spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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US	This wine offers intriguing notes of peach, mango and spice. It's lighter in style with just off-dry fruit flavors that linger.	null	84	15	Idaho	null	null	Viognier	Fujishin	null	null	null
France	In a light, fresh style, this is an attractive red berry fruited wine. There are light tannins, soft strawberry flavors and a light acidity.	Seigneurs de Bergerac	84	11	Southwest France	Bergerac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Yvon Mau	null	null	null
US	Quite light in the glass but unmistakably pink, this Grenache-based rose shows a lime-driven citrus rind character on the crisp nose, gaining a touch of fruit from delicate watermelon and slight bubblegum scents. There is a touch of effervescence on the palate, where delicious and zesty lime, pink peach and more watermelon flavors come into play.	Riviera Rosé of	90	21	California	Central Coast	Central Coast	Grenache	Margerum	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Margerum 2015 Riviera Rosé of Grenache (Central Coast)
Italy	Villa Monticelli Passito represents one of the best dessert wines to come from Umbria, central Italy. Made from air-dried grapes, the wine sports a amber-copper color and opens with syrupy aromas of white raisins, candied fruit, honey and loads of apricot.	Moscato Passito Villa Monticelli	92	42	Central Italy	Umbria	null	Moscato	Barberani	null	null	null
US	This shows good blackberry and black currant flavors, with the smooth, rich tannins for which Oakville is noted. But there's no particular intensity or ageworthiness. Drink up.	null	87	75	California	Oakville	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Pine Ridge	null	null	null
Italy	This Sauvignon is lean in appearance and offers a dim golden color backed by pretty aromas of kiwi, passion fruit, mango and fresh herbs. The nose lacks the sharp highlights usually associated with the variety and is instead flatter, wider and creamier in approach.	null	85	16	Northeastern Italy	Collio	null	Sauvignon	Ronco Blanchis	null	null	null
US	Insanely rich and opulent, brimming with apricot and tangerine jam, green-apple butter, pineapple tart, vanilla, honeysuckle, buttered toast and spice flavors. Somehow, the mass is reined in by a tight framework of acids, minerals and oak tannins. This shows the pedigree that comes from this famous vineyard, as well as the Williams Selyem signature of extreme class and deliciousness. Drink over the next five years.	Olivet Lane Vineyard	94	55	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Williams Selyem	null	null	null
Portugal	Put aside the bizarre name and label and concentrate on the wine which is fine, structured and densely tannic red fruit. The tannins and firm texture are balanced by black currant flavors and succulent acidity. The wine needs to age, and shouldn't be drunk before 2017.	Carpe Noctem Voyeur Limited Edition	90	25	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese Red	Wine with Spirit	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Wine with Spirit 2012 Carpe Noctem Voyeur Limited Edition Red (Alentejano)
US	Woody fruits of elderberries and wild blackberries meet with toasted sage and scents of wildfire on this blend of 76% Grenache, 14% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. The palate blends baked cherries and other cooked dark fruit with oregano, thyme and an array of dried Mediterranean herbs.	null	89	40	California	Adelaida District	Central Coast	G-S-M	Summerwood	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Summerwood 2013 G-S-M (Adelaida District)
US	Soft and simple, this dry Syrah has a light, silky texture, with polished cherry, spice, root beer and sweet oak flavors. Finishes pleasantly balanced. Drink now.	null	84	20	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Syrah	Firestone	null	null	null
Israel	The 18 months of aging in 90% American oak really shows in the forward flavors and aromas of vanilla and mocha. Some black fruit shines through on the palate in the form of cassis and black cherry. Balanced and round, though generally light weight.	Estate Bottled Reserve Kosher	86	35	Negev Hills	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Kadesh Barnea	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Kadesh Barnea 2004 Estate Bottled Reserve Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon (Negev Hills)
US	This Merlot is strong and jammy in cherries and blackberries, with some herbs and spices for interest. It's dry and crisp, a nice wine for drinking now.	DaKine Vineyard	87	25	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Merlot	Longboard	null	null	null
Chile	Composed and structured, with its fair share of richness manifested as raisin and molasses. Interestingly, the palate rings with acidity, resulting in a feel that's borderline sharp. But there's enough fruit and heft to balance things out, and the flavors of cherry, blackberry and cola are nice. A good example of elevated Carmenère (with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.	Envero Gran Reserva	88	15	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Carmenère	Apaltagua	null	null	null
France	90-92 Densely characterized wine, with its dark tannins, and powerful structure. Spice, juicy pepper, final acidity.	Barrel sample	91	null	Bordeaux	Pomerol	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Vray Croix de Gay	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Vray Croix de Gay 2010 Barrel sample (Pomerol)
US	Smooth and forward, with high-toned cherry fruit. Oak aging adds notes of vanilla and spice. The alcohol hits a surprising 14.5% but does not feel that substantial in the mouth.	Genesis	87	16	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Hogue	null	null	null
Israel	Light cassis and black currant aromas softly appear on the bouquet of this wine, with a touch of purple flower in the background for added interest. Low tannins and an approachable weight make this an easy-drinking selection that's ready for consumption now.	20 Months Barrel Aged Reserve	84	22	Galilee	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Barkan	null	null	null
Italy	This exciting selection offers spicy nutmeg and cinnamon notes behind the ripe fruit and prune aromas. A soft, slightly sweet finish is carried forth by the wine's medium density.	Caleo	86	10	Southern Italy	Salento	null	Primitivo	Botter	null	null	Botter 2011 Caleo Primitivo (Salento)
US	A good Pinot Noir for everyday drinking. It's very dry and crisp and silky in the mouth, with complex flavors of cherries, cola, licorice and beef jerky. The acidity suggests rich, oily fare, like lamb or salmon.	null	86	25	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Pinot Noir	Simple Math Cellars	null	null	Simple Math Cellars 2008 Pinot Noir (Napa Valley)
France	Berry fruits and dense red jelly flavors are the hallmark of this wine. It is full, although edging on stalky, its black berry flavors mixed with acidity and dry tannins.	Merlot	84	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Merlot	Château Sainte Barbe	null	null	null
Italy	This expression of Nebbiolo offers elegant layers of berry, smoke, spice and cola that build in intensity and persistency over the palate. This is a cellarworthy wine that will drink best five to 10 years from now. When it's ready, pair it with braised lamb with aromatic herbs.	Sotto il Castello di Novello	93	50	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Giacomo Grimaldi	null	null	null
US	From a 3.5-acre block planted in 1978, which makes it Santa Barbara County's first Syrah, this bottling shows an intriguing density of flowers on the nose along with a funky compost note, elderberry fruit, pine needles and fresh mint. Cracked peppercorn, dried thyme and rosemary combine for strong herbal intrigue on the palate, spicing up the black plum and blackberry fruit.	Black Bear Block Estate Vineyard	93	68	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Syrah	Zaca Mesa	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Zaca Mesa 2012 Black Bear Block Estate Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
US	Crushed stone and dried clay notes lend a distinctly earthen character to this dry light-bodied Riesling. Pressed apple and pear flavors on the palate are freshened by squirts of lime, lemon and a tart green-plum finish. The finish is long and lingering.	Dry	87	15	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Lamoreaux Landing	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Lamoreaux Landing 2015 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Spain	Green to the point of being vegetal, with bell pepper and green bean aromas in addition to hidden berry fruit. It's grabby and tannic across the palate, while the flavors run toward green fruit and caramel. Deficient and hard as nails.	Torremilanos	82	30	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tempranillo	Finca Torremilanos	null	null	null
France	There is a danger that the otherwise fine wines of Daniel Fournié are becoming excessively alcoholic. That's the feeling here. So although the black fruit is ripe, opulent and packed with tannins, there is a nagging burn and pepper character. A degree less alcohol and this would be a fabulous wine.	Pur Plaisir	90	55	Southwest France	Cahors	null	Malbec	Château Haut-Monplaisir	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Haut-Monplaisir 2008 Pur Plaisir Malbec (Cahors)
Argentina	This has an unconvincing bouquet of grass, leather and citrusy red fruit aromas. The wiry palate has soupy, rustic flavors of roasted, leathery berry. Dry and scratchy on the finish.	Pietro Marini	82	17	Other	Cafayate	null	Malbec	Bodega El Transito	null	null	null
US	Whiffs of smoke and herbs add complexity to this beautifully floral, fruity wine. Off-dry in style, it's richly concentrated with peach and apricot flavors that reverberate on the palate with bracing lime-toned acidity. The long finish has a bristle of lemon-zest astringency.	Estate Bottled Semi-Dry	90	14	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Lamoreaux Landing	null	null	null
US	Clean and crisp, with classic flavors of lemons, limes and gooseberries, softened with a touch of buttercream and vanilla. The finish is fine and has a touch of sweet honeysuckle. A good value.	Vintner's Reserve	88	12	California	California	California Other	Sauvignon Blanc	Kendall-Jackson	null	null	null
New Zealand	This is a plump, succulent, off-dry Riesling that should have broad appeal. Apple, lime and honey notes are fruity, forward and harmonious, persisting well through the finish. Drink now.	null	88	15	Marlborough	null	null	Riesling	eco.love	null	null	null
Chile	Earthy, leafy red-fruit aromas are a bit rustic and burnt-smelling. This solid, chunky Pinot has spicy oak leading slightly cooked but good berry flavors. A woody, somewhat hot finish is somewhat generic.	null	86	12	Casablanca Valley	null	null	Pinot Noir	Veramonte	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Veramonte 2012 Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley)
Italy	Downright purple in color, so much so that it looks more like Merlot than Sangiovese. Smells incredibly rich, but not stewy. Concentrated and extracted palate, with no hard tannins or acids. Very smooth but short on the finish. Good for near-term drinking. Imported by Vias Imports.	null	90	65	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	La Poderina	null	null	null
US	Fairly tannic, but there's a smooth, milk-chocolate texture that flatters the palate. The blackberry fruit is a bit thin in the middle through the finish, but the wine has lots of elegance.	null	86	30	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Calistoga Cellars	null	null	null
US	A whiff of hay and bramble lends an earthy tone to this otherwise bright, easy-drinking wine. On the palate, fresh tangerine, white peach and lemon flavors are refreshing and pristine. Medium bodied and a bit racy, the finish is quite brisk.	Atwater Vineyards	86	16	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Chardonnay	Billsboro	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Billsboro 2013 Atwater Vineyards Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)
US	An extremely tannic and tough wine that numbs the palate despite polished plum, blackberry and dry chocolate flavors. Oak adds vanilla, smoke and a richly creamy texture. Will it age? The compact berry-cherry flavors suggest yes. Try again in 10 years.	Chabot Vineyard	91	80	California	St. Helena	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Beringer	null	null	null
US	The Meyer Vineyard, in the Red Hills of Dundee, ripened especially well in 2006, bringing forth concentrated fruits that mix raspberry, cranberry, pie cherry and finishing hints of rhubarb. Spice and sharp acids add definition to the midpalate, and the careful barrel aging has introduced accent notes of nutmeg, licorice and black tea. Despite its heft and substantial 14.6% alcohol, this wine has a sleekness that carries it gracefully into a lengthy, elegant finish.	Meyer Vineyard	91	48	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Lemelson	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Lemelson 2006 Meyer Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
Spain	Lucid and basically colorless, with flowery, lychee-like aromas that suggest Malvasia or Moscatel. But it's only Viura and Chardonnay, and it tastes fresh, floral and nice, with lime and lychee. About as easy as they come.	Viura-Chardonnay	86	12	Northern Spain	Navarra	null	White Blend	Ochoa	null	null	null
Italy	Dark-skinned berry, underbrush and leather aromas lead the nose. The palate is firm, offering plum, toast, mocha and tobacco flavors, while assertive tannins leave a taut finish.	null	88	50	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Poggio Nardone	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Poggio Nardone 2012 Brunello di Montalcino
New Zealand	Former Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd has produced a moderately full-bodied, lush Pinot Noir under his own label. Intense cherry-berry fruit is framed by smoky, spicy oak that ends on notes of clove and hickory. Drink it over the next several years.	null	91	39	Marlborough	null	null	Pinot Noir	Greywacke	null	null	null
US	From one vineyard site, this 100% varietal wine is boldly aromatic in peppery clove, raspberry and a hint of vanilla, showing structure and elegance amidst a ripe, full-bodied foundation. The tannins are integrated and appropriately dusty, providing a chalkiness to the texture.	null	92	95	California	Rutherford	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Duckhorn	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Duckhorn 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
Spain	Mineral, peach and apple aromas are straightforward and mild. Citric acidity gives life to an otherwise soft palate, while flavors of nectarine and orange finish with a chalky feel.	null	84	9	Central Spain	La Mancha	null	Verdejo	El Cortijillo	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	El Cortijillo 2012 Verdejo (La Mancha)
US	From 100% estate-grown grapes, and possessing 6.8 g/L of residual sugar, this wine is lovely in peach, pear and lemon, and quite voluptuous in texture, with a hint of spice. Pretty floral aromas of jasmine provide additional flourish and invitation, with the finish dry.	Dry	90	25	California	Oak Knoll District	Napa	Riesling	Trefethen	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Trefethen 2015 Dry Riesling (Oak Knoll District)
Italy	Blue flower, ripe plum and baking spice aromas lead the nose on this robust wine. The palate lacks fruit richness, offering dried black cherry, licorice, dark spice and searing alcohol alongside assertive, drying tannins.	null	87	40	Tuscany	Vino Nobile di Montepulciano	null	Sangiovese	Le Bèrne	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Le Bèrne 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Portugal	An opulently ripe, wood-aged wine that's both fruity and textured. It has weight, richness, a lightly mineral texture with crisp apple and green plum flavors. Give this attractive while serious wine until the end of 2014.	Malhadinha Branco	90	35	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese White	Herdade da Malhadinha Nova	null	null	null
US	This Carneros Chardonnay shows solid mainstream style. Apple, caramel and mint aromas on the nose open to apple, coconut and menthol-oak flavors. The mouthfeel is full, though some tasters thought more big than full. Toasty new oak takes the lead, and a touch of heat shows on the back end.	Cold Creek	89	44	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Laird	null	null	null
Chile	Basic raspberry and plum aromas and flavors are accented by herbal, foresty notes. The palate is grabby, tannic and chunky, with herbal accents to the berry fruit flavors. Finishes with milk chocolate, acidity and tannic bite.	Reserva	84	10	Maule Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Calina	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Calina 2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maule Valley)
France	This well-made, ripe wine has a good balance between its fresh black currant fruits and tannins that are already softening. It is a success for the vintage, emphasizing fruit and fresh acidity, and will likely be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2018.	null	90	55	Bordeaux	Margaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Deyrem Valentin	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Deyrem Valentin 2013 Margaux
Portugal	The high altitude Cardo vineyard always produces finely structured wines that need aging. This firm, initially austere wine shows good potential as its bright red fruits develop and the firmer tannins come into balance. The acidity gives a fine freshness to the aftertaste. Drink from 2015.	Quinta do Cardo	89	12	Beira Interior	null	null	Portuguese Red	Companhia das Quintas	null	null	null
Italy	Petrussa's oak-aged Chardonnay is still drinking young and seems a bit tight and firm in the mouth. Let it unwind over the next few months to deliver more intense notes of exotic fruit, milled white pepper, toasted nut, vanilla bean and banana. The wine has well-integrated acidity and a slightly herbal note on the close.	null	88	20	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	Chardonnay	Petrussa	null	null	null
US	A crazy-good combo of lavender, espresso and baking spice flavors make this full-bodied wine fascinating to taste. It's deeply colored, aromatic and tannic, but not heavy. The wine has a vivid stamp of spicy oak, with enough lavish blackberry and black cherry behind it for balance.	null	91	28	California	El Dorado	Sierra Foothills	Syrah	Skinner	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Skinner 2013 Syrah (El Dorado)
France	Although there is a wood-aged character to the wine, the main feeling is of stalky red fruits, tight tannins and acids. It has a smoky character from the Cabernet Franc that adds complexity.	Château de la Mulonnière Rouge Baiser	88	26	Loire Valley	Anjou Villages	null	Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon	Guy Saget	null	null	null
Australia	It's berries, all berries in the 2008 Flying Piano Shiraz. The nose offers up raspberry and cherry pie while blackberry tones dominate the smooth palate. A nice chocolate note chimes in on the short finish.	Flying Piano Hand Select	84	11	Australia Other	South Eastern Australia	null	Shiraz	Ozwell Vintners	null	null	null
Spain	From extremely old Godello vines, this barrel-fermented wine comes only in magnums. It's currently showing a lot of oak, but it's also extremely well structured. It has an acid backbone that nobody could crack. Very serious, with intense apple, pear and minerality. Much like a fine Burgundy.	Pedrouzos 1.5L	92	80	Northern Spain	Valdeorras	null	Godello	Bodegas Valderroa	null	null	null
France	The branded wine from négociants Maison Sichel, this has freshness and wood accents, as well as plenty of new, clean acidity. Grassy flavors, a touch of citrus and pink grapefruit all come well together in the end.	Sirius	87	null	Bordeaux	Bordeaux Blanc	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Maison Sichel	null	null	null
Argentina	Dark, smoky aromas suggest prune, licorice, coconut and shoe polish. The palate is sharper than the color would indicate, while flavors of dark berry, licorice and plum vie with oak then bitterness. Pinched and tangy at points, but balanced by oaky softness. 65% Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.	Grand Reserve Trinita	85	15	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Red Blend	Piattelli	null	null	null
Israel	Light straw in the glass, this wine has aromas of pineapple and lemon zest. Refreshing on the palate, it offers flavors of clementine, lemon, orange rind, and honeysuckle. The finish features a lasting sense of brightness.	Classic	88	12	Dan	null	null	Chardonnay	Barkan	null	null	null
Italy	Inviting scents of hay and chamomile lead the nose while the succulent palate offers juicy lemon, mature apple, peach and Mediterranean herb. Bright acidity lifts the finish.	null	88	19	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Grillo	Masseria del Feudo	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Masseria del Feudo 2015 Grillo (Sicilia)
Austria	A single-vineyard wine from Spitz in the Wachau, this is both crisp and roundly rich. Its weight comes from the superripe fruits that are underpinned by strong pepper and peach flavors. There is a mineral edge to keep everything in order. Drink from 2015.	Obere Steilterrassen Smaragd	92	null	Wachau	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Gritsch Mauritiushof	null	null	null
New Zealand	Like all the Fromm wines, this is a densely structured effort. It blends black cherries and spice with hints of pepper, cedar and bracken, finishing long. Probably best from 2010.	Clayvin Vineyard	88	64	Marlborough	null	null	Pinot Noir	Fromm Winery	null	null	null
France	From one of the emblematic estates of Cahors, this entry-level wine is all fruit. It shows the tannic character of Malbec, contrasted with juicy black currant flavors and attractive acidity. The wine can be drunk now.	Tradition	87	18	Southwest France	Cahors	null	Malbec	Domaine de Cause	null	null	null
France	A firm and tannic wine, this has dry spices, dark fruits and concentration. Great depth of flavor gives a serious wine that also has a fruit-driven profile. Concentrated dark tannins push this wine to a great height and impressive length. Drink from 2020.	null	97	639	Burgundy	Grands-Echezeaux	null	Pinot Noir	Joseph Drouhin	null	null	null
US	Sweet, soft and simple, in fact a little insipid, with a sugary finish that makes the candied fruit cloying.	null	82	16	California	Potter Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	White Riesling	Hagafen	null	null	null
New Zealand	Full-bodied and slightly viscous, this has the ample weight of Viognier on display, but lacks the variety's signature floral-spicy perfume. Instead there's melon and tangerine in a likeable if slightly neutral wine.	Heart of Gold	86	20	Gisborne	null	null	Viognier	Spade Oak	null	null	null
US	This first label Merlot combines pleasant notes of black coffee and plush red plum with savory aromas of dried mushrooms, spices and a hint of tomatoes. Gripping tannins and glimpses of underripe fruit and green stalks throughout make this wine a tad clunky and disjointed.	First Label Estate Bottled	85	35	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Merlot	Raphael	null	null	null
US	A charred, peppery aroma and a stiff, tannic mouthfeel go along with dark-fruit flavors in this full-bodied blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.	The Rules of Fair Play	88	36	California	Fair Play	Sierra Foothills	Red Blend	Cedarville Vineyard	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Cedarville Vineyard 2013 The Rules of Fair Play Red (Fair Play)
Italy	With fermentation aromas in full view, this sparkling ruby red wine offers aromas and of raspberry, strawberry and sweet almond milk. Bright berry notes follow through to the palate.	Casa Rossa	84	13	Piedmont	Brachetto d'Acqui	null	Brachetto	Bosio	null	null	null
US	A field blended red wine of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc and 33% Merlot. There's red cherry and herbal stuff going on, but the wine also lacks texture and depth.	CFM Jolon Vineyard	84	30	California	San Antonio Valley	Central Coast	Red Blend	MICA Cellars	Virginie Boone	@vboone	MICA Cellars 2009 CFM Jolon Vineyard Red (San Antonio Valley)
Italy	This is made with native grape Garganega, the main grape behind Soave. A fruity fragrance of green apple and white peach carries to the palate along with notes of candied lemon peel. Fresh acidity adds brightness.	Fulvio Beo Metodo Classico Brut	87	25	Italy Other	Vino Spumante	null	Garganega	Ca' Rugate	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Ca' Rugate NV Fulvio Beo Metodo Classico Brut Garganega (Vino Spumante)
Argentina	This is a dark, rich, modern Cabernet. The nose oozes sweet aromas of coconut and vanilla along with creamy oak and blackberry. The palate is full and chunky in feel, with dark-fruit flavors accented by molasses and pepper. A chewy finish shows grip and lasting acidity.	Alta Collection	91	19	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Tapiz	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Tapiz 2011 Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
Chile	The soft melon and white-peach nose has mint and grass accents but also a faint mustiness. In the mouth the mild lime and melon flavors display an odd, lemon candy-drop sweetness. This light wine is balanced, but the elements never really come together.	null	82	14	Maipo Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Tarapaca	null	null	null
Australia	Herbal, slightly peppery notes spice up this wine's aromas, while blackberry, plum and black olive fruit rounds out the palate. This is medium bodied and supple, with a silky finish and hints of licorice.	null	90	25	South Australia	Barossa Valley	null	Shiraz	Kurtz Family	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Kurtz Family 2013 Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
US	Shows all the hallmarks of the upscale Cabs the winery is better known for, from the softly sensuous mouthfeel, ripe fruit and judicious use of new French oak, to the long-lasting complexities. Red and black cherry jam, cassis, plum sauce, gingerbread, smoky vanillins, peppery spice, and it's all dry and balanced. What's not to like? Drink now.	null	92	40	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Syrah	Joseph Phelps	null	null	null
Israel	Aromas of black cherry, almond and espresso bean open on the palate to flavors of cassis, black cherry, strawberry, black pepper and custard. Smooth tannins linger on the palate accompanied by flavors of juicy fruit.	Gilgal	91	15	Galilee	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Golan Heights Winery	Mike DeSimone	@worldwineguys	Golan Heights Winery 2011 Gilgal Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee)
Chile	A full-force, racy blend led by Merlot. It's ripe, staunch, mildly herbal and shows aromas of leather, savory berry and molasses. The palate is saturated, acid-driven and clacky, so it's lively stuff with medicinal, ripe berry and spice flavors. Finishes snappy and crisp, with pronounced acidity and tannins.	Corralillo Winemaker's Blend	88	30	San Antonio	null	null	Red Blend	Matetic	null	null	null
France	Shows the baked quality some of the 2003 wines have, with dried-fruit notes of dates and prunes but also lots of complex leather and spice flavors. Very supple, almost creamy in texture, this is supremely ripe and probably needs to be consumed in the next year or two.	null	90	20	Rhône Valley	Lirac	null	Rhône-style Red Blend	Château le Devoy Martine	null	null	null
Portugal	Produced as a wine that is ready to drink young, this comes from the 100-year old Mouchão winery. It is fresh with red fruits along with a dry structure, although it is the fruits that win out. Fresh and bright, it will be ready to drink from 2017.	Dom Rafael	88	11	Alentejo	null	null	Portuguese Red	Mouchão	null	null	null
US	This wine is a pale cherry-red in color, showing some bricking. It brings off-dry elegantly styled cherry flavors that winnow toward the finish.	Estate Grown Cabernet	86	35	Washington	Red Mountain	Columbia Valley	Rosé	Obelisco Estate	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Obelisco Estate 2015 Estate Grown Cabernet Rosé (Red Mountain)
Chile	An intriguing, well-made wine, it conveys saucy red-fruit aromas that come with notes of raw oak, leather and herbs. It smacks the palate with hard tannins and raw verve, while flavors of vanilla, mocha, licorice and berry fruits finish crisp and woody. Drink through 2017.	Toknar	91	100	Aconcagua Valley	null	null	Petit Verdot	Von Siebenthal	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Von Siebenthal 2008 Toknar Petit Verdot (Aconcagua Valley)
US	Softly perfumed with scents of apple and orange skins, there's also a slightly waxy tone to this rich, semidry Ohio Riesling. Densely concentrated with flavors of apple compote and sunny tropical fruit, it finishes with a touch of sugar and musky potpourri.	Reserve	84	13	Ohio	Grand River Valley	null	Riesling	Debonné	null	null	null
US	Aromatic and lushly scented with rhubarb, strawberry, cola, root beer and cocoa powder, this is immediately accessible, and yet structured to age if you can keep your hands off of it. Streaks of beet root sneak in around raspberry and cherry fruit, with firm tannins and highlights of toast, coffee, caramel and dark chocolate. This is a very fine cuvée that seems to gain focus as it rolls through the finish.	Yamhill Cuvée	92	45	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Domaine Serene	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Domaine Serene 2014 Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
US	A juicy wine certain to please those who opt for the hip label, this is quite showy on the nose, with densely packed blackberries, clove, caramel and vanilla elements. The rich palate is equally poppy and boisterous, with black cherry jam, allspice and nutmeg notes.	ChillHouse	87	19	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Peachy Canyon	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Peachy Canyon 2012 ChillHouse Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Italy	Malpelo is a ramato-style Pinot Grigio (which means it sports a copperish color) with a cool glass closure that has done a good job of locking in the wine's fresh fragrances of citrus, rose, peach and white spice. Pair this wine with tuna steak or raw salmon tartar.	Malpelo	88	27	Northeastern Italy	Venezia Giulia	null	Pinot Grigio	Plozner	null	null	null
US	A study in dusty tannins and crisp, classic cassis and cranberry, this wine offers plenty of the beloved herbaceousness of old-school Cabernet, along with a soft-hearted structure and compelling notes of violet and soy. Medium-bodied, it's enjoyable now but has the legs to age through 2026.	null	92	125	California	Oakville	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Aiken	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Aiken 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
US	Green, unripe vegetal notes se compromise this Pinot Noir. It's dry, crisp and elegantly structured, but the mint and broccoli notes diminish the cherry-berry fruit.	Longbow	82	48	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Arista	null	null	null
Portugal	A juicy, spicy wine, packed with open, generous black fruits. The blend of Castelão and Trincadeira gives blackberries, some raisins and a smooth chocolate underlay.	Falcoaria	88	16	Ribatejo	null	null	Portuguese Red	Quinta do Casal Branco	null	null	null
Spain	Mature, oily aromas of melon and sweet potato lack vivacity. This blend of Albariño, Caiño Blanco and Loureiro feels mature, with lightly oxidized stone-fruit flavors. A plump, dry-tasting finish indicates that it should be drunk right away.	O Rosal Black Label	88	45	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	White Blend	Terras Gauda	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Terras Gauda 2015 O Rosal Black Label White (Rías Baixas)
US	A soft, approachable wine whose pleasure is in its extreme dryness. Shows peppery flavors of tobacco, wild blackberries, bacon and anise.	Old Vine	85	11	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Zinfandel	Gnarly Head	null	null	Gnarly Head 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi)
Germany	A blossomy, perfumed edge lends lift and vibe to earthier notes of pressed apple and pear in this light-footed medium-sweet Riesling. It's racy and sharp in mouthfeel with a finish that's brisk and bright.	Oppenheimer Sachträger Spätlese	87	16	Rheinhessen	null	null	Riesling	Dr. Heyden	null	null	null
France	92-94 Barrel sample. A dense wine, very rich and concentrated, the Cabernet Franc tannins giving bitter chocolate and dark structure. Meantime, the fruit is ripe, sweet, packed with blackberry flavors.	Barrel sample	93	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château La Tour Figeac	null	null	null
US	Made in a more forward style than it used to be, Calera's '07 Jensen appeals for its lush raspberry, cherry, bacon, vanilla and sandalwood flavors. The acidity is just fine, and the tannins are soft and intricate. Lovely now, with a brief decant, and should develop for 6–8 years.	Jensen Vineyard	91	70	California	Mt. Harlan	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Calera	null	null	null
US	Lean fruit and herb flavors plus a tight, unpolished texture make this wine an acquired taste. But tart cherry, black tea and rhubarb components also make it complex and interesting. A very firm texture shows plenty of acidity and a healthy coating of tannin.	Broken Leg Vineyard	88	52	California	Anderson Valley	null	Pinot Noir	Donkey & Goat	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Donkey & Goat 2014 Broken Leg Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
US	Two-thirds of this wine comes from McKinley Springs Vineyard with the rest from Kiona and Les Collines. Coffee, pencil lead, barrel spice and high-toned herb aromas lead to full-bodied coffee and cherry flavors. The tannins show some grit and grip.	Proprietor's Reserve	87	40	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Maryhill	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Maryhill 2012 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	With a dry and full-bodied approach, this wine combines good fruit flavors, intriguing oak spiciness and appetizing acidity. The crisp character and high alcohol combine with fine-grained tannins for a liveliness that keeps the cherry and raspberry flavors dancing through the finish.	null	90	45	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Zinfandel	Brooklyn West	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Brooklyn West 2012 Zinfandel (Amador County)
Italy	Loads of balsam intensity and an array of dried herb, red fruit, wild berry, cedar wood and forest floor aromas. It's very full and generous in the mouth, with firm, but polished tannin.	Le Lucére	93	60	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	San Filippo di Giannelli	null	null	null
France	On the soft side, this ripe, full wine is typical of the vintage. It has pink grapefruit flavors, lightly touched with fine sugar, alongside a crisp structure that promises 2–3 years aging. The aftertaste is open, balancing acidity and softness.	Cuvée Spéciale Brut	87	65	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Nicolas Feuillatte	null	null	null
New Zealand	This ample-bodied wine boasts appealing buttered apple and citrus flavors to go with subtle touches of cinnamon and clove. Despite being unoaked, it shows plenty of weight and a fair amount of complexity; the only drawback is a touch of warmth on the finish.	Unoaked	88	23	Central Otago	null	null	Chardonnay	Rockburn	null	null	null
US	Simple and tasty A delicately structured wine with good acidity and a silky texture. The raspberry, strawberry and spicy vanilla flavors finish very fruity.	Syrah Rosé	85	17	California	San Francisco Bay	Central Coast	Syrah	Fleming Jenkins	null	null	null
Spain	Smells oily and a little burnt and acrid, with fleshy flavors of banana, melon and bitter pith. Has some verve but mostly it's an average wine with some bitterness and dry orange peel and pith. Decent but offers nothing beyond.	Hermanos Lurton	84	13	Northern Spain	Rueda	null	Verdejo	J. & F. Lurton	null	null	null
Austria	A fresh delicate style, the sweetness fleeting over the fruit, giving an orange marmalade character, but retaining lightness, lifted by a final acidity.	Auslese	89	null	Kamptal	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Schloss Gobelsburg	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Schloss Gobelsburg 2007 Auslese Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)
US	Lots to like in this Cabernet, which has ripe, juicy flavors of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and flashy oak. Made thoroughly in the modern style, it's marked by soft tannins and a certain uniformity. Drink now.	Oso Vineyard	87	50	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Emblem	null	null	null
US	This elegant, soft red starts with layers of cherry, warming spice, vanilla and mint, and leads into flavors of red berry, cinnamon, pepper and spice. Subtle but structured, it's a classy sip.	Alouette	87	27	Virginia	Virginia	null	Cabernet Franc	Three Fox	null	null	null
US	Lots of ripe fruit in this wine, offering rich flavors of raspberries, cherries, persimmons and red plums, with a tart note of cranberry. Tastes fresh, lively, and rather young. Drink over the next six years.	Selleck	91	78	California	Mt. Harlan	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Calera	null	null	null

US

This wine offers intriguing notes of peach, mango and spice. It's lighter in style with just off-dry fruit flavors that linger.

null

84

15

Idaho

null

Viognier

Fujishin

null

France

In a light, fresh style, this is an attractive red berry fruited wine. There are light tannins, soft strawberry flavors and a light acidity.

Seigneurs de Bergerac

84

11

Southwest France

Bergerac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Yvon Mau

null

US

Quite light in the glass but unmistakably pink, this Grenache-based rose shows a lime-driven citrus rind character on the crisp nose, gaining a touch of fruit from delicate watermelon and slight bubblegum scents. There is a touch of effervescence on the palate, where delicious and zesty lime, pink peach and more watermelon flavors come into play.

Riviera Rosé of

90

21

California

Central Coast

Grenache

Margerum

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Margerum 2015 Riviera Rosé of Grenache (Central Coast)

Italy

Villa Monticelli Passito represents one of the best dessert wines to come from Umbria, central Italy. Made from air-dried grapes, the wine sports a amber-copper color and opens with syrupy aromas of white raisins, candied fruit, honey and loads of apricot.

Moscato Passito Villa Monticelli

92

42

Central Italy

Umbria

null

Moscato

Barberani

null

US

This shows good blackberry and black currant flavors, with the smooth, rich tannins for which Oakville is noted. But there's no particular intensity or ageworthiness. Drink up.

null

87

75

California

Oakville

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Pine Ridge

null

Italy

This Sauvignon is lean in appearance and offers a dim golden color backed by pretty aromas of kiwi, passion fruit, mango and fresh herbs. The nose lacks the sharp highlights usually associated with the variety and is instead flatter, wider and creamier in approach.

null

85

16

Northeastern Italy

Collio

null

Sauvignon

Ronco Blanchis

null

US

Insanely rich and opulent, brimming with apricot and tangerine jam, green-apple butter, pineapple tart, vanilla, honeysuckle, buttered toast and spice flavors. Somehow, the mass is reined in by a tight framework of acids, minerals and oak tannins. This shows the pedigree that comes from this famous vineyard, as well as the Williams Selyem signature of extreme class and deliciousness. Drink over the next five years.

Olivet Lane Vineyard

94

55

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Williams Selyem

null

Portugal

Put aside the bizarre name and label and concentrate on the wine which is fine, structured and densely tannic red fruit. The tannins and firm texture are balanced by black currant flavors and succulent acidity. The wine needs to age, and shouldn't be drunk before 2017.

Carpe Noctem Voyeur Limited Edition

90

25

Alentejano

null

Portuguese Red

Wine with Spirit

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Wine with Spirit 2012 Carpe Noctem Voyeur Limited Edition Red (Alentejano)

US

Woody fruits of elderberries and wild blackberries meet with toasted sage and scents of wildfire on this blend of 76% Grenache, 14% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. The palate blends baked cherries and other cooked dark fruit with oregano, thyme and an array of dried Mediterranean herbs.

null

89

40

California

Adelaida District

Central Coast

G-S-M

Summerwood

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Summerwood 2013 G-S-M (Adelaida District)

US

Soft and simple, this dry Syrah has a light, silky texture, with polished cherry, spice, root beer and sweet oak flavors. Finishes pleasantly balanced. Drink now.

null

84

20

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Syrah

Firestone

null

Israel

The 18 months of aging in 90% American oak really shows in the forward flavors and aromas of vanilla and mocha. Some black fruit shines through on the palate in the form of cassis and black cherry. Balanced and round, though generally light weight.

Estate Bottled Reserve Kosher

86

35

Negev Hills

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Kadesh Barnea

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Kadesh Barnea 2004 Estate Bottled Reserve Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon (Negev Hills)

US

This Merlot is strong and jammy in cherries and blackberries, with some herbs and spices for interest. It's dry and crisp, a nice wine for drinking now.

DaKine Vineyard

87

25

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Merlot

Longboard

null

Chile

Composed and structured, with its fair share of richness manifested as raisin and molasses. Interestingly, the palate rings with acidity, resulting in a feel that's borderline sharp. But there's enough fruit and heft to balance things out, and the flavors of cherry, blackberry and cola are nice. A good example of elevated Carmenère (with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Envero Gran Reserva

88

15

Colchagua Valley

null

Carmenère

Apaltagua

null

France

90-92 Densely characterized wine, with its dark tannins, and powerful structure. Spice, juicy pepper, final acidity.

Barrel sample

91

null

Bordeaux

Pomerol

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Vray Croix de Gay

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Vray Croix de Gay 2010 Barrel sample (Pomerol)

US

Smooth and forward, with high-toned cherry fruit. Oak aging adds notes of vanilla and spice. The alcohol hits a surprising 14.5% but does not feel that substantial in the mouth.

Genesis

87

16

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Hogue

null

Israel

Light cassis and black currant aromas softly appear on the bouquet of this wine, with a touch of purple flower in the background for added interest. Low tannins and an approachable weight make this an easy-drinking selection that's ready for consumption now.

20 Months Barrel Aged Reserve

84

22

Galilee

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barkan

null

Italy

This exciting selection offers spicy nutmeg and cinnamon notes behind the ripe fruit and prune aromas. A soft, slightly sweet finish is carried forth by the wine's medium density.

Caleo

86

10

Southern Italy

Salento

null

Primitivo

Botter

null

Botter 2011 Caleo Primitivo (Salento)

US

A good Pinot Noir for everyday drinking. It's very dry and crisp and silky in the mouth, with complex flavors of cherries, cola, licorice and beef jerky. The acidity suggests rich, oily fare, like lamb or salmon.

null

86

25

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Pinot Noir

Simple Math Cellars

null

Simple Math Cellars 2008 Pinot Noir (Napa Valley)

France

Berry fruits and dense red jelly flavors are the hallmark of this wine. It is full, although edging on stalky, its black berry flavors mixed with acidity and dry tannins.

Merlot

84

13

Bordeaux

null

Merlot

Château Sainte Barbe

null

Italy

This expression of Nebbiolo offers elegant layers of berry, smoke, spice and cola that build in intensity and persistency over the palate. This is a cellarworthy wine that will drink best five to 10 years from now. When it's ready, pair it with braised lamb with aromatic herbs.

Sotto il Castello di Novello

93

50

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Giacomo Grimaldi

null

US

From a 3.5-acre block planted in 1978, which makes it Santa Barbara County's first Syrah, this bottling shows an intriguing density of flowers on the nose along with a funky compost note, elderberry fruit, pine needles and fresh mint. Cracked peppercorn, dried thyme and rosemary combine for strong herbal intrigue on the palate, spicing up the black plum and blackberry fruit.

Black Bear Block Estate Vineyard

93

68

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Syrah

Zaca Mesa

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Zaca Mesa 2012 Black Bear Block Estate Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

US

Crushed stone and dried clay notes lend a distinctly earthen character to this dry light-bodied Riesling. Pressed apple and pear flavors on the palate are freshened by squirts of lime, lemon and a tart green-plum finish. The finish is long and lingering.

Dry

87

15

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Lamoreaux Landing

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Lamoreaux Landing 2015 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Spain

Green to the point of being vegetal, with bell pepper and green bean aromas in addition to hidden berry fruit. It's grabby and tannic across the palate, while the flavors run toward green fruit and caramel. Deficient and hard as nails.

Torremilanos

82

30

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tempranillo

Finca Torremilanos

null

France

There is a danger that the otherwise fine wines of Daniel Fournié are becoming excessively alcoholic. That's the feeling here. So although the black fruit is ripe, opulent and packed with tannins, there is a nagging burn and pepper character. A degree less alcohol and this would be a fabulous wine.

Pur Plaisir

90

55

Southwest France

Cahors

null

Malbec

Château Haut-Monplaisir

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Haut-Monplaisir 2008 Pur Plaisir Malbec (Cahors)

Argentina

This has an unconvincing bouquet of grass, leather and citrusy red fruit aromas. The wiry palate has soupy, rustic flavors of roasted, leathery berry. Dry and scratchy on the finish.

Pietro Marini

82

17

Other

Cafayate

null

Malbec

Bodega El Transito

null

US

Whiffs of smoke and herbs add complexity to this beautifully floral, fruity wine. Off-dry in style, it's richly concentrated with peach and apricot flavors that reverberate on the palate with bracing lime-toned acidity. The long finish has a bristle of lemon-zest astringency.

Estate Bottled Semi-Dry

90

14

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Lamoreaux Landing

null

US

Clean and crisp, with classic flavors of lemons, limes and gooseberries, softened with a touch of buttercream and vanilla. The finish is fine and has a touch of sweet honeysuckle. A good value.

Vintner's Reserve

88

12

California

California Other

Sauvignon Blanc

Kendall-Jackson

null

New Zealand

This is a plump, succulent, off-dry Riesling that should have broad appeal. Apple, lime and honey notes are fruity, forward and harmonious, persisting well through the finish. Drink now.

null

88

15

Marlborough

null

Riesling

eco.love

null

Chile

Earthy, leafy red-fruit aromas are a bit rustic and burnt-smelling. This solid, chunky Pinot has spicy oak leading slightly cooked but good berry flavors. A woody, somewhat hot finish is somewhat generic.

null

86

12

Casablanca Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Veramonte

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Veramonte 2012 Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley)

Italy

Downright purple in color, so much so that it looks more like Merlot than Sangiovese. Smells incredibly rich, but not stewy. Concentrated and extracted palate, with no hard tannins or acids. Very smooth but short on the finish. Good for near-term drinking. Imported by Vias Imports.

null

90

65

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

La Poderina

null

US

Fairly tannic, but there's a smooth, milk-chocolate texture that flatters the palate. The blackberry fruit is a bit thin in the middle through the finish, but the wine has lots of elegance.

null

86

30

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Calistoga Cellars

null

US

A whiff of hay and bramble lends an earthy tone to this otherwise bright, easy-drinking wine. On the palate, fresh tangerine, white peach and lemon flavors are refreshing and pristine. Medium bodied and a bit racy, the finish is quite brisk.

Atwater Vineyards

86

16

New York

Finger Lakes

Chardonnay

Billsboro

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Billsboro 2013 Atwater Vineyards Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)

US

An extremely tannic and tough wine that numbs the palate despite polished plum, blackberry and dry chocolate flavors. Oak adds vanilla, smoke and a richly creamy texture. Will it age? The compact berry-cherry flavors suggest yes. Try again in 10 years.

Chabot Vineyard

91

80

California

St. Helena

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Beringer

null

US

The Meyer Vineyard, in the Red Hills of Dundee, ripened especially well in 2006, bringing forth concentrated fruits that mix raspberry, cranberry, pie cherry and finishing hints of rhubarb. Spice and sharp acids add definition to the midpalate, and the careful barrel aging has introduced accent notes of nutmeg, licorice and black tea. Despite its heft and substantial 14.6% alcohol, this wine has a sleekness that carries it gracefully into a lengthy, elegant finish.

Meyer Vineyard

91

48

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Lemelson

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Lemelson 2006 Meyer Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

Spain

Lucid and basically colorless, with flowery, lychee-like aromas that suggest Malvasia or Moscatel. But it's only Viura and Chardonnay, and it tastes fresh, floral and nice, with lime and lychee. About as easy as they come.

Viura-Chardonnay

86

12

Northern Spain

Navarra

null

White Blend

Ochoa

null

Italy

Dark-skinned berry, underbrush and leather aromas lead the nose. The palate is firm, offering plum, toast, mocha and tobacco flavors, while assertive tannins leave a taut finish.

null

88

50

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Poggio Nardone

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Poggio Nardone 2012 Brunello di Montalcino

New Zealand

Former Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd has produced a moderately full-bodied, lush Pinot Noir under his own label. Intense cherry-berry fruit is framed by smoky, spicy oak that ends on notes of clove and hickory. Drink it over the next several years.

null

91

39

Marlborough

null

Pinot Noir

Greywacke

null

US

From one vineyard site, this 100% varietal wine is boldly aromatic in peppery clove, raspberry and a hint of vanilla, showing structure and elegance amidst a ripe, full-bodied foundation. The tannins are integrated and appropriately dusty, providing a chalkiness to the texture.

null

92

95

California

Rutherford

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Duckhorn

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Duckhorn 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Spain

Mineral, peach and apple aromas are straightforward and mild. Citric acidity gives life to an otherwise soft palate, while flavors of nectarine and orange finish with a chalky feel.

null

84

9

Central Spain

La Mancha

null

Verdejo

El Cortijillo

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

El Cortijillo 2012 Verdejo (La Mancha)

US

From 100% estate-grown grapes, and possessing 6.8 g/L of residual sugar, this wine is lovely in peach, pear and lemon, and quite voluptuous in texture, with a hint of spice. Pretty floral aromas of jasmine provide additional flourish and invitation, with the finish dry.

Dry

90

25

California

Oak Knoll District

Napa

Riesling

Trefethen

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Trefethen 2015 Dry Riesling (Oak Knoll District)

Italy

Blue flower, ripe plum and baking spice aromas lead the nose on this robust wine. The palate lacks fruit richness, offering dried black cherry, licorice, dark spice and searing alcohol alongside assertive, drying tannins.

null

87

40

Tuscany

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

null

Sangiovese

Le Bèrne

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Le Bèrne 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Portugal

An opulently ripe, wood-aged wine that's both fruity and textured. It has weight, richness, a lightly mineral texture with crisp apple and green plum flavors. Give this attractive while serious wine until the end of 2014.

Malhadinha Branco

90

35

Alentejano

null

Portuguese White

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

null

US

This Carneros Chardonnay shows solid mainstream style. Apple, caramel and mint aromas on the nose open to apple, coconut and menthol-oak flavors. The mouthfeel is full, though some tasters thought more big than full. Toasty new oak takes the lead, and a touch of heat shows on the back end.

Cold Creek

89

44

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Laird

null

Chile

Basic raspberry and plum aromas and flavors are accented by herbal, foresty notes. The palate is grabby, tannic and chunky, with herbal accents to the berry fruit flavors. Finishes with milk chocolate, acidity and tannic bite.

Reserva

84

10

Maule Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Calina

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Calina 2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maule Valley)

France

This well-made, ripe wine has a good balance between its fresh black currant fruits and tannins that are already softening. It is a success for the vintage, emphasizing fruit and fresh acidity, and will likely be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2018.

null

90

55

Bordeaux

Margaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Deyrem Valentin

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Deyrem Valentin 2013 Margaux

Portugal

The high altitude Cardo vineyard always produces finely structured wines that need aging. This firm, initially austere wine shows good potential as its bright red fruits develop and the firmer tannins come into balance. The acidity gives a fine freshness to the aftertaste. Drink from 2015.

Quinta do Cardo

89

12

Beira Interior

null

Portuguese Red

Companhia das Quintas

null

Italy

Petrussa's oak-aged Chardonnay is still drinking young and seems a bit tight and firm in the mouth. Let it unwind over the next few months to deliver more intense notes of exotic fruit, milled white pepper, toasted nut, vanilla bean and banana. The wine has well-integrated acidity and a slightly herbal note on the close.

null

88

20

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

Chardonnay

Petrussa

null

US

A crazy-good combo of lavender, espresso and baking spice flavors make this full-bodied wine fascinating to taste. It's deeply colored, aromatic and tannic, but not heavy. The wine has a vivid stamp of spicy oak, with enough lavish blackberry and black cherry behind it for balance.

null

91

28

California

El Dorado

Sierra Foothills

Syrah

Skinner

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Skinner 2013 Syrah (El Dorado)

France

Although there is a wood-aged character to the wine, the main feeling is of stalky red fruits, tight tannins and acids. It has a smoky character from the Cabernet Franc that adds complexity.

Château de la Mulonnière Rouge Baiser

88

26

Loire Valley

Anjou Villages

null

Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon

Guy Saget

null

Australia

It's berries, all berries in the 2008 Flying Piano Shiraz. The nose offers up raspberry and cherry pie while blackberry tones dominate the smooth palate. A nice chocolate note chimes in on the short finish.

Flying Piano Hand Select

84

11

Australia Other

South Eastern Australia

null

Shiraz

Ozwell Vintners

null

Spain

From extremely old Godello vines, this barrel-fermented wine comes only in magnums. It's currently showing a lot of oak, but it's also extremely well structured. It has an acid backbone that nobody could crack. Very serious, with intense apple, pear and minerality. Much like a fine Burgundy.

Pedrouzos 1.5L

92

80

Northern Spain

Valdeorras

null

Godello

Bodegas Valderroa

null

France

The branded wine from négociants Maison Sichel, this has freshness and wood accents, as well as plenty of new, clean acidity. Grassy flavors, a touch of citrus and pink grapefruit all come well together in the end.

Sirius

87

null

Bordeaux

Bordeaux Blanc

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Maison Sichel

null

Argentina

Dark, smoky aromas suggest prune, licorice, coconut and shoe polish. The palate is sharper than the color would indicate, while flavors of dark berry, licorice and plum vie with oak then bitterness. Pinched and tangy at points, but balanced by oaky softness. 65% Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Grand Reserve Trinita

85

15

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Red Blend

Piattelli

null

Israel

Light straw in the glass, this wine has aromas of pineapple and lemon zest. Refreshing on the palate, it offers flavors of clementine, lemon, orange rind, and honeysuckle. The finish features a lasting sense of brightness.

Classic

88

12

Dan

null

Chardonnay

Barkan

null

Italy

Inviting scents of hay and chamomile lead the nose while the succulent palate offers juicy lemon, mature apple, peach and Mediterranean herb. Bright acidity lifts the finish.

null

88

19

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Grillo

Masseria del Feudo

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Masseria del Feudo 2015 Grillo (Sicilia)

Austria

A single-vineyard wine from Spitz in the Wachau, this is both crisp and roundly rich. Its weight comes from the superripe fruits that are underpinned by strong pepper and peach flavors. There is a mineral edge to keep everything in order. Drink from 2015.

Obere Steilterrassen Smaragd

92

null

Wachau

null

Grüner Veltliner

Gritsch Mauritiushof

null

New Zealand

Like all the Fromm wines, this is a densely structured effort. It blends black cherries and spice with hints of pepper, cedar and bracken, finishing long. Probably best from 2010.

Clayvin Vineyard

88

64

Marlborough

null

Pinot Noir

Fromm Winery

null

France

From one of the emblematic estates of Cahors, this entry-level wine is all fruit. It shows the tannic character of Malbec, contrasted with juicy black currant flavors and attractive acidity. The wine can be drunk now.

Tradition

87

18

Southwest France

Cahors

null

Malbec

Domaine de Cause

null

France

A firm and tannic wine, this has dry spices, dark fruits and concentration. Great depth of flavor gives a serious wine that also has a fruit-driven profile. Concentrated dark tannins push this wine to a great height and impressive length. Drink from 2020.

null

97

639

Burgundy

Grands-Echezeaux

null

Pinot Noir

Joseph Drouhin

null

US

Sweet, soft and simple, in fact a little insipid, with a sugary finish that makes the candied fruit cloying.

null

82

16

California

Potter Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

White Riesling

Hagafen

null

New Zealand

Full-bodied and slightly viscous, this has the ample weight of Viognier on display, but lacks the variety's signature floral-spicy perfume. Instead there's melon and tangerine in a likeable if slightly neutral wine.

Heart of Gold

86

20

Gisborne

null

Viognier

Spade Oak

null

US

This first label Merlot combines pleasant notes of black coffee and plush red plum with savory aromas of dried mushrooms, spices and a hint of tomatoes. Gripping tannins and glimpses of underripe fruit and green stalks throughout make this wine a tad clunky and disjointed.

First Label Estate Bottled

85

35

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Merlot

Raphael

null

US

A charred, peppery aroma and a stiff, tannic mouthfeel go along with dark-fruit flavors in this full-bodied blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

The Rules of Fair Play

88

36

California

Fair Play

Sierra Foothills

Red Blend

Cedarville Vineyard

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Cedarville Vineyard 2013 The Rules of Fair Play Red (Fair Play)

Italy

With fermentation aromas in full view, this sparkling ruby red wine offers aromas and of raspberry, strawberry and sweet almond milk. Bright berry notes follow through to the palate.

Casa Rossa

84

13

Piedmont

Brachetto d'Acqui

null

Brachetto

Bosio

null

US

A field blended red wine of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc and 33% Merlot. There's red cherry and herbal stuff going on, but the wine also lacks texture and depth.

CFM Jolon Vineyard

84

30

California

San Antonio Valley

Central Coast

Red Blend

MICA Cellars

Virginie Boone

@vboone

MICA Cellars 2009 CFM Jolon Vineyard Red (San Antonio Valley)

Italy

This is made with native grape Garganega, the main grape behind Soave. A fruity fragrance of green apple and white peach carries to the palate along with notes of candied lemon peel. Fresh acidity adds brightness.

Fulvio Beo Metodo Classico Brut

87

25

Italy Other

Vino Spumante

null

Garganega

Ca' Rugate

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Ca' Rugate NV Fulvio Beo Metodo Classico Brut Garganega (Vino Spumante)

Argentina

This is a dark, rich, modern Cabernet. The nose oozes sweet aromas of coconut and vanilla along with creamy oak and blackberry. The palate is full and chunky in feel, with dark-fruit flavors accented by molasses and pepper. A chewy finish shows grip and lasting acidity.

Alta Collection

91

19

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Tapiz

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Tapiz 2011 Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)

Chile

The soft melon and white-peach nose has mint and grass accents but also a faint mustiness. In the mouth the mild lime and melon flavors display an odd, lemon candy-drop sweetness. This light wine is balanced, but the elements never really come together.

null

82

14

Maipo Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Tarapaca

null

Australia

Herbal, slightly peppery notes spice up this wine's aromas, while blackberry, plum and black olive fruit rounds out the palate. This is medium bodied and supple, with a silky finish and hints of licorice.

null

90

25

South Australia

Barossa Valley

null

Shiraz

Kurtz Family

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Kurtz Family 2013 Shiraz (Barossa Valley)

US

Shows all the hallmarks of the upscale Cabs the winery is better known for, from the softly sensuous mouthfeel, ripe fruit and judicious use of new French oak, to the long-lasting complexities. Red and black cherry jam, cassis, plum sauce, gingerbread, smoky vanillins, peppery spice, and it's all dry and balanced. What's not to like? Drink now.

null

92

40

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Syrah

Joseph Phelps

null

Israel

Aromas of black cherry, almond and espresso bean open on the palate to flavors of cassis, black cherry, strawberry, black pepper and custard. Smooth tannins linger on the palate accompanied by flavors of juicy fruit.

Gilgal

91

15

Galilee

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Golan Heights Winery

Mike DeSimone

@worldwineguys

Golan Heights Winery 2011 Gilgal Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee)

Chile

A full-force, racy blend led by Merlot. It's ripe, staunch, mildly herbal and shows aromas of leather, savory berry and molasses. The palate is saturated, acid-driven and clacky, so it's lively stuff with medicinal, ripe berry and spice flavors. Finishes snappy and crisp, with pronounced acidity and tannins.

Corralillo Winemaker's Blend

88

30

San Antonio

null

Red Blend

Matetic

null

France

Shows the baked quality some of the 2003 wines have, with dried-fruit notes of dates and prunes but also lots of complex leather and spice flavors. Very supple, almost creamy in texture, this is supremely ripe and probably needs to be consumed in the next year or two.

null

90

20

Rhône Valley

Lirac

null

Rhône-style Red Blend

Château le Devoy Martine

null

Portugal

Produced as a wine that is ready to drink young, this comes from the 100-year old Mouchão winery. It is fresh with red fruits along with a dry structure, although it is the fruits that win out. Fresh and bright, it will be ready to drink from 2017.

Dom Rafael

88

11

Alentejo

null

Portuguese Red

Mouchão

null

US

This wine is a pale cherry-red in color, showing some bricking. It brings off-dry elegantly styled cherry flavors that winnow toward the finish.

Estate Grown Cabernet

86

35

Washington

Red Mountain

Columbia Valley

Rosé

Obelisco Estate

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Obelisco Estate 2015 Estate Grown Cabernet Rosé (Red Mountain)

Chile

An intriguing, well-made wine, it conveys saucy red-fruit aromas that come with notes of raw oak, leather and herbs. It smacks the palate with hard tannins and raw verve, while flavors of vanilla, mocha, licorice and berry fruits finish crisp and woody. Drink through 2017.

Toknar

91

100

Aconcagua Valley

null

Petit Verdot

Von Siebenthal

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Von Siebenthal 2008 Toknar Petit Verdot (Aconcagua Valley)

US

Softly perfumed with scents of apple and orange skins, there's also a slightly waxy tone to this rich, semidry Ohio Riesling. Densely concentrated with flavors of apple compote and sunny tropical fruit, it finishes with a touch of sugar and musky potpourri.

Reserve

84

13

Ohio

Grand River Valley

null

Riesling

Debonné

null

US

Aromatic and lushly scented with rhubarb, strawberry, cola, root beer and cocoa powder, this is immediately accessible, and yet structured to age if you can keep your hands off of it. Streaks of beet root sneak in around raspberry and cherry fruit, with firm tannins and highlights of toast, coffee, caramel and dark chocolate. This is a very fine cuvée that seems to gain focus as it rolls through the finish.

Yamhill Cuvée

92

45

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Domaine Serene

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Domaine Serene 2014 Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

US

A juicy wine certain to please those who opt for the hip label, this is quite showy on the nose, with densely packed blackberries, clove, caramel and vanilla elements. The rich palate is equally poppy and boisterous, with black cherry jam, allspice and nutmeg notes.

ChillHouse

87

19

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Peachy Canyon

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Peachy Canyon 2012 ChillHouse Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

Italy

Malpelo is a ramato-style Pinot Grigio (which means it sports a copperish color) with a cool glass closure that has done a good job of locking in the wine's fresh fragrances of citrus, rose, peach and white spice. Pair this wine with tuna steak or raw salmon tartar.

Malpelo

88

27

Northeastern Italy

Venezia Giulia

null

Pinot Grigio

Plozner

null

US

A study in dusty tannins and crisp, classic cassis and cranberry, this wine offers plenty of the beloved herbaceousness of old-school Cabernet, along with a soft-hearted structure and compelling notes of violet and soy. Medium-bodied, it's enjoyable now but has the legs to age through 2026.

null

92

125

California

Oakville

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Aiken

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Aiken 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)

US

Green, unripe vegetal notes se compromise this Pinot Noir. It's dry, crisp and elegantly structured, but the mint and broccoli notes diminish the cherry-berry fruit.

Longbow

82

48

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Arista

null

Portugal

A juicy, spicy wine, packed with open, generous black fruits. The blend of Castelão and Trincadeira gives blackberries, some raisins and a smooth chocolate underlay.

Falcoaria

88

16

Ribatejo

null

Portuguese Red

Quinta do Casal Branco

null

Spain

Mature, oily aromas of melon and sweet potato lack vivacity. This blend of Albariño, Caiño Blanco and Loureiro feels mature, with lightly oxidized stone-fruit flavors. A plump, dry-tasting finish indicates that it should be drunk right away.

O Rosal Black Label

88

45

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

White Blend

Terras Gauda

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Terras Gauda 2015 O Rosal Black Label White (Rías Baixas)

US

A soft, approachable wine whose pleasure is in its extreme dryness. Shows peppery flavors of tobacco, wild blackberries, bacon and anise.

Old Vine

85

11

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Zinfandel

Gnarly Head

null

Gnarly Head 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi)

Germany

A blossomy, perfumed edge lends lift and vibe to earthier notes of pressed apple and pear in this light-footed medium-sweet Riesling. It's racy and sharp in mouthfeel with a finish that's brisk and bright.

Oppenheimer Sachträger Spätlese

87

16

Rheinhessen

null

Riesling

Dr. Heyden

null

France

92-94 Barrel sample. A dense wine, very rich and concentrated, the Cabernet Franc tannins giving bitter chocolate and dark structure. Meantime, the fruit is ripe, sweet, packed with blackberry flavors.

Barrel sample

93

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château La Tour Figeac

null

US

Made in a more forward style than it used to be, Calera's '07 Jensen appeals for its lush raspberry, cherry, bacon, vanilla and sandalwood flavors. The acidity is just fine, and the tannins are soft and intricate. Lovely now, with a brief decant, and should develop for 6–8 years.

Jensen Vineyard

91

70

California

Mt. Harlan

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Calera

null

US

Lean fruit and herb flavors plus a tight, unpolished texture make this wine an acquired taste. But tart cherry, black tea and rhubarb components also make it complex and interesting. A very firm texture shows plenty of acidity and a healthy coating of tannin.

Broken Leg Vineyard

88

52

California

Anderson Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Donkey & Goat

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Donkey & Goat 2014 Broken Leg Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

US

Two-thirds of this wine comes from McKinley Springs Vineyard with the rest from Kiona and Les Collines. Coffee, pencil lead, barrel spice and high-toned herb aromas lead to full-bodied coffee and cherry flavors. The tannins show some grit and grip.

Proprietor's Reserve

87

40

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Maryhill

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Maryhill 2012 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

With a dry and full-bodied approach, this wine combines good fruit flavors, intriguing oak spiciness and appetizing acidity. The crisp character and high alcohol combine with fine-grained tannins for a liveliness that keeps the cherry and raspberry flavors dancing through the finish.

null

90

45

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Zinfandel

Brooklyn West

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Brooklyn West 2012 Zinfandel (Amador County)

Italy

Loads of balsam intensity and an array of dried herb, red fruit, wild berry, cedar wood and forest floor aromas. It's very full and generous in the mouth, with firm, but polished tannin.

Le Lucére

93

60

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

San Filippo di Giannelli

null

France

On the soft side, this ripe, full wine is typical of the vintage. It has pink grapefruit flavors, lightly touched with fine sugar, alongside a crisp structure that promises 2–3 years aging. The aftertaste is open, balancing acidity and softness.

Cuvée Spéciale Brut

87

65

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Nicolas Feuillatte

null

New Zealand

This ample-bodied wine boasts appealing buttered apple and citrus flavors to go with subtle touches of cinnamon and clove. Despite being unoaked, it shows plenty of weight and a fair amount of complexity; the only drawback is a touch of warmth on the finish.

Unoaked

88

23

Central Otago

null

Chardonnay

Rockburn

null

US

Simple and tasty A delicately structured wine with good acidity and a silky texture. The raspberry, strawberry and spicy vanilla flavors finish very fruity.

Syrah Rosé

85

17

California

San Francisco Bay

Central Coast

Syrah

Fleming Jenkins

null

Spain

Smells oily and a little burnt and acrid, with fleshy flavors of banana, melon and bitter pith. Has some verve but mostly it's an average wine with some bitterness and dry orange peel and pith. Decent but offers nothing beyond.

Hermanos Lurton

84

13

Northern Spain

Rueda

null

Verdejo

J. & F. Lurton

null

Austria

A fresh delicate style, the sweetness fleeting over the fruit, giving an orange marmalade character, but retaining lightness, lifted by a final acidity.

Auslese

89

null

Kamptal

null

Grüner Veltliner

Schloss Gobelsburg

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Schloss Gobelsburg 2007 Auslese Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)

US

Lots to like in this Cabernet, which has ripe, juicy flavors of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and flashy oak. Made thoroughly in the modern style, it's marked by soft tannins and a certain uniformity. Drink now.

Oso Vineyard

87

50

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Emblem

null

US

This elegant, soft red starts with layers of cherry, warming spice, vanilla and mint, and leads into flavors of red berry, cinnamon, pepper and spice. Subtle but structured, it's a classy sip.

Alouette

87

27

Virginia

null

Cabernet Franc

Three Fox

null

US

Lots of ripe fruit in this wine, offering rich flavors of raspberries, cherries, persimmons and red plums, with a tart note of cranberry. Tastes fresh, lively, and rather young. Drink over the next six years.

Selleck

91

78

California

Mt. Harlan

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Calera

null