GroNLP/ik-nlp-22_winemag · Datasets at Hugging Face

index int64 1 130k	country stringclasses 8 values	description stringlengths 34 829	points int64 80 100	price float64 4 3.3k	province stringclasses 21 values	variety stringlengths 4 26
78,046	France	Gentle notes of Damask rose and honeysuckle shimmer teasingly above a balanced, just off-dry palate that features orange peel, juicy yellow peach and nectarine. This wine offers a charming but not overpowering and nicely balanced rendition of this grape.	90	22	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
7,903	France	A soft, perfumed wine, it shows attractive light black currant flavors as well as some tannins, acidity and a young fruity character. It is ready to drink now.	84	18	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
23,047	US	Ripe and sweet in black cherry jam, cassis, chocolate, anise and cedar flavors that are delicious, but heavy, trading elegance and finesse in favor of opulent power. It's the poster child for Napa Cabernet made in the modern cult style.	88	65	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
111,047	Italy	This Tuscan expression of Viognier doesn't show the intense floral aromas you usually find in this fragrant grape variety. Instead, you get layers of citrus, pear and white peach.	87	23	Tuscany	Viognier
103,208	Italy	Made with 100% Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and French oak. The firm palate displays dried red cherry, tobacco and toasted oak but it doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to balance the evident wood sensations.	86	37	Tuscany	Sangiovese
105,623	US	More than a slight hint of blush color (suggesting extra skin contact) leads into this broad, spicy, flavorful wine. Highlights of ginger, cinnamon and sweet baking spices adorn rich, mouthcoating pear fruit. It offers an enjoyable, drink-now style.	90	18	Oregon	Pinot Gris
46,226	US	Fermented and aged in new French wood barrels as well as two- and three-year old ones , this Chardonnay is too oaky. Caramel, butterscotch and vanilla dominate the underlying lime and pear fruit flavors.	85	35	California	Chardonnay
124,417	France	Just hinting at maturity, this rich and stylish wine features finely balanced tannins, a juicy blackberry flavor and fruity ripeness. Using fruit sourced from the small appellation of Canon-Fronsac, on the hill close to Saint-Émilion, this wine is ready to drink and is full of flavor, with concentration on the finish.	90	40	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
22,824	US	A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, this wine is dry and a bit rustic. It shows pepper and thyme-infused flavors of blackberries and currants, finished with some astringent tannins. Drink soon.	86	30	California	Red Blend
24,047	US	Subdued stone-fruit, jasmine and white-flower aromas lead to off-dry fruit flavors. It goes down easy.	87	13	Washington	White Blend
95,036	France	With vineyards in the Marne Valley, this Champagne house has produced a ripe, soft style. Based on grapes from the 2011 harvest, it is still young, although the acidity is softening to bring in ripe apple and green-plum flavors. An underlying ripe fruit character makes it extra attractive.	89	45	Champagne	Champagne Blend
71,706	US	Delicate raspberry perfume mingles with dusty minerals on this tensely acidic blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. The palate is richly foamy, but the flavor profile is fresh and primary with notes of red berry and cherry.	86	21	New York	Champagne Blend
106,463	Italy	Herbal and citrusy, this is a cleanly made Pinot Grigio that offers a modicum of complexity. Pear and citrus flavors mingle with notes of bitter herbs. Finishes with a hint of bitter grapefruit pith but also lingering apple notes.	86	17	Veneto	Pinot Grigio
21,887	US	This full-bodied, 100% Cabernet is lightly gamy, offering a sensuous potpourri of wild herbs and brambly berries. It's subtle, lovely, distinctive, smoothly rendered and unusually textural and complex. Drink it with enjoyment now, or give it a few more years in the cellar.	92	42	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
49,330	Italy	Selezione Massimo is a dense and concentrated Brunello that delivers dark fruit, espresso, cola, blackberry and licorice. It's a beautiful interpretation of the Montalcino territory, executed with a bold, modern flair. Oak tones characterize the wine.	94	100	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
111,568	Spain	Ripe dense aromas of blackberry and cassis border on prune and raisin but pull back. A compact saturated palate is held together by hard, pounding tannins, while grapy black-fruit flavors show a chocolaty note of fudge. A condensed tannic finish is heavy and feels a bit overextracted.	90	18	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
2,454	US	You'd swear this 100% varietal wine had some Viognier in it, but the orange-peel aromas and flavors are just a hallmark of Yakima Valley fruit. It also features abundant cranberry, mulberry, rose hip and savory notes. The supple feel with light meat accents is where this wine really shines, showing purity, texture and a lot of elegance. Those looking for big fruit, look elsewhere.	90	25	Washington	Syrah
78,164	US	This vintage of the winery's Sauvignon Blanc doesn't reflect the tropicality that's started to define the region. It has more warmth to the nose than the grassy pungency common elsewhere, but the stronger differences are on the palate, with cooked apple, squeezed lemon and a brisk acidity, though not a particularly long finish. Altogether, this is a mellow, subdued wine.	87	21	California	Sauvignon Blanc
42,078	Portugal	Soft, rich and rounded, this is a concentrated wine that boasts dark plum and berry fruits along with a tight, mineral acidity. The tannins are already well integrated, making this a wine that is already ready to drink. Drink until 2019.	88	12	Douro	Portuguese Red
74,664	US	Dried lemon rind, ripe apple blossom and lime-soaked honeydew aromas show on the nose of this bottling from the team behind Villa San-Juliette. It's simple on the palate, with very drinkable flavors of tangerine juice and caramelized almonds.	87	14	California	Chardonnay
43,300	US	Ripe in green apple, banana and pineapple, this is a heavily barrel-influenced wine, intense in petroleum and toasty vanilla. Save this for buttery lobster or risotto dishes.	84	16	California	Chardonnay
129,769	US	The use of 100% Syrah gives a deep pink color that borders on purple. Aromas are rather strong too, with the flaky, buttered crust of a hot cherry pie running into the more bitter elements of citrus rinds. Those characters play leading roles on the palate as well, cherry candy toying with just-ripe grapefruit, providing tensions that keeps the sipping interesting. Just 72 cases produced.	87	22	California	Rosé
54,356	US	Apricot jam and late-harvest botrytis flavors are often characteristic of this vineyard. This is bone dry, with brisk acidity and stony minerality. It will gradually lose fruit over the years.	88	45	California	Chardonnay
2,574	US	Vanilla, thyme, dill and plum aromas are followed by plentiful fruit and barrel flavors that possess a pleasing mouthfeel. The oak is out front at times, especially on the aromas, but the wine is appealing.	89	30	Washington	Malbec
78,176	US	The bouquet on this wine by Matthias Pippig is rather thick for the grape, with dark strawberry, black raspberry and red-cherry fruit warmed up by snapped sage sticks, sarsaparilla, slate earthiness and a touch of tobacco. Black plum and red currant show on the dense palate, where sticky tannins present black peppercorn, raw beef and eucalyptus complexity.	90	77	California	Grenache
96,685	US	This crisp Riesling starts with elegant, floral aromas, followed by refreshing apple and pear flavors. Balanced by a refreshing acidity, the wine is friendly and versatile. Pair with Indian and Chinese cuisine.	85	13	New York	Riesling
74,524	France	Among the range of Jolivet's 2000 Sancerres, Les Cailottes is the winner, hands down. It's zesty, with chalk and mineral qualities. The nose is clean, stony and pungent, while the flavors that come next are pure and ripe citrus and melon, with just a nip of honey. It closes out firm, round and full, and with elegance.	90	22	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
8,590	Australia	On the side, with a hint of warmth on the finish, this is nevertheless a very good wine. The aromas are powerfully mineral, accented by bold lime notes, while the flavors are intense and concentrated. Drink now.	89	17	South Australia	Riesling
23,865	France	A ripe, crisp, yellow- and white-fruit-flavored wine. It shows taut minerality, the flintiness you find in Chablis. The structure is dominant in what is still a young wine, but the fruit is all there. Worth aging for a year.	90	25	Burgundy	Chardonnay
105,636	US	This is a big, bold wine with a wild, slightly earthy and herbal character in the otherwise ripe blackberry and spicy pepper aromas and flavors. The texture is quite thick with tannins, and the body is full. It comes from the windy and cool Jameson Canyon corner of Napa Valley.	89	75	California	Syrah
111,979	US	This floral wine opens as if in a damp but not wet forest, surrounded by ripe, red cherry trees. Likable from the start, it's grippy on the palate, expressively juicy, seductive and refined. Blackberry and dried herb pop on the finish, providing a darker side to the red fruit.	93	55	California	Pinot Noir
116,755	US	Steeped in smoky black fruit, this is a chewier version of Petite, ripe and meaty, black as night. Amid the ripe black fruit, a flash of red fruit midway through a taste leads to the big, tannic finish.	86	24	California	Petite Sirah
64,634	Argentina	Early sulfur and rotten-egg aromas are none too attractive, but in the mouth the wine is better. While sweet as sin, the soft, lush palate is a chocolate-lover's dream, and the finish is like mocha ice cream. Low acidity makes the structure sort of weak, but drink it now and that may not matter.	84	13	Mendoza Province	Malbec
77,677	France	Citrus and apple flavors dominate this tight, mineral, crisp wine. It has a refreshing feel with acidity that's well integrated into the fruitiness, as well as a light texture. Drink now.	88	18	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
127,031	US	Intensely smoky and earthy in style, this wild-ferment Riesling is strikingly dry with pressed apple and pear flavors struck with lime acidity. Lean and linear, it's bristling and tart to the finish.	84	27	New York	Riesling
65,399	Italy	Aesthetics and elegance are important values to the owners of Fattoria Nittardi (who also happen to be important art dealers in Europe) and are reflected in this wine. Bold concentration and rich texture is softened by aromas of smoke, clove and mature blackberry.	91	65	Tuscany	Red Blend
75,518	Italy	What a delightful wine this is. Loaded with finesse, it opens with lovely scents of red berry, crushed rose, graphite, cooking spice and Alpine herb. The beguiling medium-bodied palate offers sour cherry, raspberry, white pepper and mineral while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide impeccable balance. It's already drinking beautifully but will also provide several more years of pure enjoyment.	93	33	Piedmont	Red Blend
122,011	Australia	Unlike most Australian Rieslings, this one is a bit sweet (off dry, really). Hints of honey and bergamot bring complexity to the ripe, peachy flavors of this muscular wine, finishing with a dusty, tactile sensation. Drink now-2025.	90	17	South Australia	Riesling
51,730	Italy	Underbrush, truffle, baking spice, leather and tobacco aromas segue over to the smooth full-bodied palate along with raspberry jam, licorice and clove. Seasoned polished tannins provide elegance and structure. Drink through 2027.	92	52	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
106,743	US	A blended white, but predominantly—you guessed it—Chardonnay. The soft, sweet pear aromas and flavors are simple and clean, making this a decent quaffer on a hot summer day.	83	7	New York	Chardonnay
54,305	France	This is finely structured, a tense wine with great fruits and an intense texture. It's tight while bursting with fruit. The structure is complex, dense and very mineral in character. It is a wine that will need many years, so drink from 2022. The production is tiny, and what is not fit for this wine goes into the Dillon Clarté wine.	96	767	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
32,394	US	This 100% varietal wine sees a hearty dose of new oak and is built for the long term. It leans classic in its elegant layers of dried herb, red currant and pomegranate flavor. Boldly structured, it pleases rather than challenges the palate.	91	95	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
39,680	Italy	Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, game, woodland berry and a balsamic note lead the nose. The youthful, tightly wound palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, chopped herb, clove and tobacco alongside firm, noble tannins and bright acidity. Oliver McCrum Wines and Petit Pois.	93	48	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
60,222	Italy	A blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers a powerful and rich opening that exudes enduring tones of black spice, dark fruit, leather and tobacco. The palate has a round, chewy consistency, with polished tannins and loads of concentrated fruit.	91	25	Tuscany	Red Blend
75,213	US	A Chardonnay highly strung with green apple and lemon flavor, this wine evolves in the glass, deepening with fruit and minerality. The finish suggests vanilla. A good wine for creamy chicken and seafood meals.	87	16	California	Chardonnay
100,616	US	The '04 is close to the '03 in quality, but falls off in structure, no doubt due to the hot vintage. It's a little too soft to balance the cola and cherry-pie filling flavors. Still, it's elegant.	87	46	California	Pinot Noir
98,027	US	This wine has that warm, spicy, friendly feel of new oak that is well integrated with the fruit flavors, and a velvety texture to match. It smells like toasted baguette, nutmeg and vanilla and tastes almost as rich as blackberry jam, but stays dry and full-bodied. It's so easy to enjoy.	91	32	California	Barbera
39,550	France	This feels light and rather dilute. It has varietal pepper and some spice, but the main effect is one of acidity, crispness and freshness. The lychee tropical fruit element is underplayed in favor of crispness. It should certainly work with food.	87	25	Alsace	Pinot Gris
7,097	US	Marks a welcome return to the magnificence of the 2002, although more recent vintages haven't exactly been slouches. The '05 is amazing, a densely structured, deeply flavored Bordeaux blend that's mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Shows classic notes of cassis, currants and black cherry liqueur, while 70% new oak adds enticingly rich layers of sweet toast and smoky vanilla. The tannins are pure, classic Napa, very refined and ripe, offering solid structural support with no trace of astringency. Beautiful now, and should slowly develop for many years.	97	110	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
93,280	Italy	Roasted coffee beans, espresso and rubber aromas alongside a whiff of farmyard lead the nose. The palate is bit muddled, with rustic hints of animal alongside overripe plum and black cherry that lead to sweet, almost sugary sensations. Woodsy tannins mark the bitter close.	84	25	Tuscany	Sangiovese
65,251	US	This wine is luxurious with intense pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, but feels a bit overworked with buttery, toasty oak notes.	87	44	California	Chardonnay
3,004	Italy	This fragrant blend of 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina opens with enticing scents of violet, rose, truffle and baking spice. The chewy, accessible palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, white pepper and cinnamon while smooth supple tannins provide the framework. An almond note closes the finish. Drink through 2022.	91	30	Piedmont	Red Blend
119,834	France	The wine is young with tight tannins over the potential of juicy black-currant fruit. It has a firm edge, with dark chocolate and spice as well as the fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2019.	88	49	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
74,588	US	Known more for Zinfandel and Rhône blends, Bill Easton has quietly been making Cabernet as well for many years. This vintage is earthy and leathery, reminiscent of his Syrah-based wines, yet rich in savory black cherry, cedar and black olive. Built to age, put it away until 2019–2024 and the savory, herbal elements are sure to develop further.	90	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
55,503	Italy	A concentrated, inky black wine with woodshop tones that are still very evident. Let this wine settle five years to allow for prettier spice tones and more delicacy in terms of its fruit. This is a big chewy wine at this stage with blockbuster tannins. Drink after 2015.	92	55	Tuscany	Red Blend
26,897	US	The La Jota and W.S. Keyes vineyards are the sources for this classically styled wine that is intense and alive in minerality. Clove, black pepper and mountains of dried herb are front and center between firm, dusty tannin and oak. The texture is plush and velvety on the palate, with plenty of length on the finish.	95	85	California	Merlot
87,850	US	From a single sustainably farmed vineyard in Lodi comes this super bang for your buck. It's earthy Cab that's perfumed inside and out, with wafts of cedar burning on an open fire, as well as brick, black cherry and clove. It's balanced and structured to boot.	88	11	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
30,457	US	At the equivalent of $4.50 per regular bottle, this Merlot is a pretty good buy. It's a little rough and peppery, but the dryness helps, and so does the hint of cherry-berry fruit.	83	18	California	Merlot
63,006	Spain	Rubbery, leafy plum aromas come before a tannic palate with raspberry, plum, herbal notes and dry oak flavors. This is tight, drawing, oaky and briny-tasting on the finish.	85	12	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
116,730	US	This full-bodied wine smells like black currants and blackberries, tastes ripe, and is lightly tannic to give it a little grip. Bring on the beef or pork tenderloin.	89	15	California	Red Blend
47,234	Italy	A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino, this opens with aromas that recall charred earth, blackberry, blue flowers and a whiff of game. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, mint and brown baking spices alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.	89	23	Tuscany	Red Blend
124,048	Spain	Bland, candied aromas are modest on the nose. Heavy and borderline cloying, this tastes of sugary cherry and peach.	82	12	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
13,809	US	Champoux and Ciel du Cheval vineyards each make up 40% of this wine, with the balance coming from Gamache. It's locked-up tightly at present with earth, tar, cherry, high-toned herb and barrel-spice aromas leading to focused black-fruit flavors that display elegance and persistence. Give it time to open up.	90	50	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
118,268	France	Juicy apple notes, both ripe and tart, make for a crunchy and mouthwatering opening to this wine. The palate is clean and streaked with the zesty, balanced freshness of Amalfi lemon peel. Fluid and concentrated, the body will become more rounded with age, and there's already a hint of the candied lemon-peel richness at its core.	93	60	Alsace	Riesling
42,361	France	Tightly herbaceous, this light and crisp wine is all citrus and gooseberries, with a tangy lemon zest texture. Drink now.	84	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
50,863	US	A basic Merlot, this shows brisk, candied cherry, raspberry and brown sugar flavors.	82	11	California	Merlot
31,705	Spain	Despite some spearmint and Band-Aid on the nose, this ready-to-drink wine shows good quality from head to toe. The palate is on the lighter side, with nice acidity pushing smacky, lively red plum and raspberry flavors. Hints of tomato and citrus fruits also get into play.	88	18	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
82,433	US	Way too oaky. Like drinking toothpicks, with its charred, wood flavors and oak tannins. The wine is dry and the underlying blackberry and cherry sour candy fruit is just fine, but the oak dominance makes you wonder if the wine will ever age.	86	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
95,283	US	Plenty of ripe, forward fruit here: It brims with cherries, blackberries and plums. Shows its Alexander Valley origin in the softness and herbaceousness that accompany the fruit. Drink up.	88	30	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
113,975	France	The “83” refers to the department number of the Var, the winery's home county in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This open, gentle wine dances with attractive bright, fresh fruitiness. It is crisply textured, with a strong citrus element along with raspberry sweetness. It is an apéritif style.	87	12	Provence	Rosé
72,880	Italy	A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned fruit, exotic spice, French oak and a whiff of underbrush. Smooth and firmly structured, the elegant palate delivers cassis, black cherry and star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.	91	90	Tuscany	Red Blend
17,655	Spain	Cola, rooty notes, creamy oak and a smoke scent grace dry berry aromas. This has a grapy, padded yet tannic mouthfeel and a black-fruit potpourri of flavors that's big on black currant. On the finish, this aged but vital wine is steady like cruise control. Drink through 2022.	92	45	Catalonia	Red Blend
97,571	Italy	Aromas of cured meat, violet and grilled herb waft out of the glass. The rather diluted palate offers wild cherry, game and a salty note alongside fleeting tannins and zesty acidity.	86	32	Tuscany	Sangiovese
112,456	Spain	This is a really good example of a blended wine from Aragón. It's 50% Garnacha with 25% each Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, and thus it is more complex and interesting than your run-of-the-mill varietal Grenache. Mellow aromas of ripe fruit and spice open things up, followed by balanced flavors of berry fruits, vanilla and cream. Easygoing and highly recommended for the price.	89	16	Northern Spain	Red Blend
109,112	France	A heavily wood-aged wine, this wine has smoky, burnt-toast aromas. At the moment, ripe yellow-fruit flavors are submerged beneath this onslaught of wood, but it should integrate better, so give it until 2016.	88	63	Burgundy	Chardonnay
67,953	US	This is an extremely dry, tartly acidic wine whose lime and grapefruit flavors are inflected with gooseberries and stony minerals. Made with no oak, it's a clean, brisk palate cleanser that's versatile at the table, and affordable.	89	15	California	Sauvignon Blanc
50,737	US	Oregon Pinot Noir is no rarity, except when it bears the Walla Walla appellation, as this one does. Made using fruit from the Couse Creek Vineyard, this is lovely from the first sniff. A wealth of earthy and herbal scents, dusty spices and brambly berries make this memorable. It finishes with medium weight and a whiff of truffle.	90	42	Oregon	Pinot Noir
93,759	US	This is the first release from this particular vineyard for the Syrah-focused winery. Its aromas, which pop with notes of strawberry and spice, have both herbal and copper-penny undertones. The fruit and savory flavors play well off of each other, showing a sense of elegance and deftness, with a touch of new wood that contributes to the flavor and feel. The finish stretches out. It still drinks quite young and if the aromas meld together could move up a notch or two.	91	50	Washington	Syrah
10,893	France	Definitely pink-colored, this tastes as much wine as Champagne. A rich strawberry and red cherry flavor gains texture from the tangy acidity and hint of lemon zest. It could age until late 2015 in bottle to be even better.	90	55	Champagne	Champagne Blend
1,963	US	This is dry, full bodied and pretty tannic, with a sense of elegance, plus flavors of sour cherry candy, red licorice, tobacco and sweet, smoky cedar.	88	60	California	Cabernet Franc
5,769	US	Very light in the glass, this wine by regional Sauv Blanc veteran Kathy Joseph offers cut green apples, sweet lime blossoms and a light honey element on the nose. Lime zest and citrus pith decorate the palate, with steely white pepper and dried oregano flavors that race across the tense palate.	92	34	California	Sauvignon Blanc
129,663	US	Sourced from one of the finest vineyards in Oregon, this brings ripe, fleshy, full-bodied fruit flavors front and center. It's a mix of red and black berries, with plump plum, blackberry and mocha all in the center ring.	93	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
17,421	US	Made with a classic Champagne blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is the simplest of Iron Horse's bubblies. It's elegant, and should be consumed in its youth.	87	31	California	Sparkling Blend
26,230	US	Here's a good buy in a big, rich, decadently delicious Syrah. Soft and dry, with refined tannins, it offers flavors of currants, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola, black pepper and spices. Easy to like, yet complex.	90	25	California	Syrah
48,617	Spain	A mostly neutral bouquet shows mild notes of almond and apple, but little more. Flavorwise, this delivers modest almond and papaya flavors in front of a wan, nutty tasting finish.	84	9	Northern Spain	White Blend
58,953	Italy	This fragrant Barolo has lovely floral and underbrush aromas and a restrained palate showing cherry and spice. It's tightly tannic and very nervous, needing more time to soften up.	91	75	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
14,012	Australia	A solid all-around effort, this starts off with hints of struck match and citrus custard, then moves through apple and mandarin flavors. It's medium in body, with a refreshing finish and decent length.	88	18	South Australia	Pinot Gris
65,125	France	A fruity, strawberry flavored wine with some depth and structure. It has richness as well as a fresh citrus character. It could benefit from some aging although it's certainly ready to drink this summer.	87	15	Provence	Rosé
113,052	US	The floral aromas and tangy grapefruit flavors of this medium-bodied wine are wonderfully vivid. It tastes nicely concentrated, becomes riper with each sip, and has a lingering finish.	90	20	California	Sauvignon Blanc
88,204	Spain	Grainy and leathery smelling, with medicinal plum and raspberry aromas. Perky but angular in the mouth, with freshening acidity leading to light but zesty strawberry and raspberry flavors. Shows drying tannins, vanilla and spice on the back end.	85	14	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
87,987	France	The wine has layers of the acidity typical of the vintage. For fruit it is juicy with tight red-currant flavors and more of that intense acidity. The wine probably needs to calm down and so will be better from 2017.	85	16	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
107,730	US	A southern Rhône blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, this wine is stylish and elegant, with a smooth, silky texture. But it's just a little too sugary sweet to earn a higher score, with the blackberry and cherry fruit having a jellied, candied edge.	86	40	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
114,793	Italy	Black cherry, chocolate and menthol accents color the nose of this ripe and plump Barbera d'Alba. The wine is firm and generous in the mouth with a chewy, slightly sweet finish. It sees one year of oak for extra spice on the close.	88	30	Piedmont	Barbera
3,602	France	Balanced, ready-to-drink wine with attractive, ripe red fruits and good acidity. It is fresh, the tannins giving an enjoyable firmness to an otherwise fruity wine.	86	17	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
36,552	Italy	Intense tutti fruity aromas recall grape-flavored chewing gum. The palate is less expressive but muddled, offering sensations of thyme and rock candy that finish abruptly.	84	29	Sicily & Sardinia	White Blend
103,380	US	Occasio continues to build its case for being a winery to watch out of the Livermore Valley, releasing this lively, raspberry and honeycomb rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes out of its Del Arroyo Vineyard. The Pommard clone fruit was cold soaked in stainless steel, then pressed from the skins and racked again into stainless steel. A rosé with some meat on its bones, it's way more than an aperitif and will stand strongly aside a full range of summer foods.	88	22	California	Rosé
62,165	US	A lean, steely and slightly herbaceous Chardonnay, whose brisk elegance makes up for the absence of richness. This Chablis-style wine is marked by minerals and suggestions of lemons and limes, as well as strong acidity. Calls for fresh crab in the shell, with plenty of drawn butter for dipping.	90	30	California	Chardonnay
87,068	Argentina	On one hand this is a bulldozer blend that's all about black fruit and heft. On the other, it's fun, fruity and generous, with plump tannins and a luscious mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry are dark, oaky and spicy, while the finish is regular in feel and toasty. A ripe, big, friendly blend of 70% Malbec with Tempranillo, Syrah and Petit Verdot.	88	19	Mendoza Province	Red Blend
118,149	Spain	Tropical aromas of lychee are about all that stand out on the nose of this unusual Moscatel-Garnacha Blanca blend. Neither dry nor sweet, this seems caught in no man's land. A dilute mouthfeel and bitter pyrazine notes on the finish don't help this along.	83	20	Northern Spain	White Blend
129,146	Italy	Here's an organic Vin Santo from the heart of Chianti Classico that boasts beautiful harmony and creaminess with generous aromas of molasses, chestnut honey, dried apple and maple syrup. It is a modern, rich and opulent dessert or meditation wine with extraordinary intensity and a very high pleasure factor.	92	44	Tuscany	White Blend

78,046

France

Gentle notes of Damask rose and honeysuckle shimmer teasingly above a balanced, just off-dry palate that features orange peel, juicy yellow peach and nectarine. This wine offers a charming but not overpowering and nicely balanced rendition of this grape.

90

22

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

7,903

France

A soft, perfumed wine, it shows attractive light black currant flavors as well as some tannins, acidity and a young fruity character. It is ready to drink now.

84

18

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

23,047

US

Ripe and sweet in black cherry jam, cassis, chocolate, anise and cedar flavors that are delicious, but heavy, trading elegance and finesse in favor of opulent power. It's the poster child for Napa Cabernet made in the modern cult style.

88

65

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

111,047

Italy

This Tuscan expression of Viognier doesn't show the intense floral aromas you usually find in this fragrant grape variety. Instead, you get layers of citrus, pear and white peach.

87

23

Tuscany

Viognier

103,208

Italy

Made with 100% Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and French oak. The firm palate displays dried red cherry, tobacco and toasted oak but it doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to balance the evident wood sensations.

86

37

Tuscany

Sangiovese

105,623

US

More than a slight hint of blush color (suggesting extra skin contact) leads into this broad, spicy, flavorful wine. Highlights of ginger, cinnamon and sweet baking spices adorn rich, mouthcoating pear fruit. It offers an enjoyable, drink-now style.

90

18

Oregon

Pinot Gris

46,226

US

Fermented and aged in new French wood barrels as well as two- and three-year old ones , this Chardonnay is too oaky. Caramel, butterscotch and vanilla dominate the underlying lime and pear fruit flavors.

85

35

California

Chardonnay

124,417

France

Just hinting at maturity, this rich and stylish wine features finely balanced tannins, a juicy blackberry flavor and fruity ripeness. Using fruit sourced from the small appellation of Canon-Fronsac, on the hill close to Saint-Émilion, this wine is ready to drink and is full of flavor, with concentration on the finish.

90

40

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

22,824

US

A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, this wine is dry and a bit rustic. It shows pepper and thyme-infused flavors of blackberries and currants, finished with some astringent tannins. Drink soon.

86

30

California

Red Blend

24,047

US

Subdued stone-fruit, jasmine and white-flower aromas lead to off-dry fruit flavors. It goes down easy.

87

13

Washington

White Blend

95,036

France

With vineyards in the Marne Valley, this Champagne house has produced a ripe, soft style. Based on grapes from the 2011 harvest, it is still young, although the acidity is softening to bring in ripe apple and green-plum flavors. An underlying ripe fruit character makes it extra attractive.

89

45

Champagne

Champagne Blend

71,706

US

Delicate raspberry perfume mingles with dusty minerals on this tensely acidic blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. The palate is richly foamy, but the flavor profile is fresh and primary with notes of red berry and cherry.

86

21

New York

Champagne Blend

106,463

Italy

Herbal and citrusy, this is a cleanly made Pinot Grigio that offers a modicum of complexity. Pear and citrus flavors mingle with notes of bitter herbs. Finishes with a hint of bitter grapefruit pith but also lingering apple notes.

86

17

Veneto

Pinot Grigio

21,887

US

This full-bodied, 100% Cabernet is lightly gamy, offering a sensuous potpourri of wild herbs and brambly berries. It's subtle, lovely, distinctive, smoothly rendered and unusually textural and complex. Drink it with enjoyment now, or give it a few more years in the cellar.

92

42

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

49,330

Italy

Selezione Massimo is a dense and concentrated Brunello that delivers dark fruit, espresso, cola, blackberry and licorice. It's a beautiful interpretation of the Montalcino territory, executed with a bold, modern flair. Oak tones characterize the wine.

94

100

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

111,568

Spain

Ripe dense aromas of blackberry and cassis border on prune and raisin but pull back. A compact saturated palate is held together by hard, pounding tannins, while grapy black-fruit flavors show a chocolaty note of fudge. A condensed tannic finish is heavy and feels a bit overextracted.

90

18

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

2,454

US

You'd swear this 100% varietal wine had some Viognier in it, but the orange-peel aromas and flavors are just a hallmark of Yakima Valley fruit. It also features abundant cranberry, mulberry, rose hip and savory notes. The supple feel with light meat accents is where this wine really shines, showing purity, texture and a lot of elegance. Those looking for big fruit, look elsewhere.

90

25

Washington

Syrah

78,164

US

This vintage of the winery's Sauvignon Blanc doesn't reflect the tropicality that's started to define the region. It has more warmth to the nose than the grassy pungency common elsewhere, but the stronger differences are on the palate, with cooked apple, squeezed lemon and a brisk acidity, though not a particularly long finish. Altogether, this is a mellow, subdued wine.

87

21

California

Sauvignon Blanc

42,078

Portugal

Soft, rich and rounded, this is a concentrated wine that boasts dark plum and berry fruits along with a tight, mineral acidity. The tannins are already well integrated, making this a wine that is already ready to drink. Drink until 2019.

88

12

Douro

Portuguese Red

74,664

US

Dried lemon rind, ripe apple blossom and lime-soaked honeydew aromas show on the nose of this bottling from the team behind Villa San-Juliette. It's simple on the palate, with very drinkable flavors of tangerine juice and caramelized almonds.

87

14

California

Chardonnay

43,300

US

Ripe in green apple, banana and pineapple, this is a heavily barrel-influenced wine, intense in petroleum and toasty vanilla. Save this for buttery lobster or risotto dishes.

84

16

California

Chardonnay

129,769

US

The use of 100% Syrah gives a deep pink color that borders on purple. Aromas are rather strong too, with the flaky, buttered crust of a hot cherry pie running into the more bitter elements of citrus rinds. Those characters play leading roles on the palate as well, cherry candy toying with just-ripe grapefruit, providing tensions that keeps the sipping interesting. Just 72 cases produced.

87

22

California

Rosé

54,356

US

Apricot jam and late-harvest botrytis flavors are often characteristic of this vineyard. This is bone dry, with brisk acidity and stony minerality. It will gradually lose fruit over the years.

88

45

California

Chardonnay

2,574

US

Vanilla, thyme, dill and plum aromas are followed by plentiful fruit and barrel flavors that possess a pleasing mouthfeel. The oak is out front at times, especially on the aromas, but the wine is appealing.

89

30

Washington

Malbec

78,176

US

The bouquet on this wine by Matthias Pippig is rather thick for the grape, with dark strawberry, black raspberry and red-cherry fruit warmed up by snapped sage sticks, sarsaparilla, slate earthiness and a touch of tobacco. Black plum and red currant show on the dense palate, where sticky tannins present black peppercorn, raw beef and eucalyptus complexity.

90

77

California

Grenache

96,685

US

This crisp Riesling starts with elegant, floral aromas, followed by refreshing apple and pear flavors. Balanced by a refreshing acidity, the wine is friendly and versatile. Pair with Indian and Chinese cuisine.

85

13

New York

Riesling

74,524

France

Among the range of Jolivet's 2000 Sancerres, Les Cailottes is the winner, hands down. It's zesty, with chalk and mineral qualities. The nose is clean, stony and pungent, while the flavors that come next are pure and ripe citrus and melon, with just a nip of honey. It closes out firm, round and full, and with elegance.

90

22

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

8,590

Australia

On the side, with a hint of warmth on the finish, this is nevertheless a very good wine. The aromas are powerfully mineral, accented by bold lime notes, while the flavors are intense and concentrated. Drink now.

89

17

South Australia

Riesling

23,865

France

A ripe, crisp, yellow- and white-fruit-flavored wine. It shows taut minerality, the flintiness you find in Chablis. The structure is dominant in what is still a young wine, but the fruit is all there. Worth aging for a year.

90

25

Burgundy

Chardonnay

105,636

US

This is a big, bold wine with a wild, slightly earthy and herbal character in the otherwise ripe blackberry and spicy pepper aromas and flavors. The texture is quite thick with tannins, and the body is full. It comes from the windy and cool Jameson Canyon corner of Napa Valley.

89

75

California

Syrah

111,979

US

This floral wine opens as if in a damp but not wet forest, surrounded by ripe, red cherry trees. Likable from the start, it's grippy on the palate, expressively juicy, seductive and refined. Blackberry and dried herb pop on the finish, providing a darker side to the red fruit.

93

55

California

Pinot Noir

116,755

US

Steeped in smoky black fruit, this is a chewier version of Petite, ripe and meaty, black as night. Amid the ripe black fruit, a flash of red fruit midway through a taste leads to the big, tannic finish.

86

24

California

Petite Sirah

64,634

Argentina

Early sulfur and rotten-egg aromas are none too attractive, but in the mouth the wine is better. While sweet as sin, the soft, lush palate is a chocolate-lover's dream, and the finish is like mocha ice cream. Low acidity makes the structure sort of weak, but drink it now and that may not matter.

84

13

Mendoza Province

Malbec

77,677

France

Citrus and apple flavors dominate this tight, mineral, crisp wine. It has a refreshing feel with acidity that's well integrated into the fruitiness, as well as a light texture. Drink now.

88

18

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

127,031

US

Intensely smoky and earthy in style, this wild-ferment Riesling is strikingly dry with pressed apple and pear flavors struck with lime acidity. Lean and linear, it's bristling and tart to the finish.

84

27

New York

Riesling

65,399

Italy

Aesthetics and elegance are important values to the owners of Fattoria Nittardi (who also happen to be important art dealers in Europe) and are reflected in this wine. Bold concentration and rich texture is softened by aromas of smoke, clove and mature blackberry.

91

65

Tuscany

Red Blend

75,518

Italy

What a delightful wine this is. Loaded with finesse, it opens with lovely scents of red berry, crushed rose, graphite, cooking spice and Alpine herb. The beguiling medium-bodied palate offers sour cherry, raspberry, white pepper and mineral while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide impeccable balance. It's already drinking beautifully but will also provide several more years of pure enjoyment.

93

33

Piedmont

Red Blend

122,011

Australia

Unlike most Australian Rieslings, this one is a bit sweet (off dry, really). Hints of honey and bergamot bring complexity to the ripe, peachy flavors of this muscular wine, finishing with a dusty, tactile sensation. Drink now-2025.

90

17

South Australia

Riesling

51,730

Italy

Underbrush, truffle, baking spice, leather and tobacco aromas segue over to the smooth full-bodied palate along with raspberry jam, licorice and clove. Seasoned polished tannins provide elegance and structure. Drink through 2027.

92

52

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

106,743

US

A blended white, but predominantly—you guessed it—Chardonnay. The soft, sweet pear aromas and flavors are simple and clean, making this a decent quaffer on a hot summer day.

83

7

New York

Chardonnay

54,305

France

This is finely structured, a tense wine with great fruits and an intense texture. It's tight while bursting with fruit. The structure is complex, dense and very mineral in character. It is a wine that will need many years, so drink from 2022. The production is tiny, and what is not fit for this wine goes into the Dillon Clarté wine.

96

767

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

32,394

US

This 100% varietal wine sees a hearty dose of new oak and is built for the long term. It leans classic in its elegant layers of dried herb, red currant and pomegranate flavor. Boldly structured, it pleases rather than challenges the palate.

91

95

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

39,680

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, game, woodland berry and a balsamic note lead the nose. The youthful, tightly wound palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, chopped herb, clove and tobacco alongside firm, noble tannins and bright acidity. Oliver McCrum Wines and Petit Pois.

93

48

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

60,222

Italy

A blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers a powerful and rich opening that exudes enduring tones of black spice, dark fruit, leather and tobacco. The palate has a round, chewy consistency, with polished tannins and loads of concentrated fruit.

91

25

Tuscany

Red Blend

75,213

US

A Chardonnay highly strung with green apple and lemon flavor, this wine evolves in the glass, deepening with fruit and minerality. The finish suggests vanilla. A good wine for creamy chicken and seafood meals.

87

16

California

Chardonnay

100,616

US

The '04 is close to the '03 in quality, but falls off in structure, no doubt due to the hot vintage. It's a little too soft to balance the cola and cherry-pie filling flavors. Still, it's elegant.

87

46

California

Pinot Noir

98,027

US

This wine has that warm, spicy, friendly feel of new oak that is well integrated with the fruit flavors, and a velvety texture to match. It smells like toasted baguette, nutmeg and vanilla and tastes almost as rich as blackberry jam, but stays dry and full-bodied. It's so easy to enjoy.

91

32

California

Barbera

39,550

France

This feels light and rather dilute. It has varietal pepper and some spice, but the main effect is one of acidity, crispness and freshness. The lychee tropical fruit element is underplayed in favor of crispness. It should certainly work with food.

87

25

Alsace

Pinot Gris

7,097

US

Marks a welcome return to the magnificence of the 2002, although more recent vintages haven't exactly been slouches. The '05 is amazing, a densely structured, deeply flavored Bordeaux blend that's mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Shows classic notes of cassis, currants and black cherry liqueur, while 70% new oak adds enticingly rich layers of sweet toast and smoky vanilla. The tannins are pure, classic Napa, very refined and ripe, offering solid structural support with no trace of astringency. Beautiful now, and should slowly develop for many years.

97

110

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

93,280

Italy

Roasted coffee beans, espresso and rubber aromas alongside a whiff of farmyard lead the nose. The palate is bit muddled, with rustic hints of animal alongside overripe plum and black cherry that lead to sweet, almost sugary sensations. Woodsy tannins mark the bitter close.

84

25

Tuscany

Sangiovese

65,251

US

This wine is luxurious with intense pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, but feels a bit overworked with buttery, toasty oak notes.

87

44

California

Chardonnay

3,004

Italy

This fragrant blend of 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina opens with enticing scents of violet, rose, truffle and baking spice. The chewy, accessible palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, white pepper and cinnamon while smooth supple tannins provide the framework. An almond note closes the finish. Drink through 2022.

91

30

Piedmont

Red Blend

119,834

France

The wine is young with tight tannins over the potential of juicy black-currant fruit. It has a firm edge, with dark chocolate and spice as well as the fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2019.

88

49

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

74,588

US

Known more for Zinfandel and Rhône blends, Bill Easton has quietly been making Cabernet as well for many years. This vintage is earthy and leathery, reminiscent of his Syrah-based wines, yet rich in savory black cherry, cedar and black olive. Built to age, put it away until 2019–2024 and the savory, herbal elements are sure to develop further.

90

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

55,503

Italy

A concentrated, inky black wine with woodshop tones that are still very evident. Let this wine settle five years to allow for prettier spice tones and more delicacy in terms of its fruit. This is a big chewy wine at this stage with blockbuster tannins. Drink after 2015.

92

55

Tuscany

Red Blend

26,897

US

The La Jota and W.S. Keyes vineyards are the sources for this classically styled wine that is intense and alive in minerality. Clove, black pepper and mountains of dried herb are front and center between firm, dusty tannin and oak. The texture is plush and velvety on the palate, with plenty of length on the finish.

95

85

California

Merlot

87,850

US

From a single sustainably farmed vineyard in Lodi comes this super bang for your buck. It's earthy Cab that's perfumed inside and out, with wafts of cedar burning on an open fire, as well as brick, black cherry and clove. It's balanced and structured to boot.

88

11

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

30,457

US

At the equivalent of $4.50 per regular bottle, this Merlot is a pretty good buy. It's a little rough and peppery, but the dryness helps, and so does the hint of cherry-berry fruit.

83

18

California

Merlot

63,006

Spain

Rubbery, leafy plum aromas come before a tannic palate with raspberry, plum, herbal notes and dry oak flavors. This is tight, drawing, oaky and briny-tasting on the finish.

85

12

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

116,730

US

This full-bodied wine smells like black currants and blackberries, tastes ripe, and is lightly tannic to give it a little grip. Bring on the beef or pork tenderloin.

89

15

California

Red Blend

47,234

Italy

A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino, this opens with aromas that recall charred earth, blackberry, blue flowers and a whiff of game. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, mint and brown baking spices alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.

89

23

Tuscany

Red Blend

124,048

Spain

Bland, candied aromas are modest on the nose. Heavy and borderline cloying, this tastes of sugary cherry and peach.

82

12

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

13,809

US

Champoux and Ciel du Cheval vineyards each make up 40% of this wine, with the balance coming from Gamache. It's locked-up tightly at present with earth, tar, cherry, high-toned herb and barrel-spice aromas leading to focused black-fruit flavors that display elegance and persistence. Give it time to open up.

90

50

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

118,268

France

Juicy apple notes, both ripe and tart, make for a crunchy and mouthwatering opening to this wine. The palate is clean and streaked with the zesty, balanced freshness of Amalfi lemon peel. Fluid and concentrated, the body will become more rounded with age, and there's already a hint of the candied lemon-peel richness at its core.

93

60

Alsace

Riesling

42,361

France

Tightly herbaceous, this light and crisp wine is all citrus and gooseberries, with a tangy lemon zest texture. Drink now.

84

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

50,863

US

A basic Merlot, this shows brisk, candied cherry, raspberry and brown sugar flavors.

82

11

California

Merlot

31,705

Spain

Despite some spearmint and Band-Aid on the nose, this ready-to-drink wine shows good quality from head to toe. The palate is on the lighter side, with nice acidity pushing smacky, lively red plum and raspberry flavors. Hints of tomato and citrus fruits also get into play.

88

18

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

82,433

US

Way too oaky. Like drinking toothpicks, with its charred, wood flavors and oak tannins. The wine is dry and the underlying blackberry and cherry sour candy fruit is just fine, but the oak dominance makes you wonder if the wine will ever age.

86

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

95,283

US

Plenty of ripe, forward fruit here: It brims with cherries, blackberries and plums. Shows its Alexander Valley origin in the softness and herbaceousness that accompany the fruit. Drink up.

88

30

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

113,975

France

The “83” refers to the department number of the Var, the winery's home county in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This open, gentle wine dances with attractive bright, fresh fruitiness. It is crisply textured, with a strong citrus element along with raspberry sweetness. It is an apéritif style.

87

12

Provence

Rosé

72,880

Italy

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned fruit, exotic spice, French oak and a whiff of underbrush. Smooth and firmly structured, the elegant palate delivers cassis, black cherry and star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.

91

90

Tuscany

Red Blend

17,655

Spain

Cola, rooty notes, creamy oak and a smoke scent grace dry berry aromas. This has a grapy, padded yet tannic mouthfeel and a black-fruit potpourri of flavors that's big on black currant. On the finish, this aged but vital wine is steady like cruise control. Drink through 2022.

92

45

Catalonia

Red Blend

97,571

Italy

Aromas of cured meat, violet and grilled herb waft out of the glass. The rather diluted palate offers wild cherry, game and a salty note alongside fleeting tannins and zesty acidity.

86

32

Tuscany

Sangiovese

112,456

Spain

This is a really good example of a blended wine from Aragón. It's 50% Garnacha with 25% each Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, and thus it is more complex and interesting than your run-of-the-mill varietal Grenache. Mellow aromas of ripe fruit and spice open things up, followed by balanced flavors of berry fruits, vanilla and cream. Easygoing and highly recommended for the price.

89

16

Northern Spain

Red Blend

109,112

France

A heavily wood-aged wine, this wine has smoky, burnt-toast aromas. At the moment, ripe yellow-fruit flavors are submerged beneath this onslaught of wood, but it should integrate better, so give it until 2016.

88

63

Burgundy

Chardonnay

67,953

US

This is an extremely dry, tartly acidic wine whose lime and grapefruit flavors are inflected with gooseberries and stony minerals. Made with no oak, it's a clean, brisk palate cleanser that's versatile at the table, and affordable.

89

15

California

Sauvignon Blanc

50,737

US

Oregon Pinot Noir is no rarity, except when it bears the Walla Walla appellation, as this one does. Made using fruit from the Couse Creek Vineyard, this is lovely from the first sniff. A wealth of earthy and herbal scents, dusty spices and brambly berries make this memorable. It finishes with medium weight and a whiff of truffle.

90

42

Oregon

Pinot Noir

93,759

US

This is the first release from this particular vineyard for the Syrah-focused winery. Its aromas, which pop with notes of strawberry and spice, have both herbal and copper-penny undertones. The fruit and savory flavors play well off of each other, showing a sense of elegance and deftness, with a touch of new wood that contributes to the flavor and feel. The finish stretches out. It still drinks quite young and if the aromas meld together could move up a notch or two.

91

50

Washington

Syrah

10,893

France

Definitely pink-colored, this tastes as much wine as Champagne. A rich strawberry and red cherry flavor gains texture from the tangy acidity and hint of lemon zest. It could age until late 2015 in bottle to be even better.

90

55

Champagne

Champagne Blend

1,963

US

This is dry, full bodied and pretty tannic, with a sense of elegance, plus flavors of sour cherry candy, red licorice, tobacco and sweet, smoky cedar.

88

60

California

Cabernet Franc

5,769

US

Very light in the glass, this wine by regional Sauv Blanc veteran Kathy Joseph offers cut green apples, sweet lime blossoms and a light honey element on the nose. Lime zest and citrus pith decorate the palate, with steely white pepper and dried oregano flavors that race across the tense palate.

92

34

California

Sauvignon Blanc

129,663

US

Sourced from one of the finest vineyards in Oregon, this brings ripe, fleshy, full-bodied fruit flavors front and center. It's a mix of red and black berries, with plump plum, blackberry and mocha all in the center ring.

93

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

17,421

US

Made with a classic Champagne blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is the simplest of Iron Horse's bubblies. It's elegant, and should be consumed in its youth.

87

31

California

Sparkling Blend

26,230

US

Here's a good buy in a big, rich, decadently delicious Syrah. Soft and dry, with refined tannins, it offers flavors of currants, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola, black pepper and spices. Easy to like, yet complex.

90

25

California

Syrah

48,617

Spain

A mostly neutral bouquet shows mild notes of almond and apple, but little more. Flavorwise, this delivers modest almond and papaya flavors in front of a wan, nutty tasting finish.

84

9

Northern Spain

White Blend

58,953

Italy

This fragrant Barolo has lovely floral and underbrush aromas and a restrained palate showing cherry and spice. It's tightly tannic and very nervous, needing more time to soften up.

91

75

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

14,012

Australia

A solid all-around effort, this starts off with hints of struck match and citrus custard, then moves through apple and mandarin flavors. It's medium in body, with a refreshing finish and decent length.

88

18

South Australia

Pinot Gris

65,125

France

A fruity, strawberry flavored wine with some depth and structure. It has richness as well as a fresh citrus character. It could benefit from some aging although it's certainly ready to drink this summer.

87

15

Provence

Rosé

113,052

US

The floral aromas and tangy grapefruit flavors of this medium-bodied wine are wonderfully vivid. It tastes nicely concentrated, becomes riper with each sip, and has a lingering finish.

90

20

California

Sauvignon Blanc

88,204

Spain

Grainy and leathery smelling, with medicinal plum and raspberry aromas. Perky but angular in the mouth, with freshening acidity leading to light but zesty strawberry and raspberry flavors. Shows drying tannins, vanilla and spice on the back end.

85

14

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

87,987

France

The wine has layers of the acidity typical of the vintage. For fruit it is juicy with tight red-currant flavors and more of that intense acidity. The wine probably needs to calm down and so will be better from 2017.

85

16

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

107,730

US

A southern Rhône blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, this wine is stylish and elegant, with a smooth, silky texture. But it's just a little too sugary sweet to earn a higher score, with the blackberry and cherry fruit having a jellied, candied edge.

86

40

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

114,793

Italy

Black cherry, chocolate and menthol accents color the nose of this ripe and plump Barbera d'Alba. The wine is firm and generous in the mouth with a chewy, slightly sweet finish. It sees one year of oak for extra spice on the close.

88

30

Piedmont

Barbera

3,602

France

Balanced, ready-to-drink wine with attractive, ripe red fruits and good acidity. It is fresh, the tannins giving an enjoyable firmness to an otherwise fruity wine.

86

17

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

36,552

Italy

Intense tutti fruity aromas recall grape-flavored chewing gum. The palate is less expressive but muddled, offering sensations of thyme and rock candy that finish abruptly.

84

29

Sicily & Sardinia

White Blend

103,380

US

Occasio continues to build its case for being a winery to watch out of the Livermore Valley, releasing this lively, raspberry and honeycomb rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes out of its Del Arroyo Vineyard. The Pommard clone fruit was cold soaked in stainless steel, then pressed from the skins and racked again into stainless steel. A rosé with some meat on its bones, it's way more than an aperitif and will stand strongly aside a full range of summer foods.

88

22

California

Rosé

62,165

US

A lean, steely and slightly herbaceous Chardonnay, whose brisk elegance makes up for the absence of richness. This Chablis-style wine is marked by minerals and suggestions of lemons and limes, as well as strong acidity. Calls for fresh crab in the shell, with plenty of drawn butter for dipping.

90

30

California

Chardonnay

87,068

Argentina

On one hand this is a bulldozer blend that's all about black fruit and heft. On the other, it's fun, fruity and generous, with plump tannins and a luscious mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry are dark, oaky and spicy, while the finish is regular in feel and toasty. A ripe, big, friendly blend of 70% Malbec with Tempranillo, Syrah and Petit Verdot.

88

19

Mendoza Province

Red Blend

118,149

Spain

Tropical aromas of lychee are about all that stand out on the nose of this unusual Moscatel-Garnacha Blanca blend. Neither dry nor sweet, this seems caught in no man's land. A dilute mouthfeel and bitter pyrazine notes on the finish don't help this along.

83

20

Northern Spain

White Blend

129,146

Italy

Here's an organic Vin Santo from the heart of Chianti Classico that boasts beautiful harmony and creaminess with generous aromas of molasses, chestnut honey, dried apple and maple syrup. It is a modern, rich and opulent dessert or meditation wine with extraordinary intensity and a very high pleasure factor.

92

44

Tuscany

White Blend