spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Italy	This Recioto opens with a beautiful, vibrant ruby color with purple highlights and deep dimension only to segue into typical aromas of bramble, blueberries, blackberry and chopped herbs. It's got power, sweetness and structure with chewy, tart tannins. Recioto is an ancient wine made with the same blend of grapes that goes into Amarone. Pair this sweet red with dried cinnamon cakes, chocolate-based desserts or a selection of aged cheeses.	La Roggia	90	null	Veneto	Recioto della Valpolicella Classico	null	Red Blend	Speri	null	null	null
Italy	A blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Frappato, this elegant wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, blue flower and spice. The juicy fruit carries over to the soft, supple palate together with notes of toast and espresso. Drink through 2017.	Dorilli	89	32	Sicily & Sardinia	Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico	null	Red Blend	Planeta	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Planeta 2012 Dorilli (Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico)
Italy	Aromas of underbrush, sawdust, toast and espresso lead the nose. The palate offers raw red berry, licorice and oak alongside bracing tannins that leave an astringent finish.	Bric Micca	87	60	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	Dante Rivetti	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Dante Rivetti 2012 Bric Micca (Barbaresco)
US	It's no insult to say this is the perfect fast food red wine. It's dry, balanced and rich in tannins, with pleasant earthy, berry flavors. All this at an everyday price.	null	84	9	California	Dunnigan Hills	Central Valley	Merlot	R.H. Phillips	null	null	null
US	Tastes like one of those long hangtime wines where the grapes got superripe. The result is enormous flavors, stupendous really, of melted chocolate, raspberry and cherry purée, gingerbread, chocolate chip cookie, crème de cassis, licorice; the list goes on and on. Yet the wine is fundamentally dry, with balancing acids and tannins. Drink now.	Masked Man Vineyard	91	35	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Syrah	Calix	null	null	null
France	This blend of Négrette, Syrah and Malbec sourced from vineyards close to Toulouse is dense, ripe and packed with spicy black-plum fruit. It's opulent and generous, with a smooth rich texture, sweet tannins and a hint of wood aging. This needs 2–3 years to mature.	Le Bouissel	91	19	Southwest France	Fronton	null	Red Blend	Château Bouissel	null	null	null
US	This wine is electric pink in color, with notes of strawberry bubblegum and cranberry. It drinks off dry, with watermelon and red fruit flavors that linger on the finish.	Grenache	89	24	Washington	Horse Heaven Hills	Columbia Valley	Rosé	Columbia Winery	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Columbia Winery 2013 Grenache Rosé (Horse Heaven Hills)
Spain	Starts out with stalky, corny aromas that are typical of sweet Cavas. It feels candied and almost cloying, but adequate acidity comes to the rescue. Flavors of melon, mango and kiwi are sweet, while the finish suggests corn cakes and tropical fruits.	Aria Estate Extra Dry	85	14	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Segura Viudas	null	null	null
US	Software developer-turned-vintner Mike Officer comes south from his Sonoma base to Monterey make this lavish Syrah that shows layers of blueberry, blackberry and black cassis as well as potpourri and ganache elements. Those same fruits hit the sip too, along with licorice, pretty purple flowers and an ever-increasing asphalt component.	Rosella's Vineyard	93	43	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Syrah	Carlisle	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Carlisle 2014 Rosella's Vineyard Syrah (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Italy	Ripe black-skinned fruit, underbrush, leather, sunbaked earth and a whiff of crushed herb come together on this solid red. The round palate doles out juicy wild cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon, a hint of vanilla and anise alongside robust, velvety tannins that impart muscle and polish. A note of grilled sage closes the finish. Drink 2018–2025.	null	91	60	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	La Palazzetta	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	La Palazzetta 2011 Brunello di Montalcino
Italy	Ca' Coato opens with a very inviting bouquet of sweet spice, vanilla, nutmeg and dried ginger followed by luscious wild berry and cherry. The 17% alcohol is high, but integrated, and although the wine is powerful and determined, it won't burn your palate if paired with a hearty meat dish.	Ca' Coato	91	null	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Antolini	null	null	null
France	This second wine of Château Palmer is dense and structured. With ripe swathes of black fruits and juicy Merlot showing strongly, it already displays the potential of the vintage. Generous and ripe, the wine has a fine level of perfumed tannin. Drink from 2023.	Alter Ego de Château Palmer	93	null	Bordeaux	Margaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Palmer	null	null	null
Italy	A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d'Avola, this shows loads of intensity, with notes of plump cherry, blackberry, wet earth, leather and savory spice. The palate has firm, polished tannins and rich concentration.	Hugonis	91	50	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Red Blend	Tenuta Rapitalà	null	null	null
Chile	Dusty cherry aromas are slightly spiky and feature some tomato, while the palate is solid, a touch sharp and prickly, but good overall. Snappy raspberry is the one and only flavor, while the finish offers heat and some mild oak. Average to good, and fully drinkable.	Reserva	85	11	Curicó Valley	null	null	Merlot	Echeverria	null	null	null
Portugal	A soft and ripe wine with juicy Alicante Bouschet dominating the open fruity blend. It is immediately drinkable with just enough acidity to give the wine a crisp (although still rich) aftertaste. Drink now.	Coudel Mor Classico	85	null	Tejo	null	null	Portuguese Red	Adega Cooperativa do Cartaxo	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Adega Cooperativa do Cartaxo 2015 Coudel Mor Classico Red (Tejo)
US	Pale in color, with inviting aromas of mashed red cherries, anise, oatmeal raisin cookie and cinnamon. With its crisply dry finish, it's a nice Pinot to drink now.	Bien Nacido Vineyards Block Q	88	45	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	J. Wilkes	null	null	null
Chile	For a spring or summer sipper, this fits the bill. The nose is neutral except for light apple, pear and lime aromas. In the mouth, it's zesty and linear, with acidic cut. Flavors of white pepper powder, fresh yellow pepper and citrus lead to a crisp, clean finish.	Selección del Directorio Gran Reserva Cool Coastal Vineyard	86	10	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Santa Helena	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Santa Helena 2012 Selección del Directorio Gran Reserva Cool Coastal Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Colchagua Valley)
Italy	Ripe Bosc pear, yellow apple, herb and citrus zest aromas follow through to the medium-bodied palate, along with tangy acidity. A hint of white almond backs up the crisp finish.	null	88	24	Southern Italy	Greco di Tufo	null	Greco	Vigne Guadagno	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Vigne Guadagno 2015 Greco di Tufo
Italy	Boscarelli's hearty Vino Nobile opens with dark nuances of plum, blackberry, ground pepper, cigar box and carob pod. The texture is thick and slightly gritty with drying tannins on the fade.	null	89	86	Tuscany	Vino Nobile di Montepulciano	null	Prugnolo Gentile	Boscarelli	null	null	null
Spain	This Rioja Baja Garnacha is earthy on the nose, with aromas of stewed berry fruits, tomato and raisin. The palate is livelier than the aromas, but this still feels a bit heavy and stewed. Flavors of vanilla, root beer and saucy berry fruits lack pop on a finish that seems to be tiring.	Propiedad	88	50	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Garnacha	Palacios Remondo	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Palacios Remondo 2012 Propiedad (Rioja)
US	This young wine has not come into focus; it feels off center and disjointed. Components include a mix of sour red fruit, which drops off quickly, and leaves a tart, chalky aftertaste.	Jubilee Vineyard	83	28	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Artisanal Wine Cellars	null	null	null
US	Tinges of saffron, pollen and hay lend a spicy, earthy undertone to this slick, honeyed ice wine. The palate is richly concentrated with sweet stone fruit and candied orange peel flavors bolstered by plush tangerine acidity.	Ingle Vineyard Icewine	88	80	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Heron Hill	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Heron Hill 2013 Ingle Vineyard Icewine Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Spain	This winery's flagship red is Tempranillo-based and it delivers round, blackberry, herb, tobacco and earth-based aromas. It's fairly creamy in the mouth, with generous flavors that hit the berry and plum chords and the descent into a deep finish of vanilla, oak and herbs. Not a cookie-cutter red; doesn't taste run-of-the-mill. Good through 2011.	Gaudium Gran Vino	90	50	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Red Blend	Marqués de Cáceres	null	null	null
Italy	L'Aspetto is an oak-aged blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo that exhibits modern touches of Indian spice and dark chocolate behind fruity tones of cherry and raspberry. Clean and bright, this wine has a long mouthfeel and impressive persistency.	L'Aspetto	90	37	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Fattoria Fibbiano	null	null	null
Italy	Mauro Veglio's estate is a small, family run affair that turns out excellent results year after year. A deep understanding of the Nebbiolo grape results in wines that are distinguished by signature aromas of wild berries, mesquite, white truffle and fragrant cedar. Tight tannins feel polished and dry in the mouth and this Barolo should age nicely for many more years.	Vigneto Gattera	94	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Mauro Veglio	null	null	Mauro Veglio 2005 Vigneto Gattera (Barolo)
Portugal	A tight, freshly acid wine, with stalkiness but also good juicy fruit. There is a green pepper element, leaving a wine that is light, simple.	Reserva	84	8	Bairrada	null	null	Portuguese Red	Caves Aliança	null	null	null
US	Released three years ago, this is drinking at or near its peak. The fruit remains lush, with herbal threads tied throughout, and a pleasing scent and streak of tobacco. Black-cherry flavors push into velvety tannins, with a finishing touch of licorice.	La Colina Vineyard	90	65	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Rocky Point	null	null	null
US	Very dark and dramatic, this delicious wine combines great balance with power. It has exotic fruit flavors and a light spiciness. The smooth, sculpted mouthfeel comes with rich, almost thick tannins that seem to extend the finish. This will find its full potential sometime after 2020.	Reposado	93	25	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Petite Sirah	Borjón	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Borjón 2014 Reposado Petite Sirah (Amador County)
US	There's a decadent spray of rose perfume that lingers from start to finish on this soft, pretty Cab Franc. Light in body with sheer black cherry flavors, it's fresh and quaffable with a dusting of fine, furry tannins on the finish.	null	86	20	New York	Hudson River Region	New York Other	Cabernet Franc	Millbrook	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Millbrook 2008 Cabernet Franc (Hudson River Region)
France	Creamy soft fruit, with the richness of 2005, hinting at some toast flavors. This wine is the second label from the Conti family, owners of Château Tour des Gendres, by far the best producer in Bergerac. It is a rounded, full wine, with fine, ripe white fruits, pears and nectarines, topped with light acidity.	Tour des Gendres Le Classique	87	12	Southwest France	Bergerac Sec	null	Bordeaux-style White Blend	Château Tour des Gendres	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Tour des Gendres 2005 Tour des Gendres Le Classique White (Bergerac Sec)
Italy	Pasiteo Vino Nobile offers ripe, jammy fruit aromas of cherry and blackberry with background tones of leather and cigar box. In the mouth, sour cherry flavors come forward with more clarity.	Pasiteo	88	null	Tuscany	Vino Nobile di Montepulciano	null	Prugnolo Gentile	Fassati	null	null	null
Italy	Heady aromas of peach blossom and jasmine lead the way on this vibrant sparkler. The refreshing palate brings bright acidity and an invigorating perlage, with green apple and citrus notes.	Brut Millesimato	88	16	Veneto	Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore	null	Glera	Raphael Dal Bo	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Raphael Dal Bo 2014 Brut Millesimato (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
US	Shows all the hallmarks of an important young Napa Cabernet. Bone dry and quite hard in tannins, it's immensely concentrated in blackberries, black currants, cassis and fine, smoky new oak. Possesses that elusive quality of dramatic terroir, a real sense of place. Very fine young wine that needs time. Cellar until at least 2015.	null	93	40	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Freemark Abbey	null	null	Freemark Abbey 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Italy	Perfect for stay-home dinners or informal gatherings between friends, Santa Margherita (of Pinot Grigio fame) introduces this easy, fresh Chianti Classico. The wine is redolent of cherry, almond, cola and blue flower and would pair well with pizza or pasta.	null	87	22	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Santa Margherita	null	null	null
US	Clean lines of nectarine, lemon blossom, orange sorbet and wet rock show on the lovely nose of this bottling from Trey Fletcher. Boisterous energy and a chalky grip power the palate, where citrus freshness dominates, and the acidity is powerful but not overblown. It will age with beauty and grace. Drink 2018–2035.	null	95	45	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Solomon Hills	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Solomon Hills 2015 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
France	Smooth and wonderfully ripe, this honeyed wine has weight and a velvet texture that rolls around the mouth. The tight acidity and crisp texture are enveloped by the embrace of the ripe fruits and generous feel. It's deceptively ready to drink but needs to age, so wait until 2018.	Blanchot Grand Cru	93	69	Burgundy	Chablis	null	Chardonnay	Pascal Bouchard	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Pascal Bouchard 2012 Blanchot Grand Cru (Chablis)
France	Rounded and ripe, this has yellow fruits along with a fresher, sliced apple character. The wine is fruity, perfumed and just touched by a more mineral texture, with crisp acidity that gives a ripe fruitiness. Drink from 2017.	null	88	null	Burgundy	Meursault	null	Chardonnay	Louis Latour	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Louis Latour 2013 Meursault
US	Superripe in fruit and superoaky, this is a big, lush, powerful Chardonnay, but for all the size, it maintains balance and elegance. Potent in smoky, vanilla-accented pineapple brûlée, exotic date and stony mineral flavors, it shows the crisp acidity the vineyard is known for, and finishes dry and spicy.	Hommage Mitsuko's Vineyard	93	40	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Clos Pegase	null	null	Clos Pegase 2005 Hommage Mitsuko's Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)
Italy	Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Malvasia Bianca, this opens with red-skinned fruit and an earthy underbrush aromas. The fresh, straightforward palate evokes red cherry and chopped herb, framed by smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.	Vegante	87	16	Tuscany	Chianti	null	Red Blend	Sensi	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Sensi 2015 Vegante (Chianti)
Italy	From the Merenda cru of Barolo, this vineyard-designate wine delivers bright and elegant tones of wild berries, cola, cedar, licorice and white pepper. The wine shows excellent balance between the firmness of the tannins and freshness of the fruit. Drink after 2015.	Vigna Merenda	92	70	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Scarzello	null	null	null
Italy	Smoke, earth, dark spice and berry are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The linear, rather lean palate displays raw cherry, mineral and Mediterranean herb alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound tannins.	Passorosso	88	32	Sicily & Sardinia	Terre Siciliane	null	Nerello Mascalese	Passopisciaro	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Passopisciaro 2013 Passorosso Nerello Mascalese (Terre Siciliane)
Italy	This is an inky black blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc that shows intense aromas of black fruit, tobacco, graphite mineral, tobacco and leather. The wine is full and generous in the mouth with soft, velvety tannins.	Burdese	91	40	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Red Blend	Planeta	null	null	null
Argentina	Undefined black fruit aromas are average at best, while the cherry fruit is decent but citric. This wine shows too little to warrant much attention; it's brittle but persisent, with thin, cleansing acids throughout.	null	82	12	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	St. Lucas	null	null	null
US	Herbal and tannic, this won't be mistaken for a cult Cab, but in its price range it offers authentic Cabernet flavors. The fruit is lean and the tannins slightly green, and the herbal side of the grape is much in evidence. But everything is in balance, and it avoids the watery soda pop flavors of most cheap Cabs.	Quail Series	85	9	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Covey Run	null	null	null
Austria	Fine green fruit gives great freshness in this crisp, citrus and apple flavored wine, lightly softened with melon. Pure, clean, a lively, bright wine.	Haidviertel	88	23	Weinviertel	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	R&A; Pfaffl	Roger Voss	@vossroger	R&A; Pfaffl 2008 Haidviertel Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel)
US	A modern style coastal Chardonnay, brimming with acidity and starring major league pineapple, tangerine, Asian pear, buttered toast and honey vanilla flavors. Very rich and flamboyant. Calls for a rich shellfish dish in a cream sauce.	Gap's Crown Vineyard	91	38	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Expression 38	null	null	null
Germany	Intense minerality shows at the forefront of this dry, boldly structured wine. It's still youthful, appearing tight and closed, but its solidity of structure, deeply textured palate and stony, slaty complexities all shine through. A wisp of honey glazes a long finish. Enjoy from 2020 through 2025 to allow its nuances to develop.	Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trocken GG	93	92	Rheingau	null	null	Riesling	Robert Weil	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Robert Weil 2014 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trocken GG Riesling (Rheingau)
Germany	Notes of botrytis, carnations and spring vegetables open this dry Rheinhessen white. The palate is straightforward and pointedly crisp, winding up on a clove note. A good choice for fans of Pinot Grigio. Drink now.	Kirchberg Bingen Trocken	85	null	Rheinhessen	null	null	Riesling	Rheingraf	null	null	null
Argentina	Dark fruit and leather on the nose seem fine, yet the palate is high-toned and starchy, with sharp flavors of cherry, plum and mushroom doing battle with severe tannins. And it's a touch saucy and salty on the finish. Imported by Victoire Imports.	null	83	9	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Syrah	Viento Sur	null	null	null
Spain	Aromas of hay and sweet grass are offset by notes of apple and melon. It feels healthy and easy, with white peach, nectarine and apple flavors. It's good and uncomplicated, with a touch of corn flavor on the finish.	null	85	10	Central Spain	Vino de la Tierra de Castilla	null	Viura	Maximo	null	null	null
France	This wine is concentrated and full in the mouth, and it bears a minerally texture and intense acidity. It's packed with flavors of sweet peach, lime, ripe Rocha pear and spice from the wood maturation. This promises to age for several years.	null	91	60	Burgundy	Savigny-lès-Beaune	null	Chardonnay	Domaine de Bellene	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a sophisticated and intense Franciacorta sparkler with a luminous golden color and seductive aromas of toasted bread, almonds, yellow fruit and pressed rose petal. The wine offers a thick, creamy mouthfeel with some sour fruit on the close.	Brut	88	20	Lombardy	Franciacorta	null	Chardonnay	Castelveder	null	null	null
Italy	This Barolo opens with a ruby-garnet color and earthy aromas of wild mushroom, root beer, cedar wood, licorice and cola. The wine shows great richness and a touch of sweet fruit woven within its thick, solid structure.	null	93	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Massimo Penna	null	null	Massimo Penna 2007 Barolo
US	A fine complement to Balboa's Merlot, the Cabernet shows a bit more muscle and concentration. Your enjoyment of the wine will depend upon your tolerance for flavors of stem and leaf, which run through the steely fruit and give it a Bordeaux-like sensibility. A fine steak wine, it finishes up with black olive and bitter chocolate.	null	87	19	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Balboa	null	null	null
US	This Merlot is simple and candied in raspberry, cherry and caramelized oak flavors. It's pretty rustic, but basically sound.	Metronome	83	18	California	Napa County	Napa	Merlot	R & B Cellars	null	null	null
US	Delectable notes of pastry spice, blackberry and vanilla unfurl onto the medium-bodied palate, which is bolstered by sinewy tannins and finessed acids.	null	87	18	Virginia	Virginia	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Chateau Morrisette	null	null	null
US	More acidic and tannic than most Cabs these days, this wine is rich in blackberry, cherry, currant, cocoa and new oak flavors. It's a high-class Cab, but one that needs time in the cellar for the astringency to resolve. Best after 2010, and should hang in there for several more years.	null	90	50	California	Atlas Peak	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Elan	null	null	null
Italy	This is a blend of Bordeaux grapes sourced from the Riparbella Vineyard, which is located at 1,500 feet above sea level in Maremma. The property belongs to the Ferragamo fashion family. The tannins are velvety, firm and do a great job of supporting the bright flavors of black fruit and spice.	Prima Pietra	92	77	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Castiglion del Bosco	null	null	Castiglion del Bosco 2008 Prima Pietra Red (Toscana)
France	Showing as much freshness and acidity as the hallmark spice of a Gewürztraminer, this is a white-fruit-dominant wine, poised and elegant, with a touch of minerality. Keep for 2–3 years.	Schlossberg Grand Cru	92	null	Alsace	Alsace	null	Gewürztraminer	André Blanck et ses Fils	Roger Voss	@vossroger	André Blanck et ses Fils 2010 Schlossberg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
US	Sharply herbal, this shows a bit of a green edge, which comes across as bitterness on the finish. The pale red-fruit flavors hint at thistle and bramble more than ripe berry, but the balance is there to carry the wine well with food.	Le Cadeau Vineyard	86	35	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Edwin Dyer	null	null	null
US	This is a rich, jammy wine, with ripe raspberry, cherry and spice flavors. Blended with a little Merlot and Petit Verdot, it's made in the popular style, featuring sweet fruit with a touch of oak. The tannins are pretty thick, and the wine might improve with a few years in the cellar.	null	87	45	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Fleuron	null	null	Fleuron 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
Chile	Briary, snappy, almost citric aromas set up a balanced palate with good body and acidic lift in this straightforward wine. Flavors of spiced, dry tomato, plum and earthiness finish with savory raspberry, spice and herbal hints.	Enco Reserve	87	14	Cachapoal Valley	null	null	Pinot Noir	Anakena	null	null	null
Spain	Pure blackberry aromas are friendly, however the palate is scratchy and sharp, with acidity that creates angularity and tartness. That's offset by generic black-fruit flavors and a touch of mocha. This is good Monastrell although the acidity is piercing.	Viña Honda	85	14	Levante	Jumilla	null	Monastrell	Bodegas Silvano Garcia	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Bodegas Silvano Garcia 2011 Viña Honda Monastrell (Jumilla)
Portugal	Beautifully balanced wine, showing slight age and maturity but also flavors of spice and orange marmalade. It has just the same balance between freshness and maturity as a 10-year old tawny, and gives as much pleasure.	10 Anos White	91	null	Port	null	null	Port	J. H. Andresen	null	null	null
US	Sweetly caramelized, smoky oak, with all of its vanilla and wood sap flavors, dominates this wine, although it does have a considerable framework of raspberries and cherries. Feels a bit one-dimensional, but it's a pretty Pinot Noir, from a good address.	null	87	38	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	La Rochelle	null	null	null
France	You can definitely detect the wood on this wine, but it is finely integrated with the creamy apricot and white fruit flavors. Acidity fits well into this ripe, easy and soft Chardonnay.	null	87	null	Burgundy	Mâcon-Villages	null	Chardonnay	Louis Jadot	null	null	null
US	This beloved annual bottling by Randall Grahm blends 39% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 2% Cinsaut to create a very savory, Old World-style expression, with aromas of roasted game, pencil shavings, dried red fruits and blood. The palate is very iron-rich and rustic, with uncrushed black peppercorns and raw and dried meat flavors.	Le Cigare Volant Reserve	92	60	California	Central Coast	Central Coast	Rhône-style Red Blend	Bonny Doon	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Bonny Doon 2012 Le Cigare Volant Reserve Red (Central Coast)
Austria	A beautifully rich wine, packed with pear juice and light acidity. The soft texture balances well with ripe green plum flavors and a final creamy character.	Hohenberg	89	21	Wagram-Donauland	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Josef Ehmoser	null	null	null
Italy	The 2004 Solaia is dense and concentrated with loads of character and defining aromatics: plump blackberry, chocolate fudge, exotic spice, peppercorn and smooth balsam notes. The real pleasure comes in the mouth where it delivers smooth elegance and an extra long finish.	Solaia	96	170	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Marchesi Antinori	null	null	Marchesi Antinori 2004 Solaia Red (Toscana)
France	One of a range of wines produced by the Bordeaux-based Despagne family, this is a blend of Bordeaux grape varieties. It's attractive and fruity, with crisp red currant notes and a refreshing layer of acidity. Drink now.	Le Mythe d'Amphorie	87	20	France Other	Vin de France	null	Rosé	Vignobles Despagne	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Vignobles Despagne 2016 Le Mythe d'Amphorie Rosé (Vin de France)
US	With no oak but aged in stainless steel on the lees, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc is bone dry and crisp in acidity. It offers vibrant flavors of lemons, grapefruits and limes, with a touch of sweet honey on the finish.	null	87	20	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sauvignon Blanc	Titus	null	null	Titus 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
New Zealand	This is a lightweight, supple Pinot Noir that should be consumed over the next year or so, as the modest cherry fruit is already starting to decay and head toward root vegetables.	null	84	16	Waipara	null	null	Pinot Noir	Saveé Sea	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a clean and bright interpretation of Barbera d'Asti Superiore with intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, wet earth and tobacco. The wine is chewy, dense and bright in the mouth and could be paired with lamb or beef.	Caranti	88	null	Piedmont	Barbera d'Asti Superiore	null	Barbera	Cascina Garitina	null	null	null
US	This winery is one of the region's bright spots, in this case offering expertly layered touches of vanilla, caramel, cappuccino, blueberry and a touch of oregano in the blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. Cocoa nibs, coffee, black cherry, dill, bay leaf and black olive pop on the palate, where the lingering acidity ensures aging potential.	33 Degrees North BDX Gracie Hill Vineyard	90	33	California	South Coast	South Coast	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Fallbrook	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Fallbrook 2012 33 Degrees North BDX Gracie Hill Vineyard Red (South Coast)
France	Ripe and smooth, this rich wine has enough fruitiness and acidity to give a crisper edge, although it is more about a warm, spicy character. Drink now.	null	85	20	Burgundy	Saint-Véran	null	Chardonnay	Domaine de la Denante	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine de la Denante 2014 Saint-Véran
Spain	This is a modern Tempranillo with big berry fruit aromas offset by baking spice scents and earthiness. The palate feels bold and punchy, with round but present tannins and ripe flavors of baked blackberry, chocolate and mild spice. Drink this friendly, fruity, elevated wine through 2016.	Más le Leda	89	20	Northern Spain	Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León	null	Tempranillo	Bodegas Leda	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Bodegas Leda 2009 Más le Leda Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León)
US	This tasty, well-balanced wine is oaky in style, with lightly smoky and buttery nuances and generous apple and lemon flavors. It's medium bodied and smooth but lively in texture and has a light, buttery finish.	null	89	15	California	California	California Other	Chardonnay	Emerald Hare	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Emerald Hare 2015 Chardonnay (California)
US	Barrel aromas of vanilla, cocoa and coconut are at the fore. The black-fruit and barrel flavors provide a lot of appeal.	null	90	34	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Franc	Coeur d'Alene	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Coeur d'Alene 2013 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	While this is supple and rich with loads of sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit, the penetrating minerality and a swathe of fresh flower and herb add depth and grace to this lovely Merlot. The tannins are still quite taut, yet they're ripe in nature. It drinks deliciously now, but it's structured enough to improve over the next five years.	null	90	24	New York	North Fork of Long Island	Long Island	Merlot	Paumanok	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Paumanok 2007 Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
Italy	Costa Grimaldi is a spectacular wine that surprises with every sip thanks to its intensity and the extraordinary quality of its mouthfeel. Initially, the wine is soft and yielding with tones of red cherry, chocolate, cola, licorice and mineral. It grows even more opulent and velvety in the mouth thanks to its fine texture and tannins. Keep this wine in your cellar ten years plus.	Costa Grimaldi	96	70	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Poderi Luigi Einaudi	null	null	null
France	This stalky and fruity wine has fresh red-currant flavors that are backed up by dry tannins. It is a light wine, as much fruit as texture, and is likely to age quickly. Drink from 2017.	null	86	16	Bordeaux	Fronsac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Hauchat	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Hauchat 2013 Fronsac
US	This herbal, tannic Syrah is a serviceable bottle that would be especially good with a simple flank steak. Scents are a mix of grape blossom, cherry and coffee. The wine is solid and one dimensional and finishes with a strong herbal streak.	null	84	20	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Maryhill	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Maryhill 2005 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	The grapes come mainly from the Rancho Santa Rosa vineyard, which is a great one, source to many top-scoring Chardonnays over the years. The wine is brisk, tart and clean, with rich, dramatic flavors of pineapple, lime, honeysuckle and buttered toast. Really elegant and wonderful, and should blossom through early 2012.	Cuvée Diana	94	36	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Longoria	null	null	null
Australia	Shows strong butterscotch aromas and flavors, dominating the citrusy fruit and leaving a slightly oily impression on the anise-tinged finish.	null	84	28	Western Australia	Pemberton	null	Chardonnay	Picardy	null	null	null
US	Strongly flavored with smoky, charred oak, the smoke, coffee and espresso flavors ride roughshod over the pretty raspberry and red currant fruit. The poor fruit is overwhelmed; the winemaking seems better suited to bigger, riper, richer fruit.	null	86	23	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Lost River	null	null	null
France	Opulent and very minerally, this is deeply flavored and concentrated, with a lively, crisp edge. It's fruity while also having a textured finish that shows a structured, age-worthy side.	Les Referts Premier Cru	92	84	Burgundy	Puligny-Montrachet	null	Chardonnay	Domaine Vincent Girardin	null	null	null
US	Savory apples and pears mingle into lemon and bramble in this slightly earthy off-dry Riesling. Sunny tangerine acidity is easy but bright, leading a delicately sweet finish.	Castle Hill Vineyard	86	25	New York	Hudson River Region	New York Other	Riesling	Millbrook	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Millbrook 2015 Castle Hill Vineyard Riesling (Hudson River Region)
Croatia	The lavors of candied red cherry and flower are pleasant, but dusty herb notes distract on the nose and palate. It's a big wine at 13.9% abv, but zesty acidity keeps it relatively balanced.	Plavac Mali and Zinfandel	83	21	Peljesac	null	null	Rosé	Korta Katarina	null	null	null
US	Creamy and oaky, with butterscotch and pear notes, but heavy and a bit unripe, with vegetal notes.	null	82	20	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Ca' Momi	null	null	Ca' Momi 2007 Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
US	This is high in alcohol, but it will easily pair with barbecue. It's made from fruit grown in the warm Larner Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley as well as from the cool Lafond Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. Rich, dry and complex, it offers brisk, citrusy acidity to offset the ripe blackberry, currant and sandalwood flavors.	null	90	28	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Syrah	Transcendence	null	null	Transcendence 2009 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
Argentina	Jammy blueberry and boysenberry aromas include graphite and ink notes. This feels jammy to the point of being sluggish and heavy. Syrupy but not sweet flavors of herbal black fruits finish with a lasting gamy note.	Q	88	20	Mendoza Province	Valle de Uco	null	Malbec	Zuccardi	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Zuccardi 2013 Q Malbec (Valle de Uco)
US	I love this wine for its acidic dryness, which is Sauvignon Blanc's first duty. The wine has a refreshing tartness, relieved by rich lime zest and green apple flavors, with a scour of grapefruit. With no oak at all, it's one classy sipper.	null	90	20	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sauvignon Blanc	Hall	null	null	null
US	Smells a bit underripe, with a whiff of fresh asparagus, and richness is missing in the mouth. The flavors are of citrus fruits, lees, oak and fresh herbs. Nicely dry and crisp, but rather lean.	Arcadia Vineyard	86	50	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Chardonnay	Stag's Leap Wine Cellars	null	null	null
Italy	This medium-bodied and elegant Pinot Bianco boasts fragrances of white spring flowers, green apple and flint that carry over to the savory palate. The juicy fruit is supported by fresh acidity that leaves a clean crisp finish, making this extremely food friendly. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.	null	90	18	Northeastern Italy	Alto Adige	null	Pinot Bianco	Erste Neue	null	null	null
Austria	A soft, light-footed entry is followed by extracted, yet still finely-knit tannins—presently, black cherry fruit is hidden behind them, but a juicy acidity promises they will come to the surface before long.	Goldberg	89	null	Burgenland	null	null	St. Laurent	Birgit Braunstein	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Birgit Braunstein 2011 Goldberg St. Laurent (Burgenland)
Chile	Nice and aromatic, with cola, tobacco, fallen dried leaves and dark fruits. The palate has some scratch and acidity to it, but the flavors are good and lively, with a focus on dark plum and cherry. A bit more acidic than I like, but still healthy and very nice for varietal Carmenère.	Marques de Casa Concha	88	22	Peumo	null	null	Carmenère	Concha y Toro	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Concha y Toro 2008 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère (Peumo)
Spain	No Time is the name but unfortunately there's no substance and no richness. As a whole, this Garnacha smells of bramble and pickle, while the palate is fresh and bouncy but sour.	Garnacha Cepas Viejas	81	11	Northern Spain	Navarra	null	Garnacha	No Time	null	null	null
Italy	Made with 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with aromas of acacia flower, orchard fruit and Alpine herb. The juicy palate delivers white peach, yellow apple and a hint of lemon alongside fresh acidity.	Terlaner Classico	89	28	Northeastern Italy	Alto Adige	null	White Blend	Terlan	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Terlan 2015 Terlaner Classico White (Alto Adige)
Italy	This ripe wine opens with aromas of stewed black fruit, underbrush, prune, and a just whiff of farmyard. The palate reveals nearly overripe black cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside bracing, astringent tannins.	null	88	78	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Lisini	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Lisini 2009 Brunello di Montalcino
US	A bit disappointing on the nose; pickle barrel and onion are supported by moderate spice. This is a dark, extracted wine with dusty tannins and a lean feel. Cherry/berry fruit flavors are shy as they compete with tomato, spice and onion before finishing metallic.	Reserve	83	22	New York	The Hamptons, Long Island	Long Island	Merlot	Wölffer	null	null	null

Italy

This Recioto opens with a beautiful, vibrant ruby color with purple highlights and deep dimension only to segue into typical aromas of bramble, blueberries, blackberry and chopped herbs. It's got power, sweetness and structure with chewy, tart tannins. Recioto is an ancient wine made with the same blend of grapes that goes into Amarone. Pair this sweet red with dried cinnamon cakes, chocolate-based desserts or a selection of aged cheeses.

La Roggia

90

null

Veneto

Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

null

Red Blend

Speri

null

Italy

A blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Frappato, this elegant wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, blue flower and spice. The juicy fruit carries over to the soft, supple palate together with notes of toast and espresso. Drink through 2017.

Dorilli

89

32

Sicily & Sardinia

Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico

null

Red Blend

Planeta

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Planeta 2012 Dorilli (Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico)

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, sawdust, toast and espresso lead the nose. The palate offers raw red berry, licorice and oak alongside bracing tannins that leave an astringent finish.

Bric Micca

87

60

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

Dante Rivetti

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Dante Rivetti 2012 Bric Micca (Barbaresco)

US

It's no insult to say this is the perfect fast food red wine. It's dry, balanced and rich in tannins, with pleasant earthy, berry flavors. All this at an everyday price.

null

84

9

California

Dunnigan Hills

Central Valley

Merlot

R.H. Phillips

null

US

Tastes like one of those long hangtime wines where the grapes got superripe. The result is enormous flavors, stupendous really, of melted chocolate, raspberry and cherry purée, gingerbread, chocolate chip cookie, crème de cassis, licorice; the list goes on and on. Yet the wine is fundamentally dry, with balancing acids and tannins. Drink now.

Masked Man Vineyard

91

35

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Syrah

Calix

null

France

This blend of Négrette, Syrah and Malbec sourced from vineyards close to Toulouse is dense, ripe and packed with spicy black-plum fruit. It's opulent and generous, with a smooth rich texture, sweet tannins and a hint of wood aging. This needs 2–3 years to mature.

Le Bouissel

91

19

Southwest France

Fronton

null

Red Blend

Château Bouissel

null

US

This wine is electric pink in color, with notes of strawberry bubblegum and cranberry. It drinks off dry, with watermelon and red fruit flavors that linger on the finish.

Grenache

89

24

Washington

Horse Heaven Hills

Columbia Valley

Rosé

Columbia Winery

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Columbia Winery 2013 Grenache Rosé (Horse Heaven Hills)

Spain

Starts out with stalky, corny aromas that are typical of sweet Cavas. It feels candied and almost cloying, but adequate acidity comes to the rescue. Flavors of melon, mango and kiwi are sweet, while the finish suggests corn cakes and tropical fruits.

Aria Estate Extra Dry

85

14

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Segura Viudas

null

US

Software developer-turned-vintner Mike Officer comes south from his Sonoma base to Monterey make this lavish Syrah that shows layers of blueberry, blackberry and black cassis as well as potpourri and ganache elements. Those same fruits hit the sip too, along with licorice, pretty purple flowers and an ever-increasing asphalt component.

Rosella's Vineyard

93

43

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Syrah

Carlisle

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Carlisle 2014 Rosella's Vineyard Syrah (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Italy

Ripe black-skinned fruit, underbrush, leather, sunbaked earth and a whiff of crushed herb come together on this solid red. The round palate doles out juicy wild cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon, a hint of vanilla and anise alongside robust, velvety tannins that impart muscle and polish. A note of grilled sage closes the finish. Drink 2018–2025.

null

91

60

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

La Palazzetta

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

La Palazzetta 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Italy

Ca' Coato opens with a very inviting bouquet of sweet spice, vanilla, nutmeg and dried ginger followed by luscious wild berry and cherry. The 17% alcohol is high, but integrated, and although the wine is powerful and determined, it won't burn your palate if paired with a hearty meat dish.

Ca' Coato

91

null

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Antolini

null

France

This second wine of Château Palmer is dense and structured. With ripe swathes of black fruits and juicy Merlot showing strongly, it already displays the potential of the vintage. Generous and ripe, the wine has a fine level of perfumed tannin. Drink from 2023.

Alter Ego de Château Palmer

93

null

Bordeaux

Margaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Palmer

null

Italy

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d'Avola, this shows loads of intensity, with notes of plump cherry, blackberry, wet earth, leather and savory spice. The palate has firm, polished tannins and rich concentration.

Hugonis

91

50

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Red Blend

Tenuta Rapitalà

null

Chile

Dusty cherry aromas are slightly spiky and feature some tomato, while the palate is solid, a touch sharp and prickly, but good overall. Snappy raspberry is the one and only flavor, while the finish offers heat and some mild oak. Average to good, and fully drinkable.

Reserva

85

11

Curicó Valley

null

Merlot

Echeverria

null

Portugal

A soft and ripe wine with juicy Alicante Bouschet dominating the open fruity blend. It is immediately drinkable with just enough acidity to give the wine a crisp (although still rich) aftertaste. Drink now.

Coudel Mor Classico

85

null

Tejo

null

Portuguese Red

Adega Cooperativa do Cartaxo

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Adega Cooperativa do Cartaxo 2015 Coudel Mor Classico Red (Tejo)

US

Pale in color, with inviting aromas of mashed red cherries, anise, oatmeal raisin cookie and cinnamon. With its crisply dry finish, it's a nice Pinot to drink now.

Bien Nacido Vineyards Block Q

88

45

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

J. Wilkes

null

Chile

For a spring or summer sipper, this fits the bill. The nose is neutral except for light apple, pear and lime aromas. In the mouth, it's zesty and linear, with acidic cut. Flavors of white pepper powder, fresh yellow pepper and citrus lead to a crisp, clean finish.

Selección del Directorio Gran Reserva Cool Coastal Vineyard

86

10

Colchagua Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Santa Helena

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Santa Helena 2012 Selección del Directorio Gran Reserva Cool Coastal Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Colchagua Valley)

Italy

Ripe Bosc pear, yellow apple, herb and citrus zest aromas follow through to the medium-bodied palate, along with tangy acidity. A hint of white almond backs up the crisp finish.

null

88

24

Southern Italy

Greco di Tufo

null

Greco

Vigne Guadagno

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Vigne Guadagno 2015 Greco di Tufo

Italy

Boscarelli's hearty Vino Nobile opens with dark nuances of plum, blackberry, ground pepper, cigar box and carob pod. The texture is thick and slightly gritty with drying tannins on the fade.

null

89

86

Tuscany

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

null

Prugnolo Gentile

Boscarelli

null

Spain

This Rioja Baja Garnacha is earthy on the nose, with aromas of stewed berry fruits, tomato and raisin. The palate is livelier than the aromas, but this still feels a bit heavy and stewed. Flavors of vanilla, root beer and saucy berry fruits lack pop on a finish that seems to be tiring.

Propiedad

88

50

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Garnacha

Palacios Remondo

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Palacios Remondo 2012 Propiedad (Rioja)

US

This young wine has not come into focus; it feels off center and disjointed. Components include a mix of sour red fruit, which drops off quickly, and leaves a tart, chalky aftertaste.

Jubilee Vineyard

83

28

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Artisanal Wine Cellars

null

US

Tinges of saffron, pollen and hay lend a spicy, earthy undertone to this slick, honeyed ice wine. The palate is richly concentrated with sweet stone fruit and candied orange peel flavors bolstered by plush tangerine acidity.

Ingle Vineyard Icewine

88

80

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Heron Hill

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Heron Hill 2013 Ingle Vineyard Icewine Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Spain

This winery's flagship red is Tempranillo-based and it delivers round, blackberry, herb, tobacco and earth-based aromas. It's fairly creamy in the mouth, with generous flavors that hit the berry and plum chords and the descent into a deep finish of vanilla, oak and herbs. Not a cookie-cutter red; doesn't taste run-of-the-mill. Good through 2011.

Gaudium Gran Vino

90

50

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Red Blend

Marqués de Cáceres

null

Italy

L'Aspetto is an oak-aged blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo that exhibits modern touches of Indian spice and dark chocolate behind fruity tones of cherry and raspberry. Clean and bright, this wine has a long mouthfeel and impressive persistency.

L'Aspetto

90

37

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Fattoria Fibbiano

null

Italy

Mauro Veglio's estate is a small, family run affair that turns out excellent results year after year. A deep understanding of the Nebbiolo grape results in wines that are distinguished by signature aromas of wild berries, mesquite, white truffle and fragrant cedar. Tight tannins feel polished and dry in the mouth and this Barolo should age nicely for many more years.

Vigneto Gattera

94

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Mauro Veglio

null

Mauro Veglio 2005 Vigneto Gattera (Barolo)

Portugal

A tight, freshly acid wine, with stalkiness but also good juicy fruit. There is a green pepper element, leaving a wine that is light, simple.

Reserva

84

8

Bairrada

null

Portuguese Red

Caves Aliança

null

US

Released three years ago, this is drinking at or near its peak. The fruit remains lush, with herbal threads tied throughout, and a pleasing scent and streak of tobacco. Black-cherry flavors push into velvety tannins, with a finishing touch of licorice.

La Colina Vineyard

90

65

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Rocky Point

null

US

Very dark and dramatic, this delicious wine combines great balance with power. It has exotic fruit flavors and a light spiciness. The smooth, sculpted mouthfeel comes with rich, almost thick tannins that seem to extend the finish. This will find its full potential sometime after 2020.

Reposado

93

25

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Petite Sirah

Borjón

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Borjón 2014 Reposado Petite Sirah (Amador County)

US

There's a decadent spray of rose perfume that lingers from start to finish on this soft, pretty Cab Franc. Light in body with sheer black cherry flavors, it's fresh and quaffable with a dusting of fine, furry tannins on the finish.

null

86

20

New York

Hudson River Region

New York Other

Cabernet Franc

Millbrook

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Millbrook 2008 Cabernet Franc (Hudson River Region)

France

Creamy soft fruit, with the richness of 2005, hinting at some toast flavors. This wine is the second label from the Conti family, owners of Château Tour des Gendres, by far the best producer in Bergerac. It is a rounded, full wine, with fine, ripe white fruits, pears and nectarines, topped with light acidity.

Tour des Gendres Le Classique

87

12

Southwest France

Bergerac Sec

null

Bordeaux-style White Blend

Château Tour des Gendres

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Tour des Gendres 2005 Tour des Gendres Le Classique White (Bergerac Sec)

Italy

Pasiteo Vino Nobile offers ripe, jammy fruit aromas of cherry and blackberry with background tones of leather and cigar box. In the mouth, sour cherry flavors come forward with more clarity.

Pasiteo

88

null

Tuscany

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

null

Prugnolo Gentile

Fassati

null

Italy

Heady aromas of peach blossom and jasmine lead the way on this vibrant sparkler. The refreshing palate brings bright acidity and an invigorating perlage, with green apple and citrus notes.

Brut Millesimato

88

16

Veneto

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

null

Glera

Raphael Dal Bo

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Raphael Dal Bo 2014 Brut Millesimato (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)

US

Shows all the hallmarks of an important young Napa Cabernet. Bone dry and quite hard in tannins, it's immensely concentrated in blackberries, black currants, cassis and fine, smoky new oak. Possesses that elusive quality of dramatic terroir, a real sense of place. Very fine young wine that needs time. Cellar until at least 2015.

null

93

40

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Freemark Abbey

null

Freemark Abbey 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Italy

Perfect for stay-home dinners or informal gatherings between friends, Santa Margherita (of Pinot Grigio fame) introduces this easy, fresh Chianti Classico. The wine is redolent of cherry, almond, cola and blue flower and would pair well with pizza or pasta.

null

87

22

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Santa Margherita

null

US

Clean lines of nectarine, lemon blossom, orange sorbet and wet rock show on the lovely nose of this bottling from Trey Fletcher. Boisterous energy and a chalky grip power the palate, where citrus freshness dominates, and the acidity is powerful but not overblown. It will age with beauty and grace. Drink 2018–2035.

null

95

45

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Solomon Hills

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Solomon Hills 2015 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)

France

Smooth and wonderfully ripe, this honeyed wine has weight and a velvet texture that rolls around the mouth. The tight acidity and crisp texture are enveloped by the embrace of the ripe fruits and generous feel. It's deceptively ready to drink but needs to age, so wait until 2018.

Blanchot Grand Cru

93

69

Burgundy

Chablis

null

Chardonnay

Pascal Bouchard

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Pascal Bouchard 2012 Blanchot Grand Cru (Chablis)

France

Rounded and ripe, this has yellow fruits along with a fresher, sliced apple character. The wine is fruity, perfumed and just touched by a more mineral texture, with crisp acidity that gives a ripe fruitiness. Drink from 2017.

null

88

null

Burgundy

Meursault

null

Chardonnay

Louis Latour

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Louis Latour 2013 Meursault

US

Superripe in fruit and superoaky, this is a big, lush, powerful Chardonnay, but for all the size, it maintains balance and elegance. Potent in smoky, vanilla-accented pineapple brûlée, exotic date and stony mineral flavors, it shows the crisp acidity the vineyard is known for, and finishes dry and spicy.

Hommage Mitsuko's Vineyard

93

40

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Clos Pegase

null

Clos Pegase 2005 Hommage Mitsuko's Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)

Italy

Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Malvasia Bianca, this opens with red-skinned fruit and an earthy underbrush aromas. The fresh, straightforward palate evokes red cherry and chopped herb, framed by smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.

Vegante

87

16

Tuscany

Chianti

null

Red Blend

Sensi

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Sensi 2015 Vegante (Chianti)

Italy

From the Merenda cru of Barolo, this vineyard-designate wine delivers bright and elegant tones of wild berries, cola, cedar, licorice and white pepper. The wine shows excellent balance between the firmness of the tannins and freshness of the fruit. Drink after 2015.

Vigna Merenda

92

70

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Scarzello

null

Italy

Smoke, earth, dark spice and berry are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The linear, rather lean palate displays raw cherry, mineral and Mediterranean herb alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound tannins.

Passorosso

88

32

Sicily & Sardinia

Terre Siciliane

null

Nerello Mascalese

Passopisciaro

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Passopisciaro 2013 Passorosso Nerello Mascalese (Terre Siciliane)

Italy

This is an inky black blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc that shows intense aromas of black fruit, tobacco, graphite mineral, tobacco and leather. The wine is full and generous in the mouth with soft, velvety tannins.

Burdese

91

40

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Red Blend

Planeta

null

Argentina

Undefined black fruit aromas are average at best, while the cherry fruit is decent but citric. This wine shows too little to warrant much attention; it's brittle but persisent, with thin, cleansing acids throughout.

null

82

12

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Lucas

null

US

Herbal and tannic, this won't be mistaken for a cult Cab, but in its price range it offers authentic Cabernet flavors. The fruit is lean and the tannins slightly green, and the herbal side of the grape is much in evidence. But everything is in balance, and it avoids the watery soda pop flavors of most cheap Cabs.

Quail Series

85

9

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Covey Run

null

Austria

Fine green fruit gives great freshness in this crisp, citrus and apple flavored wine, lightly softened with melon. Pure, clean, a lively, bright wine.

Haidviertel

88

23

Weinviertel

null

Grüner Veltliner

R&A; Pfaffl

Roger Voss

@vossroger

R&A; Pfaffl 2008 Haidviertel Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel)

US

A modern style coastal Chardonnay, brimming with acidity and starring major league pineapple, tangerine, Asian pear, buttered toast and honey vanilla flavors. Very rich and flamboyant. Calls for a rich shellfish dish in a cream sauce.

Gap's Crown Vineyard

91

38

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Expression 38

null

Germany

Intense minerality shows at the forefront of this dry, boldly structured wine. It's still youthful, appearing tight and closed, but its solidity of structure, deeply textured palate and stony, slaty complexities all shine through. A wisp of honey glazes a long finish. Enjoy from 2020 through 2025 to allow its nuances to develop.

Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trocken GG

93

92

Rheingau

null

Riesling

Robert Weil

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Robert Weil 2014 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trocken GG Riesling (Rheingau)

Germany

Notes of botrytis, carnations and spring vegetables open this dry Rheinhessen white. The palate is straightforward and pointedly crisp, winding up on a clove note. A good choice for fans of Pinot Grigio. Drink now.

Kirchberg Bingen Trocken

85

null

Rheinhessen

null

Riesling

Rheingraf

null

Argentina

Dark fruit and leather on the nose seem fine, yet the palate is high-toned and starchy, with sharp flavors of cherry, plum and mushroom doing battle with severe tannins. And it's a touch saucy and salty on the finish. Imported by Victoire Imports.

null

83

9

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Syrah

Viento Sur

null

Spain

Aromas of hay and sweet grass are offset by notes of apple and melon. It feels healthy and easy, with white peach, nectarine and apple flavors. It's good and uncomplicated, with a touch of corn flavor on the finish.

null

85

10

Central Spain

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

null

Viura

Maximo

null

France

This wine is concentrated and full in the mouth, and it bears a minerally texture and intense acidity. It's packed with flavors of sweet peach, lime, ripe Rocha pear and spice from the wood maturation. This promises to age for several years.

null

91

60

Burgundy

Savigny-lès-Beaune

null

Chardonnay

Domaine de Bellene

null

Italy

Here's a sophisticated and intense Franciacorta sparkler with a luminous golden color and seductive aromas of toasted bread, almonds, yellow fruit and pressed rose petal. The wine offers a thick, creamy mouthfeel with some sour fruit on the close.

Brut

88

20

Lombardy

Franciacorta

null

Chardonnay

Castelveder

null

Italy

This Barolo opens with a ruby-garnet color and earthy aromas of wild mushroom, root beer, cedar wood, licorice and cola. The wine shows great richness and a touch of sweet fruit woven within its thick, solid structure.

null

93

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Massimo Penna

null

Massimo Penna 2007 Barolo

US

A fine complement to Balboa's Merlot, the Cabernet shows a bit more muscle and concentration. Your enjoyment of the wine will depend upon your tolerance for flavors of stem and leaf, which run through the steely fruit and give it a Bordeaux-like sensibility. A fine steak wine, it finishes up with black olive and bitter chocolate.

null

87

19

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Balboa

null

US

This Merlot is simple and candied in raspberry, cherry and caramelized oak flavors. It's pretty rustic, but basically sound.

Metronome

83

18

California

Napa County

Napa

Merlot

R & B Cellars

null

US

Delectable notes of pastry spice, blackberry and vanilla unfurl onto the medium-bodied palate, which is bolstered by sinewy tannins and finessed acids.

null

87

18

Virginia

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chateau Morrisette

null

US

More acidic and tannic than most Cabs these days, this wine is rich in blackberry, cherry, currant, cocoa and new oak flavors. It's a high-class Cab, but one that needs time in the cellar for the astringency to resolve. Best after 2010, and should hang in there for several more years.

null

90

50

California

Atlas Peak

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Elan

null

Italy

This is a blend of Bordeaux grapes sourced from the Riparbella Vineyard, which is located at 1,500 feet above sea level in Maremma. The property belongs to the Ferragamo fashion family. The tannins are velvety, firm and do a great job of supporting the bright flavors of black fruit and spice.

Prima Pietra

92

77

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Castiglion del Bosco

null

Castiglion del Bosco 2008 Prima Pietra Red (Toscana)

France

Showing as much freshness and acidity as the hallmark spice of a Gewürztraminer, this is a white-fruit-dominant wine, poised and elegant, with a touch of minerality. Keep for 2–3 years.

Schlossberg Grand Cru

92

null

Alsace

null

Gewürztraminer

André Blanck et ses Fils

Roger Voss

@vossroger

André Blanck et ses Fils 2010 Schlossberg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

US

Sharply herbal, this shows a bit of a green edge, which comes across as bitterness on the finish. The pale red-fruit flavors hint at thistle and bramble more than ripe berry, but the balance is there to carry the wine well with food.

Le Cadeau Vineyard

86

35

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Edwin Dyer

null

US

This is a rich, jammy wine, with ripe raspberry, cherry and spice flavors. Blended with a little Merlot and Petit Verdot, it's made in the popular style, featuring sweet fruit with a touch of oak. The tannins are pretty thick, and the wine might improve with a few years in the cellar.

null

87

45

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Fleuron

null

Fleuron 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Chile

Briary, snappy, almost citric aromas set up a balanced palate with good body and acidic lift in this straightforward wine. Flavors of spiced, dry tomato, plum and earthiness finish with savory raspberry, spice and herbal hints.

Enco Reserve

87

14

Cachapoal Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Anakena

null

Spain

Pure blackberry aromas are friendly, however the palate is scratchy and sharp, with acidity that creates angularity and tartness. That's offset by generic black-fruit flavors and a touch of mocha. This is good Monastrell although the acidity is piercing.

Viña Honda

85

14

Levante

Jumilla

null

Monastrell

Bodegas Silvano Garcia

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Bodegas Silvano Garcia 2011 Viña Honda Monastrell (Jumilla)

Portugal

Beautifully balanced wine, showing slight age and maturity but also flavors of spice and orange marmalade. It has just the same balance between freshness and maturity as a 10-year old tawny, and gives as much pleasure.

10 Anos White

91

null

Port

null

Port

J. H. Andresen

null

US

Sweetly caramelized, smoky oak, with all of its vanilla and wood sap flavors, dominates this wine, although it does have a considerable framework of raspberries and cherries. Feels a bit one-dimensional, but it's a pretty Pinot Noir, from a good address.

null

87

38

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

La Rochelle

null

France

You can definitely detect the wood on this wine, but it is finely integrated with the creamy apricot and white fruit flavors. Acidity fits well into this ripe, easy and soft Chardonnay.

null

87

null

Burgundy

Mâcon-Villages

null

Chardonnay

Louis Jadot

null

US

This beloved annual bottling by Randall Grahm blends 39% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 2% Cinsaut to create a very savory, Old World-style expression, with aromas of roasted game, pencil shavings, dried red fruits and blood. The palate is very iron-rich and rustic, with uncrushed black peppercorns and raw and dried meat flavors.

Le Cigare Volant Reserve

92

60

California

Central Coast

Rhône-style Red Blend

Bonny Doon

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Bonny Doon 2012 Le Cigare Volant Reserve Red (Central Coast)

Austria

A beautifully rich wine, packed with pear juice and light acidity. The soft texture balances well with ripe green plum flavors and a final creamy character.

Hohenberg

89

21

Wagram-Donauland

null

Grüner Veltliner

Josef Ehmoser

null

Italy

The 2004 Solaia is dense and concentrated with loads of character and defining aromatics: plump blackberry, chocolate fudge, exotic spice, peppercorn and smooth balsam notes. The real pleasure comes in the mouth where it delivers smooth elegance and an extra long finish.

Solaia

96

170

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Marchesi Antinori

null

Marchesi Antinori 2004 Solaia Red (Toscana)

France

One of a range of wines produced by the Bordeaux-based Despagne family, this is a blend of Bordeaux grape varieties. It's attractive and fruity, with crisp red currant notes and a refreshing layer of acidity. Drink now.

Le Mythe d'Amphorie

87

20

France Other

Vin de France

null

Rosé

Vignobles Despagne

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Vignobles Despagne 2016 Le Mythe d'Amphorie Rosé (Vin de France)

US

With no oak but aged in stainless steel on the lees, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc is bone dry and crisp in acidity. It offers vibrant flavors of lemons, grapefruits and limes, with a touch of sweet honey on the finish.

null

87

20

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sauvignon Blanc

Titus

null

Titus 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

New Zealand

This is a lightweight, supple Pinot Noir that should be consumed over the next year or so, as the modest cherry fruit is already starting to decay and head toward root vegetables.

null

84

16

Waipara

null

Pinot Noir

Saveé Sea

null

Italy

Here's a clean and bright interpretation of Barbera d'Asti Superiore with intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, wet earth and tobacco. The wine is chewy, dense and bright in the mouth and could be paired with lamb or beef.

Caranti

88

null

Piedmont

Barbera d'Asti Superiore

null

Barbera

Cascina Garitina

null

US

This winery is one of the region's bright spots, in this case offering expertly layered touches of vanilla, caramel, cappuccino, blueberry and a touch of oregano in the blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. Cocoa nibs, coffee, black cherry, dill, bay leaf and black olive pop on the palate, where the lingering acidity ensures aging potential.

33 Degrees North BDX Gracie Hill Vineyard

90

33

California

South Coast

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Fallbrook

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Fallbrook 2012 33 Degrees North BDX Gracie Hill Vineyard Red (South Coast)

France

Ripe and smooth, this rich wine has enough fruitiness and acidity to give a crisper edge, although it is more about a warm, spicy character. Drink now.

null

85

20

Burgundy

Saint-Véran

null

Chardonnay

Domaine de la Denante

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine de la Denante 2014 Saint-Véran

Spain

This is a modern Tempranillo with big berry fruit aromas offset by baking spice scents and earthiness. The palate feels bold and punchy, with round but present tannins and ripe flavors of baked blackberry, chocolate and mild spice. Drink this friendly, fruity, elevated wine through 2016.

Más le Leda

89

20

Northern Spain

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León

null

Tempranillo

Bodegas Leda

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Bodegas Leda 2009 Más le Leda Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León)

US

This tasty, well-balanced wine is oaky in style, with lightly smoky and buttery nuances and generous apple and lemon flavors. It's medium bodied and smooth but lively in texture and has a light, buttery finish.

null

89

15

California

California Other

Chardonnay

Emerald Hare

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Emerald Hare 2015 Chardonnay (California)

US

Barrel aromas of vanilla, cocoa and coconut are at the fore. The black-fruit and barrel flavors provide a lot of appeal.

null

90

34

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Franc

Coeur d'Alene

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Coeur d'Alene 2013 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

While this is supple and rich with loads of sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit, the penetrating minerality and a swathe of fresh flower and herb add depth and grace to this lovely Merlot. The tannins are still quite taut, yet they're ripe in nature. It drinks deliciously now, but it's structured enough to improve over the next five years.

null

90

24

New York

North Fork of Long Island

Long Island

Merlot

Paumanok

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Paumanok 2007 Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)

Italy

Costa Grimaldi is a spectacular wine that surprises with every sip thanks to its intensity and the extraordinary quality of its mouthfeel. Initially, the wine is soft and yielding with tones of red cherry, chocolate, cola, licorice and mineral. It grows even more opulent and velvety in the mouth thanks to its fine texture and tannins. Keep this wine in your cellar ten years plus.

Costa Grimaldi

96

70

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Poderi Luigi Einaudi

null

France

This stalky and fruity wine has fresh red-currant flavors that are backed up by dry tannins. It is a light wine, as much fruit as texture, and is likely to age quickly. Drink from 2017.

null

86

16

Bordeaux

Fronsac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Hauchat

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Hauchat 2013 Fronsac

US

This herbal, tannic Syrah is a serviceable bottle that would be especially good with a simple flank steak. Scents are a mix of grape blossom, cherry and coffee. The wine is solid and one dimensional and finishes with a strong herbal streak.

null

84

20

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Maryhill

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Maryhill 2005 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

The grapes come mainly from the Rancho Santa Rosa vineyard, which is a great one, source to many top-scoring Chardonnays over the years. The wine is brisk, tart and clean, with rich, dramatic flavors of pineapple, lime, honeysuckle and buttered toast. Really elegant and wonderful, and should blossom through early 2012.

Cuvée Diana

94

36

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Longoria

null

Australia

Shows strong butterscotch aromas and flavors, dominating the citrusy fruit and leaving a slightly oily impression on the anise-tinged finish.

null

84

28

Western Australia

Pemberton

null

Chardonnay

Picardy

null

US

Strongly flavored with smoky, charred oak, the smoke, coffee and espresso flavors ride roughshod over the pretty raspberry and red currant fruit. The poor fruit is overwhelmed; the winemaking seems better suited to bigger, riper, richer fruit.

null

86

23

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Lost River

null

France

Opulent and very minerally, this is deeply flavored and concentrated, with a lively, crisp edge. It's fruity while also having a textured finish that shows a structured, age-worthy side.

Les Referts Premier Cru

92

84

Burgundy

Puligny-Montrachet

null

Chardonnay

Domaine Vincent Girardin

null

US

Savory apples and pears mingle into lemon and bramble in this slightly earthy off-dry Riesling. Sunny tangerine acidity is easy but bright, leading a delicately sweet finish.

Castle Hill Vineyard

86

25

New York

Hudson River Region

New York Other

Riesling

Millbrook

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Millbrook 2015 Castle Hill Vineyard Riesling (Hudson River Region)

Croatia

The lavors of candied red cherry and flower are pleasant, but dusty herb notes distract on the nose and palate. It's a big wine at 13.9% abv, but zesty acidity keeps it relatively balanced.

Plavac Mali and Zinfandel

83

21

Peljesac

null

Rosé

Korta Katarina

null

US

Creamy and oaky, with butterscotch and pear notes, but heavy and a bit unripe, with vegetal notes.

null

82

20

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Ca' Momi

null

Ca' Momi 2007 Chardonnay (Sonoma County)

US

This is high in alcohol, but it will easily pair with barbecue. It's made from fruit grown in the warm Larner Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley as well as from the cool Lafond Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. Rich, dry and complex, it offers brisk, citrusy acidity to offset the ripe blackberry, currant and sandalwood flavors.

null

90

28

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Syrah

Transcendence

null

Transcendence 2009 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Argentina

Jammy blueberry and boysenberry aromas include graphite and ink notes. This feels jammy to the point of being sluggish and heavy. Syrupy but not sweet flavors of herbal black fruits finish with a lasting gamy note.

Q

88

20

Mendoza Province

Valle de Uco

null

Malbec

Zuccardi

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Zuccardi 2013 Q Malbec (Valle de Uco)

US

I love this wine for its acidic dryness, which is Sauvignon Blanc's first duty. The wine has a refreshing tartness, relieved by rich lime zest and green apple flavors, with a scour of grapefruit. With no oak at all, it's one classy sipper.

null

90

20

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sauvignon Blanc

Hall

null

US

Smells a bit underripe, with a whiff of fresh asparagus, and richness is missing in the mouth. The flavors are of citrus fruits, lees, oak and fresh herbs. Nicely dry and crisp, but rather lean.

Arcadia Vineyard

86

50

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Chardonnay

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

null

Italy

This medium-bodied and elegant Pinot Bianco boasts fragrances of white spring flowers, green apple and flint that carry over to the savory palate. The juicy fruit is supported by fresh acidity that leaves a clean crisp finish, making this extremely food friendly. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.

null

90

18

Northeastern Italy

Alto Adige

null

Pinot Bianco

Erste Neue

null

Austria

A soft, light-footed entry is followed by extracted, yet still finely-knit tannins—presently, black cherry fruit is hidden behind them, but a juicy acidity promises they will come to the surface before long.

Goldberg

89

null

Burgenland

null

St. Laurent

Birgit Braunstein

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Birgit Braunstein 2011 Goldberg St. Laurent (Burgenland)

Chile

Nice and aromatic, with cola, tobacco, fallen dried leaves and dark fruits. The palate has some scratch and acidity to it, but the flavors are good and lively, with a focus on dark plum and cherry. A bit more acidic than I like, but still healthy and very nice for varietal Carmenère.

Marques de Casa Concha

88

22

Peumo

null

Carmenère

Concha y Toro

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Concha y Toro 2008 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère (Peumo)

Spain

No Time is the name but unfortunately there's no substance and no richness. As a whole, this Garnacha smells of bramble and pickle, while the palate is fresh and bouncy but sour.

Garnacha Cepas Viejas

81

11

Northern Spain

Navarra

null

Garnacha

No Time

null

Italy

Made with 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with aromas of acacia flower, orchard fruit and Alpine herb. The juicy palate delivers white peach, yellow apple and a hint of lemon alongside fresh acidity.

Terlaner Classico

89

28

Northeastern Italy

Alto Adige

null

White Blend

Terlan

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Terlan 2015 Terlaner Classico White (Alto Adige)

Italy

This ripe wine opens with aromas of stewed black fruit, underbrush, prune, and a just whiff of farmyard. The palate reveals nearly overripe black cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside bracing, astringent tannins.

null

88

78

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Lisini

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Lisini 2009 Brunello di Montalcino

US

A bit disappointing on the nose; pickle barrel and onion are supported by moderate spice. This is a dark, extracted wine with dusty tannins and a lean feel. Cherry/berry fruit flavors are shy as they compete with tomato, spice and onion before finishing metallic.

Reserve

83

22

New York

The Hamptons, Long Island

Long Island

Merlot

Wölffer

null