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
83,253	US	From the producer's estate, this zesty wine is easygoing and softly tart, a mix of plum, strawberry and leathery texture that should shine next to a pizza pie.	88	30	California	Barbera
120,015	US	Balanced nicely between the citrus pith and buttercream-vanilla side of the grape, the nose of this wine also shows a touch of honeysuckle, gray slate and freshly picked limes. The palate is energetic, albeit still wound-up tight, showing wet cement, lime juice, kiwi and pear flavors, plus a slight brush of butter on the finish.	92	36	California	Chardonnay
108,302	US	This slightly sweet but utterly fresh bottling shows lime zest, honey dust, ripe red apples, lemon candy and spicy jasmine on the nose. There is nearly effervescent acidity on the palate, with strong night-jasmine notes, orange blossom and lemon verbena spicing up the apple-driven fruit core.	87	14	California	Riesling
4,935	US	This late-harvest Viognier looks like a still wine as it comes out of the bottle, exploding with honey and wildflowers on the nose. Its fruitiness is restrained somewhat and would stand out paired with a crème brûlée—though on its own, the alcohol is overpowering.	86	28	California	Viognier
25,004	US	This is a big, kick-butt wine that shows the powerful fruit and hard tannins that make Pinots from this vineyard ageable. You'll find it tough and gritty now, with rich, deep flavors of cherries, currants, cola and cedar. Best beyond 2011.	93	56	California	Pinot Noir
66,151	France	An intriguing and spicy note of grapefruit flesh makes for a very inviting nose. The palate is not quite so exuberant but refreshes with its light-footed and citrus-fresh slenderness. The finish is dry.	88	18	Alsace	Riesling
14,689	US	This is a very mineral-driven pink wine, with aromas of wet rocks, chalk and even steel giving way to the slightest hints of orange and strawberry. The flavors are very delicate and refreshing on the palate, with melon and red pear, rounded out by a key lime acidity.	89	28	California	Syrah
76,416	US	This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Syrah (30%), Merlot (18%), and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of pencil lead, raspberries, flowers, baking spices and herbs are followed by palate-coating red and blue-fruit flavors. It displays a lovely sense of balance.	90	21	Washington	Red Blend
83,141	US	Deep aromas of blackberry, ripe raspberry, smoked meats and wet black slate emerge on the nose of this wine from one of the region's pioneers. The strong slate minerality also shows on the palate against a backdrop of sleek sanguine flavors and big, dark but not overly ripe cherry fruits.	91	58	California	Pinot Noir
96,807	US	This is one of the best Bordeaux blends now available from Paso Robles. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, it's enormously ripe in blackberry jam, currant, chocolate and cedar flavors that finish lush and spicy. The tannins are strong, but negotiable with barbecue.	90	42	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
76,240	US	Fresh and exotic aromas of lychee and orange-blossom water tighten up on the nose, with a more mineral-driven strain of rain on cement. It's restrained and light on the mouth-watering palate, with flavors of squeezed lemons over apples, pears, wet stone and a bit of white pepper.	88	25	California	Sauvignon Blanc
81,999	US	Light and juicy, with fresh apple flavors and good acidity. A good wine for serving chilled and enjoying outdoors.	87	15	Washington	Pinot Grigio
128,341	US	The seventh edition of this popular blend returns to a Cabernet Sauvignon mode, with just 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah added. It's forward, fragrant and immediately compelling. A bouquet of rose petals, cherries, bark and earth leads into flavors that fill the mouth with fruit and well-modulated tannins.	88	20	Washington	Red Blend
14,212	Spain	This three-grape blend of Xarello, Muscat and Gewürztraminer is floral and inviting, with melony aromas. The palate is light but has stuffing and creamy edges. Tastes flowery, with green melon, lychee, honey and clover. Smooth, tasty and different.	89	14	Catalonia	White Blend
45,399	Italy	Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has shy aromas that recall violet and red berry. The simple palate shows suggestions of sour cherry and black tea alongside fleeting tannins. Drink soon.	85	20	Tuscany	Red Blend
80,853	US	Named for the address of the vineyard on Live Oak Road, this blend of 30% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 13% Cinsault, 10% Counoise and 3% Viognier shows powerful licorice, cola, caramel, baked plum and thyme on the nose. The tannins are extremely soft on the sip, where lavish but not overripe purple flowers and black fruit compete for attention.	93	32	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
15,021	US	Black pepper scents meet very ripe berry and cherry aromas in this full-bodied, flavorful wine. It has broad texture, moderate tannins and acidity, and lots of concentration. Saturated with fruit, its ripness keeps unfolding on the finish.	91	40	California	Syrah
126,314	US	Here's another exceptional Oregon Riesling to add to the growing ranks of top producers. Lemon-drop fruit meets peaches and cream in the mouth, as this off-dry (20g/L) wine displays a spot-on balance between acid, sugar, fruit and honey. This is delicious already, and built to age nicely over a decade or longer.	92	18	Oregon	Riesling
89,317	US	By sourcing French Colombard and force carbonating like beer, David Potter made this fun and tasty wine as an antidote to the high prices that sparkling wine traditionally require. Aromas of apple cider, crisp Granny Smith apples, key lime, yellow melon and chalk lead into a palate laced with fatter bubbles and flavors of more apple and pear.	90	30	California	Sparkling Blend
101,834	US	From Paul O'Brien, a producer with multiple versions of Tempranillo, comes this budget offering. It spent 18 months in 30% new French oak, which suggests that these were declassified barrels originally meant for the pricier wines. Dried fruits, especially fig, a scent of leather, and strong highlights of cherry tobacco and coffee all support the notion that this got the fancy wine treatment.	89	18	Oregon	Tempranillo
11,540	Italy	Bricco Asili Bernardot opens with a pretty garnet color and luscious aromas of fruit, leather, road tar and spice. It's a sophisticated and masculine wine with rich vanilla and oak shadings in the background that add density and staying power. The tannins are hard as nails so either drink this Barbaresco now with succulent red beef, or better yet, wait five-plus years.	92	78	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
109,098	US	Coming from a single block of the winery's estate vineyard, it has notes of cranberry, black pepper, herbs and moist earth speckled with oak spices (30% new French). The palate has soft, sleek cherry flavors buffeted by firm tannins.	88	50	Oregon	Syrah
5,764	France	There is a distinct phenolic edge on this earthy, lemon-dominated and taut Riesling. Fruit—apart from citrus—is subsumed into an earthy, tense and concentrated palate. This needs more time to relax into itself and should blossom with more bottle age. Drink 2017–2020.	92	35	Alsace	Riesling
24,817	US	This bottling's nose is earthy and hearty, with rhubarb, wild berry, tea, garrigue and a touch of game all coming into play. It's soft and creamy on the palate, with dried herb notes like thyme, marjoram and mint spicing up the plum-inflected, pleasantly rustic flavors.	93	42	California	Pinot Noir
31,904	US	Folks who like their white wines on the sugary side will appreciate this soft Viognier. It's tremendously rich in pineapple, pear, vanilla and marzipan flavors, almost like a dessert confection.	85	24	California	Viognier
125,422	Italy	Celebrated for its amazing Merlot, Fattoria Petrolo offers this gorgeous expression of Sangiovese to complete its successful red wine portfolio. The wine is beautifully complex with deeply elegant shadings of bright fruit, blue flower and moist earth.	92	45	Tuscany	Sangiovese
123,162	US	Easy to like this crisp, fruity bubbly. A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it has rich, candied flavors of raspberries, cherries, tangerines, vanilla and cinnamon spice, with the yeasty tang of a fine sparkling wine.	87	23	California	Champagne Blend
54,804	US	Slightly confected scents lead into sweetly spicy fruit, leaning to purple fruits with fig and prune highlights. The acidity is spot on, and the tannins are ripe and firm. The blend includes 10% Malbec.	87	14	Washington	Syrah
7,586	US	A fine, useful Chardonnay, made in the modern ripe style. Bursts with juicy pineapple, Key lime pie, Meyer lemon, buttered toast and vanilla flavors, accented with crisp coastal acidity.	85	25	California	Chardonnay
12,644	US	Woody, herbal and integrated in oak and tannin, this wine comes from grapes grown in both Sonoma Valley estate vineyards and sites in Alexander and Knights valleys. Red currant, graphite and clove flavors highlight its medium-bodied density.	90	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
88,566	Argentina	Deep, rubbery black-fruit aromas suggest prune and cassis along with blackened spices and toasty oak. The wine is flush and bursting with fruit and herbal notes. Cassis and berry flavors settle with blackened toast and menthol. Drink this Bordeaux-style blend through 2019.	90	50	Mendoza Province	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
33,427	US	Big, ripe waves of baked apple, pear and pineapple play on the palate in this rich wine, measured by a moderate helping of acidity. Quince and lime play supportive roles.	88	30	California	Chardonnay
31,408	France	This small property with its own château lies within the lower portion of Vaudésir but is considered a Grand Cru in its own right. The wine—the flagship of the cooperative—is opulent, showing strong wood aging flavors that will soften with time. Ripe and generous with yellow fruit flavor, it also boasts a tight mineral acidity and crispness, making it a good candidate for cellaring. Drink from 2021.	95	89	Burgundy	Chardonnay
63,673	Italy	This delightful Chianti Classico shows Sangiovese charisma with bright fruit aromas, cherry, white almond and pressed violets. It's smooth and silky, with a touch of sourness on the close.	89	20	Tuscany	Sangiovese
21,638	US	Bright in cherry and cranberry, this classically styled Nebbiolo is light red in color and buoyant in acidity. A sanguine back layer brings the earthier elements of the wine to life. With not much Nebbiolo to try in California, this one is worth a taste to savor the possibilities.	89	24	California	Nebbiolo
108,492	US	The Kiana bottling, named for the owners' granddaughter, is made with Dijon clones planted in 1996 and 1997. Initially quite tight and unyielding, it first opens into flavors of leaf, herb and green tea. Tucked neatly into the midpalate is a core of good red strawberry/cherry fruit. The tannins are earthy but not rough; everything here is balanced and well-managed; the alcohol a moderate 14.3%.	88	45	Oregon	Pinot Noir
22,750	Italy	Paola Gloder's estate can do better than this, especially in a vintage like 1997. The wine is already showing signs of aging and it has a lightweight character. The fruit is pleasant enough, with soft tannins and ripeness, but it should be more exciting. Tasted twice.	84	60	Tuscany	Sangiovese
53,025	US	Extra Dry, in this case, really means slightly sweet, in the crazy language of sparkling wine. But don't let that stop you from enjoying this blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and French Columbard. It's clean, zesty and delightful to drink, with strawberry, lime, orange zest, sourdough bread and vanilla flavors.	86	14	California	Sparkling Blend
55,701	US	Shows good blackberry and currant flavors, but there's something off in the mouthfeel. It's a sharpness, a rugged, tart green chlorophyll feeling that suggests unripe tannins.	84	30	California	Merlot
109,733	US	This has the classic flavors of many Oregon Pinot Noirs, a balanced mix of tangy red fruits, mineral, earth and more than a hint of stem. It's full bodied and detailed, with excellent balance, weaving threads of site and grape into a complex finish.	89	20	Oregon	Pinot Noir
112,165	France	Produced from organic grapes, this wine is totally crisp with red fruits, a touch of pepper giving an extra edge. It is rich and full in the mouth and, with its alcohol, certainly needs food.	88	24	Provence	Rosé
8,213	Germany	Yellow freesia and sweet peach abound in this deeply floral, fruity auslese. Feather light in texture, yet deeply concentrated in flavor, it's penetratingly sweet yet finishes with a flurry of crushed minerals and lime-pith astringency.	92	57	Mosel	Riesling
109,637	US	An unusual nose of cinnamon, lychee and Christmas spice holds promise. Unfortunately, the palate is one-dimensional and lacking in flavor intensity, though some pleasant banana flavors peak through briefly before dropping in to a short finish.	82	15	New York	Riesling
10,895	US	This wine gets neutral French oak and it shows in its zesty profile of orange and tangerine over apple and pear. The fruit is hearty and juicy, the texture light and refreshing.	90	20	California	Chardonnay
107,476	US	A mineral-driven white, this is waxy and lemony on the palate. Light bodied, crisp and vibrant, it doesn't hold back on complexity, weaving a lengthy story of perfumed near-perfection.	94	30	California	Sauvignon Blanc
19,552	Italy	This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot boasts black currant and cedar aromas. The savory palate delivers black cherry, cassis, tobacco and white pepper notes, set against firm tannins. Drink now–2021.	90	45	Tuscany	Red Blend
603	US	Ripe and luscious, this decadent Cabernet Franc is chock full of ripe red cherry and plum fruit, accented with purple violets and fresh herb tones. It's bold in alcohol and soft in style, but delicately framed by brisk acidity and a ruffle of feathery tannins.	87	36	New York	Cabernet Franc
6,003	US	Big in flavor and structure, this dark-colored, full-bodied wine is concentrated and laced with fine-grained tannins to support rich blackberry flavors. It's smooth and mouthfilling, with a lingering finish.	90	20	California	Red Blend
59,775	US	Dry, lush and soft, with richly extracted black currant, beef jerky, sweet milk chocolate and anise flavors that go on and on. Has a prickly, peppery feeling that's a little hot.	86	65	California	Syrah
63,772	Germany	Ethereally sheer and dazzling in brightness, this nymph-like Auslese packs remarkable punch. It's smoky, mineral and permeated with sun-baked slate notes, yet so pristinely fruity it bursts with fresh lemon and lime flavors as well. Concentrated yet spry, it finishes with effortless persistence.	94	50	Mosel	Riesling
63,998	US	A melted butter aroma and rich butterscotch and taffy flavors give this medium-bodied wine a sweet, candied personality.	85	15	California	Chardonnay
14,034	US	This bottling is leveled by 10% Roussanne, and shows ripe yellow peach, honeydew melon, honeyed toast, pear custard and a slight cashew-like marzipan on the fairly dense nose. Rounded flavors of pear, melon, mango and honey dust comprise the palate.	88	35	California	Viognier
44,776	US	This giant of a wine has aromas of charred oak, wood smoke and black pepper, with a palate of dense, deep and smoky tones that feel thick, tannic and chewy. It's a tour de force of spicy oak, fruit concentration and mouthcoating texture that's impressive to drink now but will be best after 2024.	93	25	California	Petite Sirah
76,930	Portugal	Very structured, this solid wine has enough fruit to develop well. It comes from the estate that also produces Barca Velha in the very top vintages. The wine is full, rich and concentrated. The tannins and structure will take time to soften, so wait until 2020.	91	65	Douro	Portuguese Red
60,697	Germany	A lacy spray of sweetness extends from start to finish on this fruity, fresh Kabinett. Fresh apple, pear and tangerine are honeyed and lip smacking, energized by a streak of lemonade acidity on the finish.	89	20	Mosel	Riesling
16,471	US	Made with a splash of Cabernet Franc, this wine is soft, a little sweet and oaky. Fifty percent new French barrels shows up in the form of butterscotch and vanilla, while the underlying grape flavors of blackberries and cherries are tasty. Drink now.	85	25	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
61,306	US	Musk melons, limes and lemons perfume this crisp, cutting Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is refreshingly citrusy, offering brisk grapefruit flavor accented by swathes of green leaf and herb. Full bodied yet spry, it's a neatly balanced wine to enjoy now through 2019.	88	35	New York	Sauvignon Blanc
47,312	France	A leading estate in the southern Graves region, Chantegrive has produced a relatively rich 2007 white, its creamy texture given an edge by apple skin tannins, but still full, open, already generous to drink. There is a great layer of fresh pear juice, which blends well with lime acidity for a final burst of crispness.	91	18	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
93,810	US	Some raspberry fruit in the aroma, but things turn rapidly earthy and herbal, suggesting dried tomato, rhubarb and oregano. The flavors are simple and uninspiring. Soft, mild, rustic and thin are other words that come to mind.	82	10	California	Pinot Noir
50,355	US	A sweet-seeming oakiness fills the aroma of this full-bodied, ripe-tasting wine from a Pinot Noir specialist. It smells like vanilla, cinnamon, and maple and tastes generous and rich, with layers of cherry and cola flavors. The texture is soft and full, keeping the ripe fruit lingering on the finish.	92	72	California	Pinot Noir
12,066	US	This simple, soft wine has a ripe, chocolaty blackberry flavor. Not showing much structure, this is Malbec in name only.	82	26	California	Malbec
81,604	US	Smooth and fruity, sleek and spicy, it oozes sweet cherry and strawberry flavors. Feeling silky for all its ripeness, it has just a touch of tannin to help the finish linger. It's made from Syrah, Zinfandel and three other varieties.	86	25	California	Red Blend
28,606	US	This is pure Merlot from 10-year-old vines. Lush and chocolaty, it offers a broad, ripe and appealing set of seamless black fruit flavors. Powerful and high-toned, this adds licorice and mocha to the expansive finish.	90	75	Washington	Merlot
7,983	US	This straightforward wine has notes of fresh apple and pear. The flavors are light in style, seeming a bit dilute.	85	15	Washington	Chardonnay
124,114	US	The concept here is a southern Rhône blend—47% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 19% Cinsault and 17% Mourvèdre. With the extra dollop of Syrah, it's got more substance than the usual Châteauneuf wannabes. Spicy and sharp, this benefits from the fact that the grapes all came in at once and were co-fermented, so the blend married early and well. Despite its youth, this is seamless and focused; a complete and very successful wine with berry, cherry and sweet plum fruit flavors annotated with spice and bits of chocolate. Elegant, feminine and supple, this is a lovely bottle.	91	32	Washington	Red Blend
36,438	US	This wine is easy to like at first taste, a heady, interesting combination of ripe, rich red fruit and spicy earth, accented in black tea and truffle. Soft in texture, and from a wonderful grower, it may have gotten overly ripe, finishing a touch hot.	88	52	California	Pinot Noir
81,173	Spain	Smells decidedly burnt and stalky, with rubbery berry and black plum aromas. Shows grip on the palate, along with the same flavors hinted at on the nose: leather, burnt coffee, herbs and roasted berries. Feels pretty good, but the stalky, burnt core dominates.	84	15	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
55,044	US	A curious wine. On the plus side is a tantalizingly tasty flavor, like fully-ripened raspberries and cherries crushed into a delicious nectar, then sprinkled with honey and white pepper. A good overlay of toasty oak adds richness. Yet there's a syrupy sweetness, like cough medicine, that detracts.	85	36	California	Pinot Noir
65,083	France	Crisp and lively, this is a tight and mineral wine. Baked-apple fruitiness is balanced by bright acidity and a tangy aftertaste. Drink from 2018.	86	19	Burgundy	Chardonnay
44,466	Italy	Here's a savory enjoyable red that opens with fruity aromas of wild berry, pressed blue flower and a whiff of culinary spice. The round juicy palate offers fleshy red cherry, crushed raspberry and a note of star anise alongside chewy tannins. It has an open, sunny charm.	89	35	Tuscany	Sangiovese
50,421	US	Tawny in color and wafting of potpourri and fallen leaves, this raspberry-inflected wine is already starting to show its maturity. Briskly concentrated and light on its feet, it makes an elegant sip to enjoy now before it loses its delicate, perfumed charms.	87	20	New York	Cabernet Franc
192	Italy	Here's an interesting blend of Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rondinella that reflects the aromas and power of each grape variety. The wine offers mature notes of cherry, clove, blackberry and cola: It tastes slightly sweet and very succulent.	87	20	Veneto	Red Blend
25,017	Italy	Opulence and intensity set this wine apart and place it high on a list of the world's best sparkling wines. Made with creamy Chardonnay grapes, the brilliant bubbly delivers complexity and harmony thanks to its deep shadings of mature fruit, mineral and yeast. Fabulous.	93	90	Northeastern Italy	Chardonnay
91,829	US	Pierre Léon is a selection of different clones from the winery estate. Maybe it's the vintage, but the wine seems dilute. The flavors of tart wild berry, earth and herb have a thin, edgy character; and the tannins seem greener than what would be optimal.	86	36	Oregon	Pinot Noir
61,146	Portugal	This is a seriously impressive, ripe and powerful wine. Boasting rich fruits, black plum and berry flavors and concentrated acidity, it also has a dark, solid structure. Still young, this shows boisterous acidity and needs to soften and fill out further. Drink this fine wine from 2018.	91	55	Douro	Portuguese Red
37,385	US	Fresh and crisp on the nose, this lively and laser-sharp wine shows grapefruit skin and pith, Gala apple and cut grass scents on the nose. That grassy element grows more prevalent on the sip, accenting tarter lime peel flavors.	88	26	California	Sauvignon Blanc
62,762	Portugal	This is a tight and structured wine, showing a fine balance between tannin and acidity, with dark, brooding fruit that still need time to develop. Give this wine until 2018.	91	15	Douro	Portuguese Red
99,811	US	Arbor Brook's estate-grown Pinot Noir brings a very expressive mix of cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, moist earth, pencil lead and chalk to the palate. A little bit of green tea, a little bit of herb, a little bit even of stem is just fine when set against natural acids and tart, tangy fruit. Elegance is what Pinot Noir should be about, and that is what is delivered here.	89	35	Oregon	Pinot Noir
46,803	US	This very rich, ripe and forward Pinot Noir can be opened now for its vast array of raspberries, cherries, cola, red licorice and smoky sandalwood. It grows more interesting as it warms in the glass, showing facets of pomegranates and violets. Will provide good drinking through 2014.	91	38	California	Pinot Noir
90,152	Italy	This full-bodied white opens with aromas of white rose, honeysuckle, lychee and a whiff of nutmeg. The rich palate has a silky texture, delivering apricot, white peach and a confectionery note.	89	40	Northeastern Italy	Gewürztraminer
67,962	Italy	Aromas of ripe blackberry, ripe plum, toast, espresso and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The brooding palate offers dried black cherry, mocha, licorice, tobacco and a hint of oak alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.	89	24	Tuscany	Sangiovese
51,287	US	This wine is sourced from the Wood Vineyard along the appellation's Eastside Road, a relatively warm location that adds rich lemon chiffon and graham cracker to the whole. Creamy and velvety on the palate, it remains lush on the finish, tasting of baked peach pie.	86	18	California	Chardonnay
87,946	US	Aromas and flavors like mixed fruit cocktail and a rather soft texture make this a pleasant, easy-drinking wine. Medium bodied and not tart, it seems almost sweet on the finish.	84	9	California	Pinot Grigio
93,095	US	This cool site, set on sedimentary and volcanic soils, brings a blend of five clones into focus. Dark and juicy, muscular and complex, it weaves together plum and cherry fruit, a whiff of truffle, and finishes with a touch of coffee from the barrel aging.	92	49	Oregon	Pinot Noir
115,625	US	Aromas of coffee, mocha, spice and dark fruit lead to full-bodied, layered fruit and barrel flavors. There's plenty of power but it doesn't sacrifice nuance.	91	60	Washington	Syrah
2,031	US	With brisk acidity, a bone-dry finish and some dusty tannins, this is an interesting Pinot Noir, with a silky texture and cherry jam, pomegranate and cranberry flavors that are ready to drink now.	87	25	California	Pinot Noir
10,293	US	With its dry earthiness, this is classic Jordan. It shows blackberry and black cherry flavors, with an herb note. The tannins are gentle. It will age for years, softening and gaining earthy complexities.	88	52	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
20,620	France	This is a soft, easygoing style from the Millets, now in their third generation in Sancerre. With attractive white stone fruits and a citrus streak, the wine has delicious refreshing acidity and a light bright aftertaste. Drink now.	87	30	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
90,402	France	This soft simple Chardonnay is all fruit. Ripe pear and melon flavors are the order of the day here, giving a rounded wine with just the right amount of acidity. Drink now.	85	15	Loire Valley	Chardonnay
66,229	US	The fruit shines brightly in this all-stainless cuvée. Ripe golden apples are at the core, with hints of peach and papaya. It's a lovely, forward, ready-to-drink style that brings extra concentration and detail that is all too rare in unoaked Chardonnays.	91	19	Oregon	Chardonnay
80,687	US	Tightly coiled in fruit and oak, this is a young yet vibrantly lush, plush and juicy wine.It's ready to expand on the palate as it opens to reveal exotic baking spice, textured velvety softness and swathes of black cherry and pomegranate. Medium bodied and exuberant, it'll drink well with food.	92	56	California	Pinot Noir
71,215	France	This is a rich and perfumed wine that is solid with dusty tannins and ripe fruit. Bold acidity adds balance and promises good aging. It is quite dry with fruit hiding behind all the structure, but it will soften, so drink from 2016.	90	20	Provence	Rhône-style Red Blend
28,653	US	This nonvintage rosé comes packaged in 187ml cans, with four to a pack. Lightly sugary flavors of simple strawberry fruit recall inexpensive California brands—except with a slightly tinny finish.	85	13	Oregon	Rosé
42,336	Spain	In a small field of excellent Cavas, this bready, leesy, semi-rich bottling stands out for its totality and comfort on the palate. Along the road are aromas of burnt banana and toasted bread along with flavors of arugula, lime and dried apple. An elegant finish with stone-fruit and green-herb notes is sophisticated.	90	35	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
9,568	US	This is a dreamy creamy white founded in stony mineral and juicy acidity that shows a mix of baked apple, pineapple and melon. A tease of green olive provides a briny, salty edge to its tense balance. A lingering hint of vanilla oak figures prominently on the lengthy floral finish.	93	58	California	Chardonnay
28,208	Argentina	A zesty, lean-boned wine, but give it credit for offering classic pepper and raspberry aromas mixed with a touch of pickle and green. The palate is properly sized and balanced, with tart plum flavors that are satisfying enough. Not a deep or sophisticated wine, but it's clean and pretty good for Argentine Pinot.	85	10	Mendoza Province	Pinot Noir
114,602	US	Rich and ripe, this is an intense and decadent Zinfandel, with highlights of blackberry jam and milk chocolate.	86	28	California	Zinfandel
81,069	Australia	Consistent with the Penfolds style, this is a robust, ageworthy Cabernet that remains varietally distinct. Hints of mint mark the nose and the palate, but the core is cassis, framed by touches of vanilla. Firm tannins on the finish suggest cellaring through at least 2010.	89	31	South Australia	Cabernet Sauvignon
64,644	US	A light, fruity, high-acid wine with strawberry flavors and a hint of leaf and herb.	84	30	Washington	Red Blend
81,261	US	It's uncommon to find Grenache Noir in a white blend, but it's a tasty experiment nonetheless. Well rounded and evenly presented, the nose of lemon and honeysuckle is prominent but delicate. The slightly oily palate comes alive with vanilla, pear candy, peach and bubblegum, finishing with a brush of acidity.	89	22	California	White Blend

83,253

US

From the producer's estate, this zesty wine is easygoing and softly tart, a mix of plum, strawberry and leathery texture that should shine next to a pizza pie.

88

30

California

Barbera

120,015

US

Balanced nicely between the citrus pith and buttercream-vanilla side of the grape, the nose of this wine also shows a touch of honeysuckle, gray slate and freshly picked limes. The palate is energetic, albeit still wound-up tight, showing wet cement, lime juice, kiwi and pear flavors, plus a slight brush of butter on the finish.

92

36

California

Chardonnay

108,302

US

This slightly sweet but utterly fresh bottling shows lime zest, honey dust, ripe red apples, lemon candy and spicy jasmine on the nose. There is nearly effervescent acidity on the palate, with strong night-jasmine notes, orange blossom and lemon verbena spicing up the apple-driven fruit core.

87

14

California

Riesling

4,935

US

This late-harvest Viognier looks like a still wine as it comes out of the bottle, exploding with honey and wildflowers on the nose. Its fruitiness is restrained somewhat and would stand out paired with a crème brûlée—though on its own, the alcohol is overpowering.

86

28

California

Viognier

25,004

US

This is a big, kick-butt wine that shows the powerful fruit and hard tannins that make Pinots from this vineyard ageable. You'll find it tough and gritty now, with rich, deep flavors of cherries, currants, cola and cedar. Best beyond 2011.

93

56

California

Pinot Noir

66,151

France

An intriguing and spicy note of grapefruit flesh makes for a very inviting nose. The palate is not quite so exuberant but refreshes with its light-footed and citrus-fresh slenderness. The finish is dry.

88

18

Alsace

Riesling

14,689

US

This is a very mineral-driven pink wine, with aromas of wet rocks, chalk and even steel giving way to the slightest hints of orange and strawberry. The flavors are very delicate and refreshing on the palate, with melon and red pear, rounded out by a key lime acidity.

89

28

California

Syrah

76,416

US

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Syrah (30%), Merlot (18%), and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of pencil lead, raspberries, flowers, baking spices and herbs are followed by palate-coating red and blue-fruit flavors. It displays a lovely sense of balance.

90

21

Washington

Red Blend

83,141

US

Deep aromas of blackberry, ripe raspberry, smoked meats and wet black slate emerge on the nose of this wine from one of the region's pioneers. The strong slate minerality also shows on the palate against a backdrop of sleek sanguine flavors and big, dark but not overly ripe cherry fruits.

91

58

California

Pinot Noir

96,807

US

This is one of the best Bordeaux blends now available from Paso Robles. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, it's enormously ripe in blackberry jam, currant, chocolate and cedar flavors that finish lush and spicy. The tannins are strong, but negotiable with barbecue.

90

42

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

76,240

US

Fresh and exotic aromas of lychee and orange-blossom water tighten up on the nose, with a more mineral-driven strain of rain on cement. It's restrained and light on the mouth-watering palate, with flavors of squeezed lemons over apples, pears, wet stone and a bit of white pepper.

88

25

California

Sauvignon Blanc

81,999

US

Light and juicy, with fresh apple flavors and good acidity. A good wine for serving chilled and enjoying outdoors.

87

15

Washington

Pinot Grigio

128,341

US

The seventh edition of this popular blend returns to a Cabernet Sauvignon mode, with just 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah added. It's forward, fragrant and immediately compelling. A bouquet of rose petals, cherries, bark and earth leads into flavors that fill the mouth with fruit and well-modulated tannins.

88

20

Washington

Red Blend

14,212

Spain

This three-grape blend of Xarello, Muscat and Gewürztraminer is floral and inviting, with melony aromas. The palate is light but has stuffing and creamy edges. Tastes flowery, with green melon, lychee, honey and clover. Smooth, tasty and different.

89

14

Catalonia

White Blend

45,399

Italy

Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has shy aromas that recall violet and red berry. The simple palate shows suggestions of sour cherry and black tea alongside fleeting tannins. Drink soon.

85

20

Tuscany

Red Blend

80,853

US

Named for the address of the vineyard on Live Oak Road, this blend of 30% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 13% Cinsault, 10% Counoise and 3% Viognier shows powerful licorice, cola, caramel, baked plum and thyme on the nose. The tannins are extremely soft on the sip, where lavish but not overripe purple flowers and black fruit compete for attention.

93

32

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

15,021

US

Black pepper scents meet very ripe berry and cherry aromas in this full-bodied, flavorful wine. It has broad texture, moderate tannins and acidity, and lots of concentration. Saturated with fruit, its ripness keeps unfolding on the finish.

91

40

California

Syrah

126,314

US

Here's another exceptional Oregon Riesling to add to the growing ranks of top producers. Lemon-drop fruit meets peaches and cream in the mouth, as this off-dry (20g/L) wine displays a spot-on balance between acid, sugar, fruit and honey. This is delicious already, and built to age nicely over a decade or longer.

92

18

Oregon

Riesling

89,317

US

By sourcing French Colombard and force carbonating like beer, David Potter made this fun and tasty wine as an antidote to the high prices that sparkling wine traditionally require. Aromas of apple cider, crisp Granny Smith apples, key lime, yellow melon and chalk lead into a palate laced with fatter bubbles and flavors of more apple and pear.

90

30

California

Sparkling Blend

101,834

US

From Paul O'Brien, a producer with multiple versions of Tempranillo, comes this budget offering. It spent 18 months in 30% new French oak, which suggests that these were declassified barrels originally meant for the pricier wines. Dried fruits, especially fig, a scent of leather, and strong highlights of cherry tobacco and coffee all support the notion that this got the fancy wine treatment.

89

18

Oregon

Tempranillo

11,540

Italy

Bricco Asili Bernardot opens with a pretty garnet color and luscious aromas of fruit, leather, road tar and spice. It's a sophisticated and masculine wine with rich vanilla and oak shadings in the background that add density and staying power. The tannins are hard as nails so either drink this Barbaresco now with succulent red beef, or better yet, wait five-plus years.

92

78

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

109,098

US

Coming from a single block of the winery's estate vineyard, it has notes of cranberry, black pepper, herbs and moist earth speckled with oak spices (30% new French). The palate has soft, sleek cherry flavors buffeted by firm tannins.

88

50

Oregon

Syrah

5,764

France

There is a distinct phenolic edge on this earthy, lemon-dominated and taut Riesling. Fruit—apart from citrus—is subsumed into an earthy, tense and concentrated palate. This needs more time to relax into itself and should blossom with more bottle age. Drink 2017–2020.

92

35

Alsace

Riesling

24,817

US

This bottling's nose is earthy and hearty, with rhubarb, wild berry, tea, garrigue and a touch of game all coming into play. It's soft and creamy on the palate, with dried herb notes like thyme, marjoram and mint spicing up the plum-inflected, pleasantly rustic flavors.

93

42

California

Pinot Noir

31,904

US

Folks who like their white wines on the sugary side will appreciate this soft Viognier. It's tremendously rich in pineapple, pear, vanilla and marzipan flavors, almost like a dessert confection.

85

24

California

Viognier

125,422

Italy

Celebrated for its amazing Merlot, Fattoria Petrolo offers this gorgeous expression of Sangiovese to complete its successful red wine portfolio. The wine is beautifully complex with deeply elegant shadings of bright fruit, blue flower and moist earth.

92

45

Tuscany

Sangiovese

123,162

US

Easy to like this crisp, fruity bubbly. A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it has rich, candied flavors of raspberries, cherries, tangerines, vanilla and cinnamon spice, with the yeasty tang of a fine sparkling wine.

87

23

California

Champagne Blend

54,804

US

Slightly confected scents lead into sweetly spicy fruit, leaning to purple fruits with fig and prune highlights. The acidity is spot on, and the tannins are ripe and firm. The blend includes 10% Malbec.

87

14

Washington

Syrah

7,586

US

A fine, useful Chardonnay, made in the modern ripe style. Bursts with juicy pineapple, Key lime pie, Meyer lemon, buttered toast and vanilla flavors, accented with crisp coastal acidity.

85

25

California

Chardonnay

12,644

US

Woody, herbal and integrated in oak and tannin, this wine comes from grapes grown in both Sonoma Valley estate vineyards and sites in Alexander and Knights valleys. Red currant, graphite and clove flavors highlight its medium-bodied density.

90

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

88,566

Argentina

Deep, rubbery black-fruit aromas suggest prune and cassis along with blackened spices and toasty oak. The wine is flush and bursting with fruit and herbal notes. Cassis and berry flavors settle with blackened toast and menthol. Drink this Bordeaux-style blend through 2019.

90

50

Mendoza Province

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

33,427

US

Big, ripe waves of baked apple, pear and pineapple play on the palate in this rich wine, measured by a moderate helping of acidity. Quince and lime play supportive roles.

88

30

California

Chardonnay

31,408

France

This small property with its own château lies within the lower portion of Vaudésir but is considered a Grand Cru in its own right. The wine—the flagship of the cooperative—is opulent, showing strong wood aging flavors that will soften with time. Ripe and generous with yellow fruit flavor, it also boasts a tight mineral acidity and crispness, making it a good candidate for cellaring. Drink from 2021.

95

89

Burgundy

Chardonnay

63,673

Italy

This delightful Chianti Classico shows Sangiovese charisma with bright fruit aromas, cherry, white almond and pressed violets. It's smooth and silky, with a touch of sourness on the close.

89

20

Tuscany

Sangiovese

21,638

US

Bright in cherry and cranberry, this classically styled Nebbiolo is light red in color and buoyant in acidity. A sanguine back layer brings the earthier elements of the wine to life. With not much Nebbiolo to try in California, this one is worth a taste to savor the possibilities.

89

24

California

Nebbiolo

108,492

US

The Kiana bottling, named for the owners' granddaughter, is made with Dijon clones planted in 1996 and 1997. Initially quite tight and unyielding, it first opens into flavors of leaf, herb and green tea. Tucked neatly into the midpalate is a core of good red strawberry/cherry fruit. The tannins are earthy but not rough; everything here is balanced and well-managed; the alcohol a moderate 14.3%.

88

45

Oregon

Pinot Noir

22,750

Italy

Paola Gloder's estate can do better than this, especially in a vintage like 1997. The wine is already showing signs of aging and it has a lightweight character. The fruit is pleasant enough, with soft tannins and ripeness, but it should be more exciting. Tasted twice.

84

60

Tuscany

Sangiovese

53,025

US

Extra Dry, in this case, really means slightly sweet, in the crazy language of sparkling wine. But don't let that stop you from enjoying this blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and French Columbard. It's clean, zesty and delightful to drink, with strawberry, lime, orange zest, sourdough bread and vanilla flavors.

86

14

California

Sparkling Blend

55,701

US

Shows good blackberry and currant flavors, but there's something off in the mouthfeel. It's a sharpness, a rugged, tart green chlorophyll feeling that suggests unripe tannins.

84

30

California

Merlot

109,733

US

This has the classic flavors of many Oregon Pinot Noirs, a balanced mix of tangy red fruits, mineral, earth and more than a hint of stem. It's full bodied and detailed, with excellent balance, weaving threads of site and grape into a complex finish.

89

20

Oregon

Pinot Noir

112,165

France

Produced from organic grapes, this wine is totally crisp with red fruits, a touch of pepper giving an extra edge. It is rich and full in the mouth and, with its alcohol, certainly needs food.

88

24

Provence

Rosé

8,213

Germany

Yellow freesia and sweet peach abound in this deeply floral, fruity auslese. Feather light in texture, yet deeply concentrated in flavor, it's penetratingly sweet yet finishes with a flurry of crushed minerals and lime-pith astringency.

92

57

Mosel

Riesling

109,637

US

An unusual nose of cinnamon, lychee and Christmas spice holds promise. Unfortunately, the palate is one-dimensional and lacking in flavor intensity, though some pleasant banana flavors peak through briefly before dropping in to a short finish.

82

15

New York

Riesling

10,895

US

This wine gets neutral French oak and it shows in its zesty profile of orange and tangerine over apple and pear. The fruit is hearty and juicy, the texture light and refreshing.

90

20

California

Chardonnay

107,476

US

A mineral-driven white, this is waxy and lemony on the palate. Light bodied, crisp and vibrant, it doesn't hold back on complexity, weaving a lengthy story of perfumed near-perfection.

94

30

California

Sauvignon Blanc

19,552

Italy

This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot boasts black currant and cedar aromas. The savory palate delivers black cherry, cassis, tobacco and white pepper notes, set against firm tannins. Drink now–2021.

90

45

Tuscany

Red Blend

603

US

Ripe and luscious, this decadent Cabernet Franc is chock full of ripe red cherry and plum fruit, accented with purple violets and fresh herb tones. It's bold in alcohol and soft in style, but delicately framed by brisk acidity and a ruffle of feathery tannins.

87

36

New York

Cabernet Franc

6,003

US

Big in flavor and structure, this dark-colored, full-bodied wine is concentrated and laced with fine-grained tannins to support rich blackberry flavors. It's smooth and mouthfilling, with a lingering finish.

90

20

California

Red Blend

59,775

US

Dry, lush and soft, with richly extracted black currant, beef jerky, sweet milk chocolate and anise flavors that go on and on. Has a prickly, peppery feeling that's a little hot.

86

65

California

Syrah

63,772

Germany

Ethereally sheer and dazzling in brightness, this nymph-like Auslese packs remarkable punch. It's smoky, mineral and permeated with sun-baked slate notes, yet so pristinely fruity it bursts with fresh lemon and lime flavors as well. Concentrated yet spry, it finishes with effortless persistence.

94

50

Mosel

Riesling

63,998

US

A melted butter aroma and rich butterscotch and taffy flavors give this medium-bodied wine a sweet, candied personality.

85

15

California

Chardonnay

14,034

US

This bottling is leveled by 10% Roussanne, and shows ripe yellow peach, honeydew melon, honeyed toast, pear custard and a slight cashew-like marzipan on the fairly dense nose. Rounded flavors of pear, melon, mango and honey dust comprise the palate.

88

35

California

Viognier

44,776

US

This giant of a wine has aromas of charred oak, wood smoke and black pepper, with a palate of dense, deep and smoky tones that feel thick, tannic and chewy. It's a tour de force of spicy oak, fruit concentration and mouthcoating texture that's impressive to drink now but will be best after 2024.

93

25

California

Petite Sirah

76,930

Portugal

Very structured, this solid wine has enough fruit to develop well. It comes from the estate that also produces Barca Velha in the very top vintages. The wine is full, rich and concentrated. The tannins and structure will take time to soften, so wait until 2020.

91

65

Douro

Portuguese Red

60,697

Germany

A lacy spray of sweetness extends from start to finish on this fruity, fresh Kabinett. Fresh apple, pear and tangerine are honeyed and lip smacking, energized by a streak of lemonade acidity on the finish.

89

20

Mosel

Riesling

16,471

US

Made with a splash of Cabernet Franc, this wine is soft, a little sweet and oaky. Fifty percent new French barrels shows up in the form of butterscotch and vanilla, while the underlying grape flavors of blackberries and cherries are tasty. Drink now.

85

25

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

61,306

US

Musk melons, limes and lemons perfume this crisp, cutting Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is refreshingly citrusy, offering brisk grapefruit flavor accented by swathes of green leaf and herb. Full bodied yet spry, it's a neatly balanced wine to enjoy now through 2019.

88

35

New York

Sauvignon Blanc

47,312

France

A leading estate in the southern Graves region, Chantegrive has produced a relatively rich 2007 white, its creamy texture given an edge by apple skin tannins, but still full, open, already generous to drink. There is a great layer of fresh pear juice, which blends well with lime acidity for a final burst of crispness.

91

18

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

93,810

US

Some raspberry fruit in the aroma, but things turn rapidly earthy and herbal, suggesting dried tomato, rhubarb and oregano. The flavors are simple and uninspiring. Soft, mild, rustic and thin are other words that come to mind.

82

10

California

Pinot Noir

50,355

US

A sweet-seeming oakiness fills the aroma of this full-bodied, ripe-tasting wine from a Pinot Noir specialist. It smells like vanilla, cinnamon, and maple and tastes generous and rich, with layers of cherry and cola flavors. The texture is soft and full, keeping the ripe fruit lingering on the finish.

92

72

California

Pinot Noir

12,066

US

This simple, soft wine has a ripe, chocolaty blackberry flavor. Not showing much structure, this is Malbec in name only.

82

26

California

Malbec

81,604

US

Smooth and fruity, sleek and spicy, it oozes sweet cherry and strawberry flavors. Feeling silky for all its ripeness, it has just a touch of tannin to help the finish linger. It's made from Syrah, Zinfandel and three other varieties.

86

25

California

Red Blend

28,606

US

This is pure Merlot from 10-year-old vines. Lush and chocolaty, it offers a broad, ripe and appealing set of seamless black fruit flavors. Powerful and high-toned, this adds licorice and mocha to the expansive finish.

90

75

Washington

Merlot

7,983

US

This straightforward wine has notes of fresh apple and pear. The flavors are light in style, seeming a bit dilute.

85

15

Washington

Chardonnay

124,114

US

The concept here is a southern Rhône blend—47% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 19% Cinsault and 17% Mourvèdre. With the extra dollop of Syrah, it's got more substance than the usual Châteauneuf wannabes. Spicy and sharp, this benefits from the fact that the grapes all came in at once and were co-fermented, so the blend married early and well. Despite its youth, this is seamless and focused; a complete and very successful wine with berry, cherry and sweet plum fruit flavors annotated with spice and bits of chocolate. Elegant, feminine and supple, this is a lovely bottle.

91

32

Washington

Red Blend

36,438

US

This wine is easy to like at first taste, a heady, interesting combination of ripe, rich red fruit and spicy earth, accented in black tea and truffle. Soft in texture, and from a wonderful grower, it may have gotten overly ripe, finishing a touch hot.

88

52

California

Pinot Noir

81,173

Spain

Smells decidedly burnt and stalky, with rubbery berry and black plum aromas. Shows grip on the palate, along with the same flavors hinted at on the nose: leather, burnt coffee, herbs and roasted berries. Feels pretty good, but the stalky, burnt core dominates.

84

15

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

55,044

US

A curious wine. On the plus side is a tantalizingly tasty flavor, like fully-ripened raspberries and cherries crushed into a delicious nectar, then sprinkled with honey and white pepper. A good overlay of toasty oak adds richness. Yet there's a syrupy sweetness, like cough medicine, that detracts.

85

36

California

Pinot Noir

65,083

France

Crisp and lively, this is a tight and mineral wine. Baked-apple fruitiness is balanced by bright acidity and a tangy aftertaste. Drink from 2018.

86

19

Burgundy

Chardonnay

44,466

Italy

Here's a savory enjoyable red that opens with fruity aromas of wild berry, pressed blue flower and a whiff of culinary spice. The round juicy palate offers fleshy red cherry, crushed raspberry and a note of star anise alongside chewy tannins. It has an open, sunny charm.

89

35

Tuscany

Sangiovese

50,421

US

Tawny in color and wafting of potpourri and fallen leaves, this raspberry-inflected wine is already starting to show its maturity. Briskly concentrated and light on its feet, it makes an elegant sip to enjoy now before it loses its delicate, perfumed charms.

87

20

New York

Cabernet Franc

192

Italy

Here's an interesting blend of Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rondinella that reflects the aromas and power of each grape variety. The wine offers mature notes of cherry, clove, blackberry and cola: It tastes slightly sweet and very succulent.

87

20

Veneto

Red Blend

25,017

Italy

Opulence and intensity set this wine apart and place it high on a list of the world's best sparkling wines. Made with creamy Chardonnay grapes, the brilliant bubbly delivers complexity and harmony thanks to its deep shadings of mature fruit, mineral and yeast. Fabulous.

93

90

Northeastern Italy

Chardonnay

91,829

US

Pierre Léon is a selection of different clones from the winery estate. Maybe it's the vintage, but the wine seems dilute. The flavors of tart wild berry, earth and herb have a thin, edgy character; and the tannins seem greener than what would be optimal.

86

36

Oregon

Pinot Noir

61,146

Portugal

This is a seriously impressive, ripe and powerful wine. Boasting rich fruits, black plum and berry flavors and concentrated acidity, it also has a dark, solid structure. Still young, this shows boisterous acidity and needs to soften and fill out further. Drink this fine wine from 2018.

91

55

Douro

Portuguese Red

37,385

US

Fresh and crisp on the nose, this lively and laser-sharp wine shows grapefruit skin and pith, Gala apple and cut grass scents on the nose. That grassy element grows more prevalent on the sip, accenting tarter lime peel flavors.

88

26

California

Sauvignon Blanc

62,762

Portugal

This is a tight and structured wine, showing a fine balance between tannin and acidity, with dark, brooding fruit that still need time to develop. Give this wine until 2018.

91

15

Douro

Portuguese Red

99,811

US

Arbor Brook's estate-grown Pinot Noir brings a very expressive mix of cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, moist earth, pencil lead and chalk to the palate. A little bit of green tea, a little bit of herb, a little bit even of stem is just fine when set against natural acids and tart, tangy fruit. Elegance is what Pinot Noir should be about, and that is what is delivered here.

89

35

Oregon

Pinot Noir

46,803

US

This very rich, ripe and forward Pinot Noir can be opened now for its vast array of raspberries, cherries, cola, red licorice and smoky sandalwood. It grows more interesting as it warms in the glass, showing facets of pomegranates and violets. Will provide good drinking through 2014.

91

38

California

Pinot Noir

90,152

Italy

This full-bodied white opens with aromas of white rose, honeysuckle, lychee and a whiff of nutmeg. The rich palate has a silky texture, delivering apricot, white peach and a confectionery note.

89

40

Northeastern Italy

Gewürztraminer

67,962

Italy

Aromas of ripe blackberry, ripe plum, toast, espresso and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The brooding palate offers dried black cherry, mocha, licorice, tobacco and a hint of oak alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.

89

24

Tuscany

Sangiovese

51,287

US

This wine is sourced from the Wood Vineyard along the appellation's Eastside Road, a relatively warm location that adds rich lemon chiffon and graham cracker to the whole. Creamy and velvety on the palate, it remains lush on the finish, tasting of baked peach pie.

86

18

California

Chardonnay

87,946

US

Aromas and flavors like mixed fruit cocktail and a rather soft texture make this a pleasant, easy-drinking wine. Medium bodied and not tart, it seems almost sweet on the finish.

84

9

California

Pinot Grigio

93,095

US

This cool site, set on sedimentary and volcanic soils, brings a blend of five clones into focus. Dark and juicy, muscular and complex, it weaves together plum and cherry fruit, a whiff of truffle, and finishes with a touch of coffee from the barrel aging.

92

49

Oregon

Pinot Noir

115,625

US

Aromas of coffee, mocha, spice and dark fruit lead to full-bodied, layered fruit and barrel flavors. There's plenty of power but it doesn't sacrifice nuance.

91

60

Washington

Syrah

2,031

US

With brisk acidity, a bone-dry finish and some dusty tannins, this is an interesting Pinot Noir, with a silky texture and cherry jam, pomegranate and cranberry flavors that are ready to drink now.

87

25

California

Pinot Noir

10,293

US

With its dry earthiness, this is classic Jordan. It shows blackberry and black cherry flavors, with an herb note. The tannins are gentle. It will age for years, softening and gaining earthy complexities.

88

52

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

20,620

France

This is a soft, easygoing style from the Millets, now in their third generation in Sancerre. With attractive white stone fruits and a citrus streak, the wine has delicious refreshing acidity and a light bright aftertaste. Drink now.

87

30

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

90,402

France

This soft simple Chardonnay is all fruit. Ripe pear and melon flavors are the order of the day here, giving a rounded wine with just the right amount of acidity. Drink now.

85

15

Loire Valley

Chardonnay

66,229

US

The fruit shines brightly in this all-stainless cuvée. Ripe golden apples are at the core, with hints of peach and papaya. It's a lovely, forward, ready-to-drink style that brings extra concentration and detail that is all too rare in unoaked Chardonnays.

91

19

Oregon

Chardonnay

80,687

US

Tightly coiled in fruit and oak, this is a young yet vibrantly lush, plush and juicy wine.It's ready to expand on the palate as it opens to reveal exotic baking spice, textured velvety softness and swathes of black cherry and pomegranate. Medium bodied and exuberant, it'll drink well with food.

92

56

California

Pinot Noir

71,215

France

This is a rich and perfumed wine that is solid with dusty tannins and ripe fruit. Bold acidity adds balance and promises good aging. It is quite dry with fruit hiding behind all the structure, but it will soften, so drink from 2016.

90

20

Provence

Rhône-style Red Blend

28,653

US

This nonvintage rosé comes packaged in 187ml cans, with four to a pack. Lightly sugary flavors of simple strawberry fruit recall inexpensive California brands—except with a slightly tinny finish.

85

13

Oregon

Rosé

42,336

Spain

In a small field of excellent Cavas, this bready, leesy, semi-rich bottling stands out for its totality and comfort on the palate. Along the road are aromas of burnt banana and toasted bread along with flavors of arugula, lime and dried apple. An elegant finish with stone-fruit and green-herb notes is sophisticated.

90

35

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

9,568

US

This is a dreamy creamy white founded in stony mineral and juicy acidity that shows a mix of baked apple, pineapple and melon. A tease of green olive provides a briny, salty edge to its tense balance. A lingering hint of vanilla oak figures prominently on the lengthy floral finish.

93

58

California

Chardonnay

28,208

Argentina

A zesty, lean-boned wine, but give it credit for offering classic pepper and raspberry aromas mixed with a touch of pickle and green. The palate is properly sized and balanced, with tart plum flavors that are satisfying enough. Not a deep or sophisticated wine, but it's clean and pretty good for Argentine Pinot.

85

10

Mendoza Province

Pinot Noir

114,602

US

Rich and ripe, this is an intense and decadent Zinfandel, with highlights of blackberry jam and milk chocolate.

86

28

California

Zinfandel

81,069

Australia

Consistent with the Penfolds style, this is a robust, ageworthy Cabernet that remains varietally distinct. Hints of mint mark the nose and the palate, but the core is cassis, framed by touches of vanilla. Firm tannins on the finish suggest cellaring through at least 2010.

89

31

South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

64,644

US

A light, fruity, high-acid wine with strawberry flavors and a hint of leaf and herb.

84

30

Washington

Red Blend

81,261

US

It's uncommon to find Grenache Noir in a white blend, but it's a tasty experiment nonetheless. Well rounded and evenly presented, the nose of lemon and honeysuckle is prominent but delicate. The slightly oily palate comes alive with vanilla, pear candy, peach and bubblegum, finishing with a brush of acidity.

89

22

California

White Blend