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
1,109	Italy	Black currant, bell pepper and leather aromas lead the way on this blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The dense palate delivers ripe black cherry, grilled pepper, mocha and cracked black pepper alongside bracing tannins.	90	70	Tuscany	Red Blend
55,986	US	This is a tasty, juicy, easy-drinking wine with good fruit flavors. Well balanced and medium bodied, it offers some of the density and texture expected, but without going over the top in tannins.	88	24	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
121,374	US	Reduced oak makes for an intense beginning. Then spicy acidity and plenty of earthy loam provide varietal character in this medium-bodied, textured wine.	87	27	California	Pinot Noir
100,845	France	This is a crisp, fruity and well-balanced wine. Along with its red-currant fruit and bright acidity, it has a touch of caramel that adds richness. The wine is ready to drink.	85	22	Loire Valley	Rosé
108,483	US	There's a subtle difference between this Pinot and Loring's eight other vineyard-designated 2012 Pinots. But by a hair, this is the best and most compelling, delicious in blackberries, blueberries and cherries. It's hard not to drink the entire bottle now, with its tantalizing acidity and soft but intricate tannins. And yet this gorgeous wine will develop bottle complexity until 2020 or 2021. The vineyard is in the sweet spot of the Santa Rita Hills.	94	50	California	Pinot Noir
24,163	US	This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec from both the Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley appellations, that works in its big, broad and tannic approach to ripeness and bold flavor. Plum, cranberry and currant provide fruit as black olive plays on the back of the palate.	87	50	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
47,076	US	Raspberry and vanilla introduce this wine, made from a selection of vines 21 to 130 years old, with some planted in 1882. Lusty and lush layers of cinnamon and cola accent the fruit and provide complexity, the tannins resolved and thick.	88	45	California	Zinfandel
114,822	US	Lots going on for the price in this dry, clean Sauvignon Blanc. It has rich flavors of tart citrus fruits, minerals and white flowers. A very pleasant and versatile white wine.	88	12	California	Sauvignon Blanc
62,027	US	Elegant, dryish to off-dry and crisp in acidity, this Sauvignon Blanc has forward flavors of gooseberries, limes, white sugar and vanilla. It's clean and fine to drink now.	86	22	California	Sauvignon Blanc
62,890	US	The Looney Vineyard bottling is the outlier in the Archery Summit lineup—a different AVA and a non-estate vineyard. The Ribbon Ridge AVA is a subset of a subset within the Willamette Valley, and it may be the hidden gem for producing great Pinot Noir. This wine is sensual, spirited, spicy and smooth. The cherry and raspberry fruit is highlighted with bright acidity and whiffs of baking spices. The new oak is gently applied and the use of wild yeasts may have added some textural nuances also.	92	85	Oregon	Pinot Noir
94,720	US	This smooth, tasty, very well-balanced wine glides over the palate and tastes like Bing cherry spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fresh acidity and fine, firm tannins support the flavors well and keep the wine appetizing and mouthwatering, even in the aftertaste.	91	36	California	Pinot Noir
60,764	Australia	This wine almost quivers with freshness when first sniffed, it's so vibrant and citrusy. Then it broadens out nicely on the palate, delivering ripe melon and apple flavors and ample weight. Drink it now and over the next few months.	89	23	South Australia	Pinot Gris
61,177	Italy	This robust red opens with aromas of espresso, plum cake, toast and dark spice. The hearty palate offers blackberry jam, licorice, vanilla and mocha alongside firm fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish.	90	100	Tuscany	Sangiovese
93,333	US	Broad and a bit flat on the palate, this wine has flavors of lemon and grapefruit rind, light stone fruit and a dash of mineral.	87	15	Washington	Riesling
128,402	France	This soft, rounded wine has gentle ripe fruit flavors while missing out on acidity. It's medium sweet, warm with spice and a rich, full-bodied aftertaste. Drink now.	84	20	Alsace	Pinot Gris
17,783	US	Generous and mouthfilling, this is a medium- to full-bodied wine with fruity aromas. Rich cherry, spice and earth flavors partner with a firm texture and a lingering, slightly tannic finish. While showing a lot of fruit up front, this wine will also age well for a few years; best to drink after 2018.	92	40	California	Pinot Noir
121,081	US	Simple cherry fruit, with a delicately earthy base, defines this everyday Merlot. It keeps its herbal component in check, balanced appropriately against rather light fruit.	87	18	Washington	Merlot
39,964	US	There's a lovely sweetness to the fruit, which tastes like ripe, just-picked blackberries. Old vines, 100+ years, deliver sweet, supple, sexy fruit. The wine has very dry tannins, and it might profit from some blending, but with a vineyard this special you have to admire the single-vineyard approach.	93	28	California	Zinfandel
118,763	US	A wonderful appetizer wine, dry, clean and zesty in acidity, with appealing citrus, apple, lemongrass, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors. A great restaurant by-the-glass sipper. Production was 136,000 cases.	88	8	California	Pinot Grigio
118,886	US	A real success in a challenging vintage, this is a meaty, flavorful, well-built Pinot Noir. The fruit is a mix of berries, especially strawberry, with accents of peach, cola, earth, sassafras and cinnamon. The wine keeps on going; it doesn't wimp out or turn bitter. It's interesting now, but should develop even more flavor with some years of cellaring.	90	40	Oregon	Pinot Noir
86,527	US	A fairly coarse wine, thin in texture and tart, with unbalanced green peppercorn, mint, berry and cola flavors. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Counoise.	83	35	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
85,399	US	This 100% Syrah is tight, young and sappy, and the tart fruit tastes of salmonberries and blueberries, with hints of mineral and flint. Call it a Euro style, with that sort of grip and detail. It rewards airtime and attention, yet still hints at a slightly green edge.	89	40	Washington	Syrah
40,864	US	Flavorful and smooth in texture, this wine smells almost floral, with fruity and spicy notes like cloves. Full of ripe plum and raisin flavors, it has full body and a broad, soft feeling in the mouth.	87	12	California	Zinfandel
57,796	US	This is the highlight of an excellent lineup from Stemilt Creek. It brings the same smooth, round fruit forward flavors as the other wines, but adds in more details with citrus, olive and green tea flavors streaking through. The finish gets downright sexy, with a strong wash of chocolate and caramel. It's made for immediate enjoyment rather than cellaring.	90	28	Washington	Cabernet Franc
73,138	US	Aged in neutral French oak with partial malolactic fermentation, this vineyard-designated wine offers aromas of almond, mineral, green apple and spice. It's lighter in style, texture-driven with a good sense of balance throughout.	90	28	Washington	Chardonnay
10,467	Spain	Power and precision are accounted for on a deep, minerally nose that's loaded with cassis and blackberry aromas. A tight, rounded-by-oak palate offers flavors of coconut, vanilla, buttered toast, blackberry and cassis, while toast and vanilla flavors steer a potent finish. Aged six months in oak; drink through 2016.	90	16	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
58,743	US	Unique tarry and crushed-gravel notes show on the nose of this bottling by veteran Adam Tolmach, giving nuance to the red cherry and raw beef aromas. A juicy acidity opens the palate up to flavors of peppercorn, red rose petals, hibiscus, red cherry and a touch of smoke.	91	44	California	Sangiovese
77,092	US	This 100% varietal wine hails entirely from Hyde Vineyard, a meticulously farmed and magical site. With a rich nose leading the way, it shows dusty licorice and chocolate plum. Voluptuously well crafted, it finishes in a lengthy tinge of baking spice.	93	72	California	Merlot
46,799	US	This is a beautiful Cabernet, and at this price, a super deal. It's dry and soft, with the dusty tannins and herbal flavors that mark Alexander Valley Cab. But you'll find rewarding notes of blackberries. A great job from this veteran winery.	91	20	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
128,667	US	This distinctive wine has a slightly peachy color, which is natural for this varietal. Aromas suggest white pepper and orange zest, while flavors recall peach skin and apricot. A nervy, crisp balance makes it feel lively and refreshing on the tongue, despite full body.	90	15	California	Pinot Gris
110,794	US	From the western edge of Sonoma Valley, this robust, full-figured wine took on considerable power in this vintage. It exhibits elusive fruit before peeling back bittersweet layers of cranberry, orange peel and tea. After fresh rose on the nose, it adds an element of char to the finish.	90	52	California	Pinot Noir
13,543	France	Château Brown continues its impressive push to quality with this fine 2010. It brings demonstrates the structure of the year with its firm, youthful tannins. But it also shows plentiful black-currant flavor, layered with acidity. Classic and serious, this is a wine for aging.	92	60	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
113,729	US	This wine is not called a rosé on the label, but it has a definite light-salmon color and refreshing light red cherry and subtle strawberry flavors that resemble rosé. It feels medium bodied, smooth and frothy, and not too tart.	88	25	California	Sparkling Blend
38,442	Italy	Fresh and linear, this opens with fragrant purple flower, red berry and new leather scents. The firm, youthfully austere palate is loaded with finesse, offering crunchy red cherry, fresh strawberry and licorice notes with taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2019–2028.	93	40	Tuscany	Red Blend
25,165	US	From a limestone-laden vineyard 25 miles east of the cool Monterey Bay comes a solid wine redolent with notes of black cherry, toasted sage, cedar and cinnamon. It's big and tannic on the palate, with flavors of blackberry syrup, black licorice and espresso.	88	18	California	Pinot Noir
66,075	US	This is one-third Cab Franc, one-third Merlot and one-third split between Syrah and Malbec—a who's who (or what's hot) of Southern Oregon viticulture. In the glass it's aromatically interesting, with citrus, leather and berry scents. In the mouth it's quite dry and leathery tasting, though with ample breathing time the fruit comes up.	87	28	Oregon	Red Blend
57,778	US	Our first taste of the 2011 Chards from the Finger Lakes, Knapp's Barrel Reserve is wonderfully crisp and refreshing with an abundance of fresh pear and lemon flavor. Subtly oaked with just a hint of vanilla and cream that lingers on the palate. Drink now.	88	14	New York	Chardonnay
45,396	Italy	Made with 80% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has subdued aromas suggesting espresso and toast. The palate is rather lean in terms of fruit richness, offering red currant, clove and a hint of vanilla alongside close-grained tannins that lead to a mouth-puckering close.	86	27	Tuscany	Red Blend
74,269	Italy	An unfussy nose of rapberries and grape jam leads to a crisp, juicy palate that finishes with appealing blackberry flavors. The lack of tannin makes this smooth example a good choice for pasta in a tomato sauce.	86	25	Piedmont	Barbera
128,716	US	All the parts are here to make a good Cabernet. Flavors of chocolate, blackberry jam, cassis and smoky oak are framed in rich tannins. But the wine needs a little time to knit together. Should be drinking well by spring 2014. It's a great value for the price, and easy to find with more than 15,000 cases produced.	90	20	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
35,438	US	Ripe, dark fruit flavors get great support from spicy oak and firm tannins in this full-bodied wine from an outstanding producer. Cinnamon and clove notes drive the aroma, while blackberry and black cherry flavors fill out the palate.	91	40	California	Syrah
37,480	Argentina	Stewy, baked aromas of raisin and prune boldly announce that this Malbec is ripe to the point of overripe. The palate is syrupy and soft; cooked, baked flavors of blackberry syrup finish sticky, stewy and slightly bitter.	86	15	Mendoza Province	Malbec
43,000	Germany	Swathes of fresh green herbs and florals refresh tart yellow plum and peach notes in this racy, light-footed Riesling. Juicy stone fruit flavors are accented with long streaks of wax and lanolin that lend density and viscosity to the long, long finish. Gorgeous now, but likely to improve through 2025,	93	42	Mosel	Riesling
4,314	Spain	Probably the best wine from this producer that we've rated. It's meaty and rich, with mocha, crusty oak, aged cheese and kirsch aromas. The palate is juicy and balanced, with licorice, blackberry, blueberry and other dark, ripe flavors. Finishes lengthy and toasty, with some refinement. 1,500 cases made.	89	25	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
84,592	US	Though it didn't see any oak, this wine—a sister brand of the pioneering Santa Barbara Winery—presents rich and complex aromas of saffron, seared lemon rinds, rosemary and roasted chicken. It's elegant and supple on the palate, with just enough citrus juice, salt and Italian spices.	94	32	California	Chardonnay
41,442	Italy	Aromas of grilled herb, roasted hazelnut and cured meat follow through to the palate along with leather and a gamy note. Showing the heat of the vintage, this is already evolved and the fruit richness has started to dry up.	86	115	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
117,852	Italy	Graphite, black currants, mocha and spice aromas emerge from the glass. Made with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the rich, smooth palate doles out ripe red cherry, crushed black raspberry, dark chocolate, espresso and licorice wrapped in soft, silky tannins. Drink through 2019.	94	175	Tuscany	Red Blend
57,010	Argentina	Hot and crusty smelling at first blush and then the nose turns to mocha and smoky berry. Good mouthfeel, rich and balanced, with a fresh quality as well. Solid, complete red wine with a nice berry-packed Merlot character.	88	10	Mendoza Province	Merlot
116,050	France	This lively, citrus-driven wine has tight acidity over bright grapefruit and lime, giving refreshing crispness. Immediately attractive, it offers an aftertaste that shines with lemon juice.	88	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
112,775	US	A round, full character with ample layers of creamy spice and balanced acid recommend this elegant, more traditional Chardonnay from the Finger Lakes. The mouthfeel is full but poised, and the finish long.	87	13	New York	Chardonnay
65,114	US	While demure on the nose, this dry Riesling offers a palate that is surprisingly bold in both flavor and textural intensity. Bursts of ripe grapefruit and tangerine flavors are accented by a kiss of rose-petal perfume. Zesty orange-peel notes lend a touch of astringency to the finish.	91	25	New York	Riesling
27,594	France	The largest of the four grands crus in Morey-Saint-Denis, this vineyard gives the most structured wines. This bottling, with its tannins and power, is no exception. While it shows plenty of rich black, perfumed fruit, it also has an immense structure of tight tannins are balanced by juicy acidity. Drink from 2027.	97	286	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
72,554	US	Give this tough, young Cabernet a good long decant before serving. At first, it's dominated by sharp acidity and mouth-numbing tannins. But after some airing, it offers black currant flavors. This is likely not an ager.	86	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
120,439	France	Rich while firm, this wine is structured and dense. It has great fruit potential that is still developing through the tight texture and the concentrated structure. It will be a fine wine, but give it time. Drink from 2020.	93	175	Burgundy	Chardonnay
105,391	US	Subtle smoke notes accent tangerine, lemon and lime in this invigorating dry Riesling. Fermented via ambient yeast, its refinement and restrained elegance sets it apart from Casa Larga's other Rieslings. The finish is lingering yet fresh.	89	25	New York	Riesling
13,744	US	Consistent with past vintages, this tart, grassy and spicy effort features green apple fruit dusted with white pepper. There's a trace of grain in the aroma and in the finishing flavor as well. The blend includes 9% Sémillon.	88	19	Washington	Sauvignon Blanc
16,836	Italy	There isn't much in the way of attractive fruit on the musky, sweaty nose. Lemony, spicy flavors are also broken up by the unwelcome taste of chicken soup. As a whole it's fairly dull and chunky, and not very evolved or fancy.	83	15	Northeastern Italy	Sauvignon Blanc
79,475	US	Raspberries, cherries, cola and persimmons are the flavors of this fairly standard Pinot Noir. It's dry and delicately structured, with good acidity and a discrete coating of oak. Drink now.	86	59	California	Pinot Noir
62,120	US	This single-vineyard Cabernet is softening and mellowing, with flavors of cherry, mocha and oak that are picking up sweet, mushroomy, gamy notes. Carmel Valley is a small appellation in a warm part of inland Monterey County that specializes in Bordeaux red wines. It's drinking well now.	91	36	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
125,845	Italy	An exciting flagship wine from one of the best producers in Piedmont, this is dark, inky and penetrating. It offers beautifully intense aromas of cassis, dried forest berry, ginger, cola, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it shows an incredibly silky and long quality. Hold for 10–20 years.	95	103	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
8,285	US	This generous Syrah is reminiscent of a nice, rich Provençal wine. It's soft and spicy and fruity, with a good grip of tannin. The black raspberry, mulberry and cherry flavors are dusted with cinnamon and clove, and you'll find a coating of sweet, smoky oak. The vineyard is on Atlas Peak.	88	20	California	Syrah
121,471	US	Made from hand-picked grapes and unfiltered, this is a richly concentrated, full-bodied Merlot with an abundance of sweet, juicy black plum and freshly roasted coffee flavors. Two years of aging in French oak results in a supple, silky wine with beautifully integrated tannins and pleasant notes of darkly toasted wood. A great pairing with roasted pork tenderloin.	87	19	New York	Merlot
75,060	US	This straightforward wine brings vanilla, citrus and toasted wood to the forefront, with interesting whiffs of petrol as well. It's still tightly wound for a white wine, so waiting until 2016 may reveal more magic.	85	15	California	Chardonnay
119,797	Italy	Rose, leather, mature berry and truffle aromas lift from the glass while the accessible palate offers dried red cherry, star anise, pipe tobacco and a hint of clove. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink through 2020.	90	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
5,179	US	Still young, hard and sharp-edged, the wine reveals dark flavors of charred toast and espresso, set around a core of tight cranberry and raspberry fruit. It's built to age, and has some pleasing mocha and spice notes rounding out the finish.	90	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
15,147	US	From a 16-year-old vineyard 2,200 feet up on the eastside of the Salinas Valley, this bottling offers fresh raspberry juice along with touches of bay leaf, pine and incense, like a morning walk through the forest. There is sizzling acidity at the start of the sip, which carries light, bright and tangy strawberry flavors along with more forest floor touches. The structure is upright but light.	93	44	California	Pinot Noir
60,094	US	Ripe blackberry, leather and soy show on the nose of this solid bottling from a relatively new producer in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Fruit-forward flavors of red and purple berries rise to the top of the palate, but there is also a tannic density powered by pencil lead and a spicy acidity.	89	45	California	Cabernet Franc
7,273	US	Bold and brawny, this voluptuous red floods the palate with ruddy, ripe flavors of black cherries and plums. It's plush and fleshy in mouthfeel, but its juicy, rich demeanor is intoxicating. A dusty mineral tone lends elegance to the finish.	89	40	New York	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
73,920	Italy	Citrus, orchard-fruit and spring-blossom aromas float out of the glass. Mirroring the nose, the slightly sweet, creamy palate tastes of white peach, apple and candied citrus peel offset by fresh acidity and a foaming perlage.	88	21	Veneto	Glera
71,891	US	Those who buy Riesling for its intense aromas will be disappointed with the subdued nose on this example from the Finger Lakes. Nonetheless, the palate delivers attractive stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot and the truly crisp, dry finish makes for a refreshing package.	85	13	New York	Riesling
21,263	US	The easy-to-find Gnarly Head, a blend of 50% Zinfandel, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah and 3% Syrah, is young and ready to drink.Its fruity nose and peppery spice tmakes it a full-blown crowd pleaser ready for backyard barbecues.	86	12	California	Red Blend
82,574	US	This medium-bodied, unbaked wine has light butter and fig aromas that lead to vivid citrus flavors and a good crisp balance. The wine is nicely dry, well-balanced and refreshing.	88	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
37,133	US	It's rare to see a varietal bottle of Chardonnay from this appellation. This one comes from Birch Creek Vineyard and has alluring aromas of lees, almond, peach and straw. The creamy stone-fruit flavors have a sense of richness but are also quite deft, with a finish that lingers.	91	48	Washington	Chardonnay
100,434	France	Taut citrus, cleansing lemon and brisk grapefruit show an uncompromsing, dry Riesling that majors in tense citrus and wet-stone flavors. There is a linearity and a very alluring purity that deserves to develop further. This is lovely and briskly refreshing now, but time in bottle will bring out more earthy, stony complexity. Drink 2017–2025.	92	32	Alsace	Riesling
43,235	US	This is a very ripe-tasting broadly textured wine that's full bodied and fruity. Plum and prune aromas precede jammy, grapey flavors with light spicy accents. Blended from Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's soft in mouthfeel and low in acidity and tannins.	87	25	California	Red Blend
105,238	US	This is a full-bodied but easy-drinking wine with ample ripe fruit flavors and attractive accents from oak aging, like vanilla, nutmeg and a touch of brown sugar. It coats the mouth with rich fruitiness and lingers on the finish in a compelling manner.	90	39	California	Zinfandel
36,220	US	How this Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend manages to be softly delicious, yet structurally brilliant is its mystery and art. The winemaker took grapes from St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Rutherford and Yountville and blended them seamlessly. It's one of the most opulent wines of the vintage with blackberry, currant and mineral flavors set like jewels in a crown of tannins.	94	200	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
12,258	US	Head-trained, century-old vines, provide intense scents with old vine herbal, herbaceous accents. Watermelon, hay and strawberries, intensely extracted and 17.5% alcohol. This is over-the-top winemaking, with powerful old vine fruit, and a big, extracted finish, with lingering toasty, hazelnut and vanilla highlights.	92	25	California	Zinfandel
2,071	France	A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this shows big fruity flavors tempered with a dry core of tannins. There is a stalky element of black currant skins which adds to the sensation of dryness, but there is also a more mouthfilling character of black plum juice to give the wine a final roundness.	90	31	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
96,452	US	Slight in aroma at first, this wine slowly reveals a waft of lemon. It's light in flavor, and it delivers crispness, with a hint of oak on the finish.	84	11	California	Sauvignon Blanc
100,926	US	One of the most unusual wines you'll ever encounter, this is a field blend of a single vineyard block planted to 25 different varieties. It's a tawny-rose color, off dry and quite fruity, with suggestions of citrus, peaches, stone fruits and more. Though not fortified, it's almost Port-like in color and flavor.	86	20	Oregon	Red Blend
81,630	US	Sourced from the oldest vines in the Willamette Valley, just two barrels were made of this wine. It's smooth, rich and elegant—a mix of pineapple and citrus—with light hints of coconut and toast. There's good concentration in the finish, heightened with citrus rind phenolics.	92	60	Oregon	Chardonnay
52,774	Italy	Thanks to 36 months of careful oak aging, this hearty Brunello opens with a dark, inky color, deep extraction and intense aromas of black cherry, chocolate, rum cake, cinnamon, mesquite and wet stone. Pair it with hand-made pasta and shaved black truffles.	93	80	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
5,802	France	Lightly spicy, this soft wine has a zesty tang of orange and bright strawberries that are ripe and gently fruity. The wine is open, ready to drink.	83	18	Provence	Rosé
4,629	US	Spicy, seductive and stemmy, this wine from the coveted vineyard site is a celebration of baked rhubarb and cranberry. Velvety on the palate and boldly ripe and rich, it offers highlights of spicy black tea and cardamom that complements and complicates the fruit.	94	62	California	Pinot Noir
60,337	US	A very limited (three barrels) block selection, this is a tough, chewy wine that remains stubbornly closed even after being open a full 24 hours. Hard cherry candy is concentrated in a tannic casing, with streaks of licorice, dark chocolate, and slightly bitter herbs wrapped around it. But the power and stuffing are there for significant improvement over time.	89	31	Washington	Merlot
68,802	Italy	Leafy underbrush, sunbaked earth and a toasted note lead the way. The lean one-dimensional palate is a bit shy on freshness, offering dried sour cherry, raisin and a hint of dark spice alongside dusty, not very persistent tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.	86	40	Tuscany	Sangiovese
42,778	US	This is a tough wine to love, although the price makes it an everyday sipper. With blackberry, licorice and herb flavors, it's dry and tannic.	82	10	California	Red Blend
34,918	US	Tannic and dry, this turns twiggy and earthy on the finish. There's a burst of acid-inspired black-cherry flavor on the midpalate.	86	45	California	Pinot Noir
33,507	Italy	Aromas of underbrush, ripe black fruit, clove and cedar come together in this Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah blend. The palate offers raisin, prune, mint and black pepper alongside lean, drying tannins. This is already drying out so drink soon.	86	35	Tuscany	Red Blend
1,958	US	Rich and dense, this has blackberry and black cherry jam, mocha and spice flavors. It contains 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends the wine weight and body. While it's technically dry, there's a sweetness that comes from the ripeness of fruit and the caramel flavor from the oak, which gives it a sugary, bacony taste. Delicious now and for a few years.	88	40	California	Merlot
29,470	Italy	Earthy tones of white truffle and moist tobacco open the nose of this Barolo from the Sorano cru. There are some ripe fruit aromas of plum and prune as well and the wine fades slowly with a long, dusty finish.	88	75	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
7,040	US	A beautiful Zin, dry and spicy. Shows lush, intricate flavors of blackberries, black raspberries, anise, pepper, cola and cedar. A very fine interpretation of a dusty Sonoma Zinfandel.	92	30	California	Zinfandel
33,683	Italy	Bright red-skinned berry, new leather, herb and dark spice aromas waft out of the glass. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with star anise and tobacco notes adding depth to the fresh cherry core. Taut, refined tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2024.	90	50	Tuscany	Sangiovese
79,096	US	High in alcohol, excessively soft and sweet in sugar, this Zin leaves much to be desired.	80	15	California	Zinfandel
40,663	US	Creamy vanilla and spritzy acidity surround a ripe core of baked apple and pear in this white. Full-bodied and touched by oak, it finishes clean and concentrated.	85	46	California	White Blend
109,108	France	A fresh, fruity and sophisticated wine, this offers acidity balanced by dry tannins. It has juicy black currant fruits, hints of mint and a bright, smoky feel. The wine will obviously age, so drink from 2016.	88	54	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
10,327	France	Obviously young, but with good acidity as well as bright red fruit flavors. The wine's acidity balances the juicy fruits well. Its structure suggests a good few years' aging.	90	18	Loire Valley	Cabernet Franc
74,563	France	Completely different in style from the estate's Coin Caché rouge, this is primarily Mourvèdre, and primarily aged in new oak. Despite the oak, the fruit shines through, offering up ripe, mouthfilling flavors of blackberry, cola, coffee and spice. Firmly structured, this could repay 5–7 years of cellaring.	91	37	Provence	Rhône-style Red Blend
5,038	US	Distinctive and generous, this white Rhône-style wine is made from Sierra Foothills grapes by a seasoned Napa winemaker. It tastes like vanilla, hazelnuts and pears, has a creamy texture, feels layered with fruit and spice notes, and has good acidity balanced by richness of flavor.	91	32	California	White Blend

1,109

Italy

Black currant, bell pepper and leather aromas lead the way on this blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The dense palate delivers ripe black cherry, grilled pepper, mocha and cracked black pepper alongside bracing tannins.

90

70

Tuscany

Red Blend

55,986

US

This is a tasty, juicy, easy-drinking wine with good fruit flavors. Well balanced and medium bodied, it offers some of the density and texture expected, but without going over the top in tannins.

88

24

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

121,374

US

Reduced oak makes for an intense beginning. Then spicy acidity and plenty of earthy loam provide varietal character in this medium-bodied, textured wine.

87

27

California

Pinot Noir

100,845

France

This is a crisp, fruity and well-balanced wine. Along with its red-currant fruit and bright acidity, it has a touch of caramel that adds richness. The wine is ready to drink.

85

22

Loire Valley

Rosé

108,483

US

There's a subtle difference between this Pinot and Loring's eight other vineyard-designated 2012 Pinots. But by a hair, this is the best and most compelling, delicious in blackberries, blueberries and cherries. It's hard not to drink the entire bottle now, with its tantalizing acidity and soft but intricate tannins. And yet this gorgeous wine will develop bottle complexity until 2020 or 2021. The vineyard is in the sweet spot of the Santa Rita Hills.

94

50

California

Pinot Noir

24,163

US

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec from both the Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley appellations, that works in its big, broad and tannic approach to ripeness and bold flavor. Plum, cranberry and currant provide fruit as black olive plays on the back of the palate.

87

50

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

47,076

US

Raspberry and vanilla introduce this wine, made from a selection of vines 21 to 130 years old, with some planted in 1882. Lusty and lush layers of cinnamon and cola accent the fruit and provide complexity, the tannins resolved and thick.

88

45

California

Zinfandel

114,822

US

Lots going on for the price in this dry, clean Sauvignon Blanc. It has rich flavors of tart citrus fruits, minerals and white flowers. A very pleasant and versatile white wine.

88

12

California

Sauvignon Blanc

62,027

US

Elegant, dryish to off-dry and crisp in acidity, this Sauvignon Blanc has forward flavors of gooseberries, limes, white sugar and vanilla. It's clean and fine to drink now.

86

22

California

Sauvignon Blanc

62,890

US

The Looney Vineyard bottling is the outlier in the Archery Summit lineup—a different AVA and a non-estate vineyard. The Ribbon Ridge AVA is a subset of a subset within the Willamette Valley, and it may be the hidden gem for producing great Pinot Noir. This wine is sensual, spirited, spicy and smooth. The cherry and raspberry fruit is highlighted with bright acidity and whiffs of baking spices. The new oak is gently applied and the use of wild yeasts may have added some textural nuances also.

92

85

Oregon

Pinot Noir

94,720

US

This smooth, tasty, very well-balanced wine glides over the palate and tastes like Bing cherry spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fresh acidity and fine, firm tannins support the flavors well and keep the wine appetizing and mouthwatering, even in the aftertaste.

91

36

California

Pinot Noir

60,764

Australia

This wine almost quivers with freshness when first sniffed, it's so vibrant and citrusy. Then it broadens out nicely on the palate, delivering ripe melon and apple flavors and ample weight. Drink it now and over the next few months.

89

23

South Australia

Pinot Gris

61,177

Italy

This robust red opens with aromas of espresso, plum cake, toast and dark spice. The hearty palate offers blackberry jam, licorice, vanilla and mocha alongside firm fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish.

90

100

Tuscany

Sangiovese

93,333

US

Broad and a bit flat on the palate, this wine has flavors of lemon and grapefruit rind, light stone fruit and a dash of mineral.

87

15

Washington

Riesling

128,402

France

This soft, rounded wine has gentle ripe fruit flavors while missing out on acidity. It's medium sweet, warm with spice and a rich, full-bodied aftertaste. Drink now.

84

20

Alsace

Pinot Gris

17,783

US

Generous and mouthfilling, this is a medium- to full-bodied wine with fruity aromas. Rich cherry, spice and earth flavors partner with a firm texture and a lingering, slightly tannic finish. While showing a lot of fruit up front, this wine will also age well for a few years; best to drink after 2018.

92

40

California

Pinot Noir

121,081

US

Simple cherry fruit, with a delicately earthy base, defines this everyday Merlot. It keeps its herbal component in check, balanced appropriately against rather light fruit.

87

18

Washington

Merlot

39,964

US

There's a lovely sweetness to the fruit, which tastes like ripe, just-picked blackberries. Old vines, 100+ years, deliver sweet, supple, sexy fruit. The wine has very dry tannins, and it might profit from some blending, but with a vineyard this special you have to admire the single-vineyard approach.

93

28

California

Zinfandel

118,763

US

A wonderful appetizer wine, dry, clean and zesty in acidity, with appealing citrus, apple, lemongrass, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors. A great restaurant by-the-glass sipper. Production was 136,000 cases.

88

8

California

Pinot Grigio

118,886

US

A real success in a challenging vintage, this is a meaty, flavorful, well-built Pinot Noir. The fruit is a mix of berries, especially strawberry, with accents of peach, cola, earth, sassafras and cinnamon. The wine keeps on going; it doesn't wimp out or turn bitter. It's interesting now, but should develop even more flavor with some years of cellaring.

90

40

Oregon

Pinot Noir

86,527

US

A fairly coarse wine, thin in texture and tart, with unbalanced green peppercorn, mint, berry and cola flavors. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Counoise.

83

35

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

85,399

US

This 100% Syrah is tight, young and sappy, and the tart fruit tastes of salmonberries and blueberries, with hints of mineral and flint. Call it a Euro style, with that sort of grip and detail. It rewards airtime and attention, yet still hints at a slightly green edge.

89

40

Washington

Syrah

40,864

US

Flavorful and smooth in texture, this wine smells almost floral, with fruity and spicy notes like cloves. Full of ripe plum and raisin flavors, it has full body and a broad, soft feeling in the mouth.

87

12

California

Zinfandel

57,796

US

This is the highlight of an excellent lineup from Stemilt Creek. It brings the same smooth, round fruit forward flavors as the other wines, but adds in more details with citrus, olive and green tea flavors streaking through. The finish gets downright sexy, with a strong wash of chocolate and caramel. It's made for immediate enjoyment rather than cellaring.

90

28

Washington

Cabernet Franc

73,138

US

Aged in neutral French oak with partial malolactic fermentation, this vineyard-designated wine offers aromas of almond, mineral, green apple and spice. It's lighter in style, texture-driven with a good sense of balance throughout.

90

28

Washington

Chardonnay

10,467

Spain

Power and precision are accounted for on a deep, minerally nose that's loaded with cassis and blackberry aromas. A tight, rounded-by-oak palate offers flavors of coconut, vanilla, buttered toast, blackberry and cassis, while toast and vanilla flavors steer a potent finish. Aged six months in oak; drink through 2016.

90

16

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

58,743

US

Unique tarry and crushed-gravel notes show on the nose of this bottling by veteran Adam Tolmach, giving nuance to the red cherry and raw beef aromas. A juicy acidity opens the palate up to flavors of peppercorn, red rose petals, hibiscus, red cherry and a touch of smoke.

91

44

California

Sangiovese

77,092

US

This 100% varietal wine hails entirely from Hyde Vineyard, a meticulously farmed and magical site. With a rich nose leading the way, it shows dusty licorice and chocolate plum. Voluptuously well crafted, it finishes in a lengthy tinge of baking spice.

93

72

California

Merlot

46,799

US

This is a beautiful Cabernet, and at this price, a super deal. It's dry and soft, with the dusty tannins and herbal flavors that mark Alexander Valley Cab. But you'll find rewarding notes of blackberries. A great job from this veteran winery.

91

20

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

128,667

US

This distinctive wine has a slightly peachy color, which is natural for this varietal. Aromas suggest white pepper and orange zest, while flavors recall peach skin and apricot. A nervy, crisp balance makes it feel lively and refreshing on the tongue, despite full body.

90

15

California

Pinot Gris

110,794

US

From the western edge of Sonoma Valley, this robust, full-figured wine took on considerable power in this vintage. It exhibits elusive fruit before peeling back bittersweet layers of cranberry, orange peel and tea. After fresh rose on the nose, it adds an element of char to the finish.

90

52

California

Pinot Noir

13,543

France

Château Brown continues its impressive push to quality with this fine 2010. It brings demonstrates the structure of the year with its firm, youthful tannins. But it also shows plentiful black-currant flavor, layered with acidity. Classic and serious, this is a wine for aging.

92

60

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

113,729

US

This wine is not called a rosé on the label, but it has a definite light-salmon color and refreshing light red cherry and subtle strawberry flavors that resemble rosé. It feels medium bodied, smooth and frothy, and not too tart.

88

25

California

Sparkling Blend

38,442

Italy

Fresh and linear, this opens with fragrant purple flower, red berry and new leather scents. The firm, youthfully austere palate is loaded with finesse, offering crunchy red cherry, fresh strawberry and licorice notes with taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2019–2028.

93

40

Tuscany

Red Blend

25,165

US

From a limestone-laden vineyard 25 miles east of the cool Monterey Bay comes a solid wine redolent with notes of black cherry, toasted sage, cedar and cinnamon. It's big and tannic on the palate, with flavors of blackberry syrup, black licorice and espresso.

88

18

California

Pinot Noir

66,075

US

This is one-third Cab Franc, one-third Merlot and one-third split between Syrah and Malbec—a who's who (or what's hot) of Southern Oregon viticulture. In the glass it's aromatically interesting, with citrus, leather and berry scents. In the mouth it's quite dry and leathery tasting, though with ample breathing time the fruit comes up.

87

28

Oregon

Red Blend

57,778

US

Our first taste of the 2011 Chards from the Finger Lakes, Knapp's Barrel Reserve is wonderfully crisp and refreshing with an abundance of fresh pear and lemon flavor. Subtly oaked with just a hint of vanilla and cream that lingers on the palate. Drink now.

88

14

New York

Chardonnay

45,396

Italy

Made with 80% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has subdued aromas suggesting espresso and toast. The palate is rather lean in terms of fruit richness, offering red currant, clove and a hint of vanilla alongside close-grained tannins that lead to a mouth-puckering close.

86

27

Tuscany

Red Blend

74,269

Italy

An unfussy nose of rapberries and grape jam leads to a crisp, juicy palate that finishes with appealing blackberry flavors. The lack of tannin makes this smooth example a good choice for pasta in a tomato sauce.

86

25

Piedmont

Barbera

128,716

US

All the parts are here to make a good Cabernet. Flavors of chocolate, blackberry jam, cassis and smoky oak are framed in rich tannins. But the wine needs a little time to knit together. Should be drinking well by spring 2014. It's a great value for the price, and easy to find with more than 15,000 cases produced.

90

20

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

35,438

US

Ripe, dark fruit flavors get great support from spicy oak and firm tannins in this full-bodied wine from an outstanding producer. Cinnamon and clove notes drive the aroma, while blackberry and black cherry flavors fill out the palate.

91

40

California

Syrah

37,480

Argentina

Stewy, baked aromas of raisin and prune boldly announce that this Malbec is ripe to the point of overripe. The palate is syrupy and soft; cooked, baked flavors of blackberry syrup finish sticky, stewy and slightly bitter.

86

15

Mendoza Province

Malbec

43,000

Germany

Swathes of fresh green herbs and florals refresh tart yellow plum and peach notes in this racy, light-footed Riesling. Juicy stone fruit flavors are accented with long streaks of wax and lanolin that lend density and viscosity to the long, long finish. Gorgeous now, but likely to improve through 2025,

93

42

Mosel

Riesling

4,314

Spain

Probably the best wine from this producer that we've rated. It's meaty and rich, with mocha, crusty oak, aged cheese and kirsch aromas. The palate is juicy and balanced, with licorice, blackberry, blueberry and other dark, ripe flavors. Finishes lengthy and toasty, with some refinement. 1,500 cases made.

89

25

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

84,592

US

Though it didn't see any oak, this wine—a sister brand of the pioneering Santa Barbara Winery—presents rich and complex aromas of saffron, seared lemon rinds, rosemary and roasted chicken. It's elegant and supple on the palate, with just enough citrus juice, salt and Italian spices.

94

32

California

Chardonnay

41,442

Italy

Aromas of grilled herb, roasted hazelnut and cured meat follow through to the palate along with leather and a gamy note. Showing the heat of the vintage, this is already evolved and the fruit richness has started to dry up.

86

115

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

117,852

Italy

Graphite, black currants, mocha and spice aromas emerge from the glass. Made with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the rich, smooth palate doles out ripe red cherry, crushed black raspberry, dark chocolate, espresso and licorice wrapped in soft, silky tannins. Drink through 2019.

94

175

Tuscany

Red Blend

57,010

Argentina

Hot and crusty smelling at first blush and then the nose turns to mocha and smoky berry. Good mouthfeel, rich and balanced, with a fresh quality as well. Solid, complete red wine with a nice berry-packed Merlot character.

88

10

Mendoza Province

Merlot

116,050

France

This lively, citrus-driven wine has tight acidity over bright grapefruit and lime, giving refreshing crispness. Immediately attractive, it offers an aftertaste that shines with lemon juice.

88

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

112,775

US

A round, full character with ample layers of creamy spice and balanced acid recommend this elegant, more traditional Chardonnay from the Finger Lakes. The mouthfeel is full but poised, and the finish long.

87

13

New York

Chardonnay

65,114

US

While demure on the nose, this dry Riesling offers a palate that is surprisingly bold in both flavor and textural intensity. Bursts of ripe grapefruit and tangerine flavors are accented by a kiss of rose-petal perfume. Zesty orange-peel notes lend a touch of astringency to the finish.

91

25

New York

Riesling

27,594

France

The largest of the four grands crus in Morey-Saint-Denis, this vineyard gives the most structured wines. This bottling, with its tannins and power, is no exception. While it shows plenty of rich black, perfumed fruit, it also has an immense structure of tight tannins are balanced by juicy acidity. Drink from 2027.

97

286

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

72,554

US

Give this tough, young Cabernet a good long decant before serving. At first, it's dominated by sharp acidity and mouth-numbing tannins. But after some airing, it offers black currant flavors. This is likely not an ager.

86

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

120,439

France

Rich while firm, this wine is structured and dense. It has great fruit potential that is still developing through the tight texture and the concentrated structure. It will be a fine wine, but give it time. Drink from 2020.

93

175

Burgundy

Chardonnay

105,391

US

Subtle smoke notes accent tangerine, lemon and lime in this invigorating dry Riesling. Fermented via ambient yeast, its refinement and restrained elegance sets it apart from Casa Larga's other Rieslings. The finish is lingering yet fresh.

89

25

New York

Riesling

13,744

US

Consistent with past vintages, this tart, grassy and spicy effort features green apple fruit dusted with white pepper. There's a trace of grain in the aroma and in the finishing flavor as well. The blend includes 9% Sémillon.

88

19

Washington

Sauvignon Blanc

16,836

Italy

There isn't much in the way of attractive fruit on the musky, sweaty nose. Lemony, spicy flavors are also broken up by the unwelcome taste of chicken soup. As a whole it's fairly dull and chunky, and not very evolved or fancy.

83

15

Northeastern Italy

Sauvignon Blanc

79,475

US

Raspberries, cherries, cola and persimmons are the flavors of this fairly standard Pinot Noir. It's dry and delicately structured, with good acidity and a discrete coating of oak. Drink now.

86

59

California

Pinot Noir

62,120

US

This single-vineyard Cabernet is softening and mellowing, with flavors of cherry, mocha and oak that are picking up sweet, mushroomy, gamy notes. Carmel Valley is a small appellation in a warm part of inland Monterey County that specializes in Bordeaux red wines. It's drinking well now.

91

36

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

125,845

Italy

An exciting flagship wine from one of the best producers in Piedmont, this is dark, inky and penetrating. It offers beautifully intense aromas of cassis, dried forest berry, ginger, cola, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it shows an incredibly silky and long quality. Hold for 10–20 years.

95

103

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

8,285

US

This generous Syrah is reminiscent of a nice, rich Provençal wine. It's soft and spicy and fruity, with a good grip of tannin. The black raspberry, mulberry and cherry flavors are dusted with cinnamon and clove, and you'll find a coating of sweet, smoky oak. The vineyard is on Atlas Peak.

88

20

California

Syrah

121,471

US

Made from hand-picked grapes and unfiltered, this is a richly concentrated, full-bodied Merlot with an abundance of sweet, juicy black plum and freshly roasted coffee flavors. Two years of aging in French oak results in a supple, silky wine with beautifully integrated tannins and pleasant notes of darkly toasted wood. A great pairing with roasted pork tenderloin.

87

19

New York

Merlot

75,060

US

This straightforward wine brings vanilla, citrus and toasted wood to the forefront, with interesting whiffs of petrol as well. It's still tightly wound for a white wine, so waiting until 2016 may reveal more magic.

85

15

California

Chardonnay

119,797

Italy

Rose, leather, mature berry and truffle aromas lift from the glass while the accessible palate offers dried red cherry, star anise, pipe tobacco and a hint of clove. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink through 2020.

90

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

5,179

US

Still young, hard and sharp-edged, the wine reveals dark flavors of charred toast and espresso, set around a core of tight cranberry and raspberry fruit. It's built to age, and has some pleasing mocha and spice notes rounding out the finish.

90

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

15,147

US

From a 16-year-old vineyard 2,200 feet up on the eastside of the Salinas Valley, this bottling offers fresh raspberry juice along with touches of bay leaf, pine and incense, like a morning walk through the forest. There is sizzling acidity at the start of the sip, which carries light, bright and tangy strawberry flavors along with more forest floor touches. The structure is upright but light.

93

44

California

Pinot Noir

60,094

US

Ripe blackberry, leather and soy show on the nose of this solid bottling from a relatively new producer in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Fruit-forward flavors of red and purple berries rise to the top of the palate, but there is also a tannic density powered by pencil lead and a spicy acidity.

89

45

California

Cabernet Franc

7,273

US

Bold and brawny, this voluptuous red floods the palate with ruddy, ripe flavors of black cherries and plums. It's plush and fleshy in mouthfeel, but its juicy, rich demeanor is intoxicating. A dusty mineral tone lends elegance to the finish.

89

40

New York

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

73,920

Italy

Citrus, orchard-fruit and spring-blossom aromas float out of the glass. Mirroring the nose, the slightly sweet, creamy palate tastes of white peach, apple and candied citrus peel offset by fresh acidity and a foaming perlage.

88

21

Veneto

Glera

71,891

US

Those who buy Riesling for its intense aromas will be disappointed with the subdued nose on this example from the Finger Lakes. Nonetheless, the palate delivers attractive stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot and the truly crisp, dry finish makes for a refreshing package.

85

13

New York

Riesling

21,263

US

The easy-to-find Gnarly Head, a blend of 50% Zinfandel, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah and 3% Syrah, is young and ready to drink.Its fruity nose and peppery spice tmakes it a full-blown crowd pleaser ready for backyard barbecues.

86

12

California

Red Blend

82,574

US

This medium-bodied, unbaked wine has light butter and fig aromas that lead to vivid citrus flavors and a good crisp balance. The wine is nicely dry, well-balanced and refreshing.

88

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

37,133

US

It's rare to see a varietal bottle of Chardonnay from this appellation. This one comes from Birch Creek Vineyard and has alluring aromas of lees, almond, peach and straw. The creamy stone-fruit flavors have a sense of richness but are also quite deft, with a finish that lingers.

91

48

Washington

Chardonnay

100,434

France

Taut citrus, cleansing lemon and brisk grapefruit show an uncompromsing, dry Riesling that majors in tense citrus and wet-stone flavors. There is a linearity and a very alluring purity that deserves to develop further. This is lovely and briskly refreshing now, but time in bottle will bring out more earthy, stony complexity. Drink 2017–2025.

92

32

Alsace

Riesling

43,235

US

This is a very ripe-tasting broadly textured wine that's full bodied and fruity. Plum and prune aromas precede jammy, grapey flavors with light spicy accents. Blended from Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's soft in mouthfeel and low in acidity and tannins.

87

25

California

Red Blend

105,238

US

This is a full-bodied but easy-drinking wine with ample ripe fruit flavors and attractive accents from oak aging, like vanilla, nutmeg and a touch of brown sugar. It coats the mouth with rich fruitiness and lingers on the finish in a compelling manner.

90

39

California

Zinfandel

36,220

US

How this Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend manages to be softly delicious, yet structurally brilliant is its mystery and art. The winemaker took grapes from St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Rutherford and Yountville and blended them seamlessly. It's one of the most opulent wines of the vintage with blackberry, currant and mineral flavors set like jewels in a crown of tannins.

94

200

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

12,258

US

Head-trained, century-old vines, provide intense scents with old vine herbal, herbaceous accents. Watermelon, hay and strawberries, intensely extracted and 17.5% alcohol. This is over-the-top winemaking, with powerful old vine fruit, and a big, extracted finish, with lingering toasty, hazelnut and vanilla highlights.

92

25

California

Zinfandel

2,071

France

A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this shows big fruity flavors tempered with a dry core of tannins. There is a stalky element of black currant skins which adds to the sensation of dryness, but there is also a more mouthfilling character of black plum juice to give the wine a final roundness.

90

31

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

96,452

US

Slight in aroma at first, this wine slowly reveals a waft of lemon. It's light in flavor, and it delivers crispness, with a hint of oak on the finish.

84

11

California

Sauvignon Blanc

100,926

US

One of the most unusual wines you'll ever encounter, this is a field blend of a single vineyard block planted to 25 different varieties. It's a tawny-rose color, off dry and quite fruity, with suggestions of citrus, peaches, stone fruits and more. Though not fortified, it's almost Port-like in color and flavor.

86

20

Oregon

Red Blend

81,630

US

Sourced from the oldest vines in the Willamette Valley, just two barrels were made of this wine. It's smooth, rich and elegant—a mix of pineapple and citrus—with light hints of coconut and toast. There's good concentration in the finish, heightened with citrus rind phenolics.

92

60

Oregon

Chardonnay

52,774

Italy

Thanks to 36 months of careful oak aging, this hearty Brunello opens with a dark, inky color, deep extraction and intense aromas of black cherry, chocolate, rum cake, cinnamon, mesquite and wet stone. Pair it with hand-made pasta and shaved black truffles.

93

80

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

5,802

France

Lightly spicy, this soft wine has a zesty tang of orange and bright strawberries that are ripe and gently fruity. The wine is open, ready to drink.

83

18

Provence

Rosé

4,629

US

Spicy, seductive and stemmy, this wine from the coveted vineyard site is a celebration of baked rhubarb and cranberry. Velvety on the palate and boldly ripe and rich, it offers highlights of spicy black tea and cardamom that complements and complicates the fruit.

94

62

California

Pinot Noir

60,337

US

A very limited (three barrels) block selection, this is a tough, chewy wine that remains stubbornly closed even after being open a full 24 hours. Hard cherry candy is concentrated in a tannic casing, with streaks of licorice, dark chocolate, and slightly bitter herbs wrapped around it. But the power and stuffing are there for significant improvement over time.

89

31

Washington

Merlot

68,802

Italy

Leafy underbrush, sunbaked earth and a toasted note lead the way. The lean one-dimensional palate is a bit shy on freshness, offering dried sour cherry, raisin and a hint of dark spice alongside dusty, not very persistent tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.

86

40

Tuscany

Sangiovese

42,778

US

This is a tough wine to love, although the price makes it an everyday sipper. With blackberry, licorice and herb flavors, it's dry and tannic.

82

10

California

Red Blend

34,918

US

Tannic and dry, this turns twiggy and earthy on the finish. There's a burst of acid-inspired black-cherry flavor on the midpalate.

86

45

California

Pinot Noir

33,507

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, ripe black fruit, clove and cedar come together in this Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah blend. The palate offers raisin, prune, mint and black pepper alongside lean, drying tannins. This is already drying out so drink soon.

86

35

Tuscany

Red Blend

1,958

US

Rich and dense, this has blackberry and black cherry jam, mocha and spice flavors. It contains 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends the wine weight and body. While it's technically dry, there's a sweetness that comes from the ripeness of fruit and the caramel flavor from the oak, which gives it a sugary, bacony taste. Delicious now and for a few years.

88

40

California

Merlot

29,470

Italy

Earthy tones of white truffle and moist tobacco open the nose of this Barolo from the Sorano cru. There are some ripe fruit aromas of plum and prune as well and the wine fades slowly with a long, dusty finish.

88

75

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

7,040

US

A beautiful Zin, dry and spicy. Shows lush, intricate flavors of blackberries, black raspberries, anise, pepper, cola and cedar. A very fine interpretation of a dusty Sonoma Zinfandel.

92

30

California

Zinfandel

33,683

Italy

Bright red-skinned berry, new leather, herb and dark spice aromas waft out of the glass. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with star anise and tobacco notes adding depth to the fresh cherry core. Taut, refined tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2024.

90

50

Tuscany

Sangiovese

79,096

US

High in alcohol, excessively soft and sweet in sugar, this Zin leaves much to be desired.

80

15

California

Zinfandel

40,663

US

Creamy vanilla and spritzy acidity surround a ripe core of baked apple and pear in this white. Full-bodied and touched by oak, it finishes clean and concentrated.

85

46

California

White Blend

109,108

France

A fresh, fruity and sophisticated wine, this offers acidity balanced by dry tannins. It has juicy black currant fruits, hints of mint and a bright, smoky feel. The wine will obviously age, so drink from 2016.

88

54

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

10,327

France

Obviously young, but with good acidity as well as bright red fruit flavors. The wine's acidity balances the juicy fruits well. Its structure suggests a good few years' aging.

90

18

Loire Valley

Cabernet Franc

74,563

France

Completely different in style from the estate's Coin Caché rouge, this is primarily Mourvèdre, and primarily aged in new oak. Despite the oak, the fruit shines through, offering up ripe, mouthfilling flavors of blackberry, cola, coffee and spice. Firmly structured, this could repay 5–7 years of cellaring.

91

37

Provence

Rhône-style Red Blend

5,038

US

Distinctive and generous, this white Rhône-style wine is made from Sierra Foothills grapes by a seasoned Napa winemaker. It tastes like vanilla, hazelnuts and pears, has a creamy texture, feels layered with fruit and spice notes, and has good acidity balanced by richness of flavor.

91

32

California

White Blend