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
4,870	US	Quite a bit of Tempranillo is being planted in southern Oregon, and it shows considerable promise. The flavors here suggest cherry cobbler, with ripe fruit at the center. There are streaks of citrus and a touch of toast in the mix, with drying tannins.	87	26	Oregon	Tempranillo
87,522	US	100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Wallula Vineyard, this brooding wine screams of the Horse Heaven Hills with notes of dusty earth, black currant, and bittersweet chocolate. It's tightly coiled and largely about structure with its firm tannins supporting concentrated cherry flavors. Needs time to come into its own but has the stuffing to lay down for a decade or more.	92	80	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
9,926	France	What a heady nose. Tangerine peel, hay flowers and ripe apples all dance and swirl across the senses. The palate takes the swirling fruit and fragrance up a notch, heightened with the intensity of tangy lemon freshness. This has utter precision and concentration, there almost seems to be a life force of stone and power behind it. It's a textbook Riesling with a clean, dry and totally tangy moreish finish. Lovely now but with great potential. Drink 2017–2035.	95	70	Alsace	Riesling
94,472	Argentina	Wiry, slightly grassy aromas of raspberry and plum come with a touch of oaky vanilla. This Malbec feels downright hard and choppy due to tough gritty tannins. Plum and berry flavors come in blips rather than a harmonious whole, and this tastes of lactic oak and rubber on the finish.	87	30	Mendoza Province	Malbec
86,009	Spain	Blackberry, clove and violet aromas make for a full and pleasant bouquet. This young RDD is tight and firm in the mouth, but not overly tannic or hard. Oak, roasted berry and spice flavors settle on a lightly woody, fairly long finish.	88	16	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
9,049	Germany	Upfront aromas of smoke and spring ramps subside to reveal delicate apple blossom notes on this honeyed, medium-sweet wine. Ripe, rich yellow peach and cantaloupe flavors flood the palate, yet wrap up remarkably dry with a lingering finish that's intense with minerality. It's gorgeously styled, yet elegant and dainty.	91	42	Mosel	Riesling
31,789	US	Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.	89	12	California	Zinfandel
65,963	US	From Joey Tensley's home vineyard near Los Olivos, this bottling shows very dark and tarry aromas at first but then opens up into cassis, blueberry, black pepper and wild herbs, making for a beautiful and cohesive nose. The tannins are a bit firm and could use a little more patience to soften, but the flavors of tangy black plum, leather, game and pepper are ready to rock.	94	42	California	Syrah
29,169	US	This is soft and lightly scented with citrus. Aromas of lemon peel precede light flavors of citrus and green apple. It's a simple, quaffable white wine, with a bit of Riesling and Viognier in the blend.	85	10	Washington	Chardonnay
19,195	Italy	This is a very pretty blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet with well-defined notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, chocolate, bramble and maple syrup. Recognizable oak renderings establish a refined and sophisticated feel and offer background notes of toasted nut and spice. The wine delivers fresh berry flavors, tight tannins and cool freshness on the finish. Drink after 2010.	91	65	Tuscany	Red Blend
99,725	US	Light and tangy citrus aromas lead to softer, riper fruit flavors like apple and pear in this medium-bodied wine.	86	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
81,218	France	There is some bitterness to this wine, with almond and quince flavors. Caramel and soft fruitiness lead to a more creamy character. Not for aging.	86	50	Champagne	Champagne Blend
82,210	Italy	Delicate scents of spring flower and white peach follow through to the soft foaming palate along with green apple and a hint of candied nectarine drop. Bright acidity gives it a fresh finish.	87	11	Veneto	Glera
35,341	Australia	From veteran winemaker John Glaetzer, this Cabernet from Langhorne Creek is something of a throwback, spending some 28 months in American oak hogsheads. Yet there's clearly enough cherry and cassis fruit to support all of the vanilla and toasted coconut, and the wine finishes long and balanced. Drink 2010–2020.	93	50	South Australia	Cabernet Sauvignon
63,582	Spain	This is so toasty and heavily oaked that it smells burnt and acrid. In the mouth this is pinched, tannic and tough. Flavors of plum, raspberry and vanilla finish scratchy and abrasive with drum-like tightness. Drink now.	86	33	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
31,784	US	Deeply colored, this bottling shows ripe blackberry pie with caramel, crushed graphite and a touch of mint on the nose. The tannins are soft but provide just enough structure to deliver lavish flavors of black cherry, beef char and cedar.	89	40	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
61,521	US	A brawny, dusty Petite with ripe flavors of plum and black fruit enveloped by sticky tannins.	86	18	California	Petite Sirah
115,034	France	Rich and soft, this is full of pear and quince flavors that pack a punch of acidity. The fruitiness is offset by a yeasty character that adds notes of almond and spice.	87	29	Burgundy	Chardonnay
1,589	France	This wine enjoys the fruitiness of the vintage with its black-currant flavors and light tannic structure. The blend is 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernets, with ripe berry flavors that dominate here, give a firm core to the wine while not losing the potential of the fruit. Drink from 2017.	88	45	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
74,675	US	A streak of waxy honeycomb seems to glaze flavors of pressed apple and pear on the palate of this savory, but honey-kissed wine. Light in body, it's zesty and spry with a clean, cutting finish.	87	19	New York	Riesling
10,486	US	This has a medium-deep color with a slightly purple rim. Fresh and fruity aromas bring to mind strawberry juice, tart cherries and rose-hip tea. With medium body and enough tannin for a velvety texture, this well-mannered, slightly restrained wine keeps asking for another sip.	90	30	California	Pinot Noir
91,666	France	The wine is ripe, dense and with fine layers of green fruits, grapefruit and acidity. The flinty texture is still strong in this young wine which bursts with youthful fruitiness. It is going to develop well into an impressive wine. Drink from late 2018.	91	22	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
2,191	US	Black-cherry-cola aromas along with lots of licorice and Dr Pepper spice show on the nose of this bottling from a relatively new winery in northeast Paso Robles. There is slight sweetness to the palate, with baked cherry and baking-spice flavors. Accents of dried blackberry, leather, dried meat and purple flower add complexity.	89	35	California	Syrah
117,306	US	This buxom Pinot Noir from a historic vineyard in the heart of Russian River suffers from its ripeness, providing a lot of oak and stewed fruit flavors over a smothered earthiness just trying to get out.	82	48	California	Pinot Noir
51,614	France	This full-bodied perfumed wine brings out ripe white and green fruits. With summer-flower aromas and plenty of acidity, it is attractive and crisply refreshing.	88	19	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
88,714	US	Starts out distinctly herbal but as it opens up notes of red currant and pencil lead emerge. The plump fruit flavors are supported by a firm structure of fine grained tannins.	87	25	Oregon	Merlot
13,496	US	A spicy, blackberry Petite marked by stewed plums, anise and tar.	85	24	California	Petite Sirah
5,866	France	This is a classic mineral-driven wine with its intense acidity and bright lemon fruit. Textured and crisp with acidity, it's packed with great fruitiness. From a fine vintage for whites, it has a cool, stylish aftertaste. Drink now.	88	28	Burgundy	Chardonnay
110,306	Spain	Tame black-fruit aromas are leathery, darkened by asphalt and tar notes. This wine feels good and round, with plum and berry flavors that accompany resiny oak. Fruity, nice and pleasant, it doesn't announce itself as special or elevated.	87	30	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
121,975	US	Here's a wine you can serve your guests at a big party and not have to worry about price. It's dry and fruity enough to work with anything calling for a robust red wine.	83	7	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
35,423	Italy	The Gaiole in Chianti area of Chianti Classico tends to produce some of the most traditional and pure expressions of Sangiovese, so Tangano is aged for 18 months in oak to add a spice note and to soften the tannins. The wine opens with prune, dark fruit, leather and tobacco tones.	88	37	Tuscany	Red Blend
46,697	US	From a cool site in the Sebastopol Hills greatly influenced by the cooling fog and winds of the Petaluma Gap, this wine is velvety in texture, with a gritty tannic backbone. Cedar, eucalyptus and savory tea complement an array of juicy red fruit and blueberry, with structure and balance at the wine's core.	93	65	California	Pinot Noir
123,378	US	This 100% varietal wine comes from Mirage, Klipsun, Seven Hills and Force Majeure vineyards. The oak (50% new French) takes the lead with aromas of vanilla, coffee and cinnamon in front of plum and berry. Flavors are reserved, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel that continues through the finish.	89	35	Washington	Merlot
124,090	US	Here's your basic white Zin, fruity and slightly sweet, with jammy raspberry and vanilla flavors. Crisp acidity fortunately provides needed balance.	83	9	California	Zinfandel
50,100	US	Ultrarich and fruity, this Cabernet shows the grapey ripeness Paso Robles is famous for. The wine is fresh and jammy in blackberries, cherries and raspberries. It's a little one-dimensional, and the alcohol is very high, but not hot. Drink now.	89	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
113,418	US	A floral nose greets you at first sniff, followed by hints of light citrus. A mix of grapefruit, melon and apple flavors are light and enticing, keeping the wine delicate and balanced. The finish leaves an impression of lemon tea.	87	25	Oregon	Viognier
116,740	US	A fresh, grassy aroma and lively grapefruit and herb flavors give a lot of zest to this medium-bodied and almost peppery wine.	89	16	California	Sauvignon Blanc
19,222	US	This '06 is the winery's regular bottling, not the reserve, and Chard lovers will find it a little lacking in richness. Still, it's a dry, crisp, elegantly structured wine, with mineral-infused pear and pineapple flavors.	86	24	California	Chardonnay
92,677	US	This wine from a Loire Valley clone is light in the glass and reductive at first, showing dried grass and sour green apple skin scents on the nose. That grassiness comes through on the palate too, until more rounded stonefruit pops on the midpalate. Prominent acidity carries those flavors into the finish.	88	32	California	Sauvignon Blanc
78,269	US	A remarkable wine from the appellation's westernmost property, this shows lemon, honeydew, pomelo pith, tangerine skin and a touch of hazelnut on the nose. Lots of steely notes power the palate, with flavors of honeysuckle, pears and tangelo racing across the tongue. It's a perfect Chard for shellfish.	93	45	California	Chardonnay
24,743	US	Excessive tartness is the chief fault of this wine. The tannins are faultlessly beautiful, and the flavors, of crushed summer blackberries, teriaki beef, green tea and black pepper, are complex. But that cut of acidity is severe.	85	25	California	Syrah
122,257	Italy	Fragrant blue flower, wild berry and spiced plum aromas come together in the glass. The vibrant palate offers fleshy black cherry, ground pepper, coffee and grilled herb while firm, fine-grained tannins back up the juicy flavors.	90	36	Tuscany	Red Blend
54,152	US	An okay red wine. It's soft, dry and common in structure, with thin flavors of blackberries, spices and a touch of oak.	83	25	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
46,385	Italy	Besides the usual notes of citrus, pear and peach usually associated with Pinot Grigio, this expression offers added dimension in the form of roasted almonds. It has a creamy, honey-rich nose backed by chewy sweetness and refreshing zest. It's nice to see more screwcaps from Italy, especially on these light, easy wines.	85	9	Northeastern Italy	Pinot Grigio
4,868	US	This has a rather deep red color and a slightly smoky rim. It offers profuse aromas of black cherry and blackberry, medium to full body and a generous texture. It's enjoyable for the fruit flavor, and easy to drink due to the soft texture. The finish is lingering and almost sweet.	87	30	California	Pinot Noir
21,130	Spain	After initial aromas of char, gritty leather, asphalt and tar fade, you get mature, herbal cherry and plum scents. This gran reserva is delivering light, racy, tangy flavors of raspberry and strawberry along with vanilla. On the finish, this is subtle, elegant and pure. Drink now through 2024.	92	60	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
11,145	US	With 3% Syrah, this wine has a leathery, gamy character to it, the grapes grown at high elevation. Blueberry and blackberry notes provide a robust backdrop of fruitiness, as chewy, smoky tannins support concentrated black cherry flavor on the finish.	89	80	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
44,242	US	This is by far the most expensive of Duckhorn's new releases, but it's not the best to drink now. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, it's easy to imagine the winemaker singling out the most tannic and concentrated lots, but what you get is, simply, a very tannic wine. There's a gigantic core of blackberry and black currant fruit, but it's hard to appreciate because of the astringency. The suggestion is longterm aging, but there can be no guarantees.	93	125	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
70,945	Spain	Berry and plum aromas are clean and composed. The wine feels juicy, pure and medium to full in body. Flavors of cherry and plum are spiced up with a white pepper note, while oaky spice and dusty pepper flavors create a lasting, long finish.	89	19	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
91,111	Germany	Rich, ruddy peach and tangerine scents are fleshy and ripe on this lavishly fruit-forward Riesling. Semi-sweet in style, it's unctuously juicy, but a jolt of grapefruit acidity adds balance and vibe. The finish is marked with a spray of citrus blossom.	91	55	Mosel	Riesling
82,498	Italy	A stellar performer year after year, Uccelliera's confident delivery is characterized by intensity, purity and personality. This Montalcino favorite also delivers plush softness with thick texture and a focused point of bright acidity.	94	75	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
125,373	France	The wine is ripe with lime and lemon flavors. It is textured, full of fruit and with a good touch of minerality and concentration from the old vines. There is a good cut of acidity to give the wine its proper freshness. Drink from 2017.	88	22	Burgundy	Chardonnay
42,783	US	Your basic everyday Zinfandel, with candied raspberry and cherry fruit, toast and pepper flavors, as well as a streak of green unripeness.	82	11	California	Zinfandel
81,297	US	Richly oaked, fantastically ripe in long hangtime fruit, this Chard has exotic flavors of golden mangoes, nectarines, passionfruit, pineapple jam and kiwis. Oak adds extra layers of buttered toast, crème brûlée and smoky vanilla. For all the honeyed sweetness, it's totally dry, a tour de force that's at its best now.	91	22	California	Chardonnay
42,803	US	This wine is a blend of Grenache, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Salmon colored, it offers light notes of red apple, melon and a hint of strawberry. The flavors are dry and generous, with a broad feel bringing a lot of appeal.	90	15	Washington	Rosé
93,285	Spain	Lemon, lime and straw aromas are fresh but also a little stalky. Spritz and then an oily afternote define the feel, while flavors of white fruits taste pithy and a touch green and herbaceous.	84	15	Northern Spain	White Blend
57,039	Argentina	Supersaturated, so much so that it's opaque, with blackberry, horseradish and chocolate aromas. In the mouth, it's on the cusp of overextraction but manages to toe the line. Flavors of roasted berry, coconut and bitter chocolate are dark and lead to a tannic finish. Drink now through 2014.	90	47	Mendoza Province	Malbec
78,024	US	Clearly focused and fruit-driven, this wine has a bonanza of dark-fruit aromas, while concentrated and focused fruit flavors wash over the palate. It offers the balance and freshness to pair broadly with different cuisines and is just a pleasure to sip and savor.	91	34	California	Cabernet Franc
68,740	Italy	Opening aromas include crushed blue flowers, graphite and woodland berries. The bright palate delivers tart red cherry, mint and menthol alongside brisk acidity and silky tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the fresh, juicy fruit flavors.	88	30	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
86,466	France	The steep, stony slope of the Cul de Beaujeu has produced this firmly structured wine that has rich plum and berry fruits. It is an impressive wine, ripe and juicy. With plenty of youthful crisp freshness the wine needs to age to plumb the depths that are there for the future. Drink from 2018.	93	59	Loire Valley	Pinot Noir
16,442	US	Hailing from one of the state's premier Syrah sites, this wine leads with aromas of berry, coffee, chicory and violets. The flavors are supple, backed by lightly grainy tannins.	89	35	Washington	Syrah
82,793	Italy	Tornamira is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that shows dark and sophisticated aromas of cured meat, leather, Teriyaki sauce, black fruit and toasted almond. There's a modern touch of oaky spice on the finish, with soft, velvety tannins to boot.	91	35	Sicily & Sardinia	Red Blend
66,572	US	From a vineyard just below Mt. Madonna, this bottling offers deep blackberry and black-pepper spice, with herbal oregano, thyme and touches of pasilla chile on the nose. It's quite herbaceous in that typical mountain style, with bay leaf and dried basil set against dry elderberry fruit.	91	44	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
100,568	US	Made from almost equal parts Pinot Noir and Dornfelder, this unusual dry rosé offers ripe (almost candied) cherry and raspberry notes juxtaposed against a refreshing mineral backbone. It's not deeply concentrated but thirst quenching and spry.	87	13	New York	Rosé
52,371	US	This budget Riesling sets a good standard for the style and the price. It's off-dry, low alcohol (11.5%) and solidly varietal. The fruit is full bodied and ripe, with vivid peach and apricot flavors. Additional notes of honey and lemony breakfast tea keep the finish up and running.	87	8	Washington	Riesling
70,124	US	One of the winery's most celebrated releases each year, this blend of all five major Bordeaux red varieties is an excellent showcase of Carmel Valley's class. Freshly squeezed blackberry and blackcurrant fruit meet with beef char, charcoal and dried lilacs on the nose. The palate tastes of lava rocks, dark chocolate, fresh boysenberries, dried mint and beef jerky, all woven together with a touch of smoke.	92	75	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
112,038	France	Soft raspberry juice with bubbles. It is a sweetened rosé, with only a hint of texture or acidity. For lovers of white Zinfandel.	82	45	Champagne	Champagne Blend
51,085	US	Shows some notes of mold or vegetables, marring an otherwise fine wine. It's pale in color, dry and crisp in acidity, with a beautifully silky texture and flavors of cola and cherries.	83	48	California	Pinot Noir
52,612	US	A very good Syrah, easily the winery's best in years. It's most notable for the power of its flavors, offering a flood of black-pepper-infused cured meat and ripe black cherry. The richness is wrapped into firm tannins. With its long finish, this should provide pleasant drinking over the next few years.	90	44	California	Syrah
22,047	Argentina	Fresh, fruity cherry, citrus and rose aromas are light and airy. This feels a bit raw and scratchy, while currant, red plum and brown sugar flavors finish juicy, snappy and uncushioned. This has all the requirements of a good picnic Pinot Noir.	85	15	Mendoza Province	Pinot Noir
95,757	US	A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is a lovely, polished and serious red wine. It impresses not just for the well-ripened cassis, cherry, cocoa and cedar flavors, but for the overall balance, and the smoothness of the texture.	89	38	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
14,368	US	This wine's prominent buttery aromas grab one's attention right away, and that same buttery element runs through the flavors and lingers on the finish. The fruit components are mild and melon-like, the body is medium and the texture reveals good acidity.	89	24	California	Viognier
37,734	France	This crisp, fruity wine is packed with acidity as well as citrus flavors. It has a cool feel, beautifully fresh and with a strong mineral element. Drink this structured, textured wine from 2019.	93	65	Burgundy	Chardonnay
1,267	US	Soft, sweet and fruity, tasting like a granola bar, with roasted almonds, raspberry filling and cinnamon spice.	85	20	California	Cabernet Franc
62,392	Italy	This Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dark fruit aroma, with an herbal note at the back. It has a smooth texture and medium intensity, and it would stand up to pork or roast turkey and gravy.	88	25	Tuscany	Cabernet Sauvignon
6,740	US	Just exquisite, combining power with elegance to produce a truly great Pinot Noir. The vineyard is in the heart of the appellation. The cool climate has made it dry, crisp and silky, but it shows powerfully concentrated cherry, pomegranate, mocha and bacon flavors, with overlays of smoky sandalwood. Compellingly good, this Pinot will develop over the next 6–8 years.	94	50	California	Pinot Noir
104,217	France	The initial impression of this wine is lean and austere. Lively acidity and a firm, dark, magnificent structure brings out intense flavors of plum skins. It needs several years in the bottle to show its best. Drink from 2018.	94	62	Provence	Rhône-style Red Blend
1,742	US	A deep, dark color, unusually ripe and exotic aromas, and intense flavors recalling boysenberry syrup make this a monster Zin. It's not very tannic or astringent, but the body is so rich and the alcohol relatively high that it oozes power and concentration. This will be great after a meal with cheese or chocolate.	92	45	California	Zinfandel
111,396	US	This sweet white starts with beguiling aromas of orange blossom, white flowers and spice. The flavors are mouthfilling and honeyed—a pretty balance of exotic fruits and crisp minerality. Pair with lighter cuisine or salads.	86	15	New York	Gewürztraminer
45,037	France	Soft, gentle fruit of stewed apple shimmers on the nose but on the palate is contained by immense, lemony zestiness. There is real muscle and elegance. The body is dry, slender but concentrated and beautifully clean with inflections of stone. This is a beacon of clarity and clean fruit, shining with a pristine, citrus-kissed purity. Drink 2018–2030.	94	34	Alsace	Riesling
29,955	US	Harmony and balance are the hallmarks of this full-bodied and vibrant wine in which everything seems well woven together. It smells like bright cherry, cinnamon and cloves, and tastes brisk and tangy like red cherries. A velvety texture complements the brightness of the fruit flavors.	93	40	California	Pinot Noir
72,483	US	With its flavors of raspberry and cherry soda, this a simple Pinot Noir. A slight grassy note comes through on the finish.	85	16	Oregon	Pinot Noir
90,748	Argentina	Here's a full-of-dynamite, small-batch Malbec that smells of bold berry fruit mixed with earth, smoked meats and mocha. The flavor set is pure, driving blackberry with mild herbal accents, and the finish is long, flavorful and lightly herbal. Expensive and a little fiery, but still excellent. Drink now through 2013. Only 250 cases made.	91	86	Mendoza Province	Malbec
71,986	Italy	Aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean, baked plum and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and a green note of sage alongside tightly packed, astringent tannins that leave a raspy finish. Give the tannins a few more years to soften then drink to capture the remaining fruit richness.	87	48	Tuscany	Sangiovese
104,477	US	Though lightly ripened, this opens with classic varietal aromas of mint, spicy berry and pepper. It tends slightly to the green side of the fruit spectrum, with the acidity to age a bit further.	88	24	Oregon	Syrah
56,725	US	This inviting Pinot is broadly ripe and fully lush in earthy, spicy layers, dark cherry and plum that plays across the palate. With a long, substantial finish, iot suits pork roasts and bacon-wrapped scallops.	89	65	California	Pinot Noir
120,600	Italy	Vietti's iconic Barolo from the Brunate cru deserves a special spot in your cellar collection. The wine delivers power and heft thanks to ideal vineyard conditions in 2007. It also exhibits the vintner's unique style, in which oak tones are set against the delicate aromas associated with quality Nebbiolo.	94	130	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
83,233	US	Lots to like here, especially the complex array of black raspberry jam, cola, tobacco, baking spice and sandalwood flavors. The tannins are nice and smooth, and there's enough acidity for balance. While the official alcohol is 14.5% by volume, the wine does have some jalapeño pepper heat in the mouth.	88	40	California	Zinfandel
106,806	US	Lots of sweet raspberry, cherry and sugar-coated doughnut flavors in this simple little Pinot. It has the virtues of silkiness and good acidity. Drink now.	85	19	California	Pinot Noir
109,739	Germany	There's a brooding quality to the smoky, diesel-fuel like aromas of this wine, but that's left in the rearview by ripe flavors of honey and baked apple once it's in the mouth. This wine is round and atypically soft for the vintage, but picks up some lively lime notes on the finish.	89	41	Mosel	Riesling
83,301	US	While this wine is a majority varietal, it blends in Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, each co-fermented with the Cab. The tannin weight is pronounced, adding to the richness and concentration of blackberry jam and black pepper, the tannins leathery and lengthy.	86	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
67,386	Italy	Another fine effort from this house, which has proven its consistency from one year to the next. It offers a lovely, clean, apple-like nose, crisp acidity, perfect balance, a medium body and a long apple-and-peach close.	88	15	Veneto	White Blend
16,174	Spain	Ripe with mocha, baking spice and heady berry fruit aromas, this is an excellent wine from a great vintage. Its firm, tight palate delivers oak, toasty spice and ripe fruit flavors while coffee and spice accents close out the long finish. Drink through 2027.	93	75	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
70,956	France	Located on the right bank of the Serein, this vineyard produces rich warm wines. This is a ripe full wine with great white fruits that are balanced by spice and fine acidity. The texture is dense and full—a generous wine that needs to age. Drink from 2018.	92	30	Burgundy	Chardonnay
120,559	US	This wine's raspberry, red apple, spice and red fruit aromas are bright. The flavors are ripe and full bodied, showing some heat.	88	28	Washington	Grenache
123,918	France	The wine is soft with a warm caramel and spice character. That contrasts easily with the red-currant fruits and lemon zest acidity. It is a clean fruity wine, ready to drink now.	85	17	Provence	Rosé
123,636	US	Ruby dark in hue, this has a light fruity aroma of watermelon, strawberry and mint. It's easy drinking and dry. Its slow buildup of acidity lingers on the finish.	87	10	California	Rosé
41,183	US	Some 85% of this was whole-cluster fermented, bringing plenty of grip and tannin along with plum and cherry fruit. There are typical Eola-Amity Hills suggestions of clean earth also, and the aging in one-third new French oak brings a little fullness to this substantial, still youthful wine.	91	40	Oregon	Pinot Noir
86,121	Spain	Textbook Duero Valley aromas of licorice root, cola, peppery spice, blackberry and vanilla are complete and cover all the bases. While this is medium to full in body and weight, it is racy due to pulsing acidity. Flavors of toasty oak and vanilla are compatible with tart berry and plum fruit, while this is lithe and bolstered by acidity on the finish. Drink through 2027.	90	36	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
65,108	US	This medium-bodied, small-production red was given a light touch of oak, only 25% of it new and French, allowing the other characteristics to speak louder than the wood. Compact tannins support a juicy, youthfully grippy frame of pomegranate and orange that opens further in the glass.	91	55	California	Pinot Noir

4,870

US

Quite a bit of Tempranillo is being planted in southern Oregon, and it shows considerable promise. The flavors here suggest cherry cobbler, with ripe fruit at the center. There are streaks of citrus and a touch of toast in the mix, with drying tannins.

87

26

Oregon

Tempranillo

87,522

US

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Wallula Vineyard, this brooding wine screams of the Horse Heaven Hills with notes of dusty earth, black currant, and bittersweet chocolate. It's tightly coiled and largely about structure with its firm tannins supporting concentrated cherry flavors. Needs time to come into its own but has the stuffing to lay down for a decade or more.

92

80

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

9,926

France

What a heady nose. Tangerine peel, hay flowers and ripe apples all dance and swirl across the senses. The palate takes the swirling fruit and fragrance up a notch, heightened with the intensity of tangy lemon freshness. This has utter precision and concentration, there almost seems to be a life force of stone and power behind it. It's a textbook Riesling with a clean, dry and totally tangy moreish finish. Lovely now but with great potential. Drink 2017–2035.

95

70

Alsace

Riesling

94,472

Argentina

Wiry, slightly grassy aromas of raspberry and plum come with a touch of oaky vanilla. This Malbec feels downright hard and choppy due to tough gritty tannins. Plum and berry flavors come in blips rather than a harmonious whole, and this tastes of lactic oak and rubber on the finish.

87

30

Mendoza Province

Malbec

86,009

Spain

Blackberry, clove and violet aromas make for a full and pleasant bouquet. This young RDD is tight and firm in the mouth, but not overly tannic or hard. Oak, roasted berry and spice flavors settle on a lightly woody, fairly long finish.

88

16

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

9,049

Germany

Upfront aromas of smoke and spring ramps subside to reveal delicate apple blossom notes on this honeyed, medium-sweet wine. Ripe, rich yellow peach and cantaloupe flavors flood the palate, yet wrap up remarkably dry with a lingering finish that's intense with minerality. It's gorgeously styled, yet elegant and dainty.

91

42

Mosel

Riesling

31,789

US

Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.

89

12

California

Zinfandel

65,963

US

From Joey Tensley's home vineyard near Los Olivos, this bottling shows very dark and tarry aromas at first but then opens up into cassis, blueberry, black pepper and wild herbs, making for a beautiful and cohesive nose. The tannins are a bit firm and could use a little more patience to soften, but the flavors of tangy black plum, leather, game and pepper are ready to rock.

94

42

California

Syrah

29,169

US

This is soft and lightly scented with citrus. Aromas of lemon peel precede light flavors of citrus and green apple. It's a simple, quaffable white wine, with a bit of Riesling and Viognier in the blend.

85

10

Washington

Chardonnay

19,195

Italy

This is a very pretty blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet with well-defined notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, chocolate, bramble and maple syrup. Recognizable oak renderings establish a refined and sophisticated feel and offer background notes of toasted nut and spice. The wine delivers fresh berry flavors, tight tannins and cool freshness on the finish. Drink after 2010.

91

65

Tuscany

Red Blend

99,725

US

Light and tangy citrus aromas lead to softer, riper fruit flavors like apple and pear in this medium-bodied wine.

86

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

81,218

France

There is some bitterness to this wine, with almond and quince flavors. Caramel and soft fruitiness lead to a more creamy character. Not for aging.

86

50

Champagne

Champagne Blend

82,210

Italy

Delicate scents of spring flower and white peach follow through to the soft foaming palate along with green apple and a hint of candied nectarine drop. Bright acidity gives it a fresh finish.

87

11

Veneto

Glera

35,341

Australia

From veteran winemaker John Glaetzer, this Cabernet from Langhorne Creek is something of a throwback, spending some 28 months in American oak hogsheads. Yet there's clearly enough cherry and cassis fruit to support all of the vanilla and toasted coconut, and the wine finishes long and balanced. Drink 2010–2020.

93

50

South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

63,582

Spain

This is so toasty and heavily oaked that it smells burnt and acrid. In the mouth this is pinched, tannic and tough. Flavors of plum, raspberry and vanilla finish scratchy and abrasive with drum-like tightness. Drink now.

86

33

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

31,784

US

Deeply colored, this bottling shows ripe blackberry pie with caramel, crushed graphite and a touch of mint on the nose. The tannins are soft but provide just enough structure to deliver lavish flavors of black cherry, beef char and cedar.

89

40

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

61,521

US

A brawny, dusty Petite with ripe flavors of plum and black fruit enveloped by sticky tannins.

86

18

California

Petite Sirah

115,034

France

Rich and soft, this is full of pear and quince flavors that pack a punch of acidity. The fruitiness is offset by a yeasty character that adds notes of almond and spice.

87

29

Burgundy

Chardonnay

1,589

France

This wine enjoys the fruitiness of the vintage with its black-currant flavors and light tannic structure. The blend is 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernets, with ripe berry flavors that dominate here, give a firm core to the wine while not losing the potential of the fruit. Drink from 2017.

88

45

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

74,675

US

A streak of waxy honeycomb seems to glaze flavors of pressed apple and pear on the palate of this savory, but honey-kissed wine. Light in body, it's zesty and spry with a clean, cutting finish.

87

19

New York

Riesling

10,486

US

This has a medium-deep color with a slightly purple rim. Fresh and fruity aromas bring to mind strawberry juice, tart cherries and rose-hip tea. With medium body and enough tannin for a velvety texture, this well-mannered, slightly restrained wine keeps asking for another sip.

90

30

California

Pinot Noir

91,666

France

The wine is ripe, dense and with fine layers of green fruits, grapefruit and acidity. The flinty texture is still strong in this young wine which bursts with youthful fruitiness. It is going to develop well into an impressive wine. Drink from late 2018.

91

22

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

2,191

US

Black-cherry-cola aromas along with lots of licorice and Dr Pepper spice show on the nose of this bottling from a relatively new winery in northeast Paso Robles. There is slight sweetness to the palate, with baked cherry and baking-spice flavors. Accents of dried blackberry, leather, dried meat and purple flower add complexity.

89

35

California

Syrah

117,306

US

This buxom Pinot Noir from a historic vineyard in the heart of Russian River suffers from its ripeness, providing a lot of oak and stewed fruit flavors over a smothered earthiness just trying to get out.

82

48

California

Pinot Noir

51,614

France

This full-bodied perfumed wine brings out ripe white and green fruits. With summer-flower aromas and plenty of acidity, it is attractive and crisply refreshing.

88

19

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

88,714

US

Starts out distinctly herbal but as it opens up notes of red currant and pencil lead emerge. The plump fruit flavors are supported by a firm structure of fine grained tannins.

87

25

Oregon

Merlot

13,496

US

A spicy, blackberry Petite marked by stewed plums, anise and tar.

85

24

California

Petite Sirah

5,866

France

This is a classic mineral-driven wine with its intense acidity and bright lemon fruit. Textured and crisp with acidity, it's packed with great fruitiness. From a fine vintage for whites, it has a cool, stylish aftertaste. Drink now.

88

28

Burgundy

Chardonnay

110,306

Spain

Tame black-fruit aromas are leathery, darkened by asphalt and tar notes. This wine feels good and round, with plum and berry flavors that accompany resiny oak. Fruity, nice and pleasant, it doesn't announce itself as special or elevated.

87

30

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

121,975

US

Here's a wine you can serve your guests at a big party and not have to worry about price. It's dry and fruity enough to work with anything calling for a robust red wine.

83

7

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

35,423

Italy

The Gaiole in Chianti area of Chianti Classico tends to produce some of the most traditional and pure expressions of Sangiovese, so Tangano is aged for 18 months in oak to add a spice note and to soften the tannins. The wine opens with prune, dark fruit, leather and tobacco tones.

88

37

Tuscany

Red Blend

46,697

US

From a cool site in the Sebastopol Hills greatly influenced by the cooling fog and winds of the Petaluma Gap, this wine is velvety in texture, with a gritty tannic backbone. Cedar, eucalyptus and savory tea complement an array of juicy red fruit and blueberry, with structure and balance at the wine's core.

93

65

California

Pinot Noir

123,378

US

This 100% varietal wine comes from Mirage, Klipsun, Seven Hills and Force Majeure vineyards. The oak (50% new French) takes the lead with aromas of vanilla, coffee and cinnamon in front of plum and berry. Flavors are reserved, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel that continues through the finish.

89

35

Washington

Merlot

124,090

US

Here's your basic white Zin, fruity and slightly sweet, with jammy raspberry and vanilla flavors. Crisp acidity fortunately provides needed balance.

83

9

California

Zinfandel

50,100

US

Ultrarich and fruity, this Cabernet shows the grapey ripeness Paso Robles is famous for. The wine is fresh and jammy in blackberries, cherries and raspberries. It's a little one-dimensional, and the alcohol is very high, but not hot. Drink now.

89

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

113,418

US

A floral nose greets you at first sniff, followed by hints of light citrus. A mix of grapefruit, melon and apple flavors are light and enticing, keeping the wine delicate and balanced. The finish leaves an impression of lemon tea.

87

25

Oregon

Viognier

116,740

US

A fresh, grassy aroma and lively grapefruit and herb flavors give a lot of zest to this medium-bodied and almost peppery wine.

89

16

California

Sauvignon Blanc

19,222

US

This '06 is the winery's regular bottling, not the reserve, and Chard lovers will find it a little lacking in richness. Still, it's a dry, crisp, elegantly structured wine, with mineral-infused pear and pineapple flavors.

86

24

California

Chardonnay

92,677

US

This wine from a Loire Valley clone is light in the glass and reductive at first, showing dried grass and sour green apple skin scents on the nose. That grassiness comes through on the palate too, until more rounded stonefruit pops on the midpalate. Prominent acidity carries those flavors into the finish.

88

32

California

Sauvignon Blanc

78,269

US

A remarkable wine from the appellation's westernmost property, this shows lemon, honeydew, pomelo pith, tangerine skin and a touch of hazelnut on the nose. Lots of steely notes power the palate, with flavors of honeysuckle, pears and tangelo racing across the tongue. It's a perfect Chard for shellfish.

93

45

California

Chardonnay

24,743

US

Excessive tartness is the chief fault of this wine. The tannins are faultlessly beautiful, and the flavors, of crushed summer blackberries, teriaki beef, green tea and black pepper, are complex. But that cut of acidity is severe.

85

25

California

Syrah

122,257

Italy

Fragrant blue flower, wild berry and spiced plum aromas come together in the glass. The vibrant palate offers fleshy black cherry, ground pepper, coffee and grilled herb while firm, fine-grained tannins back up the juicy flavors.

90

36

Tuscany

Red Blend

54,152

US

An okay red wine. It's soft, dry and common in structure, with thin flavors of blackberries, spices and a touch of oak.

83

25

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

46,385

Italy

Besides the usual notes of citrus, pear and peach usually associated with Pinot Grigio, this expression offers added dimension in the form of roasted almonds. It has a creamy, honey-rich nose backed by chewy sweetness and refreshing zest. It's nice to see more screwcaps from Italy, especially on these light, easy wines.

85

9

Northeastern Italy

Pinot Grigio

4,868

US

This has a rather deep red color and a slightly smoky rim. It offers profuse aromas of black cherry and blackberry, medium to full body and a generous texture. It's enjoyable for the fruit flavor, and easy to drink due to the soft texture. The finish is lingering and almost sweet.

87

30

California

Pinot Noir

21,130

Spain

After initial aromas of char, gritty leather, asphalt and tar fade, you get mature, herbal cherry and plum scents. This gran reserva is delivering light, racy, tangy flavors of raspberry and strawberry along with vanilla. On the finish, this is subtle, elegant and pure. Drink now through 2024.

92

60

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

11,145

US

With 3% Syrah, this wine has a leathery, gamy character to it, the grapes grown at high elevation. Blueberry and blackberry notes provide a robust backdrop of fruitiness, as chewy, smoky tannins support concentrated black cherry flavor on the finish.

89

80

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

44,242

US

This is by far the most expensive of Duckhorn's new releases, but it's not the best to drink now. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, it's easy to imagine the winemaker singling out the most tannic and concentrated lots, but what you get is, simply, a very tannic wine. There's a gigantic core of blackberry and black currant fruit, but it's hard to appreciate because of the astringency. The suggestion is longterm aging, but there can be no guarantees.

93

125

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

70,945

Spain

Berry and plum aromas are clean and composed. The wine feels juicy, pure and medium to full in body. Flavors of cherry and plum are spiced up with a white pepper note, while oaky spice and dusty pepper flavors create a lasting, long finish.

89

19

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

91,111

Germany

Rich, ruddy peach and tangerine scents are fleshy and ripe on this lavishly fruit-forward Riesling. Semi-sweet in style, it's unctuously juicy, but a jolt of grapefruit acidity adds balance and vibe. The finish is marked with a spray of citrus blossom.

91

55

Mosel

Riesling

82,498

Italy

A stellar performer year after year, Uccelliera's confident delivery is characterized by intensity, purity and personality. This Montalcino favorite also delivers plush softness with thick texture and a focused point of bright acidity.

94

75

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

125,373

France

The wine is ripe with lime and lemon flavors. It is textured, full of fruit and with a good touch of minerality and concentration from the old vines. There is a good cut of acidity to give the wine its proper freshness. Drink from 2017.

88

22

Burgundy

Chardonnay

42,783

US

Your basic everyday Zinfandel, with candied raspberry and cherry fruit, toast and pepper flavors, as well as a streak of green unripeness.

82

11

California

Zinfandel

81,297

US

Richly oaked, fantastically ripe in long hangtime fruit, this Chard has exotic flavors of golden mangoes, nectarines, passionfruit, pineapple jam and kiwis. Oak adds extra layers of buttered toast, crème brûlée and smoky vanilla. For all the honeyed sweetness, it's totally dry, a tour de force that's at its best now.

91

22

California

Chardonnay

42,803

US

This wine is a blend of Grenache, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Salmon colored, it offers light notes of red apple, melon and a hint of strawberry. The flavors are dry and generous, with a broad feel bringing a lot of appeal.

90

15

Washington

Rosé

93,285

Spain

Lemon, lime and straw aromas are fresh but also a little stalky. Spritz and then an oily afternote define the feel, while flavors of white fruits taste pithy and a touch green and herbaceous.

84

15

Northern Spain

White Blend

57,039

Argentina

Supersaturated, so much so that it's opaque, with blackberry, horseradish and chocolate aromas. In the mouth, it's on the cusp of overextraction but manages to toe the line. Flavors of roasted berry, coconut and bitter chocolate are dark and lead to a tannic finish. Drink now through 2014.

90

47

Mendoza Province

Malbec

78,024

US

Clearly focused and fruit-driven, this wine has a bonanza of dark-fruit aromas, while concentrated and focused fruit flavors wash over the palate. It offers the balance and freshness to pair broadly with different cuisines and is just a pleasure to sip and savor.

91

34

California

Cabernet Franc

68,740

Italy

Opening aromas include crushed blue flowers, graphite and woodland berries. The bright palate delivers tart red cherry, mint and menthol alongside brisk acidity and silky tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the fresh, juicy fruit flavors.

88

30

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

86,466

France

The steep, stony slope of the Cul de Beaujeu has produced this firmly structured wine that has rich plum and berry fruits. It is an impressive wine, ripe and juicy. With plenty of youthful crisp freshness the wine needs to age to plumb the depths that are there for the future. Drink from 2018.

93

59

Loire Valley

Pinot Noir

16,442

US

Hailing from one of the state's premier Syrah sites, this wine leads with aromas of berry, coffee, chicory and violets. The flavors are supple, backed by lightly grainy tannins.

89

35

Washington

Syrah

82,793

Italy

Tornamira is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that shows dark and sophisticated aromas of cured meat, leather, Teriyaki sauce, black fruit and toasted almond. There's a modern touch of oaky spice on the finish, with soft, velvety tannins to boot.

91

35

Sicily & Sardinia

Red Blend

66,572

US

From a vineyard just below Mt. Madonna, this bottling offers deep blackberry and black-pepper spice, with herbal oregano, thyme and touches of pasilla chile on the nose. It's quite herbaceous in that typical mountain style, with bay leaf and dried basil set against dry elderberry fruit.

91

44

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

100,568

US

Made from almost equal parts Pinot Noir and Dornfelder, this unusual dry rosé offers ripe (almost candied) cherry and raspberry notes juxtaposed against a refreshing mineral backbone. It's not deeply concentrated but thirst quenching and spry.

87

13

New York

Rosé

52,371

US

This budget Riesling sets a good standard for the style and the price. It's off-dry, low alcohol (11.5%) and solidly varietal. The fruit is full bodied and ripe, with vivid peach and apricot flavors. Additional notes of honey and lemony breakfast tea keep the finish up and running.

87

8

Washington

Riesling

70,124

US

One of the winery's most celebrated releases each year, this blend of all five major Bordeaux red varieties is an excellent showcase of Carmel Valley's class. Freshly squeezed blackberry and blackcurrant fruit meet with beef char, charcoal and dried lilacs on the nose. The palate tastes of lava rocks, dark chocolate, fresh boysenberries, dried mint and beef jerky, all woven together with a touch of smoke.

92

75

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

112,038

France

Soft raspberry juice with bubbles. It is a sweetened rosé, with only a hint of texture or acidity. For lovers of white Zinfandel.

82

45

Champagne

Champagne Blend

51,085

US

Shows some notes of mold or vegetables, marring an otherwise fine wine. It's pale in color, dry and crisp in acidity, with a beautifully silky texture and flavors of cola and cherries.

83

48

California

Pinot Noir

52,612

US

A very good Syrah, easily the winery's best in years. It's most notable for the power of its flavors, offering a flood of black-pepper-infused cured meat and ripe black cherry. The richness is wrapped into firm tannins. With its long finish, this should provide pleasant drinking over the next few years.

90

44

California

Syrah

22,047

Argentina

Fresh, fruity cherry, citrus and rose aromas are light and airy. This feels a bit raw and scratchy, while currant, red plum and brown sugar flavors finish juicy, snappy and uncushioned. This has all the requirements of a good picnic Pinot Noir.

85

15

Mendoza Province

Pinot Noir

95,757

US

A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is a lovely, polished and serious red wine. It impresses not just for the well-ripened cassis, cherry, cocoa and cedar flavors, but for the overall balance, and the smoothness of the texture.

89

38

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

14,368

US

This wine's prominent buttery aromas grab one's attention right away, and that same buttery element runs through the flavors and lingers on the finish. The fruit components are mild and melon-like, the body is medium and the texture reveals good acidity.

89

24

California

Viognier

37,734

France

This crisp, fruity wine is packed with acidity as well as citrus flavors. It has a cool feel, beautifully fresh and with a strong mineral element. Drink this structured, textured wine from 2019.

93

65

Burgundy

Chardonnay

1,267

US

Soft, sweet and fruity, tasting like a granola bar, with roasted almonds, raspberry filling and cinnamon spice.

85

20

California

Cabernet Franc

62,392

Italy

This Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dark fruit aroma, with an herbal note at the back. It has a smooth texture and medium intensity, and it would stand up to pork or roast turkey and gravy.

88

25

Tuscany

Cabernet Sauvignon

6,740

US

Just exquisite, combining power with elegance to produce a truly great Pinot Noir. The vineyard is in the heart of the appellation. The cool climate has made it dry, crisp and silky, but it shows powerfully concentrated cherry, pomegranate, mocha and bacon flavors, with overlays of smoky sandalwood. Compellingly good, this Pinot will develop over the next 6–8 years.

94

50

California

Pinot Noir

104,217

France

The initial impression of this wine is lean and austere. Lively acidity and a firm, dark, magnificent structure brings out intense flavors of plum skins. It needs several years in the bottle to show its best. Drink from 2018.

94

62

Provence

Rhône-style Red Blend

1,742

US

A deep, dark color, unusually ripe and exotic aromas, and intense flavors recalling boysenberry syrup make this a monster Zin. It's not very tannic or astringent, but the body is so rich and the alcohol relatively high that it oozes power and concentration. This will be great after a meal with cheese or chocolate.

92

45

California

Zinfandel

111,396

US

This sweet white starts with beguiling aromas of orange blossom, white flowers and spice. The flavors are mouthfilling and honeyed—a pretty balance of exotic fruits and crisp minerality. Pair with lighter cuisine or salads.

86

15

New York

Gewürztraminer

45,037

France

Soft, gentle fruit of stewed apple shimmers on the nose but on the palate is contained by immense, lemony zestiness. There is real muscle and elegance. The body is dry, slender but concentrated and beautifully clean with inflections of stone. This is a beacon of clarity and clean fruit, shining with a pristine, citrus-kissed purity. Drink 2018–2030.

94

34

Alsace

Riesling

29,955

US

Harmony and balance are the hallmarks of this full-bodied and vibrant wine in which everything seems well woven together. It smells like bright cherry, cinnamon and cloves, and tastes brisk and tangy like red cherries. A velvety texture complements the brightness of the fruit flavors.

93

40

California

Pinot Noir

72,483

US

With its flavors of raspberry and cherry soda, this a simple Pinot Noir. A slight grassy note comes through on the finish.

85

16

Oregon

Pinot Noir

90,748

Argentina

Here's a full-of-dynamite, small-batch Malbec that smells of bold berry fruit mixed with earth, smoked meats and mocha. The flavor set is pure, driving blackberry with mild herbal accents, and the finish is long, flavorful and lightly herbal. Expensive and a little fiery, but still excellent. Drink now through 2013. Only 250 cases made.

91

86

Mendoza Province

Malbec

71,986

Italy

Aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean, baked plum and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and a green note of sage alongside tightly packed, astringent tannins that leave a raspy finish. Give the tannins a few more years to soften then drink to capture the remaining fruit richness.

87

48

Tuscany

Sangiovese

104,477

US

Though lightly ripened, this opens with classic varietal aromas of mint, spicy berry and pepper. It tends slightly to the green side of the fruit spectrum, with the acidity to age a bit further.

88

24

Oregon

Syrah

56,725

US

This inviting Pinot is broadly ripe and fully lush in earthy, spicy layers, dark cherry and plum that plays across the palate. With a long, substantial finish, iot suits pork roasts and bacon-wrapped scallops.

89

65

California

Pinot Noir

120,600

Italy

Vietti's iconic Barolo from the Brunate cru deserves a special spot in your cellar collection. The wine delivers power and heft thanks to ideal vineyard conditions in 2007. It also exhibits the vintner's unique style, in which oak tones are set against the delicate aromas associated with quality Nebbiolo.

94

130

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

83,233

US

Lots to like here, especially the complex array of black raspberry jam, cola, tobacco, baking spice and sandalwood flavors. The tannins are nice and smooth, and there's enough acidity for balance. While the official alcohol is 14.5% by volume, the wine does have some jalapeño pepper heat in the mouth.

88

40

California

Zinfandel

106,806

US

Lots of sweet raspberry, cherry and sugar-coated doughnut flavors in this simple little Pinot. It has the virtues of silkiness and good acidity. Drink now.

85

19

California

Pinot Noir

109,739

Germany

There's a brooding quality to the smoky, diesel-fuel like aromas of this wine, but that's left in the rearview by ripe flavors of honey and baked apple once it's in the mouth. This wine is round and atypically soft for the vintage, but picks up some lively lime notes on the finish.

89

41

Mosel

Riesling

83,301

US

While this wine is a majority varietal, it blends in Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, each co-fermented with the Cab. The tannin weight is pronounced, adding to the richness and concentration of blackberry jam and black pepper, the tannins leathery and lengthy.

86

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

67,386

Italy

Another fine effort from this house, which has proven its consistency from one year to the next. It offers a lovely, clean, apple-like nose, crisp acidity, perfect balance, a medium body and a long apple-and-peach close.

88

15

Veneto

White Blend

16,174

Spain

Ripe with mocha, baking spice and heady berry fruit aromas, this is an excellent wine from a great vintage. Its firm, tight palate delivers oak, toasty spice and ripe fruit flavors while coffee and spice accents close out the long finish. Drink through 2027.

93

75

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

70,956

France

Located on the right bank of the Serein, this vineyard produces rich warm wines. This is a ripe full wine with great white fruits that are balanced by spice and fine acidity. The texture is dense and full—a generous wine that needs to age. Drink from 2018.

92

30

Burgundy

Chardonnay

120,559

US

This wine's raspberry, red apple, spice and red fruit aromas are bright. The flavors are ripe and full bodied, showing some heat.

88

28

Washington

Grenache

123,918

France

The wine is soft with a warm caramel and spice character. That contrasts easily with the red-currant fruits and lemon zest acidity. It is a clean fruity wine, ready to drink now.

85

17

Provence

Rosé

123,636

US

Ruby dark in hue, this has a light fruity aroma of watermelon, strawberry and mint. It's easy drinking and dry. Its slow buildup of acidity lingers on the finish.

87

10

California

Rosé

41,183

US

Some 85% of this was whole-cluster fermented, bringing plenty of grip and tannin along with plum and cherry fruit. There are typical Eola-Amity Hills suggestions of clean earth also, and the aging in one-third new French oak brings a little fullness to this substantial, still youthful wine.

91

40

Oregon

Pinot Noir

86,121

Spain

Textbook Duero Valley aromas of licorice root, cola, peppery spice, blackberry and vanilla are complete and cover all the bases. While this is medium to full in body and weight, it is racy due to pulsing acidity. Flavors of toasty oak and vanilla are compatible with tart berry and plum fruit, while this is lithe and bolstered by acidity on the finish. Drink through 2027.

90

36

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

65,108

US

This medium-bodied, small-production red was given a light touch of oak, only 25% of it new and French, allowing the other characteristics to speak louder than the wood. Compact tannins support a juicy, youthfully grippy frame of pomegranate and orange that opens further in the glass.

91

55

California

Pinot Noir