GroNLP/ik-nlp-22_winemag · Datasets at Hugging Face

index int64 1 130k	country stringclasses 8 values	description stringlengths 34 829	points int64 80 100	price float64 4 3.3k	province stringclasses 21 values	variety stringlengths 4 26
75,174	Italy	Toast, oak and sage aromas follow through to the lean palate along with espresso, dried cherry and a note reminiscent of buttered popcorn. It's tightly wound, with aggressive tannins that leave a bracing finish. Give the tannins a few years to soften then drink soon.	86	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
21,855	US	An attractive price for a straightforward, Amador County Zin, full-bodied and tasting of ripe blackberries and cocoa.	86	10	California	Zinfandel
20,564	US	Avoids the variety's opulent, often sweet side in favor of a leaner, drier, more elegant style. It has the weight and texture of a Sauvignon Blanc, yet offers rich but subtle tropical fruit, white flower and mineral flavors, with a smack of sweet oak. This is a complex wine, and you don't want to drink it too cold.	91	35	California	Viognier
85,855	US	Dark as midnight in a moonless sky, dry as dust, hard and astringent in tannins. That's the challenge this immature Cabernet presents, which makes it difficult to appreciate now. However, it has deep, fine blackberry and cherry fruit flavors, and should have a good future. The score reflects the possibilities after 5–7 years of aging.	91	90	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
79,339	US	Vanilla, cherry, cedar, pipe smoke and violet extracts swirl into a rather amazing nose on this wine from the Gallo-owned producer. The black cherry-dominated palate is lifted by baking soda minerality, and the tannins are present but not intrusive.	89	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
96,619	US	Simple and fruity and forward, though still unbalanced from extreme youth. It's more like a Beaujolais nouveau, with an odd, disjointed, watery finish. The price seems way out of line for what's in the bottle.	82	18	California	Zinfandel
69,712	France	A buoyant wine, this has delicious acidity and a soft, immediately accessible texture. Red berries give a lively, perfumed fruitiness to this open wine that smells and tastes of sunshine.	89	17	Provence	Rosé
11,330	US	Blackberry, black cherry and blueberry aromas are cut by complex hints of dark chocolate and nutmeg on this Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend. The tannins are quite firm on the palate, framing black plums, vanilla, caramel, dill and dried mint flavors. Drinking 2018–2030 will allow more black cherry and blueberry character to evolve on the sip.	93	55	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
72,252	US	Plump tree fruits carry the weight, with a dash of toast—though the winery notes say the fermentation was 100% stainless steel. It's delicious and ready to drink, now through 2018.	91	20	Oregon	Pinot Gris
61,394	US	This estate vineyard is generally prone to cool-site characteristics, meaning more of an emphasis on leaf and root and herb. Peppery herb and tart red fruits combine in an elegant, precise midpalate, suggesting wild strawberry and carrying a dash of sea salt caramel through the finish.	91	49	Oregon	Pinot Noir
60,886	Spain	Aromas of pencil shavings, marzipan and jammy berry are sweet and slightly candied. Flavors of Bing cherry, raisin, licorice and citrus peel are forward and tight, while the finish is long and flavorful, with some acidic tang. Lively despite a mild raisiny quality. Drink now through 2013.	89	30	Catalonia	Red Blend
95,018	Germany	Delicate notes of lemon, lime and sugar cookie on the nose of this off-dry Riesling intensify on the palate, melding into flavors of juicy honey tangerine, peach and cantaloupe. It's an easy, approachable quaffer, but spine-tingling acidity and a hint of bitter lime pith lend structure and elegance. Drink now through 2020.	89	17	Mosel	Riesling
113,742	US	Pure varietal, all stainless-fermented, and finished with 15g/L residual sugar, this fleshy, supple wine is packed with sweet pear-fruit flavor. Spicy highlights of cinnamon and nutmeg add depth.	88	18	Oregon	Pinot Gris
101,680	US	This blend of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah is big, bold and robustly flavored, showing its youth. Juicy cherry and licorice flavors are edged in smoke and tannin. The cinnamon-laced finish is soft and long.	90	60	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
64,288	Spain	This is flat and lemony on the nose, with a hint of asparagus. It feels zesty and tastes of tart lemon-lime and green bean. Tangy but not edgy or razor-like on the finish. This is a classic cool-climate white with citrus and green elements running the show.	84	26	Northern Spain	White Blend
88,650	France	The quality of this nonvintage wine from Piper-Hedsieck is a sign of the increasing quality of the range as a whole. It's a wine that hovers comfortably between freshness and maturity, between a soft dosage and crisp fresh apples. This bottling is ready to drink.	91	45	Champagne	Champagne Blend
12,307	US	Mainly Pinot Noir, with some Chardonnay for brightness and citrusy zest, this brilliantly clean wine has an incredibly fierce mousse. It seems to boil in the glass, and the followup mouthfeel is as creamy and refined as any California sparkler in memory. The Pinot asserts itself in delicate touches of raspberries and strawberries. Delicious and compelling now. Try with sushi.	94	38	California	Sparkling Blend
94,399	France	Simple, attractive, light Chardonnay. Green fruits and pear juice layer with acidity and a soft texture. With its lively, crisp finish, the wine is ready to drink.	85	13	Burgundy	Chardonnay
3,826	Italy	This shows floral and underbrush aromas of violet, forest floor and woodland berries. The palate offers ripe black cherry, red currant, Asian spice and toasted notes. It's structured yet elegant, with firm but fine tannins and nice depth. It's ready now, so enjoy soon.	93	36	Tuscany	Red Blend
128,192	France	This wine offers delicious acidity, crisp fruit and plenty of red berry flavors. It has a lively, perfumed aftertaste.	87	11	Bordeaux	Rosé
26,510	US	A deep shade of reddish pink, this rich style of rosé shows red cherry, cola, crushed slate and chalky, orange pith-like aromas on the nose. Ripe plum and strawberry flavors mark the palate, kissed by star anise and plenty of acidic bite.	87	20	California	Grenache
86,422	Spain	Starts with peppery, leafy aromas that morph toward dry and earthy. The palate, like with all of Torres' basic '07 wines, is crisp and acidic, which brings tang to the wine's red cherry and plum flavors. Spicy, peppery and fresh on the finish.	85	11	Catalonia	Red Blend
39,707	Germany	Savory spice and smoke tones accent fresh lemon, grapefruit and quince notes on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Easy drinking and widely appealing, it's nicely concentrated on the palate with a brisk, blossomy finish.	87	14	Mosel	Riesling
63,315	US	A négociant effort, this was done entirely in stainless steel and neutral oak. Tart and light, it has simple strawberry fruit with a touch of spice. It offers no tricks, just straight-ahead Pinot at a modest price for Oregon.	87	20	Oregon	Pinot Noir
83,064	US	the bright gold color of this flavorful and full-bodied wine catches attention. On the palate it delivers white chocolate, butter and lemon flavors that are rich yet lightly tangy, giving the wine good balance.	89	26	California	Chardonnay
35,910	US	Dry and sappy, this potent effort is heavily influenced by botanical flavors, to the point of being almost grassy. Dry extract and lemon/lime acidity keep the riper fruit flavors in check, but with ample breathing time the wine fills in with highlights of fresh peaches.	91	24	Oregon	Riesling
55,799	Spain	Mellow yeasty apple aromas suggest good things to come. This feels full, easygoing and good. Toasty apple and spice notes control the flavor profile, while this finishes with an overall sense of completeness.	89	15	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
94,851	Portugal	With 50% new oak aging, this is a rich and spicy wine that also has layers of dense toastiness. Black currants and blackberries come together with the structure and fine acidity to give a rich, concentrated wine that should still age further. Drink from 2018.	91	20	Douro	Portuguese Red
67,144	France	This delightfully fruity wine also has a great tang of acidity and minerality. It shows a crisp character, with a bite of apple peel and a lively mousse at the end. Drink now.	88	27	Burgundy	Champagne Blend
38,934	US	From the Malibu-based producer, this bottling has a striking label design that matches with the youthful, vivacious pink wine. The punchy nose blends cherry, lime blossom and pink rose petals with yeasty, sourdough-like aromas, while the palate offers iron, maraschino cherry and lime-wedge flavors.	88	22	California	Pinot Noir
3,780	US	Whiffs of smoke lend a savory feel to pressed apple notes on this dry, delicately framed wine. The palate bristles with lemon-lime acidity and finishes long and lean with a hint of wet stones.	86	22	New York	Riesling
99,268	US	Lots of sweet red and blue fruits in this simple, forward Cabernet Sauvignon. Caramelized oak, too, makes it taste more like a dessert wine than a properly dry table wine.	84	25	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
47,853	US	Extremely dark fruit tones come from the nose of this wine, including blackberry and black cherry. It also offers touches of red fruit alongside snapped dark chocolate, licorice and a tarragon mintiness. Density and darkness consume the palate too, with blueberry fruit laced by dried basil, oregano, lavender and tar.	93	45	California	Syrah
71,069	Spain	A traditional young wine with true Rioja flavors and aromas. It begins with dry, leafy and vanilla aromas along with cherry and raspberry. The palate is fairly acidic, but food will tame any wayward sharpness. For a leaner-bodied but still well-made Rioja, this is good for the money.	86	10	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
15,360	US	Spice frames the bone-dry red fruit, which carries a sharp, astringent flavor profile into a rather short, tight finish. More cellar time might help to open this up further.	86	42	Oregon	Pinot Noir
16,739	France	Gentle hints of tangerine and lemon zest rise from the glass. These continue to charm on the broad palate. There is an earthy, pithy dimension to the midpalate flavors and ample freshness. The dry finish has a slightly bitter tang.	90	20	Alsace	Riesling
48,847	France	This is a perfumed crisp wine, attractively fruity and with delicious acidity. Its fruit is effusive and needs to calm down and fill out, so just wait until 2018 for it richness to be fully apparent.	90	23	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
103,574	US	This broad-shouldered, burly and feral wine is ripe with smoky cherry and vanilla notes. Smoothly textured, it imparts dusty leather and black licorice accents amid a serious slathering of oak.	88	75	California	Syrah
14,406	US	This wine has a nose of black fruits, mocha and toffee, and on the palate, warming spices, tart cherry and a touch of sweetness. The flavors aren't overly complex, but the wine is appealing, and the finish lingering.	84	35	New York	Cabernet Sauvignon
65,758	US	The lovely wines from this pioneering estate, now in the capable hands of second-generation winemaker Jason Lett, are generally priced well below any comparable efforts. Here the texture and minerality evoke surpassing elegance. Lime, grapefruit, a bite of pineapple all come into play, with the depth and balance that suggests several years of life ahead.	92	19	Oregon	Pinot Gris
74,655	France	A blend with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine that has juicy fruit, red-berry flavors and only the lightest tannin. It is rounded, soft and generous. The wine is ready to drink.	87	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
120,043	Argentina	Initially this is a touch jumpy and nervy smelling, but with airing it shows elegant blueberry, cassis and mineral notes that aren't just big and brawny. A flush, bold mouthfeel delivers on the promise of the bouquet, while ripe plum, blackberry, pepper, herb and saline flavors finish savory and dark, with chocolaty notes and ripped muscularity. Drink this staunch Malbec from 2017 through 2023.	94	120	Mendoza Province	Malbec
81,603	France	Tight, textured and crisp, this shows the freshness of the 2013 vintage while missing some of the natural spice of Pinot Gris. It's all about sliced green apples lightly brushed with pepper, with crisp acidity at the end. Drink now.	86	27	Alsace	Pinot Gris
29,238	US	Still tightly wound, this brings cranberry and raspberry fruit front and center. There's a hint of yeasty bread dough also, and the wine seems to still be emerging from its raw youth. Let it breathe, and a nice streak of deep, dark chocolate fills in the finish.	92	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
36,388	US	Chunky, chewy and full-bodied, this fills the glass with flavors of tart red berries, tea leaves, wintergreen and a whiff of smoke. It's a gulp-able, interesting, and relatively affordable example of the outstanding 2012 vintage in Oregon.	88	25	Oregon	Pinot Noir
60,705	US	The spicy aromas resemble black pepper and anise. Fruit flavors are ripe and delicious, and the creamy texture seems to melt in the mouth. This wine offers lots of personality and very good balance.	89	14	California	Pinot Noir
24,842	France	Aromatic notes of orange zest, combine with an intriguing hint of caramel on the nose and palate of this wine. It's fresh, balanced and juicy, walking a tightrope between lusciousness and brisk refreshment. The body is fruity but dry.	90	30	Alsace	Riesling
75,850	US	A blend of lots that didn't make it into the single-vineyard Chardonnays, the Sonoma Coast bottling offers a representative introduction to the Hartford Chardonnay style. Oily-textured melons and peaches are framed by toasty, nutty, buttery accents.	90	22	California	Chardonnay
114,030	US	Lush and aromatic, with ripe pear and melon fruit, sweet spices and a streak of vanilla. The 20% new oak seems just right, and the flavors persist through a seductively long finish.	91	28	Oregon	Chardonnay
127,670	US	Blended from Mendocino, Clarksburg (Delta) and Pope Valley fruit, this easy-drinking Cab is very ripe in blackberries and cherries, but also shows a good structure of tannins and acids. The alcohol is refreshingly low. A good price for a wine so satisfying.	87	14	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
72,169	US	Aromas of blackberry, plum, chocolate and spice are light, but the palate is fruit-filled and flavorful with a tart finish.	88	28	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
56,547	US	Aromatic with ripe black plums, violets and cedar, this elegant Pinot Noir is chock-full of red cherry and dried plum flavors, fringed with soft, velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity leads to a long finish, flecked with graphite and dried herb notes.	88	19	New York	Pinot Noir
46,839	US	Another very good Grenache-Syrah blend from this winery, continuing a string of successful bottlings. The wine is notable for its lush cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice and spice flavors, and for a superb structure comprised of refined tannins and crisp acidity.	92	36	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
13,849	Italy	Aromas of baked plum, forest floor, roasted coffee bean and toasted oak lead the nose. The dense, one-dimensional palate delivers blackberry jam, licorice, peppermint and espresso alongside grainy tannins. The the heat of alcohol dominates the midpalate and the finish, throwing this off balance.	86	36	Piedmont	Barbera
47,808	France	The wine is already attractively balanced with black currant and berry fruits well integrated into the firm tannins. As the wine develops, it will have spice and ripe fruits, topped with crisp acidity. Drink from 2018.	88	19	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
79,749	US	This blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc presents a very pretty nose of nectarine, yeast and chalk. The stone fruit flavors persist on the palate, kicked up by white flowers and lime juice.	89	25	California	Sparkling Blend
105,438	US	A decent Chardonnay, but it's pretty sweet and simple, with the taste of sugared pineapple and orange tea. Oak and alcohol of course make it more wine-like.	84	29	California	Chardonnay
100,321	US	There is an impressive density to the nose of this blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Grenache, with blueberry and black currant showing alongside crushed gravel and tar. The palate is rich with dark fruits and dark spices, showing baked black plum torte, a touch of fennel and a tart finish.	91	58	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
98,414	US	The Justine, a new, southern Rhône-style red blend from Avennia, is an expressive wine, with aromas of berries, plums and cassis. There's a whiff of smoked meat also, but the Grenache—roughly half of the blend—brings lovely fruit that trumps the rest. Delicious now, or cellar it for a few more years.	92	38	Washington	Rhône-style Red Blend
103,649	France	A dense wine, rich and smooth for a Nuits-St-Georges, full of ripe red fruits, dark cherries and acidity that almost gives the wine a fresh character. Behind this fruitiness is a more solid, dark structure of tannins that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.	93	105	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
14,235	US	An ultrazesty, lemony Chardonnay, this has razor-sharp acidity that should mellow out when paired with the right foods, like seafood in a creamy sauce.	88	25	California	Chardonnay
84,959	US	Meaty and savory with balsamic notes, it will need hearty food to tone its wildness and size. At 15.4% from a great vineyard, there's heat on the finish, that again food might tame.	86	22	California	Barbera
17,814	US	Although it's a fairly direct wine, this Pinot shows the Central Coast character that makes this cool-climate region so friendly to the variety. Translucent ruby in color, dry and silky in texture, it has crisp flavors of cherries, cola, licorice and Asian spices.	86	20	California	Pinot Noir
84,237	US	A velvety texture makes this varietal wine luxurious. Cassis, tar and clove notes mingle with dried herb and black olive flavors, all integrated and deliciously graceful. Its robust tannins soften as it progresses toward a long finish.	94	115	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
105,176	US	A full 13 years old, the aromas are still vibrant, with notes of cranberry sauce, leather, vanilla and baking spice. The palate displays a beautiful sense of balance between the fruit and barrel flavors. It's in an absolute sweet spot right now but still has life in front of it.	92	42	Washington	Syrah
118,411	US	Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mixed Blacks go into this sumptuous wine, velvety smooth in texture with dollops of blackberry, strawberry and chocolate combining for a decadent experience. The grapes are sourced from an estate vineyard and co-fermented together, giving the wine a seamless feel.	90	48	California	Red Blend
122,169	France	Set on the plateau of Saint-Émilion, this 12-acre property has produced a structured and firm wine. It is solid with tannins, dark with its black fruits and rich with superripe Merlot. Drink from 2018.	88	17	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
58,814	Italy	This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Alicante and Merlot opens with a fruit and spice aroma that recalls bright red berries and black pepper. The one-dimensional palate offers juicy black cherry and raspberry along with notes of white pepper and clove. Simple and easy-drinking, it will pair well with hearty Tuscan soups.	86	15	Tuscany	Red Blend
30,353	US	Coming from vineyards scattered across the Wahluke Slope, this immediately charming wine has aromas of mocha, coffee, plum, herbs and assorted barrel spices. The sweet blue fruit flavors are soft and bring plenty of appeal.	88	17	Washington	Merlot
79,541	US	Planted in 1974, principally with Pinot Gris, this limited selection mixes high-acid citrus and pineapple flavors with a touch of leather and wild mountain-berry fruit. It's complex and hints at great detail, but remains stubbornly tight even after several hours. As with many Eyrie wines, the ageability is unquestioned, and this should continue to improve for many years to come.	91	80	Oregon	Pinot Noir
94,385	Italy	Made with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black currant, cedar and a whiff of bell pepper. The firm palate delivers black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.	90	68	Tuscany	Red Blend
99,728	US	This fruit-forward, elegant wine offers gentle flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a lightly candied aspect. It's like a cherry lollipop, with a lingering, slightly earthy finish.	89	48	Oregon	Pinot Noir
97,453	US	This is a very distinct and unique Syrah, starting with subdued black fruit, minty chocolate, crushed pepper and grapeseed aromas. The palate is light and savory in style, with pepper, tar, roasted meat and burnt sugar flavors that finish with a cocoa and coffee touch.	89	80	California	Syrah
16,848	US	Hang onto your hat; here's a very great Syrah. The aromas are hiding, now suggesting plum and blackberry, now black pepper, now freshly baked rhubarb pie. In the mouth, it knocks out with grace and power. It's soft as silk, but complex and layered, and the richly tannic finish suggests aging potential. Not too long, though.	94	35	California	Syrah
26,676	US	This is quite a nobly structured Pinot Noir. It's tempting to describe it as thin, because it trades opulence for dryness and a certain spicy minerality. But that would seriously underestimate its considerable appeal, not to mention the subtle hints of wild cherries and raspberries. The more you sip, the more you like it. At this price, a terrific value.	93	25	California	Pinot Noir
3,688	US	Planted in 2001 above the Laguna de Santa Rosa near Sebastopol, Baranoff Vineyard is tightly spaced to mostly Calera-clone Pinot, providing the wine's bright raspberry and cherry overtones atop a layering of earth and spice. Thickly structured, it finishes with tart cherry.	91	72	California	Pinot Noir
10,732	Italy	Aromas of underbrush, espresso, spiced plum and toasted oak lead the nose. The smooth palate doles out juicy black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon and mocha alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2023.	91	66	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
60,561	US	This widely available Oregon Pinot Noir has lovely aromas of berry, cherry and rose petals. Ripe but not sweet, its tart, juicy fruit is wrapped in plenty of acid and punctuated with fresh herb, resin and peppery spice. Nicely blended and balanced, it's a quintessential food wine.	88	29	Oregon	Pinot Noir
81,034	US	Only in Washington can you find pure varietal, single-vineyard Merlot at this price that shows such power and depth. Aged in American oak barrels with French oak stave inserts, it displays plenty of smoky caramel and coconut flavors, but the fruit is there in good proportion. This wine is sure to find plenty of admirers; if only more than just 58 cases had been produced.	90	35	Washington	Merlot
55,120	US	Blended with 20% Syrah, then aged almost two years in nearly all-new American oak, this wine is a mouthful of leather and tannin, with a dash of black pepper on the finish.	85	32	California	Zinfandel
70,476	US	Some good things are going on with this wine, including abundant red fruit and a soft feel. However the wood overpowers them with strong aromas and flavors of vanilla, dill and coconut along with a bitter note that distracts.	84	24	Washington	Merlot
128,793	US	Excellent concentration impresses here, with a full-throttle mix of citrus, apple, pear and peach fruit. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this spent five months on the lees and offers length and balance.	91	29	Oregon	Pinot Gris
116,707	US	Overripe, with apricot and pear flavors, although it's dry. The wine feels heavy and syrupy in the mouth, lacking vibrancy.	82	26	California	Chardonnay
2,794	US	This is for you, if you like your Zins in a sweet, soft style. It tastes like the filling from a blackberry and cherry pie, dusted with exotic spices, like cinnamon and black pepper.	84	20	California	Zinfandel
7,102	France	The strawberry notes of this pink sparkler come with the flavor of cream soda. The fizz foams in a light, airy froth and makes the flavors dance on the dry, uncomplicated palate. This is fun and should be drunk as soon as possible.	87	32	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
100,356	France	The wine, unusually 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is ripe and juicy with some smoky tannins in support. It has a finely perfumed character although touches of extraction give it a bitter edge. That should blow by, leaving an attractive fruity wine.	87	15	Bordeaux	Cabernet Sauvignon
48,166	US	This bottling's extremely fresh aromas of lime meet with a rounded clarified butter, drawing one in for sip after sip. That vibrancy extends to the lightly presented palate, where flavors of lime juice, lemon peels and crisp pear ride a rising wave of acidity across a tightly wound texture.	91	40	California	Chardonnay
55,902	Spain	This wine is quite fruity on the nose. Next, it's dense and solid in the mouth, however the flavors turn quickly towards syrupy berry and stewed black fruits. A raisin-like flavor pops up on the finish to accompany chewy tannins and a pasty feeling residue.	87	21	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
30,206	US	This is another fine Chardonnay from Talley, a great Central Coast producer. This is the second label, and for the price, you'll get a terrific Chardonnay that's creamy and rich in oranges, kiwi fruits and golden mangoes, but bright in acidity.	89	16	California	Chardonnay
55,408	US	A soft, food-friendly wine, this has layers of vanilla and caramel apple, featuing a pronounced, lemony finish. With deeper, darker tones than an unoaked or neutral barrel-aged Chardonnay, Hoopla also retains plenty of acidity and a lurking sweetness.	87	16	California	Chardonnay
126,119	US	A big, exuberant Zinfandel, this is full bodied and soft, with ripe, briary blackberry, currant, dark chocolate, grilled meat and spice flavors. Ready to drink now.	85	36	California	Zinfandel
55,771	France	This is a gamy wine that shows ripe fruit with a barnyard accent. It's quite full and forward with red berry flavors, bright acidity and a sense of structure.	85	25	Provence	Rhône-style Red Blend
126,550	France	Produced in the typical flinty (silex) soil of parts of Sancerre, this wine has a crisp steely texture that is balanced by the ripe yellow fruit. The combination is both taut and ripe, giving good balance and tension. Drink this wine from 2017 to allow it to develop further.	91	29	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
97,423	US	This 100% Merlot could be mistaken at first for Cabernet, so structured and bold it initially appears. Cassis, blackberry, spicy clove and pepper combine effortlessly against a layered concentration of body and weight, finding structure along the way. Drink now through 2021.	92	40	California	Merlot
32,478	US	This mix of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah offers blackberry jam, lavender and cracked pepper on the nose. Tart berries show on the sip, made more serious with a tarry structure and lifted by light purple flowers and an incense element that carries through the finish.	90	44	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
25,458	US	A dry, slightly herbal Chardonnay, with oak-inspired pear, peach and pineapple flavors. Feels elegant and sophisticated. Drink now.	88	40	California	Chardonnay
74,300	US	There's a fleshy mouthfeel and a taste of green olive that make this Zinfandel atypical, but which add to its appeal. The varietal flavors show up in the form of ripe, robust blackberry, cola, tobacco and spice, while Napa's lovely tannins give it an elegant framework. Drink it over the next few years for maximum freshness.	90	35	California	Zinfandel
29,996	US	A waxy vein of petroleum cuts enticingly through juicy-sweet pink grapefruit and peach flavors in this dainty semisweet Riesling. It's vivaciously spry yet finishes long on a lingering lacy veil of sweetness. Drink now through 2022.	91	19	New York	Riesling
65,517	US	Estate grown and bottled, this Pinot comes from a cool, organic vineyard planted to several different clones. Sultry and spicy in dark cherry and berry fruit, the spice is all clove with a touch of orange zest, completely pleasurable and smooth drinking.	90	44	California	Pinot Noir
94,709	US	In perfect proportion, this estate-grown, biodynamically farmed wine brings a sweet-tart fruit intensity to bear. Citrusy flavors of pith and skin are skillfully wedded to ripe, substantial apricot and melon fruit, with none of the bitterness this grape can sometimes display. The purity is impressive.	91	35	Oregon	Viognier

75,174

Italy

Toast, oak and sage aromas follow through to the lean palate along with espresso, dried cherry and a note reminiscent of buttered popcorn. It's tightly wound, with aggressive tannins that leave a bracing finish. Give the tannins a few years to soften then drink soon.

86

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

21,855

US

An attractive price for a straightforward, Amador County Zin, full-bodied and tasting of ripe blackberries and cocoa.

86

10

California

Zinfandel

20,564

US

Avoids the variety's opulent, often sweet side in favor of a leaner, drier, more elegant style. It has the weight and texture of a Sauvignon Blanc, yet offers rich but subtle tropical fruit, white flower and mineral flavors, with a smack of sweet oak. This is a complex wine, and you don't want to drink it too cold.

91

35

California

Viognier

85,855

US

Dark as midnight in a moonless sky, dry as dust, hard and astringent in tannins. That's the challenge this immature Cabernet presents, which makes it difficult to appreciate now. However, it has deep, fine blackberry and cherry fruit flavors, and should have a good future. The score reflects the possibilities after 5–7 years of aging.

91

90

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

79,339

US

Vanilla, cherry, cedar, pipe smoke and violet extracts swirl into a rather amazing nose on this wine from the Gallo-owned producer. The black cherry-dominated palate is lifted by baking soda minerality, and the tannins are present but not intrusive.

89

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

96,619

US

Simple and fruity and forward, though still unbalanced from extreme youth. It's more like a Beaujolais nouveau, with an odd, disjointed, watery finish. The price seems way out of line for what's in the bottle.

82

18

California

Zinfandel

69,712

France

A buoyant wine, this has delicious acidity and a soft, immediately accessible texture. Red berries give a lively, perfumed fruitiness to this open wine that smells and tastes of sunshine.

89

17

Provence

Rosé

11,330

US

Blackberry, black cherry and blueberry aromas are cut by complex hints of dark chocolate and nutmeg on this Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend. The tannins are quite firm on the palate, framing black plums, vanilla, caramel, dill and dried mint flavors. Drinking 2018–2030 will allow more black cherry and blueberry character to evolve on the sip.

93

55

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

72,252

US

Plump tree fruits carry the weight, with a dash of toast—though the winery notes say the fermentation was 100% stainless steel. It's delicious and ready to drink, now through 2018.

91

20

Oregon

Pinot Gris

61,394

US

This estate vineyard is generally prone to cool-site characteristics, meaning more of an emphasis on leaf and root and herb. Peppery herb and tart red fruits combine in an elegant, precise midpalate, suggesting wild strawberry and carrying a dash of sea salt caramel through the finish.

91

49

Oregon

Pinot Noir

60,886

Spain

Aromas of pencil shavings, marzipan and jammy berry are sweet and slightly candied. Flavors of Bing cherry, raisin, licorice and citrus peel are forward and tight, while the finish is long and flavorful, with some acidic tang. Lively despite a mild raisiny quality. Drink now through 2013.

89

30

Catalonia

Red Blend

95,018

Germany

Delicate notes of lemon, lime and sugar cookie on the nose of this off-dry Riesling intensify on the palate, melding into flavors of juicy honey tangerine, peach and cantaloupe. It's an easy, approachable quaffer, but spine-tingling acidity and a hint of bitter lime pith lend structure and elegance. Drink now through 2020.

89

17

Mosel

Riesling

113,742

US

Pure varietal, all stainless-fermented, and finished with 15g/L residual sugar, this fleshy, supple wine is packed with sweet pear-fruit flavor. Spicy highlights of cinnamon and nutmeg add depth.

88

18

Oregon

Pinot Gris

101,680

US

This blend of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah is big, bold and robustly flavored, showing its youth. Juicy cherry and licorice flavors are edged in smoke and tannin. The cinnamon-laced finish is soft and long.

90

60

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

64,288

Spain

This is flat and lemony on the nose, with a hint of asparagus. It feels zesty and tastes of tart lemon-lime and green bean. Tangy but not edgy or razor-like on the finish. This is a classic cool-climate white with citrus and green elements running the show.

84

26

Northern Spain

White Blend

88,650

France

The quality of this nonvintage wine from Piper-Hedsieck is a sign of the increasing quality of the range as a whole. It's a wine that hovers comfortably between freshness and maturity, between a soft dosage and crisp fresh apples. This bottling is ready to drink.

91

45

Champagne

Champagne Blend

12,307

US

Mainly Pinot Noir, with some Chardonnay for brightness and citrusy zest, this brilliantly clean wine has an incredibly fierce mousse. It seems to boil in the glass, and the followup mouthfeel is as creamy and refined as any California sparkler in memory. The Pinot asserts itself in delicate touches of raspberries and strawberries. Delicious and compelling now. Try with sushi.

94

38

California

Sparkling Blend

94,399

France

Simple, attractive, light Chardonnay. Green fruits and pear juice layer with acidity and a soft texture. With its lively, crisp finish, the wine is ready to drink.

85

13

Burgundy

Chardonnay

3,826

Italy

This shows floral and underbrush aromas of violet, forest floor and woodland berries. The palate offers ripe black cherry, red currant, Asian spice and toasted notes. It's structured yet elegant, with firm but fine tannins and nice depth. It's ready now, so enjoy soon.

93

36

Tuscany

Red Blend

128,192

France

This wine offers delicious acidity, crisp fruit and plenty of red berry flavors. It has a lively, perfumed aftertaste.

87

11

Bordeaux

Rosé

26,510

US

A deep shade of reddish pink, this rich style of rosé shows red cherry, cola, crushed slate and chalky, orange pith-like aromas on the nose. Ripe plum and strawberry flavors mark the palate, kissed by star anise and plenty of acidic bite.

87

20

California

Grenache

86,422

Spain

Starts with peppery, leafy aromas that morph toward dry and earthy. The palate, like with all of Torres' basic '07 wines, is crisp and acidic, which brings tang to the wine's red cherry and plum flavors. Spicy, peppery and fresh on the finish.

85

11

Catalonia

Red Blend

39,707

Germany

Savory spice and smoke tones accent fresh lemon, grapefruit and quince notes on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Easy drinking and widely appealing, it's nicely concentrated on the palate with a brisk, blossomy finish.

87

14

Mosel

Riesling

63,315

US

A négociant effort, this was done entirely in stainless steel and neutral oak. Tart and light, it has simple strawberry fruit with a touch of spice. It offers no tricks, just straight-ahead Pinot at a modest price for Oregon.

87

20

Oregon

Pinot Noir

83,064

US

the bright gold color of this flavorful and full-bodied wine catches attention. On the palate it delivers white chocolate, butter and lemon flavors that are rich yet lightly tangy, giving the wine good balance.

89

26

California

Chardonnay

35,910

US

Dry and sappy, this potent effort is heavily influenced by botanical flavors, to the point of being almost grassy. Dry extract and lemon/lime acidity keep the riper fruit flavors in check, but with ample breathing time the wine fills in with highlights of fresh peaches.

91

24

Oregon

Riesling

55,799

Spain

Mellow yeasty apple aromas suggest good things to come. This feels full, easygoing and good. Toasty apple and spice notes control the flavor profile, while this finishes with an overall sense of completeness.

89

15

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

94,851

Portugal

With 50% new oak aging, this is a rich and spicy wine that also has layers of dense toastiness. Black currants and blackberries come together with the structure and fine acidity to give a rich, concentrated wine that should still age further. Drink from 2018.

91

20

Douro

Portuguese Red

67,144

France

This delightfully fruity wine also has a great tang of acidity and minerality. It shows a crisp character, with a bite of apple peel and a lively mousse at the end. Drink now.

88

27

Burgundy

Champagne Blend

38,934

US

From the Malibu-based producer, this bottling has a striking label design that matches with the youthful, vivacious pink wine. The punchy nose blends cherry, lime blossom and pink rose petals with yeasty, sourdough-like aromas, while the palate offers iron, maraschino cherry and lime-wedge flavors.

88

22

California

Pinot Noir

3,780

US

Whiffs of smoke lend a savory feel to pressed apple notes on this dry, delicately framed wine. The palate bristles with lemon-lime acidity and finishes long and lean with a hint of wet stones.

86

22

New York

Riesling

99,268

US

Lots of sweet red and blue fruits in this simple, forward Cabernet Sauvignon. Caramelized oak, too, makes it taste more like a dessert wine than a properly dry table wine.

84

25

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

47,853

US

Extremely dark fruit tones come from the nose of this wine, including blackberry and black cherry. It also offers touches of red fruit alongside snapped dark chocolate, licorice and a tarragon mintiness. Density and darkness consume the palate too, with blueberry fruit laced by dried basil, oregano, lavender and tar.

93

45

California

Syrah

71,069

Spain

A traditional young wine with true Rioja flavors and aromas. It begins with dry, leafy and vanilla aromas along with cherry and raspberry. The palate is fairly acidic, but food will tame any wayward sharpness. For a leaner-bodied but still well-made Rioja, this is good for the money.

86

10

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

15,360

US

Spice frames the bone-dry red fruit, which carries a sharp, astringent flavor profile into a rather short, tight finish. More cellar time might help to open this up further.

86

42

Oregon

Pinot Noir

16,739

France

Gentle hints of tangerine and lemon zest rise from the glass. These continue to charm on the broad palate. There is an earthy, pithy dimension to the midpalate flavors and ample freshness. The dry finish has a slightly bitter tang.

90

20

Alsace

Riesling

48,847

France

This is a perfumed crisp wine, attractively fruity and with delicious acidity. Its fruit is effusive and needs to calm down and fill out, so just wait until 2018 for it richness to be fully apparent.

90

23

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

103,574

US

This broad-shouldered, burly and feral wine is ripe with smoky cherry and vanilla notes. Smoothly textured, it imparts dusty leather and black licorice accents amid a serious slathering of oak.

88

75

California

Syrah

14,406

US

This wine has a nose of black fruits, mocha and toffee, and on the palate, warming spices, tart cherry and a touch of sweetness. The flavors aren't overly complex, but the wine is appealing, and the finish lingering.

84

35

New York

Cabernet Sauvignon

65,758

US

The lovely wines from this pioneering estate, now in the capable hands of second-generation winemaker Jason Lett, are generally priced well below any comparable efforts. Here the texture and minerality evoke surpassing elegance. Lime, grapefruit, a bite of pineapple all come into play, with the depth and balance that suggests several years of life ahead.

92

19

Oregon

Pinot Gris

74,655

France

A blend with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine that has juicy fruit, red-berry flavors and only the lightest tannin. It is rounded, soft and generous. The wine is ready to drink.

87

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

120,043

Argentina

Initially this is a touch jumpy and nervy smelling, but with airing it shows elegant blueberry, cassis and mineral notes that aren't just big and brawny. A flush, bold mouthfeel delivers on the promise of the bouquet, while ripe plum, blackberry, pepper, herb and saline flavors finish savory and dark, with chocolaty notes and ripped muscularity. Drink this staunch Malbec from 2017 through 2023.

94

120

Mendoza Province

Malbec

81,603

France

Tight, textured and crisp, this shows the freshness of the 2013 vintage while missing some of the natural spice of Pinot Gris. It's all about sliced green apples lightly brushed with pepper, with crisp acidity at the end. Drink now.

86

27

Alsace

Pinot Gris

29,238

US

Still tightly wound, this brings cranberry and raspberry fruit front and center. There's a hint of yeasty bread dough also, and the wine seems to still be emerging from its raw youth. Let it breathe, and a nice streak of deep, dark chocolate fills in the finish.

92

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

36,388

US

Chunky, chewy and full-bodied, this fills the glass with flavors of tart red berries, tea leaves, wintergreen and a whiff of smoke. It's a gulp-able, interesting, and relatively affordable example of the outstanding 2012 vintage in Oregon.

88

25

Oregon

Pinot Noir

60,705

US

The spicy aromas resemble black pepper and anise. Fruit flavors are ripe and delicious, and the creamy texture seems to melt in the mouth. This wine offers lots of personality and very good balance.

89

14

California

Pinot Noir

24,842

France

Aromatic notes of orange zest, combine with an intriguing hint of caramel on the nose and palate of this wine. It's fresh, balanced and juicy, walking a tightrope between lusciousness and brisk refreshment. The body is fruity but dry.

90

30

Alsace

Riesling

75,850

US

A blend of lots that didn't make it into the single-vineyard Chardonnays, the Sonoma Coast bottling offers a representative introduction to the Hartford Chardonnay style. Oily-textured melons and peaches are framed by toasty, nutty, buttery accents.

90

22

California

Chardonnay

114,030

US

Lush and aromatic, with ripe pear and melon fruit, sweet spices and a streak of vanilla. The 20% new oak seems just right, and the flavors persist through a seductively long finish.

91

28

Oregon

Chardonnay

127,670

US

Blended from Mendocino, Clarksburg (Delta) and Pope Valley fruit, this easy-drinking Cab is very ripe in blackberries and cherries, but also shows a good structure of tannins and acids. The alcohol is refreshingly low. A good price for a wine so satisfying.

87

14

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

72,169

US

Aromas of blackberry, plum, chocolate and spice are light, but the palate is fruit-filled and flavorful with a tart finish.

88

28

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

56,547

US

Aromatic with ripe black plums, violets and cedar, this elegant Pinot Noir is chock-full of red cherry and dried plum flavors, fringed with soft, velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity leads to a long finish, flecked with graphite and dried herb notes.

88

19

New York

Pinot Noir

46,839

US

Another very good Grenache-Syrah blend from this winery, continuing a string of successful bottlings. The wine is notable for its lush cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice and spice flavors, and for a superb structure comprised of refined tannins and crisp acidity.

92

36

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

13,849

Italy

Aromas of baked plum, forest floor, roasted coffee bean and toasted oak lead the nose. The dense, one-dimensional palate delivers blackberry jam, licorice, peppermint and espresso alongside grainy tannins. The the heat of alcohol dominates the midpalate and the finish, throwing this off balance.

86

36

Piedmont

Barbera

47,808

France

The wine is already attractively balanced with black currant and berry fruits well integrated into the firm tannins. As the wine develops, it will have spice and ripe fruits, topped with crisp acidity. Drink from 2018.

88

19

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

79,749

US

This blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc presents a very pretty nose of nectarine, yeast and chalk. The stone fruit flavors persist on the palate, kicked up by white flowers and lime juice.

89

25

California

Sparkling Blend

105,438

US

A decent Chardonnay, but it's pretty sweet and simple, with the taste of sugared pineapple and orange tea. Oak and alcohol of course make it more wine-like.

84

29

California

Chardonnay

100,321

US

There is an impressive density to the nose of this blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Grenache, with blueberry and black currant showing alongside crushed gravel and tar. The palate is rich with dark fruits and dark spices, showing baked black plum torte, a touch of fennel and a tart finish.

91

58

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

98,414

US

The Justine, a new, southern Rhône-style red blend from Avennia, is an expressive wine, with aromas of berries, plums and cassis. There's a whiff of smoked meat also, but the Grenache—roughly half of the blend—brings lovely fruit that trumps the rest. Delicious now, or cellar it for a few more years.

92

38

Washington

Rhône-style Red Blend

103,649

France

A dense wine, rich and smooth for a Nuits-St-Georges, full of ripe red fruits, dark cherries and acidity that almost gives the wine a fresh character. Behind this fruitiness is a more solid, dark structure of tannins that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.

93

105

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

14,235

US

An ultrazesty, lemony Chardonnay, this has razor-sharp acidity that should mellow out when paired with the right foods, like seafood in a creamy sauce.

88

25

California

Chardonnay

84,959

US

Meaty and savory with balsamic notes, it will need hearty food to tone its wildness and size. At 15.4% from a great vineyard, there's heat on the finish, that again food might tame.

86

22

California

Barbera

17,814

US

Although it's a fairly direct wine, this Pinot shows the Central Coast character that makes this cool-climate region so friendly to the variety. Translucent ruby in color, dry and silky in texture, it has crisp flavors of cherries, cola, licorice and Asian spices.

86

20

California

Pinot Noir

84,237

US

A velvety texture makes this varietal wine luxurious. Cassis, tar and clove notes mingle with dried herb and black olive flavors, all integrated and deliciously graceful. Its robust tannins soften as it progresses toward a long finish.

94

115

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

105,176

US

A full 13 years old, the aromas are still vibrant, with notes of cranberry sauce, leather, vanilla and baking spice. The palate displays a beautiful sense of balance between the fruit and barrel flavors. It's in an absolute sweet spot right now but still has life in front of it.

92

42

Washington

Syrah

118,411

US

Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mixed Blacks go into this sumptuous wine, velvety smooth in texture with dollops of blackberry, strawberry and chocolate combining for a decadent experience. The grapes are sourced from an estate vineyard and co-fermented together, giving the wine a seamless feel.

90

48

California

Red Blend

122,169

France

Set on the plateau of Saint-Émilion, this 12-acre property has produced a structured and firm wine. It is solid with tannins, dark with its black fruits and rich with superripe Merlot. Drink from 2018.

88

17

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

58,814

Italy

This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Alicante and Merlot opens with a fruit and spice aroma that recalls bright red berries and black pepper. The one-dimensional palate offers juicy black cherry and raspberry along with notes of white pepper and clove. Simple and easy-drinking, it will pair well with hearty Tuscan soups.

86

15

Tuscany

Red Blend

30,353

US

Coming from vineyards scattered across the Wahluke Slope, this immediately charming wine has aromas of mocha, coffee, plum, herbs and assorted barrel spices. The sweet blue fruit flavors are soft and bring plenty of appeal.

88

17

Washington

Merlot

79,541

US

Planted in 1974, principally with Pinot Gris, this limited selection mixes high-acid citrus and pineapple flavors with a touch of leather and wild mountain-berry fruit. It's complex and hints at great detail, but remains stubbornly tight even after several hours. As with many Eyrie wines, the ageability is unquestioned, and this should continue to improve for many years to come.

91

80

Oregon

Pinot Noir

94,385

Italy

Made with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black currant, cedar and a whiff of bell pepper. The firm palate delivers black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.

90

68

Tuscany

Red Blend

99,728

US

This fruit-forward, elegant wine offers gentle flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a lightly candied aspect. It's like a cherry lollipop, with a lingering, slightly earthy finish.

89

48

Oregon

Pinot Noir

97,453

US

This is a very distinct and unique Syrah, starting with subdued black fruit, minty chocolate, crushed pepper and grapeseed aromas. The palate is light and savory in style, with pepper, tar, roasted meat and burnt sugar flavors that finish with a cocoa and coffee touch.

89

80

California

Syrah

16,848

US

Hang onto your hat; here's a very great Syrah. The aromas are hiding, now suggesting plum and blackberry, now black pepper, now freshly baked rhubarb pie. In the mouth, it knocks out with grace and power. It's soft as silk, but complex and layered, and the richly tannic finish suggests aging potential. Not too long, though.

94

35

California

Syrah

26,676

US

This is quite a nobly structured Pinot Noir. It's tempting to describe it as thin, because it trades opulence for dryness and a certain spicy minerality. But that would seriously underestimate its considerable appeal, not to mention the subtle hints of wild cherries and raspberries. The more you sip, the more you like it. At this price, a terrific value.

93

25

California

Pinot Noir

3,688

US

Planted in 2001 above the Laguna de Santa Rosa near Sebastopol, Baranoff Vineyard is tightly spaced to mostly Calera-clone Pinot, providing the wine's bright raspberry and cherry overtones atop a layering of earth and spice. Thickly structured, it finishes with tart cherry.

91

72

California

Pinot Noir

10,732

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, espresso, spiced plum and toasted oak lead the nose. The smooth palate doles out juicy black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon and mocha alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2023.

91

66

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

60,561

US

This widely available Oregon Pinot Noir has lovely aromas of berry, cherry and rose petals. Ripe but not sweet, its tart, juicy fruit is wrapped in plenty of acid and punctuated with fresh herb, resin and peppery spice. Nicely blended and balanced, it's a quintessential food wine.

88

29

Oregon

Pinot Noir

81,034

US

Only in Washington can you find pure varietal, single-vineyard Merlot at this price that shows such power and depth. Aged in American oak barrels with French oak stave inserts, it displays plenty of smoky caramel and coconut flavors, but the fruit is there in good proportion. This wine is sure to find plenty of admirers; if only more than just 58 cases had been produced.

90

35

Washington

Merlot

55,120

US

Blended with 20% Syrah, then aged almost two years in nearly all-new American oak, this wine is a mouthful of leather and tannin, with a dash of black pepper on the finish.

85

32

California

Zinfandel

70,476

US

Some good things are going on with this wine, including abundant red fruit and a soft feel. However the wood overpowers them with strong aromas and flavors of vanilla, dill and coconut along with a bitter note that distracts.

84

24

Washington

Merlot

128,793

US

Excellent concentration impresses here, with a full-throttle mix of citrus, apple, pear and peach fruit. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this spent five months on the lees and offers length and balance.

91

29

Oregon

Pinot Gris

116,707

US

Overripe, with apricot and pear flavors, although it's dry. The wine feels heavy and syrupy in the mouth, lacking vibrancy.

82

26

California

Chardonnay

2,794

US

This is for you, if you like your Zins in a sweet, soft style. It tastes like the filling from a blackberry and cherry pie, dusted with exotic spices, like cinnamon and black pepper.

84

20

California

Zinfandel

7,102

France

The strawberry notes of this pink sparkler come with the flavor of cream soda. The fizz foams in a light, airy froth and makes the flavors dance on the dry, uncomplicated palate. This is fun and should be drunk as soon as possible.

87

32

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

100,356

France

The wine, unusually 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is ripe and juicy with some smoky tannins in support. It has a finely perfumed character although touches of extraction give it a bitter edge. That should blow by, leaving an attractive fruity wine.

87

15

Bordeaux

Cabernet Sauvignon

48,166

US

This bottling's extremely fresh aromas of lime meet with a rounded clarified butter, drawing one in for sip after sip. That vibrancy extends to the lightly presented palate, where flavors of lime juice, lemon peels and crisp pear ride a rising wave of acidity across a tightly wound texture.

91

40

California

Chardonnay

55,902

Spain

This wine is quite fruity on the nose. Next, it's dense and solid in the mouth, however the flavors turn quickly towards syrupy berry and stewed black fruits. A raisin-like flavor pops up on the finish to accompany chewy tannins and a pasty feeling residue.

87

21

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

30,206

US

This is another fine Chardonnay from Talley, a great Central Coast producer. This is the second label, and for the price, you'll get a terrific Chardonnay that's creamy and rich in oranges, kiwi fruits and golden mangoes, but bright in acidity.

89

16

California

Chardonnay

55,408

US

A soft, food-friendly wine, this has layers of vanilla and caramel apple, featuing a pronounced, lemony finish. With deeper, darker tones than an unoaked or neutral barrel-aged Chardonnay, Hoopla also retains plenty of acidity and a lurking sweetness.

87

16

California

Chardonnay

126,119

US

A big, exuberant Zinfandel, this is full bodied and soft, with ripe, briary blackberry, currant, dark chocolate, grilled meat and spice flavors. Ready to drink now.

85

36

California

Zinfandel

55,771

France

This is a gamy wine that shows ripe fruit with a barnyard accent. It's quite full and forward with red berry flavors, bright acidity and a sense of structure.

85

25

Provence

Rhône-style Red Blend

126,550

France

Produced in the typical flinty (silex) soil of parts of Sancerre, this wine has a crisp steely texture that is balanced by the ripe yellow fruit. The combination is both taut and ripe, giving good balance and tension. Drink this wine from 2017 to allow it to develop further.

91

29

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

97,423

US

This 100% Merlot could be mistaken at first for Cabernet, so structured and bold it initially appears. Cassis, blackberry, spicy clove and pepper combine effortlessly against a layered concentration of body and weight, finding structure along the way. Drink now through 2021.

92

40

California

Merlot

32,478

US

This mix of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah offers blackberry jam, lavender and cracked pepper on the nose. Tart berries show on the sip, made more serious with a tarry structure and lifted by light purple flowers and an incense element that carries through the finish.

90

44

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

25,458

US

A dry, slightly herbal Chardonnay, with oak-inspired pear, peach and pineapple flavors. Feels elegant and sophisticated. Drink now.

88

40

California

Chardonnay

74,300

US

There's a fleshy mouthfeel and a taste of green olive that make this Zinfandel atypical, but which add to its appeal. The varietal flavors show up in the form of ripe, robust blackberry, cola, tobacco and spice, while Napa's lovely tannins give it an elegant framework. Drink it over the next few years for maximum freshness.

90

35

California

Zinfandel

29,996

US

A waxy vein of petroleum cuts enticingly through juicy-sweet pink grapefruit and peach flavors in this dainty semisweet Riesling. It's vivaciously spry yet finishes long on a lingering lacy veil of sweetness. Drink now through 2022.

91

19

New York

Riesling

65,517

US

Estate grown and bottled, this Pinot comes from a cool, organic vineyard planted to several different clones. Sultry and spicy in dark cherry and berry fruit, the spice is all clove with a touch of orange zest, completely pleasurable and smooth drinking.

90

44

California

Pinot Noir

94,709

US

In perfect proportion, this estate-grown, biodynamically farmed wine brings a sweet-tart fruit intensity to bear. Citrusy flavors of pith and skin are skillfully wedded to ripe, substantial apricot and melon fruit, with none of the bitterness this grape can sometimes display. The purity is impressive.

91

35

Oregon

Viognier