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135
Australia
This is a jammy, fruit-forward rendition of sparkling Shiraz, with plenty of blueberry and blackberry flavors and a touch of sugar on the finish. Imported by Pernod Ricard, USA.
Bin 555
85
17
Australia Other
South Eastern Australia
null
Shiraz
Wyndham Estate
Joe Czerwinski
@JoeCz
Wyndham Estate NV Bin 555 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
France
This is a crisp and dry Champagne. Its attractive red fruits are linked to the acidity and tight texture to give a linear wine that is refreshing and has a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
Tendre Rosé Brut
88
65
Champagne
Champagne
null
Champagne Blend
Le Brun de Neuville
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Le Brun de Neuville NV Tendre Rosé Brut (Champagne)
Italy
This classically styled Barolo has hallmark Nebbiolo scents of rose, violet, spice, leather and forest floor. The creamy palate delivers wild cherry flavors, layered with spice, mint, licorice and eucalyptus notes. It's well balanced, fresh and structured. While it's already enjoyable, drink it after 2018 for more complexity.
Ca' Mia
94
90
Piedmont
Barolo
null
Nebbiolo
Brovia
Kerin O’Keefe
@kerinokeefe
Brovia 2009 Ca' Mia (Barolo)
Italy
Aged in large oak casks, this wine shows bold spice and dried berry aromas, with lingering accents of leather and pipe tobacco. The tight tannins give the wine structure and staying power.
Gricos
87
11
Southern Italy
Aglianico del Vulture
null
Aglianico
Lucania
null
null
null
South Africa
This elegant Syrah opens with earthy aromas of fynbos, white pepper and raspberry tea alongside core notes of red cherry, licorice and clove. A structured and gripping selection, the plush mouthfeel is lushly fruited and full of brambly berry and plum flavors. Accents of cola spice and tree bark grace the lingering finish.
null
92
33
Swartland
null
null
Syrah
Mullineux
Lauren Buzzeo
@laurbuzz
Mullineux 2013 Syrah (Swartland)
Portugal
Like its overweight bottle, the wine feels superrich, superpowerful, with few holds barred as its tannins sink into the cushion of luscious fruit. It is given shape by blackberry acidity, and a firm, dry finish.
Plansel Selecta Grand Escolha
90
null
Alentejano
null
null
Portuguese Red
Quinta da Plansel
null
null
null
US
It displays a very pretty pink color, but that's the showiest side of a rather reserved wine. The nose smells slightly of rosebush and the palate is a bit watery, with some stone fruit and noticeable tension.
Costa Rosa
83
27
California
Paso Robles
Central Coast
Rosé
Vino Vargas
null
null
null
US
Gloriously perfumed, this mixes scents and flavors of citrus rind, expensive soaps and sweet spice. It does not become as oily and dense as some Alsatian Gewürz, but it could be a distant, gentler cousin of the great ones.
Oak Ridge Vineyard
90
15
Oregon
Columbia Gorge (OR)
Oregon Other
Gewürztraminer
Phelps Creek
null
null
null
Italy
Packaged in a thick, heavy glass bottle, this hearty Montepulciano d'Abruzzo opens with oaky tones of spice and wood shop, backed by notes of ripe fruit and exotic spice.
Tolos
86
19
Central Italy
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
null
Montepulciano
Terra d'Aligi
null
null
Terra d'Aligi 2006 Tolos (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo)
US
This crisp, clean Chardonnay is a good find for $20. Fruity with a suggestive note of caramel on the nose, it delivers a taste of citrus and green apple on the palate that evolves into a satisfying finish that's entirely tropical.
null
87
20
California
Sonoma County
Sonoma
Chardonnay
Decoy
null
null
null
Australia
At nearly 80% Grenache, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured rendering of the Barossa's classic red trio. Savory, peppery elements add welcome complexity to the nose, while the flavors fold in hints of molasses and plum, then end on a long, supple note. Drink now–2017.
Grenache-Mataro-Shiraz
92
20
South Australia
Barossa Valley
null
G-S-M
Kurtz Family
Joe Czerwinski
@JoeCz
Kurtz Family 2012 Grenache-Mataro-Shiraz G-S-M (Barossa Valley)
US
Baked strawberries and red cherries pair deliciously with shaved nutmeg, vanilla and black tea leaves on the nose of this bottling. There is a strong black plum tang to the sip, which is decorated lavishly with thyme, bay leaf, rust and gravel—a very elegant expression overall.
Estate
93
44
California
Santa Cruz Mountains
Central Coast
Pinot Noir
Black Ridge
Matt Kettmann
@mattkettmann
Black Ridge 2013 Estate Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains)
US
Fruit flavors of pineapple and lemon are pushed forward, followed by a pleasing touch of light butter. The wine was barrel fermented in half new, half used oak. It's a fine spring/summer quaffer.
null
87
18
Oregon
Umpqua Valley
Southern Oregon
Chardonnay
Melrose
null
null
null
Italy
Light notes of peach and dusty mineral open the bouquet of this food-friendly Soave. You could pair the wine with seafood, summer pasta dishes or salad. It ends with notes of white flower and almond blossom.
Famiglia Pasqua
85
15
Veneto
Soave
null
Garganega
Pasqua
null
null
null
US
This bears blackberry, black currant and cherry liqueur flavors, and the 12% Syrah component seems to bring a peppery roasted-meat note. Although the wine is technically dry, it's a little warm and sweet in glycerine—the result of high alcohol. Drink now.
Low Tide
87
28
California
Paso Robles
Central Coast
Red Blend
Sea Shell Cellars
null
null
Sea Shell Cellars 2010 Low Tide Red (Paso Robles)
France
Here is a bright, very textured wine, with a tangy character bringing out fennel as well as red berry flavors. Crisp and tight, this is a great food rosé.
Vie Vité Extraordinaire
90
28
Provence
Côtes de Provence
null
Rosé
Domaine Sainte-Marie
null
null
null
Spain
Hot, earthy aromas settle on leather and tomato, while the palate is gritty and tastes of dark, smoky, chunky black fruit. More tangy and angular on the finish than desirable, with limited depth. Standard stuff on its best day.
null
83
17
Northern Spain
Ribera del Duero
null
Tempranillo
El Arte de Vivir
null
null
null
Australia
Featuring a voluptuous nose of stone fruit and citrus framed by roasted nuts and toasty oak, this is a rich, amply endowed Chardonnay with a big personality and bold flavors. Ripe peach notes join with citrus, hazelnuts and toast on the long finish. Drink now.
Reserve
92
27
Western Australia
Pemberton
null
Chardonnay
Wise
Joe Czerwinski
@JoeCz
Wise 2005 Reserve Chardonnay (Pemberton)
US
Zesty in black pepper and luscious in blackberry, blueberry and raspberry, the grapes are from 90-plus-year-old hillside vines. Complex and structured, it offers a balanced point of view and plenty of intrigue, simultaneously fresh and brooding.
Old Vine
91
30
California
Dry Creek Valley
Sonoma
Zinfandel
Dry Creek Vineyard
Virginie Boone
@vboone
Dry Creek Vineyard 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
Portugal
Soft wine, with simple pear and white currant fruit flavors. It tastes flat, one-dimensional, the acidity muted.
Reserva Branco
84
9
Alentejano
null
null
Portuguese White
Monte Novo e Figueirinha
null
null
null
US
A fresh, vibrant white wine, marked by crisp acidity and forward pineapple, lemongrass and pink grapefruit flavors. Finishes thoroughly dry. Nice with a salad of bitter greens, grilled shrimp, chevre and citrus fruits.
Baja Viento Vineyard
87
23
California
Monterey
Central Coast
Sauvignon Blanc
Cinquain
null
null
null
US
Blueberry, black cherry and red berries on the nose are followed by structured but slightly tart red fruit flavors on the palate. Diverse spices and some oak add weight and balance the edge. The wine is generally food friendly and flavorful.
Pinnacle
85
23
New York
Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Standing Stone
null
null
null
US
A very great Napa Cabernet by any standard. Defines the modern style of soft richness, with lavish flavors of blackberry tart, crème de cassis, blueberry, dark chocolate and the richest, sweetest toasty oak you can imagine. It's soft and ripe enough to drink now, yet shows a subtle structure that suggests aging for a decade. Possesses the extreme complexity and finesse that mark the greatest wines.
Stagecoach Vineyard
97
150
California
Napa Valley
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Paul Hobbs
null
null
null
US
A soft, silky scent to open, weaving a tapestry of floral, musk, lemon polish and apple notes. The wine has excellent concentration, a dense midpalate bringing vanilla cream and banana and other tropical fruit flavors to the front. Powerful, with a hint of volatility.
Conner Lee Vineyard
90
18
Washington
Columbia Valley (WA)
Columbia Valley
Chardonnay
Arbor Crest
null
null
null
Australia
Full bodied, creamy and rich, this wine will undoubtedly please Torbreck fans and provide another piece of ammo for critics. Tasted blind, I wrote, “Torbreck-like nose of lifted spice and stewed berries.” There's a hint of mint as well. Mixed berries and brown sugar notes mingle easily on the palate, while a touch of dried fruit (not a positive) creeps in on the finish. Drink now–2025.
Descendant
92
125
South Australia
Barossa Valley
null
Shiraz-Viognier
Torbreck
null
null
null
US
Nicholas Cole Cellars is the winery, and the grapes in this Bordeaux blend are essentially all estate, except for a little Canoe Ridge Merlot. This is substantial, herbal, with plenty of juicy red fruit and a leafy, earthy sub-text. Dark, exotic, tangy and still youthfully sharp, this needs breathing time to soften up and open out.
Red Wing Red
89
25
Washington
Walla Walla Valley (WA)
Columbia Valley
Red Blend
GraEagle
null
null
null
Chile
Tropical fruits and a mix of grass and green herbs make for a nice bouquet. The palate on this Casablanca wine is juicy and round, not pointy, with citrus and nectarine flavors. Finishes with green apple tang; definitely gets the job done.
Visión
87
15
Casablanca Valley
null
null
Sauvignon Blanc
Cono Sur
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Cono Sur 2010 Visión Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley)
Austria
While still closed on the nose, this has hints of green and yellow pear that shine through. A slender but very appetizing juiciness on the palate is light but full of freshness and flavor. Yeast, aloe vera and herbal spice add even more pleasure. It's a gorgeous, refreshing wine from a challenging vintage.
Hasel
91
17
Kamptal
null
null
Grüner Veltliner
Eichinger
Anne Krebiehl MW
@AnneInVino
Eichinger 2014 Hasel Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)
Chile
With complex aromas of cedar, tobacco, tree bark, herbs and blackberry, this lush, tightly packed Syrah gets off to a fine start. A mouthfilling palate with baked but controlled flavors of boysenberry, leather and chocolate finishes long, minty and with classy herb flavors. For a modern, oaky Syrah, this is excellent. Drink now through 2017.
Edicion Limitada Single Vineyard
92
40
Cachapoal Valley
null
null
Syrah
Lagar de Bezana
null
null
null
France
Seduction may be an odd word to use for a Malbec-based wine that is dark and drily tannic. It is structured and firm, with a dry core and black currant fruits. Drink this solid wine from 2017.
Château de Rouffiac Séduction
89
null
Southwest France
Cahors
null
Malbec
Château Bovila
null
null
null
Spain
A chunky wine with compost, coffee and leather on the nose. The palate holds onto that chunkiness with clumsy flatness that goes with herbal plum and berry flavors. Airing allows it to unfold and find a better place, but always does it seem heavy and on the murky side.
Lealtanza Selección Especial Reserva
86
36
Northern Spain
Rioja
null
Tempranillo
Altanza
null
null
null
Australia
This has all the size and weight you've come to expect from Australia's most famous wine. Huge fruit and huge oak combine in a full-bodied, richly textured package that delivers waves of toasted coconut, vanilla and intense dark berries yet remains embryonic more than five years after the harvest. That said, the texture isn't quite as tight or as fine as some other vintages—expect this to be early maturing by Grange standards, and best from 2020–2040.
Grange
98
850
South Australia
South Australia
null
Shiraz
Penfolds
null
null
null
New Zealand
New World Chardonnay, done well. Toasty, mealy aromas accent slightly tropical, peach-like scents on the nose, while the flavors are ripe and fruit-driven, suitably framed by butter and toast. It's a medium- to full-bodied wine, its long finish tinged with hints of butter and tropical fruit.
null
87
20
Nelson
null
null
Chardonnay
Greenhough
null
null
null
US
This is a crisp, dry wine with citrus and apple flavors, and a pleasing scour of spice. It will go well with a wide variety of food. Finishes with lively acids.
null
85
10
California
California
California Other
Pinot Grigio
Twin Fin
null
null
null
France
The wine is structured and still firm, showing tight tannins and acidity over the red fruits. A cool edge elicits the fresher character of the fruits. Drink from 2016.
Les Vignottes
86
41
Burgundy
Côte de Nuits-Villages
null
Pinot Noir
Domaine Jean Petitot et Fils
null
null
null
US
Like its companion Cabernet, the Lewis vineyard designate is still quite hard and unyielding when first opened. The dense, complex aromas suggest the power locked up within, and the wine slowly emerges, at first peppery and herbal, yet layered and complex; then showing some silk and satin, with a strong licorice streak.
Lewis Vineyard
92
75
Washington
Columbia Valley (WA)
Columbia Valley
Syrah
Dunham
null
null
null
Portugal
For those who like the acquired taste of red sparkling wine, this is an enjoyable example. It balances its acidity with taut black-currant flavors, along with a firm core of tannins.
Tinto Bruto
87
null
Vinho Espumante de Qualidade
null
null
Portuguese Sparkling
Raposeira
null
null
null
US
There's a heady mix of smoke and bacon fat on this bottling from one of the appellation's top vineyards, along with baked red cherry and dried fennel, all swirling together in a very appealing manner. The hickory-smoke touches are more reserved on the sip, where tart strawberry mixes with licorice, marjoram and thyme.
Fiddlestix Vineyard
93
50
California
Sta. Rita Hills
Central Coast
Pinot Noir
Etude
Matt Kettmann
@mattkettmann
Etude 2014 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
US
It's hard to imagine a more voluptuous wine, but it's also powerful and complex, offering up endlessly changing palate impressions. The primary flavor is ripe, juicy blackberries, while fine oak does its thing. The tannins are wonderfully soft and refined. With no Cabernet Sauvignon, and just a little Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine restores my belief in Merlot as the seductive, sensual alternative to Cab.
null
95
48
California
Napa Valley
Napa
Merlot
Etude
null
null
null
France
This is rich and soft, with sweet red fruits and some acidity. It's full-bodied and should fair well with food.
Cuvée Carolle
85
13
Provence
Côtes de Provence
null
Rosé
Domaine de la Sauveuse
null
null
null
US
Soft and smooth in tannins, this Cabernet is made in a drier, earthier style than many others. It displays classic blackberry and cedar flavors, and will benefit from a brief decant.
null
87
30
California
Alexander Valley
Sonoma
Cabernet Sauvignon
Ferrari-Carano
null
null
null
Chile
Meaty and full on the nose, and convincing overall. The palate is a touch scratchy and raw, but it houses nice cassis, cherry and raspberry flavors. Some grit and bite to the finish is followed by flavors of caramel and sweetness, and overall the wine seems well made and natural. Drink now.
Los Vascos Reserve
87
20
Colchagua Valley
null
null
Cabernet Sauvignon
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) 2007 Los Vascos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley)
France
A big-hearted wine, packed with forward fruits, maybe dominated by the wood at this stage, but likely to become more rich as it ages. The flavors are bold, white fruits combining with lime zest acidity. For aging over the next three years.
Les Macherelles Premier Cru
92
null
Burgundy
Chassagne-Montrachet
null
Chardonnay
Roux Père et Fils
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Roux Père et Fils 2007 Les Macherelles Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet)
Italy
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, this offers aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, menthol and dried herb. On the straightforward palate, notes of star anise and eucalyptus back up a core of dried black cherry while dusty tannins leave a drying finish.
null
88
20
Tuscany
Rosso di Montepulciano
null
Red Blend
La Calonica
Kerin O’Keefe
@kerinokeefe
La Calonica 2015 Rosso di Montepulciano
US
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Syrah and 20% Zinfandel is a little simple at first on the nose, with loamy soil and tart elderberry aromas eventually apparent. It's quite dry on the sip, with dried oregano and marjoram, and then come flavors of black fruit, graphite and black pepper.
Main Squeeze
87
20
California
Paso Robles
Central Coast
Red Blend
Twisted Paso
Matt Kettmann
@mattkettmann
Twisted Paso 2014 Main Squeeze Red (Paso Robles)
US
Sweet, soft and simple, this has candied lemon and pineapple flavors.
null
82
7
California
California
California Other
Riesling
ForestVille
null
null
null
US
This wine offers caramelized apple, seared pear, honeysuckle, a touch of buttercream and vanilla ice cream on the even, well-measured nose. The flavors lean more green but not underripe, with lime juice, green apple and green mango, offering some bitterness and an alkaline/iodine character.
Katherine's Vineyard
91
22
California
Santa Maria Valley
Central Coast
Chardonnay
Cambria
Matt Kettmann
@mattkettmann
Cambria 2013 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
Chile
A blanket of oak sits atop apple aromas. This is healthy and fresh in feel, but regular overall. Salty, lean, lightly oaked white-fruit flavors are briny on a racy finish. This is Chardonnay with 11% Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
Reserva Premium
85
17
Chile
null
null
White Blend
Trio
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Trio 2015 Reserva Premium White (Chile)
Spain
Oily, slightly harsh aromas are sketchy. This barrel-fermented Viura feels a bit heavy and stale, as if it's already on the way down. Bitter flavors of peach pits and citrus peel finish low on vibrancy.
Fementado en Barrica
84
18
Northern Spain
Rioja
null
Viura
Finca Nueva
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Finca Nueva 2014 Fementado en Barrica Viura (Rioja)
Austria
Yeasty funk initially plays over a whole mix of pink grapefruit, mandarin and lemon flavors. The citrus party continues on the palate, with zesty notes of citrus peel. Verve and freshness are kept only in slight check by a phenolic backbone and are driven on by the linear lemon freshness. While totally compelling now, the wine will become even more intriguing with bottle age. Drink 2015–2020.
Ried Schütt Smaragd
95
73
Wachau
null
null
Riesling
Emmerich Knoll
null
null
null
France
The merest touch of lemon appears on the nose. The palate is equally reticent, only gradually revealing a touch of orange blossom and apple peel around a very lemony, bright, linear core. This has concentration but no heaviness, there is depth and toned muscle. The finish is dry and alluring, focusing on that lemon purity with a lovely earthy edge of apple peel. Drink 2019–2030.
Schoenenbourg Grand Cru
93
45
Alsace
Alsace
null
Riesling
Jean Biecher & Fils
Anne Krebiehl MW
@AnneInVino
Jean Biecher & Fils 2016 Schoenenbourg Grand Cru Riesling (Alsace)
US
Fairly light in body and accessible now, this has raspberry, cherry and new oak flavors. The flavors have a spicy, oaky edge, while the tannins are notable, and the acidity provides plenty of cut. Drink now–2018.
Weir Vineyard
91
58
California
Yorkville Highlands
North Coast
Pinot Noir
Williams Selyem
null
null
null
Germany
Aromatic yet not overly complex, with apple, orange and tangerine scents punctuated by faint minerality. The palate is nicely perfumed but a tad on the tart side. Drink up.
Essence
84
13
Mosel
null
null
Riesling
S.A. Prüm
null
null
null
Chile
Lots of popcorn and butter on the nose, with more butter along with lemon and apple on the palate. This is a soft, rich wine without a lot of driving acids to spunk things up. Turns increasingly creamy on the finish. Imported by Banfi Vintners.
Marques de Casa Concha
87
15
Pirque
null
null
Chardonnay
Concha y Toro
null
null
null
US
An exotic but compelling wine that allows Viognier a full expression of its personality, but reins it in with dry elegance. The tropical fruit, nectarine, white flower, honey and vanilla flavors are pure Viognier, yet the wine never loses its structural integrity and minerality. Great value at this price.
null
90
22
California
Santa Ynez Valley
Central Coast
Viognier
Stolpman
null
null
Stolpman 2012 Viognier (Santa Ynez Valley)
Argentina
Sweet, ripe, smooth and serious: this is top-shelf Malbec the way it should be. The bouquet is deep and brawny, with very ripe but balanced berry and toast aromas. Plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors are expansive and head straight to a fine finish that's lengthy and rock solid. Best now into 2010.
Oak
92
42
Mendoza Province
Luján de Cuyo
null
Malbec
Monte Cinco
null
null
null
Italy
The nose on this burly red is disappointingly mute. Nonetheless, the palate shows intriguing flavors of earth and fall leaves that linger on the finish. Mouth-coating tannins will benefit from another year or two in bottle.
San Rocco
84
16
Piedmont
Dolcetto d'Alba
null
Dolcetto
Giacosa Fratelli
null
null
Giacosa Fratelli 2006 San Rocco (Dolcetto d'Alba)
US
Such are the tannins in this 100% Cab that it demands cellar time. It's really shut down and astringent in youth, which emphasizes the dryness. But it's very fine, with a solid core of ripe black cherry fruit that will express its sweetness when the tannins melt away. Winemaker Amy Aiken is really showing her stuff with this polished ager. Best 2013–2019.
Morisoli Vineyard
94
120
California
Rutherford
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Meander
null
null
Meander 2007 Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
US
New oak dominates this pleasant Chardonnay, with buttered toast, vanilla and caramelized buttercream notes that are almost sweet, although the wine is technically dry. The underlying flavors are of pineapples, pears and green apples. It's holding up well for a 2007. From La Crema.
null
88
70
California
Russian River Valley
Sonoma
Chardonnay
Nine Barrel
null
null
Nine Barrel 2007 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
Germany
Fresh apple, pear and lemon flavors have a crystalline edge in this just-off-dry example of Elbling, an unusual white variety grown in the Mosel. It's zesty and spry, finishing with a delicious murmur of lime-pith bitterness. Drink now.
Feinherb
89
16
Mosel
null
null
Elbling
Frieden-Berg
null
null
null
US
This is a lighter style of the variety from a stellar vineyard, a crisp take on red cherry, dried cranberry and pomegranate that's deliciously balanced and sublime. A subtle suggestion of oak and spice peeks out on the lengthy finish, making for a complete, extremely quaffable wine.
Nunes Vineyard
94
56
California
Russian River Valley
Sonoma
Pinot Noir
Papapietro Perry
null
null
null
US
From a heritage site planted originally in 1859, this wine was made by Nils Venge and contains mostly Cabernet, with a small handful of Merlot and an even smaller pinch of Petit Verdot. Soft yet structured, it's layered in leathery dark-chocolate and black-fig tones, with juicy components of blackberry and cassis. It should age through 2022.
Pellet Vineyard
93
95
California
Napa Valley
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pellet Estate
Virginie Boone
@vboone
Pellet Estate 2012 Pellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US
Salt, chalk and grapefruit-pith aromas make for a judiciously restrained approach on the nose of this wine, which comes from heritage clones. The palate is mineral-driven with white rock flavors as well as green apple and lime-pith notes.
1772
90
48
California
Edna Valley
Central Coast
Chardonnay
Tolosa
Matt Kettmann
@mattkettmann
Tolosa 2013 1772 Chardonnay (Edna Valley)
US
The raspberry aromas are bright and jammy. The flavors are sumptuous yet elegant, going down easy.
Colter's Creek Vineyard
89
30
Idaho
Idaho
null
Merlot
Colter's Creek
Sean P. Sullivan
@wawinereport
Colter's Creek 2012 Colter's Creek Vineyard Merlot (Idaho)
US
Though not indicated on the label, this is sourced from a single vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Cool-site flavors abound, from the lemony fruit to the snappy acidity. The wine did not go through secondary malolactic fermentation, yet shows a tasty streak of butterscotch running through its core.
null
91
23
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon Other
Pinot Gris
Lachini
Paul Gregutt
@paulgwine 
Lachini 2014 Pinot Gris (Oregon)
New Zealand
Leads off with cedar and vanilla notes, but develops plenty of dark, chocolaty flavors on the palate, giving a sense of richness and depth. The tannins are supple, ending on a cocoa powder-like dusty note. Drink now–2018.
Jewelstone
89
39
Hawke's Bay
null
null
Merlot-Cabernet Franc
Mission Estate
Joe Czerwinski
@JoeCz
Mission Estate 2010 Jewelstone Merlot-Cabernet Franc (Hawke's Bay)
Italy
This expression of Nero d'Avola delivers loads of spice, cherry, leather, tobacco and prune. It has a meaty, slightly chunky consistency, and layers of sweet succulence on the close.
Scurati
87
18
Sicily & Sardinia
Sicilia
null
Nero d'Avola
Ceuso
null
null
null
US
Paler in color than Miner's Rosella's bottling, and more delicately structured, but there's nothing shy about the flavors. They're richly intricate, a tapestry of red cherry, cola, rosehip tea, cinnamon, mocha, vanilla and smoky oak. Simply delicious, and so smooth, so fine in the mouth.
Garys' Vineyard
93
50
California
Santa Lucia Highlands
Central Coast
Pinot Noir
Miner
null
null
null
France
This wine has fruity red-berry flavors as well as a curiously perfumed acetone note. This is not a wine for long-term aging so enjoy now.
null
86
null
Provence
Bandol
null
Rhône-style Red Blend
Château Sainte-Anne
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Château Sainte-Anne 2011 Red (Bandol)
South Africa
With 22 to 24 months in new French oak, there's a lot of richness to this wine in the form of raspberry sauce, milk chocolate and balsamic reduction. There's plenty of fruit to support those heavy flavors, though, with vibrant cherry and plum flavors in the medium weight mouth. Cola and spice add interest to the close.
Cathedral Cellar
87
17
Coastal Region
null
null
Cabernet Sauvignon
KWV
Lauren Buzzeo
@laurbuzz
KWV 2006 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon (Coastal Region)
Austria
Lemon zest tempered by juicy, crunchy apple is the central theme here. This is fresh Riesling not from rock but from deeper loess soils: its usual verve is slightly more cushioned here and will make the most charming, soft intro for those learning to love Riesling. Purity and poise are a given and the aromatics will round even more with every month in bottle.
Felser Weinberge
90
25
Wagram
null
null
Riesling
Leth
Anne Krebiehl MW
@AnneInVino
Leth 2015 Felser Weinberge Riesling (Wagram)
Chile
This smells like fortified wine and licorice at first, then more like earth and smoked meat. High acidity gives this blend a racy quality but also astringency, while the flavors of blackberry, prune and licorice are very nice. It's tannic and strong but not quite punishing on the finish.
Triple C
90
40
Maipo Valley
null
null
Red Blend
Santa Rita
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Santa Rita 2007 Triple C Red (Maipo Valley)
Portugal
Called 2 Worlds because of the two different vineyards that go into the blend, this is a structured, firm wine. It has a fine balance between the acidity, the tannins and the black currant fruit. With its texture and dry core, it needs time, so drink after 2015.
2 Worlds Reserva Tinto
90
16
Tejo
null
null
Portuguese Red
Pinhal da Torre
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Pinhal da Torre 2009 2 Worlds Reserva Tinto Red (Tejo)
US
Already showing some bricking around the rim, this estate-grown Pinot Noir mixes spicy strawberry and some residual fermentation flavors of biscuit and blood. Difficult to know how this one is going to age.
Lux
86
35
Oregon
Willamette Valley
null
Pinot Noir
Luminous Hills
Paul Gregutt
@paulgwine 
Luminous Hills 2009 Lux Pinot Noir
US
Delicious in blackberry and cherry jam, currant and sweetly smoked cedar wood, with a rich edge of milk chocolate, sprinkled with anise and cinnamon. Could be firmer in structure, as it's a little soft and melted, and probably best now.
null
88
85
California
Atlas Peak
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rivera
null
null
null
New Zealand
Made in a mouthwatering, brisk style, this Chardonnay emphasizes the citrusy side of the grape, weaving in modest apple and biscuit notes. Medium-bodied, it turns crisp and lemony on the finish.
Saint Arnaud's Vineyard Reserve
85
20
Marlborough
null
null
Chardonnay
Gravitas
null
null
null
US
Soft and sensual, this Pinot is a real charmer. With a texture as plush as velvet, it offers a tapestry of cherry, black raspberry, currant, chocolate, orange zest and anise flavors that go on and on. Best now for its sheer lusciousness.
null
91
34
California
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma
Pinot Noir
Failla
null
null
null
US
A bit tough and rugged in the mouth, with dry tannins framing blackberry, tobacco, raisin, anise and cedar flavors. Ready now.
Reflections
84
32
California
Paso Robles
Central Coast
Red Blend
Still Waters
null
null
null
Australia
From vines planted in 1893, this is an inky, concentrated Shiraz. The aromas hint at cracked pepper, vanilla and blueberries, while on the palate, this is superripe and full bodied. Although close to being fat and overdone, yet it's held back from the edge by its long, licorice-and-spice finish. Drink now–2020.
Old Bastard
93
230
South Australia
Barossa Valley
null
Shiraz
Kaesler
Joe Czerwinski
@JoeCz
Kaesler 2010 Old Bastard Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
US
Clean and varietal, with pretty blackberry and cherry fruit, and a sweet plum note that comes in behind. It's resonant and fruity, with spice and a firm, tensile structure that gives it definition—all in all, a lovely bottle.
null
89
36
Washington
Horse Heaven Hills
Columbia Valley
Malbec
Otis Kenyon
null
null
null
France
Super-ripe, and powerful, with an edge of new wood, but mainly dominated by apricots and rich white fruits. It's big and ripe, just keeping on the right side of blowsy.
Clos St-Jean Premier Cru
88
50
Burgundy
Chassagne-Montrachet
null
Chardonnay
Henri de Villamont
null
null
null
Portugal
Light tannins are dominated by the black cherry and ripe berry fruits. Acidity and a fresh character make this wine accessible and ready to drink.
Santos da Casa
86
13
Douro
null
null
Portuguese Red
Casca Wines
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Casca Wines 2013 Santos da Casa Red (Douro)
Austria
It's obvious from the alcohol that the Merlot here was very ripe. But, happily, it doesn't taste that way. The balance of rich raisin and red plum flavors are well balanced by acidity. There is some smokiness from wood, the ripeness finishing freshly with a black cherry taste.
null
89
26
Burgenland
null
null
Merlot
Hans Moser
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Hans Moser 2006 Merlot (Burgenland)
Spain
The label says it: fermented in barrel. And one sniff delivers the buttery, toasted character of a Burgundy or California Chardonnay. Underneath the oak, there's fine acidity and blazing apple fruit, and once it finishes you get a finely baked aftertaste. An interesting, elevated mix of Treixadura, Godello, Loureira and Albariño.
Fermentado en Barrica
90
20
Galicia
Ribeiro
null
White Blend
Viña Mein
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Viña Mein 2008 Fermentado en Barrica White (Ribeiro)
Spain
Dark aromas of graham cracker, blueberry, prune and creamy oak push the ripeness meter to high. This Mencía feels tight and a bit tannic, but also lush and a mile deep. Woody, smoky blackberry flavors finish with firm acidity, balance, depth and residual oak flavors that still need to be resolved; drink through 2024.
Altos de Losada Viñedos Viejos Pequeñas Parcelas
92
36
Northern Spain
Bierzo
null
Mencía
Losada
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Losada 2015 Altos de Losada Viñedos Viejos Pequeñas Parcelas Mencía (Bierzo)
France
I'll admit upfront that I have a soft spot for this wine—the 1985 version was the first wine I purchased by the case (I think the whole case set me back about $60). The wine remains a bargain, even though the price tag has roughly doubled. The aromas this year are pretty restrained, but the wine explodes on the palate, giving up impressive flavors of plum, blackberry, earth and pepper, along with hints of anise and tar. The long finish confirms its quality.
null
87
12
Rhône Valley
Côtes du Rhône
null
Rhône-style Red Blend
E. Guigal
null
null
null
US
It's a fine wine, full-bodied and dry, with spicy flavors of currants, teriyaki beef, black pepper and cola, with a bracing minerality that grounds the richness. Could be more concentrated, but it's a great value.
Lot 156
87
12
California
Mendocino County
Mendocino/Lake Counties
Syrah
Cameron Hughes
null
null
null
Italy
Aged only in stainless steel, this is fresh, presenting a solid wall of cherry and blackberry aromas. There's a touch of tobacco or moist earth as well, and the wine is plush, rich and bright on the close.
null
87
19
Piedmont
Barbera d'Alba
null
Barbera
Giuseppe Cortese
null
null
null
US
A brilliant brut, comprised of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It displays the qualities of dryness and yeastiness, with complex flavors of limes, vanilla and a touch of raspberry. The mousse is very fine, while the acidity is extraordinarily clean and brisk. Beautiful now, and should age for many years.
Brut
95
70
California
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma
Sparkling Blend
Schramsberg
null
null
Schramsberg 2005 Brut Sparkling (Sonoma Coast)
France
Rich, full bodied and medium dry, it is powered by ripe fruits, lychees and pomegranates. A spicy undertow brings along some acidity to this concentrated wine. Drink from 2016.
Furstentum Grand Cru
93
34
Alsace
Alsace
null
Pinot Gris
Domaine Albert Mann
Roger Voss
@vossroger
Domaine Albert Mann 2010 Furstentum Grand Cru Pinot Gris (Alsace)
US
Lots of peach, pear and pineapple fruit here, with a tasty layer of vanilla and smoke. A good value.
null
84
10
California
California
California Other
Chardonnay
Silver Ridge
null
null
null
Spain
Despite some heat and burn to the nose, there's nothing not to like about aromas of pecan pie and toffee. This Moscatel sweetie is solid in feel, but mostly around the edges; the middle palate is a bit weak. Flavors of brown sugar and caramel are more sweet and simple than complex.
Premium Moscatel
86
16
Andalucia
Jerez
null
Sherry
Delgado Zuleta
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Delgado Zuleta NV Premium Moscatel Sherry (Jerez)
US
Sharp acidity gives the cherry flavor cut; the finish is dry and clean. It's a simple wine for drinking with easy fare, like a pizza or a great cheeseburger.
Grand Premio Three Creek Vineyard
83
30
California
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Central Coast
Sangiovese
Cimarone
null
null
null
Italy
Aromas of dark berries and black spices lead the nose on this polished red. The concentrated but refined palate delivers crushed raspberries, licorice and mineral notes framed in velvety tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
Contrada Diciassette Salme Rosso
91
28
Sicily & Sardinia
Etna
null
Nerello Mascalese
Cottanera
Kerin O’Keefe
@kerinokeefe
Cottanera 2014 Contrada Diciassette Salme Rosso (Etna)
US
A huge wine with ripe blackberries, currants, dark chocolate and raisins. The oak is strong, and there's some heat from alcohol. The impact is of a dramatically layered wine, but one whose internal conflicts may not allow it to age long enough for the hard tannins to outlive the fruit. Drink now–2016.
Single Vineyard
91
100
California
Yountville
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Ghost Block
null
null
Ghost Block 2010 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Yountville)
Argentina
Floral berry and plum aromas are also saucy and oaky, and thus discordant. A wobbly tannic palate with green herbal oaky blueberry flavors tastes grassy on the finish. If you know Casarena's wines, this fits the mold.
505 Esencia
84
12
Mendoza Province
Mendoza
null
Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Casarena
Michael Schachner
@wineschach
Casarena 2014 505 Esencia Red (Mendoza)
Italy
Here's a ripe, slightly jammy Primitivo that should pair with grilled sausage or zucchini stuffed with minced meat. There's a soft, lush quality to this wine that is followed by flavors of blackberry, strawberry, tobacco and spice.
Il Trullo
87
null
Southern Italy
Primitivo del Salento
null
Primitivo
Vita Italia
null
null
null
Italy
Made from a clonal selection of the estate's best Cabernet Sauvignon, this cheerful red is concentrated and extracted with a seductively sweet-smelling nose. It is by no means simple: Background aromas of tar, root beer, espresso, chopped mint and bright berry speak to its Tuscan roots. It's still a bit thick and chewy in the mouth, so drink it after 2012 and give it time to open.
Il Pareto
94
79
Tuscany
Toscana
null
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tenuta di Nozzole
null
null
null
US
This 100% stainless-steel-aged Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp, herbal mouthfeel, with a melon-like brightness. Just a touch of green pepper and jalapeño muddle the finish.
Hybrid
84
8
California
Lodi
Central Valley
Sauvignon Blanc
Peltier Station
null
null
null
US
The vineyard name is a combination of the two prevalent soil types, Nekia and WillaKenzie. Along with sweet cherry fruit comes a defining minerality—a streak of iron running through the heart of the wine. Balanced nicely, with gentle acidity and sculpted tannins. In the finish you pick up an elegant streak of green tea.
Willakia Vineyard
91
35
Oregon
Eola-Amity Hills
Willamette Valley
Pinot Noir
Soléna
null
null
null