spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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US	Dusty and tannic, this is a solid value for its quality—a wine of freshness and grip that offers complexity and approachability in equal measure. Black-cherry and black -pepper flavors highlight the palate.	Reserve Selection	92	40	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Raymond	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Raymond 2014 Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
New Zealand	This wine's bracing acids and dry finish suggest it's anything but a cupcake. It's a medium-bodied, vibrant mouthful of Sauvignon Blanc, boasting hints of nectarine and tomato leaf layered over a core of gooseberry fruit.	null	88	14	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Cupcake	null	null	null
US	Here's a big, rich, lusty Zinfandel, the kind that packs plenty of flavor. It explodes in wild forest raspberry and blackberry fruit, accented with spicy thyme and chamomile tea, while extremely high alcohol gives it heat and a glyceriny sweetness.	Rockpile Ridge Vineyard	86	35	California	Rockpile	Sonoma	Zinfandel	Mauritson	null	null	Mauritson 2009 Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile)
France	Château de Nozet is an amazing fairy-tale castle, the home of the de Ladoucette family. The reputation of its top wine, Baron de L, has been languishing for some time, and this 2003, with its flint and mineral flavors and a touch of spice, is a fine wine but has been outpaced in the Pouilly stakes. Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines USA.	Château de Nozet Baron de L	87	39	Loire Valley	Pouilly-Fumé	null	Sauvignon Blanc	De Ladoucette	null	null	null
US	Inox is the winery's unoaked Chardonnay, the first of the vintage. This bottling provides a promising glimpse into the quality of the 2012s. It's so rich and ripe in citrus and tropical fruits, you won't miss the barrel influence. Try now with sushi, tuna tartare, or a salad of bitter greens, tropical fruits and feta cheese.	Clone 76 Inox Estate	90	36	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Melville	null	null	Melville 2012 Clone 76 Inox Estate Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
US	Like all of Carr's '08 Pinots, this one's marked by tart acidity. It gives a sour cherry candy taste and prickly mouthfeel. But it's quite rich, and as the wine breathes in the glass, its attractions mount. Give it two or three years in the cellar.	Kessler-Haak Vineyard	91	50	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Carr	null	null	null
US	Dark, soft and delicious, this Syrah has extremely complex flavors. They range from blackberries and black currants to chocolate, anise, bacon, black pepper, violets, and an edge of smoky sandalwood. Drink this bone dry wine now.	Mesa Verde Vineyard	90	20	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Syrah	Brander	null	null	null
US	Minty, oaky, coffee and blalckberry aroma, gingersnap cookie. Tastes big, ripe, boldly tannic. Very dry. Not showing well, could improve after 2008.	Beckstoffer Tokalon Vineyard	85	null	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Paul Hobbs	null	null	null
Argentina	A cool cherry aroma and a mild, creamy paste note open the nose. The feel is fiery and untamed, while full flavors of cherry and plum seem raw. A cocoa flavor and juicy feel define the finish.	Colección	84	10	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Finca Los Maza	null	null	null
France	Round and velvet smooth, it has blackberry fruits that are full in the mouth, giving freshness while also making the wine rich and generous. The tannins are already well-integrated into this soft wine. Drink from 2015.	null	88	15	Bordeaux	Côtes de Bourg	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Fongalan	null	null	null
Italy	Made with Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this bold wine opens with aromas of graphite, black-skinned fruit, cracked pepper and espresso. The concentrated palate doles out spicy plum cake, blueberry jam, blackberry, vanilla and nutmeg. Brawny and high-toned, it boasts firm tannins and surprising freshness.	Donna Lisa Riserva	90	50	Southern Italy	Salice Salentino	null	Red Blend	Leone de Castris	null	null	null
France	Earthy notes of pear peel promise texture and the very crisp, bright palate delivers, but with edges of bitterness. The finish is wonderfully brisk. This wine will do so much better with food.	Cuvée 8	87	35	Alsace	Alsace	null	Alsace white blend	Domaine Pfister	null	null	null
US	Right away this appealing wines bursts out with scents of chocolate and vanilla—the barrels used were Hungarian and American oak. The fruit is ripe with plum and cassis, the wine still tight and the tannins still chewy and hard. But the pleasing aromas promise a good life ahead.	Birch Creek Vineyards	89	30	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Cabernet Sauvignon	Mannina Cellars	null	null	null
Spain	Fans of Miguel Angel de Gregorio's Finca Allende wines from Rioja will want to snap up this excellent, lush-styled blend of Graciano, Merlot and Petit Verdot from La Mancha. This wine almost proves that talent is as important as terroir, because no other La Mancha wine features this grape blend, these rich and pure medicinal flavors, and a smooth-handed sense of balance that calls for drinking now through 2013.	null	93	34	Central Spain	Vino de la Tierra de Castilla	null	Red Blend	Finca Coronado	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Finca Coronado 2004 Red (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla)
US	Sweet and soft, with ripe berry flavors that veer into grilled cherries, chocolate and even Port. The finish is frankly sweet.	Chateaux du Lovall	82	32	California	Napa County	Napa	Red Blend	Robert James Lynch	null	null	null
Austria	Aged in large wooden casks, this is a supple, fresh style of wine, beautifully crafted from Blaufränkisch, showing the varietal's blueberry and cranberry flavors, along with a firm, tannic and mineral note.	Johanneshöhe	90	24	Burgenland	null	null	Blaufränkisch	Prieler	null	null	null
Greece	Alluring aromas of exotic fruit and citrus are followed by equally lush flavors throughout: think pineapple, lemon curd and even banana. Intriguing and fun, but not overly complex.	Areti	86	23	Pangeon	null	null	Assyrtico	Estate Biblia Chora	Susan Kostrzewa	@suskostrzewa	Estate Biblia Chora 2010 Areti Assyrtico (Pangeon)
Australia	Winemaker Virginia Willcock has taken Vasse Felix's top Chardonnay to extraordinary heights this year. Chardonnay yields in the region were down, and this wine reflects an extra level of concentration and power as a result. Grilled peaches and tangerines provide ample flesh, yet the wine remains focused and refreshing through the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2025.	Heytesbury	94	69	Western Australia	Margaret River	null	Chardonnay	Vasse Felix	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Vasse Felix 2015 Heytesbury Chardonnay (Margaret River)
Australia	This medium-bodied bargain-priced sparkler is maybe just a touch on the heavy side, but it should satisfy most party crowds. Hints of toast accent pineapple and tropical fruit notes, finishing soft and short. Worth trying in Mimosas or Bellinis.	The Vines Brut Cuvée	84	8	Australia Other	South Eastern Australia	null	Sparkling Blend	Beelgara	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Beelgara NV The Vines Brut Cuvée Sparkling (South Eastern Australia)
US	Soft and simple, this Cab's cherry and kirsch flavors have a hot, alcoholic feel. The wine is marred by some vegetal notes.	null	82	34	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Summerwood	null	null	Summerwood 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Chile	With mineral and apple on the nose, this qualifies as a pure and pleasing SB for almost any occasion. The palate is elegant and lithe, while the flavors of green apple, gooseberry and grapefruit are what they should be. Pure, sound and solid wine to drink right now.	Reserva	88	12	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Casa Silva	null	null	null
US	This is a vibrantly energetic wine, explosive in raspberry and cherry, with a weedy, herbal undertone that gives it intrigue. Concentrated on the midpalate, with well-ingrained tannins, it finishes in a highlight of toasted oak.	null	90	32	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Les Voleurs	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Les Voleurs 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Portugal	Soft, rich wine, with flavors of ripe plums, a touch of bell pepper, spice and tense acidity. Great drink-me-now wine.	Point West	86	9	Lisboa	null	null	Touriga Nacional	DFJ Vinhos	null	null	null
Chile	Blackberry, spice, horseradish and oak aromas filter onto a tight, raw feeling palate. This tastes oaky and lemony up front, with berry flavors forming a solid base. Plum, blueberry and herbal flavors drive a tangy, juicy, high-acid finish. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.	Potro de Piedra Family Reserve Single Vineyard	87	30	Curicó Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc	Viña Requingua	null	null	null
France	Oak influence shows strongly on this wine, giving a smooth texture and soft tannins. It has a light texture, fresh with black currant fruitiness attractively balanced with acidity. For the medium term, the wine should be drunk from 2015.	null	86	40	Bordeaux	Saint-Estèphe	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château de Côme	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château de Côme 2011 Saint-Estèphe
South Africa	A strong black pepper element leads on the nose of this spicy Shiraz from Stellenbosch. On the palate, robust red fruit and pepper and good tannic structure offer ageability and a good, everyday red for grilled meat and spicy dishes.	Oak Lane	84	9	Stellenbosch	null	null	Shiraz	Beau Joubert	null	null	null
US	Here again the Grand Estates bottling shows a softer, gentler side of the fruit; the acids seem to have been smoothed over. The fruit is ripe and clean, suggesting white peaches and green apples, but there isn't much depth to it.	Grand Estates	85	11	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Pinot Grigio	Columbia Crest	null	null	null
Italy	Dried violet, plum cake and exotic spice aromas lead the way on this brawny, structured wine. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, licorice and tobacco alongside round, chewy tannins.	Col de la Bastia	91	90	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella	null	Red Blend	Fattori	null	null	null
Portugal	Fresh and creamy, this is a smooth, rich wine. It has citrus and baked apple flavors that meld easily and fully into a fruity texture. With some weight, it also has a bright, crisp aftertaste.	Audaz Branco	86	10	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese White	Herdade Grande	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Herdade Grande 2012 Audaz Branco White (Alentejano)
US	It says “dry” on the label, but when sampled in a flight of dry rosés it tasted distinctly off-dry. Cotton-candy and strawberry aromas combine with a unique herbal note. The flavors are strawberry, bell-pepper and lemongrass, with citrusy acidity and an herbal, green-apple finish.	Z Gris	82	9	California	Santa Barbara County	Central Coast	Rhône-style Red Blend	Zaca Mesa	null	null	null
France	A relatively light-textured wine, already open and accessible. The fresh berry fruit has an attractive wood spice edge, with the tannins providing an attractive counterpoint. Delicious, and is likely to develop quickly.	null	88	null	Bordeaux	Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château La Cardonne	null	null	null
France	This is a ripe, warm, full-bodied Crémant. It has a creamy, rich mousse, soft citrus and light acidity. The wine is forward, fruity and fresh, lightly tangy at the end.	Brut	86	18	Alsace	Crémant d'Alsace	null	Sparkling Blend	Lucien Albrecht	null	null	null
US	Cassis and elderberry scents pair perfectly with tobacco and loamy dust aromas in this serious blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec. Tobacco accents the black fruit on the palate as well, with dill, anise and charcoal touches. It's firmly structured and bone dry.	Mon Amor	91	45	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Coquelicot	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Coquelicot 2013 Mon Amor Red (Santa Ynez Valley)
US	Hot in the mouth and sweet on this finish, this blackberry, coffee and spice-flavored Zin is rustic. The sugary finish might pair well with a rich barbecue sauce.	Bigalow Vineyard	83	28	California	Contra Costa County	Central Coast	Zinfandel	Trinitas	null	null	null
Italy	There's a really nice point of mature peach or apricot that emerges from the fragrant bouquet of this luminous and bright Pinot Grigio. That fruity note adds a sweet sensation to the nose followed by aromas of passion fruit and citrus.	Le Rosse	86	15	Northeastern Italy	Delle Venezie	null	Pinot Grigio	Tommasi	null	null	null
Chile	A dark, chunky wine with cola, cassis and beet-like aromas. The palate is extracted but gritty, with big blackberry fruit that doesn't change or improve in the mouth. Deep as night but dull-edged; it flat-lines on the finish.	Cabernet Franc-Carménère	85	11	Maule Valley	null	null	Red Blend	Oveja Negra	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Oveja Negra 2008 Cabernet Franc-Carménère Red (Maule Valley)
Australia	This wine shows some of the cool-climate notes associated with Western Australia and its maritime climate; green tobacco and other herbs intertwine with bright cassis fruit. At the same time, the fine quality of the tannins is evident in this wine's velvety texture, which makes it a pleasure to drink. Best now–2017.	Book Ends	89	24	Western Australia	Western Australia	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	West Cape Howe	null	null	null
France	The lighter of Richard Leroy's white Anjou wines, this is fresh, crisp, with a fine touch of minerality under the apricot and pear fruits. There is a good layer of apple skin structure, while the intense acidity gives the finish a great lift.	Les Clos des Rouliers	88	null	Loire Valley	Anjou	null	Chenin Blanc	Richard Leroy	null	null	null
Chile	Chunky black-fruit aromas come with strong notes of coconut, chocolate and cedar. Feels fresh, zesty and voluminous, with sweet oak, coconut, mocha and herbal flavors to go with standard berry and cassis. Long and mildly herbal tasting on the finish.	Single Vineyard	87	21	Aconcagua Valley	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Errazuriz	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Errazuriz 2010 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Aconcagua Valley)
US	What a complex and interesting blend of Roussanne and Viognier. Opens with a honeyed, marzipan and almond cookie bouquet, but turns surprisingly dry and acidically crisp in the mouth, with Meyer lemon, vanilla, gingerbread and Asian spice flavors. Really impressive for its power, depth and length.	Contrarian	94	36	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rhône-style White Blend	Linne Calodo	null	null	null
Spain	On first take, the bouquet is hampered by reduced aromas of iodine and the palate feels hard, tight and racy. With airing, this shows better. Flavors of blackberry and plum come to life and finish well, and as a whole, this is good in a pedestrian, regular way.	Crianza	86	13	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo	Raiza	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Raiza 2009 Crianza (Rioja)
US	Along with the Carmenère from Reininger, this stylish example belongs in the cellar of anyone with a hunger for this unusual variety. The green olive/herbal nature of the grape is carefully managed, and provides a nuance rather than a dominant flavor. At the core is tart red berry fruit and a wash of dark chocolate.	Avant Garde	90	24	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Carmenère	Nodland	null	null	null
US	A nice, flavorful and dry Syrah for drinking now with barbecue or a rich lamb or beef stew. Soft and gentle, it's rich in blackberries, cherries, currants, beef jerky, pepper and smoky oak.	Clover Creek Vineyard	87	20	California	Santa Ynez Valley	Central Coast	Syrah	Brander	null	null	Brander 2009 Clover Creek Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
US	Good, dry flavors of red cherries, red currants, orange zest, Dr. Pepper and anise in this silky smooth, tart wine. It's a little off in texture, with some minty sharpness, so drink now.	Chamisal Vineyards	87	38	California	Edna Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Chamisal Vineyards	null	null	null
Italy	Made with organically-farmed fruit, this Sicilian Grecanico opens with nice fullness, density and creamy aromas of lemon mousse and tangerine skin. The wine would make a perfect match to raw fish or sushi.	null	86	19	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Grecanico	Di Giovanna	null	null	Di Giovanna 2010 Grecanico (Sicilia)
Spain	Rusty in color, this has a baked fruit aromas suggestive of raisin, cherry and plum. It's thick, but it maintains freshness due to the solid acidity. This feels heavy, with robust flavors of roasted plum and blackberry, but the finish isn't cloying.	Dulcemar	88	25	Central Spain	Almansa	null	Garnacha	Dehesa el Carrascal	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Dehesa el Carrascal 2008 Dulcemar Garnacha (Almansa)
Argentina	Floral, reedy aromas of red berry fruits and plum lead to a ripe, saturated palate with earthy, stewed flavors of prune and blackberry. The prune continues on the finish, which brings saltiness and a chocolaty nuance.	Premium	87	20	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Malbec	Alta Vista	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Alta Vista 2011 Premium Malbec (Mendoza)
US	Young and forward, this pleasant wine brings black-cherry fruit front and center—a good start, but it doesn't really develop any further. It just does a quick and quiet fade out.	null	86	30	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Second Growth	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Second Growth 2015 Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
Italy	Made with organically grown fruit, this structured white has a shy nose at first but aromas of pear, flint and dried herb eventually take shape in the glass. The linear palate offers lemon zest, yellow apple and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.	Tracugnano	87	17	Central Italy	Orvieto	null	White Blend	Sergio Mottura	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Sergio Mottura 2013 Tracugnano (Orvieto)
US	From a cool-climate site farmed by the Dutton family, Manzana is beguilingly floral in dried rose petals. Soft, sublime and tangy, the palate conveys orange and cranberry. Light in color, this wine offers plenty of body and weight, with fresh blackberry compote on the finish. The wine will age well; drink now through 2023.	Manzana Vineyard	92	56	California	Green Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	MacRostie	Virginie Boone	@vboone	MacRostie 2013 Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir (Green Valley)
France	This is a festive wine, with soft, ripe fruit and acidity, plus a red berry flavor.	Nouveau	86	9	Beaujolais	Beaujolais	null	Gamay	Henry Fessy	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Henry Fessy 2012 Nouveau (Beaujolais)
US	The vineyard is in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, though the label does not indicate it. There is a welcome purity to the fruit expression, pretty cherry flavors with a suggestion of hard candy. Although it has light herb and stem highlights, nothing overshadows the lovely fruit.	Z'ivo Vineyard Reserve	89	40	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Walnut City WineWorks	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Walnut City WineWorks 2012 Z'ivo Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
US	This is a really good Pinot Noir that will gain traction in the cellar. The cool vintage conditions show in the acidity and lean framework, but the California sun triumphs with flavors of ripe sour cherries with suggestions of mushrooms and minerals. Dry and complex, it should be better after 2016.	Rosella's Vineyard	92	65	California	Santa Lucia Highlands	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Bernardus	null	null	null
France	A finely balanced wine with toast and ginger flavors peeking through the ripe peach and apricot fruits. It is striated with minerality giving an intense ageworthy texture. The acidity shows through strongly at the end.	Les Embazées Premier Cru	91	100	Burgundy	Chassagne-Montrachet	null	Chardonnay	Chartron et Trébuchet	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Chartron et Trébuchet 2009 Les Embazées Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet)
Italy	This is a gorgeous wine with loads of intensity and fruit. You can expect the wine to age many years in the cellar thanks to the integrity of the cherry, blackberry and plum flavors. In the mouth, the wine is soft, round and smooth although the tannins could use a few more years to soften.	null	92	null	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese	Citille di Sopra	null	null	null
Germany	While fairly neutral on the nose with aromas of lemon and pressed apple, this off-dry wine is chock full of concentrated yellow-cherry, peach and nectarine flavors. Piercing citrus acidity jolts the palate, driving a long, honey-touched finish. Refreshing and invigorating.	Scharzofberger GL Kabinett	90	31	Mosel	null	null	Riesling	Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt	null	null	null
US	Dark and deep purple/black, with a Port-like nose. There's a little fizz on the palate, which seems odd in a wine this big, and the flavors are locked in tight. Flat, dry, tannic finish.	TC Vineyard Old Vine	84	21	California	Amador County	Sierra Foothills	Zinfandel	Sonora	null	null	null
Italy	The nose here is sweet and hot with aromas that recall ripe blueberry and strawberry backed by pretty spice renderings. The mouthfeel is also sweet, oddly so, and seems chewy and juicy on the palate, but not very long in terms of flavor.	San Leonino	84	20	Tuscany	Chianti Classico	null	Sangiovese	Tenimenti Angelini	null	null	null
US	Amazingly ripe and sweet with blackberry jam, chocolate, cassis liqueur and oak. It's almost porty in its decadence, but what this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot lacks in subtlety, it more than makes up for in sheer power. Drink now–2015.	L'Insolent	88	95	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Clos Solène	null	null	null
Portugal	Opulently fruity, it has tarry, firm tannins as well as ripe black plum flavors. Acidity adds a fresher element to this rich, rounded wine. It's ready to drink.	Vale de Lobos	89	12	Tejo	null	null	Portuguese Red	Quinta da Ribeirinha	null	null	null
US	With a concentrated bouquet of black cherry and leathery earth, this straddles the richness of California fruit with an Old World layering of savory sumptuousness. Built with structure and subtle acidity, it is meant to be enjoyed at the table, a pork tenderloin or mushroom quiche among the pairing possibilities.	Reserve	90	60	California	Russian River Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	En Garde	Virginie Boone	@vboone	En Garde 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
Italy	Aromas of scorched earth, toasted oak, espresso and a gamy note lead the nose. The extracted palate offers blackberry extract, bitter sage and crushed black pepper alongside drying but fleeting tannins.	Braccale	86	30	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Castello di Montepò	null	null	null
US	Tons of ripe cherry fruit flavors mark this soft, slightly sweet wine, along with herbal tastes of wild thyme and rosemary. Calls for roasted leg of lamb, with butter-sautéed baby potatoes.	null	84	10	California	California	California Other	Merlot	Esser Cellars	null	null	null
Canada	Tannic and astringent at first taste, this wine opens up into a more complex and interesting play of dark fruits and darker flavors. Smoke, earth, char and espresso components are set against tight blueberry fruit, with lead pencil tannins. Those tannins might need a juicy steak to put them back in their cage.	Qwam Qwmt	89	35	British Columbia	Okanagan Valley	null	Syrah	Nk'Mip Cellars	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Nk'Mip Cellars 2009 Qwam Qwmt Syrah (Okanagan Valley)
US	Marked by aggressive acidity and some dusty tannins, this Pinot is not showing well now. It's just too hard and tart. But the flavors are enormously ripe, and the finish is dry and silky and long. It all suggests cellaring to let the cherries, black raspberries and Dr. Pepper cola emerge from their tomb. Better after 2011.	Le Bon Climat Vineyard	92	45	California	Santa Maria Valley	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Chanin	null	null	Chanin 2007 Le Bon Climat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
Italy	This white blend of Catarratto and Chardonnay from Capo Soprano (a sub-brand of Fazio) offers aromas of stone fruit and yellow flower that are framed by drying mineral tones. The mouthfeel is flat and not particularly exciting and the wine ends crisp but short.	null	84	14	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	White Blend	Capo Soprano	null	null	Capo Soprano 2007 White (Sicilia)
US	This oddball grape is a German hybrid cross between Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc, and has nothing to do with Muscat (hence the "k"). Intense, concentrated aromas of tangerine, kiwi and orange, with a noticeable foxiness. Ripe fruit, big flavors, and a lot of weight on the palate.	null	84	18	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Morio Muskat	Covey Run	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Covey Run 1999 Morio Muskat (Yakima Valley)
US	It's pure Rosenblum, as sweet as a confection, as delicious as a filling made from blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, cinnamon, vanilla and white sugar. It's impossible not to be impressed and troubled by a wine such as this.	Rominger Vineyard	87	25	California	Yolo County	Central Valley	Syrah	Rosenblum	null	null	Rosenblum 2005 Rominger Vineyard Syrah (Yolo County)
US	Good flavors of citrus, peach, spice and toast in this classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It's dry, but rough in the mouth, with a scoury finish.	Brut Classic	85	22	California	California	California Other	Sparkling Blend	Chandon	null	null	null
New Zealand	Typical passion fruit and gooseberry aromas turn tropical and almost rich on the palate. This is weightier than many Sauvignons, lushly ripe and maybe even a touch sweet—serve it well chilled for best effect.	Regional Collection	85	14	Marlborough	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Nobilo	null	null	null
US	Smoothly textured around layers of dark, ripe fruit, this wine from hallowed Napa Valley ground features richer undertones of cinnamon and clove. Smoky oak and chocolate flesh out the midpalate and finish, providing a spark of plushness and decadence as it fades out.	Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard	93	165	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Cliff Lede	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Cliff Lede 2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	This unusual rosé blends Merlot rosé with substantial portions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Gewürztraminer, highlighting textural and flavor attributes from each. It's luscious in mouthfeel with a dense concentration of tropical fruit flavors, yet brisk and effortlessly quaffable. A delightful new take on a Hamptons classic.	Summer in a Bottle	90	24	New York	Long Island	Long Island	Rosé	Wölffer	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Wölffer 2014 Summer in a Bottle Rosé (Long Island)
Spain	For Toro, this is earthy and slightly herbal as opposed to ripe and jammy. Aromas of mulch, leather and herbal berry lead into a firm, rocky palate with rooty flavors of burnt leaves, black fruits and oregano. A tight, compact finish with moderate flavors is a bit closed and hard.	null	89	28	Northern Spain	Toro	null	Tinta de Toro	Elias Mora	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Elias Mora 2010 Toro
France	Oak aging and no filtration give this beautiful wine richness and dense texture. A touch of spicy toast contrasts with the melon and grapefruit flavors, smoothly ripe texture and nutmeg aftertaste. The wine is concentrated and full in the mouth. This opulent wine is still young, so wait until late 2017 to drink.	Sancerre d'Antan Terroir de Silex	94	60	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Henri Bourgeois	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Henri Bourgeois 2014 Sancerre d'Antan Terroir de Silex (Sancerre)
Italy	Nice and mildly creamy up front, with aromas of pear, melon and vanilla. It runs rather tangy and zesty across the palate, showing apple, kiwi and peach flavors. Finishes long but monotone, with almond extract as the lasting impression.	null	86	17	Tuscany	Vermentino di Toscana	null	Vermentino	Campo al Mare	null	null	null
Australia	A sleek name and a sleek wine. Vanilla and toffee overflow from the effusive nose while sour candy and plum jam take over on the palate. It's a tad thin in the mouth but finishes on a lovely raspberry note that has just a bit of sticking power. Drink as the Australians do, with Christmas dinner.	Black Bubbles Sparkling	84	25	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Shiraz	Shingleback	null	null	null
France	Round and soft initially, this rich, intense Chardonnay then shows its firm side. In addition to the ripe yellow-fruit flavors, there is a minerally, tight structure that promises that this wine will age. Keep it for at least five years.	Clos des Mouches Premier Cru	94	120	Burgundy	Beaune	null	Chardonnay	Joseph Drouhin	null	null	null
Chile	Right from the beginning, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend oozes old-school Chilean calling cards: The nose is full of eucalyptus and herbal berry aromas along with tobacco and spicy berry scents. A tannic, heavy palate is hard and grinding, while baked flavors of black fruits come with a reprise of herbaceous character. Drink through 2022.	Memorias	89	35	Maipo Valley	null	null	Red Blend	Viña el Principal	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Viña el Principal 2011 Memorias Red (Maipo Valley)
France	Fresh, juicy fruit, full of crisp red currant flavors that finish on an herbaceous note. Served slightly chilled, this makes an easy-drinking red, but should be consumed this year.	null	83	13	Loire Valley	Touraine Amboise	null	Red Blend	Domaine de la Rivaudiere	null	null	null
US	Aromas are floral and fruity, but also oaky, while flavors add ripe plum and black cherry jazzed up with vanilla accents. This is medium bodied, not very tannic, but packs a good amount of flavor.	null	85	15	California	California	California Other	Cabernet Sauvignon	Manifesto!	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	Manifesto! 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
US	100% Sémillon from Ste. Michelle's Canoe Ridge vineyard, this is a fine iteration of the grape, with firm flavors suggesting citrus, orange, muted stone fruits. In the mouth it has the oily or woolly feel of the grape, with a full-throttle mid-palate and moderate length.	Cuvée Lucia	89	22	Washington	Horse Heaven Hills	Columbia Valley	Sémillon	Andrew Will	null	null	null
US	Aromas of smoke and sweet apple introduce an intensely flavored palate that's full of ripe yellow peach, waxy flower and fresh fennel. Off-dry and bold in structure, it finishes with a hint of lanolin and a lingering minerality.	RTR Vineyard Semi-Dry	88	16	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Riesling	Red Tail Ridge	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Red Tail Ridge 2011 RTR Vineyard Semi-Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)
US	A strong smoky aroma, spicy oak flavors and a blast of ripe fruit make this a boisterous wine. It's full bodied, with heat on the palate. A little berry and cherry concentration comes through on the finish.	null	86	50	California	Anderson Valley	null	Pinot Noir	WindRacer	Jim Gordon	@gordone_cellars	WindRacer 2014 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
Italy	This wine is a bit strange, especially on the nose where it yields too generous notes of cocoa butter, sun tanning lotion, butterscotch, cherry and sweet vanilla. The nose is definitely sweet, bordering on cloying, and tight tannins will need time to soften.	null	86	40	Veneto	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Farina	null	null	null
US	This nonvintage red is a serviceable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. Sharp, spicy and tannic, it has a bit of a green streak through the finish.	Vinosity	83	20	Washington	Washington	Washington Other	Red Blend	Latah Creek	null	null	null
France	This is rich, honeyed and ripe on the nose and full-bodied and round in the mouth, with just enough acidity to provide backbone and length. The peach, melon and citrus notes linger on the mouthwatering finish.	Les Miaux	91	75	Rhône Valley	Hermitage	null	Marsanne	Ferraton Pere et Fils	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Ferraton Pere et Fils 2014 Les Miaux Marsanne (Hermitage)
France	Big, firmly tannic wine, smoky and warm, with great swathes of black currant fruit. It is firmly structured, but it is the rich sweet fruits that are the attraction.	null	91	35	Bordeaux	Haut-Médoc	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Citran	null	null	null
Portugal	Although based in Bairrada, further south, Messias does have considerable interests in the Douro. This wine, with its firm, mineral structure, brings out the tannins and concentration of the Douro. That goes with the black fruit flavors that are dark and dry. Drink this wine now.	Messias Selection	86	8	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Messias	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Messias 2013 Messias Selection Red (Douro)
Italy	Molamatta is a very successful blend of some of Friuli's best varieties— Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Pinot Bianco—that earns high praise for both aroma and mouthfeel. Citrus, pear, peach and almond nut notes are backed by a dense, creamy texture.	Molamatta	88	21	Northeastern Italy	Collio	null	White Blend	Marco Felluga	null	null	null
Australia	Full-bodied, creamy-textured and amply concentrated, this is a warm, velvety offering from the Western Australian outpost of Mount Barker. Bold plum and berry flavors are framed by vanilla and velvety tannins. Drink now-2014.	Regional Series	89	22	Western Australia	Mount Barker	null	Shiraz	Capel Vale	null	null	null
Argentina	So woody at first you'd think you had entered a sawmill, but with time it settles down. Red berries, milk chocolate and wood spice work the palate, followed by lean fruit leftovers and vanilla.	Zagal	83	15	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Hacienda del Plata	null	null	null
Italy	Pian delle Vigne comes from vineyards planted in lower lands compared to many other Montalcino crus. This results in slightly higher temperatures during the growing season and thicker, sweeter wines. What it loses in complexity it gains in generous tones of sweet cherry, chocolate and spice. The wine's texture is round, rich and opulent.	Pian delle Vigne	91	75	Tuscany	Brunello di Montalcino	null	Sangiovese Grosso	Marchesi Antinori	null	null	null
US	This thoroughly delicious, acid-driven wine opens with aromas of passion fruit, oyster shell, herbs, wet stone and citrus. The flavors are sleek yet generous with electric, mouthwatering acidity. It demands oysters alongside it.	Feral Evergreen Vineyard	91	20	Washington	Ancient Lakes	Columbia Valley	Sauvignon Blanc	Efeste	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Efeste 2015 Feral Evergreen Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Ancient Lakes)
Italy	Thanks to some wood aging in large oak casks, this food-friendly Valpolicella blend shows good intensity, concentration and clean aromas of red cherry and spice. Pair it with Southern fried chicken.	Vigneto Rafaèl	86	16	Veneto	Valpolicella Classico Superiore	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Tommasi	null	null	null
US	There's a perfectly good, dry Syrah in here, but it's way too oaky. The underlying blackberry and plum fruit is dominated by toasted caramel and butterscotch.	null	82	16	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Syrah	6th Sense	null	null	null
US	Yummy Chard, complex and delicious. Offers lots of ripe, rich peach and pineapple custard flavors, sweet, toasty oak and a buttery texture. Nice, perky acids keep things lively and clean.	Sonoma County Selection	89	13	California	Sonoma County	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Sebastiani	null	null	null
France	A superbly balanced wine that boasts a seamless intensity of apple fruits, soft citrus and beautiful acidity. It has its rich moments, with a hint of pineapple, easily absorbed into the great elegance.	Millésimé Brut	94	null	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	Taittinger	null	null	null
US	All the fruit for this wine comes from Bacchus Vineyard. Aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and apricot lead to medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors that linger.	null	88	15	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Three Rivers	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Three Rivers 2014 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	At 6% residual sugar and just 7% alcohol, you might expect this to be dessert-like. But the delicate spritz and grapefruit-like acidity keeps it in the apéritif range, with Moscato-like orange-candy flavors and a juicy, fruity mouthfeel.	Ridgecrest Vineyards Sext	87	24	Oregon	Ribbon Ridge	Willamette Valley	Riesling	Chehalem	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Chehalem 2011 Ridgecrest Vineyards Sext Riesling (Ribbon Ridge)
South Africa	A nose of fennel, mocha and plum, followed by a burst of earthy smoked meat, blackberry and cherry flavors, give this wine a masculine edge. Not overly complex but certainly enticing, the wine is both rich and sensible, and will pair well with BBQ, lamb and spiced meat dishes.	null	87	10	Robertson	null	null	Shiraz	Excelsior	null	null	null

US

Dusty and tannic, this is a solid value for its quality—a wine of freshness and grip that offers complexity and approachability in equal measure. Black-cherry and black -pepper flavors highlight the palate.

Reserve Selection

92

40

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Raymond

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Raymond 2014 Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

New Zealand

This wine's bracing acids and dry finish suggest it's anything but a cupcake. It's a medium-bodied, vibrant mouthful of Sauvignon Blanc, boasting hints of nectarine and tomato leaf layered over a core of gooseberry fruit.

null

88

14

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Cupcake

null

US

Here's a big, rich, lusty Zinfandel, the kind that packs plenty of flavor. It explodes in wild forest raspberry and blackberry fruit, accented with spicy thyme and chamomile tea, while extremely high alcohol gives it heat and a glyceriny sweetness.

Rockpile Ridge Vineyard

86

35

California

Rockpile

Sonoma

Zinfandel

Mauritson

null

Mauritson 2009 Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile)

France

Château de Nozet is an amazing fairy-tale castle, the home of the de Ladoucette family. The reputation of its top wine, Baron de L, has been languishing for some time, and this 2003, with its flint and mineral flavors and a touch of spice, is a fine wine but has been outpaced in the Pouilly stakes. Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines USA.

Château de Nozet Baron de L

87

39

Loire Valley

Pouilly-Fumé

null

Sauvignon Blanc

De Ladoucette

null

US

Inox is the winery's unoaked Chardonnay, the first of the vintage. This bottling provides a promising glimpse into the quality of the 2012s. It's so rich and ripe in citrus and tropical fruits, you won't miss the barrel influence. Try now with sushi, tuna tartare, or a salad of bitter greens, tropical fruits and feta cheese.

Clone 76 Inox Estate

90

36

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Melville

null

Melville 2012 Clone 76 Inox Estate Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)

US

Like all of Carr's '08 Pinots, this one's marked by tart acidity. It gives a sour cherry candy taste and prickly mouthfeel. But it's quite rich, and as the wine breathes in the glass, its attractions mount. Give it two or three years in the cellar.

Kessler-Haak Vineyard

91

50

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Carr

null

US

Dark, soft and delicious, this Syrah has extremely complex flavors. They range from blackberries and black currants to chocolate, anise, bacon, black pepper, violets, and an edge of smoky sandalwood. Drink this bone dry wine now.

Mesa Verde Vineyard

90

20

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Syrah

Brander

null

US

Minty, oaky, coffee and blalckberry aroma, gingersnap cookie. Tastes big, ripe, boldly tannic. Very dry. Not showing well, could improve after 2008.

Beckstoffer Tokalon Vineyard

85

null

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Paul Hobbs

null

Argentina

A cool cherry aroma and a mild, creamy paste note open the nose. The feel is fiery and untamed, while full flavors of cherry and plum seem raw. A cocoa flavor and juicy feel define the finish.

Colección

84

10

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Finca Los Maza

null

France

Round and velvet smooth, it has blackberry fruits that are full in the mouth, giving freshness while also making the wine rich and generous. The tannins are already well-integrated into this soft wine. Drink from 2015.

null

88

15

Bordeaux

Côtes de Bourg

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Fongalan

null

Italy

Made with Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this bold wine opens with aromas of graphite, black-skinned fruit, cracked pepper and espresso. The concentrated palate doles out spicy plum cake, blueberry jam, blackberry, vanilla and nutmeg. Brawny and high-toned, it boasts firm tannins and surprising freshness.

Donna Lisa Riserva

90

50

Southern Italy

Salice Salentino

null

Red Blend

Leone de Castris

null

France

Earthy notes of pear peel promise texture and the very crisp, bright palate delivers, but with edges of bitterness. The finish is wonderfully brisk. This wine will do so much better with food.

Cuvée 8

87

35

Alsace

null

Alsace white blend

Domaine Pfister

null

US

Right away this appealing wines bursts out with scents of chocolate and vanilla—the barrels used were Hungarian and American oak. The fruit is ripe with plum and cassis, the wine still tight and the tannins still chewy and hard. But the pleasing aromas promise a good life ahead.

Birch Creek Vineyards

89

30

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mannina Cellars

null

Spain

Fans of Miguel Angel de Gregorio's Finca Allende wines from Rioja will want to snap up this excellent, lush-styled blend of Graciano, Merlot and Petit Verdot from La Mancha. This wine almost proves that talent is as important as terroir, because no other La Mancha wine features this grape blend, these rich and pure medicinal flavors, and a smooth-handed sense of balance that calls for drinking now through 2013.

null

93

34

Central Spain

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

null

Red Blend

Finca Coronado

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Finca Coronado 2004 Red (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla)

US

Sweet and soft, with ripe berry flavors that veer into grilled cherries, chocolate and even Port. The finish is frankly sweet.

Chateaux du Lovall

82

32

California

Napa County

Napa

Red Blend

Robert James Lynch

null

Austria

Aged in large wooden casks, this is a supple, fresh style of wine, beautifully crafted from Blaufränkisch, showing the varietal's blueberry and cranberry flavors, along with a firm, tannic and mineral note.

Johanneshöhe

90

24

Burgenland

null

Blaufränkisch

Prieler

null

Greece

Alluring aromas of exotic fruit and citrus are followed by equally lush flavors throughout: think pineapple, lemon curd and even banana. Intriguing and fun, but not overly complex.

Areti

86

23

Pangeon

null

Assyrtico

Estate Biblia Chora

Susan Kostrzewa

@suskostrzewa

Estate Biblia Chora 2010 Areti Assyrtico (Pangeon)

Australia

Winemaker Virginia Willcock has taken Vasse Felix's top Chardonnay to extraordinary heights this year. Chardonnay yields in the region were down, and this wine reflects an extra level of concentration and power as a result. Grilled peaches and tangerines provide ample flesh, yet the wine remains focused and refreshing through the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2025.

Heytesbury

94

69

Western Australia

Margaret River

null

Chardonnay

Vasse Felix

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Vasse Felix 2015 Heytesbury Chardonnay (Margaret River)

Australia

This medium-bodied bargain-priced sparkler is maybe just a touch on the heavy side, but it should satisfy most party crowds. Hints of toast accent pineapple and tropical fruit notes, finishing soft and short. Worth trying in Mimosas or Bellinis.

The Vines Brut Cuvée

84

8

Australia Other

South Eastern Australia

null

Sparkling Blend

Beelgara

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Beelgara NV The Vines Brut Cuvée Sparkling (South Eastern Australia)

US

Soft and simple, this Cab's cherry and kirsch flavors have a hot, alcoholic feel. The wine is marred by some vegetal notes.

null

82

34

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Summerwood

null

Summerwood 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

Chile

With mineral and apple on the nose, this qualifies as a pure and pleasing SB for almost any occasion. The palate is elegant and lithe, while the flavors of green apple, gooseberry and grapefruit are what they should be. Pure, sound and solid wine to drink right now.

Reserva

88

12

Colchagua Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Casa Silva

null

US

This is a vibrantly energetic wine, explosive in raspberry and cherry, with a weedy, herbal undertone that gives it intrigue. Concentrated on the midpalate, with well-ingrained tannins, it finishes in a highlight of toasted oak.

null

90

32

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Les Voleurs

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Les Voleurs 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Portugal

Soft, rich wine, with flavors of ripe plums, a touch of bell pepper, spice and tense acidity. Great drink-me-now wine.

Point West

86

9

Lisboa

null

Touriga Nacional

DFJ Vinhos

null

Chile

Blackberry, spice, horseradish and oak aromas filter onto a tight, raw feeling palate. This tastes oaky and lemony up front, with berry flavors forming a solid base. Plum, blueberry and herbal flavors drive a tangy, juicy, high-acid finish. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Potro de Piedra Family Reserve Single Vineyard

87

30

Curicó Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc

Viña Requingua

null

France

Oak influence shows strongly on this wine, giving a smooth texture and soft tannins. It has a light texture, fresh with black currant fruitiness attractively balanced with acidity. For the medium term, the wine should be drunk from 2015.

null

86

40

Bordeaux

Saint-Estèphe

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château de Côme

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château de Côme 2011 Saint-Estèphe

South Africa

A strong black pepper element leads on the nose of this spicy Shiraz from Stellenbosch. On the palate, robust red fruit and pepper and good tannic structure offer ageability and a good, everyday red for grilled meat and spicy dishes.

Oak Lane

84

9

Stellenbosch

null

Shiraz

Beau Joubert

null

US

Here again the Grand Estates bottling shows a softer, gentler side of the fruit; the acids seem to have been smoothed over. The fruit is ripe and clean, suggesting white peaches and green apples, but there isn't much depth to it.

Grand Estates

85

11

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Pinot Grigio

Columbia Crest

null

Italy

Dried violet, plum cake and exotic spice aromas lead the way on this brawny, structured wine. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, licorice and tobacco alongside round, chewy tannins.

Col de la Bastia

91

90

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella

null

Red Blend

Fattori

null

Portugal

Fresh and creamy, this is a smooth, rich wine. It has citrus and baked apple flavors that meld easily and fully into a fruity texture. With some weight, it also has a bright, crisp aftertaste.

Audaz Branco

86

10

Alentejano

null

Portuguese White

Herdade Grande

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Herdade Grande 2012 Audaz Branco White (Alentejano)

US

It says “dry” on the label, but when sampled in a flight of dry rosés it tasted distinctly off-dry. Cotton-candy and strawberry aromas combine with a unique herbal note. The flavors are strawberry, bell-pepper and lemongrass, with citrusy acidity and an herbal, green-apple finish.

Z Gris

82

9

California

Santa Barbara County

Central Coast

Rhône-style Red Blend

Zaca Mesa

null

France

A relatively light-textured wine, already open and accessible. The fresh berry fruit has an attractive wood spice edge, with the tannins providing an attractive counterpoint. Delicious, and is likely to develop quickly.

null

88

null

Bordeaux

Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château La Cardonne

null

France

This is a ripe, warm, full-bodied Crémant. It has a creamy, rich mousse, soft citrus and light acidity. The wine is forward, fruity and fresh, lightly tangy at the end.

Brut

86

18

Alsace

Crémant d'Alsace

null

Sparkling Blend

Lucien Albrecht

null

US

Cassis and elderberry scents pair perfectly with tobacco and loamy dust aromas in this serious blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec. Tobacco accents the black fruit on the palate as well, with dill, anise and charcoal touches. It's firmly structured and bone dry.

Mon Amor

91

45

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Coquelicot

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Coquelicot 2013 Mon Amor Red (Santa Ynez Valley)

US

Hot in the mouth and sweet on this finish, this blackberry, coffee and spice-flavored Zin is rustic. The sugary finish might pair well with a rich barbecue sauce.

Bigalow Vineyard

83

28

California

Contra Costa County

Central Coast

Zinfandel

Trinitas

null

Italy

There's a really nice point of mature peach or apricot that emerges from the fragrant bouquet of this luminous and bright Pinot Grigio. That fruity note adds a sweet sensation to the nose followed by aromas of passion fruit and citrus.

Le Rosse

86

15

Northeastern Italy

Delle Venezie

null

Pinot Grigio

Tommasi

null

Chile

A dark, chunky wine with cola, cassis and beet-like aromas. The palate is extracted but gritty, with big blackberry fruit that doesn't change or improve in the mouth. Deep as night but dull-edged; it flat-lines on the finish.

Cabernet Franc-Carménère

85

11

Maule Valley

null

Red Blend

Oveja Negra

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Oveja Negra 2008 Cabernet Franc-Carménère Red (Maule Valley)

Australia

This wine shows some of the cool-climate notes associated with Western Australia and its maritime climate; green tobacco and other herbs intertwine with bright cassis fruit. At the same time, the fine quality of the tannins is evident in this wine's velvety texture, which makes it a pleasure to drink. Best now–2017.

Book Ends

89

24

Western Australia

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

West Cape Howe

null

France

The lighter of Richard Leroy's white Anjou wines, this is fresh, crisp, with a fine touch of minerality under the apricot and pear fruits. There is a good layer of apple skin structure, while the intense acidity gives the finish a great lift.

Les Clos des Rouliers

88

null

Loire Valley

Anjou

null

Chenin Blanc

Richard Leroy

null

Chile

Chunky black-fruit aromas come with strong notes of coconut, chocolate and cedar. Feels fresh, zesty and voluminous, with sweet oak, coconut, mocha and herbal flavors to go with standard berry and cassis. Long and mildly herbal tasting on the finish.

Single Vineyard

87

21

Aconcagua Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Errazuriz

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Errazuriz 2010 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Aconcagua Valley)

US

What a complex and interesting blend of Roussanne and Viognier. Opens with a honeyed, marzipan and almond cookie bouquet, but turns surprisingly dry and acidically crisp in the mouth, with Meyer lemon, vanilla, gingerbread and Asian spice flavors. Really impressive for its power, depth and length.

Contrarian

94

36

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rhône-style White Blend

Linne Calodo

null

Spain

On first take, the bouquet is hampered by reduced aromas of iodine and the palate feels hard, tight and racy. With airing, this shows better. Flavors of blackberry and plum come to life and finish well, and as a whole, this is good in a pedestrian, regular way.

Crianza

86

13

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo

Raiza

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Raiza 2009 Crianza (Rioja)

US

Along with the Carmenère from Reininger, this stylish example belongs in the cellar of anyone with a hunger for this unusual variety. The green olive/herbal nature of the grape is carefully managed, and provides a nuance rather than a dominant flavor. At the core is tart red berry fruit and a wash of dark chocolate.

Avant Garde

90

24

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Carmenère

Nodland

null

US

A nice, flavorful and dry Syrah for drinking now with barbecue or a rich lamb or beef stew. Soft and gentle, it's rich in blackberries, cherries, currants, beef jerky, pepper and smoky oak.

Clover Creek Vineyard

87

20

California

Santa Ynez Valley

Central Coast

Syrah

Brander

null

Brander 2009 Clover Creek Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

US

Good, dry flavors of red cherries, red currants, orange zest, Dr. Pepper and anise in this silky smooth, tart wine. It's a little off in texture, with some minty sharpness, so drink now.

Chamisal Vineyards

87

38

California

Edna Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Chamisal Vineyards

null

Italy

Made with organically-farmed fruit, this Sicilian Grecanico opens with nice fullness, density and creamy aromas of lemon mousse and tangerine skin. The wine would make a perfect match to raw fish or sushi.

null

86

19

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Grecanico

Di Giovanna

null

Di Giovanna 2010 Grecanico (Sicilia)

Spain

Rusty in color, this has a baked fruit aromas suggestive of raisin, cherry and plum. It's thick, but it maintains freshness due to the solid acidity. This feels heavy, with robust flavors of roasted plum and blackberry, but the finish isn't cloying.

Dulcemar

88

25

Central Spain

Almansa

null

Garnacha

Dehesa el Carrascal

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Dehesa el Carrascal 2008 Dulcemar Garnacha (Almansa)

Argentina

Floral, reedy aromas of red berry fruits and plum lead to a ripe, saturated palate with earthy, stewed flavors of prune and blackberry. The prune continues on the finish, which brings saltiness and a chocolaty nuance.

Premium

87

20

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Malbec

Alta Vista

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Alta Vista 2011 Premium Malbec (Mendoza)

US

Young and forward, this pleasant wine brings black-cherry fruit front and center—a good start, but it doesn't really develop any further. It just does a quick and quiet fade out.

null

86

30

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Second Growth

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Second Growth 2015 Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)

Italy

Made with organically grown fruit, this structured white has a shy nose at first but aromas of pear, flint and dried herb eventually take shape in the glass. The linear palate offers lemon zest, yellow apple and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.

Tracugnano

87

17

Central Italy

Orvieto

null

White Blend

Sergio Mottura

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Sergio Mottura 2013 Tracugnano (Orvieto)

US

From a cool-climate site farmed by the Dutton family, Manzana is beguilingly floral in dried rose petals. Soft, sublime and tangy, the palate conveys orange and cranberry. Light in color, this wine offers plenty of body and weight, with fresh blackberry compote on the finish. The wine will age well; drink now through 2023.

Manzana Vineyard

92

56

California

Green Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

MacRostie

Virginie Boone

@vboone

MacRostie 2013 Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir (Green Valley)

France

This is a festive wine, with soft, ripe fruit and acidity, plus a red berry flavor.

Nouveau

86

9

Beaujolais

null

Gamay

Henry Fessy

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Henry Fessy 2012 Nouveau (Beaujolais)

US

The vineyard is in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, though the label does not indicate it. There is a welcome purity to the fruit expression, pretty cherry flavors with a suggestion of hard candy. Although it has light herb and stem highlights, nothing overshadows the lovely fruit.

Z'ivo Vineyard Reserve

89

40

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Walnut City WineWorks

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Walnut City WineWorks 2012 Z'ivo Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

US

This is a really good Pinot Noir that will gain traction in the cellar. The cool vintage conditions show in the acidity and lean framework, but the California sun triumphs with flavors of ripe sour cherries with suggestions of mushrooms and minerals. Dry and complex, it should be better after 2016.

Rosella's Vineyard

92

65

California

Santa Lucia Highlands

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Bernardus

null

France

A finely balanced wine with toast and ginger flavors peeking through the ripe peach and apricot fruits. It is striated with minerality giving an intense ageworthy texture. The acidity shows through strongly at the end.

Les Embazées Premier Cru

91

100

Burgundy

Chassagne-Montrachet

null

Chardonnay

Chartron et Trébuchet

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Chartron et Trébuchet 2009 Les Embazées Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet)

Italy

This is a gorgeous wine with loads of intensity and fruit. You can expect the wine to age many years in the cellar thanks to the integrity of the cherry, blackberry and plum flavors. In the mouth, the wine is soft, round and smooth although the tannins could use a few more years to soften.

null

92

null

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese

Citille di Sopra

null

Germany

While fairly neutral on the nose with aromas of lemon and pressed apple, this off-dry wine is chock full of concentrated yellow-cherry, peach and nectarine flavors. Piercing citrus acidity jolts the palate, driving a long, honey-touched finish. Refreshing and invigorating.

Scharzofberger GL Kabinett

90

31

Mosel

null

Riesling

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt

null

US

Dark and deep purple/black, with a Port-like nose. There's a little fizz on the palate, which seems odd in a wine this big, and the flavors are locked in tight. Flat, dry, tannic finish.

TC Vineyard Old Vine

84

21

California

Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Zinfandel

Sonora

null

Italy

The nose here is sweet and hot with aromas that recall ripe blueberry and strawberry backed by pretty spice renderings. The mouthfeel is also sweet, oddly so, and seems chewy and juicy on the palate, but not very long in terms of flavor.

San Leonino

84

20

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

null

Sangiovese

Tenimenti Angelini

null

US

Amazingly ripe and sweet with blackberry jam, chocolate, cassis liqueur and oak. It's almost porty in its decadence, but what this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot lacks in subtlety, it more than makes up for in sheer power. Drink now–2015.

L'Insolent

88

95

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos Solène

null

Portugal

Opulently fruity, it has tarry, firm tannins as well as ripe black plum flavors. Acidity adds a fresher element to this rich, rounded wine. It's ready to drink.

Vale de Lobos

89

12

Tejo

null

Portuguese Red

Quinta da Ribeirinha

null

US

With a concentrated bouquet of black cherry and leathery earth, this straddles the richness of California fruit with an Old World layering of savory sumptuousness. Built with structure and subtle acidity, it is meant to be enjoyed at the table, a pork tenderloin or mushroom quiche among the pairing possibilities.

Reserve

90

60

California

Russian River Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

En Garde

Virginie Boone

@vboone

En Garde 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Italy

Aromas of scorched earth, toasted oak, espresso and a gamy note lead the nose. The extracted palate offers blackberry extract, bitter sage and crushed black pepper alongside drying but fleeting tannins.

Braccale

86

30

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Castello di Montepò

null

US

Tons of ripe cherry fruit flavors mark this soft, slightly sweet wine, along with herbal tastes of wild thyme and rosemary. Calls for roasted leg of lamb, with butter-sautéed baby potatoes.

null

84

10

California

California Other

Merlot

Esser Cellars

null

Canada

Tannic and astringent at first taste, this wine opens up into a more complex and interesting play of dark fruits and darker flavors. Smoke, earth, char and espresso components are set against tight blueberry fruit, with lead pencil tannins. Those tannins might need a juicy steak to put them back in their cage.

Qwam Qwmt

89

35

British Columbia

Okanagan Valley

null

Syrah

Nk'Mip Cellars

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Nk'Mip Cellars 2009 Qwam Qwmt Syrah (Okanagan Valley)

US

Marked by aggressive acidity and some dusty tannins, this Pinot is not showing well now. It's just too hard and tart. But the flavors are enormously ripe, and the finish is dry and silky and long. It all suggests cellaring to let the cherries, black raspberries and Dr. Pepper cola emerge from their tomb. Better after 2011.

Le Bon Climat Vineyard

92

45

California

Santa Maria Valley

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Chanin

null

Chanin 2007 Le Bon Climat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)

Italy

This white blend of Catarratto and Chardonnay from Capo Soprano (a sub-brand of Fazio) offers aromas of stone fruit and yellow flower that are framed by drying mineral tones. The mouthfeel is flat and not particularly exciting and the wine ends crisp but short.

null

84

14

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

White Blend

Capo Soprano

null

Capo Soprano 2007 White (Sicilia)

US

This oddball grape is a German hybrid cross between Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc, and has nothing to do with Muscat (hence the "k"). Intense, concentrated aromas of tangerine, kiwi and orange, with a noticeable foxiness. Ripe fruit, big flavors, and a lot of weight on the palate.

null

84

18

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Morio Muskat

Covey Run

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Covey Run 1999 Morio Muskat (Yakima Valley)

US

It's pure Rosenblum, as sweet as a confection, as delicious as a filling made from blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, cinnamon, vanilla and white sugar. It's impossible not to be impressed and troubled by a wine such as this.

Rominger Vineyard

87

25

California

Yolo County

Central Valley

Syrah

Rosenblum

null

Rosenblum 2005 Rominger Vineyard Syrah (Yolo County)

US

Good flavors of citrus, peach, spice and toast in this classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It's dry, but rough in the mouth, with a scoury finish.

Brut Classic

85

22

California

California Other

Sparkling Blend

Chandon

null

New Zealand

Typical passion fruit and gooseberry aromas turn tropical and almost rich on the palate. This is weightier than many Sauvignons, lushly ripe and maybe even a touch sweet—serve it well chilled for best effect.

Regional Collection

85

14

Marlborough

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Nobilo

null

US

Smoothly textured around layers of dark, ripe fruit, this wine from hallowed Napa Valley ground features richer undertones of cinnamon and clove. Smoky oak and chocolate flesh out the midpalate and finish, providing a spark of plushness and decadence as it fades out.

Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

93

165

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cliff Lede

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Cliff Lede 2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

This unusual rosé blends Merlot rosé with substantial portions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Gewürztraminer, highlighting textural and flavor attributes from each. It's luscious in mouthfeel with a dense concentration of tropical fruit flavors, yet brisk and effortlessly quaffable. A delightful new take on a Hamptons classic.

Summer in a Bottle

90

24

New York

Long Island

Rosé

Wölffer

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Wölffer 2014 Summer in a Bottle Rosé (Long Island)

Spain

For Toro, this is earthy and slightly herbal as opposed to ripe and jammy. Aromas of mulch, leather and herbal berry lead into a firm, rocky palate with rooty flavors of burnt leaves, black fruits and oregano. A tight, compact finish with moderate flavors is a bit closed and hard.

null

89

28

Northern Spain

Toro

null

Tinta de Toro

Elias Mora

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Elias Mora 2010 Toro

France

Oak aging and no filtration give this beautiful wine richness and dense texture. A touch of spicy toast contrasts with the melon and grapefruit flavors, smoothly ripe texture and nutmeg aftertaste. The wine is concentrated and full in the mouth. This opulent wine is still young, so wait until late 2017 to drink.

Sancerre d'Antan Terroir de Silex

94

60

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Henri Bourgeois

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Henri Bourgeois 2014 Sancerre d'Antan Terroir de Silex (Sancerre)

Italy

Nice and mildly creamy up front, with aromas of pear, melon and vanilla. It runs rather tangy and zesty across the palate, showing apple, kiwi and peach flavors. Finishes long but monotone, with almond extract as the lasting impression.

null

86

17

Tuscany

Vermentino di Toscana

null

Vermentino

Campo al Mare

null

Australia

A sleek name and a sleek wine. Vanilla and toffee overflow from the effusive nose while sour candy and plum jam take over on the palate. It's a tad thin in the mouth but finishes on a lovely raspberry note that has just a bit of sticking power. Drink as the Australians do, with Christmas dinner.

Black Bubbles Sparkling

84

25

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Shiraz

Shingleback

null

France

Round and soft initially, this rich, intense Chardonnay then shows its firm side. In addition to the ripe yellow-fruit flavors, there is a minerally, tight structure that promises that this wine will age. Keep it for at least five years.

Clos des Mouches Premier Cru

94

120

Burgundy

Beaune

null

Chardonnay

Joseph Drouhin

null

Chile

Right from the beginning, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend oozes old-school Chilean calling cards: The nose is full of eucalyptus and herbal berry aromas along with tobacco and spicy berry scents. A tannic, heavy palate is hard and grinding, while baked flavors of black fruits come with a reprise of herbaceous character. Drink through 2022.

Memorias

89

35

Maipo Valley

null

Red Blend

Viña el Principal

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Viña el Principal 2011 Memorias Red (Maipo Valley)

France

Fresh, juicy fruit, full of crisp red currant flavors that finish on an herbaceous note. Served slightly chilled, this makes an easy-drinking red, but should be consumed this year.

null

83

13

Loire Valley

Touraine Amboise

null

Red Blend

Domaine de la Rivaudiere

null

US

Aromas are floral and fruity, but also oaky, while flavors add ripe plum and black cherry jazzed up with vanilla accents. This is medium bodied, not very tannic, but packs a good amount of flavor.

null

85

15

California

California Other

Cabernet Sauvignon

Manifesto!

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

Manifesto! 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

US

100% Sémillon from Ste. Michelle's Canoe Ridge vineyard, this is a fine iteration of the grape, with firm flavors suggesting citrus, orange, muted stone fruits. In the mouth it has the oily or woolly feel of the grape, with a full-throttle mid-palate and moderate length.

Cuvée Lucia

89

22

Washington

Horse Heaven Hills

Columbia Valley

Sémillon

Andrew Will

null

US

Aromas of smoke and sweet apple introduce an intensely flavored palate that's full of ripe yellow peach, waxy flower and fresh fennel. Off-dry and bold in structure, it finishes with a hint of lanolin and a lingering minerality.

RTR Vineyard Semi-Dry

88

16

New York

Finger Lakes

Riesling

Red Tail Ridge

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Red Tail Ridge 2011 RTR Vineyard Semi-Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

US

A strong smoky aroma, spicy oak flavors and a blast of ripe fruit make this a boisterous wine. It's full bodied, with heat on the palate. A little berry and cherry concentration comes through on the finish.

null

86

50

California

Anderson Valley

null

Pinot Noir

WindRacer

Jim Gordon

@gordone_cellars

WindRacer 2014 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

Italy

This wine is a bit strange, especially on the nose where it yields too generous notes of cocoa butter, sun tanning lotion, butterscotch, cherry and sweet vanilla. The nose is definitely sweet, bordering on cloying, and tight tannins will need time to soften.

null

86

40

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Farina

null

US

This nonvintage red is a serviceable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. Sharp, spicy and tannic, it has a bit of a green streak through the finish.

Vinosity

83

20

Washington

Washington Other

Red Blend

Latah Creek

null

France

This is rich, honeyed and ripe on the nose and full-bodied and round in the mouth, with just enough acidity to provide backbone and length. The peach, melon and citrus notes linger on the mouthwatering finish.

Les Miaux

91

75

Rhône Valley

Hermitage

null

Marsanne

Ferraton Pere et Fils

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Ferraton Pere et Fils 2014 Les Miaux Marsanne (Hermitage)

France

Big, firmly tannic wine, smoky and warm, with great swathes of black currant fruit. It is firmly structured, but it is the rich sweet fruits that are the attraction.

null

91

35

Bordeaux

Haut-Médoc

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Citran

null

Portugal

Although based in Bairrada, further south, Messias does have considerable interests in the Douro. This wine, with its firm, mineral structure, brings out the tannins and concentration of the Douro. That goes with the black fruit flavors that are dark and dry. Drink this wine now.

Messias Selection

86

8

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Messias

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Messias 2013 Messias Selection Red (Douro)

Italy

Molamatta is a very successful blend of some of Friuli's best varieties— Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Pinot Bianco—that earns high praise for both aroma and mouthfeel. Citrus, pear, peach and almond nut notes are backed by a dense, creamy texture.

Molamatta

88

21

Northeastern Italy

Collio

null

White Blend

Marco Felluga

null

Australia

Full-bodied, creamy-textured and amply concentrated, this is a warm, velvety offering from the Western Australian outpost of Mount Barker. Bold plum and berry flavors are framed by vanilla and velvety tannins. Drink now-2014.

Regional Series

89

22

Western Australia

Mount Barker

null

Shiraz

Capel Vale

null

Argentina

So woody at first you'd think you had entered a sawmill, but with time it settles down. Red berries, milk chocolate and wood spice work the palate, followed by lean fruit leftovers and vanilla.

Zagal

83

15

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Hacienda del Plata

null

Italy

Pian delle Vigne comes from vineyards planted in lower lands compared to many other Montalcino crus. This results in slightly higher temperatures during the growing season and thicker, sweeter wines. What it loses in complexity it gains in generous tones of sweet cherry, chocolate and spice. The wine's texture is round, rich and opulent.

Pian delle Vigne

91

75

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

null

Sangiovese Grosso

Marchesi Antinori

null

US

This thoroughly delicious, acid-driven wine opens with aromas of passion fruit, oyster shell, herbs, wet stone and citrus. The flavors are sleek yet generous with electric, mouthwatering acidity. It demands oysters alongside it.

Feral Evergreen Vineyard

91

20

Washington

Ancient Lakes

Columbia Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

Efeste

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Efeste 2015 Feral Evergreen Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Ancient Lakes)

Italy

Thanks to some wood aging in large oak casks, this food-friendly Valpolicella blend shows good intensity, concentration and clean aromas of red cherry and spice. Pair it with Southern fried chicken.

Vigneto Rafaèl

86

16

Veneto

Valpolicella Classico Superiore

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Tommasi

null

US

There's a perfectly good, dry Syrah in here, but it's way too oaky. The underlying blackberry and plum fruit is dominated by toasted caramel and butterscotch.

null

82

16

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Syrah

6th Sense

null

US

Yummy Chard, complex and delicious. Offers lots of ripe, rich peach and pineapple custard flavors, sweet, toasty oak and a buttery texture. Nice, perky acids keep things lively and clean.

Sonoma County Selection

89

13

California

Sonoma County

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Sebastiani

null

France

A superbly balanced wine that boasts a seamless intensity of apple fruits, soft citrus and beautiful acidity. It has its rich moments, with a hint of pineapple, easily absorbed into the great elegance.

Millésimé Brut

94

null

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

Taittinger

null

US

All the fruit for this wine comes from Bacchus Vineyard. Aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and apricot lead to medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors that linger.

null

88

15

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Three Rivers

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Three Rivers 2014 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

At 6% residual sugar and just 7% alcohol, you might expect this to be dessert-like. But the delicate spritz and grapefruit-like acidity keeps it in the apéritif range, with Moscato-like orange-candy flavors and a juicy, fruity mouthfeel.

Ridgecrest Vineyards Sext

87

24

Oregon

Ribbon Ridge

Willamette Valley

Riesling

Chehalem

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Chehalem 2011 Ridgecrest Vineyards Sext Riesling (Ribbon Ridge)

South Africa

A nose of fennel, mocha and plum, followed by a burst of earthy smoked meat, blackberry and cherry flavors, give this wine a masculine edge. Not overly complex but certainly enticing, the wine is both rich and sensible, and will pair well with BBQ, lamb and spiced meat dishes.

null

87

10

Robertson

null

Shiraz

Excelsior

null