spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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France	This is a ripe while intensely herbaceous wine. It's steely and crisp, but spoiled by the intrusion of sulfur that hasn't gone away. If the sulfur blows off, this is a potentially attractive and fruity wine finished off with lemon zest.	Châtenay	85	20	Loire Valley	Menetou-Salon	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Isabelle et Pierre Clément	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Isabelle et Pierre Clément 2012 Châtenay (Menetou-Salon)
Australia	Sourced entirely from Tasmania, the 2011 Yattarna shows a richer style than some other recent vintages while still retaining exceptional freshness and length. Roasted nuts and grilled citrus dominate, and the palate is plump and silky in texture. Drink now–2020. Ten cases imported.	Yattarna	92	130	Tasmania	Tasmania	null	Chardonnay	Penfolds	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Penfolds 2011 Yattarna Chardonnay (Tasmania)
Australia	Fans of structured Chard should give this a try. Ripe citrus flavors are subtly framed by toasty oak in a medium-bodied wine that finishes crisp and minerally. Good now, but should last through 2010.	Single Vineyard	90	27	Western Australia	Western Australia	null	Chardonnay	Wise	null	null	null
France	A tender but perfumed hint of honeysuckle appears first on the nose, followed by rich peach hints. These notions persist on the palate where the peach and ripe yellow-plum notes are boosted by residual sweetness and countered by phenolic, slightly zesty but pleasant bitterness. You can feel the warmth on the medium-sweet finish. This is full on and rich, almost unctuous—perfect for blue cheeses.	Pfersigberg Grand Cru	93	35	Alsace	Alsace	null	Gewürztraminer	Domaine Charles Baur	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Domaine Charles Baur 2015 Pfersigberg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
Australia	Grilled pineapple and tropical fruits mingle easily in this uncomplicated but well made Chardonnay. It's medium-bodied, with enough weight to stand up to roast chicken breasts and the like.	null	86	13	South Australia	Limestone Coast	null	Chardonnay	Mt. Monster	null	null	null
France	From the flagship Médoc estate of Bordeaux negociant Dourthe, this wine is impressive, ripe and ready to age well. The wood aging still shows slightly but that is already compensated for by the ripe black-currant fruits from the 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and the generous texture. Drink this wine from 2023.	null	92	49	Bordeaux	Haut-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Belgrave	null	null	null
Portugal	This is a potentially fine wine, spoilt by high alcohol. The structure is dense and with enough acidity and solid tannins. The alcohol is the problem, derived from fruit that tastes overripe.	Signature	86	null	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Douro Family Estates	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Douro Family Estates 2007 Signature Red (Douro)
Australia	Features some superb elements that come off as a bit disjointed—perhaps it just needs some time? High-toned cherry fruit picks up some herbal notes and peppery cinnamon flavors, then finishes crisp, with hints of orange pekoe tea.	Clarendon	88	30	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Shiraz	Oliverhill	null	null	null
Austria	Notes of crushed berries on polished mahogany come to mind. This is elegant and classic, its strucure is firm but not imposing, the tone is one of subtlety and elegance. This stands straight and presents honest, dark fruit and leaves with a long, velvety train of spiced berry, more mahogany and a touch of forest floor Very alluring.	Große Reserve	93	30	Thermenregion	null	null	Red Blend	Gebeshuber	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Gebeshuber 2013 Große Reserve Red (Thermenregion)
South Africa	Black currant, red berry, tobacco and spice give this robust wine a masculine edge. Luscious berry combined with savory spice and leather is backed by rich, sturdy tannins and a long, serious finish. Can age, but is excellent to drink now.	Lapa	90	37	Stellenbosch	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Guardian Peak	null	null	null
Italy	Crisp, clean and correct—nothing more or less. The palate pumps pure tangerine and apple flavors on the heels of fine, inoffensive bubbles. Balanced and tasty, but nothing fancy. Imported by Vias Imports.	Jeio Brut	87	15	Veneto	Prosecco	null	Prosecco	Bisol	null	null	null
US	Reddish-orange in color, this is a high-toned, citrus-laden wine that retains fresh flavors of grapefruit and mandarin orange. It stays crisp and dry on the palate, with just a tiny suggestion of its time in neutral oak. Pomegranate and a tang of sour cherry finish things off.	Heritage Tree Vineyard Estate Rosé of	87	20	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Syrah	Gustafson Family	null	null	null
Italy	This sparker's name, Gialloro, (yellow-gold) accurately sums up its brilliant appearance in the glass. More enticing, perhaps, are its aromas: sweet peach, fresh apricot, sage and crushed white pepper. It's a simple, fresh wine that cleans your palate and gets the job done.	Extra Dry Giall Oro Gold Label	86	18	Veneto	Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene	null	Prosecco	Ruggeri & C.	null	null	null
Chile	Stony, oceanic and minerally on the nose, with no shortage of pungent green aromas. Feels tight and juicy, with wiry acidity and zesty flavors of gooseberry, green vegetables and lime. Definitely a green, cool-climate wine, but one with lasting zest and juicy acidity.	Novas Gran Reserva	88	14	San Antonio	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Emiliana	null	null	null
France	This is a fresh, juicy wine with acidity and bright red fruits. Yes, there are tannins but they support the lively, crisp strawberries and the spice that comes from the wood aging. The wine is developing fast and will be ready to drink from 2018.	Les Echezots	88	null	Burgundy	Marsannay	null	Pinot Noir	Domaine Bart	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Bart 2014 Les Echezots (Marsannay)
Austria	Lovely spiciness creeps into the lemon and tangerine zest that is on display here. Sprays of freshness and verve continue on the tight, linear palate that leaves a lasting impression of lip-smacking joy.	Pfaffenberg Reserve	93	25	Kremstal	null	null	Riesling	Winzer Krems	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Winzer Krems 2013 Pfaffenberg Reserve Riesling (Kremstal)
Italy	Here's a vibrant wine that opens with pretty aromas of blue flower, rose and berry. The savory palate doles out juicy red cherry, mint, thyme and clove alongside fresh acidity and supple tannins. It finishes on a succulent note. Drink through 2018.	null	89	28	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Riecine	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Riecine 2012 Chianti Classico
US	Dark in color, this hearty, full-bodied red unveils aromas of vanilla and marshmallow in a rich, concentrated opening that veers confectionary. Grippy tannin and leather provide a grit to the texture amid tart black cherry and tobacco.	null	86	44	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Merlot	Greyscale	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Greyscale 2014 Merlot (Napa Valley)
US	Here's a ripely fruity Chardonnay that pulls out all the stops to achieve opulence, and largely succeeds. Defines the modern style of winemaking, with extracted pineapple, orange and caramelized oak flavors, wrapped into a creamy, leesy texture that's brightened with zingy acidity. Drink now.	Maldonado Vineyard	90	45	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Chardonnay	Tudal	null	null	null
US	Super-young and jammy, with high, fresh acidity framing cherry and blackberry flavors, this wine has the merit of being dry and balanced. It's a nice country-style wine, easy to savor with simple fare.	null	84	12	California	Central Coast	Central Coast	Shiraz	Echelon	null	null	null
US	A heavy layer of vanilla weighs down the fruit here, which runs to fresh cherries and cherry liqueur. It's soft in the mouth, with soft tannins and a short-to-medium finish of mixed berries. Drink now.	null	82	23	Virginia	Virginia	null	Cabernet Franc	Potomac Point	null	null	null
Canada	Partially (35%) fermented in French oak, this is a soft, round and fruity wine. Lightly toasted with scents of coconut and camphor, it's still packed with crisp lime and gooseberry fruit, providing a solid underpinning.	Southern Cross	90	30	British Columbia	Okanagan Valley	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Mission Hill	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Mission Hill 2012 Southern Cross Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley)
US	From a vineyard surrounded by the region's iconic estates, this study of Pommard and 667 clones used 60% whole cluster and 20% new oak to produce black raspberry, alpine strawberry, chipped slate, dewy bay leaf and vanilla aromas. Bright cranberry and pomegranate juice shows on the palate, which is lifted by a potpourri of eucalyptus and thyme, proving lively and refreshing.	KW Vineyard	92	32	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Mignanelli	null	null	null
Italy	This organically grown Sangiovese from southern Tuscany offers fresh aromas of cherry, blueberry and white almond. This wine tastes ripe and mature and has soft tannins and a chewy texture thanks to some oak aging.	Fabula	86	13	Tuscany	Monteregio di Massa Marittima	null	Sangiovese	Montebelli	null	null	null
Spain	Satisfying from the purple color to the sweet bouquet to the clean palate to the long finish. It's a little simple and syrupy, but overall there's plenty of freshening acidity and flavors of plum, berry and chocolate to make it a complete and balanced wine. And that's really all you should hope for in this price category.	Luzon Verde Organic Grapes	87	9	Levante	Jumilla	null	Monastrell	Bodegas Luzón	null	null	null
US	This high-altitude, Chehalem Mountains vineyard puts on a show with this 2012. A sweet chocolate and cherry nose unfolds into a complex, elegant and beautifully proportioned wine, with blackberry, mineral and baking spice components. The lingering finish promises even better things to come if you give it another six to eight years in the cellar. Drink 2015 through 2025.	Chestnut Hill Vineyard	94	48	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Lemelson	null	null	null
US	This is a big, dramatically tannic Petite Sirah. It shows the variety's full-bodied, mouth-filling power, as well as blackberry, coffee, beef jerky and sandalwood flavors that finish rich and long. Should live for many years, gradually softening and sweetening.	Todd Brothers Ranch	90	35	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Petite Sirah	Dashe Cellars	null	null	null
Argentina	The nose is a dark, clumsy confluence of rubber, stewed cherry and horseradish, and the palate is both tangy and bouncy, with a hard feel and plenty of acidic kick. Misses too many marks to rate better.	Reserva	81	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Tempranillo	Tittarelli	null	null	null
US	Head-trained, century-old vines, provide intense scents with old vine herbal, herbaceous accents. Watermelon, hay and strawberries, intensely extracted and 17.5% alcohol. This is over-the-top winemaking, with powerful old vine fruit, and a big, extracted finish, with lingering toasty, hazelnut and vanilla highlights.	Ciapusci Vineyard	92	25	California	Mendocino Ridge	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Zinfandel	Edmeades	null	null	null
Italy	This Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold expression of Tuscany with generous layers of clove, Indian spice, crushed black pepper and black plum. The nose is distinguished by a lingering clove aroma. The tannins are thick but smooth and the mouthfeel is plush and rich.	Federico Primo	91	40	Tuscany	Val di Cornia Suvereto	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Gualdo del Re	null	null	Gualdo del Re 2004 Federico Primo Cabernet Sauvignon (Val di Cornia Suvereto)
US	This is an earthy and somewhat savory wine, buoyed by level acidity. It offers stewed lemon and fennel around a feral nose.	Private Reserve	88	45	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Buena Vista	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Buena Vista 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
Italy	Youthful and bright, this shows the lean, bright side of the Famiglia Zingarelli line. You can really taste those Sangiovese characteristics thanks to lively tones of wild berry, raspberry, blue flower, wild mushroom and subtle spice. That zesty acidity makes the wine perfect for cheesy pasta or lasagna.	Famiglia Zingarelli	88	17	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Rocca delle Macìe	null	null	null
Germany	Bone dry but harmonious and well balanced, with ripe acidity and restrained pear, honey and petroleum notes in a medium-bodied frame. Its finish is long and minerally. Drinking well now but will show more finesse several years down the road.	Westhofener Trocken S	89	54	Rheinhessen	null	null	Riesling	Wittmann	null	null	null
US	100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a variety of vineyards across eastern Washington, it seems a bit muddled with light notes of cherry, chocolate, and oak spice but may improve with some additional time in bottle.	null	87	30	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Apex	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Apex 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
Spain	Bramble and red berry aromas are attractive and almost exotic. Feels a bit furry and scratchy, but tastes of blueberry with an herbal tinge. Finishes well, with a pinch of minty green flavor.	null	85	7	Central Spain	La Mancha	null	Tempranillo	Venta Morales	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Venta Morales 2010 Tempranillo (La Mancha)
Italy	There's a modern touch to this wine thanks to its generous and long-lasting tones of espresso bean and chocolate backed by fruity cherry aromas. Beyond those standard characteristics are tones of dried herbs that recall coastal Tuscany. It's huge in structure but should also be ready to drink in two or three years.	null	91	60	Tuscany	Bolgheri Superiore	null	Red Blend	Castello di Bolgheri	null	null	null
US	Plump and spicy, mixing mint and apple, with flavors running into riper fruits—pear and peach. This fills the mouth with luscious fruit, suggestions of vanilla cream and butterscotch, with just enough acidity to bolster it on through into the finish. It's big and thick for Riesling, yet beautifully balanced and quite delicious.	null	90	18	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Southard	null	null	null
Portugal	A rich, gold color hints at the red Touriga Nacional that comprises this creamy, fruity blanc de noirs. It has weight, a touch of tannic dryness and yeasty acidity. Mature with bottle age, it's ready to drink.	Cabriz Blanc de Noirs	87	19	Dão	null	null	Portuguese Sparkling	Global Wines	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Global Wines 2012 Cabriz Blanc de Noirs Sparkling (Dão)
France	The enthusiastic use of wood for this wine gives a dark, spicy character that masks any fruit. Less new wood would have helped highlight the natural fruitiness of the wine. Leave it until 2020 and the fruit may fill out. Winemaker Stephan Carrier returned from Napa to take over winemaking after Irish businessman Lochlann Quinn bought the property in 2001.	null	89	50	Bordeaux	Pessac-Léognan	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château de Fieuzal	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château de Fieuzal 2013 Pessac-Léognan
US	Concentrated fruit aromas, deep fruit flavors and a supportive, nicely astringent mouthfeel give this wine a great sense of structure and depth. It balances generosity with a bit of reserve in a traditional way that's very appealing. Best through 2020.	Complejo	91	100	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Barbera	Borjón	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Borjón 2013 Complejo Barbera (Amador County)
Austria	With a 10% barrel fermentation, this is a smooth Pinot Blanc. It has a luscious creamy texture, with pear, quince and green plum flavors. The ripe richness is well balanced with a fine layer of acidity.	Weissburgunder	89	19	Wagram-Donauland	null	null	Weissburgunder	Josef Ehmoser	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a very fruity wine with distinct mineral veins throughout that would pair well with grilled vegetables, white meat or seafood salad marinated with lime cilantro vinaigrette.	null	85	17	Veneto	Veneto	null	Pinot Grigio	Aldegheri	null	null	null
Chile	Light and airy, with floral apple and cleanser aromas. The palate is sweet and melony, but is it Sauvignon Blanc? Hard to tell, really; this tastes as much like your average jug white as it does Sauvignon Blanc.	Reserva	81	9	Casablanca Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Chilensis	null	null	null
Spain	Stalky berry aromas lack overt ripeness and pop. This feels pushed to the center, with minimal mouthfeel. Stalky, lightly burnt and leathery berry flavors finish hot and dried out.	Crianza	84	15	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo	El Coto	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	El Coto 2012 Crianza (Rioja)
Spain	Light apple-blossom aromas are harmless. In the mouth, this Chardonnay-based blend is flat and buttery in feel, with baked apple and peach flavors before a flat finish.	null	82	11	Levante	Valencia	null	White Blend	Drassanes	null	null	null
null	This mouthwatering blend starts with a nose of fresh mint, pineapple and mango, followed by flavors of orange peel, peach and lemon. Fresh and fruity with a mineral backbone, the wine finishes on an earthy spin. Pair with grilled sardines or poultry dishes.	Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko	92	28	null	null	null	White Blend	Tsililis	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Tsililis 2015 Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko White
France	92-94 Barrel sample. A warm wine, which shows richness, open-ness. It has ripe, structured tannins, jelly fruits, based on a solid structure of sweet tannins and bright Cabernet acidity.	Barrel sample	93	null	Bordeaux	Pauillac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Pontet-Canet	null	null	null
US	Winemaker Dave Stephenson has a great feel for Syrah, and this is the best of the fall releases from Otis Kenyon, showing sweet fruit flavors of blueberry and boysenberry, dotted with peppery spice. Excellent grip and structure, with ripe tannins and a milk chocolate finish that will have you reaching quickly for a re-pour.	null	90	30	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Otis Kenyon	null	null	null
US	Rich raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors characterize this Grenache, but the mouthfeel is off-balance, with its acids and green tannins sticking out. This exposes the difficulties of making great Grenache in California, even in the Santa Ynez Valley.	Sandoval Vineyard	85	33	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Grenache	Sobriquet Winery	null	null	null
South Africa	This beautiful Semillon-dominant blend that shows great finesse, depth and power. Rich and opulent in every way, notes of baked red apple, lemon verbena, honey-drizzled peach and sweet orange oil flood the nose and mouth, while additional flavors of hazelnut cream, fig bread and soft sweet spice carry into the long finish. Round, but with enough acidic lift to keep it from being flabby. Drink now–2015.	Henrietta	92	30	Western Cape	null	null	Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc	Bizoe	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Bizoe 2010 Henrietta Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape)
US	Lots of jammy cherry and raspberry fruit here, with a good cut of acidity for refreshing balance. Feels silky and generous in the mouth. A pleasant, spicy, light-bodied Pinot Noir for drinking now.	Swami	88	17	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Blue Nomad	null	null	null
US	Dry and tart in acids, with lemon Lifesaver candy, lemongrass, hay, white pepper and vanilla aromas and flavors. A clean, brisk Sauvignon Blanc to drink as an appetizer. Good with Asian fare.	null	90	16	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sauvignon Blanc	Laird	null	null	Laird 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
France	90-92 Barrel sample. It takes a while for this wine to show. Then it has solid tannins, topped by ripe berry flavors, rich plums and an edge of juiciness.	Barrel sample	91	null	Bordeaux	Pessac-Léognan	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Bouscaut	null	null	null
Australia	This is strongly marked by new oak on the nose at this stage, suggesting toast, brown sugar and coffee, but fruit comes through on the palate where hints of dark berries, cola, clove and cinnamon mingle. The wine is creamy and lush in texture, with ample weight and a lingering finish of dried fruit, vanilla and mocha. Drink from 2018 to 2025.	Coal River Valley Single Site	90	65	Tasmania	Tasmania	null	Pinot Noir	Dalrymple	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Dalrymple 2012 Coal River Valley Single Site Pinot Noir (Tasmania)
US	Softly elegant and dry, this is a lovely Bordeaux blend to pair with a wide variety of meats and cheeses. Structure is the star, with grapeskin and oak barrel tannins framing delicate cherry, herb and earth flavors.	Sonoma Reserve Meritage	87	17	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Blackstone	null	null	null
Australia	Although this starts off showing loads of vanilla and bright, boysenberry-like fruit, this is not a simple fruity concoction; there's some elegance here, and some savory notes of coffee and roasted meat as well. Drink this rich, full-bodied Shiraz over the next few years.	Dead Letter Office	91	27	South Australia	McLaren Vale-Padthaway	null	Shiraz	Henry's Drive Vignerons	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Henry's Drive Vignerons 2008 Dead Letter Office Shiraz (McLaren Vale-Padthaway)
Spain	Stalky and grassy smelling, which is par for a Penedès white blend. There str also apple and lemon-lime notes on the nose. In the mouth, it's lively and spritzy in feel, with pineapple, lime and grassy flavors. Zesty, dry and minerally on the finish, this should pair well with seafood and paella.	Blanc Selecció	87	15	Catalonia	Penedès	null	White Blend	Huguet de Can Feixes	null	null	null
US	This is a lovely white made by Chris Dearden. Whole-cluster pressed and fermented in once-used French oak, the grapes are sourced from a 12-acre parcel planted to Old Wente clone Chardonnay. Dark golden in hue, it has graceful acidity and a burst of lemon blossom on the nose that evolves into a sublime lightness and crispness on the palate.	Las Amigas Partners Vineyard	93	45	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Sleeping Giant	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Sleeping Giant 2013 Las Amigas Partners Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)
Italy	Aromas of underbrush, toasted oak, coffee and a whiff of roasted herb emerge on this. The brawny palate displays dried black cherry, hazelnut, anise and vanilla alongside astringent tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish. A green note of powdered sage marks the close.	null	87	35	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Albatreti	null	null	null
US	Earthy, funky black tea and forest floor invite one in for further exploration of this block-specific offering that becomes lean and bright on the palate. Pomegranate dominates in terms of fruit, as spicy acidity elevates the experience.	Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard	88	44	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Kokomo	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Kokomo 2014 Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
US	The Red Queen bottling is Evening Land's most limited in terms of production. The grapes are sourced from a block in the estate vineyard at the highest point of the hill, and the wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 14 months. Tasted a few weeks prior to its official release, it was stubbornly unyielding, even after a full 24 hours. Given the pedigree of this estate, and the superb quality of the two other 2010 Pinots, it is reasonable to expect this to come out of its hard shell and earn a much higher score.	Seven Springs Vineyard Red Queen	92	75	Oregon	Eola-Amity Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Evening Land	null	null	null
Spain	The Eguren brothers of Sierra Cantabria and other projects always do a nice job with this Tempranillo from central Spain. It's a no-frills, bulky red with rich fruit and bacon aromas backed by bold boysenberry and blackberry flavors. There's no shortage of voltage in this tight, jabby, slightly clumsy red.	Codice	86	9	Central Spain	Vino de la Tierra de Castilla	null	Tempranillo	Dominio de Eguren	null	null	null
US	Light strawberry and black cherry fruit is the story here, backed with decent acidity. Tannins are dark and well-structured, so the wine keeps its balance. Though it does not have the weight or depth of Washington Syrahs, or the sweet berry flavors of California, it is soundly made, drinking well, fruit forward, and a good choice for warm weather sipping.	Del Rio Vineyard	87	23	Oregon	Rogue Valley	Southern Oregon	Syrah	J. Scott Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	J. Scott Cellars 2007 Del Rio Vineyard Syrah (Rogue Valley)
France	Using fruit sourced from a 20-acre vineyard in Castillon, this is dominated by Merlot, with a touch of perfumed Cabernet Franc. It has an age-worthy structure, showing good balance, firm tannins and ripe fruit.	null	88	19	Bordeaux	Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Moulin de Clotte	null	null	null
France	This is a blend from several Grand Crus on the Corton hill. It is rich and spicy, with great black fruits and solid tannins. A powerful wine, it's shot through with acidity and black-plum fruits throughout the structure. Drink from 2023.	Château Corton Grancey	95	170	Burgundy	Corton	null	Pinot Noir	Louis Latour	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Louis Latour 2014 Château Corton Grancey (Corton)
Italy	This luminous white offers delicate scents suggesting crushed rock, pear and a whiff of botanical herb. The taut, vibrant palate recalls Granny Smith apple, nectarine and mineral set against a backbone of firm acidity.	G	89	27	Southern Italy	Greco di Tufo	null	Greco	Di Meo	null	null	null
Austria	Very ripe notions of pineapple and soft banana are coupled with a fresh, clean earthiness. A phenolic edge lends mouthfeel and structure while citrus zest pervades the palate with freshness and linearity. With more time in glass, a very charming, tender note of ripe conference pear appears. Give this time to unfold. Drink from 2018.	Achleiten Smaragd	92	39	Wachau	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Jäger	null	null	null
US	Whiffs of barnyard and leather are prominent on this earthy Cabernet Sauvignon. Full bodied in style with soft, chalky tannins, there's a core of tart blackberry and currant flavors that are crisp on the finish.	Reserve	85	40	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Cabernet Sauvignon	Osprey's Dominion	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Osprey's Dominion 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (North Fork of Long Island)
Austria	Savory, citrusy and pear-scented, this is fresh, crisp and light, making it ideal for a party.	13	85	13	Niederösterreich	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Winzer Krems	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Winzer Krems 2013 13 Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich)
US	A very well-done Livermore Cab aged in 100% Hungarian oak and named “The Good Life,” this one's got plum and spicy cola going on and tastes young though it's a 2008. Its structure shows more potential to age—the fruit will integrate with the wine's subtle savory herbs.	A Jo Elet	88	40	California	Livermore Valley	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	McGrail	Virginie Boone	@vboone	McGrail 2008 A Jo Elet Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley)
US	A fascinating interpretation of this variety, this wine brings aromas of freshly peeled orange, sweet herb, flower and maraschino cherry. The flavors are fruit forward and plush, delivering loads of enjoyment with intriguing savory accents. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but who cares?	Chateau Puryear Vineyard Estate Bottled	90	24	Washington	Rattlesnake Hills	Columbia Valley	Malbec	Bonair	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Bonair 2012 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Estate Bottled Malbec (Rattlesnake Hills)
US	The mouthfeel on this dry wine is as smoothly voluptuous as velvet, although there's also a thick dusting of tannins that are fairly astringent right now. I do not believe this is a cellar-worthy wine, because the fruit is just too thin to outlast the tannins.	Reserve	85	65	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Merlot	Sterling	null	null	null
France	This is a wonderfully balanced wine, bursting with ripe spice as well as acidity. It's a rich wine, now showing maturity without losing its fruit. The depth of flavor, drilling right down to the mineral structure, is impressive. Drink now, although also wait until 2016.	Jubiléé	92	55	Alsace	Alsace	null	Gewürztraminer	Hugel	null	null	null
Italy	Plush and opulent, this wine doles out huge intensity in its black fruit aroma and its toasted oak note. It shows incredible softness and richness on the finish, with a sweet blackberry-pie tone as well.	Donna Lisa Riserva	91	50	Southern Italy	Salice Salentino	null	Red Blend	Leone de Castris	null	null	null
US	Ultrarich and spicy, with exotic flavors of bacon, cherry pie, cola and sandalwood. Notable for its structure, so dry and sturdy in tannins, yet so silky. A big, full-bodied wine, it should develop bottle complexity over the next four years.	Le Bon Climat	93	60	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Clendenen Family	null	null	Clendenen Family 2007 Le Bon Climat Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
US	This is pretty tasty in cherries, cola and licorice, with a nice, silky texture. It's a polished wine that finishes dry and spicy, with a sweet oak note on the finish. A little one dimensional, but it could develop bottle complexity over the next 6–7 years.	3 Dijon Clones	89	35	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Windsor Oaks	null	null	null
US	Maple, black fruit and cocoa aromas lead to lighter styled dark-fruit flavors. The barrel influence at times seems a bit heavy, with the flavors not able to stand up to it.	Les Collines Vineyard	86	40	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Maryhill	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Maryhill 2013 Les Collines Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
Italy	This is textbook Pinot Grigio with a nice medley of fruit-driven aromas such as peach, citrus and Golden Delicious apple. The wine boasts a bright golden color and offers a soft, fruity finish. Pair with sliced ham or turkey.	null	85	18	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	Pinot Grigio	Colutta	null	null	null
US	This is a well-crafted, likable wine made at a fair value. The tightly wound mix of red fruit and licorice softens on the palate to offer approachability and a bite of tannin and oak.	null	87	15	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Merlot	Kenwood	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Kenwood 2013 Merlot (Sonoma County)
Spain	Forced oak and grassy core aromas make for a challenging, slightly green and resiny bouquet. This feels thick and heavy, with oaky, stewy flavors of ripe raspberry and black plum.	Alcanta Barrique Oak Aged	84	14	Levante	Alicante	null	Tempranillo	Bocopa	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Bocopa 2013 Alcanta Barrique Oak Aged Tempranillo (Alicante)
US	A little unripe, with some green flavors. But it shows enough blackberry fruit to please, and is dry and rich in tannins and acids, with a deft touch of oak. Drink now.	null	86	17	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Syrah	Kunde	null	null	null
US	Saintsbury brings a Pinot Noir-like touch to this Syrah. It's silky and transparent, with an elegant mouthfeel, but shows Syrah's weight and depth, with blackberry, blueberry, leather and pepper spice flavors wrapped into sturdy tannins. Drink now.	Sawi Vineyard	90	40	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Syrah	Saintsbury	null	null	Saintsbury 2007 Sawi Vineyard Syrah (Sonoma Valley)
Australia	Yalumba pioneered Viognier in Australia and the current crop of wines testifies to the company's efforts. This bottling is full bodied and rich to the point of being slightly oily on the palate, where it delivers bold flavors of honey, apricot and grilled pineapple. Drink now.	null	91	19	South Australia	Eden Valley	null	Viognier	Yalumba	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Yalumba 2013 Viognier (Eden Valley)
Australia	Oddly confected on the nose, with cotton candy-like cherry aromas, but once past that, this isn't bad wine, even if it's not really varietally correct. It's round in the mouth but with crisp acids, giving it a hard-edged feel, while the flavors are less candied and more like black cherries and chocolate.	Single Vineyard	84	15	Western Australia	Pemberton	null	Pinot Noir	Fonty's Pool	null	null	null
Italy	Luscious dark fruit and huge aromatic complexity: dark red cherry, crème de cassis, black licorice, dried ginger and ground pepper. Defined and tight in the mouth, with a long finish.	null	93	65	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	San Polino	null	null	null
US	Given the diverse clonal make-up of the vines that go in to this Pinot, the aromas are somewhat muted and shy. Earthy, spicy fruit flavors are characterized by baked red raspberry and strawberry notes, with the wine taking on a denseness on the palate and finish.	Estate Grace Benoist Ranch	85	43	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Etude	null	null	null
US	Bedell continues to raise the bar for Long Island Merlot with this offering. A rich, savory nose of meat, leather spice and dark berry leads into a poised balance of savory spice, rich fruit, acids and tannins. The wine has a friendly brightness about it but overall, is restrained and integrated.	Reserve	87	48	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Merlot	Bedell	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Bedell 2005 Reserve Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
Italy	This is a gorgeous Ripasso (from a small, new producer) with thick aromatic layers of candied fruit, dried flowers, cola, mesquite and cedar wood. In all, it is an inky, well-extracted wine but at the same time is shows a bright, buoyant quality with immediate flavors and a bright close. —M.L.	null	91	null	Veneto	Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Corte San Benedetto	null	null	null
US	You'll want to drink this wine with beef, cheese and richly sauced foods, in order to balance out the dryness and acidity. On its own, it's austere, with cherry and sandalwood flavors. Rich, fatty fare will tame it and bring out the sweet fruit.	Monto Rosso Vineyard	87	36	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Sangiovese	Muscardini	null	null	null
Italy	An interesting white, this has an off-gold color, opening with thick aromas of apricot, honey, Golden Delicious apple and pineapple. There's a cheerful touch of zesty spice on the finish.	null	88	null	Central Italy	Umbria	null	White Blend	Tabarrini	null	null	null
Australia	Closer in style to a light red wine than a traditional dry rosé, this is dark pink—nearly pomegranate—in color, and boasts hints of leather, berries, dried herbs and white chocolate. Textured and round in the mouth, the only quibble is its relatively quick fade on the finish. Drink now.	Scarlet Ladybird Single Site	88	15	South Australia	South Australia	null	Rosé	Zonte's Footstep	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Zonte's Footstep 2010 Scarlet Ladybird Single Site Rosé (South Australia)
France	89-91 Barrel sample. This is a finely balanced, poised wine, with fresh fruits, ripeness and a touch of lemon all coming together in potential harmony. There is wood, but it is laced with botrytis and fine, fresh flavors.	Barrel sample	90	null	Bordeaux	Barsac	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Suau	null	null	null
US	Just barely good. Raspingly dry, with a sharp cut of acid and some green flavors, but it'll be fine with a cheeseburger.	Harry's Patio	83	15	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Red Blend	Fralich	null	null	null
US	Sourced from a single block, this is a tart wine with delicate fruit flavors of rhubarb and cranberry. It does not have the depth nor stuffing of the previous vintage. Some pleasant aromatics of orange peel and citrus add interest.	Big Tree Block	89	70	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Sokol Blosser	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Sokol Blosser 2013 Big Tree Block Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
US	This is dry, crisp and clean. But if you're looking for richness, you won't find it. With its savory lemon, mineral and white pepper flavors, this is an elegant sipper.	null	87	15	California	California	California Other	Chardonnay	One Hope	null	null	One Hope 2010 Chardonnay (California)
Chile	Spiced gumdrop and rooty sweetness carry the massive nose to a big but balky palate of baked, roasted black fruits, cassis and tire rubber. There's sweetness, beef, marshmallow and burn along with tannic weight and grab. A lot of power; needs more touch. Believe it or not, Medalla Real Cabernet is now a 73,000-case product.	Medalla Real Special Reserve	88	20	Maipo Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Santa Rita	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Santa Rita 2007 Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)
US	Superripe, almost sweet, this has good acidity and firm, fuzzy tannins that help balance the jammy cherry, raspberry and cola flavors. Good with a slightly sweet barbecue sauce on ribs and chicken.	Crow Ridge Vineyard	86	29	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	V. Sattui	null	null	null
New Zealand	Toasty, but with the fruit to back it up. Peach and caramel scents on the nose, then layers of ripe tropical and citrus fruit on the palate that keep pumping out flavor through the long finish. Another top effort for one of New Zealand's benchmark Chardonnays. Imported by Epic Wines.	Moutere	90	53	New Zealand	null	null	Chardonnay	Neudorf	null	null	null
US	Broad aromas of nectarine splashed with warm lemon juice mix with cut pear and ripe red apples on this bottling. The palate shows cooked apples, with slight hints of peach, all quite ripe.	null	85	28	California	Temecula Valley	South Coast	Pinot Grigio	Danza del Sol	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Danza del Sol 2014 Pinot Grigio (Temecula Valley)
Italy	Here's a southern Italian red with Barolo-like austerity: elegant notes of small berry fruit are seamlessly folded within layers of slate roof, ash, graphite, licorice and fine expressions rendered by volcanic soils and 18 months of oak aging. It really comes alive in the mouth, where the wine delivers power, concentration and a very long-lasting finish. This is Mastroberardino's flagship red.	Naturalis Historia	93	65	Southern Italy	Irpinia	null	Aglianico	Mastroberardino	null	null	Mastroberardino 2001 Naturalis Historia Aglianico (Irpinia)

France

This is a ripe while intensely herbaceous wine. It's steely and crisp, but spoiled by the intrusion of sulfur that hasn't gone away. If the sulfur blows off, this is a potentially attractive and fruity wine finished off with lemon zest.

Châtenay

85

20

Loire Valley

Menetou-Salon

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Isabelle et Pierre Clément

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Isabelle et Pierre Clément 2012 Châtenay (Menetou-Salon)

Australia

Sourced entirely from Tasmania, the 2011 Yattarna shows a richer style than some other recent vintages while still retaining exceptional freshness and length. Roasted nuts and grilled citrus dominate, and the palate is plump and silky in texture. Drink now–2020. Ten cases imported.

Yattarna

92

130

Tasmania

null

Chardonnay

Penfolds

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Penfolds 2011 Yattarna Chardonnay (Tasmania)

Australia

Fans of structured Chard should give this a try. Ripe citrus flavors are subtly framed by toasty oak in a medium-bodied wine that finishes crisp and minerally. Good now, but should last through 2010.

Single Vineyard

90

27

Western Australia

null

Chardonnay

Wise

null

France

A tender but perfumed hint of honeysuckle appears first on the nose, followed by rich peach hints. These notions persist on the palate where the peach and ripe yellow-plum notes are boosted by residual sweetness and countered by phenolic, slightly zesty but pleasant bitterness. You can feel the warmth on the medium-sweet finish. This is full on and rich, almost unctuous—perfect for blue cheeses.

Pfersigberg Grand Cru

93

35

Alsace

null

Gewürztraminer

Domaine Charles Baur

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Domaine Charles Baur 2015 Pfersigberg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

Australia

Grilled pineapple and tropical fruits mingle easily in this uncomplicated but well made Chardonnay. It's medium-bodied, with enough weight to stand up to roast chicken breasts and the like.

null

86

13

South Australia

Limestone Coast

null

Chardonnay

Mt. Monster

null

France

From the flagship Médoc estate of Bordeaux negociant Dourthe, this wine is impressive, ripe and ready to age well. The wood aging still shows slightly but that is already compensated for by the ripe black-currant fruits from the 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and the generous texture. Drink this wine from 2023.

null

92

49

Bordeaux

Haut-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Belgrave

null

Portugal

This is a potentially fine wine, spoilt by high alcohol. The structure is dense and with enough acidity and solid tannins. The alcohol is the problem, derived from fruit that tastes overripe.

Signature

86

null

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Douro Family Estates

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Douro Family Estates 2007 Signature Red (Douro)

Australia

Features some superb elements that come off as a bit disjointed—perhaps it just needs some time? High-toned cherry fruit picks up some herbal notes and peppery cinnamon flavors, then finishes crisp, with hints of orange pekoe tea.

Clarendon

88

30

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Shiraz

Oliverhill

null

Austria

Notes of crushed berries on polished mahogany come to mind. This is elegant and classic, its strucure is firm but not imposing, the tone is one of subtlety and elegance. This stands straight and presents honest, dark fruit and leaves with a long, velvety train of spiced berry, more mahogany and a touch of forest floor Very alluring.

Große Reserve

93

30

Thermenregion

null

Red Blend

Gebeshuber

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Gebeshuber 2013 Große Reserve Red (Thermenregion)

South Africa

Black currant, red berry, tobacco and spice give this robust wine a masculine edge. Luscious berry combined with savory spice and leather is backed by rich, sturdy tannins and a long, serious finish. Can age, but is excellent to drink now.

Lapa

90

37

Stellenbosch

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Guardian Peak

null

Italy

Crisp, clean and correct—nothing more or less. The palate pumps pure tangerine and apple flavors on the heels of fine, inoffensive bubbles. Balanced and tasty, but nothing fancy. Imported by Vias Imports.

Jeio Brut

87

15

Veneto

Prosecco

null

Prosecco

Bisol

null

US

Reddish-orange in color, this is a high-toned, citrus-laden wine that retains fresh flavors of grapefruit and mandarin orange. It stays crisp and dry on the palate, with just a tiny suggestion of its time in neutral oak. Pomegranate and a tang of sour cherry finish things off.

Heritage Tree Vineyard Estate Rosé of

87

20

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Syrah

Gustafson Family

null

Italy

This sparker's name, Gialloro, (yellow-gold) accurately sums up its brilliant appearance in the glass. More enticing, perhaps, are its aromas: sweet peach, fresh apricot, sage and crushed white pepper. It's a simple, fresh wine that cleans your palate and gets the job done.

Extra Dry Giall Oro Gold Label

86

18

Veneto

Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene

null

Prosecco

Ruggeri & C.

null

Chile

Stony, oceanic and minerally on the nose, with no shortage of pungent green aromas. Feels tight and juicy, with wiry acidity and zesty flavors of gooseberry, green vegetables and lime. Definitely a green, cool-climate wine, but one with lasting zest and juicy acidity.

Novas Gran Reserva

88

14

San Antonio

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Emiliana

null

France

This is a fresh, juicy wine with acidity and bright red fruits. Yes, there are tannins but they support the lively, crisp strawberries and the spice that comes from the wood aging. The wine is developing fast and will be ready to drink from 2018.

Les Echezots

88

null

Burgundy

Marsannay

null

Pinot Noir

Domaine Bart

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Bart 2014 Les Echezots (Marsannay)

Austria

Lovely spiciness creeps into the lemon and tangerine zest that is on display here. Sprays of freshness and verve continue on the tight, linear palate that leaves a lasting impression of lip-smacking joy.

Pfaffenberg Reserve

93

25

Kremstal

null

Riesling

Winzer Krems

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Winzer Krems 2013 Pfaffenberg Reserve Riesling (Kremstal)

Italy

Here's a vibrant wine that opens with pretty aromas of blue flower, rose and berry. The savory palate doles out juicy red cherry, mint, thyme and clove alongside fresh acidity and supple tannins. It finishes on a succulent note. Drink through 2018.

null

89

28

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Riecine

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Riecine 2012 Chianti Classico

US

Dark in color, this hearty, full-bodied red unveils aromas of vanilla and marshmallow in a rich, concentrated opening that veers confectionary. Grippy tannin and leather provide a grit to the texture amid tart black cherry and tobacco.

null

86

44

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Merlot

Greyscale

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Greyscale 2014 Merlot (Napa Valley)

US

Here's a ripely fruity Chardonnay that pulls out all the stops to achieve opulence, and largely succeeds. Defines the modern style of winemaking, with extracted pineapple, orange and caramelized oak flavors, wrapped into a creamy, leesy texture that's brightened with zingy acidity. Drink now.

Maldonado Vineyard

90

45

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Chardonnay

Tudal

null

US

Super-young and jammy, with high, fresh acidity framing cherry and blackberry flavors, this wine has the merit of being dry and balanced. It's a nice country-style wine, easy to savor with simple fare.

null

84

12

California

Central Coast

Shiraz

Echelon

null

US

A heavy layer of vanilla weighs down the fruit here, which runs to fresh cherries and cherry liqueur. It's soft in the mouth, with soft tannins and a short-to-medium finish of mixed berries. Drink now.

null

82

23

Virginia

null

Cabernet Franc

Potomac Point

null

Canada

Partially (35%) fermented in French oak, this is a soft, round and fruity wine. Lightly toasted with scents of coconut and camphor, it's still packed with crisp lime and gooseberry fruit, providing a solid underpinning.

Southern Cross

90

30

British Columbia

Okanagan Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Mission Hill

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Mission Hill 2012 Southern Cross Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley)

US

From a vineyard surrounded by the region's iconic estates, this study of Pommard and 667 clones used 60% whole cluster and 20% new oak to produce black raspberry, alpine strawberry, chipped slate, dewy bay leaf and vanilla aromas. Bright cranberry and pomegranate juice shows on the palate, which is lifted by a potpourri of eucalyptus and thyme, proving lively and refreshing.

KW Vineyard

92

32

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Mignanelli

null

Italy

This organically grown Sangiovese from southern Tuscany offers fresh aromas of cherry, blueberry and white almond. This wine tastes ripe and mature and has soft tannins and a chewy texture thanks to some oak aging.

Fabula

86

13

Tuscany

Monteregio di Massa Marittima

null

Sangiovese

Montebelli

null

Spain

Satisfying from the purple color to the sweet bouquet to the clean palate to the long finish. It's a little simple and syrupy, but overall there's plenty of freshening acidity and flavors of plum, berry and chocolate to make it a complete and balanced wine. And that's really all you should hope for in this price category.

Luzon Verde Organic Grapes

87

9

Levante

Jumilla

null

Monastrell

Bodegas Luzón

null

US

This high-altitude, Chehalem Mountains vineyard puts on a show with this 2012. A sweet chocolate and cherry nose unfolds into a complex, elegant and beautifully proportioned wine, with blackberry, mineral and baking spice components. The lingering finish promises even better things to come if you give it another six to eight years in the cellar. Drink 2015 through 2025.

Chestnut Hill Vineyard

94

48

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Lemelson

null

US

This is a big, dramatically tannic Petite Sirah. It shows the variety's full-bodied, mouth-filling power, as well as blackberry, coffee, beef jerky and sandalwood flavors that finish rich and long. Should live for many years, gradually softening and sweetening.

Todd Brothers Ranch

90

35

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Petite Sirah

Dashe Cellars

null

Argentina

The nose is a dark, clumsy confluence of rubber, stewed cherry and horseradish, and the palate is both tangy and bouncy, with a hard feel and plenty of acidic kick. Misses too many marks to rate better.

Reserva

81

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Tempranillo

Tittarelli

null

US

Head-trained, century-old vines, provide intense scents with old vine herbal, herbaceous accents. Watermelon, hay and strawberries, intensely extracted and 17.5% alcohol. This is over-the-top winemaking, with powerful old vine fruit, and a big, extracted finish, with lingering toasty, hazelnut and vanilla highlights.

Ciapusci Vineyard

92

25

California

Mendocino Ridge

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Zinfandel

Edmeades

null

Italy

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold expression of Tuscany with generous layers of clove, Indian spice, crushed black pepper and black plum. The nose is distinguished by a lingering clove aroma. The tannins are thick but smooth and the mouthfeel is plush and rich.

Federico Primo

91

40

Tuscany

Val di Cornia Suvereto

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Gualdo del Re

null

Gualdo del Re 2004 Federico Primo Cabernet Sauvignon (Val di Cornia Suvereto)

US

This is an earthy and somewhat savory wine, buoyed by level acidity. It offers stewed lemon and fennel around a feral nose.

Private Reserve

88

45

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Buena Vista

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Buena Vista 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay (Sonoma County)

Italy

Youthful and bright, this shows the lean, bright side of the Famiglia Zingarelli line. You can really taste those Sangiovese characteristics thanks to lively tones of wild berry, raspberry, blue flower, wild mushroom and subtle spice. That zesty acidity makes the wine perfect for cheesy pasta or lasagna.

Famiglia Zingarelli

88

17

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Rocca delle Macìe

null

Germany

Bone dry but harmonious and well balanced, with ripe acidity and restrained pear, honey and petroleum notes in a medium-bodied frame. Its finish is long and minerally. Drinking well now but will show more finesse several years down the road.

Westhofener Trocken S

89

54

Rheinhessen

null

Riesling

Wittmann

null

US

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a variety of vineyards across eastern Washington, it seems a bit muddled with light notes of cherry, chocolate, and oak spice but may improve with some additional time in bottle.

null

87

30

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Apex

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Apex 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

Spain

Bramble and red berry aromas are attractive and almost exotic. Feels a bit furry and scratchy, but tastes of blueberry with an herbal tinge. Finishes well, with a pinch of minty green flavor.

null

85

7

Central Spain

La Mancha

null

Tempranillo

Venta Morales

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Venta Morales 2010 Tempranillo (La Mancha)

Italy

There's a modern touch to this wine thanks to its generous and long-lasting tones of espresso bean and chocolate backed by fruity cherry aromas. Beyond those standard characteristics are tones of dried herbs that recall coastal Tuscany. It's huge in structure but should also be ready to drink in two or three years.

null

91

60

Tuscany

Bolgheri Superiore

null

Red Blend

Castello di Bolgheri

null

US

Plump and spicy, mixing mint and apple, with flavors running into riper fruits—pear and peach. This fills the mouth with luscious fruit, suggestions of vanilla cream and butterscotch, with just enough acidity to bolster it on through into the finish. It's big and thick for Riesling, yet beautifully balanced and quite delicious.

null

90

18

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Southard

null

Portugal

A rich, gold color hints at the red Touriga Nacional that comprises this creamy, fruity blanc de noirs. It has weight, a touch of tannic dryness and yeasty acidity. Mature with bottle age, it's ready to drink.

Cabriz Blanc de Noirs

87

19

Dão

null

Portuguese Sparkling

Global Wines

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Global Wines 2012 Cabriz Blanc de Noirs Sparkling (Dão)

France

The enthusiastic use of wood for this wine gives a dark, spicy character that masks any fruit. Less new wood would have helped highlight the natural fruitiness of the wine. Leave it until 2020 and the fruit may fill out. Winemaker Stephan Carrier returned from Napa to take over winemaking after Irish businessman Lochlann Quinn bought the property in 2001.

null

89

50

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château de Fieuzal

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château de Fieuzal 2013 Pessac-Léognan

US

Concentrated fruit aromas, deep fruit flavors and a supportive, nicely astringent mouthfeel give this wine a great sense of structure and depth. It balances generosity with a bit of reserve in a traditional way that's very appealing. Best through 2020.

Complejo

91

100

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Barbera

Borjón

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Borjón 2013 Complejo Barbera (Amador County)

Austria

With a 10% barrel fermentation, this is a smooth Pinot Blanc. It has a luscious creamy texture, with pear, quince and green plum flavors. The ripe richness is well balanced with a fine layer of acidity.

Weissburgunder

89

19

Wagram-Donauland

null

Weissburgunder

Josef Ehmoser

null

Italy

Here's a very fruity wine with distinct mineral veins throughout that would pair well with grilled vegetables, white meat or seafood salad marinated with lime cilantro vinaigrette.

null

85

17

Veneto

null

Pinot Grigio

Aldegheri

null

Chile

Light and airy, with floral apple and cleanser aromas. The palate is sweet and melony, but is it Sauvignon Blanc? Hard to tell, really; this tastes as much like your average jug white as it does Sauvignon Blanc.

Reserva

81

9

Casablanca Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Chilensis

null

Spain

Stalky berry aromas lack overt ripeness and pop. This feels pushed to the center, with minimal mouthfeel. Stalky, lightly burnt and leathery berry flavors finish hot and dried out.

Crianza

84

15

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo

El Coto

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

El Coto 2012 Crianza (Rioja)

Spain

Light apple-blossom aromas are harmless. In the mouth, this Chardonnay-based blend is flat and buttery in feel, with baked apple and peach flavors before a flat finish.

null

82

11

Levante

Valencia

null

White Blend

Drassanes

null

This mouthwatering blend starts with a nose of fresh mint, pineapple and mango, followed by flavors of orange peel, peach and lemon. Fresh and fruity with a mineral backbone, the wine finishes on an earthy spin. Pair with grilled sardines or poultry dishes.

Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko

92

28

null

White Blend

Tsililis

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Tsililis 2015 Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko White

France

92-94 Barrel sample. A warm wine, which shows richness, open-ness. It has ripe, structured tannins, jelly fruits, based on a solid structure of sweet tannins and bright Cabernet acidity.

Barrel sample

93

null

Bordeaux

Pauillac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Pontet-Canet

null

US

Winemaker Dave Stephenson has a great feel for Syrah, and this is the best of the fall releases from Otis Kenyon, showing sweet fruit flavors of blueberry and boysenberry, dotted with peppery spice. Excellent grip and structure, with ripe tannins and a milk chocolate finish that will have you reaching quickly for a re-pour.

null

90

30

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Otis Kenyon

null

US

Rich raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors characterize this Grenache, but the mouthfeel is off-balance, with its acids and green tannins sticking out. This exposes the difficulties of making great Grenache in California, even in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Sandoval Vineyard

85

33

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Grenache

Sobriquet Winery

null

South Africa

This beautiful Semillon-dominant blend that shows great finesse, depth and power. Rich and opulent in every way, notes of baked red apple, lemon verbena, honey-drizzled peach and sweet orange oil flood the nose and mouth, while additional flavors of hazelnut cream, fig bread and soft sweet spice carry into the long finish. Round, but with enough acidic lift to keep it from being flabby. Drink now–2015.

Henrietta

92

30

Western Cape

null

Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc

Bizoe

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Bizoe 2010 Henrietta Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape)

US

Lots of jammy cherry and raspberry fruit here, with a good cut of acidity for refreshing balance. Feels silky and generous in the mouth. A pleasant, spicy, light-bodied Pinot Noir for drinking now.

Swami

88

17

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Blue Nomad

null

US

Dry and tart in acids, with lemon Lifesaver candy, lemongrass, hay, white pepper and vanilla aromas and flavors. A clean, brisk Sauvignon Blanc to drink as an appetizer. Good with Asian fare.

null

90

16

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sauvignon Blanc

Laird

null

Laird 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

France

90-92 Barrel sample. It takes a while for this wine to show. Then it has solid tannins, topped by ripe berry flavors, rich plums and an edge of juiciness.

Barrel sample

91

null

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Bouscaut

null

Australia

This is strongly marked by new oak on the nose at this stage, suggesting toast, brown sugar and coffee, but fruit comes through on the palate where hints of dark berries, cola, clove and cinnamon mingle. The wine is creamy and lush in texture, with ample weight and a lingering finish of dried fruit, vanilla and mocha. Drink from 2018 to 2025.

Coal River Valley Single Site

90

65

Tasmania

null

Pinot Noir

Dalrymple

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Dalrymple 2012 Coal River Valley Single Site Pinot Noir (Tasmania)

US

Softly elegant and dry, this is a lovely Bordeaux blend to pair with a wide variety of meats and cheeses. Structure is the star, with grapeskin and oak barrel tannins framing delicate cherry, herb and earth flavors.

Sonoma Reserve Meritage

87

17

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Blackstone

null

Australia

Although this starts off showing loads of vanilla and bright, boysenberry-like fruit, this is not a simple fruity concoction; there's some elegance here, and some savory notes of coffee and roasted meat as well. Drink this rich, full-bodied Shiraz over the next few years.

Dead Letter Office

91

27

South Australia

McLaren Vale-Padthaway

null

Shiraz

Henry's Drive Vignerons

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Henry's Drive Vignerons 2008 Dead Letter Office Shiraz (McLaren Vale-Padthaway)

Spain

Stalky and grassy smelling, which is par for a Penedès white blend. There str also apple and lemon-lime notes on the nose. In the mouth, it's lively and spritzy in feel, with pineapple, lime and grassy flavors. Zesty, dry and minerally on the finish, this should pair well with seafood and paella.

Blanc Selecció

87

15

Catalonia

Penedès

null

White Blend

Huguet de Can Feixes

null

US

This is a lovely white made by Chris Dearden. Whole-cluster pressed and fermented in once-used French oak, the grapes are sourced from a 12-acre parcel planted to Old Wente clone Chardonnay. Dark golden in hue, it has graceful acidity and a burst of lemon blossom on the nose that evolves into a sublime lightness and crispness on the palate.

Las Amigas Partners Vineyard

93

45

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Sleeping Giant

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Sleeping Giant 2013 Las Amigas Partners Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, toasted oak, coffee and a whiff of roasted herb emerge on this. The brawny palate displays dried black cherry, hazelnut, anise and vanilla alongside astringent tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish. A green note of powdered sage marks the close.

null

87

35

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Albatreti

null

US

Earthy, funky black tea and forest floor invite one in for further exploration of this block-specific offering that becomes lean and bright on the palate. Pomegranate dominates in terms of fruit, as spicy acidity elevates the experience.

Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard

88

44

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Kokomo

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Kokomo 2014 Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

US

The Red Queen bottling is Evening Land's most limited in terms of production. The grapes are sourced from a block in the estate vineyard at the highest point of the hill, and the wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 14 months. Tasted a few weeks prior to its official release, it was stubbornly unyielding, even after a full 24 hours. Given the pedigree of this estate, and the superb quality of the two other 2010 Pinots, it is reasonable to expect this to come out of its hard shell and earn a much higher score.

Seven Springs Vineyard Red Queen

92

75

Oregon

Eola-Amity Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Evening Land

null

Spain

The Eguren brothers of Sierra Cantabria and other projects always do a nice job with this Tempranillo from central Spain. It's a no-frills, bulky red with rich fruit and bacon aromas backed by bold boysenberry and blackberry flavors. There's no shortage of voltage in this tight, jabby, slightly clumsy red.

Codice

86

9

Central Spain

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

null

Tempranillo

Dominio de Eguren

null

US

Light strawberry and black cherry fruit is the story here, backed with decent acidity. Tannins are dark and well-structured, so the wine keeps its balance. Though it does not have the weight or depth of Washington Syrahs, or the sweet berry flavors of California, it is soundly made, drinking well, fruit forward, and a good choice for warm weather sipping.

Del Rio Vineyard

87

23

Oregon

Rogue Valley

Southern Oregon

Syrah

J. Scott Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

J. Scott Cellars 2007 Del Rio Vineyard Syrah (Rogue Valley)

France

Using fruit sourced from a 20-acre vineyard in Castillon, this is dominated by Merlot, with a touch of perfumed Cabernet Franc. It has an age-worthy structure, showing good balance, firm tannins and ripe fruit.

null

88

19

Bordeaux

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Moulin de Clotte

null

France

This is a blend from several Grand Crus on the Corton hill. It is rich and spicy, with great black fruits and solid tannins. A powerful wine, it's shot through with acidity and black-plum fruits throughout the structure. Drink from 2023.

Château Corton Grancey

95

170

Burgundy

Corton

null

Pinot Noir

Louis Latour

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Louis Latour 2014 Château Corton Grancey (Corton)

Italy

This luminous white offers delicate scents suggesting crushed rock, pear and a whiff of botanical herb. The taut, vibrant palate recalls Granny Smith apple, nectarine and mineral set against a backbone of firm acidity.

G

89

27

Southern Italy

Greco di Tufo

null

Greco

Di Meo

null

Austria

Very ripe notions of pineapple and soft banana are coupled with a fresh, clean earthiness. A phenolic edge lends mouthfeel and structure while citrus zest pervades the palate with freshness and linearity. With more time in glass, a very charming, tender note of ripe conference pear appears. Give this time to unfold. Drink from 2018.

Achleiten Smaragd

92

39

Wachau

null

Grüner Veltliner

Jäger

null

US

Whiffs of barnyard and leather are prominent on this earthy Cabernet Sauvignon. Full bodied in style with soft, chalky tannins, there's a core of tart blackberry and currant flavors that are crisp on the finish.

Reserve

85

40

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Cabernet Sauvignon

Osprey's Dominion

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Osprey's Dominion 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (North Fork of Long Island)

Austria

Savory, citrusy and pear-scented, this is fresh, crisp and light, making it ideal for a party.

13

85

13

Niederösterreich

null

Grüner Veltliner

Winzer Krems

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Winzer Krems 2013 13 Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich)

US

A very well-done Livermore Cab aged in 100% Hungarian oak and named “The Good Life,” this one's got plum and spicy cola going on and tastes young though it's a 2008. Its structure shows more potential to age—the fruit will integrate with the wine's subtle savory herbs.

A Jo Elet

88

40

California

Livermore Valley

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

McGrail

Virginie Boone

@vboone

McGrail 2008 A Jo Elet Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley)

US

A fascinating interpretation of this variety, this wine brings aromas of freshly peeled orange, sweet herb, flower and maraschino cherry. The flavors are fruit forward and plush, delivering loads of enjoyment with intriguing savory accents. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but who cares?

Chateau Puryear Vineyard Estate Bottled

90

24

Washington

Rattlesnake Hills

Columbia Valley

Malbec

Bonair

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Bonair 2012 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Estate Bottled Malbec (Rattlesnake Hills)

US

The mouthfeel on this dry wine is as smoothly voluptuous as velvet, although there's also a thick dusting of tannins that are fairly astringent right now. I do not believe this is a cellar-worthy wine, because the fruit is just too thin to outlast the tannins.

Reserve

85

65

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Merlot

Sterling

null

France

This is a wonderfully balanced wine, bursting with ripe spice as well as acidity. It's a rich wine, now showing maturity without losing its fruit. The depth of flavor, drilling right down to the mineral structure, is impressive. Drink now, although also wait until 2016.

Jubiléé

92

55

Alsace

null

Gewürztraminer

Hugel

null

Italy

Plush and opulent, this wine doles out huge intensity in its black fruit aroma and its toasted oak note. It shows incredible softness and richness on the finish, with a sweet blackberry-pie tone as well.

Donna Lisa Riserva

91

50

Southern Italy

Salice Salentino

null

Red Blend

Leone de Castris

null

US

Ultrarich and spicy, with exotic flavors of bacon, cherry pie, cola and sandalwood. Notable for its structure, so dry and sturdy in tannins, yet so silky. A big, full-bodied wine, it should develop bottle complexity over the next four years.

Le Bon Climat

93

60

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Clendenen Family

null

Clendenen Family 2007 Le Bon Climat Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)

US

This is pretty tasty in cherries, cola and licorice, with a nice, silky texture. It's a polished wine that finishes dry and spicy, with a sweet oak note on the finish. A little one dimensional, but it could develop bottle complexity over the next 6–7 years.

3 Dijon Clones

89

35

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Windsor Oaks

null

US

Maple, black fruit and cocoa aromas lead to lighter styled dark-fruit flavors. The barrel influence at times seems a bit heavy, with the flavors not able to stand up to it.

Les Collines Vineyard

86

40

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Maryhill

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Maryhill 2013 Les Collines Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Italy

This is textbook Pinot Grigio with a nice medley of fruit-driven aromas such as peach, citrus and Golden Delicious apple. The wine boasts a bright golden color and offers a soft, fruity finish. Pair with sliced ham or turkey.

null

85

18

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

Pinot Grigio

Colutta

null

US

This is a well-crafted, likable wine made at a fair value. The tightly wound mix of red fruit and licorice softens on the palate to offer approachability and a bite of tannin and oak.

null

87

15

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Merlot

Kenwood

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Kenwood 2013 Merlot (Sonoma County)

Spain

Forced oak and grassy core aromas make for a challenging, slightly green and resiny bouquet. This feels thick and heavy, with oaky, stewy flavors of ripe raspberry and black plum.

Alcanta Barrique Oak Aged

84

14

Levante

Alicante

null

Tempranillo

Bocopa

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Bocopa 2013 Alcanta Barrique Oak Aged Tempranillo (Alicante)

US

A little unripe, with some green flavors. But it shows enough blackberry fruit to please, and is dry and rich in tannins and acids, with a deft touch of oak. Drink now.

null

86

17

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Syrah

Kunde

null

US

Saintsbury brings a Pinot Noir-like touch to this Syrah. It's silky and transparent, with an elegant mouthfeel, but shows Syrah's weight and depth, with blackberry, blueberry, leather and pepper spice flavors wrapped into sturdy tannins. Drink now.

Sawi Vineyard

90

40

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Syrah

Saintsbury

null

Saintsbury 2007 Sawi Vineyard Syrah (Sonoma Valley)

Australia

Yalumba pioneered Viognier in Australia and the current crop of wines testifies to the company's efforts. This bottling is full bodied and rich to the point of being slightly oily on the palate, where it delivers bold flavors of honey, apricot and grilled pineapple. Drink now.

null

91

19

South Australia

Eden Valley

null

Viognier

Yalumba

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Yalumba 2013 Viognier (Eden Valley)

Australia

Oddly confected on the nose, with cotton candy-like cherry aromas, but once past that, this isn't bad wine, even if it's not really varietally correct. It's round in the mouth but with crisp acids, giving it a hard-edged feel, while the flavors are less candied and more like black cherries and chocolate.

Single Vineyard

84

15

Western Australia

Pemberton

null

Pinot Noir

Fonty's Pool

null

Italy

Luscious dark fruit and huge aromatic complexity: dark red cherry, crème de cassis, black licorice, dried ginger and ground pepper. Defined and tight in the mouth, with a long finish.

null

93

65

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

San Polino

null

US

Given the diverse clonal make-up of the vines that go in to this Pinot, the aromas are somewhat muted and shy. Earthy, spicy fruit flavors are characterized by baked red raspberry and strawberry notes, with the wine taking on a denseness on the palate and finish.

Estate Grace Benoist Ranch

85

43

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Etude

null

US

Bedell continues to raise the bar for Long Island Merlot with this offering. A rich, savory nose of meat, leather spice and dark berry leads into a poised balance of savory spice, rich fruit, acids and tannins. The wine has a friendly brightness about it but overall, is restrained and integrated.

Reserve

87

48

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Merlot

Bedell

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Bedell 2005 Reserve Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)

Italy

This is a gorgeous Ripasso (from a small, new producer) with thick aromatic layers of candied fruit, dried flowers, cola, mesquite and cedar wood. In all, it is an inky, well-extracted wine but at the same time is shows a bright, buoyant quality with immediate flavors and a bright close. —M.L.

null

91

null

Veneto

Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Corte San Benedetto

null

US

You'll want to drink this wine with beef, cheese and richly sauced foods, in order to balance out the dryness and acidity. On its own, it's austere, with cherry and sandalwood flavors. Rich, fatty fare will tame it and bring out the sweet fruit.

Monto Rosso Vineyard

87

36

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Sangiovese

Muscardini

null

Italy

An interesting white, this has an off-gold color, opening with thick aromas of apricot, honey, Golden Delicious apple and pineapple. There's a cheerful touch of zesty spice on the finish.

null

88

null

Central Italy

Umbria

null

White Blend

Tabarrini

null

Australia

Closer in style to a light red wine than a traditional dry rosé, this is dark pink—nearly pomegranate—in color, and boasts hints of leather, berries, dried herbs and white chocolate. Textured and round in the mouth, the only quibble is its relatively quick fade on the finish. Drink now.

Scarlet Ladybird Single Site

88

15

South Australia

null

Rosé

Zonte's Footstep

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Zonte's Footstep 2010 Scarlet Ladybird Single Site Rosé (South Australia)

France

89-91 Barrel sample. This is a finely balanced, poised wine, with fresh fruits, ripeness and a touch of lemon all coming together in potential harmony. There is wood, but it is laced with botrytis and fine, fresh flavors.

Barrel sample

90

null

Bordeaux

Barsac

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Suau

null

US

Just barely good. Raspingly dry, with a sharp cut of acid and some green flavors, but it'll be fine with a cheeseburger.

Harry's Patio

83

15

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Red Blend

Fralich

null

US

Sourced from a single block, this is a tart wine with delicate fruit flavors of rhubarb and cranberry. It does not have the depth nor stuffing of the previous vintage. Some pleasant aromatics of orange peel and citrus add interest.

Big Tree Block

89

70

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Sokol Blosser

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Sokol Blosser 2013 Big Tree Block Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)

US

This is dry, crisp and clean. But if you're looking for richness, you won't find it. With its savory lemon, mineral and white pepper flavors, this is an elegant sipper.

null

87

15

California

California Other

Chardonnay

One Hope

null

One Hope 2010 Chardonnay (California)

Chile

Spiced gumdrop and rooty sweetness carry the massive nose to a big but balky palate of baked, roasted black fruits, cassis and tire rubber. There's sweetness, beef, marshmallow and burn along with tannic weight and grab. A lot of power; needs more touch. Believe it or not, Medalla Real Cabernet is now a 73,000-case product.

Medalla Real Special Reserve

88

20

Maipo Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Rita

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Santa Rita 2007 Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

US

Superripe, almost sweet, this has good acidity and firm, fuzzy tannins that help balance the jammy cherry, raspberry and cola flavors. Good with a slightly sweet barbecue sauce on ribs and chicken.

Crow Ridge Vineyard

86

29

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

V. Sattui

null

New Zealand

Toasty, but with the fruit to back it up. Peach and caramel scents on the nose, then layers of ripe tropical and citrus fruit on the palate that keep pumping out flavor through the long finish. Another top effort for one of New Zealand's benchmark Chardonnays. Imported by Epic Wines.

Moutere

90

53

New Zealand

null

Chardonnay

Neudorf

null

US

Broad aromas of nectarine splashed with warm lemon juice mix with cut pear and ripe red apples on this bottling. The palate shows cooked apples, with slight hints of peach, all quite ripe.

null

85

28

California

Temecula Valley

South Coast

Pinot Grigio

Danza del Sol

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Danza del Sol 2014 Pinot Grigio (Temecula Valley)

Italy

Here's a southern Italian red with Barolo-like austerity: elegant notes of small berry fruit are seamlessly folded within layers of slate roof, ash, graphite, licorice and fine expressions rendered by volcanic soils and 18 months of oak aging. It really comes alive in the mouth, where the wine delivers power, concentration and a very long-lasting finish. This is Mastroberardino's flagship red.

Naturalis Historia

93

65

Southern Italy

Irpinia

null

Aglianico

Mastroberardino

null

Mastroberardino 2001 Naturalis Historia Aglianico (Irpinia)