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
85,145	US	A fine vintage Port-style wine, rich in chocolate-infused cassis flavors. Feels softly plush and velvety, and is very sweet. Nice way to end a meal with a chocolate dessert.	92	45	California	Zinfandel
88,849	US	Refreshing, lively, this Pinot Gris starts with aromas of grapefruit and lemon and leads into zesty flavors of white pepper, lemon and grapefruit. A touch acidic, the wine could use more fruit balance, but overall an enjoyable dry white choice.	83	17	New York	Pinot Gris
101,524	US	Vibrant, coppery salmon in color, this lively and delightful rosé is two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, all stainless steel-fermented. Pretty watermelon and strawberry flavors are accented by streaks of cracker and mineral.	90	25	Washington	Rosé
22,642	US	This Chardonnay is rich and decadent with plenty of ripe fruit and oak. It's a crowd pleaser with flavors of mangoes, pineapples, limes, buttered toast and vanilla, all brightened by acidity.	88	28	California	Chardonnay
34,145	US	The aromas of black pepper and grilled meat immediately pinpoints this as a cool-climate Syrah, and quite a good one. It's dry, rich and smoothly tannic, with blackberry, blueberry, bacon and smoky cedar flavors. While it's asy to drink now, this should hold over the next six years.	90	28	California	Syrah
65,219	Italy	Here's a beautiful ensemble of bright cherry and blackberry set against savory tones of leather, moist earth and cured meat. A tangy touch of licorice and freshly ground black pepper gives the wine lift and immediate aromatic delivery. Drink after 2015.	93	125	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
35,932	US	This wine entices with its nuanced aromas of mineral, spice, almond butter, lemon pith, tropical fruit and chamomile. The flavors are concentrated while still showing exquisite restraint along with pitch-perfect balance. The extended finish kicks it up a notch.	91	35	Washington	Chardonnay
82,448	Spain	Aromas of savory leather, wood and baked berry fruits lead to a fresh, well-built palate with fine tannins and integrated but potent acidity. Toasty, blackened plum and berry flavors finish with a coating of oak flavor as well as coffee and chocolate notes. Drink through 2028.	92	65	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
28,004	US	This mountain-grown wine is hugely tannic and oaky, hard to penetrate in its full-bodied ripeness. Smoky oak and currant flavors vie for attention against a backdrop of concentration and power.	86	125	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
89,425	Argentina	Plum and raspberry aromas are wiry in nature and “red” in character. The wine feels healthy and not overly heavy, with roasted, slightly herbal flavors of berry fruits and creamy oak. A spicy, lightly herbal finish ends this Malbec-Syrah-Merlot blend in solid fashion. Drink through 2015.	90	50	Mendoza Province	Red Blend
96,891	US	A majority of new French oak nestled this wine, contributing to its dark golden color and oak intensity on the nose and palate. Slightly sweet in ripe apple and vanilla, it will benefit greatly from the enjoyment of food alongside.	88	65	California	Chardonnay
41,224	US	Shows good Chardonnay character in the creamy texture and peach, pineapple and pear flavors. It's a little rustic, but this is a good price for what you get.	83	9	California	Chardonnay
34,054	US	This soft, light-bodied wine is on the savory side, a taste of cranberry and rhubarb at its core. It dances in cooler-climate aspects of forest floor and herb, with an unexpected aroma of menthol sneaking into the mix.	88	45	California	Pinot Noir
70,770	US	A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this opaque wine is light bodied and lean, expressive in clove and toasty oak.	85	30	California	Red Blend
94,148	US	Sexy, luscious aromas of buttered plums and seared beef fat invite the nose on this blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvèdre, which proves more delicate than brawny. Beef char and blackberry paste power the palate, but it coalesces around a focused line of licorice and graphite.	93	48	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
45,761	US	Rough and awkward, with some cherry flavors and greener ones of stems and herbs. Drinks dry and fairly tannic. Perfectly acceptable as an inexpensive chugger.	83	14	California	Merlot
40,223	US	An easy, likeable Pinot Noir. It's drinkable now for its light, silky texture and savory cherry, cola and spice flavors.	86	23	California	Pinot Noir
23,826	US	A standout in the portfolio, this is a sleek, strong effort with tart purple fruits and mineral underpinnings. There's an ample whiff of smoke and a general earthiness around the tannins, with a hint of iron ore. The chalky finish is the only distraction.	89	25	Oregon	Syrah
54,214	Italy	Argiano's Suolo is a true standout in the world of Tuscan Sangiovese. It achieves elegance, complexity and richness with bright cherry notes contrasted against sweet vanilla and spicy oak. The finish is long, smooth and persistent.	92	83	Tuscany	Sangiovese
83,138	US	A Syrah from two cooler-climate vineyards that is blended with 24% Zinfandel, this crowd-pleaser is surprisingly complex in thick, meaty tannins and black, brambly fruit. The juiciness of the Zin cuts through the denser aspects of the wine though, with the naturally high acidity keeping everything in check and pleasantly vibrant.	91	35	California	Syrah
65,249	US	This dry, powerful 100% Viognier dazzles with intensely ripe Meyer lemon, lime, peach, honeysuckle and oak flavors. With crisp acidity for balance, it's an opulent wine for drinking now.	87	28	California	Viognier
32,922	US	Despite what increasingly looks like a weak vintage, the pedigree of this vineyard shines through, making the best of a bad situation. The wine is nowhere near Longoria's wonderful 2004 and 2005, but shows a classic, silky mouthfeel and enough cherry, currant and clove flavors to satisfy. Drink now.	88	54	California	Pinot Noir
119,829	US	This blend of top Zin lots from across the region isn't made every vintage. This wine shows slightly sour black plum, dark leather, wet soil and a touch of tar on the nose. Dried red fruit is spiced up by dried herbs on the energetic. Acidity and soft tannins emerge toward the caramel-laced finish.	88	24	California	Zinfandel
125,328	US	Fueled by loads of fresh fruit flavor, this is a full-bodied and generous-tasting wine. Tempting cedar and pine aromas lead to raspberry, cherry and blackberry notes that are almost sweet and last long on the finish.	90	17	California	Zinfandel
34,282	France	Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity, it will age well. It is going to be a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots and wonderful final acidity. Drink from 2025.	94	50	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
110,068	Argentina	A touch saucy on the nose, with tomato and herbal aromas infiltrating baked berry fruit scents. Feels fresh and clacky, with less extract and body than in the past but also more elegance. Tastes snappy and mildly herbal, with a juicy, slightly lean finish. Food friendly; drink now through 2013.	89	80	Mendoza Province	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
1,621	Argentina	Aromas of dish soap and fruit salad show on the nose while the palate brings pink grapefruit and orange. A citric finish with a peppery note lacks acidity, so drink now.	85	13	Mendoza Province	Rosé
113,714	US	Complex earthy spicy savory flavors make this Grenache-based wine a great escape from simply fruity bottles. It's fragrant with smoke and black pepper in the aroma, filled with ripe plum, toffee and cardamom on the palate and has a full mouthfilling texture.	91	32	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
52,565	US	Peppery aromas of roast beef crust, strawberry-balsamic reduction and grape candy introduce this bottling, one of the winery's smaller batch offerings. The candied element is strong on the palate, with licorice and a spearmint character giving herbal lift.	87	30	California	Syrah
63,232	US	This Syrah tries to strike a balance between rich opulence and controlled elegance, and it largely succeeds. It's has exquisite tannins and fine acidity, finishing bone dry. The flavors are complex, immediately suggesting ripe blackberries, with notes of beef tartare, grilled wild mushrooms splashed with tamari, black pepper and minerals. You can draw analogies to the northern Rhône if you want. Will it age? Hard to say, but it's a great wine now.	93	75	California	Syrah
8,491	Italy	This is an informal and fresh Cabernet that would pair perfectly with easy pasta dishes or lasagna. Aromas include black cherry and plum and the wine offers a polished and compact feel overall.	86	15	Tuscany	Cabernet Sauvignon
38,128	US	Classic, elegant Pinot Noir aromas introduce this delightful wine. Whiffs of flowers, citrus and fresh herbs accompany a tart, pretty palate with nuanced rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry flavors.	90	38	Oregon	Pinot Noir
95,324	France	This is a full-bodied and fruity wine. It has ripe red berry fruits as well as layers of warm citrus and fresh acidity. It's the richness that shows most strongly here, from the fruit to the texture, very much a house style of Ruinart. Drink now.	91	75	Champagne	Champagne Blend
9,656	US	While barrel-influenced and full-bodied, this unctuous wine remains crisp in edgy acidity, with lean flavors of lemon and grapefruit amidst a deeper, richer background of oak and caramel.	90	28	California	Sauvignon Blanc
81,675	US	This is one of the more interesting rosés of the vintage, in part because it is almost as hay-colored as a white wine and doesn't adhere to the standard pink profile. Aromas of crushed Marcona almonds, sea salt and oak smoke show on the nose, and the acid-driven palate continues that nutty and smokey drive. It's intriguing and unique, though not particularly pink.	88	38	California	Rosé
46,718	US	NxNW makes much less of its Walla Walla Cabernet than of its Columbia Valley bottling, though both wear the same price tag. This is the one to find—a deep, dark wine rife with smoke and espresso. Black cherry and cassis fruit—equally dark and quite thrilling—carries the center into a rich, ripe finish.	91	25	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
72,903	US	Red currant and plump red berries are lifted by hibiscus and violet notes on the nose of this wine by Matt Brain and Josh Baker. It's quite ripe with plum, pomegranate and cherry fruit on the palate, but also relatively light in texture. Elegantly complex, it also discloses pipe smoke and eucalyptus elements.	91	35	California	Grenache
115,998	Argentina	This is an admirable aged Malbec, but it's definitely tannic and tough. The nose is hard and rubbery, with tire, mushroom, graphite and black cherry aromas. Feels tight as nails, with burnt caramel, tomato, green herb and cassis flavors. This finishes with some warmth.	88	60	Mendoza Province	Malbec
113,063	US	Big, richly fruity and quite tannic, this concentrated wine pulls off good balance, as the ripeness and near-sweetness of the fruit flavors seems to dissolve some of the firm grip in the texture. Aromas like tobacco, pencil lead and cedar keep coming as the wine opens up in the glass.	92	29	California	Petite Sirah
86,418	US	Dry and thin, with diluted cherry flavors. Oak fortunately adds needed vanilla and smoky char richness. The lack of fruity concentration accentuates the alcohol and acidity. Drink now.	85	48	California	Pinot Noir
15,991	France	Smoky, toasty aromas set the scene for a wine that has obviously seen plenty of wood aging. At this stage, it's all spice and wood, which will probably inhibit its development. Wait until 2020.	86	17	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
55,391	France	The magnificently named vineyard, the seat of God, is set in the hills next to Saint-Aubin. This wine is crisp while also having a warm, rich backdrop of yellow fruit. The chalk soil gives the wine its tight minerality and texture. It will be ready to drink from 2017.	88	28	Burgundy	Chardonnay
75,935	US	The berry flavors in this wine are fighting to emerge, but they are overwhelmed by dusty tannins and a lack of texture.	80	13	California	Zinfandel
46,859	US	With a tiny bit of breathing room, this wine opens up magically into dark earth, crushed asphalt, blackberry jam, cappuccino and mocha on the nose, which predict a tarry texture. Indeed, the structure is firm and fine-tuned, yet vibrant with boisterous acidity, showing layered flavors of dark fruit enhance by cedar, sandalwood and incense notes. Drink 2017–2033.	94	42	California	Merlot
88,679	US	Aromas of green olive, grilled asparagus, moist peat, mineral and coffee meld with earthy funk. The smoke and savory flavors are lithe yet concentrated, lingering on the finish.	94	80	Washington	Syrah
49,671	France	This is a stylish attractive wine. It has an herbal touch although it is more about delicious bright fruit. Citrus and crisp apples dominate, laced with acidity. This refreshing wine is ready to drink now.	86	9	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
63,532	US	The winery donates to breast cancer research and cure. The wine is pretty good, offering rich, sweet flavors of raspberries, oranges and limes.	86	20	California	Sparkling Blend
12,773	US	This is one of the best buys on the market now for a Cabernet of this quality at this price. It's a wonderful wine, well structured and dry, with lush flavors of blackberries, currants, herbs and cedar that are wrapped into firm, ripe tannins. Should develop additional complexity through 2014.	90	20	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
60,023	France	Dried lemon peel and hay flowers make for an inviting nose. On the palate, the vivid brightness of lemon brightens notes of tart apple and the merest touch of earth and stone. This is precise and pure, absolutely dry and magnificent. The freshness is incisive and invigorating. It's another one of those gloriously bright and unapologetically fresh 2014 Rieslings. Clearly a vintage for adults only. The finish is lip-smackingly clean and utterly moreish. Drink 2017–2037.	95	36	Alsace	Riesling
118,973	US	Aromas of dark raspberries, blackberry seed, iron and earth are at the fore on this fruit-focused wine. It offers a dazzling sense of purity and richness along with exceptional balance and an endless finish that kicks it up a notch. The freshness is arresting.	94	65	Washington	Syrah
49,586	Australia	At this price, it would be hard for this wine to live up to expectations—which is why we taste blind. But without any preconceptions, this wine was still delicious. The promising oaky aromas of honey drizzled over toast, coconut and vanilla are backed by white peach. It's tightly wound and less giving on the palate.	89	120	South Australia	Chardonnay
35,446	France	A totally fresh nose of lemon, wet stone and greengage creates an enticing opening. These flavors also present themselves on the light palate, where they are dispersed by a fine, creamy mousse. The impression is one of light-bodied but fruity cleanness. This refreshing, brisk and enlivening sparkler is ready now, but will continue to develop through 2022.	91	18	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
118,758	US	This wine shows smooth red fruit that is light and generic, with modest weight and an earthy flavor. The wine spent a bit of time in 25% new oak, though it doesn't show up in the flavors.	87	40	Oregon	Pinot Noir
26,361	France	This is a smooth and polished wine, with herb and new wood aromas. It has juicy red-berry flavors, and the tannins push forward. Structured, with intense acidity, this is ready to age for at least 5–6 years.	90	47	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
10,962	Italy	After a few swirls of the glass, you'll find subdued aromas recalling porcini mushroom, forest floor, camphor and a whiff of cellar floor. The lean palate offers raw sour cherry, espresso and a hint of coconut alongside raspy tannins that grip the mouth-drying finish.	86	40	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
6,271	US	Capture continues to make progress in interpreting their vineyard located in this new appellation, a high elevation overlooking Alexander Valley. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, this Bordeaux-style blend is young now, with hard tannins that interfere with the fruit. The fruit is intensely concentrated with cherry compote and cassis flavors, while new oak's vanilla and toast are proportionate to the wine's volume. A worthy followup to the 2009, and a wine to cellar for 8–10 years, if not longer.	94	120	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
66,380	Italy	If you prefer older-style Brunello with its firm tannins and solid backbone of dry fruit, then this is the one for you. Aromas of wild cherries and chocolate are followed on the palate by powerful, brooding fruit and a solid structure on the palate. It leaves a dry aftertaste that should pair well with rich foods. Cellar for at least 10 years.	90	54	Tuscany	Sangiovese
111,610	US	The vineyard, which is in St. Helena, certainly yielded grapes that were ripe, to judge by this wine's flavors. It's gigantic in berries, cherries, mocha and spices that are jammy and sweet. The best thing about it are the tannins, which are smooth and complex. Give this flashy young Petite Sirah a couple years to integrate and mellow.	90	65	California	Petite Sirah
56,223	US	From the producer's family estate site planted in 1982 on Eastside Road, this is a nuanced elegant expression of the variety, earthy and pungent in baked bread. Baked plum, strawberry and dried herb are accented by forest floor and a rich hit of maple.	91	50	California	Pinot Noir
61,377	Spain	Rooty/ berry aromas come with a big heaping of mature earth tones and cool cola accents. This is ripped with acidity, which makes sense since 2008 was a chilly, wet year. Bold berry, plum, cherry and tobacco flavors finish easy and smooth; drink through 2020.	91	88	Northern Spain	Red Blend
24,891	US	Bright lemon, tangerine and white-floral notes are countered by whiffs of spice and earth on this robust, yet structured, ice wine. The mouthfeel is rich and lush, but brightened by clean, focused acidity and a hint of bitter grape tannin on the finish.	85	25	New York	Riesling
35,451	France	With a high percentage (67%) of Chardonnay in the blend, this is a crisp and steely wine. It has a fine elegant balance between acidity and the texture, giving delicious red fruits their place. The wine is definitely more of a food Champagne. Drink now.	91	80	Champagne	Champagne Blend
126,315	US	The fruit for this 100% varietal wine is sourced from Calistoga and Rutherford—a blend that yields a densely tannic, meaty palate that combines soy, cedar and pepper notes. Having already matured in bottle for some time, it's still slowly unfurling, offering jammy blackberry and licorice flavors that add spice to the finish.	92	80	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
91,662	US	This bottling is still very young and will vastly improve with time, but already shows many of the components that make this remote mountain-surrounded vineyard one of the more exciting slices of the region. Aromas of black currant and purple flowers are deep and heady, while the palate's richer blackberry-syrup notes are cut by a black-plum tang, fresh underbrush herbaceousness and tons of cola spice.	91	42	California	Syrah
44,287	US	Gravelly aromas of wet slate meet with dark cranberry and baked red cherry on the nose of this bottling, which the Duckhorn crew sources from this historic vineyard. The palate is relatively light with very earthy flavors, showing tangy red fruit, thyme and wet soil flavors.	88	68	California	Pinot Noir
5,256	US	A 100% varietal wine from the winery property, certified organic to boot, this is classic in cedar, currant and a freshness of blackberry. Vibrant acidity on the palate balances out the tightness of new oak. It captures the dustiness known to the appellation as well.	91	90	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
81,436	US	A fleshy, big-boned Pinot Noir from high-elevation grapes, Brassfield is priced fairly and a nice wine full of cranberry and leather, intense and coarsely textured.	85	24	California	Pinot Noir
63,755	US	This is a simple, easy-drinking Pinot for drinking now. It tastes like a juicy blend of cherries, pomegranates and cola, with just enough acidity for balance.	84	32	California	Pinot Noir
33,352	US	From a hilltop location near the ocean-influenced town of Freestone, this wine is silky in plum and dark cherry, a hint of mushroomed earth doing its best to come out. Robust on the palate, juicy berry fruit satisfies, finishing thick and rich.	88	60	California	Pinot Noir
43,669	France	Produced by the owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Château Mont-Redon, this is a full and fruity wine. It has a good balance between acidity and red berry fruits that give a rich character. Packed with flavor, it's ready to drink.	91	17	Provence	Rosé
40,571	France	One of two wines produced by this estate from old vines, this is a ripe, full wine that has a fine balance between ripe red-berry fruit and acidity. Spice from the wood aging gives an extra complexity to what is already a delicious wine. Drink from 2017.	90	55	Loire Valley	Cabernet Franc
74,974	US	Barrel-fermented , this nonetheless offers clean, crisp flavors of pear and pineapple on the palate. The fruit lingers through a medium-sized body that picks up steam on the finish, delving into richer notes of fig and lemon curd. The fruit is 100% estate.	89	35	California	Chardonnay
98,638	US	A malty, full bouquet with good complexity announces this well-constructed wine. Pleasant citrus and hay flavors, medium weight and a good steady bead add to the package. A good clean finish with a grapefruit tang wraps it up.	88	31	California	Champagne Blend
14,991	US	This is very spicy and smooth, with floral accents and a plummy core. It drinks well, although the finish fades rather quickly. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah and Cabernet Franc filling in the rest.	88	45	Washington	Red Blend
48,532	US	This simple Chardonnay is lush and ripe like a pineapple, mango and peach juice drink. Unabashedly fruity with sweetness on the finish.	84	15	California	Chardonnay
49,612	US	A wildly flavored, tannic and exuberant Zinfandel that showcases the variety's exotic personality. Dry and full-bodied, it has brambly flavors of blackberries, black currants, licorice, mocha and smoky cedar, liberally sprinkled with dusty Asian spices. Drink now–2013.	90	26	California	Zinfandel
117,546	France	A great swathe of red fruits gives this wine a full while fresh character. It has totally refreshing acidity, a burst of life and crispness. The wine is ready to drink.	88	25	Loire Valley	Rosé
101,762	France	Showing the typical power and concentration of the 2010 vintage, this is a dense and structured wine. Good acidity and black plum flavors show through the big tannic texture and dry core. The wine still needs to age so drink from 2018. This is a 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc blend from Mallet Frères.	88	25	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
56,145	Spain	A big oaky can't-miss blast of clove and wood spice is more dominating than secondary berry aromas. This is resiny and full in body, with ample acidity. Oak plays a lead role on the flavor profile, which includes toast, mint and herbal black plum. A peppery toasty finish benefits from moderate juicy acidity. Drink through 2021.	89	30	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
49,639	US	The vineyard is in the interior part of the appellation, toward Carneros, and the wine displays the firm, acidic minerality of that cool, foggy region. It has fantastic limpidity. The oak is remarkable for the purity of vanilla and smoky honey, while the underlying flavors of Meyer lemons, pineapples, nectarines and kumquats are decadently good. A masterpiece of Chardonnay.	96	60	California	Chardonnay
66,679	France	This is a rich, soft wine with jammy black fruits and ripe tannins. The acidity will hold the wine together and allow it to age. A mineral edge comes from the caillou (stones) in the soil—hence the wine's name. It will age, although quickly, so drink from 2018.	88	70	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
11,307	France	This is a potentially juicy wine with acidity and red fruits coming through the structure. It has the weight for the tannins and a rich background feel. Drink starting from 2018.	87	18	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
18,892	US	A real delight for its delicious drinkability, and a revelation for Monterey Merlot. Shows the acidity and varietal purity of the Arroyo Seco region, with intense plum and blackberry flavors balanced by a rich earthiness.	90	19	California	Merlot
126,737	US	This Zinfandel's tannins are starting to resolve, which gives the palate a soft, melted quality. The primary flavors are transforming into rich, dried black-raspberry and cherry notes, with leather, mocha, dried mushroom and spice accents.	90	28	California	Zinfandel
106,785	US	This attractive, smooth-textured wine offers plenty of almost-sweet fruit flavors like black cherry and prune dusted with cinnamon and cedar for complexity. The tannins are abundant but soft, so there is little astringency, and the wine is easy to sip and enjoy.	88	20	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
654	France	Freshly cut red, yellow and green apples make both nose and palate very fruity. The dry palate with its lemony freshness and open aspect lets all the apple flavors shine and inflects them here and there with baked and dried apple, too. Wonderfully fruity and pure.	92	43	Alsace	Riesling
4,809	US	This quickly veers from being delicately light into simply sour and grassy. Cucumber- and tart melon-flavored fruit fades into a short finish.	85	18	Oregon	Pinot Gris
83,209	US	Full bodied and gritty in texture, this wine smooths out in the glass, opening to slowly unravel layers of forest pine, black cherry and cola. With measured oak, it has a depth and breadth across the palate, revealing concentration within a graceful context.	91	65	California	Pinot Noir
128,635	US	This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (10%) and Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from Weinbau, Champoux, Lady Hawk and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Light aromas of cocoa, herb, earth and cassis are followed by focused fruit flavors. It puts a premium on elegance.	91	65	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
44,799	US	Suave aromas of bramble and red berries meet with chipped slate, a touch of anise and pressed lilacs on this nose of this blend of 37% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 6% Cinsault and 5% Carignane. Bright cranberry and red cherry fruit pop on the palate, which is bolstered by fennel, black peppercorns and dried rose petals.	88	25	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
129,679	US	From a ranch planted originally in 1926 this is a knockout wine, exotically spiced and nuanced in pepper, cinnamon and a distinction of sandalwood. High-toned fruit provides a lift to the lushness that wants to dominate, but never does, allowing the tangy orange and blackberry to speak quietly and clearly.	93	47	California	Zinfandel
59,820	Italy	The intensity of this powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is outstanding, and so is the density of its aromas. It presents a solid wall of blackberry, dark chocolate, pipe tobacco and cigar box. It's bold and syrupy and overwhelms the palate with its enormous bounty.	93	35	Tuscany	Red Blend
76,497	US	Apparently made from Bordeaux varieties, this wine is crisp and overtly sweet. It has simple, jammy flavors of pineapples, lemons and limes.	84	34	California	White Blend
117,713	US	From a certified biodynamic vineyard, this Syrah is big red wine, tannic with black fruit and game in taste and smell.	87	35	California	Syrah
38,627	US	I think by “lust” they mean something like a decadent chocolate truffle with a gooey cherry liqueur filling. That's what this sweetish wine, which has 15.9% alcohol, tastes like. It is awfully tasty, but it's hard to imagine what you'd drink it with, except, well, a chocolate truffle.	84	49	California	Zinfandel
101,629	Italy	Violet, woodland berry, baking spice and chopped mint aromas slowly emerge on this polished red. The bright palate doles out tart cherry, cinnamon and a hint of white pepper while lithe tannins and fresh acidity lend a refined framework.	89	20	Tuscany	Red Blend
34,008	Spain	Sensational for the price. This die-hard bargain is loaded with berry richness, sweet pulp, coconut and balance. It's a little creamy, but generous and integrated. Smells, tastes and finishes like something that costs three times more.	91	13	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
104,380	US	Tannins weigh this Syrah down, making it toughly astringent, a wine that makes your mouth pucker. Through all that, you can taste the massive flavors of black currants, red licorice, violets, cloves and peppery grilled veal that are pure, dry and profound. Is it an ager? The pedigree suggests yes. The wine is a blend of the Caldwell, Stagecoach and Hyde-Oak Knoll vineyards. Stash it through mid-2009, if not longer.	91	60	California	Syrah
89,046	Italy	A blend of seven grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Alicante), this elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of toast, coffee, black pepper and dark-skinned fruit. The polished palate offers black cherries, espresso, mocha and oak-driven spice alongside firm but refined tannins.	92	65	Tuscany	Red Blend
22,319	US	This cuvée has the prettiest aromatics of the entire 2012 lineup, highlighted with rose petals and spice. Apples and cranberries are the fruit components, amped up with stiff acidity. It finishes with a faint touch of chocolate.	90	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir

85,145

US

A fine vintage Port-style wine, rich in chocolate-infused cassis flavors. Feels softly plush and velvety, and is very sweet. Nice way to end a meal with a chocolate dessert.

92

45

California

Zinfandel

88,849

US

Refreshing, lively, this Pinot Gris starts with aromas of grapefruit and lemon and leads into zesty flavors of white pepper, lemon and grapefruit. A touch acidic, the wine could use more fruit balance, but overall an enjoyable dry white choice.

83

17

New York

Pinot Gris

101,524

US

Vibrant, coppery salmon in color, this lively and delightful rosé is two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, all stainless steel-fermented. Pretty watermelon and strawberry flavors are accented by streaks of cracker and mineral.

90

25

Washington

Rosé

22,642

US

This Chardonnay is rich and decadent with plenty of ripe fruit and oak. It's a crowd pleaser with flavors of mangoes, pineapples, limes, buttered toast and vanilla, all brightened by acidity.

88

28

California

Chardonnay

34,145

US

The aromas of black pepper and grilled meat immediately pinpoints this as a cool-climate Syrah, and quite a good one. It's dry, rich and smoothly tannic, with blackberry, blueberry, bacon and smoky cedar flavors. While it's asy to drink now, this should hold over the next six years.

90

28

California

Syrah

65,219

Italy

Here's a beautiful ensemble of bright cherry and blackberry set against savory tones of leather, moist earth and cured meat. A tangy touch of licorice and freshly ground black pepper gives the wine lift and immediate aromatic delivery. Drink after 2015.

93

125

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

35,932

US

This wine entices with its nuanced aromas of mineral, spice, almond butter, lemon pith, tropical fruit and chamomile. The flavors are concentrated while still showing exquisite restraint along with pitch-perfect balance. The extended finish kicks it up a notch.

91

35

Washington

Chardonnay

82,448

Spain

Aromas of savory leather, wood and baked berry fruits lead to a fresh, well-built palate with fine tannins and integrated but potent acidity. Toasty, blackened plum and berry flavors finish with a coating of oak flavor as well as coffee and chocolate notes. Drink through 2028.

92

65

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

28,004

US

This mountain-grown wine is hugely tannic and oaky, hard to penetrate in its full-bodied ripeness. Smoky oak and currant flavors vie for attention against a backdrop of concentration and power.

86

125

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

89,425

Argentina

Plum and raspberry aromas are wiry in nature and “red” in character. The wine feels healthy and not overly heavy, with roasted, slightly herbal flavors of berry fruits and creamy oak. A spicy, lightly herbal finish ends this Malbec-Syrah-Merlot blend in solid fashion. Drink through 2015.

90

50

Mendoza Province

Red Blend

96,891

US

A majority of new French oak nestled this wine, contributing to its dark golden color and oak intensity on the nose and palate. Slightly sweet in ripe apple and vanilla, it will benefit greatly from the enjoyment of food alongside.

88

65

California

Chardonnay

41,224

US

Shows good Chardonnay character in the creamy texture and peach, pineapple and pear flavors. It's a little rustic, but this is a good price for what you get.

83

9

California

Chardonnay

34,054

US

This soft, light-bodied wine is on the savory side, a taste of cranberry and rhubarb at its core. It dances in cooler-climate aspects of forest floor and herb, with an unexpected aroma of menthol sneaking into the mix.

88

45

California

Pinot Noir

70,770

US

A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this opaque wine is light bodied and lean, expressive in clove and toasty oak.

85

30

California

Red Blend

94,148

US

Sexy, luscious aromas of buttered plums and seared beef fat invite the nose on this blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvèdre, which proves more delicate than brawny. Beef char and blackberry paste power the palate, but it coalesces around a focused line of licorice and graphite.

93

48

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

45,761

US

Rough and awkward, with some cherry flavors and greener ones of stems and herbs. Drinks dry and fairly tannic. Perfectly acceptable as an inexpensive chugger.

83

14

California

Merlot

40,223

US

An easy, likeable Pinot Noir. It's drinkable now for its light, silky texture and savory cherry, cola and spice flavors.

86

23

California

Pinot Noir

23,826

US

A standout in the portfolio, this is a sleek, strong effort with tart purple fruits and mineral underpinnings. There's an ample whiff of smoke and a general earthiness around the tannins, with a hint of iron ore. The chalky finish is the only distraction.

89

25

Oregon

Syrah

54,214

Italy

Argiano's Suolo is a true standout in the world of Tuscan Sangiovese. It achieves elegance, complexity and richness with bright cherry notes contrasted against sweet vanilla and spicy oak. The finish is long, smooth and persistent.

92

83

Tuscany

Sangiovese

83,138

US

A Syrah from two cooler-climate vineyards that is blended with 24% Zinfandel, this crowd-pleaser is surprisingly complex in thick, meaty tannins and black, brambly fruit. The juiciness of the Zin cuts through the denser aspects of the wine though, with the naturally high acidity keeping everything in check and pleasantly vibrant.

91

35

California

Syrah

65,249

US

This dry, powerful 100% Viognier dazzles with intensely ripe Meyer lemon, lime, peach, honeysuckle and oak flavors. With crisp acidity for balance, it's an opulent wine for drinking now.

87

28

California

Viognier

32,922

US

Despite what increasingly looks like a weak vintage, the pedigree of this vineyard shines through, making the best of a bad situation. The wine is nowhere near Longoria's wonderful 2004 and 2005, but shows a classic, silky mouthfeel and enough cherry, currant and clove flavors to satisfy. Drink now.

88

54

California

Pinot Noir

119,829

US

This blend of top Zin lots from across the region isn't made every vintage. This wine shows slightly sour black plum, dark leather, wet soil and a touch of tar on the nose. Dried red fruit is spiced up by dried herbs on the energetic. Acidity and soft tannins emerge toward the caramel-laced finish.

88

24

California

Zinfandel

125,328

US

Fueled by loads of fresh fruit flavor, this is a full-bodied and generous-tasting wine. Tempting cedar and pine aromas lead to raspberry, cherry and blackberry notes that are almost sweet and last long on the finish.

90

17

California

Zinfandel

34,282

France

Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity, it will age well. It is going to be a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots and wonderful final acidity. Drink from 2025.

94

50

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

110,068

Argentina

A touch saucy on the nose, with tomato and herbal aromas infiltrating baked berry fruit scents. Feels fresh and clacky, with less extract and body than in the past but also more elegance. Tastes snappy and mildly herbal, with a juicy, slightly lean finish. Food friendly; drink now through 2013.

89

80

Mendoza Province

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

1,621

Argentina

Aromas of dish soap and fruit salad show on the nose while the palate brings pink grapefruit and orange. A citric finish with a peppery note lacks acidity, so drink now.

85

13

Mendoza Province

Rosé

113,714

US

Complex earthy spicy savory flavors make this Grenache-based wine a great escape from simply fruity bottles. It's fragrant with smoke and black pepper in the aroma, filled with ripe plum, toffee and cardamom on the palate and has a full mouthfilling texture.

91

32

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

52,565

US

Peppery aromas of roast beef crust, strawberry-balsamic reduction and grape candy introduce this bottling, one of the winery's smaller batch offerings. The candied element is strong on the palate, with licorice and a spearmint character giving herbal lift.

87

30

California

Syrah

63,232

US

This Syrah tries to strike a balance between rich opulence and controlled elegance, and it largely succeeds. It's has exquisite tannins and fine acidity, finishing bone dry. The flavors are complex, immediately suggesting ripe blackberries, with notes of beef tartare, grilled wild mushrooms splashed with tamari, black pepper and minerals. You can draw analogies to the northern Rhône if you want. Will it age? Hard to say, but it's a great wine now.

93

75

California

Syrah

8,491

Italy

This is an informal and fresh Cabernet that would pair perfectly with easy pasta dishes or lasagna. Aromas include black cherry and plum and the wine offers a polished and compact feel overall.

86

15

Tuscany

Cabernet Sauvignon

38,128

US

Classic, elegant Pinot Noir aromas introduce this delightful wine. Whiffs of flowers, citrus and fresh herbs accompany a tart, pretty palate with nuanced rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry flavors.

90

38

Oregon

Pinot Noir

95,324

France

This is a full-bodied and fruity wine. It has ripe red berry fruits as well as layers of warm citrus and fresh acidity. It's the richness that shows most strongly here, from the fruit to the texture, very much a house style of Ruinart. Drink now.

91

75

Champagne

Champagne Blend

9,656

US

While barrel-influenced and full-bodied, this unctuous wine remains crisp in edgy acidity, with lean flavors of lemon and grapefruit amidst a deeper, richer background of oak and caramel.

90

28

California

Sauvignon Blanc

81,675

US

This is one of the more interesting rosés of the vintage, in part because it is almost as hay-colored as a white wine and doesn't adhere to the standard pink profile. Aromas of crushed Marcona almonds, sea salt and oak smoke show on the nose, and the acid-driven palate continues that nutty and smokey drive. It's intriguing and unique, though not particularly pink.

88

38

California

Rosé

46,718

US

NxNW makes much less of its Walla Walla Cabernet than of its Columbia Valley bottling, though both wear the same price tag. This is the one to find—a deep, dark wine rife with smoke and espresso. Black cherry and cassis fruit—equally dark and quite thrilling—carries the center into a rich, ripe finish.

91

25

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

72,903

US

Red currant and plump red berries are lifted by hibiscus and violet notes on the nose of this wine by Matt Brain and Josh Baker. It's quite ripe with plum, pomegranate and cherry fruit on the palate, but also relatively light in texture. Elegantly complex, it also discloses pipe smoke and eucalyptus elements.

91

35

California

Grenache

115,998

Argentina

This is an admirable aged Malbec, but it's definitely tannic and tough. The nose is hard and rubbery, with tire, mushroom, graphite and black cherry aromas. Feels tight as nails, with burnt caramel, tomato, green herb and cassis flavors. This finishes with some warmth.

88

60

Mendoza Province

Malbec

113,063

US

Big, richly fruity and quite tannic, this concentrated wine pulls off good balance, as the ripeness and near-sweetness of the fruit flavors seems to dissolve some of the firm grip in the texture. Aromas like tobacco, pencil lead and cedar keep coming as the wine opens up in the glass.

92

29

California

Petite Sirah

86,418

US

Dry and thin, with diluted cherry flavors. Oak fortunately adds needed vanilla and smoky char richness. The lack of fruity concentration accentuates the alcohol and acidity. Drink now.

85

48

California

Pinot Noir

15,991

France

Smoky, toasty aromas set the scene for a wine that has obviously seen plenty of wood aging. At this stage, it's all spice and wood, which will probably inhibit its development. Wait until 2020.

86

17

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

55,391

France

The magnificently named vineyard, the seat of God, is set in the hills next to Saint-Aubin. This wine is crisp while also having a warm, rich backdrop of yellow fruit. The chalk soil gives the wine its tight minerality and texture. It will be ready to drink from 2017.

88

28

Burgundy

Chardonnay

75,935

US

The berry flavors in this wine are fighting to emerge, but they are overwhelmed by dusty tannins and a lack of texture.

80

13

California

Zinfandel

46,859

US

With a tiny bit of breathing room, this wine opens up magically into dark earth, crushed asphalt, blackberry jam, cappuccino and mocha on the nose, which predict a tarry texture. Indeed, the structure is firm and fine-tuned, yet vibrant with boisterous acidity, showing layered flavors of dark fruit enhance by cedar, sandalwood and incense notes. Drink 2017–2033.

94

42

California

Merlot

88,679

US

Aromas of green olive, grilled asparagus, moist peat, mineral and coffee meld with earthy funk. The smoke and savory flavors are lithe yet concentrated, lingering on the finish.

94

80

Washington

Syrah

49,671

France

This is a stylish attractive wine. It has an herbal touch although it is more about delicious bright fruit. Citrus and crisp apples dominate, laced with acidity. This refreshing wine is ready to drink now.

86

9

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

63,532

US

The winery donates to breast cancer research and cure. The wine is pretty good, offering rich, sweet flavors of raspberries, oranges and limes.

86

20

California

Sparkling Blend

12,773

US

This is one of the best buys on the market now for a Cabernet of this quality at this price. It's a wonderful wine, well structured and dry, with lush flavors of blackberries, currants, herbs and cedar that are wrapped into firm, ripe tannins. Should develop additional complexity through 2014.

90

20

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

60,023

France

Dried lemon peel and hay flowers make for an inviting nose. On the palate, the vivid brightness of lemon brightens notes of tart apple and the merest touch of earth and stone. This is precise and pure, absolutely dry and magnificent. The freshness is incisive and invigorating. It's another one of those gloriously bright and unapologetically fresh 2014 Rieslings. Clearly a vintage for adults only. The finish is lip-smackingly clean and utterly moreish. Drink 2017–2037.

95

36

Alsace

Riesling

118,973

US

Aromas of dark raspberries, blackberry seed, iron and earth are at the fore on this fruit-focused wine. It offers a dazzling sense of purity and richness along with exceptional balance and an endless finish that kicks it up a notch. The freshness is arresting.

94

65

Washington

Syrah

49,586

Australia

At this price, it would be hard for this wine to live up to expectations—which is why we taste blind. But without any preconceptions, this wine was still delicious. The promising oaky aromas of honey drizzled over toast, coconut and vanilla are backed by white peach. It's tightly wound and less giving on the palate.

89

120

South Australia

Chardonnay

35,446

France

A totally fresh nose of lemon, wet stone and greengage creates an enticing opening. These flavors also present themselves on the light palate, where they are dispersed by a fine, creamy mousse. The impression is one of light-bodied but fruity cleanness. This refreshing, brisk and enlivening sparkler is ready now, but will continue to develop through 2022.

91

18

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

118,758

US

This wine shows smooth red fruit that is light and generic, with modest weight and an earthy flavor. The wine spent a bit of time in 25% new oak, though it doesn't show up in the flavors.

87

40

Oregon

Pinot Noir

26,361

France

This is a smooth and polished wine, with herb and new wood aromas. It has juicy red-berry flavors, and the tannins push forward. Structured, with intense acidity, this is ready to age for at least 5–6 years.

90

47

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

10,962

Italy

After a few swirls of the glass, you'll find subdued aromas recalling porcini mushroom, forest floor, camphor and a whiff of cellar floor. The lean palate offers raw sour cherry, espresso and a hint of coconut alongside raspy tannins that grip the mouth-drying finish.

86

40

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

6,271

US

Capture continues to make progress in interpreting their vineyard located in this new appellation, a high elevation overlooking Alexander Valley. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, this Bordeaux-style blend is young now, with hard tannins that interfere with the fruit. The fruit is intensely concentrated with cherry compote and cassis flavors, while new oak's vanilla and toast are proportionate to the wine's volume. A worthy followup to the 2009, and a wine to cellar for 8–10 years, if not longer.

94

120

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

66,380

Italy

If you prefer older-style Brunello with its firm tannins and solid backbone of dry fruit, then this is the one for you. Aromas of wild cherries and chocolate are followed on the palate by powerful, brooding fruit and a solid structure on the palate. It leaves a dry aftertaste that should pair well with rich foods. Cellar for at least 10 years.

90

54

Tuscany

Sangiovese

111,610

US

The vineyard, which is in St. Helena, certainly yielded grapes that were ripe, to judge by this wine's flavors. It's gigantic in berries, cherries, mocha and spices that are jammy and sweet. The best thing about it are the tannins, which are smooth and complex. Give this flashy young Petite Sirah a couple years to integrate and mellow.

90

65

California

Petite Sirah

56,223

US

From the producer's family estate site planted in 1982 on Eastside Road, this is a nuanced elegant expression of the variety, earthy and pungent in baked bread. Baked plum, strawberry and dried herb are accented by forest floor and a rich hit of maple.

91

50

California

Pinot Noir

61,377

Spain

Rooty/ berry aromas come with a big heaping of mature earth tones and cool cola accents. This is ripped with acidity, which makes sense since 2008 was a chilly, wet year. Bold berry, plum, cherry and tobacco flavors finish easy and smooth; drink through 2020.

91

88

Northern Spain

Red Blend

24,891

US

Bright lemon, tangerine and white-floral notes are countered by whiffs of spice and earth on this robust, yet structured, ice wine. The mouthfeel is rich and lush, but brightened by clean, focused acidity and a hint of bitter grape tannin on the finish.

85

25

New York

Riesling

35,451

France

With a high percentage (67%) of Chardonnay in the blend, this is a crisp and steely wine. It has a fine elegant balance between acidity and the texture, giving delicious red fruits their place. The wine is definitely more of a food Champagne. Drink now.

91

80

Champagne

Champagne Blend

126,315

US

The fruit for this 100% varietal wine is sourced from Calistoga and Rutherford—a blend that yields a densely tannic, meaty palate that combines soy, cedar and pepper notes. Having already matured in bottle for some time, it's still slowly unfurling, offering jammy blackberry and licorice flavors that add spice to the finish.

92

80

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

91,662

US

This bottling is still very young and will vastly improve with time, but already shows many of the components that make this remote mountain-surrounded vineyard one of the more exciting slices of the region. Aromas of black currant and purple flowers are deep and heady, while the palate's richer blackberry-syrup notes are cut by a black-plum tang, fresh underbrush herbaceousness and tons of cola spice.

91

42

California

Syrah

44,287

US

Gravelly aromas of wet slate meet with dark cranberry and baked red cherry on the nose of this bottling, which the Duckhorn crew sources from this historic vineyard. The palate is relatively light with very earthy flavors, showing tangy red fruit, thyme and wet soil flavors.

88

68

California

Pinot Noir

5,256

US

A 100% varietal wine from the winery property, certified organic to boot, this is classic in cedar, currant and a freshness of blackberry. Vibrant acidity on the palate balances out the tightness of new oak. It captures the dustiness known to the appellation as well.

91

90

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

81,436

US

A fleshy, big-boned Pinot Noir from high-elevation grapes, Brassfield is priced fairly and a nice wine full of cranberry and leather, intense and coarsely textured.

85

24

California

Pinot Noir

63,755

US

This is a simple, easy-drinking Pinot for drinking now. It tastes like a juicy blend of cherries, pomegranates and cola, with just enough acidity for balance.

84

32

California

Pinot Noir

33,352

US

From a hilltop location near the ocean-influenced town of Freestone, this wine is silky in plum and dark cherry, a hint of mushroomed earth doing its best to come out. Robust on the palate, juicy berry fruit satisfies, finishing thick and rich.

88

60

California

Pinot Noir

43,669

France

Produced by the owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Château Mont-Redon, this is a full and fruity wine. It has a good balance between acidity and red berry fruits that give a rich character. Packed with flavor, it's ready to drink.

91

17

Provence

Rosé

40,571

France

One of two wines produced by this estate from old vines, this is a ripe, full wine that has a fine balance between ripe red-berry fruit and acidity. Spice from the wood aging gives an extra complexity to what is already a delicious wine. Drink from 2017.

90

55

Loire Valley

Cabernet Franc

74,974

US

Barrel-fermented , this nonetheless offers clean, crisp flavors of pear and pineapple on the palate. The fruit lingers through a medium-sized body that picks up steam on the finish, delving into richer notes of fig and lemon curd. The fruit is 100% estate.

89

35

California

Chardonnay

98,638

US

A malty, full bouquet with good complexity announces this well-constructed wine. Pleasant citrus and hay flavors, medium weight and a good steady bead add to the package. A good clean finish with a grapefruit tang wraps it up.

88

31

California

Champagne Blend

14,991

US

This is very spicy and smooth, with floral accents and a plummy core. It drinks well, although the finish fades rather quickly. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah and Cabernet Franc filling in the rest.

88

45

Washington

Red Blend

48,532

US

This simple Chardonnay is lush and ripe like a pineapple, mango and peach juice drink. Unabashedly fruity with sweetness on the finish.

84

15

California

Chardonnay

49,612

US

A wildly flavored, tannic and exuberant Zinfandel that showcases the variety's exotic personality. Dry and full-bodied, it has brambly flavors of blackberries, black currants, licorice, mocha and smoky cedar, liberally sprinkled with dusty Asian spices. Drink now–2013.

90

26

California

Zinfandel

117,546

France

A great swathe of red fruits gives this wine a full while fresh character. It has totally refreshing acidity, a burst of life and crispness. The wine is ready to drink.

88

25

Loire Valley

Rosé

101,762

France

Showing the typical power and concentration of the 2010 vintage, this is a dense and structured wine. Good acidity and black plum flavors show through the big tannic texture and dry core. The wine still needs to age so drink from 2018. This is a 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc blend from Mallet Frères.

88

25

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

56,145

Spain

A big oaky can't-miss blast of clove and wood spice is more dominating than secondary berry aromas. This is resiny and full in body, with ample acidity. Oak plays a lead role on the flavor profile, which includes toast, mint and herbal black plum. A peppery toasty finish benefits from moderate juicy acidity. Drink through 2021.

89

30

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

49,639

US

The vineyard is in the interior part of the appellation, toward Carneros, and the wine displays the firm, acidic minerality of that cool, foggy region. It has fantastic limpidity. The oak is remarkable for the purity of vanilla and smoky honey, while the underlying flavors of Meyer lemons, pineapples, nectarines and kumquats are decadently good. A masterpiece of Chardonnay.

96

60

California

Chardonnay

66,679

France

This is a rich, soft wine with jammy black fruits and ripe tannins. The acidity will hold the wine together and allow it to age. A mineral edge comes from the caillou (stones) in the soil—hence the wine's name. It will age, although quickly, so drink from 2018.

88

70

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

11,307

France

This is a potentially juicy wine with acidity and red fruits coming through the structure. It has the weight for the tannins and a rich background feel. Drink starting from 2018.

87

18

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

18,892

US

A real delight for its delicious drinkability, and a revelation for Monterey Merlot. Shows the acidity and varietal purity of the Arroyo Seco region, with intense plum and blackberry flavors balanced by a rich earthiness.

90

19

California

Merlot

126,737

US

This Zinfandel's tannins are starting to resolve, which gives the palate a soft, melted quality. The primary flavors are transforming into rich, dried black-raspberry and cherry notes, with leather, mocha, dried mushroom and spice accents.

90

28

California

Zinfandel

106,785

US

This attractive, smooth-textured wine offers plenty of almost-sweet fruit flavors like black cherry and prune dusted with cinnamon and cedar for complexity. The tannins are abundant but soft, so there is little astringency, and the wine is easy to sip and enjoy.

88

20

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

654

France

Freshly cut red, yellow and green apples make both nose and palate very fruity. The dry palate with its lemony freshness and open aspect lets all the apple flavors shine and inflects them here and there with baked and dried apple, too. Wonderfully fruity and pure.

92

43

Alsace

Riesling

4,809

US

This quickly veers from being delicately light into simply sour and grassy. Cucumber- and tart melon-flavored fruit fades into a short finish.

85

18

Oregon

Pinot Gris

83,209

US

Full bodied and gritty in texture, this wine smooths out in the glass, opening to slowly unravel layers of forest pine, black cherry and cola. With measured oak, it has a depth and breadth across the palate, revealing concentration within a graceful context.

91

65

California

Pinot Noir

128,635

US

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (10%) and Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from Weinbau, Champoux, Lady Hawk and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Light aromas of cocoa, herb, earth and cassis are followed by focused fruit flavors. It puts a premium on elegance.

91

65

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

44,799

US

Suave aromas of bramble and red berries meet with chipped slate, a touch of anise and pressed lilacs on this nose of this blend of 37% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 6% Cinsault and 5% Carignane. Bright cranberry and red cherry fruit pop on the palate, which is bolstered by fennel, black peppercorns and dried rose petals.

88

25

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

129,679

US

From a ranch planted originally in 1926 this is a knockout wine, exotically spiced and nuanced in pepper, cinnamon and a distinction of sandalwood. High-toned fruit provides a lift to the lushness that wants to dominate, but never does, allowing the tangy orange and blackberry to speak quietly and clearly.

93

47

California

Zinfandel

59,820

Italy

The intensity of this powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is outstanding, and so is the density of its aromas. It presents a solid wall of blackberry, dark chocolate, pipe tobacco and cigar box. It's bold and syrupy and overwhelms the palate with its enormous bounty.

93

35

Tuscany

Red Blend

76,497

US

Apparently made from Bordeaux varieties, this wine is crisp and overtly sweet. It has simple, jammy flavors of pineapples, lemons and limes.

84

34

California

White Blend

117,713

US

From a certified biodynamic vineyard, this Syrah is big red wine, tannic with black fruit and game in taste and smell.

87

35

California

Syrah

38,627

US

I think by “lust” they mean something like a decadent chocolate truffle with a gooey cherry liqueur filling. That's what this sweetish wine, which has 15.9% alcohol, tastes like. It is awfully tasty, but it's hard to imagine what you'd drink it with, except, well, a chocolate truffle.

84

49

California

Zinfandel

101,629

Italy

Violet, woodland berry, baking spice and chopped mint aromas slowly emerge on this polished red. The bright palate doles out tart cherry, cinnamon and a hint of white pepper while lithe tannins and fresh acidity lend a refined framework.

89

20

Tuscany

Red Blend

34,008

Spain

Sensational for the price. This die-hard bargain is loaded with berry richness, sweet pulp, coconut and balance. It's a little creamy, but generous and integrated. Smells, tastes and finishes like something that costs three times more.

91

13

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

104,380

US

Tannins weigh this Syrah down, making it toughly astringent, a wine that makes your mouth pucker. Through all that, you can taste the massive flavors of black currants, red licorice, violets, cloves and peppery grilled veal that are pure, dry and profound. Is it an ager? The pedigree suggests yes. The wine is a blend of the Caldwell, Stagecoach and Hyde-Oak Knoll vineyards. Stash it through mid-2009, if not longer.

91

60

California

Syrah

89,046

Italy

A blend of seven grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Alicante), this elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of toast, coffee, black pepper and dark-skinned fruit. The polished palate offers black cherries, espresso, mocha and oak-driven spice alongside firm but refined tannins.

92

65

Tuscany

Red Blend

22,319

US

This cuvée has the prettiest aromatics of the entire 2012 lineup, highlighted with rose petals and spice. Apples and cranberries are the fruit components, amped up with stiff acidity. It finishes with a faint touch of chocolate.

90

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir