spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

country stringclasses 49 values	description stringlengths 18 829	designation stringlengths 1 95 ⌀	points int64 80 100	price float64 4 2.5k ⌀	province stringclasses 478 values	region_1 stringlengths 3 50 ⌀	region_2 stringclasses 18 values	variety stringclasses 726 values	winery stringlengths 1 54	taster_name stringclasses 19 values	taster_twitter_handle stringclasses 15 values	title stringlengths 12 135 ⌀
US	Mouthwatering acidity and streamlined flavors of green grass, Meyer lemon and grapefruit mark this dry Sauvignon Blanc. It's a versatile wine to drink now with everything from Asian-fusion fare to a simple roasted chicken.	Five Clones	87	27	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Sauvignon Blanc	Worthy	null	null	null
Chile	Pithy and peachy on the nose, and not nearly as zesty smelling as it is in the mouth, where angular, crisp acids push flavors of citrus and passionfruit. Zesty with a ton of kick, and very much in the Leyda mold of being oceanic and full of passionfruit. Mature but not fading; drink before summer 2011.	Medalla Real Single Estate	89	20	Leyda Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Santa Rita	null	null	null
US	Fox Run's Geology Series is a rare opportunity to taste wine sourced from a single vineyard site but vinified three ways. The Riesling 12, inoculated with commercial yeast, is extravagantly musky and floral with an intoxicating spice note that penetrates throughout. Semi sweet in style, it dances on the palate with concentrated flavors of peach and apricot, along with a piercing lemon acidity.	Riesling 12 Hanging Delta Vineyard	90	25	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Fox Run	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Fox Run 2011 Riesling 12 Hanging Delta Vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes)
US	Edna Valley's cool maritime climate has led to a sharply acidic wine, intense and pure in Meyer lemon, ripe fig, Key lime pie and peppery guava flavors. The wine is dry and intensely fruity. A beautiful cocktail wine.	Paragon Vineyard	89	13	California	Edna Valley	Central Coast	Sauvignon Blanc	Baileyana	null	null	null
France	This is a crisp, lightly wooded wine. Tangy texture and mineral acidity are part of the lively character of this still young, zesty bottling. Drink from 2018.	En Près Forêt	87	22	Burgundy	Mâcon-Loché	null	Chardonnay	Clos des Rocs	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Clos des Rocs 2016 En Près Forêt (Mâcon-Loché)
US	A smooth and silky Zinfandel with a great nose of subtle spice, its fruit hiding in the background, Oakland-based Mikami coaxes good things out of its Lodi grapes, from structure and jam to a vanilla-laced finish.	null	88	39	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Zinfandel	Mikami Vineyards	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Mikami Vineyards 2010 Zinfandel (Lodi)
US	A firm, young, compact, nicely sculpted wine, this shows pinpoint fruit flavors of quince and pear. There are subtle highlights of gin-like botanicals, and the flavors penetrate clean and clear all the way through a lingering finish.	null	90	35	Oregon	Applegate Valley	Southern Oregon	Viognier	Cowhorn	null	null	null
US	This has a soft core that's framed by citrusy acids, with an oxidative apple flavor that starts out with full steam, but loses some momentum on the midpalate. Try pairing this with crab cakes with a mild celeriac remoulade.	Estate Bottled Dry	84	16	New Jersey	New Jersey	null	Riesling	Unionville	null	null	null
Chile	Modest apple aromas are a bit sweaty. This feels standard, with acidic lift. Flavors of apple, peach and nectarine are jumpy and citric, while the finish is zesty and citrusy in feel but short on flavor and complexity.	Canto de Piedra Reserva	84	13	Limarí Valley	null	null	Chardonnay	Sutil	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Sutil 2012 Canto de Piedra Reserva Chardonnay (Limarí Valley)
US	Much in the style of Leonetti Cabernet, with the richness of Napa Valley fruit, this deeply satisfying, superripe wine is 100% varietal. Notes of cassis, fig and a hint of prune are swathed in deeper flavors of espresso and dark chocolate.	Champoux & Loess Vineyards Reserve	95	100	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Cabernet Sauvignon	Boudreaux Cellars	null	null	null
Italy	Winemaker Gaetano Bertani has shaped a sophisticated expression of Chardonnay with thick notes of honey and toast achieved with eight months of oak aging. The wine is soft and creamy but has the right level of acidity to keep it pleasantly refreshing and enduring.	Torre Pieve	90	37	Veneto	Veneto	null	Chardonnay	Tenuta Santa Maria	null	null	null
US	A spectacular Merlot that could help resurrect this variety's reputation. It's as complex as anything from Napa, but is softer and more accessible than a Cabernet Sauvignon, which constitutes 8% of the blend. Shows ripe flavors of red cherry pie filling, raspberries and cola, almost like a Pinot Noir, except for the black currants that must come from the Cab, and of course the tannins, which are rich and fine. Simply gorgeous and compelling. now–2013.	null	93	45	California	St. Helena	Napa	Merlot	Ehlers Estate	null	null	Ehlers Estate 2007 Merlot (St. Helena)
France	One of the many properties in Moulis with Poujeaux in its name, this estate has produced a classic, elegant wine, its Cabernet Sauvignon element providing a delicious black currant flavor, rounded out by the Merlot. Firm tannins still point the wine in the direction of aging, so give it four years and more.	null	90	70	Bordeaux	Moulis-en-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château la Gravière Grand Poujeaux	null	null	null
Argentina	Light on the nose, it feels tangy in the mouth, with sharp flavors of mustard, brine and lime. This finishes with a pickled flavor.	Reserve	81	11	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Chardonnay	Trivento	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Trivento 2011 Reserve Chardonnay (Mendoza)
Chile	Lively, rich and complete. There's a lot of wine here for under $10, and the assumption in these parts is that it has everything the average consumer is looking for. Boysenberry, blackberry and cassis flavors are lively yet round, while the finish is saturated and thorough. A full-strength red at a great price. Imported by Prestige Wine Group.	Casa La Joya Reserve	89	9	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Viña Bisquertt	null	null	null
France	This is a small property under the same ownership as Château Paloumey. It is unusual in the 20% Petit Verdot that goes into the blend. That gives the wine its deep color and rich generous black-plum fruit. Solid and dense, the wine will age well. Drink from 2020.	null	91	25	Bordeaux	Moulis-en-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château La Garricq	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château La Garricq 2014 Moulis-en-Médoc
US	Inman has not offered much Chardonnay before, but this one is highly distinctive, light as a feather, floral, crisp and citrusy, basking in Chablis-like, wet stone minerality. Those looking for butter and oak should travel elsewhere; at a preposterously unheard of 11.6% alcohol, this wine offers silky, subtle intrigue.	null	90	35	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Inman Family	null	null	null
France	Very concentrated and closed up, like a coil. The intense green fruit is followed by plum skins. Crispness, dry but fresh, comes alongside a powerful explosion of flavors.	Domaine Long-Depaquit Vaudésirs Grand Cru	92	65	Burgundy	Chablis	null	Chardonnay	Albert Bichot	null	null	null
France	Very dense, this wine has some bitter extract and layers of wood that give it a very firm structure. While there is acidity, the wine also has a dark character that is hard and powerful. It is likely always to be a solid wine. Drink from 2020.	null	92	null	Burgundy	Grands-Echezeaux	null	Pinot Noir	Henri de Villamont	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Henri de Villamont 2012 Grands-Echezeaux
US	Hard to beat this Pinot when it comes to richness. It's so sumptuous and opulent, offering a flood of cherries, raspberries, currants, cola, pomegranates and smoky, spicy sandalwood, folded into a silky texture. Yet it never loses a sense of elegance. Now–2012.	Brosseau	92	42	California	Chalone	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Roessler	null	null	Roessler 2007 Brosseau Pinot Noir (Chalone)
Italy	This light Arneis initially showed a fair amount of sulfur, which blew off with time. Underneath, it revealed some summer fruit flavors and vanilla, but also an odd nuance of wintergreen mint.	null	83	17	Piedmont	Langhe	null	Arneis	Cascina Bongiovanni	null	null	null
Italy	This fun and expressive sweet sparkling wine opens with fragrant tones of peach blossom and tangerine backed by almond paste and honey. The close is sticky and sweet.	Sparkling	83	9	Piedmont	Piedmont	null	Moscato	Bella Bollè	null	null	null
US	This is a Cabernet to drink now. It's soft and clean and pleasantly complex, with black cherry, currant, cola, spice and sandalwood flavors, and is thoroughly dry. It will go downhill quickly, though, so open on buying.	null	86	45	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Cass	null	null	null
US	This is a tightly-wound, toasty Cabernet Sauvignon, with black cherry and cassis, augmented with dark notes of charcoal, tar and espresso. It has medium length and palate weight, and will drink well through 2019–2020.	null	89	43	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Reininger	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Reininger 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
US	A lush, complex wine, based on Cabernet Sauvignon and including all of the classic Bordeaux varieties. It's softly tannic and slightly herbal in the Alexander Valley way, with savory black cherry, cherry liqueur, cocoa and oak flavors.	Symmetry	89	55	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Meritage	Rodney Strong	null	null	Rodney Strong 2010 Symmetry Meritage (Alexander Valley)
US	Aromas of bees wax and clover honey come with some volatility. The palate tastes a touch bitter and high pitched, and the acidity feels flat. A note of honey-infused breakfast tea surfaces on the palate.	null	82	24	Virginia	Virginia	null	Pinot Grigio	Doukénie	null	null	Doukénie 2011 Pinot Grigio (Virginia)
Spain	Mild citrus aromas of grapefruit are offset by bready, leesy, yeasty scents. This has a citric mouthfeel with the suggestion of lime. Flavors of orange peel and gooseberry finish briny, with a puply feel.	null	85	13	Northern Spain	Rueda	null	Verdejo	Castelo de Medina	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Castelo de Medina 2013 Verdejo (Rueda)
France	With a deep-pink color, this is a soft wine full of fruit. Well balanced between acidity, red fruits and ripeness, it's a delicious Champagne for apéritif drinking as well as with food. The bottling is ready to drink.	Brut Rosé	88	53	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Nicolas Feuillatte	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Nicolas Feuillatte NV Brut Rosé (Champagne)
US	Generous in blackberries, blueberries and cedar, with a pleasantly meaty, smoky edge. Quite fine in its own way, but a bit angular at this time. Blame it on immaturity, and give this young Cabernet at least five years to mellow out.	Montecillo Vineyard	90	48	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Keating	null	null	null
US	This wine starts out strongly reduced, making it a challenge to get at the pink grapefruit, lychee and spice aromas. The flavors drink just off dry, with high wire acidity. There are good things going on but the reduction is a challenge to overcome.	Dragonfly	87	25	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Gewürztraminer	Francis Tannahill	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Francis Tannahill 2011 Dragonfly Gewurztraminer (Washington)
US	Tastes young and vigorous and almost rude in youth, offering strong, extracted blackberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. The tannins have sharp elbows, and the oak is entirely unintegrated. Seems altogether immature. Give it a good five years in the cellar, and try again.	Mise en Place	89	49	California	Oakville	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Textbook	null	null	null
Spain	Lean, dry raspberry aromas and a slight floral essence carry the nose toward a zesty, semisharp palate with crisp cherry and cranberry flavors. Not bad in a lean, stripped-back way; but there's no excess oak, weight or sweetness. Lean stuff for old-school palates nursing plates of ham or salami.	Arderius	83	10	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo Blend	Bodegas Leza García	null	null	null
US	From the cool 2011 vintage, this wine brings notes of black tea, dark raspberries and herbs. It's tangy with lip-smacking plum and cranberry flavors backed by firm tannins.	Grenache 42	86	45	Oregon	Applegate Valley	Southern Oregon	Grenache	Cowhorn	null	null	null
US	Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it's a little scouring and rough, but it shows dry sparkling wine flavors of doughy yeast, strawberries, vanilla and toast.	Brut	88	27	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Sparkling Blend	Domaine Carneros	null	null	null
US	A chewy wine with tremendous extraction and flavor intensity, this has some Port-like qualities, and the flavors are tart-sweet, pruney, with nutty, almost bitter almond notes peeking through. Still young, it will be better in two years. Coses with a big, tooth-staining finish.	Chiotti Vineyard	88	22	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Rancho Zabaco	null	null	null
Slovenia	This blend is garnet colored with a hint of eucalyptus in the bouquet, opening up to aromas of black fruit, forest floor and freshly picked mushroom. Minerality abounds on the palate, with flavors of red berries and black plums.	Cuvée Morel	90	46	Goriska Brda	null	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Kabaj	Jeff Jenssen	@worldwineguys	Kabaj 2008 Cuvée Morel Red (Goriska Brda)
Italy	Riserva del Don is a fleshy, meaty wine with matching aromas of smoked bacon and cured beef. The tannins are polished and fine and the wine ends with a long fade of spice, smoke and leather.	Riserva del Don	87	30	Tuscany	Chianti Rufina	null	Sangiovese	Colognole	null	null	null
US	Cassis and black-cherry flavors are at the core of this pure Cabernet. It's tight and tannic, with accents of earth and ground coffee. It's definitely a wine that should be decanted well ahead of consuming.	Elerding Vineyard	89	30	Washington	Horse Heaven Hills	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Stottle	null	null	null
US	This Cabernet Sauvignon, with 11% Merlot added, offers intense ripeness and a plush texture of soft tannins. Rich blackberry jam and chocolate flavors are layered with soy and leather notes, benefitting from integrated oak.	Estate Grown	91	85	California	Stags Leap District	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Chimney Rock	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Chimney Rock 2014 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)
US	This 50-50 split of Zinfandel and Syrah is skunky and heavy, a toasty concoction of boysenberry and blackberry jam that finishes abruptly with an herbal afternote.	Dueling Pistols	83	41	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Red Blend	The Federalist	Virginie Boone	@vboone	The Federalist 2012 Dueling Pistols Red (Dry Creek Valley)
US	The wine tastes and feels important. It has great weight and depth. The tannins are extraordinarily thick, but ripe and smoothly sweet. And then there's the fruit, a detonation of blackberries, cherries, blueberries and cassis, not to mention the oak, which seems as fine as oak gets. This superb wine seems like an obvious cellar candidate. It should ride out the decade effortlessly.	Stagecoach Vineyard Synchrony	93	70	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Krupp Brothers	null	null	null
Spain	With so few Mallorcan wines on the market, Anima Negra operates in a vacuum. Thankfully the winery excels with this red made from the local Callet grape. Dry, light, spicy aromas of sandalwood, tobacco and cherry come in front of a medium-bodied, creamy and oaky palate. Flavors of ripe yet spicy cherry and plum finish with notes of wood smoke and baking spices. Drink this unique wine through 2024.	Àn	92	50	Spanish Islands	Vi de la Terra Mallorca	null	Red Blend	Ànima Negra	null	null	null
US	Succulent, dense and syrupy, this dessert Riesling brings a lush midpalate of honey, blossom, tea, candied citrus, butterscotch and more. It's loaded with flavor, just a little high-toned, and falls on the soft side for Washington dessert wines. But delicious? You bet!	Winter Harvest	88	30	Washington	Rattlesnake Hills	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Hyatt	null	null	null
US	Mostly stainless fermentation, with 30% done in neutral oak, yields a wine heavily scented with fresh-baked bread. It's smooth and light, the green apple fruit flavors yielding to a finish that tails off again to lingering scents of bread.	null	87	16	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Blanc	Grochau	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Grochau 2012 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley)
France	Dominated by Merlot at 90%, this is a smooth, rich and generous wine. It does have a tannic core, but that is surrounded by these velvet, ripe berry fruits and opulent texture. The wine is developing well and should be drunk from 2016.	La Chêneraie	89	55	Bordeaux	Fronsac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Jeandeman	null	null	null
Italy	Amarone producer Tommasi has produced this approachable blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet. The aromas are simple but direct, including cherry, spice and vanilla.	Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo	86	16	Tuscany	Maremma	null	Red Blend	Tommasi	null	null	null
Chile	Starts with intense black-fruit aromas and dark, smoky accents as well as baked berries, licorice and meat. In the mouth, it's a bit clumsy and amped up, with big tannins, extract and a mouthfeel that grabs. Flavors of berry fruit and mint are good, while the finish bounces toward a loud finish. Not what you'd call an elegant wine; it's more about ripeness, power and extract.	Terrunyo Rocahue Vineyard Block: 34	87	41	Peumo	null	null	Syrah	Concha y Toro	null	null	null
Italy	Barolo Arione is a mature expression of Barolo with strawberry and blackberry preserves backed by volatile aromas of green apple and old spice. The wine feels rich and thick in the mouth with a thick, chewy finish.	Arione	86	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Gigi Rosso	null	null	null
Argentina	Forward and simple, with red fruit and citrus on the nose. The palate is lean and light bodied, with tangy, dry red fruit flavors, orange and sour sucking candy. Quite tangy on the finish, and overall it achieves only a certain level of weight and prominence. No oak.	Reserva	83	11	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Pinot Noir	Nieto Senetiner	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Nieto Senetiner 2009 Reserva Pinot Noir (Mendoza)
US	Fans of big, soft, rich, high-alcohol Zins will rejoice with this epic bottling. The candied, pastry-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, plums, chocolate and red licorice are almost sweet, although the wine is probably dry, technically speaking.	Bacigalupi Vineyard	88	36	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	John Tyler	null	null	null
US	The oak sticks out with vanilla custard, brown sugar and buttered toast notes that currently dominate the underlying pineapple, white peach and green apple fruit flavors. Acidity is crisp and fine. This Chardonnay could benefit from a few years in the cellar.	Brosseau Vineyard	92	39	California	Chalone	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Testarossa	null	null	null
US	Aromatic with streaks of truffle, cigar and black cherry, this lively six-grape blend is principally Red Mountain fruit, along with some from Red Willow. Substantial and mouth-filling wine, it's nuanced with rich flavors of cassis, tar, graphite and chalk. It spent 18 months in barrel, 73% new.	The Dissident	92	32	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Red Blend	Mark Ryan	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Mark Ryan 2011 The Dissident Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	A brisk, likeable Chardonnay. It shows ripe flavors of pineapples, peaches, lemons and sweet limes, accented with crisp coastal acidity. A hint of oak adds pleasant notes of buttered toast and vanilla.	Reserve	86	14	California	Sonoma County-Santa Barbara County	California Other	Chardonnay	Angeline	null	null	null
France	La Gaffelière, now under the expert guidance of Saint-Emilion's guru Stéphane Derenoncourt, is producing serious wine. None more so than this firmly closed but powerful and dense 2006. Bitter chocolate and dark tannins come together to form a shell covering the weight of the fruit. It will probably always be firm, but the black currant fruit flavors will come through eventually—maybe in 5–7 years.	null	93	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château la Gaffelière	null	null	null
France	This is a wine for aging. The tannins are dense, very dry with a feel of extraction. It takes a while for the black currant fruit to show through, with acidity and freshness dominant. The wine is still settling, and time will bring the fruit into line with the tannins.	null	94	455	Bordeaux	Pauillac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Lafite Rothschild	null	null	null
France	Supple and fruity, this is bright with red fruits given a lift with spice. The wine is all about fruit with acidity to add a fresher character. Tannins are already integrating meaning the wine will be ready soon. Drink from 2016.	Tertre-Perdigous	87	16	Southwest France	Cahors	null	Malbec-Merlot	Château du Port	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château du Port 2013 Tertre-Perdigous Malbec-Merlot (Cahors)
US	Quite full bodied and obviously powerful in flavor, this wine is piled deep and rich with fruit aromas and flavors like ripe blackberries and blueberries plus chocolate and espresso. An impressive, astringent texture adds structure and makes it appetizing to drink, while the tannins seem to help the opulent flavors linger during the aftertaste.	Big River Ranch	93	40	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Bella	null	null	null
US	An ode to the founding fathers, this bottling is quite tight on the nose, with lime skin, lime blossom and Meyer-lemon juice aromas. The palate offers apple skins, crisp apple flesh, lemon-tinged butter, grapefruit zest and a shaving of vanilla.	null	86	18	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Chardonnay	The Federalist	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	The Federalist 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County)
US	As this tastes pineapple-sweet, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel, it is for Chardonnay drinkers who prefer the popular style. The wine is best served chilled with similarly rich, creamy food.	Reserve	84	20	California	Mendocino	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Chardonnay	Rock View	null	null	null
US	Done in a lighter style, and listed at under 13% alcohol, this is scented with sweet strawberries and tastes like them also, with a soft core of fruit and very gentle tannins. Light streaks of sassafras and chocolate wrap it up.	Paciência Estate	89	42	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Coelho	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Coelho 2008 Paciência Estate Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
Austria	Brambly wine, with hedgerow red fruits and bitter black cherries. It's very floral, crisp, the tannins suggesting some aging potential. To finish, the acidity is fresh and lively.	Reserve	88	60	Burgenland	null	null	Pinot Noir	Pittnauer	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Pittnauer 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir (Burgenland)
US	The percentage of Grenache has been bumped up in Rôtie's second vintage, now at 70%, with the rest an even split between Syrah and Mourvèdre. Soft and spicy scents are laced with a mix of rock and vanilla. This nicely structured yet approachable wine might be mistaken for a Washington take on Priorat. The underlying minerality gives the light, plummy fruit a solid footing, and extends the length considerably.	Southern Blend Red	91	35	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Red Blend	Rôtie Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Rôtie Cellars 2008 Southern Blend Red Red (Washington)
US	While creamy and voluminous, this full-bodied Chardonnay boasts fresh green plum and apple flavors brightened by sunny lemon acidity. Streaks of vanilla, toast and spice are bold yet well integrated. It finishes moderately long with notes of dried herbs.	Barrel Fermented	88	18	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Chardonnay	Damiani	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Damiani 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)
France	The wine is named after a raspberry plantation, and that's what it tastes like. Small wild fruit, with their extra taste of ripe flesh, are in the glass along with delicious acidity. The tannins and the wood are all at the service of the fruit.	La Framboisière	91	33	Burgundy	Mercurey	null	Pinot Noir	Faiveley	null	null	null
US	Made in a tart, citrusy style, like an elegant Chablis, this rich, balanced Chardonnay shows candied flavors of pineapples, lemon custard, Key lime pie and stony minerals. Brisk acidity provides a keen, bracing balance.	Signature	92	43	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Chardonnay	Darioush	null	null	Darioush 2008 Signature Chardonnay (Napa Valley)
Italy	Brachetto is an easy dessert wine with a mild ruby color and intense aromas of raspberry and blueberry. The wine is exceedingly simple and straightforward with loads of fresh berry fruit, bitter almond, and not much else.	null	83	13	Piedmont	Piedmont	null	Brachetto	Prima Mazzo	null	null	null
US	At David Hill, the Winemakers Cuvée is a cut above the reserve. It's a muscular blend of scents and flavors of lavender, cherry and chocolate wrapped into a firm, focused finish.	Winemakers Cuvée	90	50	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	David Hill	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	David Hill 2012 Winemakers Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
France	Soft, round and balanced, this ripe wine is ready to drink. It's led by the cherry and black currant flavors, with dryness that comes from the soft tannins.	null	86	8	Bordeaux	Bordeaux Supérieur	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Moulin de Beauséjour	null	null	null
Spain	Ripe black fruit aromas aren't overly complex or nuanced but they are generous. Feels tight, gritty and healthy, with firm tannins in front of black cherry and blackberry flavors. Mellows on the finish, where plum and prune flavors take over. Not a hard, fierce Priorat; drink now through 2014.	Coraje	90	44	Catalonia	Priorat	null	Red Blend	Fuentes	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Fuentes 2008 Coraje Red (Priorat)
US	A 100% varietal wine, this is dry and in balance, made in a bigger fuller style that presents as lush and plush on the palate. Apricot and peach offer a ripe succulence of fruit as a touch of oak integrates well into the background.	null	91	32	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Viognier	Stags' Leap Winery	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Stags' Leap Winery 2016 Viognier (Napa Valley)
France	96-98 Barrel sample. An impressive wine, a true return to form for Cheval Blanc. The fruit is enormous, packed with sweet black berry juice, and with a brilliant freshness. There is a lovely smoky character, topped by ripe figs.	Barrel sample	97	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Cheval Blanc	null	null	null
US	Good old Navarro is outdoing itself with the 2013 and 2014 Pinot Noirs. In this one, vivid black-cherry aromas, tangy but deep cherry and cranberry flavors, and a nice, firm and appropriately tannic texture add up to a concentrated and nicely proportioned wine. It has the flavor oomph to pair with something as big as a roast, and the tangy texture to dissolve the richest salmon.	Methode a l'Ancienne	93	32	California	Anderson Valley	null	Pinot Noir	Navarro	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Navarro 2014 Methode a l'Ancienne Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
US	They kept this Cab back all this time, presumably at some cost to the company, but consumers are the beneficiaries. Everything has mellowed. The wine, with 1% Petit Verdot, is like hands of cassis, dark chocolate and oak massaging the palate. The grapes were sourced from top vineyards in the Dry Creek, Sonoma and Alexander Valleys. Drink now–2010.	null	93	50	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Arrowood	null	null	Arrowood 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
Portugal	A medium-dry Vinho Verde, this is light and fresh without being quite crisp enough. Well chilled, though, it makes a lively and fresh apéritif.	Aliança	85	7	Vinho Verde	null	null	Portuguese White	Caves Aliança	null	null	null
Australia	Your basic South Eastern Australia Shiraz here, with raspberry and black cherry aromas that give way to a smooth palate with medium acidity. Short, earthy finish. Drink up.	Circle Collection	83	10	Australia Other	South Eastern Australia	null	Shiraz	Jindalee	null	null	null
France	From vines planted in the Tour Bourdon plot in 1940, this concentrated wine is ripe and rich while still shot through with red-currant acidity. Its tannins come from the low-yielding vines, giving a firm edge. The aftertaste is all about fresher red fruits. Jean-Michel Dupré is a member of Terroirs Originels—17 producers on the hills of Beaujolais and Burgundy's Mâcon.	Vignes de 1940	90	17	Beaujolais	Beaujolais-Villages	null	Gamay	Domaine Dupré	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Dupré 2014 Vignes de 1940 (Beaujolais-Villages)
Portugal	A light, bright and fresh wine, the epitome of a fruity rosé, this is made from Moscatel Roxo, a pink-skinned grape. It has plenty of lively acidity, a lightly perfumed character and a final burst of red fruits.	Colecção Privada Roxo	86	null	Península de Setúbal	null	null	Rosé	José Maria da Fonseca	Roger Voss	@vossroger	José Maria da Fonseca 2014 Colecção Privada Roxo Rosé (Península de Setúbal)
US	Very dry, tart and brittle, this Pinot, from a famous old vineyard that pioneered the Napa side of Carneros, isn't very lush right now. The cherryskin flavors are more bitter and tannic than you expect from most Pinot Noirs. Really needs lamb, steak or similar rich fare to wake it up.	St. Clair Vineyard	87	75	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Acacia	null	null	Acacia 2006 St. Clair Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros)
US	This is a solid Pinot, ripe in raspberries and cherries, with fine coastal acidity and firm tannins. It has a silky mouthfeel the way Pinot Noir should.	null	87	45	California	Anderson Valley	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Pinot Noir	Jim Ball	null	null	null
Spain	Heavy aromas of orange marmalade and honey come across as unconvincing. The palate follows suit with bland, soft, chubby cantaloupe and green melon flavors. Finishes soft and dilute; seems like it's already dying in the bottle.	null	83	13	Northern Spain	Rueda	null	Verdejo	Vega Murillo	null	null	null
Italy	This structured Nebbiolo delivers classic sensations of dark cherry, clove, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel. Vibrant, with fresh acidity balanced by silky-smooth tannins, it's ready to be enjoyed now.	Marghe	90	23	Piedmont	Langhe	null	Nebbiolo	Damilano	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Damilano 2012 Marghe Nebbiolo (Langhe)
Italy	Here's a bright Friulano with a luminous golden color and intense aromas of honey, peach and passion fruit. The wine tastes soft and supple in the mouth and delivers loads of fruity peach flavors on the close. What's nice about this wine is that it delivers high structure and lively fruit fragrances at the same time.	null	88	18	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	Friulano	Vigna Traverso	null	null	null
Italy	structured wine, it's loaded with sensations of juicy nectarine, grapefruit, ripe peach and mineral. Racy acidity adds balance and the lingering finish ends on an almond note.	null	90	19	Southern Italy	Greco di Tufo	null	Greco	D'Antiche Terre	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	D'Antiche Terre 2012 Greco di Tufo
US	A winning nose offers aromas of créme brulée, smoked bacon, pears, peaches and toasty vanilla that just keep coming on in this stylish, full wine. The palate shows similar flavors. The big mouthfeel continues on the long, slightly sweet finish with its toasty, smoky oak. Strong already, but it should be even better in six months. From the maker of the fine affordable and widely available Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay. Top Value.	Bench Break Vineyard	91	30	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Cambria	null	null	null
Italy	Fruity and fresh, this opens with aromas of tilled earth, wild berry and cassis. The fresh, spicy palate doles out black cherry, white pepper, clove and a hint of green tea alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2017.	null	90	23	Northeastern Italy	Alto Adige	null	Lagrein	Muri-Gries	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Muri-Gries 2013 Lagrein (Alto Adige)
Australia	A robust blend of sweet and savory, d'Arenberg's 2008 Love Grass Shiraz is full-bodied and round in the mouth, featuring smoky, meaty and blackberry notes and a mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2015.	The Love Grass	89	19	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Shiraz	D'Arenberg	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	D'Arenberg 2008 The Love Grass Shiraz (McLaren Vale)
US	A nice, everyday Pinot, with a properly silky texture. The cherry, cola, red licorice and bacon flavors are satisfyingly rich, with elaborate oak overtones. It's a pretty good value in an under-$20 Pinot Noir.	Reserve	86	18	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Castle Rock	null	null	null
Italy	Delicate black-skinned berry and baking spice scents lift out of the glass. The dense, ripe palate offers dried black cherry, white pepper and leather notes, framed by mature tannins. Drink through 2021.	Riserva	89	100	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Brunelli Martoccia	null	null	null
Australia	Nutty, peachy aromas; similar flavors, plus flashes of white pepper, come through on the palate. Wide and soft but not full, easy but not profound. Imported by Foster's Wine Estates Americas.	Hill of Gold	86	13	New South Wales	Mudgee	null	Chardonnay	Rosemount	null	null	null
Italy	This offers an excellent opportunity to taste Sardinia's Torbato grape. The flavors are inviting and intense, including yellow fruit, nuts, roasted chestnuts and honey. Bottom line: It's a wine with loads of personality.	Terre Bianche	87	22	Sicily & Sardinia	Alghero	null	Torbato	Sella & Mosca	null	null	null
Spain	Gritty, granular, medicinal aromas smell reedy and like crushed vitamins. A choppy palate and flavors of plum, grape juice and raspberry end with cutting tannins and the essence of raspberry.	Conde Valdemar	87	24	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Garnacha	Bodegas Valdemar	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Bodegas Valdemar 2012 Conde Valdemar (Rioja)
France	With light spiciness, this is a full-bodied wine, dominated by tropical fruits. It is rich, rounded, soft, with touches of honey.	null	87	18	Alsace	Alsace	null	Pinot Gris	Jean Albrecht	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Jean Albrecht 2010 Pinot Gris (Alsace)
US	There's lots of mouthwatering acidity in this bone-dry Pinot Noir, with an ample supply of ripe fruit in the form of raspberries and cherries. There's also something wonderfully earthy, like roasted mushrooms splashed with balsamic and tamari sauce. The cool 2010 vintage was kind to Bacigalupi Vineyard, which can produce overripe wines in hot years.	Bacigalupi Vineyard	92	39	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Von Holt	null	null	null
Spain	Ripe and round, with blackberry and bacon aromas. Quite modern and full for a 2002, one of Rioja's most challenging vintages in a while. Shows full berry flavors with ample oak and a touch of tannin. Finishes with mocha and spice.	Selección	89	40	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo Blend	Alabanza	null	null	null
Italy	This gorgeous wine bursts open with loads of ripe fruit, blackberry, tar, asphalt and pipe tobacco. It's a thick, velvety expression with a high caliber of concentration and intensity that would pair with roast lamb or barbecue pork chops. Age 5–7 more years.	Opi Riserva	91	37	Central Italy	Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane	null	Montepulciano	Farnese	null	null	null
US	A well-water funk on the nose and on the palate overrides the floral character of this Finger Lakes Riesling. Some nice acidity and finish but the major flavor here is hard to love.	Homestead Reserve	81	18	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards	null	null	null
Portugal	With its ripe tannins and soft, juicy black fruit, this is an immediately drinkable wine. It has a crisp layer of acidity, giving it a light touch. Drink now.	Vinha Maria Premium	86	9	Dão	null	null	Portuguese Red	Global Wines	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Global Wines 2015 Vinha Maria Premium Red (Dão)
Germany	With its pure, clean scents and flavors of green apple, lime and mineral, slightly creamy texture and long, mouthwatering finish, this nearly dry Riesling offers a lot to like. No, it's not that complex, but it is admirably concentrated and eminently satisfying. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.	Trocken	87	15	Rheinhessen	null	null	Riesling	Köster-Wolf	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Köster-Wolf 2006 Trocken Riesling (Rheinhessen)
US	This majority Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, is elegant in sandalwood and cedar, offering a taste of cassis and dried herb atop integrated yet sizable tannins. French oak, half of it new, encased the wine for a little more than two years, adding to its power and structure. Drink now through 2021.	Red	92	75	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Merlot-Cabernet	Vellum	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Vellum 2011 Red Merlot-Cabernet (Napa Valley)
US	You'll find this Pinot Noir drier, earthier, tarter and even more tannic than most coastal bottlings. It has flavors of cherry skins, black raspberries, cola, peppery spices and herbs. Drink now–2010.	null	87	30	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Pinot Noir	Clos du Val	null	null	null

US

Mouthwatering acidity and streamlined flavors of green grass, Meyer lemon and grapefruit mark this dry Sauvignon Blanc. It's a versatile wine to drink now with everything from Asian-fusion fare to a simple roasted chicken.

Five Clones

87

27

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Sauvignon Blanc

Worthy

null

Chile

Pithy and peachy on the nose, and not nearly as zesty smelling as it is in the mouth, where angular, crisp acids push flavors of citrus and passionfruit. Zesty with a ton of kick, and very much in the Leyda mold of being oceanic and full of passionfruit. Mature but not fading; drink before summer 2011.

Medalla Real Single Estate

89

20

Leyda Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Santa Rita

null

US

Fox Run's Geology Series is a rare opportunity to taste wine sourced from a single vineyard site but vinified three ways. The Riesling 12, inoculated with commercial yeast, is extravagantly musky and floral with an intoxicating spice note that penetrates throughout. Semi sweet in style, it dances on the palate with concentrated flavors of peach and apricot, along with a piercing lemon acidity.

Riesling 12 Hanging Delta Vineyard

90

25

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Fox Run

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Fox Run 2011 Riesling 12 Hanging Delta Vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes)

US

Edna Valley's cool maritime climate has led to a sharply acidic wine, intense and pure in Meyer lemon, ripe fig, Key lime pie and peppery guava flavors. The wine is dry and intensely fruity. A beautiful cocktail wine.

Paragon Vineyard

89

13

California

Edna Valley

Central Coast

Sauvignon Blanc

Baileyana

null

France

This is a crisp, lightly wooded wine. Tangy texture and mineral acidity are part of the lively character of this still young, zesty bottling. Drink from 2018.

En Près Forêt

87

22

Burgundy

Mâcon-Loché

null

Chardonnay

Clos des Rocs

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Clos des Rocs 2016 En Près Forêt (Mâcon-Loché)

US

A smooth and silky Zinfandel with a great nose of subtle spice, its fruit hiding in the background, Oakland-based Mikami coaxes good things out of its Lodi grapes, from structure and jam to a vanilla-laced finish.

null

88

39

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Zinfandel

Mikami Vineyards

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Mikami Vineyards 2010 Zinfandel (Lodi)

US

A firm, young, compact, nicely sculpted wine, this shows pinpoint fruit flavors of quince and pear. There are subtle highlights of gin-like botanicals, and the flavors penetrate clean and clear all the way through a lingering finish.

null

90

35

Oregon

Applegate Valley

Southern Oregon

Viognier

Cowhorn

null

US

This has a soft core that's framed by citrusy acids, with an oxidative apple flavor that starts out with full steam, but loses some momentum on the midpalate. Try pairing this with crab cakes with a mild celeriac remoulade.

Estate Bottled Dry

84

16

New Jersey

null

Riesling

Unionville

null

Chile

Modest apple aromas are a bit sweaty. This feels standard, with acidic lift. Flavors of apple, peach and nectarine are jumpy and citric, while the finish is zesty and citrusy in feel but short on flavor and complexity.

Canto de Piedra Reserva

84

13

Limarí Valley

null

Chardonnay

Sutil

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Sutil 2012 Canto de Piedra Reserva Chardonnay (Limarí Valley)

US

Much in the style of Leonetti Cabernet, with the richness of Napa Valley fruit, this deeply satisfying, superripe wine is 100% varietal. Notes of cassis, fig and a hint of prune are swathed in deeper flavors of espresso and dark chocolate.

Champoux & Loess Vineyards Reserve

95

100

Washington

Washington Other

Cabernet Sauvignon

Boudreaux Cellars

null

Italy

Winemaker Gaetano Bertani has shaped a sophisticated expression of Chardonnay with thick notes of honey and toast achieved with eight months of oak aging. The wine is soft and creamy but has the right level of acidity to keep it pleasantly refreshing and enduring.

Torre Pieve

90

37

Veneto

null

Chardonnay

Tenuta Santa Maria

null

US

A spectacular Merlot that could help resurrect this variety's reputation. It's as complex as anything from Napa, but is softer and more accessible than a Cabernet Sauvignon, which constitutes 8% of the blend. Shows ripe flavors of red cherry pie filling, raspberries and cola, almost like a Pinot Noir, except for the black currants that must come from the Cab, and of course the tannins, which are rich and fine. Simply gorgeous and compelling. now–2013.

null

93

45

California

St. Helena

Napa

Merlot

Ehlers Estate

null

Ehlers Estate 2007 Merlot (St. Helena)

France

One of the many properties in Moulis with Poujeaux in its name, this estate has produced a classic, elegant wine, its Cabernet Sauvignon element providing a delicious black currant flavor, rounded out by the Merlot. Firm tannins still point the wine in the direction of aging, so give it four years and more.

null

90

70

Bordeaux

Moulis-en-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château la Gravière Grand Poujeaux

null

Argentina

Light on the nose, it feels tangy in the mouth, with sharp flavors of mustard, brine and lime. This finishes with a pickled flavor.

Reserve

81

11

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Chardonnay

Trivento

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Trivento 2011 Reserve Chardonnay (Mendoza)

Chile

Lively, rich and complete. There's a lot of wine here for under $10, and the assumption in these parts is that it has everything the average consumer is looking for. Boysenberry, blackberry and cassis flavors are lively yet round, while the finish is saturated and thorough. A full-strength red at a great price. Imported by Prestige Wine Group.

Casa La Joya Reserve

89

9

Colchagua Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Viña Bisquertt

null

France

This is a small property under the same ownership as Château Paloumey. It is unusual in the 20% Petit Verdot that goes into the blend. That gives the wine its deep color and rich generous black-plum fruit. Solid and dense, the wine will age well. Drink from 2020.

null

91

25

Bordeaux

Moulis-en-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château La Garricq

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château La Garricq 2014 Moulis-en-Médoc

US

Inman has not offered much Chardonnay before, but this one is highly distinctive, light as a feather, floral, crisp and citrusy, basking in Chablis-like, wet stone minerality. Those looking for butter and oak should travel elsewhere; at a preposterously unheard of 11.6% alcohol, this wine offers silky, subtle intrigue.

null

90

35

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Inman Family

null

France

Very concentrated and closed up, like a coil. The intense green fruit is followed by plum skins. Crispness, dry but fresh, comes alongside a powerful explosion of flavors.

Domaine Long-Depaquit Vaudésirs Grand Cru

92

65

Burgundy

Chablis

null

Chardonnay

Albert Bichot

null

France

Very dense, this wine has some bitter extract and layers of wood that give it a very firm structure. While there is acidity, the wine also has a dark character that is hard and powerful. It is likely always to be a solid wine. Drink from 2020.

null

92

null

Burgundy

Grands-Echezeaux

null

Pinot Noir

Henri de Villamont

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Henri de Villamont 2012 Grands-Echezeaux

US

Hard to beat this Pinot when it comes to richness. It's so sumptuous and opulent, offering a flood of cherries, raspberries, currants, cola, pomegranates and smoky, spicy sandalwood, folded into a silky texture. Yet it never loses a sense of elegance. Now–2012.

Brosseau

92

42

California

Chalone

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Roessler

null

Roessler 2007 Brosseau Pinot Noir (Chalone)

Italy

This light Arneis initially showed a fair amount of sulfur, which blew off with time. Underneath, it revealed some summer fruit flavors and vanilla, but also an odd nuance of wintergreen mint.

null

83

17

Piedmont

Langhe

null

Arneis

Cascina Bongiovanni

null

Italy

This fun and expressive sweet sparkling wine opens with fragrant tones of peach blossom and tangerine backed by almond paste and honey. The close is sticky and sweet.

Sparkling

83

9

Piedmont

null

Moscato

Bella Bollè

null

US

This is a Cabernet to drink now. It's soft and clean and pleasantly complex, with black cherry, currant, cola, spice and sandalwood flavors, and is thoroughly dry. It will go downhill quickly, though, so open on buying.

null

86

45

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cass

null

US

This is a tightly-wound, toasty Cabernet Sauvignon, with black cherry and cassis, augmented with dark notes of charcoal, tar and espresso. It has medium length and palate weight, and will drink well through 2019–2020.

null

89

43

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Reininger

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Reininger 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

US

A lush, complex wine, based on Cabernet Sauvignon and including all of the classic Bordeaux varieties. It's softly tannic and slightly herbal in the Alexander Valley way, with savory black cherry, cherry liqueur, cocoa and oak flavors.

Symmetry

89

55

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Meritage

Rodney Strong

null

Rodney Strong 2010 Symmetry Meritage (Alexander Valley)

US

Aromas of bees wax and clover honey come with some volatility. The palate tastes a touch bitter and high pitched, and the acidity feels flat. A note of honey-infused breakfast tea surfaces on the palate.

null

82

24

Virginia

null

Pinot Grigio

Doukénie

null

Doukénie 2011 Pinot Grigio (Virginia)

Spain

Mild citrus aromas of grapefruit are offset by bready, leesy, yeasty scents. This has a citric mouthfeel with the suggestion of lime. Flavors of orange peel and gooseberry finish briny, with a puply feel.

null

85

13

Northern Spain

Rueda

null

Verdejo

Castelo de Medina

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Castelo de Medina 2013 Verdejo (Rueda)

France

With a deep-pink color, this is a soft wine full of fruit. Well balanced between acidity, red fruits and ripeness, it's a delicious Champagne for apéritif drinking as well as with food. The bottling is ready to drink.

Brut Rosé

88

53

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Nicolas Feuillatte

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Nicolas Feuillatte NV Brut Rosé (Champagne)

US

Generous in blackberries, blueberries and cedar, with a pleasantly meaty, smoky edge. Quite fine in its own way, but a bit angular at this time. Blame it on immaturity, and give this young Cabernet at least five years to mellow out.

Montecillo Vineyard

90

48

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Keating

null

US

This wine starts out strongly reduced, making it a challenge to get at the pink grapefruit, lychee and spice aromas. The flavors drink just off dry, with high wire acidity. There are good things going on but the reduction is a challenge to overcome.

Dragonfly

87

25

Washington

Washington Other

Gewürztraminer

Francis Tannahill

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Francis Tannahill 2011 Dragonfly Gewurztraminer (Washington)

US

Tastes young and vigorous and almost rude in youth, offering strong, extracted blackberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. The tannins have sharp elbows, and the oak is entirely unintegrated. Seems altogether immature. Give it a good five years in the cellar, and try again.

Mise en Place

89

49

California

Oakville

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Textbook

null

Spain

Lean, dry raspberry aromas and a slight floral essence carry the nose toward a zesty, semisharp palate with crisp cherry and cranberry flavors. Not bad in a lean, stripped-back way; but there's no excess oak, weight or sweetness. Lean stuff for old-school palates nursing plates of ham or salami.

Arderius

83

10

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo Blend

Bodegas Leza García

null

US

From the cool 2011 vintage, this wine brings notes of black tea, dark raspberries and herbs. It's tangy with lip-smacking plum and cranberry flavors backed by firm tannins.

Grenache 42

86

45

Oregon

Applegate Valley

Southern Oregon

Grenache

Cowhorn

null

US

Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it's a little scouring and rough, but it shows dry sparkling wine flavors of doughy yeast, strawberries, vanilla and toast.

Brut

88

27

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Sparkling Blend

Domaine Carneros

null

US

A chewy wine with tremendous extraction and flavor intensity, this has some Port-like qualities, and the flavors are tart-sweet, pruney, with nutty, almost bitter almond notes peeking through. Still young, it will be better in two years. Coses with a big, tooth-staining finish.

Chiotti Vineyard

88

22

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Rancho Zabaco

null

Slovenia

This blend is garnet colored with a hint of eucalyptus in the bouquet, opening up to aromas of black fruit, forest floor and freshly picked mushroom. Minerality abounds on the palate, with flavors of red berries and black plums.

Cuvée Morel

90

46

Goriska Brda

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Kabaj

Jeff Jenssen

@worldwineguys

Kabaj 2008 Cuvée Morel Red (Goriska Brda)

Italy

Riserva del Don is a fleshy, meaty wine with matching aromas of smoked bacon and cured beef. The tannins are polished and fine and the wine ends with a long fade of spice, smoke and leather.

Riserva del Don

87

30

Tuscany

Chianti Rufina

null

Sangiovese

Colognole

null

US

Cassis and black-cherry flavors are at the core of this pure Cabernet. It's tight and tannic, with accents of earth and ground coffee. It's definitely a wine that should be decanted well ahead of consuming.

Elerding Vineyard

89

30

Washington

Horse Heaven Hills

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Stottle

null

US

This Cabernet Sauvignon, with 11% Merlot added, offers intense ripeness and a plush texture of soft tannins. Rich blackberry jam and chocolate flavors are layered with soy and leather notes, benefitting from integrated oak.

Estate Grown

91

85

California

Stags Leap District

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chimney Rock

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Chimney Rock 2014 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

US

This 50-50 split of Zinfandel and Syrah is skunky and heavy, a toasty concoction of boysenberry and blackberry jam that finishes abruptly with an herbal afternote.

Dueling Pistols

83

41

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Red Blend

The Federalist

Virginie Boone

@vboone

The Federalist 2012 Dueling Pistols Red (Dry Creek Valley)

US

The wine tastes and feels important. It has great weight and depth. The tannins are extraordinarily thick, but ripe and smoothly sweet. And then there's the fruit, a detonation of blackberries, cherries, blueberries and cassis, not to mention the oak, which seems as fine as oak gets. This superb wine seems like an obvious cellar candidate. It should ride out the decade effortlessly.

Stagecoach Vineyard Synchrony

93

70

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Krupp Brothers

null

Spain

With so few Mallorcan wines on the market, Anima Negra operates in a vacuum. Thankfully the winery excels with this red made from the local Callet grape. Dry, light, spicy aromas of sandalwood, tobacco and cherry come in front of a medium-bodied, creamy and oaky palate. Flavors of ripe yet spicy cherry and plum finish with notes of wood smoke and baking spices. Drink this unique wine through 2024.

Àn

92

50

Spanish Islands

Vi de la Terra Mallorca

null

Red Blend

Ànima Negra

null

US

Succulent, dense and syrupy, this dessert Riesling brings a lush midpalate of honey, blossom, tea, candied citrus, butterscotch and more. It's loaded with flavor, just a little high-toned, and falls on the soft side for Washington dessert wines. But delicious? You bet!

Winter Harvest

88

30

Washington

Rattlesnake Hills

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Hyatt

null

US

Mostly stainless fermentation, with 30% done in neutral oak, yields a wine heavily scented with fresh-baked bread. It's smooth and light, the green apple fruit flavors yielding to a finish that tails off again to lingering scents of bread.

null

87

16

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Blanc

Grochau

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Grochau 2012 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley)

France

Dominated by Merlot at 90%, this is a smooth, rich and generous wine. It does have a tannic core, but that is surrounded by these velvet, ripe berry fruits and opulent texture. The wine is developing well and should be drunk from 2016.

La Chêneraie

89

55

Bordeaux

Fronsac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Jeandeman

null

Italy

Amarone producer Tommasi has produced this approachable blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet. The aromas are simple but direct, including cherry, spice and vanilla.

Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo

86

16

Tuscany

Maremma

null

Red Blend

Tommasi

null

Chile

Starts with intense black-fruit aromas and dark, smoky accents as well as baked berries, licorice and meat. In the mouth, it's a bit clumsy and amped up, with big tannins, extract and a mouthfeel that grabs. Flavors of berry fruit and mint are good, while the finish bounces toward a loud finish. Not what you'd call an elegant wine; it's more about ripeness, power and extract.

Terrunyo Rocahue Vineyard Block: 34

87

41

Peumo

null

Syrah

Concha y Toro

null

Italy

Barolo Arione is a mature expression of Barolo with strawberry and blackberry preserves backed by volatile aromas of green apple and old spice. The wine feels rich and thick in the mouth with a thick, chewy finish.

Arione

86

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Gigi Rosso

null

Argentina

Forward and simple, with red fruit and citrus on the nose. The palate is lean and light bodied, with tangy, dry red fruit flavors, orange and sour sucking candy. Quite tangy on the finish, and overall it achieves only a certain level of weight and prominence. No oak.

Reserva

83

11

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Pinot Noir

Nieto Senetiner

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Nieto Senetiner 2009 Reserva Pinot Noir (Mendoza)

US

Fans of big, soft, rich, high-alcohol Zins will rejoice with this epic bottling. The candied, pastry-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, plums, chocolate and red licorice are almost sweet, although the wine is probably dry, technically speaking.

Bacigalupi Vineyard

88

36

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

John Tyler

null

US

The oak sticks out with vanilla custard, brown sugar and buttered toast notes that currently dominate the underlying pineapple, white peach and green apple fruit flavors. Acidity is crisp and fine. This Chardonnay could benefit from a few years in the cellar.

Brosseau Vineyard

92

39

California

Chalone

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Testarossa

null

US

Aromatic with streaks of truffle, cigar and black cherry, this lively six-grape blend is principally Red Mountain fruit, along with some from Red Willow. Substantial and mouth-filling wine, it's nuanced with rich flavors of cassis, tar, graphite and chalk. It spent 18 months in barrel, 73% new.

The Dissident

92

32

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Red Blend

Mark Ryan

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Mark Ryan 2011 The Dissident Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

A brisk, likeable Chardonnay. It shows ripe flavors of pineapples, peaches, lemons and sweet limes, accented with crisp coastal acidity. A hint of oak adds pleasant notes of buttered toast and vanilla.

Reserve

86

14

California

Sonoma County-Santa Barbara County

California Other

Chardonnay

Angeline

null

France

La Gaffelière, now under the expert guidance of Saint-Emilion's guru Stéphane Derenoncourt, is producing serious wine. None more so than this firmly closed but powerful and dense 2006. Bitter chocolate and dark tannins come together to form a shell covering the weight of the fruit. It will probably always be firm, but the black currant fruit flavors will come through eventually—maybe in 5–7 years.

null

93

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château la Gaffelière

null

France

This is a wine for aging. The tannins are dense, very dry with a feel of extraction. It takes a while for the black currant fruit to show through, with acidity and freshness dominant. The wine is still settling, and time will bring the fruit into line with the tannins.

null

94

455

Bordeaux

Pauillac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Lafite Rothschild

null

France

Supple and fruity, this is bright with red fruits given a lift with spice. The wine is all about fruit with acidity to add a fresher character. Tannins are already integrating meaning the wine will be ready soon. Drink from 2016.

Tertre-Perdigous

87

16

Southwest France

Cahors

null

Malbec-Merlot

Château du Port

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château du Port 2013 Tertre-Perdigous Malbec-Merlot (Cahors)

US

Quite full bodied and obviously powerful in flavor, this wine is piled deep and rich with fruit aromas and flavors like ripe blackberries and blueberries plus chocolate and espresso. An impressive, astringent texture adds structure and makes it appetizing to drink, while the tannins seem to help the opulent flavors linger during the aftertaste.

Big River Ranch

93

40

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Bella

null

US

An ode to the founding fathers, this bottling is quite tight on the nose, with lime skin, lime blossom and Meyer-lemon juice aromas. The palate offers apple skins, crisp apple flesh, lemon-tinged butter, grapefruit zest and a shaving of vanilla.

null

86

18

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Chardonnay

The Federalist

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

The Federalist 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County)

US

As this tastes pineapple-sweet, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel, it is for Chardonnay drinkers who prefer the popular style. The wine is best served chilled with similarly rich, creamy food.

Reserve

84

20

California

Mendocino

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Chardonnay

Rock View

null

US

Done in a lighter style, and listed at under 13% alcohol, this is scented with sweet strawberries and tastes like them also, with a soft core of fruit and very gentle tannins. Light streaks of sassafras and chocolate wrap it up.

Paciência Estate

89

42

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Coelho

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Coelho 2008 Paciência Estate Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

Austria

Brambly wine, with hedgerow red fruits and bitter black cherries. It's very floral, crisp, the tannins suggesting some aging potential. To finish, the acidity is fresh and lively.

Reserve

88

60

Burgenland

null

Pinot Noir

Pittnauer

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Pittnauer 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir (Burgenland)

US

The percentage of Grenache has been bumped up in Rôtie's second vintage, now at 70%, with the rest an even split between Syrah and Mourvèdre. Soft and spicy scents are laced with a mix of rock and vanilla. This nicely structured yet approachable wine might be mistaken for a Washington take on Priorat. The underlying minerality gives the light, plummy fruit a solid footing, and extends the length considerably.

Southern Blend Red

91

35

Washington

Washington Other

Red Blend

Rôtie Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Rôtie Cellars 2008 Southern Blend Red Red (Washington)

US

While creamy and voluminous, this full-bodied Chardonnay boasts fresh green plum and apple flavors brightened by sunny lemon acidity. Streaks of vanilla, toast and spice are bold yet well integrated. It finishes moderately long with notes of dried herbs.

Barrel Fermented

88

18

New York

Finger Lakes

Chardonnay

Damiani

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Damiani 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)

France

The wine is named after a raspberry plantation, and that's what it tastes like. Small wild fruit, with their extra taste of ripe flesh, are in the glass along with delicious acidity. The tannins and the wood are all at the service of the fruit.

La Framboisière

91

33

Burgundy

Mercurey

null

Pinot Noir

Faiveley

null

US

Made in a tart, citrusy style, like an elegant Chablis, this rich, balanced Chardonnay shows candied flavors of pineapples, lemon custard, Key lime pie and stony minerals. Brisk acidity provides a keen, bracing balance.

Signature

92

43

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Chardonnay

Darioush

null

Darioush 2008 Signature Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Italy

Brachetto is an easy dessert wine with a mild ruby color and intense aromas of raspberry and blueberry. The wine is exceedingly simple and straightforward with loads of fresh berry fruit, bitter almond, and not much else.

null

83

13

Piedmont

null

Brachetto

Prima Mazzo

null

US

At David Hill, the Winemakers Cuvée is a cut above the reserve. It's a muscular blend of scents and flavors of lavender, cherry and chocolate wrapped into a firm, focused finish.

Winemakers Cuvée

90

50

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

David Hill

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

David Hill 2012 Winemakers Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

France

Soft, round and balanced, this ripe wine is ready to drink. It's led by the cherry and black currant flavors, with dryness that comes from the soft tannins.

null

86

8

Bordeaux

Bordeaux Supérieur

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Moulin de Beauséjour

null

Spain

Ripe black fruit aromas aren't overly complex or nuanced but they are generous. Feels tight, gritty and healthy, with firm tannins in front of black cherry and blackberry flavors. Mellows on the finish, where plum and prune flavors take over. Not a hard, fierce Priorat; drink now through 2014.

Coraje

90

44

Catalonia

Priorat

null

Red Blend

Fuentes

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Fuentes 2008 Coraje Red (Priorat)

US

A 100% varietal wine, this is dry and in balance, made in a bigger fuller style that presents as lush and plush on the palate. Apricot and peach offer a ripe succulence of fruit as a touch of oak integrates well into the background.

null

91

32

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Viognier

Stags' Leap Winery

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Stags' Leap Winery 2016 Viognier (Napa Valley)

France

96-98 Barrel sample. An impressive wine, a true return to form for Cheval Blanc. The fruit is enormous, packed with sweet black berry juice, and with a brilliant freshness. There is a lovely smoky character, topped by ripe figs.

Barrel sample

97

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Cheval Blanc

null

US

Good old Navarro is outdoing itself with the 2013 and 2014 Pinot Noirs. In this one, vivid black-cherry aromas, tangy but deep cherry and cranberry flavors, and a nice, firm and appropriately tannic texture add up to a concentrated and nicely proportioned wine. It has the flavor oomph to pair with something as big as a roast, and the tangy texture to dissolve the richest salmon.

Methode a l'Ancienne

93

32

California

Anderson Valley

null

Pinot Noir

Navarro

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Navarro 2014 Methode a l'Ancienne Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

US

They kept this Cab back all this time, presumably at some cost to the company, but consumers are the beneficiaries. Everything has mellowed. The wine, with 1% Petit Verdot, is like hands of cassis, dark chocolate and oak massaging the palate. The grapes were sourced from top vineyards in the Dry Creek, Sonoma and Alexander Valleys. Drink now–2010.

null

93

50

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Arrowood

null

Arrowood 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)

Portugal

A medium-dry Vinho Verde, this is light and fresh without being quite crisp enough. Well chilled, though, it makes a lively and fresh apéritif.

Aliança

85

7

Vinho Verde

null

Portuguese White

Caves Aliança

null

Australia

Your basic South Eastern Australia Shiraz here, with raspberry and black cherry aromas that give way to a smooth palate with medium acidity. Short, earthy finish. Drink up.

Circle Collection

83

10

Australia Other

South Eastern Australia

null

Shiraz

Jindalee

null

France

From vines planted in the Tour Bourdon plot in 1940, this concentrated wine is ripe and rich while still shot through with red-currant acidity. Its tannins come from the low-yielding vines, giving a firm edge. The aftertaste is all about fresher red fruits. Jean-Michel Dupré is a member of Terroirs Originels—17 producers on the hills of Beaujolais and Burgundy's Mâcon.

Vignes de 1940

90

17

Beaujolais

Beaujolais-Villages

null

Gamay

Domaine Dupré

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Dupré 2014 Vignes de 1940 (Beaujolais-Villages)

Portugal

A light, bright and fresh wine, the epitome of a fruity rosé, this is made from Moscatel Roxo, a pink-skinned grape. It has plenty of lively acidity, a lightly perfumed character and a final burst of red fruits.

Colecção Privada Roxo

86

null

Península de Setúbal

null

Rosé

José Maria da Fonseca

Roger Voss

@vossroger

José Maria da Fonseca 2014 Colecção Privada Roxo Rosé (Península de Setúbal)

US

Very dry, tart and brittle, this Pinot, from a famous old vineyard that pioneered the Napa side of Carneros, isn't very lush right now. The cherryskin flavors are more bitter and tannic than you expect from most Pinot Noirs. Really needs lamb, steak or similar rich fare to wake it up.

St. Clair Vineyard

87

75

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Acacia

null

Acacia 2006 St. Clair Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros)

US

This is a solid Pinot, ripe in raspberries and cherries, with fine coastal acidity and firm tannins. It has a silky mouthfeel the way Pinot Noir should.

null

87

45

California

Anderson Valley

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Pinot Noir

Jim Ball

null

Spain

Heavy aromas of orange marmalade and honey come across as unconvincing. The palate follows suit with bland, soft, chubby cantaloupe and green melon flavors. Finishes soft and dilute; seems like it's already dying in the bottle.

null

83

13

Northern Spain

Rueda

null

Verdejo

Vega Murillo

null

Italy

This structured Nebbiolo delivers classic sensations of dark cherry, clove, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel. Vibrant, with fresh acidity balanced by silky-smooth tannins, it's ready to be enjoyed now.

Marghe

90

23

Piedmont

Langhe

null

Nebbiolo

Damilano

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Damilano 2012 Marghe Nebbiolo (Langhe)

Italy

Here's a bright Friulano with a luminous golden color and intense aromas of honey, peach and passion fruit. The wine tastes soft and supple in the mouth and delivers loads of fruity peach flavors on the close. What's nice about this wine is that it delivers high structure and lively fruit fragrances at the same time.

null

88

18

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

Friulano

Vigna Traverso

null

Italy

structured wine, it's loaded with sensations of juicy nectarine, grapefruit, ripe peach and mineral. Racy acidity adds balance and the lingering finish ends on an almond note.

null

90

19

Southern Italy

Greco di Tufo

null

Greco

D'Antiche Terre

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

D'Antiche Terre 2012 Greco di Tufo

US

A winning nose offers aromas of créme brulée, smoked bacon, pears, peaches and toasty vanilla that just keep coming on in this stylish, full wine. The palate shows similar flavors. The big mouthfeel continues on the long, slightly sweet finish with its toasty, smoky oak. Strong already, but it should be even better in six months. From the maker of the fine affordable and widely available Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay. Top Value.

Bench Break Vineyard

91

30

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Cambria

null

Italy

Fruity and fresh, this opens with aromas of tilled earth, wild berry and cassis. The fresh, spicy palate doles out black cherry, white pepper, clove and a hint of green tea alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2017.

null

90

23

Northeastern Italy

Alto Adige

null

Lagrein

Muri-Gries

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Muri-Gries 2013 Lagrein (Alto Adige)

Australia

A robust blend of sweet and savory, d'Arenberg's 2008 Love Grass Shiraz is full-bodied and round in the mouth, featuring smoky, meaty and blackberry notes and a mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2015.

The Love Grass

89

19

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Shiraz

D'Arenberg

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

D'Arenberg 2008 The Love Grass Shiraz (McLaren Vale)

US

A nice, everyday Pinot, with a properly silky texture. The cherry, cola, red licorice and bacon flavors are satisfyingly rich, with elaborate oak overtones. It's a pretty good value in an under-$20 Pinot Noir.

Reserve

86

18

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Castle Rock

null

Italy

Delicate black-skinned berry and baking spice scents lift out of the glass. The dense, ripe palate offers dried black cherry, white pepper and leather notes, framed by mature tannins. Drink through 2021.

Riserva

89

100

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Brunelli Martoccia

null

Australia

Nutty, peachy aromas; similar flavors, plus flashes of white pepper, come through on the palate. Wide and soft but not full, easy but not profound. Imported by Foster's Wine Estates Americas.

Hill of Gold

86

13

New South Wales

Mudgee

null

Chardonnay

Rosemount

null

Italy

This offers an excellent opportunity to taste Sardinia's Torbato grape. The flavors are inviting and intense, including yellow fruit, nuts, roasted chestnuts and honey. Bottom line: It's a wine with loads of personality.

Terre Bianche

87

22

Sicily & Sardinia

Alghero

null

Torbato

Sella & Mosca

null

Spain

Gritty, granular, medicinal aromas smell reedy and like crushed vitamins. A choppy palate and flavors of plum, grape juice and raspberry end with cutting tannins and the essence of raspberry.

Conde Valdemar

87

24

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Garnacha

Bodegas Valdemar

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Bodegas Valdemar 2012 Conde Valdemar (Rioja)

France

With light spiciness, this is a full-bodied wine, dominated by tropical fruits. It is rich, rounded, soft, with touches of honey.

null

87

18

Alsace

null

Pinot Gris

Jean Albrecht

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Jean Albrecht 2010 Pinot Gris (Alsace)

US

There's lots of mouthwatering acidity in this bone-dry Pinot Noir, with an ample supply of ripe fruit in the form of raspberries and cherries. There's also something wonderfully earthy, like roasted mushrooms splashed with balsamic and tamari sauce. The cool 2010 vintage was kind to Bacigalupi Vineyard, which can produce overripe wines in hot years.

Bacigalupi Vineyard

92

39

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Von Holt

null

Spain

Ripe and round, with blackberry and bacon aromas. Quite modern and full for a 2002, one of Rioja's most challenging vintages in a while. Shows full berry flavors with ample oak and a touch of tannin. Finishes with mocha and spice.

Selección

89

40

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo Blend

Alabanza

null

Italy

This gorgeous wine bursts open with loads of ripe fruit, blackberry, tar, asphalt and pipe tobacco. It's a thick, velvety expression with a high caliber of concentration and intensity that would pair with roast lamb or barbecue pork chops. Age 5–7 more years.

Opi Riserva

91

37

Central Italy

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane

null

Montepulciano

Farnese

null

US

A well-water funk on the nose and on the palate overrides the floral character of this Finger Lakes Riesling. Some nice acidity and finish but the major flavor here is hard to love.

Homestead Reserve

81

18

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

null

Portugal

With its ripe tannins and soft, juicy black fruit, this is an immediately drinkable wine. It has a crisp layer of acidity, giving it a light touch. Drink now.

Vinha Maria Premium

86

9

Dão

null

Portuguese Red

Global Wines

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Global Wines 2015 Vinha Maria Premium Red (Dão)

Germany

With its pure, clean scents and flavors of green apple, lime and mineral, slightly creamy texture and long, mouthwatering finish, this nearly dry Riesling offers a lot to like. No, it's not that complex, but it is admirably concentrated and eminently satisfying. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.

Trocken

87

15

Rheinhessen

null

Riesling

Köster-Wolf

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Köster-Wolf 2006 Trocken Riesling (Rheinhessen)

US

This majority Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, is elegant in sandalwood and cedar, offering a taste of cassis and dried herb atop integrated yet sizable tannins. French oak, half of it new, encased the wine for a little more than two years, adding to its power and structure. Drink now through 2021.

Red

92

75

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Merlot-Cabernet

Vellum

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Vellum 2011 Red Merlot-Cabernet (Napa Valley)

US

You'll find this Pinot Noir drier, earthier, tarter and even more tannic than most coastal bottlings. It has flavors of cherry skins, black raspberries, cola, peppery spices and herbs. Drink now–2010.

null

87

30

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Pinot Noir

Clos du Val

null