spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Italy	Ripe blackberry, dark cherry, prune, mocha, oak, grilled sage and vanilla sensations come together on this soft and accessible wine. Ripe, round tannins provide the framework for the juicy palate. Enjoy through 2016.	Lu Patri	89	46	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Nero d'Avola	Baglio del Cristo di Campobello	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Baglio del Cristo di Campobello 2011 Lu Patri Nero d'Avola (Sicilia)
Portugal	An impressive white wine, made from the classy Arinto grape. The wine has been aged in wood, but the creamy toast blends easily with the rich white fruits. There is a Chardonnay-like richness here, a wine that is round, smooth, with just a final lift of acidity.	Special Selection Old Vineyards	92	29	Bucelas	null	null	Arinto	Quinta do Boição	null	null	null
US	Very dry, with finely ground tannins framing delicate flavors of berries and herbs, this Zin is made in a lighter, easier style.	Bernier's	85	22	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	David Coffaro	null	null	null
US	A flashy wine that shows how ripe and sweetly soft Paso Robles gets Cabernet. It's rich in blackberry and cherry pie filling, currant, anise and cedar flavors, with a long finish. Will provide satisfying drinking over the next 4–6 years.	null	90	30	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Falcone	null	null	Falcone 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Spain	Dusty and smooth upfront, this has attractive orange, nectarine and cream aromas. It feels layered and balanced, with cantaloupe, orange and milk chocolate flavors vying for attention. Mild but composed on the finish, this is made entirely from Trepat.	Brut Reserva Rosat	90	25	Catalonia	Cava	null	Trepat	Agustí Torelló Mata	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Agustí Torelló Mata 2008 Brut Reserva Rosat Trepat (Cava)
Australia	Rather subdued in fruit on the nose, showing more vanilla and toast, but this really expands on the palate, delivering great fruit sweetness and nuance in a harmoniously round, supple package. Finishes long, warm and spicy at 15.5% alcohol.	Marquis Philips G.G.	90	20	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Grenache	R Wines	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	R Wines 2007 Marquis Philips G.G. Grenache (McLaren Vale)
Australia	This could easily stand alongside the best Petite Sirahs from California. It's perfumed and floral on the nose, then adds palate-staining blueberries and hints of cedar, licorice and chocolate. The silky tannins on the finish are firm enough to suggest cellaring through 2010, and optimum drinking through 2020, possibly longer.	The Howling Dog	93	32	South Australia	Barossa Valley	null	Petite Sirah	Massena	null	null	null
France	A firm, structured wine, tempered with some smoky wood flavors. The tannins are dry and dominant, leaving the black cherry fruit element behind. Give it 2–3 years.	null	87	19	Bordeaux	Haut-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Barreyres	null	null	null
US	Don't be fooled by the low alcohol—this is fully ripened, finished, dry yet packed with delicious pear fruit flavors. Light suggestions of grapefruit and green apple add interest, and the fullness and freshness of the fruit is most impressive.	null	91	18	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon Other	Pinot Gris	Iris Vineyards	null	null	null
US	A good Pinot, but not without its faults. It's nicely dry and has a lovely, silky texture, making it feel light and airy in the mouth. The raspberry, cherry, orange zest and cola flavors testify to the wine's cool-climate origins. The main problem is sharp acidity, which is hard to ignore.	null	85	38	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Toretti's	null	null	null
Italy	A sophisticated wine with lingering tones of red berry fruit and soft spice. Thanks to its age, many of those beautiful aromas of cola and licorice are just beginning to appear.	Infinito	88	50	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Castello di Monastero	null	null	null
Italy	Here is an extremely fragrant and buoyant Grechetto (with a small percentage of Chardonnay) that delivers bright tones of fresh flower, acacia, honey and white peach. It's light, fresh and would be perfect to serve on a hot summer day thanks to its cleansing freshness.	Castagnolo	88	15	Central Italy	Orvieto Classico Superiore	null	White Blend	Barberani	null	null	null
US	This is a distinctive Chardonnay, with pea vine and peach, anise and apple mixing it up. It has a lovely, lifted elegance that keeps the flavors intertwined but allows you to experience them separately as well, and it carves a flavor trail through the finish that lingers sensuously. Could be the best CV Chardonnay ever from L'Ecole.	null	91	22	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Chardonnay	L'Ecole No. 41	null	null	null
Austria	A little bit of green pear, a little bit of pepper and quite a bit of juiciness add up to a whole lot of easy-drinking fun on this light, dry and zippy Grüner. There's some spice and yeastiness around the edges, too. Drink soon.	Lois	90	15	Kamptal	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Loimer	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Loimer 2015 Lois Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)
US	Steve Clifton makes this wine pop with a wet river-stone minerality on the fresh olallieberry fruit-laden nose. The palate offers spiced plums, a bit of blood and turned-earth flavors.	null	87	26	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Barbera	Palmina	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Palmina 2011 Barbera (Santa Barbara County)
US	With zippy acidity and a dry finish, this is a Pinot you might want to cellar until 2020. It's rich in oak-inspired raspberry, cherry, cola and pomegranate fruit flavors. The low alcohol gives it a light, silky texture.	Coast Grade Vineyard	89	45	California	Ben Lomond Mountain	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Beauregard	null	null	null
US	This veers toward the sweet side of Viognier, with pineapple, apricot, orange and honeysuckle flavors. The sweetness is balanced by firm acidity.	The Glenrose Vineyard	86	35	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Viognier	Adelaida	null	null	null
Italy	A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, this wine features earthy aromas of leafy forest floor, tilled soil and dried black currant. The straightforward palate delivers juicy blackberry, raspberry and clove alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2016.	Scirè	87	17	Tuscany	Bolgheri	null	Red Blend	Ceralti	null	null	null
Chile	Roasted berry and a strong blast of rubber and black olive aromas set up a round, bouncy palate with resiny oak and loamy, generic berry flavors touched up by green herbs and spice. This is warm, oaky and regular on the finish.	Las Mulas Reserva	85	14	Central Valley	null	null	Carmenère	Miguel Torres	null	null	null
Italy	Aromas highlight violet, iris, incense and espresso. The lively palate doles out sour cherry, mocha and coffee alongside smooth, rounded tannins.	Sot	88	28	Piedmont	Nebbiolo d'Alba	null	Nebbiolo	Pelassa	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Pelassa 2012 Sot (Nebbiolo d'Alba)
Germany	Even tasted blind, this wine comes across as a bit warm. The 15% alcohol imparts a thick, rich consistency in the mouth, while the flavors stay true to the site, showing notes of ripe peaches, citrus and hints of home heating oil. It's certainly impressive, but the alcohol shows through a bit on the finish, suggesting near-term consumption.	Grünlack Spätlese Trocken	88	50	Rheingau	null	null	Riesling	Schloss Johannisberger	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Schloss Johannisberger 2006 Grünlack Spätlese Trocken Riesling (Rheingau)
France	For a 2007, considered a light vintage in Beaujolais, this has good structure, its red fruit flavors given intensity and concentration by firm black plum skin tannins. The aftertaste, though, is all juicy fruits, balanced by sweet acidity.	null	86	20	Beaujolais	Brouilly	null	Gamay	Château de la Terrière	null	null	null
US	This is a toasty Zinfandel bursting with aromas and flavors of smoked meat and blackberry jam. Soft, round and easy to drink, this should pair well with barbecue or similarly smoked meats.	Fiddletown	86	22	California	Fiddletown	Sierra Foothills	Zinfandel	Sobon Estate	null	null	null
US	Boasts a reddish-copper color and a fine bead, but doesn't give up a lot on the nose—just hints of berries and toast. Tastes more earthy and mushrooomy, with a creamy mouthfeel but a short finish.	Olivia's Cuvee Brut Rose	84	27	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon Other	Sparkling Blend	Domaine Meriwether	null	null	null
France	Mint and eucalypt aromas set the scene for a modern, polished wine, packed with wood tannins as well as ripe black fruits. Currently, the tannins are winning giving a wine that is dark, structured and dry. So give it at least five years.	Sélection Vieilles Vignes	89	35	Bordeaux	Montagne-Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Faizeau	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Faizeau 2010 Sélection Vieilles Vignes (Montagne-Saint-Émilion)
Argentina	Scratchy raspberry aromas lend some harshness to the bouquet, but that's replaced soon after by earthy berry fruit notes. The palate is plump and full, with chunky, thick flavors of black fruit that are nice but quiet. Fruity, jammy and easygoing throughout. Drink now into 2012.	La Madras Vineyard	89	19	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Ricardo Santos	null	null	null
Italy	Elegant and tight, this pale pink sparkling wine boasts a wide array of small fruit and floral aromas. This vibrant wine would pair well with fried calamari or shellfish thanks to its delicate nature and bright acidity.	Rosé Talento	89	14	Northeastern Italy	Trento	null	Sparkling Blend	Rotari	null	null	null
Italy	This smooth, balanced offering shows plenty of cherry, leather and cedar flavors. The round mouthfeel and the licorice and toast flavors on the palate are wrapped around ripe, almost candied fruit. Oak is present but there's enough fruit to support it. A likeable wine to drink now.	null	87	15	Tuscany	Chianti Superiore	null	Sangiovese	Burchino	null	null	null
Portugal	High density planting of a vineyard on the slopes of the Azeitão mountains has produced a rich and seriously dense wine. It has enormous amounts of spice, oak-aged flavors and bitter tannins. The red fruits are lost at this stage in the welter of other flavors. but with time its true, impressive colors with shine. Drink after 2016.	Má Partilha	91	25	Península de Setúbal	null	null	Merlot	Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal 2010 Má Partilha Merlot (Península de Setúbal)
US	Soft and lightly oaky, this barrel-fermented wine has a lightly honeyed element, perhaps an indication of botrytis. The wine should be consumed young, as it is already showing signs of age in both color and mouthfeel.	Barrel Fermented	86	21	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Methven Family Vineyards	null	null	null
Italy	This easy Sicilian white offers peach blossom and citrus over a tight, crisp mouthfeel. This is the kind of no-fuss wine to drink on a hot weekend afternoon.	Terre di Ginestra	86	15	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Catarratto	Calatrasi	null	null	null
US	This has slender raspberry and cherry fruit. As a result, the acidity dominates, giving the wine a sour candy tartness. In its favor, it's nicely dry, and it feels silky.	null	84	25	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Casa de la Cruz	null	null	Casa de la Cruz 2009 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Chile	San Vicente is part of the Casa Donoso group, and this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc smells tarry and blackened, with notes of olive, char, cassis and minerals. The full, layered palate is meaty and integrated, while flavors of spiced blackberry, cassis and pepper end in toasty, dark and lightly herbal fashion. Drink through 2022.	Lukai	92	70	Maule Valley	null	null	Red Blend	Viña San Vicente	null	null	null
France	This fresh wine is vinified in tanks rather than wood to retain the bright strawberry fruit flavors. It is elegant, light and has good acidity. Drink now.	Le Clos des Topes Bizot	87	null	Burgundy	Côte de Beaune	null	Pinot Noir	Domaine Chantal Lescure	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Chantal Lescure 2011 Le Clos des Topes Bizot (Côte de Beaune)
Italy	Aromas of wild flower, black fruit and toast lead the nose on this dense wine. The one-dimensional palate offers mature black cherry, dried plum, coffee and a hint of licorice alongside chewy but fleeting tannins.	San Gaetano	85	12	Southern Italy	Primitivo di Manduria	null	Primitivo	Cantine Due Palme	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Cantine Due Palme 2012 San Gaetano (Primitivo di Manduria)
Italy	This single-vineyard Barbaresco Riserva shows lovely floral and fruit scents of violet, iris, ripe berry and pressed powder. The palate is delicious, with black cherry, plum and spice uplifted by freshness and energizing mineral notes. It has ample depth and balance, and while it's drinking well now, it will also age for years.	Vigneti in Muncagota Riserva	94	68	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	Produttori del Barbaresco	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Produttori del Barbaresco 2008 Vigneti in Muncagota Riserva (Barbaresco)
US	Super-tannic, one of those dry Napa red wines that makes you wonder why you opened it now. It's just so tough and astringent, offering more pain than pleasure, which leads to the question, will it age? Well, there's good cherry-blackberry fruit. But this is Merlot, not Cabernet. Risky.	Estate	86	50	California	Diamond Mountain District	Napa	Merlot	Reverie	null	null	null
France	Château Bazin's wine comes from vineyards on slopes above the Garonne river. Made from a blend that includes Bordeaux grapes and the local Abouriou, it is powerful with mint and tar, perfumed and rich. Very structured and dense, it has firm tannins that will still develop. Best drunk from 2016.	Château Bazin	90	45	Southwest France	Côtes du Marmandais	null	Red Blend	Cave du Marmandais	null	null	null
Austria	This proffers a very clean-cut nose with a hauntingly precise notion of Williams pear. The lovely, slender palate features some midpalate texture and delicate lemon and pear notes finishing with a warm aftertaste of alcoholic power.	Tatschler	89	35	Burgenland	null	null	Pinot Blanc	Esterházy	null	null	null
Australia	This is slightly darker and more roasted in character than the 2006 version, with a caramelized note to the dried apricot and honey flavors. It hints at bergamot rather than lime, but retains the long, mouthwatering finish of the 2006.	The Noble	88	19	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Riesling	D'Arenberg	null	null	null
Spain	Cassis, raisin, vanilla and rooty spice aromas give this Tempranillo blend some class on the bouquet. It's resiny and fairly heavy feeling, with lightly burnt and earthy flavors of herbal red berry and plum. Dry and peppery on the finish.	Señorío de los Llanos Crianza	85	8	Central Spain	Valdepeñas	null	Red Blend	Bodegas Los Llanos	null	null	null
Italy	This is a biodynamic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that's focused on two principle components: green Cabernet Franc notes and dusty, mineral ones. Both speak to the wine's typicity yet the finish falls a bit short.	Altrovino	86	35	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Duemani	null	null	null
Italy	White spring flower, beeswax and orchard fruit aromas take center stage while the round, ripe palate evokes yellow apple, candied lemon drop and a hint of fennel seed. A saline-like mineral note energizes the finish.	Campo Vulcano	88	20	Veneto	Soave Classico	null	White Blend	I Campi	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	I Campi 2015 Campo Vulcano (Soave Classico)
US	Round, full, fruity and complex, this polished effort's flavors runs the gamut from citrus to stone fruit to light tropical. Generous and elegant at once, it finishes with light notes of cracker and grain.	Estate Reserve	90	38	Oregon	Chehalem Mountains	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Blakeslee	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Blakeslee 2009 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)
France	Broad, open wine with berry fruits, black cherries and a soft texture. The wine has freshness, plenty of acidity, for drinking now.	Séléction	86	null	Beaujolais	Juliénas	null	Gamay	Georges Duboeuf	null	null	null
Italy	This Barbera d'Asti Superiore opens with brambly notes of underbrush and wild berry followed by wet earth and smoked ham. Give it two or three years in the bottle and pair this fruit-forward wine with lasagna or meatloaf.	Terre Astesane	88	null	Piedmont	Barbera d'Asti Superiore	null	Barbera	Cantina Sociale di Mombercelli Terre Astesane	null	null	Cantina Sociale di Mombercelli Terre Astesane 2007 Terre Astesane (Barbera d'Asti Superiore)
France	Bright red fruits give this wine a fresh, vivid character. It has dry fruit tannins, firmly mineral. The berry fruits are what drive this wine forward, and promise a good partnership with food.	null	85	null	Bordeaux	Bordeaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château des Combes	null	null	null
Italy	This easy- drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot delivers loads of fresh fruit backed by aromas of cherry, cassis and white almond. The mouthfeel is simple, clean and keeps the palate refreshed.	null	84	10	Tuscany	Colli della Toscana Centrale	null	Red Blend	I Veroni	null	null	null
US	This white is a study in unexpected complexity and pleasure. Quince, sulfur and grapefruit notes define it best, as supple minerality and gravelly texture provide dimensionality.	Olema	90	15	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Amici	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Amici 2014 Olema Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
US	This year the blend is Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. As always, the wine is rich, complex, ageable, and unique among California reds. Zin brings its distinctly briary, wild berry taste to the pedigree of the Bordeaux varieties. The result is a balanced, elegant and refined wine that will stand five to eight years of age. A great accomplishment, with nearly 13,000 cases produced.	Red Wine	91	45	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Red Blend	Paraduxx	null	null	null
US	A faint smoky character wafts through warm, inviting aromas of lemon peels, nectarine and sea salt on the nose of this wine from Monterey County. There is a lot of energetic acidity on the palate, where even flavors of apple and pear are cut by lemon-lime briskness and a briny character.	Arroyo Vista	92	25	California	Arroyo Seco	Central Coast	Chardonnay	J. Lohr	null	null	null
US	Pungent aromas of herbs, cherry cola, orange peel and dark fruit lead to well-balanced blue-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of purity and appeal as well as good length.	Single Vineyard Series Lewis Vineyard	91	42	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Trust	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Trust 2013 Single Vineyard Series Lewis Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))
Italy	This fragrant Gewürztraminer from one of the best producers in northern Italy offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle, with background tones of apricot and candied exotic fruit. It's creamy and rich on the finish.	Atisis Cornell	90	38	Northeastern Italy	Alto Adige	null	Gewürztraminer	Colterenzio	null	null	Colterenzio 2010 Atisis Cornell Gewürztraminer (Alto Adige)
US	This is a generously juicy, powerfully intense wine, rich and rewarding in blue and black fruit, cedar and dried herb. Lengthy and medium bodied, it weaves a complex tangle of tannin and oak as it goes, finishing with a strong taste of tobacco. It's attractive now, but will reward further if held until 2020.	null	92	75	California	Diamond Mountain District	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Croze	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Croze 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District)
France	The wine is light but it also has very fine fruitiness and great balanced acidity. With a creamy texture and touches of yellow fruit as well as citrus, the wine is refreshingly fruity with great final acidity in a ripe rounded context. Drink now.	null	87	14	Southwest France	Côtes de Gascogne	null	Chardonnay	Domaine du Tariquet	null	null	null
Italy	Here is an oak-aged Chardonnay with overtones of toast, vanilla and roasted almond that sit squarely besides well-integrated notes of exotic fruit, honey and apricot. The oak element is strong, however, and transfers to the mouth in the form of intensity and length.	Grésy	88	22	Piedmont	Langhe	null	Chardonnay	Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy	null	null	null
Chile	Tropical fruit aromas come with nutty, oily grittiness. The palate is full and oaky, while core tropical flavors are barrel driven, honeyed and warm. This comes across as a warm-vintage wine, one with extra sweetness and an oily character.	Corralillo	86	20	San Antonio	null	null	Chardonnay	Matetic	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Matetic 2012 Corralillo Chardonnay (San Antonio)
US	A gorgeous wine, soft as old kid leather, with impressively ripe blackberry pie, chocolate, anise and coffee flavors. Although it's high in alcohol, the wine isn't hot. Defines West Paso Rhône reds. 85% Syrah, plus Grenache and Mourvèdre.	James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock	93	65	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rhône-style Red Blend	Saxum	null	null	null
US	This twin county blend is a sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc. It shows the gooseberry tartness that Capture is known for, but not too much, with richer notes of citrus fruits and white flowers dominating. One quibble is that the wine is a little too sweet.	Tradition	87	30	California	Lake County-Sonoma County	North Coast	Sauvignon Blanc	Capture	null	null	null
Greece	Alluring aromas of ripe peach, grapefruit and lemon lead this stylish white. The wine offers integrated flavors of spicy citrus and lemon peel backed by a sea-salt salinity. Balanced and brisk but full of flavor, it's a great example of the elegance of this variety.	null	91	20	Santorini	null	null	Assyrtico	Greek Wine Cellars	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Greek Wine Cellars 2014 Assyrtico (Santorini)
Italy	Because Masi releases its Campolongo di Torbe cru expression of Amarone many years later than the competition, the wine has had time to develop its tertiary aromas of sweet spice, polished stone, licorice, rum cake and candied fruit. Overall, it's hugely intense and persistent on the finish.	Campolongo di Torbe	92	155	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Masi	null	null	null
US	Simple and sweetly sugary, with high acids framing apricot, tangerine, butter-sautéed banana and honey flavors.	Late Harvest	84	20	California	Mendocino	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Sauvignon Blanc	Husch	null	null	null
US	Flowery and textural, this is both concentrated and airy at the same time. It floats across the palate gracefully, the pretty fruit flavors of spiced pear and hints of honeydew are set up nicely by crisp, leesy acids. Good length and a fine, clean finish.	null	90	18	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	The Four Graces	null	null	null
Argentina	Crisp aromas of wet stones, lime and eau de toilette give this Torrontés the proper air. It's lean and cut in the mouth, with green apple, pear and nectarine flavors coasting on a wave of bracing acidity. Finishes clean as a whistle.	null	87	11	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Torrontés	Bodega Norton	null	null	null
US	Deep red plum, dried rose, lavender and oak smoke show on the nose of this bottling from Rick Longoria's estate vineyard, while it also offers a sanguine, feral quality. The palate continues the intrigue, its dried seaweed and wild sagebrush notes giving nuance to the tart strawberry and cranberry fruit.	Fe Ciega Vineyard	92	55	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Longoria	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Longoria 2014 Fe Ciega Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
US	At the start, this smells like dark fruit and toast drizzled with molten beeswax. The flavors mirror the aromas, with a hefty hint of clove that stipples the textured finish.	null	86	19	Virginia	Shenandoah Valley	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Shenandoah Vineyards	null	null	null
US	A decent, everyday Pinot Noir. it's silky and crisp, with pleasant berry flavors and a touch of smoky oak.	null	83	26	California	Monterey	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Bin 36	null	null	null
US	Savory complexities of bramble, herb, bell pepper and leather highlight the duality of this luscious, deeply fruity Cabernet Franc. While plump and full bodied, it's structured with taut acidity and a frame of delicate, finely textured tannins.	null	90	29	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Cabernet Franc	Kontokosta	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Kontokosta 2014 Cabernet Franc (North Fork of Long Island)
Portugal	Rich, sweet and full in the mouth, this is immediately attractive. It has ripe red berry and sultana fruitiness, plus a texture that is soft and rounded. Only the bite of spirit and acidity provides a reminder that this generous wine also has some aging.	10-Year-Old Tawny	87	17	Port	null	null	Port	Quarles Harris	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Quarles Harris NV 10-Year-Old Tawny (Port)
Italy	This blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah opens with savory aromas of cured meat, dried berry, cassis, tobacco and wet earth. There's a touch of almond bitterness on the finish.	Scialo	86	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Red Blend	Viticultori Associati Canicatti	null	null	Viticultori Associati Canicatti 2008 Scialo Red (Sicilia)
US	Tastes old and tired, losing fruit and turning herbal, nutty and earthy, with dried apricot and orange flavors. Interesting from a connoisseur's point of view, but it's hard to tell why Mayacamas held back this wine for so long.	null	85	30	California	Mount Veeder	Napa	Chardonnay	Mayacamas	null	null	Mayacamas 2008 Chardonnay (Mount Veeder)
US	Beautifully purple-pink in color, this blend of 46% Mourvèdre, 41% Grenache and 13% Counoise shows smashed plums and watermelon extract on the nose. The acidity hits the palate first as does a grippy white rock minerality, with pomegranate fruits showing rather ripely.	Dianthus	88	27	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rosé	Tablas Creek	null	null	null
US	You will want to age this Cabernet—8 or 10 years of development is the only way to allow the hard tannins to begin to melt away, allowing the fabulous core of blackberries, currants and dark chocolate to emerge. It's hard to exaggerate the wine's depth; it's so elegantly pure, concentrated and focused. Don't even think of popping the cork before 2018, and it could still be providing pleasure 20 years from now.	null	95	150	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	La Sirena	null	null	La Sirena 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Uruguay	Very expensive for a novelty, and without coming down too hard on it, it's fat and raisiny with a heavy ripeness that is tough to swallow. Ripasso by nature is a rich, sweet, sticky style of wine but this rendition lacks edge and focus.	Angel's Cuvée Ripasso de Tannat	81	59	Atlantida	null	null	Tannat	Viñedo de los Vientos	null	null	null
US	A bit of cat pee, but not too much unless you're sensitive to it, with richer citrus and gooseberry notes that finish dry and zesty. The unusual name refers to no oak, no malo and no cork.	null	85	10	California	Lake County	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Sauvignon Blanc	No	null	null	null
Germany	Intense minerality permeates this spätlese in shades of smoke, crushed rocks and honeycomb, accenting sweet, lush flavors of summer melon and peach. Bracing acidity reverberates on the palate, lending a shocking intensity to an otherwise delicate, dainty mouthfeel.	Herrenberg Spätlese	91	40	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Maximin Grünhäuser	null	null	null
US	Warren Dutton planted the first vineyard block of this Russian River Valley producer, the Pinot a combination of Dijon and Pommard clones. In the hands of new winemaker Jerome Chéry, the wine is exotic in spicy cinnamon and cardamom, earthy and herbal with layers of dark cherry.	Estate Bottled	91	55	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Fog Crest	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Fog Crest 2012 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
Italy	Good growing conditions in 2007 helped shape this bright, berry-driven wine from southern Tuscany. You'll recognize aromas of cherry, blueberry and mineral backed by a firm texture and sour cherry flavors. This is a simple, easy-drinking expression.	null	84	22	Tuscany	Morellino di Scansano	null	Sangiovese	Poggio Lungo	null	null	null
US	Rich, ripe and flashy, this Cabernet scores high on the deliciousness factor. That is Peju's speciality, and here they have produced a gorgeous wine of soft tannins, creaminess and ripe black currant, anise and dark chocolate flavors. Tasty now, and will stay fresh for up to five years.	null	89	45	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Peju	null	null	Peju 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	Very much like the fine 2009, the winery's new Chardonnay is bone dry and austere, like a Chablis. Highly minerally, with mouthwatering acidity, the fruit flavors veer toward Meyer lemons and limes.	Kessler-Haak Vineyard	89	38	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Kessler-Haak	null	null	null
US	This nervy and vibrant wine takes time to reveal the intriguing flavors within. Quite tart and tannic at first, it is firm in texture to balance the ripe, sweet plum, marascino cherry and orange peel aromas. While chewy and lip-smacking in the beginning, deeper flavors come through on the second and third sips, and a smoky nuance develops on the finish.	null	90	35	California	El Dorado	Sierra Foothills	Grenache	Donkey & Goat	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Donkey & Goat 2013 Grenache (El Dorado)
Italy	Vibrant and straightforward, this opens with delicate aromas of Spanish broom, citrus fruit and herb. The bright, simple palate offers tangerine and a bitter almond note alongside zesty acidity.	Albiano	85	11	Central Italy	Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico	null	Verdicchio	Marotti Campi	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Marotti Campi 2014 Albiano (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico)
Spain	Minerality and crispness define the bouquet, which brings green apple and citrus aromas. There's punch and spritz on the palate as well as sweet citrus and juicy lime flavors that break up a little as they fan out. Not sure if there's residual sugar, but the wine tastes a bit sweet.	null	88	16	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	Albariño	Lícia	null	null	null
US	This unusual project, a single Bordeaux blend from a mix of vintages, has put out its second wine. It is, as you would expect, rounder and more advanced than the usual new releases, with melded flavors and softened tannins. Yet it retains a fair amount of youthful spice and a sharp edge to the acids, lifting it and giving definition to the mid-palate.	Release Number Two	89	48	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Red Blend	Ensemble	null	null	null
US	Fermented and matured in neutral oak barrels for seven months of lees aging, this has a scent reminiscent of slightly oxidized apple and pear slices, with supporting notes of blonde caramel, lemon yogurt and nectarine. Soft and lax on the attack, it gains vibrancy on the midpalate, ending with a pleasing lemon grass lift.	Reserve	85	25	Virginia	Virginia	null	Vermentino	Barboursville Vineyards	null	null	Barboursville Vineyards 2011 Reserve Vermentino (Virginia)
France	With seven years on lees before disgorgement, this wine already shows some maturity. It is rich while also having the intense acidity of the vintage. Turning to gold in color, it is balanced and dry as with all the Paillard wines, although with age that character becomes less obvious. Drink now for the fruit or until 2024.	Assemblage Extra Brut	93	88	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Bruno Paillard	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Bruno Paillard 2008 Assemblage Extra Brut (Champagne)
Portugal	This wine is made from the Bastardo grape which, as its name suggests, is tough to handle and rarely found. Very light in color and with a rustic flavor, the wine is light with hints of red berry fruits. A curiosity. Drink now.	null	86	32	Douro	null	null	Bastardo	Conceito Vinhos	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Conceito Vinhos 2014 Bastardo (Douro)
France	Made from fruit sourced from one of the finest premier crus in Gevrey-Chambertin, this is a closed wine initially. Then its rich black-fruit flavors explode, yet the wine still retains its serious, tannic character. The structure promises that this complex bottling will age well.	Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru	95	null	Burgundy	Gevrey-Chambertin	null	Pinot Noir	Domaine Bruno Clair	null	null	null
US	Very sweet in fruit and refined in texture, a softly gentle wine to enjoy now and over the next six years. Shows lots of blackberry, cherry, orange zest, licorice and sandalwood flavors, wrapped into rich, silky tannins.	Claret	91	86	California	Atlas Peak	Napa	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Atlas Peak	null	null	null
US	This fruity Pinot is loaded with ripe strawberry preserves, mixed in with tomato leaf and slightly resiny flavors that are typical in Oregon. It's an interesting mix, both ripe and herbal at the same time, but not yet entirely melded together. It will be fun to see where it goes in the next five years.	Stewart	88	34	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Boedecker Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Boedecker Cellars 2005 Stewart Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
US	Very much in the mode of the Boomtown Pinot Gris, this is clean, crisp and refreshing, with light, melony fruit and a strong mineral streak. It's bracing and textural, rather light and fun for sipping, though not especially varietal.	null	86	13	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Chardonnay	Boomtown	null	null	null
Spain	Minerally and tight on the nose, this has a modest level of white fruit and flower aromas. It feels angular and light, with tangy acids pushing lemon and pineapple flavors. Crisp but lean on the finish.	null	87	17	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	Albariño	Mar de Viñas	null	null	null
US	This is the artist label Syrah; impenetrably black, richly scented and intriguing. The fruit is tart and has a citrus edge, but more noticeable are the scents and textures of spices—clove, pepper, cayenne, a bit of fennel and ginger. The longer it breathes, the smoother and more interesting the flavors become.	Lewis Vineyard	92	75	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Dunham	null	null	null
Chile	High-toned energy is the persistent theme of this coastal Syrah. The nose is jumpy and wild, with leather, coffee and tarry notes along with foxy berry fruit. A juicy, crisp palate is high in acid, ringing with peppery currant and plum flavors. Toasty, spicy oak leads a ripped, bold finish. Drink through 2023.	null	90	25	Aconcagua Costa	null	null	Syrah	Errazuriz	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Errazuriz 2015 Syrah (Aconcagua Costa)
Portugal	Nacional Vintage Port comes from a small parcel of ungrafted vines on a series of terraces at the Noval estate. It is a legendary wine, produced only occasionally. This wine is still impressively young and shows that it will age for decades. With its dark black fruits and succulent tannins, it is powerful and concentrated. Drink this wine from 2021 and for many years.	Nacional Vintage	98	595	Port	null	null	Port	Quinta do Noval	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Quinta do Noval 2001 Nacional Vintage (Port)
Italy	Aromas of chocolate and toasted hazelnut open the bouquet of this darkly concentrated wine. The palate offers a cherry flavor, with plush softness, chewy tannins and flavorful intensity.	Rongalio Meruzzano Riserva	91	null	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	Orlando Abrigo	null	null	Orlando Abrigo 2007 Rongalio Meruzzano Riserva (Barbaresco)
US	Feels young and gritty in the mouth, with astringent tannins and a core of cherry-berry fruit. This wine is seriously in need of decanting, but it doesn't seem like an ager.	Ladi's Vineyard	84	27	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Paradise Ridge	null	null	null
Portugal	Fermented in amphorae, the wine is rich and dense as if it had been fermented in open fermenters. The wine is ripe and very concentrated, full of black plums and generous tannins. It still needs to age, so drink from 2018.	Herdade São Miguel Art. Terra Amphora	91	22	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese Red	Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas 2015 Herdade São Miguel Art. Terra Amphora Red (Alentejano)
France	A great expression of the terroir, this rosé made from 50% Syrah, 40% Grenanche and 10% Cinsault is loaded with garrigue accents (lavender and thyme) among the fresh strawberry and cherry fruit core. Clean and zippy on the finish with a lingering soft spice accent.	Pic Saint-Loup	89	20	Languedoc-Roussillon	Coteaux du Languedoc	null	Rosé	Château de Lancyre	null	null	null
US	Inviting aromas of blackberry preserve on rye toast, cigar box, split pine, dill and black olive show on this single vineyard expression by Billy Wathen. Lifted by a slowly simmering acidity, the palate is earthy and forest-driven, with mushroom, juniper, pine needle, strawberry and dried mint flavors.	Vogelzang Vineyard	93	54	California	Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Foxen 7200	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Foxen 7200 2013 Vogelzang Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)

Italy

Ripe blackberry, dark cherry, prune, mocha, oak, grilled sage and vanilla sensations come together on this soft and accessible wine. Ripe, round tannins provide the framework for the juicy palate. Enjoy through 2016.

Lu Patri

89

46

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Nero d'Avola

Baglio del Cristo di Campobello

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Baglio del Cristo di Campobello 2011 Lu Patri Nero d'Avola (Sicilia)

Portugal

An impressive white wine, made from the classy Arinto grape. The wine has been aged in wood, but the creamy toast blends easily with the rich white fruits. There is a Chardonnay-like richness here, a wine that is round, smooth, with just a final lift of acidity.

Special Selection Old Vineyards

92

29

Bucelas

null

Arinto

Quinta do Boição

null

US

Very dry, with finely ground tannins framing delicate flavors of berries and herbs, this Zin is made in a lighter, easier style.

Bernier's

85

22

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

David Coffaro

null

US

A flashy wine that shows how ripe and sweetly soft Paso Robles gets Cabernet. It's rich in blackberry and cherry pie filling, currant, anise and cedar flavors, with a long finish. Will provide satisfying drinking over the next 4–6 years.

null

90

30

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Falcone

null

Falcone 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

Spain

Dusty and smooth upfront, this has attractive orange, nectarine and cream aromas. It feels layered and balanced, with cantaloupe, orange and milk chocolate flavors vying for attention. Mild but composed on the finish, this is made entirely from Trepat.

Brut Reserva Rosat

90

25

Catalonia

Cava

null

Trepat

Agustí Torelló Mata

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Agustí Torelló Mata 2008 Brut Reserva Rosat Trepat (Cava)

Australia

Rather subdued in fruit on the nose, showing more vanilla and toast, but this really expands on the palate, delivering great fruit sweetness and nuance in a harmoniously round, supple package. Finishes long, warm and spicy at 15.5% alcohol.

Marquis Philips G.G.

90

20

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Grenache

R Wines

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

R Wines 2007 Marquis Philips G.G. Grenache (McLaren Vale)

Australia

This could easily stand alongside the best Petite Sirahs from California. It's perfumed and floral on the nose, then adds palate-staining blueberries and hints of cedar, licorice and chocolate. The silky tannins on the finish are firm enough to suggest cellaring through 2010, and optimum drinking through 2020, possibly longer.

The Howling Dog

93

32

South Australia

Barossa Valley

null

Petite Sirah

Massena

null

France

A firm, structured wine, tempered with some smoky wood flavors. The tannins are dry and dominant, leaving the black cherry fruit element behind. Give it 2–3 years.

null

87

19

Bordeaux

Haut-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Barreyres

null

US

Don't be fooled by the low alcohol—this is fully ripened, finished, dry yet packed with delicious pear fruit flavors. Light suggestions of grapefruit and green apple add interest, and the fullness and freshness of the fruit is most impressive.

null

91

18

Oregon

Oregon Other

Pinot Gris

Iris Vineyards

null

US

A good Pinot, but not without its faults. It's nicely dry and has a lovely, silky texture, making it feel light and airy in the mouth. The raspberry, cherry, orange zest and cola flavors testify to the wine's cool-climate origins. The main problem is sharp acidity, which is hard to ignore.

null

85

38

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Toretti's

null

Italy

A sophisticated wine with lingering tones of red berry fruit and soft spice. Thanks to its age, many of those beautiful aromas of cola and licorice are just beginning to appear.

Infinito

88

50

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Castello di Monastero

null

Italy

Here is an extremely fragrant and buoyant Grechetto (with a small percentage of Chardonnay) that delivers bright tones of fresh flower, acacia, honey and white peach. It's light, fresh and would be perfect to serve on a hot summer day thanks to its cleansing freshness.

Castagnolo

88

15

Central Italy

Orvieto Classico Superiore

null

White Blend

Barberani

null

US

This is a distinctive Chardonnay, with pea vine and peach, anise and apple mixing it up. It has a lovely, lifted elegance that keeps the flavors intertwined but allows you to experience them separately as well, and it carves a flavor trail through the finish that lingers sensuously. Could be the best CV Chardonnay ever from L'Ecole.

null

91

22

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Chardonnay

L'Ecole No. 41

null

Austria

A little bit of green pear, a little bit of pepper and quite a bit of juiciness add up to a whole lot of easy-drinking fun on this light, dry and zippy Grüner. There's some spice and yeastiness around the edges, too. Drink soon.

Lois

90

15

Kamptal

null

Grüner Veltliner

Loimer

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Loimer 2015 Lois Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)

US

Steve Clifton makes this wine pop with a wet river-stone minerality on the fresh olallieberry fruit-laden nose. The palate offers spiced plums, a bit of blood and turned-earth flavors.

null

87

26

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Barbera

Palmina

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Palmina 2011 Barbera (Santa Barbara County)

US

With zippy acidity and a dry finish, this is a Pinot you might want to cellar until 2020. It's rich in oak-inspired raspberry, cherry, cola and pomegranate fruit flavors. The low alcohol gives it a light, silky texture.

Coast Grade Vineyard

89

45

California

Ben Lomond Mountain

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Beauregard

null

US

This veers toward the sweet side of Viognier, with pineapple, apricot, orange and honeysuckle flavors. The sweetness is balanced by firm acidity.

The Glenrose Vineyard

86

35

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Viognier

Adelaida

null

Italy

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, this wine features earthy aromas of leafy forest floor, tilled soil and dried black currant. The straightforward palate delivers juicy blackberry, raspberry and clove alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2016.

Scirè

87

17

Tuscany

Bolgheri

null

Red Blend

Ceralti

null

Chile

Roasted berry and a strong blast of rubber and black olive aromas set up a round, bouncy palate with resiny oak and loamy, generic berry flavors touched up by green herbs and spice. This is warm, oaky and regular on the finish.

Las Mulas Reserva

85

14

Central Valley

null

Carmenère

Miguel Torres

null

Italy

Aromas highlight violet, iris, incense and espresso. The lively palate doles out sour cherry, mocha and coffee alongside smooth, rounded tannins.

Sot

88

28

Piedmont

Nebbiolo d'Alba

null

Nebbiolo

Pelassa

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Pelassa 2012 Sot (Nebbiolo d'Alba)

Germany

Even tasted blind, this wine comes across as a bit warm. The 15% alcohol imparts a thick, rich consistency in the mouth, while the flavors stay true to the site, showing notes of ripe peaches, citrus and hints of home heating oil. It's certainly impressive, but the alcohol shows through a bit on the finish, suggesting near-term consumption.

Grünlack Spätlese Trocken

88

50

Rheingau

null

Riesling

Schloss Johannisberger

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Schloss Johannisberger 2006 Grünlack Spätlese Trocken Riesling (Rheingau)

France

For a 2007, considered a light vintage in Beaujolais, this has good structure, its red fruit flavors given intensity and concentration by firm black plum skin tannins. The aftertaste, though, is all juicy fruits, balanced by sweet acidity.

null

86

20

Beaujolais

Brouilly

null

Gamay

Château de la Terrière

null

US

This is a toasty Zinfandel bursting with aromas and flavors of smoked meat and blackberry jam. Soft, round and easy to drink, this should pair well with barbecue or similarly smoked meats.

Fiddletown

86

22

California

Fiddletown

Sierra Foothills

Zinfandel

Sobon Estate

null

US

Boasts a reddish-copper color and a fine bead, but doesn't give up a lot on the nose—just hints of berries and toast. Tastes more earthy and mushrooomy, with a creamy mouthfeel but a short finish.

Olivia's Cuvee Brut Rose

84

27

Oregon

Oregon Other

Sparkling Blend

Domaine Meriwether

null

France

Mint and eucalypt aromas set the scene for a modern, polished wine, packed with wood tannins as well as ripe black fruits. Currently, the tannins are winning giving a wine that is dark, structured and dry. So give it at least five years.

Sélection Vieilles Vignes

89

35

Bordeaux

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Faizeau

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Faizeau 2010 Sélection Vieilles Vignes (Montagne-Saint-Émilion)

Argentina

Scratchy raspberry aromas lend some harshness to the bouquet, but that's replaced soon after by earthy berry fruit notes. The palate is plump and full, with chunky, thick flavors of black fruit that are nice but quiet. Fruity, jammy and easygoing throughout. Drink now into 2012.

La Madras Vineyard

89

19

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Ricardo Santos

null

Italy

Elegant and tight, this pale pink sparkling wine boasts a wide array of small fruit and floral aromas. This vibrant wine would pair well with fried calamari or shellfish thanks to its delicate nature and bright acidity.

Rosé Talento

89

14

Northeastern Italy

Trento

null

Sparkling Blend

Rotari

null

Italy

This smooth, balanced offering shows plenty of cherry, leather and cedar flavors. The round mouthfeel and the licorice and toast flavors on the palate are wrapped around ripe, almost candied fruit. Oak is present but there's enough fruit to support it. A likeable wine to drink now.

null

87

15

Tuscany

Chianti Superiore

null

Sangiovese

Burchino

null

Portugal

High density planting of a vineyard on the slopes of the Azeitão mountains has produced a rich and seriously dense wine. It has enormous amounts of spice, oak-aged flavors and bitter tannins. The red fruits are lost at this stage in the welter of other flavors. but with time its true, impressive colors with shine. Drink after 2016.

Má Partilha

91

25

Península de Setúbal

null

Merlot

Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal 2010 Má Partilha Merlot (Península de Setúbal)

US

Soft and lightly oaky, this barrel-fermented wine has a lightly honeyed element, perhaps an indication of botrytis. The wine should be consumed young, as it is already showing signs of age in both color and mouthfeel.

Barrel Fermented

86

21

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Methven Family Vineyards

null

Italy

This easy Sicilian white offers peach blossom and citrus over a tight, crisp mouthfeel. This is the kind of no-fuss wine to drink on a hot weekend afternoon.

Terre di Ginestra

86

15

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Catarratto

Calatrasi

null

US

This has slender raspberry and cherry fruit. As a result, the acidity dominates, giving the wine a sour candy tartness. In its favor, it's nicely dry, and it feels silky.

null

84

25

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Casa de la Cruz

null

Casa de la Cruz 2009 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Chile

San Vicente is part of the Casa Donoso group, and this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc smells tarry and blackened, with notes of olive, char, cassis and minerals. The full, layered palate is meaty and integrated, while flavors of spiced blackberry, cassis and pepper end in toasty, dark and lightly herbal fashion. Drink through 2022.

Lukai

92

70

Maule Valley

null

Red Blend

Viña San Vicente

null

France

This fresh wine is vinified in tanks rather than wood to retain the bright strawberry fruit flavors. It is elegant, light and has good acidity. Drink now.

Le Clos des Topes Bizot

87

null

Burgundy

Côte de Beaune

null

Pinot Noir

Domaine Chantal Lescure

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Chantal Lescure 2011 Le Clos des Topes Bizot (Côte de Beaune)

Italy

Aromas of wild flower, black fruit and toast lead the nose on this dense wine. The one-dimensional palate offers mature black cherry, dried plum, coffee and a hint of licorice alongside chewy but fleeting tannins.

San Gaetano

85

12

Southern Italy

Primitivo di Manduria

null

Primitivo

Cantine Due Palme

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Cantine Due Palme 2012 San Gaetano (Primitivo di Manduria)

Italy

This single-vineyard Barbaresco Riserva shows lovely floral and fruit scents of violet, iris, ripe berry and pressed powder. The palate is delicious, with black cherry, plum and spice uplifted by freshness and energizing mineral notes. It has ample depth and balance, and while it's drinking well now, it will also age for years.

Vigneti in Muncagota Riserva

94

68

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

Produttori del Barbaresco

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Produttori del Barbaresco 2008 Vigneti in Muncagota Riserva (Barbaresco)

US

Super-tannic, one of those dry Napa red wines that makes you wonder why you opened it now. It's just so tough and astringent, offering more pain than pleasure, which leads to the question, will it age? Well, there's good cherry-blackberry fruit. But this is Merlot, not Cabernet. Risky.

Estate

86

50

California

Diamond Mountain District

Napa

Merlot

Reverie

null

France

Château Bazin's wine comes from vineyards on slopes above the Garonne river. Made from a blend that includes Bordeaux grapes and the local Abouriou, it is powerful with mint and tar, perfumed and rich. Very structured and dense, it has firm tannins that will still develop. Best drunk from 2016.

Château Bazin

90

45

Southwest France

Côtes du Marmandais

null

Red Blend

Cave du Marmandais

null

Austria

This proffers a very clean-cut nose with a hauntingly precise notion of Williams pear. The lovely, slender palate features some midpalate texture and delicate lemon and pear notes finishing with a warm aftertaste of alcoholic power.

Tatschler

89

35

Burgenland

null

Pinot Blanc

Esterházy

null

Australia

This is slightly darker and more roasted in character than the 2006 version, with a caramelized note to the dried apricot and honey flavors. It hints at bergamot rather than lime, but retains the long, mouthwatering finish of the 2006.

The Noble

88

19

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Riesling

D'Arenberg

null

Spain

Cassis, raisin, vanilla and rooty spice aromas give this Tempranillo blend some class on the bouquet. It's resiny and fairly heavy feeling, with lightly burnt and earthy flavors of herbal red berry and plum. Dry and peppery on the finish.

Señorío de los Llanos Crianza

85

8

Central Spain

Valdepeñas

null

Red Blend

Bodegas Los Llanos

null

Italy

This is a biodynamic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that's focused on two principle components: green Cabernet Franc notes and dusty, mineral ones. Both speak to the wine's typicity yet the finish falls a bit short.

Altrovino

86

35

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Duemani

null

Italy

White spring flower, beeswax and orchard fruit aromas take center stage while the round, ripe palate evokes yellow apple, candied lemon drop and a hint of fennel seed. A saline-like mineral note energizes the finish.

Campo Vulcano

88

20

Veneto

Soave Classico

null

White Blend

I Campi

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

I Campi 2015 Campo Vulcano (Soave Classico)

US

Round, full, fruity and complex, this polished effort's flavors runs the gamut from citrus to stone fruit to light tropical. Generous and elegant at once, it finishes with light notes of cracker and grain.

Estate Reserve

90

38

Oregon

Chehalem Mountains

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Blakeslee

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Blakeslee 2009 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)

France

Broad, open wine with berry fruits, black cherries and a soft texture. The wine has freshness, plenty of acidity, for drinking now.

Séléction

86

null

Beaujolais

Juliénas

null

Gamay

Georges Duboeuf

null

Italy

This Barbera d'Asti Superiore opens with brambly notes of underbrush and wild berry followed by wet earth and smoked ham. Give it two or three years in the bottle and pair this fruit-forward wine with lasagna or meatloaf.

Terre Astesane

88

null

Piedmont

Barbera d'Asti Superiore

null

Barbera

Cantina Sociale di Mombercelli Terre Astesane

null

Cantina Sociale di Mombercelli Terre Astesane 2007 Terre Astesane (Barbera d'Asti Superiore)

France

Bright red fruits give this wine a fresh, vivid character. It has dry fruit tannins, firmly mineral. The berry fruits are what drive this wine forward, and promise a good partnership with food.

null

85

null

Bordeaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château des Combes

null

Italy

This easy- drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot delivers loads of fresh fruit backed by aromas of cherry, cassis and white almond. The mouthfeel is simple, clean and keeps the palate refreshed.

null

84

10

Tuscany

Colli della Toscana Centrale

null

Red Blend

I Veroni

null

US

This white is a study in unexpected complexity and pleasure. Quince, sulfur and grapefruit notes define it best, as supple minerality and gravelly texture provide dimensionality.

Olema

90

15

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Amici

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Amici 2014 Olema Chardonnay (Sonoma County)

US

This year the blend is Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. As always, the wine is rich, complex, ageable, and unique among California reds. Zin brings its distinctly briary, wild berry taste to the pedigree of the Bordeaux varieties. The result is a balanced, elegant and refined wine that will stand five to eight years of age. A great accomplishment, with nearly 13,000 cases produced.

Red Wine

91

45

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Red Blend

Paraduxx

null

US

A faint smoky character wafts through warm, inviting aromas of lemon peels, nectarine and sea salt on the nose of this wine from Monterey County. There is a lot of energetic acidity on the palate, where even flavors of apple and pear are cut by lemon-lime briskness and a briny character.

Arroyo Vista

92

25

California

Arroyo Seco

Central Coast

Chardonnay

J. Lohr

null

US

Pungent aromas of herbs, cherry cola, orange peel and dark fruit lead to well-balanced blue-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of purity and appeal as well as good length.

Single Vineyard Series Lewis Vineyard

91

42

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Trust

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Trust 2013 Single Vineyard Series Lewis Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

Italy

This fragrant Gewürztraminer from one of the best producers in northern Italy offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle, with background tones of apricot and candied exotic fruit. It's creamy and rich on the finish.

Atisis Cornell

90

38

Northeastern Italy

Alto Adige

null

Gewürztraminer

Colterenzio

null

Colterenzio 2010 Atisis Cornell Gewürztraminer (Alto Adige)

US

This is a generously juicy, powerfully intense wine, rich and rewarding in blue and black fruit, cedar and dried herb. Lengthy and medium bodied, it weaves a complex tangle of tannin and oak as it goes, finishing with a strong taste of tobacco. It's attractive now, but will reward further if held until 2020.

null

92

75

California

Diamond Mountain District

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Croze

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Croze 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District)

France

The wine is light but it also has very fine fruitiness and great balanced acidity. With a creamy texture and touches of yellow fruit as well as citrus, the wine is refreshingly fruity with great final acidity in a ripe rounded context. Drink now.

null

87

14

Southwest France

Côtes de Gascogne

null

Chardonnay

Domaine du Tariquet

null

Italy

Here is an oak-aged Chardonnay with overtones of toast, vanilla and roasted almond that sit squarely besides well-integrated notes of exotic fruit, honey and apricot. The oak element is strong, however, and transfers to the mouth in the form of intensity and length.

Grésy

88

22

Piedmont

Langhe

null

Chardonnay

Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy

null

Chile

Tropical fruit aromas come with nutty, oily grittiness. The palate is full and oaky, while core tropical flavors are barrel driven, honeyed and warm. This comes across as a warm-vintage wine, one with extra sweetness and an oily character.

Corralillo

86

20

San Antonio

null

Chardonnay

Matetic

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Matetic 2012 Corralillo Chardonnay (San Antonio)

US

A gorgeous wine, soft as old kid leather, with impressively ripe blackberry pie, chocolate, anise and coffee flavors. Although it's high in alcohol, the wine isn't hot. Defines West Paso Rhône reds. 85% Syrah, plus Grenache and Mourvèdre.

James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock

93

65

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rhône-style Red Blend

Saxum

null

US

This twin county blend is a sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc. It shows the gooseberry tartness that Capture is known for, but not too much, with richer notes of citrus fruits and white flowers dominating. One quibble is that the wine is a little too sweet.

Tradition

87

30

California

Lake County-Sonoma County

North Coast

Sauvignon Blanc

Capture

null

Greece

Alluring aromas of ripe peach, grapefruit and lemon lead this stylish white. The wine offers integrated flavors of spicy citrus and lemon peel backed by a sea-salt salinity. Balanced and brisk but full of flavor, it's a great example of the elegance of this variety.

null

91

20

Santorini

null

Assyrtico

Greek Wine Cellars

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Greek Wine Cellars 2014 Assyrtico (Santorini)

Italy

Because Masi releases its Campolongo di Torbe cru expression of Amarone many years later than the competition, the wine has had time to develop its tertiary aromas of sweet spice, polished stone, licorice, rum cake and candied fruit. Overall, it's hugely intense and persistent on the finish.

Campolongo di Torbe

92

155

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Masi

null

US

Simple and sweetly sugary, with high acids framing apricot, tangerine, butter-sautéed banana and honey flavors.

Late Harvest

84

20

California

Mendocino

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Sauvignon Blanc

Husch

null

US

Flowery and textural, this is both concentrated and airy at the same time. It floats across the palate gracefully, the pretty fruit flavors of spiced pear and hints of honeydew are set up nicely by crisp, leesy acids. Good length and a fine, clean finish.

null

90

18

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

The Four Graces

null

Argentina

Crisp aromas of wet stones, lime and eau de toilette give this Torrontés the proper air. It's lean and cut in the mouth, with green apple, pear and nectarine flavors coasting on a wave of bracing acidity. Finishes clean as a whistle.

null

87

11

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Torrontés

Bodega Norton

null

US

Deep red plum, dried rose, lavender and oak smoke show on the nose of this bottling from Rick Longoria's estate vineyard, while it also offers a sanguine, feral quality. The palate continues the intrigue, its dried seaweed and wild sagebrush notes giving nuance to the tart strawberry and cranberry fruit.

Fe Ciega Vineyard

92

55

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Longoria

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Longoria 2014 Fe Ciega Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)

US

At the start, this smells like dark fruit and toast drizzled with molten beeswax. The flavors mirror the aromas, with a hefty hint of clove that stipples the textured finish.

null

86

19

Virginia

Shenandoah Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Shenandoah Vineyards

null

US

A decent, everyday Pinot Noir. it's silky and crisp, with pleasant berry flavors and a touch of smoky oak.

null

83

26

California

Monterey

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Bin 36

null

US

Savory complexities of bramble, herb, bell pepper and leather highlight the duality of this luscious, deeply fruity Cabernet Franc. While plump and full bodied, it's structured with taut acidity and a frame of delicate, finely textured tannins.

null

90

29

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Cabernet Franc

Kontokosta

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Kontokosta 2014 Cabernet Franc (North Fork of Long Island)

Portugal

Rich, sweet and full in the mouth, this is immediately attractive. It has ripe red berry and sultana fruitiness, plus a texture that is soft and rounded. Only the bite of spirit and acidity provides a reminder that this generous wine also has some aging.

10-Year-Old Tawny

87

17

Port

null

Port

Quarles Harris

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Quarles Harris NV 10-Year-Old Tawny (Port)

Italy

This blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah opens with savory aromas of cured meat, dried berry, cassis, tobacco and wet earth. There's a touch of almond bitterness on the finish.

Scialo

86

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Red Blend

Viticultori Associati Canicatti

null

Viticultori Associati Canicatti 2008 Scialo Red (Sicilia)

US

Tastes old and tired, losing fruit and turning herbal, nutty and earthy, with dried apricot and orange flavors. Interesting from a connoisseur's point of view, but it's hard to tell why Mayacamas held back this wine for so long.

null

85

30

California

Mount Veeder

Napa

Chardonnay

Mayacamas

null

Mayacamas 2008 Chardonnay (Mount Veeder)

US

Beautifully purple-pink in color, this blend of 46% Mourvèdre, 41% Grenache and 13% Counoise shows smashed plums and watermelon extract on the nose. The acidity hits the palate first as does a grippy white rock minerality, with pomegranate fruits showing rather ripely.

Dianthus

88

27

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rosé

Tablas Creek

null

US

You will want to age this Cabernet—8 or 10 years of development is the only way to allow the hard tannins to begin to melt away, allowing the fabulous core of blackberries, currants and dark chocolate to emerge. It's hard to exaggerate the wine's depth; it's so elegantly pure, concentrated and focused. Don't even think of popping the cork before 2018, and it could still be providing pleasure 20 years from now.

null

95

150

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

La Sirena

null

La Sirena 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Uruguay

Very expensive for a novelty, and without coming down too hard on it, it's fat and raisiny with a heavy ripeness that is tough to swallow. Ripasso by nature is a rich, sweet, sticky style of wine but this rendition lacks edge and focus.

Angel's Cuvée Ripasso de Tannat

81

59

Atlantida

null

Tannat

Viñedo de los Vientos

null

US

A bit of cat pee, but not too much unless you're sensitive to it, with richer citrus and gooseberry notes that finish dry and zesty. The unusual name refers to no oak, no malo and no cork.

null

85

10

California

Lake County

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Sauvignon Blanc

No

null

Germany

Intense minerality permeates this spätlese in shades of smoke, crushed rocks and honeycomb, accenting sweet, lush flavors of summer melon and peach. Bracing acidity reverberates on the palate, lending a shocking intensity to an otherwise delicate, dainty mouthfeel.

Herrenberg Spätlese

91

40

Mosel

null

Riesling

Maximin Grünhäuser

null

US

Warren Dutton planted the first vineyard block of this Russian River Valley producer, the Pinot a combination of Dijon and Pommard clones. In the hands of new winemaker Jerome Chéry, the wine is exotic in spicy cinnamon and cardamom, earthy and herbal with layers of dark cherry.

Estate Bottled

91

55

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Fog Crest

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Fog Crest 2012 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Italy

Good growing conditions in 2007 helped shape this bright, berry-driven wine from southern Tuscany. You'll recognize aromas of cherry, blueberry and mineral backed by a firm texture and sour cherry flavors. This is a simple, easy-drinking expression.

null

84

22

Tuscany

Morellino di Scansano

null

Sangiovese

Poggio Lungo

null

US

Rich, ripe and flashy, this Cabernet scores high on the deliciousness factor. That is Peju's speciality, and here they have produced a gorgeous wine of soft tannins, creaminess and ripe black currant, anise and dark chocolate flavors. Tasty now, and will stay fresh for up to five years.

null

89

45

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Peju

null

Peju 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

Very much like the fine 2009, the winery's new Chardonnay is bone dry and austere, like a Chablis. Highly minerally, with mouthwatering acidity, the fruit flavors veer toward Meyer lemons and limes.

Kessler-Haak Vineyard

89

38

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Kessler-Haak

null

US

This nervy and vibrant wine takes time to reveal the intriguing flavors within. Quite tart and tannic at first, it is firm in texture to balance the ripe, sweet plum, marascino cherry and orange peel aromas. While chewy and lip-smacking in the beginning, deeper flavors come through on the second and third sips, and a smoky nuance develops on the finish.

null

90

35

California

El Dorado

Sierra Foothills

Grenache

Donkey & Goat

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Donkey & Goat 2013 Grenache (El Dorado)

Italy

Vibrant and straightforward, this opens with delicate aromas of Spanish broom, citrus fruit and herb. The bright, simple palate offers tangerine and a bitter almond note alongside zesty acidity.

Albiano

85

11

Central Italy

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

null

Verdicchio

Marotti Campi

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Marotti Campi 2014 Albiano (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico)

Spain

Minerality and crispness define the bouquet, which brings green apple and citrus aromas. There's punch and spritz on the palate as well as sweet citrus and juicy lime flavors that break up a little as they fan out. Not sure if there's residual sugar, but the wine tastes a bit sweet.

null

88

16

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

Albariño

Lícia

null

US

This unusual project, a single Bordeaux blend from a mix of vintages, has put out its second wine. It is, as you would expect, rounder and more advanced than the usual new releases, with melded flavors and softened tannins. Yet it retains a fair amount of youthful spice and a sharp edge to the acids, lifting it and giving definition to the mid-palate.

Release Number Two

89

48

Washington

Washington Other

Red Blend

Ensemble

null

US

Fermented and matured in neutral oak barrels for seven months of lees aging, this has a scent reminiscent of slightly oxidized apple and pear slices, with supporting notes of blonde caramel, lemon yogurt and nectarine. Soft and lax on the attack, it gains vibrancy on the midpalate, ending with a pleasing lemon grass lift.

Reserve

85

25

Virginia

null

Vermentino

Barboursville Vineyards

null

Barboursville Vineyards 2011 Reserve Vermentino (Virginia)

France

With seven years on lees before disgorgement, this wine already shows some maturity. It is rich while also having the intense acidity of the vintage. Turning to gold in color, it is balanced and dry as with all the Paillard wines, although with age that character becomes less obvious. Drink now for the fruit or until 2024.

Assemblage Extra Brut

93

88

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Bruno Paillard

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Bruno Paillard 2008 Assemblage Extra Brut (Champagne)

Portugal

This wine is made from the Bastardo grape which, as its name suggests, is tough to handle and rarely found. Very light in color and with a rustic flavor, the wine is light with hints of red berry fruits. A curiosity. Drink now.

null

86

32

Douro

null

Bastardo

Conceito Vinhos

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Conceito Vinhos 2014 Bastardo (Douro)

France

Made from fruit sourced from one of the finest premier crus in Gevrey-Chambertin, this is a closed wine initially. Then its rich black-fruit flavors explode, yet the wine still retains its serious, tannic character. The structure promises that this complex bottling will age well.

Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru

95

null

Burgundy

Gevrey-Chambertin

null

Pinot Noir

Domaine Bruno Clair

null

US

Very sweet in fruit and refined in texture, a softly gentle wine to enjoy now and over the next six years. Shows lots of blackberry, cherry, orange zest, licorice and sandalwood flavors, wrapped into rich, silky tannins.

Claret

91

86

California

Atlas Peak

Napa

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Atlas Peak

null

US

This fruity Pinot is loaded with ripe strawberry preserves, mixed in with tomato leaf and slightly resiny flavors that are typical in Oregon. It's an interesting mix, both ripe and herbal at the same time, but not yet entirely melded together. It will be fun to see where it goes in the next five years.

Stewart

88

34

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Boedecker Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Boedecker Cellars 2005 Stewart Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

US

Very much in the mode of the Boomtown Pinot Gris, this is clean, crisp and refreshing, with light, melony fruit and a strong mineral streak. It's bracing and textural, rather light and fun for sipping, though not especially varietal.

null

86

13

Washington

Washington Other

Chardonnay

Boomtown

null

Spain

Minerally and tight on the nose, this has a modest level of white fruit and flower aromas. It feels angular and light, with tangy acids pushing lemon and pineapple flavors. Crisp but lean on the finish.

null

87

17

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

Albariño

Mar de Viñas

null

US

This is the artist label Syrah; impenetrably black, richly scented and intriguing. The fruit is tart and has a citrus edge, but more noticeable are the scents and textures of spices—clove, pepper, cayenne, a bit of fennel and ginger. The longer it breathes, the smoother and more interesting the flavors become.

Lewis Vineyard

92

75

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Dunham

null

Chile

High-toned energy is the persistent theme of this coastal Syrah. The nose is jumpy and wild, with leather, coffee and tarry notes along with foxy berry fruit. A juicy, crisp palate is high in acid, ringing with peppery currant and plum flavors. Toasty, spicy oak leads a ripped, bold finish. Drink through 2023.

null

90

25

Aconcagua Costa

null

Syrah

Errazuriz

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Errazuriz 2015 Syrah (Aconcagua Costa)

Portugal

Nacional Vintage Port comes from a small parcel of ungrafted vines on a series of terraces at the Noval estate. It is a legendary wine, produced only occasionally. This wine is still impressively young and shows that it will age for decades. With its dark black fruits and succulent tannins, it is powerful and concentrated. Drink this wine from 2021 and for many years.

Nacional Vintage

98

595

Port

null

Port

Quinta do Noval

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Quinta do Noval 2001 Nacional Vintage (Port)

Italy

Aromas of chocolate and toasted hazelnut open the bouquet of this darkly concentrated wine. The palate offers a cherry flavor, with plush softness, chewy tannins and flavorful intensity.

Rongalio Meruzzano Riserva

91

null

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

Orlando Abrigo

null

Orlando Abrigo 2007 Rongalio Meruzzano Riserva (Barbaresco)

US

Feels young and gritty in the mouth, with astringent tannins and a core of cherry-berry fruit. This wine is seriously in need of decanting, but it doesn't seem like an ager.

Ladi's Vineyard

84

27

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Paradise Ridge

null

Portugal

Fermented in amphorae, the wine is rich and dense as if it had been fermented in open fermenters. The wine is ripe and very concentrated, full of black plums and generous tannins. It still needs to age, so drink from 2018.

Herdade São Miguel Art. Terra Amphora

91

22

Alentejano

null

Portuguese Red

Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas 2015 Herdade São Miguel Art. Terra Amphora Red (Alentejano)

France

A great expression of the terroir, this rosé made from 50% Syrah, 40% Grenanche and 10% Cinsault is loaded with garrigue accents (lavender and thyme) among the fresh strawberry and cherry fruit core. Clean and zippy on the finish with a lingering soft spice accent.

Pic Saint-Loup

89

20

Languedoc-Roussillon

Coteaux du Languedoc

null

Rosé

Château de Lancyre

null

US

Inviting aromas of blackberry preserve on rye toast, cigar box, split pine, dill and black olive show on this single vineyard expression by Billy Wathen. Lifted by a slowly simmering acidity, the palate is earthy and forest-driven, with mushroom, juniper, pine needle, strawberry and dried mint flavors.

Vogelzang Vineyard

93

54

California

Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Foxen 7200

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Foxen 7200 2013 Vogelzang Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)