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8,887 | Italy | This is a lovely vineyard designate Barbaresco that combines fresh flavors of cassis and wild berries with ethereal notes of root beer, licorice and tar. It finishes with smooth, sturdy tannins and will only improve over the next 5–10 years. | 93 | 60 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
103,990 | US | A blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this is a clumsy wine. It's soft and overripe, and the oaky overlay doesn't do anything to improve the situation. | 80 | 22 | California | Red Blend |
58,096 | France | This firm wine is solid with tannins while also having the fruitiness of the year. A dry element will allow the wine to age balanced, with bright juicy fruits shining through. It comes from one of the lesser-known premier cru vineyards in Beaune. Drink from 2018. | 92 | 80 | Burgundy | Pinot Noir |
91,861 | US | A warmth of baking spices like cardamom and nutmeg charge an otherwise earthy, herbal wine. It's light bodied yet complex, crisp in strawberry and black cherry flavors. Only the third vintage produced from this particular site, it's subtly ripe and lengthy in texture. | 94 | 85 | California | Pinot Noir |
20,094 | France | Soft, full and very rounded, this has yellow fruit flavors that are ripe and open, with its acidity emerging slowly. The finish is more focused and fresh. | 87 | 30 | Burgundy | Chardonnay |
33,731 | US | Like its stablemates, the Elton bottling has dropped more than a point of alcohol in 2010, and the winery's lineup overall tilts toward the thin and herbal. Here the cranberry fruit shows little charm. There's a spine of iron and a finish amply loaded with flavors of herb and earth. | 86 | 45 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
128,063 | US | Made by David Low of Anthill Farms in extremely small quantities, this is a new brand devoted to light-bodied wines from fine, cool-climate sites. Tight in dried cranberry and cherry, this is indeed a light and subtle undertaking, dusty and perfumed in rosewater fragrance. | 88 | 46 | California | Pinot Noir |
112,562 | Italy | A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black plum, tilled soil and a hint of underbrush. The palate offers dark berry, tobacco and a hint of espresso alongside firm tannins. | 88 | 40 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
105,030 | US | Shows the flashy, voluptuous nature of California Viognier, offering delicious waves of mango, pear, honeysuckle, vanilla cream and mineral flavors. Surprisingly, there's no oak, although the wine was aged on the lees. With brisk acidity, this is a fine Viognier for drinking now with Asian fare. | 92 | 30 | California | Viognier |
18,378 | Spain | Dusty, earthy berry aromas carry a minerally accent. This feels balanced and medium in weight, with a mix of red-berry fruits making up the flavor profile. The finish loses some brightness and snap while transitioning to loamy and earthy. | 87 | 10 | Northern Spain | Tempranillo Blend |
121,236 | US | Held back for extra bottle aging, this a big wine. It has abundant aromas of spicy, smoky oak, rich flavors like blackberry and black pepper, and an almost thick texture that coats the mouth, helping that flavor linger on the finish. | 92 | 33 | California | Petite Sirah |
17,375 | US | Soft, smoky oak permeates this full-bodied wine, with light clove and cinnamon accents. The rich layers of blackberry and black currant fruit are complemented by mocha notes. | 88 | 35 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
100,499 | Argentina | This Malbec blend is bright, jammy and grapy on the nose. The palate is juicy but bumpy and rough in feel, while fresh-fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry are a little too candied and simple for a wine of this level. A ripe medicinal finish is lush but awkward. | 88 | 53 | Mendoza Province | Red Blend |
44,569 | France | This estate in the Aube region has produced a pink-colored rose that is soft. It is full of ripe strawberry fruits that are rounded out with fresh acidity and with a full aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink. | 87 | 60 | Champagne | Champagne Blend |
2,846 | Italy | A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this opens earthy aromas of game, ripe black-skinned fruit and scorched earth. The mature palate displays dried black cherry, prune and leather alongside grippy tannins that leave a firm finish. | 88 | 75 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
71,341 | Italy | Aromas of oak, toast, coconut and dark berry lead the nose and carry over to the bracing palate along with white pepper and oak-driven spice. Firm, extremely astringent tannins give this a bracing finish. Drink after 2018. | 87 | 25 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
122,928 | US | This wine is sour, flat and past its prime, showing an abundance of tar and oak qualities. | 82 | 65 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
90,115 | US | This is an off-dry, fruity style, bringing luscious pear, orange, golden apple and citrus flavors to the front. There's a hint of orange marmalade, and it has good weight and concentration, along with lovely purity of flavor, right through the finish. You'll be reaching for that next glass before you know it. | 88 | 11 | Washington | Gewürztraminer |
129,625 | US | A field blend from the DeMayo Vineyard, believed to be mostly Zin and Petite Sirah. The resulting wine doesn't show much of its provenance or history, just a smidgen of spice but only fruit and modest of flavor. | 84 | 30 | California | Zinfandel |
125,426 | Spain | This wine gets it right. The color is dark and opaque, while the nose offers perfume, Middle Eastern spice, fruitcake and solid black fruit. Enticing in the mouth, where full black fruit flavors are pumped up by fine herb and spice notes. And then coffee and chocolate fill the finish. Drink now through 2010. | 90 | 35 | Northern Spain | Tempranillo |
56,826 | Italy | Leather, mature dark-skinned berry, clove and star anise aromas lead into the velvety, surprisingly approachable palate. Solid but rounded tannins uphold the juicy flavors. Drink through 2022. | 91 | 70 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
73,516 | Italy | Scents of cut grass, tomato vine and a hint of honeydew melon emerge on this tangy white. The crisp palate doles out yellow peach, apple, grapefruit and an almond note accompanied by zesty acidity. | 88 | 19 | Northeastern Italy | Pinot Grigio |
128,843 | US | The inaugural vintage from the owners of Atlas Vineyard Management in Napa, which also farms vineyards in Oregon and California's Central Coast, this is exquisite in candied popcorn aromas, with a seasoning of fennel. Soft and juicy, it remains fresh on the palate, finishing crisp and clean. | 92 | 50 | California | Chardonnay |
16,131 | US | Nickel & Nickel brings its deft touch for Napa Valley Bordeaux varieties to Russian River Syrah, with compelling results. The wine is extraordinarily rich and refined, carrying waves of blackberry, cherry, dark chocolate, bacon, smoky cedar and spice flavors. The texture is gloriously fine in tannins. A really superior Syrah that should provide pleasure over the next four years. | 93 | 50 | California | Syrah |
63,606 | Spain | A simple bouquet offers light apple and melon aromas, while the palate shows some malic acidity before it softens. Melon, apple and a touch of butter work together to create a mild flavor profile, while this is mellow and short on the finish. | 86 | 12 | Northern Spain | Chardonnay |
47,999 | US | This bold blend has aromas like charred oak barrels and saturated flavors suggesting blackberry, black pepper and clove. It is full bodied, thick in texture and moderately tannic. For those who like obvious oakiness, it will be a treat. | 88 | 25 | California | Red Blend |
43,866 | US | This is a young, hearty wine, dark and brooding, whose power is still considerably closed in. The aroma hints at blackberry preserves, anise and milk chocolate. It’s soft and accessible, with tons of concentrated, ripe berry fruit, but needs a few years to show its best stuff. Finishes long and spicy. | 88 | 39 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
78,352 | US | Caramelized blueberry, crushed pepper and a deeply hidden dried green herb component present on the dense nose of this bottling, which hides the grapes typicity a tad yet remains delicious. The palate rides a nice line between smoked beef, chocolate and balsamic reduction and the expected peppery and herbal edges. | 91 | 36 | California | Cabernet Franc |
18,078 | US | This is fruity and ripe, forward and round, with appealing tropical fruit flavors. There's moderate, but adequate, acidity, and the flavors are rounded off with a toasty note from aging 10 months in 30% new French oak. Drink this now through 2018. | 90 | 30 | Oregon | Chardonnay |
58,210 | US | Dark, sappy and syrupy, this jet-black, 100% Syrah mixes superconcentrated raspberry compote with espresso, smoke and hints of pepper bacon. There is nothing shy here, but the wine is authoritative and splashy, a Syrah that does not taste like all the other Syrahs made in Washington. Despite alcohol levels just under 15% the wine keeps its shape and its detail, and the tannins are smooth and polished. A fine effort from winemaker Bill Owen. | 91 | 42 | Washington | Syrah |
54,137 | US | This is a round, rich wine full of fig, vanilla and salty oak flavors. Bright, lemony freshness and a stony, mineral-like quality accentuate its texture and complexity, lasting long into the finish. | 93 | 60 | California | Chardonnay |
14,113 | US | Blackberry ice cream, vanilla and licorice meet with fudge and espresso on the immensely rich nose of this blend of 55% Petite Sirah, 26% Zinfandel and 19% Syrah. Blueberry and cassis dominate the palate, which is soft in texture and full of chocolate, cherry cordial and fig flavors. | 92 | 80 | California | Red Blend |
100,180 | France | A pale salmon colored rosé, this medium- to full-bodied wine offers scents of honeydew, red berries, peach and crushed stones and flavors to match. The only quibble is that it finishes a little abruptly. This is very good, but consumers should be on the lookout for the fresher 2007. | 87 | 42 | Provence | Rosé |
111,939 | Italy | Red bery, chopped herb and ground clove aromas carry over to the light-bodied simple palate. Lightly-knit tannins provide the easygoing framework. Enjoy soon. | 86 | 16 | Veneto | Red Blend |
87,427 | France | First recorded in 1375, this vineyard produces powerful, concentrated wines. This fine example is dense, weighty and firm. The acidity is there, buried in the firm tannins. It is a wine with an enormous potential, dark and full of plum skin and berries. Drink from 2022. | 94 | 140 | Burgundy | Pinot Noir |
104,174 | France | One of the more herbaceous Sauvignons in Joseph Mellot's range, this is crisp, leaning to green fruits although with an underlying feeling of ripeness. There is a touch of minerality in the texture, giving the acidity a taut, nervy feeling at the end. Screwcap. | 87 | 20 | Loire Valley | Sauvignon Blanc |
92,559 | US | New oak dominates the aromas and flavors, with buttered toast, buttered popcorn and caramel overwhelming the underlying fruit, which suggests pineapples and green apples. Although the wine is dry and acidity is fine, the fruit lacks the richness to support the oak. | 87 | 40 | California | Chardonnay |
28,207 | US | Not showing well now due to hard tannins and extreme dryness. There's a core of blackberry fruit but it's buried beneath astringency. This Merlot-based Bordeaux blend may develop. | 85 | 45 | California | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
126,923 | Italy | Aromas of scorched earth, game and a whiff of farmyard lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, leather, anise and sage alongside bracing but fleeting tannins. It finishes abruptly, leaving a rather astringent close. | 87 | 40 | Tuscany | Sangiovese |
90,323 | Italy | This opens with rather funky aromas of scorched earth, overripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of barnyard. The extracted palate offers mature black cherry, toast, espresso and a gamey note alongside tightly packed tannins. A note of roasted coffee bean signals the close. | 88 | 90 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
6,855 | Italy | Aromas of white flower, crushed rock and pear lift out of the glass. Dry and refreshing, the palate offers yellow apple, acacia and a hint of citrus alongside crisp acidity. | 89 | 26 | Veneto | Glera |
94,662 | US | Pineapple and sugar-cookie notes waft sweetly from the nose of this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Dense and mouth-filling, it's a bit brawny in structure, but refreshing grapefruit acidity and subtly sweet honey tones lend brightness. A hint of bramble lingers on the finish. | 87 | 19 | New York | Gewürztraminer |
112,599 | Argentina | Composed and dry Merlot made somewhat in an Old World style. Cola, tobacco and basic berry fruit aromas come in front of a juicy, high-acid palate. Tastes spicy and toasty, with plum and red berry flavors. Fresh and clean; best with food. | 86 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Merlot |
14,791 | US | From the high-elevation site long prized by this producer, this wine opens with a sturdy tannic grip that takes time to resolve in the glass. As it does, ripe and robust layers of blackberry, currant and wild sage flavors emerge, bolstered by leather and bittersweet chocolate notes. | 91 | 65 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
83,885 | Italy | Part of the natural wine movement, this blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon comes from organically farmed fruit. There's a touch of heat on the palate, with aromas of cherry liqueur, jammy blackberry and exotic spice that drive the bold and masculine mouthfeel. | 89 | 40 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
70,886 | Italy | This expression of Sangiovese offers thick extraction and intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, toast and spice. It's a dense and modern wine with chewy succulence and long-lasting berry flavors. Drink it with roasted lamb or grilled beef. | 90 | 36 | Tuscany | Sangiovese |
7,413 | US | A good Cabernet, if a little gritty, with herb-infused flavors of black currants, plums and spices. Might soften with a few years in the bottle, but not really a longterm ager. | 86 | 29 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
52,260 | US | Sweet and simple, with buttered popcorn, orange and pineapple juice and caramel flavors. | 84 | 15 | California | Chardonnay |
111,174 | France | The name, referring to the flinty soil of the vineyard, says it all. It is a mineral wine that tastes of stony soil, flint and chalk. It has a great core of hardened steel, very firm, surrounded by intense green fruits, filled with apple juice and grapefruit flavors. For aging over 2–3 years. | 93 | 23 | Loire Valley | Sauvignon Blanc |
120,555 | US | Still young and tight, this terroir-driven Chardonnay needs further cellaring to show its best. Woody scents top off crisp, persistent tree fruits, with lemony acids propping up flavors. It's dense, compact and unyielding, but clearly the raw materials for ageworthiness are there. | 91 | 40 | Oregon | Chardonnay |
4,883 | Germany | Fresh cantaloupe aromas shift to savory pressed apple and pear on the palate of this juicy, easygoing Riesling. Semidry in style, it's pleasantly slick and sweet, accented by spice and honey notes. Drink now. | 87 | 20 | Mosel | Riesling |
20,747 | US | This is the winery's most straight-forward pink, showing red plum, peach, light mulberry and steel aromas. It's all tension upon first sip, but then waves of ripe plum, citrus and brown spice overtake the palate. | 87 | 32 | California | Grenache |
86,484 | France | Notes of beeswax, mirabelle plum compote and faint cardamom spice suggest a wine no longer in the first flush of youth. This is a compounded, rich but dry, layered but ultraclean wine. The palate reveals textured notes of gingerbread framed by the ripe fruit of ripe, dried yellow plums and even stored winter apple. There is just an echo of peach on the finish. This has lots of substance. | 93 | 50 | Alsace | Gewürztraminer |
77,089 | US | This new project from the heights of Atlas Peak involves Steve Matthiasson as both viticulturist and winemaker, having had to take over the reins from the late Denis Malbec. It shines in bristling acidity, dusty tannin and a beautiful floral aroma of violet. Notes of chocolate, fig and cigar sit atop a pillowy, complex structure, while vanilla lingers on the finish. | 93 | 60 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
47,053 | Italy | Underbrush, dark berry and spice aromas lead the nose. The palate doles out ripe blackberry, raspberry, clove, espresso and a hint of herb alongside soft, supple tannins. | 88 | 20 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
113,156 | Australia | This is a bright, medium-bodied blend of 65% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. Herbal notes on the nose suggest mint, thyme and bay leaf, layered over hints of cassis and red berries. Not overly tannic, this is a drink-now proposition. | 87 | 20 | South Australia | Red Blend |
43,724 | US | Brambly berry and wood notes lend complexity to the luscious cassis and black cherry flavors. It's intensely concentrated with fruit, but bright bursts of acidity and layers of fresh sage and thyme add balance, leading to a long, harmonious finish. Drink now–2020. | 88 | 25 | New York | Merlot |
6,711 | France | Parcels of vines on the Phélan-Ségur estate are used for this second label. The wine, with its firm tannins, is developing well. It has structure and a dense texture along with ripe blackberry fruits and acidity. As it develops, it will be generous and ripe. Drink from 2018. | 91 | 27 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
9,288 | US | This wine is slightly austere at the start, despite its fuller body and style. Leathery and dusty in tannin, the black and blue fruit remain elusive, teasing in between bouts of coffee and chocolate. | 86 | 17 | California | Merlot |
95,371 | Spain | Rooty aromas of sarsparilla mix with red-fruit tones on the subtle nose. This aged Rioja is showing hard tannins and choppy acidity in support of herbal, leafy plum and red currant flavors. Tomato, herb and plum flavors stick out on a traditional, high-acid finish. | 90 | 24 | Northern Spain | Red Blend |
108,815 | Italy | Dark and austere, this has aromas of spice, toasted hazelnut and wild berry. The mouthfeel is tight and astringent and the finish is elegantly streamlined. Definitely give this wine 5–10 more years in the cellar. | 92 | 74 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
77,533 | US | Big honeysuckle, sweet caramel and stone-fruit aromas are backed on the palate with concentrated tangerine and melon flavors. It's a bold fruity wine with luscious body and yielding acidity but tea tannins and grapefruit flavors lend structure. | 88 | 28 | New York | Gewürztraminer |
70,088 | US | A rosé with a difference: this is rich in texture and body as if it were barrel aged. It has a light peach color, plus delicate strawberry and peach aromas. A creamy mouthfeel carries the fruit flavors and adds hints of vanilla and baking spices. | 89 | 18 | California | Rosé |
110,212 | US | This is a rather light, surprisingly delicate take on Petite Sirah, with pretty aromas of violets and spice. When first poured it seems shut down; it opens slowly but has a bit of a hole in the middle, before moving into a tannic finish with dark chocolate and licorice. | 87 | 28 | Washington | Petite Sirah |
57,985 | US | Sanguine and nuanced, this vineyard-designate comes from a relatively warm site in the appellation, finding a way to be ripe and bold while balanced. Red currant, cranberry and a bright, persistent acidity give it personality and show a softer take on the variety, the texture equally smooth. | 90 | 36 | California | Zinfandel |
52,209 | Italy | Reserved at first, this Brunello gradually reveals tilled soil and black-skinned fruit aromas. The dense, straightforward palate displays ripe plum and clove notes with a hint of licorice and closed-grained tannins. | 88 | 90 | Tuscany | Sangiovese |
21,695 | Portugal | An earthy, traditional tasting wine, expressing the dark schist terroir of the Douro. The structure is taut, dry, tannic, but it leaves room for a wine that has some volatility and blackberry juice flavors. | 85 | 22 | Douro | Portuguese Red |
118,618 | US | This isn't the best Ryan Calera has produced over the years. The wine is a little sweet and direct in cherry, raspberry, currant and cola flavors, and while the acids and tannins are just fine, it doesn't seem like it's going anywhere. Drink now. | 86 | 40 | California | Pinot Noir |
70,382 | Spain | Aromas of blackberry, cassis, raisin and woodspice suggest that this varietal Garnacha is ripe. That's confirmed on the palate, which feels chunky and full, with modest acidic edge. Ripe, roasted, fully oaked flavors of black fruits finish minty and spicy, with notes of clove and coffee. Drink this full-bodied, fairly soft wine through 2018. | 89 | 30 | Catalonia | Grenache |
76,174 | US | The acidity really brings this Chard together, adding a racy edge to buttered toast, popcorn and orange marmalade flavors. Straightforward, but a good example of the modern California style. | 85 | 25 | California | Chardonnay |
120,741 | Italy | This straightforward expression of Amarone opens with aromas of ripe red berry and a whiff of dark spice. The simple palate offers dried wild cherry and a hint of cinnamon alongside drying, rather fleeting tannins. | 86 | 52 | Veneto | Red Blend |
9,451 | US | The color of this wine is deep and dark, and the aromas and flavors both have lots of plump black cherry, baking spice and clove tones. It's dry, full bodied and pretty massive in terms of mouthfeel, so this is not a delicate flower and is best enjoyed with heartier fare or after some time to open. | 92 | 66 | California | Pinot Noir |
94,987 | US | From two vineyards on the eastern side of the valley, including one on Howell Mountain, this small-production wine offers whiffs of leather saddle and black currant around softened tannins and crème-de-cassis-like sweetness, especially on the nose. | 88 | 75 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
44,060 | Australia | Rich and intense but also round and soft. A horsey note adds complexity and rusticity to the dark chocolate, leather and black cherry aromas and flavors. —J.C. | 88 | 18 | South Australia | Grenache |
28,602 | France | A foursquare wine, all angles and edges, that still needs time to soften and open. It is going to be rich and delicious, hinting at white currants, pears and green plum skins. The minerality and vegetal edge is there as well. An impressive wine from this ancient property. | 90 | 35 | Loire Valley | Sauvignon Blanc |
4,149 | US | There's a slight bit of pleasant funk to the nose of this appellation blend, as well as graphite, sour cherry, soy and shiitake mushroom aromas. The palate is wound around tight acidity, with wild raspberry flavors lifted by incense and pine forest elements. | 92 | 45 | California | Pinot Noir |
122,302 | France | While youthful tannins play an important part in this dense wine, so does the black fruit character. It's balanced, with the wood toast adding extra complexity. Ripe, while structured, it will age over several years. | 89 | 32 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
50,816 | US | Smells young and juvenile, a bit raw. Shows briary aromas of wild berries, thyme, cherries and mocha. A chewy wine, tannic and spicy. Hard now, a bit austere, but beautifully structured, with a thick, currant-infused taste. Needs time. | 94 | 275 | California | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
124,702 | US | Pretty cherry fruit, lightly candied, steals the show here. There's a dash of cinnamon and a pleasantly toasty frame around the tannins, all in proportion and delivering clean, generous flavors through the lingering finish. | 92 | 40 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
43,048 | France | A rare white wine from Saint-Émilion vineyards, this is seriously wood-aged, showing mature toast and almond flavors, with a citrusy edge. It has weight and richness, gradually revealing peach and apricot notes while merely hinting at acidity. | 90 | 29 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style White Blend |
67,331 | US | Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah have been added to the blend, perhaps to amp up the color and cut the acids. This has pretty toast and strawberry tartness, light and lively. The finish hints at green pepper and herb. | 87 | 25 | Washington | Sangiovese |
29,252 | Italy | This Barolo shows the forwardness of the vintage—it's delicious now. The fragrance shows ripe plum, balsamic herbs and a whiff of leather. The palate offers lush black cherry and plum flavors layered with coffee and chocolate notes and big but ripe tannins. Imported by Superior Wines and Specialty Cellars. | 90 | 68 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
50,529 | US | Bright, clean, crisply rendered raspberry fruit—nicely spiced—really shines here. This relatively modestly priced cuvée carries itself with style and elegance, still young, tight and tart, with plenty of medium-term aging potential. | 89 | 24 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
115,314 | US | Only one barrel of this Paul Hobbs-consulted bottling was produced, and that extreme focus made for a powerful and rich though not overripe result. Concentrated blackberry and violet aromas are cut by crushed gravel and cedar spice notes. Leather, tobacco, rose petal and black pepper accents spice up its black fig flavors on the hearty palate, which is structured with fine-grained tannins. | 94 | 75 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
51,332 | Australia | Hits all the classic well-oaked Cabernet notes: cedar, tobacco, vanilla and cassis upfront, with similar flavors coursing through from start to finish. It's not quite as full bodied as some Australian Cabernets, which isn't a bad thing, finishing with silky yet firm tannins. Drink now–2016. | 89 | 35 | South Australia | Cabernet Sauvignon |
84,392 | US | If this wine were drier and crisper it would be a lot finer. The flavors are very rich, suggesting ripe pineapple tart, Meyer lemon pie, vanilla and sweet butter. It's almost sugary, except it's probably technically dry. | 86 | 18 | California | Sauvignon Blanc |
121,652 | US | Hard to believe this Cabernet Franc-based Bordeaux-style blend is nearly six years old. It's still bitingly tannic. There's a huge core of blackberry and cocoa fruit that's slowly showing aged notes, but those tough tannins will never go away before the fruit fades. Drink up. | 87 | 80 | California | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
82,428 | US | This winery's basic Pinot has had a mixed record over the years. The '08 is dry and silky, but not particularly interesting at this price. It has gentle cherry, raspberry, cola, spice and oak flavors, offset by crisp acids. Drink now. | 86 | 33 | California | Pinot Noir |
125,788 | US | Vividly fragrant, with silky smooth tannins framing the ensemble. The wine features black cherry, blackberry, sage, coffee, spice, anise, clove and a hint of bright raspberry on the finish. Full-bodied yet balanced and elegant, it is long and lush to the end. | 92 | 48 | California | Pinot Noir |
58,977 | US | This subtle, graceful Syrah acknowledges the cool vintage and takes full advantage of what it has to offer. It's based upon elegantly-layered citrus and sappy berry fruit flavors, with just a delicate hint of clean earth. | 90 | 35 | Washington | Syrah |
24,422 | US | Sultry cooked red plum and mulberry fruit meld with rust, mace, sarsaparilla and a touch of wood smoke on the nose of this bottling from the oldest commercial vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Smoked pork loin aromas meet with deep red fruit and the sweet tang of cherry skins on the sip. | 92 | 45 | California | Pinot Noir |
129,226 | US | Firm and chewy, this pure Syrah has plenty of punch (at 14.6% alcohol) but not much detail. A clean, crisp core of tangy berry is framed in large, dry, somewhat chalky tannins, and finishes with a hit of chocolate. | 86 | 23 | Washington | Syrah |
11,058 | US | This displays the bright and polished fruit of this excellent vintage. Highlights are pretty cherry and strawberry candy, which touch on cotton-candy charm without becoming sweet or cloying. Just 15% of the wine saw new oak. | 89 | 22 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
117,682 | US | Young, strong and vigorous. Despite a plethora of ripe blackberries, plums and dark chocolate, this Cab seems to lack some breeding and elegance. Could surprise down the road. Try after 2014. | 88 | 38 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
35,031 | US | A big, juicy Pinot Noir, rich and opulent, with flavors ranging from cherry pie and bacon through Dr. Pepper cola to the most succulent, meaty heirloom tomato you ever had. Exotically spicy and complex, and the overall result is delicious. Fine now and for the next 4–6 years. | 92 | 50 | California | Pinot Noir |
85,901 | US | Made in a drier, leaner and earthier style, with herb and tobacco-infused blackberry, currant and cherry flavors. A touch of stylish oak adds a fine note. Not a blockbuster, but balanced and elegant. Drink now. | 89 | 35 | California | Merlot |
42,473 | US | Loaded with scents and flavors of grapefruit, this leesy, textural Pinot Gris is bracing and mouth-filling. It's definitely on the tart side, but could be paired with a wide variety of fish and poultry dishes. | 89 | 20 | Oregon | Pinot Gris |
35,658 | US | This twist-top bottling is bolstered by 15% Petite Sirah but remains a bit wound up and tight on the nose, with caramelized blackberry, caramel and chocolate syrup notes. The mouthfeel is soft and lush, with black cherry flavors cut by graphite, wild sage and bay leaf accents. | 88 | 20 | California | Zinfandel |
48,492 | Argentina | Yellowish to tan in color, this young wine is already showing signs of age, but get it early and you'll find creamy but sturdy flavors of squash, kumquat and peach. There's oak in support and plenty of personality. Whether that personality is universally appealing, however, is doubtful. | 86 | 17 | Mendoza Province | Chardonnay |
42,315 | France | Vinified in new 500-liter oak barrels, this wine is fresh, fruity and crisp. It has attractive acidity, a strong streak of minerality and lively lemon fruit. With a taut, nervy edge, the wine has a bright aftertaste. Drink now. | 86 | 34 | Burgundy | Chardonnay |