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
100,556	France	Notes of ripe, generous and fleshy plum lead to a well-shaped palate. Some muddied elements get in the way of precision but lend an earthier aspect. Drink soon.	87	25	Alsace	Pinot Gris
105,488	US	A juicy nose of ripe pomegranates, warm cranberries, concentrated strawberry blossoms and a bit of smoked herbs makes for an enticing introduction on this wine from one of the region's earliest producers. The palate shows cola, blackberry juice and a lavender lift. It's a perfect hamburger pairing.	90	38	California	Grenache
126,552	France	This is a ripe impressive style of Pouilly. It has all the right minerality along with a rich texture plus melon and yellow fruits. With concentration and acidity in equal measure, the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.	91	30	Burgundy	Chardonnay
97,785	US	Full-bodied ripeness and creamy oak combine for a forceful white wine, rich and textured, made from a selection of two vineyard sites, including Bow Tie, a vineyard-designate. Toasty spice adds complexity before the wine finishes in caramel.	88	28	California	Chardonnay
61,059	US	Tight-wound minerality jumps from the glass in this crisp, delightful white, the grapes sourced from the famed Ritchie Vineyard. With just the right amount of richness, it remains balanced and elegant, exhibiting a complex mix of white flowers, crushed rocks and a squeeze of salty lemon.	91	35	California	Sauvignon Blanc
114,548	Germany	Zesty lime cuts razor-sharp edges into this buoyant, fruity Riesling full of white peach, apple and honeysuckle notes. Delicately honeyed, it's piercing yet lip-smackingly juicy, finishing on a lingering spray of green florals. It's an elegant, tightly structured wine that's stunning now but will hold nicely through 2020.	92	26	Mosel	Riesling
107,372	Italy	Delicate aromas of spring flowers and white stone fruit lead the nose. The palate offers crisp green apple, yellow pear and creamy white peach alongside refreshing acidity and a foaming mousse.	88	26	Veneto	Glera
112,619	US	Shows the difficulties of growing Sangiovese, even in posh Oakville. The wine is acidic and one-dimensional, with cherry jam, cola and oak flavors.	85	75	California	Sangiovese
75,083	US	Rooted in dark, roasted aromas like coffee, this blend of 60% Syrah with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Zinfandel has tight-grain tannins and simple layers of tobacco, leather and clove.	85	14	California	Red Blend
2,566	US	This wine could be labeled a Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 83% of the blend, with the rest Merlot. The aromas of fruit leather, dried blackberry, black licorice and medicine cabinet are bright, though they seem considerably more evolved than the wine's age might indicate. The black-fruit flavors display a sense of balance that carries through the finish. Drink now.	89	55	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
68,207	US	With just a handful of Merlot, this wine is dense and juicy, exhibiting warm layers of black currant and blackberry around old-school tobacco and tar. Medium bodied, the dusty tannins are well integrated and finely calibrated, giving the wine an age-worthy profile. Cellar through 2019.	90	95	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
49,797	France	A touch of wet stone and wet earth accompanies the scent of ripe pear on the nose. The palate, therefore, surprises with luscious, off-dry peachiness and ample fruit: ripe pears and juicy peaches abound with expressive flavor. Their generosity is met with lemony freshness. This is utterly moreish and seductive with a lemony, just off-dry finish that makes you want to sip again.	91	32	Alsace	Pinot Gris
72,708	US	This mélange of grapes from Sonoma (56%), Napa (30%) and San Joaquin County (14%) intermingles Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Petit Verdot. An intense, weighty concoction of strawberry and leather, it's well-priced and distributed widely.	87	23	California	Red Blend
3,851	US	Spicy and assertive, this young, cellar-worthy Pinot Noir just hints at the complexity within. Give it plenty of air time and it opens aromatically with allspice, sandalwood, perhaps some cola and pine needle. The tart and tangy berry fruit is still compact and primary, but fully ripe and nicely sculpted into a well-defined wine from start to finish.	92	100	Oregon	Pinot Noir
9,736	US	This blend of 76% Sta. Rita Hills and 24% Russian River Valley fruit plays to the denser side of the grape, with black cherry and nutmeg aromas most prevalent. The palate offers cola, ripe cranberry, oregano and sage flavors, set against grippy tannins that ensure a few years of solid cellar life.	89	28	California	Pinot Noir
26,796	France	This wine balances intense fruit with a steely core of minerality. It is packed with apple, crisp pear and kiwi fruits, contrasted with this tight texture and hints of wood aging. Well balanced, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.	90	60	Burgundy	Chardonnay
53,981	US	A surprising Pinot Noir from the Puget Sound AVA. Tart, tannic and lightly spicy, it presents itself as a rustic café red.	82	20	Washington	Pinot Noir
110,484	US	With flavors of grass, grapefruits and tropical fruits, this is a lovely wine to drink now. It's dry and savory, with a brisk hit of acidity.	88	15	California	Sauvignon Blanc
18,351	US	Feels harsh and sharp in the mouth, with cherry-berry flavors. Pretty rustic drinking, with a bitter finish.	82	20	California	Merlot
49,179	US	Smells and tastes a little weedy, with green, stalky notes, but saved from disgrace by the pretty blackberry flavors and rich texture. Dry, with firm but easy tannins and good acids, this is a nice everyday sipper at a fair price.	86	12	California	Merlot
28,503	US	A direct-pressed wine, this has a pretty copper-pink color. It is intense in cranberry and subtle herbes de Provence, with notions of fresh-cut grass and tart Meyer lemon. Young, it needs time in the glass to reveal its complexity and range of flavor. The finish is dry and succulent on the palate.	87	26	California	Cabernet Franc
111,239	Italy	Very elegant, it opens with refined aromas of rose petals, lychee and a hint of juicy citrus fruit. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe pink grapefruit and steely mineral notes accented with a spicy note of white pepper.	89	29	Northeastern Italy	Gewürztraminer
119,426	US	Subtly delicious flavors merge with a creamy, luxurious texture in this deceptively light-bodied and graceful wine blended from Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. It starts with butter and almond aromas then doles out light marzipan and vanilla flavors. While rich in mouthfeel, it has enough crispness for balance.	91	25	California	White Blend
49,771	Italy	A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and other grapes, this features aromas of bright berry, spice and violet. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, red currant and black pepper alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity.	87	17	Tuscany	Red Blend
68,191	Germany	Loosen's best Dr. L to date, this is a terrific value, delivering typical Mosel Riesling notes at a great price. Citrus blossom, lime and crushed stone aromas are followed by apple and citrus flavors in this just-slightly-sweet wine. Drink it now and over the next year or so.	90	12	Mosel	Riesling
60,680	US	This wine brings obvious fruit flavor that is ripe to overripe, good acidity and a nicely gripping texture. It tastes a bit earthy and woody and seems to be plenty mature.	86	36	California	Red Blend
63,716	US	Varietal offerings are a rarity in this appellation. This one brings aromas of dill, woodspice and vanilla, with the focus on the barrel. The tart red cherry flavors are silky smooth, gliding on the finish.	88	34	Washington	Sangiovese
44,763	France	There is a fine perfumed character with this wine. It floats above the ripe cherry and berry fruits and the firm structure of rich tannins. The vineyard, centrally located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, has given a firm wine with the great potential to be generous. Drink from 2021.	93	105	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
70,296	US	Softly balanced, this is an elegant wine, with less than a handful of Petit Verdot that exhibits savory dried cranberry and plum around larger elements of juicy plum and dark chocolate. It never veers bitter or green, staying juicy and supple on the palate.	90	35	California	Merlot
110,906	US	Smoked red-cherry and pomegranate-juice aromas show on the sip of this appellation blend. The palate shows fruit punch with touches of lavender and vanilla, which tastes good altogether, even though it is not very complex.	86	15	California	Pinot Noir
98,449	Italy	Important and sophisticated, this has aged gracefully over the years. The style is bold and modern and you can feel the soft, oak-derived tannins and the complimentary fruit tannins that give this wine incredible structure and staying power. The bouquet is redolent of ripe fruit, leather, spice, black cherry and pressed violet.	94	117	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
25,707	Argentina	Floral red fruit aromas carry a hint of minerality and garrigue. The palate is lively, with good overall balance. Tastes of ripe red plum, raspberry and vanilla, while the finish is light in weight and quick, but satisfying.	88	30	Mendoza Province	Malbec
115,518	Argentina	Rubber, bacon, berry and plum aromas are good overall. The palate is creamy as a whole but has enough acidity to carry cassis and berry flavors past being resiny and herbal. Basic on the finish, with mild oak flavor and resin coming into play.	86	17	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
129,598	US	Made from vines planted in 1890, this is a combination of mostly Zin, field-blended with 13% Alicante Bouschet and 7% Petite Sirah. Ripe in raspberry and blackberry, this also has sleek traces of vanilla and brown sugar. Soft and juicy on the palate, it ends in a dusting of cinnamon.	90	34	California	Zinfandel
115,667	US	Solo comes from the winery's estate vineyard, the third vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stags Leap District. It is elegant and old-school in style, pretty in violets and red berries, with a juicy, soft texture. It begs for steak.	91	100	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
103,607	US	Soft, supple and mouth-coating, this wine dances in cola, forest floor and subtle red and black berry, building power and concentration as it goes. Already given time in bottle, it's ready to enjoy now.	91	85	California	Pinot Noir
101,848	US	The aromas leap out of the glass, with notes of potpourri, dried orange peel and honey. It drinks sweet, with viscous-feeling flower and marmalade flavors, with white flowers lingering on the finish.	89	14	Washington	Riesling
103,310	Italy	A crisp, streamlined expression of Sangiovese Grosso that opens with lively aromas of wild berry, white pepper and pressed rose. Pair this wine with sweet meats, such as roasted ham or pork.	87	20	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
112,120	US	This looks, smells and tastes so young that it might have come right out of the fermenting tank. It is tight to the point of reductive, with tart fruit flavors of cranberry and rhubarb, and stiff, chalky tannins.	86	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
63,349	US	This 50-50 split of Zinfandel and Syrah is skunky and heavy, a toasty concoction of boysenberry and blackberry jam that finishes abruptly with an herbal afternote.	83	41	California	Red Blend
21,404	US	This is 100% Riesling, and the intense, floral aromas suggest a smattering of Gewürztraminer, at least in essence if not in fact. Beeswax, lemon candy, orange blossom and other juicy citrus components swirl around the palate, making this an exceptionally complex and beguiling wine. Though labeled dry, it carries an impression of fruit sweetness, rather than the bracing minerality of some other dry Rieslings. A wine that is almost Germanic in its attack, and a truly lovely bottle.	91	20	Washington	Riesling
24,147	US	A big, flashy wine that's fabulously rich in flavors of pineapple, orange and lemon custard, and liberally accented with the crème brûlée and vanilla from it's time in new French oak. Fresh acidity, minerality from the soil and a dry finish bring an elegant touch to this ripe Chardonnay.	92	40	California	Chardonnay
97,749	US	This is a luscious, butterscotchy, fresh, lime- and lemon-flavored Chardonnay; a true delight. Melon and peach fruit flavors thread into the core, and the wine has a wonderful richness without losing its finesse or acid base.	92	30	Oregon	Chardonnay
62,898	Germany	Despite this wine's intense richness and ample residual sugar, it is so well balanced that it does not come across as being particularly sweet. Hints of flint or crushed stone amplify the purity of the fresh apple and peach fruit and linger elegantly on the finish of this full-bodied auslese. Drink now–2025, possibly beyond.	92	41	Mosel	Riesling
68,063	US	Opulent fruit flavors and an almost thick texture make this delicious and dramatic. The aromas pop with blackberry and cherry, flavors resemble blueberry juice and the mouthfeel is rich and nicely tannic.	91	38	California	Merlot
89,976	US	This blend is 39% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Aromas of herbs, coffee, spice and dark fruit are backed by tart cranberry and cherry flavors, with some grit to the tannins.	89	16	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
9,498	US	Rich and showy, but a little too strong in everything, showing flamboyant tropical fruit, caramelized oak, butterscotch and sweet vanilla cream flavors. It's all quite delicious, but the wine ultimately lacks subtlety and distinction, especially at this price.	87	50	California	Chardonnay
93,273	US	Buttered toast, brown sugar, honey and orange jam mark this Chard's flavors. It has good acidity for balance. Drink up with umami-rich, salty foods, like ham and sausages.	84	12	California	Chardonnay
3,758	France	As fresh and fruity as possible, this is a lively wine. Coming in a darkened bottle it looks stylish on a table, although its fragrant red fruits make it even better as an apéritif.	86	20	Provence	Rosé
127,189	US	This Bordeaux-Rhône blend is rustic and dry, with significant tannins. It has earthy, herb, berry and spice flavors that finish with a touch of bitterness.	83	49	California	Red Blend
121,818	US	There's the ever-so-slight touch of pink to the glass in this bottling by Bruno D'Alfonso, who packs strong and fresh aromas of cider apples, chalk, tangerine zest, pear flesh and light jasmine on the nose. There is tons of energy on the palate, tightening up before unleashing poached Asian pear, lime spritzer and red apple flavors.	92	24	California	Pinot Grigio
26,649	US	Aromas of spice, red fruit and milk chocolate are followed by an opulent palate of fruit and barrel flavors. It appeals on every level.	91	30	Washington	Merlot
106,071	US	This is likeable for its acidity and savory citrus flavors, which work together to get the tastebuds watering. There's a strong note of sour gooseberry, with a touch of honey in the finish.	85	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
4,260	US	This blend holds Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aromas of fresh herbs, jalapeño peppers and cherries lead to medium-bodied cherry and raspberry flavors backed by soft tannins.	85	13	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
3,761	Italy	Dominated by wood, it offers heavy oak and toasted sensations with a hint of butterscotch alongside fresh acidity, but it lacks fruit richness.	86	20	Sicily & Sardinia	Chardonnay
12,247	Italy	Very smooth in the nose, with fragrant, fresh aromas of flowers, lemon and lime. The dry citrusy palate and soft mouthfeel work perfectly together, while the finish is long, fruity and very pleasant. Quite a tasty sparkler with pure fruit. Its quality is obvious.	90	11	Veneto	Champagne Blend
18,133	Spain	Mostly neutral aromas include a note of peach and citrus, and a hint of butterscotch. The body is full and the textue is good, while the overall balance is on the money. Creamy flavors of vanilla, coconut cake, toffee and baked apple finish similarly, with some heat and burn.	89	28	Catalonia	White Blend
40,317	France	A rich Riesling, just off dry, balancing intense acidity with white currant, hedgerow fruits and a concentrated texture. The wine is full-bodied, very ripe and superbly structured. Very fruity now, this is a wine to show how well Riesling can age—give it 6–8 years.	94	39	Alsace	Riesling
5,121	US	Concentrated, well structured and not too full bodied, this is an almost architectural wine in how it fills out the palate and clings to the taste buds. It has an appetizing texture due to fine-grained tannins, a sense of ripeness without overripeness, plus deep and layered fruit, coffee and black-pepper nuances.	92	25	California	Syrah
11,316	France	Generous, nearly fleshy notes of strawberry compote give this almost a confected edge. On the palate, this richness is checked by some lemon freshness and some bitter edges while the fizz froths in big, lively bubbles. Drink soon.	87	25	Alsace	Pinot Noir
1,375	France	Slightly confected on the nose, showing cotton candy and bubble gum aromas, but you'll also find plenty of strawberry-raspberry flavors. Very fruity and clean, with a fresh finish.	86	15	Provence	Rosé
53,973	US	A blend of fruit from top sites Boushey (60%) and Red Willow, the aromas are light, with notes of straw, lemon pith and grapefruit. The flavors show an elegant styling, framed by a tart zing of acidity that stretches out the finish. It's all about nuance.	90	28	Washington	Sauvignon Blanc
25,559	US	This well-made, crisply styled wine is zesty in lime and stony minerality, with a background grasp of the sea. Briny, it has well-manicured layers of toasty oak, green apple and persistent acidity—a wise choice for the table.	92	44	California	Chardonnay
112,302	US	Light strawberry, earth and rose-petal aromas add to the blackberry flavors in this medium-bodied wine. It feels tight and tastes lean now, so it's best to drink after 2019.	87	25	California	Grenache
70,151	US	Cabernet Sauvignon makes up three-quarters of this blend with the balance Merlot (22%) and Malbec. Coming from a who's who of vineyards that includes Klipsun, Canoe Ridge, Seven Hills, and Alder Ridge, it displays aromas of toasty spices, graphite, fresh herb and black currant. The dark-fruit flavors are polished to a fine sheen, showing hang time on the finish. It impresses.	92	30	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
1,230	US	Elegant and beautiful aromas of Montmorency cherry, tart orange peel and balsamic fig reduction sauce prove precise and show some mature vine age. Roasted fig flavors meet with salt and pepper seasonings on the palate, which is well structure and full of bright acidity.	93	65	California	Pinot Noir
47,769	US	A very nice wine, kind of a mongrel with its array of varietals, but rich and satisfying. Braced with crisp acidity, it offers flavors of tangerines, peaches, Meyer lemons, limes, green apples and honey, with a pleasant minerality. The blend is Viognier, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.	87	18	California	White Blend
31,578	Argentina	Leathery, smoky dark-berry aromas take on a burnt, stalky character as this airs out. Tight and linear in feel, this avoids being fat and overweight as it delivers roasted, blackened plum, black cherry and herbal flavors. The finish tastes a bit stalky and salty, with a demanding oak character taking over. Drink through 2020.	90	25	Mendoza Province	Malbec
33,374	US	Baked strawberry and a bittersweet note of cherry play off the palate around a medium-bodied frame of subtle tannin and oak. Dried cranberry comes in as a secondary detail, before the wine finishes in a blaze of leather and black tea.	87	25	California	Pinot Noir
25,008	France	A truly grassy aroma leads to a fresh, herbaceous and crisp wine. To top its crispness, it also has some weight, wood flavors and a creamy core with a white pear texture. It could benefit from aging, at least three years, to bring out the inherent richness of the wine.	93	40	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
53,885	US	Fresh boysenberry juice aromas meet with licorice, iron, smoke, cinnamon, rooibos tea and dried lilacs on the nose of this blend of 65% Barbera and 35% Sangiovese. It's soft on the sip and then quite tart, with blackberry fruit cut by tangy plum skins that are lifted by rustic tobacco and leather notes.	90	28	California	Red Blend
15,564	US	This very substantive wine carries rich and complex flavors on a firm and lively frame. It has an exotic, perfumed aroma, and plenty of fruit flavor and firm tannins. The elements of ripe cherries, suave oak and vibrant acidity all support each other for great balance and a long finish.	94	54	California	Pinot Noir
54,887	Italy	Made with Sangiovese and 10% other varieties, this offers scents of dark berry, purple flowers and a whiff of allspice. The firm palate delivers black cherry, toasted oak, espresso and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins.	90	28	Tuscany	Red Blend
86,592	US	The acidity on this Pinot tastes bizarre. It's so sharp and cutting that it's unnatural, given the ripeness of the raspberry and cherry fruit. Not going anywhere, so drink now.	84	28	California	Pinot Noir
95,310	US	This 100% Cabernet, made solidly in the modern style of soft ripeness and considerable alcohol, is flamboyant in milk chocolate, blackberry jam and smoky oak flavors. For all the apparent sweetness, it finishes thoroughly dry and classy. Drink over the next 2–3 years.	91	110	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
33,349	US	Aromas of Key lime skins and lemon bar cookies hide a slight but typical petrol note on this wine from the San Diego County-based producer. It's slightly sour on the citrusy palate, with balanced acidity and a chalky grip.	88	25	California	Riesling
12,598	US	This vintage brings a wine that's off-dry, with a sugary accent to the citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It's balanced with crisp acidity, and a hint of green gooseberry tartness.	86	20	California	Sauvignon Blanc
58,022	France	The nose is shy and does not give much away. On the palate, beautifully pure red currant and tart red-cherry notes come through. The slender body is pervaded by freshness and has lovely overtones of conifer and oak leaf. It is later on that the fine but firm structure comes to bear. This is light but has depth and the potential to develop.	90	25	Alsace	Pinot Noir
30,948	France	Attractively colored wine with red berry fruits and an edge of bitter cherries, almonds and perfumed acidity. The wine is structured, spicy, full-bodied in character.	87	21	Provence	Rosé
15,769	Portugal	Named after a Portuguese dance, this fresh, fruitcake and blackberry-flavored wine is easily ready to drink, a wine that powers through with its sweet, juicy fruit and final acidity.	88	8	Douro	Portuguese Red
67,150	US	Extremely woody aromas of cedar meet with prunes, tobacco leaf and nutmeg on the nose of this bottling from a property south of San Jose. That woody character also plays powerfully on the palate, mixing with baked blueberry flavors to achieve a sort of balance. The tannins makes for a squeaky texture on the finish.	88	36	California	Petite Sirah
100,007	US	After “fiddling around,” as he puts it, with blends in his '96 and '97 cabs, winemaker Alex Golitzin decided to go with straight Cabernet in '98, an exceptional vintage for Washington State. This is a tight, focused effort, with powerful black fruits augmented with herbs and spices and a hint of mineral. Young, tart and tannic, it will continue to improve as it knits together over the years. Editors' Choice.	95	60	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
128,895	US	Soft and simple, this full-bodied effort shows a char of toasted oak as strong flavors of root beer and cola meet dark cherry and berry.	85	30	California	Pinot Noir
10,071	US	Ripe and round Gala apple, peach custard and vanilla cream aromas show on the nose of this appellation blend from Tolosa's new winemaking team. It's light and easy on the palate, with steely tension framing its lemon and lime flavors, a creamy vanilla component adding weight to the midpalate.	88	30	California	Chardonnay
86,578	Spain	After wading through some burn and heat on the nose, things settle on basic red fruit. The feel is fresh and zesty, while flavors of plum and berry are about as average and normal as they come. Feels racy, slick and quick on the finish.	85	10	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
44,316	US	Peppery herbs lead the nose on this bottling, with sagebrush, bay leaf and rust giving depth to the light cranberry and raspberry fruit. The palate is earthy with juniper and turned-loam flavors, plus more bay leaf, iron cranberry and some rhubarb.	91	45	California	Pinot Noir
72,968	US	Buttered toast and vanilla flavors are accompanied by pear, mango and Meyer lemon fruitiness in this Chardonnay. It's crisp with acidity but rich and satisfying.	88	18	California	Chardonnay
56,149	Italy	This all-Sangiovese Chianti opens with black-skinned fruit, allspice and new leather aromas. Polished tannins lend structure to the dried black cherry, licorice and a tobacco flavors on the palate. Drink through 2022.	89	25	Tuscany	Sangiovese
20,867	Argentina	Citrus and stone-fruit aromas struggle to hold up, while the palate on this blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay is solid but soft. Flavors of apple cider, peach juice and yeasty bread shift to powdered sugar and white table grapes on the finish.	86	23	Mendoza Province	Champagne Blend
48,467	US	From organically grown grapes, this wine is barrel-fermented in French oak. On the palate, it reflects that time in barrel, conveying a mix of spicy oak, exotic Asian pear and nutmeg. Well-integrated and light, it offers lilting minerality.	88	28	California	Chardonnay
77,705	Argentina	Certain Argentine wines have a rustic, foxy character to them that reminds us that winemaking isn't a factory-proven science. This fits the bill; it's murky and sharp on the nose, with brambly raspberry sitting in wait. Feelwise, it's a bit too piercing and choppy.	83	16	Mendoza Province	Malbec
3,540	Italy	Giuseppe Nada and his son Enrico have produced an earthy and gripping Barbaresco, with floral, truffle aromas punctuated with Alpine herbs. The palate shows layers of dark cherry-berry fruit, balsamic notes of sage and mint, all backed up by a firmly tannic backbone. Best after 2016.	92	30	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
74,088	Italy	This robust Amarone has an earthy fragrance of underbrush, mushroom and tobacco leaf along with plum and spice notes. The dense, delicious palate offers rich black cherry, ripe raspberry, cinnamon and vanilla. It's concentrated, with a velvety texture.	91	70	Veneto	Red Blend
5,803	US	This is an oddly perfumed and puckering wine, with not much to say in the way of fruit, the oak treatment suggestive of oak chips.	83	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
6,924	US	Beautiful aromas of rose and lavender open this wine, followed by intense mushroom, truffle and earth. Bright in acidity, a wild strawberry flavor sharpens the focus as soft, well-integrated tannins and subtle oak intermingle. The entire package finishes with a bang of crisp red-cherry fruit.	93	45	California	Pinot Noir
125,134	Italy	An extremely floral and fragrant expression of Pinot Grigio, with notes of white flower, jasmine and peach blossom. Touches of bitter almond and tangy spice mark the close.	86	15	Northeastern Italy	Pinot Grigio
123,859	US	Good flavor concentration and a sense of power help this stand out. A dark red color goes almost to the rim, with aromas that suggest blackberries and raisins. Flavors go deep into sweet oak and dark fruit. The tannins support the wine's overall richness, adding a little grip to the texture.	89	28	California	Zinfandel
62,289	Italy	Bold, full-bodied and polished, this opens with aromas that recall violets, ripe plums, red berries and cake spices. The smooth, savory palate delivers juicy Morello cherries, black raspberries, cinnamon, mocha, white pepper and a hint of mint. Generous, velvety tannins provide the framework and add finesse.	93	54	Veneto	Red Blend
20,031	Italy	This opens with aromas of toasted oak, coffee, ripe berry, sage and a whiff of citrus zest. On the palate, white pepper and coconut back up the core of dried cherry alongside astringent tannins, but it lacks fruit richness.	86	78	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
64,505	US	A good-value Cabernet Sauvignon that's straightforward in texture, body and structure. Its dark cherry and herbal tones are just right for meaty mid-week dishes, including that old standby, roast chicken.	85	11	California	Cabernet Sauvignon

100,556

France

Notes of ripe, generous and fleshy plum lead to a well-shaped palate. Some muddied elements get in the way of precision but lend an earthier aspect. Drink soon.

87

25

Alsace

Pinot Gris

105,488

US

A juicy nose of ripe pomegranates, warm cranberries, concentrated strawberry blossoms and a bit of smoked herbs makes for an enticing introduction on this wine from one of the region's earliest producers. The palate shows cola, blackberry juice and a lavender lift. It's a perfect hamburger pairing.

90

38

California

Grenache

126,552

France

This is a ripe impressive style of Pouilly. It has all the right minerality along with a rich texture plus melon and yellow fruits. With concentration and acidity in equal measure, the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.

91

30

Burgundy

Chardonnay

97,785

US

Full-bodied ripeness and creamy oak combine for a forceful white wine, rich and textured, made from a selection of two vineyard sites, including Bow Tie, a vineyard-designate. Toasty spice adds complexity before the wine finishes in caramel.

88

28

California

Chardonnay

61,059

US

Tight-wound minerality jumps from the glass in this crisp, delightful white, the grapes sourced from the famed Ritchie Vineyard. With just the right amount of richness, it remains balanced and elegant, exhibiting a complex mix of white flowers, crushed rocks and a squeeze of salty lemon.

91

35

California

Sauvignon Blanc

114,548

Germany

Zesty lime cuts razor-sharp edges into this buoyant, fruity Riesling full of white peach, apple and honeysuckle notes. Delicately honeyed, it's piercing yet lip-smackingly juicy, finishing on a lingering spray of green florals. It's an elegant, tightly structured wine that's stunning now but will hold nicely through 2020.

92

26

Mosel

Riesling

107,372

Italy

Delicate aromas of spring flowers and white stone fruit lead the nose. The palate offers crisp green apple, yellow pear and creamy white peach alongside refreshing acidity and a foaming mousse.

88

26

Veneto

Glera

112,619

US

Shows the difficulties of growing Sangiovese, even in posh Oakville. The wine is acidic and one-dimensional, with cherry jam, cola and oak flavors.

85

75

California

Sangiovese

75,083

US

Rooted in dark, roasted aromas like coffee, this blend of 60% Syrah with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Zinfandel has tight-grain tannins and simple layers of tobacco, leather and clove.

85

14

California

Red Blend

2,566

US

This wine could be labeled a Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 83% of the blend, with the rest Merlot. The aromas of fruit leather, dried blackberry, black licorice and medicine cabinet are bright, though they seem considerably more evolved than the wine's age might indicate. The black-fruit flavors display a sense of balance that carries through the finish. Drink now.

89

55

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

68,207

US

With just a handful of Merlot, this wine is dense and juicy, exhibiting warm layers of black currant and blackberry around old-school tobacco and tar. Medium bodied, the dusty tannins are well integrated and finely calibrated, giving the wine an age-worthy profile. Cellar through 2019.

90

95

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

49,797

France

A touch of wet stone and wet earth accompanies the scent of ripe pear on the nose. The palate, therefore, surprises with luscious, off-dry peachiness and ample fruit: ripe pears and juicy peaches abound with expressive flavor. Their generosity is met with lemony freshness. This is utterly moreish and seductive with a lemony, just off-dry finish that makes you want to sip again.

91

32

Alsace

Pinot Gris

72,708

US

This mélange of grapes from Sonoma (56%), Napa (30%) and San Joaquin County (14%) intermingles Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Petit Verdot. An intense, weighty concoction of strawberry and leather, it's well-priced and distributed widely.

87

23

California

Red Blend

3,851

US

Spicy and assertive, this young, cellar-worthy Pinot Noir just hints at the complexity within. Give it plenty of air time and it opens aromatically with allspice, sandalwood, perhaps some cola and pine needle. The tart and tangy berry fruit is still compact and primary, but fully ripe and nicely sculpted into a well-defined wine from start to finish.

92

100

Oregon

Pinot Noir

9,736

US

This blend of 76% Sta. Rita Hills and 24% Russian River Valley fruit plays to the denser side of the grape, with black cherry and nutmeg aromas most prevalent. The palate offers cola, ripe cranberry, oregano and sage flavors, set against grippy tannins that ensure a few years of solid cellar life.

89

28

California

Pinot Noir

26,796

France

This wine balances intense fruit with a steely core of minerality. It is packed with apple, crisp pear and kiwi fruits, contrasted with this tight texture and hints of wood aging. Well balanced, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.

90

60

Burgundy

Chardonnay

53,981

US

A surprising Pinot Noir from the Puget Sound AVA. Tart, tannic and lightly spicy, it presents itself as a rustic café red.

82

20

Washington

Pinot Noir

110,484

US

With flavors of grass, grapefruits and tropical fruits, this is a lovely wine to drink now. It's dry and savory, with a brisk hit of acidity.

88

15

California

Sauvignon Blanc

18,351

US

Feels harsh and sharp in the mouth, with cherry-berry flavors. Pretty rustic drinking, with a bitter finish.

82

20

California

Merlot

49,179

US

Smells and tastes a little weedy, with green, stalky notes, but saved from disgrace by the pretty blackberry flavors and rich texture. Dry, with firm but easy tannins and good acids, this is a nice everyday sipper at a fair price.

86

12

California

Merlot

28,503

US

A direct-pressed wine, this has a pretty copper-pink color. It is intense in cranberry and subtle herbes de Provence, with notions of fresh-cut grass and tart Meyer lemon. Young, it needs time in the glass to reveal its complexity and range of flavor. The finish is dry and succulent on the palate.

87

26

California

Cabernet Franc

111,239

Italy

Very elegant, it opens with refined aromas of rose petals, lychee and a hint of juicy citrus fruit. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe pink grapefruit and steely mineral notes accented with a spicy note of white pepper.

89

29

Northeastern Italy

Gewürztraminer

119,426

US

Subtly delicious flavors merge with a creamy, luxurious texture in this deceptively light-bodied and graceful wine blended from Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. It starts with butter and almond aromas then doles out light marzipan and vanilla flavors. While rich in mouthfeel, it has enough crispness for balance.

91

25

California

White Blend

49,771

Italy

A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and other grapes, this features aromas of bright berry, spice and violet. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, red currant and black pepper alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity.

87

17

Tuscany

Red Blend

68,191

Germany

Loosen's best Dr. L to date, this is a terrific value, delivering typical Mosel Riesling notes at a great price. Citrus blossom, lime and crushed stone aromas are followed by apple and citrus flavors in this just-slightly-sweet wine. Drink it now and over the next year or so.

90

12

Mosel

Riesling

60,680

US

This wine brings obvious fruit flavor that is ripe to overripe, good acidity and a nicely gripping texture. It tastes a bit earthy and woody and seems to be plenty mature.

86

36

California

Red Blend

63,716

US

Varietal offerings are a rarity in this appellation. This one brings aromas of dill, woodspice and vanilla, with the focus on the barrel. The tart red cherry flavors are silky smooth, gliding on the finish.

88

34

Washington

Sangiovese

44,763

France

There is a fine perfumed character with this wine. It floats above the ripe cherry and berry fruits and the firm structure of rich tannins. The vineyard, centrally located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, has given a firm wine with the great potential to be generous. Drink from 2021.

93

105

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

70,296

US

Softly balanced, this is an elegant wine, with less than a handful of Petit Verdot that exhibits savory dried cranberry and plum around larger elements of juicy plum and dark chocolate. It never veers bitter or green, staying juicy and supple on the palate.

90

35

California

Merlot

110,906

US

Smoked red-cherry and pomegranate-juice aromas show on the sip of this appellation blend. The palate shows fruit punch with touches of lavender and vanilla, which tastes good altogether, even though it is not very complex.

86

15

California

Pinot Noir

98,449

Italy

Important and sophisticated, this has aged gracefully over the years. The style is bold and modern and you can feel the soft, oak-derived tannins and the complimentary fruit tannins that give this wine incredible structure and staying power. The bouquet is redolent of ripe fruit, leather, spice, black cherry and pressed violet.

94

117

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

25,707

Argentina

Floral red fruit aromas carry a hint of minerality and garrigue. The palate is lively, with good overall balance. Tastes of ripe red plum, raspberry and vanilla, while the finish is light in weight and quick, but satisfying.

88

30

Mendoza Province

Malbec

115,518

Argentina

Rubber, bacon, berry and plum aromas are good overall. The palate is creamy as a whole but has enough acidity to carry cassis and berry flavors past being resiny and herbal. Basic on the finish, with mild oak flavor and resin coming into play.

86

17

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

129,598

US

Made from vines planted in 1890, this is a combination of mostly Zin, field-blended with 13% Alicante Bouschet and 7% Petite Sirah. Ripe in raspberry and blackberry, this also has sleek traces of vanilla and brown sugar. Soft and juicy on the palate, it ends in a dusting of cinnamon.

90

34

California

Zinfandel

115,667

US

Solo comes from the winery's estate vineyard, the third vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stags Leap District. It is elegant and old-school in style, pretty in violets and red berries, with a juicy, soft texture. It begs for steak.

91

100

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

103,607

US

Soft, supple and mouth-coating, this wine dances in cola, forest floor and subtle red and black berry, building power and concentration as it goes. Already given time in bottle, it's ready to enjoy now.

91

85

California

Pinot Noir

101,848

US

The aromas leap out of the glass, with notes of potpourri, dried orange peel and honey. It drinks sweet, with viscous-feeling flower and marmalade flavors, with white flowers lingering on the finish.

89

14

Washington

Riesling

103,310

Italy

A crisp, streamlined expression of Sangiovese Grosso that opens with lively aromas of wild berry, white pepper and pressed rose. Pair this wine with sweet meats, such as roasted ham or pork.

87

20

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

112,120

US

This looks, smells and tastes so young that it might have come right out of the fermenting tank. It is tight to the point of reductive, with tart fruit flavors of cranberry and rhubarb, and stiff, chalky tannins.

86

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

63,349

US

This 50-50 split of Zinfandel and Syrah is skunky and heavy, a toasty concoction of boysenberry and blackberry jam that finishes abruptly with an herbal afternote.

83

41

California

Red Blend

21,404

US

This is 100% Riesling, and the intense, floral aromas suggest a smattering of Gewürztraminer, at least in essence if not in fact. Beeswax, lemon candy, orange blossom and other juicy citrus components swirl around the palate, making this an exceptionally complex and beguiling wine. Though labeled dry, it carries an impression of fruit sweetness, rather than the bracing minerality of some other dry Rieslings. A wine that is almost Germanic in its attack, and a truly lovely bottle.

91

20

Washington

Riesling

24,147

US

A big, flashy wine that's fabulously rich in flavors of pineapple, orange and lemon custard, and liberally accented with the crème brûlée and vanilla from it's time in new French oak. Fresh acidity, minerality from the soil and a dry finish bring an elegant touch to this ripe Chardonnay.

92

40

California

Chardonnay

97,749

US

This is a luscious, butterscotchy, fresh, lime- and lemon-flavored Chardonnay; a true delight. Melon and peach fruit flavors thread into the core, and the wine has a wonderful richness without losing its finesse or acid base.

92

30

Oregon

Chardonnay

62,898

Germany

Despite this wine's intense richness and ample residual sugar, it is so well balanced that it does not come across as being particularly sweet. Hints of flint or crushed stone amplify the purity of the fresh apple and peach fruit and linger elegantly on the finish of this full-bodied auslese. Drink now–2025, possibly beyond.

92

41

Mosel

Riesling

68,063

US

Opulent fruit flavors and an almost thick texture make this delicious and dramatic. The aromas pop with blackberry and cherry, flavors resemble blueberry juice and the mouthfeel is rich and nicely tannic.

91

38

California

Merlot

89,976

US

This blend is 39% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Aromas of herbs, coffee, spice and dark fruit are backed by tart cranberry and cherry flavors, with some grit to the tannins.

89

16

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

9,498

US

Rich and showy, but a little too strong in everything, showing flamboyant tropical fruit, caramelized oak, butterscotch and sweet vanilla cream flavors. It's all quite delicious, but the wine ultimately lacks subtlety and distinction, especially at this price.

87

50

California

Chardonnay

93,273

US

Buttered toast, brown sugar, honey and orange jam mark this Chard's flavors. It has good acidity for balance. Drink up with umami-rich, salty foods, like ham and sausages.

84

12

California

Chardonnay

3,758

France

As fresh and fruity as possible, this is a lively wine. Coming in a darkened bottle it looks stylish on a table, although its fragrant red fruits make it even better as an apéritif.

86

20

Provence

Rosé

127,189

US

This Bordeaux-Rhône blend is rustic and dry, with significant tannins. It has earthy, herb, berry and spice flavors that finish with a touch of bitterness.

83

49

California

Red Blend

121,818

US

There's the ever-so-slight touch of pink to the glass in this bottling by Bruno D'Alfonso, who packs strong and fresh aromas of cider apples, chalk, tangerine zest, pear flesh and light jasmine on the nose. There is tons of energy on the palate, tightening up before unleashing poached Asian pear, lime spritzer and red apple flavors.

92

24

California

Pinot Grigio

26,649

US

Aromas of spice, red fruit and milk chocolate are followed by an opulent palate of fruit and barrel flavors. It appeals on every level.

91

30

Washington

Merlot

106,071

US

This is likeable for its acidity and savory citrus flavors, which work together to get the tastebuds watering. There's a strong note of sour gooseberry, with a touch of honey in the finish.

85

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

4,260

US

This blend holds Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aromas of fresh herbs, jalapeño peppers and cherries lead to medium-bodied cherry and raspberry flavors backed by soft tannins.

85

13

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

3,761

Italy

Dominated by wood, it offers heavy oak and toasted sensations with a hint of butterscotch alongside fresh acidity, but it lacks fruit richness.

86

20

Sicily & Sardinia

Chardonnay

12,247

Italy

Very smooth in the nose, with fragrant, fresh aromas of flowers, lemon and lime. The dry citrusy palate and soft mouthfeel work perfectly together, while the finish is long, fruity and very pleasant. Quite a tasty sparkler with pure fruit. Its quality is obvious.

90

11

Veneto

Champagne Blend

18,133

Spain

Mostly neutral aromas include a note of peach and citrus, and a hint of butterscotch. The body is full and the textue is good, while the overall balance is on the money. Creamy flavors of vanilla, coconut cake, toffee and baked apple finish similarly, with some heat and burn.

89

28

Catalonia

White Blend

40,317

France

A rich Riesling, just off dry, balancing intense acidity with white currant, hedgerow fruits and a concentrated texture. The wine is full-bodied, very ripe and superbly structured. Very fruity now, this is a wine to show how well Riesling can age—give it 6–8 years.

94

39

Alsace

Riesling

5,121

US

Concentrated, well structured and not too full bodied, this is an almost architectural wine in how it fills out the palate and clings to the taste buds. It has an appetizing texture due to fine-grained tannins, a sense of ripeness without overripeness, plus deep and layered fruit, coffee and black-pepper nuances.

92

25

California

Syrah

11,316

France

Generous, nearly fleshy notes of strawberry compote give this almost a confected edge. On the palate, this richness is checked by some lemon freshness and some bitter edges while the fizz froths in big, lively bubbles. Drink soon.

87

25

Alsace

Pinot Noir

1,375

France

Slightly confected on the nose, showing cotton candy and bubble gum aromas, but you'll also find plenty of strawberry-raspberry flavors. Very fruity and clean, with a fresh finish.

86

15

Provence

Rosé

53,973

US

A blend of fruit from top sites Boushey (60%) and Red Willow, the aromas are light, with notes of straw, lemon pith and grapefruit. The flavors show an elegant styling, framed by a tart zing of acidity that stretches out the finish. It's all about nuance.

90

28

Washington

Sauvignon Blanc

25,559

US

This well-made, crisply styled wine is zesty in lime and stony minerality, with a background grasp of the sea. Briny, it has well-manicured layers of toasty oak, green apple and persistent acidity—a wise choice for the table.

92

44

California

Chardonnay

112,302

US

Light strawberry, earth and rose-petal aromas add to the blackberry flavors in this medium-bodied wine. It feels tight and tastes lean now, so it's best to drink after 2019.

87

25

California

Grenache

70,151

US

Cabernet Sauvignon makes up three-quarters of this blend with the balance Merlot (22%) and Malbec. Coming from a who's who of vineyards that includes Klipsun, Canoe Ridge, Seven Hills, and Alder Ridge, it displays aromas of toasty spices, graphite, fresh herb and black currant. The dark-fruit flavors are polished to a fine sheen, showing hang time on the finish. It impresses.

92

30

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

1,230

US

Elegant and beautiful aromas of Montmorency cherry, tart orange peel and balsamic fig reduction sauce prove precise and show some mature vine age. Roasted fig flavors meet with salt and pepper seasonings on the palate, which is well structure and full of bright acidity.

93

65

California

Pinot Noir

47,769

US

A very nice wine, kind of a mongrel with its array of varietals, but rich and satisfying. Braced with crisp acidity, it offers flavors of tangerines, peaches, Meyer lemons, limes, green apples and honey, with a pleasant minerality. The blend is Viognier, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

87

18

California

White Blend

31,578

Argentina

Leathery, smoky dark-berry aromas take on a burnt, stalky character as this airs out. Tight and linear in feel, this avoids being fat and overweight as it delivers roasted, blackened plum, black cherry and herbal flavors. The finish tastes a bit stalky and salty, with a demanding oak character taking over. Drink through 2020.

90

25

Mendoza Province

Malbec

33,374

US

Baked strawberry and a bittersweet note of cherry play off the palate around a medium-bodied frame of subtle tannin and oak. Dried cranberry comes in as a secondary detail, before the wine finishes in a blaze of leather and black tea.

87

25

California

Pinot Noir

25,008

France

A truly grassy aroma leads to a fresh, herbaceous and crisp wine. To top its crispness, it also has some weight, wood flavors and a creamy core with a white pear texture. It could benefit from aging, at least three years, to bring out the inherent richness of the wine.

93

40

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

53,885

US

Fresh boysenberry juice aromas meet with licorice, iron, smoke, cinnamon, rooibos tea and dried lilacs on the nose of this blend of 65% Barbera and 35% Sangiovese. It's soft on the sip and then quite tart, with blackberry fruit cut by tangy plum skins that are lifted by rustic tobacco and leather notes.

90

28

California

Red Blend

15,564

US

This very substantive wine carries rich and complex flavors on a firm and lively frame. It has an exotic, perfumed aroma, and plenty of fruit flavor and firm tannins. The elements of ripe cherries, suave oak and vibrant acidity all support each other for great balance and a long finish.

94

54

California

Pinot Noir

54,887

Italy

Made with Sangiovese and 10% other varieties, this offers scents of dark berry, purple flowers and a whiff of allspice. The firm palate delivers black cherry, toasted oak, espresso and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins.

90

28

Tuscany

Red Blend

86,592

US

The acidity on this Pinot tastes bizarre. It's so sharp and cutting that it's unnatural, given the ripeness of the raspberry and cherry fruit. Not going anywhere, so drink now.

84

28

California

Pinot Noir

95,310

US

This 100% Cabernet, made solidly in the modern style of soft ripeness and considerable alcohol, is flamboyant in milk chocolate, blackberry jam and smoky oak flavors. For all the apparent sweetness, it finishes thoroughly dry and classy. Drink over the next 2–3 years.

91

110

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

33,349

US

Aromas of Key lime skins and lemon bar cookies hide a slight but typical petrol note on this wine from the San Diego County-based producer. It's slightly sour on the citrusy palate, with balanced acidity and a chalky grip.

88

25

California

Riesling

12,598

US

This vintage brings a wine that's off-dry, with a sugary accent to the citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It's balanced with crisp acidity, and a hint of green gooseberry tartness.

86

20

California

Sauvignon Blanc

58,022

France

The nose is shy and does not give much away. On the palate, beautifully pure red currant and tart red-cherry notes come through. The slender body is pervaded by freshness and has lovely overtones of conifer and oak leaf. It is later on that the fine but firm structure comes to bear. This is light but has depth and the potential to develop.

90

25

Alsace

Pinot Noir

30,948

France

Attractively colored wine with red berry fruits and an edge of bitter cherries, almonds and perfumed acidity. The wine is structured, spicy, full-bodied in character.

87

21

Provence

Rosé

15,769

Portugal

Named after a Portuguese dance, this fresh, fruitcake and blackberry-flavored wine is easily ready to drink, a wine that powers through with its sweet, juicy fruit and final acidity.

88

8

Douro

Portuguese Red

67,150

US

Extremely woody aromas of cedar meet with prunes, tobacco leaf and nutmeg on the nose of this bottling from a property south of San Jose. That woody character also plays powerfully on the palate, mixing with baked blueberry flavors to achieve a sort of balance. The tannins makes for a squeaky texture on the finish.

88

36

California

Petite Sirah

100,007

US

After “fiddling around,” as he puts it, with blends in his '96 and '97 cabs, winemaker Alex Golitzin decided to go with straight Cabernet in '98, an exceptional vintage for Washington State. This is a tight, focused effort, with powerful black fruits augmented with herbs and spices and a hint of mineral. Young, tart and tannic, it will continue to improve as it knits together over the years. Editors' Choice.

95

60

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

128,895

US

Soft and simple, this full-bodied effort shows a char of toasted oak as strong flavors of root beer and cola meet dark cherry and berry.

85

30

California

Pinot Noir

10,071

US

Ripe and round Gala apple, peach custard and vanilla cream aromas show on the nose of this appellation blend from Tolosa's new winemaking team. It's light and easy on the palate, with steely tension framing its lemon and lime flavors, a creamy vanilla component adding weight to the midpalate.

88

30

California

Chardonnay

86,578

Spain

After wading through some burn and heat on the nose, things settle on basic red fruit. The feel is fresh and zesty, while flavors of plum and berry are about as average and normal as they come. Feels racy, slick and quick on the finish.

85

10

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

44,316

US

Peppery herbs lead the nose on this bottling, with sagebrush, bay leaf and rust giving depth to the light cranberry and raspberry fruit. The palate is earthy with juniper and turned-loam flavors, plus more bay leaf, iron cranberry and some rhubarb.

91

45

California

Pinot Noir

72,968

US

Buttered toast and vanilla flavors are accompanied by pear, mango and Meyer lemon fruitiness in this Chardonnay. It's crisp with acidity but rich and satisfying.

88

18

California

Chardonnay

56,149

Italy

This all-Sangiovese Chianti opens with black-skinned fruit, allspice and new leather aromas. Polished tannins lend structure to the dried black cherry, licorice and a tobacco flavors on the palate. Drink through 2022.

89

25

Tuscany

Sangiovese

20,867

Argentina

Citrus and stone-fruit aromas struggle to hold up, while the palate on this blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay is solid but soft. Flavors of apple cider, peach juice and yeasty bread shift to powdered sugar and white table grapes on the finish.

86

23

Mendoza Province

Champagne Blend

48,467

US

From organically grown grapes, this wine is barrel-fermented in French oak. On the palate, it reflects that time in barrel, conveying a mix of spicy oak, exotic Asian pear and nutmeg. Well-integrated and light, it offers lilting minerality.

88

28

California

Chardonnay

77,705

Argentina

Certain Argentine wines have a rustic, foxy character to them that reminds us that winemaking isn't a factory-proven science. This fits the bill; it's murky and sharp on the nose, with brambly raspberry sitting in wait. Feelwise, it's a bit too piercing and choppy.

83

16

Mendoza Province

Malbec

3,540

Italy

Giuseppe Nada and his son Enrico have produced an earthy and gripping Barbaresco, with floral, truffle aromas punctuated with Alpine herbs. The palate shows layers of dark cherry-berry fruit, balsamic notes of sage and mint, all backed up by a firmly tannic backbone. Best after 2016.

92

30

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

74,088

Italy

This robust Amarone has an earthy fragrance of underbrush, mushroom and tobacco leaf along with plum and spice notes. The dense, delicious palate offers rich black cherry, ripe raspberry, cinnamon and vanilla. It's concentrated, with a velvety texture.

91

70

Veneto

Red Blend

5,803

US

This is an oddly perfumed and puckering wine, with not much to say in the way of fruit, the oak treatment suggestive of oak chips.

83

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

6,924

US

Beautiful aromas of rose and lavender open this wine, followed by intense mushroom, truffle and earth. Bright in acidity, a wild strawberry flavor sharpens the focus as soft, well-integrated tannins and subtle oak intermingle. The entire package finishes with a bang of crisp red-cherry fruit.

93

45

California

Pinot Noir

125,134

Italy

An extremely floral and fragrant expression of Pinot Grigio, with notes of white flower, jasmine and peach blossom. Touches of bitter almond and tangy spice mark the close.

86

15

Northeastern Italy

Pinot Grigio

123,859

US

Good flavor concentration and a sense of power help this stand out. A dark red color goes almost to the rim, with aromas that suggest blackberries and raisins. Flavors go deep into sweet oak and dark fruit. The tannins support the wine's overall richness, adding a little grip to the texture.

89

28

California

Zinfandel

62,289

Italy

Bold, full-bodied and polished, this opens with aromas that recall violets, ripe plums, red berries and cake spices. The smooth, savory palate delivers juicy Morello cherries, black raspberries, cinnamon, mocha, white pepper and a hint of mint. Generous, velvety tannins provide the framework and add finesse.

93

54

Veneto

Red Blend

20,031

Italy

This opens with aromas of toasted oak, coffee, ripe berry, sage and a whiff of citrus zest. On the palate, white pepper and coconut back up the core of dried cherry alongside astringent tannins, but it lacks fruit richness.

86

78

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

64,505

US

A good-value Cabernet Sauvignon that's straightforward in texture, body and structure. Its dark cherry and herbal tones are just right for meaty mid-week dishes, including that old standby, roast chicken.

85

11

California

Cabernet Sauvignon