spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Portugal	The wine tastes full of ripe fruits as well as acidity. A touch of bitter almond gives a hard edge to the otherwise fruity, apple and pear flavored wine. Drink from 2015 to give the wine some bottle age.	Encontro Special Cuvée Brut	84	45	Bairrada	null	null	Portuguese Sparkling	Dão Sul	null	null	null
Austria	The normally so rich Rosengartl comes in a much more slender body for the 2014 vintage, with zesty relish even. Here and there are glimpses of opulence, in the shadows of pleasantly bitter honeycomb that also contributes to a beautifully defined, linear texture on the midpalate. The finish is whistle-clean. Bravo.	Rosengartl Gemischter Satz	93	55	Vienna	null	null	Austrian white blend	Wieninger	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Wieninger 2014 Rosengartl Gemischter Satz White (Vienna)
US	While there isn't much subtlety, this is a strong wine, offering dry, oak-inspired pineapple- and orange-jam flavors. Crisp acids and a touch of steely minerals help to ground it. It shows enough elegance to drink with the finest foods.	Cuvée Diana	90	36	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Longoria	null	null	null
US	An interesting wine for its moderate alcohol and extreme dryness. Leaner and more structured than a plump Napa Cab, it shows juicy blackberry, currant, mineral and oak flavors that are streamlined and elegant. A bite of alcohol makes this pretty wine balanced and clean through the finish.	null	91	48	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Skyhawk Lane	null	null	Skyhawk Lane 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Canada	One hundred percent Cabernet Franc, this wine shows subtle, nuanced aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry and wildflowers. The palate is compact with a tight core of sweet fruit flavors.	Icewine	88	40	Ontario	Short Hills Bench	null	Cabernet	Henry of Pelham	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Henry of Pelham 2012 Icewine Cabernet (Short Hills Bench)
US	This wine has the variety's trademark notes of herb, green bell pepper, with a woodsy qulaity. This is a full-bodied effort, bearing a long, spicy finish.	Babcock Vineyard	87	30	California	Suisun Valley	North Coast	Cabernet Franc	MICA Cellars	Virginie Boone	@vboone	MICA Cellars 2009 Babcock Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Suisun Valley)
US	Vibrant pink in color, this rosé of Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is light bodied and easy to drink, driven by tart watermelon.	null	84	23	Virginia	Virginia	null	Rosé	Rappahannock Cellars	Alexander Peartree	null	Rappahannock Cellars 2014 Rosé (Virginia)
Italy	This is a full and luminous white wine (made with Chardonnay) that boasts a lively and vibrant character. A pleasure to drink, the wine is redolent of stone fruit, citrus, white stone and almond nut.	Convento S.S. Annunciata	88	61	Lombardy	Terre di Franciacorta	null	Chardonnay	Bellavista	null	null	null
US	Light in color, this county-blend wine by Adam Tolmach is redolent with aromas of rose, ripe cranberry, juniper, eucalyptus, sage and dried sweet basil. Dried herbs including fennel and bay leaf dominate the palate, giving nuance to the cran-pomegranate fruit and Earl-Grey-tea notes.	null	92	41	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Ojai	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Ojai 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)
Germany	Fruity, packed with berry and melon aromas and flavors that end up coming across as slightly confected, with a slightly syrupy texture in the mouth.	Zeller Schwarze Katz Hochgewächs Halbtrocken	84	20	Mosel-Saar-Ruwer	null	null	Riesling	Weingut-Pension H.J.&E.; Lehmen	null	null	null
US	This is an excellent, deeply colored and moderately tannic wine with style. It follows its tamarind aromas with rich plum, prune and chocolate flavors, accented with mild vanilla and nutmeg notes.	null	89	28	California	Lake County	null	Sangiovese	Mt. Konocti Winery	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Mt. Konocti Winery 2013 Sangiovese (Lake County)
US	This Triolet is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cab Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Despite two years in French oak barrels, 30% new, it carries a strong herbal note in the nose, that carries all through the palate. Stem, herb and pepper are the dominant flavors, along with tart, compact red berries.	Triolet	86	28	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Bunchgrass	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Bunchgrass 2009 Triolet Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
South Africa	There's a sweet edge to this Chard with notes of orange oil, lychee, honeydew and rose water filling the nose and mouth. Medium weight with decent acidity and a lingering finish. Drink now.	null	86	13	Stellenbosch	null	null	Chardonnay	Beau Joubert	null	null	null
US	Savage and smelling of earth, this estate-grown and -bottled Syrah from husband and wife team Jonathan Lachs and Susan Marks is rightly mountainous, with a wall of tannin, still thick and tight but teeming with potential. Lay it down and let that wall melt into fruit and spicy earth.	Estate Bottled	89	25	California	El Dorado	Sierra Foothills	Syrah	Cedarville Vineyard	null	null	null
US	This unoaked Sauvignon Blanc shows the crisp tartness that Anderson Valley brings to white wines. Fully dry, its flavors suggest lemongrass, grapefruit and pepper, with a racy tang of cold steel. The aftertaste is long and powerful.	null	90	20	California	Anderson Valley	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Foursight	null	null	Foursight 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Anderson Valley)
Spain	Opens with aromas of burnt leaves, roasted bell pepper and tomato and finally secondary red fruit. The palate is saturated but hard, with herbal, leafy, dry red-fruit flavors and a backing of cured meat. Herbal late, with some old-school cherry and tobacco. A tough wine, but at least it's something different.	Peregrino Roble	86	19	Northern Spain	Tierra de León	null	Prieto Picudo	Gordonzello	null	null	null
US	Dry and tannic in youth. It's not a particularly ripe wine, but subtle in meshing blackberry fruit flavors with sweet dried herbs and bitter coffee. They strove for balance and harmony, and succeeded. Now through 2010.	null	89	35	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Freemark Abbey	null	null	null
Australia	Aromas are of apple turnover and minerals. Slim bodied and a little soft, but don't dismiss this Chard right off as simple: It has a tight, sour core with peach and oak flavors rounding it out in the mouth. Imported by Pacific Wine Partners.	null	87	14	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Chardonnay	Chateau Reynella	null	null	null
US	Good for Cinnabar for holding this Cab back a while, to let it develop in the bottle. Although it's still pretty tannic, it has entered its drinkability window. Dry and full-bodied, it shows classic flavors of black currants and smoky cedar, with a long, impressive finish.	null	92	45	California	Santa Cruz Mountains	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Cinnabar	null	null	Cinnabar 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Austria	An unusual yeasty smokiness plays in the ripe apple fruit here. The midpalate is textured and shot through with lemony, bright acidity. The smoky glimpses pop up in numerous places, sometimes even with a caramelized edge. Very interesting and unusual	Spiegel	90	37	Thermenregion	null	null	Zierfandler	Johanneshof Reinisch	null	null	null
Romania	Bright cherry red in color, it offers aromas of blackberry, cranberry and freshly picked cherries. Flavors include blackberries, red raspberries and sour cherry pie. It's a bit light when it comes to body but it has a refreshing level of acidity in the clean finish.	Dreambird	86	7	Viile Timisului	null	null	Pinot Noir	Cramele Recas	Jeff Jenssen	@worldwineguys	Cramele Recas 2013 Dreambird Pinot Noir (Viile Timisului)
US	Tasted in August, crisp acidity gave this Chardonnay a slight effervescence that may disappear by the time you taste it. The sparkliness, however, actually is a welcome balance to rich, ripe pineapple, peach, vanilla and buttered toast flavors.	null	85	25	California	Arroyo Grande Valley	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Evening Land	null	null	Evening Land 2011 Chardonnay (Arroyo Grande Valley)
US	Thin and dull, with watery cherry flavors and a rustic mouthfeel. Okay in a pinch.	null	82	17	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Merlot	Shiloh Road	null	null	null
US	Opulent and made in a popular style, but super-oaky, with the barrel regimen overpowering the fruit. Simply too strong in caramel, buttered popcorn and sweet wood vanilla flavors that swamp the underlying pineapples.	Reserve Estate	85	26	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Artesa	null	null	null
Italy	Genuine, clean and simple, this bright Rosso di Montalcino offers aromas of cedar wood and cherry cola over loads of wild berry fruit. There's a raw, simple quality to the wine and fresh fruit abounds.	null	86	15	Tuscany	Rosso di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona	null	null	null
Argentina	Jammy red-fruit aromas mixed with buttery oak make for a simple, sappy nose. There's more butter on the palate in addition to solid blackberry flavors. It finishes round but short, with yet another wave of barrel. A very good wine but not one that wows.	Reserva	87	18	Mendoza Province	Luján de Cuyo	null	Malbec	Bodega Norton	null	null	null
Germany	A streak of petrol persists from nose to finish lending complexity to this otherwise easy-drinking off-dry wine. Pressed apple and lemon flavors shine brightly on the palate, finishing briskly.	null	87	15	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Schloss Saarstein	null	null	null
New Zealand	Initial aromas of boxwood give way to melon, cream and grapefruit. In the mouth, this offering is mellow and a bit sweet. A soft and easy drinker for folks new to Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc.	null	84	14	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Forefathers	null	null	null
Italy	This sweet Vin Santo is a blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano aged many long years in small oak casks. This particular interpretation offers distinctive aromas of roasted chestnut and maple syrup with hints of dried herb, grass and drying mineral.	375ml	87	40	Tuscany	Vin Santo del Chianti Classico	null	White Blend	Vignamaggio	null	null	null
Chile	A scratchy, fiery opening of juniper, cheesy leather and berry fruit aromas settles with airing. This is tannic as a bag of rocks, with toasty, herbal, dark-fruit flavors. Throughout this feels abrasive, hard and blocky, with a finish of spice and chocolate flavors roughened by hard residual tannins.	Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol	86	24	Lolol Valley	null	null	Red Blend	François Lurton	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	François Lurton 2010 Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol Red (Lolol Valley)
France	This single-vineyard wine offers wonderfully balanced fruits and texture, along with ripe fruitiness. Apples, crisp citrus and warmer pear and peach flavors are all integrated into a texture that just hints at the herbal while being more about bright, fresh acidity and fruit. Drink now.	Le Paradis	93	65	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Domaine Vacheron	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine Vacheron 2014 Le Paradis (Sancerre)
France	Dark chocolate and black currant flavors dominate this concentrated wine. It is densely tannic, while still allowing room for the brooding fruit to show through. Still young, it will age slowly and impressively over the next five years.	Collection	93	27	Southwest France	Pécharmant	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Domaine l'Ancienne Cure	null	null	null
Spain	Neon pink in color, with heavier aromas that split time between chemical and candied. The palate is a bit awkward and heavy, with jumbled flavors of pomegranate juice, cherry and strawberry. Loses focus as it moves along, and finishes with a slightly bitter aftertaste.	Conde de Valdemar Rosado	84	9	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Rosé	Bodegas Valdemar	null	null	null
France	If you want a more earthy style of red Burgundy, this is the wine for you. It has a definite funky edge, lying against the ripe tannins and sweet soft, jammy fruit. The acidity comes through to finish a wine with weight and character.	Les Marconnets Premier Cru	91	50	Burgundy	Savigny-lès-Beaune	null	Pinot Noir	Domaine de la Vougeraie	null	null	null
US	You'll want to age this wine for a good 6–8 years, because right now it's rather tough in tannins, and the fruit and oak have not married. Nonetheless it's quite a good wine. Shows complex layers of blackberries, currants and caramelized oak. Lifts Alexander Valley Cabernet above its usual level into noteworthy.	Vyborny Vineyard Plus	93	150	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Goldschmidt	null	null	null
France	Light, fresh citrus aromas filled by beautiful spicy wood, with lovely crisp final character. The spice and wood add to the crisp juiciness of the wine.	null	89	56	Burgundy	Bourgogne	null	Chardonnay	Domaine Leflaive	null	null	null
US	Named for a small volcanic outcrop on the Niven family's sprawling property, this bottling from winemaker Christian Roguenant shows hearty black cherry, vanilla and star anise spice on the nose. The palate is extremely floral, with lavender, violet and elderflower scents, along with plum skin and crushed-slate flavors.	El Pico	93	35	California	Edna Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Baileyana	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Baileyana 2014 El Pico Pinot Noir (Edna Valley)
Spain	The Borsao brand is a bargain pioneer, and while the wines aren't $4.99 anymore they are still squarely “value” oriented. This rosé is fairly steely and fresh, with pithy grapefruit and nectarine flavors. Lean and peppery on the finish, and ready to be consumed right away.	null	85	8	Northern Spain	Campo de Borja	null	Rosé	Borsao	null	null	null
US	A very big, jammy Pinot Noir. Purists will object that it's too extracted, but it's awfully good and nicely silky in the mouth. Tastes like a liquid fruit bar, with cherry, raspberry, milk chocolate, roasted almond, honey-granola and caramel flavors.	Osrii Block	88	55	California	Los Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Fotinos Brothers	null	null	null
France	95-97 Barrel sample. Lovely, velvet textured wine, with acidity and some spicy wood. The texture is so ripe, the tannins voluptuous, smooth and textured, a light touch of chocolate. Magnificent rich wine.	Barrel sample	96	null	Bordeaux	Pessac-Léognan	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château La Mission Haut-Brion	null	null	null
US	This is a reserve-style wine crafted from lots sourced from some of the winery's Napa mountain properties. It's not showing all that well now, due to hard, jagged tannins. Yet there are promising signs. The oak already is marrying the fruit, resulting in a seamless, smoky sweetness, and the tannins are entirely ripe. Should develop well over the next 6–8 years, possibly longer.	Synthesis Reserve	93	75	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Martin Ray	null	null	null
Portugal	Reasonably lush but not unstructured, Cálem's 2000 vintage Port is a solid effort. Eucalyptus, coffee and plum scents mark the nose, while the flavors are fruit-forward plum and blackberry, with a smidgen of dark chocolate. Long and textured on the finish. Drink now-2020.	Vintage	89	80	Port	null	null	Port	Cálem	null	null	null
Austria	A combination of dried white currant, green apple and lemon makes for a refreshing, clean palate with a medium, zesty finish.	null	87	16	Niederösterreich	null	null	Riesling	Landhaus Mayer	null	null	null
US	This new, limited release red blend is what winery owners Myles Anderson and Gordy Venneri called their version of a super Tuscan. It's half old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sagemoor vineyard, and half Sangiovese. Somehow the two grapes soften each other, keeping the old vine detail and dried herbal character of the Cab, and mixing in plush and spicy red fruit with hints of mushroom and olive. Just 240 cases were made and the wine is sold exclusively at the winery.	Bello Rosso	92	36	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Red Blend	Walla Walla Vintners	null	null	null
France	With its ripe acidity, this is a wine that is ready to drink. It shows strong Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness, with a structure that is now soft and generous, along with cushioned tannins and an opulent feel. This is a wine to savor.	null	93	30	Provence	Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence	null	Cabernet-Syrah	Château Vignelaure	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Vignelaure 2007 Cabernet-Syrah (Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)
Portugal	Lightly sparkling, this is a crisp, almost dry wine that offers fresh sliced apples and citrus flavors. Made from the Louriero grape which is widely planted in the Lima valley, this is a fruity sip for the summer.	Ponte	85	10	Vinho Verde	null	null	Loureiro	Adega Cooperativa Ponte de Lima	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Adega Cooperativa Ponte de Lima 2014 Ponte Loureiro (Vinho Verde)
New Zealand	A medium-bodied, well rounded Sauvignon Blanc, this is tropical and citrusy, with passion fruit leading the way and not too much herbaceousness. It's easy to drink, finishing with hints of ripe stone fruits.	null	87	13	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Mohua	null	null	null
US	Complex, classy winemaking is evident from the first sniff to the final sip. Savory notes of green tea and clean earth complement a terroir-driven wine. The notes and nuances pile on—flowers and fruits, cherry and cassis, with a whiff of barnyard and undergrowth. The lingering, expressive finish is already boggling, and seems sure to continue to evolve gracefully through 2025–2030.	Arcus Estate	95	100	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Archery Summit	null	null	null
Italy	Firm and spicy, this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of black plum, crushed violet and kitchen spices. The juicy palate delivers ripe black cherry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of tightly wound but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2020.	Crognolo	89	35	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Tenuta Sette Ponti	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Tenuta Sette Ponti 2012 Crognolo Red (Toscana)
US	An interesting wine, somewhat sharp and yeasty upon entry, but also showing a creamy, textural midpalate with a streak of honey down the fruit flavors of pear and apple. It's dry, persistent, and distinctive, though not typical for Oregon Pinot Gris.	Rudolfo Vineyard	88	17	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Lumos	null	null	null
Italy	Aromas show new leather, iris, balsamic notes and aromatic herb. Elegant and structured, the smooth taut palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice set against tightly knit polished tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it a few more years to let it bloom into a beauty.	null	92	54	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Fratelli Alessandria	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Fratelli Alessandria 2013 Barolo
Chile	Cantaloupe aromas lead to a fresh palate with snap. Nectarine and tangerine flavors run lean and clean on their way to a juicy, no-nonsense finish.	Boya	86	15	Leyda Valley	null	null	Rosé	Garces Silva	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Garces Silva 2016 Boya Rosé (Leyda Valley)
France	Every Burgundy merchant seems to have a Clos de Vougeot. The Aegerter's version is relatively light, as much fruit as tannins even while it is young. Berry fruits comes forward, while the layer of tannin is in a supporting role. It's a solid wine, not one that has a long future. Drink from 2018.	null	91	369	Burgundy	Clos de Vougeot	null	Pinot Noir	Jean-Luc and Paul Aegerter	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Jean-Luc and Paul Aegerter 2012 Clos de Vougeot
Portugal	This wine has all the freshness of the grape, along with ripe, full lemon and red apple flavors. There is a strongly tangy character, a mineral texture from the granite soil and refreshing final acidity. Drink from summer 2016.	Muros de Melgaço	90	null	Vinho Verde	null	null	Alvarinho	Anselmo Mendes	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Anselmo Mendes 2014 Muros de Melgaço Alvarinho (Vinho Verde)
Argentina	Simple and easy to like, with cassis and cherry aromas along with a hint of earth, moss and leather. The palate is fresh, juicy and healthy, with clean, regular raspberry and ripe currant flavors. And the finish is long and mildly toasty. Good, presentable and ready to drink.	Grand Reserve	87	20	Other	San Juan	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Graffigna	null	null	null
Italy	Chewy, chunky, a little buttery and full of milk chocolate, this crowd pleaser is a good introduction to Tuscan Sangiovese. It will work well with simple dishes like pizza and pasta. It's young and gawky, like a teenager going through adolescence.	Conti Contini	85	10	Tuscany	Carmignano	null	Sangiovese	Capezzana	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Capezzana 2000 Conti Contini (Carmignano)
Italy	Aromas of mature fruit, blackberry, leather, cigar, molasses and stewy herbal greens. The wine is lean and slightly sour in the mouth yet its ripe fruit aromas leave a lasting impression in the mouth. It's a wine with more bark than bite.	Paretaio	86	null	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Sangiovese	Falchini	null	null	null
Chile	Initially this smells foxy, with jumpy untamed berry and plum notes racing across the nose. After the aromas come around, this is hard and choppy on the palate, while herbal black-plum and carob flavors finish more lushly than before, but still fairly tannic. Drink through 2023.	Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard	92	120	Puente Alto	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Concha y Toro	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Concha y Toro 2013 Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto)
US	Hailing from a precipitously perched vineyard above Carmel Valley on the coastal end of the region, this bottling offers baked red cherries, beets, rhubarb pie, cinnamon spice and a touch of iron-rich soil on the nose. There's a powerful chalky grip to the sip, with rising oregano and marjoram herbs laid across an earthy core of deep red fruit and peppercorns. The finish shows dried mint.	Diamond T Vineyard	94	52	California	Monterey	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Talbott	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Talbott 2014 Diamond T Vineyard Pinot Noir (Monterey)
US	A strong marking of cedar, pencil and green tobacco exude aromatically and emphatically before soft, silky waves of integrated oak and tannin play on the palate. Elegant, this wine finishes in a hurry.	null	88	110	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Patel	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Patel 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Petit Verdot (25%) and Malbec. Aromas of violets, herbs, plum, vanilla and mesquite are followed by palate-coating fruit flavors, with firm, slightly dry tannins and bright acids.	Stiletto	88	42	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Pondera	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Pondera 2012 Stiletto Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	Fresh and vibrantly floral on the nose and palate, this lovely white from the musqué clone imparts full-bodied, voluptuous layers of pineapple and grapefruit rind, lingering long on the finish.	Musque	92	45	California	Chalk Hill	Sonoma	Sauvignon Blanc	Chalk Hill	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Chalk Hill 2015 Musque Sauvignon Blanc (Chalk Hill)
US	Surprisingly dry and crisp for a Dry Creek Valley Viognier. Usually these wines are fatter and sweeter, but not this one. It's streamlined and elegant, with savory apricot, Meyer lemon and slightly underripe white peach flavors. A nice food wine as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.	Grist Vineyard	89	25	California	Dry Creek Valley	Sonoma	Viognier	Horse & Plow	null	null	Horse & Plow 2010 Grist Vineyard Viognier (Dry Creek Valley)
US	Another lovely wine from Chaddsford, with both class and a delicate touch. A pretty, poised nose of black pepper and spice are followed by restrained, minerally flavors that leave a clean but complex wave on the palate. Pair this with more elegant French dishes with a seafood slant.	Miller Estate Vineyard	86	35	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	null	Pinot Noir	Chaddsford	null	null	null
US	There's a floral scent underlying the light red fruits, and a hint of that same soapy character in the mouth. It's set against loam and mocha flavors, with fairly high (15.2%) alcohol and slightly bitter tannins.	null	86	18	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Tempranillo	Kana	null	null	null
France	In Cahors Tradition means a wine that doesn't go into barrels for aging. That keeps the fruit vibrant and crisp, as it is here. The wine is ripe, full in the mouth with fruit tannins and black-currant acidity. It is a year away from maturity, so drink from 2017.	Tradition	88	16	Southwest France	Cahors	null	Malbec-Merlot	Château Eugénie	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Eugénie 2014 Tradition Malbec-Merlot (Cahors)
Germany	Zesty lime-skin notes lend vibrance to delicate apple and blossom aromas on this off-dry Riesling. It's steely and focused with acidity, but fleshed out on the midpalate, with intensely ripe mango and peach flavors.	Kabinett	89	16	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Meierer	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Meierer 2011 Kabinett Riesling (Mosel)
Israel	Black berry and plum aromas keep greener notes from dominating the bouquet, along with accents of stale burnt coffee that lingers in the back. The medium-weight mouth is juicy and driven by more dark fruit flavors with a hints of olive. Soft, round and easy to drink.	Reserve Kosher	86	25	Galilee	null	null	Merlot	Binyamina	null	null	null
Austria	A touch of spritz enlivens the nose of green pear. The palate shows riper flavors of yellow apple and is light and fresh. A juiciness and ease suggests this should be drunk soon to relish the dry, easy fun.	Löss	88	20	Niederösterreich	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Hiedler	Anne Krebiehl MW	@AnneInVino	Hiedler 2016 Löss Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich)
France	A soft wine that has easy but attractively ripe fruit. This is not a wine for aging, but in 2003, the estate has made a very drinkable wine. Patache stands for an ancient coaching inn, recollected on the wine's label by a coach and horses. Imported by Grands Chais de France.	null	85	24	Bordeaux	Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Patache d'Aux	null	null	null
US	This agreeable and affordable wine has cinnamon and cherry jelly aromas, fresh and light fruit flavors, medium body, and a soft texture.	Lot 5	86	13	California	California	California Other	Pinot Noir	Grayson	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Grayson 2014 Lot 5 Pinot Noir (California)
Germany	Hits of salt and crushed earth mingle amidst sweet tangerine and apricot in this revitalizing spätlese. It's intensely mineral yet chock full of summer fruit catapulted by searing lemon-lime acidity. The finish is marked with lingering notes of caramelized sugar and pollen.	Graach Josephshöfer Monopol Spätlese Grosse Lage	93	34	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2015 Graach Josephshöfer Monopol Spätlese Grosse Lage Riesling (Mosel)
Australia	Moorooduc's estate Pinot Noir is a solid value among the boutique offerings from the Mornington Peninsula. There's a supple cushioning of flesh wrapped around a firm backbone of acid, while the flavors run from black cherry and mint through earthier notes of brown sugar and roasted parsnip. Drink now through 2020.	null	91	36	Victoria	Mornington Peninsula	null	Pinot Noir	Moorooduc	null	null	null
US	A good red wine that does just what Merlot is supposed to do, be enjoyable now. It's softly fruity and immediately likeable, with pleasant cherry pie, blackberry, cocoa and sandalwood flavors.	null	87	30	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Merlot	Peter Franus	null	null	Peter Franus 2007 Merlot (Napa Valley)
France	Soft and rounded, this has stewed pear and red apple flavors that give it an attractive, fruity feel. The acidity brings out a bright, crisp finish.	null	86	null	Alsace	Alsace	null	Pinot Blanc	Jean Becker	null	null	null
France	Bright and ripe, this deliciously fruity wine is lightly structured and has some weight. With its crisp acidity and dry core of tannins, it's a wine to pair with many foods.	Nouveau	86	13	Beaujolais	Beaujolais-Villages	null	Gamay	Georges Duboeuf	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Georges Duboeuf 2014 Nouveau (Beaujolais-Villages)
Spain	Dry, minty oak aromas mix well with snappy plum and vanilla to form a proper, pleasing bouquet. The palate is fresh, vibrant and houses sweet, slightly spicy plum and berry flavors. Same on the finish, which is correct, spicy and dry.	null	88	17	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tinto Fino	Protos	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Protos 2009 Ribera del Duero
Chile	Fresh asparagus, green bean, lime and mineral make for a textbook coastal Chilean SB nose. The palate is fresh, crisp, clear and lean, with zesty lemon-lime, lettuce, asparagus and tangerine flavors. Long and lasting on the finish, with a spot of sweetness at the end.	Amplus	87	18	Leyda Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Santa Ema	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Santa Ema 2009 Amplus Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley)
France	A nose of tart strawberry scents, spice and just a slight stemmy note opens this decent value in Pinot Noir. No, it's not the most sophisticated red Burgundy out there, but it shows where it's from. It also shows some complexity, good acids and brisk tannins. Try it with stew or grilled tuna steaks. Editors' Choice.	Premier Cru Clos de Montaigus	88	22	Burgundy	Mercurey	null	Pinot Noir	Prosper Maufoux	null	null	null
US	Lightly chocolaty and herbal, the reserve is marginally fruitier than the regular 2005 Syrah, with the same mix of cherry tobacco and licorice. Tannins are chewy and quite dry.	Reserve	82	17	Washington	Rattlesnake Hills	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Silver Lake	null	null	null
France	A fruity wine that's laced with wood, this is smooth and lightly tannic. The red and black berry fruits are at the fore, supported by a toast character and lifting acidity Age for 1–2 years, but the wine is drinkable now.	null	86	12	Southwest France	Bergerac	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château de la Jaubertie	null	null	null
US	Among the heavier, softer and more extracted of the winery's fall offerings. It shows the ripeness and full-bodied richness of the block, with powerful cherry, pomegranate, cola and spice flavors, and is very dry and classically proportioned. But it's not the greatest Riverblock ever. Drink now–2015.	Rochioli Riverblock	89	78	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Williams Selyem	null	null	null
Italy	Dark and well-concentrated, this opens with intense aromas of chocolate, spice and cherry liqueur. It is superthick and dense, with salient alcohol.	Bricco Botti	89	null	Piedmont	Dogliani Superiore	null	Dolcetto	Pecchenino	null	null	null
Austria	Closed, mineral and salty, this is potentially a rich and powerful wine, full-bodied but still retaining great varietal character. The aftertaste has great acidity, which cuts through the wine, leaving considerable aging ability.	Höhereck	93	35	Wachau	null	null	Grüner Veltliner	Tegernseerhof	null	null	null
Italy	Made with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this boasts aromas of black currant, mature plum, black pepper and clove. The ripe palate delivers fleshy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and Mediterranean brush accompanied by firm, fine-grained tannins.	Tenuta Belguardo	90	50	Tuscany	Maremma Toscana	null	Red Blend	Mazzei	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Mazzei 2012 Tenuta Belguardo (Maremma Toscana)
US	Porty sweet and hot, with flavors of chile peppers, blackberry jam and chocolate. Must be the high alcohol of 15.7% Last year's bottling was far better, with alcohol of only 14.4%.	null	83	25	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Barbera	Christian Lazo	null	null	null
US	There's much to admire in this full-bodied, authoritative Sangiovese. It has the varietal's leafy tartness, with tangy red and purple fruits that are bound by zippy acids and tongue-tingling phenolics.	Ciel du Cheval Vineyard	91	25	Washington	Red Mountain	Columbia Valley	Sangiovese	Kaella	null	null	null
France	This ripe, warm wine is balanced between rich fruits and acidity. A lightly toasty edge accompanies ripe apricot and pear flavors. The acidity is just in balance, giving an attractive edge. Drink from 2018.	null	88	28	Burgundy	Saint-Véran	null	Chardonnay	Château de Beauregard	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château de Beauregard 2015 Saint-Véran
Italy	Aromas include dark berry, blue flower, leather and a balsamic note. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, coffee, toast and mocha alongside chewy tannins.	Fondo Filara	90	15	Sicily & Sardinia	Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico	null	Red Blend	Nicosia	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Nicosia 2011 Fondo Filara (Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico)
US	Very fruity, in fact superfruity, this wine attacks with ripe pie-filling raspberries, red cherries, pomegranates, cola and vanilla-cocoa flavors that flood the mouth, lasting through a long, spicy finish. All that fruit is balanced with crisp acids, while a touch of dusty tannins adds to the fullness. Drink now.	Reserve	89	45	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Manzanita Creek	null	null	null
Spain	In the past we've found this wine to be a bit flat and overwooded, but the '04 is balanced, fresh and downright lovely. Light vanilla and toast shadings accent bright peach and melon flavors, and the texture is something to behold. Excluding Valdeorras, this is Galician white wine in its most refined state.	Barrica	91	21	Galicia	Ribeiro	null	White Blend	Viña Mein	null	null	null
Australia	Fresh and lively bouquet, with aromas of grapefruit and green veggies, i.e. peas and beans. Pours on the citrus flavors, with accents of passion fruit and ginger. Spritzy feeling, with zesty acidity. Turns a bit lemony toward the back end. Imported by Click Wine Group.	null	87	23	South Australia	Adelaide Hills	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Paracombe	null	null	null
Spain	Rusty colored and flat on the nose. Aromas of medicinal fruit and horse hide are less than stellar, and the soupy palate of weak raspberry and faux sweetness doesn't do much to improve things. Needs more vitality and overall quality.	null	82	10	Central Spain	Tierra de Castilla	null	Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon	Altozano	null	null	null
US	Sourced from the Cedar Ranch vineyard in the Illinois Valley, this exquisite Riesling was entirely fermented with native yeast in both concrete egg and neutral wood. Given extended lees contact, it's textural and loaded with dry extract. Flavors highlight citrus rind, grapefruit and wet stone through the long and satisfying finish.	Off the Grid	93	25	Oregon	Rogue Valley	Southern Oregon	Riesling	Ovum	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Ovum 2015 Off the Grid Riesling (Rogue Valley)
Italy	Sicilian Pinot Nero shows much of the variety's natural aromas of blue flower and wild berry, only in a thicker, more concentrated context. The southern Italian sun has done its part to produce a round, broad mouthfeel.	Vajasindi Nawàri	87	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Pinot Nero	Duca di Salaparuta	null	null	null
Argentina	Spicy, jammy aromas of plum and blackberry are dense yet soft. This feels syrupy and rich, almost sticky, with grabby oak and blackened flavors of berry fruits that ultimately register as nondescript. A peppery, hot finish is plump but low on detail.	Barrel Select	86	14	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Bodega Norton	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Bodega Norton 2011 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
US	The wine is still showing a lot of rich new oak flavors: toast, coconut and vanilla crème. Sur lie aging (in 100% French oak) adds plenty of texture and the impression of minerality. Behind the oak is a lush mix of fruits, from tangerine and pineapple through papaya and ripe banana.	null	91	36	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Chardonnay	Abeja	null	null	null
France	Another great value from Arrogant Frog, this Viognier-Chard blend is fresh and delicious with flavors of rich wood-grilled apple, yellow florals, peach and toast. Medium weight and well balanced with a long finish. Drink now.	Lily Pad White	86	10	Languedoc-Roussillon	Vin de Pays d'Oc	null	Chardonnay-Viognier	Arrogant Frog	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Arrogant Frog 2008 Lily Pad White Chardonnay-Viognier (Vin de Pays d'Oc)
Germany	Scents of fresh greens--perhaps fern fronds--quickly give way to flavors of superripe apples and honey. Yet the wine retains a light, feathery mouthfeel, turning drier on the finish, with a slight sense of sourness at the end.	Erdener Treppchen Kabinett No. 11	86	18	Mosel-Saar-Ruwer	null	null	Riesling	Schmitges	null	null	null
Spain	This is jammy and reduced throughout, especially on the nose, which offers a dense blueberry aroma. Saturated and solid on the palate, it features ripe flavors of black plum, blackberry and caramel. A potent, fruity, modern type of Tempranillo that's long on fruit and short on complexity.	Los Cantos	89	23	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tempranillo	Finca Torremilanos	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Finca Torremilanos 2009 Los Cantos (Ribera del Duero)

Portugal

The wine tastes full of ripe fruits as well as acidity. A touch of bitter almond gives a hard edge to the otherwise fruity, apple and pear flavored wine. Drink from 2015 to give the wine some bottle age.

Encontro Special Cuvée Brut

84

45

Bairrada

null

Portuguese Sparkling

Dão Sul

null

Austria

The normally so rich Rosengartl comes in a much more slender body for the 2014 vintage, with zesty relish even. Here and there are glimpses of opulence, in the shadows of pleasantly bitter honeycomb that also contributes to a beautifully defined, linear texture on the midpalate. The finish is whistle-clean. Bravo.

Rosengartl Gemischter Satz

93

55

Vienna

null

Austrian white blend

Wieninger

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Wieninger 2014 Rosengartl Gemischter Satz White (Vienna)

US

While there isn't much subtlety, this is a strong wine, offering dry, oak-inspired pineapple- and orange-jam flavors. Crisp acids and a touch of steely minerals help to ground it. It shows enough elegance to drink with the finest foods.

Cuvée Diana

90

36

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Longoria

null

US

An interesting wine for its moderate alcohol and extreme dryness. Leaner and more structured than a plump Napa Cab, it shows juicy blackberry, currant, mineral and oak flavors that are streamlined and elegant. A bite of alcohol makes this pretty wine balanced and clean through the finish.

null

91

48

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Skyhawk Lane

null

Skyhawk Lane 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

Canada

One hundred percent Cabernet Franc, this wine shows subtle, nuanced aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry and wildflowers. The palate is compact with a tight core of sweet fruit flavors.

Icewine

88

40

Ontario

Short Hills Bench

null

Cabernet

Henry of Pelham

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Henry of Pelham 2012 Icewine Cabernet (Short Hills Bench)

US

This wine has the variety's trademark notes of herb, green bell pepper, with a woodsy qulaity. This is a full-bodied effort, bearing a long, spicy finish.

Babcock Vineyard

87

30

California

Suisun Valley

North Coast

Cabernet Franc

MICA Cellars

Virginie Boone

@vboone

MICA Cellars 2009 Babcock Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Suisun Valley)

US

Vibrant pink in color, this rosé of Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is light bodied and easy to drink, driven by tart watermelon.

null

84

23

Virginia

null

Rosé

Rappahannock Cellars

Alexander Peartree

null

Rappahannock Cellars 2014 Rosé (Virginia)

Italy

This is a full and luminous white wine (made with Chardonnay) that boasts a lively and vibrant character. A pleasure to drink, the wine is redolent of stone fruit, citrus, white stone and almond nut.

Convento S.S. Annunciata

88

61

Lombardy

Terre di Franciacorta

null

Chardonnay

Bellavista

null

US

Light in color, this county-blend wine by Adam Tolmach is redolent with aromas of rose, ripe cranberry, juniper, eucalyptus, sage and dried sweet basil. Dried herbs including fennel and bay leaf dominate the palate, giving nuance to the cran-pomegranate fruit and Earl-Grey-tea notes.

null

92

41

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Ojai

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Ojai 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)

Germany

Fruity, packed with berry and melon aromas and flavors that end up coming across as slightly confected, with a slightly syrupy texture in the mouth.

Zeller Schwarze Katz Hochgewächs Halbtrocken

84

20

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

null

Riesling

Weingut-Pension H.J.&E.; Lehmen

null

US

This is an excellent, deeply colored and moderately tannic wine with style. It follows its tamarind aromas with rich plum, prune and chocolate flavors, accented with mild vanilla and nutmeg notes.

null

89

28

California

Lake County

null

Sangiovese

Mt. Konocti Winery

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Mt. Konocti Winery 2013 Sangiovese (Lake County)

US

This Triolet is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cab Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Despite two years in French oak barrels, 30% new, it carries a strong herbal note in the nose, that carries all through the palate. Stem, herb and pepper are the dominant flavors, along with tart, compact red berries.

Triolet

86

28

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Bunchgrass

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Bunchgrass 2009 Triolet Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

South Africa

There's a sweet edge to this Chard with notes of orange oil, lychee, honeydew and rose water filling the nose and mouth. Medium weight with decent acidity and a lingering finish. Drink now.

null

86

13

Stellenbosch

null

Chardonnay

Beau Joubert

null

US

Savage and smelling of earth, this estate-grown and -bottled Syrah from husband and wife team Jonathan Lachs and Susan Marks is rightly mountainous, with a wall of tannin, still thick and tight but teeming with potential. Lay it down and let that wall melt into fruit and spicy earth.

Estate Bottled

89

25

California

El Dorado

Sierra Foothills

Syrah

Cedarville Vineyard

null

US

This unoaked Sauvignon Blanc shows the crisp tartness that Anderson Valley brings to white wines. Fully dry, its flavors suggest lemongrass, grapefruit and pepper, with a racy tang of cold steel. The aftertaste is long and powerful.

null

90

20

California

Anderson Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Foursight

null

Foursight 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Anderson Valley)

Spain

Opens with aromas of burnt leaves, roasted bell pepper and tomato and finally secondary red fruit. The palate is saturated but hard, with herbal, leafy, dry red-fruit flavors and a backing of cured meat. Herbal late, with some old-school cherry and tobacco. A tough wine, but at least it's something different.

Peregrino Roble

86

19

Northern Spain

Tierra de León

null

Prieto Picudo

Gordonzello

null

US

Dry and tannic in youth. It's not a particularly ripe wine, but subtle in meshing blackberry fruit flavors with sweet dried herbs and bitter coffee. They strove for balance and harmony, and succeeded. Now through 2010.

null

89

35

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Freemark Abbey

null

Australia

Aromas are of apple turnover and minerals. Slim bodied and a little soft, but don't dismiss this Chard right off as simple: It has a tight, sour core with peach and oak flavors rounding it out in the mouth. Imported by Pacific Wine Partners.

null

87

14

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Chardonnay

Chateau Reynella

null

US

Good for Cinnabar for holding this Cab back a while, to let it develop in the bottle. Although it's still pretty tannic, it has entered its drinkability window. Dry and full-bodied, it shows classic flavors of black currants and smoky cedar, with a long, impressive finish.

null

92

45

California

Santa Cruz Mountains

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cinnabar

null

Cinnabar 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains)

Austria

An unusual yeasty smokiness plays in the ripe apple fruit here. The midpalate is textured and shot through with lemony, bright acidity. The smoky glimpses pop up in numerous places, sometimes even with a caramelized edge. Very interesting and unusual

Spiegel

90

37

Thermenregion

null

Zierfandler

Johanneshof Reinisch

null

Romania

Bright cherry red in color, it offers aromas of blackberry, cranberry and freshly picked cherries. Flavors include blackberries, red raspberries and sour cherry pie. It's a bit light when it comes to body but it has a refreshing level of acidity in the clean finish.

Dreambird

86

7

Viile Timisului

null

Pinot Noir

Cramele Recas

Jeff Jenssen

@worldwineguys

Cramele Recas 2013 Dreambird Pinot Noir (Viile Timisului)

US

Tasted in August, crisp acidity gave this Chardonnay a slight effervescence that may disappear by the time you taste it. The sparkliness, however, actually is a welcome balance to rich, ripe pineapple, peach, vanilla and buttered toast flavors.

null

85

25

California

Arroyo Grande Valley

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Evening Land

null

Evening Land 2011 Chardonnay (Arroyo Grande Valley)

US

Thin and dull, with watery cherry flavors and a rustic mouthfeel. Okay in a pinch.

null

82

17

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Merlot

Shiloh Road

null

US

Opulent and made in a popular style, but super-oaky, with the barrel regimen overpowering the fruit. Simply too strong in caramel, buttered popcorn and sweet wood vanilla flavors that swamp the underlying pineapples.

Reserve Estate

85

26

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Artesa

null

Italy

Genuine, clean and simple, this bright Rosso di Montalcino offers aromas of cedar wood and cherry cola over loads of wild berry fruit. There's a raw, simple quality to the wine and fresh fruit abounds.

null

86

15

Tuscany

Rosso di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona

null

Argentina

Jammy red-fruit aromas mixed with buttery oak make for a simple, sappy nose. There's more butter on the palate in addition to solid blackberry flavors. It finishes round but short, with yet another wave of barrel. A very good wine but not one that wows.

Reserva

87

18

Mendoza Province

Luján de Cuyo

null

Malbec

Bodega Norton

null

Germany

A streak of petrol persists from nose to finish lending complexity to this otherwise easy-drinking off-dry wine. Pressed apple and lemon flavors shine brightly on the palate, finishing briskly.

null

87

15

Mosel

null

Riesling

Schloss Saarstein

null

New Zealand

Initial aromas of boxwood give way to melon, cream and grapefruit. In the mouth, this offering is mellow and a bit sweet. A soft and easy drinker for folks new to Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc.

null

84

14

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Forefathers

null

Italy

This sweet Vin Santo is a blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano aged many long years in small oak casks. This particular interpretation offers distinctive aromas of roasted chestnut and maple syrup with hints of dried herb, grass and drying mineral.

375ml

87

40

Tuscany

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico

null

White Blend

Vignamaggio

null

Chile

A scratchy, fiery opening of juniper, cheesy leather and berry fruit aromas settles with airing. This is tannic as a bag of rocks, with toasty, herbal, dark-fruit flavors. Throughout this feels abrasive, hard and blocky, with a finish of spice and chocolate flavors roughened by hard residual tannins.

Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol

86

24

Lolol Valley

null

Red Blend

François Lurton

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

François Lurton 2010 Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol Red (Lolol Valley)

France

This single-vineyard wine offers wonderfully balanced fruits and texture, along with ripe fruitiness. Apples, crisp citrus and warmer pear and peach flavors are all integrated into a texture that just hints at the herbal while being more about bright, fresh acidity and fruit. Drink now.

Le Paradis

93

65

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine Vacheron

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine Vacheron 2014 Le Paradis (Sancerre)

France

Dark chocolate and black currant flavors dominate this concentrated wine. It is densely tannic, while still allowing room for the brooding fruit to show through. Still young, it will age slowly and impressively over the next five years.

Collection

93

27

Southwest France

Pécharmant

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Domaine l'Ancienne Cure

null

Spain

Neon pink in color, with heavier aromas that split time between chemical and candied. The palate is a bit awkward and heavy, with jumbled flavors of pomegranate juice, cherry and strawberry. Loses focus as it moves along, and finishes with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Conde de Valdemar Rosado

84

9

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Rosé

Bodegas Valdemar

null

France

If you want a more earthy style of red Burgundy, this is the wine for you. It has a definite funky edge, lying against the ripe tannins and sweet soft, jammy fruit. The acidity comes through to finish a wine with weight and character.

Les Marconnets Premier Cru

91

50

Burgundy

Savigny-lès-Beaune

null

Pinot Noir

Domaine de la Vougeraie

null

US

You'll want to age this wine for a good 6–8 years, because right now it's rather tough in tannins, and the fruit and oak have not married. Nonetheless it's quite a good wine. Shows complex layers of blackberries, currants and caramelized oak. Lifts Alexander Valley Cabernet above its usual level into noteworthy.

Vyborny Vineyard Plus

93

150

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Goldschmidt

null

France

Light, fresh citrus aromas filled by beautiful spicy wood, with lovely crisp final character. The spice and wood add to the crisp juiciness of the wine.

null

89

56

Burgundy

Bourgogne

null

Chardonnay

Domaine Leflaive

null

US

Named for a small volcanic outcrop on the Niven family's sprawling property, this bottling from winemaker Christian Roguenant shows hearty black cherry, vanilla and star anise spice on the nose. The palate is extremely floral, with lavender, violet and elderflower scents, along with plum skin and crushed-slate flavors.

El Pico

93

35

California

Edna Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Baileyana

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Baileyana 2014 El Pico Pinot Noir (Edna Valley)

Spain

The Borsao brand is a bargain pioneer, and while the wines aren't $4.99 anymore they are still squarely “value” oriented. This rosé is fairly steely and fresh, with pithy grapefruit and nectarine flavors. Lean and peppery on the finish, and ready to be consumed right away.

null

85

8

Northern Spain

Campo de Borja

null

Rosé

Borsao

null

US

A very big, jammy Pinot Noir. Purists will object that it's too extracted, but it's awfully good and nicely silky in the mouth. Tastes like a liquid fruit bar, with cherry, raspberry, milk chocolate, roasted almond, honey-granola and caramel flavors.

Osrii Block

88

55

California

Los Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Fotinos Brothers

null

France

95-97 Barrel sample. Lovely, velvet textured wine, with acidity and some spicy wood. The texture is so ripe, the tannins voluptuous, smooth and textured, a light touch of chocolate. Magnificent rich wine.

Barrel sample

96

null

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

null

US

This is a reserve-style wine crafted from lots sourced from some of the winery's Napa mountain properties. It's not showing all that well now, due to hard, jagged tannins. Yet there are promising signs. The oak already is marrying the fruit, resulting in a seamless, smoky sweetness, and the tannins are entirely ripe. Should develop well over the next 6–8 years, possibly longer.

Synthesis Reserve

93

75

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Martin Ray

null

Portugal

Reasonably lush but not unstructured, Cálem's 2000 vintage Port is a solid effort. Eucalyptus, coffee and plum scents mark the nose, while the flavors are fruit-forward plum and blackberry, with a smidgen of dark chocolate. Long and textured on the finish. Drink now-2020.

Vintage

89

80

Port

null

Port

Cálem

null

Austria

A combination of dried white currant, green apple and lemon makes for a refreshing, clean palate with a medium, zesty finish.

null

87

16

Niederösterreich

null

Riesling

Landhaus Mayer

null

US

This new, limited release red blend is what winery owners Myles Anderson and Gordy Venneri called their version of a super Tuscan. It's half old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sagemoor vineyard, and half Sangiovese. Somehow the two grapes soften each other, keeping the old vine detail and dried herbal character of the Cab, and mixing in plush and spicy red fruit with hints of mushroom and olive. Just 240 cases were made and the wine is sold exclusively at the winery.

Bello Rosso

92

36

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Red Blend

Walla Walla Vintners

null

France

With its ripe acidity, this is a wine that is ready to drink. It shows strong Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness, with a structure that is now soft and generous, along with cushioned tannins and an opulent feel. This is a wine to savor.

null

93

30

Provence

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence

null

Cabernet-Syrah

Château Vignelaure

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Vignelaure 2007 Cabernet-Syrah (Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)

Portugal

Lightly sparkling, this is a crisp, almost dry wine that offers fresh sliced apples and citrus flavors. Made from the Louriero grape which is widely planted in the Lima valley, this is a fruity sip for the summer.

Ponte

85

10

Vinho Verde

null

Loureiro

Adega Cooperativa Ponte de Lima

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Adega Cooperativa Ponte de Lima 2014 Ponte Loureiro (Vinho Verde)

New Zealand

A medium-bodied, well rounded Sauvignon Blanc, this is tropical and citrusy, with passion fruit leading the way and not too much herbaceousness. It's easy to drink, finishing with hints of ripe stone fruits.

null

87

13

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Mohua

null

US

Complex, classy winemaking is evident from the first sniff to the final sip. Savory notes of green tea and clean earth complement a terroir-driven wine. The notes and nuances pile on—flowers and fruits, cherry and cassis, with a whiff of barnyard and undergrowth. The lingering, expressive finish is already boggling, and seems sure to continue to evolve gracefully through 2025–2030.

Arcus Estate

95

100

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Archery Summit

null

Italy

Firm and spicy, this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of black plum, crushed violet and kitchen spices. The juicy palate delivers ripe black cherry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of tightly wound but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2020.

Crognolo

89

35

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Tenuta Sette Ponti

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Tenuta Sette Ponti 2012 Crognolo Red (Toscana)

US

An interesting wine, somewhat sharp and yeasty upon entry, but also showing a creamy, textural midpalate with a streak of honey down the fruit flavors of pear and apple. It's dry, persistent, and distinctive, though not typical for Oregon Pinot Gris.

Rudolfo Vineyard

88

17

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Lumos

null

Italy

Aromas show new leather, iris, balsamic notes and aromatic herb. Elegant and structured, the smooth taut palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice set against tightly knit polished tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it a few more years to let it bloom into a beauty.

null

92

54

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Fratelli Alessandria

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Fratelli Alessandria 2013 Barolo

Chile

Cantaloupe aromas lead to a fresh palate with snap. Nectarine and tangerine flavors run lean and clean on their way to a juicy, no-nonsense finish.

Boya

86

15

Leyda Valley

null

Rosé

Garces Silva

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Garces Silva 2016 Boya Rosé (Leyda Valley)

France

Every Burgundy merchant seems to have a Clos de Vougeot. The Aegerter's version is relatively light, as much fruit as tannins even while it is young. Berry fruits comes forward, while the layer of tannin is in a supporting role. It's a solid wine, not one that has a long future. Drink from 2018.

null

91

369

Burgundy

Clos de Vougeot

null

Pinot Noir

Jean-Luc and Paul Aegerter

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Jean-Luc and Paul Aegerter 2012 Clos de Vougeot

Portugal

This wine has all the freshness of the grape, along with ripe, full lemon and red apple flavors. There is a strongly tangy character, a mineral texture from the granite soil and refreshing final acidity. Drink from summer 2016.

Muros de Melgaço

90

null

Vinho Verde

null

Alvarinho

Anselmo Mendes

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Anselmo Mendes 2014 Muros de Melgaço Alvarinho (Vinho Verde)

Argentina

Simple and easy to like, with cassis and cherry aromas along with a hint of earth, moss and leather. The palate is fresh, juicy and healthy, with clean, regular raspberry and ripe currant flavors. And the finish is long and mildly toasty. Good, presentable and ready to drink.

Grand Reserve

87

20

Other

San Juan

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Graffigna

null

Italy

Chewy, chunky, a little buttery and full of milk chocolate, this crowd pleaser is a good introduction to Tuscan Sangiovese. It will work well with simple dishes like pizza and pasta. It's young and gawky, like a teenager going through adolescence.

Conti Contini

85

10

Tuscany

Carmignano

null

Sangiovese

Capezzana

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Capezzana 2000 Conti Contini (Carmignano)

Italy

Aromas of mature fruit, blackberry, leather, cigar, molasses and stewy herbal greens. The wine is lean and slightly sour in the mouth yet its ripe fruit aromas leave a lasting impression in the mouth. It's a wine with more bark than bite.

Paretaio

86

null

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Sangiovese

Falchini

null

Chile

Initially this smells foxy, with jumpy untamed berry and plum notes racing across the nose. After the aromas come around, this is hard and choppy on the palate, while herbal black-plum and carob flavors finish more lushly than before, but still fairly tannic. Drink through 2023.

Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard

92

120

Puente Alto

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Concha y Toro

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Concha y Toro 2013 Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto)

US

Hailing from a precipitously perched vineyard above Carmel Valley on the coastal end of the region, this bottling offers baked red cherries, beets, rhubarb pie, cinnamon spice and a touch of iron-rich soil on the nose. There's a powerful chalky grip to the sip, with rising oregano and marjoram herbs laid across an earthy core of deep red fruit and peppercorns. The finish shows dried mint.

Diamond T Vineyard

94

52

California

Monterey

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Talbott

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Talbott 2014 Diamond T Vineyard Pinot Noir (Monterey)

US

A strong marking of cedar, pencil and green tobacco exude aromatically and emphatically before soft, silky waves of integrated oak and tannin play on the palate. Elegant, this wine finishes in a hurry.

null

88

110

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Patel

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Patel 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Petit Verdot (25%) and Malbec. Aromas of violets, herbs, plum, vanilla and mesquite are followed by palate-coating fruit flavors, with firm, slightly dry tannins and bright acids.

Stiletto

88

42

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Pondera

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Pondera 2012 Stiletto Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

Fresh and vibrantly floral on the nose and palate, this lovely white from the musqué clone imparts full-bodied, voluptuous layers of pineapple and grapefruit rind, lingering long on the finish.

Musque

92

45

California

Chalk Hill

Sonoma

Sauvignon Blanc

Chalk Hill

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Chalk Hill 2015 Musque Sauvignon Blanc (Chalk Hill)

US

Surprisingly dry and crisp for a Dry Creek Valley Viognier. Usually these wines are fatter and sweeter, but not this one. It's streamlined and elegant, with savory apricot, Meyer lemon and slightly underripe white peach flavors. A nice food wine as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Grist Vineyard

89

25

California

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma

Viognier

Horse & Plow

null

Horse & Plow 2010 Grist Vineyard Viognier (Dry Creek Valley)

US

Another lovely wine from Chaddsford, with both class and a delicate touch. A pretty, poised nose of black pepper and spice are followed by restrained, minerally flavors that leave a clean but complex wave on the palate. Pair this with more elegant French dishes with a seafood slant.

Miller Estate Vineyard

86

35

Pennsylvania

null

Pinot Noir

Chaddsford

null

US

There's a floral scent underlying the light red fruits, and a hint of that same soapy character in the mouth. It's set against loam and mocha flavors, with fairly high (15.2%) alcohol and slightly bitter tannins.

null

86

18

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Tempranillo

Kana

null

France

In Cahors Tradition means a wine that doesn't go into barrels for aging. That keeps the fruit vibrant and crisp, as it is here. The wine is ripe, full in the mouth with fruit tannins and black-currant acidity. It is a year away from maturity, so drink from 2017.

Tradition

88

16

Southwest France

Cahors

null

Malbec-Merlot

Château Eugénie

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Eugénie 2014 Tradition Malbec-Merlot (Cahors)

Germany

Zesty lime-skin notes lend vibrance to delicate apple and blossom aromas on this off-dry Riesling. It's steely and focused with acidity, but fleshed out on the midpalate, with intensely ripe mango and peach flavors.

Kabinett

89

16

Mosel

null

Riesling

Meierer

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Meierer 2011 Kabinett Riesling (Mosel)

Israel

Black berry and plum aromas keep greener notes from dominating the bouquet, along with accents of stale burnt coffee that lingers in the back. The medium-weight mouth is juicy and driven by more dark fruit flavors with a hints of olive. Soft, round and easy to drink.

Reserve Kosher

86

25

Galilee

null

Merlot

Binyamina

null

Austria

A touch of spritz enlivens the nose of green pear. The palate shows riper flavors of yellow apple and is light and fresh. A juiciness and ease suggests this should be drunk soon to relish the dry, easy fun.

Löss

88

20

Niederösterreich

null

Grüner Veltliner

Hiedler

Anne Krebiehl MW

@AnneInVino

Hiedler 2016 Löss Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich)

France

A soft wine that has easy but attractively ripe fruit. This is not a wine for aging, but in 2003, the estate has made a very drinkable wine. Patache stands for an ancient coaching inn, recollected on the wine's label by a coach and horses. Imported by Grands Chais de France.

null

85

24

Bordeaux

Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Patache d'Aux

null

US

This agreeable and affordable wine has cinnamon and cherry jelly aromas, fresh and light fruit flavors, medium body, and a soft texture.

Lot 5

86

13

California

California Other

Pinot Noir

Grayson

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Grayson 2014 Lot 5 Pinot Noir (California)

Germany

Hits of salt and crushed earth mingle amidst sweet tangerine and apricot in this revitalizing spätlese. It's intensely mineral yet chock full of summer fruit catapulted by searing lemon-lime acidity. The finish is marked with lingering notes of caramelized sugar and pollen.

Graach Josephshöfer Monopol Spätlese Grosse Lage

93

34

Mosel

null

Riesling

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2015 Graach Josephshöfer Monopol Spätlese Grosse Lage Riesling (Mosel)

Australia

Moorooduc's estate Pinot Noir is a solid value among the boutique offerings from the Mornington Peninsula. There's a supple cushioning of flesh wrapped around a firm backbone of acid, while the flavors run from black cherry and mint through earthier notes of brown sugar and roasted parsnip. Drink now through 2020.

null

91

36

Victoria

Mornington Peninsula

null

Pinot Noir

Moorooduc

null

US

A good red wine that does just what Merlot is supposed to do, be enjoyable now. It's softly fruity and immediately likeable, with pleasant cherry pie, blackberry, cocoa and sandalwood flavors.

null

87

30

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Merlot

Peter Franus

null

Peter Franus 2007 Merlot (Napa Valley)

France

Soft and rounded, this has stewed pear and red apple flavors that give it an attractive, fruity feel. The acidity brings out a bright, crisp finish.

null

86

null

Alsace

null

Pinot Blanc

Jean Becker

null

France

Bright and ripe, this deliciously fruity wine is lightly structured and has some weight. With its crisp acidity and dry core of tannins, it's a wine to pair with many foods.

Nouveau

86

13

Beaujolais

Beaujolais-Villages

null

Gamay

Georges Duboeuf

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Georges Duboeuf 2014 Nouveau (Beaujolais-Villages)

Spain

Dry, minty oak aromas mix well with snappy plum and vanilla to form a proper, pleasing bouquet. The palate is fresh, vibrant and houses sweet, slightly spicy plum and berry flavors. Same on the finish, which is correct, spicy and dry.

null

88

17

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tinto Fino

Protos

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Protos 2009 Ribera del Duero

Chile

Fresh asparagus, green bean, lime and mineral make for a textbook coastal Chilean SB nose. The palate is fresh, crisp, clear and lean, with zesty lemon-lime, lettuce, asparagus and tangerine flavors. Long and lasting on the finish, with a spot of sweetness at the end.

Amplus

87

18

Leyda Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Santa Ema

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Santa Ema 2009 Amplus Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley)

France

A nose of tart strawberry scents, spice and just a slight stemmy note opens this decent value in Pinot Noir. No, it's not the most sophisticated red Burgundy out there, but it shows where it's from. It also shows some complexity, good acids and brisk tannins. Try it with stew or grilled tuna steaks. Editors' Choice.

Premier Cru Clos de Montaigus

88

22

Burgundy

Mercurey

null

Pinot Noir

Prosper Maufoux

null

US

Lightly chocolaty and herbal, the reserve is marginally fruitier than the regular 2005 Syrah, with the same mix of cherry tobacco and licorice. Tannins are chewy and quite dry.

Reserve

82

17

Washington

Rattlesnake Hills

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Silver Lake

null

France

A fruity wine that's laced with wood, this is smooth and lightly tannic. The red and black berry fruits are at the fore, supported by a toast character and lifting acidity Age for 1–2 years, but the wine is drinkable now.

null

86

12

Southwest France

Bergerac

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château de la Jaubertie

null

US

Among the heavier, softer and more extracted of the winery's fall offerings. It shows the ripeness and full-bodied richness of the block, with powerful cherry, pomegranate, cola and spice flavors, and is very dry and classically proportioned. But it's not the greatest Riverblock ever. Drink now–2015.

Rochioli Riverblock

89

78

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Williams Selyem

null

Italy

Dark and well-concentrated, this opens with intense aromas of chocolate, spice and cherry liqueur. It is superthick and dense, with salient alcohol.

Bricco Botti

89

null

Piedmont

Dogliani Superiore

null

Dolcetto

Pecchenino

null

Austria

Closed, mineral and salty, this is potentially a rich and powerful wine, full-bodied but still retaining great varietal character. The aftertaste has great acidity, which cuts through the wine, leaving considerable aging ability.

Höhereck

93

35

Wachau

null

Grüner Veltliner

Tegernseerhof

null

Italy

Made with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this boasts aromas of black currant, mature plum, black pepper and clove. The ripe palate delivers fleshy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and Mediterranean brush accompanied by firm, fine-grained tannins.

Tenuta Belguardo

90

50

Tuscany

Maremma Toscana

null

Red Blend

Mazzei

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Mazzei 2012 Tenuta Belguardo (Maremma Toscana)

US

Porty sweet and hot, with flavors of chile peppers, blackberry jam and chocolate. Must be the high alcohol of 15.7% Last year's bottling was far better, with alcohol of only 14.4%.

null

83

25

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Barbera

Christian Lazo

null

US

There's much to admire in this full-bodied, authoritative Sangiovese. It has the varietal's leafy tartness, with tangy red and purple fruits that are bound by zippy acids and tongue-tingling phenolics.

Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

91

25

Washington

Red Mountain

Columbia Valley

Sangiovese

Kaella

null

France

This ripe, warm wine is balanced between rich fruits and acidity. A lightly toasty edge accompanies ripe apricot and pear flavors. The acidity is just in balance, giving an attractive edge. Drink from 2018.

null

88

28

Burgundy

Saint-Véran

null

Chardonnay

Château de Beauregard

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château de Beauregard 2015 Saint-Véran

Italy

Aromas include dark berry, blue flower, leather and a balsamic note. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, coffee, toast and mocha alongside chewy tannins.

Fondo Filara

90

15

Sicily & Sardinia

Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico

null

Red Blend

Nicosia

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Nicosia 2011 Fondo Filara (Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico)

US

Very fruity, in fact superfruity, this wine attacks with ripe pie-filling raspberries, red cherries, pomegranates, cola and vanilla-cocoa flavors that flood the mouth, lasting through a long, spicy finish. All that fruit is balanced with crisp acids, while a touch of dusty tannins adds to the fullness. Drink now.

Reserve

89

45

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Manzanita Creek

null

Spain

In the past we've found this wine to be a bit flat and overwooded, but the '04 is balanced, fresh and downright lovely. Light vanilla and toast shadings accent bright peach and melon flavors, and the texture is something to behold. Excluding Valdeorras, this is Galician white wine in its most refined state.

Barrica

91

21

Galicia

Ribeiro

null

White Blend

Viña Mein

null

Australia

Fresh and lively bouquet, with aromas of grapefruit and green veggies, i.e. peas and beans. Pours on the citrus flavors, with accents of passion fruit and ginger. Spritzy feeling, with zesty acidity. Turns a bit lemony toward the back end. Imported by Click Wine Group.

null

87

23

South Australia

Adelaide Hills

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Paracombe

null

Spain

Rusty colored and flat on the nose. Aromas of medicinal fruit and horse hide are less than stellar, and the soupy palate of weak raspberry and faux sweetness doesn't do much to improve things. Needs more vitality and overall quality.

null

82

10

Central Spain

Tierra de Castilla

null

Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon

Altozano

null

US

Sourced from the Cedar Ranch vineyard in the Illinois Valley, this exquisite Riesling was entirely fermented with native yeast in both concrete egg and neutral wood. Given extended lees contact, it's textural and loaded with dry extract. Flavors highlight citrus rind, grapefruit and wet stone through the long and satisfying finish.

Off the Grid

93

25

Oregon

Rogue Valley

Southern Oregon

Riesling

Ovum

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Ovum 2015 Off the Grid Riesling (Rogue Valley)

Italy

Sicilian Pinot Nero shows much of the variety's natural aromas of blue flower and wild berry, only in a thicker, more concentrated context. The southern Italian sun has done its part to produce a round, broad mouthfeel.

Vajasindi Nawàri

87

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Pinot Nero

Duca di Salaparuta

null

Argentina

Spicy, jammy aromas of plum and blackberry are dense yet soft. This feels syrupy and rich, almost sticky, with grabby oak and blackened flavors of berry fruits that ultimately register as nondescript. A peppery, hot finish is plump but low on detail.

Barrel Select

86

14

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Bodega Norton

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Bodega Norton 2011 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)

US

The wine is still showing a lot of rich new oak flavors: toast, coconut and vanilla crème. Sur lie aging (in 100% French oak) adds plenty of texture and the impression of minerality. Behind the oak is a lush mix of fruits, from tangerine and pineapple through papaya and ripe banana.

null

91

36

Washington

Washington Other

Chardonnay

Abeja

null

France

Another great value from Arrogant Frog, this Viognier-Chard blend is fresh and delicious with flavors of rich wood-grilled apple, yellow florals, peach and toast. Medium weight and well balanced with a long finish. Drink now.

Lily Pad White

86

10

Languedoc-Roussillon

Vin de Pays d'Oc

null

Chardonnay-Viognier

Arrogant Frog

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Arrogant Frog 2008 Lily Pad White Chardonnay-Viognier (Vin de Pays d'Oc)

Germany

Scents of fresh greens--perhaps fern fronds--quickly give way to flavors of superripe apples and honey. Yet the wine retains a light, feathery mouthfeel, turning drier on the finish, with a slight sense of sourness at the end.

Erdener Treppchen Kabinett No. 11

86

18

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

null

Riesling

Schmitges

null

Spain

This is jammy and reduced throughout, especially on the nose, which offers a dense blueberry aroma. Saturated and solid on the palate, it features ripe flavors of black plum, blackberry and caramel. A potent, fruity, modern type of Tempranillo that's long on fruit and short on complexity.

Los Cantos

89

23

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tempranillo

Finca Torremilanos

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Finca Torremilanos 2009 Los Cantos (Ribera del Duero)