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
66,265	Argentina	Soft and earthy up front, this Malbec deals jammy, raisiny aromas and a note of charcoal. The palate is cushioned in feel, while flavors of prune and blackberry are ripe but also minerally. Blackberry and raisin flavors are at the center of a lightly herbal, persistent finish.	88	16	Mendoza Province	Malbec
32,396	Portugal	Vicente Faria delivers a densely ripe wine made from selected vineyards. Wood aged, with rich black, tarry fruit and dark chocolate aromas, it's an impressive blend that will need to age. Drink from 2019.	91	16	Douro	Portuguese Red
38,813	US	Salmon colored (and salmon would make a good pairing), this sparkling rosé has deep flavors of toasty oak and black fruit, along with a swath of sweetness on the finish.	88	22	California	Sparkling Blend
103,876	US	While initially closed, suggesting a bit more bramble than fruit, a brief aeration coaxes pretty strawberry and cherry aromas from this full-bodied rosé. It's dry in style with crisp cutting acidity and a clean finish.	88	20	New York	Pinot Noir
75,013	US	This big, bold wine has the taste profile of a Port but is not so sweet or full bodied. Deeper than usual in color, it's concentrated to the point of overripeness in aroma. Rich on the palate with flavors like blackberry syrup and dark chocolate, it should be perfect as an after-dinner wine.	88	32	California	Zinfandel
120,118	Argentina	Butter and coconut aromas announce the liberal use of oak, which the palate echoes with its round, resiny feel and flavors of vanilla, wood and baked pear. This is soft, flat and sugary tasting, with an oaky finish.	85	17	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
95,045	France	Beautifully pale in color, this is the latest release of Cristal Rosé. It is ripe and full in the mouth, packed with fruit and also with intense acidity that cuts through the soft texture. There is a hint of bottle age, giving the wine a toasty complexity that brings a balance to this great wine. Drink now, although this vintage will certainly last to 2020 and beyond.	96	469	Champagne	Champagne Blend
84,907	US	Ripe fleshy cantaloupe and pineapple flavors abound in this forward fruity Chardonnay. Its juicy, almost overripe, fruit expression is accentuated by soft slightly yielding acidity. Drink now.	86	18	New York	Chardonnay
123,908	France	In its classic Provence skittle bottle, this is a wine for quaffing at a patio or restaurant table. Pale in color but packed with red fruit, it is an immediately attractive fruity and lively wine. Drink now.	85	12	Provence	Rosé
1,029	Spain	Clean, peachy aromas set up a light, minerally, citrusy body. Flavors of gooseberry, lime and lemon hold steady and double up on gooseberry on the finish. Overall, this is round, minerally and elegant, but also slightly sour and edgy.	88	18	Northern Spain	White Blend
17,889	France	A ripe and fruity wine, very typical of the vintage. There's a strong stalky black currant character, with some dry tannins and wood flavors. The aftertaste, though, comes right back to fruit and juicy acidity.	85	35	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
2,114	France	This is a very rich wine with black fruit and bitter coffee flavors and dense tannins. Its weight is almost too much for the firm structure that is underneath.	88	30	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
54,564	US	With organically grown grapes from both Lake County (58%) and Mendocino (42%), this showcases the best of both regions. It has a great mix of lemon, grapefruit, honeydew and kiwi freshness that remains balanced on the finish. It's a quaffable summer wine.	88	14	California	Sauvignon Blanc
15,186	US	Deliciously varietal in its huge offering of white pepper and robust black and blue fruit, this well-crafted wine boasts a lithe texture that invites sip after sip. It remains light footed throughout the palate, yet with enough complexity and balancing weight before the refined finish gives a final hit of juiciness.	95	50	California	Syrah
23,722	US	A blend of Pommard and Wadenswill clones, this was aged in large, neutral puncheons. It's smooth, light and well balanced, showing fruit flavors of watermelon and strawberry. The vintage was challenging, and flavors of leaf and herb are also in the mix.	88	30	Oregon	Pinot Noir
129,737	Spain	Leathery oaky berry aromas are a touch gritty. Grabby tannins and blazing acidity make for a dry scratchy mouthfeel. Flavors of red plum, tomato and spiced berry fruits finish with notes of black pepper, cocoa, tree bark and coffee. Drink now through 2026.	90	21	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
109,787	US	Calls to mind the 2006, which also was a ripe, fruity wine. If anything, the '08 is even sweeter. The alcohol is half a percent higher. It's succulent in raspberry and cherry jam, making it likeable now. But such are the tannins and acids that the wine should easily gain in the cellar over the next six years.	91	50	California	Pinot Noir
42,698	US	Simple, sweet and direct, with honeyed flavors of raspberries, crunchy vanilla granola, vanilla pastry and cocoa. Make it drier, and it would score higher.	83	18	California	Merlot
118,415	US	This is a sumptuous, well-crafted wine, nearly 100% varietal and dark purple in color. It offers leathery chocolate and red cherry flavors around still-dense tannins that seem to soften in the glass. Given more than a year in oak, only a small percentage of it new, it's lively and refined.	90	26	California	Merlot
31,131	France	The wine is soft with a fine touch of tannin and some stalkiness. It has black currants that are ripe while remaining crisp. The wine is easy, accessible and ready to drink.	85	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
40,800	US	Made from nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this adds a handful of Petit Verdot for good measure. Smooth, round and approachable, it offers a powerful grip and dense black fruit, finishing with balanced acidity.	90	90	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
54,038	US	Fresh and inviting in a strawberry aroma, the palate brings ripe red-fruit and vanilla flavors to the mix. This is a medium-bodied, softly textured wine.	85	9	California	Red Blend
52,110	Australia	The Limestone Coast, which encompasses the noted regions of Coonawarra and Padthaway, is known for its Cabernet and its big gum trees. There's certainly more than a bit of mint to this wine, but there are also notes of cassis and even a hint of bell pepper. It does turn a bit astringent on the finish, so pair it with lamb chops or hamburgers. Drink now–2020.	88	14	South Australia	Cabernet Sauvignon
65,897	US	This sleekly styled wine displays aromas of citrus peel, green apple and Bosc pear. The citrus flavors are lightly spritzy, bringing a sense of lightness and freshness. It's perfect for a summer day.	88	13	Washington	Pinot Gris
22,234	US	Oak dominates this wine, towering over everything else and offering a strong dose of caramel, hardened by wood tannins. There are some good cherry and red currant flavors, but they're swamped by the barrel regimen. Disappointing for this fine Carneros vineyard.	84	42	California	Pinot Noir
65,949	US	Plump aromas of black cherry, mulberry, vanilla and star anise rise on the rich but not overbearing nose of this wine. There is dark-fruit ripeness on the front, but then comes a heavy array of spices, from allspice and clove to thyme and dried sage. The texture is soft, yet the tannins are noticeable and the acidity is buoyant.	95	60	California	Pinot Noir
99,575	US	A lovely, lush, complex and inviting nose brings rich cherry fruit, coffee grounds, smoke and toast right up front. The wine is ripe and fruity, but also shows tangy acidity, even hints of citrus and pineapple, and a lively mouthfeel that invites another sip. Still young and unevolved, it remains a bit disjointed, but with many interesting components.	91	38	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
24,508	US	Big flavors, full body and assertive tannins balance each other to make this out-sized wine a winner. It has ripe black cherry and dried fig aromas, gushing fruit flavors and a broad texture, but the firm tannins keep it from tasting fat. It's hardly delicate, but definitely delicious.	91	50	California	Pinot Noir
48,944	US	Quirky, art-minded winemaker Matthias Sanguis crafts a stellar Syrah, with a lush bouquets of violets, blue raspberry, black peppercorns and vanilla. The palate, bound together with a lean acidic line down the middle, presents dark but tart cherries, sweet tobacco and the tang of plum peel.	92	75	California	Syrah
56,466	Germany	Honey tangerines and freesias perfume this dazzling auslese that's full of pristine yellow peach and citrus flavors. It's luscious, almost opulent with fruit, but cut with a shock of lemon-lime acidity that extends the long, long finish.	93	38	Mosel	Riesling
78,999	Spain	From the starting gun, this is a raisiny, candied wine with complexity issues. The palate is tannic and not the least bit varied; basically it just sits there. Flavors of raisin and red licorice finish sweet, medicinal and with a note of green peppercorn. This is flavorful but blocky and strange.	85	30	Catalonia	Red Blend
19,697	Spain	Always one of Catalonia's more elevated cavas, this version opens with spiced dried apple aromas and a bit of yeast and dough. The palate is both sweet and tangy, with tangerine as the lead fruit. And the finish is consistent and moderately deep. A handsome wine with character. Imported by Freixenet USA.	88	20	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
124,000	US	Almost black in color, this full-bodied wine is bold in aroma, smelling like black pepper and blackberry, with a slightly earthy edge. It tastes dense, rich but dry. A thick coat of tannins leads to an astringent finish.	87	25	California	Petite Sirah
73,744	Argentina	Extravagantly floral on the nose, with blueberry, mineral and other particular aromas. But once you hit the palate, the acidity is extreme and thus the mouthfeel is sheering. Flavors of blueberry and mulberry are tangy, while the finish is angular. Too sharp and tangy to compete with the best, including Altamira and Bella Vista, Achaval-Ferrer's other single-vineyard big boys.	88	112	Mendoza Province	Malbec
87,536	US	An exceptionally good Pinot, from a winery that frequently gets overlooked, perhaps because they're not charging an arm and a leg. The wine is light and silky in the mouth, with alcohol well under 14%, and marked with crisp acidity and fine-grained tannins. The flavors are classic pomegranates, rhubarbs and black cherries. Should develop over the next 4–6 years. What a great value.	92	29	California	Pinot Noir
46,694	US	This was half whole cluster-fermented and neatly incorporates hints of earth and bark into its tart cranberry and pie cherry core. Its verticality and tannic power suggest it will age quite nicely through the late 2020s.	93	48	Oregon	Pinot Noir
31,370	US	Very fine Chardonnay, marked by brisk, racy acidity and a steely tang to the lemon, lime, white peach and honeysuckle flavors. Very complex and lively, an alluring wine that will take a few years in the bottle.	92	25	California	Chardonnay
101,952	Italy	It opens with aromas of violet, iris, ripe red berries and a whiff of vanilla. The soft palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and well-integrated oak alongside round tannins.	88	17	Tuscany	Sangiovese
73,141	US	Redolent of dried cherries and violets, granite and slate, this late-release Merlot is already dropping elegant hints of its maturity. Concentrated with crisp black cherry flavor, it balances lavish texture alongside brisk acidity and minerality. The finish is long and meandering. It's delicious now, but sure to improve further from 2020 on.	90	44	New York	Merlot
43,771	France	A very subdued nose leads to a softly apple-fruited and dry palate that shows off a yeasty, autolytic texture and bright acidity. There is backbone and structure on this dry Blanc de Noirs, which really has the palest pink of a vin gris.	88	19	Alsace	Pinot Noir
96,093	US	A fine Mendocino Petite Sirah that's mouth filling with blueberry and licorice and plenty structured to age longer than it already has. With pleasant layers of licorice and black tea, especially on the finish, it's also ready to drink now.	87	18	California	Petite Sirah
122,797	US	This single-vineyard wine is a little plodding and direct now. It's dry and acidic, with high-toned flavors of cranberry and sour cherry candy that turn heavy and seemingly sweet as you swallow.	93	50	California	Pinot Noir
1,655	Portugal	This wine is light in tannins and ripe in fruit, with a delicious red-berry character. Drink this attractive wine from 2019.	85	11	Douro	Portuguese Red
25,815	Germany	Deep, dusty slate and smoke tones rim the edges of this sleek, laser-edged Kabinett. It's intensely concentrated in lemon and lime flavors, but darkly mineral as well, finishing on sweet-tart hits of citrus and salt. Delicious now, it should only improve over the next decade.	93	33	Mosel	Riesling
103,120	US	Hard to describe the balance and elegance of this Cabernet Franc, although it's pretty hard in tannins. Below that is a fabulous core of blackberry, black cherry and mineral flavors. Rich, complex and dramatic, this is arguably one of the best Cab ernet Francs on the market. Drink now–2017.	94	75	California	Cabernet Franc
35,613	France	Named after the chapel of Château la Gordonne, which is an historic monument, this wine is a rich rendition of ripe red fruits and a generous texture. It is concentrated, with a tannic edge that gives bite to the aftertaste. It could even age a few months and will be great with the Thanksgiving turkey.	91	23	Provence	Rosé
42,526	US	An excellent Washington Malbec, this spicy delight sets up beautifully on the palate with bright, crisply defined, varietal fruit flavors of boysenberry, black cherry and cassis. Precise and penetrating, with excellent balance, it keeps the barrel flavors light and minimal.	90	25	Washington	Malbec
79,960	Italy	From the estate's oldest vines this offers lively berry nuances backed by measured spice, leather and smoke. There's a good quality of berry fruit here and although the wine is simple and straightforward, it would match a long list of pasta and easy meat dishes.	87	9	Sicily & Sardinia	Cabernet Sauvignon
122,404	US	A fairly light, juicy, fruity wine, this has generic flavors, smooth texture, medium body, light tannins and a ripe taste on the finish.	84	11	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
25,433	Italy	Wild berry, moist earth, crushed violet and a whiff of dark baking spice meld together on this. The polished palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, polished tannins.	90	22	Tuscany	Red Blend
14,601	US	An enormously elegant, complex Pinot Noir that changes endlessly in the glass and is a joy to drink. Completely dry, and marked by silky tannins, it shows complicated cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate, cola, orange tea and sandalwood flavors. First class. Best now and for the next four or five years.	94	70	California	Pinot Noir
1,248	US	This superpremium effort from Precept Brands is loaded with fruit, and crafted with winemaker Charlie Hoppes' trademark style—lush oak, giving generous barrel flavors of butterscotch and toast. The barrel flavors dominate, complemented by bold black cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit.	88	50	Washington	Red Blend
10,306	US	What a great Pinot, and look at that price. The wine is translucent in ruby hue, dry, silky in texture and crisp in acids, showing the textural hallmarks of a fine coastal bottling. The raspberry, cherry, cola and spice flavors are delicious and complex. A terrific value. Production was 1,100 cases.	91	19	California	Pinot Noir
12,986	US	There's a funky herbal, slightly green quality to this wine, possessed of plenty acidity, as the variety is known for, yet muted in its typical floral aromatics and bright fruit.	84	30	California	Barbera
68,544	Spain	Candied blueberry aromas are fresh and suggest some power to come. Indeed, this wine is chunky on the palate, with grapy dark-fruit flavors that are generic but friendly. Made with carbonic maceration, this Toro is suggestive of Beaujolais.	86	12	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
47,819	US	Will age for quite a while, gradually shedding fruit and tannins, but you're best off drinking it soon for savory youthful pleasure. Dry and balanced, it's showing lovely blackberry, currant and oak flavors.	89	29	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
90,684	US	With a perfumed nose of rose and toasted oak, this wine is thick in red fruit, dense oak and a welcome undercurrent of bright acidity that helps keep it fresh in the glass. Small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are all within.	90	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
88,371	US	Easton's largest-production Zinfandel, and earliest release, exhibits mushroomy earth tones around a core of baked plum and leathery spice. Soft and round, very accessible and ready to drink, the finish underlines those leathery jolts—the wine would be perfect with barbecue.	90	18	California	Zinfandel
37,409	US	Half estate, half Pfeiffer Vineyard fruit, this is crisp and racy, with bright intense flavors of white peach and gooseberry. It's bracing, clean and thoroughly refreshing—great for a hot summer day.	90	24	Oregon	Pinot Gris
36,779	US	Frog's Leap's Chards always have a softly herbal earthiness, even though there's plenty of pineapple, green apple, apricot and vanilla oaky flavor. That herbaceousness keeps the wine from soaring.	86	24	California	Chardonnay
91,832	US	Fetzer's done a nice job at making a dry, crisp Sauvignon Blanc that's easy to drink on its own, or to pair with a wide variety of food. The lemon and lime, grapefruit, fig, vanilla and pepper flavors are zesty and clean.	86	9	California	Sauvignon Blanc
23,464	US	This is a lovely Syrah. It has a medium-bodied lightness that feels velvety in the mouth, and is packed with sweet blackberry, plum, mocha and bacon flavors, accented with smoky sandalwood. Nice to drink now, and will gain traction over the next 6–8 years.	91	28	California	Syrah
74,786	US	It's all about flavor in this tasty Grenache. It's very rich in raspberries, cherries, mocha, orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla bean, with a touch of smoked butter. Could be drier and firmer, though, as it's a little sweet and soft.	85	18	California	Grenache
89,224	Italy	Bright and fragrant, this opens with scents of wild berry, rose and violet. The vibrant palate delivers tart cherry, blood orange, anise and chopped herb alongside supple tannins and zesty acidity. There's no complexity but it's easy drinking and thoroughly enjoyable.	88	20	Tuscany	Red Blend
7,810	US	The best of Glen Fiona's current releases, this displays cool-climate varietal character, with mountain berry fruit, herb, spice, tar and a streak of licorice.	87	15	Washington	Syrah
63,220	Italy	An iconic wine of Italy and deservedly so, Biondi-Santi captures the spirit of the 2007 vintage with his clear fruit interpretations of red cherry, blackberry and cassis. The wine shows power, structure and fresh acidity that drives the long finish.	93	180	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
15,955	US	Earthy, rather savory notes of moss and dusty minerals contrast bright, fruity flavors of fresh peach and papaya on this semidry Riesling. It's refreshing and spry on the palate, with a brisk and cutting finish. Drink now.	85	14	New York	Riesling
17,644	US	An estate-grown Pinot Gris, barrel fermented, with aromas of lime, tangerine and black tea. It's a somewhat delicate, pleasing style that thins out quickly.	87	15	Oregon	Pinot Gris
261	Argentina	A blend of 50% Malbec with Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot that's lightly minty and full of tobacco, pepper and spicy aromas. Feels a bit clampy and tannic, with oaky, herbal flavors of plum and sweet berry. Shows a hint of green and drying tannins on the finish.	89	37	Mendoza Province	Red Blend
30,356	US	A unique blend of Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling and Gewürztraminer, it is—as its name suggests—quite floral, along with notes of lychee and white grapefruit. It drinks off dry, with a medium-bodied feel. Citrus and spice flavors carry through the finish.	88	12	Washington	White Blend
108,581	US	This is a ripe, tropical and quite flabby wine, huge in body, oak and fruit.	83	36	California	Chardonnay
90,081	US	Though the wine saw less than 10% new oak, it carries a rich, smoky note of espresso from first whiff to last swallow. It's dusty and dense, with fragrances of baking spice and incense. The flavors bring accents of citrus rind, orange peel and white pepper, showing lovely balance and varietal strength throughout.	90	29	Washington	Syrah
117,778	US	This is a reserve level Tempranillo—the third ever bottling produced by the winery. Packed with cassis and black cherry fruit, it also delivers intense smoke, charred wood and espresso scents and flavors. It's a powerful wine, with further notes of spice and graphite, finishing tongue-scrapingly dry and ready for a juicy steak.	92	100	Oregon	Tempranillo
78,783	Portugal	From vines close to the medieval castle of Numão in the Douro Superior, this wine represents the top of the range for this family-owned estate. Layers of new wood vie with the ripe fruit of this wine that offers spice as well as black-plum fruits and acidity. It is developing well, giving a rich wine that will be ready to drink from 2019.	92	50	Douro	Portuguese Red
127,532	Spain	Alidis is not the most consistent winery in Ribera del Duero, but this gran reserva gets it mostly right. Earthy, slightly mulchy and rubbery berry aromas lead to a saturated bulky palate. Saucy earthy flavors of black fruits finish gritty and a bit leathery, with a jammy weight and a lasting note of black coffee.	90	60	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
27,776	US	Vista Hills is in a sweet spot in the Dundee Hills, with neighbors including DDO and Domaine Serene. This puts the fruit front and center, a panoply of berries and melon, lightly edged with toast. Warm, forward and palate-friendly, it rolls into a finish with a hint of sassafras.	90	44	Oregon	Pinot Noir
113,613	US	A reductive nose distracts from the dusty oak, vanilla and robust peach and papaya notes in this food-friendly, round and approachable wine.	86	15	California	Chardonnay
18,795	US	This is a beautiful wine to look at for the coppery-gold color and the fierce explosion of fine bubbles. Smells luscious, with subtle raspberry, lime, bread and lees aromas. This is the best rosé Handley has ever produced: amazingly rich, long and full-bodied, with the creamy smoothness of Champagne.	92	25	California	Champagne Blend
49,412	France	This lively wine comes from the Clarence Dillon group (Château Haut-Brion). It offers good balance between the considerable acidity and the red-berry fruit. With its spicy background, the wine is delicious to drink now.	88	15	Bordeaux	Rosé
81,467	US	This zesty icewine, with its lemon, spice and mineral backbone, offers a light and playful take on the dessert wine coveted by so many worldwide. Delicate and not overly sweet, this shows some restraint and subtlety, lending it to food pairing and solo sipping.	89	23	New York	Riesling
46,515	US	Dusty bramble aromas outshine delicate blossom notes on this zesty medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. White grapefruit and herb tones brighten the midpalate. While not persistent, its brisk finish is refreshing.	86	20	New York	Sauvignon Blanc
66,774	US	The aromas seem a bit muddled, with notes of wet copper penny, herbs, tobacco and spice. The red-fruit flavors are subdued, with an elegant styling.	85	25	Washington	Tempranillo
125,278	US	Made from 100% Cabernet, this is a fine everyday wine. It's dry, full-bodied and satisfying in blackberry, cola and currant flavors, with a nice kiss of oak. The alcohol level is nice and low. Ready to drink now.	88	21	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
66,182	US	Too soft and sugary sweet for a dry table wine, although the cherry, blackberry and chocolate flavors are decadently delicious. Needs dryness and greater structural integrity.	85	52	California	Syrah
58,571	US	I sense some sappy black cherry fruit in here, but it's buried in heavily-toasted barrels and a reductive, plastic flavor that takes over and won't let go. If you give it plenty of extra air time it smoothes out slightly.	85	20	Oregon	Syrah
125,555	Portugal	Ripe, rich and smooth, this wine has structure under the generous, opulent black fruits that will allow it to age further. But with its succulent character laced with acidity, it is surprisingly ready to drink for such a young wine.	89	62	Douro	Portuguese Red
113,572	US	Pretty much as gorgeous as California bubbly gets. It's dry and yeasty and rich in citrus, peach and apple flavors, with an enormously fine structure. Feels smooth as silk, clean as a whistle, with a delicate but complex mousse. Young and vibrant, with mouthwatering acidity, this Champagne-like brut should develop bottle complexity through 2013, at least.	95	100	California	Sparkling Blend
74,968	US	This wine leads with somewhat locked-up, slightly porty aromas of herb, barrel spice and dark fruit. The ripe, rich dark fruit flavors show considerably more generosity, with firm, slightly gritty tannins backing them up.	88	35	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
39,668	Argentina	A lightly charred, foresty nose includes aromas of blackberry, cassis, hard spices, licorice and leather. This is lively but balanced in terms of feel, with richness and raciness playing off each other. Flavors of baked black fruits, peppery spice and licorice finish dark, long and bright, with juicy acidity that will keep this healthy for years to come. Drink through 2024.	93	120	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
38,834	Italy	This Tuscan Merlot has a fragrance of ripe plum, berry and cocoa. The palate delivers black currant layered with chocolate and finishes on a drying note of wood. It doesn't have much complexity but it has very attractive fruit.	88	50	Tuscany	Merlot
31,566	US	Light copper-pink in color, this vineyard-designate shows a wealth of peach and orange flavors that combine to refreshing effect. Lightly made in a bright accessible style, the wine offers a moderate body weight and texture that's pleasing on the palate.	90	25	California	Pinot Noir
93,328	France	Round and soft, this warm wine from the southern end of the Côte de Beaune feels rich and generous. It has caramel and yellow fruit flavors, and its crisp acidity will ensure that it will remain fresh and fruity.	87	41	Burgundy	Chardonnay
111,624	Italy	Garnet-ruby hue with slightly browning rim. Savory aromas of cured meat, cola, dried fruit and rum cake upfront, while warm earthy, tobacco and leather tones fill in the rear. Sophisticated and rich, reminiscent of a storied, nostalgic Brunello tradition. Generous, but with a firm, drying feel on the finish.	89	45	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
1,133	France	Too enthusiastic use of wood has left this wine bereft of fruit and unbalanced.	84	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
39,275	US	Bright and alive in crisp pear and fresh citrus, this is a lovely, spicy Chardonnay, integrated and pleasing on the palate. The juicy fruit flavors delve into a creamy texture that lingers through to the finish.	91	35	California	Chardonnay
62,308	France	A high proportion of Pinot Noir gives this Deutz prestige cuvée richness as well as a strong green fruit character. Citrus, green apples and intense acidity underpin this finely understated wine. Drink from 2018.	94	70	Champagne	Champagne Blend
62,902	US	Made in a very ripe, intensely concentrated style, this tannic young Cabernet is massive in blackberries, currants and cedar. It's a huge, impressive wine that needs at least 6–8 years in the cellar.	92	40	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
59,219	US	Simple and a bit light, this brings brambly berry and garrigue-like herbal flavors, all done in a clean, approachable style. It lacks the concentration and meatiness of the better Northwest Syrahs, but it's perfectly serviceable for everyday consumption.	85	35	Oregon	Syrah
11,834	Italy	Oak, roasted coffee bean and coconut aromas lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, exotic spice, oak extract and espresso alongside astringent wood tannins that dry out the mouth. There's not quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak.	88	92	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
33,320	Spain	Our bet is that a granular, reduced, raisiny wine like this will not have broad appeal. Yet if you are interested in trying a blend of Samsó, Garnacha and Syrah it has some core qualities, namely old-school raisin and plum flavors backed by core tannins. A country-style wine if there ever was one.	84	12	Catalonia	Red Blend

66,265

Argentina

Soft and earthy up front, this Malbec deals jammy, raisiny aromas and a note of charcoal. The palate is cushioned in feel, while flavors of prune and blackberry are ripe but also minerally. Blackberry and raisin flavors are at the center of a lightly herbal, persistent finish.

88

16

Mendoza Province

Malbec

32,396

Portugal

Vicente Faria delivers a densely ripe wine made from selected vineyards. Wood aged, with rich black, tarry fruit and dark chocolate aromas, it's an impressive blend that will need to age. Drink from 2019.

91

16

Douro

Portuguese Red

38,813

US

Salmon colored (and salmon would make a good pairing), this sparkling rosé has deep flavors of toasty oak and black fruit, along with a swath of sweetness on the finish.

88

22

California

Sparkling Blend

103,876

US

While initially closed, suggesting a bit more bramble than fruit, a brief aeration coaxes pretty strawberry and cherry aromas from this full-bodied rosé. It's dry in style with crisp cutting acidity and a clean finish.

88

20

New York

Pinot Noir

75,013

US

This big, bold wine has the taste profile of a Port but is not so sweet or full bodied. Deeper than usual in color, it's concentrated to the point of overripeness in aroma. Rich on the palate with flavors like blackberry syrup and dark chocolate, it should be perfect as an after-dinner wine.

88

32

California

Zinfandel

120,118

Argentina

Butter and coconut aromas announce the liberal use of oak, which the palate echoes with its round, resiny feel and flavors of vanilla, wood and baked pear. This is soft, flat and sugary tasting, with an oaky finish.

85

17

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

95,045

France

Beautifully pale in color, this is the latest release of Cristal Rosé. It is ripe and full in the mouth, packed with fruit and also with intense acidity that cuts through the soft texture. There is a hint of bottle age, giving the wine a toasty complexity that brings a balance to this great wine. Drink now, although this vintage will certainly last to 2020 and beyond.

96

469

Champagne

Champagne Blend

84,907

US

Ripe fleshy cantaloupe and pineapple flavors abound in this forward fruity Chardonnay. Its juicy, almost overripe, fruit expression is accentuated by soft slightly yielding acidity. Drink now.

86

18

New York

Chardonnay

123,908

France

In its classic Provence skittle bottle, this is a wine for quaffing at a patio or restaurant table. Pale in color but packed with red fruit, it is an immediately attractive fruity and lively wine. Drink now.

85

12

Provence

Rosé

1,029

Spain

Clean, peachy aromas set up a light, minerally, citrusy body. Flavors of gooseberry, lime and lemon hold steady and double up on gooseberry on the finish. Overall, this is round, minerally and elegant, but also slightly sour and edgy.

88

18

Northern Spain

White Blend

17,889

France

A ripe and fruity wine, very typical of the vintage. There's a strong stalky black currant character, with some dry tannins and wood flavors. The aftertaste, though, comes right back to fruit and juicy acidity.

85

35

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

2,114

France

This is a very rich wine with black fruit and bitter coffee flavors and dense tannins. Its weight is almost too much for the firm structure that is underneath.

88

30

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

54,564

US

With organically grown grapes from both Lake County (58%) and Mendocino (42%), this showcases the best of both regions. It has a great mix of lemon, grapefruit, honeydew and kiwi freshness that remains balanced on the finish. It's a quaffable summer wine.

88

14

California

Sauvignon Blanc

15,186

US

Deliciously varietal in its huge offering of white pepper and robust black and blue fruit, this well-crafted wine boasts a lithe texture that invites sip after sip. It remains light footed throughout the palate, yet with enough complexity and balancing weight before the refined finish gives a final hit of juiciness.

95

50

California

Syrah

23,722

US

A blend of Pommard and Wadenswill clones, this was aged in large, neutral puncheons. It's smooth, light and well balanced, showing fruit flavors of watermelon and strawberry. The vintage was challenging, and flavors of leaf and herb are also in the mix.

88

30

Oregon

Pinot Noir

129,737

Spain

Leathery oaky berry aromas are a touch gritty. Grabby tannins and blazing acidity make for a dry scratchy mouthfeel. Flavors of red plum, tomato and spiced berry fruits finish with notes of black pepper, cocoa, tree bark and coffee. Drink now through 2026.

90

21

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

109,787

US

Calls to mind the 2006, which also was a ripe, fruity wine. If anything, the '08 is even sweeter. The alcohol is half a percent higher. It's succulent in raspberry and cherry jam, making it likeable now. But such are the tannins and acids that the wine should easily gain in the cellar over the next six years.

91

50

California

Pinot Noir

42,698

US

Simple, sweet and direct, with honeyed flavors of raspberries, crunchy vanilla granola, vanilla pastry and cocoa. Make it drier, and it would score higher.

83

18

California

Merlot

118,415

US

This is a sumptuous, well-crafted wine, nearly 100% varietal and dark purple in color. It offers leathery chocolate and red cherry flavors around still-dense tannins that seem to soften in the glass. Given more than a year in oak, only a small percentage of it new, it's lively and refined.

90

26

California

Merlot

31,131

France

The wine is soft with a fine touch of tannin and some stalkiness. It has black currants that are ripe while remaining crisp. The wine is easy, accessible and ready to drink.

85

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

40,800

US

Made from nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this adds a handful of Petit Verdot for good measure. Smooth, round and approachable, it offers a powerful grip and dense black fruit, finishing with balanced acidity.

90

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

54,038

US

Fresh and inviting in a strawberry aroma, the palate brings ripe red-fruit and vanilla flavors to the mix. This is a medium-bodied, softly textured wine.

85

9

California

Red Blend

52,110

Australia

The Limestone Coast, which encompasses the noted regions of Coonawarra and Padthaway, is known for its Cabernet and its big gum trees. There's certainly more than a bit of mint to this wine, but there are also notes of cassis and even a hint of bell pepper. It does turn a bit astringent on the finish, so pair it with lamb chops or hamburgers. Drink now–2020.

88

14

South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

65,897

US

This sleekly styled wine displays aromas of citrus peel, green apple and Bosc pear. The citrus flavors are lightly spritzy, bringing a sense of lightness and freshness. It's perfect for a summer day.

88

13

Washington

Pinot Gris

22,234

US

Oak dominates this wine, towering over everything else and offering a strong dose of caramel, hardened by wood tannins. There are some good cherry and red currant flavors, but they're swamped by the barrel regimen. Disappointing for this fine Carneros vineyard.

84

42

California

Pinot Noir

65,949

US

Plump aromas of black cherry, mulberry, vanilla and star anise rise on the rich but not overbearing nose of this wine. There is dark-fruit ripeness on the front, but then comes a heavy array of spices, from allspice and clove to thyme and dried sage. The texture is soft, yet the tannins are noticeable and the acidity is buoyant.

95

60

California

Pinot Noir

99,575

US

A lovely, lush, complex and inviting nose brings rich cherry fruit, coffee grounds, smoke and toast right up front. The wine is ripe and fruity, but also shows tangy acidity, even hints of citrus and pineapple, and a lively mouthfeel that invites another sip. Still young and unevolved, it remains a bit disjointed, but with many interesting components.

91

38

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

24,508

US

Big flavors, full body and assertive tannins balance each other to make this out-sized wine a winner. It has ripe black cherry and dried fig aromas, gushing fruit flavors and a broad texture, but the firm tannins keep it from tasting fat. It's hardly delicate, but definitely delicious.

91

50

California

Pinot Noir

48,944

US

Quirky, art-minded winemaker Matthias Sanguis crafts a stellar Syrah, with a lush bouquets of violets, blue raspberry, black peppercorns and vanilla. The palate, bound together with a lean acidic line down the middle, presents dark but tart cherries, sweet tobacco and the tang of plum peel.

92

75

California

Syrah

56,466

Germany

Honey tangerines and freesias perfume this dazzling auslese that's full of pristine yellow peach and citrus flavors. It's luscious, almost opulent with fruit, but cut with a shock of lemon-lime acidity that extends the long, long finish.

93

38

Mosel

Riesling

78,999

Spain

From the starting gun, this is a raisiny, candied wine with complexity issues. The palate is tannic and not the least bit varied; basically it just sits there. Flavors of raisin and red licorice finish sweet, medicinal and with a note of green peppercorn. This is flavorful but blocky and strange.

85

30

Catalonia

Red Blend

19,697

Spain

Always one of Catalonia's more elevated cavas, this version opens with spiced dried apple aromas and a bit of yeast and dough. The palate is both sweet and tangy, with tangerine as the lead fruit. And the finish is consistent and moderately deep. A handsome wine with character. Imported by Freixenet USA.

88

20

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

124,000

US

Almost black in color, this full-bodied wine is bold in aroma, smelling like black pepper and blackberry, with a slightly earthy edge. It tastes dense, rich but dry. A thick coat of tannins leads to an astringent finish.

87

25

California

Petite Sirah

73,744

Argentina

Extravagantly floral on the nose, with blueberry, mineral and other particular aromas. But once you hit the palate, the acidity is extreme and thus the mouthfeel is sheering. Flavors of blueberry and mulberry are tangy, while the finish is angular. Too sharp and tangy to compete with the best, including Altamira and Bella Vista, Achaval-Ferrer's other single-vineyard big boys.

88

112

Mendoza Province

Malbec

87,536

US

An exceptionally good Pinot, from a winery that frequently gets overlooked, perhaps because they're not charging an arm and a leg. The wine is light and silky in the mouth, with alcohol well under 14%, and marked with crisp acidity and fine-grained tannins. The flavors are classic pomegranates, rhubarbs and black cherries. Should develop over the next 4–6 years. What a great value.

92

29

California

Pinot Noir

46,694

US

This was half whole cluster-fermented and neatly incorporates hints of earth and bark into its tart cranberry and pie cherry core. Its verticality and tannic power suggest it will age quite nicely through the late 2020s.

93

48

Oregon

Pinot Noir

31,370

US

Very fine Chardonnay, marked by brisk, racy acidity and a steely tang to the lemon, lime, white peach and honeysuckle flavors. Very complex and lively, an alluring wine that will take a few years in the bottle.

92

25

California

Chardonnay

101,952

Italy

It opens with aromas of violet, iris, ripe red berries and a whiff of vanilla. The soft palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and well-integrated oak alongside round tannins.

88

17

Tuscany

Sangiovese

73,141

US

Redolent of dried cherries and violets, granite and slate, this late-release Merlot is already dropping elegant hints of its maturity. Concentrated with crisp black cherry flavor, it balances lavish texture alongside brisk acidity and minerality. The finish is long and meandering. It's delicious now, but sure to improve further from 2020 on.

90

44

New York

Merlot

43,771

France

A very subdued nose leads to a softly apple-fruited and dry palate that shows off a yeasty, autolytic texture and bright acidity. There is backbone and structure on this dry Blanc de Noirs, which really has the palest pink of a vin gris.

88

19

Alsace

Pinot Noir

96,093

US

A fine Mendocino Petite Sirah that's mouth filling with blueberry and licorice and plenty structured to age longer than it already has. With pleasant layers of licorice and black tea, especially on the finish, it's also ready to drink now.

87

18

California

Petite Sirah

122,797

US

This single-vineyard wine is a little plodding and direct now. It's dry and acidic, with high-toned flavors of cranberry and sour cherry candy that turn heavy and seemingly sweet as you swallow.

93

50

California

Pinot Noir

1,655

Portugal

This wine is light in tannins and ripe in fruit, with a delicious red-berry character. Drink this attractive wine from 2019.

85

11

Douro

Portuguese Red

25,815

Germany

Deep, dusty slate and smoke tones rim the edges of this sleek, laser-edged Kabinett. It's intensely concentrated in lemon and lime flavors, but darkly mineral as well, finishing on sweet-tart hits of citrus and salt. Delicious now, it should only improve over the next decade.

93

33

Mosel

Riesling

103,120

US

Hard to describe the balance and elegance of this Cabernet Franc, although it's pretty hard in tannins. Below that is a fabulous core of blackberry, black cherry and mineral flavors. Rich, complex and dramatic, this is arguably one of the best Cab ernet Francs on the market. Drink now–2017.

94

75

California

Cabernet Franc

35,613

France

Named after the chapel of Château la Gordonne, which is an historic monument, this wine is a rich rendition of ripe red fruits and a generous texture. It is concentrated, with a tannic edge that gives bite to the aftertaste. It could even age a few months and will be great with the Thanksgiving turkey.

91

23

Provence

Rosé

42,526

US

An excellent Washington Malbec, this spicy delight sets up beautifully on the palate with bright, crisply defined, varietal fruit flavors of boysenberry, black cherry and cassis. Precise and penetrating, with excellent balance, it keeps the barrel flavors light and minimal.

90

25

Washington

Malbec

79,960

Italy

From the estate's oldest vines this offers lively berry nuances backed by measured spice, leather and smoke. There's a good quality of berry fruit here and although the wine is simple and straightforward, it would match a long list of pasta and easy meat dishes.

87

9

Sicily & Sardinia

Cabernet Sauvignon

122,404

US

A fairly light, juicy, fruity wine, this has generic flavors, smooth texture, medium body, light tannins and a ripe taste on the finish.

84

11

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

25,433

Italy

Wild berry, moist earth, crushed violet and a whiff of dark baking spice meld together on this. The polished palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, polished tannins.

90

22

Tuscany

Red Blend

14,601

US

An enormously elegant, complex Pinot Noir that changes endlessly in the glass and is a joy to drink. Completely dry, and marked by silky tannins, it shows complicated cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate, cola, orange tea and sandalwood flavors. First class. Best now and for the next four or five years.

94

70

California

Pinot Noir

1,248

US

This superpremium effort from Precept Brands is loaded with fruit, and crafted with winemaker Charlie Hoppes' trademark style—lush oak, giving generous barrel flavors of butterscotch and toast. The barrel flavors dominate, complemented by bold black cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit.

88

50

Washington

Red Blend

10,306

US

What a great Pinot, and look at that price. The wine is translucent in ruby hue, dry, silky in texture and crisp in acids, showing the textural hallmarks of a fine coastal bottling. The raspberry, cherry, cola and spice flavors are delicious and complex. A terrific value. Production was 1,100 cases.

91

19

California

Pinot Noir

12,986

US

There's a funky herbal, slightly green quality to this wine, possessed of plenty acidity, as the variety is known for, yet muted in its typical floral aromatics and bright fruit.

84

30

California

Barbera

68,544

Spain

Candied blueberry aromas are fresh and suggest some power to come. Indeed, this wine is chunky on the palate, with grapy dark-fruit flavors that are generic but friendly. Made with carbonic maceration, this Toro is suggestive of Beaujolais.

86

12

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

47,819

US

Will age for quite a while, gradually shedding fruit and tannins, but you're best off drinking it soon for savory youthful pleasure. Dry and balanced, it's showing lovely blackberry, currant and oak flavors.

89

29

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

90,684

US

With a perfumed nose of rose and toasted oak, this wine is thick in red fruit, dense oak and a welcome undercurrent of bright acidity that helps keep it fresh in the glass. Small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are all within.

90

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

88,371

US

Easton's largest-production Zinfandel, and earliest release, exhibits mushroomy earth tones around a core of baked plum and leathery spice. Soft and round, very accessible and ready to drink, the finish underlines those leathery jolts—the wine would be perfect with barbecue.

90

18

California

Zinfandel

37,409

US

Half estate, half Pfeiffer Vineyard fruit, this is crisp and racy, with bright intense flavors of white peach and gooseberry. It's bracing, clean and thoroughly refreshing—great for a hot summer day.

90

24

Oregon

Pinot Gris

36,779

US

Frog's Leap's Chards always have a softly herbal earthiness, even though there's plenty of pineapple, green apple, apricot and vanilla oaky flavor. That herbaceousness keeps the wine from soaring.

86

24

California

Chardonnay

91,832

US

Fetzer's done a nice job at making a dry, crisp Sauvignon Blanc that's easy to drink on its own, or to pair with a wide variety of food. The lemon and lime, grapefruit, fig, vanilla and pepper flavors are zesty and clean.

86

9

California

Sauvignon Blanc

23,464

US

This is a lovely Syrah. It has a medium-bodied lightness that feels velvety in the mouth, and is packed with sweet blackberry, plum, mocha and bacon flavors, accented with smoky sandalwood. Nice to drink now, and will gain traction over the next 6–8 years.

91

28

California

Syrah

74,786

US

It's all about flavor in this tasty Grenache. It's very rich in raspberries, cherries, mocha, orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla bean, with a touch of smoked butter. Could be drier and firmer, though, as it's a little sweet and soft.

85

18

California

Grenache

89,224

Italy

Bright and fragrant, this opens with scents of wild berry, rose and violet. The vibrant palate delivers tart cherry, blood orange, anise and chopped herb alongside supple tannins and zesty acidity. There's no complexity but it's easy drinking and thoroughly enjoyable.

88

20

Tuscany

Red Blend

7,810

US

The best of Glen Fiona's current releases, this displays cool-climate varietal character, with mountain berry fruit, herb, spice, tar and a streak of licorice.

87

15

Washington

Syrah

63,220

Italy

An iconic wine of Italy and deservedly so, Biondi-Santi captures the spirit of the 2007 vintage with his clear fruit interpretations of red cherry, blackberry and cassis. The wine shows power, structure and fresh acidity that drives the long finish.

93

180

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

15,955

US

Earthy, rather savory notes of moss and dusty minerals contrast bright, fruity flavors of fresh peach and papaya on this semidry Riesling. It's refreshing and spry on the palate, with a brisk and cutting finish. Drink now.

85

14

New York

Riesling

17,644

US

An estate-grown Pinot Gris, barrel fermented, with aromas of lime, tangerine and black tea. It's a somewhat delicate, pleasing style that thins out quickly.

87

15

Oregon

Pinot Gris

261

Argentina

A blend of 50% Malbec with Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot that's lightly minty and full of tobacco, pepper and spicy aromas. Feels a bit clampy and tannic, with oaky, herbal flavors of plum and sweet berry. Shows a hint of green and drying tannins on the finish.

89

37

Mendoza Province

Red Blend

30,356

US

A unique blend of Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling and Gewürztraminer, it is—as its name suggests—quite floral, along with notes of lychee and white grapefruit. It drinks off dry, with a medium-bodied feel. Citrus and spice flavors carry through the finish.

88

12

Washington

White Blend

108,581

US

This is a ripe, tropical and quite flabby wine, huge in body, oak and fruit.

83

36

California

Chardonnay

90,081

US

Though the wine saw less than 10% new oak, it carries a rich, smoky note of espresso from first whiff to last swallow. It's dusty and dense, with fragrances of baking spice and incense. The flavors bring accents of citrus rind, orange peel and white pepper, showing lovely balance and varietal strength throughout.

90

29

Washington

Syrah

117,778

US

This is a reserve level Tempranillo—the third ever bottling produced by the winery. Packed with cassis and black cherry fruit, it also delivers intense smoke, charred wood and espresso scents and flavors. It's a powerful wine, with further notes of spice and graphite, finishing tongue-scrapingly dry and ready for a juicy steak.

92

100

Oregon

Tempranillo

78,783

Portugal

From vines close to the medieval castle of Numão in the Douro Superior, this wine represents the top of the range for this family-owned estate. Layers of new wood vie with the ripe fruit of this wine that offers spice as well as black-plum fruits and acidity. It is developing well, giving a rich wine that will be ready to drink from 2019.

92

50

Douro

Portuguese Red

127,532

Spain

Alidis is not the most consistent winery in Ribera del Duero, but this gran reserva gets it mostly right. Earthy, slightly mulchy and rubbery berry aromas lead to a saturated bulky palate. Saucy earthy flavors of black fruits finish gritty and a bit leathery, with a jammy weight and a lasting note of black coffee.

90

60

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

27,776

US

Vista Hills is in a sweet spot in the Dundee Hills, with neighbors including DDO and Domaine Serene. This puts the fruit front and center, a panoply of berries and melon, lightly edged with toast. Warm, forward and palate-friendly, it rolls into a finish with a hint of sassafras.

90

44

Oregon

Pinot Noir

113,613

US

A reductive nose distracts from the dusty oak, vanilla and robust peach and papaya notes in this food-friendly, round and approachable wine.

86

15

California

Chardonnay

18,795

US

This is a beautiful wine to look at for the coppery-gold color and the fierce explosion of fine bubbles. Smells luscious, with subtle raspberry, lime, bread and lees aromas. This is the best rosé Handley has ever produced: amazingly rich, long and full-bodied, with the creamy smoothness of Champagne.

92

25

California

Champagne Blend

49,412

France

This lively wine comes from the Clarence Dillon group (Château Haut-Brion). It offers good balance between the considerable acidity and the red-berry fruit. With its spicy background, the wine is delicious to drink now.

88

15

Bordeaux

Rosé

81,467

US

This zesty icewine, with its lemon, spice and mineral backbone, offers a light and playful take on the dessert wine coveted by so many worldwide. Delicate and not overly sweet, this shows some restraint and subtlety, lending it to food pairing and solo sipping.

89

23

New York

Riesling

46,515

US

Dusty bramble aromas outshine delicate blossom notes on this zesty medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. White grapefruit and herb tones brighten the midpalate. While not persistent, its brisk finish is refreshing.

86

20

New York

Sauvignon Blanc

66,774

US

The aromas seem a bit muddled, with notes of wet copper penny, herbs, tobacco and spice. The red-fruit flavors are subdued, with an elegant styling.

85

25

Washington

Tempranillo

125,278

US

Made from 100% Cabernet, this is a fine everyday wine. It's dry, full-bodied and satisfying in blackberry, cola and currant flavors, with a nice kiss of oak. The alcohol level is nice and low. Ready to drink now.

88

21

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

66,182

US

Too soft and sugary sweet for a dry table wine, although the cherry, blackberry and chocolate flavors are decadently delicious. Needs dryness and greater structural integrity.

85

52

California

Syrah

58,571

US

I sense some sappy black cherry fruit in here, but it's buried in heavily-toasted barrels and a reductive, plastic flavor that takes over and won't let go. If you give it plenty of extra air time it smoothes out slightly.

85

20

Oregon

Syrah

125,555

Portugal

Ripe, rich and smooth, this wine has structure under the generous, opulent black fruits that will allow it to age further. But with its succulent character laced with acidity, it is surprisingly ready to drink for such a young wine.

89

62

Douro

Portuguese Red

113,572

US

Pretty much as gorgeous as California bubbly gets. It's dry and yeasty and rich in citrus, peach and apple flavors, with an enormously fine structure. Feels smooth as silk, clean as a whistle, with a delicate but complex mousse. Young and vibrant, with mouthwatering acidity, this Champagne-like brut should develop bottle complexity through 2013, at least.

95

100

California

Sparkling Blend

74,968

US

This wine leads with somewhat locked-up, slightly porty aromas of herb, barrel spice and dark fruit. The ripe, rich dark fruit flavors show considerably more generosity, with firm, slightly gritty tannins backing them up.

88

35

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

39,668

Argentina

A lightly charred, foresty nose includes aromas of blackberry, cassis, hard spices, licorice and leather. This is lively but balanced in terms of feel, with richness and raciness playing off each other. Flavors of baked black fruits, peppery spice and licorice finish dark, long and bright, with juicy acidity that will keep this healthy for years to come. Drink through 2024.

93

120

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

38,834

Italy

This Tuscan Merlot has a fragrance of ripe plum, berry and cocoa. The palate delivers black currant layered with chocolate and finishes on a drying note of wood. It doesn't have much complexity but it has very attractive fruit.

88

50

Tuscany

Merlot

31,566

US

Light copper-pink in color, this vineyard-designate shows a wealth of peach and orange flavors that combine to refreshing effect. Lightly made in a bright accessible style, the wine offers a moderate body weight and texture that's pleasing on the palate.

90

25

California

Pinot Noir

93,328

France

Round and soft, this warm wine from the southern end of the Côte de Beaune feels rich and generous. It has caramel and yellow fruit flavors, and its crisp acidity will ensure that it will remain fresh and fruity.

87

41

Burgundy

Chardonnay

111,624

Italy

Garnet-ruby hue with slightly browning rim. Savory aromas of cured meat, cola, dried fruit and rum cake upfront, while warm earthy, tobacco and leather tones fill in the rear. Sophisticated and rich, reminiscent of a storied, nostalgic Brunello tradition. Generous, but with a firm, drying feel on the finish.

89

45

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

1,133

France

Too enthusiastic use of wood has left this wine bereft of fruit and unbalanced.

84

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

39,275

US

Bright and alive in crisp pear and fresh citrus, this is a lovely, spicy Chardonnay, integrated and pleasing on the palate. The juicy fruit flavors delve into a creamy texture that lingers through to the finish.

91

35

California

Chardonnay

62,308

France

A high proportion of Pinot Noir gives this Deutz prestige cuvée richness as well as a strong green fruit character. Citrus, green apples and intense acidity underpin this finely understated wine. Drink from 2018.

94

70

Champagne

Champagne Blend

62,902

US

Made in a very ripe, intensely concentrated style, this tannic young Cabernet is massive in blackberries, currants and cedar. It's a huge, impressive wine that needs at least 6–8 years in the cellar.

92

40

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

59,219

US

Simple and a bit light, this brings brambly berry and garrigue-like herbal flavors, all done in a clean, approachable style. It lacks the concentration and meatiness of the better Northwest Syrahs, but it's perfectly serviceable for everyday consumption.

85

35

Oregon

Syrah

11,834

Italy

Oak, roasted coffee bean and coconut aromas lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, exotic spice, oak extract and espresso alongside astringent wood tannins that dry out the mouth. There's not quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak.

88

92

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

33,320

Spain

Our bet is that a granular, reduced, raisiny wine like this will not have broad appeal. Yet if you are interested in trying a blend of Samsó, Garnacha and Syrah it has some core qualities, namely old-school raisin and plum flavors backed by core tannins. A country-style wine if there ever was one.

84

12

Catalonia

Red Blend