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
28,295	Spain	Dusty apple-driven aromas are simple but true to what brut Cava is about. This feels citric but a little flat, with pithy orange, tangerine and lime flavors that finish clean, crisp and short.	86	12	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
20,520	US	Named for the proprietor/winemaker's favorite two roses, the flowers not the wine, this is indeed a wholly floral experience, subtle and delicately crafted to exude wild strawberry, orange and lime. Dry and refreshingly crisp in acidity, it's a light take on beautiful complexity.	90	28	California	Rosé
94,344	US	This Syrah is soft, simple and sweet, with jammy raspberry, cherry and milk chocolate flavors. High alcohol gives it some heat on the finish. Drink up.	85	34	California	Syrah
129,006	US	California Malbec by itself tends to be straightforward, which might be why the winemaker blended this one with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is excellent, one of the best Malbecs in California, with rich blackberry, currant and cedar flavors. The strong tannins suggest it should pair well with beef.	92	50	California	Malbec
39,327	US	This begins with round, lush scents of honey butter on hot toast and roasted almond. The initial flavors are light and fresh, with peach and slight guava. That tropicality emerges even more thoughout the long, lingering finish.	93	35	California	Chardonnay
43,523	US	This is a slightly grassy, green white wine that fans of this style may enjoy; others not so much. Light in alcohol, it has medium body and crispness.	84	18	California	Sauvignon Blanc
87,338	US	This is a finesse wine, with light flavors of pomegranate and cranberry. There's a suggestion of burnt toast—just a hint—around the tannins, which remain a bit stiff and chewy. Give this another year or two and it should open up further.	91	36	Oregon	Pinot Noir
110,913	Spain	Creamy oak aromas shout “vanilla” and “wood resin” in full voice. This is a rough wine with stampeding tannins. Toasty boysenberry flavors are more pounding than elegant, while this tastes of bitter chocolate on an aggressive finish. Give this five years and it may show better but now it's massive and unsettled.	90	110	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
38,805	Italy	Aromas of fig, eucalyptus, violet, chopped herbs and raspberry emerge on this full-bodied, fragrant offering. Made with 50-year-old vines, the structured palate boasts dried black cherry, tart red currant, oak-driven spice, espresso and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.	89	35	Piedmont	Barbera
66,993	US	A little unsmooth in tannins and minty-green, but a pretty tasty mouthful of Pinot. It's dry and silky, with cherry, red currant, cola and licorice flavors. Drink now.	85	24	California	Pinot Noir
122,648	US	While sweet on the nose with aromas of cherry vanilla and wet cedar, the palate on this medium-bodied blend is a bit soft and stewed with overripe red fruit and hints of tomato sauce. Easygoing and generous throughout, it ends with soft tannins and a mocha chocolate and graham cracker crumb finish.	85	30	New York	Red Blend
70,408	US	A little too soft for ageability, but a very delicious wine. Not quite in the league of the wonderful 2007, but offers rich, ripe flavors of blackberries, cherries, cola and cedar, with all kinds of earthy, minerally complexities. Give it a firmer mouthfeel and the score would soar.	90	58	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
9,778	Argentina	Big-format Malbec is what we're calling this new 15.5% wine from Benjamin de Rothschild and Laurent Dassault, original partners in Michel Rolland's Clos de los Siete project. Round, lush and full of body, Flechas shows muscle but little fat. It's colorful, dark, full of black fruit and long on the finish. It is modern Malbec done for modern palates.	92	22	Mendoza Province	Malbec
87,810	US	Give this Cabernet a brief decanting. After that, the aromas and flavors match up in cherries, blackberries and cassis, with a savory coating of sweet oak. Drink now.	88	17	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
31,091	Spain	Persistently murky and leafy on the nose, this traditional-style Rioja brings juicier, brighter fruit to the palate along with some tangy, somewhat sharp acids. In the folds, a dash of oak brings vanilla and additional tannin into the picture. Improves with airing.	86	13	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
30,852	US	A really nice wine, refreshing and light, with delicate lemon-grapefruit flavors complexed with creamy lees. The acidity is very crisp and assertive. No discernible oak at all, and with this pretty fruit and structure, it doesn't need any.	87	13	Oregon	Pinot Gris
80,765	France	Blackberry jam aromas in this wine are followed by a lean palate and ample tannins. It's tough at this stage, but as it opens, the fruit will come through to give damson jelly flavors. Drink from 2020.	87	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
44,788	US	Quite dry and reserved in flavor, this wine is intriguing: subtle rose petal and mineral notes, medium body and a bite of grapefruit zest on the finish that begs for another sip. One of the earliest producers of Gewürztraminer wines in Anderson Valley, it's still one of the best.	92	22	California	Gewürztraminer
128,045	US	A perfumed wine, this leaps up with aromas of white flowers, ginger and lychee. It drinks off dry, with a viscous, almost oily feel that provides a sense of heft.	88	16	Washington	Gewürztraminer
100,879	US	Deep cherry, sagebrush and cola are laid across wet slate and purple flowers on a complex nose in this appellation-wide blend from Richard Sanford's team. Crushed wild herbs, like mint, sage, thyme and pine needle are prominent on the palate, backed up by a splash of red fruit.	91	40	California	Pinot Noir
89,132	Spain	Full, ripe and so tannic in its present form that it's scratchy and hard on the mouth. Aromas of ripe berry and syrup hint at its core power, while flavors of blackberry, fresh raisin and chocolate are true and good. A powerpacked wine with a fierce mouthfeel; only time can bring it around. Hold until 2011.	88	40	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
5,155	Italy	You'll really love this simple and clean white wine from sunny Tuscany. The aromas here are crisp and fragrant, recalling peach, apricot and pear. The wine is zippy in the mouth but it also awards enough natural structure for tuna or sushi.	87	20	Tuscany	White Blend
99,217	France	This ripe wine with acidity and citrus flavors has an attractive mineral texture and lively acidity. It is crisp with a fine tang of orange and lemon zest. Drink now.	88	26	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
123,871	Italy	This opens with aromas of black berry fruit along with more rustic notes of game and a whiff of barnyard. The palate offers up crushed black cherry, toast, black pepper, espresso and vanilla alongside oak extract. The brooding, astringent tannins need time to integrate fully. Drink after 2020.	89	75	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
10,884	US	Black cherry fruit gets serious with elements of slate, eucalyptus, tar and wild mint on this wine from the Corralitos area at the southern coastal edge of the appellation. It's soft at first on the palate, then reveals a wash of acidity, with sour cherry fruit and black tea tannins.	90	48	California	Pinot Noir
23,971	US	Perfumed and strikingly floral, this soft, seductive Pinot is light in color and body, with handsome layerings of strawberry fruit, Asian spice and suggestions of just-unearthed mushrooms or a newly minted Christmas wreath. On the finish, a touch of vanilla-tinged oak rounds things out.	94	75	California	Pinot Noir
34,545	Italy	Castello Banfi's delicious Cum Laude is a super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah that opens with rich aromas of black fruit and chocolate fudge. The 30% Cabernet Sauvignon component adds background notes of exotic spice, moist tobacco and firm tannins.	92	37	Tuscany	Red Blend
39,750	Spain	Aromas of cassis and brandied cherry are rich and full but not overly complex. Flush and ripe on the palate, with tough tannins, this tastes of baked berry fruits. After that, a slight raisiny note blends with latent cassis on a ripe finish.	88	18	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
21,048	US	There's lots of rich blackberry, chocolate and currant flavor in this smooth, 100% varietal Cabernet. The tannin-acid balance is fine, giving the wine rich interest. Ready to drink now.	87	30	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
102,265	US	Aromas of huckleberry, herbs and spice are fresh and focused. The fruit flavors are concentrated, with a supple feel and soft tannins. It displays a good sense of balance.	90	16	Washington	Merlot
80,611	US	Young and tight, this requires aggressive aeration before it begins to show much flavor. It's worth the effort, as it evolves into a dense, delicious wine that marries its juicy stone fruits to a rich mix of vanilla, coconut and caramel components from the barrel aging. Drink 2018 to 2030.	92	65	Oregon	Chardonnay
118,970	US	This small-production wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percents of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Pencil lead, cedar and tobacco leaf greet on entry before soft yet generous layers of tannin swirl on the palate, informed by a depth of blackberry. A mix of savory and fruity, the finish is subtle in white pepper. Cellar through 2022.	94	150	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
52,780	US	Happily, each new vintage of Bésoleil is a bit larger than the previous year, so more people can taste what a joy this wine is. In 2008 it's 82% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre. As with all the Betz wines, it is intensely aromatic. The wine glass fairly explodes with scents of grape, plum, raspberry and cherry. In the mouth grace notes offer hints of leaf and fresh herb. Plush and irresistible.	93	45	Washington	Grenache
103,930	France	A considerable layer of tannins is dominating the fruit in this wine. It's still firm, structured and dry in character with just a hint of juiciness behind. Drink from 2017.	86	19	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
32,989	France	Aged for a year on its lees, this wine is rich, tangy and refreshingly crisp. It is a Blanc de Blancs, with a strongly mineral character that adds a tight character to the texture. It will age a few more months in bottle, so drink from late 2016.	90	26	Burgundy	Chardonnay
103,525	US	Touches of vanilla, spice and smoked nuts lend complexity to straightforward apple, lemon and pear flavors in this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. It's refreshing and easy drinking with a brisk, clean finish.	86	13	New York	Chardonnay
30,768	US	Soft and gentle in structure, this Cab appeals for its ripe, pie-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries and spices. It's a pretty, polished young wine whose vigorous tannins give it a sandpapery texture. Ready now.	86	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
104,315	Argentina	Crisp grapefruit and celery aromas set up a round palate with a pulpy texture. Flavors of scallion, citrus peel and grape skins finish citrusy on one hand and pyrazinic on the other. Possibly of interest, this was fermented and aged in egg-shaped concrete tanks.	87	30	Mendoza Province	Sauvignon Blanc
32,974	Italy	Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, fennel, toast and baking spice come together in the glass. The taut, focused, palate shows ripe black cherry, red raspberry, mineral and licorice while fresh acidity and firm tannins provide balance. Drink 2019 through 2024.	90	39	Sicily & Sardinia	Red Blend
113,299	US	One of a series of single-clone offerings from Kason, this pushes the ripeness to its limits. Nonetheless, the black-fruit flavors can't compete with the intense charred-wood character. Bitter tannins take over the finish.	85	45	Oregon	Pinot Noir
97,489	Argentina	This is a varietally correct Cabernet with minty oak, mild herb aromas and toasty, solid berry fruit scents on the bouquet. Although it's a bit scouring and tough on the palate, flavors of raspberry, plum and herbs are spicy and right. On the finish, oaky vanilla and lemony notes settle in.	88	20	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
88,539	France	This is a hard edged wine, solid and firm, with dry tannins and only a hint of fruity acidity. It does have weight, so it could soften with age.	85	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
51,715	US	From the highest-elevation spot within the producer's Conn Creek vineyard, this wine is sticky and grippy in coffee, red cherry and billowing tannins that reach a soft, round approachability. The finish is part chocolate, part vanilla, both in proportion and in balance, the wine ultimately full of grace.	92	95	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
22,976	US	This nonvintage brut is almost always a successful bottling for Korbel. This release will not disappoint: It's a fine sparkling wine, dryish, crisp and rich in flavors of orange, lime, vanilla and yeast, with a hint of strawberry.	87	13	California	Sparkling Blend
34,129	US	A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot, this bright and grapy effort pleasingly integrates slightly rougher notes of earth, leaf and stem. It all works here, adding texture and detail to the tart berry fruits. Drink in the next 3–5 years.	90	27	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
84,163	Italy	Lemon blossom, citrus and white stone fruit aromas delicately lift out of the glass. The bright polished palate doles out yellow apple, creamy white peach, nectarine drop and a hint of crushed herb alongside crisp acidity and a silky mousse.	89	15	Veneto	Glera
59,798	US	Parducci's '03 True Grit was a sensation. The '04 is a worthy successor. Dry, tannic and amazingly rich, it floods the mouth with blackberry, cherry, currant, leather, coffee, carob and peppery spice flavors that go on and on in the finish. Like any great young Petite Sirah, it will age for many years.	93	25	California	Petite Sirah
23,196	Spain	Piercing minerality with pure plum and berry aromas greet you on a rock-solid bouquet. This thoroughbred Rioja is racy and juicy, with inky black fruit flavors over subdued oak. A muscular and minty finish is full of verve and potential. Drink from 2016 through 2026.	93	40	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
68,222	US	This sophisticated and beautifully balanced wine shows that Lodi can make crisp and poised whites. It has aromas like white pepper and dried thyme, crisp lemon flavors and racy acidity. It is nicely dry, clean and tautly refreshing. While medium bodied, it has a big, vibrant presence.	90	12	California	Sauvignon Blanc
50,846	US	Aromas of white pepper and pear start it off, and it smells snappy and inviting. The palate is all about grapefruit and orange; in a word, it's citrusy. The finish comes in waves, with notes of stone fruit and licorice. As a whole it's round and satisfying, but it's also a tad bit dilute and dull, which is why it rates where it does.	85	18	Oregon	Pinot Gris
62,345	US	Clarified butter and lemon rind notes combine on the entry of this estate-grown wine. Spicy, salty acidity and a subdued crisp-apple flavor contribute to its light, tangy finish.	90	38	California	Chardonnay
15,364	Argentina	Dark aromas suggest shoe polish and roasted black fruits. This feels rubbery and chunky, while the flavor profile includes quick pokes of cherry, plum and rubbery berry before a salty-tasting finish.	86	19	Mendoza Province	Malbec
115,376	Italy	Round and juicy, this offers enticing scents of white flower, mature apple, citrus and pear that carry over to the palate along with honeydew melon and a hint of aromatic herb. Fresh acidity balances the ripe fruit flavors.	88	17	Sicily & Sardinia	White Blend
36,445	US	A medium cherry-red color, this wine offer fruit-filled aromas of strawberry bubble gum, pomegranate and cherry. It drinks a hair off dry, with broad, fleshy fruit flavors that linger.	88	26	Washington	Rosé
82,305	US	New oak accounts for 30% of the barrels used, yet it really dominates, with a buttered toast aroma and flavor. The malolactic fermentation brings notes of buttered popcorn, while the underlying notes of pineapples, Meyer lemons and limes are rich and ripe.	87	30	California	Chardonnay
91,696	France	Meat and bacon aromas introduce a wine that is taut, structured and high on the acidity. It has a lean, slightly dirty taste, which is not attractive.	81	16	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
55,462	Italy	This is completely dominated by oak. It doesn't have the fruity richness to support the toasted notes and invasive wood sensations. It finishes on an astringent note.	84	16	Veneto	Red Blend
35,395	Italy	A pure expression of Syrah from coastal Tuscany, this plush wine opens with cherry, tobacco and cigar-like aromas. It's fine, elegant and streamlined on the finish thanks to a touch of crispness.	92	75	Tuscany	Syrah
74,089	US	A majority Pinot Noir (54%), this brut rosé has a healthy head of mousse followed by succulent strawberry flavor, bright acidity and a smooth finish. Dark golden-peach in color, it is layered and well-made, and a great value for the quality.	91	23	California	Sparkling Blend
56,946	France	Light and fruity, the wine is dilute and gently textured. It is ready to drink.	82	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
34,312	US	Spicy and fruity on the nose, with scents of black cherry pie, this Finger Lakes Barbera balances lush cassis and vanilla flavors, with a shock of lemony acidity. There's a faint note of tomato leaf throughout, but it finishes moderately long, with a flurry of soft tannins.	85	16	New York	Barbera
50,273	US	Dark color, generous dark-fruit and earth aromas and flavors, and a firmly tannic texture make this quality wine typical of the variety. It has good flavor concentration, with more fruit and light spices pouring out on the finish. It will be best after 2019.	91	32	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
126,367	US	In this newest vintage of Oriana, the Riesling component has been bumped up to 18%; the rest is half Viognier, 31% Roussanne. The three grapes complement each other well; the Riesling adding aromatics, acidity and a barely perceptible amount of residual sugar. This opens with a vitamin pill aroma that slowly dissipates; the fruit flavors are a mix of pineapple and Satsuma orange, with lots of natural acidity.	90	24	Washington	White Blend
98,932	US	Tremendous concentration is evident right from the start. The deep color and intense black cherry and blackberry fruit start it off. Streaks of tar and red licorice power through a mouth-filling midpalate and into a finish with exceptional length and balance. Drink now through 2030.	94	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
101,249	Argentina	Aromas of raspberry, blackberry, green herbs and tar set up a blocky, jammy, chunky palate. Plum, raspberry, currant, pepper and oaky flavors are grainy and spicy, while a woody finish tastes resiny, chocolaty and toasty.	89	23	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
25,974	US	Though more focused on Bordeaux varieties, the Daou brothers produce a fantastic Pinot Noir to chew on, with rich aromas of cherry pie set in a anise-flecked crust. The wine is soft and plush once sipped, with black cherries, root beer and strong black licorice elements.	92	65	California	Pinot Noir
123,889	Spain	Ripe yet fresh aromas of black plum and cassis show notes of iodine and iron. This is exceedingly solid in feel, with a slight hint of bright acidity. Flavors of plum, blackberry and leather end in smooth fashion; drink through 2020.	91	25	Catalonia	Syrah
92,582	Italy	La Fornace is a dark, savory expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that shows aged tertiary aromas of dark spice, cured meat and prune. It feels rich and dense, with a gritty quality to the tannins and long endnotes of bacon, black pepper and leather. Drink now.	90	65	Tuscany	Cabernet Sauvignon
74,595	US	Among Wente's highest-priced offerings, this is an elegant Merlot, velvety textured and succulent in herbal cassis and luxurious red plum and cherry. With a gorgeous mouthfeel and some weight to the body, it'll stand up to equally elegant meals.	90	80	California	Merlot
92,603	Italy	This has a smooth structure and yellow fruit aromas. This wine also adds a grassy twist of dried herb or rosemary on the finish.	86	14	Northeastern Italy	Pinot Grigio
8,110	Argentina	Rich aromas of raisin, cassis and blackberry are supported by notes of vanilla, smoke and sweet almond paste. While this is dense and ripe, it's also a touch edgy and raw on the palate. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, dark spices and chocolate finish with a primary wave of residual fruit then a final dose of peppery spice. Drink through 2025.	93	50	Mendoza Province	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
63,950	US	This Syrah is bone dry, tannic and simple. The blackberry jam and pepper flavors are tasty, but unable to rise above the astringency. Drink now.	84	25	California	Syrah
113,486	Italy	This is a 100% unoaked Chardonnay that opens with bright tones of citrus, banana and pineapple. There's a fresh acidic kick at the end.	86	11	Sicily & Sardinia	Chardonnay
97,411	US	Bright aromas of raspberry jam, flowers and spice are followed by rich, full-bodied red and black-fruit flavors that show depth and focus.	92	53	Washington	Syrah
96,515	Italy	There aren't too many sparkling Pinot Grigios, but this is the one to try if you're curious. It offers substance and creaminess, with a subtle bouquet of citrus and stone fruit.	86	20	Northeastern Italy	Pinot Grigio
16,854	US	From the old vineyard in back of Don Hartford's house, this 15.7% alcohol Zin is big—but it's no brute. It's full of dark, rich blackberries, layered with chocolate and black pepper. The velvety texture carries through the long finish, picking up hints of black licorice. Editors' Choice.	93	34	California	Zinfandel
91,940	France	This hugely ripe Merlot has created a monster of a wine, heavily laden with bitter coffee extraction as well as very ripe black plum fruits. Big and concentrated, this is a wine to be enjoyed for its profusion and excess.	89	22	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
20,416	France	Fresh and fruity, this wine is also lightly herbal and shows touches of wood. It is crisp, tangy with its yellow-fruit flavors mingling with the citrus acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from late 2016.	89	45	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
23,793	US	Smooth and supple, this mix of Syrah, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec offers generous mixed berry fruit in a fresh, enjoyable style. What's missing is a sense of focus, rather than just blending of four disparate grapes.	88	28	Oregon	Red Blend
97,268	US	On the palate, this wine is rich and complex, with flavors of dried cherry, cola, licorice, red currant and sandalwood that finish bone dry. It has lots of acidity and some sandpaper-like tannins. This should begin to develop bottle-age notes after 2016.	92	48	California	Pinot Noir
61,809	US	Blended with less than a handful of Petite Sirah, this wine is thick and ultraripe, showing dense chocolate and plum sauce flavors, accented with soy.	85	52	California	Zinfandel
45,609	Spain	Red plum and currant aromas are a touch soupy but also suggestive of cherry Kool-Aid. This Garnacha-led blend is clacky and fairly acidic on the palate, but then it turns on itself to show raisin, loam and baked plum flavors. A lively finish gives it a boost out the door.	87	20	Catalonia	Red Blend
36,581	US	From a 90-year-old vineyard, this begins with a lean blackberry nose and other pointed dark-red to deep-purple fruits, all nicely laced with minerality and herbs. The flavors are dynamic, slipping from cranberry to pomegranate to cherry juice. A black tea finish framed by strong tannins ensures long cellar life. Drink 2018–2022.	90	30	California	Zinfandel
115,761	US	This makes a nice choice for your house white wine to buy by the case. Attractively rich, it seems to be all about the fruit flavor. It brings ripe pear and peach notes, an opulent texture and lingering fruity finish. It is medium-bodied, smooth and complete.	87	8	California	Pinot Grigio
8,694	US	The nose on this semi-dry Riesling is a touch savory, brimming with green herb, pressed apple and pear aromas. The palate, however, turns fresher, floral and fruity, filling the mouth with sweet-tart grapefruit and peach flavors. Nervy acidity extends a moderately long finish.	88	14	New York	Riesling
77,265	US	This big, brawny, boisterous wine is firing on all eight cylinders as it generates powerful and concentrated fruit flavors. Rich, warm tannins partner with a thick, velvety texture and lingering finish. It has that exuberant fruitiness of some Zins but with more blueberry and dark chocolate, plus considerable heft and depth. Best through 2023.	93	24	California	Petite Sirah
100,550	France	Concentrated, dense and powerful, this has all the structure of a Chambertin. As a contrast, the juicy acidity cuts through the texture, luring out black fruits that balance the solid core of tannins. It needs to age for at least seven years.	92	260	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
128,005	France	A brilliant wine, shining with bright fruits, fresh and crisp. The fact that it also has weight gives it an extra intensity of herbaceous flavors, lifted by green peas. There is a definite steely edge to the finish.	92	30	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
101,377	France	This is the branded Bordeaux from Jean-Luc Thunevin, so-called Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon) of Saint-Émilion, now respected owner of Grand Cru Classé Château Valandraud. It is a richly smooth wine with touches of wood and generous blackberries. Concentrated and lightly tannic, it is fruity and ready to drink.	88	25	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
22,503	US	This wine by retired baseball stars Rich Aurilia and Dave Roberts shows both ripeness and restraint in all corners. On the nose, that means star anise and slate layered across black cherry and blackberry fruit. On the palate, the very full mouthfeel packs thyme, crushed herbs and elderberry flavors into an earthy package.	94	56	California	Pinot Noir
7,481	US	This thin, light effort carries flavors of baby aspirin, or orange candy. It's one dimensional, bearing little varietal character.	83	15	Oregon	Viognier
78,252	US	No question that the flavors of this Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Counoise blend are delicious. Raspberry and cherry tart, mocha, oatmeal raisin cookie, vanilla, what's not to like? The problem is the structure, which is soft and lacking in vibrancy and tannic firmness. Drink now.	87	45	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
113,150	US	The scents and flavors are dominated by chocolate, right from the start. The mouthfeel is tight, and herbal notes come up ahead of the light red fruit. Whole cluster fermentation was employed, perhaps accounting for the woody accents in the tannins.	87	45	Oregon	Pinot Noir
36,241	US	This has lots of fresh berry aromas, blending raspberry, strawberry and deeper blackberry. Full bodied, it features ripe flavors, velvety mouthfeel and firm tannins. Dry and well balanced, it will make a great dinner wine because of all the palate-cleansing texture. Drink now through 2022.	92	50	California	Zinfandel
46,427	US	A taste of sarsaparilla and fresh strawberry hulls combine in this soft, velvety and well-structured wine, the bouquet floral in rose petals and earthy dew. Medium to light bodied, it's a lovely sipping wine that will also pair well with food.	92	42	California	Pinot Noir
96,524	US	Strong in oak and ripe fruit, this tastes overworked. It's dominated by buttered toast, butterscotch and pineapple jam flavors. It will satisfy legions of Chardonnay lovers who like this popular style.	86	30	California	Chardonnay
111,479	Italy	Aromas of woodland berry, violet, underbrush and a hint of tilled earth lead the nose. The savory palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, spice and a tobacco note. Firm but polished tannins support the juicy flavors.	88	16	Tuscany	Red Blend
10,989	US	This tightly wound wine offers firm purple fruit flavors, along with a touch of sweet berries. There's ample acidity and a slightly chalky finish.	90	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
22,094	US	Appealing aromas of cocoa, vanilla, spice and red fruit are followed by plump ripe fruit and barrel flavors. Chocolate flavors linger on the finish. The oak plays prominently.	88	15	Washington	Merlot
99,721	US	This medium-bodied wine smells sugary and floral, but tastes quite dry. Flavors are fruity but spare and the mouthfeel is taut.	86	38	California	Merlot

28,295

Spain

Dusty apple-driven aromas are simple but true to what brut Cava is about. This feels citric but a little flat, with pithy orange, tangerine and lime flavors that finish clean, crisp and short.

86

12

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

20,520

US

Named for the proprietor/winemaker's favorite two roses, the flowers not the wine, this is indeed a wholly floral experience, subtle and delicately crafted to exude wild strawberry, orange and lime. Dry and refreshingly crisp in acidity, it's a light take on beautiful complexity.

90

28

California

Rosé

94,344

US

This Syrah is soft, simple and sweet, with jammy raspberry, cherry and milk chocolate flavors. High alcohol gives it some heat on the finish. Drink up.

85

34

California

Syrah

129,006

US

California Malbec by itself tends to be straightforward, which might be why the winemaker blended this one with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is excellent, one of the best Malbecs in California, with rich blackberry, currant and cedar flavors. The strong tannins suggest it should pair well with beef.

92

50

California

Malbec

39,327

US

This begins with round, lush scents of honey butter on hot toast and roasted almond. The initial flavors are light and fresh, with peach and slight guava. That tropicality emerges even more thoughout the long, lingering finish.

93

35

California

Chardonnay

43,523

US

This is a slightly grassy, green white wine that fans of this style may enjoy; others not so much. Light in alcohol, it has medium body and crispness.

84

18

California

Sauvignon Blanc

87,338

US

This is a finesse wine, with light flavors of pomegranate and cranberry. There's a suggestion of burnt toast—just a hint—around the tannins, which remain a bit stiff and chewy. Give this another year or two and it should open up further.

91

36

Oregon

Pinot Noir

110,913

Spain

Creamy oak aromas shout “vanilla” and “wood resin” in full voice. This is a rough wine with stampeding tannins. Toasty boysenberry flavors are more pounding than elegant, while this tastes of bitter chocolate on an aggressive finish. Give this five years and it may show better but now it's massive and unsettled.

90

110

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

38,805

Italy

Aromas of fig, eucalyptus, violet, chopped herbs and raspberry emerge on this full-bodied, fragrant offering. Made with 50-year-old vines, the structured palate boasts dried black cherry, tart red currant, oak-driven spice, espresso and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.

89

35

Piedmont

Barbera

66,993

US

A little unsmooth in tannins and minty-green, but a pretty tasty mouthful of Pinot. It's dry and silky, with cherry, red currant, cola and licorice flavors. Drink now.

85

24

California

Pinot Noir

122,648

US

While sweet on the nose with aromas of cherry vanilla and wet cedar, the palate on this medium-bodied blend is a bit soft and stewed with overripe red fruit and hints of tomato sauce. Easygoing and generous throughout, it ends with soft tannins and a mocha chocolate and graham cracker crumb finish.

85

30

New York

Red Blend

70,408

US

A little too soft for ageability, but a very delicious wine. Not quite in the league of the wonderful 2007, but offers rich, ripe flavors of blackberries, cherries, cola and cedar, with all kinds of earthy, minerally complexities. Give it a firmer mouthfeel and the score would soar.

90

58

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

9,778

Argentina

Big-format Malbec is what we're calling this new 15.5% wine from Benjamin de Rothschild and Laurent Dassault, original partners in Michel Rolland's Clos de los Siete project. Round, lush and full of body, Flechas shows muscle but little fat. It's colorful, dark, full of black fruit and long on the finish. It is modern Malbec done for modern palates.

92

22

Mendoza Province

Malbec

87,810

US

Give this Cabernet a brief decanting. After that, the aromas and flavors match up in cherries, blackberries and cassis, with a savory coating of sweet oak. Drink now.

88

17

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

31,091

Spain

Persistently murky and leafy on the nose, this traditional-style Rioja brings juicier, brighter fruit to the palate along with some tangy, somewhat sharp acids. In the folds, a dash of oak brings vanilla and additional tannin into the picture. Improves with airing.

86

13

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

30,852

US

A really nice wine, refreshing and light, with delicate lemon-grapefruit flavors complexed with creamy lees. The acidity is very crisp and assertive. No discernible oak at all, and with this pretty fruit and structure, it doesn't need any.

87

13

Oregon

Pinot Gris

80,765

France

Blackberry jam aromas in this wine are followed by a lean palate and ample tannins. It's tough at this stage, but as it opens, the fruit will come through to give damson jelly flavors. Drink from 2020.

87

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

44,788

US

Quite dry and reserved in flavor, this wine is intriguing: subtle rose petal and mineral notes, medium body and a bite of grapefruit zest on the finish that begs for another sip. One of the earliest producers of Gewürztraminer wines in Anderson Valley, it's still one of the best.

92

22

California

Gewürztraminer

128,045

US

A perfumed wine, this leaps up with aromas of white flowers, ginger and lychee. It drinks off dry, with a viscous, almost oily feel that provides a sense of heft.

88

16

Washington

Gewürztraminer

100,879

US

Deep cherry, sagebrush and cola are laid across wet slate and purple flowers on a complex nose in this appellation-wide blend from Richard Sanford's team. Crushed wild herbs, like mint, sage, thyme and pine needle are prominent on the palate, backed up by a splash of red fruit.

91

40

California

Pinot Noir

89,132

Spain

Full, ripe and so tannic in its present form that it's scratchy and hard on the mouth. Aromas of ripe berry and syrup hint at its core power, while flavors of blackberry, fresh raisin and chocolate are true and good. A powerpacked wine with a fierce mouthfeel; only time can bring it around. Hold until 2011.

88

40

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

5,155

Italy

You'll really love this simple and clean white wine from sunny Tuscany. The aromas here are crisp and fragrant, recalling peach, apricot and pear. The wine is zippy in the mouth but it also awards enough natural structure for tuna or sushi.

87

20

Tuscany

White Blend

99,217

France

This ripe wine with acidity and citrus flavors has an attractive mineral texture and lively acidity. It is crisp with a fine tang of orange and lemon zest. Drink now.

88

26

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

123,871

Italy

This opens with aromas of black berry fruit along with more rustic notes of game and a whiff of barnyard. The palate offers up crushed black cherry, toast, black pepper, espresso and vanilla alongside oak extract. The brooding, astringent tannins need time to integrate fully. Drink after 2020.

89

75

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

10,884

US

Black cherry fruit gets serious with elements of slate, eucalyptus, tar and wild mint on this wine from the Corralitos area at the southern coastal edge of the appellation. It's soft at first on the palate, then reveals a wash of acidity, with sour cherry fruit and black tea tannins.

90

48

California

Pinot Noir

23,971

US

Perfumed and strikingly floral, this soft, seductive Pinot is light in color and body, with handsome layerings of strawberry fruit, Asian spice and suggestions of just-unearthed mushrooms or a newly minted Christmas wreath. On the finish, a touch of vanilla-tinged oak rounds things out.

94

75

California

Pinot Noir

34,545

Italy

Castello Banfi's delicious Cum Laude is a super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah that opens with rich aromas of black fruit and chocolate fudge. The 30% Cabernet Sauvignon component adds background notes of exotic spice, moist tobacco and firm tannins.

92

37

Tuscany

Red Blend

39,750

Spain

Aromas of cassis and brandied cherry are rich and full but not overly complex. Flush and ripe on the palate, with tough tannins, this tastes of baked berry fruits. After that, a slight raisiny note blends with latent cassis on a ripe finish.

88

18

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

21,048

US

There's lots of rich blackberry, chocolate and currant flavor in this smooth, 100% varietal Cabernet. The tannin-acid balance is fine, giving the wine rich interest. Ready to drink now.

87

30

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

102,265

US

Aromas of huckleberry, herbs and spice are fresh and focused. The fruit flavors are concentrated, with a supple feel and soft tannins. It displays a good sense of balance.

90

16

Washington

Merlot

80,611

US

Young and tight, this requires aggressive aeration before it begins to show much flavor. It's worth the effort, as it evolves into a dense, delicious wine that marries its juicy stone fruits to a rich mix of vanilla, coconut and caramel components from the barrel aging. Drink 2018 to 2030.

92

65

Oregon

Chardonnay

118,970

US

This small-production wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percents of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Pencil lead, cedar and tobacco leaf greet on entry before soft yet generous layers of tannin swirl on the palate, informed by a depth of blackberry. A mix of savory and fruity, the finish is subtle in white pepper. Cellar through 2022.

94

150

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

52,780

US

Happily, each new vintage of Bésoleil is a bit larger than the previous year, so more people can taste what a joy this wine is. In 2008 it's 82% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre. As with all the Betz wines, it is intensely aromatic. The wine glass fairly explodes with scents of grape, plum, raspberry and cherry. In the mouth grace notes offer hints of leaf and fresh herb. Plush and irresistible.

93

45

Washington

Grenache

103,930

France

A considerable layer of tannins is dominating the fruit in this wine. It's still firm, structured and dry in character with just a hint of juiciness behind. Drink from 2017.

86

19

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

32,989

France

Aged for a year on its lees, this wine is rich, tangy and refreshingly crisp. It is a Blanc de Blancs, with a strongly mineral character that adds a tight character to the texture. It will age a few more months in bottle, so drink from late 2016.

90

26

Burgundy

Chardonnay

103,525

US

Touches of vanilla, spice and smoked nuts lend complexity to straightforward apple, lemon and pear flavors in this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. It's refreshing and easy drinking with a brisk, clean finish.

86

13

New York

Chardonnay

30,768

US

Soft and gentle in structure, this Cab appeals for its ripe, pie-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries and spices. It's a pretty, polished young wine whose vigorous tannins give it a sandpapery texture. Ready now.

86

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

104,315

Argentina

Crisp grapefruit and celery aromas set up a round palate with a pulpy texture. Flavors of scallion, citrus peel and grape skins finish citrusy on one hand and pyrazinic on the other. Possibly of interest, this was fermented and aged in egg-shaped concrete tanks.

87

30

Mendoza Province

Sauvignon Blanc

32,974

Italy

Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, fennel, toast and baking spice come together in the glass. The taut, focused, palate shows ripe black cherry, red raspberry, mineral and licorice while fresh acidity and firm tannins provide balance. Drink 2019 through 2024.

90

39

Sicily & Sardinia

Red Blend

113,299

US

One of a series of single-clone offerings from Kason, this pushes the ripeness to its limits. Nonetheless, the black-fruit flavors can't compete with the intense charred-wood character. Bitter tannins take over the finish.

85

45

Oregon

Pinot Noir

97,489

Argentina

This is a varietally correct Cabernet with minty oak, mild herb aromas and toasty, solid berry fruit scents on the bouquet. Although it's a bit scouring and tough on the palate, flavors of raspberry, plum and herbs are spicy and right. On the finish, oaky vanilla and lemony notes settle in.

88

20

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

88,539

France

This is a hard edged wine, solid and firm, with dry tannins and only a hint of fruity acidity. It does have weight, so it could soften with age.

85

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

51,715

US

From the highest-elevation spot within the producer's Conn Creek vineyard, this wine is sticky and grippy in coffee, red cherry and billowing tannins that reach a soft, round approachability. The finish is part chocolate, part vanilla, both in proportion and in balance, the wine ultimately full of grace.

92

95

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

22,976

US

This nonvintage brut is almost always a successful bottling for Korbel. This release will not disappoint: It's a fine sparkling wine, dryish, crisp and rich in flavors of orange, lime, vanilla and yeast, with a hint of strawberry.

87

13

California

Sparkling Blend

34,129

US

A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot, this bright and grapy effort pleasingly integrates slightly rougher notes of earth, leaf and stem. It all works here, adding texture and detail to the tart berry fruits. Drink in the next 3–5 years.

90

27

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

84,163

Italy

Lemon blossom, citrus and white stone fruit aromas delicately lift out of the glass. The bright polished palate doles out yellow apple, creamy white peach, nectarine drop and a hint of crushed herb alongside crisp acidity and a silky mousse.

89

15

Veneto

Glera

59,798

US

Parducci's '03 True Grit was a sensation. The '04 is a worthy successor. Dry, tannic and amazingly rich, it floods the mouth with blackberry, cherry, currant, leather, coffee, carob and peppery spice flavors that go on and on in the finish. Like any great young Petite Sirah, it will age for many years.

93

25

California

Petite Sirah

23,196

Spain

Piercing minerality with pure plum and berry aromas greet you on a rock-solid bouquet. This thoroughbred Rioja is racy and juicy, with inky black fruit flavors over subdued oak. A muscular and minty finish is full of verve and potential. Drink from 2016 through 2026.

93

40

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

68,222

US

This sophisticated and beautifully balanced wine shows that Lodi can make crisp and poised whites. It has aromas like white pepper and dried thyme, crisp lemon flavors and racy acidity. It is nicely dry, clean and tautly refreshing. While medium bodied, it has a big, vibrant presence.

90

12

California

Sauvignon Blanc

50,846

US

Aromas of white pepper and pear start it off, and it smells snappy and inviting. The palate is all about grapefruit and orange; in a word, it's citrusy. The finish comes in waves, with notes of stone fruit and licorice. As a whole it's round and satisfying, but it's also a tad bit dilute and dull, which is why it rates where it does.

85

18

Oregon

Pinot Gris

62,345

US

Clarified butter and lemon rind notes combine on the entry of this estate-grown wine. Spicy, salty acidity and a subdued crisp-apple flavor contribute to its light, tangy finish.

90

38

California

Chardonnay

15,364

Argentina

Dark aromas suggest shoe polish and roasted black fruits. This feels rubbery and chunky, while the flavor profile includes quick pokes of cherry, plum and rubbery berry before a salty-tasting finish.

86

19

Mendoza Province

Malbec

115,376

Italy

Round and juicy, this offers enticing scents of white flower, mature apple, citrus and pear that carry over to the palate along with honeydew melon and a hint of aromatic herb. Fresh acidity balances the ripe fruit flavors.

88

17

Sicily & Sardinia

White Blend

36,445

US

A medium cherry-red color, this wine offer fruit-filled aromas of strawberry bubble gum, pomegranate and cherry. It drinks a hair off dry, with broad, fleshy fruit flavors that linger.

88

26

Washington

Rosé

82,305

US

New oak accounts for 30% of the barrels used, yet it really dominates, with a buttered toast aroma and flavor. The malolactic fermentation brings notes of buttered popcorn, while the underlying notes of pineapples, Meyer lemons and limes are rich and ripe.

87

30

California

Chardonnay

91,696

France

Meat and bacon aromas introduce a wine that is taut, structured and high on the acidity. It has a lean, slightly dirty taste, which is not attractive.

81

16

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

55,462

Italy

This is completely dominated by oak. It doesn't have the fruity richness to support the toasted notes and invasive wood sensations. It finishes on an astringent note.

84

16

Veneto

Red Blend

35,395

Italy

A pure expression of Syrah from coastal Tuscany, this plush wine opens with cherry, tobacco and cigar-like aromas. It's fine, elegant and streamlined on the finish thanks to a touch of crispness.

92

75

Tuscany

Syrah

74,089

US

A majority Pinot Noir (54%), this brut rosé has a healthy head of mousse followed by succulent strawberry flavor, bright acidity and a smooth finish. Dark golden-peach in color, it is layered and well-made, and a great value for the quality.

91

23

California

Sparkling Blend

56,946

France

Light and fruity, the wine is dilute and gently textured. It is ready to drink.

82

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

34,312

US

Spicy and fruity on the nose, with scents of black cherry pie, this Finger Lakes Barbera balances lush cassis and vanilla flavors, with a shock of lemony acidity. There's a faint note of tomato leaf throughout, but it finishes moderately long, with a flurry of soft tannins.

85

16

New York

Barbera

50,273

US

Dark color, generous dark-fruit and earth aromas and flavors, and a firmly tannic texture make this quality wine typical of the variety. It has good flavor concentration, with more fruit and light spices pouring out on the finish. It will be best after 2019.

91

32

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

126,367

US

In this newest vintage of Oriana, the Riesling component has been bumped up to 18%; the rest is half Viognier, 31% Roussanne. The three grapes complement each other well; the Riesling adding aromatics, acidity and a barely perceptible amount of residual sugar. This opens with a vitamin pill aroma that slowly dissipates; the fruit flavors are a mix of pineapple and Satsuma orange, with lots of natural acidity.

90

24

Washington

White Blend

98,932

US

Tremendous concentration is evident right from the start. The deep color and intense black cherry and blackberry fruit start it off. Streaks of tar and red licorice power through a mouth-filling midpalate and into a finish with exceptional length and balance. Drink now through 2030.

94

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

101,249

Argentina

Aromas of raspberry, blackberry, green herbs and tar set up a blocky, jammy, chunky palate. Plum, raspberry, currant, pepper and oaky flavors are grainy and spicy, while a woody finish tastes resiny, chocolaty and toasty.

89

23

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

25,974

US

Though more focused on Bordeaux varieties, the Daou brothers produce a fantastic Pinot Noir to chew on, with rich aromas of cherry pie set in a anise-flecked crust. The wine is soft and plush once sipped, with black cherries, root beer and strong black licorice elements.

92

65

California

Pinot Noir

123,889

Spain

Ripe yet fresh aromas of black plum and cassis show notes of iodine and iron. This is exceedingly solid in feel, with a slight hint of bright acidity. Flavors of plum, blackberry and leather end in smooth fashion; drink through 2020.

91

25

Catalonia

Syrah

92,582

Italy

La Fornace is a dark, savory expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that shows aged tertiary aromas of dark spice, cured meat and prune. It feels rich and dense, with a gritty quality to the tannins and long endnotes of bacon, black pepper and leather. Drink now.

90

65

Tuscany

Cabernet Sauvignon

74,595

US

Among Wente's highest-priced offerings, this is an elegant Merlot, velvety textured and succulent in herbal cassis and luxurious red plum and cherry. With a gorgeous mouthfeel and some weight to the body, it'll stand up to equally elegant meals.

90

80

California

Merlot

92,603

Italy

This has a smooth structure and yellow fruit aromas. This wine also adds a grassy twist of dried herb or rosemary on the finish.

86

14

Northeastern Italy

Pinot Grigio

8,110

Argentina

Rich aromas of raisin, cassis and blackberry are supported by notes of vanilla, smoke and sweet almond paste. While this is dense and ripe, it's also a touch edgy and raw on the palate. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, dark spices and chocolate finish with a primary wave of residual fruit then a final dose of peppery spice. Drink through 2025.

93

50

Mendoza Province

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

63,950

US

This Syrah is bone dry, tannic and simple. The blackberry jam and pepper flavors are tasty, but unable to rise above the astringency. Drink now.

84

25

California

Syrah

113,486

Italy

This is a 100% unoaked Chardonnay that opens with bright tones of citrus, banana and pineapple. There's a fresh acidic kick at the end.

86

11

Sicily & Sardinia

Chardonnay

97,411

US

Bright aromas of raspberry jam, flowers and spice are followed by rich, full-bodied red and black-fruit flavors that show depth and focus.

92

53

Washington

Syrah

96,515

Italy

There aren't too many sparkling Pinot Grigios, but this is the one to try if you're curious. It offers substance and creaminess, with a subtle bouquet of citrus and stone fruit.

86

20

Northeastern Italy

Pinot Grigio

16,854

US

From the old vineyard in back of Don Hartford's house, this 15.7% alcohol Zin is big—but it's no brute. It's full of dark, rich blackberries, layered with chocolate and black pepper. The velvety texture carries through the long finish, picking up hints of black licorice. Editors' Choice.

93

34

California

Zinfandel

91,940

France

This hugely ripe Merlot has created a monster of a wine, heavily laden with bitter coffee extraction as well as very ripe black plum fruits. Big and concentrated, this is a wine to be enjoyed for its profusion and excess.

89

22

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

20,416

France

Fresh and fruity, this wine is also lightly herbal and shows touches of wood. It is crisp, tangy with its yellow-fruit flavors mingling with the citrus acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from late 2016.

89

45

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

23,793

US

Smooth and supple, this mix of Syrah, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec offers generous mixed berry fruit in a fresh, enjoyable style. What's missing is a sense of focus, rather than just blending of four disparate grapes.

88

28

Oregon

Red Blend

97,268

US

On the palate, this wine is rich and complex, with flavors of dried cherry, cola, licorice, red currant and sandalwood that finish bone dry. It has lots of acidity and some sandpaper-like tannins. This should begin to develop bottle-age notes after 2016.

92

48

California

Pinot Noir

61,809

US

Blended with less than a handful of Petite Sirah, this wine is thick and ultraripe, showing dense chocolate and plum sauce flavors, accented with soy.

85

52

California

Zinfandel

45,609

Spain

Red plum and currant aromas are a touch soupy but also suggestive of cherry Kool-Aid. This Garnacha-led blend is clacky and fairly acidic on the palate, but then it turns on itself to show raisin, loam and baked plum flavors. A lively finish gives it a boost out the door.

87

20

Catalonia

Red Blend

36,581

US

From a 90-year-old vineyard, this begins with a lean blackberry nose and other pointed dark-red to deep-purple fruits, all nicely laced with minerality and herbs. The flavors are dynamic, slipping from cranberry to pomegranate to cherry juice. A black tea finish framed by strong tannins ensures long cellar life. Drink 2018–2022.

90

30

California

Zinfandel

115,761

US

This makes a nice choice for your house white wine to buy by the case. Attractively rich, it seems to be all about the fruit flavor. It brings ripe pear and peach notes, an opulent texture and lingering fruity finish. It is medium-bodied, smooth and complete.

87

8

California

Pinot Grigio

8,694

US

The nose on this semi-dry Riesling is a touch savory, brimming with green herb, pressed apple and pear aromas. The palate, however, turns fresher, floral and fruity, filling the mouth with sweet-tart grapefruit and peach flavors. Nervy acidity extends a moderately long finish.

88

14

New York

Riesling

77,265

US

This big, brawny, boisterous wine is firing on all eight cylinders as it generates powerful and concentrated fruit flavors. Rich, warm tannins partner with a thick, velvety texture and lingering finish. It has that exuberant fruitiness of some Zins but with more blueberry and dark chocolate, plus considerable heft and depth. Best through 2023.

93

24

California

Petite Sirah

100,550

France

Concentrated, dense and powerful, this has all the structure of a Chambertin. As a contrast, the juicy acidity cuts through the texture, luring out black fruits that balance the solid core of tannins. It needs to age for at least seven years.

92

260

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

128,005

France

A brilliant wine, shining with bright fruits, fresh and crisp. The fact that it also has weight gives it an extra intensity of herbaceous flavors, lifted by green peas. There is a definite steely edge to the finish.

92

30

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

101,377

France

This is the branded Bordeaux from Jean-Luc Thunevin, so-called Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon) of Saint-Émilion, now respected owner of Grand Cru Classé Château Valandraud. It is a richly smooth wine with touches of wood and generous blackberries. Concentrated and lightly tannic, it is fruity and ready to drink.

88

25

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

22,503

US

This wine by retired baseball stars Rich Aurilia and Dave Roberts shows both ripeness and restraint in all corners. On the nose, that means star anise and slate layered across black cherry and blackberry fruit. On the palate, the very full mouthfeel packs thyme, crushed herbs and elderberry flavors into an earthy package.

94

56

California

Pinot Noir

7,481

US

This thin, light effort carries flavors of baby aspirin, or orange candy. It's one dimensional, bearing little varietal character.

83

15

Oregon

Viognier

78,252

US

No question that the flavors of this Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Counoise blend are delicious. Raspberry and cherry tart, mocha, oatmeal raisin cookie, vanilla, what's not to like? The problem is the structure, which is soft and lacking in vibrancy and tannic firmness. Drink now.

87

45

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

113,150

US

The scents and flavors are dominated by chocolate, right from the start. The mouthfeel is tight, and herbal notes come up ahead of the light red fruit. Whole cluster fermentation was employed, perhaps accounting for the woody accents in the tannins.

87

45

Oregon

Pinot Noir

36,241

US

This has lots of fresh berry aromas, blending raspberry, strawberry and deeper blackberry. Full bodied, it features ripe flavors, velvety mouthfeel and firm tannins. Dry and well balanced, it will make a great dinner wine because of all the palate-cleansing texture. Drink now through 2022.

92

50

California

Zinfandel

46,427

US

A taste of sarsaparilla and fresh strawberry hulls combine in this soft, velvety and well-structured wine, the bouquet floral in rose petals and earthy dew. Medium to light bodied, it's a lovely sipping wine that will also pair well with food.

92

42

California

Pinot Noir

96,524

US

Strong in oak and ripe fruit, this tastes overworked. It's dominated by buttered toast, butterscotch and pineapple jam flavors. It will satisfy legions of Chardonnay lovers who like this popular style.

86

30

California

Chardonnay

111,479

Italy

Aromas of woodland berry, violet, underbrush and a hint of tilled earth lead the nose. The savory palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, spice and a tobacco note. Firm but polished tannins support the juicy flavors.

88

16

Tuscany

Red Blend

10,989

US

This tightly wound wine offers firm purple fruit flavors, along with a touch of sweet berries. There's ample acidity and a slightly chalky finish.

90

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

22,094

US

Appealing aromas of cocoa, vanilla, spice and red fruit are followed by plump ripe fruit and barrel flavors. Chocolate flavors linger on the finish. The oak plays prominently.

88

15

Washington

Merlot

99,721

US

This medium-bodied wine smells sugary and floral, but tastes quite dry. Flavors are fruity but spare and the mouthfeel is taut.

86

38

California

Merlot