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	There are intense black cherry aromas, pure and simple, in this very dry and fairly tannic wine. Your tongue sticks to the palate while picks up a solid core of that cherry fruit. Doesn't seem like an ager, so its best to consume it early, with big, rich foods, and let those tannins and acids cut through the fats and oils.	null	85	17	California	El Dorado County	Sierra Foothills	Grenache	Fitzpatrick	null	null	null
France	This is a soft, gentle Pinot with a plum jelly flavor derived from a touch of sweetness in its fruit. Drink now.	Bourricot	84	12	France Other	Vin de France	null	Pinot Noir	L. Tramier & Fils	Roger Voss	@vossroger	L. Tramier & Fils 2010 Bourricot Pinot Noir (Vin de France)
US	This Rhône-style blend—two-thirds Roussanne, the rest divided between Marsanne and Viognier—was made using grapes sourced from the estate Destiny Ridge Vineyard. Intriguing aromas suggest clover, sweet grass and honeysuckle, while the flavors run from stone fruits into hints of light tropical fruits. It's lovely and evocative.	Shepherds Mark Destiny Ridge Vineyards Estate Grown White	91	20	Washington	Horse Heaven Hills	Columbia Valley	Rhône-style White Blend	Alexandria Nicole	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Alexandria Nicole 2011 Shepherds Mark Destiny Ridge Vineyards Estate Grown White White (Horse Heaven Hills)
Italy	This opens with aromas of acacia, toast and a whiff of honey. The linear palate offers golden apple, Mediterranean scrub and smoky hint of flint. A note of toasted hazelnut fills in the finish.	More Maiorum	89	null	Southern Italy	Fiano di Avellino	null	Fiano	Mastroberardino	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Mastroberardino 2013 More Maiorum (Fiano di Avellino)
France	A wine that is dominated by minerality, tannins and acidity. It contains some severe characteristics yet is leaner than some others in Saint-Emilion. Still, there is aging potential.	null	91	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Beausejour-Duffau-Lagarrosse	null	null	null
US	Exceptionally ripe and juicy, with briary wild-blackberry and cherry flavors. It's a good wine, a little coarse, but nicely dry and spicy. A brief decant will help soften the tannins.	null	86	19	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Chime	null	null	Chime 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
US	Licorice-laden strawberry and raspberry fruit anchors a wine that enters softly and expands into a full-bodied midpalate. There is a lovely melding of bramble, berry, underbrush, barrel toast and mocha, and a satin-smooth finish.	Two Blondes Vineyard	91	45	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Andrew Will	null	null	null
Portugal	Made from a field blend, this Port is rich and packed with fruit. The tannins and juicy black plums are balanced by prune, spice and a hint of wood aging. Drink this wine from now and until 2022.	Late Bottled Vintage	91	30	Port	null	null	Port	Duorum	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Duorum 2012 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)
South Africa	Some feline essence aromas appear on the nose with supporting notes of tart gooseberry and wet, dewey grass. Citrus dominates the creamy mouth with accents of cantaloupe leading through to the long finish. Try with hearty chicken salads or whole grilled fish.	null	85	11	Durbanville	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Durbanville Hills	null	null	null
Portugal	Old vines, many up to 80-years-old, supply the grapes that were fermented in traditional granite lagars for a ripe jammy character in this powerful wine. It has solid tannins and great acidity, both of which will allow the wine to age. Drink this impressive wine from 2020.	Reserva	93	55	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Quinta da Foz	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Quinta da Foz 2016 Reserva Red (Douro)
Italy	This concentrated wine opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, smoke and subtle oak. The densely packed palate delivers notes of black cherry, mineral and medicinal herbs. It's still young, with bracing tannins that result in a mouth-drying finish. Drink after 2018.	null	88	null	Southern Italy	Taurasi	null	Aglianico	Villa Matilde	null	null	null
France	Citrus blossom is evoked on the nose, aromatic mandarin peel and the dark, crushed foliage of citrus, too. On the palate there is a purity that is both mellow and taut, generous and restrained. The body is slender and willowy, while breezes of herbs and citrus come and go. Do not smother this dry, delicate veil of Riesling with big food. Choose light, delicate fare and this will simply sing.	Cuvée Colette	94	45	Alsace	Alsace	null	Riesling	Domaine Weinbach	null	null	null
Ukraine	This has aromas of citrus blossom and lemon pith. There are flavors of green apple and pear in the mouth with an acidic finish.	Reserve	85	9	Ukraine	null	null	Chardonnay	Koblevo	Jeff Jenssen	@worldwineguys	Koblevo NV Reserve Chardonnay (Ukraine)
Chile	Pungent and green on the nose, which makes it 100% varietally correct. It smells and tastes of cool-climate terroir, and if you enjoy simple but likable citrus, melon, snap pea and bell pepper characteristics, this has it. Good by the glass or by the bottle.	Classic	87	11	San Antonio	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Leyda	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Leyda 2006 Classic Sauvignon Blanc (San Antonio)
Portugal	Classic bottle-fermented wine, with yeast and citrus flavors, a creamy edge and a bright final acidity. The wine is crisp, lively with a clean fresh aftertaste.	Grande Reserva Bruto	87	null	Vinho Verde	null	null	Portuguese Sparkling	Casa do Valle	null	null	null
Spain	Bold, forward and extracted red wine, with raspberry, earth, compost and a light leafiness to the nose. Tannic and tight, with plum and heavy, ripe berry flavors. Toasty and dark on the finish too, with power and freshness.	Tinto	85	12	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Tempranillo	Alidis	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Alidis 2009 Tinto (Ribera del Duero)
US	A lovely Otis, now rounding out and showing pretty dried herb character throughout. There is a pleasing sweetness to the core of cherry/plum fruit, elevated with baking spices and lingering softly into the finish. The wine actually gathers strength in the back, adding in layers of caramel sprinkled with black pepper and dried sage. Drinking well now, it will surely keep for another decade or more.	Otis Vineyard Old Vines	91	25	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Columbia Winery	null	null	null
US	A little rustic around the edges, with that briary, brambly taste of freshly picked wild berries, this dry Zin hails from a vineyard straddling Dry Creek and Alexander valleys. It's exuberant in spicy flavors of blackberries, blueberries, cherries and cola.	null	87	18	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Kokomo	null	null	null
Italy	This impressive Amarone shows aromatic intensity and elegance that is expressed as black mineral, jammy cherry fruit, Indian spice, barbecue smoke and cola. It's a thick, delicious wine with excellent extract and consistency that can match grilled meat or aged cheese.	Selezone Antonio Castagnedi	93	45	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Tenuta Sant'Antonio	null	null	null
Argentina	Rather jammy, murky and generic on the nose, with black-fruit aromas that center around plum and blackberry. The palate is edgy but fresh, with snappy, tarry black-fruit flavors. Feels rugged, rough and tannic but gets the job done in its price range.	Yauquén	85	12	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Ruca Malen	null	null	null
US	A richly fruity wine that offers up plush blackberry, cherry, bitter chocolate and herb flavors that are dry and crisp, plus a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. The tannins are kind of tough, though.	Carhartt Vineyard	88	30	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Syrah	Foxen	null	null	null
France	Ripe, spicy wine that already has a more mature flavor of almonds and green herbs to go with the acidity and juicy white currants. There is a final bite of fruit skin tightness to what is a rich wine. Imported by Palm Bay International.	Reserve Premier Cru	86	34	Burgundy	Montagny	null	Chardonnay	Labouré-Roi	null	null	null
Italy	This bold Aglianico has mature black-fruit aromas, with whiffs of eucalyptus, spice and leather. The juicy palate delivers a concentrated, black cherry flavor that's accented by black pepper. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and firm but tightly-knit tannins.	null	90	17	Southern Italy	Irpinia	null	Aglianico	D'Antiche Terre	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	D'Antiche Terre 2011 Aglianico (Irpinia)
France	Simple but with depth, this wine has structure and some good tannins, along with the bright cherry fruit flavors and balanced acidity. It's a wine to drink now, full of flavor and ripe fruits.	null	87	null	Beaujolais	Beaujolais	null	Gamay	Domaine de la Prébende	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaine de la Prébende 2011 Beaujolais
Spain	Earthy and lightly baked on the bouquet, with raspberry and plum aromas along with grassy notes and spice. The palate is medium in size and juicy, with fresh, lightly oaked berry and herbal plum flavors. Not heavy or overbearing.	Signa Crianza	87	13	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo	Marqués de la Concordia	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Marqués de la Concordia 2007 Signa Crianza (Rioja)
France	A rich, rounded wine with a dominant, soft, Merlot character. The wine also offers a firm tannic base over which there is a more fruity character and spice and fruit cake flavors on the finish.	null	91	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Estèphe	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Tronquoy-Lalande	null	null	null
US	Give this vigorously young Pinot Noir several hours of decanting, or age it for five–seven years if you can. It's brightly acidic and ripe in cherry, currant and sandalwood flavor, with a gorgeous mouthfeel of velvet and silk. It's a bit ponderous, but there's no denying the power.	Peay Vineyard	91	48	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Failla	null	null	null
France	An open, generous wine that sings easily. It has great ripe berry fruit, with fresh acidity as well as weight and richness, making it more powerful than some vintages of this wine.	null	92	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Julien	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Langoa Barton	null	null	null
US	This blending house adds 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec to boost this Zinfandel-based wine, which shows baked strawberries, blackberry puree, beef char and smoke on the nose. The fruit is tart and black on the palate, with mint and anise notes.	Brash	90	48	California	Templeton Gap District	Central Coast	Red Blend	ONX	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	ONX 2013 Brash Red (Templeton Gap District)
US	Spicy, fruity and extremely youthful, this complex wine brings black cherry and cassis flavors with subtle notes of cola, licorice, allspice, sandalwood and pine needle. Still quite tight and primary, it has been beautifully sculpted into a focused wine with a long life ahead.	Arcus Estate	94	100	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Archery Summit	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Archery Summit 2009 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
US	Cocoa powder, vanilla, toast and high-toned blue and black-fruit flavors are followed by a flavorful fruit-forward palate. It doesn't always seem entirely varietal but still brings plenty of appeal.	null	90	26	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Novelty Hill	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Novelty Hill 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
Austria	This great vineyard shows through in the quality of this intensely perfumed wine, all white fruits, just a hint vegetal, with green peas. The structure is all here, as is the citrus fresh aftertaste.	Zöbinger Heiligenstein	89	32	Kamptal	null	null	Riesling	Jurtschitsch	null	null	null
Spain	Lean, dry aromas of cherry skins and citrus lead to a competent but basic palate of raspberry and cherry flavors. Everything about this wine screams “regular,” from the tart red fruit core to the tough but fresh mouthfeel to the edgy finish.	Old Vines Crianza	84	13	Central Spain	Valdepeñas	null	Tempranillo	Bodegas Navarro López	null	null	null
Argentina	A big step up from previous failures, this vintage shows tropical fruit aromas and some sea breeze. The flavors are of pineapple and tangerine, and the acidity is nice. On the finish, the fruit holds and the feel is right. Drink soon to capture the wine's perky freshness.	null	85	10	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Carlos Basso	null	null	null
US	Eola Hills is one of a handful of value players among Oregon wineries. This excellent Chardonnay is lightly toasty, with pretty apple fruit that is gently spicy. The fruit is ripe enough to suggest a bit of papaya as well.	null	88	13	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon Other	Chardonnay	Eola Hills	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Eola Hills 2014 Chardonnay (Oregon)
Italy	Yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and citrus scents lift out of the glass. On the creamy palate, fresh acidity brightens white peach and zesty nectarine flavors while an almond note leaves a pleasant bitter finish.	null	88	null	Lombardy	Lugana	null	Turbiana	Avanzi	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Avanzi 2016 Lugana
Chile	Aromas of radiator dust, melon, apple cider and minerals are intriguing and suggest good quality. A minerally, citric, chiseled palate offers flavors of crushed vitamins, tart persimmon and salty sea brine. Saltiness comes back on a minerally finish.	null	88	20	Casablanca Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Loma Larga	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Loma Larga 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley)
US	Off-dry and minty, with a strong streak of wintergreen, this simple, fruity Riesling offers fruit flavors of green apple and a bit of waxy lemon.	null	85	15	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Mercer	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Mercer 2012 Riesling (Yakima Valley)
US	Another fine success for Adelsheim, a founding Oregon winery currently on a quality roll. Elegant and crisply defined, this textbook Pinot Gris begins with a mix of fresh pear, honeydew and gooseberry, then refreshes the palate with juicy acids and some light citrus skin flavors.	null	91	19	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	Adelsheim	null	null	null
US	A nice Sauvignon Blanc that's likeable for its extreme dryness, and that savory, Monterey acidity that leaves the finish so clean. Shows fine flavors of lemons and limes, with a touch of smoky vanilla.	null	85	10	California	Monterey County	Central Coast	Sauvignon Blanc	Main Street	null	null	null
US	Cranberry and currant dominate this restrained wine, wound up in tannins with a streak of sage accented by black pepper. On the finish expect deeper layers of chocolate and vanilla-caramel.	null	88	38	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Clos du Val	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Clos du Val 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	This is EOS's Bordeaux blend. The '04 is mainly Cabernet, with a little Petite Sirah, a good move that adds deep plummy flavors and textural tannins to the cherries and blackberries. It's a sophisticated Cab.	French Connection	88	25	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	EOS	null	null	null
France	90-92 Firm and tannic, while there are also sweet berry fruits and black currant flavors. The acidity is important.	Barrel sample La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion	91	null	Bordeaux	Pessac-Léognan	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château La Mission Haut-Brion	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2010 Barrel sample La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan)
Italy	A blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo, this middleweight charmer opens with roses and raspberry fruit while the palate shows interesting woodsy undertones. Drink now with guinea hen or roast pork.	Eremo	87	17	Piedmont	Langhe	null	Red Blend	Fontanafredda	null	null	null
Portugal	This wine is dominated by Touriga Nacional, which offers a backbone of dark tannins that gives it a firm structure and will allow it to age for many years. Produced in open stone lagares, it has richness and impressive opulence in black fruit tones that are cut by juicy acidity. Drink from 2022.	null	97	100	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Quinta do Vale Meão	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Quinta do Vale Meão 2013 Red (Douro)
Italy	There's a tight, sharp element here with defined tones of bramble and wild fruit. Later, as the wine sits in the glass, this lively Brunello Riserva opens to generous tones of soft vanilla, leather and spice.	Riserva	91	null	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Cupano	null	null	null
Italy	This Syrah opens with aromas of black fruit, earth, coffee bean and oak. The palate shows lots of oak, along with blackberry, black pepper, espresso and vanilla that are restrained by astringent wood tannins. While the tannins need years to come around, the fruit is already drying up.	Regina di Renieri	87	null	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Syrah	Renieri	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Renieri 2010 Regina di Renieri Syrah (Toscana)
Chile	Gritty aromas of red-berry and roasted fruit are not overly ripe. This feels firm, with high-toned acidic energy and a raspy afterburn. Oaky plum and currant flavors finish dry and hot. Not much cushion or softness here; requires food.	Gran Reserva	88	25	Maipo Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Morandé	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Morandé 2013 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)
Italy	This is a no-fussy, watery wine from the Forlì area of Italy (located on the Adriatic flank of the peninsula) that does a good job of washing down informal foods and keeping your palate refreshed. Its measured aromas include dried hay, soft yellow fruit with some nutty tones in the background for additional dimension. The mouthfeel is quick and lean.	Vigneti delle Rosenere Blanc d'R	84	13	Central Italy	Emilia-Romagna	null	White Blend	Drei Donà Tenuta La Palazza	null	null	Drei Donà Tenuta La Palazza 2006 Vigneti delle Rosenere Blanc d'R White (Emilia-Romagna)
US	This Bordeaux blend is strong in oak and primary fruit flavors. It bursts in the mouth with an explosion of blackberry and cherry jam, caramel and buttered cinnamon toast. Delicious now, but a little direct and obvious. Hard to say where it's going.	Old Soldier Road Tephra Ridge Vineyard	89	40	California	Lake County	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Langtry	null	null	null
US	Rich in apricot, peach and pineapple flavors that finish a little sweet and oaky. This is the kind of inexpensive Chardonnay that California so effortlessly produces, all to the benefit of consumers.	null	85	10	California	River Junction	Central Valley	Chardonnay	McManis	null	null	null
Italy	This is one of the more exotic Barberas. The dark fruit is mixed with scents of licorice, curry and violets. On the palate, there is plenty of dark fruit, but it still retains its likeable spicy character. Although the finish is short to medium, this is a pleasant wine, and a natural match with a good juicy steak.	Torriglione	87	17	Piedmont	Barbera d'Alba	null	Barbera	Renato Ratti	null	null	null
Spain	Slightly rubbery black cherry and blackberry aromas are generic but good. This feels round and easygoing, with soft tannins and modest acidity. Black-plum flavors fly solo, while this is nice but hollow on the finish. Drink now.	null	89	10	Northern Spain	Bierzo	null	Mencía	Vega Montán	null	null	null
Spain	Ripe, dense and powerful, with on onslaught of raisin, spice, pepper and leather on the nose. The palate is direct and pure, with clean flavors of berry, spice and chocolate leading to a long, layered finish. Beautiful wine; one of the best I've had from this region. 70% Monastrell with 20% Cabernet and 10% Syrah.	Alma de Luon	93	40	Levante	Jumilla	null	Red Blend	Bodegas Luzón	null	null	null
Spain	Don't expect a lot from this fruity but fading blend of Treixadura and Albariño. It offers heavy green plum and melon flavors, yet it's losing steam as it turns heavy and briny.	null	83	17	Galicia	Rías Baixas	null	White Blend	Pazo Viladomar	null	null	null
US	Oaky, with butterscotch, vanilla cream and caramel flavors that swamp the underlying pineapple and pear fruit. If you're a fan of super-oaked Chardonnays, it's for you.	Las Patolitas	84	25	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Charles Creek	null	null	null
Italy	This is a dark and muscular expression of Syrah executed in a quasi-Australian style, with loads of concentration and spice, backed by smoked bacon, Teriyaki, candied berry and Indian spice.	Sallier de la Tour La Monaca	90	30	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Syrah	Tasca d'Almerita	null	null	null
Italy	Made from organic Nerello Mascalese grapes, this robust wine has sensations of mature black cherry that are accented by hints of balsamic herbs. It's not complex, but the ripe fruit offers easy-drinking pleasure.	null	87	17	Sicily & Sardinia	Terre Siciliane	null	Nerello Mascalese	Di Giovanna	null	null	null
US	Pleasant whiffs of smoked nut and blossom accent fresh apple and pear in this squarely balanced dry white. Fresh acidity on the midpalate lends zip to a lingering but refreshing finish. Drink now through 2020.	Estate	88	15	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Vidal Blanc	Rooster Hill	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Rooster Hill 2015 Estate Vidal Blanc (Finger Lakes)
Israel	A lush and tropical-fruit driven Chard; ripe notes of papaya, mango and apricot flood the nose and mouth. It's rich and heavy in the mouth, but with good enough cut to keep things from being too sweet or cloying.	Yarden Odem Vineyard	87	19	Galilee	null	null	Chardonnay	Golan Heights Winery	Lauren Buzzeo	@laurbuzz	Golan Heights Winery 2009 Yarden Odem Vineyard Chardonnay (Galilee)
France	89-91 Barrel sample. A big wine, with intense dark tannins and great concentration. This is a wine of power, somewhat rough around the edges. To finish, great juiciness.	Barrel sample	90	null	Bordeaux	Pomerol	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Lafleur-Gazin	null	null	null
Argentina	A little bit hickory-dominated on the bouquet, but also giving balsamic notes, blackberry and chocolate mint. The palate is linear due to a streak of cutting acidity, while the palate is also snappy with wild raspberry and bright plum flavors and plenty of wood tannin. A toasty finish with espresso and chocolate is fine and long. Drink now through 2017.	Viña Cristina y Bibiana Coletto Single Vineyard	92	55	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Trapiche	null	null	null
Portugal	A blend of typical Alentejo grapes, this is a firm effort, with the fruit laced inbetween the complex tannic structure. The acidity gives the wine a final lift.	4 Quatro Castas	88	16	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese Red	Herdade do Esporão	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Herdade do Esporão 2010 4 Quatro Castas Red (Alentejano)
South Africa	Vanilla, honey, citrus and spice aromas lead this luscious white blend from Bellingham. On the palate, vanilla, lemon and creamy white fruit all mingle in a round, integrated character, but are spun with spice. A pretty, appealing white with something for everyone.	Fair Maiden	89	19	Franschhoek	null	null	White Blend	Bellingham	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Bellingham 2008 Fair Maiden White (Franschhoek)
Italy	This fresh Prosecco offers citrus and peach aromas with dried hay and crushed mineral. The wine is simple and crisp overall with sharp, steely perlage.	Extra Dry	85	16	Veneto	Prosecco Treviso	null	Glera	Salatin	null	null	null
US	This comes on like a fairly simple cherry and chocolate Cab, until some herbal (some might say stemmy) flavors kick in midpalate. The finish is oaky, mixing chocolate and coffee streaks.	null	87	16	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Pend d'Oreille	null	null	null
Spain	Lime, apple and iodine aromas are the opening act for a low-acid, powdery palate with mealy green-fruit flavors. Briny notes of pickled cucumber and lettuce drive the finish alongside lemon-lime notes.	Cordon Negro Extra Dry	85	12	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Freixenet	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Extra Dry Sparkling (Cava)
US	Shows the dramatic structure of a fine coastal Chardonnay, with crisp acidity and a bracing minerality framing ripe, lush flavors of pineapples, tangerines, pears and sweet, caramelized oak. Very rich and fine, deserving of the best shellfish, salmon, ahi tuna.	Alder Springs Vineyard	92	38	California	Mendocino	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Chardonnay	Townley	null	null	null
US	Lush and ripe in fruit, this Cab is a real bargain. It's rich in black cherry jam, plum, dark chocolate, sweet dried herb and sandalwood flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. This is one of the best Rutherford Cabernets at this price range currently available.	null	91	35	California	Rutherford	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Beaulieu Vineyard	null	null	null
Argentina	Bold, gritty, balsamic berry aromas are rubbery and saucy in nature. Edgy and grating on the palate, but also full of spunk, this tastes salty. Modest red-berry flavors finish oaky and rustic, with a lasting note of aged balsamic vinegar.	Reserva	86	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Fat Gaucho	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Fat Gaucho 2011 Reserva Malbec (Mendoza)
France	This is a simple but appealing rosé, defined by strawberry fruit, hints of chalk dust and a mouthwatering finish.	null	86	12	Rhône Valley	Costières de Nîmes	null	Rosé	Château Grande Cassagne	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Château Grande Cassagne 2013 Rosé (Costières de Nîmes)
US	This shows the variety's delicious spiciness, as well as ripened pear and honeysuckle flavors. Treading that fine line between dry and off-dry, it's an exotic accompaniment to Vietnamese, Ethiopean and Indian foods.	Estate Vineyard	89	22	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Gewürztraminer	Gundlach Bundschu	null	null	null
US	A good, rich, dry wine with fancy Napa tannins and enough fruity flavor to please. It's a bit jammy in blackberries and cherries, with a sweet oak overlay that brings notes of toast and woodspice.	Camouflage	87	38	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Red Blend	Madorom	null	null	null
Chile	Sharp and almost vinegar-like on the nose, with a strong blast of field greens and nettle. The palate is broad and edgy, with sour plum, tarragon and juniper flavors. Very green, herbal and funky. Not one of this label's better wines.	Armador	82	12	Maipo Valley	null	null	Syrah	Odfjell	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Odfjell 2010 Armador Syrah (Maipo Valley)
France	A glorious outpouring of beautifully crafted Chardonnay, opulent but tightly mineral. The ripe apple and pear character has a delicate, elegant squeeze of lime, while the whole wine is underpinned by wood. No doubt for long-term aging.	null	98	411	Burgundy	Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet	null	Chardonnay	Domaine Leflaive	null	null	null
France	Muscat's typical sweetness and delicacy give this an attractive balance of crisp acidity and ripe raspberry flavor. It's light, lively and intensely fruity.	Pink	85	8	France Other	Vin Mousseux	null	Sparkling Blend	Royal Muscato	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Royal Muscato NV Pink Sparkling (Vin Mousseux)
Italy	This fresh, straightforward white offers aromas of lime, acacia flower and a whiff of Mediterranean herb. The bright palate offers lemon zest, unripe peach and bitter nut accompanied by bright acidity.	null	87	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Grillo	Feudo Principi di Butera	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Feudo Principi di Butera 2015 Grillo (Sicilia)
US	Dense aromas of caramel-laced fudge and hickory-smoked meats atop the base of blackberry coulis show on this lavish, delicious bottling. Framed in a chalky structure, the smoked-meat element consumes the palate, which also shows black cherry, vanilla ice cream, caramel and rich milk-chocolate flavorings.	null	93	55	California	Templeton Gap District	Central Coast	Syrah	Austin Hope	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Austin Hope 2013 Syrah (Templeton Gap District)
Spain	Light and lean, with lively fruit aromas and flavors. Freshness is what this wine pushes, because there's not much weight or overt sweetness to it. Light apple, a touch of pear, and some lemon-lime is the most that you're going to get. Still, it works as a palate freshener. Imported by Jorge Ordoñez Selections.	Leopardi Brut Nature	87	18	Catalonia	Cava	null	Sparkling Blend	Llopart	null	null	null
US	Very sweet-smelling, like putting your nose in a bowl of sugar, followed by aromas of ripe pineapple juice, this smooth Sauvignon Blanc from the Michael David folks is sweet through and through.	null	84	14	California	Lake County	Mendocino/Lake Counties	Sauvignon Blanc	Michael David	null	null	null
Chile	With Carmenère and País in the blend along with Carignan, this shows a lot of “old country” character, namely a saucy, savory nose with herbal red-berry hints. Herbal plum and peppery flavors fade on an undistinguished finish.	Canto Sur	86	15	Maule Valley	null	null	Red Blend	J. Bouchon	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	J. Bouchon 2016 Canto Sur Red (Maule Valley)
Austria	A lean, austere wine with a mineral character over the berry fruit and acidity. That said, there is a warm layer of acidity and spice that is now coming to maturity in the firm structure.	Edition Chremisa	86	24	Niederösterreich	null	null	Zweigelt	Winzer Krems	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Winzer Krems 2007 Edition Chremisa Zweigelt (Niederösterreich)
France	A soft, smooth, apples-and-cream-flavored wine, shot with acidity and some green fruit. It's a light wine, very crisp and clean, better with food than as an apéritif.	Vallée des Jardins	84	10	Loire Valley	Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France	null	Chardonnay	Remy-Pannier	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a small producer with a vineyard and bed & breakfast in coastal Tuscany that proves to be a promising newcomer. This 60-40 blend of Cabernet and Syrah (aged in cement tanks and barrique) shows dark, inky notes of black fruit and graphite. The fruit is succulent, rich and the wine shows a big, bold style.	Clarice	90	null	Tuscany	Bolgheri	null	Red Blend	Eucaliptus	null	null	null
Italy	Austere and brooding, here is a bigger style Brunello with opulence and loads of charm. The wine is intense and bright with aromas of black fruit, spice, toast, forest floor, cedar and cherry cola. The feeling it imparts is one of succulence, firmness and density. Drink after 2014.	null	92	35	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Caprili	null	null	null
Bulgaria	Dark garnet to the eye, this wine has aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, coffee and freshly ground black pepper. Flavors of height-of-summer cherry, raspberry and baking spice persist on the palate through a finish that is awash in silky tannins.	null	90	11	Thracian Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Bulgariana	Jeff Jenssen	@worldwineguys	Bulgariana 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Thracian Valley)
Italy	Dark, inky and superconcentrated, this masculine expression offers aromas of dark berry, licorice, tar, tobacco and black asphalt. There's a touch of mineral dryness in the mouth, with loads of heat and power. Pair it with aged cheese or succulent steak.	Colle alle Macchie	90	null	Central Italy	Montefalco Sagrantino	null	Sagrantino	Tabarrini	null	null	null
US	Fairly standard Pinot, but with some silky qualities of interest. It's dry and tart, but with ripe cranberry, raspberry, vanilla and spice flavors. A very tasty wine for drinking now.	null	86	26	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Robert Mondavi	null	null	Robert Mondavi 2011 Pinot Noir (Carneros)
Italy	Lagone is a pleasurable and rich blend of Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Sangiovese that opens with rich, dark color and intense aromas of sweet spice, chocolate, cherry and tobacco. The wine feels chewy and smooth in the mouth with a long, velvety feel on the close.	Lagone	91	16	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Aia Vecchia	null	null	null
Italy	Beautiful in terms of intensity and consistency, this light style of Nebbiolo offers pretty aromas of forest fruit and crushed white pepper. Polished tannins bring up the rear and this wine would pair nicely with quiche or cheese flan.	null	88	23	Piedmont	Nebbiolo d'Alba	null	Nebbiolo	Pelassa	null	null	null
Argentina	A fuller-bodied wine with round, cidery aromas and a whack of wood resin. The palate is spherical and honeyed, with apple, pineapple and nectarine flavors. For Argentinean Chardonnay it's well made and respectable, but at $20 it's not going to turn many heads.	Catena	86	20	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Chardonnay	Bodega Catena Zapata	null	null	null
US	Soft, oaky and ripe, this Merlot has jammy flavors of plums, black currants and mocha. The richness suggests drinking it with beef and lamb dishes.	null	85	18	California	California	California Other	Merlot	Candor	null	null	Candor NV Merlot (California)
France	A strawberry-flavored, medium-sweet wine, with lightness, freshness and a crisp, clean character.	Loire Valley	83	13	Loire Valley	Rosé d'Anjou	null	Rosé	Sauvion	null	null	null
US	If you open this bottle before late 2009, you'll find a tightly wound wine marked by acidity and tannins. In other words, not showing its best. Inside the structure is remarkably ripe fruit, along the lines of cherries, currants, pomegranates and cola. It's a big, exuberant wine, but it does need time, and has the balance to achieve it.	Burnside Vineyard	92	34	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Balletto	null	null	null
US	The fruit suggests oranges, limes and pineapples, and the acidity is brisk in this dry, elegant Grenache Blanc. The alcohol is surprisingly low for a Paso Robles white wine. Clean and lovely in its own way, it's a refreshingly alternative to any white wine.	Red Cedar Vineyard	88	23	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Grenache Blanc	Clayhouse	null	null	Clayhouse 2010 Red Cedar Vineyard Grenache Blanc (Paso Robles)
US	This wine's aromas are surprisingly reserved for the variety, with faint peach, lime and mandarin orange notes. It's just off dry on the palate, with zippy fruit flavors. It delivers enjoyment despite its muted aromatic expression.	null	87	14	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Nine Hats	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Nine Hats 2016 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))
France	This flowery, perfumed wine is full of red currants and berries that balance a solid, dry element. With the potential of rounding out and becoming rich as well as structured, it should be cellared. Drink from 2017.	null	90	16	Southwest France	Fronton	null	Red Blend	Château Coutinel	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Coutinel 2013 Red (Fronton)
US	This McFadden Chardonnay is temptingly priced. A value in its offerings of honey and apple, it's medium in weight but crisp, bright and clean in profile. On the finish, apple turns to lemon—always a nice touch when accompanying food, from seafood to chicken to pasta.	null	87	16	California	Potter Valley	null	Chardonnay	McFadden	Virginie Boone	@vboone	McFadden 2011 Chardonnay (Potter Valley)
Argentina	Sharp berry and cherry aromas are like nail polish. A hard palate offers zero give, while plum and cherry flavors are tart before turning more sour and medicinal on the finish.	null	81	10	Other	San Juan	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	25 Lagunas	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	25 Lagunas 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (San Juan)
US	This is complex, delicious, bold and tannic, bringing the big structure that is expected without being heavy handed. It offers concentrated blackberry and fig aromas, richly jammy flavors that stay dry and a tannic but not tough texture.	Conservancy	90	16	California	Livermore Valley	Central Coast	Petite Sirah	Concannon	null	null	null

US

There are intense black cherry aromas, pure and simple, in this very dry and fairly tannic wine. Your tongue sticks to the palate while picks up a solid core of that cherry fruit. Doesn't seem like an ager, so its best to consume it early, with big, rich foods, and let those tannins and acids cut through the fats and oils.

null

85

17

California

El Dorado County

Sierra Foothills

Grenache

Fitzpatrick

null

France

This is a soft, gentle Pinot with a plum jelly flavor derived from a touch of sweetness in its fruit. Drink now.

Bourricot

84

12

France Other

Vin de France

null

Pinot Noir

L. Tramier & Fils

Roger Voss

@vossroger

L. Tramier & Fils 2010 Bourricot Pinot Noir (Vin de France)

US

This Rhône-style blend—two-thirds Roussanne, the rest divided between Marsanne and Viognier—was made using grapes sourced from the estate Destiny Ridge Vineyard. Intriguing aromas suggest clover, sweet grass and honeysuckle, while the flavors run from stone fruits into hints of light tropical fruits. It's lovely and evocative.

Shepherds Mark Destiny Ridge Vineyards Estate Grown White

91

20

Washington

Horse Heaven Hills

Columbia Valley

Rhône-style White Blend

Alexandria Nicole

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Alexandria Nicole 2011 Shepherds Mark Destiny Ridge Vineyards Estate Grown White White (Horse Heaven Hills)

Italy

This opens with aromas of acacia, toast and a whiff of honey. The linear palate offers golden apple, Mediterranean scrub and smoky hint of flint. A note of toasted hazelnut fills in the finish.

More Maiorum

89

null

Southern Italy

Fiano di Avellino

null

Fiano

Mastroberardino

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Mastroberardino 2013 More Maiorum (Fiano di Avellino)

France

A wine that is dominated by minerality, tannins and acidity. It contains some severe characteristics yet is leaner than some others in Saint-Emilion. Still, there is aging potential.

null

91

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Beausejour-Duffau-Lagarrosse

null

US

Exceptionally ripe and juicy, with briary wild-blackberry and cherry flavors. It's a good wine, a little coarse, but nicely dry and spicy. A brief decant will help soften the tannins.

null

86

19

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chime

null

Chime 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)

US

Licorice-laden strawberry and raspberry fruit anchors a wine that enters softly and expands into a full-bodied midpalate. There is a lovely melding of bramble, berry, underbrush, barrel toast and mocha, and a satin-smooth finish.

Two Blondes Vineyard

91

45

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Andrew Will

null

Portugal

Made from a field blend, this Port is rich and packed with fruit. The tannins and juicy black plums are balanced by prune, spice and a hint of wood aging. Drink this wine from now and until 2022.

Late Bottled Vintage

91

30

Port

null

Port

Duorum

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Duorum 2012 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)

South Africa

Some feline essence aromas appear on the nose with supporting notes of tart gooseberry and wet, dewey grass. Citrus dominates the creamy mouth with accents of cantaloupe leading through to the long finish. Try with hearty chicken salads or whole grilled fish.

null

85

11

Durbanville

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Durbanville Hills

null

Portugal

Old vines, many up to 80-years-old, supply the grapes that were fermented in traditional granite lagars for a ripe jammy character in this powerful wine. It has solid tannins and great acidity, both of which will allow the wine to age. Drink this impressive wine from 2020.

Reserva

93

55

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Quinta da Foz

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Quinta da Foz 2016 Reserva Red (Douro)

Italy

This concentrated wine opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, smoke and subtle oak. The densely packed palate delivers notes of black cherry, mineral and medicinal herbs. It's still young, with bracing tannins that result in a mouth-drying finish. Drink after 2018.

null

88

null

Southern Italy

Taurasi

null

Aglianico

Villa Matilde

null

France

Citrus blossom is evoked on the nose, aromatic mandarin peel and the dark, crushed foliage of citrus, too. On the palate there is a purity that is both mellow and taut, generous and restrained. The body is slender and willowy, while breezes of herbs and citrus come and go. Do not smother this dry, delicate veil of Riesling with big food. Choose light, delicate fare and this will simply sing.

Cuvée Colette

94

45

Alsace

null

Riesling

Domaine Weinbach

null

Ukraine

This has aromas of citrus blossom and lemon pith. There are flavors of green apple and pear in the mouth with an acidic finish.

Reserve

85

9

Ukraine

null

Chardonnay

Koblevo

Jeff Jenssen

@worldwineguys

Koblevo NV Reserve Chardonnay (Ukraine)

Chile

Pungent and green on the nose, which makes it 100% varietally correct. It smells and tastes of cool-climate terroir, and if you enjoy simple but likable citrus, melon, snap pea and bell pepper characteristics, this has it. Good by the glass or by the bottle.

Classic

87

11

San Antonio

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Leyda

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Leyda 2006 Classic Sauvignon Blanc (San Antonio)

Portugal

Classic bottle-fermented wine, with yeast and citrus flavors, a creamy edge and a bright final acidity. The wine is crisp, lively with a clean fresh aftertaste.

Grande Reserva Bruto

87

null

Vinho Verde

null

Portuguese Sparkling

Casa do Valle

null

Spain

Bold, forward and extracted red wine, with raspberry, earth, compost and a light leafiness to the nose. Tannic and tight, with plum and heavy, ripe berry flavors. Toasty and dark on the finish too, with power and freshness.

Tinto

85

12

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Tempranillo

Alidis

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Alidis 2009 Tinto (Ribera del Duero)

US

A lovely Otis, now rounding out and showing pretty dried herb character throughout. There is a pleasing sweetness to the core of cherry/plum fruit, elevated with baking spices and lingering softly into the finish. The wine actually gathers strength in the back, adding in layers of caramel sprinkled with black pepper and dried sage. Drinking well now, it will surely keep for another decade or more.

Otis Vineyard Old Vines

91

25

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Columbia Winery

null

US

A little rustic around the edges, with that briary, brambly taste of freshly picked wild berries, this dry Zin hails from a vineyard straddling Dry Creek and Alexander valleys. It's exuberant in spicy flavors of blackberries, blueberries, cherries and cola.

null

87

18

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Kokomo

null

Italy

This impressive Amarone shows aromatic intensity and elegance that is expressed as black mineral, jammy cherry fruit, Indian spice, barbecue smoke and cola. It's a thick, delicious wine with excellent extract and consistency that can match grilled meat or aged cheese.

Selezone Antonio Castagnedi

93

45

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Tenuta Sant'Antonio

null

Argentina

Rather jammy, murky and generic on the nose, with black-fruit aromas that center around plum and blackberry. The palate is edgy but fresh, with snappy, tarry black-fruit flavors. Feels rugged, rough and tannic but gets the job done in its price range.

Yauquén

85

12

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Ruca Malen

null

US

A richly fruity wine that offers up plush blackberry, cherry, bitter chocolate and herb flavors that are dry and crisp, plus a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. The tannins are kind of tough, though.

Carhartt Vineyard

88

30

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Syrah

Foxen

null

France

Ripe, spicy wine that already has a more mature flavor of almonds and green herbs to go with the acidity and juicy white currants. There is a final bite of fruit skin tightness to what is a rich wine. Imported by Palm Bay International.

Reserve Premier Cru

86

34

Burgundy

Montagny

null

Chardonnay

Labouré-Roi

null

Italy

This bold Aglianico has mature black-fruit aromas, with whiffs of eucalyptus, spice and leather. The juicy palate delivers a concentrated, black cherry flavor that's accented by black pepper. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and firm but tightly-knit tannins.

null

90

17

Southern Italy

Irpinia

null

Aglianico

D'Antiche Terre

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

D'Antiche Terre 2011 Aglianico (Irpinia)

France

Simple but with depth, this wine has structure and some good tannins, along with the bright cherry fruit flavors and balanced acidity. It's a wine to drink now, full of flavor and ripe fruits.

null

87

null

Beaujolais

null

Gamay

Domaine de la Prébende

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaine de la Prébende 2011 Beaujolais

Spain

Earthy and lightly baked on the bouquet, with raspberry and plum aromas along with grassy notes and spice. The palate is medium in size and juicy, with fresh, lightly oaked berry and herbal plum flavors. Not heavy or overbearing.

Signa Crianza

87

13

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo

Marqués de la Concordia

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Marqués de la Concordia 2007 Signa Crianza (Rioja)

France

A rich, rounded wine with a dominant, soft, Merlot character. The wine also offers a firm tannic base over which there is a more fruity character and spice and fruit cake flavors on the finish.

null

91

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Estèphe

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Tronquoy-Lalande

null

US

Give this vigorously young Pinot Noir several hours of decanting, or age it for five–seven years if you can. It's brightly acidic and ripe in cherry, currant and sandalwood flavor, with a gorgeous mouthfeel of velvet and silk. It's a bit ponderous, but there's no denying the power.

Peay Vineyard

91

48

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Failla

null

France

An open, generous wine that sings easily. It has great ripe berry fruit, with fresh acidity as well as weight and richness, making it more powerful than some vintages of this wine.

null

92

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Julien

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Langoa Barton

null

US

This blending house adds 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec to boost this Zinfandel-based wine, which shows baked strawberries, blackberry puree, beef char and smoke on the nose. The fruit is tart and black on the palate, with mint and anise notes.

Brash

90

48

California

Templeton Gap District

Central Coast

Red Blend

ONX

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

ONX 2013 Brash Red (Templeton Gap District)

US

Spicy, fruity and extremely youthful, this complex wine brings black cherry and cassis flavors with subtle notes of cola, licorice, allspice, sandalwood and pine needle. Still quite tight and primary, it has been beautifully sculpted into a focused wine with a long life ahead.

Arcus Estate

94

100

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Archery Summit

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Archery Summit 2009 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)

US

Cocoa powder, vanilla, toast and high-toned blue and black-fruit flavors are followed by a flavorful fruit-forward palate. It doesn't always seem entirely varietal but still brings plenty of appeal.

null

90

26

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Novelty Hill

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Novelty Hill 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

Austria

This great vineyard shows through in the quality of this intensely perfumed wine, all white fruits, just a hint vegetal, with green peas. The structure is all here, as is the citrus fresh aftertaste.

Zöbinger Heiligenstein

89

32

Kamptal

null

Riesling

Jurtschitsch

null

Spain

Lean, dry aromas of cherry skins and citrus lead to a competent but basic palate of raspberry and cherry flavors. Everything about this wine screams “regular,” from the tart red fruit core to the tough but fresh mouthfeel to the edgy finish.

Old Vines Crianza

84

13

Central Spain

Valdepeñas

null

Tempranillo

Bodegas Navarro López

null

Argentina

A big step up from previous failures, this vintage shows tropical fruit aromas and some sea breeze. The flavors are of pineapple and tangerine, and the acidity is nice. On the finish, the fruit holds and the feel is right. Drink soon to capture the wine's perky freshness.

null

85

10

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Carlos Basso

null

US

Eola Hills is one of a handful of value players among Oregon wineries. This excellent Chardonnay is lightly toasty, with pretty apple fruit that is gently spicy. The fruit is ripe enough to suggest a bit of papaya as well.

null

88

13

Oregon

Oregon Other

Chardonnay

Eola Hills

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Eola Hills 2014 Chardonnay (Oregon)

Italy

Yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and citrus scents lift out of the glass. On the creamy palate, fresh acidity brightens white peach and zesty nectarine flavors while an almond note leaves a pleasant bitter finish.

null

88

null

Lombardy

Lugana

null

Turbiana

Avanzi

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Avanzi 2016 Lugana

Chile

Aromas of radiator dust, melon, apple cider and minerals are intriguing and suggest good quality. A minerally, citric, chiseled palate offers flavors of crushed vitamins, tart persimmon and salty sea brine. Saltiness comes back on a minerally finish.

null

88

20

Casablanca Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Loma Larga

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Loma Larga 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley)

US

Off-dry and minty, with a strong streak of wintergreen, this simple, fruity Riesling offers fruit flavors of green apple and a bit of waxy lemon.

null

85

15

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Mercer

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Mercer 2012 Riesling (Yakima Valley)

US

Another fine success for Adelsheim, a founding Oregon winery currently on a quality roll. Elegant and crisply defined, this textbook Pinot Gris begins with a mix of fresh pear, honeydew and gooseberry, then refreshes the palate with juicy acids and some light citrus skin flavors.

null

91

19

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

Adelsheim

null

US

A nice Sauvignon Blanc that's likeable for its extreme dryness, and that savory, Monterey acidity that leaves the finish so clean. Shows fine flavors of lemons and limes, with a touch of smoky vanilla.

null

85

10

California

Monterey County

Central Coast

Sauvignon Blanc

Main Street

null

US

Cranberry and currant dominate this restrained wine, wound up in tannins with a streak of sage accented by black pepper. On the finish expect deeper layers of chocolate and vanilla-caramel.

null

88

38

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos du Val

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Clos du Val 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

This is EOS's Bordeaux blend. The '04 is mainly Cabernet, with a little Petite Sirah, a good move that adds deep plummy flavors and textural tannins to the cherries and blackberries. It's a sophisticated Cab.

French Connection

88

25

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

EOS

null

France

90-92 Firm and tannic, while there are also sweet berry fruits and black currant flavors. The acidity is important.

Barrel sample La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion

91

null

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2010 Barrel sample La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan)

Italy

A blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo, this middleweight charmer opens with roses and raspberry fruit while the palate shows interesting woodsy undertones. Drink now with guinea hen or roast pork.

Eremo

87

17

Piedmont

Langhe

null

Red Blend

Fontanafredda

null

Portugal

This wine is dominated by Touriga Nacional, which offers a backbone of dark tannins that gives it a firm structure and will allow it to age for many years. Produced in open stone lagares, it has richness and impressive opulence in black fruit tones that are cut by juicy acidity. Drink from 2022.

null

97

100

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Quinta do Vale Meão

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Quinta do Vale Meão 2013 Red (Douro)

Italy

There's a tight, sharp element here with defined tones of bramble and wild fruit. Later, as the wine sits in the glass, this lively Brunello Riserva opens to generous tones of soft vanilla, leather and spice.

Riserva

91

null

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Cupano

null

Italy

This Syrah opens with aromas of black fruit, earth, coffee bean and oak. The palate shows lots of oak, along with blackberry, black pepper, espresso and vanilla that are restrained by astringent wood tannins. While the tannins need years to come around, the fruit is already drying up.

Regina di Renieri

87

null

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Syrah

Renieri

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Renieri 2010 Regina di Renieri Syrah (Toscana)

Chile

Gritty aromas of red-berry and roasted fruit are not overly ripe. This feels firm, with high-toned acidic energy and a raspy afterburn. Oaky plum and currant flavors finish dry and hot. Not much cushion or softness here; requires food.

Gran Reserva

88

25

Maipo Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Morandé

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Morandé 2013 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Italy

This is a no-fussy, watery wine from the Forlì area of Italy (located on the Adriatic flank of the peninsula) that does a good job of washing down informal foods and keeping your palate refreshed. Its measured aromas include dried hay, soft yellow fruit with some nutty tones in the background for additional dimension. The mouthfeel is quick and lean.

Vigneti delle Rosenere Blanc d'R

84

13

Central Italy

Emilia-Romagna

null

White Blend

Drei Donà Tenuta La Palazza

null

Drei Donà Tenuta La Palazza 2006 Vigneti delle Rosenere Blanc d'R White (Emilia-Romagna)

US

This Bordeaux blend is strong in oak and primary fruit flavors. It bursts in the mouth with an explosion of blackberry and cherry jam, caramel and buttered cinnamon toast. Delicious now, but a little direct and obvious. Hard to say where it's going.

Old Soldier Road Tephra Ridge Vineyard

89

40

California

Lake County

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Langtry

null

US

Rich in apricot, peach and pineapple flavors that finish a little sweet and oaky. This is the kind of inexpensive Chardonnay that California so effortlessly produces, all to the benefit of consumers.

null

85

10

California

River Junction

Central Valley

Chardonnay

McManis

null

Italy

This is one of the more exotic Barberas. The dark fruit is mixed with scents of licorice, curry and violets. On the palate, there is plenty of dark fruit, but it still retains its likeable spicy character. Although the finish is short to medium, this is a pleasant wine, and a natural match with a good juicy steak.

Torriglione

87

17

Piedmont

Barbera d'Alba

null

Barbera

Renato Ratti

null

Spain

Slightly rubbery black cherry and blackberry aromas are generic but good. This feels round and easygoing, with soft tannins and modest acidity. Black-plum flavors fly solo, while this is nice but hollow on the finish. Drink now.

null

89

10

Northern Spain

Bierzo

null

Mencía

Vega Montán

null

Spain

Ripe, dense and powerful, with on onslaught of raisin, spice, pepper and leather on the nose. The palate is direct and pure, with clean flavors of berry, spice and chocolate leading to a long, layered finish. Beautiful wine; one of the best I've had from this region. 70% Monastrell with 20% Cabernet and 10% Syrah.

Alma de Luon

93

40

Levante

Jumilla

null

Red Blend

Bodegas Luzón

null

Spain

Don't expect a lot from this fruity but fading blend of Treixadura and Albariño. It offers heavy green plum and melon flavors, yet it's losing steam as it turns heavy and briny.

null

83

17

Galicia

Rías Baixas

null

White Blend

Pazo Viladomar

null

US

Oaky, with butterscotch, vanilla cream and caramel flavors that swamp the underlying pineapple and pear fruit. If you're a fan of super-oaked Chardonnays, it's for you.

Las Patolitas

84

25

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Charles Creek

null

Italy

This is a dark and muscular expression of Syrah executed in a quasi-Australian style, with loads of concentration and spice, backed by smoked bacon, Teriyaki, candied berry and Indian spice.

Sallier de la Tour La Monaca

90

30

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Syrah

Tasca d'Almerita

null

Italy

Made from organic Nerello Mascalese grapes, this robust wine has sensations of mature black cherry that are accented by hints of balsamic herbs. It's not complex, but the ripe fruit offers easy-drinking pleasure.

null

87

17

Sicily & Sardinia

Terre Siciliane

null

Nerello Mascalese

Di Giovanna

null

US

Pleasant whiffs of smoked nut and blossom accent fresh apple and pear in this squarely balanced dry white. Fresh acidity on the midpalate lends zip to a lingering but refreshing finish. Drink now through 2020.

Estate

88

15

New York

Finger Lakes

Vidal Blanc

Rooster Hill

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Rooster Hill 2015 Estate Vidal Blanc (Finger Lakes)

Israel

A lush and tropical-fruit driven Chard; ripe notes of papaya, mango and apricot flood the nose and mouth. It's rich and heavy in the mouth, but with good enough cut to keep things from being too sweet or cloying.

Yarden Odem Vineyard

87

19

Galilee

null

Chardonnay

Golan Heights Winery

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Golan Heights Winery 2009 Yarden Odem Vineyard Chardonnay (Galilee)

France

89-91 Barrel sample. A big wine, with intense dark tannins and great concentration. This is a wine of power, somewhat rough around the edges. To finish, great juiciness.

Barrel sample

90

null

Bordeaux

Pomerol

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Lafleur-Gazin

null

Argentina

A little bit hickory-dominated on the bouquet, but also giving balsamic notes, blackberry and chocolate mint. The palate is linear due to a streak of cutting acidity, while the palate is also snappy with wild raspberry and bright plum flavors and plenty of wood tannin. A toasty finish with espresso and chocolate is fine and long. Drink now through 2017.

Viña Cristina y Bibiana Coletto Single Vineyard

92

55

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Trapiche

null

Portugal

A blend of typical Alentejo grapes, this is a firm effort, with the fruit laced inbetween the complex tannic structure. The acidity gives the wine a final lift.

4 Quatro Castas

88

16

Alentejano

null

Portuguese Red

Herdade do Esporão

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Herdade do Esporão 2010 4 Quatro Castas Red (Alentejano)

South Africa

Vanilla, honey, citrus and spice aromas lead this luscious white blend from Bellingham. On the palate, vanilla, lemon and creamy white fruit all mingle in a round, integrated character, but are spun with spice. A pretty, appealing white with something for everyone.

Fair Maiden

89

19

Franschhoek

null

White Blend

Bellingham

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Bellingham 2008 Fair Maiden White (Franschhoek)

Italy

This fresh Prosecco offers citrus and peach aromas with dried hay and crushed mineral. The wine is simple and crisp overall with sharp, steely perlage.

Extra Dry

85

16

Veneto

Prosecco Treviso

null

Glera

Salatin

null

US

This comes on like a fairly simple cherry and chocolate Cab, until some herbal (some might say stemmy) flavors kick in midpalate. The finish is oaky, mixing chocolate and coffee streaks.

null

87

16

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Pend d'Oreille

null

Spain

Lime, apple and iodine aromas are the opening act for a low-acid, powdery palate with mealy green-fruit flavors. Briny notes of pickled cucumber and lettuce drive the finish alongside lemon-lime notes.

Cordon Negro Extra Dry

85

12

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Freixenet

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Extra Dry Sparkling (Cava)

US

Shows the dramatic structure of a fine coastal Chardonnay, with crisp acidity and a bracing minerality framing ripe, lush flavors of pineapples, tangerines, pears and sweet, caramelized oak. Very rich and fine, deserving of the best shellfish, salmon, ahi tuna.

Alder Springs Vineyard

92

38

California

Mendocino

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Chardonnay

Townley

null

US

Lush and ripe in fruit, this Cab is a real bargain. It's rich in black cherry jam, plum, dark chocolate, sweet dried herb and sandalwood flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. This is one of the best Rutherford Cabernets at this price range currently available.

null

91

35

California

Rutherford

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Beaulieu Vineyard

null

Argentina

Bold, gritty, balsamic berry aromas are rubbery and saucy in nature. Edgy and grating on the palate, but also full of spunk, this tastes salty. Modest red-berry flavors finish oaky and rustic, with a lasting note of aged balsamic vinegar.

Reserva

86

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Fat Gaucho

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Fat Gaucho 2011 Reserva Malbec (Mendoza)

France

This is a simple but appealing rosé, defined by strawberry fruit, hints of chalk dust and a mouthwatering finish.

null

86

12

Rhône Valley

Costières de Nîmes

null

Rosé

Château Grande Cassagne

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Château Grande Cassagne 2013 Rosé (Costières de Nîmes)

US

This shows the variety's delicious spiciness, as well as ripened pear and honeysuckle flavors. Treading that fine line between dry and off-dry, it's an exotic accompaniment to Vietnamese, Ethiopean and Indian foods.

Estate Vineyard

89

22

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Gewürztraminer

Gundlach Bundschu

null

US

A good, rich, dry wine with fancy Napa tannins and enough fruity flavor to please. It's a bit jammy in blackberries and cherries, with a sweet oak overlay that brings notes of toast and woodspice.

Camouflage

87

38

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Red Blend

Madorom

null

Chile

Sharp and almost vinegar-like on the nose, with a strong blast of field greens and nettle. The palate is broad and edgy, with sour plum, tarragon and juniper flavors. Very green, herbal and funky. Not one of this label's better wines.

Armador

82

12

Maipo Valley

null

Syrah

Odfjell

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Odfjell 2010 Armador Syrah (Maipo Valley)

France

A glorious outpouring of beautifully crafted Chardonnay, opulent but tightly mineral. The ripe apple and pear character has a delicate, elegant squeeze of lime, while the whole wine is underpinned by wood. No doubt for long-term aging.

null

98

411

Burgundy

Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet

null

Chardonnay

Domaine Leflaive

null

France

Muscat's typical sweetness and delicacy give this an attractive balance of crisp acidity and ripe raspberry flavor. It's light, lively and intensely fruity.

Pink

85

8

France Other

Vin Mousseux

null

Sparkling Blend

Royal Muscato

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Royal Muscato NV Pink Sparkling (Vin Mousseux)

Italy

This fresh, straightforward white offers aromas of lime, acacia flower and a whiff of Mediterranean herb. The bright palate offers lemon zest, unripe peach and bitter nut accompanied by bright acidity.

null

87

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Grillo

Feudo Principi di Butera

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Feudo Principi di Butera 2015 Grillo (Sicilia)

US

Dense aromas of caramel-laced fudge and hickory-smoked meats atop the base of blackberry coulis show on this lavish, delicious bottling. Framed in a chalky structure, the smoked-meat element consumes the palate, which also shows black cherry, vanilla ice cream, caramel and rich milk-chocolate flavorings.

null

93

55

California

Templeton Gap District

Central Coast

Syrah

Austin Hope

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Austin Hope 2013 Syrah (Templeton Gap District)

Spain

Light and lean, with lively fruit aromas and flavors. Freshness is what this wine pushes, because there's not much weight or overt sweetness to it. Light apple, a touch of pear, and some lemon-lime is the most that you're going to get. Still, it works as a palate freshener. Imported by Jorge Ordoñez Selections.

Leopardi Brut Nature

87

18

Catalonia

Cava

null

Sparkling Blend

Llopart

null

US

Very sweet-smelling, like putting your nose in a bowl of sugar, followed by aromas of ripe pineapple juice, this smooth Sauvignon Blanc from the Michael David folks is sweet through and through.

null

84

14

California

Lake County

Mendocino/Lake Counties

Sauvignon Blanc

Michael David

null

Chile

With Carmenère and País in the blend along with Carignan, this shows a lot of “old country” character, namely a saucy, savory nose with herbal red-berry hints. Herbal plum and peppery flavors fade on an undistinguished finish.

Canto Sur

86

15

Maule Valley

null

Red Blend

J. Bouchon

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

J. Bouchon 2016 Canto Sur Red (Maule Valley)

Austria

A lean, austere wine with a mineral character over the berry fruit and acidity. That said, there is a warm layer of acidity and spice that is now coming to maturity in the firm structure.

Edition Chremisa

86

24

Niederösterreich

null

Zweigelt

Winzer Krems

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Winzer Krems 2007 Edition Chremisa Zweigelt (Niederösterreich)

France

A soft, smooth, apples-and-cream-flavored wine, shot with acidity and some green fruit. It's a light wine, very crisp and clean, better with food than as an apéritif.

Vallée des Jardins

84

10

Loire Valley

Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France

null

Chardonnay

Remy-Pannier

null

Italy

Here's a small producer with a vineyard and bed & breakfast in coastal Tuscany that proves to be a promising newcomer. This 60-40 blend of Cabernet and Syrah (aged in cement tanks and barrique) shows dark, inky notes of black fruit and graphite. The fruit is succulent, rich and the wine shows a big, bold style.

Clarice

90

null

Tuscany

Bolgheri

null

Red Blend

Eucaliptus

null

Italy

Austere and brooding, here is a bigger style Brunello with opulence and loads of charm. The wine is intense and bright with aromas of black fruit, spice, toast, forest floor, cedar and cherry cola. The feeling it imparts is one of succulence, firmness and density. Drink after 2014.

null

92

35

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Caprili

null

Bulgaria

Dark garnet to the eye, this wine has aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, coffee and freshly ground black pepper. Flavors of height-of-summer cherry, raspberry and baking spice persist on the palate through a finish that is awash in silky tannins.

null

90

11

Thracian Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Bulgariana

Jeff Jenssen

@worldwineguys

Bulgariana 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Thracian Valley)

Italy

Dark, inky and superconcentrated, this masculine expression offers aromas of dark berry, licorice, tar, tobacco and black asphalt. There's a touch of mineral dryness in the mouth, with loads of heat and power. Pair it with aged cheese or succulent steak.

Colle alle Macchie

90

null

Central Italy

Montefalco Sagrantino

null

Sagrantino

Tabarrini

null

US

Fairly standard Pinot, but with some silky qualities of interest. It's dry and tart, but with ripe cranberry, raspberry, vanilla and spice flavors. A very tasty wine for drinking now.

null

86

26

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Robert Mondavi

null

Robert Mondavi 2011 Pinot Noir (Carneros)

Italy

Lagone is a pleasurable and rich blend of Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Sangiovese that opens with rich, dark color and intense aromas of sweet spice, chocolate, cherry and tobacco. The wine feels chewy and smooth in the mouth with a long, velvety feel on the close.

Lagone

91

16

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Aia Vecchia

null

Italy

Beautiful in terms of intensity and consistency, this light style of Nebbiolo offers pretty aromas of forest fruit and crushed white pepper. Polished tannins bring up the rear and this wine would pair nicely with quiche or cheese flan.

null

88

23

Piedmont

Nebbiolo d'Alba

null

Nebbiolo

Pelassa

null

Argentina

A fuller-bodied wine with round, cidery aromas and a whack of wood resin. The palate is spherical and honeyed, with apple, pineapple and nectarine flavors. For Argentinean Chardonnay it's well made and respectable, but at $20 it's not going to turn many heads.

Catena

86

20

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Chardonnay

Bodega Catena Zapata

null

US

Soft, oaky and ripe, this Merlot has jammy flavors of plums, black currants and mocha. The richness suggests drinking it with beef and lamb dishes.

null

85

18

California

California Other

Merlot

Candor

null

Candor NV Merlot (California)

France

A strawberry-flavored, medium-sweet wine, with lightness, freshness and a crisp, clean character.

Loire Valley

83

13

Loire Valley

Rosé d'Anjou

null

Rosé

Sauvion

null

US

If you open this bottle before late 2009, you'll find a tightly wound wine marked by acidity and tannins. In other words, not showing its best. Inside the structure is remarkably ripe fruit, along the lines of cherries, currants, pomegranates and cola. It's a big, exuberant wine, but it does need time, and has the balance to achieve it.

Burnside Vineyard

92

34

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Balletto

null

US

The fruit suggests oranges, limes and pineapples, and the acidity is brisk in this dry, elegant Grenache Blanc. The alcohol is surprisingly low for a Paso Robles white wine. Clean and lovely in its own way, it's a refreshingly alternative to any white wine.

Red Cedar Vineyard

88

23

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Grenache Blanc

Clayhouse

null

Clayhouse 2010 Red Cedar Vineyard Grenache Blanc (Paso Robles)

US

This wine's aromas are surprisingly reserved for the variety, with faint peach, lime and mandarin orange notes. It's just off dry on the palate, with zippy fruit flavors. It delivers enjoyment despite its muted aromatic expression.

null

87

14

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Nine Hats

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Nine Hats 2016 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

France

This flowery, perfumed wine is full of red currants and berries that balance a solid, dry element. With the potential of rounding out and becoming rich as well as structured, it should be cellared. Drink from 2017.

null

90

16

Southwest France

Fronton

null

Red Blend

Château Coutinel

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Coutinel 2013 Red (Fronton)

US

This McFadden Chardonnay is temptingly priced. A value in its offerings of honey and apple, it's medium in weight but crisp, bright and clean in profile. On the finish, apple turns to lemon—always a nice touch when accompanying food, from seafood to chicken to pasta.

null

87

16

California

Potter Valley

null

Chardonnay

McFadden

Virginie Boone

@vboone

McFadden 2011 Chardonnay (Potter Valley)

Argentina

Sharp berry and cherry aromas are like nail polish. A hard palate offers zero give, while plum and cherry flavors are tart before turning more sour and medicinal on the finish.

null

81

10

Other

San Juan

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

25 Lagunas

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

25 Lagunas 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (San Juan)

US

This is complex, delicious, bold and tannic, bringing the big structure that is expected without being heavy handed. It offers concentrated blackberry and fig aromas, richly jammy flavors that stay dry and a tannic but not tough texture.

Conservancy

90

16

California

Livermore Valley

Central Coast

Petite Sirah

Concannon

null