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
8,740	US	Earthy notes of clay and mushroom lend a rugged complexity to aromas of roasted plums and cherries on this lush yet composed wine. The palate is densely concentrated with black cherry flavor, but anchored with bright acidity and a blanket of velvet tannins.	89	25	New York	Cabernet Sauvignon
71,770	US	Concentrated aromas of honey, golden raisin, date, jasmine and fig are lifted by a nutty walnut component that adds intrigue on the late harvest bottling. The viscous sip grabs hold of attention immediately, with buoyant and bright acidity holding up the honey and raisin flavors.	90	30	California	Viognier
48,388	Italy	Enticing scents of rose, violet, smoke, red berry and white pepper are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine. The elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cake spice and mineral alongside elegant tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note signals the close. Drink 2016–2026.	94	52	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
5,143	US	Handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot figure into this wine, a lovely, medium-bodied beauty that finds balance in its measured use of oak. Vanilla, plum and bold jolts of pepper and cinnamon combine well on the lengthy palate.	92	35	California	Merlot
62,911	US	A juicy wine, rich, ripe and sweet in jammy fruit and caramelized oak flavors. Black raspberries, blackberries and mocha, spiced with cinnamon and pepper, flood the mouth, wrapped into beautifully sculpted, sweet tannins. A lovely wine to drink now. The wine is mainly Syrah, with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.	92	40	California	Red Blend
101,192	US	Light in color, this good-deal wine presents lime sorbet and chalk on the nose. That green citrus persists on the palate alongside salt, sea shell and barrel smoke.	87	13	California	Chardonnay
24,765	France	The restrained and floral opening of jasmine and mandarin peel leads to a palate that holds just a touch of residual sugar, filling this gorgeously balanced Gewurztraminer to the brim with sweet citrus swirls of tangerine, satsuma and mandarin. Notes of orange blossom hover and are pulled into focus by the textured mouthfeel of this immensely elegant wine.	93	55	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
93,206	France	This wine is quite closed at this stage with dark tannins and a firm texture. The dry edge obscures attractive fruitiness, finishing with acidity and freshness.	86	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
47,342	US	This wine is a very pale peach color. Aromas of strawberry candy, watermelon and citrus peel lead to light dry-fruit flavors. The concentration seems a bit lacking.	85	17	Washington	Rosé
121,401	Italy	Made with organic grapes, the nose offers oak, toast and espresso. The bracing palate shows dried cherry notes alongside raspy tannins that grip the finish. It doesn't have the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak.	85	23	Tuscany	Sangiovese
82,495	France	Smooth, perfumed and elegant, this Cabernet Franc-dominated wine has rounded tannins, layered acidity and a dark power of ripe tannins. It is both concentrated and fresh, a great combination.	94	150	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
49,076	US	Aged in a majority of neutral French oak, the wine has opening aromas that impart generous toasty characteristics before mellowing into nutty, vanilla swirls and a lingering taste of green apple.	87	22	California	Chardonnay
16,595	US	This shows real Sonoma Coast character in its silky texture, strong acidity and transparency of its raspberry and cherry notes, which allow for a mineral-driven taste of the soil to shine. The wine improves in the glass as it airs, picking up extra layers of complexity.	92	30	California	Pinot Noir
60,236	Italy	Aromas of espresso, mocha and black-skinned fruit lead the nose. The robust, one-dimensional palate offers black cherry, mint and licorice alongside close-grained tannins and fresh acidity.	87	30	Tuscany	Sangiovese
6,729	US	This Brut-style wine feels extraordinarily refined in the mouth, with a silky, airy texture. The flavors of toffee, butterscotch, orange marmalade and vanilla bean are rich, but balanced with yeasty bitterness and bright acidity. Gorgeous to drink now, anywhere, anytime, with practically anything. Pricey, yes, but worth it for special occasions.	94	160	California	Sparkling Blend
8,405	Spain	Covila produces mostly good-quality affordable Rioja wines, but with this bottling the winery has stepped it up a notch. Aromas of raisin, graphite, prune, vanilla and coconut are ripe and oaky. A chunky, blocky, ripe palate holds blackberry and cassis flavors that come with notes of dried herbs. Chewy tannins and peppery spice push a bold finish. Drink through 2022.	92	31	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
9,197	France	From what used to be known as the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, this Merlot-dominated wine offers soft fruits laced with acidity and gentle tannins. It is not a wine for aging.	86	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
118,813	France	A breezy zingy nose of lemon makes for a very refreshing proposition. The palate does not disappoint and continues in the same tart-but-ripe citrus fashion. The sharp freshness on the dry palate makes the citrus notes shine even more. This is utterly refreshing and totally moreish.	92	28	Alsace	Riesling
63,982	Italy	Aromas of mature apple and acacia carry through to the simple palate along with a hint of pineapple. It's fresh and informal, with bright acidity.	85	21	Veneto	Glera
48,807	US	This Zin wants two or three years to round off the jagged edges. There's a lot going on, from the supple blackberry, leather and pepper flavors, wildly exotic spices and smooth tannins to an undefinable earthy-mineral taste that must come from the soil. There's some burn from alcohol, as Zins from the Maple Vineyards tend to exhibit.	91	40	California	Zinfandel
46,330	US	Pretty scents and flavors of bright cherry fruit come up quickly, with enough concentration to batten down a medium-long finish. A light hint of sweat or animal comes up also.	88	45	Oregon	Pinot Noir
48,525	France	Light and bright, this is a fragrant and fruity rosé. On the palate, strawberry flavors are gently caressed with soft acidity, leaving a soft, ripe aftertaste.	84	17	Provence	Rosé
57,805	France	The domaine bottling of Saint-André de Figuière really ratchets up the quality over its négociant wines, adding much more weight and concentration. This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 25% Cinsault blends black cherry and citrus flavors into a richly textured, spicy rosé.	90	20	Provence	Rosé
21,564	US	Great price for a big production (5,000 cases) Chardonnay of this quality. It's dry and crisp and elegantly structured, with savory citrus fruit, peach, mineral and vanilla flavors. Easily as good as many Chards far more costly. From Don Sebastiani & Sons.	87	12	California	Chardonnay
24,804	US	A lush and expressive bottling from a brand new vineyard, this shows candied black cherry, Vietnamese coffee, baking spice and licorice on the approachable nose. The ripeness extends to the palate, hemmed in by a tannic structure that ensures long aging. Asian pepper, rum barrel, caramel and cherry flavors complete the picture.	93	46	California	Pinot Noir
90,582	US	The Domaine cuvée spent 20 months in French oak, 30% new and another 30% once-used. The concentrated, well-ripened fruit sets up a chunky core of strawberry jam that plays nicely against defining acidity. It remains focused and pure through a driving, lingering finish.	93	70	Oregon	Pinot Noir
44,683	US	Greg Brewer goes for full restraint on this bottling, which offers extremely tight aromas of citrus and wet rocks, only barely revealing that it's a Chardonnay. The flavors are similarly restrained, with lemongrass and guava barely peeking out. Yet the texture is sublime and tightly wound, lifted by a fresh acidity.	91	48	California	Chardonnay
24,720	US	This inky-black Bordeaux blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon. It's bone dry, tremendously hard in tannins and also quite acidic, giving the overall impression of tough rusticity. However, there's a tremendous core of blackberries and cassis. Decant and drink now.	86	22	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
47,939	Italy	Morellino di Scansano is an up-and-coming red wine from Southern Tuscany that is easy and fun to drink. This ruby-colored expression delivers fresh tones of cherry and red currants and it has a soothing, soft texture in the mouth thanks to one year of oak aging.	88	24	Tuscany	Sangiovese
58,382	US	The winery initially produced Cabernet, a fact fans of its white wines might not know. This vintage offers 83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Puckering in tannin, it offers faint mint and high-toned black cherry, the finish ripe and vanilla-sweet.	85	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
24,039	France	There is a lightly toasty character in this wine that gives it a round, full texture. Spice goes along with the green and white-fruit flavors to make an intensely fruity wine that hints at a New World style. Drink now. This is one of 15 Bordeaux chateaus by Crus and Domaines de France.	87	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
83,914	US	A simple wine, with cola, herb and raspberry tea flavors that are dry, but have a sharp mouthfeel. Seems unevenly ripened, with awkward tannins.	83	22	California	Grenache
57,553	France	With the velvet texture typical of the appellation, this smooth wine offers a good balance between the red fruits and soft tannins. A smoky edge mingles with the berry-fruit acidity to give a wine ready to drink from 2018.	89	50	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
125,879	US	Marked by penetrating acidity that's almost stinging, this Chard is balanced with a creamy, buttery texture framing rich flavors of pineapple tart, Key lime pie and smoky butterscotch. Good price for a wine of this depth and complexity.	87	18	California	Chardonnay
7,566	US	Another successful Marinus from this small Monterey County appellation. Made from all five classic Bordeaux varieties, it's dry and rich in blackberries, black currants, crème de cassis and cedar, and is more rough in tannins than your typical Napa Cabernet blend. Drink now–2013.	90	36	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
12,491	US	This young Artist Series Viognier spent seven months in once-used American oak barrels. The impression is of citrus, with a touch of sweetness and heavy barrel influence. There's a slightly burnt flavor, a hint of alcohol heat and a biting finish.	86	19	Oregon	Viognier
60,596	US	Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). The aromas are all high toned, including spice, dried dark fruit and herb notes. The black fruit shows depth, framed by lightly dry tannins and a gamy flavor that lingers on the finish.	88	40	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
86,749	US	Dark blackberry, riverstone, and crushed gravel notes make for a lively cool-climate Grenache grown in the heart of the appellation. The palate is very dry, tautly woven and elegant, with savory beef, thyme, rosemary and purple flower flavors all perfectly integrated.	92	60	California	Grenache
77,031	US	Let the conversations about minerality begin. Whatever it is, or wherever it comes from, it's here big time, adding a lick of steel and a metallic mouthfeel to the underlying fruit. And what powerful fruit it is, ranging from orange and guava to honeydew and citron. This bone dry, crisp Chardonnay is a game changer that will make you look at California Chardonnay differently.	97	70	California	Chardonnay
78,133	US	This is a heady wine from Mike Sinor, with blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas that are enhanced by clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, candied lilacs and loamy soil scents. Tannic depth and sizzling acidity frame the palate, where grilled black plum and mission fig meet with pencil lead, anise, bay leaf, juniper, cocoa and beef flavors, finishing with a menthol kick.	94	45	California	Pinot Noir
74,149	US	Half Zinfandel from Jack Rabbit Flat, half Petite Sirah, aged together in entirely new French oak, this is a weighty, brooding wine, rich in dark plum, blackberry, leather and black licorice. With a touch of espresso on the tightly tannic finish, it's a wine for cold nights and warm fires.	89	36	California	Red Blend
71,576	US	The vineyard is in the Oak Knoll District. The wine is dry and full-bodied, packed with ripe blackberries, black cherries and black currants, as well as toasty oak. A bit brusque in tannins at this young age, it should be cellared for a few years.	88	60	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
27,265	Argentina	A little bit hickory-dominated on the bouquet, but also giving balsamic notes, blackberry and chocolate mint. The palate is linear due to a streak of cutting acidity, while the palate is also snappy with wild raspberry and bright plum flavors and plenty of wood tannin. A toasty finish with espresso and chocolate is fine and long. Drink now through 2017.	92	55	Mendoza Province	Malbec
57,855	Portugal	This is a ripe wine with its juicy black fruits and generous tannins. It has a mature character that's emphasized by the wood aging and rich fruitiness. There's a touch of pepper at the end from the alcohol which is a shame. Drink now.	86	17	Douro	Portuguese Red
117,826	Italy	This begins with aromas of overripe plum, nail polish remover, fig, raisin, nutmeg, vanilla, resin and sweet oak. The dense, warm palate delivers chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plum and sweet oak alongside searing alcohol. It's already tired and evolved, and almost past its prime.	86	49	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
69,095	US	A bit raw and acidic, lacking generosity, but you'll find some decent cherry flavors in this dry Pinot Noir.	85	17	California	Pinot Noir
68,493	France	Light and fruity, this gently textured wine is more about red fruits than structure. It is perfumed with red-berry flavors, crisp acidity and a tangy, orange-flavored aftertaste. Drink now.	86	60	Champagne	Champagne Blend
116,910	US	A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, this wine combines them all to herbaceous, slightly green and puckering effect, the oak overwhelmingly audacious.	83	50	California	Red Blend
60,902	Italy	This plump Rosso di Montalcino offers ripe, succulent fruit notes of black cherry, blueberry and fresh plum, rounded by toasted espresso and almond. All that results in a soft, round and smooth mouthfeel.	89	25	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
39,735	Italy	Ripe berry, blue flower, fresh rose and aromatic herb aromas come together in the glass along with a whiff of pipe tobacco. The palate offers juicy dark berry, chopped mint and star anise alongside assertive tannins and modest acidity. Give the tannins a few years to unwind then drink.	88	52	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
94,776	US	So rich it tastes like chocolate, this ambitious and lavishly oak-influenced wine pulls out all the stops to achieve maximum flavor impact. It smells full of baking spices and savory herbs, tastes very ripe, concentrated and feels lush and creamy in texture. While full bodied, it has plenty of firm acidity and lots of fine tannins to stand up to all that flavor. It's ready to enjoy now through 2020.	93	75	California	Merlot
44,681	US	Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 73% of this wine, along with 20% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Tightly wound aromas of wood spice, vanilla, black fruit, plum and coffee bean give way to full-bodied, palate-coating and concentrated cherry and espresso flavors that linger on the finish. The barrel influence is heavy, but it works.	91	65	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
89,397	Italy	Here's a fresh and easy Sauvignon Blanc that would pair with easy appetizers or a salad lunch. Crisp but simple aromas of citrus and green apple give the wine that food-friendly appeal.	86	13	Northeastern Italy	Sauvignon Blanc
113,138	France	This wine is ripe, juicy and packed with fresh red fruits. It has the softest tannins, the whole point being that this wine can be drunk young. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.	87	23	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
81,826	Italy	This is initially quite closed but it eventually opens up in the glass to reveal wild berry, cooking spice and a whiff of cellar floor. The palate offers unripe sour cherry, white pepper, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside youthfully assertive tannins. Drink 2017–2022.	89	43	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
22,130	US	This has a lovely entry that explodes with scents of toasted almond and espresso. The black cherry and sour plum flavors command your attention, with texture and balance throughout. Drink soon.	91	45	Washington	Merlot
78,360	US	Made with grapes from the Steinbeck, Wine-Bush and Cocavin vineyards, this Zin is packed full of baking spice, dark strawberries, smoked beef, black pepper and gingerbread on the rich, inviting nose. The palate shows a tad more restraint, but offers juicy black plum, rounded cola, dried thyme, peppercorn and pencil lead flavors.	91	28	California	Zinfandel
70,853	US	This is a dense bottling of the Italian grape, with salt-and-pepper touches spicing up the baked raspberry, cranberry and ginger cake aromas on the nose. The palate shows deep flavors reminiscent of dried strawberry, rust, leather and shaved chocolate. Firm tannins provide structure.	92	36	California	Sangiovese
64,338	US	As with all Beresan reds, this tilts sharply in the direction of dark fruits, earthy tannins, and streaks of iron and herb. The plum and berry flavors are framed in sappy acids, and the purity of the single-varietal wine is impressive. It's a fine alternative to Cabernet with that thick steak.	91	29	Oregon	Malbec
59,292	US	An awesome Cabernet, as deep and dramatic as they come. It shows the incredibly concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit of Howell Mountain, along with firm tannins. Lots of new oak provides powerful notes of toast and caramel, but the wine is so big it easily handles the barrel influence. This needs time, and will begin to mellow by 2018 and glide through its changes for many years beyond.	94	85	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
2,510	Italy	Scents of woodland berries, violets, dried rose petals, baking spices and Mediterranean herbs emerge from this wine. Crushed Morello cherry, graphite, red raspberry and white pepper all come seamlessly together on the palate alongside invigorating energy and intensity. It shows fantastic aging potential. Drink 2020–2040.	95	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
92,429	US	Thick, soft and heavy, this Merlot has medicinal cherry and blackberry flavors.	81	12	California	Merlot
67,233	France	In an effort to persuade us that rosé is not just for the summer, this is a wine ostensibly for winter. In fact, name aside, it could be consumed this summer as well. It is fruity, with a touch of minerality and is ready to drink now.	87	16	Provence	Rosé
48,137	France	The nose gives little away but the palate is full of juicy, apple-scented freshness. This wine is easy and dry, with some midpalate concentration. The unusually slender body has a refreshing spring.	89	15	Alsace	Pinot Gris
11,655	France	The onion-skin pink color sets the stage for an off-dry, just-sweet wine, that is crisp, yet soft and rounded. It has good weight, fresh raspberry flavor, and delicate sweetness, resulting in a wine that's crisp and textured.	87	59	Champagne	Champagne Blend
78,215	US	This bottling shows rich kumquat, peach, pear and mango flavors, along with the brisk acidity of a well-grown Santa Maria Chardonnay. Yet it has the extra features of minerality and flintiness that make it especially memorable.	93	38	California	Chardonnay
104,872	Italy	Fresh and fruity, this easy-drinking red delivers aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black pepper and a hint of anise. Thanks to bright acidity, it can be paired with almost any dish.	87	16	Piedmont	Barbera
95,700	US	Tasted just after bottling, the wine was a little bottle-shocked, but should be fine by Summer 2010. Rich and creamy, with complex tropical fruit, buttered toast, lemondrop candy and honeysuckle flavors. An amazing 111,000 cases were produced.	90	21	California	Chardonnay
57,941	US	A great value. It's dry and crisp, just as Sauvignon Blanc should be, yet with a rich vein of honey. Shows savory citrus and tropical fruit, apricot, green grass, mineral, vanilla and white pepper flavors.	90	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
33,749	France	This is the blended Bordeaux from Calvet, one of the oldest wine names in the city. It's full and ripe, a rounded wine that has good berry fruits as well as a drier, firmer core. At the end, a more smoky character appears.	86	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
114,624	US	Tastes too sweet by far, with sugared black cherry, currant, prune and tobacco flavors. The sweetness may be partially attributed to high alcohol. With thick tannins, this Zin is just too rustic to merit a higher score.	86	35	California	Zinfandel
99,239	US	This wine seems disjointed at present with notes of green herbs, leather, cherry and orange peel. The cherry flavors have good density and richness along with tart acidity but the dry, scratchy tannins distract. Give it extended time in the bottle or a very long decant.	88	90	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
129,788	US	Herbal and grassy, with lots of juicy apple and lemon flavors, this is a dry, yet round and supple Pinot Gris. Effortlessly enjoyable, this finishes quite floral, with just a hint of savory nut skin and smoke.	89	15	New York	Pinot Gris
82,839	France	Named after the officials of the French Court who were responsible for the King's cellar, this intense wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With some age it is much about secondary flavors as fruit. Spice and yeast come together with textured apple and creamed pear. The wine is on the dry side of Brut, the ripe fruit adding richness. Drink this balanced wine now.	95	132	Champagne	Champagne Blend
73,684	Australia	Whether you ask me, God, or the lamp post, anyone who's ever had Australian Riesling will count this among the country's best versions of the variety. On the nose, it yields a little sweetness, plus some grapefruit and passion fruit; after a few minutes in the glass, the passion fruit aromas hold on and are joined by kiwi and other fresh tropical fruit. It's a very dry Riesling, with strong lime and a fresh herbal (perhaps cilantro?) flavors, which makes the mineral foundation seem that much drier and racier. Finishes medium-long with grapefruit and putty flavors. An excellent food wine…or an excellent last meal in itself.	91	30	South Australia	Riesling
41,519	Italy	This has mocha, game and black-skinned berry aromas. The dense palate evokes cured meat, espresso and prune, framed by grainy, mouth puckering tannins. Drink through 2021.	87	42	Tuscany	Sangiovese
106,310	US	This shows vanilla, clove, barrel spice and dark fruit aromas. Its fruit flavors are full and laced with upfront barrel notes. It seems a little boozy.	88	45	Washington	Syrah
43,665	US	This wine combines fruit from both cool and warm sites, which in the vintage might have both leaned on the warmer side. Black fruit and licorice give it a burly character at first. Decanting or letting the wine open in the glass will help, but still it retains smooth, velvety tannins and resolved oak.	91	32	California	Pinot Noir
30,062	Spain	At first the nose is high toned and jumpy, but with time it falls into a good place with a medicinal berry note at the fore. Solid, tannic and nervy, it has plum and noticeable young-oak flavors. This turns herbal tasting and choppy on the finish.	85	11	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
91,035	France	Gold in color, this is a mature wine interesting for its roasted almond and spice flavors, very ripe and rich. Drink this full-bodied wine now.	88	43	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
120,968	Italy	Aromas of sun-baked earth, pressed iris, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of game lead the nose. The round, open palate delivers fleshy black cherry, ripe plum, ground pepper, leather and anise alongside velvety tannins. It's already accessible but will hold up well for the next few years. Drink through 2018.	90	19	Tuscany	Sangiovese
58,231	US	A great wine that combines the modern, ultraripe winemaking style with Rutherford's fine, complex tannins and herbs. Feels plush and velvety in the mouth, exploding in blackberry, cherry, cassis and chocolate flavors grounded with sweet sage. An ager. Beautiful now through 2012, at least.	93	85	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
91,142	US	Light and simplistic compared to other bottlings from the winery, this is still quite tasty, with aromas of lemon curd, sliced green apple and tangerine blossom. The palate shows stone fruit, vanilla cream and lemon wedges, with a decently grippy tension.	88	48	California	Chardonnay
126,465	Germany	Bracing acidity offsets plush and penetrating peach and marmalade flavors in this delightfully honeyed auslese. It's bold in flavor yet so sprightly in demeanor, finishing long on lingering tones of saffron and spice. It's delicious now but structured enough to continue to improve through at least 2026.	93	68	Mosel	Riesling
30,252	US	Tasted in October, 2010, this Pinot had a spritziness indicating some instability, making it hard to evaluate. That could calm down eventually, leaving behind a big, flavorful and dry red wine, brimming with berries, cherries and cola.	86	40	California	Pinot Noir
8,931	Italy	Deep concentration and color set the stage and are followed by warm tones of black cherry, spice, leather, molasses, maple syrup and tobacco. This Riserva, with 5% Merlot, has a plush, velvety edge that is backed by nicely formed tannins and a chewy, succulent texture.	91	40	Tuscany	Sangiovese
40,250	Italy	Red berry, toast and black spice aromas lead the nose, accented by whiffs of espresso. The palate offers licorice, clove, dried cherry and vanilla notes, while a backbone of fine-grained tannins provides support.	91	69	Tuscany	Sangiovese
49,465	US	The addition of 5% Merlot softens this wine, a lovely representation of the wild mountain appellation from a vineyard 2,000-feet up. Juicy and layered, the wine shows restraint and elegance amidst a woodsy forest component of lean, tart fruit and cocoa powder.	92	90	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
82,897	France	Full, while still crisp, this strawberry and orange flavored rosé is ripe, dry with a touch of pepper and a rounded, smooth character. Screwcap.	85	16	Provence	Rosé
39,326	US	Decadent in coconut flake and vanilla, this is a fruity vintage of one of Hobbs' top-of-the-top Cabernets. Soft and structured, the silky tannins deftly managed, it captures the essence of the Napa Valley's best valley floor grapes at the hands of an expert winemaker, a textbook marriage of beauty and brawn.	94	175	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
106,534	US	The fruit carries a pleasing sweetness onto the herb-flavored midpalate. Then aggressive flavors of stem and grape skin emerge, though perhaps they're too dominant.	88	52	Oregon	Pinot Noir
75,802	US	This is the brightest, least char-inflected of the winery's red lineup, though it still wraps its berry fruit flavors in a thick cloak of roasted coffee and charred wood notes. Heavy toast seems to be the winery's preferred style, though here it doesn't completely cover the lovely fruit.	87	27	Oregon	Malbec
89,015	France	Galoupet's vineyards are close to the sea, giving the wine a delicious freshness. It is crisp with layers of fruits and acidity. Full in the mouth, this is a wine with a great place at the table.	90	14	Provence	Rosé
85,227	US	Strong in flavor, showing the ripeness and crispness of all Bjornstad's Chardonnays, with lemondrop, lime tart, vanilla and buttered toast flavors. Very good, but doesn't quite have the elegance and refinement of the vineyard bottlings.	88	25	California	Chardonnay
19,227	US	Soft and herbal, this pretty, polished Merlot offers gentle flavors of cherries, currants, cola and violets, touched with oak. It's a very clean, elegant wine, meant to pair with upscale fare, and fully ready to drink now.	86	21	California	Merlot
118,709	US	It is entirely conceivable that this blend of the two Cabernets could improve dramatically with time in the bottle. Currently, it's a very dry, firmly tannic wine, with black currant, mocha, cherry and new oak flavors that have a distinctive edge of sweet herbs, figs and tobacco. Improves considerably with airing in the glass, so decant if you drink it anytime soon.	92	90	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
94,289	US	The aromas are light, with notes of baking spice and black and blue fruit. Tart cherry flavors linger on the finish.	88	36	Washington	Syrah
106,735	Germany	Whiffs of spice and slate lend complexity to plump, sunny peach and yellow plum flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's fruity, approachable and easy, yet elegantly balanced.	90	25	Mosel	Riesling
82,639	US	The high toned, aromatic reticence of the 2008 vintage is on full display in this unusual blend 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Sangiovese. The brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, medicine cabinet, and cherry cola are concentrated however with structured, slightly dry tannins in a wine that calls out for steak if ever there were one.	91	80	Washington	Red Blend
62,586	US	Gobs of ripe fruit flavor and a smooth texture make this medium-bodied wine delicious and appealing. It smells like molasses and boysenberries, tastes jammy, and has no harsh tannins.	86	10	California	Cabernet Sauvignon

8,740

US

Earthy notes of clay and mushroom lend a rugged complexity to aromas of roasted plums and cherries on this lush yet composed wine. The palate is densely concentrated with black cherry flavor, but anchored with bright acidity and a blanket of velvet tannins.

89

25

New York

Cabernet Sauvignon

71,770

US

Concentrated aromas of honey, golden raisin, date, jasmine and fig are lifted by a nutty walnut component that adds intrigue on the late harvest bottling. The viscous sip grabs hold of attention immediately, with buoyant and bright acidity holding up the honey and raisin flavors.

90

30

California

Viognier

48,388

Italy

Enticing scents of rose, violet, smoke, red berry and white pepper are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine. The elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cake spice and mineral alongside elegant tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note signals the close. Drink 2016–2026.

94

52

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

5,143

US

Handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot figure into this wine, a lovely, medium-bodied beauty that finds balance in its measured use of oak. Vanilla, plum and bold jolts of pepper and cinnamon combine well on the lengthy palate.

92

35

California

Merlot

62,911

US

A juicy wine, rich, ripe and sweet in jammy fruit and caramelized oak flavors. Black raspberries, blackberries and mocha, spiced with cinnamon and pepper, flood the mouth, wrapped into beautifully sculpted, sweet tannins. A lovely wine to drink now. The wine is mainly Syrah, with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

92

40

California

Red Blend

101,192

US

Light in color, this good-deal wine presents lime sorbet and chalk on the nose. That green citrus persists on the palate alongside salt, sea shell and barrel smoke.

87

13

California

Chardonnay

24,765

France

The restrained and floral opening of jasmine and mandarin peel leads to a palate that holds just a touch of residual sugar, filling this gorgeously balanced Gewurztraminer to the brim with sweet citrus swirls of tangerine, satsuma and mandarin. Notes of orange blossom hover and are pulled into focus by the textured mouthfeel of this immensely elegant wine.

93

55

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

93,206

France

This wine is quite closed at this stage with dark tannins and a firm texture. The dry edge obscures attractive fruitiness, finishing with acidity and freshness.

86

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

47,342

US

This wine is a very pale peach color. Aromas of strawberry candy, watermelon and citrus peel lead to light dry-fruit flavors. The concentration seems a bit lacking.

85

17

Washington

Rosé

121,401

Italy

Made with organic grapes, the nose offers oak, toast and espresso. The bracing palate shows dried cherry notes alongside raspy tannins that grip the finish. It doesn't have the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak.

85

23

Tuscany

Sangiovese

82,495

France

Smooth, perfumed and elegant, this Cabernet Franc-dominated wine has rounded tannins, layered acidity and a dark power of ripe tannins. It is both concentrated and fresh, a great combination.

94

150

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

49,076

US

Aged in a majority of neutral French oak, the wine has opening aromas that impart generous toasty characteristics before mellowing into nutty, vanilla swirls and a lingering taste of green apple.

87

22

California

Chardonnay

16,595

US

This shows real Sonoma Coast character in its silky texture, strong acidity and transparency of its raspberry and cherry notes, which allow for a mineral-driven taste of the soil to shine. The wine improves in the glass as it airs, picking up extra layers of complexity.

92

30

California

Pinot Noir

60,236

Italy

Aromas of espresso, mocha and black-skinned fruit lead the nose. The robust, one-dimensional palate offers black cherry, mint and licorice alongside close-grained tannins and fresh acidity.

87

30

Tuscany

Sangiovese

6,729

US

This Brut-style wine feels extraordinarily refined in the mouth, with a silky, airy texture. The flavors of toffee, butterscotch, orange marmalade and vanilla bean are rich, but balanced with yeasty bitterness and bright acidity. Gorgeous to drink now, anywhere, anytime, with practically anything. Pricey, yes, but worth it for special occasions.

94

160

California

Sparkling Blend

8,405

Spain

Covila produces mostly good-quality affordable Rioja wines, but with this bottling the winery has stepped it up a notch. Aromas of raisin, graphite, prune, vanilla and coconut are ripe and oaky. A chunky, blocky, ripe palate holds blackberry and cassis flavors that come with notes of dried herbs. Chewy tannins and peppery spice push a bold finish. Drink through 2022.

92

31

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

9,197

France

From what used to be known as the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, this Merlot-dominated wine offers soft fruits laced with acidity and gentle tannins. It is not a wine for aging.

86

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

118,813

France

A breezy zingy nose of lemon makes for a very refreshing proposition. The palate does not disappoint and continues in the same tart-but-ripe citrus fashion. The sharp freshness on the dry palate makes the citrus notes shine even more. This is utterly refreshing and totally moreish.

92

28

Alsace

Riesling

63,982

Italy

Aromas of mature apple and acacia carry through to the simple palate along with a hint of pineapple. It's fresh and informal, with bright acidity.

85

21

Veneto

Glera

48,807

US

This Zin wants two or three years to round off the jagged edges. There's a lot going on, from the supple blackberry, leather and pepper flavors, wildly exotic spices and smooth tannins to an undefinable earthy-mineral taste that must come from the soil. There's some burn from alcohol, as Zins from the Maple Vineyards tend to exhibit.

91

40

California

Zinfandel

46,330

US

Pretty scents and flavors of bright cherry fruit come up quickly, with enough concentration to batten down a medium-long finish. A light hint of sweat or animal comes up also.

88

45

Oregon

Pinot Noir

48,525

France

Light and bright, this is a fragrant and fruity rosé. On the palate, strawberry flavors are gently caressed with soft acidity, leaving a soft, ripe aftertaste.

84

17

Provence

Rosé

57,805

France

The domaine bottling of Saint-André de Figuière really ratchets up the quality over its négociant wines, adding much more weight and concentration. This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 25% Cinsault blends black cherry and citrus flavors into a richly textured, spicy rosé.

90

20

Provence

Rosé

21,564

US

Great price for a big production (5,000 cases) Chardonnay of this quality. It's dry and crisp and elegantly structured, with savory citrus fruit, peach, mineral and vanilla flavors. Easily as good as many Chards far more costly. From Don Sebastiani & Sons.

87

12

California

Chardonnay

24,804

US

A lush and expressive bottling from a brand new vineyard, this shows candied black cherry, Vietnamese coffee, baking spice and licorice on the approachable nose. The ripeness extends to the palate, hemmed in by a tannic structure that ensures long aging. Asian pepper, rum barrel, caramel and cherry flavors complete the picture.

93

46

California

Pinot Noir

90,582

US

The Domaine cuvée spent 20 months in French oak, 30% new and another 30% once-used. The concentrated, well-ripened fruit sets up a chunky core of strawberry jam that plays nicely against defining acidity. It remains focused and pure through a driving, lingering finish.

93

70

Oregon

Pinot Noir

44,683

US

Greg Brewer goes for full restraint on this bottling, which offers extremely tight aromas of citrus and wet rocks, only barely revealing that it's a Chardonnay. The flavors are similarly restrained, with lemongrass and guava barely peeking out. Yet the texture is sublime and tightly wound, lifted by a fresh acidity.

91

48

California

Chardonnay

24,720

US

This inky-black Bordeaux blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon. It's bone dry, tremendously hard in tannins and also quite acidic, giving the overall impression of tough rusticity. However, there's a tremendous core of blackberries and cassis. Decant and drink now.

86

22

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

47,939

Italy

Morellino di Scansano is an up-and-coming red wine from Southern Tuscany that is easy and fun to drink. This ruby-colored expression delivers fresh tones of cherry and red currants and it has a soothing, soft texture in the mouth thanks to one year of oak aging.

88

24

Tuscany

Sangiovese

58,382

US

The winery initially produced Cabernet, a fact fans of its white wines might not know. This vintage offers 83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Puckering in tannin, it offers faint mint and high-toned black cherry, the finish ripe and vanilla-sweet.

85

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

24,039

France

There is a lightly toasty character in this wine that gives it a round, full texture. Spice goes along with the green and white-fruit flavors to make an intensely fruity wine that hints at a New World style. Drink now. This is one of 15 Bordeaux chateaus by Crus and Domaines de France.

87

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

83,914

US

A simple wine, with cola, herb and raspberry tea flavors that are dry, but have a sharp mouthfeel. Seems unevenly ripened, with awkward tannins.

83

22

California

Grenache

57,553

France

With the velvet texture typical of the appellation, this smooth wine offers a good balance between the red fruits and soft tannins. A smoky edge mingles with the berry-fruit acidity to give a wine ready to drink from 2018.

89

50

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

125,879

US

Marked by penetrating acidity that's almost stinging, this Chard is balanced with a creamy, buttery texture framing rich flavors of pineapple tart, Key lime pie and smoky butterscotch. Good price for a wine of this depth and complexity.

87

18

California

Chardonnay

7,566

US

Another successful Marinus from this small Monterey County appellation. Made from all five classic Bordeaux varieties, it's dry and rich in blackberries, black currants, crème de cassis and cedar, and is more rough in tannins than your typical Napa Cabernet blend. Drink now–2013.

90

36

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

12,491

US

This young Artist Series Viognier spent seven months in once-used American oak barrels. The impression is of citrus, with a touch of sweetness and heavy barrel influence. There's a slightly burnt flavor, a hint of alcohol heat and a biting finish.

86

19

Oregon

Viognier

60,596

US

Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). The aromas are all high toned, including spice, dried dark fruit and herb notes. The black fruit shows depth, framed by lightly dry tannins and a gamy flavor that lingers on the finish.

88

40

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

86,749

US

Dark blackberry, riverstone, and crushed gravel notes make for a lively cool-climate Grenache grown in the heart of the appellation. The palate is very dry, tautly woven and elegant, with savory beef, thyme, rosemary and purple flower flavors all perfectly integrated.

92

60

California

Grenache

77,031

US

Let the conversations about minerality begin. Whatever it is, or wherever it comes from, it's here big time, adding a lick of steel and a metallic mouthfeel to the underlying fruit. And what powerful fruit it is, ranging from orange and guava to honeydew and citron. This bone dry, crisp Chardonnay is a game changer that will make you look at California Chardonnay differently.

97

70

California

Chardonnay

78,133

US

This is a heady wine from Mike Sinor, with blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas that are enhanced by clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, candied lilacs and loamy soil scents. Tannic depth and sizzling acidity frame the palate, where grilled black plum and mission fig meet with pencil lead, anise, bay leaf, juniper, cocoa and beef flavors, finishing with a menthol kick.

94

45

California

Pinot Noir

74,149

US

Half Zinfandel from Jack Rabbit Flat, half Petite Sirah, aged together in entirely new French oak, this is a weighty, brooding wine, rich in dark plum, blackberry, leather and black licorice. With a touch of espresso on the tightly tannic finish, it's a wine for cold nights and warm fires.

89

36

California

Red Blend

71,576

US

The vineyard is in the Oak Knoll District. The wine is dry and full-bodied, packed with ripe blackberries, black cherries and black currants, as well as toasty oak. A bit brusque in tannins at this young age, it should be cellared for a few years.

88

60

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

27,265

Argentina

A little bit hickory-dominated on the bouquet, but also giving balsamic notes, blackberry and chocolate mint. The palate is linear due to a streak of cutting acidity, while the palate is also snappy with wild raspberry and bright plum flavors and plenty of wood tannin. A toasty finish with espresso and chocolate is fine and long. Drink now through 2017.

92

55

Mendoza Province

Malbec

57,855

Portugal

This is a ripe wine with its juicy black fruits and generous tannins. It has a mature character that's emphasized by the wood aging and rich fruitiness. There's a touch of pepper at the end from the alcohol which is a shame. Drink now.

86

17

Douro

Portuguese Red

117,826

Italy

This begins with aromas of overripe plum, nail polish remover, fig, raisin, nutmeg, vanilla, resin and sweet oak. The dense, warm palate delivers chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plum and sweet oak alongside searing alcohol. It's already tired and evolved, and almost past its prime.

86

49

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

69,095

US

A bit raw and acidic, lacking generosity, but you'll find some decent cherry flavors in this dry Pinot Noir.

85

17

California

Pinot Noir

68,493

France

Light and fruity, this gently textured wine is more about red fruits than structure. It is perfumed with red-berry flavors, crisp acidity and a tangy, orange-flavored aftertaste. Drink now.

86

60

Champagne

Champagne Blend

116,910

US

A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, this wine combines them all to herbaceous, slightly green and puckering effect, the oak overwhelmingly audacious.

83

50

California

Red Blend

60,902

Italy

This plump Rosso di Montalcino offers ripe, succulent fruit notes of black cherry, blueberry and fresh plum, rounded by toasted espresso and almond. All that results in a soft, round and smooth mouthfeel.

89

25

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

39,735

Italy

Ripe berry, blue flower, fresh rose and aromatic herb aromas come together in the glass along with a whiff of pipe tobacco. The palate offers juicy dark berry, chopped mint and star anise alongside assertive tannins and modest acidity. Give the tannins a few years to unwind then drink.

88

52

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

94,776

US

So rich it tastes like chocolate, this ambitious and lavishly oak-influenced wine pulls out all the stops to achieve maximum flavor impact. It smells full of baking spices and savory herbs, tastes very ripe, concentrated and feels lush and creamy in texture. While full bodied, it has plenty of firm acidity and lots of fine tannins to stand up to all that flavor. It's ready to enjoy now through 2020.

93

75

California

Merlot

44,681

US

Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 73% of this wine, along with 20% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Tightly wound aromas of wood spice, vanilla, black fruit, plum and coffee bean give way to full-bodied, palate-coating and concentrated cherry and espresso flavors that linger on the finish. The barrel influence is heavy, but it works.

91

65

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

89,397

Italy

Here's a fresh and easy Sauvignon Blanc that would pair with easy appetizers or a salad lunch. Crisp but simple aromas of citrus and green apple give the wine that food-friendly appeal.

86

13

Northeastern Italy

Sauvignon Blanc

113,138

France

This wine is ripe, juicy and packed with fresh red fruits. It has the softest tannins, the whole point being that this wine can be drunk young. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.

87

23

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

81,826

Italy

This is initially quite closed but it eventually opens up in the glass to reveal wild berry, cooking spice and a whiff of cellar floor. The palate offers unripe sour cherry, white pepper, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside youthfully assertive tannins. Drink 2017–2022.

89

43

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

22,130

US

This has a lovely entry that explodes with scents of toasted almond and espresso. The black cherry and sour plum flavors command your attention, with texture and balance throughout. Drink soon.

91

45

Washington

Merlot

78,360

US

Made with grapes from the Steinbeck, Wine-Bush and Cocavin vineyards, this Zin is packed full of baking spice, dark strawberries, smoked beef, black pepper and gingerbread on the rich, inviting nose. The palate shows a tad more restraint, but offers juicy black plum, rounded cola, dried thyme, peppercorn and pencil lead flavors.

91

28

California

Zinfandel

70,853

US

This is a dense bottling of the Italian grape, with salt-and-pepper touches spicing up the baked raspberry, cranberry and ginger cake aromas on the nose. The palate shows deep flavors reminiscent of dried strawberry, rust, leather and shaved chocolate. Firm tannins provide structure.

92

36

California

Sangiovese

64,338

US

As with all Beresan reds, this tilts sharply in the direction of dark fruits, earthy tannins, and streaks of iron and herb. The plum and berry flavors are framed in sappy acids, and the purity of the single-varietal wine is impressive. It's a fine alternative to Cabernet with that thick steak.

91

29

Oregon

Malbec

59,292

US

An awesome Cabernet, as deep and dramatic as they come. It shows the incredibly concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit of Howell Mountain, along with firm tannins. Lots of new oak provides powerful notes of toast and caramel, but the wine is so big it easily handles the barrel influence. This needs time, and will begin to mellow by 2018 and glide through its changes for many years beyond.

94

85

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

2,510

Italy

Scents of woodland berries, violets, dried rose petals, baking spices and Mediterranean herbs emerge from this wine. Crushed Morello cherry, graphite, red raspberry and white pepper all come seamlessly together on the palate alongside invigorating energy and intensity. It shows fantastic aging potential. Drink 2020–2040.

95

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

92,429

US

Thick, soft and heavy, this Merlot has medicinal cherry and blackberry flavors.

81

12

California

Merlot

67,233

France

In an effort to persuade us that rosé is not just for the summer, this is a wine ostensibly for winter. In fact, name aside, it could be consumed this summer as well. It is fruity, with a touch of minerality and is ready to drink now.

87

16

Provence

Rosé

48,137

France

The nose gives little away but the palate is full of juicy, apple-scented freshness. This wine is easy and dry, with some midpalate concentration. The unusually slender body has a refreshing spring.

89

15

Alsace

Pinot Gris

11,655

France

The onion-skin pink color sets the stage for an off-dry, just-sweet wine, that is crisp, yet soft and rounded. It has good weight, fresh raspberry flavor, and delicate sweetness, resulting in a wine that's crisp and textured.

87

59

Champagne

Champagne Blend

78,215

US

This bottling shows rich kumquat, peach, pear and mango flavors, along with the brisk acidity of a well-grown Santa Maria Chardonnay. Yet it has the extra features of minerality and flintiness that make it especially memorable.

93

38

California

Chardonnay

104,872

Italy

Fresh and fruity, this easy-drinking red delivers aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black pepper and a hint of anise. Thanks to bright acidity, it can be paired with almost any dish.

87

16

Piedmont

Barbera

95,700

US

Tasted just after bottling, the wine was a little bottle-shocked, but should be fine by Summer 2010. Rich and creamy, with complex tropical fruit, buttered toast, lemondrop candy and honeysuckle flavors. An amazing 111,000 cases were produced.

90

21

California

Chardonnay

57,941

US

A great value. It's dry and crisp, just as Sauvignon Blanc should be, yet with a rich vein of honey. Shows savory citrus and tropical fruit, apricot, green grass, mineral, vanilla and white pepper flavors.

90

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

33,749

France

This is the blended Bordeaux from Calvet, one of the oldest wine names in the city. It's full and ripe, a rounded wine that has good berry fruits as well as a drier, firmer core. At the end, a more smoky character appears.

86

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

114,624

US

Tastes too sweet by far, with sugared black cherry, currant, prune and tobacco flavors. The sweetness may be partially attributed to high alcohol. With thick tannins, this Zin is just too rustic to merit a higher score.

86

35

California

Zinfandel

99,239

US

This wine seems disjointed at present with notes of green herbs, leather, cherry and orange peel. The cherry flavors have good density and richness along with tart acidity but the dry, scratchy tannins distract. Give it extended time in the bottle or a very long decant.

88

90

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

129,788

US

Herbal and grassy, with lots of juicy apple and lemon flavors, this is a dry, yet round and supple Pinot Gris. Effortlessly enjoyable, this finishes quite floral, with just a hint of savory nut skin and smoke.

89

15

New York

Pinot Gris

82,839

France

Named after the officials of the French Court who were responsible for the King's cellar, this intense wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With some age it is much about secondary flavors as fruit. Spice and yeast come together with textured apple and creamed pear. The wine is on the dry side of Brut, the ripe fruit adding richness. Drink this balanced wine now.

95

132

Champagne

Champagne Blend

73,684

Australia

Whether you ask me, God, or the lamp post, anyone who's ever had Australian Riesling will count this among the country's best versions of the variety. On the nose, it yields a little sweetness, plus some grapefruit and passion fruit; after a few minutes in the glass, the passion fruit aromas hold on and are joined by kiwi and other fresh tropical fruit. It's a very dry Riesling, with strong lime and a fresh herbal (perhaps cilantro?) flavors, which makes the mineral foundation seem that much drier and racier. Finishes medium-long with grapefruit and putty flavors. An excellent food wine…or an excellent last meal in itself.

91

30

South Australia

Riesling

41,519

Italy

This has mocha, game and black-skinned berry aromas. The dense palate evokes cured meat, espresso and prune, framed by grainy, mouth puckering tannins. Drink through 2021.

87

42

Tuscany

Sangiovese

106,310

US

This shows vanilla, clove, barrel spice and dark fruit aromas. Its fruit flavors are full and laced with upfront barrel notes. It seems a little boozy.

88

45

Washington

Syrah

43,665

US

This wine combines fruit from both cool and warm sites, which in the vintage might have both leaned on the warmer side. Black fruit and licorice give it a burly character at first. Decanting or letting the wine open in the glass will help, but still it retains smooth, velvety tannins and resolved oak.

91

32

California

Pinot Noir

30,062

Spain

At first the nose is high toned and jumpy, but with time it falls into a good place with a medicinal berry note at the fore. Solid, tannic and nervy, it has plum and noticeable young-oak flavors. This turns herbal tasting and choppy on the finish.

85

11

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

91,035

France

Gold in color, this is a mature wine interesting for its roasted almond and spice flavors, very ripe and rich. Drink this full-bodied wine now.

88

43

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

120,968

Italy

Aromas of sun-baked earth, pressed iris, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of game lead the nose. The round, open palate delivers fleshy black cherry, ripe plum, ground pepper, leather and anise alongside velvety tannins. It's already accessible but will hold up well for the next few years. Drink through 2018.

90

19

Tuscany

Sangiovese

58,231

US

A great wine that combines the modern, ultraripe winemaking style with Rutherford's fine, complex tannins and herbs. Feels plush and velvety in the mouth, exploding in blackberry, cherry, cassis and chocolate flavors grounded with sweet sage. An ager. Beautiful now through 2012, at least.

93

85

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

91,142

US

Light and simplistic compared to other bottlings from the winery, this is still quite tasty, with aromas of lemon curd, sliced green apple and tangerine blossom. The palate shows stone fruit, vanilla cream and lemon wedges, with a decently grippy tension.

88

48

California

Chardonnay

126,465

Germany

Bracing acidity offsets plush and penetrating peach and marmalade flavors in this delightfully honeyed auslese. It's bold in flavor yet so sprightly in demeanor, finishing long on lingering tones of saffron and spice. It's delicious now but structured enough to continue to improve through at least 2026.

93

68

Mosel

Riesling

30,252

US

Tasted in October, 2010, this Pinot had a spritziness indicating some instability, making it hard to evaluate. That could calm down eventually, leaving behind a big, flavorful and dry red wine, brimming with berries, cherries and cola.

86

40

California

Pinot Noir

8,931

Italy

Deep concentration and color set the stage and are followed by warm tones of black cherry, spice, leather, molasses, maple syrup and tobacco. This Riserva, with 5% Merlot, has a plush, velvety edge that is backed by nicely formed tannins and a chewy, succulent texture.

91

40

Tuscany

Sangiovese

40,250

Italy

Red berry, toast and black spice aromas lead the nose, accented by whiffs of espresso. The palate offers licorice, clove, dried cherry and vanilla notes, while a backbone of fine-grained tannins provides support.

91

69

Tuscany

Sangiovese

49,465

US

The addition of 5% Merlot softens this wine, a lovely representation of the wild mountain appellation from a vineyard 2,000-feet up. Juicy and layered, the wine shows restraint and elegance amidst a woodsy forest component of lean, tart fruit and cocoa powder.

92

90

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

82,897

France

Full, while still crisp, this strawberry and orange flavored rosé is ripe, dry with a touch of pepper and a rounded, smooth character. Screwcap.

85

16

Provence

Rosé

39,326

US

Decadent in coconut flake and vanilla, this is a fruity vintage of one of Hobbs' top-of-the-top Cabernets. Soft and structured, the silky tannins deftly managed, it captures the essence of the Napa Valley's best valley floor grapes at the hands of an expert winemaker, a textbook marriage of beauty and brawn.

94

175

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

106,534

US

The fruit carries a pleasing sweetness onto the herb-flavored midpalate. Then aggressive flavors of stem and grape skin emerge, though perhaps they're too dominant.

88

52

Oregon

Pinot Noir

75,802

US

This is the brightest, least char-inflected of the winery's red lineup, though it still wraps its berry fruit flavors in a thick cloak of roasted coffee and charred wood notes. Heavy toast seems to be the winery's preferred style, though here it doesn't completely cover the lovely fruit.

87

27

Oregon

Malbec

89,015

France

Galoupet's vineyards are close to the sea, giving the wine a delicious freshness. It is crisp with layers of fruits and acidity. Full in the mouth, this is a wine with a great place at the table.

90

14

Provence

Rosé

85,227

US

Strong in flavor, showing the ripeness and crispness of all Bjornstad's Chardonnays, with lemondrop, lime tart, vanilla and buttered toast flavors. Very good, but doesn't quite have the elegance and refinement of the vineyard bottlings.

88

25

California

Chardonnay

19,227

US

Soft and herbal, this pretty, polished Merlot offers gentle flavors of cherries, currants, cola and violets, touched with oak. It's a very clean, elegant wine, meant to pair with upscale fare, and fully ready to drink now.

86

21

California

Merlot

118,709

US

It is entirely conceivable that this blend of the two Cabernets could improve dramatically with time in the bottle. Currently, it's a very dry, firmly tannic wine, with black currant, mocha, cherry and new oak flavors that have a distinctive edge of sweet herbs, figs and tobacco. Improves considerably with airing in the glass, so decant if you drink it anytime soon.

92

90

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

94,289

US

The aromas are light, with notes of baking spice and black and blue fruit. Tart cherry flavors linger on the finish.

88

36

Washington

Syrah

106,735

Germany

Whiffs of spice and slate lend complexity to plump, sunny peach and yellow plum flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's fruity, approachable and easy, yet elegantly balanced.

90

25

Mosel

Riesling

82,639

US

The high toned, aromatic reticence of the 2008 vintage is on full display in this unusual blend 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Sangiovese. The brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, medicine cabinet, and cherry cola are concentrated however with structured, slightly dry tannins in a wine that calls out for steak if ever there were one.

91

80

Washington

Red Blend

62,586

US

Gobs of ripe fruit flavor and a smooth texture make this medium-bodied wine delicious and appealing. It smells like molasses and boysenberries, tastes jammy, and has no harsh tannins.

86

10

California

Cabernet Sauvignon