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
128,887	Australia	Yalumba's efforts with Viognier have trickled all the way down into a $10 version under the Oxford Landing label. Fresh herbs, apple and citrus mark the nose, while the palate delivers mandarin and melon fruit along with Viognier's hallmark oily texture. Drink now.	85	10	South Australia	Viognier
108,210	US	This shows classic valley-floor aspects of dusty tannin, brushy sage and cedar, staying true to the Bordeaux varieties it holds. Pencil lead and mocha accent the medium-bodied background, while soft, pillowy tannins are approachable.	91	125	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
72,405	US	A three-grape rosé, this blends Pinot Gris, Merlot and Syrah to make a mahogany/copper-colored wine with a soft, spicy character. It was barrel-aged in neutral oak. There is a good mix of stone fruit flavors, though some of the grapes may have been a little too ripe, and the wine's finish reflects that, with just a hint of rot.	85	15	Oregon	Rosé
71,898	US	The creamy, spicy nose of this elegant Chardonnay is followed by a balanced combination of fresh fruit and mellow spice. Flavorful but not overly complex, the wine will pair well with seafood and richer poultry dishes.	85	11	New York	Chardonnay
118,492	US	A grippy Pinot Noir with a hint of menthol on the nose, this wine is otherwise delicately high in acidity with a burst of tart cherry that swirls between soft, round tannins and brambly blackberry on the finish.	88	45	California	Pinot Noir
87,618	US	As consistent as ever, this is sleek and stylish, with complex, layered flavors of citrus rind, citrus flesh and delicate tropical fruits. There are further highlights of honeycomb and dried apricot, and mouth-pleasing, underlying minerality.	94	20	Washington	Riesling
78,143	US	The Rocheux has never been better than this new vintage. Crisp cranberry and raspberry fruit carries an underlying, wet-rock minerality. Flavors are dense and detailed, and seem to extend almost indefinitely. Drink now through 2030.	94	80	Oregon	Pinot Noir
15,336	US	Similar to Pinot Noir in the light, silky texture, easy tannins and cherry flavors. A good, dry wine, but rustic, and a little unbalanced in ripeness levels.	85	40	California	Tempranillo
9,310	US	This wine features inviting aromatics of fresh plum, coconut and strawberry. The palate entices with savory rhubarb, bay leaf, mint and cola. A tight core of structure partners with soft, plush tannins.	92	70	California	Pinot Noir
25,859	Spain	Earth, cola, berry, toast and leather aromas share the bouquet. The palate is narrow and pinched by firm tannins, while the flavor profile deals a mix of herb, toast and plum. Warm, earthy and oaky on the finish, the wine carries a lemony accent and satisfying length.	88	28	Catalonia	Red Blend
66,282	US	A thick, concentrated wine with a softness on the palate, this traffics in ripe black fruit and substantial tannins. Rustic, it recalls the days of The Count and the early wines enjoyed in Sonoma County during the state's first golden age of wine.	87	20	California	Red Blend
3,822	US	A gigantic Pinot Noir, rich and heady in black cherries, sweet licorice, bacon, mocha and toasty oak flavors, wrapped into firm tannins and brightened with crisp Santa Lucia acidity. It's a dramatic wine, but too young. Give it at least four years for all the parts to begin to come together.	93	52	California	Pinot Noir
50,207	Italy	Pretty aromas of violet, iris and woodland berry waft out of the glass. The vibrant palate offers raw red cherry, orange zest and dried Mediterranean herb alongside racy acidity and sleek tannins.	87	21	Tuscany	Red Blend
17,352	Italy	Sleek and vibrant, this offers enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, small red berry and a whiff of pressed powder. The bright, juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and Mediterranean herb. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and elegance for pure drinking pleasure.	90	40	Tuscany	Sangiovese
11,402	US	Lovely aromatics suggest wet stone, raspberry and pomegranate. This is a sleek, subtle wine. Its winery notes suggest it is a “slow bloomer” in the glass, which proves out if you give it that chance. It's balanced and resonant, with the promise of further improvement with another few years of bottle age.	91	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
105,863	US	With a generous bite of acidity, this fine Chardonnay is extremely flavorful. Traditionally one of the winery's top Chards, it's explosive in pineapple, Asian pear, crème brûlée and roasted marshmallow flavors. Finishes in a swirl of creamy, buttery spices.	93	50	California	Chardonnay
99,014	US	Pure varietal, this offers scents of whiskey barrel and berry. The fruit brings berries and blue plums into the mix, but it's the dark, roasted, intense barrel flavors that carry through into drying tannins.	86	32	Oregon	Tempranillo
86,922	US	It's shy in the nose, with suggestions of cassis and smoky oak, while the flavors veer toward berries and spices, swimming in firm tannins and sharp acidity. It's a delicate wine, one of finesse rather than power, but it is very good. A long, sweetly ripe finish suggests ageability, but it's probably at its youthful, fleshy best now.	88	28	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
23,743	Portugal	This wine is soft, fruity, rounded and red fruit flavored. Soft tannins and black plum skins give the wine a light structure. The wine is developing well and will be ready to drink from 2016.	87	13	Douro	Portuguese Red
109,510	Germany	Jolts of honey, lemon and lime introduce this animated Spätlese. It's forward and approachable with sunny tangerine and peach flavors, but maintains a nervous tension of acidity. The finish is brisk and tight.	88	28	Mosel	Riesling
103,511	France	A fragrant and fruity wine, this is full of red-raspberry and orange-zest flavors. It is full, with a light touch that comes from the acidity and tangy aftertaste.	86	22	Provence	Rosé
48,808	US	Aged 19 months in American and French oak (68% new), it's lush and appealing with notes of vanilla and other barrel spices accenting herbs and red fruit. The palate is creamy in feel with tart, mouthwatering acids that draw out the flavors for a long finish.	91	36	Washington	Merlot
112,148	US	A light touch in the aroma and rather delicate fruit and spice flavors fashion an elegant style for this light- to medium-bodied wine. Its reserve and delicacy are positive attributes for drinking before the meal or with it.	88	16	California	Chardonnay
112,225	US	A rich texture and rather ripe fruit flavors make this softer and broader in taste than many of its peers. Flavors like Fuji apple and Bartlett pear are appealing, and the mouthfeel is smooth and easy rather than crisp.	85	15	California	Pinot Gris
57,320	US	A pleasant enough wine with moderate body and soft tannins. Flavors range from herbal to cherry and plum. An earthy note pervades, however, with a bright finish.	83	35	California	Pinot Noir
126,178	US	This is a firmly tannic, full-bodied wine whose dark berry and stone fruit flavors are sprinkled with lots of black pepper. A blend of Sangiovese, Syrah and Petite Sirah, it's completely dry, with complex blackberry, black currant and leather flavors, and a hint of superripe raisins. Drink now.	88	20	California	Red Blend
1,730	US	A blend of fruit sources used for the winery's three single-vineyard wines, this bottling saw no new oak and is light golden in color with reserved notes of mineral, almond, pineapple and lees. Full bodied, rich and layered with a creamy feel, it's appealing now but should have a long life ahead.	92	35	Washington	Chardonnay
88,907	US	The main thing to know about this Riesling is that It's quite sweet in oranges and pineapples. The all-important acidity is a little too soft for balance.	84	12	California	Riesling
77,401	US	Aromas of iron, fresh-roasted coffee beans, high-toned dried herbs, mineral, blue fruit and savory spices explode from the glass. This wine coats the palate from end to end with supple, dense fruit and savory flavors that feel sleek but still show depth. The tannins bring some heft.	93	57	Washington	Syrah
30,326	US	Pear, dried flower and ripe green apple aromas lead to lighter-styled, dry, mouthwatering stone-fruit flavors. This brings interest but the concentration doesn't seem all there.	85	25	Washington	Riesling
6,268	US	Dense and extracted, this dark, loamy Pinot Noir is concentrated and challenging. The fruit is black, compact, and sheathed in flavors of loam. Layers are tight and a bit unyielding. There is depth and power here, but it must be extracted over time and with a bit of patience.	94	75	Oregon	Pinot Noir
128,320	Italy	This austere Brunello opens with dusty, mineral notes of crushed white peppercorn and brimstone followed by cherry candy, licorice, cola and dried garden herb. The wine shows an interesting and complex bouquet that holds its own in terms of intensity. There isn't much fresh fruit, but the tannins are dusty and fine.	90	70	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
12,586	US	The pear and almond-butter aromas are quite light. The palate reveals more, with an elegant, textured feel and a finish that lingers.	87	14	Washington	Chardonnay
97,090	US	This bottling will please many palates, as the very light wine offers cool and crisp aromas of Gala apple, gardenia and scratched pomelo skin. It's clean and crisp on the palate at first, and then come waves of riper yellow-apple and Anjou pear flavors, making it a Pinot Grigio with some body to chew on.	88	24	California	Pinot Grigio
126,084	US	This blush wine will appeal to the Moscato crowd that likes sweet wines. With pretty pink and orange hues, its scoury bubbles frame flavors of honey, raspberry jam and yeast.	84	10	California	Sparkling Blend
15,984	US	Light fresh aromas and flavors along with decent balance make this wine a versatile drink. The flavors are faint but clean, so it makes a good palate cleanser and should work well for a crowd.	86	10	California	Pinot Grigio
119,905	Spain	Dry, spicy red-fruit and sawdust aromas are elegant. This is fresh, crisp and refined on the palate, with oak, plum, raspberry and tomato flavors that dry out and narrow down on a tight, well-framed finish.	90	15	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
44,720	France	While this wine certainly has a tannic background, it is already showing fruitiness and ripe berry and red plum flavors. That makes for a warm, rounded wine that will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2016.	88	80	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
69,785	US	This tasty wine has vivid cherry, strawberry, candylike aromas and flavors. Medium bodied, it offers a mouthfeel that's almost syrupy, a balance that's slightly sweet and an easy-drinking texture.	86	14	California	Zinfandel
32,133	Argentina	Dark but reduced aromas of tire and blackberry set up a muscular palate with pinching tannins. Roasted, oaky flavors of spicy berry, clove and cocoa finish with a final woody note and choppy toughness.	88	15	Mendoza Province	Malbec
27,350	France	Ripe pear is bathed in honey on the nose and palate of this wine. There is a touch of pleasant bitterness reminiscent of fir honey. All this is countered by lemon zest freshness that brightens and lightens and brings beautiful balance and poise. The finish is moreish and refreshing. Drink 2017–2030.	93	70	Alsace	Pinot Gris
77,057	US	Barrel fermentation has rounded and softened this wine without it losing focus. Crisp apple and pear fruit carries it, with a whiff of white asparagus.	87	16	Oregon	Chardonnay
20,240	France	This rich wine is ripe with red-berry fruits, mango and peach. Full in the mouth, it has a touch of spice from the Mourvèdre in the blend. Crisp and lively, the wine could age until 2018, although it will be best from late 2016.	90	21	Provence	Rosé
110,161	US	Made using grapes sourced from a high valley between the Russian River and Napa valleys, this wine is rich in tropical fruit, lemon, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors. Brisk acidity helps to keep it from seeming cloying.	86	26	California	Viognier
44,158	US	This is one of the best values in Sauvignon Blanc, or any white wine, of this year. It's completely satisfying, giving Loire-like minerality and acidity with ripe Napa flavors of spearmint, lemons and limes, figs and spices that finish thoroughly dry. Restaurateurs, buy this by the case and serve it by the glass.	92	12	California	Sauvignon Blanc
89,665	France	There was a generous use of wood aging here and it shows in the wood and toast flavors. The wine has bitter chocolate as well as black-currant fruits suggesting overenthusiastic extraction.	84	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
10,487	US	Though obscure in America, this Tempranillo-Grenache blend is not uncommon in Spain, and the results are solid. Thick aromas of plum extract, black pepper, fudge and tobacco lead into a rich and luxurious mouthfeel. Ripe flavors of boysenberry and olallieberry are cut by a very spicy edge of black pepper and mocha.	90	20	California	Tempranillo Blend
45,021	France	This is a full-bodied wine that exudes yellow fruits and a smooth structure. It is ripe, packed with citrus acidity to keep it fresh while the mineral texture is so well-cushioned by the rich fruitiness. It is delicious now with the exuberance of young fruit although it will certainly age and will be even better from 2017.	94	44	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
114,060	Germany	Penetrating yellow peach and nectarine flavors anchor this mouthwatering, sun-kissed spätlese. It's gossamer-light in texture yet intensely ripe, calibrated by a thrilling streak of acidity. A delightfully sweet-tart sip to enjoy now through 2025.	90	33	Mosel	Riesling
262	US	Beaver Creek makes a variation of Fairytale every vintage and this one, sourced from Napa Valley, is 41% Merlot, 36% Zinfandel and 23% Syrah, a mix that seems to work very nicely here. The wine's Zin almost tastes as if it has mountain tannins; the wine is overall herbal and earthy, ripe and sturdy with balanced fruit.	89	39	California	Red Blend
122,096	US	This full-bodied wine has classy, complex aromas that combine sophisticated oak and spice notes with very generous, deep fruit flavors. The way it all comes together seamlessly on a posh but firm texture shows the winemaker's skill as well as some great grapes to start with.	92	25	California	Merlot
117,061	US	This wine is the top of the line for Black Kite, and it certainly does not disappoint. Tea leaves, raspberry and cherry make a great blend of aromas, while the fruit flavors are bright like red cherries, the texture lively and fresh, and the overall impression very elegant. Best now through 2020.	93	85	California	Pinot Noir
16,330	Germany	While feather light in stature, this semisweet Riesling stuns with intensity. From nose to finish, dark earth tones and luminous stone fruit and cherry flavors meld seamlessly. It's intensely ripe, almost tropical in tone, but an electric tang of acidity and minerality keeps it rooted firmly in the Mosel.	94	54	Mosel	Riesling
67,120	US	This medium-bodied wine blends lively citrus and crisp apple aromas with just-rich-enough pear, apple and butter flavors for good balance. Satisfying and refreshing, it will be great with many different dishes.	88	9	California	Chardonnay
9,072	US	Straight down-the-middle aromas of red cherry, salt and pepper, vanilla and a touch of brioche show on this bottling of a clone that's related to the Brunello region. It's lighter bodied on the palate and quite easy to quaff, with light cherry and strawberry flavors riding a gravelly texture.	89	32	California	Sangiovese
2,490	France	Lots of apple tones, some rounded, some tart, are coralled into a core of bright, lemony freshness on this simple, refreshing and dry Riesling. This is a lovely, easy and versatile wine with enlivening spikes of acidity.	88	18	Alsace	Riesling
90,513	US	A nicely done microscopic-production Syrah out of Livermore Valley's Madden Ranch, the source for many a Syrah, not always so deliciously rendered. Winemaker Greg Jenkins (wife and partner is Olympian Peggy Fleming) works with a variety of grape sources from his historic Novitiate Winery in Los Gatos, using John Madden's hillside vineyard fruit in this case to make an intense wine full of cassis, vanilla, anise and chocolate.	90	40	California	Syrah
74,360	Italy	The wine's golden color and rich appearance are very attractive, but its aromas of rubber and sour fruit are somewhat awkward. This does have a fresh and vibrant feel in the mouth with nice crispness on the finish.	84	20	Northeastern Italy	Chardonnay
16,093	US	The poster child for too much oak. Swamps with buttered toast, caramel, butterscotch and vanilla flavors that are so sweet, it's almost like a dessert wine. There's lots of tangerines, pineapples, apricots and apples, but those barrel influences are too much.	84	40	California	Chardonnay
94,694	US	This is a big, sweet, extracted wine, for those who like Chardonnay packed with fruit. It tastes like buttered popcorn, orange jam, gingerbread and vanilla caramel.	85	15	California	Chardonnay
3,240	US	A gentle wine, this has warm, fruity aromas, ripe red cherry and raspberry flavors, a soft texture and fine-grained tannins. Medium to full bodied and almost sweet in balance, it's easy to enjoy.	86	15	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
119,281	Italy	This shows bright floral tones of honeysuckle and citrus blossom backed by notes of stone fruit and dried grass. It's creamy and smooth, with a distant touch of sweetness on the finish.	87	18	Veneto	Glera
27,226	US	The aromas and flavors of this wine are ripe to overripe, like dried plums and raisins. An earthy vein runs through them, too. It is full bodied and rather soft in texture.	82	15	California	Zinfandel
45,419	Spain	A full, ripe and generous Tempranillo, with rich aromas of prune and blackberry offset by balsamic notes and tobacco. It feels lush and smooth, with concentrated flavors of roasted berry, coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Huge and lasting on the finish, has subtle tannins and complexity. Drink now through 2016.	92	45	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
50,836	US	A generic, regional South-Central Coast Pinot showing berry, cola, herb and sautéed mushroom flavors encased in soft, silky tannins and crisp acids. Has little complexity and best consumed now.	85	28	California	Pinot Noir
88,137	US	Tar and black fruit loll on the full-bodied palate here, the wine well composed to highlight dark, leathery cigar and a hint of cedar. Smooth and round on the finish, it's a varietal rarity for the appellation.	90	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
121,107	US	Some green, veggie aromas and flavors compromise this Syrah. Otherwise, it's dry and smoothly tannic, with red currant, cola and pepper notes.	84	24	California	Syrah
59,751	Italy	This is one of those likeable Barbaras made to be drunk at release. It works: it is friendly, big, lush, easygoing and fruity. It may not be taxing, but it is an amiable food friendly faultless wine that cries out for the backyard barbecue.	87	26	Piedmont	Barbera
104,567	Italy	Aromas of dried berry, scorched soil and anisette lead the nose. The ripe palate offers spiced blackberry, juicy wild cherry, licorice, ground pepper and mineral alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness.	90	22	Sicily & Sardinia	Red Blend
24,506	US	Funky on the nose in a good way, this wine is aided by 6% Viognier and 1% Roussanne. It shows roasted fennel, elderberry, grilled lamb, pencil lead and savory black pepper on the nose. The palate starts ripe with blackberries and blueberries, then evolves into thyme, oregano and marjoram, with roasted beef on the edges.	92	45	California	Syrah
118,428	France	This wine is all about herbaceous fruitiness. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, it offers gooseberry, grapefruit and other crisp citrus flavors along with a tight, tangy texture. Fresh, crisp and fruity, it is ready to drink.	87	25	Bordeaux	Sauvignon Blanc
71,227	US	Meaty and substantial on the palate, this wine comes from several vineyard sites and was fermented in stainless steel tanks. It has a juicy note of sweet, ripe red fruit that's inviting.	87	25	California	Pinot Noir
32,772	France	This is a lean wine that feels to have only structure and very little fruit. There are dry, dense tannins and a firm texture that will only soften marginally.	84	40	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
118,069	US	The tannins are so fierce on this baby Cabernet that they effectively lock it down and make it tough to drink now. Yet there's a fabulous core of blackberries that are rich, ripe and intense. Everything about it suggests ageability. Give it at least eight years in a proper cellar, and it could age even longer.	95	55	California	Merlot
90,976	Italy	Bric Balin offers the same creamy succulence of Moccagatta's Cole Barbaresco, only here, you get added aromas of smoked bacon and cured meat. At the base is a solid foundation of lively fruit and chocolate-like nuances, and the wine ends with bold flavors and tight tannins. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers.	93	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
1,929	US	Mondavi's done it again, produced another very nice Cabernet at an everyday price. It shows classy elegance, with blackberry, currant and mocha notes.	87	11	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
59,729	US	This is an unusual commingling of mostly Rhone varieties, a mix of 75% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne, with the addition of 3% Sémillon. Honeycomb and Nilla wafer rise from the nose before a medium-bodied swirl of sour lemon, grapefruit and yuzu give it tartness on the finish.	88	22	California	White Blend
22,885	US	This is a big, rich, showy Chardonnay. Barrel fermented and aged in 80% new French oak, it shows buttered toast and charry vanilla bean aromas and flavors. The fruit below is good, if a little heavy and ripe, suggesting apricots and pears. Best now in its youth.	88	52	California	Chardonnay
53,105	France	Packed with attractive red-berries and citrus, this is a warm and ripe wine. It is totally dominated by its fruitiness and by the Syrah that brings a perfumed character to this fine apéritif wine. Drink now.	88	20	Provence	Rosé
54,172	US	This intensely ripe wine is made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Malbec and Merlot. Its waxy cherry, currant and blueberry flavers are laced wtih milk chocolate and smoky oak richness, a dash of high-toned acidity sparking on the finish.	90	120	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
35,400	France	There is huge fruit here, with the tannins firmly packed into the dark fruit character. Juicy Merlot is perfumed, open, swathed in rich robes. A wine for medium-term aging.	92	40	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
84,716	Italy	This opens with aromas of ripe black plum, scorched soil, toasted oak and roasted coffee bean. The dense ripe palate offers dried cherry, clove and espresso with chewy tannins. Drink through 2019 to catch the remaining fruit.	88	90	Tuscany	Sangiovese
20,268	US	Nuanced rose water, pink grapefruit, ginger and lychee aromas are followed by off-dry fruit flavors and a floral finish. The feel and flavors win you over but the wine wants a little more acid to pull itself together.	88	18	Washington	Gewürztraminer
68,169	France	Subtle but luscious notes of Mirabelle plum, ripe greengage and peach lend a seductive touch to this taut, structured and beautifully textured wine whose palate is reminiscent of bot fresh apple peel and grapefruit zest. Covers of fruit are tautly spread across spokes of acidity, creating a wonderful tension that keeps you wanting more. Authentic in its appeal, it's delicious now but will drink well until at least 2025.	94	47	Alsace	Riesling
129,706	US	Mostly Pinot Noir, with a few drops of Chardonnay and Muscat, this slightly sweet bubbly is a little scoury, with hard-edged bubbles. It has orange, lime and strawberry flavors, with the toasty yeastiness of Champagne.	87	24	California	Sparkling Blend
106,580	US	Light and delicate, this “Vintage Debut” Pinot Noir skates along a pretty thin edge. Light hints of strawberry and cherry blossom lead into a pale wine with plenty of acidity. But despite the acclaimed vintage, this is pretty thin stuff.	85	30	Oregon	Pinot Noir
23,926	Argentina	This is yet another plump, sweaty smelling Sauvignon Blanc from this producer. This vintage is fat in the mouth but kept alive by adequate young acidity. Salty, briny flavors of citrus, particularly grapefruit, end in similar briny fashion.	82	15	Mendoza Province	Sauvignon Blanc
46,955	US	Dry and full-bodied, this wine's pleasant herb, cherry, raisin and spice flavors, show some elegance.	85	15	California	Merlot
51,888	US	This gigantic Cabernet is one of Pride's biggest ever. Blackberries, cherries and chocolate nibs explode in the mouth, but it's no mere fruit bomb. The tannins and acids lend it integrity, and the finish is miraculously dry. A superb job, and as good as it is now, should develop over the next 12–15 years, depending on how old you like your Cabs.	94	130	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
18,723	US	Strawberry and a rich streak of raspberry liqueur play nice in this fresh, zesty Pinot. Tight with tension on the palate, it also features layers of earthy forest-floor mushroom. Big in style, it comes together nicely and makes for an enjoyable wine.	91	48	California	Pinot Noir
96,301	US	The very inviting nose on this offering combines boysenberry and peppercorn with richer aromas of baked goods sprinkled with mocha, vanilla and caramel. There is a refreshing tartness to the palate and edgy firm tannins presenting black-plum-skin and brioche flavors. It needs a little more time in the bottle.	92	60	California	Syrah
62,537	US	This windswept vineyard just within the appellation, a stone's throw from the Sonoma Coast, contributes a viscous, textured experience on the palate, velvety and ripe. Honeycomb, graham cracker and green olive accent deeper, richer flavors of tropical papaya and toasted oak.	90	45	California	Chardonnay
121,270	Portugal	Ripe and spicy, this is an obviously wood-aged wine. Spice and toastiness still dominate, although in a few months the potential of the juicy black fruits should become apparent. Wait to drink this wine until 2018.	86	14	Douro	Portuguese Red
45,595	US	Structured from the start, this wine provides succulent boysenberry and blackberry around a full-figured body that's otherwise steeped in vanilla and coffee, the toasted oak quite prevalent. It finishes slightly tart in dried herb and mushroom.	87	40	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
66,488	Italy	Aromas of baked plum, charred earth, melted chocolate and Asian spice lead the nose. The evolved, extracted palate offers raisin, a hint of exotic spice and a green note of powdered sage that leaves an astringent finish. This has seen better days so drink soon.	86	27	Piedmont	Barbera
43,443	Italy	This features aromas of oak, coffee, vanilla and dried black cherry. Oak carries over to the palate, delivering espresso, licorice, roasted nut and vanilla but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a mouth drying finish.	87	49	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
45,194	US	Aggressively tannic, this is an earthy red wine with a lot of barrel influence. The fruit vanishes into a mélange of pepper, clove, coffee and tannin.	84	33	Washington	Red Blend
49,917	US	Simple and direct, this tastes like blend of apricots, pears and mangos, with a gentle oak touch. It has pleasant acidity and nice warmth from the alcohol. Drink now.	85	18	California	Chardonnay
74,658	US	Whiffs of orange blossom and bramble persist throughout this bright, pretty wine, accenting flavors of fresh white grapefruit and lemon. It's sunny and ripe, yet briskly balanced. The finish is moderately long.	87	20	New York	Sauvignon Blanc
16,670	France	This crisp, dry Champagne has citrus fruits and a light, bright texture. Acidity makes its presence felt, giving a tight aftertaste of lemon zest.	85	60	Champagne	Champagne Blend

128,887

Australia

Yalumba's efforts with Viognier have trickled all the way down into a $10 version under the Oxford Landing label. Fresh herbs, apple and citrus mark the nose, while the palate delivers mandarin and melon fruit along with Viognier's hallmark oily texture. Drink now.

85

10

South Australia

Viognier

108,210

US

This shows classic valley-floor aspects of dusty tannin, brushy sage and cedar, staying true to the Bordeaux varieties it holds. Pencil lead and mocha accent the medium-bodied background, while soft, pillowy tannins are approachable.

91

125

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

72,405

US

A three-grape rosé, this blends Pinot Gris, Merlot and Syrah to make a mahogany/copper-colored wine with a soft, spicy character. It was barrel-aged in neutral oak. There is a good mix of stone fruit flavors, though some of the grapes may have been a little too ripe, and the wine's finish reflects that, with just a hint of rot.

85

15

Oregon

Rosé

71,898

US

The creamy, spicy nose of this elegant Chardonnay is followed by a balanced combination of fresh fruit and mellow spice. Flavorful but not overly complex, the wine will pair well with seafood and richer poultry dishes.

85

11

New York

Chardonnay

118,492

US

A grippy Pinot Noir with a hint of menthol on the nose, this wine is otherwise delicately high in acidity with a burst of tart cherry that swirls between soft, round tannins and brambly blackberry on the finish.

88

45

California

Pinot Noir

87,618

US

As consistent as ever, this is sleek and stylish, with complex, layered flavors of citrus rind, citrus flesh and delicate tropical fruits. There are further highlights of honeycomb and dried apricot, and mouth-pleasing, underlying minerality.

94

20

Washington

Riesling

78,143

US

The Rocheux has never been better than this new vintage. Crisp cranberry and raspberry fruit carries an underlying, wet-rock minerality. Flavors are dense and detailed, and seem to extend almost indefinitely. Drink now through 2030.

94

80

Oregon

Pinot Noir

15,336

US

Similar to Pinot Noir in the light, silky texture, easy tannins and cherry flavors. A good, dry wine, but rustic, and a little unbalanced in ripeness levels.

85

40

California

Tempranillo

9,310

US

This wine features inviting aromatics of fresh plum, coconut and strawberry. The palate entices with savory rhubarb, bay leaf, mint and cola. A tight core of structure partners with soft, plush tannins.

92

70

California

Pinot Noir

25,859

Spain

Earth, cola, berry, toast and leather aromas share the bouquet. The palate is narrow and pinched by firm tannins, while the flavor profile deals a mix of herb, toast and plum. Warm, earthy and oaky on the finish, the wine carries a lemony accent and satisfying length.

88

28

Catalonia

Red Blend

66,282

US

A thick, concentrated wine with a softness on the palate, this traffics in ripe black fruit and substantial tannins. Rustic, it recalls the days of The Count and the early wines enjoyed in Sonoma County during the state's first golden age of wine.

87

20

California

Red Blend

3,822

US

A gigantic Pinot Noir, rich and heady in black cherries, sweet licorice, bacon, mocha and toasty oak flavors, wrapped into firm tannins and brightened with crisp Santa Lucia acidity. It's a dramatic wine, but too young. Give it at least four years for all the parts to begin to come together.

93

52

California

Pinot Noir

50,207

Italy

Pretty aromas of violet, iris and woodland berry waft out of the glass. The vibrant palate offers raw red cherry, orange zest and dried Mediterranean herb alongside racy acidity and sleek tannins.

87

21

Tuscany

Red Blend

17,352

Italy

Sleek and vibrant, this offers enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, small red berry and a whiff of pressed powder. The bright, juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and Mediterranean herb. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and elegance for pure drinking pleasure.

90

40

Tuscany

Sangiovese

11,402

US

Lovely aromatics suggest wet stone, raspberry and pomegranate. This is a sleek, subtle wine. Its winery notes suggest it is a “slow bloomer” in the glass, which proves out if you give it that chance. It's balanced and resonant, with the promise of further improvement with another few years of bottle age.

91

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

105,863

US

With a generous bite of acidity, this fine Chardonnay is extremely flavorful. Traditionally one of the winery's top Chards, it's explosive in pineapple, Asian pear, crème brûlée and roasted marshmallow flavors. Finishes in a swirl of creamy, buttery spices.

93

50

California

Chardonnay

99,014

US

Pure varietal, this offers scents of whiskey barrel and berry. The fruit brings berries and blue plums into the mix, but it's the dark, roasted, intense barrel flavors that carry through into drying tannins.

86

32

Oregon

Tempranillo

86,922

US

It's shy in the nose, with suggestions of cassis and smoky oak, while the flavors veer toward berries and spices, swimming in firm tannins and sharp acidity. It's a delicate wine, one of finesse rather than power, but it is very good. A long, sweetly ripe finish suggests ageability, but it's probably at its youthful, fleshy best now.

88

28

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

23,743

Portugal

This wine is soft, fruity, rounded and red fruit flavored. Soft tannins and black plum skins give the wine a light structure. The wine is developing well and will be ready to drink from 2016.

87

13

Douro

Portuguese Red

109,510

Germany

Jolts of honey, lemon and lime introduce this animated Spätlese. It's forward and approachable with sunny tangerine and peach flavors, but maintains a nervous tension of acidity. The finish is brisk and tight.

88

28

Mosel

Riesling

103,511

France

A fragrant and fruity wine, this is full of red-raspberry and orange-zest flavors. It is full, with a light touch that comes from the acidity and tangy aftertaste.

86

22

Provence

Rosé

48,808

US

Aged 19 months in American and French oak (68% new), it's lush and appealing with notes of vanilla and other barrel spices accenting herbs and red fruit. The palate is creamy in feel with tart, mouthwatering acids that draw out the flavors for a long finish.

91

36

Washington

Merlot

112,148

US

A light touch in the aroma and rather delicate fruit and spice flavors fashion an elegant style for this light- to medium-bodied wine. Its reserve and delicacy are positive attributes for drinking before the meal or with it.

88

16

California

Chardonnay

112,225

US

A rich texture and rather ripe fruit flavors make this softer and broader in taste than many of its peers. Flavors like Fuji apple and Bartlett pear are appealing, and the mouthfeel is smooth and easy rather than crisp.

85

15

California

Pinot Gris

57,320

US

A pleasant enough wine with moderate body and soft tannins. Flavors range from herbal to cherry and plum. An earthy note pervades, however, with a bright finish.

83

35

California

Pinot Noir

126,178

US

This is a firmly tannic, full-bodied wine whose dark berry and stone fruit flavors are sprinkled with lots of black pepper. A blend of Sangiovese, Syrah and Petite Sirah, it's completely dry, with complex blackberry, black currant and leather flavors, and a hint of superripe raisins. Drink now.

88

20

California

Red Blend

1,730

US

A blend of fruit sources used for the winery's three single-vineyard wines, this bottling saw no new oak and is light golden in color with reserved notes of mineral, almond, pineapple and lees. Full bodied, rich and layered with a creamy feel, it's appealing now but should have a long life ahead.

92

35

Washington

Chardonnay

88,907

US

The main thing to know about this Riesling is that It's quite sweet in oranges and pineapples. The all-important acidity is a little too soft for balance.

84

12

California

Riesling

77,401

US

Aromas of iron, fresh-roasted coffee beans, high-toned dried herbs, mineral, blue fruit and savory spices explode from the glass. This wine coats the palate from end to end with supple, dense fruit and savory flavors that feel sleek but still show depth. The tannins bring some heft.

93

57

Washington

Syrah

30,326

US

Pear, dried flower and ripe green apple aromas lead to lighter-styled, dry, mouthwatering stone-fruit flavors. This brings interest but the concentration doesn't seem all there.

85

25

Washington

Riesling

6,268

US

Dense and extracted, this dark, loamy Pinot Noir is concentrated and challenging. The fruit is black, compact, and sheathed in flavors of loam. Layers are tight and a bit unyielding. There is depth and power here, but it must be extracted over time and with a bit of patience.

94

75

Oregon

Pinot Noir

128,320

Italy

This austere Brunello opens with dusty, mineral notes of crushed white peppercorn and brimstone followed by cherry candy, licorice, cola and dried garden herb. The wine shows an interesting and complex bouquet that holds its own in terms of intensity. There isn't much fresh fruit, but the tannins are dusty and fine.

90

70

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

12,586

US

The pear and almond-butter aromas are quite light. The palate reveals more, with an elegant, textured feel and a finish that lingers.

87

14

Washington

Chardonnay

97,090

US

This bottling will please many palates, as the very light wine offers cool and crisp aromas of Gala apple, gardenia and scratched pomelo skin. It's clean and crisp on the palate at first, and then come waves of riper yellow-apple and Anjou pear flavors, making it a Pinot Grigio with some body to chew on.

88

24

California

Pinot Grigio

126,084

US

This blush wine will appeal to the Moscato crowd that likes sweet wines. With pretty pink and orange hues, its scoury bubbles frame flavors of honey, raspberry jam and yeast.

84

10

California

Sparkling Blend

15,984

US

Light fresh aromas and flavors along with decent balance make this wine a versatile drink. The flavors are faint but clean, so it makes a good palate cleanser and should work well for a crowd.

86

10

California

Pinot Grigio

119,905

Spain

Dry, spicy red-fruit and sawdust aromas are elegant. This is fresh, crisp and refined on the palate, with oak, plum, raspberry and tomato flavors that dry out and narrow down on a tight, well-framed finish.

90

15

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

44,720

France

While this wine certainly has a tannic background, it is already showing fruitiness and ripe berry and red plum flavors. That makes for a warm, rounded wine that will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2016.

88

80

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

69,785

US

This tasty wine has vivid cherry, strawberry, candylike aromas and flavors. Medium bodied, it offers a mouthfeel that's almost syrupy, a balance that's slightly sweet and an easy-drinking texture.

86

14

California

Zinfandel

32,133

Argentina

Dark but reduced aromas of tire and blackberry set up a muscular palate with pinching tannins. Roasted, oaky flavors of spicy berry, clove and cocoa finish with a final woody note and choppy toughness.

88

15

Mendoza Province

Malbec

27,350

France

Ripe pear is bathed in honey on the nose and palate of this wine. There is a touch of pleasant bitterness reminiscent of fir honey. All this is countered by lemon zest freshness that brightens and lightens and brings beautiful balance and poise. The finish is moreish and refreshing. Drink 2017–2030.

93

70

Alsace

Pinot Gris

77,057

US

Barrel fermentation has rounded and softened this wine without it losing focus. Crisp apple and pear fruit carries it, with a whiff of white asparagus.

87

16

Oregon

Chardonnay

20,240

France

This rich wine is ripe with red-berry fruits, mango and peach. Full in the mouth, it has a touch of spice from the Mourvèdre in the blend. Crisp and lively, the wine could age until 2018, although it will be best from late 2016.

90

21

Provence

Rosé

110,161

US

Made using grapes sourced from a high valley between the Russian River and Napa valleys, this wine is rich in tropical fruit, lemon, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors. Brisk acidity helps to keep it from seeming cloying.

86

26

California

Viognier

44,158

US

This is one of the best values in Sauvignon Blanc, or any white wine, of this year. It's completely satisfying, giving Loire-like minerality and acidity with ripe Napa flavors of spearmint, lemons and limes, figs and spices that finish thoroughly dry. Restaurateurs, buy this by the case and serve it by the glass.

92

12

California

Sauvignon Blanc

89,665

France

There was a generous use of wood aging here and it shows in the wood and toast flavors. The wine has bitter chocolate as well as black-currant fruits suggesting overenthusiastic extraction.

84

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

10,487

US

Though obscure in America, this Tempranillo-Grenache blend is not uncommon in Spain, and the results are solid. Thick aromas of plum extract, black pepper, fudge and tobacco lead into a rich and luxurious mouthfeel. Ripe flavors of boysenberry and olallieberry are cut by a very spicy edge of black pepper and mocha.

90

20

California

Tempranillo Blend

45,021

France

This is a full-bodied wine that exudes yellow fruits and a smooth structure. It is ripe, packed with citrus acidity to keep it fresh while the mineral texture is so well-cushioned by the rich fruitiness. It is delicious now with the exuberance of young fruit although it will certainly age and will be even better from 2017.

94

44

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

114,060

Germany

Penetrating yellow peach and nectarine flavors anchor this mouthwatering, sun-kissed spätlese. It's gossamer-light in texture yet intensely ripe, calibrated by a thrilling streak of acidity. A delightfully sweet-tart sip to enjoy now through 2025.

90

33

Mosel

Riesling

262

US

Beaver Creek makes a variation of Fairytale every vintage and this one, sourced from Napa Valley, is 41% Merlot, 36% Zinfandel and 23% Syrah, a mix that seems to work very nicely here. The wine's Zin almost tastes as if it has mountain tannins; the wine is overall herbal and earthy, ripe and sturdy with balanced fruit.

89

39

California

Red Blend

122,096

US

This full-bodied wine has classy, complex aromas that combine sophisticated oak and spice notes with very generous, deep fruit flavors. The way it all comes together seamlessly on a posh but firm texture shows the winemaker's skill as well as some great grapes to start with.

92

25

California

Merlot

117,061

US

This wine is the top of the line for Black Kite, and it certainly does not disappoint. Tea leaves, raspberry and cherry make a great blend of aromas, while the fruit flavors are bright like red cherries, the texture lively and fresh, and the overall impression very elegant. Best now through 2020.

93

85

California

Pinot Noir

16,330

Germany

While feather light in stature, this semisweet Riesling stuns with intensity. From nose to finish, dark earth tones and luminous stone fruit and cherry flavors meld seamlessly. It's intensely ripe, almost tropical in tone, but an electric tang of acidity and minerality keeps it rooted firmly in the Mosel.

94

54

Mosel

Riesling

67,120

US

This medium-bodied wine blends lively citrus and crisp apple aromas with just-rich-enough pear, apple and butter flavors for good balance. Satisfying and refreshing, it will be great with many different dishes.

88

9

California

Chardonnay

9,072

US

Straight down-the-middle aromas of red cherry, salt and pepper, vanilla and a touch of brioche show on this bottling of a clone that's related to the Brunello region. It's lighter bodied on the palate and quite easy to quaff, with light cherry and strawberry flavors riding a gravelly texture.

89

32

California

Sangiovese

2,490

France

Lots of apple tones, some rounded, some tart, are coralled into a core of bright, lemony freshness on this simple, refreshing and dry Riesling. This is a lovely, easy and versatile wine with enlivening spikes of acidity.

88

18

Alsace

Riesling

90,513

US

A nicely done microscopic-production Syrah out of Livermore Valley's Madden Ranch, the source for many a Syrah, not always so deliciously rendered. Winemaker Greg Jenkins (wife and partner is Olympian Peggy Fleming) works with a variety of grape sources from his historic Novitiate Winery in Los Gatos, using John Madden's hillside vineyard fruit in this case to make an intense wine full of cassis, vanilla, anise and chocolate.

90

40

California

Syrah

74,360

Italy

The wine's golden color and rich appearance are very attractive, but its aromas of rubber and sour fruit are somewhat awkward. This does have a fresh and vibrant feel in the mouth with nice crispness on the finish.

84

20

Northeastern Italy

Chardonnay

16,093

US

The poster child for too much oak. Swamps with buttered toast, caramel, butterscotch and vanilla flavors that are so sweet, it's almost like a dessert wine. There's lots of tangerines, pineapples, apricots and apples, but those barrel influences are too much.

84

40

California

Chardonnay

94,694

US

This is a big, sweet, extracted wine, for those who like Chardonnay packed with fruit. It tastes like buttered popcorn, orange jam, gingerbread and vanilla caramel.

85

15

California

Chardonnay

3,240

US

A gentle wine, this has warm, fruity aromas, ripe red cherry and raspberry flavors, a soft texture and fine-grained tannins. Medium to full bodied and almost sweet in balance, it's easy to enjoy.

86

15

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

119,281

Italy

This shows bright floral tones of honeysuckle and citrus blossom backed by notes of stone fruit and dried grass. It's creamy and smooth, with a distant touch of sweetness on the finish.

87

18

Veneto

Glera

27,226

US

The aromas and flavors of this wine are ripe to overripe, like dried plums and raisins. An earthy vein runs through them, too. It is full bodied and rather soft in texture.

82

15

California

Zinfandel

45,419

Spain

A full, ripe and generous Tempranillo, with rich aromas of prune and blackberry offset by balsamic notes and tobacco. It feels lush and smooth, with concentrated flavors of roasted berry, coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Huge and lasting on the finish, has subtle tannins and complexity. Drink now through 2016.

92

45

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

50,836

US

A generic, regional South-Central Coast Pinot showing berry, cola, herb and sautéed mushroom flavors encased in soft, silky tannins and crisp acids. Has little complexity and best consumed now.

85

28

California

Pinot Noir

88,137

US

Tar and black fruit loll on the full-bodied palate here, the wine well composed to highlight dark, leathery cigar and a hint of cedar. Smooth and round on the finish, it's a varietal rarity for the appellation.

90

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

121,107

US

Some green, veggie aromas and flavors compromise this Syrah. Otherwise, it's dry and smoothly tannic, with red currant, cola and pepper notes.

84

24

California

Syrah

59,751

Italy

This is one of those likeable Barbaras made to be drunk at release. It works: it is friendly, big, lush, easygoing and fruity. It may not be taxing, but it is an amiable food friendly faultless wine that cries out for the backyard barbecue.

87

26

Piedmont

Barbera

104,567

Italy

Aromas of dried berry, scorched soil and anisette lead the nose. The ripe palate offers spiced blackberry, juicy wild cherry, licorice, ground pepper and mineral alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness.

90

22

Sicily & Sardinia

Red Blend

24,506

US

Funky on the nose in a good way, this wine is aided by 6% Viognier and 1% Roussanne. It shows roasted fennel, elderberry, grilled lamb, pencil lead and savory black pepper on the nose. The palate starts ripe with blackberries and blueberries, then evolves into thyme, oregano and marjoram, with roasted beef on the edges.

92

45

California

Syrah

118,428

France

This wine is all about herbaceous fruitiness. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, it offers gooseberry, grapefruit and other crisp citrus flavors along with a tight, tangy texture. Fresh, crisp and fruity, it is ready to drink.

87

25

Bordeaux

Sauvignon Blanc

71,227

US

Meaty and substantial on the palate, this wine comes from several vineyard sites and was fermented in stainless steel tanks. It has a juicy note of sweet, ripe red fruit that's inviting.

87

25

California

Pinot Noir

32,772

France

This is a lean wine that feels to have only structure and very little fruit. There are dry, dense tannins and a firm texture that will only soften marginally.

84

40

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

118,069

US

The tannins are so fierce on this baby Cabernet that they effectively lock it down and make it tough to drink now. Yet there's a fabulous core of blackberries that are rich, ripe and intense. Everything about it suggests ageability. Give it at least eight years in a proper cellar, and it could age even longer.

95

55

California

Merlot

90,976

Italy

Bric Balin offers the same creamy succulence of Moccagatta's Cole Barbaresco, only here, you get added aromas of smoked bacon and cured meat. At the base is a solid foundation of lively fruit and chocolate-like nuances, and the wine ends with bold flavors and tight tannins. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers.

93

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

1,929

US

Mondavi's done it again, produced another very nice Cabernet at an everyday price. It shows classy elegance, with blackberry, currant and mocha notes.

87

11

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

59,729

US

This is an unusual commingling of mostly Rhone varieties, a mix of 75% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne, with the addition of 3% Sémillon. Honeycomb and Nilla wafer rise from the nose before a medium-bodied swirl of sour lemon, grapefruit and yuzu give it tartness on the finish.

88

22

California

White Blend

22,885

US

This is a big, rich, showy Chardonnay. Barrel fermented and aged in 80% new French oak, it shows buttered toast and charry vanilla bean aromas and flavors. The fruit below is good, if a little heavy and ripe, suggesting apricots and pears. Best now in its youth.

88

52

California

Chardonnay

53,105

France

Packed with attractive red-berries and citrus, this is a warm and ripe wine. It is totally dominated by its fruitiness and by the Syrah that brings a perfumed character to this fine apéritif wine. Drink now.

88

20

Provence

Rosé

54,172

US

This intensely ripe wine is made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Malbec and Merlot. Its waxy cherry, currant and blueberry flavers are laced wtih milk chocolate and smoky oak richness, a dash of high-toned acidity sparking on the finish.

90

120

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

35,400

France

There is huge fruit here, with the tannins firmly packed into the dark fruit character. Juicy Merlot is perfumed, open, swathed in rich robes. A wine for medium-term aging.

92

40

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

84,716

Italy

This opens with aromas of ripe black plum, scorched soil, toasted oak and roasted coffee bean. The dense ripe palate offers dried cherry, clove and espresso with chewy tannins. Drink through 2019 to catch the remaining fruit.

88

90

Tuscany

Sangiovese

20,268

US

Nuanced rose water, pink grapefruit, ginger and lychee aromas are followed by off-dry fruit flavors and a floral finish. The feel and flavors win you over but the wine wants a little more acid to pull itself together.

88

18

Washington

Gewürztraminer

68,169

France

Subtle but luscious notes of Mirabelle plum, ripe greengage and peach lend a seductive touch to this taut, structured and beautifully textured wine whose palate is reminiscent of bot fresh apple peel and grapefruit zest. Covers of fruit are tautly spread across spokes of acidity, creating a wonderful tension that keeps you wanting more. Authentic in its appeal, it's delicious now but will drink well until at least 2025.

94

47

Alsace

Riesling

129,706

US

Mostly Pinot Noir, with a few drops of Chardonnay and Muscat, this slightly sweet bubbly is a little scoury, with hard-edged bubbles. It has orange, lime and strawberry flavors, with the toasty yeastiness of Champagne.

87

24

California

Sparkling Blend

106,580

US

Light and delicate, this “Vintage Debut” Pinot Noir skates along a pretty thin edge. Light hints of strawberry and cherry blossom lead into a pale wine with plenty of acidity. But despite the acclaimed vintage, this is pretty thin stuff.

85

30

Oregon

Pinot Noir

23,926

Argentina

This is yet another plump, sweaty smelling Sauvignon Blanc from this producer. This vintage is fat in the mouth but kept alive by adequate young acidity. Salty, briny flavors of citrus, particularly grapefruit, end in similar briny fashion.

82

15

Mendoza Province

Sauvignon Blanc

46,955

US

Dry and full-bodied, this wine's pleasant herb, cherry, raisin and spice flavors, show some elegance.

85

15

California

Merlot

51,888

US

This gigantic Cabernet is one of Pride's biggest ever. Blackberries, cherries and chocolate nibs explode in the mouth, but it's no mere fruit bomb. The tannins and acids lend it integrity, and the finish is miraculously dry. A superb job, and as good as it is now, should develop over the next 12–15 years, depending on how old you like your Cabs.

94

130

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

18,723

US

Strawberry and a rich streak of raspberry liqueur play nice in this fresh, zesty Pinot. Tight with tension on the palate, it also features layers of earthy forest-floor mushroom. Big in style, it comes together nicely and makes for an enjoyable wine.

91

48

California

Pinot Noir

96,301

US

The very inviting nose on this offering combines boysenberry and peppercorn with richer aromas of baked goods sprinkled with mocha, vanilla and caramel. There is a refreshing tartness to the palate and edgy firm tannins presenting black-plum-skin and brioche flavors. It needs a little more time in the bottle.

92

60

California

Syrah

62,537

US

This windswept vineyard just within the appellation, a stone's throw from the Sonoma Coast, contributes a viscous, textured experience on the palate, velvety and ripe. Honeycomb, graham cracker and green olive accent deeper, richer flavors of tropical papaya and toasted oak.

90

45

California

Chardonnay

121,270

Portugal

Ripe and spicy, this is an obviously wood-aged wine. Spice and toastiness still dominate, although in a few months the potential of the juicy black fruits should become apparent. Wait to drink this wine until 2018.

86

14

Douro

Portuguese Red

45,595

US

Structured from the start, this wine provides succulent boysenberry and blackberry around a full-figured body that's otherwise steeped in vanilla and coffee, the toasted oak quite prevalent. It finishes slightly tart in dried herb and mushroom.

87

40

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

66,488

Italy

Aromas of baked plum, charred earth, melted chocolate and Asian spice lead the nose. The evolved, extracted palate offers raisin, a hint of exotic spice and a green note of powdered sage that leaves an astringent finish. This has seen better days so drink soon.

86

27

Piedmont

Barbera

43,443

Italy

This features aromas of oak, coffee, vanilla and dried black cherry. Oak carries over to the palate, delivering espresso, licorice, roasted nut and vanilla but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a mouth drying finish.

87

49

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

45,194

US

Aggressively tannic, this is an earthy red wine with a lot of barrel influence. The fruit vanishes into a mélange of pepper, clove, coffee and tannin.

84

33

Washington

Red Blend

49,917

US

Simple and direct, this tastes like blend of apricots, pears and mangos, with a gentle oak touch. It has pleasant acidity and nice warmth from the alcohol. Drink now.

85

18

California

Chardonnay

74,658

US

Whiffs of orange blossom and bramble persist throughout this bright, pretty wine, accenting flavors of fresh white grapefruit and lemon. It's sunny and ripe, yet briskly balanced. The finish is moderately long.

87

20

New York

Sauvignon Blanc

16,670

France

This crisp, dry Champagne has citrus fruits and a light, bright texture. Acidity makes its presence felt, giving a tight aftertaste of lemon zest.

85

60

Champagne

Champagne Blend