spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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US	Soft, easy and dry, with a silky texture framing flavors of rosehip tea, cherry skins, cranberries and pepper. Drink now.	null	85	20	California	Napa County	Napa	Pinot Noir	Magness	null	null	null
Argentina	For something a little lighter, more herbal and different than the usual Mendoza heavyweight, this multigrape blend offers aromatic notes of pancetta, herb, fennel and dried cherry along with flavors of blueberry and elderflower. It's light-to-medium in size, with a Rhône-style personality. Drink now.	Tinto	87	10	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Red Blend	La Yunta	null	null	null
Chile	Apple and citrus aromas are neither well defined nor overly aromatic. Fresh and juicy on the palate, this offers citrus peel and green melon flavors. Mild and short on the finish.	Vitral	86	11	Chile	null	null	Chardonnay	Viña Maipo	null	null	null
Italy	Brightly pink and lively, this is made from the indigenous Lagrein grape, traditionally farmed in Alto Adige. It delivers soft tones of citrus, grapefruit, raspberry and a touch of sweet basil.	null	87	16	Northeastern Italy	Alto Adige	null	Lagrein	Andriano	null	null	null
Portugal	A ripe, full-bodied wine, the yellow peach and apricot flavors balanced with grapefruit, spice and a pear skin structure. There is a hint of vanilla from the wood, with a final, enticing floral character.	Casa de Santar	88	15	Dão	null	null	Portuguese White	Dão Sul	null	null	null
Italy	Aromas of oak, toast, espresso, exotic spice, spirits, dried black cherry and coconut carry over to the warm palate. Showing the heat of the vintage, the fruit is already drying up while bracing tannins provide the framework.	null	87	32	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Gianni Gagliardo	null	null	null
Italy	This Riserva Chianti Rufina offers clean, crisp aromas of wild berry and white cherry with distant renderings of spice and earth in the background. Pair this wine with roast chicken or pork.	Riserva	87	18	Tuscany	Chianti Rufina	null	Sangiovese	Bellini	null	null	null
France	Produced by consultant Pascal Chatonnet, this is basic Saint-Emilion with attitude. Spicy new wood, rich, bitter chocolate flavors and superripe berry fruits are kept in order by the acidity and the dense core of dry tannins.	null	89	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château l'Archange	null	null	null
Australia	This impeccably made wine boasts a rich, almost unctuous mouthfeel that beautifully complements its flavors of blackberries, dried spices, toast and vanilla. It's delicious now, but the flavors are so young and primary it's hard to imagine it not being even better in another year or two. Long on the finish, with echoes of oak and fruit lingering elegantly.	null	91	22	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Shiraz	Tapestry	null	null	null
Argentina	Round and saturated on the nose, with a baked, syrupy set of dark-fruit aromas. The palate is plump but offers proper acidity, and thus the flavors of cola, mocha and blackberry are round but balanced. Buttery oak comes up on the finish, and overall this is a tasty but somewhat regular high-end Malbec (with 34% Tempranillo).	Zeta	89	45	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec-Tempranillo	Zuccardi	null	null	null
Spain	Citrusy on the nose, with just a hint of sulfuric burn and smoke. Flavors of sweet white grapefruit, tangerine and tarragon leaf give the palate that little bit extra, while the finish is smooth but short. Good but a touch flat on the back end and finish.	Cordon Negro Extra Dry	87	12	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Freixenet	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Extra Dry Sparkling (Cava)
US	Aged 14 months in Russian Oak, this is a different kind of Chard with notes of chamomile, fresh mint sprigs, vanilla and cigar tobacco among the more typical melon fruits and lime citrus. Medium-full but a bit flat in the mouth with a solid but quite smoky finish.	Russian Oak	84	20	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Chardonnay	Comtesse Thérèse	null	null	null
Italy	Made with organically farmed fruit, this wine opens with an enticing fragrance of white flower and stone fruit. The savory palate delivers juicy white peach, saline and mineral sensations alongside bright acidity.	Vigna di Mandranova	91	29	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Grillo	Alessandro di Camporeale	null	null	null
US	From the oldest (1983 vintage) estate vines, this is finished off-dry, about 1.7% residual sugar. Off-dry or not, it's succulent and spicy, mixing melon, apple and citrus with some sweeter notes hinting at honey. Good length and a crisp finish.	Estate	91	18	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Gamache	null	null	null
US	Smoke and baked plum notes provide flavor within this wine's easygoing structure and approachability.	null	85	10	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Kirkland Signature	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Kirkland Signature 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
US	This might be called banana Port, for a rich, banana flavor is what dominates. Of course, with Muscat, you will also find tangerine and orange, like a tangy sauce over the richer, creamier banana. You've got to think—pair this with a banana split? Could be the dessert of the century!	Port	87	28	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Muscat	David Hill	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	David Hill 2006 Port Muscat (Willamette Valley)
Spain	More mature and minerally than most, with some earthy notes as well as a sharp smokiness. Apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors dominate the developed, smooth-textured palate. Nice overall, with good body. A stand-up cava.	Jaume de Codorniú Brut	89	null	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Codorníu	null	null	null
France	Enjoyable and approachable now with straightforward red cherry, berry and game notes spiced up by glimmers of mocha and nutmeg. Linear in the mouth with soft tannins and a clean finish.	Emotion Occitane	88	20	Languedoc-Roussillon	Coteaux du Languedoc	null	Rhône-style Red Blend	Le Mas de l'Ecriture	null	null	null
South Africa	The estate wine from Remhoogte in which Michel Rolland is both consultant and partner. This Bordeaux Blend is serious stuff with dry tannins that promise good aging. There is some Pinotage in the blend, but it is hardly noticeable; the main flavors come from the textured cassis of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.	Estate Wine	92	28	Simonsberg-Stellenbosch	null	null	Cabernet Blend	Remhoogte	null	null	null
US	Somehow the label's misspelling of Bachelor's Button slipped by the authorities. Surplus T aside, this is a generous wine, whose plummy, peppery fruit is dotted with details of herb, spicecake and chocolate. Smooth, velvety tannins add to the pleasure.	Batchelor's Button	92	29	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Isenhower	null	null	null
US	Harsh, with rough tannins and sweet and sour cherry flavors.	Parcel 9	82	12	California	California	California Other	Merlot	Hanging Vine	null	null	Hanging Vine 2007 Parcel 9 Merlot (California)
US	It has a vivid ruby color, cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors, and good balance. It's not too fat, but medium bodied, with firm tannins that help frame the ripe fruit. It adds up to an elegant style.	null	87	18	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Zinfandel	Charles B. Mitchell	null	null	null
Portugal	Named after a traditional Douro dance, this wine is ripe and spicy, with new wood flavors. It has a soft structure that allows the vibrant berry fruits to come through strongly. Both the fruit and the wood aging say this wine is too young, so drink from 2017.	Charamba Reserva	88	9	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Aveleda	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Aveleda 2014 Charamba Reserva Red (Douro)
Italy	Rebianco is a sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that offers a fragrant bouquet of white flower and honeysuckle. The bubbling is soft and tonic with a creamy, peachy aftertaste.	Rebianco Brut	86	null	Veneto	Veneto	null	Sparkling Blend	Vigneti Villabella	null	null	null
Spain	Huge and on the border of overwhelming. But if you like yours concentrated and forward (although arguably not that complex) then Pingus is a dream come true. Start with the bouquet of coffee, earth, black truffle and smoked meat before digging into the wine's saturated black-fruit palate. Big tannins on the finish say lay it down for several years.	Pingus	94	320	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tinto del Pais	Dominio de Pingus	null	null	null
US	Aromas of green apple, melon, pear and a hint of Meyer lemon introduce this tart and flavorful Pinot Gris. It's lightly spiced, fruity and compact.	Estate Renovação	88	20	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Coelho	null	null	null
France	This is a beautifully balanced and elegant offering, with pleasant fruitiness, tight acidity and a fragrant, crisp character. It's full bodied, and falls in the middle of the brut spectrum of dryness. This is ready to drink now.	Brut Rosé Réserve	92	70	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Charles Heidsieck	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Rosé Réserve (Champagne)
Argentina	Consistency in the wine world is a virtue, and Cheval covers the consistency issue with ease. Aromas of earth, mushroom, leather and so forth add an Old World touch to this New World Malbec-Cabernet blend. It's healthy and even juicy on the palate, with blackberry, dark plum and tobacco flavors. An interesting wine that grabs and holds your attention. Drink now through 2012.	null	92	75	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Cheval des Andes	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Cheval des Andes 2005 Red (Mendoza)
Austria	A flagship from the Krems cooperative, highlighting the famed steep Pfaffenberg vineyard. The wine is perfumed, white flower aromas followed with the crispest of currant and green fruits. There is light spice, finishing a deliciously aromatic wine.	Kremser Pfaffenberg	90	25	Niederösterreich	null	null	Riesling	Winzer Krems	null	null	null
US	Hearty and pleasantly astringent, this conveys a vivid splash of Tuscan character. It has a deep color, cranberry and leather aromas, and firm, chewy tannins along with crisp acidity, making it a great match for steak Florentine.	Estate	88	22	California	Sierra Foothills	Sierra Foothills	Sangiovese	Naggiar	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Naggiar 2011 Estate Sangiovese (Sierra Foothills)
US	Zesty and fragrant with notes of grapefruit and citrus blossom, this is an endlessly quaffable white with wide appeal. Juicy and fresh with a focused edge of acidity, it finishes briskly with just a touch of minerality.	Dos Aguas	87	27	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	White Blend	Macari	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Macari 2013 Dos Aguas White (North Fork of Long Island)
US	A bit on the green, feline side, but with enough lemon and lime and sweet oak influences to give it richness. The acidity is wonderful, like biting into a fresh Granny Smith apple.	Reserve	85	20	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Sauvignon Blanc	Frei Brothers	null	null	null
Portugal	Smoothly textured with a balancing edge of tannin, this ripe—never too sweet—Port is full of dried fruits, an edge of spirits and a dry aftertaste. The wine, from one of the classic Port houses, is intense, concentrated, ready to drink now.	Late Bottled Vintage	88	30	Port	null	null	Port	Sandeman	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Sandeman 2012 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)
US	Acorn, which does such interesting things with Rhône varieties, shows it's no slouch with Bordeaux varieties, to judge from this fresh, succulent young red wine. It's medium-bodied and dry, with polished flavors of cherries, blueberries, leather and herbs and a long, spicy finish.	Alegria Vineyards	88	28	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Franc	Acorn	null	null	null
Italy	This Extra Dry (slightly sweet) vintage Prosecco delivers a lean, slightly watery style and piquant bubbles that recall lemon soda. The wine is firm and steely in the mouth with tonic bubbling and layers of fresh fruit on the close.	Millesimato Extra Dry	85	19	Veneto	Prosecco di Valdobbiadene	null	Prosecco	Val d'Oca	null	null	Val d'Oca 2008 Millesimato Extra Dry (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene)
France	Starts with dandelion and lemon-lime aromas that don't meet any preconceived notions about Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is basic, with orange and tangerine flavors, while the lean finish is dry, zesty and warming.	null	84	12	Southwest France	Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Domaine du Tariquet	null	null	null
US	An underripe streak of wintergreen mint accompanies lemon and lime flavors in this crisp wine. It would be a good companion to Chinese and Vietnamese food.	Small Block Series	84	20	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sauvignon Blanc	Hess Collection	null	null	Hess Collection 2012 Small Block Series Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
Italy	This opens with a pretty white-flower and honey notes, followed by a thick and slightly heavy mouthfeel. Barbecued shrimp would make for a great pairing partner.	null	86	12	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Insolia	Cusumano	null	null	Cusumano 2011 Insolia (Sicilia)
Italy	Truffle, woodland berry and violet aromas take center stage in this luminous red. The fresh, juicy palate doles out sour cherry, crushed raspberry, thyme and clove flavors, framed by taut, polished tannins. A star anise note closes the finish. Drink through 2019.	null	90	16	Tuscany	Rosso di Montepulciano	null	Red Blend	Gracciano della Seta	null	null	null
Australia	This innovative blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Marsanne doesn't show the hoped-for synergies. Hints of tar and rubber refuse to blow off completely, and the modest green apple and citrus flavors come across as lean and emaciated on the palate.	The Turk Semillon + Marsanne	81	14	South Australia	Barossa Valley	null	White Blend	Turkey Flat	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Turkey Flat 2005 The Turk Semillon + Marsanne White (Barossa Valley)
Italy	From a noble Italian family that has been making wine since the 13th century, this oak-aged Tuscan red displays a crisp, clean, linear style. It's a straightforward wine with immediate aromas of red berry, leather and spice.	Mazzaferrata	88	44	Tuscany	Colli della Toscana Centrale	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Marchesi Gondi	null	null	Marchesi Gondi 2005 Mazzaferrata Cabernet Sauvignon (Colli della Toscana Centrale)
US	Dark golden in color, this wine offers nectarine and just-ripe apple. High in acidity, medium in body, it has a trace of sourness on the finish.	The Heritage Collection	84	12	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Viognier	Peirano	null	null	null
Italy	Lusirà (which means “the Syrah” in Sicilian) is an opulent and rich wine with deep layers of spice, tobacco and red fruit to warm over the palate. This wine would pair with hearty meat dishes or stew and offers a round, soft texture on the close.	Lusirà	91	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Syrah	Baglio del Cristo di Campobello	null	null	null
Uruguay	Earthy, dusty, slightly cheesy plum and cassis aromas come with a floral note. This Tannat-led blend feels plummy and healthy, with direct acidity. Blackberry, plum and fig flavors finish smooth and chocolaty, with residual berry fruit. Drink through 2019.	Select Blend Reserva	90	20	Canelones	null	null	Red Blend	Pizzorno	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Pizzorno 2013 Select Blend Reserva Red (Canelones)
US	This is remarkable, with modest alcohol and a concentrated, ageworthy structure. Lime and pineapple flavors are enhanced with lively, gin-like botanicals. There is vivid acidity and a lick of butterscotch on the finish.	Unfiltered	93	35	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Chardonnay	Boudreaux Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Boudreaux Cellars 2010 Unfiltered Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	Honeysuckle, wet cement and ripe nectarine show on the tightly wound and bright nose of this bottling from a winery near the Pozo Saloon in southeastern Paso. A ripping acidity starts off the sip, where bright lime blossoms, honeydew rind and light lemongrass flavors make for a very tasty wine.	null	91	20	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Grenache Blanc	Vintage Cowboy	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Vintage Cowboy 2016 Grenache Blanc (Paso Robles)
Italy	This delicious Amarone offers intense aromas of plum and spice. The palate delivers ripe black cherry and raisin flavors, layered with accents of chocolate, white pepper, licorice and almond. It already has fantastic depth and should gain more complexity over the next few years.	null	92	40	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico	null	Red Blend	David Sterza	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	David Sterza 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Portugal	Aromatic with white flowers, it's rounded, soft and gentle. It misses out on acidity, giving the wine a fat feel. Drink now.	null	84	null	Tejo	null	null	Portuguese White	Monte Largo	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Monte Largo 2013 White (Tejo)
US	This bears little resemblance to a Spanish Tempranillo. It's high in alcohol, soft and almost sweet in cherries and cola, with an edge of tobacco. Pretty simple going, but a juicy burger will do it justice.	Tinto de Paso	85	25	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Tempranillo	Bodegas M	null	null	Bodegas M 2011 Tinto de Paso Tempranillo (Paso Robles)
Italy	Here's a classic Brut sparkling blend (80-20 Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco) that renders a soft, creamy feel thanks to its fine perlage and dense body. This is an approachable and genuine classic method sparkler that will work with all sorts of light Mediterranean finger foods.	Brut	88	33	Lombardy	Franciacorta	null	Sparkling Blend	La Montina	null	null	null
France	Beautifully crisp and fresh, this is a young, tightly textured wine that is already so refreshing. Its red fruit character is just a part of the mineral and tannin texture and the pure line of fragrant acidity. Very pale in color, this sophisticated wine could do with some aging. Drink from 2018.	Rosé	95	80	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Louis Roederer	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Louis Roederer 2010 Rosé (Champagne)
US	Part of a Limited Release series, this is quite dry despite the 12% alcohol. It's lightly spritzy and fragrant of honeysuckle and Jonagold apples. Fresh and lively, this demonstrates excellent balance.	Waussie	88	22	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Chateau Ste. Michelle	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Waussie Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))
Italy	Machiavelli's “The Prince” is an innovative super Tuscan blend with Sangiovese, Pinot Nero and Cabernet that is fruity and fresh but with excellent power and intensity. The nose is redolent of small berries and exotic spice and the dry finish is long and satisfying.	Il Principe	88	30	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Machiavelli	null	null	null
Italy	This wine from Ceretto shows the hallmarks of the 1997 vintage in Piedmont: ultraripe fruit and ample alcohol. Starts off with leathery, cedary aromas that quickly recede beneath huge, mouth-filling flavors of brandied fruitcake, candied fruit and dried spices. Firm tannins mark this as age worthy, but the nearly overblown quality of the fruit makes it approachable now.	Brunate	90	74	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Ceretto	null	null	null
US	Drink this Syrah with the best burger you can build. It's too soft for aging, but offers plenty of deliciously sweet fruit and spice flavors, with good Monterey structure.	null	86	20	California	Monterey	Central Coast	Syrah	Morgan	null	null	null
US	All the elements of a good summer sipper are here. The citrus and spiced apple flavors, the crisp, minerally acidity and the clean, zesty feeling it leaves behind on the palate.	null	84	12	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Fumé Blanc	Murphy-Goode	null	null	null
US	The highlight of a thin lineup, Cave B's Sauvignon Blanc brings tart fruit flavors of lemon and lime, grapefruit and melon. Thankfully, no oak was applied; this winery has a heavy hand with barrels. This new bottling is young enough to retain the crispness and liveliness of the natural fruit.	null	87	19	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Sauvignon Blanc	Cave B	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Cave B 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA))
South Africa	Here's a concentrated blend of 62% Cab Sauv, 10% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 8% Cab Franc with assertive notes of cassis, black plum, sweet smoke and spice on the nose and mouth. Firmly structured and a bit chewy with a long finish.	Faithful Hound	88	22	Stellenbosch	null	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Mulderbosch	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Mulderbosch 2007 Faithful Hound Red (Stellenbosch)
France	This wood-aged wine achieves a good balance between the toast and the bright citrus fruits. It's ripe, full of fruitiness and with a crisp texture that contrasts with the smoky backdrop. The aftertaste suggests the wine will benefit from another year's aging, so drink from 2016.	Valentine par Valentine Réserve	89	30	Bordeaux	Bordeaux Blanc	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Lamothe de Haux	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Lamothe de Haux 2012 Valentine par Valentine Réserve (Bordeaux Blanc)
Italy	Orange blossom, tangerine skin, almond, stone fruit—the list goes on. This is very aromatic with plush, sweet notes on the nose. Has dimension and texture in the mouth, and a crisp close. Imported by Masciarelli Wine Co.	Extra Dry	86	16	Veneto	Prosecco di Valdobbiadene	null	Prosecco	Bellussi	null	null	null
US	Aromas of syrupy red cherry, vanilla and mint meld with touches of blackberry and pepper. The wine delivers notable concentration, plush texture and a lingering finish.	null	87	18	America	null	null	Shiraz	Cooper's Hawk	null	null	Cooper's Hawk NV Shiraz (America)
US	Dry, tannic and well-structured, this wine erupts with white pepper aromas and flavors. Then the fruit kicks in, all blackberry jam, leather, espresso, bitter chocolate and toasted cedar wood. It's different from the usual Lodi Zin, taking it to a higher plane of elegance and sophistication.	Cellar Select	90	16	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Zinfandel	Weinstock Cellars	null	null	null
Argentina	Creamy aromas of vanilla cookies and melon lead to a plump palate with just enough vital acidity to keep things fresh. Citrusy flavors lean toward clementines and grapefruit, while the finish is peachy but also pithy in flavor.	null	85	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Pinot Grigio	Alma Andina	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Alma Andina 2013 Pinot Grigio (Mendoza)
US	Cabernet Sauvignon (37%) and Cabernet Franc (34%) make up the majority of this wine, with the balance Merlot (16%), Malbec (8%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas are quite locked up, with light notes of barrel spice, herb and assorted dark fruit. The palate has light tightly coiled fruit flavors. It needs time to reveal its charms. Best after 2021.	Trine Estate Vineyards	91	65	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Pepper Bridge	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Pepper Bridge 2013 Trine Estate Vineyards Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
France	There are strongly spicy aromas to this gentle Gewurztraminer. It's off dry, keeping some acidity amid the ripe lychee and nutmeg flavors. It's an approachable wine, ready to drink now.	null	84	17	Alsace	Alsace	null	Gewürztraminer	Helfrich	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Helfrich 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
France	A structured, ageworthy wine that has fragrant, smoky black currant fruits, layered with firm tannins. It is finely balanced, elegant, its acidity just the right balance to the developing rich fruits. For aging over 3–4 years.	Le Grand Bouqueteau Réserve	92	19	Loire Valley	Chinon	null	Cabernet Franc	Château du Coudray Montpensier	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château du Coudray Montpensier 2010 Le Grand Bouqueteau Réserve (Chinon)
US	Light and a little cloudy in the glass, this is a delicious and deep wine from a vineyard in the eastern Salinas Valley, with lime blossoms, squeezed lemons, wet cement and salted white peach on the nose. The palate deftly pairs chalk, sour cream, and lime zest with dried white peach, sea salt and fresh churned butter.	Coastview Vineyard	94	44	California	Monterey County	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Big Basin	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Big Basin 2013 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay (Monterey County)
Germany	A soft, lush, sweet Riesling, but one that lacks the precision and cut of crisp acidity. The avalanche of honeyed fruit—nectarine, peach and pineapple—ends up being merely very enjoyable instead of transporting. Drink now–2015.	Bernkasteler Badstube Beerenauslese	89	44	Mosel-Saar-Ruwer	null	null	Riesling	Dr. Pauly Bergweiler	null	null	null
US	This unique old vine Chardonnay vineyard makes cool-climate grape flavors as interesting and complex as any fruit bomb. Spring herb, light floral, citrus and grapefruit combine in a delicate, elegant wine. It's Chablis without the chalk; plenty of acid.	Au Contraire French Creek Vineyard	88	20	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Chardonnay	Maison Bleue	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Maison Bleue 2010 Au Contraire French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay (Yakima Valley)
Italy	Aromas of ripe orchard fruit, Mediterranean herb and toasted hazelnut lead the nose while the bright palate offers green pear, peach, unripe apricot and bitter almond. A mineral note signals the close.	Novaserra	89	25	Southern Italy	Greco di Tufo	null	Greco	Mastroberardino	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Mastroberardino 2015 Novaserra (Greco di Tufo)
Spain	Smooth and ripe smelling, with clean berry aromas. Cherry, plum and pepper are the lead flavors, and the feel is tangy, zippy and clampy, but exceedingly fresh. Not a lot of richness, depth or body here, but it's pure, clean wine with common appeal.	Menguante	87	14	Northern Spain	Cariñena	null	Tempranillo	Viñedos y Bodegas Pablo	null	null	null
US	This Rhône white blend is rich in fruit and oak. It displays flavors of pineapple jam, ripe mashed pears, buttered toast, vanilla custard, honey and smoky cedar, balanced with acidity. Could be drier.	Aurora Reserve	86	28	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rhône-style White Blend	Midnight	null	null	null
Chile	Mealy aromas suggest that this wine is past its peak. The palate is unbalanced, with flavors of bell pepper and green fruit, showing hints tropical fruit. Drink now.	Hacienda Araucano Reserva	83	13	Lolol Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	François Lurton	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	François Lurton 2013 Hacienda Araucano Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Lolol Valley)
US	This introduces itself with sweet scents of plum and cherry, the sort found in young vines. It moves into a thick, well-structured midpalate, with big splashes of coffee, earth and roasted nut.	Derby Estate Grown	92	50	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Spring Valley Vineyard	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Spring Valley Vineyard 2009 Derby Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
US	Not your usual SB, this full-bodied version combines herbal, savory aromas and mineral flavors with a fairly rich texture and lingering finish. It's complex and satisfying, and will pair well with rich seafood.	Bogle Vineyards	87	10	California	California	California Other	Sauvignon Blanc	Bogle	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Bogle 2013 Bogle Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (California)
US	This is a pretty impressive wine being offered for an almost unheard-of price, the fruit sourced largely from Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Cardamom and cinnamon figure in, with a lightness of body and high-toned strawberry and cherry belying an underlying richness that'll satisfy.	Olema	88	20	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Amici	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Amici 2014 Olema Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)
US	SLO has always struggled with this variety, but Wildwood seems to be getting the knack for Cabernet. Tastes like the grapes were grown in a warm area and yields were carefully limited: the flavors of blackberries plums and mocha are rich. The challenge is to improve structure, and particularly tannins, in a wine of this price.	Jackson's Vineyard	86	35	California	San Luis Obispo County	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Wildwood	null	null	null
Germany	Intensely aromatic with notes of orange blossom, honey and tangerines, this juicy, fruity Riesling is delicate in body with a refreshingly crisp acidity. Whiffs of lanolin and dried herbs add complexity and finesse.	Erdener Treppchen Spätlese	91	32	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Dr. Loosen	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Dr. Loosen 2011 Erdener Treppchen Spätlese Riesling (Mosel)
New Zealand	A blend of barrel-fermented (60%) and tank-fermented (40%) juice, that displays elegant pear-citrus flavors combined with toasted marshmallows. The oak shows strongest on the finish, where it develops caramel and spice notes.	null	88	17	Central Otago	null	null	Chardonnay	Mt. Difficulty	null	null	null
US	Violet, tilled earth and red currant tones mark the nose and palate. The crisp acidity races down the midpalate, leading the fleeting flavors and mild tannins to a short finish.	null	85	34	Arizona	Sonoita	null	Tempranillo	Flying Leap	Alexander Peartree	null	Flying Leap 2013 Tempranillo (Sonoita)
US	Hard and tough, this wine shows a core of black cherry with streaks of mineral and metal, but the tannins are in the way. Some additional bottle time will be a big help.	Klipsun Vineyards	86	null	Washington	Red Mountain	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Wilridge	null	null	null
US	A splendid, near-perfect Pinot, although it's very young and will benefit from time in the bottle. Few Pinots offer richer, more massive flavors. Just explodes on the palate with raspberries, cherries, persimmons, Dr. Pepper cola, mocha and cinnamon spices, yet the tannin-acid structure keeps it all balanced. A joy to drink as it warms and changes in the glass. Now–2014.	Meredith Estate	97	54	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Merry Edwards	null	null	null
France	Under the ownership of the Gardinier family, this chateau now rivals some of the classed growths, and deserves its crus bourgeois exceptionnel classification. It is certainly full of new wood flavors, but these are not allowed to dominate dense fruit tannins, flavors of black plums and fine layers of acidity. Will certainly age for 10+ years. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.	null	93	38	Bordeaux	Saint-Estèphe	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Phélan-Ségur	null	null	null
Germany	Intensely ripe black-cherry aromas are matched with a fresh and juicy and yet remarkably elegant palate. Delicate tannins and a lean, granitic edge frame the lingering finish. It's a brisk, balanced wine to enjoy now through 2018.	N	91	23	Pfalz	null	null	Pinot Noir	August Kesseler	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	August Kesseler 2012 N Pinot Noir (Pfalz)
Spain	Like you might expect from a maturing gran reserva, Imaz offers glimpses of raisin, sweet berry and even some aged cheese. In the mouth, it's all about red fruit, although an earthy undertone provides some background. Feels a little stark, zesty and lean, while the finish is solid and tastes of vanilla and leather. Drink now through 2012.	Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva	88	43	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo Blend	El Coto	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	El Coto 2000 Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva (Rioja)
US	From Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes comes this Cab of considerable depth and power. It shows well-developed blackberry and cassis flavors. The tannins are significant. Give it until 2011 to begin to open, and it should drink well through 2014. Cellar Selection.	by Montes	92	55	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Angel	null	null	null
US	Wattle Creek's best Triple Play ever. A blend of Syrah, Viognier and Petite Sirah from this cool appellation in Mendocino County, the wine is dry, medium- to full-bodied, tannic and complex, with flavors of blackberries, currants, tobacco, smoked meat, cedar and scads of black pepper. Drink now for its sheer power and joy.	The Triple Play	91	35	California	Yorkville Highlands	North Coast	Red Blend	Wattle Creek	null	null	Wattle Creek 2009 The Triple Play Red (Yorkville Highlands)
US	A Bordeaux blend with a textured, spicy, exotic nose that mixes its red and black fruits with pepper, ground coffee, cinnamon and saffron. The spice box opens into a lovely, supple wine that continues to display nicely nuanced notes of mineral, leaf and leather.	Intuition Reserve	92	45	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Bergevin Lane	null	null	null
US	Still young and tight, this breathes open slowly, with bright and expressive raspberry fruit. There's a pleasantly buttery edge to the mouthfeel, and the tannins, though still stiff, are polished and nicely balance out the finish. Drink 2018 to 2026.	Antiquum Vineyard	91	48	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Trathen Hall	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Trathen Hall 2014 Antiquum Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
Italy	Made using grapes from the Fumane subzone of Valpolicella, this shows simple lines that are nonetheless balanced and clean. Berry and spice aromas add heft to the medium weight and persistency of the mouthfeel.	Tenuta Lena di Mezzo	87	21	Veneto	Valpolicella Classico Superiore	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Monte del Frá	null	null	Monte del Frá 2010 Tenuta Lena di Mezzo (Valpolicella Classico Superiore)
France	This wine is firmly structured while also supporting swathes of berry fruits. Tannins come from the Cabernet in the blend and from the wood aging that gives a toasty character. Black fruits and acidity shine at the end. Drink from 2018.	null	88	30	Bordeaux	Haut-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Lestage Simon	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Lestage Simon 2012 Haut-Médoc
US	Bright and polished, this low-alcohol wine is rounded off—to good effect—with some noticeable residual sugar. It's a luscious wine, loaded with grapefruit, lime and Meyer lemon flavors. They carry through a mouthfilling and palate-refreshing middle into a lingering finish.	null	91	18	Oregon	Rogue Valley	Southern Oregon	Sauvignon Blanc	Upper Five	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Upper Five 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Rogue Valley)
Portugal	This is a dense wine with firm tannins and a solid structure. The black currant fruits are stalky and still developing, along with the acidity. It's a lean wine and needs to age for a few more months to fill out, so drink from 2017.	Maria Mora	88	10	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese Red	Magnum Vinhos	null	null	null
Portugal	A ripe, full-bodied and spicy wine, defiantly dry, with a tight acid character. Aromatic fruit finish with intense perfumes, so that the wine is both rich and fresh.	JP Azeitão Branco	87	9	Península de Setúbal	null	null	Portuguese White	Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal	null	null	null
Italy	Enticing scents of fragrant white flower, stone fruit and crushed herb lead the way while the creamy, savory palate doles out white peach, mature yellow apple and tangerine zest. A blast of mineral energy lifts the lingering finish.	Limne	92	18	Lombardy	Lugana	null	Turbiana	Tenuta Roveglia	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Tenuta Roveglia 2015 Limne (Lugana)
US	This is a lovely, fully resolved Merlot. It shows a classy elegance that belies the price. Fully drinkable now, it's softly tannic and rich in cherry, red currant, licorice and mocha flavors that finish dry and spicy. Production was 9,904 cases.	Grand Reserve	90	26	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Merlot	Kendall-Jackson	null	null	null
US	Powerful flavors and a muscular structure make this wine big and imposing. It has intense oaky, spicy, earthy and barnyardy aromas. Dark-fruit flavors like blackberry accompany meaty, beefy nuances and a firmly tannic, dry mouthfeel.	The Arsonist	90	22	California	California	California Other	Red Blend	Matchbook	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Matchbook 2013 The Arsonist Red (California)
US	Hot in alcohol, dry and thin in fruit, this Zin shows very modest blackberry, cherry and spice flavors. Finishes with a scour of sticky tannins.	Sonoma Reserve	83	22	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Clos du Bois	null	null	Clos du Bois 2005 Sonoma Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
US	A light, ethereal wine akin to Gamay Noir, made in an easy-to-consume-often style, with beautiful aromatics of just-ripe cherry and raspberry and a rose garden in bloom. Juicy and soft, the wine is balanced and appealing in every way and makes for a fun introduction to a rare grape in California.	null	90	24	California	Solano County Green Valley	North Coast	Valdiguié	Broc Cellars	null	null	null
France	Mumm's nonvintage cuvée is a soft Champagne, although now drier than in the past with attractive apple and pear flavors that are cut by citrus. It is lightly textured, hinting at almonds and with perfumed acidity at the end. This bottling is ready to drink.	Cordon Rouge Brut	87	40	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	G. H. Mumm	Roger Voss	@vossroger	G. H. Mumm NV Cordon Rouge Brut (Champagne)

US

Soft, easy and dry, with a silky texture framing flavors of rosehip tea, cherry skins, cranberries and pepper. Drink now.

null

85

20

California

Napa County

Napa

Pinot Noir

Magness

null

Argentina

For something a little lighter, more herbal and different than the usual Mendoza heavyweight, this multigrape blend offers aromatic notes of pancetta, herb, fennel and dried cherry along with flavors of blueberry and elderflower. It's light-to-medium in size, with a Rhône-style personality. Drink now.

Tinto

87

10

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Red Blend

La Yunta

null

Chile

Apple and citrus aromas are neither well defined nor overly aromatic. Fresh and juicy on the palate, this offers citrus peel and green melon flavors. Mild and short on the finish.

Vitral

86

11

Chile

null

Chardonnay

Viña Maipo

null

Italy

Brightly pink and lively, this is made from the indigenous Lagrein grape, traditionally farmed in Alto Adige. It delivers soft tones of citrus, grapefruit, raspberry and a touch of sweet basil.

null

87

16

Northeastern Italy

Alto Adige

null

Lagrein

Andriano

null

Portugal

A ripe, full-bodied wine, the yellow peach and apricot flavors balanced with grapefruit, spice and a pear skin structure. There is a hint of vanilla from the wood, with a final, enticing floral character.

Casa de Santar

88

15

Dão

null

Portuguese White

Dão Sul

null

Italy

Aromas of oak, toast, espresso, exotic spice, spirits, dried black cherry and coconut carry over to the warm palate. Showing the heat of the vintage, the fruit is already drying up while bracing tannins provide the framework.

null

87

32

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Gianni Gagliardo

null

Italy

This Riserva Chianti Rufina offers clean, crisp aromas of wild berry and white cherry with distant renderings of spice and earth in the background. Pair this wine with roast chicken or pork.

Riserva

87

18

Tuscany

Chianti Rufina

null

Sangiovese

Bellini

null

France

Produced by consultant Pascal Chatonnet, this is basic Saint-Emilion with attitude. Spicy new wood, rich, bitter chocolate flavors and superripe berry fruits are kept in order by the acidity and the dense core of dry tannins.

null

89

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château l'Archange

null

Australia

This impeccably made wine boasts a rich, almost unctuous mouthfeel that beautifully complements its flavors of blackberries, dried spices, toast and vanilla. It's delicious now, but the flavors are so young and primary it's hard to imagine it not being even better in another year or two. Long on the finish, with echoes of oak and fruit lingering elegantly.

null

91

22

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Shiraz

Tapestry

null

Argentina

Round and saturated on the nose, with a baked, syrupy set of dark-fruit aromas. The palate is plump but offers proper acidity, and thus the flavors of cola, mocha and blackberry are round but balanced. Buttery oak comes up on the finish, and overall this is a tasty but somewhat regular high-end Malbec (with 34% Tempranillo).

Zeta

89

45

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec-Tempranillo

Zuccardi

null

Spain

Citrusy on the nose, with just a hint of sulfuric burn and smoke. Flavors of sweet white grapefruit, tangerine and tarragon leaf give the palate that little bit extra, while the finish is smooth but short. Good but a touch flat on the back end and finish.

Cordon Negro Extra Dry

87

12

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Freixenet

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Extra Dry Sparkling (Cava)

US

Aged 14 months in Russian Oak, this is a different kind of Chard with notes of chamomile, fresh mint sprigs, vanilla and cigar tobacco among the more typical melon fruits and lime citrus. Medium-full but a bit flat in the mouth with a solid but quite smoky finish.

Russian Oak

84

20

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Chardonnay

Comtesse Thérèse

null

Italy

Made with organically farmed fruit, this wine opens with an enticing fragrance of white flower and stone fruit. The savory palate delivers juicy white peach, saline and mineral sensations alongside bright acidity.

Vigna di Mandranova

91

29

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Grillo

Alessandro di Camporeale

null

US

From the oldest (1983 vintage) estate vines, this is finished off-dry, about 1.7% residual sugar. Off-dry or not, it's succulent and spicy, mixing melon, apple and citrus with some sweeter notes hinting at honey. Good length and a crisp finish.

Estate

91

18

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Gamache

null

US

Smoke and baked plum notes provide flavor within this wine's easygoing structure and approachability.

null

85

10

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Kirkland Signature

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Kirkland Signature 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

US

This might be called banana Port, for a rich, banana flavor is what dominates. Of course, with Muscat, you will also find tangerine and orange, like a tangy sauce over the richer, creamier banana. You've got to think—pair this with a banana split? Could be the dessert of the century!

Port

87

28

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Muscat

David Hill

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

David Hill 2006 Port Muscat (Willamette Valley)

Spain

More mature and minerally than most, with some earthy notes as well as a sharp smokiness. Apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors dominate the developed, smooth-textured palate. Nice overall, with good body. A stand-up cava.

Jaume de Codorniú Brut

89

null

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Codorníu

null

France

Enjoyable and approachable now with straightforward red cherry, berry and game notes spiced up by glimmers of mocha and nutmeg. Linear in the mouth with soft tannins and a clean finish.

Emotion Occitane

88

20

Languedoc-Roussillon

Coteaux du Languedoc

null

Rhône-style Red Blend

Le Mas de l'Ecriture

null

South Africa

The estate wine from Remhoogte in which Michel Rolland is both consultant and partner. This Bordeaux Blend is serious stuff with dry tannins that promise good aging. There is some Pinotage in the blend, but it is hardly noticeable; the main flavors come from the textured cassis of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Estate Wine

92

28

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

null

Cabernet Blend

Remhoogte

null

US

Somehow the label's misspelling of Bachelor's Button slipped by the authorities. Surplus T aside, this is a generous wine, whose plummy, peppery fruit is dotted with details of herb, spicecake and chocolate. Smooth, velvety tannins add to the pleasure.

Batchelor's Button

92

29

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Isenhower

null

US

Harsh, with rough tannins and sweet and sour cherry flavors.

Parcel 9

82

12

California

California Other

Merlot

Hanging Vine

null

Hanging Vine 2007 Parcel 9 Merlot (California)

US

It has a vivid ruby color, cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors, and good balance. It's not too fat, but medium bodied, with firm tannins that help frame the ripe fruit. It adds up to an elegant style.

null

87

18

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Zinfandel

Charles B. Mitchell

null

Portugal

Named after a traditional Douro dance, this wine is ripe and spicy, with new wood flavors. It has a soft structure that allows the vibrant berry fruits to come through strongly. Both the fruit and the wood aging say this wine is too young, so drink from 2017.

Charamba Reserva

88

9

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Aveleda

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Aveleda 2014 Charamba Reserva Red (Douro)

Italy

Rebianco is a sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that offers a fragrant bouquet of white flower and honeysuckle. The bubbling is soft and tonic with a creamy, peachy aftertaste.

Rebianco Brut

86

null

Veneto

null

Sparkling Blend

Vigneti Villabella

null

Spain

Huge and on the border of overwhelming. But if you like yours concentrated and forward (although arguably not that complex) then Pingus is a dream come true. Start with the bouquet of coffee, earth, black truffle and smoked meat before digging into the wine's saturated black-fruit palate. Big tannins on the finish say lay it down for several years.

Pingus

94

320

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tinto del Pais

Dominio de Pingus

null

US

Aromas of green apple, melon, pear and a hint of Meyer lemon introduce this tart and flavorful Pinot Gris. It's lightly spiced, fruity and compact.

Estate Renovação

88

20

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Coelho

null

France

This is a beautifully balanced and elegant offering, with pleasant fruitiness, tight acidity and a fragrant, crisp character. It's full bodied, and falls in the middle of the brut spectrum of dryness. This is ready to drink now.

Brut Rosé Réserve

92

70

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Charles Heidsieck

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Rosé Réserve (Champagne)

Argentina

Consistency in the wine world is a virtue, and Cheval covers the consistency issue with ease. Aromas of earth, mushroom, leather and so forth add an Old World touch to this New World Malbec-Cabernet blend. It's healthy and even juicy on the palate, with blackberry, dark plum and tobacco flavors. An interesting wine that grabs and holds your attention. Drink now through 2012.

null

92

75

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Cheval des Andes

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Cheval des Andes 2005 Red (Mendoza)

Austria

A flagship from the Krems cooperative, highlighting the famed steep Pfaffenberg vineyard. The wine is perfumed, white flower aromas followed with the crispest of currant and green fruits. There is light spice, finishing a deliciously aromatic wine.

Kremser Pfaffenberg

90

25

Niederösterreich

null

Riesling

Winzer Krems

null

US

Hearty and pleasantly astringent, this conveys a vivid splash of Tuscan character. It has a deep color, cranberry and leather aromas, and firm, chewy tannins along with crisp acidity, making it a great match for steak Florentine.

Estate

88

22

California

Sierra Foothills

Sangiovese

Naggiar

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Naggiar 2011 Estate Sangiovese (Sierra Foothills)

US

Zesty and fragrant with notes of grapefruit and citrus blossom, this is an endlessly quaffable white with wide appeal. Juicy and fresh with a focused edge of acidity, it finishes briskly with just a touch of minerality.

Dos Aguas

87

27

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

White Blend

Macari

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Macari 2013 Dos Aguas White (North Fork of Long Island)

US

A bit on the green, feline side, but with enough lemon and lime and sweet oak influences to give it richness. The acidity is wonderful, like biting into a fresh Granny Smith apple.

Reserve

85

20

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Sauvignon Blanc

Frei Brothers

null

Portugal

Smoothly textured with a balancing edge of tannin, this ripe—never too sweet—Port is full of dried fruits, an edge of spirits and a dry aftertaste. The wine, from one of the classic Port houses, is intense, concentrated, ready to drink now.

Late Bottled Vintage

88

30

Port

null

Port

Sandeman

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Sandeman 2012 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)

US

Acorn, which does such interesting things with Rhône varieties, shows it's no slouch with Bordeaux varieties, to judge from this fresh, succulent young red wine. It's medium-bodied and dry, with polished flavors of cherries, blueberries, leather and herbs and a long, spicy finish.

Alegria Vineyards

88

28

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Franc

Acorn

null

Italy

This Extra Dry (slightly sweet) vintage Prosecco delivers a lean, slightly watery style and piquant bubbles that recall lemon soda. The wine is firm and steely in the mouth with tonic bubbling and layers of fresh fruit on the close.

Millesimato Extra Dry

85

19

Veneto

Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

null

Prosecco

Val d'Oca

null

Val d'Oca 2008 Millesimato Extra Dry (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene)

France

Starts with dandelion and lemon-lime aromas that don't meet any preconceived notions about Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is basic, with orange and tangerine flavors, while the lean finish is dry, zesty and warming.

null

84

12

Southwest France

Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine du Tariquet

null

US

An underripe streak of wintergreen mint accompanies lemon and lime flavors in this crisp wine. It would be a good companion to Chinese and Vietnamese food.

Small Block Series

84

20

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sauvignon Blanc

Hess Collection

null

Hess Collection 2012 Small Block Series Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Italy

This opens with a pretty white-flower and honey notes, followed by a thick and slightly heavy mouthfeel. Barbecued shrimp would make for a great pairing partner.

null

86

12

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Insolia

Cusumano

null

Cusumano 2011 Insolia (Sicilia)

Italy

Truffle, woodland berry and violet aromas take center stage in this luminous red. The fresh, juicy palate doles out sour cherry, crushed raspberry, thyme and clove flavors, framed by taut, polished tannins. A star anise note closes the finish. Drink through 2019.

null

90

16

Tuscany

Rosso di Montepulciano

null

Red Blend

Gracciano della Seta

null

Australia

This innovative blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Marsanne doesn't show the hoped-for synergies. Hints of tar and rubber refuse to blow off completely, and the modest green apple and citrus flavors come across as lean and emaciated on the palate.

The Turk Semillon + Marsanne

81

14

South Australia

Barossa Valley

null

White Blend

Turkey Flat

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Turkey Flat 2005 The Turk Semillon + Marsanne White (Barossa Valley)

Italy

From a noble Italian family that has been making wine since the 13th century, this oak-aged Tuscan red displays a crisp, clean, linear style. It's a straightforward wine with immediate aromas of red berry, leather and spice.

Mazzaferrata

88

44

Tuscany

Colli della Toscana Centrale

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Marchesi Gondi

null

Marchesi Gondi 2005 Mazzaferrata Cabernet Sauvignon (Colli della Toscana Centrale)

US

Dark golden in color, this wine offers nectarine and just-ripe apple. High in acidity, medium in body, it has a trace of sourness on the finish.

The Heritage Collection

84

12

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Viognier

Peirano

null

Italy

Lusirà (which means “the Syrah” in Sicilian) is an opulent and rich wine with deep layers of spice, tobacco and red fruit to warm over the palate. This wine would pair with hearty meat dishes or stew and offers a round, soft texture on the close.

Lusirà

91

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Syrah

Baglio del Cristo di Campobello

null

Uruguay

Earthy, dusty, slightly cheesy plum and cassis aromas come with a floral note. This Tannat-led blend feels plummy and healthy, with direct acidity. Blackberry, plum and fig flavors finish smooth and chocolaty, with residual berry fruit. Drink through 2019.

Select Blend Reserva

90

20

Canelones

null

Red Blend

Pizzorno

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Pizzorno 2013 Select Blend Reserva Red (Canelones)

US

This is remarkable, with modest alcohol and a concentrated, ageworthy structure. Lime and pineapple flavors are enhanced with lively, gin-like botanicals. There is vivid acidity and a lick of butterscotch on the finish.

Unfiltered

93

35

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Chardonnay

Boudreaux Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Boudreaux Cellars 2010 Unfiltered Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

Honeysuckle, wet cement and ripe nectarine show on the tightly wound and bright nose of this bottling from a winery near the Pozo Saloon in southeastern Paso. A ripping acidity starts off the sip, where bright lime blossoms, honeydew rind and light lemongrass flavors make for a very tasty wine.

null

91

20

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Grenache Blanc

Vintage Cowboy

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Vintage Cowboy 2016 Grenache Blanc (Paso Robles)

Italy

This delicious Amarone offers intense aromas of plum and spice. The palate delivers ripe black cherry and raisin flavors, layered with accents of chocolate, white pepper, licorice and almond. It already has fantastic depth and should gain more complexity over the next few years.

null

92

40

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

null

Red Blend

David Sterza

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

David Sterza 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Portugal

Aromatic with white flowers, it's rounded, soft and gentle. It misses out on acidity, giving the wine a fat feel. Drink now.

null

84

null

Tejo

null

Portuguese White

Monte Largo

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Monte Largo 2013 White (Tejo)

US

This bears little resemblance to a Spanish Tempranillo. It's high in alcohol, soft and almost sweet in cherries and cola, with an edge of tobacco. Pretty simple going, but a juicy burger will do it justice.

Tinto de Paso

85

25

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Tempranillo

Bodegas M

null

Bodegas M 2011 Tinto de Paso Tempranillo (Paso Robles)

Italy

Here's a classic Brut sparkling blend (80-20 Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco) that renders a soft, creamy feel thanks to its fine perlage and dense body. This is an approachable and genuine classic method sparkler that will work with all sorts of light Mediterranean finger foods.

Brut

88

33

Lombardy

Franciacorta

null

Sparkling Blend

La Montina

null

France

Beautifully crisp and fresh, this is a young, tightly textured wine that is already so refreshing. Its red fruit character is just a part of the mineral and tannin texture and the pure line of fragrant acidity. Very pale in color, this sophisticated wine could do with some aging. Drink from 2018.

Rosé

95

80

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Louis Roederer

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Louis Roederer 2010 Rosé (Champagne)

US

Part of a Limited Release series, this is quite dry despite the 12% alcohol. It's lightly spritzy and fragrant of honeysuckle and Jonagold apples. Fresh and lively, this demonstrates excellent balance.

Waussie

88

22

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Waussie Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

Italy

Machiavelli's “The Prince” is an innovative super Tuscan blend with Sangiovese, Pinot Nero and Cabernet that is fruity and fresh but with excellent power and intensity. The nose is redolent of small berries and exotic spice and the dry finish is long and satisfying.

Il Principe

88

30

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Machiavelli

null

Italy

This wine from Ceretto shows the hallmarks of the 1997 vintage in Piedmont: ultraripe fruit and ample alcohol. Starts off with leathery, cedary aromas that quickly recede beneath huge, mouth-filling flavors of brandied fruitcake, candied fruit and dried spices. Firm tannins mark this as age worthy, but the nearly overblown quality of the fruit makes it approachable now.

Brunate

90

74

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Ceretto

null

US

Drink this Syrah with the best burger you can build. It's too soft for aging, but offers plenty of deliciously sweet fruit and spice flavors, with good Monterey structure.

null

86

20

California

Monterey

Central Coast

Syrah

Morgan

null

US

All the elements of a good summer sipper are here. The citrus and spiced apple flavors, the crisp, minerally acidity and the clean, zesty feeling it leaves behind on the palate.

null

84

12

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Fumé Blanc

Murphy-Goode

null

US

The highlight of a thin lineup, Cave B's Sauvignon Blanc brings tart fruit flavors of lemon and lime, grapefruit and melon. Thankfully, no oak was applied; this winery has a heavy hand with barrels. This new bottling is young enough to retain the crispness and liveliness of the natural fruit.

null

87

19

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

Cave B

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Cave B 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA))

South Africa

Here's a concentrated blend of 62% Cab Sauv, 10% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 8% Cab Franc with assertive notes of cassis, black plum, sweet smoke and spice on the nose and mouth. Firmly structured and a bit chewy with a long finish.

Faithful Hound

88

22

Stellenbosch

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Mulderbosch

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Mulderbosch 2007 Faithful Hound Red (Stellenbosch)

France

This wood-aged wine achieves a good balance between the toast and the bright citrus fruits. It's ripe, full of fruitiness and with a crisp texture that contrasts with the smoky backdrop. The aftertaste suggests the wine will benefit from another year's aging, so drink from 2016.

Valentine par Valentine Réserve

89

30

Bordeaux

Bordeaux Blanc

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Lamothe de Haux

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Lamothe de Haux 2012 Valentine par Valentine Réserve (Bordeaux Blanc)

Italy

Orange blossom, tangerine skin, almond, stone fruit—the list goes on. This is very aromatic with plush, sweet notes on the nose. Has dimension and texture in the mouth, and a crisp close. Imported by Masciarelli Wine Co.

Extra Dry

86

16

Veneto

Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

null

Prosecco

Bellussi

null

US

Aromas of syrupy red cherry, vanilla and mint meld with touches of blackberry and pepper. The wine delivers notable concentration, plush texture and a lingering finish.

null

87

18

America

null

Shiraz

Cooper's Hawk

null

Cooper's Hawk NV Shiraz (America)

US

Dry, tannic and well-structured, this wine erupts with white pepper aromas and flavors. Then the fruit kicks in, all blackberry jam, leather, espresso, bitter chocolate and toasted cedar wood. It's different from the usual Lodi Zin, taking it to a higher plane of elegance and sophistication.

Cellar Select

90

16

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Zinfandel

Weinstock Cellars

null

Argentina

Creamy aromas of vanilla cookies and melon lead to a plump palate with just enough vital acidity to keep things fresh. Citrusy flavors lean toward clementines and grapefruit, while the finish is peachy but also pithy in flavor.

null

85

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Pinot Grigio

Alma Andina

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Alma Andina 2013 Pinot Grigio (Mendoza)

US

Cabernet Sauvignon (37%) and Cabernet Franc (34%) make up the majority of this wine, with the balance Merlot (16%), Malbec (8%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas are quite locked up, with light notes of barrel spice, herb and assorted dark fruit. The palate has light tightly coiled fruit flavors. It needs time to reveal its charms. Best after 2021.

Trine Estate Vineyards

91

65

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Pepper Bridge

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Pepper Bridge 2013 Trine Estate Vineyards Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

France

There are strongly spicy aromas to this gentle Gewurztraminer. It's off dry, keeping some acidity amid the ripe lychee and nutmeg flavors. It's an approachable wine, ready to drink now.

null

84

17

Alsace

null

Gewürztraminer

Helfrich

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Helfrich 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

France

A structured, ageworthy wine that has fragrant, smoky black currant fruits, layered with firm tannins. It is finely balanced, elegant, its acidity just the right balance to the developing rich fruits. For aging over 3–4 years.

Le Grand Bouqueteau Réserve

92

19

Loire Valley

Chinon

null

Cabernet Franc

Château du Coudray Montpensier

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château du Coudray Montpensier 2010 Le Grand Bouqueteau Réserve (Chinon)

US

Light and a little cloudy in the glass, this is a delicious and deep wine from a vineyard in the eastern Salinas Valley, with lime blossoms, squeezed lemons, wet cement and salted white peach on the nose. The palate deftly pairs chalk, sour cream, and lime zest with dried white peach, sea salt and fresh churned butter.

Coastview Vineyard

94

44

California

Monterey County

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Big Basin

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Big Basin 2013 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay (Monterey County)

Germany

A soft, lush, sweet Riesling, but one that lacks the precision and cut of crisp acidity. The avalanche of honeyed fruit—nectarine, peach and pineapple—ends up being merely very enjoyable instead of transporting. Drink now–2015.

Bernkasteler Badstube Beerenauslese

89

44

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

null

Riesling

Dr. Pauly Bergweiler

null

US

This unique old vine Chardonnay vineyard makes cool-climate grape flavors as interesting and complex as any fruit bomb. Spring herb, light floral, citrus and grapefruit combine in a delicate, elegant wine. It's Chablis without the chalk; plenty of acid.

Au Contraire French Creek Vineyard

88

20

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Chardonnay

Maison Bleue

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Maison Bleue 2010 Au Contraire French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay (Yakima Valley)

Italy

Aromas of ripe orchard fruit, Mediterranean herb and toasted hazelnut lead the nose while the bright palate offers green pear, peach, unripe apricot and bitter almond. A mineral note signals the close.

Novaserra

89

25

Southern Italy

Greco di Tufo

null

Greco

Mastroberardino

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Mastroberardino 2015 Novaserra (Greco di Tufo)

Spain

Smooth and ripe smelling, with clean berry aromas. Cherry, plum and pepper are the lead flavors, and the feel is tangy, zippy and clampy, but exceedingly fresh. Not a lot of richness, depth or body here, but it's pure, clean wine with common appeal.

Menguante

87

14

Northern Spain

Cariñena

null

Tempranillo

Viñedos y Bodegas Pablo

null

US

This Rhône white blend is rich in fruit and oak. It displays flavors of pineapple jam, ripe mashed pears, buttered toast, vanilla custard, honey and smoky cedar, balanced with acidity. Could be drier.

Aurora Reserve

86

28

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rhône-style White Blend

Midnight

null

Chile

Mealy aromas suggest that this wine is past its peak. The palate is unbalanced, with flavors of bell pepper and green fruit, showing hints tropical fruit. Drink now.

Hacienda Araucano Reserva

83

13

Lolol Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

François Lurton

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

François Lurton 2013 Hacienda Araucano Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Lolol Valley)

US

This introduces itself with sweet scents of plum and cherry, the sort found in young vines. It moves into a thick, well-structured midpalate, with big splashes of coffee, earth and roasted nut.

Derby Estate Grown

92

50

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Spring Valley Vineyard

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Spring Valley Vineyard 2009 Derby Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

US

Not your usual SB, this full-bodied version combines herbal, savory aromas and mineral flavors with a fairly rich texture and lingering finish. It's complex and satisfying, and will pair well with rich seafood.

Bogle Vineyards

87

10

California

California Other

Sauvignon Blanc

Bogle

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Bogle 2013 Bogle Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (California)

US

This is a pretty impressive wine being offered for an almost unheard-of price, the fruit sourced largely from Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Cardamom and cinnamon figure in, with a lightness of body and high-toned strawberry and cherry belying an underlying richness that'll satisfy.

Olema

88

20

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Amici

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Amici 2014 Olema Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)

US

SLO has always struggled with this variety, but Wildwood seems to be getting the knack for Cabernet. Tastes like the grapes were grown in a warm area and yields were carefully limited: the flavors of blackberries plums and mocha are rich. The challenge is to improve structure, and particularly tannins, in a wine of this price.

Jackson's Vineyard

86

35

California

San Luis Obispo County

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wildwood

null

Germany

Intensely aromatic with notes of orange blossom, honey and tangerines, this juicy, fruity Riesling is delicate in body with a refreshingly crisp acidity. Whiffs of lanolin and dried herbs add complexity and finesse.

Erdener Treppchen Spätlese

91

32

Mosel

null

Riesling

Dr. Loosen

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Dr. Loosen 2011 Erdener Treppchen Spätlese Riesling (Mosel)

New Zealand

A blend of barrel-fermented (60%) and tank-fermented (40%) juice, that displays elegant pear-citrus flavors combined with toasted marshmallows. The oak shows strongest on the finish, where it develops caramel and spice notes.

null

88

17

Central Otago

null

Chardonnay

Mt. Difficulty

null

US

Violet, tilled earth and red currant tones mark the nose and palate. The crisp acidity races down the midpalate, leading the fleeting flavors and mild tannins to a short finish.

null

85

34

Arizona

Sonoita

null

Tempranillo

Flying Leap

Alexander Peartree

null

Flying Leap 2013 Tempranillo (Sonoita)

US

Hard and tough, this wine shows a core of black cherry with streaks of mineral and metal, but the tannins are in the way. Some additional bottle time will be a big help.

Klipsun Vineyards

86

null

Washington

Red Mountain

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Wilridge

null

US

A splendid, near-perfect Pinot, although it's very young and will benefit from time in the bottle. Few Pinots offer richer, more massive flavors. Just explodes on the palate with raspberries, cherries, persimmons, Dr. Pepper cola, mocha and cinnamon spices, yet the tannin-acid structure keeps it all balanced. A joy to drink as it warms and changes in the glass. Now–2014.

Meredith Estate

97

54

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Merry Edwards

null

France

Under the ownership of the Gardinier family, this chateau now rivals some of the classed growths, and deserves its crus bourgeois exceptionnel classification. It is certainly full of new wood flavors, but these are not allowed to dominate dense fruit tannins, flavors of black plums and fine layers of acidity. Will certainly age for 10+ years. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.

null

93

38

Bordeaux

Saint-Estèphe

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Phélan-Ségur

null

Germany

Intensely ripe black-cherry aromas are matched with a fresh and juicy and yet remarkably elegant palate. Delicate tannins and a lean, granitic edge frame the lingering finish. It's a brisk, balanced wine to enjoy now through 2018.

N

91

23

Pfalz

null

Pinot Noir

August Kesseler

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

August Kesseler 2012 N Pinot Noir (Pfalz)

Spain

Like you might expect from a maturing gran reserva, Imaz offers glimpses of raisin, sweet berry and even some aged cheese. In the mouth, it's all about red fruit, although an earthy undertone provides some background. Feels a little stark, zesty and lean, while the finish is solid and tastes of vanilla and leather. Drink now through 2012.

Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva

88

43

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo Blend

El Coto

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

El Coto 2000 Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva (Rioja)

US

From Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes comes this Cab of considerable depth and power. It shows well-developed blackberry and cassis flavors. The tannins are significant. Give it until 2011 to begin to open, and it should drink well through 2014. Cellar Selection.

by Montes

92

55

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Angel

null

US

Wattle Creek's best Triple Play ever. A blend of Syrah, Viognier and Petite Sirah from this cool appellation in Mendocino County, the wine is dry, medium- to full-bodied, tannic and complex, with flavors of blackberries, currants, tobacco, smoked meat, cedar and scads of black pepper. Drink now for its sheer power and joy.

The Triple Play

91

35

California

Yorkville Highlands

North Coast

Red Blend

Wattle Creek

null

Wattle Creek 2009 The Triple Play Red (Yorkville Highlands)

US

A Bordeaux blend with a textured, spicy, exotic nose that mixes its red and black fruits with pepper, ground coffee, cinnamon and saffron. The spice box opens into a lovely, supple wine that continues to display nicely nuanced notes of mineral, leaf and leather.

Intuition Reserve

92

45

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Bergevin Lane

null

US

Still young and tight, this breathes open slowly, with bright and expressive raspberry fruit. There's a pleasantly buttery edge to the mouthfeel, and the tannins, though still stiff, are polished and nicely balance out the finish. Drink 2018 to 2026.

Antiquum Vineyard

91

48

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Trathen Hall

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Trathen Hall 2014 Antiquum Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

Italy

Made using grapes from the Fumane subzone of Valpolicella, this shows simple lines that are nonetheless balanced and clean. Berry and spice aromas add heft to the medium weight and persistency of the mouthfeel.

Tenuta Lena di Mezzo

87

21

Veneto

Valpolicella Classico Superiore

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Monte del Frá

null

Monte del Frá 2010 Tenuta Lena di Mezzo (Valpolicella Classico Superiore)

France

This wine is firmly structured while also supporting swathes of berry fruits. Tannins come from the Cabernet in the blend and from the wood aging that gives a toasty character. Black fruits and acidity shine at the end. Drink from 2018.

null

88

30

Bordeaux

Haut-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Lestage Simon

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Lestage Simon 2012 Haut-Médoc

US

Bright and polished, this low-alcohol wine is rounded off—to good effect—with some noticeable residual sugar. It's a luscious wine, loaded with grapefruit, lime and Meyer lemon flavors. They carry through a mouthfilling and palate-refreshing middle into a lingering finish.

null

91

18

Oregon

Rogue Valley

Southern Oregon

Sauvignon Blanc

Upper Five

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Upper Five 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Rogue Valley)

Portugal

This is a dense wine with firm tannins and a solid structure. The black currant fruits are stalky and still developing, along with the acidity. It's a lean wine and needs to age for a few more months to fill out, so drink from 2017.

Maria Mora

88

10

Alentejano

null

Portuguese Red

Magnum Vinhos

null

Portugal

A ripe, full-bodied and spicy wine, defiantly dry, with a tight acid character. Aromatic fruit finish with intense perfumes, so that the wine is both rich and fresh.

JP Azeitão Branco

87

9

Península de Setúbal

null

Portuguese White

Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal

null

Italy

Enticing scents of fragrant white flower, stone fruit and crushed herb lead the way while the creamy, savory palate doles out white peach, mature yellow apple and tangerine zest. A blast of mineral energy lifts the lingering finish.

Limne

92

18

Lombardy

Lugana

null

Turbiana

Tenuta Roveglia

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Tenuta Roveglia 2015 Limne (Lugana)

US

This is a lovely, fully resolved Merlot. It shows a classy elegance that belies the price. Fully drinkable now, it's softly tannic and rich in cherry, red currant, licorice and mocha flavors that finish dry and spicy. Production was 9,904 cases.

Grand Reserve

90

26

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Merlot

Kendall-Jackson

null

US

Powerful flavors and a muscular structure make this wine big and imposing. It has intense oaky, spicy, earthy and barnyardy aromas. Dark-fruit flavors like blackberry accompany meaty, beefy nuances and a firmly tannic, dry mouthfeel.

The Arsonist

90

22

California

California Other

Red Blend

Matchbook

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Matchbook 2013 The Arsonist Red (California)

US

Hot in alcohol, dry and thin in fruit, this Zin shows very modest blackberry, cherry and spice flavors. Finishes with a scour of sticky tannins.

Sonoma Reserve

83

22

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Clos du Bois

null

Clos du Bois 2005 Sonoma Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

US

A light, ethereal wine akin to Gamay Noir, made in an easy-to-consume-often style, with beautiful aromatics of just-ripe cherry and raspberry and a rose garden in bloom. Juicy and soft, the wine is balanced and appealing in every way and makes for a fun introduction to a rare grape in California.

null

90

24

California

Solano County Green Valley

North Coast

Valdiguié

Broc Cellars

null

France

Mumm's nonvintage cuvée is a soft Champagne, although now drier than in the past with attractive apple and pear flavors that are cut by citrus. It is lightly textured, hinting at almonds and with perfumed acidity at the end. This bottling is ready to drink.

Cordon Rouge Brut

87

40

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

G. H. Mumm

Roger Voss

@vossroger

G. H. Mumm NV Cordon Rouge Brut (Champagne)