spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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France	Mega-négociant Guigal has turned out a fine Crozes-Hermitage in 2004, one that accurately reflects the strengths and weaknesses of the vintage. There's admirable purity of cherry, peppery fruit but also a certain lack of concentration. The result is a pretty wine that should be consumed over the near term. Imported by Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Inc.	null	86	18	Rhône Valley	Crozes-Hermitage	null	Syrah	E. Guigal	null	null	null
US	Simple, with cola and candied cherry flavors with a touch of raisins. Finishes hot.	MacGregor Vineyard	83	18	California	Edna Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Windemere	null	null	null
US	The Legacy estate reserve is a limited selection from the original mid-1970s vines. It remains stubbornly closed, even after hours of breathing time. Grudgingly, pomegranate and cranberry fruit flavors peek through a high-acid base with mineral undertones. The balance is there for further aging.	Winderlea Legacy	91	75	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Winderlea	null	null	null
US	A gentle giant of a wine, this has huge flavors, great structure and massive fine-grained tannins but it's still poised and balanced. It smells almost beefy, rich, dark and black cherry-ish, yet with tasty nuances of smoke and caramel, tastes full and generous and feels attractively astringent. Best to drink after 2017.	Family Reserve Largo	92	30	California	Mendocino County	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	McNab Ridge	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	McNab Ridge 2013 Family Reserve Largo Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino County)
US	A difficult Pinot Noir to evaluate. It's very dry, acidic and tannic, with sharp flavors of blackberries that sweeten into jam on the finish. The question is one of ageability. Try cellaring for five years and see what happens.	Dos Rubios Vineyard	87	54	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Testarossa	null	null	null
Italy	Subtle and elegant, this opens with a smoky aroma that underscores delicate scents of orchard fruit, citrus and botanical herb. The aromas follow through to the linear palate along with a racy mineral vein. A note of cured meat closes the racy finish.	22	89	30	Southern Italy	Fiano di Avellino	null	Fiano	Villa Raiano	null	null	null
Germany	Streaks of lanolin and honeycomb lend a waxy richness to stark lime and lemon flavors in this dry, medium-bodied wine. While slightly austere in style, intense minerality and sharp acidity create stately elegance.	Charta	90	24	Rheingau	null	null	Riesling	Johannishof	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Johannishof 2012 Charta Riesling (Rheingau)
Italy	This vintage-dated Prosecco beautifully captures ambient light within its luminous appearance. Persistent perlage and cheerful aromas of white flower, pear and peach seal the deal.	Millesimato Brut Rive di Refrontolo	86	null	Veneto	Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore	null	Glera	Toffoli	null	null	null
Italy	This opens with somewhat rustic aromas of overripe fruit, truffle, game and a whiff barnyard. The round, accessible palate is already evolved, showing dried black cherry, mocha, anisette and a confectionary note alongside smooth tannins. Drink sooner rather than later.	null	88	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Fontanafredda	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Fontanafredda 2011 Barolo
US	When a young Pinot Noir is dominated by oak, as this one is, it's a little worrying. Will the oak be absorbed in time, or will it always be excessive? This young wine has pleasant cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors, but the oak seems to have the upper hand. Drink soon.	Estate Grown	87	45	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Pfendler	null	null	null
France	A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine, packed with tannins and flavors of new wood. The black fruits are rich from the vintage, warm and jammy. This is a wine with fine concentration, coming into balance, finishing with black currant acidity.	null	91	85	Bordeaux	Saint-Estèphe	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Ségur de Cabanac	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Ségur de Cabanac 2009 Saint-Estèphe
US	Clumsy, with a sharp feeling throughout, and semisweet, candied flavors of cherries, cola and chocolate.	Reserve	82	24	California	Lake County	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Grenache	Shannon Ridge	null	null	null
Argentina	The bouquet is demanding, with burnt tire rubber, horse, heavy char and muddled black-fruit aromas. Feels closed and tastes buttery and burnt, with barrel char and resin sitting heavily atop herbal berry flavors. A heavily made-up wine.	null	82	15	Other	Cafayate	null	Malbec	Camino del Inca	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Camino del Inca 2011 Malbec (Cafayate)
US	Marred by a green peppercorn unripeness that makes the tannins especially difficult and dry. Hard to fall in love with, despite some good black cherry, plum and cola flavors. The chilly vintage seems to have worked against this wine.	null	86	50	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	La Crema	null	null	null
Chile	Powerfully built and well balanced, this has aromas of cherry, red currant, spice, dried cheese and earth, giving way to flavors of red plum, wild berry, buttery oak and vanilla. Drink now or cellar it through 2017.	Hacedor de Mundos Old Vines	91	45	Loncomilla Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Gillmore	null	null	null
Austria	An appetizing aroma of ripe, yellow pear dances on the nose. The palate tones this down and brings slight lemon flavors into play, with a touch of spritz and a slender, fresh, clean body.	null	88	13	Carnuntum	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Markowitsch	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Markowitsch 2016 Grüner Veltliner (Carnuntum)
France	90–92. Barrel sample. This rich, opulent wine is packed with ripe black fruits and red berries. It's a warm wine with a generous character that's balanced with a firm core of tannins.	Barrel Sample	91	null	Bordeaux	Moulis-en-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Branas Grand Poujeaux	null	null	null
Spain	Cambra's wines all seem sheer and tannic. This blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc is funky at first, with clamshell, cheese and sweat aromas. In the mouth, it is all over the map, with short black-cherry flavors, lasting tartness and overt tannins. More shallow and hard than deep, rewarding and balanced.	Dos	83	30	Levante	Valencia	null	Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc	Bodegas Rafael Cambra	null	null	null
US	Quite tart, the fruit here touches (just barely) on melon, with orange and lemon zest, a bit of lime, and plenty of acid. All stainless fermented, it went through full malolactic.	Renovação Estate Vineyards	87	20	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Coelho	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Coelho 2015 Renovação Estate Vineyards Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
Italy	Tight, linear and compact. Clean, crisp and precise. Small berry aromas of cassis, wild berry and cherry are framed by firm, dusty tannins and a touch of toasted oak.	Riserva	93	75	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	La Mannella	null	null	La Mannella 2006 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino)
US	A well-made wine with a creamy texture and long finish, infused with aromas and flavors of buttered toast, grilled peaches, apple skins and almond shells. Balanced and not over-oaked; an excellent choice for hearty chicken pasta dishes and bisques.	Reserve	86	16	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Chardonnay	Christiano Family	null	null	null
US	This wine combines oaky sweetness with good, plummy fruit flavors and a lightly grippy texture. It's tasty and approachable in style.	null	87	9	California	California	California Other	Cabernet Sauvignon	Happy Camper	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Happy Camper 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
US	This wine immediately wows the palate, bursting into full flavor with an explosion of apple and pear fruit. There's a light yeastiness as well, just enough to suggest a young, fresh, exuberant wine, and it simply grabs hold of your taste buds and never lets go.	The Orchards	90	18	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Left Coast Cellars	null	null	null
US	Aged both in French oak and stainless steel, this entry-level white is creamy in texture with a taste of lemon cream pie and vanilla swirls, the tannins tight and the oak present, though cradling. Fresh and fruity, this is a food-friendly, approachable wine.	null	88	23	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Artesa	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Artesa 2014 Chardonnay (Carneros)
Austria	Right now this speaks of earth, forest floor and oak leaf—but not in a mature way. This Pinot takes time to show the glorious red cherry that is there in abundance, caressed by gentle, smoky oak. This will take time to blossom but will reward patience. Balance between acidity and silken body is evident and the layers of leaf, earth, cherry, smoke and minerality will continue in their infinite Pinot alchemy. Drink as of 2016.	Holzspur	95	80	Thermenregion	null	null	Pinot Noir	Johanneshof Reinisch	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Johanneshof Reinisch 2012 Holzspur Pinot Noir (Thermenregion)
US	Smelling like a pastry shop, the wine offers red currant and warm brioche scents that recall raspberry tarts and freshly baked breads. It's made by cousins Dan and Christian Tudor, whose family has made wines for thousands of years in Croatia, and grown table grapes since the 1920s in California. The body is fairly light, delivering tart raspberry flavors; decent acid makes the mouth water.	Hook Vineyard	90	75	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Tudor Wines	null	null	null
Italy	It's loaded with lemon blossom, yellow apple, white peach, Bartlett pear and citrus sensations with a hint of custard. Creamy texture is brightened by fresh acidity.	null	91	29	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	Ribolla Gialla	Dorigo	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Dorigo 2013 Ribolla Gialla (Colli Orientali del Friuli)
France	Dense and beautifully ripe, this is a rounded rich wine. It focuses on the tropical yellow-fruit spectrum. That gives a full wine with wood-spice hints and just the right amount of citrus acidity to give it a lift. Drink this finely structured wine from 2023.	null	97	null	Bordeaux	Pessac-Léognan	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Smith Haut Lafitte	null	null	null
France	The top rosé cuvée from Léoube is full and rich. Find its generous red plum and berry fruits well encased in a complex structure. A touch of vanilla goes well with the final acidity.	Secret de Léoube	90	27	Provence	Côtes de Provence	null	Rosé	Château Léoube	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Léoube 2012 Secret de Léoube Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
US	The floral spray and sweet nectar of fresh yellow cherries persist from start to finish on this penetrating semi-sweet wine. It's rich and ripe with stone fruit flavors, but balanced with tart lime acidity and steely, honed minerality.	Single Clone No. 198 Reserve	91	25	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Boundary Breaks	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Boundary Breaks 2012 Single Clone No. 198 Reserve Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Italy	From the celebrated Bricco Asili cru, this Barbaresco is a beautiful embodiment of elegance, grace, harmony and complexity. Fine aromas of small berry fruit, violets, cola, dark spice and fresh licorice root peel off layer after layer. The wine shows excellent structure, with tight, firm tannins and a bright touch of acidity on the long finish.	Bricco Asili Bricco Asili	93	154	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	Ceretto	null	null	null
Chile	Buttercup aromas give a sense that this wine is right on the edge. And it probably is; it's an '06 with ripe, soft, melony flavors and lots of pineapple and mango on the finish. Big and fruity now, but it's not going to last much longer.	Special Reserve	85	10	Maule Valley	null	null	Chardonnay	Simone	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Simone 2006 Special Reserve Chardonnay (Maule Valley)
Italy	Wow: simply wonderful! This wine will blow you away on all levels. The intensity, the quality of the mouthfeel, the fine focus of the fruit and spice aromas and its long persistency are stratospheric. It's a dark, brooding expression of Nebbiolo with enough of an aromatic motor to carry it forward many years, if not decades of cellar aging. The Rivetto family has produced a masterpiece.	Riserva	97	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Rivetto	null	null	null
US	Simple, oaky and fruity, with pineapple jam, buttered toast and vanilla flavors. Made in a direct, consumer-appealing style.	null	83	18	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Park Lane	null	null	null
US	Syrah is not new in Southern Oregon, but finding a consistent style has been a battle. Progress is being made. Tannins are tamed, alcohol is kept in hand, and the fruit is plenty ripe; maybe just a bit too ripe. Here the flavors are of strawberry preserves, leafy herbs, and lighter but still-astringent tannins. The wine fades fairly quickly, and should be consumed in its youth.	null	87	25	Oregon	Rogue Valley	Southern Oregon	Syrah	J. Scott Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	J. Scott Cellars 2012 Syrah (Rogue Valley)
Portugal	This bold, firm wine strikes a fine balance between structure and ripe black plum fruit. It has dense tannins that indicate it needs time. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, it will be ready from 2018.	Tonel 22	88	12	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Enoport	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Enoport 2015 Tonel 22 Red (Douro)
US	This is quite a delicious wine. It's not supersweet, and has long, deep flavors of ripe apricots, white chocolate and vanilla, with a crème brûlée richness that seems equal parts fruit and smoky oak. The acidity is keen, providing balancing relief to the sweetness. Fabulous with a butter cookie or shortbread and vanilla ice cream.	Muscat-a-Petits Grains Vin Doux Naturel	92	15	California	Shenandoah Valley (CA)	Sierra Foothills	Muscat	Domaine de la Terre Rouge	null	null	null
France	One of the most familiar Entre-deux-Mers chateaus, and certainly the largest, this is the home of master vigneron André Lurton. With its fresh, grapefruit flavors and aromas of white flowers and hedgerows, this is a great summer wine.	null	88	10	Bordeaux	Entre-Deux-Mers	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Bonnet	null	null	null
Chile	With each passing year Montes' Pinots seem to get a little better. While subdued on the nose, this wine has an attractive nose of earth, rubber band and berry fruit. The palate is bigger and more substantive than the average Chilean Pinot, and it delivers full cherry and plum flavors along with a second layer of spice and chocolate. Not too angular in feel, but still it shows acidity and citrusy accents.	Limited Selection	88	19	Casablanca Valley	null	null	Pinot Noir	Montes	null	null	null
New Zealand	Amisfield has been on a hot streak, and the 2007 continues that roll. The aromas show wonderfully high-toned cherry fruit, with a slightly herbal element that adds welcome complexity. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with its black cherry fruit framed by a hint of vanilla. Long and lush on the finish, this looks to be at its best now and for the next several years.	null	92	45	Central Otago	null	null	Pinot Noir	Amisfield	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Amisfield 2007 Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
France	This Aube-based producer has made a fine vintage from a good year. A half-and-half blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, still young and crisp, this concentrated wine brings in apricot as well as citrus fruits into a taut and mineral texture. Still full of its baby fruit, it will age well and will be best drunk from 2018.	D Millésimé Brut	93	85	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Devaux	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Devaux 2008 D Millésimé Brut (Champagne)
France	Black-currant flavors are right up in the front of this wine. With some youthful stalkiness, it also has the potential for a really juicy character that is bright, almost crisp. A touch of perfume gives the wine a lift. Let it smooth out for a few months, so drink from early 2017.	null	85	14	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Tour le Pin	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Tour le Pin 2014 Bordeaux
France	Attractively light wine, clean as a whistle, wearing light acidity, pear fruits and a creamy texture. Drink as an apéritif.	null	86	null	Alsace	Alsace	null	Pinot Blanc	Dopff Au Moulin	null	null	null
US	Sugary and thin, this has a light mix of citrus flavors—lemon and lime—and a hint of pineapple. It's a pleasant wine, but not up to previous efforts from Chateau Bianca.	null	86	15	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Riesling	Château Bianca	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Château Bianca 2012 Riesling (Willamette Valley)
Argentina	Aromas of cherry Lifesaver and red currant are medicinal. This has a thick, sticky, cough-syrup mouthfeel and dark, medicinal flavors of stewed plum, burnt brown sugar and crème de cassis. Heat and sticky grab define the finish on this sweet Malbec.	Malamado	85	20	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Zuccardi	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Zuccardi 2011 Malamado Malbec (Mendoza)
Portugal	The merest prickle on the tongue adds to the freshness of this crisp, clean, lightly sweet wine. Very fruity, it conveys apples and citrus, with a soft, fragrant aftertaste.	Salsus	85	9	Vinho Verde	null	null	Portuguese White	Wines & Winemakers	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Wines & Winemakers 2013 Salsus White (Vinho Verde)
US	Dilute red fruits and a tomato paste flavor are the story here, with no varietal character. Some earthy, roasted barrel flavors come up but are not well-integrated.	Red Café	83	25	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Vin du Lac	null	null	null
Argentina	Purple to the eye, with intense aromas of mint, licorice and saturated black fruit. The mouth is like blueberry-blackberry compote, while the oak seems heavy given the wine's higher acids and limited depth. Has plenty of positives but sings just one note.	null	87	17	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Finca Sophenia	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Finca Sophenia 2003 Malbec (Mendoza)
US	This extremely popular red blend is 88% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Full-bodied and fruit forward, it captures the house style with hints of earth, herb and spice.	The Jack	87	18	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Red Blend	Saviah	null	null	null
US	Tough in tannins and dustily dry, this is a hard wine to warm up to. It's not just the astringency but the absence of fruit. Shows modest flavors of cherries and blackberries, and doesn't seem like an ager. A disappointment.	Trilogy	84	65	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Flora Springs	null	null	Flora Springs 2006 Trilogy Red (Napa Valley)
South Africa	Bright, focused classic orange-apricot Muscat aromas and flavors shine in this fortified wine from Paarl. Though light in feel, it shows a little heat—no surprise with its 18% alcohol. Refreshing very cold from the nose right through the tangy citrus-spice close.	Jerepico	87	15	Paarl	null	null	Morio Muskat	Landskroon	null	null	null
Austria	If Riesling is known to pick up tastes from its terroir, then this wine is a perfect example. The sandstone of the Heiligenstein hill gives such intense minerality that at this youthful stage it dominates all the fruit. The peaches, ripe tropical flavors are glints at the moment, but then this great wine is set to take its time.	Zöbinger Heiligenstein	93	42	Kamptal	null	null	Riesling	Bründlmayer	null	null	null
US	Tastes like a sweet and sour sauce mixed into white wine, with pineapple, sugar and lime flavors and an alcoholic buzz.	null	84	19	California	California	California Other	Sauvignon Blanc	One Hope	null	null	null
Chile	Dense aromas of earth, berry fruits, latex and animal fur are a touch challenging at first but balance out with airing. This has a crisp, fresh feel despite coming from a hot year. Lightly herbal, leathery flavors of red currant and wild berry finish oaky, with more than adequate filling.	null	89	20	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Maquis	null	null	null
Italy	You'll like the herbal freshness of this Vernaccia, which is fleshed out by soft tones of peach and honey. There's no big structure or consistency here, but that's the point. Throw back finger foods or salads with this easy white.	null	85	15	Tuscany	Vernaccia di San Gimignano	null	Vernaccia	Palagetto	null	null	null
US	This soft, easy to drink Zinfandel has likeable flavors of raspberries, cherries, cola and spices. It's a little on the sweet side, but the drying tannins provide balance.	Montecillo Vineyard	87	28	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Keating	null	null	null
Spain	Appealing bright citrus and slate flavors ride a round yet faintly spritzy mouthfeel in this lively white from Spain's northeast. The flavors and textures show some depth and positive tension. Best for current drinking, it closes bright and dry, with good length. Best Buy. —M.M.	Classico	87	10	Catalonia	Alella	null	White Blend	Marqués de Alella	null	null	Marqués de Alella 2000 Classico White (Alella)
Spain	Our bet is that a granular, reduced, raisiny wine like this will not have broad appeal. Yet if you are interested in trying a blend of Samsó, Garnacha and Syrah it has some core qualities, namely old-school raisin and plum flavors backed by core tannins. A country-style wine if there ever was one.	Saó	84	12	Catalonia	Terra Alta	null	Red Blend	Celler La Bollidora	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Celler La Bollidora 2005 Saó Red (Terra Alta)
US	Here's a refreshingly crisp, easy-to-like blush wine to drink with fruit, ham, chicken, tacos, almost anything. A Rhône blend based on Mourvèdre, it has herb-infused flavors of sour red cherry candy, vanilla, pepper and cinnamon.	null	86	27	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rosé	Tablas Creek	null	null	null
US	This is a thick, firmly structured version of a rare variety in California, smoky in black cherry and vanilla. Perfumed in sweet aromas of violet and raspberry pie, it offers a deceptively balanced fullness of body and power, with persistence to the finish.	Matthew's Station Vineyard	90	30	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Tannat	Joseph Swan Vineyards	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Joseph Swan Vineyards 2012 Matthew's Station Vineyard Tannat (Russian River Valley)
Italy	A bright nose of cherry, vanilla and rum cake leads into a moderately intense midpalate, with bright endnotes of dried mint and ginger on the cool, crisp finish.	null	89	46	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Cantina di Montalcino	null	null	null
US	An elegant, elaborate Pinot Noir, clearly well grown. The structure is impeccable, with brisk, citrusy acidity and finely ground tannins. The flavors show long hangtime ripeness, flooding the mouth with raspberries, Dr. Pepper cola and exotic pie spices. There's even a note of balsam and mushrooms. Very fine now, with decanting, but should develop bottle complexity over the next six years.	null	92	41	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Freeman	null	null	Freeman 2009 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
US	Tough and gritty, with uneven tannins and some minty green flavors alongside the cherries, mulberries and red currants. Not going anywhere, so drink up.	null	84	24	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Taj	null	null	null
Slovenia	This 100% Ribolla Gialla has aromas of green apple and apple cider. There's nice minerality in the mouth with flavors of apple pie, apple cider and a touch of creaminess. The finish is pleasantly bright.	Rebula Época	89	27	Goriska Brda	null	null	Ribolla Gialla	Principiano Ferdinando	null	null	null
Germany	Intensely concentrated flavors of sweet cantaloupe, tangerine and peach belie the difficulties inherent to Mosel's 2013 vintage. This spätlese is unusually rich and silken on the palate, yet maintains a thrilling high-acid profile. Finishes long with lingering notes of honeysuckle and saffron.	Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap	93	78	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch)	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch) 2013 Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap Riesling (Mosel)
US	With ripe tropical fruit, peach, pear and green apple flavors and a nice creamy mouthfeel, this is a good everyday white wine made in the modern, fruit-forward California style. At the equivalent of $4.50 a bottle, it's a bargain.	null	84	18	California	California	California Other	Pinot Grigio	Bota Box	null	null	Bota Box 2006 Pinot Grigio (California)
France	This attractive, ripe, yellow- and white-fruited wine achieves a fine balance between acidity and full herbaceous-fruit flavors. It has a crisp texture and a touch of minerality. The finish is bright and lively.	null	87	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux Blanc	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château La Rose du Pin	null	null	null
Germany	While the nose is soft-spoken, the palate of this honey-slicked Spätlese is robust, buoyant with fruit and complexities of spice, saffron and mineral. Ripe tangerine and stone fruit flavors are satisfyingly juicy, yet edged by a fine filigree of lime and lemon acidity.	Grünlack Spätlese	92	40	Rheingau	null	null	Riesling	Schloss Johannisberger	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Schloss Johannisberger 2014 Grünlack Spätlese Riesling (Rheingau)
Italy	This is a very satisfying Sangiovese di Romagna that shows great balance between its spicy oak tones and its bright fruit nuances. Those two sides of the wine meet perfectly at the middle to offer enough acidity, spice and fruit to pair with pasta or roast chicken.	Riserva	88	25	Central Italy	Sangiovese di Romagna	null	Sangiovese	Umberto Cesari	null	null	Umberto Cesari 2010 Riserva (Sangiovese di Romagna)
US	Barbera is always going to be dry, rustic, tannic and acidic. But this is one of the better examples out there. It shows extra levels of depth, with masses of blackberries, currants, dark chocolate and black pepper. Should hold for many years, softening and mellowing.	J&S; Reserve	90	30	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Barbera	Scott Harvey	null	null	null
US	This is very appealing for the soft, sexy texture and drink-me-now black currant flavors, but it's lacking the acid-tannin structure that great Napa Cab needs. Drink now and for a few years.	The Rocks	87	60	California	St. Helena	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Rockledge Vineyards	null	null	null
US	This wine is marked by exceptionally ripe, forward flavors of blackberry jam and black currants, with a sweet coating of smoky oak. In fact, flavor is what drives this wine, although it also shows fine, complex Diamond Mountain tannins that give it a dramatic structure. Seems best now and for the next three years.	Estate	91	71	California	Diamond Mountain District	Napa	Petite Verdot	Reverie	null	null	null
France	89-91 Barrel sample. Sweet fruit, soft tannins, ripe wine. The structure takes a while to show with dusty, almost velvet tannins.	Barrel sample	90	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château la Tour de Pin Figeac	null	null	null
Argentina	A wonderful wine from the Uco Valley of Mendoza that opens with fine fruit, richness and molten earth. The palate is big as they come but not hard and out of whack, and the flavors are an amalgam of rich black plum, berry fruit, fig paste and chocolate. Smoky and sultry on the back end, with mocha and coffee for finishing notes. Drink now through 2014.	null	93	45	Mendoza Province	Uco Valley	null	Red Blend	Monteviejo	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Monteviejo 2006 Red (Uco Valley)
US	A disjointed wine with notes of ale and pear. The palate is off dry and oily in feel, with some bitterness on the finish.	null	81	12	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Gewürztraminer	B. Lovely	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	B. Lovely 2013 Gewürztraminer (Washington)
Argentina	Opens with a smoke shack full of hickory and jerky before settling in a dark mass. The palate is sweet and a touch awkward, with heavy Port-like weight and strange but provoking berry flavors. An odd blend of Malbec, Cab and Syrah that needs fine tuning.	Amauta	84	20	Other	Cafayate	null	Red Blend	Bodegas El Porvenir De Los Andes	null	null	null
US	Good price for a rich wine like this. It's big and potent in black cherry and black currant flavors, with a flashy coating of sweet oak. Feels elegant and balanced in the mouth.	Reserve	87	16	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Meritage	Lyeth	null	null	Lyeth 2009 Reserve Meritage (Sonoma County)
US	A burnt, reduced quality mars the fruit in this wine, made in a big style with full-bodied power and density.	Cellar Club	82	35	California	Calistoga	Napa	Zinfandel	Sterling	null	null	null
US	This majority Chardonnay-based sparkler is yeasty and dry, offering a refreshingly crisp, firm mousse and subtle core of green apple and ginger. It retains plenty of acidity on the palate and is equally delicious as a solo sipper or with creamy, rich foods.	Blanc de Blancs	92	42	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sparkling Blend	Mumm Napa	null	null	null
France	Elegant as well as rich, this is a beautiful wine. It has great depth of flavor, the sweetest fruit, deliciously ripe. At the same time, the tannins are an underlying sustenance to the impressive ageworthiness.	null	95	120	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Clos Fourtet	null	null	null
US	A little raw in acidity, with some green olive notes, but the rustic nature works in favor of the wine, grounding its rich blackberry, currant and chocolate flavors with earthiness. Tasted in a flight of much more expensive wines, this Cab did very well.	Split Oak Vineyard	87	12	California	California	California Other	Cabernet Sauvignon	Morro Bay	null	null	null
Italy	Aromas of field flowers, lemon rind, pear and wet slate are understated. There's good persistency and fruit essence on the finish. Imported by Italian Imports.	Superiore	85	11	Veneto	Breganze	null	Pinot Grigio	Cantina Beato Bartolomeo	null	null	null
US	From estate fruit, this Chardonnay falls a bit flat in the mouth. The fruit is light and simple, and there is a hint of bitterness that leave a chemical aftertaste.	null	85	25	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Chardonnay	Methven Family Vineyards	null	null	null
Italy	This Negroamaro-Aglianico blend opens slowly, then suddenly releases a rush of red cherry, toast, prune, leather and red earth. The tannins are velvety (the wine sees 14 months of oak) and you'll get lavender, blueberry and dill-like flavors on the finish.	Terra Riserva	90	30	Southern Italy	Leverano	null	Red Blend	Conti Zecca	null	null	null
US	Quite ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Pretty cherry, strawberry, tea, spice and herb flavors are at the core. Tannins are slightly robust, but still ripe. The wine finishes long, clean and elegant.	Vista Verde Vineyard	90	32	California	San Benito County	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Williams Selyem	null	null	Williams Selyem 2000 Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir (San Benito County)
Italy	This Brunello is jammy and hot with aromas of blackberry preserves, leafy greens and coffee bean. The mouthfeel is on the short side, although it does offer a flash of fresh fruit on the close.	null	84	null	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Santa Giulia	null	null	Santa Giulia 2003 Brunello di Montalcino
France	The wine is dark, deep, rich and dense. It has just the right wood element, black berry juice and a pure line of acidity. It is weighty for a 2008, while keeping the freshness.	null	93	null	Bordeaux	Pauillac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Clerc Milon	null	null	null
US	Aromas of beeswax and lemon oil, the flavors following along with tangerine, orange and peach. Very dry, with exceptional concentration of fruit, and well-integrated flavors of cracker and grain. This was barrel fermented, and delivers a long, concentrated finish.	Lawrence Vineyards Dry	90	18	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Gård	null	null	null
Spain	It's already too late for an '04 Albariño, but this one still has some life and kick in it. The nose has some peanut and lacquer, but overall apple aromas ride high. In the mouth, it shows the oily quality of an aging white along with peach, citrus and nut flavors.	null	86	18	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	Albariño	Zarate	null	null	null
Spain	This is a nice value-priced Albariño, with a minerally nose also offers aromas of melon, apple and peach. The palate is citrusy in feel, with lemony acids. Citrus and stone-fruit flavors finish stony and crisp, with a final blast of lemon.	null	89	14	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	Albariño	Viña Cartín	null	null	null
US	There's a gorgeous floral lift to this silky-smooth wine. Red cherry and raspberry flavors are penetrating and ripe, but brisk with an invigorating mineral touch. Finely grained tannins linger on the finish.	Ingle Vineyard	90	25	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Pinot Noir	Heron Hill	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Heron Hill 2012 Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir (Finger Lakes)
US	This is an elusive, spicy wine made in larger amounts than many of the producer's other single-site wines and it shows a deftness of balance and blending. Tangy orange and cranberry wrap around a high acidity that plays out like wet stones and black tea with plenty of herbal backbone on display.	Estate	92	50	California	Green Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Iron Horse	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Iron Horse 2013 Estate Pinot Noir (Green Valley)
Greece	A lush nose of mocha, cinnamon, pepper and clove starts this smooth wine with style. Flavors of cedar, spice and rich fruit are complex and delivered in a mouthfilling, structured wave. A spicy finish adds to the appeal. Ageable but good to drink now; pair with cheese and smoked meats. A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Kotsifali.	Skalani Syrah-Kotsifali	88	43	Greece	null	null	Red Blend	Boutari	null	null	null
New Zealand	This wine was a big award winner back in New Zealand, and it's easy to see why. It's full-bodied and rich but never heavy, with complex aromas and flavors that include cola and coffee, black cherries and plums, cinnamon and clove. Finishes long, with mouthwatering acids and a fine coating of silky tannins. Delicious now, but should last through at least 2012, maybe longer.	null	92	35	Central Otago	null	null	Pinot Noir	Wooing Tree	null	null	null
Italy	Terre di Prenzano is the kind of Chianti Classico that can be paired with cheese-stuffed focaccia or gnocchi. The fruit is simple and clean, and the wine's bright acidity refreshes the palate.	Terre di Prenzano	86	15	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Villa Vignamaggio	null	null	null
US	There's something Chablisian about this Chardonnay. It's partly the acidity, which is high, and partly the gunmetal minerality, courtesy of another cool vintage in the southern Napa/Carneros region where the grapes were grown. Add in oak-infused pineapples, peaches and pears, and you have a fairly significant wine that could even benefit from some years in the cellar.	null	90	28	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Chardonnay	Stags' Leap Winery	null	null	null
New Zealand	A pleasant surprise among value-priced bottlings, this wine features a hint of gun flint that adds dimension to the fig, melon and pink grapefruit flavors. It's rather round in the mouth and perhaps a little sweet, but finishes long and savory.	Reserve	89	13	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Zeal	null	null	null
France	This wine is quite the bargain, offering nice fruit and spice for under $10. Simply structured with soft tannins, juicy black currant and plum flavors all accented by a hint of pepper. Drink now.	Reserve	84	8	Languedoc-Roussillon	Vin de Pays d'Oc	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Barton & Guestier	null	null	null
France	The wine is tight, green and herbal. It has some fruitiness, but that is suppressed by general underripeness. The tannins are hard at the end.	null	84	28	Burgundy	Chorey-lès-Beaune	null	Pinot Noir	Joseph Drouhin	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Joseph Drouhin 2011 Chorey-lès-Beaune
US	This biodynamic Rhône blend is equal parts of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, co-fermented with native yeast. It's a splendid example of the non-interventionist style, rich, and textural. The yeasty flavors are refreshing—pear and apple and cucumber fruit holding down the center—clean and solid. The wine gains power and brings in some toasty barrel flavors as it rolls into the finish.	Spiral 36	90	22	Oregon	Applegate Valley	Southern Oregon	Rhône-style White Blend	Cowhorn	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Cowhorn 2009 Spiral 36 White (Applegate Valley)

France

Mega-négociant Guigal has turned out a fine Crozes-Hermitage in 2004, one that accurately reflects the strengths and weaknesses of the vintage. There's admirable purity of cherry, peppery fruit but also a certain lack of concentration. The result is a pretty wine that should be consumed over the near term. Imported by Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Inc.

null

86

18

Rhône Valley

Crozes-Hermitage

null

Syrah

E. Guigal

null

US

Simple, with cola and candied cherry flavors with a touch of raisins. Finishes hot.

MacGregor Vineyard

83

18

California

Edna Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Windemere

null

US

The Legacy estate reserve is a limited selection from the original mid-1970s vines. It remains stubbornly closed, even after hours of breathing time. Grudgingly, pomegranate and cranberry fruit flavors peek through a high-acid base with mineral undertones. The balance is there for further aging.

Winderlea Legacy

91

75

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Winderlea

null

US

A gentle giant of a wine, this has huge flavors, great structure and massive fine-grained tannins but it's still poised and balanced. It smells almost beefy, rich, dark and black cherry-ish, yet with tasty nuances of smoke and caramel, tastes full and generous and feels attractively astringent. Best to drink after 2017.

Family Reserve Largo

92

30

California

Mendocino County

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

McNab Ridge

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

McNab Ridge 2013 Family Reserve Largo Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino County)

US

A difficult Pinot Noir to evaluate. It's very dry, acidic and tannic, with sharp flavors of blackberries that sweeten into jam on the finish. The question is one of ageability. Try cellaring for five years and see what happens.

Dos Rubios Vineyard

87

54

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Testarossa

null

Italy

Subtle and elegant, this opens with a smoky aroma that underscores delicate scents of orchard fruit, citrus and botanical herb. The aromas follow through to the linear palate along with a racy mineral vein. A note of cured meat closes the racy finish.

22

89

30

Southern Italy

Fiano di Avellino

null

Fiano

Villa Raiano

null

Germany

Streaks of lanolin and honeycomb lend a waxy richness to stark lime and lemon flavors in this dry, medium-bodied wine. While slightly austere in style, intense minerality and sharp acidity create stately elegance.

Charta

90

24

Rheingau

null

Riesling

Johannishof

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Johannishof 2012 Charta Riesling (Rheingau)

Italy

This vintage-dated Prosecco beautifully captures ambient light within its luminous appearance. Persistent perlage and cheerful aromas of white flower, pear and peach seal the deal.

Millesimato Brut Rive di Refrontolo

86

null

Veneto

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

null

Glera

Toffoli

null

Italy

This opens with somewhat rustic aromas of overripe fruit, truffle, game and a whiff barnyard. The round, accessible palate is already evolved, showing dried black cherry, mocha, anisette and a confectionary note alongside smooth tannins. Drink sooner rather than later.

null

88

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Fontanafredda

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Fontanafredda 2011 Barolo

US

When a young Pinot Noir is dominated by oak, as this one is, it's a little worrying. Will the oak be absorbed in time, or will it always be excessive? This young wine has pleasant cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors, but the oak seems to have the upper hand. Drink soon.

Estate Grown

87

45

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Pfendler

null

France

A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine, packed with tannins and flavors of new wood. The black fruits are rich from the vintage, warm and jammy. This is a wine with fine concentration, coming into balance, finishing with black currant acidity.

null

91

85

Bordeaux

Saint-Estèphe

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Ségur de Cabanac

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Ségur de Cabanac 2009 Saint-Estèphe

US

Clumsy, with a sharp feeling throughout, and semisweet, candied flavors of cherries, cola and chocolate.

Reserve

82

24

California

Lake County

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Grenache

Shannon Ridge

null

Argentina

The bouquet is demanding, with burnt tire rubber, horse, heavy char and muddled black-fruit aromas. Feels closed and tastes buttery and burnt, with barrel char and resin sitting heavily atop herbal berry flavors. A heavily made-up wine.

null

82

15

Other

Cafayate

null

Malbec

Camino del Inca

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Camino del Inca 2011 Malbec (Cafayate)

US

Marred by a green peppercorn unripeness that makes the tannins especially difficult and dry. Hard to fall in love with, despite some good black cherry, plum and cola flavors. The chilly vintage seems to have worked against this wine.

null

86

50

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

La Crema

null

Chile

Powerfully built and well balanced, this has aromas of cherry, red currant, spice, dried cheese and earth, giving way to flavors of red plum, wild berry, buttery oak and vanilla. Drink now or cellar it through 2017.

Hacedor de Mundos Old Vines

91

45

Loncomilla Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Gillmore

null

Austria

An appetizing aroma of ripe, yellow pear dances on the nose. The palate tones this down and brings slight lemon flavors into play, with a touch of spritz and a slender, fresh, clean body.

null

88

13

Carnuntum

null

Grüner Veltliner

Markowitsch

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Markowitsch 2016 Grüner Veltliner (Carnuntum)

France

90–92. Barrel sample. This rich, opulent wine is packed with ripe black fruits and red berries. It's a warm wine with a generous character that's balanced with a firm core of tannins.

Barrel Sample

91

null

Bordeaux

Moulis-en-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Branas Grand Poujeaux

null

Spain

Cambra's wines all seem sheer and tannic. This blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc is funky at first, with clamshell, cheese and sweat aromas. In the mouth, it is all over the map, with short black-cherry flavors, lasting tartness and overt tannins. More shallow and hard than deep, rewarding and balanced.

Dos

83

30

Levante

Valencia

null

Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc

Bodegas Rafael Cambra

null

US

Quite tart, the fruit here touches (just barely) on melon, with orange and lemon zest, a bit of lime, and plenty of acid. All stainless fermented, it went through full malolactic.

Renovação Estate Vineyards

87

20

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Coelho

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Coelho 2015 Renovação Estate Vineyards Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)

Italy

Tight, linear and compact. Clean, crisp and precise. Small berry aromas of cassis, wild berry and cherry are framed by firm, dusty tannins and a touch of toasted oak.

Riserva

93

75

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

La Mannella

null

La Mannella 2006 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino)

US

A well-made wine with a creamy texture and long finish, infused with aromas and flavors of buttered toast, grilled peaches, apple skins and almond shells. Balanced and not over-oaked; an excellent choice for hearty chicken pasta dishes and bisques.

Reserve

86

16

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Chardonnay

Christiano Family

null

US

This wine combines oaky sweetness with good, plummy fruit flavors and a lightly grippy texture. It's tasty and approachable in style.

null

87

9

California

California Other

Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Camper

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Happy Camper 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

US

This wine immediately wows the palate, bursting into full flavor with an explosion of apple and pear fruit. There's a light yeastiness as well, just enough to suggest a young, fresh, exuberant wine, and it simply grabs hold of your taste buds and never lets go.

The Orchards

90

18

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Left Coast Cellars

null

US

Aged both in French oak and stainless steel, this entry-level white is creamy in texture with a taste of lemon cream pie and vanilla swirls, the tannins tight and the oak present, though cradling. Fresh and fruity, this is a food-friendly, approachable wine.

null

88

23

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Artesa

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Artesa 2014 Chardonnay (Carneros)

Austria

Right now this speaks of earth, forest floor and oak leaf—but not in a mature way. This Pinot takes time to show the glorious red cherry that is there in abundance, caressed by gentle, smoky oak. This will take time to blossom but will reward patience. Balance between acidity and silken body is evident and the layers of leaf, earth, cherry, smoke and minerality will continue in their infinite Pinot alchemy. Drink as of 2016.

Holzspur

95

80

Thermenregion

null

Pinot Noir

Johanneshof Reinisch

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Johanneshof Reinisch 2012 Holzspur Pinot Noir (Thermenregion)

US

Smelling like a pastry shop, the wine offers red currant and warm brioche scents that recall raspberry tarts and freshly baked breads. It's made by cousins Dan and Christian Tudor, whose family has made wines for thousands of years in Croatia, and grown table grapes since the 1920s in California. The body is fairly light, delivering tart raspberry flavors; decent acid makes the mouth water.

Hook Vineyard

90

75

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Tudor Wines

null

Italy

It's loaded with lemon blossom, yellow apple, white peach, Bartlett pear and citrus sensations with a hint of custard. Creamy texture is brightened by fresh acidity.

null

91

29

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

Ribolla Gialla

Dorigo

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Dorigo 2013 Ribolla Gialla (Colli Orientali del Friuli)

France

Dense and beautifully ripe, this is a rounded rich wine. It focuses on the tropical yellow-fruit spectrum. That gives a full wine with wood-spice hints and just the right amount of citrus acidity to give it a lift. Drink this finely structured wine from 2023.

null

97

null

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

null

France

The top rosé cuvée from Léoube is full and rich. Find its generous red plum and berry fruits well encased in a complex structure. A touch of vanilla goes well with the final acidity.

Secret de Léoube

90

27

Provence

Côtes de Provence

null

Rosé

Château Léoube

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Léoube 2012 Secret de Léoube Rosé (Côtes de Provence)

US

The floral spray and sweet nectar of fresh yellow cherries persist from start to finish on this penetrating semi-sweet wine. It's rich and ripe with stone fruit flavors, but balanced with tart lime acidity and steely, honed minerality.

Single Clone No. 198 Reserve

91

25

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Boundary Breaks

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Boundary Breaks 2012 Single Clone No. 198 Reserve Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Italy

From the celebrated Bricco Asili cru, this Barbaresco is a beautiful embodiment of elegance, grace, harmony and complexity. Fine aromas of small berry fruit, violets, cola, dark spice and fresh licorice root peel off layer after layer. The wine shows excellent structure, with tight, firm tannins and a bright touch of acidity on the long finish.

Bricco Asili Bricco Asili

93

154

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

Ceretto

null

Chile

Buttercup aromas give a sense that this wine is right on the edge. And it probably is; it's an '06 with ripe, soft, melony flavors and lots of pineapple and mango on the finish. Big and fruity now, but it's not going to last much longer.

Special Reserve

85

10

Maule Valley

null

Chardonnay

Simone

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Simone 2006 Special Reserve Chardonnay (Maule Valley)

Italy

Wow: simply wonderful! This wine will blow you away on all levels. The intensity, the quality of the mouthfeel, the fine focus of the fruit and spice aromas and its long persistency are stratospheric. It's a dark, brooding expression of Nebbiolo with enough of an aromatic motor to carry it forward many years, if not decades of cellar aging. The Rivetto family has produced a masterpiece.

Riserva

97

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Rivetto

null

US

Simple, oaky and fruity, with pineapple jam, buttered toast and vanilla flavors. Made in a direct, consumer-appealing style.

null

83

18

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Park Lane

null

US

Syrah is not new in Southern Oregon, but finding a consistent style has been a battle. Progress is being made. Tannins are tamed, alcohol is kept in hand, and the fruit is plenty ripe; maybe just a bit too ripe. Here the flavors are of strawberry preserves, leafy herbs, and lighter but still-astringent tannins. The wine fades fairly quickly, and should be consumed in its youth.

null

87

25

Oregon

Rogue Valley

Southern Oregon

Syrah

J. Scott Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

J. Scott Cellars 2012 Syrah (Rogue Valley)

Portugal

This bold, firm wine strikes a fine balance between structure and ripe black plum fruit. It has dense tannins that indicate it needs time. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, it will be ready from 2018.

Tonel 22

88

12

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Enoport

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Enoport 2015 Tonel 22 Red (Douro)

US

This is quite a delicious wine. It's not supersweet, and has long, deep flavors of ripe apricots, white chocolate and vanilla, with a crème brûlée richness that seems equal parts fruit and smoky oak. The acidity is keen, providing balancing relief to the sweetness. Fabulous with a butter cookie or shortbread and vanilla ice cream.

Muscat-a-Petits Grains Vin Doux Naturel

92

15

California

Shenandoah Valley (CA)

Sierra Foothills

Muscat

Domaine de la Terre Rouge

null

France

One of the most familiar Entre-deux-Mers chateaus, and certainly the largest, this is the home of master vigneron André Lurton. With its fresh, grapefruit flavors and aromas of white flowers and hedgerows, this is a great summer wine.

null

88

10

Bordeaux

Entre-Deux-Mers

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Bonnet

null

Chile

With each passing year Montes' Pinots seem to get a little better. While subdued on the nose, this wine has an attractive nose of earth, rubber band and berry fruit. The palate is bigger and more substantive than the average Chilean Pinot, and it delivers full cherry and plum flavors along with a second layer of spice and chocolate. Not too angular in feel, but still it shows acidity and citrusy accents.

Limited Selection

88

19

Casablanca Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Montes

null

New Zealand

Amisfield has been on a hot streak, and the 2007 continues that roll. The aromas show wonderfully high-toned cherry fruit, with a slightly herbal element that adds welcome complexity. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with its black cherry fruit framed by a hint of vanilla. Long and lush on the finish, this looks to be at its best now and for the next several years.

null

92

45

Central Otago

null

Pinot Noir

Amisfield

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Amisfield 2007 Pinot Noir (Central Otago)

France

This Aube-based producer has made a fine vintage from a good year. A half-and-half blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, still young and crisp, this concentrated wine brings in apricot as well as citrus fruits into a taut and mineral texture. Still full of its baby fruit, it will age well and will be best drunk from 2018.

D Millésimé Brut

93

85

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Devaux

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Devaux 2008 D Millésimé Brut (Champagne)

France

Black-currant flavors are right up in the front of this wine. With some youthful stalkiness, it also has the potential for a really juicy character that is bright, almost crisp. A touch of perfume gives the wine a lift. Let it smooth out for a few months, so drink from early 2017.

null

85

14

Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Tour le Pin

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Tour le Pin 2014 Bordeaux

France

Attractively light wine, clean as a whistle, wearing light acidity, pear fruits and a creamy texture. Drink as an apéritif.

null

86

null

Alsace

null

Pinot Blanc

Dopff Au Moulin

null

US

Sugary and thin, this has a light mix of citrus flavors—lemon and lime—and a hint of pineapple. It's a pleasant wine, but not up to previous efforts from Chateau Bianca.

null

86

15

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Riesling

Château Bianca

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Château Bianca 2012 Riesling (Willamette Valley)

Argentina

Aromas of cherry Lifesaver and red currant are medicinal. This has a thick, sticky, cough-syrup mouthfeel and dark, medicinal flavors of stewed plum, burnt brown sugar and crème de cassis. Heat and sticky grab define the finish on this sweet Malbec.

Malamado

85

20

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Zuccardi

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Zuccardi 2011 Malamado Malbec (Mendoza)

Portugal

The merest prickle on the tongue adds to the freshness of this crisp, clean, lightly sweet wine. Very fruity, it conveys apples and citrus, with a soft, fragrant aftertaste.

Salsus

85

9

Vinho Verde

null

Portuguese White

Wines & Winemakers

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Wines & Winemakers 2013 Salsus White (Vinho Verde)

US

Dilute red fruits and a tomato paste flavor are the story here, with no varietal character. Some earthy, roasted barrel flavors come up but are not well-integrated.

Red Café

83

25

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Vin du Lac

null

Argentina

Purple to the eye, with intense aromas of mint, licorice and saturated black fruit. The mouth is like blueberry-blackberry compote, while the oak seems heavy given the wine's higher acids and limited depth. Has plenty of positives but sings just one note.

null

87

17

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Finca Sophenia

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Finca Sophenia 2003 Malbec (Mendoza)

US

This extremely popular red blend is 88% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Full-bodied and fruit forward, it captures the house style with hints of earth, herb and spice.

The Jack

87

18

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Red Blend

Saviah

null

US

Tough in tannins and dustily dry, this is a hard wine to warm up to. It's not just the astringency but the absence of fruit. Shows modest flavors of cherries and blackberries, and doesn't seem like an ager. A disappointment.

Trilogy

84

65

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Flora Springs

null

Flora Springs 2006 Trilogy Red (Napa Valley)

South Africa

Bright, focused classic orange-apricot Muscat aromas and flavors shine in this fortified wine from Paarl. Though light in feel, it shows a little heat—no surprise with its 18% alcohol. Refreshing very cold from the nose right through the tangy citrus-spice close.

Jerepico

87

15

Paarl

null

Morio Muskat

Landskroon

null

Austria

If Riesling is known to pick up tastes from its terroir, then this wine is a perfect example. The sandstone of the Heiligenstein hill gives such intense minerality that at this youthful stage it dominates all the fruit. The peaches, ripe tropical flavors are glints at the moment, but then this great wine is set to take its time.

Zöbinger Heiligenstein

93

42

Kamptal

null

Riesling

Bründlmayer

null

US

Tastes like a sweet and sour sauce mixed into white wine, with pineapple, sugar and lime flavors and an alcoholic buzz.

null

84

19

California

California Other

Sauvignon Blanc

One Hope

null

Chile

Dense aromas of earth, berry fruits, latex and animal fur are a touch challenging at first but balance out with airing. This has a crisp, fresh feel despite coming from a hot year. Lightly herbal, leathery flavors of red currant and wild berry finish oaky, with more than adequate filling.

null

89

20

Colchagua Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Maquis

null

Italy

You'll like the herbal freshness of this Vernaccia, which is fleshed out by soft tones of peach and honey. There's no big structure or consistency here, but that's the point. Throw back finger foods or salads with this easy white.

null

85

15

Tuscany

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

null

Vernaccia

Palagetto

null

US

This soft, easy to drink Zinfandel has likeable flavors of raspberries, cherries, cola and spices. It's a little on the sweet side, but the drying tannins provide balance.

Montecillo Vineyard

87

28

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Keating

null

Spain

Appealing bright citrus and slate flavors ride a round yet faintly spritzy mouthfeel in this lively white from Spain's northeast. The flavors and textures show some depth and positive tension. Best for current drinking, it closes bright and dry, with good length. Best Buy. —M.M.

Classico

87

10

Catalonia

Alella

null

White Blend

Marqués de Alella

null

Marqués de Alella 2000 Classico White (Alella)

Spain

Our bet is that a granular, reduced, raisiny wine like this will not have broad appeal. Yet if you are interested in trying a blend of Samsó, Garnacha and Syrah it has some core qualities, namely old-school raisin and plum flavors backed by core tannins. A country-style wine if there ever was one.

Saó

84

12

Catalonia

Terra Alta

null

Red Blend

Celler La Bollidora

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Celler La Bollidora 2005 Saó Red (Terra Alta)

US

Here's a refreshingly crisp, easy-to-like blush wine to drink with fruit, ham, chicken, tacos, almost anything. A Rhône blend based on Mourvèdre, it has herb-infused flavors of sour red cherry candy, vanilla, pepper and cinnamon.

null

86

27

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rosé

Tablas Creek

null

US

This is a thick, firmly structured version of a rare variety in California, smoky in black cherry and vanilla. Perfumed in sweet aromas of violet and raspberry pie, it offers a deceptively balanced fullness of body and power, with persistence to the finish.

Matthew's Station Vineyard

90

30

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Tannat

Joseph Swan Vineyards

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Joseph Swan Vineyards 2012 Matthew's Station Vineyard Tannat (Russian River Valley)

Italy

A bright nose of cherry, vanilla and rum cake leads into a moderately intense midpalate, with bright endnotes of dried mint and ginger on the cool, crisp finish.

null

89

46

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Cantina di Montalcino

null

US

An elegant, elaborate Pinot Noir, clearly well grown. The structure is impeccable, with brisk, citrusy acidity and finely ground tannins. The flavors show long hangtime ripeness, flooding the mouth with raspberries, Dr. Pepper cola and exotic pie spices. There's even a note of balsam and mushrooms. Very fine now, with decanting, but should develop bottle complexity over the next six years.

null

92

41

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Freeman

null

Freeman 2009 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

US

Tough and gritty, with uneven tannins and some minty green flavors alongside the cherries, mulberries and red currants. Not going anywhere, so drink up.

null

84

24

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Taj

null

Slovenia

This 100% Ribolla Gialla has aromas of green apple and apple cider. There's nice minerality in the mouth with flavors of apple pie, apple cider and a touch of creaminess. The finish is pleasantly bright.

Rebula Época

89

27

Goriska Brda

null

Ribolla Gialla

Principiano Ferdinando

null

Germany

Intensely concentrated flavors of sweet cantaloupe, tangerine and peach belie the difficulties inherent to Mosel's 2013 vintage. This spätlese is unusually rich and silken on the palate, yet maintains a thrilling high-acid profile. Finishes long with lingering notes of honeysuckle and saffron.

Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap

93

78

Mosel

null

Riesling

Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch)

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch) 2013 Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap Riesling (Mosel)

US

With ripe tropical fruit, peach, pear and green apple flavors and a nice creamy mouthfeel, this is a good everyday white wine made in the modern, fruit-forward California style. At the equivalent of $4.50 a bottle, it's a bargain.

null

84

18

California

California Other

Pinot Grigio

Bota Box

null

Bota Box 2006 Pinot Grigio (California)

France

This attractive, ripe, yellow- and white-fruited wine achieves a fine balance between acidity and full herbaceous-fruit flavors. It has a crisp texture and a touch of minerality. The finish is bright and lively.

null

87

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux Blanc

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château La Rose du Pin

null

Germany

While the nose is soft-spoken, the palate of this honey-slicked Spätlese is robust, buoyant with fruit and complexities of spice, saffron and mineral. Ripe tangerine and stone fruit flavors are satisfyingly juicy, yet edged by a fine filigree of lime and lemon acidity.

Grünlack Spätlese

92

40

Rheingau

null

Riesling

Schloss Johannisberger

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Schloss Johannisberger 2014 Grünlack Spätlese Riesling (Rheingau)

Italy

This is a very satisfying Sangiovese di Romagna that shows great balance between its spicy oak tones and its bright fruit nuances. Those two sides of the wine meet perfectly at the middle to offer enough acidity, spice and fruit to pair with pasta or roast chicken.

Riserva

88

25

Central Italy

Sangiovese di Romagna

null

Sangiovese

Umberto Cesari

null

Umberto Cesari 2010 Riserva (Sangiovese di Romagna)

US

Barbera is always going to be dry, rustic, tannic and acidic. But this is one of the better examples out there. It shows extra levels of depth, with masses of blackberries, currants, dark chocolate and black pepper. Should hold for many years, softening and mellowing.

J&S; Reserve

90

30

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Barbera

Scott Harvey

null

US

This is very appealing for the soft, sexy texture and drink-me-now black currant flavors, but it's lacking the acid-tannin structure that great Napa Cab needs. Drink now and for a few years.

The Rocks

87

60

California

St. Helena

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Rockledge Vineyards

null

US

This wine is marked by exceptionally ripe, forward flavors of blackberry jam and black currants, with a sweet coating of smoky oak. In fact, flavor is what drives this wine, although it also shows fine, complex Diamond Mountain tannins that give it a dramatic structure. Seems best now and for the next three years.

Estate

91

71

California

Diamond Mountain District

Napa

Petite Verdot

Reverie

null

France

89-91 Barrel sample. Sweet fruit, soft tannins, ripe wine. The structure takes a while to show with dusty, almost velvet tannins.

Barrel sample

90

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château la Tour de Pin Figeac

null

Argentina

A wonderful wine from the Uco Valley of Mendoza that opens with fine fruit, richness and molten earth. The palate is big as they come but not hard and out of whack, and the flavors are an amalgam of rich black plum, berry fruit, fig paste and chocolate. Smoky and sultry on the back end, with mocha and coffee for finishing notes. Drink now through 2014.

null

93

45

Mendoza Province

Uco Valley

null

Red Blend

Monteviejo

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Monteviejo 2006 Red (Uco Valley)

US

A disjointed wine with notes of ale and pear. The palate is off dry and oily in feel, with some bitterness on the finish.

null

81

12

Washington

Washington Other

Gewürztraminer

B. Lovely

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

B. Lovely 2013 Gewürztraminer (Washington)

Argentina

Opens with a smoke shack full of hickory and jerky before settling in a dark mass. The palate is sweet and a touch awkward, with heavy Port-like weight and strange but provoking berry flavors. An odd blend of Malbec, Cab and Syrah that needs fine tuning.

Amauta

84

20

Other

Cafayate

null

Red Blend

Bodegas El Porvenir De Los Andes

null

US

Good price for a rich wine like this. It's big and potent in black cherry and black currant flavors, with a flashy coating of sweet oak. Feels elegant and balanced in the mouth.

Reserve

87

16

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Meritage

Lyeth

null

Lyeth 2009 Reserve Meritage (Sonoma County)

US

A burnt, reduced quality mars the fruit in this wine, made in a big style with full-bodied power and density.

Cellar Club

82

35

California

Calistoga

Napa

Zinfandel

Sterling

null

US

This majority Chardonnay-based sparkler is yeasty and dry, offering a refreshingly crisp, firm mousse and subtle core of green apple and ginger. It retains plenty of acidity on the palate and is equally delicious as a solo sipper or with creamy, rich foods.

Blanc de Blancs

92

42

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sparkling Blend

Mumm Napa

null

France

Elegant as well as rich, this is a beautiful wine. It has great depth of flavor, the sweetest fruit, deliciously ripe. At the same time, the tannins are an underlying sustenance to the impressive ageworthiness.

null

95

120

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Clos Fourtet

null

US

A little raw in acidity, with some green olive notes, but the rustic nature works in favor of the wine, grounding its rich blackberry, currant and chocolate flavors with earthiness. Tasted in a flight of much more expensive wines, this Cab did very well.

Split Oak Vineyard

87

12

California

California Other

Cabernet Sauvignon

Morro Bay

null

Italy

Aromas of field flowers, lemon rind, pear and wet slate are understated. There's good persistency and fruit essence on the finish. Imported by Italian Imports.

Superiore

85

11

Veneto

Breganze

null

Pinot Grigio

Cantina Beato Bartolomeo

null

US

From estate fruit, this Chardonnay falls a bit flat in the mouth. The fruit is light and simple, and there is a hint of bitterness that leave a chemical aftertaste.

null

85

25

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

Methven Family Vineyards

null

Italy

This Negroamaro-Aglianico blend opens slowly, then suddenly releases a rush of red cherry, toast, prune, leather and red earth. The tannins are velvety (the wine sees 14 months of oak) and you'll get lavender, blueberry and dill-like flavors on the finish.

Terra Riserva

90

30

Southern Italy

Leverano

null

Red Blend

Conti Zecca

null

US

Quite ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Pretty cherry, strawberry, tea, spice and herb flavors are at the core. Tannins are slightly robust, but still ripe. The wine finishes long, clean and elegant.

Vista Verde Vineyard

90

32

California

San Benito County

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Williams Selyem

null

Williams Selyem 2000 Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir (San Benito County)

Italy

This Brunello is jammy and hot with aromas of blackberry preserves, leafy greens and coffee bean. The mouthfeel is on the short side, although it does offer a flash of fresh fruit on the close.

null

84

null

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Santa Giulia

null

Santa Giulia 2003 Brunello di Montalcino

France

The wine is dark, deep, rich and dense. It has just the right wood element, black berry juice and a pure line of acidity. It is weighty for a 2008, while keeping the freshness.

null

93

null

Bordeaux

Pauillac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Clerc Milon

null

US

Aromas of beeswax and lemon oil, the flavors following along with tangerine, orange and peach. Very dry, with exceptional concentration of fruit, and well-integrated flavors of cracker and grain. This was barrel fermented, and delivers a long, concentrated finish.

Lawrence Vineyards Dry

90

18

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Gård

null

Spain

It's already too late for an '04 Albariño, but this one still has some life and kick in it. The nose has some peanut and lacquer, but overall apple aromas ride high. In the mouth, it shows the oily quality of an aging white along with peach, citrus and nut flavors.

null

86

18

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

Albariño

Zarate

null

Spain

This is a nice value-priced Albariño, with a minerally nose also offers aromas of melon, apple and peach. The palate is citrusy in feel, with lemony acids. Citrus and stone-fruit flavors finish stony and crisp, with a final blast of lemon.

null

89

14

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

Albariño

Viña Cartín

null

US

There's a gorgeous floral lift to this silky-smooth wine. Red cherry and raspberry flavors are penetrating and ripe, but brisk with an invigorating mineral touch. Finely grained tannins linger on the finish.

Ingle Vineyard

90

25

New York

Finger Lakes

Pinot Noir

Heron Hill

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Heron Hill 2012 Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir (Finger Lakes)

US

This is an elusive, spicy wine made in larger amounts than many of the producer's other single-site wines and it shows a deftness of balance and blending. Tangy orange and cranberry wrap around a high acidity that plays out like wet stones and black tea with plenty of herbal backbone on display.

Estate

92

50

California

Green Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Iron Horse

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Iron Horse 2013 Estate Pinot Noir (Green Valley)

Greece

A lush nose of mocha, cinnamon, pepper and clove starts this smooth wine with style. Flavors of cedar, spice and rich fruit are complex and delivered in a mouthfilling, structured wave. A spicy finish adds to the appeal. Ageable but good to drink now; pair with cheese and smoked meats. A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Kotsifali.

Skalani Syrah-Kotsifali

88

43

Greece

null

Red Blend

Boutari

null

New Zealand

This wine was a big award winner back in New Zealand, and it's easy to see why. It's full-bodied and rich but never heavy, with complex aromas and flavors that include cola and coffee, black cherries and plums, cinnamon and clove. Finishes long, with mouthwatering acids and a fine coating of silky tannins. Delicious now, but should last through at least 2012, maybe longer.

null

92

35

Central Otago

null

Pinot Noir

Wooing Tree

null

Italy

Terre di Prenzano is the kind of Chianti Classico that can be paired with cheese-stuffed focaccia or gnocchi. The fruit is simple and clean, and the wine's bright acidity refreshes the palate.

Terre di Prenzano

86

15

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Villa Vignamaggio

null

US

There's something Chablisian about this Chardonnay. It's partly the acidity, which is high, and partly the gunmetal minerality, courtesy of another cool vintage in the southern Napa/Carneros region where the grapes were grown. Add in oak-infused pineapples, peaches and pears, and you have a fairly significant wine that could even benefit from some years in the cellar.

null

90

28

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Chardonnay

Stags' Leap Winery

null

New Zealand

A pleasant surprise among value-priced bottlings, this wine features a hint of gun flint that adds dimension to the fig, melon and pink grapefruit flavors. It's rather round in the mouth and perhaps a little sweet, but finishes long and savory.

Reserve

89

13

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Zeal

null

France

This wine is quite the bargain, offering nice fruit and spice for under $10. Simply structured with soft tannins, juicy black currant and plum flavors all accented by a hint of pepper. Drink now.

Reserve

84

8

Languedoc-Roussillon

Vin de Pays d'Oc

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barton & Guestier

null

France

The wine is tight, green and herbal. It has some fruitiness, but that is suppressed by general underripeness. The tannins are hard at the end.

null

84

28

Burgundy

Chorey-lès-Beaune

null

Pinot Noir

Joseph Drouhin

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Joseph Drouhin 2011 Chorey-lès-Beaune

US

This biodynamic Rhône blend is equal parts of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, co-fermented with native yeast. It's a splendid example of the non-interventionist style, rich, and textural. The yeasty flavors are refreshing—pear and apple and cucumber fruit holding down the center—clean and solid. The wine gains power and brings in some toasty barrel flavors as it rolls into the finish.

Spiral 36

90

22

Oregon

Applegate Valley

Southern Oregon

Rhône-style White Blend

Cowhorn

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Cowhorn 2009 Spiral 36 White (Applegate Valley)