spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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US	From warmer southern regions of the county comes this ripely juicy, jammy young Merlot. It's powerful in red and black cherry, blackberry and mocha flavors that are wrapped in smooth, dusty tannins.	null	85	15	California	Monterey County	Central Coast	Merlot	Chalone Vineyard	null	null	null
US	Prime grapes from this outstanding vineyard offer full-bodied plum and cherry fruit, highlights of iron filings and lighter hints of funk. This is a powerful effort, with the depth to age through 2024.	Shea Vineyard	92	50	Oregon	Willamette Valley	null	Pinot Noir	Purple Hands	null	null	null
France	Tightly wrought and still young, this is a concentrated wine. It has great fruitiness that is tangy with a strong mineral texture from the silex soil. Green asparagus and lemon fruits are combined. Drink this complex wine from 2019.	Arrêt Buffatte	91	22	Loire Valley	Pouilly-Fumé	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Domaine Tinel-Blondelet	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Tinel-Blondelet 2015 Arrêt Buffatte (Pouilly-Fumé)
US	This clean, fresh, bracingly grassy wine makes you wish there were more Sauv Blancs from the Willamette Valley. It has the crisp elegance of the Loire, along with a delicate suggestion of chalk.	null	88	18	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Sauvignon Blanc	J. Christopher	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a smoky, oak-driven wine with a nice balance between spice and aromas that recall blackberry, plum and mature cherry. As the wine evolves in the glass, it exhibits chocolate and espresso bean. It's dense and thick, with firm tannins that give it staying power.	null	88	9	Central Italy	Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane	null	Montepulciano	Farnese	null	null	Farnese 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane
Spain	Generic fruit, hard rubber, olive and leather on the nose. Dry and tannic, with bitter black plum and a rock-hard finish. Tough and just not that much fun to drink.	Finca la Sabina	82	14	Central Spain	Tierra de Castilla	null	Tempranillo Blend	Sanchez Muliterno	null	null	null
Argentina	Mildly raisiny on the bouquet. The palate is round and full-bodied, with blackberry and roasted plum flavors backed by smooth tannins and a chocolaty, savory finish. Heavier and warmer than some red blends, but not clumsy or overdone.	Ciclos	88	26	Other	Cafayate	null	Malbec-Merlot	Michel Torino	null	null	null
Italy	Rose, violet, sour berry and tilled earth aromas take center stage in this young red. The easygoing palate offers rounded tannins and wild cherry, black raspberry and clove flavors. A mineral note signals the finish.	Prugnolo	88	25	Tuscany	Rosso di Montepulciano	null	Red Blend	Boscarelli	null	null	null
US	Very spicy, with an intense bouquet of toast, seed and pungent herb. Rich and fruity in the mouth, it's a complex mix of melon, passion fruit, papaya, guava and sweet orange. The fruit salad rolls back into oaky, buttery flavors for a full-throttle finish. Another 15.5% effort from Airfield, but here the fruit can stand up to the barrels.	Lightning	90	20	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Chardonnay-Viognier	Airfield Estates	null	null	null
Italy	Made from a blend of Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana, this rich but finessed wine conveys delicate aromas of hawthorne, stone fruit and slate. The succulent palate delivers apricot, tangerine and lime accented with mineral and bitter almond. An unusual, compelling wine.	Speziale Bianco	91	null	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	White Blend	Scubla	null	null	null
Italy	Emilio Bulfon delivers a portfolio of wines that are intensely aromatic and thickly concentrated, to the point of being syrupy and viscous. Off-gold in color, this white blend bares aromas of apricot, Thai peanut sauce and toasted almond.	Cividìn	88	22	Northeastern Italy	Friuli Grave	null	White Blend	Emilio Bulfon	null	null	null
US	Three Corner is a block in the estate vineyard that was planted in 1974. The 2010 is very rich and full bodied,—dramatically so—packed with cherries and pomegranates and savory spices and minerals. The power reflects the vineyard's site in a warmer part of the valley. But the wine never loses sight of elegance, and, like all Rochioli's vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs, it is in need of age. Don't even think of popping the cork before 2016, and the wine should develop for many years afterward.	Three Corner	94	80	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Rochioli	null	null	null
Italy	Cassis, cola, leather, dried ginger, dried spice, cherry and black licorice all play out on this wine's smooth, silky finish. Very nice length with a smooth, silky endnote. Ripe tannins balance crisp acidity.	null	91	38	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Terre Nere	null	null	null
US	This elegant red blend—the new flagship wine from Bedell—starts with a soft, juicy nose with hints of cedar and cinnamon. On the palate, a burst of cherry, plum and blackberry flavors mingle with spice and smooth tannins. The finish has an appealing spin of exotic spices. Though ready to drink now, the wine will benefit from a few years in the cellar, allowing its elements to even further integrate.	Musée	88	65	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Bedell	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Bedell 2005 Musée Red (North Fork of Long Island)
Italy	Here's a crisp, no-frills sparkler that offers yellow apple and pear flavors. It's invigorating, with brisk acidity and vivacious bubbles.	Argeo Brut	86	17	Veneto	Prosecco Treviso	null	Glera	Ruggeri & C.	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Ruggeri & C. NV Argeo Brut (Prosecco Treviso)
Spain	With dark aromas of prune, black tea and baked earth, this is a ripe, modern wine with sound balance and depth of flavor. It deals a nice mix of fresh berry fruit flavors blended with oak, while the finish rings on with spice, mint and proper acidity.	Roble	88	18	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tempranillo Blend	Viña Arnáiz	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Viña Arnáiz 2009 Roble (Ribera del Duero)
Argentina	This wine purports to cause whiplash, supposedly because it's so good, hence the “HeadSnapper” name. And while that's not likely to take place, its blackberry, toast and brambly undercurrent give it character, while the finish is cushioned and long, albeit a touch oaky. Healthy and very much worth a look, even if it won't cause your head to snap.	The HeadSnapper	88	15	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Bodega Belgrano	null	null	null
Austria	The Singerriedl is the most renowned vineyard in Spitz, and this ripe but cool example shows its great minerality and taut apple skin tannin structure. Rounding the wine out is an attractive, creamy finish.	Singerriedl Federspiel	88	14	Wachau	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Gritsch Mauritiushof	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Gritsch Mauritiushof 2007 Singerriedl Federspiel Grüner Veltliner (Wachau)
Greece	Anise, plum and cedar on the nose is followed by flavors if red fruit and wood. The finish offers spice and pepper. Slightly stewy but overall a friendly red that will pair well with smoky meat.	Réserve	86	50	Nemea	null	null	Red Blend	A. Parparoussis	null	null	null
US	Sourced from the DuBrul and Meek vineyards, this pure varietal Merlot remains tart, earthy and shy of fully ripe. Pomegranate and rhubarb flavors dominate, with plenty of leafy herb.	null	87	32	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Stevens	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Stevens 2011 Merlot (Yakima Valley)
France	A structured wine, rich in both tannins and fruit, this wine gives a solid performance. Its black and red berry fruits are already balanced with the tannins, while the acidity lends a delicious lift. Delicious now, but best to wait until 2015.	null	91	20	Bordeaux	Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Tertre de Belvès	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Tertre de Belvès 2011 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
US	This 100% varietal wine offers notes of plum, coffee, herbs and woodspice. Coffee and cherry flavors are surrounded by lightly chalky tannins that will benefit from time in the cellar.	Upright Merlot Klipsun Vineyard	88	39	Washington	Red Mountain	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Efeste	null	null	null
Italy	French oak, coconut and roasted coffee bean aromas dominate the nose. The bracing palate offers oak extract, raw cherry, sour cranberry, a green note of powdered sage and oak-driven spice. It lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak while raspy tannins leave an extremely astringent finish and dry out the tongue.	null	84	33	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	La Bioca	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	La Bioca 2013 Barbaresco
France	Honeyed in character, this has notes of toast, sweet tropical fruit and lemon, with light acidity. The wine feels warm, ripe, open and drinkable now.	null	88	28	Burgundy	Rully	null	Chardonnay	Henri de Villamont	null	null	null
France	Firm and structured, this wine has strong wood-aging spice and ripe tannins. The fruit is suppressed by the toasty wood flavors, but it holds hints of black currant fruitiness for the future. Drink from 2015.	Réserve	85	21	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Fleur la Forge	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Fleur la Forge 2012 Réserve (Bordeaux)
US	Not a successful wine. It's unripe, with asparagus aromas and flavors dominating the cherries.	Sangiacomo Vineyards	82	38	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Bonneau	null	null	Bonneau 2008 Sangiacomo Vineyards Pinot Noir (Carneros)
US	Light and forward, this pure Cabernet offers pretty strawberry fruit and soft tannins. Easy drinking, it's built for near-term consumption.	null	86	22	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	AntoLin Cellars	null	null	null
France	Calling a wine romantic is perhaps a new approach for Bordeaux. The wine itself is ripe and jammy, with wood tannins that will be softer in a year. Drink from 2016.	Romantique	86	10	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Les Vignerons Réunis de Monségur	null	null	null
Argentina	Begins with bold mint and prune aromas, and it's also sort of foxy and sweaty. The palate is better, with saucy, tart fruit that leans toward tomato, herbs and dry berry fruit. Solid and round enough; decent with a few faults.	Reserve	85	15	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Syrah	Aconcagua	null	null	null
Spain	Dusty and still fairly fresh, but with that said this wine was certainly more in its prime six or eight months ago. Now it is slick but softening, with peach and citrus flavors doing their thing without much edge or kick.	Faustino V Rosado	86	12	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo	Bodegas Faustino	null	null	null
US	A creamy texture houses vivid flavors of pineapple jam, lemon pie, vanilla custard and buttered toast in this rich wine. It's an opulent Chardonnay made for elegant fare.	null	87	24	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Windsor Sonoma	null	null	Windsor Sonoma 2007 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
US	Pinots from this AVA have a bit of an herbal edge which, in good hands, can help to define and frame the cool climate fruit flavors. Here is a mix of plum and wild berry, the purple fruit set against balancing tannins that carry that hint of earth and heather.	Lumière	89	35	Oregon	Eola-Amity Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	J. Christopher	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	J. Christopher 2010 Lumière Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills)
US	This is still a little hard and tight, but shows great ripe red berry fruit and well-balanced tannins. Another Arbor Crest wine with a fine, fragrant bouquet, clean and bursting with fresh fruit scents. It was barrel aged for 20 months in 40% new oak, adding some strength to the tannins and hints of toast to the finish.	Four Vineyards	91	15	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Arbor Crest	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Arbor Crest 2007 Four Vineyards Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	As the designation implies, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. The grapes were grown in Coombsville. The wine is fruity and approachable now, with black cherry jam, mocha and exotic baking spice flavors.	Cabernache	87	45	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Red Blend	Daviana	null	null	Daviana 2009 Cabernache Red (Napa Valley)
US	A bit disappointing. Starts off with an exciting blast of cherry, cola, pomegranate and smoky vanilla aromas, but turns thin in the mouth, with only modest cherry and tamari flavors.	null	86	39	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Merry Edwards	null	null	null
US	Nothing like an Argentine Malbec, but not a bad wine. It's marked by high acidity that gives it a real bite, and exceptional dryness. Yet there's a good core of blackberry fruit. A rich steak will tease out the sweetness.	null	86	11	California	California	California Other	Malbec	McManis	null	null	null
Italy	A distant whiff of rubber or asphalt appears at first, followed by notes of black fruit, cherry, rum cake and licorice. This 70-30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc has a lean but powerful mouthfeel.	Le Grascete	89	40	Tuscany	Bolgheri Superiore	null	Red Blend	Le Grascete	null	null	null
France	Brilliantly fresh wine, with vivid acidity, and attractive apple skin texture and final mouth-watering crispness.	Note Bleue	85	null	Provence	Côtes de Provence	null	Rosé	Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez	null	null	null
Germany	Earthy on the nose, with savory aromas, fern fronds and ultraripe yellow fruit. This is dry and racy—almost a little tart—showing moderately intense flavors of ripe melons, Golden Delicious apples and Bosc pears. A little skeletal for the crispness but juicy and refreshing, with a long and savory earthy finish.	Buntsandstein Weisser Burgunder Trocken	89	null	Pfalz	null	null	Pinot Blanc	Dr. Wehrheim	null	null	null
Spain	Peppery raisin is the dominant aroma on this condensed, sun-baked wine that surprisingly shows spiky acidity and a rugged mouthfeel. Seems like the winery was shooting for a riper, bigger style than its regular Vega Esteban crianza, and that heft and kick don't really help.	Leyendas de Vega Esteban Crianza	82	20	Central Spain	Ribera del Guadiana	null	Tempranillo	Bodegas Ventura De Vega	null	null	null
France	The wine from this estate within the city of Libourne is packed with the most delicious Merlot. Ripe, layered with acidity and with intense red fruits, it is a rich red. Red currant and red-berry flavors dominate this generous full-bodied wine. Drink from 2022.	null	90	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Quinault L'Enclos	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Quinault L'Enclos 2014 Saint-Émilion
US	This opens with a full and succulent burst of fruit, notably cherries and plums. The rich and juicy flavors are highlighted with a streak of cola and buoyed with ample acids. This is just flat-out delicious.	null	90	30	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Purple Hands	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Purple Hands 2014 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
US	It's a little heavy and soft, but there's no denying the basic deliciousness. Floods the mouth with cherry, blackberry and raspberry jam and cocoa flavors, and is dry with a silky in texture. Needs more acidic punch.	Ferrington Vineyard	89	48	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	MacPhail	null	null	null
France	Dark in style, as is often the case here, with a hard, tough edge. It is austere, the fruit a mere hint in the background. It does have potential, although this will come slowly.	null	89	null	Bordeaux	Pauillac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Haut Bages Libéral	null	null	null
France	Crisp, clean and fruity, this has attractive acidity and lively fruit. It's bright and citrus flavored, with an aromatic finish.	null	86	null	Burgundy	Petit Chablis	null	Chardonnay	Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin 2010 Petit Chablis
France	Fine, rich black-fruit flavors give this wine a sense of ripeness, openness and generosity. The wood and fruit balance is already fine, showing that it will be ready to drink this year.	null	87	18	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Grand Billard	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Grand Billard 2011 Bordeaux
France	A blend of wine that has been aged in tank and in wood, this is structured although with a great layer of juicy red fruits. The combination preserves the natural fruitiness of the wine while giving it the tannins to age. Drink from late 2017.	Roche Rose	89	30	Beaujolais	Brouilly	null	Gamay	Albert Bichot	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Albert Bichot 2015 Roche Rose (Brouilly)
Germany	Softly perfumed blossoms waft amidst fresh apple and pear on this fruity, floral wine. Medium-sweet in style, it balances rich nectarine and peach flavors with sprightly lemon lime acidity. Lingering mineral tones lend complexity to the finish.	Serrig Schloss Saarsteiner Kabinett	90	27	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Schloss Saarstein	null	null	null
US	The lemon, lime, pineapple and honey flavors are compromised by green mint notes in this dry, acidic wine. It has its limitations, but would make a good companion to a wide variety of fare, from potato salad to fried chicken.	East Side Vineyards	85	14	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Sauvignon Blanc	Pedroncelli	null	null	Pedroncelli 2013 East Side Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Dry Creek Valley)
US	The Edna Valley-based Talley family heads north for this blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot, 23% Malbec and 7% Merlot. It shows plump blueberries, blackberry jam, cream soda and black cherry syrup, as well as smoke and graphite on the nose. The palate starts with juicy cola and red currant then evolves toward snapped dark chocolate and cedar.	Elevation	90	28	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Bishop's Peak	null	null	null
US	Plum and bubblegum aromas show on the inviting nose of this bottling from the Barton family. There is an energetic tension to the palate that propels its light raspberry fruit flavors into the finish.	Soul Mate	88	26	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rosé	Barton	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Barton 2016 Soul Mate Rosé (Paso Robles)
US	Awfully high in alcohol, but it wears it well, with fat, glyceriney flavors of blackberry and cherry jam, chocolate, anise, red currants and sweet oak. Drink this Port-like wine after dinner, in front of a warming fire on a winter night.	null	86	21	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Barbera	Midlife Crisis	null	null	Midlife Crisis 2006 Barbera (Paso Robles)
US	Forward and fruity, this is a tight, tart wine with a jumble of berry and bramble flavors. It's peppery, spicy, but don't look for too much complexity. Gulp it down for the enjoyable quaffer that it's meant to be.	The Vincent	87	20	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Red Blend	Board Track Racer	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Board Track Racer 2010 The Vincent Red (Washington)
Australia	Leeuwin Estate's Siblings Shiraz is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins meant to be enjoyed young. Hints of mint and cocoa accent red plum fruit, finishing with notes of licorice and blackberry. It's a nicely balanced, moderately complex wine that represents a solid value in today's market.	Siblings	89	20	Western Australia	Margaret River	null	Shiraz	Leeuwin Estate	null	null	null
US	Lots of juicy black currant, dark chocolate and black pepper flavors in this dark, dry, full-bodied blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. But the alcohol of 15.8% makes it fiery hot.	Syrée	86	39	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Syrah-Petite Sirah	Vina Robles	null	null	null
US	A little sweet, silky and light in body, with raspberry-cherry flavors. Darker than a rose. Try chilling before you drink.	Xpression	85	8	California	California	California Other	Red Blend	Ironstone	null	null	null
France	Rounded ripe wine, showing some softness from its dosage as well as creamy pear and quince fruit flavors. It's bright and fresh at the end, and attractive to drink now.	Brut Excellence	87	15	Alsace	Crémant d'Alsace	null	Sparkling Blend	René Sparr	null	null	null
US	This red blend offers a nose of black cherry and cedar, with flavors of cherry, vanilla, cedar and spice. Smooth, easy drinking and bright, it's a good choice for grilled meats, duck or tomato-based dishes.	Porto Elena	84	22	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Bellangelo	null	null	null
Italy	Flavio Fanti's tiny 12-acre vineyard is treated almost like his backyard, with a scrupulous attention to detail and now a dense planting that has definitely improved the quality of the wines. The 1997 shows modern, spicy wood, violet and rose aromas. The palate is rich, firm and dry, but with attractive bitter chocolate and licorice flavors. The new wood shows through but never throws the wine off balance.	null	90	58	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Fanti	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Fanti 1997 Brunello di Montalcino
US	A dark and sultry wine, earthy and nearly dirty, this offers complexity and crispness in equal measure. Wild strawberry and raspberry interplay on the palate around a wet stone-like minerality and depth of fruit, the finish laced in subtle cinnamon.	null	91	45	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Woodenhead	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Woodenhead 2012 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
US	Super-ripe and dry, with raisin and Port flavors wrapped into 16.5% alcohol. It's a good example of what it is, but certainly exceeds balance.	null	82	30	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Wine Guerrilla	null	null	null
US	Dry and acidic, with sweet and sour Lifesaver pineapple and lemon candy flavors. Made in an easy-to-like style. Production was 4,500 cases, and the alcohol is a modest 13%.	null	85	20	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Sonoma-Loeb	null	null	null
Argentina	A bit heavy and sweet, with big lemon-lime aromas followed by cloying pear and mango flavors. It's more creamy and sticky than desirable, but the core flavors are admirable and you can't take issue with its purity. Would be better if it were more agile.	Organica	84	10	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Torrontés	Santa Julia	null	null	null
US	This wine shows smooth red fruit that is light and generic, with modest weight and an earthy flavor. The wine spent a bit of time in 25% new oak, though it doesn't show up in the flavors.	The Attaché	87	40	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Maison L'Envoyé	null	null	null
Hungary	This fresh, spicy Tokaji starts with a nose of lemon and apricot, followed by flavors of delicate citrus, vanilla and spice. Viscous but clean, with a lingering nutty finish.	Aszú 4 Puttonyos	89	45	Tokaj	null	null	Tokaji	Disznókö	null	null	null
France	Asian spice and developed bready notes dominate the nose of this mature example. The palate is unctuous with intense, lingering notes of macadamia nuts. Drink with your next order of sweet & sour pork, before the fruit has a chance to fade.	Bergheim	90	47	Alsace	Alsace	null	Gewürztraminer	Domaine Marcel Deiss	null	null	Domaine Marcel Deiss 2004 Bergheim Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
Italy	Here's a fun and zingy white that offers aromas and flavors of white spring flower, tart green apple and a hint of mineral. It's simple but well made, with zesty acidity that gives it a refreshing finish.	Castel Pietra	85	13	Northeastern Italy	Vigneti delle Dolomiti	null	Pinot Grigio	Mezzacorona	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Mezzacorona 2014 Castel Pietra Pinot Grigio (Vigneti delle Dolomiti)
Italy	Dry, tight and long-lasting, this crystalline metodo classico sparkling wine delivers a crisp, firm mouthfeel accented by white pepper and tonic effervescence. Drink this wine on its own or with slices of sweet ham from Italy or Spain.	Extra Brut	88	30	Lombardy	Franciacorta	null	Sparkling Blend	Lantieri de Paratico	null	null	null
US	This is one of the bigger, more powerful Chardonnays out there in the market. It's triumphant in ripe pineapple jam, apricot-infused crème brûlée, Meyer lemon custard, buttered toast and cinnamon spice flavors, wrapped into a creamy rich texture that finishes dry and crisp. May lack subtlety, but what immense pleasure it offers.	Rosella's Vineyard	92	44	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Testarossa	null	null	Testarossa 2007 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)
France	Because of the cool Atlantic climate, the Gascogne region is home to many bright, crisp wines. This is fruity, fresh and utterly crisp while also having some hints of melon and peach flavors. A touch of attractive minerality gives the wine texture. Drink now.	Blanc 32	87	11	Southwest France	Côtes de Gascogne	null	White Blend	Vignobles 46N118	null	null	null
US	There's a slightly meaty edge to this wine that may put some people off, but in our view it's simply another layer of complexity, gently spread on top of smoke, cedar, dark chocolate and maple syrup. Full and creamy, with a long, toasty finish that's prolonged by juicy acids.	Private Reserve	88	28	California	Redwood Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Merlot	Lolonis	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a carefully aged expression of Montepulciano from Abruzzo that offers sultry aromas of spice, currant and dried raspberry, along with notes of leather, tobacco and smoke. It finishes with dry, polished sensations of wet river stone and root beer. Drink now.	Margae	90	64	Central Italy	Montepulciano d'Abruzzo	null	Montepulciano	Il Feuduccio Di S. Maria D'Orni	null	null	null
US	Bold and ripe in cherry jam flavors. Oak brings buttered toast to the mix. Delicious and savory, this Pinot is solidly in the ripe California style of forward fruit and immediate flash. Drink now and through 2014.	Six Sixty Seven	90	52	California	Santa Cruz Mountains	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Heart O' The Mountain	null	null	null
Italy	The Riserva Barolo from the Vigna Liste cru proves to be an enticing and inviting wine with pristine aromas of forest berry, cola and leather. The wine's persona is traditional and elegant and there's enough structure and freshness to ensure long cellar aging: at least five to 10 more years.	Vigna Liste Riserva	91	102	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Borgogno Giacomo e Figli	null	null	null
Italy	This luminous Chardonnay from Tuscany offers intensely fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, stone fruit and citrus blossom. The wine is fresh and crisp in the mouth and there's enough natural glycerol to leave a creamy, smooth sensation.	Tenuta La Solatìa	90	24	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Chardonnay	Ruffino	null	null	Ruffino 2008 Tenuta La Solatìa Chardonnay (Toscana)
Italy	White flower, citrus and exotic fruit aromas follow through to the juicy palate along with notes of toasted almond and mineral. It's vibrant and balanced, with brisk acidity.	null	88	20	Southern Italy	Fiano di Avellino	null	Fiano	Feudi di San Gregorio	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Feudi di San Gregorio 2014 Fiano di Avellino
US	This standard-issue Malbec is attractively priced and cohesively fruity without too many rough edges. The fruit tends more to red than dark with just a hint of vanilla on the finish.	null	85	11	California	California	California Other	Malbec	McManis	null	null	null
Italy	There's a tonic, soda quality to this wine that is backed by notes of apricot, almond and butterscotch. It has some sweetness in the mouth and flavors that recall chamomile tea and honey.	Vigneti Sant'Helena	87	null	Northeastern Italy	Collio	null	Ribolla Gialla	Vigneti Fantinel	null	null	Vigneti Fantinel 2006 Vigneti Sant'Helena Ribolla Gialla (Collio)
Italy	This is a wine for anyone who longs for an old fashioned Barbara. An interesting, funky and very complex nose of menthol, wet fur, coffee, and strawberries. On the palate, it seemed surprisingly soft (one would have expected more acidity) and the flavors less funky than the nose, with a core of sweet strawberry fruit at the finish.	Ciabot Camerano	88	18	Piedmont	Barbera d'Alba	null	Barbera	Marcarini	null	null	Marcarini 2005 Ciabot Camerano (Barbera d'Alba)
France	89—91 Barrel sample. Owned by Hubert de Bouärd of Château Angélus, this is an example of what can be done in the lesser appellations if money is no object. It is smooth, ripe, with new wood but not too much, powered by top quality, densely dry tannins.	Barrel sample	90	null	Bordeaux	Lalande de Pomerol	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château la Fleur de Boüard	null	null	null
US	Aromas of pressed apple and pear are savory and earthy on this brisk, medium-bodied Grüner Veltliner. There's a dusty minerality that lingers through the midpalate, but the finish is bright and lemony.	William Vigne	84	14	New York	Seneca Lake	Finger Lakes	Grüner Veltliner	Fulkerson	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Fulkerson 2012 William Vigne Grüner Veltliner (Seneca Lake)
Argentina	Slightly baked aromas of raisin, blackberry and caramel are deep and dense more than bright. This Malbec blend is well built, with spicy flavors of berry fruits and cocoa. The oak on the finish is toasty and leads to dryness and a sense of fineness. Drink through 2023.	Gala 1	92	38	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec Blend	Luigi Bosca	null	null	null
France	Chocolate, coffee and sweet plum notes give this wine great richness. It has wood that needs time to integrate, although the main character is beautiful, velvet-textured, ripe fruit and plenty of sweet tannins.	null	94	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Julien	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Ducru Beaucaillou	null	null	null
New Zealand	Fans of New Zealand's SBs will like this wine's racy nose, which is packed with minerals, some stoniness, melon, and a hint of grassiness. Citrus is in full force in the mouth, aided by a touch of green herbs and a white-pepper spice. The finish is elegant and offers hints of grapefruit. It's a youthful, fresh wine; one that will go well with salads or fish.	Private Bin	90	15	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Villa Maria	null	null	Villa Maria 2001 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
France	It's appropriate that this wine is served at the Crazy Horse saloon in Paris. Made from a selection of old vines, La Horse is in the modern, polished idiom, a super-ripe wine, very concentrated, packed with blackberry jelly and bitter chocolate flavors. Give it 3–4 years, but its considerable power and intensity is already there.	La Horse	89	35	Bordeaux	Canon-Fronsac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Coustolle	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Coustolle 2005 La Horse (Canon-Fronsac)
US	This is one of the producer's more full-bodied wines, a blend from several sites along Eastside Road, including Calegari, Foss and a new source—Lewis MacGregor Estate. Rich, round and plush, it's as strong as black coffee in its marriage of earthy allspice, baked cherry, blueberry and smoke. Moderate acidity allows for an underlying minerality.	Eastside Road Neighbors	92	55	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Williams Selyem	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Williams Selyem 2014 Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
France	This is a dominated by new wood, but it still retains fragrant, fresh fruit. A touch of lemon pairs with the toast note, bearing refreshing acidity on the finish.	Millénaire	88	26	Burgundy	Bourgogne	null	Chardonnay	Henri de Villamont	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Henri de Villamont 2009 Millénaire (Bourgogne)
Italy	This single variety Ansonica is crisp and fresh and represents the best in Sicily's long tradition in highly drinkable and seafood-friendly whites. This interesting expression puts more emphasis on texture and complexity with notes of crème caramel, honey and vanilla beyond fresh peach, apricot and acacia flower.	Vigna di Gabri	89	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Contessa Entellina	null	Ansonica	Donnafugata	null	null	null
Australia	A venture into the deep end of pricing perhaps, but the proof is in the bottle. From vines planted in 1964, this is a rich, full-bodied and creamy-textured wine, with complex notes of smoke, vanilla, plum and roasted meat. Approachable now because of its lushness, it should drink well for at least the next several years.	Warboys Vineyard	93	65	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Grenache	Angove	null	null	null
Italy	Bandarossa Prosecco consistently delivers excellent quality year after year. This luminous sparkling wine offers delicate nuances of dried basil, stone fruit, peat and passion fruit.	Bandarossa Extra Dry	90	22	Veneto	Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore	null	Glera	Bortolomiol	null	null	null
Portugal	This popular brand's white version is soft and smooth. There are some citrus flavors to give the wine a crisp edge, although the main thrust of the wine is more towards apricot and perfumed green plums. Drink now.	Marquês de Borba Branco	85	15	Alentejo	null	null	Portuguese White	J. Portugal Ramos	Roger Voss	@vossroger	J. Portugal Ramos 2016 Marquês de Borba Branco White (Alentejo)
US	This is the priciest Cab Ca' Momi has released in years, but it's also the best. It's soft, complex and delicious in black currants, chocolate and oak, with wonderfully smooth tannins, and just enough acidity for balance. It's clearly decadent for drinking now through 2020. Beyond that, all bets are off.	Reserve	92	68	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Ca' Momi	null	null	Ca' Momi 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Italy	Made from the little-known Cagnulari grape, this wine offers a cured meat accent, backed by blackberry and plum notes. It feels tight and raw on the palate, with integrated acidity on the finish.	Crisaore	87	40	Sicily & Sardinia	Isola dei Nuraghi	null	Red Blend	Feudi della Medusa	null	null	Feudi della Medusa 2007 Crisaore Red (Isola dei Nuraghi)
Italy	Here's a modern, thickly extracted Barbera d'Asti with a very distinctive nose that includes mature fruit elements, white mushroom, wet earth, bramble, spice and fresh grapes. There is a chewy rawness or vinous quality to this wine.	null	85	17	Piedmont	Barbera del Monferrato	null	Barbera	La Casaccia	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a ruby-colored blend made with grapes that are native to Tuscany and central Italy that shows bright berry nuances followed by almond skin, herbs, pressed flowers and cherry cola. There is good balance here between the wine's bright acidity and its finely textured tannins.	Poggioncino	88	25	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Bocelli	null	null	null
US	This is a well-balanced, flavorful and fresh-tasting wine that's medium bodied and fun to drink. It has boysenberry and blackberry flavors and a firm, moderately tannic texture that gives it good heft.	Hybrid	88	14	California	Mendocino County	null	Red Blend	Girasole	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Girasole 2014 Hybrid Red (Mendocino County)
Italy	Aromas suggesting underbrush, aromatic herb, violet, new leather and earthy game follow through to the chewy, full-bodied palate in this wine, along with ripe black cherry and a hint of baking spice. It's structured and surprisingly accessible, with rounded, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2028.	Parafada	93	68	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Palladino	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Palladino 2013 Parafada (Barolo)
France	The color alone sets this wine apart from its peers; it's what can only be called Barbie doll pink. Fresh and foamy, it spurts out of the bottle as if to say “Par-tay!” Fruity and flavorful, it carries hints of rose petals, citrus zest and cherry Lifesavers.	Brut Rosé	88	40	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Nicolas Feuillatte	null	null	null
US	Broad blueberry, black cherry and vanilla aromas show in this bottling from Steve and Pam Lock's eponymous westside Paso Robles vineyard. The mouthfeel is quite full, showing root beer float flavors, ample acidity and present but well-chiseled tannins.	null	90	42	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Petite Sirah	Écluse	null	null	null
US	With 16.1% alcohol, this is too dry and hot for balance. It has good flavors of blackberries and vanilla but it's better as an after-dinner sipper.	Valenti Ranch	84	28	California	Mendocino Ridge	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Zinfandel	Claudia Springs	null	null	null

US

From warmer southern regions of the county comes this ripely juicy, jammy young Merlot. It's powerful in red and black cherry, blackberry and mocha flavors that are wrapped in smooth, dusty tannins.

null

85

15

California

Monterey County

Central Coast

Merlot

Chalone Vineyard

null

US

Prime grapes from this outstanding vineyard offer full-bodied plum and cherry fruit, highlights of iron filings and lighter hints of funk. This is a powerful effort, with the depth to age through 2024.

Shea Vineyard

92

50

Oregon

Willamette Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Purple Hands

null

France

Tightly wrought and still young, this is a concentrated wine. It has great fruitiness that is tangy with a strong mineral texture from the silex soil. Green asparagus and lemon fruits are combined. Drink this complex wine from 2019.

Arrêt Buffatte

91

22

Loire Valley

Pouilly-Fumé

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine Tinel-Blondelet

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Tinel-Blondelet 2015 Arrêt Buffatte (Pouilly-Fumé)

US

This clean, fresh, bracingly grassy wine makes you wish there were more Sauv Blancs from the Willamette Valley. It has the crisp elegance of the Loire, along with a delicate suggestion of chalk.

null

88

18

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

J. Christopher

null

Italy

Here's a smoky, oak-driven wine with a nice balance between spice and aromas that recall blackberry, plum and mature cherry. As the wine evolves in the glass, it exhibits chocolate and espresso bean. It's dense and thick, with firm tannins that give it staying power.

null

88

9

Central Italy

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane

null

Montepulciano

Farnese

null

Farnese 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane

Spain

Generic fruit, hard rubber, olive and leather on the nose. Dry and tannic, with bitter black plum and a rock-hard finish. Tough and just not that much fun to drink.

Finca la Sabina

82

14

Central Spain

Tierra de Castilla

null

Tempranillo Blend

Sanchez Muliterno

null

Argentina

Mildly raisiny on the bouquet. The palate is round and full-bodied, with blackberry and roasted plum flavors backed by smooth tannins and a chocolaty, savory finish. Heavier and warmer than some red blends, but not clumsy or overdone.

Ciclos

88

26

Other

Cafayate

null

Malbec-Merlot

Michel Torino

null

Italy

Rose, violet, sour berry and tilled earth aromas take center stage in this young red. The easygoing palate offers rounded tannins and wild cherry, black raspberry and clove flavors. A mineral note signals the finish.

Prugnolo

88

25

Tuscany

Rosso di Montepulciano

null

Red Blend

Boscarelli

null

US

Very spicy, with an intense bouquet of toast, seed and pungent herb. Rich and fruity in the mouth, it's a complex mix of melon, passion fruit, papaya, guava and sweet orange. The fruit salad rolls back into oaky, buttery flavors for a full-throttle finish. Another 15.5% effort from Airfield, but here the fruit can stand up to the barrels.

Lightning

90

20

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Chardonnay-Viognier

Airfield Estates

null

Italy

Made from a blend of Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana, this rich but finessed wine conveys delicate aromas of hawthorne, stone fruit and slate. The succulent palate delivers apricot, tangerine and lime accented with mineral and bitter almond. An unusual, compelling wine.

Speziale Bianco

91

null

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

White Blend

Scubla

null

Italy

Emilio Bulfon delivers a portfolio of wines that are intensely aromatic and thickly concentrated, to the point of being syrupy and viscous. Off-gold in color, this white blend bares aromas of apricot, Thai peanut sauce and toasted almond.

Cividìn

88

22

Northeastern Italy

Friuli Grave

null

White Blend

Emilio Bulfon

null

US

Three Corner is a block in the estate vineyard that was planted in 1974. The 2010 is very rich and full bodied,—dramatically so—packed with cherries and pomegranates and savory spices and minerals. The power reflects the vineyard's site in a warmer part of the valley. But the wine never loses sight of elegance, and, like all Rochioli's vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs, it is in need of age. Don't even think of popping the cork before 2016, and the wine should develop for many years afterward.

Three Corner

94

80

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Rochioli

null

Italy

Cassis, cola, leather, dried ginger, dried spice, cherry and black licorice all play out on this wine's smooth, silky finish. Very nice length with a smooth, silky endnote. Ripe tannins balance crisp acidity.

null

91

38

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Terre Nere

null

US

This elegant red blend—the new flagship wine from Bedell—starts with a soft, juicy nose with hints of cedar and cinnamon. On the palate, a burst of cherry, plum and blackberry flavors mingle with spice and smooth tannins. The finish has an appealing spin of exotic spices. Though ready to drink now, the wine will benefit from a few years in the cellar, allowing its elements to even further integrate.

Musée

88

65

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Bedell

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Bedell 2005 Musée Red (North Fork of Long Island)

Italy

Here's a crisp, no-frills sparkler that offers yellow apple and pear flavors. It's invigorating, with brisk acidity and vivacious bubbles.

Argeo Brut

86

17

Veneto

Prosecco Treviso

null

Glera

Ruggeri & C.

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Ruggeri & C. NV Argeo Brut (Prosecco Treviso)

Spain

With dark aromas of prune, black tea and baked earth, this is a ripe, modern wine with sound balance and depth of flavor. It deals a nice mix of fresh berry fruit flavors blended with oak, while the finish rings on with spice, mint and proper acidity.

Roble

88

18

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tempranillo Blend

Viña Arnáiz

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Viña Arnáiz 2009 Roble (Ribera del Duero)

Argentina

This wine purports to cause whiplash, supposedly because it's so good, hence the “HeadSnapper” name. And while that's not likely to take place, its blackberry, toast and brambly undercurrent give it character, while the finish is cushioned and long, albeit a touch oaky. Healthy and very much worth a look, even if it won't cause your head to snap.

The HeadSnapper

88

15

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Bodega Belgrano

null

Austria

The Singerriedl is the most renowned vineyard in Spitz, and this ripe but cool example shows its great minerality and taut apple skin tannin structure. Rounding the wine out is an attractive, creamy finish.

Singerriedl Federspiel

88

14

Wachau

null

Grüner Veltliner

Gritsch Mauritiushof

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Gritsch Mauritiushof 2007 Singerriedl Federspiel Grüner Veltliner (Wachau)

Greece

Anise, plum and cedar on the nose is followed by flavors if red fruit and wood. The finish offers spice and pepper. Slightly stewy but overall a friendly red that will pair well with smoky meat.

Réserve

86

50

Nemea

null

Red Blend

A. Parparoussis

null

US

Sourced from the DuBrul and Meek vineyards, this pure varietal Merlot remains tart, earthy and shy of fully ripe. Pomegranate and rhubarb flavors dominate, with plenty of leafy herb.

null

87

32

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Stevens

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Stevens 2011 Merlot (Yakima Valley)

France

A structured wine, rich in both tannins and fruit, this wine gives a solid performance. Its black and red berry fruits are already balanced with the tannins, while the acidity lends a delicious lift. Delicious now, but best to wait until 2015.

null

91

20

Bordeaux

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Tertre de Belvès

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Tertre de Belvès 2011 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

US

This 100% varietal wine offers notes of plum, coffee, herbs and woodspice. Coffee and cherry flavors are surrounded by lightly chalky tannins that will benefit from time in the cellar.

Upright Merlot Klipsun Vineyard

88

39

Washington

Red Mountain

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Efeste

null

Italy

French oak, coconut and roasted coffee bean aromas dominate the nose. The bracing palate offers oak extract, raw cherry, sour cranberry, a green note of powdered sage and oak-driven spice. It lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak while raspy tannins leave an extremely astringent finish and dry out the tongue.

null

84

33

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

La Bioca

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

La Bioca 2013 Barbaresco

France

Honeyed in character, this has notes of toast, sweet tropical fruit and lemon, with light acidity. The wine feels warm, ripe, open and drinkable now.

null

88

28

Burgundy

Rully

null

Chardonnay

Henri de Villamont

null

France

Firm and structured, this wine has strong wood-aging spice and ripe tannins. The fruit is suppressed by the toasty wood flavors, but it holds hints of black currant fruitiness for the future. Drink from 2015.

Réserve

85

21

Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Fleur la Forge

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Fleur la Forge 2012 Réserve (Bordeaux)

US

Not a successful wine. It's unripe, with asparagus aromas and flavors dominating the cherries.

Sangiacomo Vineyards

82

38

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Bonneau

null

Bonneau 2008 Sangiacomo Vineyards Pinot Noir (Carneros)

US

Light and forward, this pure Cabernet offers pretty strawberry fruit and soft tannins. Easy drinking, it's built for near-term consumption.

null

86

22

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

AntoLin Cellars

null

France

Calling a wine romantic is perhaps a new approach for Bordeaux. The wine itself is ripe and jammy, with wood tannins that will be softer in a year. Drink from 2016.

Romantique

86

10

Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Les Vignerons Réunis de Monségur

null

Argentina

Begins with bold mint and prune aromas, and it's also sort of foxy and sweaty. The palate is better, with saucy, tart fruit that leans toward tomato, herbs and dry berry fruit. Solid and round enough; decent with a few faults.

Reserve

85

15

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Syrah

Aconcagua

null

Spain

Dusty and still fairly fresh, but with that said this wine was certainly more in its prime six or eight months ago. Now it is slick but softening, with peach and citrus flavors doing their thing without much edge or kick.

Faustino V Rosado

86

12

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo

Bodegas Faustino

null

US

A creamy texture houses vivid flavors of pineapple jam, lemon pie, vanilla custard and buttered toast in this rich wine. It's an opulent Chardonnay made for elegant fare.

null

87

24

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Windsor Sonoma

null

Windsor Sonoma 2007 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

US

Pinots from this AVA have a bit of an herbal edge which, in good hands, can help to define and frame the cool climate fruit flavors. Here is a mix of plum and wild berry, the purple fruit set against balancing tannins that carry that hint of earth and heather.

Lumière

89

35

Oregon

Eola-Amity Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

J. Christopher

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

J. Christopher 2010 Lumière Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills)

US

This is still a little hard and tight, but shows great ripe red berry fruit and well-balanced tannins. Another Arbor Crest wine with a fine, fragrant bouquet, clean and bursting with fresh fruit scents. It was barrel aged for 20 months in 40% new oak, adding some strength to the tannins and hints of toast to the finish.

Four Vineyards

91

15

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Arbor Crest

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Arbor Crest 2007 Four Vineyards Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

As the designation implies, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. The grapes were grown in Coombsville. The wine is fruity and approachable now, with black cherry jam, mocha and exotic baking spice flavors.

Cabernache

87

45

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Red Blend

Daviana

null

Daviana 2009 Cabernache Red (Napa Valley)

US

A bit disappointing. Starts off with an exciting blast of cherry, cola, pomegranate and smoky vanilla aromas, but turns thin in the mouth, with only modest cherry and tamari flavors.

null

86

39

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Merry Edwards

null

US

Nothing like an Argentine Malbec, but not a bad wine. It's marked by high acidity that gives it a real bite, and exceptional dryness. Yet there's a good core of blackberry fruit. A rich steak will tease out the sweetness.

null

86

11

California

California Other

Malbec

McManis

null

Italy

A distant whiff of rubber or asphalt appears at first, followed by notes of black fruit, cherry, rum cake and licorice. This 70-30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc has a lean but powerful mouthfeel.

Le Grascete

89

40

Tuscany

Bolgheri Superiore

null

Red Blend

Le Grascete

null

France

Brilliantly fresh wine, with vivid acidity, and attractive apple skin texture and final mouth-watering crispness.

Note Bleue

85

null

Provence

Côtes de Provence

null

Rosé

Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez

null

Germany

Earthy on the nose, with savory aromas, fern fronds and ultraripe yellow fruit. This is dry and racy—almost a little tart—showing moderately intense flavors of ripe melons, Golden Delicious apples and Bosc pears. A little skeletal for the crispness but juicy and refreshing, with a long and savory earthy finish.

Buntsandstein Weisser Burgunder Trocken

89

null

Pfalz

null

Pinot Blanc

Dr. Wehrheim

null

Spain

Peppery raisin is the dominant aroma on this condensed, sun-baked wine that surprisingly shows spiky acidity and a rugged mouthfeel. Seems like the winery was shooting for a riper, bigger style than its regular Vega Esteban crianza, and that heft and kick don't really help.

Leyendas de Vega Esteban Crianza

82

20

Central Spain

Ribera del Guadiana

null

Tempranillo

Bodegas Ventura De Vega

null

France

The wine from this estate within the city of Libourne is packed with the most delicious Merlot. Ripe, layered with acidity and with intense red fruits, it is a rich red. Red currant and red-berry flavors dominate this generous full-bodied wine. Drink from 2022.

null

90

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Quinault L'Enclos

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Quinault L'Enclos 2014 Saint-Émilion

US

This opens with a full and succulent burst of fruit, notably cherries and plums. The rich and juicy flavors are highlighted with a streak of cola and buoyed with ample acids. This is just flat-out delicious.

null

90

30

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Purple Hands

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Purple Hands 2014 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

US

It's a little heavy and soft, but there's no denying the basic deliciousness. Floods the mouth with cherry, blackberry and raspberry jam and cocoa flavors, and is dry with a silky in texture. Needs more acidic punch.

Ferrington Vineyard

89

48

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

MacPhail

null

France

Dark in style, as is often the case here, with a hard, tough edge. It is austere, the fruit a mere hint in the background. It does have potential, although this will come slowly.

null

89

null

Bordeaux

Pauillac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Haut Bages Libéral

null

France

Crisp, clean and fruity, this has attractive acidity and lively fruit. It's bright and citrus flavored, with an aromatic finish.

null

86

null

Burgundy

Petit Chablis

null

Chardonnay

Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin 2010 Petit Chablis

France

Fine, rich black-fruit flavors give this wine a sense of ripeness, openness and generosity. The wood and fruit balance is already fine, showing that it will be ready to drink this year.

null

87

18

Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Grand Billard

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Grand Billard 2011 Bordeaux

France

A blend of wine that has been aged in tank and in wood, this is structured although with a great layer of juicy red fruits. The combination preserves the natural fruitiness of the wine while giving it the tannins to age. Drink from late 2017.

Roche Rose

89

30

Beaujolais

Brouilly

null

Gamay

Albert Bichot

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Albert Bichot 2015 Roche Rose (Brouilly)

Germany

Softly perfumed blossoms waft amidst fresh apple and pear on this fruity, floral wine. Medium-sweet in style, it balances rich nectarine and peach flavors with sprightly lemon lime acidity. Lingering mineral tones lend complexity to the finish.

Serrig Schloss Saarsteiner Kabinett

90

27

Mosel

null

Riesling

Schloss Saarstein

null

US

The lemon, lime, pineapple and honey flavors are compromised by green mint notes in this dry, acidic wine. It has its limitations, but would make a good companion to a wide variety of fare, from potato salad to fried chicken.

East Side Vineyards

85

14

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Sauvignon Blanc

Pedroncelli

null

Pedroncelli 2013 East Side Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Dry Creek Valley)

US

The Edna Valley-based Talley family heads north for this blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot, 23% Malbec and 7% Merlot. It shows plump blueberries, blackberry jam, cream soda and black cherry syrup, as well as smoke and graphite on the nose. The palate starts with juicy cola and red currant then evolves toward snapped dark chocolate and cedar.

Elevation

90

28

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Bishop's Peak

null

US

Plum and bubblegum aromas show on the inviting nose of this bottling from the Barton family. There is an energetic tension to the palate that propels its light raspberry fruit flavors into the finish.

Soul Mate

88

26

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rosé

Barton

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Barton 2016 Soul Mate Rosé (Paso Robles)

US

Awfully high in alcohol, but it wears it well, with fat, glyceriney flavors of blackberry and cherry jam, chocolate, anise, red currants and sweet oak. Drink this Port-like wine after dinner, in front of a warming fire on a winter night.

null

86

21

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Barbera

Midlife Crisis

null

Midlife Crisis 2006 Barbera (Paso Robles)

US

Forward and fruity, this is a tight, tart wine with a jumble of berry and bramble flavors. It's peppery, spicy, but don't look for too much complexity. Gulp it down for the enjoyable quaffer that it's meant to be.

The Vincent

87

20

Washington

Washington Other

Red Blend

Board Track Racer

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Board Track Racer 2010 The Vincent Red (Washington)

Australia

Leeuwin Estate's Siblings Shiraz is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins meant to be enjoyed young. Hints of mint and cocoa accent red plum fruit, finishing with notes of licorice and blackberry. It's a nicely balanced, moderately complex wine that represents a solid value in today's market.

Siblings

89

20

Western Australia

Margaret River

null

Shiraz

Leeuwin Estate

null

US

Lots of juicy black currant, dark chocolate and black pepper flavors in this dark, dry, full-bodied blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. But the alcohol of 15.8% makes it fiery hot.

Syrée

86

39

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Syrah-Petite Sirah

Vina Robles

null

US

A little sweet, silky and light in body, with raspberry-cherry flavors. Darker than a rose. Try chilling before you drink.

Xpression

85

8

California

California Other

Red Blend

Ironstone

null

France

Rounded ripe wine, showing some softness from its dosage as well as creamy pear and quince fruit flavors. It's bright and fresh at the end, and attractive to drink now.

Brut Excellence

87

15

Alsace

Crémant d'Alsace

null

Sparkling Blend

René Sparr

null

US

This red blend offers a nose of black cherry and cedar, with flavors of cherry, vanilla, cedar and spice. Smooth, easy drinking and bright, it's a good choice for grilled meats, duck or tomato-based dishes.

Porto Elena

84

22

New York

Finger Lakes

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Bellangelo

null

Italy

Flavio Fanti's tiny 12-acre vineyard is treated almost like his backyard, with a scrupulous attention to detail and now a dense planting that has definitely improved the quality of the wines. The 1997 shows modern, spicy wood, violet and rose aromas. The palate is rich, firm and dry, but with attractive bitter chocolate and licorice flavors. The new wood shows through but never throws the wine off balance.

null

90

58

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Fanti

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Fanti 1997 Brunello di Montalcino

US

A dark and sultry wine, earthy and nearly dirty, this offers complexity and crispness in equal measure. Wild strawberry and raspberry interplay on the palate around a wet stone-like minerality and depth of fruit, the finish laced in subtle cinnamon.

null

91

45

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Woodenhead

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Woodenhead 2012 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

US

Super-ripe and dry, with raisin and Port flavors wrapped into 16.5% alcohol. It's a good example of what it is, but certainly exceeds balance.

null

82

30

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Wine Guerrilla

null

US

Dry and acidic, with sweet and sour Lifesaver pineapple and lemon candy flavors. Made in an easy-to-like style. Production was 4,500 cases, and the alcohol is a modest 13%.

null

85

20

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Sonoma-Loeb

null

Argentina

A bit heavy and sweet, with big lemon-lime aromas followed by cloying pear and mango flavors. It's more creamy and sticky than desirable, but the core flavors are admirable and you can't take issue with its purity. Would be better if it were more agile.

Organica

84

10

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Torrontés

Santa Julia

null

US

This wine shows smooth red fruit that is light and generic, with modest weight and an earthy flavor. The wine spent a bit of time in 25% new oak, though it doesn't show up in the flavors.

The Attaché

87

40

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Maison L'Envoyé

null

Hungary

This fresh, spicy Tokaji starts with a nose of lemon and apricot, followed by flavors of delicate citrus, vanilla and spice. Viscous but clean, with a lingering nutty finish.

Aszú 4 Puttonyos

89

45

Tokaj

null

Tokaji

Disznókö

null

France

Asian spice and developed bready notes dominate the nose of this mature example. The palate is unctuous with intense, lingering notes of macadamia nuts. Drink with your next order of sweet & sour pork, before the fruit has a chance to fade.

Bergheim

90

47

Alsace

null

Gewürztraminer

Domaine Marcel Deiss

null

Domaine Marcel Deiss 2004 Bergheim Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

Italy

Here's a fun and zingy white that offers aromas and flavors of white spring flower, tart green apple and a hint of mineral. It's simple but well made, with zesty acidity that gives it a refreshing finish.

Castel Pietra

85

13

Northeastern Italy

Vigneti delle Dolomiti

null

Pinot Grigio

Mezzacorona

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Mezzacorona 2014 Castel Pietra Pinot Grigio (Vigneti delle Dolomiti)

Italy

Dry, tight and long-lasting, this crystalline metodo classico sparkling wine delivers a crisp, firm mouthfeel accented by white pepper and tonic effervescence. Drink this wine on its own or with slices of sweet ham from Italy or Spain.

Extra Brut

88

30

Lombardy

Franciacorta

null

Sparkling Blend

Lantieri de Paratico

null

US

This is one of the bigger, more powerful Chardonnays out there in the market. It's triumphant in ripe pineapple jam, apricot-infused crème brûlée, Meyer lemon custard, buttered toast and cinnamon spice flavors, wrapped into a creamy rich texture that finishes dry and crisp. May lack subtlety, but what immense pleasure it offers.

Rosella's Vineyard

92

44

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Testarossa

null

Testarossa 2007 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

France

Because of the cool Atlantic climate, the Gascogne region is home to many bright, crisp wines. This is fruity, fresh and utterly crisp while also having some hints of melon and peach flavors. A touch of attractive minerality gives the wine texture. Drink now.

Blanc 32

87

11

Southwest France

Côtes de Gascogne

null

White Blend

Vignobles 46N118

null

US

There's a slightly meaty edge to this wine that may put some people off, but in our view it's simply another layer of complexity, gently spread on top of smoke, cedar, dark chocolate and maple syrup. Full and creamy, with a long, toasty finish that's prolonged by juicy acids.

Private Reserve

88

28

California

Redwood Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Merlot

Lolonis

null

Italy

Here's a carefully aged expression of Montepulciano from Abruzzo that offers sultry aromas of spice, currant and dried raspberry, along with notes of leather, tobacco and smoke. It finishes with dry, polished sensations of wet river stone and root beer. Drink now.

Margae

90

64

Central Italy

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

null

Montepulciano

Il Feuduccio Di S. Maria D'Orni

null

US

Bold and ripe in cherry jam flavors. Oak brings buttered toast to the mix. Delicious and savory, this Pinot is solidly in the ripe California style of forward fruit and immediate flash. Drink now and through 2014.

Six Sixty Seven

90

52

California

Santa Cruz Mountains

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Heart O' The Mountain

null

Italy

The Riserva Barolo from the Vigna Liste cru proves to be an enticing and inviting wine with pristine aromas of forest berry, cola and leather. The wine's persona is traditional and elegant and there's enough structure and freshness to ensure long cellar aging: at least five to 10 more years.

Vigna Liste Riserva

91

102

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Borgogno Giacomo e Figli

null

Italy

This luminous Chardonnay from Tuscany offers intensely fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, stone fruit and citrus blossom. The wine is fresh and crisp in the mouth and there's enough natural glycerol to leave a creamy, smooth sensation.

Tenuta La Solatìa

90

24

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Chardonnay

Ruffino

null

Ruffino 2008 Tenuta La Solatìa Chardonnay (Toscana)

Italy

White flower, citrus and exotic fruit aromas follow through to the juicy palate along with notes of toasted almond and mineral. It's vibrant and balanced, with brisk acidity.

null

88

20

Southern Italy

Fiano di Avellino

null

Fiano

Feudi di San Gregorio

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Feudi di San Gregorio 2014 Fiano di Avellino

US

This standard-issue Malbec is attractively priced and cohesively fruity without too many rough edges. The fruit tends more to red than dark with just a hint of vanilla on the finish.

null

85

11

California

California Other

Malbec

McManis

null

Italy

There's a tonic, soda quality to this wine that is backed by notes of apricot, almond and butterscotch. It has some sweetness in the mouth and flavors that recall chamomile tea and honey.

Vigneti Sant'Helena

87

null

Northeastern Italy

Collio

null

Ribolla Gialla

Vigneti Fantinel

null

Vigneti Fantinel 2006 Vigneti Sant'Helena Ribolla Gialla (Collio)

Italy

This is a wine for anyone who longs for an old fashioned Barbara. An interesting, funky and very complex nose of menthol, wet fur, coffee, and strawberries. On the palate, it seemed surprisingly soft (one would have expected more acidity) and the flavors less funky than the nose, with a core of sweet strawberry fruit at the finish.

Ciabot Camerano

88

18

Piedmont

Barbera d'Alba

null

Barbera

Marcarini

null

Marcarini 2005 Ciabot Camerano (Barbera d'Alba)

France

89—91 Barrel sample. Owned by Hubert de Bouärd of Château Angélus, this is an example of what can be done in the lesser appellations if money is no object. It is smooth, ripe, with new wood but not too much, powered by top quality, densely dry tannins.

Barrel sample

90

null

Bordeaux

Lalande de Pomerol

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château la Fleur de Boüard

null

US

Aromas of pressed apple and pear are savory and earthy on this brisk, medium-bodied Grüner Veltliner. There's a dusty minerality that lingers through the midpalate, but the finish is bright and lemony.

William Vigne

84

14

New York

Seneca Lake

Finger Lakes

Grüner Veltliner

Fulkerson

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Fulkerson 2012 William Vigne Grüner Veltliner (Seneca Lake)

Argentina

Slightly baked aromas of raisin, blackberry and caramel are deep and dense more than bright. This Malbec blend is well built, with spicy flavors of berry fruits and cocoa. The oak on the finish is toasty and leads to dryness and a sense of fineness. Drink through 2023.

Gala 1

92

38

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec Blend

Luigi Bosca

null

France

Chocolate, coffee and sweet plum notes give this wine great richness. It has wood that needs time to integrate, although the main character is beautiful, velvet-textured, ripe fruit and plenty of sweet tannins.

null

94

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Julien

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Ducru Beaucaillou

null

New Zealand

Fans of New Zealand's SBs will like this wine's racy nose, which is packed with minerals, some stoniness, melon, and a hint of grassiness. Citrus is in full force in the mouth, aided by a touch of green herbs and a white-pepper spice. The finish is elegant and offers hints of grapefruit. It's a youthful, fresh wine; one that will go well with salads or fish.

Private Bin

90

15

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Villa Maria

null

Villa Maria 2001 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)

France

It's appropriate that this wine is served at the Crazy Horse saloon in Paris. Made from a selection of old vines, La Horse is in the modern, polished idiom, a super-ripe wine, very concentrated, packed with blackberry jelly and bitter chocolate flavors. Give it 3–4 years, but its considerable power and intensity is already there.

La Horse

89

35

Bordeaux

Canon-Fronsac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Coustolle

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Coustolle 2005 La Horse (Canon-Fronsac)

US

This is one of the producer's more full-bodied wines, a blend from several sites along Eastside Road, including Calegari, Foss and a new source—Lewis MacGregor Estate. Rich, round and plush, it's as strong as black coffee in its marriage of earthy allspice, baked cherry, blueberry and smoke. Moderate acidity allows for an underlying minerality.

Eastside Road Neighbors

92

55

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Williams Selyem

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Williams Selyem 2014 Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

France

This is a dominated by new wood, but it still retains fragrant, fresh fruit. A touch of lemon pairs with the toast note, bearing refreshing acidity on the finish.

Millénaire

88

26

Burgundy

Bourgogne

null

Chardonnay

Henri de Villamont

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Henri de Villamont 2009 Millénaire (Bourgogne)

Italy

This single variety Ansonica is crisp and fresh and represents the best in Sicily's long tradition in highly drinkable and seafood-friendly whites. This interesting expression puts more emphasis on texture and complexity with notes of crème caramel, honey and vanilla beyond fresh peach, apricot and acacia flower.

Vigna di Gabri

89

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Contessa Entellina

null

Ansonica

Donnafugata

null

Australia

A venture into the deep end of pricing perhaps, but the proof is in the bottle. From vines planted in 1964, this is a rich, full-bodied and creamy-textured wine, with complex notes of smoke, vanilla, plum and roasted meat. Approachable now because of its lushness, it should drink well for at least the next several years.

Warboys Vineyard

93

65

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Grenache

Angove

null

Italy

Bandarossa Prosecco consistently delivers excellent quality year after year. This luminous sparkling wine offers delicate nuances of dried basil, stone fruit, peat and passion fruit.

Bandarossa Extra Dry

90

22

Veneto

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

null

Glera

Bortolomiol

null

Portugal

This popular brand's white version is soft and smooth. There are some citrus flavors to give the wine a crisp edge, although the main thrust of the wine is more towards apricot and perfumed green plums. Drink now.

Marquês de Borba Branco

85

15

Alentejo

null

Portuguese White

J. Portugal Ramos

Roger Voss

@vossroger

J. Portugal Ramos 2016 Marquês de Borba Branco White (Alentejo)

US

This is the priciest Cab Ca' Momi has released in years, but it's also the best. It's soft, complex and delicious in black currants, chocolate and oak, with wonderfully smooth tannins, and just enough acidity for balance. It's clearly decadent for drinking now through 2020. Beyond that, all bets are off.

Reserve

92

68

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Ca' Momi

null

Ca' Momi 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Italy

Made from the little-known Cagnulari grape, this wine offers a cured meat accent, backed by blackberry and plum notes. It feels tight and raw on the palate, with integrated acidity on the finish.

Crisaore

87

40

Sicily & Sardinia

Isola dei Nuraghi

null

Red Blend

Feudi della Medusa

null

Feudi della Medusa 2007 Crisaore Red (Isola dei Nuraghi)

Italy

Here's a modern, thickly extracted Barbera d'Asti with a very distinctive nose that includes mature fruit elements, white mushroom, wet earth, bramble, spice and fresh grapes. There is a chewy rawness or vinous quality to this wine.

null

85

17

Piedmont

Barbera del Monferrato

null

Barbera

La Casaccia

null

Italy

Here's a ruby-colored blend made with grapes that are native to Tuscany and central Italy that shows bright berry nuances followed by almond skin, herbs, pressed flowers and cherry cola. There is good balance here between the wine's bright acidity and its finely textured tannins.

Poggioncino

88

25

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Bocelli

null

US

This is a well-balanced, flavorful and fresh-tasting wine that's medium bodied and fun to drink. It has boysenberry and blackberry flavors and a firm, moderately tannic texture that gives it good heft.

Hybrid

88

14

California

Mendocino County

null

Red Blend

Girasole

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Girasole 2014 Hybrid Red (Mendocino County)

Italy

Aromas suggesting underbrush, aromatic herb, violet, new leather and earthy game follow through to the chewy, full-bodied palate in this wine, along with ripe black cherry and a hint of baking spice. It's structured and surprisingly accessible, with rounded, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2028.

Parafada

93

68

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Palladino

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Palladino 2013 Parafada (Barolo)

France

The color alone sets this wine apart from its peers; it's what can only be called Barbie doll pink. Fresh and foamy, it spurts out of the bottle as if to say “Par-tay!” Fruity and flavorful, it carries hints of rose petals, citrus zest and cherry Lifesavers.

Brut Rosé

88

40

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Nicolas Feuillatte

null

US

Broad blueberry, black cherry and vanilla aromas show in this bottling from Steve and Pam Lock's eponymous westside Paso Robles vineyard. The mouthfeel is quite full, showing root beer float flavors, ample acidity and present but well-chiseled tannins.

null

90

42

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Petite Sirah

Écluse

null

US

With 16.1% alcohol, this is too dry and hot for balance. It has good flavors of blackberries and vanilla but it's better as an after-dinner sipper.

Valenti Ranch

84

28

California

Mendocino Ridge

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Zinfandel

Claudia Springs

null