spawn99/wine-reviews · Datasets at Hugging Face

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South Africa	This is more herbal than other recent vintages from Waterford, a stalky Cabernet style. The tannins are firm, dry and solid, the fruit leaning towards hedgerow black fruit flavors. It is ready to drink now, and delicious.	null	89	27	Stellenbosch	null	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Waterford	null	null	null
Italy	This Valpolicella shows a nice level of heft and density with ripe cherry and blueberry aromas. There's a slight tannic touch here and enough natural acidity to pair with cream cheese and chives on crackers.	null	84	null	Veneto	Valpolicella Classico Superiore	null	Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara	Pietro Clementi	null	null	Pietro Clementi 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Italy	This offers earthy aromas of prune, scorched soil, pressed violet and a whiff of game. On the simple, informal palate, hints of black pepper and coffee add interest to the core of dried black cherry.	null	85	12	Piedmont	Barbera d'Asti	null	Barbera	Gran Passione	null	null	null
France	Produced from vines an average of 24-years-old, the wine comes from an 86-acre vineyard to the south of Bordeaux. It is firm with tannins and with ripe, textured Merlot. There is a juicy character from the black-currant fruitiness. The wine with wood flavors needs to age. Drink from 2021.	null	88	25	Bordeaux	Graves	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Rahoul	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Rahoul 2014 Graves
US	A multivarietal, multivintage blend of various reds going back to 1997, this wine is very dry and, in its own way, complex. The older wines soften it and lend dried fruit notes, the younger ones keep it vibrant with a suggestion of red cherries and sweet tobacco. The end result is really fascinating.	Ol' Red	88	12	California	California	California Other	Red Blend	M. Cosentino	null	null	null
Italy	Bright and silky, this opens with aromas of citrus and walnut. The luminous palate delivers ripe yellow apple, nectarine, a hint of brioche and a mineral note offset by a frothy mousse.	Satèn	89	45	Lombardy	Franciacorta	null	Chardonnay	Barone Pizzini	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Barone Pizzini 2011 Satèn Chardonnay (Franciacorta)
France	Shows its Right Bank roots in Merlot and Cab Franc-derived red fruit and herb flavors: strawberry, tomato and rhubarb. Turns leathery and earthy, with some hints of toast on the finish.	null	83	15	Bordeaux	Montagne-Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Vieux Château Négrit	null	null	null
New Zealand	Warmer weather in Hawkes Bay means this wine shows less of the aggressively pungent grapefruit and herb aromas of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This is a soft, creamy, very approachable wine that finishes with just a hint of grapefruit.	null	85	12	Hawke's Bay	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Matua Valley	null	null	null
Portugal	Structured and dark, this wine's warm fruits are enmeshed in the firm tannins. It has richness and weight, with good sweet berry fruit flavors, and a juicy plum note on the finish.	Romeira Colheita Seleccionada	87	null	Alentejano	null	null	Portuguese Red	Caves Velhas	null	null	null
US	This wine is immediately fascinating. A rich mix of fruits, ripened to compote intensity, offers both power and detail. Subtle streaks of herb, leaf and wet hay suggest old-vine complexity, and the acids are naturally firm and supportive. Everything is nicely knit together, full-bodied and deep.	Old Vines Dedication Series #23	93	75	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Red Blend	Woodward Canyon	null	null	null
Chile	On the nose, this smells like bath soap or air freshener. It feels fleshy and oily on the palate, with tropical flavors of banana and papaya. The finish is smooth and tastes of candy.	null	84	12	Central Valley	null	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Cono Sur	null	null	null
France	There is an obvious vanilla, toasty character to this wine from the wood fermentation. That balances with the lemon and pear fruits and the tight texture. The wine is still young with great fruit potential, so drink from 2018.	Château de Chamirey	88	35	Burgundy	Mercurey	null	Chardonnay	Domaines Devillard	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Domaines Devillard 2014 Château de Chamirey (Mercurey)
US	Rich and round, this offers plenty of concentrated blackberry notes enveloped in warm spices and supple oak. There's a hint of green tomato leaves throughout, but the lush fruit combined with sturdy grape tannins and high acidity would pair well with fatty short ribs or braised pork.	Estate Club	87	32	Virginia	Virginia	null	Merlot	Veramar	null	null	null
Spain	Apple and mineral aromas are solid and fresh but don't deliver much kick. This feels lively, with a mix of citrus flavors that are enhanced by grass and a pithy finish. It ends on a green note, with a hint of scallion and a cut of acidity.	null	86	12	Northern Spain	Rueda	null	Verdejo-Viura	El Hada	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	El Hada 2011 Verdejo-Viura (Rueda)
Italy	This is a beautiful wine that exhibits seductively dark concentration and bright aromas of red berries, cola and licorice that are characteristic of the Nebbiolo grape. The tannins show a polished, silky nature and will continue to evolve over long years of cellar aging.	Bricco Luciani	94	74	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Silvio Grasso	null	null	Silvio Grasso 2007 Bricco Luciani (Barolo)
France	This big, friendly wine shows ripe, forward scents of mixed citrus and light tropical fruits, along with toasted nuts. Medium-rich and already showing some aged, slightly oxidized character, it is definitely built for near-term drinking.	Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut	87	35	Champagne	Champagne	null	Champagne Blend	De Saint Gall	null	null	null
US	This is pleasant and light, with just 12% alcohol and enough acid to keep the sweetness at some distance. Simple, slightly sweet and citrusy, it is a well-made, widely available, representative bottle of budget Riesling in the Washington style.	Quail Series	85	8	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Covey Run	null	null	null
US	Sandalwood and a shovelful of fresh earth mark the entry of this wine aromatically. A soft, tart expression of the variety, it offers bittersweet tannin and dark cherry at its core.	El Coro	87	52	California	Sonoma Coast	Sonoma	Pinot Noir	Keller Estate	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Keller Estate 2013 El Coro Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
France	These ancient vines provide a rich and succulent wine. Ripe black cherries and rich fruit are enhanced by the tannins and concentrated texture. It is a wine that will age, although it is ready to drink. Drink until 2022.	Vignes de 1940	90	25	Beaujolais	Beaujolais-Villages	null	Gamay	Jean-Michel Dupré	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Jean-Michel Dupré 2015 Vignes de 1940 (Beaujolais-Villages)
Italy	Elegant, toned and aromatically intense, this shows fine aromas of wild berry, crushed mineral, dried tobacco, cola and a touch of mint. The palate has a fresh, light and feminine touch that's backed by firm tannin.	Bordini	92	65	Piedmont	Barbaresco	null	Nebbiolo	Fontanabianca	null	null	null
Italy	Balsamic notes, leather, menthol and red berry aromas take center stage. On the firm palate, tightly wound tannins frame black cherry and a hint of anise. Give this another year or two to unfold then drink up.	null	88	null	Piedmont	Roero	null	Nebbiolo	Monpissan	null	null	null
Italy	Barolo Bergeisa reveals itself to be an elegant and sophisticated wine with delicate shadings of lead pencil, earthy tones, fragrant violets and black currants. The mouthfeel is tight with finely textured tannins and the finish is very polished and refined.	Bergeisa	91	null	Piedmont	Barolo	null	Nebbiolo	Le Strette	null	null	null
Argentina	Penetrating cola, mint and black fruit aromas are probing. It feels tight and gripping, tasting forward and correct for the variety, with bell pepper, black fruit and spice flavors. This is robust, with good flavors and quality fruit.	Reserve	86	12	Mendoza Province	Uco Valley	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Menduco	null	null	null
Argentina	Light citrus, grapefruit and oak notes are nice openers. Peach, melon and other fruits grace the palate. Shows crispness in addition to oak, and the finish is lasting and round. Easy to get; pretty solid overall.	Premium	85	13	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Chardonnay	Alta Vista	null	null	null
France	This is a blend from different Premier Cru vineyards in Beaune. At this stage, it is dominated by the wood aging. That gives a bitterness to the wine that needs to soften and allow the ripe fruit to come out. It does have potential, although the maturity will take time. Drink from 2019.	Collection Premier Cru	90	73	Burgundy	Beaune	null	Pinot Noir	L. Tramier & Fils	Roger Voss	@vossroger	L. Tramier & Fils 2015 Collection Premier Cru (Beaune)
US	Ken Wright's 2010 Pinots keep the alcohol levels low without sacrificing any flavor or depth. The Nysa is a gorgeous color, aromatically rich with a bouquet of fruit and flowers. Fresh and primary flavors of ripe berry are set amid delicate tannins. The structure suggests excellent aging potential over a decade or more.	Nysa Vineyard	91	50	Oregon	Dundee Hills	Willamette Valley	Pinot Noir	Ken Wright	null	null	null
US	Rather dark in mauve colors and slightly cloudy, this wine by urban vintner Matthias Pippig offers rather heady aromas for a rosé, with smashed olallieberry, blackberry and a touch of cardamom spice. Once sipped, aromatic plum flavors ensue, with help from Turkish spices and noticeable grip.	null	89	45	California	Central Coast	Central Coast	Rosé	Sanguis	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Sanguis 2013 Rosé (Central Coast)
Italy	You don't see rosé Pinot Grigio every day. Made by a 200-member cooperative in Gorizia, it has a beautiful cranberry-raspberry color and is redolent of the same fruits, plus forest berry and passion fruit. Very refreshing and almost tart in the mouth. Imported by Italian Wine Growers.	Rosänder	87	14	Northeastern Italy	Friuli Isonzo	null	Pinot Grigio	Cormòns	null	null	null
Australia	Already approachable, Mitolo's 2006 G.A.M. should nevertheless age 10–15 years. The aromas are slightly peppery and spicy, accented by hints of smoke, while the flavors are dark and savory, blending cedar, coffee, black olive and cola. The soft tannins amply frame the long, mouthwatering finish.	G.A.M.	92	50	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Shiraz	Mitolo	null	null	null
Portugal	An impressively powerful wine, with concentrated fruit from old vines. It packs dense tannins, layers flavors of ripe figs, plums and raisins, along with wood flavors. The quinta is close to Regua in the western part of the Douro vineyards, a region particularly well suited to powerful but still elegant table wines.	Reserva	92	50	Douro	null	null	Portuguese Red	Quinta do Vallado	null	null	null
Italy	Spicy, fruity and nicely rounded, this wine boasts great flavor intensity without the sharp points sometimes associated with Montepulciano. It's an easy, approachable wine perfect for everyday dining with solid tannins and good length.	null	86	10	Central Italy	Montepulciano d'Abruzzo	null	Montepulciano	Masciarelli	null	null	Masciarelli 2003 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Spain	Despite heavy aromas of baked berry, prune and raisin, this is solid on the palate, with a firm grip. Flavors of earthy plum, tomato, red currant and herbs finish pure, tight and persistent. The more this breathes and expands, the more character it shows. Drink through 2018.	Reserva	90	45	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo Blend	Contino	null	null	null
US	This is a 100% varietal wine, aged for 32 months, with one-quarter of the barrels being new oak. Grippy in red currant and cranberry, it has a thickness of tannin and slightly bittersweet, tobacco-like finish.	Warnecke Ranch	86	47	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Sutro	null	null	null
US	This round, fruity and smooth-drinking Sémillon carries touches of herb and cucumber alongside its main fruit flavors of citrus and melon. There is a hint of heat on the finish.	null	89	28	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Sémillon	DiStefano	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	DiStefano 2011 Sémillon (Columbia Valley (WA))
US	Grassy, herbaceous tones are a tad pungent, but they add freshness to this lusciously textured, easy-drinking Gewürz. It's off-dry, with loads of fleshy yellow peach, pineapple and melon flavors, with delicate tangerine-juice acidity. Drink now.	null	86	13	New York	Finger Lakes	Finger Lakes	Gewürztraminer	Casa Larga	Anna Lee C. Iijima	null	Casa Larga 2009 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes)
US	Fermented with 100% stems and aged in neutral French oak, this textbook example of this top Syrah site brings aromas of smoked meat, purple fruit, crushed violets and fresh parsley along with other green herbs. The palate's über-fresh fruit and savory flavors are supported by tart bright acids. This one will only get better with some bottle age and will truly shine at the dinner table. Best from 2022 through 2030.	Les Collines	92	40	Washington	Walla Walla Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Syrah	Kerloo	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Kerloo 2014 Les Collines Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
Germany	This is a plump Pinot Gris that does show a bit of its 13.5% alcohol. Pleasant smoke and citrus aromas give way to grapefruit and spice flavors that fade a bit quickly on the finish.	Grauburgunder Trocken	85	28	Pfalz	null	null	Pinot Gris	Knipser	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	Knipser 2005 Grauburgunder Trocken Pinot Gris (Pfalz)
Italy	Meaty, thick and grainy in texture, Quercegobbe (“crooked oaks”) is a brawny, well-extracted Merlot that tastes more like a California Syrah. It's an immediate and generous wine with thick layers of plump prune and plum, barbecue sauce, black peppercorn, molasses, maple syrup and spice.	Quercegobbe	89	70	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Merlot	Petra	null	null	null
Italy	A blend of 30% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, Mediterranean herbs and cedar. The firmly structured palate doles out layers of black currants, blackberries, white pepper and licorice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.	Indaco	93	50	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Tenuta Sette Cieli	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Tenuta Sette Cieli 2012 Indaco Red (Toscana)
France	Here's a solid, dark wine, with an old wood character. It has weight, a black plum flavor and dark tannins. This feels old and hard.	null	86	null	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château de Ferrand	null	null	null
Italy	Notes of pink roses and wild flowers open the bouquet of this delicate selection. It offers cranberry and citrus flavors over an easy, fresh finish.	Primo Rosato	86	18	Sicily & Sardinia	Isola dei Nuraghi	null	Carignano	Mesa	null	null	null
France	Herbaceous and crisp, it conveys flavors of citrus and freshly cut apple. It's a simple, fruity wine that is ready to drink with its lively final acidity and tangy texture.	Le Montarlet	86	null	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Sauvignon Blanc	Joseph Mellot	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Joseph Mellot 2013 Le Montarlet (Sancerre)
US	Sophisticated and complex, this brings well-structured layers of citrus juice, flesh and rind. It offers a delicate herbal touch and a lingering finish. As the wine evolves in the glass, a tasty hint of honeysuckle emerges.	Domaine	92	29	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Pinot Gris	King Estate	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	King Estate 2016 Domaine Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
US	A big, jammy, acidic, and slightly sweet wine for washing down barbecue. The blackberry, cherry and blueberry flavors taste like they were baked into a pie.	Diamond Collection Green Label	84	16	California	California	California Other	Syrah	Francis Ford Coppola	null	null	null
US	From a small vineyard in St. Helena comes this ripe young wine, a Cab Franc-based Bordeaux blend. It's soft and forward, with cherry, red currant, licorice, chocolate and cedar flavors that show Napa tannins at their smooth, ripe best. It's a little tight now, so give it a few years.	Rendezvous	91	65	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Trespass	null	null	Trespass 2005 Rendezvous Red (Napa Valley)
US	Clean and balanced, this has rich, floral aromas. Flavors of fig and melon come amid a light mouthfeel and crisp, ample acidity. The finish is direct, buoyed by the acidity and renewed flavors of papaya and lychee. Enjoy on its own or with plenty of oysters.	null	88	16	California	Calaveras County	Sierra Foothills	Sauvignon Blanc	Newsome-Harlow	null	null	null
Italy	This is an easy white wine with balanced acidity. There's a spicy note of crushed clove or exotic spice at the start that is smoothed out by softer aromas of peach cobbler and lemon mousse.	Casoli Maniago	86	17	Northeastern Italy	Colli Orientali del Friuli	null	Pinot Grigio	Conte d'Attimis-Maniago	null	null	Conte d'Attimis-Maniago 2010 Casoli Maniago Pinot Grigio (Colli Orientali del Friuli)
Italy	Adènzia is a blend of Nero d'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from a dynamic new face in Sicilian winemaking. This deeply concentrated wine offers sweet spice, vanilla and cinnamon notes followed by ripe cherry and blackberry.	Adènzia	90	19	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Red Blend	Baglio del Cristo di Campobello	null	null	null
US	The Métier White is a sleek, assertive and racy white wine that does not fall into the flavor ranks of most Washington Viognier, though that is 90% of the blend. The rest is Roussanne, which adds notes of Meyer lemon. The wine is clean and crisp, well-defined with flavors of citrus and green herb. It is built upon vibrant acids rather than barrel flavors, and in a blind tasting it might pass for a somewhat salty (rather than peppery) Grüner Veltliner.	Métier White	89	32	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	White Blend	Doyenne	null	null	null
France	This negociant wine produced by Domaine Dujac has plenty of the generous fruit associated with the appellation. It also has solid tannins built for aging and strikes a fine balance between the crisp character of its red fruit and richer wood spice notes. Drink from 2019.	null	92	80	Burgundy	Chambolle-Musigny	null	Pinot Noir	Dujac Fils & Pere	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Dujac Fils & Pere 2014 Chambolle-Musigny
Portugal	A light and soft wine, this is fruity, with gentle acidity. Apples and lemon juice flavors complement each other to give a bright and fresh aftertaste. Screwcap.	Casa do Lago Branco	84	9	Lisboa	null	null	Portuguese White	DFJ Vinhos	Roger Voss	@vossroger	DFJ Vinhos 2012 Casa do Lago Branco White (Lisboa)
France	Almost garishly pink, this is soft, caramel-flavored rosé that feels full in the mouth. Pure strawberry fruits dominate, with only a light balancing acidity.	null	82	15	Southwest France	Bergerac	null	Rosé	Château la Rayre	null	null	null
US	Lemon-lime soda, chalk and gin-and-tonic cocktail elements power the nose on this zesty, medium-sweet bottling. The mouthfeel is soft, with lime juice and quinine cutting the ripe orange-syrup notes.	Bay Mist	87	10	California	Monterey County	Central Coast	Riesling	J. Lohr	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	J. Lohr 2014 Bay Mist Riesling (Monterey County)
Italy	Aromas of leafy forest floor, damp soil, espresso, dark berry and chopped herbs lead the way. The racy palate delivers raspberry, tart cranberry and powdered sage alongside a backbone of electrifying acidity and fine-grained tannins.	null	88	42	Piedmont	Barbera d'Alba	null	Barbera	Sandrone	Kerin O’Keefe	@kerinokeefe	Sandrone 2013 Barbera d'Alba
US	Aged in white oak barrels from Minnesota, the winemaker's home state, this wine offers exotic honeysuckle and baked pineapple at its core, beautiful aromas that gain weight on the texture. Toasted caramel and coconut define the finish.	Minnesota Cuvée	86	26	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Chardonnay	Murphy-Goode	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Murphy-Goode 2013 Minnesota Cuvée Chardonnay (Alexander Valley)
US	Ice wines are a rarity in Washington. This one offers aromas of orange peel, flowers and candied ginger, seeming to show a touch of oxygen exposure. It's sweet (155g/L residual sugar) but is still quite deft in style.	Selenium Vineyard Ice Wine	88	55	Washington	Yakima Valley	Columbia Valley	Riesling	Pacific Rim	Sean P. Sullivan	@wawinereport	Pacific Rim 2013 Selenium Vineyard Ice Wine Riesling (Yakima Valley)
Spain	This red-colored barrel-fermented rosé of Tempranillo and Merlot smells funky and gummy. Flat on the palate, this tastes of pickled red cabbage: charmless and difficult to get through.	Tempranillo-Merlot Fermentado en Barrica	80	15	Northern Spain	Ribera del Duero	null	Rosado	Pradorey	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Pradorey 2016 Tempranillo-Merlot Fermentado en Barrica Rosado (Ribera del Duero)
France	With just an edge of tannins that give a dry character to the wine, this is a step up from Barton & Guestier's Beaujolais. It has firm plum and black cherry flavors, with fine acidity on the finish.	null	86	10	Beaujolais	Beaujolais-Villages	null	Gamay	Barton & Guestier	null	null	null
US	At 62,000-plus cases, you are in the land of the seamless blend. Oregon does not have vast contiguous vineyards, so these grapes must have come from here, there and everywhere. The result is a gentle, lightly fruity, crisp, clean and innocuous Pinot Noir that lacks only a sense of place.	null	85	20	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon Other	Pinot Noir	A to Z	null	null	null
Argentina	Crisp aromas of wet stones, lime and eau de toilette give this Torrontés the proper air. It's lean and cut in the mouth, with green apple, pear and nectarine flavors coasting on a wave of bracing acidity. Finishes clean as a whistle.	null	87	11	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Torrontés	Bodega Norton	null	null	null
US	Covey's baseline Merlot is more authoritative than you would expect at this price. Tannic and chewy, it carries some real weight on the palate and delivers strong, herbal flavors that taste like wine, not watered-down punch.	null	87	9	Washington	Columbia Valley (WA)	Columbia Valley	Merlot	Covey Run	null	null	null
US	Complex aromas of cassis, dough, espresso, bacon, and cola create instant interest. It seduces with its rich dark fruit and earth flavors, and a concentrated, suave mouthfeel. Big flavors and tannins don't quit on the long, even finish. Profoundly enjoyable, seamless and shows impeccable balance. Keep for five to seven years; it will last a long time.	Reserve	96	60	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Lewis	null	null	Lewis 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	Flowers, melon and stone fruit inform the aromas and flavors of this unctuous, weighty and viscous wine, smooth with a lingering taste of ripe peach on the finish. Tiny percentages of Riesling and Gewürztraminer figure into the mix, too.	The Party Starter	87	32	California	Sonoma Valley	Sonoma	Pinot Gris	FlyWine	null	null	null
France	The wine is velvet soft with smooth red berries and gentle tannins. It has a line in acidity along with spice and a rounded texture. Drink this lightly wood-aged wine now.	Les Baronnes	88	27	Loire Valley	Sancerre	null	Pinot Noir	Henri Bourgeois	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Henri Bourgeois 2014 Les Baronnes (Sancerre)
Spain	Initially this smells chunky, gaseous and heavy, but with airing things turn toward minerality and red-berry scents. The palate is immediately pleasing and deep, with good structure and strong but tame tannins. Meaty red-and-black flavors are dense and delicious, while the finish is broad shouldered, with a stout feel and moderate complexity. Drink through 2018.	Punto y Seguido Viñas Viejas	92	30	Northern Spain	Calatayud	null	Garnacha	Castillo de Maluenda	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Castillo de Maluenda 2011 Punto y Seguido Viñas Viejas Garnacha (Calatayud)
France	Brunel's 2013 is traditionally styled. The aromas are peppery and ferrous, leaning toward sour plum, while the palate is medium-bodied, taut and silky, ending on notes of black olive and espresso. Drink it over the next 5–8 years.	null	90	46	Rhône Valley	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	null	Rhône-style Red Blend	André Brunel	Joe Czerwinski	@JoeCz	André Brunel 2013 Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Italy	A blend of Merlot, Nero d'Avola and Alicante Bouschet, this opens with aromas of cherry soda, smoked meat and plump red fruit. The wine's overall personality is simple and informal, with a raw, chewy mouthfeel.	Cavadiserpe	86	null	Sicily & Sardinia	Sicilia	null	Red Blend	MandraRossa	null	null	null
US	From a winery better known for Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a fairly standard Zinfandel, with generous berry, tobacco, sandalwood and spice flavors. It does have lovely balance and the precision typical of Napa Valley.	Estate Grown	87	35	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Zinfandel	Grgich Hills	null	null	null
US	A disagreeable wine, unripe and vegetal, with just a trace of blackberries. Sweet toasty oak adds a little richness.	null	82	48	California	Oak Knoll District	Napa	Merlot	Materra Cunat Family Vineyards	null	null	Materra Cunat Family Vineyards 2008 Merlot (Oak Knoll District)
Germany	In what could prove to be a breakout vintage for Loewen, the Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett is a star. Heavily mineral on the nose, with some characteristic leesy notes, it then bursts on the palate with concentrated flavors of apple, pear and lime, all underscored by cool minerality. Finishes long and citrusy. Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines.	Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett	91	19	Mosel-Saar-Ruwer	null	null	Riesling	Carl Loewen	null	null	null
Italy	Here's a beautifully executed 50-50 blend of Merlot from Avignonesi and Sangiovese from Capannelle with soft layers of cherry and blackberry packed tight between spice, cola and mesquite. The wine imparts a sense of wholeness and fullness thanks to its firm tannins and smoky aftertaste. Pair it with roast pork with wild rice and mushroom cream sauce.	50 & 50	92	105	Tuscany	Toscana	null	Red Blend	Avignonesi-Capannelle	null	null	null
Australia	Bears a passing resemblance to some Monterey (California) Chards, combining peaches with sweet corn and bright citrus, all wrapped in a coating of toasty, vanilla-scented oak. Crisp on the finish. Drink now.	null	86	17	South Australia	McLaren Vale	null	Chardonnay	Tapestry	null	null	null
US	This is a dark, black and brooding wine, full bodied and firmly impacted in tannin. Mountain sage, currant and mocha highlight dense ripe fruit and dustiness that linger with a spiciness of clove on the finish.	Townsend Vineyard	91	110	California	Atlas Peak	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Antica	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Antica 2013 Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Atlas Peak)
Argentina	Coconut and dill aromas rise from the nose, and they are surrounded by berry, cassis and floral scents. The palate is tight, honest and a little hard, with middle-of-the-road berry flavors tinged with herbs. There's size and power to this wine, but also balance. Compared to previous years, it's a little less generous but still a good way to go.	Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards	88	20	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Pascual Toso	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Pascual Toso 2007 Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
US	Your basic California Chardonnay, soft, with oak-infused pear and orange flavors, brightened by pleasant Carneros acidity.	null	83	20	California	Carneros	Napa-Sonoma	Chardonnay	Buccio	null	null	null
US	This exceptional wine explodes in classic, characteristic aromas of rose water, dried rose petals and orange blossom, so floral and sublime. Edgy in taste, with a trace of salt, it exhibits no oak, celebrating instead an exuberance of fresh pear and grapefruit.	Dutton Ranch Green Valley Vineyard	93	25	California	Green Valley	Sonoma	Gewürztraminer	Dutton-Goldfield	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Dutton-Goldfield 2014 Dutton Ranch Green Valley Vineyard Gewürztraminer (Green Valley)
Chile	Aromas of graphite, black olive, dark chocolate and herbal berry fruits get this Petit Verdot off on the right foot. In the mouth, high acidity makes for palate sharpness while also jacking up plum and currant flavors. A spicy, herbal-tasting finish runs long due to raw acidity.	Gran Reserva	89	19	Curicó Valley	null	null	Petit Verdot	Don Tony Perez	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Don Tony Perez 2014 Gran Reserva Petit Verdot (Curicó Valley)
Spain	Earthy, rooty aromas of cola, tobacco and baked black plum give way to a drawing, drying palate with rubbery, clampy tannins. Roasted plum, prune and herbal flavors finish loamy in feel but salty in flavor.	Zinio Tempranillo-Graciano	86	15	Northern Spain	Rioja	null	Tempranillo Blend	Patrocinio	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Patrocinio 2012 Zinio Tempranillo-Graciano (Rioja)
Argentina	Nondistinguished red wine is how to best describe this one. It has some rhubarb as well as berry, while the feel is racy and zesty. Arguably scratchy and a bit green.	null	82	9	Mendoza Province	Mendoza	null	Cabernet Sauvignon	Tango Sur	null	null	null
France	This grand wine is stylish and elegant. It is also powerful and dense with dark tannins and great concentration. It is a very fine wine, packed with black plum and berry fruits and balanced richness. Don't let the great fruit deceive: this is a wine for the serious long term. Drink from 2028.	null	97	530	Bordeaux	Saint-Émilion	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Ausone	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Château Ausone 2014 Saint-Émilion
US	Blended from Petite Sirah, Syrah and Barbera, this is a hearty red wine that's tannic and jammy, with a honeyed finish. It's fine with burgers.	null	83	13	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Red Blend	Rhiannon	null	null	null
US	Young, yeasty, almost to the point of being beery, this thin Sauvignon Blanc recalls a Vinho Verde. Cucumber and fennel flavors dominate, along with plenty of acidity.	Drawing A Blanc	85	18	Oregon	Columbia Gorge (OR)	Oregon Other	Sauvignon Blanc	Springhouse Cellar	null	null	null
US	Thick in sandpapery tannins, this Petite Sirah shows very ripe, sweet flavors of blackberry jam, currants, chocolate, raisins and pepper. It's rustic now, and likely to remain so over a long lifespan.	Altitude 2401 Fair Play Farms	84	35	California	El Dorado	Sierra Foothills	Petite Sirah	Perry Creek	null	null	Perry Creek 2006 Altitude 2401 Fair Play Farms Petite Sirah (El Dorado)
US	You'd never confuse this with a California Chard. Well, Anderson Valley, maybe. It's a cool-climate wine. Aromas of fresh, cold green apples, with what seems like an overlay of buttery oak. Brilliantly dry and crisp in the mouth. It's all about acidity here; flavors are secondary. Clean as a whistle, edgy, a nervously racy wine that practically cries out for shellfish.	null	88	17	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Chardonnay	Rex Hill	null	null	Rex Hill 1999 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
France	This is the second wine of Château Labégorce. It has much of the elegance of the top wine with firm tannins and generous fruits kept in stylish proportion. Black currant and berry fruits lie under the dark, dry exterior. The wine is dense, needing several years' aging. Drink from 2018.	Zédé de Labégorce	92	40	Bordeaux	Margaux	null	Bordeaux-style Red Blend	Château Labégorce Margaux	null	null	null
US	An extravagantly rich Pinot Noir, sweet and spicy in cherry pie filling, roasted almond, honey, ginger snap cookie and vanilla flavors. Brightened with acidity, it's a little lacking in subtlety, but sure is delicious.	null	88	39	California	Arroyo Seco	Central Coast	Pinot Noir	Scott Family	null	null	Scott Family 2009 Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco)
Spain	Ripe and sweet, with lush, raisiny aromas. The palate is flush, deep and layered, with baked berry, prune, toast and coffee flavors. This is a lot like Vall Llach's signature '07, but it's a bit more restrained and at $50 it's a better deal than the $95 wine. Still, it's a heavyweight to drink now through 2013.	Idus	90	50	Catalonia	Priorat	null	Red Blend	Vall Llach	null	null	null
US	Coming from the Radian Vineyard atop the Sta. Rita Hills, the appellation's veteran Bryan Babcock delivers aromas of pineapple cake, fresh apricot and lemon butter. The wine is well oaked, so expect vanilla and baking spice, but there's a lemony acidity as well, creating a well-balanced wine.	The Limit	92	45	California	Sta. Rita Hills	Central Coast	Chardonnay	Babcock	Matt Kettmann	@mattkettmann	Babcock 2013 The Limit Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
US	It's another inky Rhône monster with aging potential from Epoch and their historic Paderewski Vineyard. This Syrah-led blend throws off inviting aromas of black cherry pie, violet, fennel and balsamic vinegar reduction. Once sipped, layers of flavor emerge steadily, with blackberry fruit roll-up, wet pipe tobacco, candied nuts, lingering herbs and a slight vanilla finish. Serve with osso buco or otherwise roasted pork.	Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard	93	65	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Rhône-style Red Blend	Epoch Estate Wines	null	null	null
US	A wine with a soft mouthfeel and clean finish, this takes time to open up. Once it does, the flavors are a swirl of sweet strawberry and roses.	Silvaspoons Vineyard	86	24	California	Lodi	Central Valley	Touriga Nacional	Fenestra	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Fenestra 2009 Silvaspoons Vineyard Touriga Nacional (Lodi)
France	Very firm and tight, with streaks of mineral and textures of earth. Unyielding and a bit over-sulfered, but it hints and depth and concentration.	Morgeot Premier Cru	89	48	Burgundy	Chassagne-Montrachet	null	Chardonnay	Louis Latour	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	Louis Latour 1998 Morgeot Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet)
France	This ripe, crisp and intensely fruity wine does have a touch of tannin, inevitable with Cabernet Franc, but it is really all about red fruits and refreshing acidity. Drink now.	Réserve des Vignerons	85	12	Loire Valley	Cabernet de Saumur	null	Rosé	Alliance Loire	Roger Voss	@vossroger	Alliance Loire 2014 Réserve des Vignerons (Cabernet de Saumur)
US	From a multiplicity of vineyards, this wine works and is a tremendous value for the price. It mixes hot mulled-cider spices, cinnamon, clove and pine forest, conveying surprising depth. Plum, dark cherry and more clove lead to a powerful, leathery finish.	null	91	22	California	Napa Valley	Napa	Cabernet Sauvignon	Eagle Glen	Virginie Boone	@vboone	Eagle Glen 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
US	Rich and jammy with concentrated, cooked blackberry flavors, this medium-bodied Colorado Merlot melds nicely with aromas of toasty, nutty oak. There's a raw, green pepper note that peeks through, but overall, it's a pleasant, accessible wine with a delicious roasted coffee finish.	null	86	16	Colorado	Grand Valley	null	Merlot	Two Rivers	null	null	null
US	This wine is soft with some nice layers, and delicious in blackberry, cherry, currant, licorice and smoky oak flavors that finish dry, with a scour of sweet tannins.	Viking Estate Vineyard Reserve	90	75	California	Paso Robles	Central Coast	Cabernet Sauvignon	Adelaida	null	null	null
France	Think of this wine as a tough, ornery relative who shows great depth once you get to know him. Leather, chocolate and prune notes mark the aromas and flavors, and the wine shows some alcoholic warmth and drying tannins. But the class shows through on the finish, which is long and richly textured. Give it at least another five years in the cellar.	null	90	95	Rhône Valley	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	null	Rhône-style Red Blend	Château de Beaucastel	null	null	null
US	This limited (250 case) production, Dijon-clone wine shows the ripe, bright flavor profile of the "new" Oregon Chardonnays. Oily and slightly hot, with opulent, assertive, high-toned aromas, it is a big wine that finishes with a burst of sweet vanilla.	Estelle	89	25	Oregon	Willamette Valley	Willamette Valley	Chardonnay	WillaKenzie Estate	Paul Gregutt	@paulgwine	WillaKenzie Estate 1999 Estelle Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
Spain	The nose on this clear-colored Godello is fresh, spunky and citrusy. The palate is spritzy in feel and juicy, but also kind of cloying and clumsy. Flavors of sweet apple, citrus, lychee and mango finish tropical and candied, with weight and flatness.	Capricho Val de Paxariñas	84	26	Northern Spain	Bierzo	null	Godello	Gancedo	Michael Schachner	@wineschach	Gancedo 2011 Capricho Val de Paxariñas Godello (Bierzo)
US	Good for everyday drinking, this Cabernet has smooth, dusty tannins. The black cherry, tobacco and herb flavors are ready to drink now.	null	85	18	California	Alexander Valley	Sonoma	Cabernet Sauvignon	Picket Fence	null	null	null
Chile	A bulky wine with aromas of dried herbs, pepper and black fruits. It's meaty and thick in the mouth, with grapey, herbal flavors. Unfolds fairly nicely on the finish, with the wine's herbal character locking in. A good example of Chilean Malbec that's more basic than complex.	null	86	12	Colchagua Valley	null	null	Malbec	Montes	null	null	null

South Africa

This is more herbal than other recent vintages from Waterford, a stalky Cabernet style. The tannins are firm, dry and solid, the fruit leaning towards hedgerow black fruit flavors. It is ready to drink now, and delicious.

null

89

27

Stellenbosch

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Waterford

null

Italy

This Valpolicella shows a nice level of heft and density with ripe cherry and blueberry aromas. There's a slight tannic touch here and enough natural acidity to pair with cream cheese and chives on crackers.

null

84

null

Veneto

Valpolicella Classico Superiore

null

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

Pietro Clementi

null

Pietro Clementi 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore

Italy

This offers earthy aromas of prune, scorched soil, pressed violet and a whiff of game. On the simple, informal palate, hints of black pepper and coffee add interest to the core of dried black cherry.

null

85

12

Piedmont

Barbera d'Asti

null

Barbera

Gran Passione

null

France

Produced from vines an average of 24-years-old, the wine comes from an 86-acre vineyard to the south of Bordeaux. It is firm with tannins and with ripe, textured Merlot. There is a juicy character from the black-currant fruitiness. The wine with wood flavors needs to age. Drink from 2021.

null

88

25

Bordeaux

Graves

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Rahoul

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Rahoul 2014 Graves

US

A multivarietal, multivintage blend of various reds going back to 1997, this wine is very dry and, in its own way, complex. The older wines soften it and lend dried fruit notes, the younger ones keep it vibrant with a suggestion of red cherries and sweet tobacco. The end result is really fascinating.

Ol' Red

88

12

California

California Other

Red Blend

M. Cosentino

null

Italy

Bright and silky, this opens with aromas of citrus and walnut. The luminous palate delivers ripe yellow apple, nectarine, a hint of brioche and a mineral note offset by a frothy mousse.

Satèn

89

45

Lombardy

Franciacorta

null

Chardonnay

Barone Pizzini

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Barone Pizzini 2011 Satèn Chardonnay (Franciacorta)

France

Shows its Right Bank roots in Merlot and Cab Franc-derived red fruit and herb flavors: strawberry, tomato and rhubarb. Turns leathery and earthy, with some hints of toast on the finish.

null

83

15

Bordeaux

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Vieux Château Négrit

null

New Zealand

Warmer weather in Hawkes Bay means this wine shows less of the aggressively pungent grapefruit and herb aromas of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This is a soft, creamy, very approachable wine that finishes with just a hint of grapefruit.

null

85

12

Hawke's Bay

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Matua Valley

null

Portugal

Structured and dark, this wine's warm fruits are enmeshed in the firm tannins. It has richness and weight, with good sweet berry fruit flavors, and a juicy plum note on the finish.

Romeira Colheita Seleccionada

87

null

Alentejano

null

Portuguese Red

Caves Velhas

null

US

This wine is immediately fascinating. A rich mix of fruits, ripened to compote intensity, offers both power and detail. Subtle streaks of herb, leaf and wet hay suggest old-vine complexity, and the acids are naturally firm and supportive. Everything is nicely knit together, full-bodied and deep.

Old Vines Dedication Series #23

93

75

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Red Blend

Woodward Canyon

null

Chile

On the nose, this smells like bath soap or air freshener. It feels fleshy and oily on the palate, with tropical flavors of banana and papaya. The finish is smooth and tastes of candy.

null

84

12

Central Valley

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Cono Sur

null

France

There is an obvious vanilla, toasty character to this wine from the wood fermentation. That balances with the lemon and pear fruits and the tight texture. The wine is still young with great fruit potential, so drink from 2018.

Château de Chamirey

88

35

Burgundy

Mercurey

null

Chardonnay

Domaines Devillard

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Domaines Devillard 2014 Château de Chamirey (Mercurey)

US

Rich and round, this offers plenty of concentrated blackberry notes enveloped in warm spices and supple oak. There's a hint of green tomato leaves throughout, but the lush fruit combined with sturdy grape tannins and high acidity would pair well with fatty short ribs or braised pork.

Estate Club

87

32

Virginia

null

Merlot

Veramar

null

Spain

Apple and mineral aromas are solid and fresh but don't deliver much kick. This feels lively, with a mix of citrus flavors that are enhanced by grass and a pithy finish. It ends on a green note, with a hint of scallion and a cut of acidity.

null

86

12

Northern Spain

Rueda

null

Verdejo-Viura

El Hada

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

El Hada 2011 Verdejo-Viura (Rueda)

Italy

This is a beautiful wine that exhibits seductively dark concentration and bright aromas of red berries, cola and licorice that are characteristic of the Nebbiolo grape. The tannins show a polished, silky nature and will continue to evolve over long years of cellar aging.

Bricco Luciani

94

74

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Silvio Grasso

null

Silvio Grasso 2007 Bricco Luciani (Barolo)

France

This big, friendly wine shows ripe, forward scents of mixed citrus and light tropical fruits, along with toasted nuts. Medium-rich and already showing some aged, slightly oxidized character, it is definitely built for near-term drinking.

Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut

87

35

Champagne

null

Champagne Blend

De Saint Gall

null

US

This is pleasant and light, with just 12% alcohol and enough acid to keep the sweetness at some distance. Simple, slightly sweet and citrusy, it is a well-made, widely available, representative bottle of budget Riesling in the Washington style.

Quail Series

85

8

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Covey Run

null

US

Sandalwood and a shovelful of fresh earth mark the entry of this wine aromatically. A soft, tart expression of the variety, it offers bittersweet tannin and dark cherry at its core.

El Coro

87

52

California

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma

Pinot Noir

Keller Estate

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Keller Estate 2013 El Coro Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

France

These ancient vines provide a rich and succulent wine. Ripe black cherries and rich fruit are enhanced by the tannins and concentrated texture. It is a wine that will age, although it is ready to drink. Drink until 2022.

Vignes de 1940

90

25

Beaujolais

Beaujolais-Villages

null

Gamay

Jean-Michel Dupré

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Jean-Michel Dupré 2015 Vignes de 1940 (Beaujolais-Villages)

Italy

Elegant, toned and aromatically intense, this shows fine aromas of wild berry, crushed mineral, dried tobacco, cola and a touch of mint. The palate has a fresh, light and feminine touch that's backed by firm tannin.

Bordini

92

65

Piedmont

Barbaresco

null

Nebbiolo

Fontanabianca

null

Italy

Balsamic notes, leather, menthol and red berry aromas take center stage. On the firm palate, tightly wound tannins frame black cherry and a hint of anise. Give this another year or two to unfold then drink up.

null

88

null

Piedmont

Roero

null

Nebbiolo

Monpissan

null

Italy

Barolo Bergeisa reveals itself to be an elegant and sophisticated wine with delicate shadings of lead pencil, earthy tones, fragrant violets and black currants. The mouthfeel is tight with finely textured tannins and the finish is very polished and refined.

Bergeisa

91

null

Piedmont

Barolo

null

Nebbiolo

Le Strette

null

Argentina

Penetrating cola, mint and black fruit aromas are probing. It feels tight and gripping, tasting forward and correct for the variety, with bell pepper, black fruit and spice flavors. This is robust, with good flavors and quality fruit.

Reserve

86

12

Mendoza Province

Uco Valley

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Menduco

null

Argentina

Light citrus, grapefruit and oak notes are nice openers. Peach, melon and other fruits grace the palate. Shows crispness in addition to oak, and the finish is lasting and round. Easy to get; pretty solid overall.

Premium

85

13

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Chardonnay

Alta Vista

null

France

This is a blend from different Premier Cru vineyards in Beaune. At this stage, it is dominated by the wood aging. That gives a bitterness to the wine that needs to soften and allow the ripe fruit to come out. It does have potential, although the maturity will take time. Drink from 2019.

Collection Premier Cru

90

73

Burgundy

Beaune

null

Pinot Noir

L. Tramier & Fils

Roger Voss

@vossroger

L. Tramier & Fils 2015 Collection Premier Cru (Beaune)

US

Ken Wright's 2010 Pinots keep the alcohol levels low without sacrificing any flavor or depth. The Nysa is a gorgeous color, aromatically rich with a bouquet of fruit and flowers. Fresh and primary flavors of ripe berry are set amid delicate tannins. The structure suggests excellent aging potential over a decade or more.

Nysa Vineyard

91

50

Oregon

Dundee Hills

Willamette Valley

Pinot Noir

Ken Wright

null

US

Rather dark in mauve colors and slightly cloudy, this wine by urban vintner Matthias Pippig offers rather heady aromas for a rosé, with smashed olallieberry, blackberry and a touch of cardamom spice. Once sipped, aromatic plum flavors ensue, with help from Turkish spices and noticeable grip.

null

89

45

California

Central Coast

Rosé

Sanguis

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Sanguis 2013 Rosé (Central Coast)

Italy

You don't see rosé Pinot Grigio every day. Made by a 200-member cooperative in Gorizia, it has a beautiful cranberry-raspberry color and is redolent of the same fruits, plus forest berry and passion fruit. Very refreshing and almost tart in the mouth. Imported by Italian Wine Growers.

Rosänder

87

14

Northeastern Italy

Friuli Isonzo

null

Pinot Grigio

Cormòns

null

Australia

Already approachable, Mitolo's 2006 G.A.M. should nevertheless age 10–15 years. The aromas are slightly peppery and spicy, accented by hints of smoke, while the flavors are dark and savory, blending cedar, coffee, black olive and cola. The soft tannins amply frame the long, mouthwatering finish.

G.A.M.

92

50

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Shiraz

Mitolo

null

Portugal

An impressively powerful wine, with concentrated fruit from old vines. It packs dense tannins, layers flavors of ripe figs, plums and raisins, along with wood flavors. The quinta is close to Regua in the western part of the Douro vineyards, a region particularly well suited to powerful but still elegant table wines.

Reserva

92

50

Douro

null

Portuguese Red

Quinta do Vallado

null

Italy

Spicy, fruity and nicely rounded, this wine boasts great flavor intensity without the sharp points sometimes associated with Montepulciano. It's an easy, approachable wine perfect for everyday dining with solid tannins and good length.

null

86

10

Central Italy

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

null

Montepulciano

Masciarelli

null

Masciarelli 2003 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Spain

Despite heavy aromas of baked berry, prune and raisin, this is solid on the palate, with a firm grip. Flavors of earthy plum, tomato, red currant and herbs finish pure, tight and persistent. The more this breathes and expands, the more character it shows. Drink through 2018.

Reserva

90

45

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo Blend

Contino

null

US

This is a 100% varietal wine, aged for 32 months, with one-quarter of the barrels being new oak. Grippy in red currant and cranberry, it has a thickness of tannin and slightly bittersweet, tobacco-like finish.

Warnecke Ranch

86

47

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Sutro

null

US

This round, fruity and smooth-drinking Sémillon carries touches of herb and cucumber alongside its main fruit flavors of citrus and melon. There is a hint of heat on the finish.

null

89

28

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Sémillon

DiStefano

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

DiStefano 2011 Sémillon (Columbia Valley (WA))

US

Grassy, herbaceous tones are a tad pungent, but they add freshness to this lusciously textured, easy-drinking Gewürz. It's off-dry, with loads of fleshy yellow peach, pineapple and melon flavors, with delicate tangerine-juice acidity. Drink now.

null

86

13

New York

Finger Lakes

Gewürztraminer

Casa Larga

Anna Lee C. Iijima

null

Casa Larga 2009 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes)

US

Fermented with 100% stems and aged in neutral French oak, this textbook example of this top Syrah site brings aromas of smoked meat, purple fruit, crushed violets and fresh parsley along with other green herbs. The palate's über-fresh fruit and savory flavors are supported by tart bright acids. This one will only get better with some bottle age and will truly shine at the dinner table. Best from 2022 through 2030.

Les Collines

92

40

Washington

Walla Walla Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Syrah

Kerloo

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Kerloo 2014 Les Collines Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Germany

This is a plump Pinot Gris that does show a bit of its 13.5% alcohol. Pleasant smoke and citrus aromas give way to grapefruit and spice flavors that fade a bit quickly on the finish.

Grauburgunder Trocken

85

28

Pfalz

null

Pinot Gris

Knipser

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

Knipser 2005 Grauburgunder Trocken Pinot Gris (Pfalz)

Italy

Meaty, thick and grainy in texture, Quercegobbe (“crooked oaks”) is a brawny, well-extracted Merlot that tastes more like a California Syrah. It's an immediate and generous wine with thick layers of plump prune and plum, barbecue sauce, black peppercorn, molasses, maple syrup and spice.

Quercegobbe

89

70

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Merlot

Petra

null

Italy

A blend of 30% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, Mediterranean herbs and cedar. The firmly structured palate doles out layers of black currants, blackberries, white pepper and licorice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.

Indaco

93

50

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Tenuta Sette Cieli

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Tenuta Sette Cieli 2012 Indaco Red (Toscana)

France

Here's a solid, dark wine, with an old wood character. It has weight, a black plum flavor and dark tannins. This feels old and hard.

null

86

null

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château de Ferrand

null

Italy

Notes of pink roses and wild flowers open the bouquet of this delicate selection. It offers cranberry and citrus flavors over an easy, fresh finish.

Primo Rosato

86

18

Sicily & Sardinia

Isola dei Nuraghi

null

Carignano

Mesa

null

France

Herbaceous and crisp, it conveys flavors of citrus and freshly cut apple. It's a simple, fruity wine that is ready to drink with its lively final acidity and tangy texture.

Le Montarlet

86

null

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Sauvignon Blanc

Joseph Mellot

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Joseph Mellot 2013 Le Montarlet (Sancerre)

US

Sophisticated and complex, this brings well-structured layers of citrus juice, flesh and rind. It offers a delicate herbal touch and a lingering finish. As the wine evolves in the glass, a tasty hint of honeysuckle emerges.

Domaine

92

29

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Pinot Gris

King Estate

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

King Estate 2016 Domaine Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)

US

A big, jammy, acidic, and slightly sweet wine for washing down barbecue. The blackberry, cherry and blueberry flavors taste like they were baked into a pie.

Diamond Collection Green Label

84

16

California

California Other

Syrah

Francis Ford Coppola

null

US

From a small vineyard in St. Helena comes this ripe young wine, a Cab Franc-based Bordeaux blend. It's soft and forward, with cherry, red currant, licorice, chocolate and cedar flavors that show Napa tannins at their smooth, ripe best. It's a little tight now, so give it a few years.

Rendezvous

91

65

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Trespass

null

Trespass 2005 Rendezvous Red (Napa Valley)

US

Clean and balanced, this has rich, floral aromas. Flavors of fig and melon come amid a light mouthfeel and crisp, ample acidity. The finish is direct, buoyed by the acidity and renewed flavors of papaya and lychee. Enjoy on its own or with plenty of oysters.

null

88

16

California

Calaveras County

Sierra Foothills

Sauvignon Blanc

Newsome-Harlow

null

Italy

This is an easy white wine with balanced acidity. There's a spicy note of crushed clove or exotic spice at the start that is smoothed out by softer aromas of peach cobbler and lemon mousse.

Casoli Maniago

86

17

Northeastern Italy

Colli Orientali del Friuli

null

Pinot Grigio

Conte d'Attimis-Maniago

null

Conte d'Attimis-Maniago 2010 Casoli Maniago Pinot Grigio (Colli Orientali del Friuli)

Italy

Adènzia is a blend of Nero d'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from a dynamic new face in Sicilian winemaking. This deeply concentrated wine offers sweet spice, vanilla and cinnamon notes followed by ripe cherry and blackberry.

Adènzia

90

19

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Red Blend

Baglio del Cristo di Campobello

null

US

The Métier White is a sleek, assertive and racy white wine that does not fall into the flavor ranks of most Washington Viognier, though that is 90% of the blend. The rest is Roussanne, which adds notes of Meyer lemon. The wine is clean and crisp, well-defined with flavors of citrus and green herb. It is built upon vibrant acids rather than barrel flavors, and in a blind tasting it might pass for a somewhat salty (rather than peppery) Grüner Veltliner.

Métier White

89

32

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

White Blend

Doyenne

null

France

This negociant wine produced by Domaine Dujac has plenty of the generous fruit associated with the appellation. It also has solid tannins built for aging and strikes a fine balance between the crisp character of its red fruit and richer wood spice notes. Drink from 2019.

null

92

80

Burgundy

Chambolle-Musigny

null

Pinot Noir

Dujac Fils & Pere

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Dujac Fils & Pere 2014 Chambolle-Musigny

Portugal

A light and soft wine, this is fruity, with gentle acidity. Apples and lemon juice flavors complement each other to give a bright and fresh aftertaste. Screwcap.

Casa do Lago Branco

84

9

Lisboa

null

Portuguese White

DFJ Vinhos

Roger Voss

@vossroger

DFJ Vinhos 2012 Casa do Lago Branco White (Lisboa)

France

Almost garishly pink, this is soft, caramel-flavored rosé that feels full in the mouth. Pure strawberry fruits dominate, with only a light balancing acidity.

null

82

15

Southwest France

Bergerac

null

Rosé

Château la Rayre

null

US

Lemon-lime soda, chalk and gin-and-tonic cocktail elements power the nose on this zesty, medium-sweet bottling. The mouthfeel is soft, with lime juice and quinine cutting the ripe orange-syrup notes.

Bay Mist

87

10

California

Monterey County

Central Coast

Riesling

J. Lohr

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

J. Lohr 2014 Bay Mist Riesling (Monterey County)

Italy

Aromas of leafy forest floor, damp soil, espresso, dark berry and chopped herbs lead the way. The racy palate delivers raspberry, tart cranberry and powdered sage alongside a backbone of electrifying acidity and fine-grained tannins.

null

88

42

Piedmont

Barbera d'Alba

null

Barbera

Sandrone

Kerin O’Keefe

@kerinokeefe

Sandrone 2013 Barbera d'Alba

US

Aged in white oak barrels from Minnesota, the winemaker's home state, this wine offers exotic honeysuckle and baked pineapple at its core, beautiful aromas that gain weight on the texture. Toasted caramel and coconut define the finish.

Minnesota Cuvée

86

26

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Chardonnay

Murphy-Goode

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Murphy-Goode 2013 Minnesota Cuvée Chardonnay (Alexander Valley)

US

Ice wines are a rarity in Washington. This one offers aromas of orange peel, flowers and candied ginger, seeming to show a touch of oxygen exposure. It's sweet (155g/L residual sugar) but is still quite deft in style.

Selenium Vineyard Ice Wine

88

55

Washington

Yakima Valley

Columbia Valley

Riesling

Pacific Rim

Sean P. Sullivan

@wawinereport

Pacific Rim 2013 Selenium Vineyard Ice Wine Riesling (Yakima Valley)

Spain

This red-colored barrel-fermented rosé of Tempranillo and Merlot smells funky and gummy. Flat on the palate, this tastes of pickled red cabbage: charmless and difficult to get through.

Tempranillo-Merlot Fermentado en Barrica

80

15

Northern Spain

Ribera del Duero

null

Rosado

Pradorey

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Pradorey 2016 Tempranillo-Merlot Fermentado en Barrica Rosado (Ribera del Duero)

France

With just an edge of tannins that give a dry character to the wine, this is a step up from Barton & Guestier's Beaujolais. It has firm plum and black cherry flavors, with fine acidity on the finish.

null

86

10

Beaujolais

Beaujolais-Villages

null

Gamay

Barton & Guestier

null

US

At 62,000-plus cases, you are in the land of the seamless blend. Oregon does not have vast contiguous vineyards, so these grapes must have come from here, there and everywhere. The result is a gentle, lightly fruity, crisp, clean and innocuous Pinot Noir that lacks only a sense of place.

null

85

20

Oregon

Oregon Other

Pinot Noir

A to Z

null

Argentina

Crisp aromas of wet stones, lime and eau de toilette give this Torrontés the proper air. It's lean and cut in the mouth, with green apple, pear and nectarine flavors coasting on a wave of bracing acidity. Finishes clean as a whistle.

null

87

11

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Torrontés

Bodega Norton

null

US

Covey's baseline Merlot is more authoritative than you would expect at this price. Tannic and chewy, it carries some real weight on the palate and delivers strong, herbal flavors that taste like wine, not watered-down punch.

null

87

9

Washington

Columbia Valley (WA)

Columbia Valley

Merlot

Covey Run

null

US

Complex aromas of cassis, dough, espresso, bacon, and cola create instant interest. It seduces with its rich dark fruit and earth flavors, and a concentrated, suave mouthfeel. Big flavors and tannins don't quit on the long, even finish. Profoundly enjoyable, seamless and shows impeccable balance. Keep for five to seven years; it will last a long time.

Reserve

96

60

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Lewis

null

Lewis 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

Flowers, melon and stone fruit inform the aromas and flavors of this unctuous, weighty and viscous wine, smooth with a lingering taste of ripe peach on the finish. Tiny percentages of Riesling and Gewürztraminer figure into the mix, too.

The Party Starter

87

32

California

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma

Pinot Gris

FlyWine

null

France

The wine is velvet soft with smooth red berries and gentle tannins. It has a line in acidity along with spice and a rounded texture. Drink this lightly wood-aged wine now.

Les Baronnes

88

27

Loire Valley

Sancerre

null

Pinot Noir

Henri Bourgeois

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Henri Bourgeois 2014 Les Baronnes (Sancerre)

Spain

Initially this smells chunky, gaseous and heavy, but with airing things turn toward minerality and red-berry scents. The palate is immediately pleasing and deep, with good structure and strong but tame tannins. Meaty red-and-black flavors are dense and delicious, while the finish is broad shouldered, with a stout feel and moderate complexity. Drink through 2018.

Punto y Seguido Viñas Viejas

92

30

Northern Spain

Calatayud

null

Garnacha

Castillo de Maluenda

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Castillo de Maluenda 2011 Punto y Seguido Viñas Viejas Garnacha (Calatayud)

France

Brunel's 2013 is traditionally styled. The aromas are peppery and ferrous, leaning toward sour plum, while the palate is medium-bodied, taut and silky, ending on notes of black olive and espresso. Drink it over the next 5–8 years.

null

90

46

Rhône Valley

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

null

Rhône-style Red Blend

André Brunel

Joe Czerwinski

@JoeCz

André Brunel 2013 Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Italy

A blend of Merlot, Nero d'Avola and Alicante Bouschet, this opens with aromas of cherry soda, smoked meat and plump red fruit. The wine's overall personality is simple and informal, with a raw, chewy mouthfeel.

Cavadiserpe

86

null

Sicily & Sardinia

Sicilia

null

Red Blend

MandraRossa

null

US

From a winery better known for Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a fairly standard Zinfandel, with generous berry, tobacco, sandalwood and spice flavors. It does have lovely balance and the precision typical of Napa Valley.

Estate Grown

87

35

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Zinfandel

Grgich Hills

null

US

A disagreeable wine, unripe and vegetal, with just a trace of blackberries. Sweet toasty oak adds a little richness.

null

82

48

California

Oak Knoll District

Napa

Merlot

Materra Cunat Family Vineyards

null

Materra Cunat Family Vineyards 2008 Merlot (Oak Knoll District)

Germany

In what could prove to be a breakout vintage for Loewen, the Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett is a star. Heavily mineral on the nose, with some characteristic leesy notes, it then bursts on the palate with concentrated flavors of apple, pear and lime, all underscored by cool minerality. Finishes long and citrusy. Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines.

Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett

91

19

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

null

Riesling

Carl Loewen

null

Italy

Here's a beautifully executed 50-50 blend of Merlot from Avignonesi and Sangiovese from Capannelle with soft layers of cherry and blackberry packed tight between spice, cola and mesquite. The wine imparts a sense of wholeness and fullness thanks to its firm tannins and smoky aftertaste. Pair it with roast pork with wild rice and mushroom cream sauce.

50 & 50

92

105

Tuscany

Toscana

null

Red Blend

Avignonesi-Capannelle

null

Australia

Bears a passing resemblance to some Monterey (California) Chards, combining peaches with sweet corn and bright citrus, all wrapped in a coating of toasty, vanilla-scented oak. Crisp on the finish. Drink now.

null

86

17

South Australia

McLaren Vale

null

Chardonnay

Tapestry

null

US

This is a dark, black and brooding wine, full bodied and firmly impacted in tannin. Mountain sage, currant and mocha highlight dense ripe fruit and dustiness that linger with a spiciness of clove on the finish.

Townsend Vineyard

91

110

California

Atlas Peak

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Antica

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Antica 2013 Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Atlas Peak)

Argentina

Coconut and dill aromas rise from the nose, and they are surrounded by berry, cassis and floral scents. The palate is tight, honest and a little hard, with middle-of-the-road berry flavors tinged with herbs. There's size and power to this wine, but also balance. Compared to previous years, it's a little less generous but still a good way to go.

Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards

88

20

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Pascual Toso

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Pascual Toso 2007 Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)

US

Your basic California Chardonnay, soft, with oak-infused pear and orange flavors, brightened by pleasant Carneros acidity.

null

83

20

California

Carneros

Napa-Sonoma

Chardonnay

Buccio

null

US

This exceptional wine explodes in classic, characteristic aromas of rose water, dried rose petals and orange blossom, so floral and sublime. Edgy in taste, with a trace of salt, it exhibits no oak, celebrating instead an exuberance of fresh pear and grapefruit.

Dutton Ranch Green Valley Vineyard

93

25

California

Green Valley

Sonoma

Gewürztraminer

Dutton-Goldfield

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Dutton-Goldfield 2014 Dutton Ranch Green Valley Vineyard Gewürztraminer (Green Valley)

Chile

Aromas of graphite, black olive, dark chocolate and herbal berry fruits get this Petit Verdot off on the right foot. In the mouth, high acidity makes for palate sharpness while also jacking up plum and currant flavors. A spicy, herbal-tasting finish runs long due to raw acidity.

Gran Reserva

89

19

Curicó Valley

null

Petit Verdot

Don Tony Perez

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Don Tony Perez 2014 Gran Reserva Petit Verdot (Curicó Valley)

Spain

Earthy, rooty aromas of cola, tobacco and baked black plum give way to a drawing, drying palate with rubbery, clampy tannins. Roasted plum, prune and herbal flavors finish loamy in feel but salty in flavor.

Zinio Tempranillo-Graciano

86

15

Northern Spain

Rioja

null

Tempranillo Blend

Patrocinio

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Patrocinio 2012 Zinio Tempranillo-Graciano (Rioja)

Argentina

Nondistinguished red wine is how to best describe this one. It has some rhubarb as well as berry, while the feel is racy and zesty. Arguably scratchy and a bit green.

null

82

9

Mendoza Province

Mendoza

null

Cabernet Sauvignon

Tango Sur

null

France

This grand wine is stylish and elegant. It is also powerful and dense with dark tannins and great concentration. It is a very fine wine, packed with black plum and berry fruits and balanced richness. Don't let the great fruit deceive: this is a wine for the serious long term. Drink from 2028.

null

97

530

Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Ausone

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Château Ausone 2014 Saint-Émilion

US

Blended from Petite Sirah, Syrah and Barbera, this is a hearty red wine that's tannic and jammy, with a honeyed finish. It's fine with burgers.

null

83

13

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Red Blend

Rhiannon

null

US

Young, yeasty, almost to the point of being beery, this thin Sauvignon Blanc recalls a Vinho Verde. Cucumber and fennel flavors dominate, along with plenty of acidity.

Drawing A Blanc

85

18

Oregon

Columbia Gorge (OR)

Oregon Other

Sauvignon Blanc

Springhouse Cellar

null

US

Thick in sandpapery tannins, this Petite Sirah shows very ripe, sweet flavors of blackberry jam, currants, chocolate, raisins and pepper. It's rustic now, and likely to remain so over a long lifespan.

Altitude 2401 Fair Play Farms

84

35

California

El Dorado

Sierra Foothills

Petite Sirah

Perry Creek

null

Perry Creek 2006 Altitude 2401 Fair Play Farms Petite Sirah (El Dorado)

US

You'd never confuse this with a California Chard. Well, Anderson Valley, maybe. It's a cool-climate wine. Aromas of fresh, cold green apples, with what seems like an overlay of buttery oak. Brilliantly dry and crisp in the mouth. It's all about acidity here; flavors are secondary. Clean as a whistle, edgy, a nervously racy wine that practically cries out for shellfish.

null

88

17

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

Rex Hill

null

Rex Hill 1999 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)

France

This is the second wine of Château Labégorce. It has much of the elegance of the top wine with firm tannins and generous fruits kept in stylish proportion. Black currant and berry fruits lie under the dark, dry exterior. The wine is dense, needing several years' aging. Drink from 2018.

Zédé de Labégorce

92

40

Bordeaux

Margaux

null

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

Château Labégorce Margaux

null

US

An extravagantly rich Pinot Noir, sweet and spicy in cherry pie filling, roasted almond, honey, ginger snap cookie and vanilla flavors. Brightened with acidity, it's a little lacking in subtlety, but sure is delicious.

null

88

39

California

Arroyo Seco

Central Coast

Pinot Noir

Scott Family

null

Scott Family 2009 Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco)

Spain

Ripe and sweet, with lush, raisiny aromas. The palate is flush, deep and layered, with baked berry, prune, toast and coffee flavors. This is a lot like Vall Llach's signature '07, but it's a bit more restrained and at $50 it's a better deal than the $95 wine. Still, it's a heavyweight to drink now through 2013.

Idus

90

50

Catalonia

Priorat

null

Red Blend

Vall Llach

null

US

Coming from the Radian Vineyard atop the Sta. Rita Hills, the appellation's veteran Bryan Babcock delivers aromas of pineapple cake, fresh apricot and lemon butter. The wine is well oaked, so expect vanilla and baking spice, but there's a lemony acidity as well, creating a well-balanced wine.

The Limit

92

45

California

Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast

Chardonnay

Babcock

Matt Kettmann

@mattkettmann

Babcock 2013 The Limit Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)

US

It's another inky Rhône monster with aging potential from Epoch and their historic Paderewski Vineyard. This Syrah-led blend throws off inviting aromas of black cherry pie, violet, fennel and balsamic vinegar reduction. Once sipped, layers of flavor emerge steadily, with blackberry fruit roll-up, wet pipe tobacco, candied nuts, lingering herbs and a slight vanilla finish. Serve with osso buco or otherwise roasted pork.

Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard

93

65

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Rhône-style Red Blend

Epoch Estate Wines

null

US

A wine with a soft mouthfeel and clean finish, this takes time to open up. Once it does, the flavors are a swirl of sweet strawberry and roses.

Silvaspoons Vineyard

86

24

California

Lodi

Central Valley

Touriga Nacional

Fenestra

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Fenestra 2009 Silvaspoons Vineyard Touriga Nacional (Lodi)

France

Very firm and tight, with streaks of mineral and textures of earth. Unyielding and a bit over-sulfered, but it hints and depth and concentration.

Morgeot Premier Cru

89

48

Burgundy

Chassagne-Montrachet

null

Chardonnay

Louis Latour

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

Louis Latour 1998 Morgeot Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet)

France

This ripe, crisp and intensely fruity wine does have a touch of tannin, inevitable with Cabernet Franc, but it is really all about red fruits and refreshing acidity. Drink now.

Réserve des Vignerons

85

12

Loire Valley

Cabernet de Saumur

null

Rosé

Alliance Loire

Roger Voss

@vossroger

Alliance Loire 2014 Réserve des Vignerons (Cabernet de Saumur)

US

From a multiplicity of vineyards, this wine works and is a tremendous value for the price. It mixes hot mulled-cider spices, cinnamon, clove and pine forest, conveying surprising depth. Plum, dark cherry and more clove lead to a powerful, leathery finish.

null

91

22

California

Napa Valley

Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon

Eagle Glen

Virginie Boone

@vboone

Eagle Glen 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

US

Rich and jammy with concentrated, cooked blackberry flavors, this medium-bodied Colorado Merlot melds nicely with aromas of toasty, nutty oak. There's a raw, green pepper note that peeks through, but overall, it's a pleasant, accessible wine with a delicious roasted coffee finish.

null

86

16

Colorado

Grand Valley

null

Merlot

Two Rivers

null

US

This wine is soft with some nice layers, and delicious in blackberry, cherry, currant, licorice and smoky oak flavors that finish dry, with a scour of sweet tannins.

Viking Estate Vineyard Reserve

90

75

California

Paso Robles

Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon

Adelaida

null

France

Think of this wine as a tough, ornery relative who shows great depth once you get to know him. Leather, chocolate and prune notes mark the aromas and flavors, and the wine shows some alcoholic warmth and drying tannins. But the class shows through on the finish, which is long and richly textured. Give it at least another five years in the cellar.

null

90

95

Rhône Valley

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

null

Rhône-style Red Blend

Château de Beaucastel

null

US

This limited (250 case) production, Dijon-clone wine shows the ripe, bright flavor profile of the "new" Oregon Chardonnays. Oily and slightly hot, with opulent, assertive, high-toned aromas, it is a big wine that finishes with a burst of sweet vanilla.

Estelle

89

25

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

WillaKenzie Estate

Paul Gregutt

@paulgwine

WillaKenzie Estate 1999 Estelle Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)

Spain

The nose on this clear-colored Godello is fresh, spunky and citrusy. The palate is spritzy in feel and juicy, but also kind of cloying and clumsy. Flavors of sweet apple, citrus, lychee and mango finish tropical and candied, with weight and flatness.

Capricho Val de Paxariñas

84

26

Northern Spain

Bierzo

null

Godello

Gancedo

Michael Schachner

@wineschach

Gancedo 2011 Capricho Val de Paxariñas Godello (Bierzo)

US

Good for everyday drinking, this Cabernet has smooth, dusty tannins. The black cherry, tobacco and herb flavors are ready to drink now.

null

85

18

California

Alexander Valley

Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon

Picket Fence

null

Chile

A bulky wine with aromas of dried herbs, pepper and black fruits. It's meaty and thick in the mouth, with grapey, herbal flavors. Unfolds fairly nicely on the finish, with the wine's herbal character locking in. A good example of Chilean Malbec that's more basic than complex.

null

86

12

Colchagua Valley

null

Malbec

Montes

null