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
25,568	France	A ripe and full wine, packed with fruit. It has a toasty character, spice and bright red-berry fruits that give the wine its crisp acidity and balance the riper smooth texture that is developing. Give this wine until 2022.	91	31	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
108,698	Italy	Aromas of underbrush, ripe dark-skinned fruit, clove, espresso and a balsamic note lead the nose of this structured Sangiovese. The generous palate delivers juicy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2021.	92	45	Tuscany	Sangiovese
127,802	US	Strikes a middle-of-the-road pose, combining a nice apple and watermelon fruitiness with a little softness, a little sweetness and enough acidity to make it balanced. It's an easy wine to like and to pair with casual foods.	85	20	Oregon	Pinot Gris
86,782	US	Here's a gutsy, fruity Cabernet. It fills the mouth with juicy raspberry, cherry and blackberry flavors and hints of chocolate. Nothing subtle, just a dry, rich red wine for drinking now.	86	28	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
50,730	US	This wine shows what a fine place Dry Creek Valley is for growing Sauvignon Blanc. With no oak at all, it's clean and brisk in citrusy acidity, with refreshing peach, lime, green grass, tropical fruit and spice flavors.	90	18	California	Sauvignon Blanc
26,942	US	Direct and easygoing, this Zinfandel tastes of blackberry, bacon, clove and pepper. The oak is tame, and the wine is ready to drink.	87	16	California	Zinfandel
101,116	US	The blend in 2006 is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. It spent 30 months in 90% new oak. Released a year ago, it has a feminine grace and softness in the aromas, a lovely mix of flowers and spice. The Syrah brightens up the fruit, accenting berry flavors with a hint of pepper, while the Petit Verdot adds clover and violet aromas and density to the tannins.	92	50	Washington	Red Blend
43,504	US	Livelier than usual in texture and popping with bright citrus aromas and flavors, this light-bodied and barrel-fermented wine is a great palate-cleanser and will pair beautifully with dishes like raw oysters and herbed goat cheese. It smells and tastes like lemon, lime, green apple and kiwi, and has great balance.	90	15	California	Pinot Grigio
60,882	Italy	Sperss (the name is inspired by the local word for “nostalgia”) is a vineyard located in the Barolo territory of Serralunga. Angelo Gaja adds 6% Barbera to the wine for brightness and freshness but the overall ensemble shows so much more than that. It delivers sophisticated softness and a velvety texture that is backed by exotic spice and loads of wild berry and licorice. Add huge depth and intensity and you have the criteria for a cellar-worthy wine. Will be ready to drink after 2020.	98	255	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
119,668	Italy	Aromas of red berry, rose petal, blue flower, crushed herb and a whiff of espresso lift out of the glass along with a menthol note. The taut vibrant palate offers crushed strawberry, tart cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside tightly knit fine-grained tannins. It's extremely elegant but still youthfully austere at this stage so give it several more years to unwind. Drink 2023–2038.	95	69	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
58,646	US	A powerful and concentrated wine, this has dark fruit aromas like black cherry along with black pepper and wood smoke, plus strong, ripe flavors from cherry to blackberry and black currant. It also has a lot of tannin and good acidity, and will mature into a softer feel over time.	89	34	California	Merlot
102,581	US	Thin and watery, with acid-driven grapefruit and sour gooseberry flavors.	82	14	California	Sauvignon Blanc
70,791	US	New Jersey home-winemaker-turned-California-Pinot-pro David Rossi delivers a delicious wine from the eastside of the Salinas Valley, with umami-meets-floral aromas of wild strawberry-clove mousse, violet-infused soy sauce and eucalyptus shavings. Ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry get lifted by nutmeg, allspice and pine, with a tart, bitter cranberry-skin note on the finish.	94	55	California	Pinot Noir
51,928	US	This serious red blend puts together a texture firmed up with gripping tannins and acidity, flavors brimming with blackberry and sweet spices and a lingering finish. Too structured to appreciate alone, it will need pairing with roast beef, lasagna, ribs or the like.	88	17	California	Red Blend
116,816	US	Heavy on the oak, with overpowering buttered toast and butterscotch flavors. Underneath all that are pineapple and peach flavors. The finish is sweet and heavy.	84	27	California	Chardonnay
97,711	US	This Riesling is slightly sweet, but it's balanced by crisp acidity. The tangerine, green apple and peach flavors have a honeyed finish.	84	12	California	Riesling
83,724	US	One sip is all you need to know that this is classic Dry Creek Zin. It's full-bodied, softly tannic and subtly oaked, but the giveaway is the intensely briary, brambly wild berry and black pepper spice flavors. Drink this lusty wine over the next few years with short ribs or the greatest barbecue you can come up with.	89	35	California	Zinfandel
124,084	Argentina	Burnt, edgy and stemmy/stalky from start to finish. The nose gives off a charred nut and asphalt character, while the palate is edgy, hard and bitter, with briary flavors of roasted fruit and stems. Questionable and compromised for the price.	83	45	Mendoza Province	Malbec
3,280	US	Light in color and texture, with a silky, airy mouthfeel, this Pinot has elegant flavors of cherries, anise, vanilla, Asian spices and smoky wood. It's a polished wine for drinking now.	87	42	California	Pinot Noir
122,685	US	Black purple, this older Petite has a deeply perfumed nose of licorice and chocolate and is very drinkable now.	88	32	California	Petite Sirah
1,181	Italy	Aromas suggesting dried rose petal, woodland berry, chopped mint and kitchen spice come together on this. The tight palate isn't quite as expressive as the nose, offering sour cherry, tart cranberry and a hint of clove alongside bracing tannins that grip the finish.	88	50	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
105,024	US	Stuhlmuller's regular 2008 Cabernet, released a year ago, was quite good. This one's even better. It has all the hallmarks of a superior Cabernet, with rich, delicious blackberry, cherry, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola and oak flavors, framed into soft, intricate tannins. With a pleasant minerality, it should age well through 2016, gradually losing fruit.	92	65	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
123,094	Spain	Raspberry, strawberry and oaky shoe polish aromas comprise the nose on this pinching rubbery Rioja from a cold vintage. Plum, cherry and raspberry flavors finish fresh and ripped, with tannins that won't quit. Drink through 2020.	88	15	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
93,515	Italy	Mineral tones, vibrant fruit, root beer and oak shadings are principal components of the wine's well-balanced nose. The mouthfeel is lean with medium intensity and bright fruit flavors on the close.	88	30	Tuscany	Red Blend
81,339	US	Bright, dusty leather is a highlight of this structured, meaty, balanced wine, firm and grippy in tannin. Red berry and coffee complement each other to find a tension between fruit and spice.	91	60	California	Zinfandel
67,984	US	A lively and fresh nose of blackberries, black cherries, black pepper, turned earth and fresh fennel greet the nose on this wine that's made by Mike Roth for Greg Martellotto. There are flavors of blackberry-filled licorice spice cake on the palate, though the tannins could use a bit of mellowing.	89	28	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
97,634	US	From the rocky, volcanic soils of Durell, this white is exuberant in salty rock and sea spray, showing plenty of influence from the Pacific Ocean to its west. Sturdy in structure and length, the fruit is twisted in pink grapefruit and crisp apple, its underbelly a richer, warmer expression of toffee and caramel.	94	60	California	Chardonnay
123,421	Spain	Leathery, earthy aromas don't seem entirely fresh, but they are solid and don't waiver. Full bodied, with coarse tannins and roasted red-berry, tomato and herb flavors. It's tight, chunky and long on the finish, with tannic grab, and more tomato and herb characteristics.	87	20	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
115,138	US	Quite dark in the glass, this very concentrated blend of 37% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 28% Mourvèdre shows boisterous aromas of black currant, blueberry, vanilla, violet and clove on the nose. Rich as expected in body, the bottling offers nutmeg and black-cherry-syrup flavors on the sip, with a touch of prune as well. It's a heavy-duty attention grabber.	92	54	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
82,374	US	Thick in black peppery cinnamon, this wine offers a zig-zag of fruit and power without falling over the edge of extremity. The mix includes 5% Petite Sirah. Full bodied and big, it finishes in a taste of sweet vanilla.	87	30	California	Zinfandel
106,219	Italy	Fruity aromas of fresh, dark cherry and a whiff of leafy underbrush lead the nose of this blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot. The soft, simple palate delivers juicy black cherry and a gamey note alongside delicate, fleeting tannins.	85	15	Tuscany	Red Blend
2,995	US	Deep and lush aromas of candied blueberry and black cherry meet with chocolate cake, light brown spices and a touch of beef jerky on the nose of this judiciously priced wine. Though a tad light on the palate at first, it has an energetic and spicy acidity that carries forth flavors of tobacco and black fruit.	91	40	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
1,569	France	An immensely structured wine, packed with dark tannins promising aging potential. It is complex, powerful, layered with new wood and concentration, finishing with dark plum fruits and acidity.	96	200	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
43,186	US	From Block 29 of the acclaimed vineyard, this wine is delightfully juicy and flirty in black cherry, leather, black pepper and tobacco. Full bodied and ripe, it never gets heavy, rather trafficking in enough acidity and sense of place to stay grounded on the palate.	90	40	California	Zinfandel
95,053	France	Beautifully crisp and fresh, this is a young, tightly textured wine that is already so refreshing. Its red fruit character is just a part of the mineral and tannin texture and the pure line of fragrant acidity. Very pale in color, this sophisticated wine could do with some aging. Drink from 2018.	95	80	Champagne	Champagne Blend
67,709	US	This 100% Grenache is young and grapy, flavorful and forward. This has more muscle and depth than might be expected from such young vines. There is a strong streak of grapefruit/ pineapple citrus that elevates and adds some nervous energy to the finish.	90	45	Washington	Grenache
102,134	US	This is a full-bodied, ripe, well-made and fruity wine, subdued and velvety on the palate in bright red fruit, leather, mint and cinnamon.	90	45	California	Zinfandel
119,132	US	The aromas bring high-toned, somewhat unusual notes of herbs, vanilla, toffee and tire rubber. The berry flavors are ripe, with nutty accents and a squeeze of tannins.	87	27	Washington	Tempranillo
48,906	US	This is the smoothest, most polished of Standish's quartet of new Pinots. It's a best-of-barrels selection, and really impressive in cherry, currant, licorice, cola and Provençal herbs. With near-perfect balance, it exemplifies Anderson Valley and also is a standout in the great 2005 vintage. It was crafted, under Standish's “guest winemaker” program, by Zach Rasmussen, of Goldeneye.	95	80	California	Pinot Noir
10,255	US	With flavors of black pepper, sweet charred meat, blackberry jam and toasty oak, this is a seriously good wine, reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. There's a streak of tart red cherries and cola that make this luscious wine enjoyable now.	89	36	California	Red Blend
40,841	Italy	Earthy aromas of truffle, game and moist earth mingle with overripe plum and a confectionery note. The palate is evolved, offering leather, raisin and tobacco alongside loosely knit, rather fleeting tannins.	87	48	Veneto	Red Blend
40,639	US	Pricey, yes, but Madrigal pulled out all the stops on this flashy wine, making it their best Cabernet ever. It's a big, tannic and dry wine, stuffed with blackberry, currant and oak flavors. Voluptuous and dramatic, but it needs age, possibly a lot. Give it a rest until 2015 and see how it's doing then.	93	80	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
96,280	US	It's rare to find estate-grown, Willamette Valley Pinot, from a vineyard in high demand, made by a top-tier winemaker, at this price. Still young, tight and tart, this is a very pretty wine, with tangy cherry fruit, a touch of rhubarb pie, and plenty of acidity. Another year or two of bottle age would be optimal.	89	25	Oregon	Pinot Noir
70,726	US	Rounded aromas of baked strawberry, red plum and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this always-solid offering for everyday sipping. Black raspberry and dried sagebrush make for a compelling palate that finishes on a touch of caramel.	87	17	California	Pinot Noir
67,242	US	Sun-dried raisin and plum notes give this full-bodied and soft-textured wine an easy, ripe and very fruity flavor. Brown sugar and vanilla hints lend a sense of sweetness, making it a great match for chocolate or aged cheeses.	87	20	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
3,904	US	Thick, rich and ripe in vanilla, the American oak in this wine is pronounced and intense, wrapping itself around notes of candied apple and toffee-caramel.	87	34	California	Chardonnay
9,315	US	Ridge's historic Monte Bello estate produces black tobacco, wet slate, chalk and blueberry jam aromas in this vintage. The wine, which gets support from 14% Merlot-3% Petite Verdot-1% Cabernet Franc, is not very dense and even racy on the palate, with violet, cola, tart cranberry and darker fruit as well.	92	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
7,525	US	An excellent medium-bodied wine from an estate better known for its olives, this is dark in color but with a lighter, tawny rim. The complex aromas combine sweet baking spices with ample cherry and berry notes. Flavors kick in with juicy strawberry, dark cherry and subtle shadings of nutmeg and wood smoke. The texture is plush and almost soft, and the taste is warmly luxurious.	92	45	California	Pinot Noir
80,528	Italy	A blend of Sauvignon and Chardonnay, this has subdued aromas of toast and orchard fruit. The linear palate is on the lean side, offering yellow apple skin, oak and a hint of citrus. It closes on a bitter-almond note.	88	75	Tuscany	White Blend
119,401	US	There's a touch of smoke and jerky on the nose of this wine, with dried cranberry and some tar aromas also present. The smoked-meat element also shows on the tip of the palate, then gives way to tart cranberry and graphite, offering decent complexity with lingering woodsmoke.	86	22	California	Pinot Noir
84,267	US	Dominated by 60% Cabernet Franc, with 37% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, this is a demonstration of elegance married with ripeness, offering rich, round, luxurious plum flavors alongside savory teases of clove, cigar and leather. Lengthy and smooth on the palate, it's a wine for the table, with length and breadth developing in the glass as it goes.	94	75	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
49,822	US	From two blocks of a vineyard above Freestone that's strongly influenced by the ocean, this wine is marked by leathery pepper, baked cherry and an exotic mix of savory spice. Medium-bodied, it has a density that's both plush and lush.	91	72	California	Pinot Noir
17,005	Italy	Damilano is one of Barolo's historic wineries and Cannubi its most historic vineyard cru. All that history combines here to shape a traditional, yet New World wine with plush roundness and intense notes of spice, leather, pipe tobacco, polished red wood and black currant. It's luscious, velvety and tight in the mouth and will improve with age. Drink with venison or game.	92	87	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
43,461	US	A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, this offers aromas of high-toned red fruit, French-oak spice and herbs that lead to luxurious but still in-check dark-fruit flavors. Tart black-tea accents persist on the finish.	90	20	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
10,952	France	This ripe Saint-Émilion is generous with its rounded perfumed Merlot. It gives the wine richness, juicy acidity and an open texture. Touches of tannin do bring in some structure, but the emphasis is on the fruitiness and fresh aftertaste. Drink from late 2017.	86	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
5,867	Australia	This medium-bodied Cabernet shows some of the variety's hallmark austerity in its firm structure. Cassis, sage and red currant aromas and flavors finish crisp and lingering. Drink now with rare beef or lamb, or hold and drink 2020–2025.	88	17	South Australia	Cabernet Sauvignon
39,290	US	A true sensation. Shows the richness and concentration you want in a great Napa Cab, but also a structure that lifts it above the soft, mushy wines that are so prevalent. There's real tannin and acid architecture framing the opulent blackberry, black currant, mineral and cedar flavors, and the finish is dry, dry, dry. Every sip offers something different as it changes in the glass. A world-class wine that defines elegance, power and complexity. Should age effortlessly for at least a decade.	97	150	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
103,700	Italy	Compelling scents of white spring flower, stone fruit and a whiff of nut weave throughout this blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. The vibrant palate delivers yellow apple, orange zest, almond and mineral alongside tangy acidity.	90	24	Northeastern Italy	White Blend
39,648	US	Far Niente has produced a tannic, drily astringent young wine that's nowhere near ready to drink. It's tough as nails, with a gritty astringency that locks down the black currant and dark, unsweetened chocolate flavors. But it is a very balanced, distinguished wine that should easily negotiate the next 10 or 15 years, with proper cellaring.	92	120	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
95,022	France	The scent of very fragrant ripe apples abounds on the nose: think both Red and Golden Delicious. This fruity note carries through the entire palate: from its fresh, sprightly opening through its dry, slender body to its frothy, lively finish.	89	25	Alsace	Pinot Noir
102,161	US	Walnut oil, orange rinds and burned caramel converge for a Scotch-like aroma on the nose of this late harvest wine. Sour orange and bitter walnut flavors show on the sip.	84	21	California	Viognier
123,533	US	Nasty in ammonia and bell pepper aromas and flavors. Hardly any fruit at all, maybe a touch of acidic grapefruits and lemons. Yet it's dry and drinkable.	81	12	California	Sauvignon Blanc
92,198	US	The winery notes that these vines were planted in 1983, and the wine offers generous dry extract along with dried apple fruit. It's lightly tawny in color, with sappy acids. Best to drink up in 2017.	87	16	Oregon	Riesling
62,664	US	Good fruit concentration and a velvety texture make this deeply colored, dry wine substantial enough for a special occasion. It smells like spicy oak and tastes like ripe black cherries and blackberries, with a smooth mouthfeel.	90	15	California	Merlot
125,418	US	An interesting wine you can call intellectual. Its appeal is as much conceptual as hedonistic. It's the opposite of today's soft, sweet fruit bombs, being bone dry and somewhat austere, showing a tightly knit tannic structure. With an explosive, but controlled, central core of blackberries, it's a cellar candidate. It will be fascinating to try this wine after 2014.	92	65	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
11,751	Italy	Piccini offers a great opportunity to experience Brunello di Montalcino to those who may not already be familiar with this storied Tuscan wine. Available at a more attractive price, the wine is lean and compact with bright notes of cherry, blackberry and exotic spice.	89	45	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
4,502	US	Structured, with years to go to take on added complexity and personality, this wine is also a study in immediate gratification, as it's presently so juicy and easy to enjoy. It comes from an east-facing block, planted to a suitcase clone. Exotic, rich red and black berry and cinnamon form an alliance of balance and mouthwatering seduction. The oak and tannin are fully in sync, while a salty, meaty finish provides additional decadence.	98	155	California	Pinot Noir
16,298	France	This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time to develop, although it will give the wine density and ripe berries in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.	87	18	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
78,316	US	This veteran winery, located alongside Highway 101, gets serious on its small-lot bottlings, here presenting eucalyptus, anise, baked cherry, plum skin, pencil lead and concentrated rose petal on the nose. Complex and deep, the palate is structured around cranberry-cherry brioche flavors that are decorated with herbs, from oregano and bay leaf to fennel pollen and anise seeds.	94	60	California	Pinot Noir
79,111	Italy	The 2004 Solaia is dense and concentrated with loads of character and defining aromatics: plump blackberry, chocolate fudge, exotic spice, peppercorn and smooth balsam notes. The real pleasure comes in the mouth where it delivers smooth elegance and an extra long finish.	96	170	Tuscany	Red Blend
44,368	France	Very herbal and grassy, this crisp wine emphasizes fruit rather than texture. It is ripe, fruity with citrus and gooseberry flavors that are heightened by the acidity. It's a wine to drink now.	87	20	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
18,546	US	The expected aromas of cut grass and cat pee get a bit of support from peach and herb accents. On the palate are flavors of green apple, oregano, lemon, dill and bell pepper. This is light and refreshing.	87	15	California	Sauvignon Blanc
73,509	France	Both opulence and decadence are evident on the fleshy, peachy nose. The palate presents brighter, fresher peach and yellow plum fruit but has the sweetness of bitter honey. An intriguing and heady mix.	89	30	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
72,057	US	A microscopic amount of this wine was made, and it has spent time in bottle, currently revealing a floral, violet bouquet that ventures into almond and orgeat aromas. Vibrant and fresh on the palate, with a bite on the finish, it offers a strong grenadine-like taste.	87	45	California	Cabernet Franc
20,036	France	This perfumed and wood-aged wine is so stylish. It is smooth in texture, paced with acidity and shows well-balanced red fruits. The wine finishes with fine acidity and delicious fruitiness. Drink now.	91	40	Loire Valley	Pinot Noir
3,254	US	Flavors of berry, vanilla and tar form around thick, rich tannins, giving this wine a puckering quality that may benefit from opening before enjoying. The finish is sturdy and robust in leathery black pepper.	86	55	California	Zinfandel
98,989	US	A solid, good Cabernet, with very ripe, extracted blackberry, blueberry and chocolate flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. It's a little forward and obvious now, and will take a few years of cellaring.	88	60	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
32,788	US	Deep, dark blueberry fruit meets with beef char, fudge chocolate and espresso-bean notes on the nose of this blend of 59% Petite Sirah, 15% Syrah, 14% Tannat, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Grenache and 1% Viognier. The rigid tannins need a little more time to open, but the zesty blueberry, blackberry and black-pepper flavors shine across the fresh, sizzling acidity.	90	48	California	Red Blend
41,900	US	Just-cracked, yeasty sourdough bread and dried lemon-skin aromas float off of this bottle-aged sparkler from an esteemed, longtime producer. Her winemaker son named this wine in honor of her birth year. An oxidative warmth gives bready depth to the palate, which shows lots of toast and lemon marmalade flavors.	90	50	California	Chardonnay
23,924	US	Tastes rustic and harsh, with acidity giving it a sting. The fruit is drying out and turning raisiny.	82	45	California	Pinot Noir
76,873	US	Powerful and delicious flavors are matched by bold and supportive tannins in this almost larger-than-life wine. Ripe black cherry, plum and anise flavors are nicely wrapped up in a texture that lifts and balances them for a seamless impression on the palate. The delicious fruit notes and lightly spicy nuances linger beautifully on the finish.	92	40	California	Tempranillo
45,651	US	Bright and tasting of ripe pear, this is a textural, tart, tangy wine nicely set up for pastas, light seafood and poultry. Despite the nominal residual sugar, it comes across as almost entirely dry, with just a hint of fruit sweetness.	86	12	Oregon	Pinot Gris
119,635	US	This is an enormously ripe, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. It has all the hallmarks of the modern cult style, from focused blackberry, cassis and spicy chocolate flavors and profoundly ripe, sweet tannins to the balancing acidity and oak elaboration that adds that extra touch of richness. This elegant wine is at its best now and for five years.	92	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
28,595	Italy	Crisp but smooth, this Piedmont blend shows straightforward blueberry and barnyard notes upfront while the palate offers up some fall leaves and ash flavors before fading to an earthy finish. Drink up.	83	20	Piedmont	Red Blend
24,329	US	Rugged in texture and jammy-sweet in berry fruit, this is a simple, hearty Cabernet. It's completely average in quality, which makes the price excessive.	85	35	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
120,564	US	This is a very fresh medium-bodied wine that overflows with ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors. It's the opposite of a serious age-worthy wine, but wonderful to drink now for its effusive fruit flavors that come along with just enough tannin for support on the palate.	88	12	California	Merlot
13,132	Italy	Enticing, classic Sangiovese aromas of fragrant blue flower, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of tilled earth lift out of the glass. The bright, supple palate offers crushed red cherry, anise and white pepper alongside zesty acidity and lithe tannins.	89	20	Tuscany	Sangiovese
91,522	US	This limited release (300 cases), first-ever Zin from Columbia Crest points to the rising prominence of this quintessentially Californian grape. In Washington's Wahluke Slope, Zin ripens well without turning into a Port-like substance. Tightly-defined raspberry, blackberry and plum fruits, scented with violets and juicy with fresh acid, take to the new oak aging well. It's a balanced mix of berry, barrel and crisp, palate-cleansing acid.	88	30	Washington	Zinfandel
96,042	Italy	This all-Sangiovese Chianti boasts red fruit and blackberry aromas. Structured with laid-back tannins and fresh acidity, the palate offers black cherry flavor with a hint of baking spice.	87	15	Tuscany	Sangiovese
71,224	Italy	Aromas of bread crust and lime follow over to the lean bone-dry palate along with a suggestion of pear. It's lightly sparkling and crisp, with some brisk acidity.	87	22	Veneto	Glera
21,822	US	Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer constitute the blend. The wine is soft and dull, with watery flavors.	81	9	California	White Blend
52,925	US	In this opulent, layered and full-bodied wine, a smoky beefy aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth texture come with flavors of dark maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and baking spices. It's very mouth filling and mouth coating as well as firmly tannic, but the richness of the flavors helps it to drink very smoothly.	92	29	California	Petite Sirah
49,817	US	This affordable wine is a testament to skilled sourcing and blending, using choice grapes from up and down the coast. Spicy cherry, forest and black tea aromas provide plenty varietal character, while medium-bodied weight and juiciness are lifted by bright acidity.	91	15	California	Pinot Noir
112,791	US	This is a young, grapy wine, with primary scents of grapes accented with cola and tomato leaf. You taste grapes, berries, ginger and herb, with an interesting creamy streak of milk chocolate. It's a well-made wine with surprising complexity and length.	87	15	Oregon	Pinot Noir
113,608	US	This wine starts off well with an aromatic mix of red fruit, citrus and toasted grain. The palate shows thick tannins and a stemmy finish which cut the flavors short.	86	42	Oregon	Pinot Noir
72,442	US	Apples and pears in the aroma lead to easygoing fruit flavors and a soft broad texture in this medium-bodied fruit-forward wine. Hints of butter and vanilla sneak in on the finish.	87	15	California	Pinot Gris
66,824	Italy	Subtle stewed black-skinned fruit, grilled herb and licorice aromas lead the nose. The subdued, lean palate offers raw cherry and espresso notes framed by close-grained tannins that grip the finish.	87	23	Tuscany	Sangiovese
64,707	US	This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food.	89	15	California	Zinfandel
98,683	US	This is a common wine, thin and sweet in blackberry and cherry jam flavors, with tannins that make your tongue stick to the gums.	82	10	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
51,282	Italy	This shows hallmark Nebbiolo aromas of violet, rose, earth and forest floor. The silky palate delivers ripe black cherry and balsamic notes, smooth tannins and just enough fresh acidity. This is ready now.	90	50	Piedmont	Nebbiolo

25,568

France

A ripe and full wine, packed with fruit. It has a toasty character, spice and bright red-berry fruits that give the wine its crisp acidity and balance the riper smooth texture that is developing. Give this wine until 2022.

91

31

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

108,698

Italy

Aromas of underbrush, ripe dark-skinned fruit, clove, espresso and a balsamic note lead the nose of this structured Sangiovese. The generous palate delivers juicy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2021.

92

45

Tuscany

Sangiovese

127,802

US

Strikes a middle-of-the-road pose, combining a nice apple and watermelon fruitiness with a little softness, a little sweetness and enough acidity to make it balanced. It's an easy wine to like and to pair with casual foods.

85

20

Oregon

Pinot Gris

86,782

US

Here's a gutsy, fruity Cabernet. It fills the mouth with juicy raspberry, cherry and blackberry flavors and hints of chocolate. Nothing subtle, just a dry, rich red wine for drinking now.

86

28

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

50,730

US

This wine shows what a fine place Dry Creek Valley is for growing Sauvignon Blanc. With no oak at all, it's clean and brisk in citrusy acidity, with refreshing peach, lime, green grass, tropical fruit and spice flavors.

90

18

California

Sauvignon Blanc

26,942

US

Direct and easygoing, this Zinfandel tastes of blackberry, bacon, clove and pepper. The oak is tame, and the wine is ready to drink.

87

16

California

Zinfandel

101,116

US

The blend in 2006 is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. It spent 30 months in 90% new oak. Released a year ago, it has a feminine grace and softness in the aromas, a lovely mix of flowers and spice. The Syrah brightens up the fruit, accenting berry flavors with a hint of pepper, while the Petit Verdot adds clover and violet aromas and density to the tannins.

92

50

Washington

Red Blend

43,504

US

Livelier than usual in texture and popping with bright citrus aromas and flavors, this light-bodied and barrel-fermented wine is a great palate-cleanser and will pair beautifully with dishes like raw oysters and herbed goat cheese. It smells and tastes like lemon, lime, green apple and kiwi, and has great balance.

90

15

California

Pinot Grigio

60,882

Italy

Sperss (the name is inspired by the local word for “nostalgia”) is a vineyard located in the Barolo territory of Serralunga. Angelo Gaja adds 6% Barbera to the wine for brightness and freshness but the overall ensemble shows so much more than that. It delivers sophisticated softness and a velvety texture that is backed by exotic spice and loads of wild berry and licorice. Add huge depth and intensity and you have the criteria for a cellar-worthy wine. Will be ready to drink after 2020.

98

255

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

119,668

Italy

Aromas of red berry, rose petal, blue flower, crushed herb and a whiff of espresso lift out of the glass along with a menthol note. The taut vibrant palate offers crushed strawberry, tart cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside tightly knit fine-grained tannins. It's extremely elegant but still youthfully austere at this stage so give it several more years to unwind. Drink 2023–2038.

95

69

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

58,646

US

A powerful and concentrated wine, this has dark fruit aromas like black cherry along with black pepper and wood smoke, plus strong, ripe flavors from cherry to blackberry and black currant. It also has a lot of tannin and good acidity, and will mature into a softer feel over time.

89

34

California

Merlot

102,581

US

Thin and watery, with acid-driven grapefruit and sour gooseberry flavors.

82

14

California

Sauvignon Blanc

70,791

US

New Jersey home-winemaker-turned-California-Pinot-pro David Rossi delivers a delicious wine from the eastside of the Salinas Valley, with umami-meets-floral aromas of wild strawberry-clove mousse, violet-infused soy sauce and eucalyptus shavings. Ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry get lifted by nutmeg, allspice and pine, with a tart, bitter cranberry-skin note on the finish.

94

55

California

Pinot Noir

51,928

US

This serious red blend puts together a texture firmed up with gripping tannins and acidity, flavors brimming with blackberry and sweet spices and a lingering finish. Too structured to appreciate alone, it will need pairing with roast beef, lasagna, ribs or the like.

88

17

California

Red Blend

116,816

US

Heavy on the oak, with overpowering buttered toast and butterscotch flavors. Underneath all that are pineapple and peach flavors. The finish is sweet and heavy.

84

27

California

Chardonnay

97,711

US

This Riesling is slightly sweet, but it's balanced by crisp acidity. The tangerine, green apple and peach flavors have a honeyed finish.

84

12

California

Riesling

83,724

US

One sip is all you need to know that this is classic Dry Creek Zin. It's full-bodied, softly tannic and subtly oaked, but the giveaway is the intensely briary, brambly wild berry and black pepper spice flavors. Drink this lusty wine over the next few years with short ribs or the greatest barbecue you can come up with.

89

35

California

Zinfandel

124,084

Argentina

Burnt, edgy and stemmy/stalky from start to finish. The nose gives off a charred nut and asphalt character, while the palate is edgy, hard and bitter, with briary flavors of roasted fruit and stems. Questionable and compromised for the price.

83

45

Mendoza Province

Malbec

3,280

US

Light in color and texture, with a silky, airy mouthfeel, this Pinot has elegant flavors of cherries, anise, vanilla, Asian spices and smoky wood. It's a polished wine for drinking now.

87

42

California

Pinot Noir

122,685

US

Black purple, this older Petite has a deeply perfumed nose of licorice and chocolate and is very drinkable now.

88

32

California

Petite Sirah

1,181

Italy

Aromas suggesting dried rose petal, woodland berry, chopped mint and kitchen spice come together on this. The tight palate isn't quite as expressive as the nose, offering sour cherry, tart cranberry and a hint of clove alongside bracing tannins that grip the finish.

88

50

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

105,024

US

Stuhlmuller's regular 2008 Cabernet, released a year ago, was quite good. This one's even better. It has all the hallmarks of a superior Cabernet, with rich, delicious blackberry, cherry, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola and oak flavors, framed into soft, intricate tannins. With a pleasant minerality, it should age well through 2016, gradually losing fruit.

92

65

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

123,094

Spain

Raspberry, strawberry and oaky shoe polish aromas comprise the nose on this pinching rubbery Rioja from a cold vintage. Plum, cherry and raspberry flavors finish fresh and ripped, with tannins that won't quit. Drink through 2020.

88

15

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

93,515

Italy

Mineral tones, vibrant fruit, root beer and oak shadings are principal components of the wine's well-balanced nose. The mouthfeel is lean with medium intensity and bright fruit flavors on the close.

88

30

Tuscany

Red Blend

81,339

US

Bright, dusty leather is a highlight of this structured, meaty, balanced wine, firm and grippy in tannin. Red berry and coffee complement each other to find a tension between fruit and spice.

91

60

California

Zinfandel

67,984

US

A lively and fresh nose of blackberries, black cherries, black pepper, turned earth and fresh fennel greet the nose on this wine that's made by Mike Roth for Greg Martellotto. There are flavors of blackberry-filled licorice spice cake on the palate, though the tannins could use a bit of mellowing.

89

28

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

97,634

US

From the rocky, volcanic soils of Durell, this white is exuberant in salty rock and sea spray, showing plenty of influence from the Pacific Ocean to its west. Sturdy in structure and length, the fruit is twisted in pink grapefruit and crisp apple, its underbelly a richer, warmer expression of toffee and caramel.

94

60

California

Chardonnay

123,421

Spain

Leathery, earthy aromas don't seem entirely fresh, but they are solid and don't waiver. Full bodied, with coarse tannins and roasted red-berry, tomato and herb flavors. It's tight, chunky and long on the finish, with tannic grab, and more tomato and herb characteristics.

87

20

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

115,138

US

Quite dark in the glass, this very concentrated blend of 37% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 28% Mourvèdre shows boisterous aromas of black currant, blueberry, vanilla, violet and clove on the nose. Rich as expected in body, the bottling offers nutmeg and black-cherry-syrup flavors on the sip, with a touch of prune as well. It's a heavy-duty attention grabber.

92

54

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

82,374

US

Thick in black peppery cinnamon, this wine offers a zig-zag of fruit and power without falling over the edge of extremity. The mix includes 5% Petite Sirah. Full bodied and big, it finishes in a taste of sweet vanilla.

87

30

California

Zinfandel

106,219

Italy

Fruity aromas of fresh, dark cherry and a whiff of leafy underbrush lead the nose of this blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot. The soft, simple palate delivers juicy black cherry and a gamey note alongside delicate, fleeting tannins.

85

15

Tuscany

Red Blend

2,995

US

Deep and lush aromas of candied blueberry and black cherry meet with chocolate cake, light brown spices and a touch of beef jerky on the nose of this judiciously priced wine. Though a tad light on the palate at first, it has an energetic and spicy acidity that carries forth flavors of tobacco and black fruit.

91

40

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

1,569

France

An immensely structured wine, packed with dark tannins promising aging potential. It is complex, powerful, layered with new wood and concentration, finishing with dark plum fruits and acidity.

96

200

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

43,186

US

From Block 29 of the acclaimed vineyard, this wine is delightfully juicy and flirty in black cherry, leather, black pepper and tobacco. Full bodied and ripe, it never gets heavy, rather trafficking in enough acidity and sense of place to stay grounded on the palate.

90

40

California

Zinfandel

95,053

France

Beautifully crisp and fresh, this is a young, tightly textured wine that is already so refreshing. Its red fruit character is just a part of the mineral and tannin texture and the pure line of fragrant acidity. Very pale in color, this sophisticated wine could do with some aging. Drink from 2018.

95

80

Champagne

Champagne Blend

67,709

US

This 100% Grenache is young and grapy, flavorful and forward. This has more muscle and depth than might be expected from such young vines. There is a strong streak of grapefruit/ pineapple citrus that elevates and adds some nervous energy to the finish.

90

45

Washington

Grenache

102,134

US

This is a full-bodied, ripe, well-made and fruity wine, subdued and velvety on the palate in bright red fruit, leather, mint and cinnamon.

90

45

California

Zinfandel

119,132

US

The aromas bring high-toned, somewhat unusual notes of herbs, vanilla, toffee and tire rubber. The berry flavors are ripe, with nutty accents and a squeeze of tannins.

87

27

Washington

Tempranillo

48,906

US

This is the smoothest, most polished of Standish's quartet of new Pinots. It's a best-of-barrels selection, and really impressive in cherry, currant, licorice, cola and Provençal herbs. With near-perfect balance, it exemplifies Anderson Valley and also is a standout in the great 2005 vintage. It was crafted, under Standish's “guest winemaker” program, by Zach Rasmussen, of Goldeneye.

95

80

California

Pinot Noir

10,255

US

With flavors of black pepper, sweet charred meat, blackberry jam and toasty oak, this is a seriously good wine, reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. There's a streak of tart red cherries and cola that make this luscious wine enjoyable now.

89

36

California

Red Blend

40,841

Italy

Earthy aromas of truffle, game and moist earth mingle with overripe plum and a confectionery note. The palate is evolved, offering leather, raisin and tobacco alongside loosely knit, rather fleeting tannins.

87

48

Veneto

Red Blend

40,639

US

Pricey, yes, but Madrigal pulled out all the stops on this flashy wine, making it their best Cabernet ever. It's a big, tannic and dry wine, stuffed with blackberry, currant and oak flavors. Voluptuous and dramatic, but it needs age, possibly a lot. Give it a rest until 2015 and see how it's doing then.

93

80

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

96,280

US

It's rare to find estate-grown, Willamette Valley Pinot, from a vineyard in high demand, made by a top-tier winemaker, at this price. Still young, tight and tart, this is a very pretty wine, with tangy cherry fruit, a touch of rhubarb pie, and plenty of acidity. Another year or two of bottle age would be optimal.

89

25

Oregon

Pinot Noir

70,726

US

Rounded aromas of baked strawberry, red plum and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this always-solid offering for everyday sipping. Black raspberry and dried sagebrush make for a compelling palate that finishes on a touch of caramel.

87

17

California

Pinot Noir

67,242

US

Sun-dried raisin and plum notes give this full-bodied and soft-textured wine an easy, ripe and very fruity flavor. Brown sugar and vanilla hints lend a sense of sweetness, making it a great match for chocolate or aged cheeses.

87

20

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

3,904

US

Thick, rich and ripe in vanilla, the American oak in this wine is pronounced and intense, wrapping itself around notes of candied apple and toffee-caramel.

87

34

California

Chardonnay

9,315

US

Ridge's historic Monte Bello estate produces black tobacco, wet slate, chalk and blueberry jam aromas in this vintage. The wine, which gets support from 14% Merlot-3% Petite Verdot-1% Cabernet Franc, is not very dense and even racy on the palate, with violet, cola, tart cranberry and darker fruit as well.

92

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

7,525

US

An excellent medium-bodied wine from an estate better known for its olives, this is dark in color but with a lighter, tawny rim. The complex aromas combine sweet baking spices with ample cherry and berry notes. Flavors kick in with juicy strawberry, dark cherry and subtle shadings of nutmeg and wood smoke. The texture is plush and almost soft, and the taste is warmly luxurious.

92

45

California

Pinot Noir

80,528

Italy

A blend of Sauvignon and Chardonnay, this has subdued aromas of toast and orchard fruit. The linear palate is on the lean side, offering yellow apple skin, oak and a hint of citrus. It closes on a bitter-almond note.

88

75

Tuscany

White Blend

119,401

US

There's a touch of smoke and jerky on the nose of this wine, with dried cranberry and some tar aromas also present. The smoked-meat element also shows on the tip of the palate, then gives way to tart cranberry and graphite, offering decent complexity with lingering woodsmoke.

86

22

California

Pinot Noir

84,267

US

Dominated by 60% Cabernet Franc, with 37% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, this is a demonstration of elegance married with ripeness, offering rich, round, luxurious plum flavors alongside savory teases of clove, cigar and leather. Lengthy and smooth on the palate, it's a wine for the table, with length and breadth developing in the glass as it goes.

94

75

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

49,822

US

From two blocks of a vineyard above Freestone that's strongly influenced by the ocean, this wine is marked by leathery pepper, baked cherry and an exotic mix of savory spice. Medium-bodied, it has a density that's both plush and lush.

91

72

California

Pinot Noir

17,005

Italy

Damilano is one of Barolo's historic wineries and Cannubi its most historic vineyard cru. All that history combines here to shape a traditional, yet New World wine with plush roundness and intense notes of spice, leather, pipe tobacco, polished red wood and black currant. It's luscious, velvety and tight in the mouth and will improve with age. Drink with venison or game.

92

87

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

43,461

US

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, this offers aromas of high-toned red fruit, French-oak spice and herbs that lead to luxurious but still in-check dark-fruit flavors. Tart black-tea accents persist on the finish.

90

20

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

10,952

France

This ripe Saint-Émilion is generous with its rounded perfumed Merlot. It gives the wine richness, juicy acidity and an open texture. Touches of tannin do bring in some structure, but the emphasis is on the fruitiness and fresh aftertaste. Drink from late 2017.

86

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

5,867

Australia

This medium-bodied Cabernet shows some of the variety's hallmark austerity in its firm structure. Cassis, sage and red currant aromas and flavors finish crisp and lingering. Drink now with rare beef or lamb, or hold and drink 2020–2025.

88

17

South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

39,290

US

A true sensation. Shows the richness and concentration you want in a great Napa Cab, but also a structure that lifts it above the soft, mushy wines that are so prevalent. There's real tannin and acid architecture framing the opulent blackberry, black currant, mineral and cedar flavors, and the finish is dry, dry, dry. Every sip offers something different as it changes in the glass. A world-class wine that defines elegance, power and complexity. Should age effortlessly for at least a decade.

97

150

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

103,700

Italy

Compelling scents of white spring flower, stone fruit and a whiff of nut weave throughout this blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. The vibrant palate delivers yellow apple, orange zest, almond and mineral alongside tangy acidity.

90

24

Northeastern Italy

White Blend

39,648

US

Far Niente has produced a tannic, drily astringent young wine that's nowhere near ready to drink. It's tough as nails, with a gritty astringency that locks down the black currant and dark, unsweetened chocolate flavors. But it is a very balanced, distinguished wine that should easily negotiate the next 10 or 15 years, with proper cellaring.

92

120

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

95,022

France

The scent of very fragrant ripe apples abounds on the nose: think both Red and Golden Delicious. This fruity note carries through the entire palate: from its fresh, sprightly opening through its dry, slender body to its frothy, lively finish.

89

25

Alsace

Pinot Noir

102,161

US

Walnut oil, orange rinds and burned caramel converge for a Scotch-like aroma on the nose of this late harvest wine. Sour orange and bitter walnut flavors show on the sip.

84

21

California

Viognier

123,533

US

Nasty in ammonia and bell pepper aromas and flavors. Hardly any fruit at all, maybe a touch of acidic grapefruits and lemons. Yet it's dry and drinkable.

81

12

California

Sauvignon Blanc

92,198

US

The winery notes that these vines were planted in 1983, and the wine offers generous dry extract along with dried apple fruit. It's lightly tawny in color, with sappy acids. Best to drink up in 2017.

87

16

Oregon

Riesling

62,664

US

Good fruit concentration and a velvety texture make this deeply colored, dry wine substantial enough for a special occasion. It smells like spicy oak and tastes like ripe black cherries and blackberries, with a smooth mouthfeel.

90

15

California

Merlot

125,418

US

An interesting wine you can call intellectual. Its appeal is as much conceptual as hedonistic. It's the opposite of today's soft, sweet fruit bombs, being bone dry and somewhat austere, showing a tightly knit tannic structure. With an explosive, but controlled, central core of blackberries, it's a cellar candidate. It will be fascinating to try this wine after 2014.

92

65

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

11,751

Italy

Piccini offers a great opportunity to experience Brunello di Montalcino to those who may not already be familiar with this storied Tuscan wine. Available at a more attractive price, the wine is lean and compact with bright notes of cherry, blackberry and exotic spice.

89

45

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

4,502

US

Structured, with years to go to take on added complexity and personality, this wine is also a study in immediate gratification, as it's presently so juicy and easy to enjoy. It comes from an east-facing block, planted to a suitcase clone. Exotic, rich red and black berry and cinnamon form an alliance of balance and mouthwatering seduction. The oak and tannin are fully in sync, while a salty, meaty finish provides additional decadence.

98

155

California

Pinot Noir

16,298

France

This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time to develop, although it will give the wine density and ripe berries in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.

87

18

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

78,316

US

This veteran winery, located alongside Highway 101, gets serious on its small-lot bottlings, here presenting eucalyptus, anise, baked cherry, plum skin, pencil lead and concentrated rose petal on the nose. Complex and deep, the palate is structured around cranberry-cherry brioche flavors that are decorated with herbs, from oregano and bay leaf to fennel pollen and anise seeds.

94

60

California

Pinot Noir

79,111

Italy

The 2004 Solaia is dense and concentrated with loads of character and defining aromatics: plump blackberry, chocolate fudge, exotic spice, peppercorn and smooth balsam notes. The real pleasure comes in the mouth where it delivers smooth elegance and an extra long finish.

96

170

Tuscany

Red Blend

44,368

France

Very herbal and grassy, this crisp wine emphasizes fruit rather than texture. It is ripe, fruity with citrus and gooseberry flavors that are heightened by the acidity. It's a wine to drink now.

87

20

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

18,546

US

The expected aromas of cut grass and cat pee get a bit of support from peach and herb accents. On the palate are flavors of green apple, oregano, lemon, dill and bell pepper. This is light and refreshing.

87

15

California

Sauvignon Blanc

73,509

France

Both opulence and decadence are evident on the fleshy, peachy nose. The palate presents brighter, fresher peach and yellow plum fruit but has the sweetness of bitter honey. An intriguing and heady mix.

89

30

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

72,057

US

A microscopic amount of this wine was made, and it has spent time in bottle, currently revealing a floral, violet bouquet that ventures into almond and orgeat aromas. Vibrant and fresh on the palate, with a bite on the finish, it offers a strong grenadine-like taste.

87

45

California

Cabernet Franc

20,036

France

This perfumed and wood-aged wine is so stylish. It is smooth in texture, paced with acidity and shows well-balanced red fruits. The wine finishes with fine acidity and delicious fruitiness. Drink now.

91

40

Loire Valley

Pinot Noir

3,254

US

Flavors of berry, vanilla and tar form around thick, rich tannins, giving this wine a puckering quality that may benefit from opening before enjoying. The finish is sturdy and robust in leathery black pepper.

86

55

California

Zinfandel

98,989

US

A solid, good Cabernet, with very ripe, extracted blackberry, blueberry and chocolate flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. It's a little forward and obvious now, and will take a few years of cellaring.

88

60

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

32,788

US

Deep, dark blueberry fruit meets with beef char, fudge chocolate and espresso-bean notes on the nose of this blend of 59% Petite Sirah, 15% Syrah, 14% Tannat, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Grenache and 1% Viognier. The rigid tannins need a little more time to open, but the zesty blueberry, blackberry and black-pepper flavors shine across the fresh, sizzling acidity.

90

48

California

Red Blend

41,900

US

Just-cracked, yeasty sourdough bread and dried lemon-skin aromas float off of this bottle-aged sparkler from an esteemed, longtime producer. Her winemaker son named this wine in honor of her birth year. An oxidative warmth gives bready depth to the palate, which shows lots of toast and lemon marmalade flavors.

90

50

California

Chardonnay

23,924

US

Tastes rustic and harsh, with acidity giving it a sting. The fruit is drying out and turning raisiny.

82

45

California

Pinot Noir

76,873

US

Powerful and delicious flavors are matched by bold and supportive tannins in this almost larger-than-life wine. Ripe black cherry, plum and anise flavors are nicely wrapped up in a texture that lifts and balances them for a seamless impression on the palate. The delicious fruit notes and lightly spicy nuances linger beautifully on the finish.

92

40

California

Tempranillo

45,651

US

Bright and tasting of ripe pear, this is a textural, tart, tangy wine nicely set up for pastas, light seafood and poultry. Despite the nominal residual sugar, it comes across as almost entirely dry, with just a hint of fruit sweetness.

86

12

Oregon

Pinot Gris

119,635

US

This is an enormously ripe, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. It has all the hallmarks of the modern cult style, from focused blackberry, cassis and spicy chocolate flavors and profoundly ripe, sweet tannins to the balancing acidity and oak elaboration that adds that extra touch of richness. This elegant wine is at its best now and for five years.

92

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

28,595

Italy

Crisp but smooth, this Piedmont blend shows straightforward blueberry and barnyard notes upfront while the palate offers up some fall leaves and ash flavors before fading to an earthy finish. Drink up.

83

20

Piedmont

Red Blend

24,329

US

Rugged in texture and jammy-sweet in berry fruit, this is a simple, hearty Cabernet. It's completely average in quality, which makes the price excessive.

85

35

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

120,564

US

This is a very fresh medium-bodied wine that overflows with ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors. It's the opposite of a serious age-worthy wine, but wonderful to drink now for its effusive fruit flavors that come along with just enough tannin for support on the palate.

88

12

California

Merlot

13,132

Italy

Enticing, classic Sangiovese aromas of fragrant blue flower, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of tilled earth lift out of the glass. The bright, supple palate offers crushed red cherry, anise and white pepper alongside zesty acidity and lithe tannins.

89

20

Tuscany

Sangiovese

91,522

US

This limited release (300 cases), first-ever Zin from Columbia Crest points to the rising prominence of this quintessentially Californian grape. In Washington's Wahluke Slope, Zin ripens well without turning into a Port-like substance. Tightly-defined raspberry, blackberry and plum fruits, scented with violets and juicy with fresh acid, take to the new oak aging well. It's a balanced mix of berry, barrel and crisp, palate-cleansing acid.

88

30

Washington

Zinfandel

96,042

Italy

This all-Sangiovese Chianti boasts red fruit and blackberry aromas. Structured with laid-back tannins and fresh acidity, the palate offers black cherry flavor with a hint of baking spice.

87

15

Tuscany

Sangiovese

71,224

Italy

Aromas of bread crust and lime follow over to the lean bone-dry palate along with a suggestion of pear. It's lightly sparkling and crisp, with some brisk acidity.

87

22

Veneto

Glera

21,822

US

Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer constitute the blend. The wine is soft and dull, with watery flavors.

81

9

California

White Blend

52,925

US

In this opulent, layered and full-bodied wine, a smoky beefy aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth texture come with flavors of dark maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and baking spices. It's very mouth filling and mouth coating as well as firmly tannic, but the richness of the flavors helps it to drink very smoothly.

92

29

California

Petite Sirah

49,817

US

This affordable wine is a testament to skilled sourcing and blending, using choice grapes from up and down the coast. Spicy cherry, forest and black tea aromas provide plenty varietal character, while medium-bodied weight and juiciness are lifted by bright acidity.

91

15

California

Pinot Noir

112,791

US

This is a young, grapy wine, with primary scents of grapes accented with cola and tomato leaf. You taste grapes, berries, ginger and herb, with an interesting creamy streak of milk chocolate. It's a well-made wine with surprising complexity and length.

87

15

Oregon

Pinot Noir

113,608

US

This wine starts off well with an aromatic mix of red fruit, citrus and toasted grain. The palate shows thick tannins and a stemmy finish which cut the flavors short.

86

42

Oregon

Pinot Noir

72,442

US

Apples and pears in the aroma lead to easygoing fruit flavors and a soft broad texture in this medium-bodied fruit-forward wine. Hints of butter and vanilla sneak in on the finish.

87

15

California

Pinot Gris

66,824

Italy

Subtle stewed black-skinned fruit, grilled herb and licorice aromas lead the nose. The subdued, lean palate offers raw cherry and espresso notes framed by close-grained tannins that grip the finish.

87

23

Tuscany

Sangiovese

64,707

US

This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food.

89

15

California

Zinfandel

98,683

US

This is a common wine, thin and sweet in blackberry and cherry jam flavors, with tannins that make your tongue stick to the gums.

82

10

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

51,282

Italy

This shows hallmark Nebbiolo aromas of violet, rose, earth and forest floor. The silky palate delivers ripe black cherry and balsamic notes, smooth tannins and just enough fresh acidity. This is ready now.

90

50

Piedmont

Nebbiolo