaty on the finish, with lasting sweetness.

Coleccion de Familia

89

65

Mendoza Province

Luján de Cuyo

null

Nebbiolo

Viña Alicia

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Viña Alicia 2007 Coleccion de Familia Nebbiolo (Luján de Cuyo)

France

From vineyards in a protected natural park, this wine is rich and full in the mouth. It is a touch herbal as well as fruity, adding spice and pepper to the mix. Lively acidity balances the ripeness of the wine.

Le Château

88

21

Provence

Côtes de Provence

null

Rosé

Château Thuerry

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Thuerry 2015 Le Château Rosé (Côtes de Provence)