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
21,469	US	Subtle fruit flavors mingle mountain berries, plums and cherries with enticing baking spices. There's a touch of herb, earth and tanned leather also, bringing complexity and texture into a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.	92	80	Oregon	Pinot Noir
56,157	Spain	Berry and plum aromas are so ripe that raisin enters the picture. This feels medium to full, with soft acidity. Flavors of chocolate and wood spice share space with ripe berry fruit, while a full, long finish deals mocha and raisin notes.	89	18	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
95,337	Italy	This opens with aromas of underbrush, scorched soil, leather, iris and a balsamic note. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers juicy raspberry, licorice, mature black cherry and a hint of tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2027.	91	55	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
29,137	France	While the texture is light, the fruit and the wood flavors give this wine richness and a ripe, toast and apricot character. It has balanced acidity that allows a fresher edge to develop. The aftertaste, hinting at a steely edge, suggests the wine will age. Drink from 2017.	89	46	Burgundy	Chardonnay
88,573	US	Deep red rose and violet florals meld with cooked meats and ripe raspberry on the nose. It's a bit dainty on the palate but full of texture, with lingering vanilla elements, some light mocha and impressive tannic grip for a 2012.	90	46	California	Pinot Noir
21,368	US	Notes of pressed apple and tangerine peels abound in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Rounded edges and soft acidity make it approachably creamy. Drink now through 2019.	86	25	New York	Chardonnay
92,277	US	At five years, this Cabernet is not aging well. It's soft and simple, with the black cherry fruit flavors thinning out, letting hot alcohol show through.	84	40	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
53,364	Argentina	Dark, sweet and rooty on the nose, with a warm, soft outlook. The palate is bold and thorough, with ripe berry, plum and chocolate flavors. Per usual, Punto Final is ripe, sweet and big, with a peppery finish and toasty, jammy warmth.	89	20	Mendoza Province	Malbec
109,286	Argentina	Right away, this smells smooth and complete, with a proper mix of berry fruit, oak and earthy aromas. This is Salentein winemaker José Galante's personal wine, and it's juicy on the palate and doesn't overreach. Blackberry, boysenberry and salty, meaty notes finish with a persistent dose of salt, which should make this all the more appropriate when served with beef. Drink through 2022.	91	39	Mendoza Province	Malbec
10,203	France	The extremely pale copper color is reminiscent of a blanc de noirs. Aromas and flavors are yeasty and full of baking spices like clove and cinnamon, along with red apples. The only quibble is that it seems a bit sweeter and heavier than the best rosés.	86	55	Champagne	Champagne Blend
121,852	US	Firm and dry, with tart acids and minerals, this Chardonnay's fruit veers toward golden apricots and herbs. Not showing much richness now. Drink up.	84	24	California	Chardonnay
128,233	France	From vines in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, this 85% Merlot wine is rich with layers of young black fruit and spicy wood flavors. It is still a young, structured wine and needs time for the powerful tannins to soften. Drink from 2019.	87	26	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
13,954	US	Domaine Carneros' entry-level, estate-grown Pinot is intensely earthy and herbal, grippy on the back palate, a swirl of approachable blackberry, black cherry and sweet oak.	87	35	California	Pinot Noir
118,877	US	A fine, bone-dry and minerally Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy with shellfish, grilled chicken or on its own as an appetizer. A touch of oak adds richness to the vibrant, acidic citrus fruit, lemongrass and green apple flavors.	90	19	California	Sauvignon Blanc
34,959	US	Tastes jammy sweet and bubble gummy, with the gassiness of a Beaujolais Nouveau. It's more full-bodied than that, of course, with black cherry flavors.	83	8	California	Merlot
76,935	France	This rich barrel-aged wine is a blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is a small, seven-acre estate just outside the village of Saint-Émilion. There are touches of licorice in this wine, hinting at extraction that needs to calm down. When that happens, this will be a dense and finely perfumed wine, rich and with a good future. Drink from 2022.	91	27	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
99,583	France	A finely rounded wine, with lovely ripe peach and pineapple fruits, lifted by a dash of lemon juice. Finely balanced, ripe in character, although always textured and tangy. There is a mouthwatering finish.	91	33	Burgundy	Chardonnay
110,391	Spain	Inviting apple, citrus and stony aromas precede a racy, citrusy palate with bracing acidity. Quick-hitting green melon, nectarine and lime flavors end with a persistent note of green apple. This is the best version of this Verdejo-Viura-Sauvignon Blanc blend in several years. Drink now.	89	14	Northern Spain	White Blend
111,038	US	Though Adelsheim offers a large assortment of single-vineyard Pinots, this is the first they've made from Zenith. It surely won't be the last. Concentrated, thick black raspberry and black cherry fruit centers a substantial wine, laced with vivid streaks of vanilla, tobacco and spice. The immediate impact of the fruit is amplified by the density on the palate, and the finish, loaded with baking spices, reflects the aging in one-third new French oak barrels.	93	90	Oregon	Pinot Noir
11,182	US	Suffers from the common new winery kinds of faults. Overpriced for the competition; there are odd, off scents suggesting hay, honey, and yeast. It feels awkward on the palate, disjointed and incomplete.	84	18	Washington	Viognier
87,503	US	A bit rough in texture, but otherwise pretty flavorful, with vanilla, lime, strawberry and yeast flavors. It's a great sparkling wine for everyday.	87	30	California	Sparkling Blend
31,903	US	The wine is 100% Cabernet, a combination of the winery's Palisades vineyard, in Calistoga, and Graveyard Hill, in Carneros. Strangely, it's not as good as either of those single-vineyard bottlings. It's too ripe, with stewed berry and raisin flavors that are almost Port-like.	85	80	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
86,887	US	Classic late-harvest Zin that packs a real whallop. Wld berries and stone fruits mingle with pruny, raisiny notes in this softly textured, rather alcoholic wine. They couldn't or didn't ferment to dryness, so there's some sugar in the middle palate and finish, where those raisiny flavors reappear.	87	30	California	Zinfandel
118,191	US	A shy, mineral-leaning nose offers pencil shavings and dark raspberry notes. The palate proves more dynamic, with sagebrush, red cherries and anise seed, showing lots of energy but nothing too complex.	88	30	California	Pinot Noir
5,902	Argentina	Smells like wet dog, with sweaty red fruit. The palate is high in acid and low in volume, with snappy, semisour flavors of raspberry and red plum. Settles on the finish but still it's sharp and lean. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Malbec.	81	8	Mendoza Province	Red Blend
27,276	Portugal	Want dense tannins? Then this your wine. Of course, it has much more than that. It has mineral-driven stone fruit flavors, a sense of terroir, of restrained power. It also has a serious side, and definite aging potential.	92	18	Douro	Portuguese Red
5,146	US	This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot is young, rambunctious and tight, but also very interesting. The aromas of chocolate, clove, pepper and black plum do the trick: you are drawn in. Intense flavors of cherry, plum, cassis and pepper, and a finish of piquant spices and oak are equally satisfying. Based on how this wine responded to air we say give it a few years to settle down.	90	30	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
30,346	US	High-toned and 100% varietal, this ephemeral Pinot Gris was aged in stainless steel and is dry and waxy on the palate. Crisp green apple and lemon flavors are complemented by a mineral underbelly that makes this a food-friendly wine.	88	18	California	Pinot Gris
54,726	France	Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.	93	89	Burgundy	Chardonnay
104,444	US	Tight and wound up on the nose, this bottling shows lime blossom and tangerine skin aromas with laser-sharp focus. Tangerine, sea salt and lime flavors show on the palate, where flinty minerality accents all that lush citrus.	91	45	California	Chardonnay
122,195	US	The Wallula vineyard, set high atop a bluff overlooking the Columbia river, gives grapes that bring dark, roasted flavors to the large-scale wine. The fruit tastes as if it has been pushed, perhaps a bit too far, and the impression it leaves tilts toward the raisiny side. It's a wine that could go in a positive direction with cellar time, but it is impossible to tell right now, as it cuts off quickly once in the mouth.	86	22	Washington	Syrah
83,276	US	Candied fruit and oak combine on the palate for a smooth ride in this medium-weight wine, priced attractively given the quality. A bittersweet hint of tobacco greets the finish.	86	30	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
103,853	US	This wine offers aromas of herb, tobacco, barrel spice and plum. The palate brings plush rich textured plum flavors, showing a beautiful sense of purity along with a crazy-long finish. It's a shamelessly delicious but still impeccably balanced wine that is nearly impossible to put down.	93	32	Washington	Malbec
87,513	US	Rather delicate flavors of green melon, apple and fresh cut grass infuse this elegant Sauvignon Blanc. The precision and balance are impressive; the price and overall lightness make it an excellent, mealtime quaffer.	87	13	Washington	Sauvignon Blanc
23,832	France	A touch of ripe pear plays into the Golden Delicious notes of the nose. The palate displays the same fruit flavors on its very light and easy fruit-driven palate, supported by freshness and fizzing froth. The lemony finish is dry and refreshing.	88	20	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
3,060	US	Light strawberry fruit with tart acidity carries a wine of modest proportions. It's drinking well, and might be a good choice for a simple salmon preparation, as it would not overwhelm the fish. The finishing tannins have a definite herbal flavor.	88	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
5,387	US	A mélange of Sangiovese, Primitivo, Barbera and Dolcetto, this wine offers a rustic personality harking back to the old country from whence all these varieties originally hailed. Big in structure and presence, the wine has more earthy, savory components than rich fruit and is sparse on the finish.	85	24	California	Red Blend
79,253	France	Soft, ripe and fruity, this lightly spicy wine is full of red fruits and crisp acidity. It balances between the fruit and the tangy, textured aftertaste. Drink now.	86	15	Bordeaux	Rosé
22,977	US	It's easy to imagine drinking this wine—and really enjoying it—in Paso Robles with a grilled steak. It's rich, heady and ripe in black currants, with a Port-like, raisiny taste.	87	25	California	Red Blend
82,261	US	The winery's top of the top, this is a viscous, concentrated expression of the grape, blended with 5% Merlot, the fruit from the producer's estate Sage Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Chocolate, blackberry, sage and meaty grips of black pepper and anise compete for attention amid all the ripeness and intensity, finishing with surprising softness.	92	225	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
46,159	France	This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.	94	250	Champagne	Champagne Blend
47,594	US	Fruity, with plum flavors soaked in a good dose of vanilla, this is an easygoing wine for casual entertaining or everyday use. The blend includes 8% Syrah.	85	9	Washington	Merlot
14,387	US	This wine comes from 35-year-old vines at French Creek Vineyard. Light aromas of spice, herb and candlewax are followed by a medium-bodied palate brightened by lively, lemony acidity. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.	89	28	Washington	Chardonnay
15,482	US	Aromas like cinnamon, cedar and sweet cherries lead to concentrated, lively flavors with tangy cherry and rhubarb notes. Relatively full bodied, the wine has a smooth, mouthfilling texture and a lingering finish that echoes the delicious fruit elements.	90	32	California	Pinot Noir
101,778	US	From an 850-foot-elevation site four miles from the ocean, this offers a depth of dark cherry and Asian spice, lightly bodied and textured. It delivers a hit of bittersweet chocolate on the tangy finish, with an intriguing streak of charcuterie that's hard to shake.	91	56	California	Pinot Noir
103,118	US	This is quite an impressive Cabernet. The wine rivals an intense Napa Cabernet, with it's tannic structure and its bold flavors of blackberry, black currant and licorice that have been exquisitely oaked. It's elegantly drinkable now despite the power, but should comfortably glide through at least the next eight years.	95	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
17,349	US	This is a robust, dense and tannic wine, with 8% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It needs time to unravel what are now just mere suggestions of coffee and black-cherry jam, with seasonings of cedar, peppercorn and dried sage. Full bodied, ripe and highly structured, this should be enjoyed in years to come, through 2023.	90	55	California	Merlot
62,463	US	This full-bodied and effusive wine has a sweet, oaky aroma and similarly rich flavors of black cherry and blackberry jam. It feels smooth and luxurious.	87	38	California	Pinot Noir
124,785	Australia	Barrel fermented in older oak, but this wine is still marked by oak and lees, with a slightly toasty, custardy edge to the melon and nectarine aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied Viognier then picks up hints of coffee and chocolate on the finish. Drink now.	86	25	South Australia	Viognier
71,007	US	A bit burly in tannins, with a dry, sandpapery mouthfeel. But that doesn't stop the blackberry, black cherry and currant fruit from shining through, or put a damper on the sweet, toasty oak notes. Doesn't feel like an ager, so the tannins are here to stay, but a good steak will wrestle them into submission.	90	35	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
59,022	US	Light red cherry, marjoram and allspice aromas mark this bottling from a winery in the Central Valley that has sourced fruit from coastal regions for many years. The flavors are even more interesting, as cherry is enhanced by bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns and Indian spices.	91	50	California	Pinot Noir
80,461	US	Block 10 was made with 25% whole cluster fermentation, the result bold and impressive in cola cherry and soft baking spices, an intriguing floral note akin to geranium or gardenia highlighting the palate. Midway, expect an expansive opening of the wine, before notes of cocoa and espresso delve in.	91	70	California	Pinot Noir
94,326	US	Dry and silky, this is a good Pinot Noir, though it's a little too ripe, which gives the blackberry and cherry notes a pruny, hot taste. Try it with beef stew and prunes to echo the flavors.	85	48	California	Pinot Noir
121,031	US	This wine shows a lot of reduction that provides off-putting aromas. The strawberry and cranberry flavors are full and show pleasing purity and length. The disconnect between the aromas and flavors is substantial but some time in a decanter might sync them up.	88	27	Washington	Grenache
107,931	US	A big improvement from the previous vintage, this pretty, salmon-hued wine is packed with subtle but flavorful fruit. Tart citrus and strawberry notes underscored with crisp, clean acidity make it refreshing and a real winner.	90	22	Oregon	Rosé
31,613	Germany	Zesty lime-skin notes lend vibrance to delicate apple and blossom aromas on this off-dry Riesling. It's steely and focused with acidity, but fleshed out on the midpalate, with intensely ripe mango and peach flavors.	89	16	Mosel	Riesling
47,765	France	Ripe and fruity, touched by mint with some good balancing tannins and acidity. A fine, firm and also juicy wine, with a warm texture.	87	13	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
117,744	US	Delicate wet slate aromas meet wafts of rose blossom and baseball-card bubblegum on the nose of this rosé. The palate offers delicious and approachable strawberry flavors, held together with a steely edge.	91	25	California	Grenache
11,052	US	This pure Pommard-clone bottling offers lighter red fruit with highlights of cocoa and baking spices. The balance is good, and this should age well and develop interesting aromatics if cellared. Drink 2018–2025.	89	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
15,851	US	This is possibly the most savory rendition of Syrah made on the Central Coast, each vintage as feral as the last. This bottling shows bloody lamb, crushed peppercorn, soy and barnyard elements on the nose. The palate is tense with tarry structure, revealing unusual kelp, stewed peppercorn, black miso and teriyaki flavors.	96	40	California	Syrah
29,875	US	Spicy and floral, with super concentration, this fruit bomb of a wine is 100% Riesling, though the aromatics have the rose petal, soapy character of some Washington Gewürztraminers. The depth and intensity of the fruit are remarkable, but may make this a challenge to match with food, even spicy Asian noodle dishes.	89	22	Washington	Riesling
29,480	Italy	Clean, simple and correct, this wine offers an excellent window into the Nebbiolo grape. From a young vintage and free of the aromas and textures associated with long aging in wood, this bright wine focuses on quality of fruit and fresh berry aromas backed by crispness and good structure.	87	20	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
121,813	France	The Gonet family's investment, which began in 1998, has begun to bear fruit. This wine comes from the second in a row of fine Bordeaux vintages. The style of the vintage is well represented in this richly endowed wine with its swathes of black fruits, its rich tannins and its warm full texture. This is just coming together after a quiet period for the vintage. Drink from 2018.	92	124	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
6,977	US	The smoky oaky aromas and spicy peppery flavors of this medium-bodied wine are undeniable and definitely dominate whatever modest fruit flavors lie underneath. It's an assertive wine with a brash flavor profile.	86	9	California	Chardonnay
76,279	US	This starts with a smoky aroma, like charred steak over the grill. Then highly concentrated fruit flavors zoom across the tongue, along with very firm tannins and powerful, ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors backed by a mouth-coating texture. It's an unusually focused and structured wine.	92	36	California	Syrah
128,377	US	Ripe raspberry juice is spiced heavily with cloves rendered in butter and flashes of black pepper on this wine by Adam Lee. It's fresh and flavorful on the powerful palate, with lots of black spice, vibrant berry juice and fresh thyme on the edges. This wine is alive with energy and verve.	93	55	California	Pinot Noir
81,871	Italy	Here's a polished wine made from a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers aromas of red berry, blue flower and cedar with a hint of toasted oak. The concentrated flavors include black cherry, exotic spice and a hint of chocolate. Soft with smoothed tannins, this is already approachable.	89	35	Tuscany	Red Blend
69,307	Germany	Thirty bucks may seem like a lot for an entry-level Riesling, but this is an exemplary example. Aromas of wet stones, moss and spring flowers are mouthwatering, and then are followed by a complex array of nonfruity flavors, like stones and greens carried along by a mouthfeel that's light as a feather. Tart pineapple emerges on the long finish. Drink anytime over the next 10 years.	90	29	Mosel	Riesling
45,796	Italy	Forest floor, dark-skinned berry, leather and tilled earth aromas unfold in the glass. The full-bodied, elegant palate offers mature black cherry, black raspberry, ground pepper, anise and chopped mint framed in ripe, tightly packed tannins. It's young and assertive, but also balanced, with real aging potential. Drink 2020–2035.	96	115	Tuscany	Sangiovese
126,573	US	Fruity blackberry and black cherry wrap around sinewy leather in this seamless, supple, cool-mountain wine. Bright minerality winds through the tannin and power, allowing it room to breathe. Drink now through 2020.	91	100	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
79,314	France	With ripe fruit and caramel aromas, this is a rich wine (40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cinsault). The second rosé of Château Vignelaure, it's full of sunshine, with rich red berry flavors that are given a larger character by the touch of vanilla that makes it food-friendly.	89	14	Provence	Rosé
50,839	US	Lean and earthy, marked by tobacco, dill and less than ripe cherry flavors. Tannins are tough and gritty. The wine finishes very dry and rasping, showing little fruit. The winemaker seems to have understood the problem here, and added five percent Syrah.	85	30	California	Merlot
9,000	US	Oak stands out, making smoky caramel and butterscotch the dominant flavors in this Chardonnay. Below that are fruity flavors of pineapples, green apple jam and peach preserves, finished with awesome Asian spices. Just 90 cases produced.	88	50	California	Chardonnay
89,207	France	With its rich toasty aroma and ripe creamed apple palate, this is a rich Champagne reflecting the vintage. It is well balanced, with toffee softness and lime juice acidity. Not for aging, but currently very enjoyable.	90	99	Champagne	Champagne Blend
67,663	US	From the producer's beloved Atlas Peak planting, M is a powerhouse of brawny flavor and earthy minerality, a mix of chocolate, coffee and blackberry jam that's burly in size and scope. Spicy, it layers on savory elements of tar, leather and tobacco, complementing with ease the forceful fruit and supportive oak.	94	200	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
66,744	US	Masses of dusty spices mark this balanced, delicious Zinfandel. It has the polished balance and rich tannins of a Napa Valley Cabernet, but with Zin's wild berries, cherries, currants, briary, brambly tones and textures, and of course all those savory spices.	92	38	California	Zinfandel
74,020	France	The wine is structured and with bold red fruits. It also has a firm texture, layers of tannins and a solid texture. Acidity shines through at the end. These elements promise a serious wine that will age well. Drink from 2021.	89	45	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
71,142	US	This is a savory wine whose price makes it a decent value. It's crisp in acidity, with off-dry lemon, lime, tangerine and honey flavors. Easy to drink with almost anything that calls for a slightly sweet white wine.	85	18	California	Sauvignon Blanc
83,574	France	Earth and lemons dominate the nose. The earthy mellowness is more pronounced. on the palate, joined by 2014 fresh lemon. The finish is dry but remains earthy.	87	17	Alsace	Riesling
106,190	US	This is a deeply ripe, authoritatively structured Syrah of great power and finesse. It's drinkable now for the velvety texture and massive flavors of grilled blackberries, blueberries, currants, dark unsweetened chocolate, leather, black pepper and lots of sweet, smoky new oak. But it's also fairly tannic. Very fine now, with a brief decant, and through 2013.	93	52	California	Syrah
51,248	US	Closed aromatically, this Chardonnay has a lemon-lime crispness that follows straight into vanilla and toasty oak. Young, it finishes on a sour note.	83	20	California	Chardonnay
24,323	US	Spicy and salty, it's a bit like an Albariño, with little to indicate its Chardonnay varietal character. Though technically correct, it's just rather plain; in a blind tasting it could pass for almost any simple white wine.	85	20	Oregon	Chardonnay
61,409	US	Generous in aromas of leather and chocolate-covered fig, this wine gets mushy in the middle. Thin with an earthy edge and a finish that's slightly herbal.	83	24	California	Zinfandel
42,469	US	Really impressive at this price for its depth of flavor and overall balance. Dry and elegantly constructed, it shows extravagant flavors of blackberries, cherries, sweet currants and sandalwood. A lovely Merlot of great charm and drinkability. Production was 5,800 cases.	89	14	California	Merlot
10,878	US	This is a knife-sharp Viognier, offering precise, chiseled flavors of citrus rind, Meyer lemon and grapefruit. The piercing acidity belies a wine whose flavors are fully ripe, and deliver an extended, mineral-drenched finish.	91	25	Washington	Viognier
75,041	US	Youthfully exuberant in fresh-squeezed grapefruit, lemon and lime, this wine has zesty acidity and pillows of vanilla, ending clean and bright. This is the first national release of this variety for the winery.	88	24	California	Sauvignon Blanc
33,414	US	This soft, round and juicy wine is ripe and full bodied, a good representative of the vintage. It shows brambly black fruit, mocha and hints of coconut flakes that endure through the finish.	88	70	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
60,083	US	The aromas of plum and blue fruit bring appeal but don't seem entirely varietal. Flavors are sweet, backed by lightly tacky-feeling tannins. It delivers easy-drinking enjoyment, though characteristics of the variety seems hard to find.	86	12	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
58,529	US	This bone-dry wine is rather severe in tannins. It feels elegant, but lacks immediate reward, with cherry, currant and tobacco flavors that disappear into a cloak of astringency. Could develop after 2011, but no guarantees.	87	90	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
68,908	France	Soft and already round, this is a fruity wine with gentle spice, melon and fresh lime juice. It still has its youthful lemon-zest tang although it is filling out, losing its minerality and gaining a layer of ripe yellow fruits. Drink now.	86	20	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
127,464	US	Lightly sweet and rich in both flavor and body, this wine has generous ripe pear and peach notes accented with coconut and vanilla. A layered effect to the flavors and an especially creamy texture make it very tempting.	88	14	California	White Blend
32,278	France	Rounded, rich and full in the mouth, this offers swathes of flowery, aromatic fruit that is still young, still in its primary stage. With just a hint of steely texture, the wine does have structure and aging potential. For now, it is generous and delicious.	93	48	Alsace	Riesling
22,257	France	This is the entry-level wine from this estate situated in the small area of Coteaux Varois. It is a really fruity blend of Grenache and Cinsault. Bright red fruits and crisp acidity give a dry wine with great fruitiness. Drink now.	88	18	Provence	Rosé
79,638	US	A blend of Loess Vineyard and Leonetti Old Block, this wine is 100% varietal. The aromas are bright and pure, with notes of raspberry, cherry, plum, anise and spice. The flavors deliver, with a sense of understated appeal.	91	75	Washington	Merlot
109,399	US	These vineyards seem to have been selected for unripe, vegetal grapes. Just manages to scrape by with a veneer of cherries.	80	10	California	Merlot
91,699	US	Tasted along with a dozen other single vineyard selections from Ken Wright, this feels a bit thin, but only in relation to a portfolio of astonishing power and depth. Truffle, red berries and sharp acidity combine nicely, though the finish falls away rather quickly.	89	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
30,996	US	With moderate alcohol, brisk acidity and sturdy tannins, this blend of undisclosed varieties brings to mind something from the south of France. It has herb, blackberry and currant flavors that smack of the summer sun.	88	25	California	Red Blend
123,808	Italy	This expression of Merlot is soft and plush, and it offers layers of cherry, raspberry and soft spice. Oak-derived aromas of toasted almond and clove are delicate and well integrated.	92	61	Tuscany	Merlot
92,788	France	This wine, produced by négociant Rivière in Saint-Émilion, is a fruity, red-berry and black-currant flavored wine. It has tannins as well as a good structure that points up the fruitiness. The wine is ripe, smooth and ready to drink.	87	12	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
36,042	US	A standard Cabernet, dry and tannic. The best thing is the deep core of blackberry, currant, mineral and spice flavors. Drink now–2014.	86	14	California	Cabernet Sauvignon

21,469

US

Subtle fruit flavors mingle mountain berries, plums and cherries with enticing baking spices. There's a touch of herb, earth and tanned leather also, bringing complexity and texture into a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.

92

80

Oregon

Pinot Noir

56,157

Spain

Berry and plum aromas are so ripe that raisin enters the picture. This feels medium to full, with soft acidity. Flavors of chocolate and wood spice share space with ripe berry fruit, while a full, long finish deals mocha and raisin notes.

89

18

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

95,337

Italy

This opens with aromas of underbrush, scorched soil, leather, iris and a balsamic note. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers juicy raspberry, licorice, mature black cherry and a hint of tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2027.

91

55

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

29,137

France

While the texture is light, the fruit and the wood flavors give this wine richness and a ripe, toast and apricot character. It has balanced acidity that allows a fresher edge to develop. The aftertaste, hinting at a steely edge, suggests the wine will age. Drink from 2017.

89

46

Burgundy

Chardonnay

88,573

US

Deep red rose and violet florals meld with cooked meats and ripe raspberry on the nose. It's a bit dainty on the palate but full of texture, with lingering vanilla elements, some light mocha and impressive tannic grip for a 2012.

90

46

California

Pinot Noir

21,368

US

Notes of pressed apple and tangerine peels abound in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Rounded edges and soft acidity make it approachably creamy. Drink now through 2019.

86

25

New York

Chardonnay

92,277

US

At five years, this Cabernet is not aging well. It's soft and simple, with the black cherry fruit flavors thinning out, letting hot alcohol show through.

84

40

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

53,364

Argentina

Dark, sweet and rooty on the nose, with a warm, soft outlook. The palate is bold and thorough, with ripe berry, plum and chocolate flavors. Per usual, Punto Final is ripe, sweet and big, with a peppery finish and toasty, jammy warmth.

89

20

Mendoza Province

Malbec

109,286

Argentina

Right away, this smells smooth and complete, with a proper mix of berry fruit, oak and earthy aromas. This is Salentein winemaker José Galante's personal wine, and it's juicy on the palate and doesn't overreach. Blackberry, boysenberry and salty, meaty notes finish with a persistent dose of salt, which should make this all the more appropriate when served with beef. Drink through 2022.

91

39

Mendoza Province

Malbec

10,203

France

The extremely pale copper color is reminiscent of a blanc de noirs. Aromas and flavors are yeasty and full of baking spices like clove and cinnamon, along with red apples. The only quibble is that it seems a bit sweeter and heavier than the best rosés.

86

55

Champagne

Champagne Blend

121,852

US

Firm and dry, with tart acids and minerals, this Chardonnay's fruit veers toward golden apricots and herbs. Not showing much richness now. Drink up.

84

24

California

Chardonnay

128,233

France

From vines in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, this 85% Merlot wine is rich with layers of young black fruit and spicy wood flavors. It is still a young, structured wine and needs time for the powerful tannins to soften. Drink from 2019.

87

26

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

13,954

US

Domaine Carneros' entry-level, estate-grown Pinot is intensely earthy and herbal, grippy on the back palate, a swirl of approachable blackberry, black cherry and sweet oak.

87

35

California

Pinot Noir

118,877

US

A fine, bone-dry and minerally Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy with shellfish, grilled chicken or on its own as an appetizer. A touch of oak adds richness to the vibrant, acidic citrus fruit, lemongrass and green apple flavors.

90

19

California

Sauvignon Blanc

34,959

US

Tastes jammy sweet and bubble gummy, with the gassiness of a Beaujolais Nouveau. It's more full-bodied than that, of course, with black cherry flavors.

83

8

California

Merlot

76,935

France

This rich barrel-aged wine is a blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is a small, seven-acre estate just outside the village of Saint-Émilion. There are touches of licorice in this wine, hinting at extraction that needs to calm down. When that happens, this will be a dense and finely perfumed wine, rich and with a good future. Drink from 2022.

91

27

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

99,583

France

A finely rounded wine, with lovely ripe peach and pineapple fruits, lifted by a dash of lemon juice. Finely balanced, ripe in character, although always textured and tangy. There is a mouthwatering finish.

91

33

Burgundy

Chardonnay

110,391

Spain

Inviting apple, citrus and stony aromas precede a racy, citrusy palate with bracing acidity. Quick-hitting green melon, nectarine and lime flavors end with a persistent note of green apple. This is the best version of this Verdejo-Viura-Sauvignon Blanc blend in several years. Drink now.

89

14

Northern Spain

White Blend

111,038

US

Though Adelsheim offers a large assortment of single-vineyard Pinots, this is the first they've made from Zenith. It surely won't be the last. Concentrated, thick black raspberry and black cherry fruit centers a substantial wine, laced with vivid streaks of vanilla, tobacco and spice. The immediate impact of the fruit is amplified by the density on the palate, and the finish, loaded with baking spices, reflects the aging in one-third new French oak barrels.

93

90

Oregon

Pinot Noir

11,182

US

Suffers from the common new winery kinds of faults. Overpriced for the competition; there are odd, off scents suggesting hay, honey, and yeast. It feels awkward on the palate, disjointed and incomplete.

84

18

Washington

Viognier

87,503

US

A bit rough in texture, but otherwise pretty flavorful, with vanilla, lime, strawberry and yeast flavors. It's a great sparkling wine for everyday.

87

30

California

Sparkling Blend

31,903

US

The wine is 100% Cabernet, a combination of the winery's Palisades vineyard, in Calistoga, and Graveyard Hill, in Carneros. Strangely, it's not as good as either of those single-vineyard bottlings. It's too ripe, with stewed berry and raisin flavors that are almost Port-like.

85

80

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

86,887

US

Classic late-harvest Zin that packs a real whallop. Wld berries and stone fruits mingle with pruny, raisiny notes in this softly textured, rather alcoholic wine. They couldn't or didn't ferment to dryness, so there's some sugar in the middle palate and finish, where those raisiny flavors reappear.

87

30

California

Zinfandel

118,191

US

A shy, mineral-leaning nose offers pencil shavings and dark raspberry notes. The palate proves more dynamic, with sagebrush, red cherries and anise seed, showing lots of energy but nothing too complex.

88

30

California

Pinot Noir

5,902

Argentina

Smells like wet dog, with sweaty red fruit. The palate is high in acid and low in volume, with snappy, semisour flavors of raspberry and red plum. Settles on the finish but still it's sharp and lean. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Malbec.

81

8

Mendoza Province

Red Blend

27,276

Portugal

Want dense tannins? Then this your wine. Of course, it has much more than that. It has mineral-driven stone fruit flavors, a sense of terroir, of restrained power. It also has a serious side, and definite aging potential.

92

18

Douro

Portuguese Red

5,146

US

This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot is young, rambunctious and tight, but also very interesting. The aromas of chocolate, clove, pepper and black plum do the trick: you are drawn in. Intense flavors of cherry, plum, cassis and pepper, and a finish of piquant spices and oak are equally satisfying. Based on how this wine responded to air we say give it a few years to settle down.

90

30

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

30,346

US

High-toned and 100% varietal, this ephemeral Pinot Gris was aged in stainless steel and is dry and waxy on the palate. Crisp green apple and lemon flavors are complemented by a mineral underbelly that makes this a food-friendly wine.

88

18

California

Pinot Gris

54,726

France

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

93

89

Burgundy

Chardonnay

104,444

US

Tight and wound up on the nose, this bottling shows lime blossom and tangerine skin aromas with laser-sharp focus. Tangerine, sea salt and lime flavors show on the palate, where flinty minerality accents all that lush citrus.

91

45

California

Chardonnay

122,195

US

The Wallula vineyard, set high atop a bluff overlooking the Columbia river, gives grapes that bring dark, roasted flavors to the large-scale wine. The fruit tastes as if it has been pushed, perhaps a bit too far, and the impression it leaves tilts toward the raisiny side. It's a wine that could go in a positive direction with cellar time, but it is impossible to tell right now, as it cuts off quickly once in the mouth.

86

22

Washington

Syrah

83,276

US

Candied fruit and oak combine on the palate for a smooth ride in this medium-weight wine, priced attractively given the quality. A bittersweet hint of tobacco greets the finish.

86

30

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

103,853

US

This wine offers aromas of herb, tobacco, barrel spice and plum. The palate brings plush rich textured plum flavors, showing a beautiful sense of purity along with a crazy-long finish. It's a shamelessly delicious but still impeccably balanced wine that is nearly impossible to put down.

93

32

Washington

Malbec

87,513

US

Rather delicate flavors of green melon, apple and fresh cut grass infuse this elegant Sauvignon Blanc. The precision and balance are impressive; the price and overall lightness make it an excellent, mealtime quaffer.

87

13

Washington

Sauvignon Blanc

23,832

France

A touch of ripe pear plays into the Golden Delicious notes of the nose. The palate displays the same fruit flavors on its very light and easy fruit-driven palate, supported by freshness and fizzing froth. The lemony finish is dry and refreshing.

88

20

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

3,060

US

Light strawberry fruit with tart acidity carries a wine of modest proportions. It's drinking well, and might be a good choice for a simple salmon preparation, as it would not overwhelm the fish. The finishing tannins have a definite herbal flavor.

88

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

5,387

US

A mélange of Sangiovese, Primitivo, Barbera and Dolcetto, this wine offers a rustic personality harking back to the old country from whence all these varieties originally hailed. Big in structure and presence, the wine has more earthy, savory components than rich fruit and is sparse on the finish.

85

24

California

Red Blend

79,253

France

Soft, ripe and fruity, this lightly spicy wine is full of red fruits and crisp acidity. It balances between the fruit and the tangy, textured aftertaste. Drink now.

86

15

Bordeaux

Rosé

22,977

US

It's easy to imagine drinking this wine—and really enjoying it—in Paso Robles with a grilled steak. It's rich, heady and ripe in black currants, with a Port-like, raisiny taste.

87

25

California

Red Blend

82,261

US

The winery's top of the top, this is a viscous, concentrated expression of the grape, blended with 5% Merlot, the fruit from the producer's estate Sage Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Chocolate, blackberry, sage and meaty grips of black pepper and anise compete for attention amid all the ripeness and intensity, finishing with surprising softness.

92

225

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

46,159

France

This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.

94

250

Champagne

Champagne Blend

47,594

US

Fruity, with plum flavors soaked in a good dose of vanilla, this is an easygoing wine for casual entertaining or everyday use. The blend includes 8% Syrah.

85

9

Washington

Merlot

14,387

US

This wine comes from 35-year-old vines at French Creek Vineyard. Light aromas of spice, herb and candlewax are followed by a medium-bodied palate brightened by lively, lemony acidity. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.

89

28

Washington

Chardonnay

15,482

US

Aromas like cinnamon, cedar and sweet cherries lead to concentrated, lively flavors with tangy cherry and rhubarb notes. Relatively full bodied, the wine has a smooth, mouthfilling texture and a lingering finish that echoes the delicious fruit elements.

90

32

California

Pinot Noir

101,778

US

From an 850-foot-elevation site four miles from the ocean, this offers a depth of dark cherry and Asian spice, lightly bodied and textured. It delivers a hit of bittersweet chocolate on the tangy finish, with an intriguing streak of charcuterie that's hard to shake.

91

56

California

Pinot Noir

103,118

US

This is quite an impressive Cabernet. The wine rivals an intense Napa Cabernet, with it's tannic structure and its bold flavors of blackberry, black currant and licorice that have been exquisitely oaked. It's elegantly drinkable now despite the power, but should comfortably glide through at least the next eight years.

95

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

17,349

US

This is a robust, dense and tannic wine, with 8% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It needs time to unravel what are now just mere suggestions of coffee and black-cherry jam, with seasonings of cedar, peppercorn and dried sage. Full bodied, ripe and highly structured, this should be enjoyed in years to come, through 2023.

90

55

California

Merlot

62,463

US

This full-bodied and effusive wine has a sweet, oaky aroma and similarly rich flavors of black cherry and blackberry jam. It feels smooth and luxurious.

87

38

California

Pinot Noir

124,785

Australia

Barrel fermented in older oak, but this wine is still marked by oak and lees, with a slightly toasty, custardy edge to the melon and nectarine aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied Viognier then picks up hints of coffee and chocolate on the finish. Drink now.

86

25

South Australia

Viognier

71,007

US

A bit burly in tannins, with a dry, sandpapery mouthfeel. But that doesn't stop the blackberry, black cherry and currant fruit from shining through, or put a damper on the sweet, toasty oak notes. Doesn't feel like an ager, so the tannins are here to stay, but a good steak will wrestle them into submission.

90

35

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

59,022

US

Light red cherry, marjoram and allspice aromas mark this bottling from a winery in the Central Valley that has sourced fruit from coastal regions for many years. The flavors are even more interesting, as cherry is enhanced by bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns and Indian spices.

91

50

California

Pinot Noir

80,461

US

Block 10 was made with 25% whole cluster fermentation, the result bold and impressive in cola cherry and soft baking spices, an intriguing floral note akin to geranium or gardenia highlighting the palate. Midway, expect an expansive opening of the wine, before notes of cocoa and espresso delve in.

91

70

California

Pinot Noir

94,326

US

Dry and silky, this is a good Pinot Noir, though it's a little too ripe, which gives the blackberry and cherry notes a pruny, hot taste. Try it with beef stew and prunes to echo the flavors.

85

48

California

Pinot Noir

121,031

US

This wine shows a lot of reduction that provides off-putting aromas. The strawberry and cranberry flavors are full and show pleasing purity and length. The disconnect between the aromas and flavors is substantial but some time in a decanter might sync them up.

88

27

Washington

Grenache

107,931

US

A big improvement from the previous vintage, this pretty, salmon-hued wine is packed with subtle but flavorful fruit. Tart citrus and strawberry notes underscored with crisp, clean acidity make it refreshing and a real winner.

90

22

Oregon

Rosé

31,613

Germany

Zesty lime-skin notes lend vibrance to delicate apple and blossom aromas on this off-dry Riesling. It's steely and focused with acidity, but fleshed out on the midpalate, with intensely ripe mango and peach flavors.

89

16

Mosel

Riesling

47,765

France

Ripe and fruity, touched by mint with some good balancing tannins and acidity. A fine, firm and also juicy wine, with a warm texture.

87

13

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

117,744

US

Delicate wet slate aromas meet wafts of rose blossom and baseball-card bubblegum on the nose of this rosé. The palate offers delicious and approachable strawberry flavors, held together with a steely edge.

91

25

California

Grenache

11,052

US

This pure Pommard-clone bottling offers lighter red fruit with highlights of cocoa and baking spices. The balance is good, and this should age well and develop interesting aromatics if cellared. Drink 2018–2025.

89

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

15,851

US

This is possibly the most savory rendition of Syrah made on the Central Coast, each vintage as feral as the last. This bottling shows bloody lamb, crushed peppercorn, soy and barnyard elements on the nose. The palate is tense with tarry structure, revealing unusual kelp, stewed peppercorn, black miso and teriyaki flavors.

96

40

California

Syrah

29,875

US

Spicy and floral, with super concentration, this fruit bomb of a wine is 100% Riesling, though the aromatics have the rose petal, soapy character of some Washington Gewürztraminers. The depth and intensity of the fruit are remarkable, but may make this a challenge to match with food, even spicy Asian noodle dishes.

89

22

Washington

Riesling

29,480

Italy

Clean, simple and correct, this wine offers an excellent window into the Nebbiolo grape. From a young vintage and free of the aromas and textures associated with long aging in wood, this bright wine focuses on quality of fruit and fresh berry aromas backed by crispness and good structure.

87

20

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

121,813

France

The Gonet family's investment, which began in 1998, has begun to bear fruit. This wine comes from the second in a row of fine Bordeaux vintages. The style of the vintage is well represented in this richly endowed wine with its swathes of black fruits, its rich tannins and its warm full texture. This is just coming together after a quiet period for the vintage. Drink from 2018.

92

124

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

6,977

US

The smoky oaky aromas and spicy peppery flavors of this medium-bodied wine are undeniable and definitely dominate whatever modest fruit flavors lie underneath. It's an assertive wine with a brash flavor profile.

86

9

California

Chardonnay

76,279

US

This starts with a smoky aroma, like charred steak over the grill. Then highly concentrated fruit flavors zoom across the tongue, along with very firm tannins and powerful, ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors backed by a mouth-coating texture. It's an unusually focused and structured wine.

92

36

California

Syrah

128,377

US

Ripe raspberry juice is spiced heavily with cloves rendered in butter and flashes of black pepper on this wine by Adam Lee. It's fresh and flavorful on the powerful palate, with lots of black spice, vibrant berry juice and fresh thyme on the edges. This wine is alive with energy and verve.

93

55

California

Pinot Noir

81,871

Italy

Here's a polished wine made from a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers aromas of red berry, blue flower and cedar with a hint of toasted oak. The concentrated flavors include black cherry, exotic spice and a hint of chocolate. Soft with smoothed tannins, this is already approachable.

89

35

Tuscany

Red Blend

69,307

Germany

Thirty bucks may seem like a lot for an entry-level Riesling, but this is an exemplary example. Aromas of wet stones, moss and spring flowers are mouthwatering, and then are followed by a complex array of nonfruity flavors, like stones and greens carried along by a mouthfeel that's light as a feather. Tart pineapple emerges on the long finish. Drink anytime over the next 10 years.

90

29

Mosel

Riesling

45,796

Italy

Forest floor, dark-skinned berry, leather and tilled earth aromas unfold in the glass. The full-bodied, elegant palate offers mature black cherry, black raspberry, ground pepper, anise and chopped mint framed in ripe, tightly packed tannins. It's young and assertive, but also balanced, with real aging potential. Drink 2020–2035.

96

115

Tuscany

Sangiovese

126,573

US

Fruity blackberry and black cherry wrap around sinewy leather in this seamless, supple, cool-mountain wine. Bright minerality winds through the tannin and power, allowing it room to breathe. Drink now through 2020.

91

100

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

79,314

France

With ripe fruit and caramel aromas, this is a rich wine (40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cinsault). The second rosé of Château Vignelaure, it's full of sunshine, with rich red berry flavors that are given a larger character by the touch of vanilla that makes it food-friendly.

89

14

Provence

Rosé

50,839

US

Lean and earthy, marked by tobacco, dill and less than ripe cherry flavors. Tannins are tough and gritty. The wine finishes very dry and rasping, showing little fruit. The winemaker seems to have understood the problem here, and added five percent Syrah.

85

30

California

Merlot

9,000

US

Oak stands out, making smoky caramel and butterscotch the dominant flavors in this Chardonnay. Below that are fruity flavors of pineapples, green apple jam and peach preserves, finished with awesome Asian spices. Just 90 cases produced.

88

50

California

Chardonnay

89,207

France

With its rich toasty aroma and ripe creamed apple palate, this is a rich Champagne reflecting the vintage. It is well balanced, with toffee softness and lime juice acidity. Not for aging, but currently very enjoyable.

90

99

Champagne

Champagne Blend

67,663

US

From the producer's beloved Atlas Peak planting, M is a powerhouse of brawny flavor and earthy minerality, a mix of chocolate, coffee and blackberry jam that's burly in size and scope. Spicy, it layers on savory elements of tar, leather and tobacco, complementing with ease the forceful fruit and supportive oak.

94

200

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

66,744

US

Masses of dusty spices mark this balanced, delicious Zinfandel. It has the polished balance and rich tannins of a Napa Valley Cabernet, but with Zin's wild berries, cherries, currants, briary, brambly tones and textures, and of course all those savory spices.

92

38

California

Zinfandel

74,020

France

The wine is structured and with bold red fruits. It also has a firm texture, layers of tannins and a solid texture. Acidity shines through at the end. These elements promise a serious wine that will age well. Drink from 2021.

89

45

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

71,142

US

This is a savory wine whose price makes it a decent value. It's crisp in acidity, with off-dry lemon, lime, tangerine and honey flavors. Easy to drink with almost anything that calls for a slightly sweet white wine.

85

18

California

Sauvignon Blanc

83,574

France

Earth and lemons dominate the nose. The earthy mellowness is more pronounced. on the palate, joined by 2014 fresh lemon. The finish is dry but remains earthy.

87

17

Alsace

Riesling

106,190

US

This is a deeply ripe, authoritatively structured Syrah of great power and finesse. It's drinkable now for the velvety texture and massive flavors of grilled blackberries, blueberries, currants, dark unsweetened chocolate, leather, black pepper and lots of sweet, smoky new oak. But it's also fairly tannic. Very fine now, with a brief decant, and through 2013.

93

52

California

Syrah

51,248

US

Closed aromatically, this Chardonnay has a lemon-lime crispness that follows straight into vanilla and toasty oak. Young, it finishes on a sour note.

83

20

California

Chardonnay

24,323

US

Spicy and salty, it's a bit like an Albariño, with little to indicate its Chardonnay varietal character. Though technically correct, it's just rather plain; in a blind tasting it could pass for almost any simple white wine.

85

20

Oregon

Chardonnay

61,409

US

Generous in aromas of leather and chocolate-covered fig, this wine gets mushy in the middle. Thin with an earthy edge and a finish that's slightly herbal.

83

24

California

Zinfandel

42,469

US

Really impressive at this price for its depth of flavor and overall balance. Dry and elegantly constructed, it shows extravagant flavors of blackberries, cherries, sweet currants and sandalwood. A lovely Merlot of great charm and drinkability. Production was 5,800 cases.

89

14

California

Merlot

10,878

US

This is a knife-sharp Viognier, offering precise, chiseled flavors of citrus rind, Meyer lemon and grapefruit. The piercing acidity belies a wine whose flavors are fully ripe, and deliver an extended, mineral-drenched finish.

91

25

Washington

Viognier

75,041

US

Youthfully exuberant in fresh-squeezed grapefruit, lemon and lime, this wine has zesty acidity and pillows of vanilla, ending clean and bright. This is the first national release of this variety for the winery.

88

24

California

Sauvignon Blanc

33,414

US

This soft, round and juicy wine is ripe and full bodied, a good representative of the vintage. It shows brambly black fruit, mocha and hints of coconut flakes that endure through the finish.

88

70

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

60,083

US

The aromas of plum and blue fruit bring appeal but don't seem entirely varietal. Flavors are sweet, backed by lightly tacky-feeling tannins. It delivers easy-drinking enjoyment, though characteristics of the variety seems hard to find.

86

12

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

58,529

US

This bone-dry wine is rather severe in tannins. It feels elegant, but lacks immediate reward, with cherry, currant and tobacco flavors that disappear into a cloak of astringency. Could develop after 2011, but no guarantees.

87

90

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

68,908

France

Soft and already round, this is a fruity wine with gentle spice, melon and fresh lime juice. It still has its youthful lemon-zest tang although it is filling out, losing its minerality and gaining a layer of ripe yellow fruits. Drink now.

86

20

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

127,464

US

Lightly sweet and rich in both flavor and body, this wine has generous ripe pear and peach notes accented with coconut and vanilla. A layered effect to the flavors and an especially creamy texture make it very tempting.

88

14

California

White Blend

32,278

France

Rounded, rich and full in the mouth, this offers swathes of flowery, aromatic fruit that is still young, still in its primary stage. With just a hint of steely texture, the wine does have structure and aging potential. For now, it is generous and delicious.

93

48

Alsace

Riesling

22,257

France

This is the entry-level wine from this estate situated in the small area of Coteaux Varois. It is a really fruity blend of Grenache and Cinsault. Bright red fruits and crisp acidity give a dry wine with great fruitiness. Drink now.

88

18

Provence

Rosé

79,638

US

A blend of Loess Vineyard and Leonetti Old Block, this wine is 100% varietal. The aromas are bright and pure, with notes of raspberry, cherry, plum, anise and spice. The flavors deliver, with a sense of understated appeal.

91

75

Washington

Merlot

109,399

US

These vineyards seem to have been selected for unripe, vegetal grapes. Just manages to scrape by with a veneer of cherries.

80

10

California

Merlot

91,699

US

Tasted along with a dozen other single vineyard selections from Ken Wright, this feels a bit thin, but only in relation to a portfolio of astonishing power and depth. Truffle, red berries and sharp acidity combine nicely, though the finish falls away rather quickly.

89

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

30,996

US

With moderate alcohol, brisk acidity and sturdy tannins, this blend of undisclosed varieties brings to mind something from the south of France. It has herb, blackberry and currant flavors that smack of the summer sun.

88

25

California

Red Blend

123,808

Italy

This expression of Merlot is soft and plush, and it offers layers of cherry, raspberry and soft spice. Oak-derived aromas of toasted almond and clove are delicate and well integrated.

92

61

Tuscany

Merlot

92,788

France

This wine, produced by négociant Rivière in Saint-Émilion, is a fruity, red-berry and black-currant flavored wine. It has tannins as well as a good structure that points up the fruitiness. The wine is ripe, smooth and ready to drink.

87

12

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

36,042

US

A standard Cabernet, dry and tannic. The best thing is the deep core of blackberry, currant, mineral and spice flavors. Drink now–2014.

86

14

California

Cabernet Sauvignon