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
79,795	US	A smidgen of Petite Sirah is added to 98% Zinfandel from a coveted vineyard in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. It takes on perfumed red cherry and is finely hewn on the palate, soft and yet tense. Cinnamon and pepper swirl throughout, becoming more pronounced and integrated in the glass.	90	30	California	Zinfandel
31,510	France	A smooth, rich wine, it is just losing its flavors of wood aging and developing its black fruit flavors to show the opulence of the vintage. Structure and a solid texture frame the ripe fruit. It could still age, so wait until 2015.	89	75	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
17,939	Italy	This hearty Barbera del Monferrato offers surprisingly thick concentration and loads of bright fruit intensity. It's an inky, dark wine with bright nuances of cherry and blackberry and although there's a vinous, raw aspect to the bouquet, the mouthfeel is attractively thick and chewy.	87	16	Piedmont	Barbera
23,241	France	Light, fresh and fruity, this is a lime and lemon flavored wine. It has a tangy, textured character that blends easily with the acidity. From a blend led by Grenache and Cinsault, it's a lively wine that will be a great apéritif.	89	22	Provence	Rosé
15,826	US	Generic red fruit flavors are set in a light wine with a slightly chalky finish. In the nose there are hints of volatility and leather, but it's perfectly quaffable.	85	28	Washington	Tempranillo
6,645	Italy	A candied element of butterscotch, caramel and dried apricot opens the nose of this luminous and bright Chardonnay. The wine is smooth and soft in the mouth with enduring flavors of stone fruit and mineral (in fact, vineyard soils are heavy in chalk content). Baglio del Cristo is Sicily's hottest new winery to watch.	90	21	Sicily & Sardinia	Chardonnay
56,955	US	Jaw-dropping on all fronts, this wine by the pioneering Franscioni family approaches regional perfection. Black plum fruit meets with dried violet and lavender on the extremely well-integrated nose, while a mineral tension frames the palate. Flavors of black plum and blackberry jam are cut by rocky earth and wild mint, and the acidity is vibrant but not overpowering.	97	58	California	Pinot Noir
11,786	Italy	Blue flowers, dark berry and allspice aromas unfold in the glass. The palate offers black currant, black cherry, peppercorn and espresso alongside drying, angular tannins.	87	18	Tuscany	Sangiovese
59,846	US	Law enforcement veteran-turned-winemaker Cindy Cosco named this brand for her Italian roots, and presents violet, red cherry and pencil-lead aromas in this bottling. A wild-herb character powers the palate, with bay leaf most prominent, followed by tart elderberries and orange-peel sourness. The grippy palate will open more with age.	87	47	California	Pinot Noir
28,698	US	Almost deep enough in color to be a red, this pleasantly dry wine made from Barbera and Mourvèdre grapes smells and tastes like raspberries, and is on the light side in terms of body. Drink it up before the next vintage comes out.	87	14	California	Rosé
82,458	US	This is immediately recognizable as a bottling from a cool-climate vineyard, with tons of cracked black pepper, asphalt and black fruit on the tense and intriguing nose. That pepper character follows through on the palate, mixing with crushed bay leaf, underripe elderberries and a touch of black currant, but fruit plays second to the spice and structure. Drink 2017–2022.	92	38	California	Syrah
88,754	US	A pretty Pinot, dry, crisp and silky. It shows polished raspberry and cherry tart, cola and spicy pomegranate flavors, framed in sweet, toasty oak. Drink now.	87	27	California	Pinot Noir
9,607	US	The No Girls Grenache, from a vineyard adjacent to Armada (the source for the Cayuse God Only Knows Grenache) is lighter, more elegant, perhaps brighter than its companion wine, with fresh blueberry and other pie berry fruits, a streak of umami, herbal tea and impressive minerality. Almost Burgundian in style, it possesses excellent length and wonderful texture.	93	65	Washington	Grenache
99,013	US	Toasty and slightly roasted scents introduce a wine dominated by barrel flavors. Aged for 30 months in one-third new oak, the fruit seems pushed back and out of reach, at least temporarily. Light hints of simple red fruits quickly yield to a liquorous finish, showing some heat and, oddly, a distinct impression of banana.	86	34	Oregon	Tempranillo
28,248	Italy	From Montalcino's most famous vineyard site, this opens with aromas of cured meat, grilled herb and a whiff of mature olive. The palate offers red cherry, licorice, savory herb and a mineral note alongside youthfully assertive but fine-grained tannins that need time to unwind. Drink after 2018.	93	125	Tuscany	Sangiovese
100,899	France	This is a smooth, orange- and peach-flavored wine, with a rich almost oily texture. It's rounded with light acidity on the finish. With its weight, this is a wine for food.	87	20	Provence	Viognier
17,614	US	Savory and tart, this is a dry, expressive white, varietal in nature, that offers tart tightly wound flavors of quince, white peach and lemon. A back note of freshly cut grass teases the nose and palate.	87	28	California	Sauvignon Blanc
6,690	US	A case study in cool-climate, estate-grown Syrah, the white pepper on the nose and palate is playful and exuberant, the acidity buoyant and lingering. The fruit takes on hushed tones of wild berry and bramble, with a soft texture inviting one in for more.	93	50	California	Syrah
6,309	Italy	This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with acrid aromas that recall sweat and wet leaves. The palate delivers a mouthful of raw oak, roasted coffee bean and espresso. It lacks fruit richness and finishes on a bitter note of astringent wood tannins.	83	22	Tuscany	Red Blend
20,998	France	This 100% Pinot Noir rosé, produced in the northern Burgundy village of Saint-Bris, is packed with fruit. It shows a light touch of red cherry fruit and plenty of bright acidity. Along with the citrus aftertaste, this is a refreshing apéritif wine.	85	20	Burgundy	Rosé
17,680	US	Not at all a typical Sauvignon Blanc, this smells like apricot and honeysuckle and tastes like marmalade. It is dry, yet tastes like a late-harvest dessert wine. Expect a little taste adventure here.	85	22	California	Sauvignon Blanc
71,083	US	Very fresh, light and a little candylike in flavor, this vivid-pink wine is dry and fruity. It is charming and easy to sip.	88	13	California	Rosé
128,328	US	No need to cellar this Cab. It's so rich and ripe, it's easy to drink now despite some firm tannins. Showy and flashy, it has raspberry, cherry and blueberry flavors, with a jacket of smoky oak. Nevertheless, it will take 5–6 years of aging.	90	45	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
4,645	France	This wine has no added sulfur, giving crisp, clear and clean fruitiness. It also adds an light touch of oxidation that broadens the wine and makes the white stone fruit richer. Drink this impressively ripe wine from 2018.	94	50	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
58,160	US	Sharp and jammy, this has raspberry, peppermint and white pepper flavors. The name means “little kisses” in Spanish.	84	15	California	Red Blend
125,191	US	Dark boysenberry, dried purple flowers, wet slate and a touch of bay leaf show on the nose of this thick and earthy bottling by the tech moguls T.J. and Valeta Rodgers. The mouthfeel is very chalky, and there is the winery's characteristic earthiness along with mocha and baking spice. But there are also brighter berry flavors, perhaps due to the sunnier slopes.	93	62	California	Pinot Noir
10,214	Italy	Here’s a vigorous bubbly that impresses for the strength of its acidity and its fine cleanliness. The aroma is shy, even austere, just faintly suggesting diluted lime in water, and the flavors, also austere, are of lime. The wine asserts itself through power. It finishes rough and scoury, yet there’s something easy to like about it.	86	11	Northeastern Italy	Champagne Blend
90,831	Italy	From the Rocche dell'Annunziata subzone, this well-priced Barolo offers beautifully vibrant aromas of cherry cola, chopped mint, violets and light shadings of exotic spice. In the mouth, it sports a compact, polished texture.	93	49	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
101,814	US	With an earthiness that weighs down the cherry, cola and currant flavors, this Pinot tastes a bit heavy. It's properly dry, with good acidity and modest alcohol.	87	45	California	Pinot Noir
127,641	Italy	Plump and food friendly, this has a rich fruit flavor backed by notes of spice, balsam, toasted almond and leather. It shows pleasant, restrained elegance.	90	33	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
106,259	France	Spice and some firm tannins mark this wine. It has a red-fruit character as well as a more earthy backdrop. With its structure it will need to sit until 2017.	86	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
66,169	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
88,623	US	This is the winery's first release of this vineyard-designated wine. Cocoa, fresh herb, tire rubber and cherry aromas are followed by cassis flavors backed by tightly wound tannins.	89	39	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
82,174	France	With the next two vintages both damaged by hail, 2012 is the most recent normal crop from Pommard. This structured and solid wine seems to have an excess of wood at this stage, although the ripe red berry fruits do give a more generous character. The tannins, typical of Pommard, kick in—although not enough to spoil the fruitiness. Drink from 2016.	90	65	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
102,278	US	This inaugural release displays dialed-back aromas of pencil eraser and dried herbs that need a bit more lift. The palate puts a premium on purity of expression along with a tart lick of acid and cinnamon notes on the finish. If the aromas and flavors sync up further, this young wine moves up a notch.	90	22	Washington	Grenache
122,557	Spain	Solid as a battleship, with lemony oak, marzipan and layer upon layer of black fruit aromas. Almost syrupy in its richness but not fully; it's chewy and creamy, with vital acids. The flavors are mega ripe and rich, emphasizing blackberry, black cherry preserves, fudge and fig paste. Yet at the same time it's an ethereal wine; the epitome of modern Rioja. Drink now through 2015.	97	250	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
63,179	US	Made from mostly Pinot Noir grapes, with an addition of 8.8% Chardonnay, this Méthode Champenoise wine is sultry in raspberry cream and crème brûlée, with enough acidity to keep it fresh in the glass. The finish offers a taste of toast with ginger jam.	92	22	California	Sparkling Blend
51,838	US	Juicy and smoky with a taste of tar, this full-bodied wine is soft and integrated in terms of oak. Black cherry, blackberry and strawberry play on the palate against measured acidity and weight.	89	22	California	Zinfandel
15,577	US	This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend shows aromas of blackberry, red and black currant and barrel spices (100% new French), seeming a bit wound up at present. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegant yet rich with a polished, seamless feel and a warm finish.	92	70	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
109,962	US	This is a perfumed wine, with aromatic notes of raspberries, kirsch, flowers, smoked meat, orange peel and blue fruit, with the Viognier blended in (4%) showing itself. The raspberry and cranberry flavors are lush and focused, showing a dazzling sense of purity that carries through the finish. It only lengthens its stride on the second day open.	92	35	Washington	Syrah
54,567	Italy	From the Rive di Refrontolo Cru, this shows clean aromas of citrus and peach, with a rich, foamy quality of bubbles.	88	18	Veneto	Glera
128,309	US	This late-release Riesling is texturally fascinating with a rich, minerally palate bursting with white grapefruit and waxy, floral flavors. Slightly off-dry in style, it's deliciously creamy and slick with a lingering finish that's kissed with caramelized sugar.	90	17	New York	Riesling
23,570	US	Unless you knew that this was Dominus and had tasted older vintages, you might not be impressed. In its youth the wine is tannic and dry and linear. However, it is Dominus and it does need cellaring. Right now it shows blackberry, black currant, cedar and baker's chocolate flavors. Will slowly open and reach maturity after 2011, and could easily develop for far longer.	93	99	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
8,172	Australia	Medium to full in weight and opulent in texture, this is a buttery creamy wine that reflects its South Australian origin. Broad and rich, it's a throwback to a previous generation's style of Chardonnay.	87	18	South Australia	Chardonnay
43,135	US	Shows lots of lusciousness, with rich raspberry, cherry and cola flavors spiced up with cinnamon, anise and nutmeg. The body is silky, just the way Pinot Noir should be. Probably at its best now and for a year or two.	87	30	California	Pinot Noir
42,343	France	With its light color and cool feel, this well-balanced wine comes from a parcel of 30-year-old vines. The smoky tannins and intense acidity give a wine that will develop well and slowly. It's still young with its red-berry fruits and fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2018.	90	28	Loire Valley	Pinot Noir
96,776	Argentina	Scratchy black cherry aromas come with a strong hint of tree bark and cedar resin. This feels snappy at first, then more resiny and oaky upon airing. Woody black-fruit flavors get a boost from juicy acidity, while an oaky finish tastes like mint and licorice.	88	16	Mendoza Province	Malbec
34,362	US	New oak dominates this Chardonnay, lending buttered toast, vanilla and caramel aromas and flavors, while the underlying fruit veers toward very ripe, sweet pineapples. Made in the modern style, it will appeal to Chardonnay lovers of flash, but ultimately palls for too much upfront sweetness.	88	38	California	Chardonnay
49,894	Australia	This is a full-bodied, well structured Cabernet, with plenty of intense cassis fruit tinged with minty, herbal overtones that give it a slightly medicinal cast. Give it 2-3 years to develop additional complexity, then drink it over the next 7-8 years.	88	40	South Australia	Cabernet Sauvignon
49,268	US	The initial impression of this Chardonnay is of intense pineapple, pear and tropical fruit flavors, but then the minerality and acidity kick in, and the wine feels grounded and vital. It's a lovely effort, rich and intense yet light and ephemeral.	92	30	California	Chardonnay
51,851	US	Intensely aromatic, this is Oregon Pinot at its most lush. Seductive scents lead into lengthy, balanced flavors of cherry and red plum, highlighted with green tea and tobacco notes. Tannins are smooth and proportionate, and the overall structure suggests aging this wine through 2025–2030.	93	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
33,769	Italy	Balsamic aromas of menthol, saddle leather, crushed herb and exotic spice mingle together in this Barbaresco. The solid palate shows crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, cinnamon and espresso flavors alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.	90	48	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
57,177	US	A little on the sweet side, with some raw tannins that bring the wine down from elegant to country-style. One-quarter Cabernet Sauvignon brings a blackberry note to the cherry and vanilla flavors.	83	15	California	Merlot
56,287	Italy	This is a great Barbera that's loaded with varietal aromas of ripe berry and black pepper. The delicious palate delivers black cherry, white pepper and cinnamon flavors. The round, soft tannins are balanced with fresh acidity, making this perfect to pair with hearty pastas to grilled steaks.	89	22	Piedmont	Barbera
111,426	France	Fresh and juicy, with bright acidity and some solid tannins. Flavors of spice accompany an edge of green fruit. The aftertaste is tannins and wood.	87	200	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
6,124	US	The label does not bear the name Angela Vineyard, but the fruit is estate grown. This is a tight, focused, young red wine, with tangy raspberry fruit that touches on black cherry. Vivid and penetrating, it needs plenty of time to breathe, and as it does it reveals subtle layers of mocha and caramel. This has the bones to age. Drink now through 2030.	92	48	Oregon	Pinot Noir
75,566	US	This is an affordable, well-made wine that offers classical aromas and flavors of cassis, bing cherry, spearmint and pencil lead, all within a context of full-bodied ripeness and soft, juicy texture.	88	30	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
26,661	US	Very ripe, rich and new-oaky, with dazzling flavors of ripe pineapples, pears, limes, caramel and buttered toast, drizzled with vanilla honey. A crowd-pleasing Chardonnay of enormous power and concentration. Could use a touch more nuance and complexity, but a tremendous wine at a good price for the quality.	93	30	California	Chardonnay
34,056	US	All varietal coming from Dwelley and Minnick Hills vineyards, this wine leads with aromas of black licorice, dates and green herbs. There's plenty of richness to the flavors, which are backed by a squeeze of grainy tannins.	88	42	Washington	Merlot
36,434	US	There's a smoky, char-like quality to this wine, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Soft and supple on the palate, dried tobacco and cherry intermix, along with leather and coffee, letting the more savory elements speak loudly. It finishes with a hint of sage.	88	70	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
60,323	US	One of a trio of Pinot Gris offered in this vintage, this has a yeasty beery character. It falls into a generic white wine style, refreshing enough for a warm day's glug, with that yeasty tang reminiscent of a good cold brew. There is not much in the way of varietal expression though, just a bit of apple and pear fruit coming up in the finish.	86	16	Oregon	Pinot Gris
121,469	Spain	Slightly low on kick and bubbles for a blanc de blancs, but the wine's mix of green herb, apple, green banana and melon flavors is good and offers the proper set up to a finish that's citrusy as can be and only slightly pithy. Seems a touch flat or it might have rated even higher.	87	18	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
125,905	US	From the folks behind Roederer Estate, its premier producer of sparkling wine, is this gorgeous still Chardonnay, clean, complex and crisp with a heady perfume of luscious pear and honey. Decadent and yet restrained, the mouthfeel is mellow, a touch decadent, with just the suggestion of its time in barrel.	92	28	California	Chardonnay
122,338	Germany	Fresh green plum, peach and honeydew flavors taste crisp and sweet in this refreshing semi-sweet spätlese. It's concentrated with fruit yet deft and dancing on the palate, accented by hints of dusty pollen and fennel. High-toned acidity leads a long, squeaky-clean finish.	91	25	Mosel	Riesling
39,690	France	Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.	93	89	Burgundy	Chardonnay
120,007	US	This barrel selection is sourced from vines planted in 2002. It's young, fresh and delicate, showing a mix of rose water, cranberry and cherry fruit. The purity and depth are striking, and the balance is also just right. There's defining acidity and a finishing tang of orange peel.	92	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
43,521	US	Dark color and a severe tartness make this wine challenging on the palate. It's overripe in terms of tropical fruit and bogged down by a sourness that's hard to shake. Let it open and pair it with creamy foods like goat cheese to get it to behave.	84	24	California	Sauvignon Blanc
25,732	France	Peach aromas open a smooth wine. It has acidity certainly but also some good melon and pear ripeness. There is an herbaceous edge that cuts through the finish.	84	14	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
70,921	US	Here is tasty, forward, juicy fruit—a fresh berry mix of strawberry, blueberry and raspberry. There is firm acidity to balance the tannins, which bring just a hint of herb. Well done; it lacks only some depth in the finish to bring the score up.	89	24	Washington	Merlot
81,889	Germany	Spice and smoke tones on the nose are a surprising contrast to the juicy white peach and yellow cherry flavors on the palate of this easy quaffing but surprisingly elegant wine. Off dry in style, with brisk acidity and a delicate profile, it's a versatile, widely appealing wine that's a spectacular bargain.	89	10	Mosel	Riesling
72,666	France	This wine has a strongly tannic, dry character from the Malbec-inspired blend of 52% Merlot, 31% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. However the ripe blackberry fruits are match enough, giving ripe flavors with a squeeze of acidity and richness at the end. Drink from 2016.	86	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
83,010	US	Lots of ripe, luscious raspberry, cherry and mocha fruit in this Cabernet. It has good acidity and some fine tannins. One drawback is the finish, which is rich in brown sugar and glycerine, with high alcohol. Drink up.	87	42	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
65,077	US	This wine is reduced out of the gate but opens into kiwi, pineapple and herb aromas. It's light to medium bodied on the palate and needs more concentration and acidity to feel complete.	86	16	Washington	Sauvignon Blanc
85,174	US	Feral on the nose and palate, awash in cherry but also a savage garden of wild rose, this wine is precociously young. It expands slowly in the glass finally to unleash a ferocity of cranberry and raspberry. Drink 2018 through 2024.	94	78	California	Pinot Noir
46,324	US	A bright and relatively light expression of the variety, this wine imparts more red berry than black, with seasonings of cinnamon and nutmeg. Soft, smooth and unfussy, it retains solid acidity from start to finish, with a taste of vanilla custard on the finish.	88	24	California	Zinfandel
15,060	US	An eminently quaffable style of Gewürztraminer, this puts the fresh fruit flavors front and center, with floral highlights enriching the nose and the finish. Crisp and clean, it sings out for pad Thai.	89	9	Washington	Gewürztraminer
37,381	France	Organically grown grapes have resulted in a soft, crisp and clean wine. It has bright pure fruits with white-peach and red-currant flavors along with stylish acidity. The wine is ready to drink.	88	15	Provence	Rosé
127,326	US	Just-squeezed lime mixes with soda for a light, refreshing aroma on this wine from the longtime Sauv Blanc producer in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley. The palate is all citrus, with lime sorbet and lemon-pith flavors.	88	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
98,461	France	This has a toasty edge that complements the ripe red fruit and attractive lemon and yeast character. It seems to be well on its way to maturity, retaining a fruity style while its flavors are beginning to dig deeper.	93	269	Champagne	Champagne Blend
9,792	Germany	Racy, lime-tinged acidity cuts a fine edge through this steely, intensely mineral kabinett. On the palate, pristine, honeyed sprays of lemon and tangerine lend a mouthwatering feel. The finish is long, accented by touches of pollen and spice.	93	38	Mosel	Riesling
65,375	US	While there's no oak here, there's a heft and weight to the mouthfeel of this wine. The flavors veer toward orange and apricot jam.	84	28	California	Sauvignon Blanc
84,332	US	With a pale coral color and flavors like strawberry and watermelon, this wine is bright and appealing. It is medium bodied and has a hint of sweetness.	86	21	California	Rosé
55,882	Italy	Coffee and chocolate open the nose of this Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. The wine is inky and well concentrated with thick, chewy density and plump cherry notes. It represents a straightforward combination of fruit and spice and would pair with most meat and pasta dishes.	89	28	Tuscany	Red Blend
55,725	US	Hard mountain tannins characterize this Cab, which was grown above 2,000 feet in the Mayacamas. It's hugely deep in blackberries and black currants, with notes of dark chocolate and violets. Meanwhile, 100% new French oak adds an elaborate layer of smoky caramel and char that's entirely in keeping with the wine's volume. Impressive and flashy, but immature, this wine requires cellaring. Best 2012–2018.	96	100	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
52,821	US	Good price for a white wine this classy. At first it tastes a little sweet, with jammy apricot and pineapple fruit flavors, but the acidity is so good, it leaves behind a clean, dry aftertaste.	87	12	California	Pinot Gris
34,000	Italy	Two years of aging in French oak help shape the overall quality of this beautiful wine. It opens with a luminous garnet color and segues to aromas of spice, anise seed, mineral and black fruit. This is a penetrating interpretation of Nebbiolo with firm tannins and a powerful finish.	91	120	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
4,467	US	This is a slightly sweet Sauvignon Blanc that's shy on the nose, without much depth or breadth.	85	22	California	Sauvignon Blanc
29,678	US	Off-dry to sweet, this is firmed up with crisp acidity. The citrus, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors are easy to like, with a flowery, sweet finish. This delightful Riesling calls to mind gardens on summer evenings.	88	13	California	Riesling
50,738	US	There's something Chablis-like in the stony minerality that marks this Chardonnay. But at the same time, it's sweet in orange, peach, green apple and golden mango flavors. A rich, satisfying Chardonnay for drinking now. Production was 1,913 cases.	90	35	California	Chardonnay
15,118	US	They should put this in a time capsule as a classic example of early 20th century California Zinfandel. Lusty, soft and high in alcohol, it features superripe, slightly sweet flavors of cherries, red currants and chocolate, with all kinds of peppery spices.	87	30	California	Zinfandel
9,075	US	Impressively thick and dark for Joey Tensley's new entry-level brand, this wine's deep and dark aromas of slate-flecked soil makes for a very earthy impression on the nose, along with expected hints of tar, purple flowers and boysenberry. Condensed cassis flavors show on the sip along with hints of lavender and blueberry, laced together by soft tannins and an upright acidity.	89	18	California	Syrah
59,980	US	From an estate vineyard planted high atop the Sebastopol Hills near Freestone, this wine impresses from start to finish. It shows unique white pepper and floral aromas, while a seamless texture supports its succulent cranberry and cherry flavors, a long, lingering accent of nutmeg spice rounding out the finish.	95	60	California	Pinot Noir
52,195	US	A very limited production wine (just two barrels) sourced from the Boushey vineyard, it is rather light but nicely detailed in a cooler vintage. There are notes of leaf and dried herb, tart red fruit, and surprising length overall.	90	46	Washington	Syrah
8,367	France	This is a young, fruity wine with crisp apple acidity and a slight edge of tannin. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it needs to soften and fill out to bring out. Drink from 2018.	87	35	Champagne	Champagne Blend
123,746	Argentina	With ripe yet oaky aromas, this is a basic Malbec to enjoy with simple foods. The palate is juicy but comes with a buttery, creamy feel. As for flavors, look for buttery oak riding on top of modest, quick-hitting berry. On the finish, it's oaky more than fruity.	86	11	Mendoza Province	Malbec
83,809	France	Aged for five years on its lees before disgorgement, this prestige cuvée is ripe and beautifully mature. It has a rich feel, moving towards toastiness while retaining tangy citrus and white-fruit flavors. This generous wine is ready to drink.	93	90	Champagne	Champagne Blend
108,684	US	It's unusual to see a Washington wine from this vintage at this listed alcohol level but there's no question about the ripeness. It's all Dineen Vineyard fruit coming from the oldest block at the vineyard, with aromas of leafy herbs and sweet plums. There's a pleasingly supple feel to the polished dark fruit flavors that linger effortlessly.	92	32	Washington	Malbec
10,913	US	Clean Asian pear, wet gravel and lime peel aromas show on the tightly wound nose of this bottling. The palate is quite delicate at first, offering lightly seared white peach, chalk and lime zest notes, but grows increasingly savory and delicious as it opens, indicating great cellar potential. Drink 2018–2030.	93	35	California	Chardonnay
7,542	Italy	This Riserva Chianti Rufina offers clean, crisp aromas of wild berry and white cherry with distant renderings of spice and earth in the background. Pair this wine with roast chicken or pork.	87	18	Tuscany	Sangiovese
92,586	France	With its upfront, ripe apple and pear flavors, this wine is immediately attractive. Behind the fruitiness, there is a firm, structured character of minerality and a steely edge, which makes this a Chardonnay to age for 3–4 years.	90	65	Burgundy	Chardonnay

79,795

US

A smidgen of Petite Sirah is added to 98% Zinfandel from a coveted vineyard in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. It takes on perfumed red cherry and is finely hewn on the palate, soft and yet tense. Cinnamon and pepper swirl throughout, becoming more pronounced and integrated in the glass.

90

30

California

Zinfandel

31,510

France

A smooth, rich wine, it is just losing its flavors of wood aging and developing its black fruit flavors to show the opulence of the vintage. Structure and a solid texture frame the ripe fruit. It could still age, so wait until 2015.

89

75

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

17,939

Italy

This hearty Barbera del Monferrato offers surprisingly thick concentration and loads of bright fruit intensity. It's an inky, dark wine with bright nuances of cherry and blackberry and although there's a vinous, raw aspect to the bouquet, the mouthfeel is attractively thick and chewy.

87

16

Piedmont

Barbera

23,241

France

Light, fresh and fruity, this is a lime and lemon flavored wine. It has a tangy, textured character that blends easily with the acidity. From a blend led by Grenache and Cinsault, it's a lively wine that will be a great apéritif.

89

22

Provence

Rosé

15,826

US

Generic red fruit flavors are set in a light wine with a slightly chalky finish. In the nose there are hints of volatility and leather, but it's perfectly quaffable.

85

28

Washington

Tempranillo

6,645

Italy

A candied element of butterscotch, caramel and dried apricot opens the nose of this luminous and bright Chardonnay. The wine is smooth and soft in the mouth with enduring flavors of stone fruit and mineral (in fact, vineyard soils are heavy in chalk content). Baglio del Cristo is Sicily's hottest new winery to watch.

90

21

Sicily & Sardinia

Chardonnay

56,955

US

Jaw-dropping on all fronts, this wine by the pioneering Franscioni family approaches regional perfection. Black plum fruit meets with dried violet and lavender on the extremely well-integrated nose, while a mineral tension frames the palate. Flavors of black plum and blackberry jam are cut by rocky earth and wild mint, and the acidity is vibrant but not overpowering.

97

58

California

Pinot Noir

11,786

Italy

Blue flowers, dark berry and allspice aromas unfold in the glass. The palate offers black currant, black cherry, peppercorn and espresso alongside drying, angular tannins.

87

18

Tuscany

Sangiovese

59,846

US

Law enforcement veteran-turned-winemaker Cindy Cosco named this brand for her Italian roots, and presents violet, red cherry and pencil-lead aromas in this bottling. A wild-herb character powers the palate, with bay leaf most prominent, followed by tart elderberries and orange-peel sourness. The grippy palate will open more with age.

87

47

California

Pinot Noir

28,698

US

Almost deep enough in color to be a red, this pleasantly dry wine made from Barbera and Mourvèdre grapes smells and tastes like raspberries, and is on the light side in terms of body. Drink it up before the next vintage comes out.

87

14

California

Rosé

82,458

US

This is immediately recognizable as a bottling from a cool-climate vineyard, with tons of cracked black pepper, asphalt and black fruit on the tense and intriguing nose. That pepper character follows through on the palate, mixing with crushed bay leaf, underripe elderberries and a touch of black currant, but fruit plays second to the spice and structure. Drink 2017–2022.

92

38

California

Syrah

88,754

US

A pretty Pinot, dry, crisp and silky. It shows polished raspberry and cherry tart, cola and spicy pomegranate flavors, framed in sweet, toasty oak. Drink now.

87

27

California

Pinot Noir

9,607

US

The No Girls Grenache, from a vineyard adjacent to Armada (the source for the Cayuse God Only Knows Grenache) is lighter, more elegant, perhaps brighter than its companion wine, with fresh blueberry and other pie berry fruits, a streak of umami, herbal tea and impressive minerality. Almost Burgundian in style, it possesses excellent length and wonderful texture.

93

65

Washington

Grenache

99,013

US

Toasty and slightly roasted scents introduce a wine dominated by barrel flavors. Aged for 30 months in one-third new oak, the fruit seems pushed back and out of reach, at least temporarily. Light hints of simple red fruits quickly yield to a liquorous finish, showing some heat and, oddly, a distinct impression of banana.

86

34

Oregon

Tempranillo

28,248

Italy

From Montalcino's most famous vineyard site, this opens with aromas of cured meat, grilled herb and a whiff of mature olive. The palate offers red cherry, licorice, savory herb and a mineral note alongside youthfully assertive but fine-grained tannins that need time to unwind. Drink after 2018.

93

125

Tuscany

Sangiovese

100,899

France

This is a smooth, orange- and peach-flavored wine, with a rich almost oily texture. It's rounded with light acidity on the finish. With its weight, this is a wine for food.

87

20

Provence

Viognier

17,614

US

Savory and tart, this is a dry, expressive white, varietal in nature, that offers tart tightly wound flavors of quince, white peach and lemon. A back note of freshly cut grass teases the nose and palate.

87

28

California

Sauvignon Blanc

6,690

US

A case study in cool-climate, estate-grown Syrah, the white pepper on the nose and palate is playful and exuberant, the acidity buoyant and lingering. The fruit takes on hushed tones of wild berry and bramble, with a soft texture inviting one in for more.

93

50

California

Syrah

6,309

Italy

This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with acrid aromas that recall sweat and wet leaves. The palate delivers a mouthful of raw oak, roasted coffee bean and espresso. It lacks fruit richness and finishes on a bitter note of astringent wood tannins.

83

22

Tuscany

Red Blend

20,998

France

This 100% Pinot Noir rosé, produced in the northern Burgundy village of Saint-Bris, is packed with fruit. It shows a light touch of red cherry fruit and plenty of bright acidity. Along with the citrus aftertaste, this is a refreshing apéritif wine.

85

20

Burgundy

Rosé

17,680

US

Not at all a typical Sauvignon Blanc, this smells like apricot and honeysuckle and tastes like marmalade. It is dry, yet tastes like a late-harvest dessert wine. Expect a little taste adventure here.

85

22

California

Sauvignon Blanc

71,083

US

Very fresh, light and a little candylike in flavor, this vivid-pink wine is dry and fruity. It is charming and easy to sip.

88

13

California

Rosé

128,328

US

No need to cellar this Cab. It's so rich and ripe, it's easy to drink now despite some firm tannins. Showy and flashy, it has raspberry, cherry and blueberry flavors, with a jacket of smoky oak. Nevertheless, it will take 5–6 years of aging.

90

45

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

4,645

France

This wine has no added sulfur, giving crisp, clear and clean fruitiness. It also adds an light touch of oxidation that broadens the wine and makes the white stone fruit richer. Drink this impressively ripe wine from 2018.

94

50

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

58,160

US

Sharp and jammy, this has raspberry, peppermint and white pepper flavors. The name means “little kisses” in Spanish.

84

15

California

Red Blend

125,191

US

Dark boysenberry, dried purple flowers, wet slate and a touch of bay leaf show on the nose of this thick and earthy bottling by the tech moguls T.J. and Valeta Rodgers. The mouthfeel is very chalky, and there is the winery's characteristic earthiness along with mocha and baking spice. But there are also brighter berry flavors, perhaps due to the sunnier slopes.

93

62

California

Pinot Noir

10,214

Italy

Here’s a vigorous bubbly that impresses for the strength of its acidity and its fine cleanliness. The aroma is shy, even austere, just faintly suggesting diluted lime in water, and the flavors, also austere, are of lime. The wine asserts itself through power. It finishes rough and scoury, yet there’s something easy to like about it.

86

11

Northeastern Italy

Champagne Blend

90,831

Italy

From the Rocche dell'Annunziata subzone, this well-priced Barolo offers beautifully vibrant aromas of cherry cola, chopped mint, violets and light shadings of exotic spice. In the mouth, it sports a compact, polished texture.

93

49

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

101,814

US

With an earthiness that weighs down the cherry, cola and currant flavors, this Pinot tastes a bit heavy. It's properly dry, with good acidity and modest alcohol.

87

45

California

Pinot Noir

127,641

Italy

Plump and food friendly, this has a rich fruit flavor backed by notes of spice, balsam, toasted almond and leather. It shows pleasant, restrained elegance.

90

33

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

106,259

France

Spice and some firm tannins mark this wine. It has a red-fruit character as well as a more earthy backdrop. With its structure it will need to sit until 2017.

86

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

66,169

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

88,623

US

This is the winery's first release of this vineyard-designated wine. Cocoa, fresh herb, tire rubber and cherry aromas are followed by cassis flavors backed by tightly wound tannins.

89

39

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

82,174

France

With the next two vintages both damaged by hail, 2012 is the most recent normal crop from Pommard. This structured and solid wine seems to have an excess of wood at this stage, although the ripe red berry fruits do give a more generous character. The tannins, typical of Pommard, kick in—although not enough to spoil the fruitiness. Drink from 2016.

90

65

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

102,278

US

This inaugural release displays dialed-back aromas of pencil eraser and dried herbs that need a bit more lift. The palate puts a premium on purity of expression along with a tart lick of acid and cinnamon notes on the finish. If the aromas and flavors sync up further, this young wine moves up a notch.

90

22

Washington

Grenache

122,557

Spain

Solid as a battleship, with lemony oak, marzipan and layer upon layer of black fruit aromas. Almost syrupy in its richness but not fully; it's chewy and creamy, with vital acids. The flavors are mega ripe and rich, emphasizing blackberry, black cherry preserves, fudge and fig paste. Yet at the same time it's an ethereal wine; the epitome of modern Rioja. Drink now through 2015.

97

250

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

63,179

US

Made from mostly Pinot Noir grapes, with an addition of 8.8% Chardonnay, this Méthode Champenoise wine is sultry in raspberry cream and crème brûlée, with enough acidity to keep it fresh in the glass. The finish offers a taste of toast with ginger jam.

92

22

California

Sparkling Blend

51,838

US

Juicy and smoky with a taste of tar, this full-bodied wine is soft and integrated in terms of oak. Black cherry, blackberry and strawberry play on the palate against measured acidity and weight.

89

22

California

Zinfandel

15,577

US

This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend shows aromas of blackberry, red and black currant and barrel spices (100% new French), seeming a bit wound up at present. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegant yet rich with a polished, seamless feel and a warm finish.

92

70

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

109,962

US

This is a perfumed wine, with aromatic notes of raspberries, kirsch, flowers, smoked meat, orange peel and blue fruit, with the Viognier blended in (4%) showing itself. The raspberry and cranberry flavors are lush and focused, showing a dazzling sense of purity that carries through the finish. It only lengthens its stride on the second day open.

92

35

Washington

Syrah

54,567

Italy

From the Rive di Refrontolo Cru, this shows clean aromas of citrus and peach, with a rich, foamy quality of bubbles.

88

18

Veneto

Glera

128,309

US

This late-release Riesling is texturally fascinating with a rich, minerally palate bursting with white grapefruit and waxy, floral flavors. Slightly off-dry in style, it's deliciously creamy and slick with a lingering finish that's kissed with caramelized sugar.

90

17

New York

Riesling

23,570

US

Unless you knew that this was Dominus and had tasted older vintages, you might not be impressed. In its youth the wine is tannic and dry and linear. However, it is Dominus and it does need cellaring. Right now it shows blackberry, black currant, cedar and baker's chocolate flavors. Will slowly open and reach maturity after 2011, and could easily develop for far longer.

93

99

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

8,172

Australia

Medium to full in weight and opulent in texture, this is a buttery creamy wine that reflects its South Australian origin. Broad and rich, it's a throwback to a previous generation's style of Chardonnay.

87

18

South Australia

Chardonnay

43,135

US

Shows lots of lusciousness, with rich raspberry, cherry and cola flavors spiced up with cinnamon, anise and nutmeg. The body is silky, just the way Pinot Noir should be. Probably at its best now and for a year or two.

87

30

California

Pinot Noir

42,343

France

With its light color and cool feel, this well-balanced wine comes from a parcel of 30-year-old vines. The smoky tannins and intense acidity give a wine that will develop well and slowly. It's still young with its red-berry fruits and fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2018.

90

28

Loire Valley

Pinot Noir

96,776

Argentina

Scratchy black cherry aromas come with a strong hint of tree bark and cedar resin. This feels snappy at first, then more resiny and oaky upon airing. Woody black-fruit flavors get a boost from juicy acidity, while an oaky finish tastes like mint and licorice.

88

16

Mendoza Province

Malbec

34,362

US

New oak dominates this Chardonnay, lending buttered toast, vanilla and caramel aromas and flavors, while the underlying fruit veers toward very ripe, sweet pineapples. Made in the modern style, it will appeal to Chardonnay lovers of flash, but ultimately palls for too much upfront sweetness.

88

38

California

Chardonnay

49,894

Australia

This is a full-bodied, well structured Cabernet, with plenty of intense cassis fruit tinged with minty, herbal overtones that give it a slightly medicinal cast. Give it 2-3 years to develop additional complexity, then drink it over the next 7-8 years.

88

40

South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

49,268

US

The initial impression of this Chardonnay is of intense pineapple, pear and tropical fruit flavors, but then the minerality and acidity kick in, and the wine feels grounded and vital. It's a lovely effort, rich and intense yet light and ephemeral.

92

30

California

Chardonnay

51,851

US

Intensely aromatic, this is Oregon Pinot at its most lush. Seductive scents lead into lengthy, balanced flavors of cherry and red plum, highlighted with green tea and tobacco notes. Tannins are smooth and proportionate, and the overall structure suggests aging this wine through 2025–2030.

93

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

33,769

Italy

Balsamic aromas of menthol, saddle leather, crushed herb and exotic spice mingle together in this Barbaresco. The solid palate shows crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, cinnamon and espresso flavors alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.

90

48

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

57,177

US

A little on the sweet side, with some raw tannins that bring the wine down from elegant to country-style. One-quarter Cabernet Sauvignon brings a blackberry note to the cherry and vanilla flavors.

83

15

California

Merlot

56,287

Italy

This is a great Barbera that's loaded with varietal aromas of ripe berry and black pepper. The delicious palate delivers black cherry, white pepper and cinnamon flavors. The round, soft tannins are balanced with fresh acidity, making this perfect to pair with hearty pastas to grilled steaks.

89

22

Piedmont

Barbera

111,426

France

Fresh and juicy, with bright acidity and some solid tannins. Flavors of spice accompany an edge of green fruit. The aftertaste is tannins and wood.

87

200

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

6,124

US

The label does not bear the name Angela Vineyard, but the fruit is estate grown. This is a tight, focused, young red wine, with tangy raspberry fruit that touches on black cherry. Vivid and penetrating, it needs plenty of time to breathe, and as it does it reveals subtle layers of mocha and caramel. This has the bones to age. Drink now through 2030.

92

48

Oregon

Pinot Noir

75,566

US

This is an affordable, well-made wine that offers classical aromas and flavors of cassis, bing cherry, spearmint and pencil lead, all within a context of full-bodied ripeness and soft, juicy texture.

88

30

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

26,661

US

Very ripe, rich and new-oaky, with dazzling flavors of ripe pineapples, pears, limes, caramel and buttered toast, drizzled with vanilla honey. A crowd-pleasing Chardonnay of enormous power and concentration. Could use a touch more nuance and complexity, but a tremendous wine at a good price for the quality.

93

30

California

Chardonnay

34,056

US

All varietal coming from Dwelley and Minnick Hills vineyards, this wine leads with aromas of black licorice, dates and green herbs. There's plenty of richness to the flavors, which are backed by a squeeze of grainy tannins.

88

42

Washington

Merlot

36,434

US

There's a smoky, char-like quality to this wine, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Soft and supple on the palate, dried tobacco and cherry intermix, along with leather and coffee, letting the more savory elements speak loudly. It finishes with a hint of sage.

88

70

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

60,323

US

One of a trio of Pinot Gris offered in this vintage, this has a yeasty beery character. It falls into a generic white wine style, refreshing enough for a warm day's glug, with that yeasty tang reminiscent of a good cold brew. There is not much in the way of varietal expression though, just a bit of apple and pear fruit coming up in the finish.

86

16

Oregon

Pinot Gris

121,469

Spain

Slightly low on kick and bubbles for a blanc de blancs, but the wine's mix of green herb, apple, green banana and melon flavors is good and offers the proper set up to a finish that's citrusy as can be and only slightly pithy. Seems a touch flat or it might have rated even higher.

87

18

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

125,905

US

From the folks behind Roederer Estate, its premier producer of sparkling wine, is this gorgeous still Chardonnay, clean, complex and crisp with a heady perfume of luscious pear and honey. Decadent and yet restrained, the mouthfeel is mellow, a touch decadent, with just the suggestion of its time in barrel.

92

28

California

Chardonnay

122,338

Germany

Fresh green plum, peach and honeydew flavors taste crisp and sweet in this refreshing semi-sweet spätlese. It's concentrated with fruit yet deft and dancing on the palate, accented by hints of dusty pollen and fennel. High-toned acidity leads a long, squeaky-clean finish.

91

25

Mosel

Riesling

39,690

France

Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.

93

89

Burgundy

Chardonnay

120,007

US

This barrel selection is sourced from vines planted in 2002. It's young, fresh and delicate, showing a mix of rose water, cranberry and cherry fruit. The purity and depth are striking, and the balance is also just right. There's defining acidity and a finishing tang of orange peel.

92

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

43,521

US

Dark color and a severe tartness make this wine challenging on the palate. It's overripe in terms of tropical fruit and bogged down by a sourness that's hard to shake. Let it open and pair it with creamy foods like goat cheese to get it to behave.

84

24

California

Sauvignon Blanc

25,732

France

Peach aromas open a smooth wine. It has acidity certainly but also some good melon and pear ripeness. There is an herbaceous edge that cuts through the finish.

84

14

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

70,921

US

Here is tasty, forward, juicy fruit—a fresh berry mix of strawberry, blueberry and raspberry. There is firm acidity to balance the tannins, which bring just a hint of herb. Well done; it lacks only some depth in the finish to bring the score up.

89

24

Washington

Merlot

81,889

Germany

Spice and smoke tones on the nose are a surprising contrast to the juicy white peach and yellow cherry flavors on the palate of this easy quaffing but surprisingly elegant wine. Off dry in style, with brisk acidity and a delicate profile, it's a versatile, widely appealing wine that's a spectacular bargain.

89

10

Mosel

Riesling

72,666

France

This wine has a strongly tannic, dry character from the Malbec-inspired blend of 52% Merlot, 31% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. However the ripe blackberry fruits are match enough, giving ripe flavors with a squeeze of acidity and richness at the end. Drink from 2016.

86

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

83,010

US

Lots of ripe, luscious raspberry, cherry and mocha fruit in this Cabernet. It has good acidity and some fine tannins. One drawback is the finish, which is rich in brown sugar and glycerine, with high alcohol. Drink up.

87

42

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

65,077

US

This wine is reduced out of the gate but opens into kiwi, pineapple and herb aromas. It's light to medium bodied on the palate and needs more concentration and acidity to feel complete.

86

16

Washington

Sauvignon Blanc

85,174

US

Feral on the nose and palate, awash in cherry but also a savage garden of wild rose, this wine is precociously young. It expands slowly in the glass finally to unleash a ferocity of cranberry and raspberry. Drink 2018 through 2024.

94

78

California

Pinot Noir

46,324

US

A bright and relatively light expression of the variety, this wine imparts more red berry than black, with seasonings of cinnamon and nutmeg. Soft, smooth and unfussy, it retains solid acidity from start to finish, with a taste of vanilla custard on the finish.

88

24

California

Zinfandel

15,060

US

An eminently quaffable style of Gewürztraminer, this puts the fresh fruit flavors front and center, with floral highlights enriching the nose and the finish. Crisp and clean, it sings out for pad Thai.

89

9

Washington

Gewürztraminer

37,381

France

Organically grown grapes have resulted in a soft, crisp and clean wine. It has bright pure fruits with white-peach and red-currant flavors along with stylish acidity. The wine is ready to drink.

88

15

Provence

Rosé

127,326

US

Just-squeezed lime mixes with soda for a light, refreshing aroma on this wine from the longtime Sauv Blanc producer in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley. The palate is all citrus, with lime sorbet and lemon-pith flavors.

88

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

98,461

France

This has a toasty edge that complements the ripe red fruit and attractive lemon and yeast character. It seems to be well on its way to maturity, retaining a fruity style while its flavors are beginning to dig deeper.

93

269

Champagne

Champagne Blend

9,792

Germany

Racy, lime-tinged acidity cuts a fine edge through this steely, intensely mineral kabinett. On the palate, pristine, honeyed sprays of lemon and tangerine lend a mouthwatering feel. The finish is long, accented by touches of pollen and spice.

93

38

Mosel

Riesling

65,375

US

While there's no oak here, there's a heft and weight to the mouthfeel of this wine. The flavors veer toward orange and apricot jam.

84

28

California

Sauvignon Blanc

84,332

US

With a pale coral color and flavors like strawberry and watermelon, this wine is bright and appealing. It is medium bodied and has a hint of sweetness.

86

21

California

Rosé

55,882

Italy

Coffee and chocolate open the nose of this Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. The wine is inky and well concentrated with thick, chewy density and plump cherry notes. It represents a straightforward combination of fruit and spice and would pair with most meat and pasta dishes.

89

28

Tuscany

Red Blend

55,725

US

Hard mountain tannins characterize this Cab, which was grown above 2,000 feet in the Mayacamas. It's hugely deep in blackberries and black currants, with notes of dark chocolate and violets. Meanwhile, 100% new French oak adds an elaborate layer of smoky caramel and char that's entirely in keeping with the wine's volume. Impressive and flashy, but immature, this wine requires cellaring. Best 2012–2018.

96

100

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

52,821

US

Good price for a white wine this classy. At first it tastes a little sweet, with jammy apricot and pineapple fruit flavors, but the acidity is so good, it leaves behind a clean, dry aftertaste.

87

12

California

Pinot Gris

34,000

Italy

Two years of aging in French oak help shape the overall quality of this beautiful wine. It opens with a luminous garnet color and segues to aromas of spice, anise seed, mineral and black fruit. This is a penetrating interpretation of Nebbiolo with firm tannins and a powerful finish.

91

120

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

4,467

US

This is a slightly sweet Sauvignon Blanc that's shy on the nose, without much depth or breadth.

85

22

California

Sauvignon Blanc

29,678

US

Off-dry to sweet, this is firmed up with crisp acidity. The citrus, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors are easy to like, with a flowery, sweet finish. This delightful Riesling calls to mind gardens on summer evenings.

88

13

California

Riesling

50,738

US

There's something Chablis-like in the stony minerality that marks this Chardonnay. But at the same time, it's sweet in orange, peach, green apple and golden mango flavors. A rich, satisfying Chardonnay for drinking now. Production was 1,913 cases.

90

35

California

Chardonnay

15,118

US

They should put this in a time capsule as a classic example of early 20th century California Zinfandel. Lusty, soft and high in alcohol, it features superripe, slightly sweet flavors of cherries, red currants and chocolate, with all kinds of peppery spices.

87

30

California

Zinfandel

9,075

US

Impressively thick and dark for Joey Tensley's new entry-level brand, this wine's deep and dark aromas of slate-flecked soil makes for a very earthy impression on the nose, along with expected hints of tar, purple flowers and boysenberry. Condensed cassis flavors show on the sip along with hints of lavender and blueberry, laced together by soft tannins and an upright acidity.

89

18

California

Syrah

59,980

US

From an estate vineyard planted high atop the Sebastopol Hills near Freestone, this wine impresses from start to finish. It shows unique white pepper and floral aromas, while a seamless texture supports its succulent cranberry and cherry flavors, a long, lingering accent of nutmeg spice rounding out the finish.

95

60

California

Pinot Noir

52,195

US

A very limited production wine (just two barrels) sourced from the Boushey vineyard, it is rather light but nicely detailed in a cooler vintage. There are notes of leaf and dried herb, tart red fruit, and surprising length overall.

90

46

Washington

Syrah

8,367

France

This is a young, fruity wine with crisp apple acidity and a slight edge of tannin. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it needs to soften and fill out to bring out. Drink from 2018.

87

35

Champagne

Champagne Blend

123,746

Argentina

With ripe yet oaky aromas, this is a basic Malbec to enjoy with simple foods. The palate is juicy but comes with a buttery, creamy feel. As for flavors, look for buttery oak riding on top of modest, quick-hitting berry. On the finish, it's oaky more than fruity.

86

11

Mendoza Province

Malbec

83,809

France

Aged for five years on its lees before disgorgement, this prestige cuvée is ripe and beautifully mature. It has a rich feel, moving towards toastiness while retaining tangy citrus and white-fruit flavors. This generous wine is ready to drink.

93

90

Champagne

Champagne Blend

108,684

US

It's unusual to see a Washington wine from this vintage at this listed alcohol level but there's no question about the ripeness. It's all Dineen Vineyard fruit coming from the oldest block at the vineyard, with aromas of leafy herbs and sweet plums. There's a pleasingly supple feel to the polished dark fruit flavors that linger effortlessly.

92

32

Washington

Malbec

10,913

US

Clean Asian pear, wet gravel and lime peel aromas show on the tightly wound nose of this bottling. The palate is quite delicate at first, offering lightly seared white peach, chalk and lime zest notes, but grows increasingly savory and delicious as it opens, indicating great cellar potential. Drink 2018–2030.

93

35

California

Chardonnay

7,542

Italy

This Riserva Chianti Rufina offers clean, crisp aromas of wild berry and white cherry with distant renderings of spice and earth in the background. Pair this wine with roast chicken or pork.

87

18

Tuscany

Sangiovese

92,586

France

With its upfront, ripe apple and pear flavors, this wine is immediately attractive. Behind the fruitiness, there is a firm, structured character of minerality and a steely edge, which makes this a Chardonnay to age for 3–4 years.

90

65

Burgundy

Chardonnay