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
56,219	US	Depths of earth and tobacco define this well-made, robust and lengthy wine, given to both red and blue berry fruit and plenty of juicy acidity. It shows again how well the grape seems to do in this appellation from specific sites.	90	32	California	Malbec
89,260	Italy	Spiced berry, violet, menthol and anise aromas float out of the glass. The elegant, firmly structured palate doles out juicy black cherry, licorice, white pepper, clove and a hint of pipe tobacco alongside firm, fine-grained tannins that need a few more years to unwind. Drink 2019–2031.	93	66	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
26,386	Italy	Francesco Bolla's Poggio Verrano is an interesting estate worth keeping an eye on. The wines show consistent quality and the red blend Chance is the latest in a varied portfolio of products that show the best of southern Tuscany. The wine opens with ripe fruit aromas, cured meat and leather.	93	39	Tuscany	Red Blend
5,428	US	This sports a blue label, to differentiate it from the winery's estate bottling. It's dark and toasty, with robust black-cherry fruit, along with strong notes of charcoal, espresso and vanilla. There's nothing subtle here, but should work well with Korean ribs.	88	20	Oregon	Zinfandel
79,690	Spain	With 20% Garnacha, this Navarran Merlot carries a green and lactic streak that makes it a tough go. The palate is gigantic and oversaturated, which makes the whole clumsy and rough.	82	12	Northern Spain	Merlot
112,556	US	There's plenty of earthiness to this wine. Tart cherry and cranberry lead the way on the palate, amidst dense, rich tannins and plenty of oak. The acidity is most prominent on the midpalate.	88	49	California	Pinot Noir
46,548	Italy	Here's an enjoyable Soave from one of the Veneto's most renowned Amarone producers. It shows a pretty fragrance of white spring flowers and melon while the palate boasts juicy cantaloup and pear. It finishes fresh and crisp.	87	17	Veneto	White Blend
19,561	US	Creamy on the nose with a scent of musk and flowers, this wine from Brotherhood is too angular to fully enjoy. The acidity is good but the overall flavors are lean.	81	11	New York	Riesling
43,152	Italy	This is a lovely wine that is packed tight with spicy oak renderings, chocolate Nutella, almond paste, red fruit and roasted espresso bean. The wine shows elegant, drying tannins with creamy mocha flavors that last long in the mouth. Drink after 2015.	93	80	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
50,654	US	Aromatically accenting its herbal, spicy highlights, this sports lightly ripened strawberry and cherry fruit. It's an elegant, well-crafted, nicely balanced wine, with the delicate authority that Josh Bergström brings to all of his wines.	90	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
704	France	This rich and impressive wine has structure and a firm texture, partly from the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon). It is dense and full of juicy red fruits, caramel and delicious spice. Production is only 2,500 cases. It would be worth aging for a few more months, so drink from late 2015.	91	20	Provence	Rosé
89,617	US	This is a firm, almost fleshy style, with solid peach fruit and highlights of grapefruit pith and rind. It emphasizes fruit over flower, and finishes quite dry.	87	24	Oregon	Riesling
38,452	France	There is the merest hint of chamomile lift on the nose, pulling all the other flavors heavenwards with it. There is apple as well as lemon zest. The palate is wonderfully pure and totally dry. Here and there more herbal inflections show and more mellow hints of baked apple. This is dry, taut and aromatic, but also clean-cut and precise. Lovely now but with definite aging potential. Drink now through 2030.	93	35	Alsace	Riesling
33,903	US	High-toned aromas of dried herbs, cocoa, licorice, woodspice and blackberry lead to full-bodied yet elegantly styled black fruit flavors, with the tannins showing some grit.	89	90	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
73,380	US	There's a mushroomy earthiness that dominates this wine's cherry and raspberry flavors. It's dry, with a silky mouthfeel and brisk, cool-climate-derived acidity. Drink now.	85	28	California	Pinot Noir
57,885	US	This Ponzi-owned vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA (but not listed as such). It's bright and tense, with coiled energy and flavors that do need some hours to breathe open. Poached pear, lemon curd and caramel apple are in the mix. At first a little hot in the finish, it smoothes out and turns into a buttery gem.	93	60	Oregon	Chardonnay
83,027	US	Curtis aims at maximum extraction and succeeds with this wildly fruity Syrah. It's explosive in blackberries, currants and plums, with notes of black pepper, dark chocolate and roasted meats, sweetened with oak. Rich in tannins, it's made for drinking now.	87	28	California	Syrah
109,818	US	Tastes a little simple and candied, but it's so delicious, you can hardly stop sipping. Rich and ripe in cherry and raspberry Lifesaver fruit and pie filling, with plenty of sweet vanilla and spice. Drink now.	87	55	California	Pinot Noir
122,111	US	A wine given ample time in bottle, this exhibits a fair amount of ripe fruit and honeyed oak and vanilla. The generous offering of apple fritter and crème brûlée retains enough minerality in the background to stay balanced and refined.	91	38	California	Chardonnay
93,905	US	A real fruit bomb, with explosive flavors of pineapples, lemons, limes and peaches, accented with sweet smoky oak. Malolactic fermentation adds softer flavors of buttered popcorn.	85	25	California	Chardonnay
10,272	France	Solidly tannic, this is a firm wine with juicy fruit that adds balance to the structure. It has a refreshing quality with black currant flavors that are full and dense in the mouth. Give this fine wine time. Drink after 2016.	89	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
76,819	US	There's a healthy dose of oak cradling the fruit-forwardness of this wine, made entirely from estate vineyards within the Chalk Hill appellation near the winery. Anise and honeyed caramel vie for attention against a rich texture and lemony finish.	87	22	California	Chardonnay
82,879	France	As it develops in bottle, this wine retains all its intense acidity. But it has now brought in a toast and yeast character that gives it even greater complexity. It is a wine that is also a Champagne, now in full flow of mineral richness, still with a long way to develop.	95	120	Champagne	Champagne Blend
106,517	US	Tart and tightly focused, this single-block expression is pure green-apple fruit and acid.	87	28	Oregon	Riesling
33,191	US	The addition of 5% Sémillon proves to be the right call in this white, a structured, spritzy glass of tree-ripened apricot and exotic lemongrass with a pleasant heft to the palate. A twist of ripeness gives a mouthwatering, juicy finish.	90	40	California	Sauvignon Blanc
73,372	US	High alcohol gives this dry, tannic wine some heat, and the overripe fruit lends a raisiny, pruny tinge to the blackberry flavor.	85	35	California	Zinfandel
43,495	US	This wine brings aromas of blackberry, dates and spice. The palate displays abundant cherry flavors with lightly chalky tannins.	90	45	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
112,369	Argentina	This smells like a forest fire, but it's also creamy and roasted. Tangy and tart, this features narrow plum and cherry flavors that are powered by blazing acidity.	81	19	Mendoza Province	Pinot Noir
35,442	France	This taut, tight wine is impressive. The mineral texture and crisp white fruits combine into a harmonious wine that is full of apple and pear flavors. It comes from the Grand Cru village of Avize, reflecting the chalk soil in its structure. Drink from 2019.	91	50	Champagne	Chardonnay
1,905	US	Hendry has a good track record with Cabernet, and although this isn't their best effort, it's an interesting, moderately ageworthy wine. It's pretty tough in tannins right now, but the astringency frames ripe blackberry and cassis flavors that linger in the finish. Needs time. Best 2008–2010.	89	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
71,225	France	The standard nonvintage blend from this producer is soft with a good touch of bottle age as well as a relatively high dosage. It is fruity, easy and with its final acidity, crisp and refreshing to drink.	87	40	Champagne	Champagne Blend
2,544	US	From a winery located below Bernal Heights in San Francisco, this wine offers rich aromas of thick, chewy Meyer lemon pith, lightly toasted sourdough bread, toasted almonds, struck match and the slightest hint of browned butter. The palate is intriguingly tart, oily in texture and quite powerful, with cooked lemon rinds, lemon creme brûlée and marcona almond oil flavors.	89	28	California	Chardonnay
108,249	US	A concentrated, full-bodied and dense explosion of chocolate, plum jam and smoky oak, this wine is powerful and well integrated, smooth on the palate with its oak well tucked in. From a mighty mountainous vineyard, it captures the soul of the variety from a standpoint of ripeness and grip.	92	75	California	Syrah
36,096	US	A good Cabernet for the table, with its dryness, firm tannins and general balance. Shows deep, long-lasting flavors of black currants, anise and smoky cedar, and could even develop some bottle complexity.	88	35	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
107,281	US	Fermented and aged in new French oak, this wine shows pleasing pear and apple aromas along with toast and baking spices. The medium-bodied flavors show refinement, depth and balance.	91	35	Washington	Chardonnay
119,777	Italy	Aromas of violet, ripe plum and a whiff of espresso lead the nose of this straightforward red. The easygoing palate offers dried cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of ground pepper alongside fresh acidity and dusty, rather fleeting tannins.	87	15	Tuscany	Sangiovese
18,655	US	This is a big, sweetly oaked wine notable for its ripe flavors and sheer opulence. It's distinctly Californian in the massive, rather jammy blackberries, cherries and raspberries, and shows good balance in the richness of tannins and savory acidity. Delicious as it is, it's all primary fruit now. Give it 2–3 years to mellow.	92	65	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
98,682	US	Even if you like some earthy, mushroomy notes in your Syrah, this one is unripe to the point of vegetal. It's also too soft for balance. Despite some decent blackberry and cola flavors, it's a real disappointment.	82	35	California	Syrah
54,271	US	Pirouette is a Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux-style blend, with 31% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot completing the mix. Scents of violets and raspberries lead on the bouquet, with plenty of rich new-oak aromas. It's bright and spicy in the mouth, youthful and balanced, with terrific energy and aging potential.	94	55	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
100,057	US	A broodingly dark, oaky Syrah, this has a dash of pepper and intense red fruit. Naggiar continues to make promising Rhone-inspired estate wines from rocky mountain soils.	87	21	California	Syrah
96,919	US	Spicy cranberry fruit pushes front and center, making a gulpable Southern Oregon Pinot. Bright and fruity, it's built for near-term enjoyment.	87	24	Oregon	Pinot Noir
99,753	Argentina	Boysenberry and exotic notes of all-spice and cardamom set this Malbec apart from the field. In the mouth, this is typically angular, with sharp acidity and not much cushion. A one-note, linear flavor of rooty plum is neither fruity nor dry, while the finish fails to rise or fall; it just hums along on a singular beam of acid. Drink from 2018–2030.	89	100	Mendoza Province	Malbec
115,068	US	This wine shows bacon fat, boysenberry and tarragon on the nose. It's full and ripe on the palate, bringing similar flavors, also showing blackberry, roasted pork and black pepper. It proves quite delicious and just what one expects from a warmer-climate Syrah.	91	30	California	Syrah
15,179	Italy	Rich and inviting, this has bold aromas of maraschino, blackberry jam, plum and exotic spice. The mouthfeel is plush and rich, with a bright spot of acidity on the finish.	87	17	Piedmont	Barbera
31,719	US	This Bordeaux blend, based on equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is softly opulent and ripe, in the way of many Paso Robles red wines. It floods the mouth with blackberries and currants, with spicy complexities from oak, and is fairly tannic, although not so much that a good steak won't cut through it. Best Now–2012.	88	59	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
24,752	France	Subdued, riper fruit has not yet come to the surface. Notions of Bramley apple are evoked on the nose; on the palate they show as the more rounded flavor of baked Bramley. Hovering above it all is grated lemon zest, pulling fruit, texture and freshness tautly together in a dry, fresh yet mellow finish. The more you taste, the more the still-underlying fruit yearns to rise to the surface. Best to give this some time so it can show its true, exciting colours.	93	24	Alsace	Riesling
122,740	Italy	Some occasions call for a wine that shows the highest levels of quality but also has a touch of friendliness or informality that makes it more approachable. Barolo Vigneto Arborina is such a wine. It offers elegant Nebbiolo tones of red fruit and blue flower with oaky spice and smoke.	90	55	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
6,749	US	The wine is fermented in steel tanks and aged for a few months in neutral oak barrels. The result is dry, tart and complex, with gooseberry, green grass and white pepper flavors, enriched with hints of golden mangoes and vanilla.	89	21	California	Sauvignon Blanc
75,114	Australia	This aged for 18 months in new French barriques, and the influence of that is marked. Cedary, gently sawdusty notes and a touch of nail polish are apparent on the nose, while the palate is admirably full bodied and richly textured. The finish is generally velvety, but also shows hints of varnish or paint thinner. Overall, the raw materials are impressive, but the wine comes across as a bit disjointed.	87	188	South Australia	Grenache
43,126	US	This is the personal project of Robert Mondavi's longtime winemaker, Genevieve Janssens, and her husband, Luc. Production is only 250 cases. The blend is of the two Cabs, Sauvignon and Franc. The quality of the tannins is perfect, and so is the effortless way the wine has absorbed 100% new French oak without the wood sticking out. My only criticism, and it's a big one, is excessive ripeness that makes it Port-like. The alcohol is 15.5%.	87	125	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
126,486	US	Soft and friendly, this has instantly likeable cherry, cola, anise and sandalwood flavors. Perfect for drinking now.	86	20	California	Merlot
65,941	US	This light refreshing wine spent 16 months in 20% new French oak. The pretty berry fruit is elegantly set in complementary acids, with a streak of blond tea threading through the finish.	89	55	Oregon	Pinot Noir
27,520	US	Higher in alcohol than Kenwood's regular '05 Sonoma Zin, this one's hotter and more full-bodied. It's got a density that can stand a little bottle age. Give it two or three years to soften, and let the blackberry, cherry and coffee fruit emerge from the tannins.	88	20	California	Zinfandel
67,687	Spain	A peachy nose includes the botrytis aromas you get in late-harvest Alsace whites and Sauternes. Linear and still lively on the palate, this tastes a bit woody but also of muddled stone fruits. A chunky finish is peachy tasting.	85	13	Northern Spain	Chardonnay
109,110	US	The Stoller-sourced Pinot is forward and ripe, with pretty fruit flavors in a compact, light vintage. Cola, peach, black cherry and milk chocolate components swirl together, fading gently into a light finish. Drink over the next 2–3 years.	88	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
68,495	US	Lighter in color and density, this wine shows smoked berries, rust and iodine on the nose. The palate is decorated with black olives, smoked cherries and more sanguine elements.	86	18	California	Pinot Noir
12,421	US	Super dusty, leathery and big shouldered, this is also quite bright and drinkable. Made using grapes sourced from old vines planted within the Esola Vineyard.	87	25	California	Zinfandel
47,589	Portugal	This is a wine that is full of red fruits and fresh acidity. The tannic structure is well in balance giving a firm edge to the bright, ready-to-drink fruits. The wine is the entry level to the always impressive range from Crasto. Drink this wine now.	88	17	Douro	Portuguese Red
92,446	US	Harsh and rustic, this Cab has disagreeably strong tannins and green flavors that barely suggest blackberries.	80	15	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
25,482	France	This second wine from the estate offers spice and mushroom aromas that indicate it's now mature. Ripe and smooth, with attractive secondary flavors, it's spicy, meaty and ready to drink.	89	28	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
116,202	US	Horse & Plow turns out so many lovely wines it's heartbreaking not to include this one in the mix. It was sourced from one of the great organic Mendocino vineyards, old vines no less, but there just wasn't much there, the wine tasting tight without much fruit.	84	22	California	Zinfandel
37,680	Italy	From a dynamic, family-run wine estate in northern Italy, this light Pinot Grigio offers aromas of lemon soda, peach and tangerine skin.	84	10	Veneto	Pinot Grigio
45,433	US	Fragrant and plush aromas of cassis, blueberry and black cherry mix with strong notes of licorice and black olive. Silky, detailed, supple and beautifully proportioned, this is a terrific value.	91	25	Washington	Red Blend
91,027	US	This is an oaky Chardonnay with buttered toast and butterscotch flavors that overlay rich apricot, tangerine and tropical fruits. The opulence is balanced with crisp acidity. It's all a bit forward and obvious, but in a good way.	88	15	California	Chardonnay
35,074	Italy	Bacco in Toscana is an easy and slightly awkward blend of Sangiovese and 20% Syrah with bright berry notes and background aromas of moist earth and tobacco.	83	10	Tuscany	Sangiovese
95,764	Spain	Deep in color for an '01, with sweet aromas of vanilla, tobacco, leather and hickory. The palate is endowed with big berry fruit and flavors directed by wood spice, and the tannic level is just right given the wine's midterm age. With licorice, resin and additional hickory on the finish, 7 Viñas (vineyards) is one of Baron de Ley's better efforts.	89	69	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
105,304	Argentina	Smoky and big on the nose, with crusty black-fruit flavors backing that up. The wine is less deep and more hard and scratchy than some Mendoza Malbecs, but it's solid and sure-footed even if the mouthfeel is stark. Probably better with food than others due to its leaner, less opulent style.	87	19	Mendoza Province	Malbec
107,906	US	This lovely rosé brings a complex mix of citrus, strawberry and melon flavors, etched with vivid acidity. It's poised, balanced and clean in style—a great example of how a seemingly simple wine can surprise with unexpected depth.	90	20	Oregon	Rosé
104,743	US	Pepper, lavender, cranberry and iodine aromas lead the nose of this easy-drinking blend of 41% Petit Sirah, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 9% Grenache. The palate is tense and tart, its dried red fruit melding with graphite, nori and black pepper flavors.	88	17	California	Red Blend
94,555	US	Bright tangerine and honey notes intensify from nose to palate on this zesty dry Riesling. While light-footed and spry, it's a racy citrusy wine with persistence and presence. It's dry through the finish, but marked by a lingering kiss of honey.	90	26	New York	Riesling
102,424	Italy	Made from dried Nebbiolo grapes, this structured wine weaves together plum, raisin, leather, earth, carob, balsamic and mineral notes. Combining power and finesse, it's well balanced but still young, with a firmly tannic backbone. Drink after 2017.	92	120	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
103,576	France	Fruity, crisp with red-currant and citrus flavors, this is a bright, vivacious wine. There is a tight mineral edge that contrasts with the fruitiness and turns this into a food friendly wine. Drink now.	88	25	Provence	Rosé
15,203	Italy	There's a lot to love on this juicy, delicious wine, starting with aromas of ripe, dark-skinned berry, baking spice, leather, sun baked soil and menthol. The elegant, structured palate delivers ripe black cherry, cinnamon, anise and tobacco while firm, polished tannins provide support and finesse. A blast of orange zest signals the close.	94	69	Tuscany	Red Blend
116,599	US	This upper-end brand for Bill Foley's Santa Barbara projects delivers a nose of dark raspberry, slate and clove. Tongue-tingling acidity emerges amid flavors of pomegranate juice, black pepper and toasted sage. The lively palate benefits from a seared lemon-skin bitterness.	90	75	California	Pinot Noir
122,118	France	While this wine is concentrated with firm tannins, the rich fruit dominates. It is dark, complex and rich, filled with black-plum flavors and a good structure. Intense juiciness character complements the tannins, giving a ripe wine that can age. Drink from 2018.	91	22	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
26,299	US	A savory, tannic and slightly earthy Cabernet Sauvignon made by winemakers Denis and May-Britt Malbec, who consult on many Napa Valley-based projects. The 2007 and 2009 are more indicative of how silky smooth and refined their Cabernets can be, with this one exhibiting just slightly too much tobacco and smoke on the finish, overpowering the berry fruit.	87	80	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
74,796	Argentina	Average red juice with sweet, rubbery aromas and flavors that match. It's Malbec in its most simple state: raspberry and cherry distilled into a quaffable liquid. Chilling might help.	83	7	Mendoza Province	Malbec
46,489	US	This new line from the well-regarded Testarossa Winery is a barrel selection emphasizing richness. The wine floods the mouth with succulent raspberries and cherries, with tarter notes of cranberries and red licorice. Earthiness provides extra complexity, and it could age well through 2020.	91	60	California	Pinot Noir
78,098	Spain	Rich and voluptuous on the bouquet, this has coconut, ripe blackberry and leather aromas. It feels huge, grabby, tannic and supercharged, with ultradark and chocolaty berry flavors that last long on the finish, where pepper, spice and chocolate flavors sneak into the frame. Drink 2014–2021.	92	132	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
94,051	US	Smooth and instantly appealing, this estate-grown Merlot has a broad, chocolaty palate that's loaded with cherry fruit. There are peppery, herbal highlights, and plenty of lingering, polished tannins.	90	12	Washington	Merlot
39,412	US	This much-admired vineyard brings exotic scents of ripe black-cherry fruit soaked in Asian spices. The wine is compact and powerful, with strong tannins and a light whiff of tar. Drink 2018 through 2026.	92	65	Oregon	Pinot Noir
113,904	US	A rustic wine with some sharp elbows, but there's enough berry, licorice, soy sauce and grilled beef flavor to satisfy. With sturdy tannins, it's a nice barbecue wine.	85	28	California	Red Blend
8,595	US	Very dry and elegantly silky, this Pinot, from one of the best vineyards in the valley, brims with cherry, red currant, cola, licorice and peppery spice flavors. Seems at its best now and in the short term.	89	52	California	Pinot Noir
72,216	US	The faux French name and labeling notwithstanding, this is a no-frills Oregon Chardonnay, fruity and clean. Simple flavors of melon and apple carry the palate, with no suggestion of oak.	86	16	Oregon	Chardonnay
37,425	US	An appellation wine that's affordable and instantly likable, this has strong forest and mushroom elements, seeming at once rustic and sophisticated. Cranberry and orange tones add brightness to the savory character, framed by fine tannins.	90	35	California	Pinot Noir
66,724	US	Tart, barely ripe fruit flavors echo rhubarb and salmonberry. This acidic wine has some spice and lift, and finishes with scents and flavors of fresh pine needles.	86	28	Oregon	Pinot Noir
69,406	Spain	Initial aromas of wet cement, black cherry and cassis grow more rubbery, reduced and animal-driven the longer this Syrah sits around. Bright, fresh and fiercely tannic, this deals dark-berry flavors, peppery spice and raw oak on top of dry, herbal notes. Oaky but not overly charred or pushy on the finish.	87	24	Catalonia	Syrah
76,582	US	This delightfully pure expression of the Syrah grape seduces from the first sniff, which sails along on a flying carpet of blue and purple fruits, licorice, clove and tobacco. The beguiling aromas continue in the mouth, where the wine assumes a seamless, plump and powerful presence. Ciel du Cheval Syrah is every bit as good as the Bordeaux grapes for which the vineyard is most famous.	94	35	Washington	Syrah
63,118	Italy	There's a very interesting and unique Asian quality here that reveals itself on the nose as saffron, soya, clove and Chinese barbecue sauce. The wine is lean and compact in the mouth with a long, silky finish: Hold five to 10 years in your cellar.	91	70	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
82,217	France	A touch of lemon appears on the nose. The palate is light and frothy, with easy freshness and lively citrus and apple fruit. The finish is dry. Drink soon.	87	23	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
64,148	France	The tannins are linear and direct in this otherwise fruity wine. Along with dark tannins, it is also rich with warm red fruits. The acidity still shows strongly and suggests that the wine needs time. Drink from 2020.	92	81	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
62,609	US	Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Barbera are tossed into the blend. The result is a rather generic mish-mash, pleasant but unfocused, that turns vegetal and stemmy in the finish.	83	19	Washington	Red Blend
121,922	US	A light-golden Chardonnay that does its county proud. It's lively and bright, with medium weight and flavors of sweet lemon custard, apple, and a lime-zest-dominated finish. This is a very good wine at a very fair price that should pair with an assortment of dinner fare.	88	11	California	Chardonnay
75,682	US	Although this Pinot is captivatingly rich in raspberry and cherry pie filling, red currant and Dr. Pepper cola flavors, it also has fine acidity and smooth, complex tannins, and a lovely overlay of sweet, smoky oak. Good as it is, there's no reason why it shouldn't develop bottle complexity over the next six years.	93	59	California	Pinot Noir
21,237	Italy	This Brunello shows elegant aromatic restraint in its tight aromas of wild berry and red currant. Dark flavors of barbecue spice, cured meat, leather and tobacco layer the midpalate, then turn fine and full on the finish.	89	80	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
50,139	France	Sumptuous, ripe and very full on the palate, this wine is dense and packed with notes of botrytis that give a strong sense of structure. This well-balanced wine shows potential to age, offering rich acacia honey and beautiful final acidity. Drink from 2020.	94	60	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
77,804	Germany	Sweet, verging on honeyed, this lush wine features plenty of superripe apples balanced by just a dash of citrus and a hint of bitterness on the finish. Could use more complexity.	89	40	Mosel	Riesling
46,524	France	A full-bodied wine, with some vanilla from light wood aging, rounded white fruits and a smooth texture. Touches of spice give extra interest to this fruity, open wine that is ready to drink.	87	25	Burgundy	Chardonnay
88,491	Australia	A bit fuller-bodied compared to most Australian Sauvignons, but the lime and herbal-grassy notes remain refreshing on the finish. Melon and fig flavors plump up the midpalate.	88	15	South Australia	Sauvignon Blanc
17,701	France	A fruity wine, it also has some structure. Ripe yellow and pineapple fruit flavors are laced with acidity, an apple skin texture and lemon zest. It feels rich and generous, a wine to age for a couple of years.	88	28	Burgundy	Chardonnay

56,219

US

Depths of earth and tobacco define this well-made, robust and lengthy wine, given to both red and blue berry fruit and plenty of juicy acidity. It shows again how well the grape seems to do in this appellation from specific sites.

90

32

California

Malbec

89,260

Italy

Spiced berry, violet, menthol and anise aromas float out of the glass. The elegant, firmly structured palate doles out juicy black cherry, licorice, white pepper, clove and a hint of pipe tobacco alongside firm, fine-grained tannins that need a few more years to unwind. Drink 2019–2031.

93

66

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

26,386

Italy

Francesco Bolla's Poggio Verrano is an interesting estate worth keeping an eye on. The wines show consistent quality and the red blend Chance is the latest in a varied portfolio of products that show the best of southern Tuscany. The wine opens with ripe fruit aromas, cured meat and leather.

93

39

Tuscany

Red Blend

5,428

US

This sports a blue label, to differentiate it from the winery's estate bottling. It's dark and toasty, with robust black-cherry fruit, along with strong notes of charcoal, espresso and vanilla. There's nothing subtle here, but should work well with Korean ribs.

88

20

Oregon

Zinfandel

79,690

Spain

With 20% Garnacha, this Navarran Merlot carries a green and lactic streak that makes it a tough go. The palate is gigantic and oversaturated, which makes the whole clumsy and rough.

82

12

Northern Spain

Merlot

112,556

US

There's plenty of earthiness to this wine. Tart cherry and cranberry lead the way on the palate, amidst dense, rich tannins and plenty of oak. The acidity is most prominent on the midpalate.

88

49

California

Pinot Noir

46,548

Italy

Here's an enjoyable Soave from one of the Veneto's most renowned Amarone producers. It shows a pretty fragrance of white spring flowers and melon while the palate boasts juicy cantaloup and pear. It finishes fresh and crisp.

87

17

Veneto

White Blend

19,561

US

Creamy on the nose with a scent of musk and flowers, this wine from Brotherhood is too angular to fully enjoy. The acidity is good but the overall flavors are lean.

81

11

New York

Riesling

43,152

Italy

This is a lovely wine that is packed tight with spicy oak renderings, chocolate Nutella, almond paste, red fruit and roasted espresso bean. The wine shows elegant, drying tannins with creamy mocha flavors that last long in the mouth. Drink after 2015.

93

80

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

50,654

US

Aromatically accenting its herbal, spicy highlights, this sports lightly ripened strawberry and cherry fruit. It's an elegant, well-crafted, nicely balanced wine, with the delicate authority that Josh Bergström brings to all of his wines.

90

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

704

France

This rich and impressive wine has structure and a firm texture, partly from the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon). It is dense and full of juicy red fruits, caramel and delicious spice. Production is only 2,500 cases. It would be worth aging for a few more months, so drink from late 2015.

91

20

Provence

Rosé

89,617

US

This is a firm, almost fleshy style, with solid peach fruit and highlights of grapefruit pith and rind. It emphasizes fruit over flower, and finishes quite dry.

87

24

Oregon

Riesling

38,452

France

There is the merest hint of chamomile lift on the nose, pulling all the other flavors heavenwards with it. There is apple as well as lemon zest. The palate is wonderfully pure and totally dry. Here and there more herbal inflections show and more mellow hints of baked apple. This is dry, taut and aromatic, but also clean-cut and precise. Lovely now but with definite aging potential. Drink now through 2030.

93

35

Alsace

Riesling

33,903

US

High-toned aromas of dried herbs, cocoa, licorice, woodspice and blackberry lead to full-bodied yet elegantly styled black fruit flavors, with the tannins showing some grit.

89

90

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

73,380

US

There's a mushroomy earthiness that dominates this wine's cherry and raspberry flavors. It's dry, with a silky mouthfeel and brisk, cool-climate-derived acidity. Drink now.

85

28

California

Pinot Noir

57,885

US

This Ponzi-owned vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA (but not listed as such). It's bright and tense, with coiled energy and flavors that do need some hours to breathe open. Poached pear, lemon curd and caramel apple are in the mix. At first a little hot in the finish, it smoothes out and turns into a buttery gem.

93

60

Oregon

Chardonnay

83,027

US

Curtis aims at maximum extraction and succeeds with this wildly fruity Syrah. It's explosive in blackberries, currants and plums, with notes of black pepper, dark chocolate and roasted meats, sweetened with oak. Rich in tannins, it's made for drinking now.

87

28

California

Syrah

109,818

US

Tastes a little simple and candied, but it's so delicious, you can hardly stop sipping. Rich and ripe in cherry and raspberry Lifesaver fruit and pie filling, with plenty of sweet vanilla and spice. Drink now.

87

55

California

Pinot Noir

122,111

US

A wine given ample time in bottle, this exhibits a fair amount of ripe fruit and honeyed oak and vanilla. The generous offering of apple fritter and crème brûlée retains enough minerality in the background to stay balanced and refined.

91

38

California

Chardonnay

93,905

US

A real fruit bomb, with explosive flavors of pineapples, lemons, limes and peaches, accented with sweet smoky oak. Malolactic fermentation adds softer flavors of buttered popcorn.

85

25

California

Chardonnay

10,272

France

Solidly tannic, this is a firm wine with juicy fruit that adds balance to the structure. It has a refreshing quality with black currant flavors that are full and dense in the mouth. Give this fine wine time. Drink after 2016.

89

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

76,819

US

There's a healthy dose of oak cradling the fruit-forwardness of this wine, made entirely from estate vineyards within the Chalk Hill appellation near the winery. Anise and honeyed caramel vie for attention against a rich texture and lemony finish.

87

22

California

Chardonnay

82,879

France

As it develops in bottle, this wine retains all its intense acidity. But it has now brought in a toast and yeast character that gives it even greater complexity. It is a wine that is also a Champagne, now in full flow of mineral richness, still with a long way to develop.

95

120

Champagne

Champagne Blend

106,517

US

Tart and tightly focused, this single-block expression is pure green-apple fruit and acid.

87

28

Oregon

Riesling

33,191

US

The addition of 5% Sémillon proves to be the right call in this white, a structured, spritzy glass of tree-ripened apricot and exotic lemongrass with a pleasant heft to the palate. A twist of ripeness gives a mouthwatering, juicy finish.

90

40

California

Sauvignon Blanc

73,372

US

High alcohol gives this dry, tannic wine some heat, and the overripe fruit lends a raisiny, pruny tinge to the blackberry flavor.

85

35

California

Zinfandel

43,495

US

This wine brings aromas of blackberry, dates and spice. The palate displays abundant cherry flavors with lightly chalky tannins.

90

45

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

112,369

Argentina

This smells like a forest fire, but it's also creamy and roasted. Tangy and tart, this features narrow plum and cherry flavors that are powered by blazing acidity.

81

19

Mendoza Province

Pinot Noir

35,442

France

This taut, tight wine is impressive. The mineral texture and crisp white fruits combine into a harmonious wine that is full of apple and pear flavors. It comes from the Grand Cru village of Avize, reflecting the chalk soil in its structure. Drink from 2019.

91

50

Champagne

Chardonnay

1,905

US

Hendry has a good track record with Cabernet, and although this isn't their best effort, it's an interesting, moderately ageworthy wine. It's pretty tough in tannins right now, but the astringency frames ripe blackberry and cassis flavors that linger in the finish. Needs time. Best 2008–2010.

89

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

71,225

France

The standard nonvintage blend from this producer is soft with a good touch of bottle age as well as a relatively high dosage. It is fruity, easy and with its final acidity, crisp and refreshing to drink.

87

40

Champagne

Champagne Blend

2,544

US

From a winery located below Bernal Heights in San Francisco, this wine offers rich aromas of thick, chewy Meyer lemon pith, lightly toasted sourdough bread, toasted almonds, struck match and the slightest hint of browned butter. The palate is intriguingly tart, oily in texture and quite powerful, with cooked lemon rinds, lemon creme brûlée and marcona almond oil flavors.

89

28

California

Chardonnay

108,249

US

A concentrated, full-bodied and dense explosion of chocolate, plum jam and smoky oak, this wine is powerful and well integrated, smooth on the palate with its oak well tucked in. From a mighty mountainous vineyard, it captures the soul of the variety from a standpoint of ripeness and grip.

92

75

California

Syrah

36,096

US

A good Cabernet for the table, with its dryness, firm tannins and general balance. Shows deep, long-lasting flavors of black currants, anise and smoky cedar, and could even develop some bottle complexity.

88

35

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

107,281

US

Fermented and aged in new French oak, this wine shows pleasing pear and apple aromas along with toast and baking spices. The medium-bodied flavors show refinement, depth and balance.

91

35

Washington

Chardonnay

119,777

Italy

Aromas of violet, ripe plum and a whiff of espresso lead the nose of this straightforward red. The easygoing palate offers dried cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of ground pepper alongside fresh acidity and dusty, rather fleeting tannins.

87

15

Tuscany

Sangiovese

18,655

US

This is a big, sweetly oaked wine notable for its ripe flavors and sheer opulence. It's distinctly Californian in the massive, rather jammy blackberries, cherries and raspberries, and shows good balance in the richness of tannins and savory acidity. Delicious as it is, it's all primary fruit now. Give it 2–3 years to mellow.

92

65

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

98,682

US

Even if you like some earthy, mushroomy notes in your Syrah, this one is unripe to the point of vegetal. It's also too soft for balance. Despite some decent blackberry and cola flavors, it's a real disappointment.

82

35

California

Syrah

54,271

US

Pirouette is a Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux-style blend, with 31% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot completing the mix. Scents of violets and raspberries lead on the bouquet, with plenty of rich new-oak aromas. It's bright and spicy in the mouth, youthful and balanced, with terrific energy and aging potential.

94

55

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

100,057

US

A broodingly dark, oaky Syrah, this has a dash of pepper and intense red fruit. Naggiar continues to make promising Rhone-inspired estate wines from rocky mountain soils.

87

21

California

Syrah

96,919

US

Spicy cranberry fruit pushes front and center, making a gulpable Southern Oregon Pinot. Bright and fruity, it's built for near-term enjoyment.

87

24

Oregon

Pinot Noir

99,753

Argentina

Boysenberry and exotic notes of all-spice and cardamom set this Malbec apart from the field. In the mouth, this is typically angular, with sharp acidity and not much cushion. A one-note, linear flavor of rooty plum is neither fruity nor dry, while the finish fails to rise or fall; it just hums along on a singular beam of acid. Drink from 2018–2030.

89

100

Mendoza Province

Malbec

115,068

US

This wine shows bacon fat, boysenberry and tarragon on the nose. It's full and ripe on the palate, bringing similar flavors, also showing blackberry, roasted pork and black pepper. It proves quite delicious and just what one expects from a warmer-climate Syrah.

91

30

California

Syrah

15,179

Italy

Rich and inviting, this has bold aromas of maraschino, blackberry jam, plum and exotic spice. The mouthfeel is plush and rich, with a bright spot of acidity on the finish.

87

17

Piedmont

Barbera

31,719

US

This Bordeaux blend, based on equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is softly opulent and ripe, in the way of many Paso Robles red wines. It floods the mouth with blackberries and currants, with spicy complexities from oak, and is fairly tannic, although not so much that a good steak won't cut through it. Best Now–2012.

88

59

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

24,752

France

Subdued, riper fruit has not yet come to the surface. Notions of Bramley apple are evoked on the nose; on the palate they show as the more rounded flavor of baked Bramley. Hovering above it all is grated lemon zest, pulling fruit, texture and freshness tautly together in a dry, fresh yet mellow finish. The more you taste, the more the still-underlying fruit yearns to rise to the surface. Best to give this some time so it can show its true, exciting colours.

93

24

Alsace

Riesling

122,740

Italy

Some occasions call for a wine that shows the highest levels of quality but also has a touch of friendliness or informality that makes it more approachable. Barolo Vigneto Arborina is such a wine. It offers elegant Nebbiolo tones of red fruit and blue flower with oaky spice and smoke.

90

55

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

6,749

US

The wine is fermented in steel tanks and aged for a few months in neutral oak barrels. The result is dry, tart and complex, with gooseberry, green grass and white pepper flavors, enriched with hints of golden mangoes and vanilla.

89

21

California

Sauvignon Blanc

75,114

Australia

This aged for 18 months in new French barriques, and the influence of that is marked. Cedary, gently sawdusty notes and a touch of nail polish are apparent on the nose, while the palate is admirably full bodied and richly textured. The finish is generally velvety, but also shows hints of varnish or paint thinner. Overall, the raw materials are impressive, but the wine comes across as a bit disjointed.

87

188

South Australia

Grenache

43,126

US

This is the personal project of Robert Mondavi's longtime winemaker, Genevieve Janssens, and her husband, Luc. Production is only 250 cases. The blend is of the two Cabs, Sauvignon and Franc. The quality of the tannins is perfect, and so is the effortless way the wine has absorbed 100% new French oak without the wood sticking out. My only criticism, and it's a big one, is excessive ripeness that makes it Port-like. The alcohol is 15.5%.

87

125

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

126,486

US

Soft and friendly, this has instantly likeable cherry, cola, anise and sandalwood flavors. Perfect for drinking now.

86

20

California

Merlot

65,941

US

This light refreshing wine spent 16 months in 20% new French oak. The pretty berry fruit is elegantly set in complementary acids, with a streak of blond tea threading through the finish.

89

55

Oregon

Pinot Noir

27,520

US

Higher in alcohol than Kenwood's regular '05 Sonoma Zin, this one's hotter and more full-bodied. It's got a density that can stand a little bottle age. Give it two or three years to soften, and let the blackberry, cherry and coffee fruit emerge from the tannins.

88

20

California

Zinfandel

67,687

Spain

A peachy nose includes the botrytis aromas you get in late-harvest Alsace whites and Sauternes. Linear and still lively on the palate, this tastes a bit woody but also of muddled stone fruits. A chunky finish is peachy tasting.

85

13

Northern Spain

Chardonnay

109,110

US

The Stoller-sourced Pinot is forward and ripe, with pretty fruit flavors in a compact, light vintage. Cola, peach, black cherry and milk chocolate components swirl together, fading gently into a light finish. Drink over the next 2–3 years.

88

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

68,495

US

Lighter in color and density, this wine shows smoked berries, rust and iodine on the nose. The palate is decorated with black olives, smoked cherries and more sanguine elements.

86

18

California

Pinot Noir

12,421

US

Super dusty, leathery and big shouldered, this is also quite bright and drinkable. Made using grapes sourced from old vines planted within the Esola Vineyard.

87

25

California

Zinfandel

47,589

Portugal

This is a wine that is full of red fruits and fresh acidity. The tannic structure is well in balance giving a firm edge to the bright, ready-to-drink fruits. The wine is the entry level to the always impressive range from Crasto. Drink this wine now.

88

17

Douro

Portuguese Red

92,446

US

Harsh and rustic, this Cab has disagreeably strong tannins and green flavors that barely suggest blackberries.

80

15

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

25,482

France

This second wine from the estate offers spice and mushroom aromas that indicate it's now mature. Ripe and smooth, with attractive secondary flavors, it's spicy, meaty and ready to drink.

89

28

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

116,202

US

Horse & Plow turns out so many lovely wines it's heartbreaking not to include this one in the mix. It was sourced from one of the great organic Mendocino vineyards, old vines no less, but there just wasn't much there, the wine tasting tight without much fruit.

84

22

California

Zinfandel

37,680

Italy

From a dynamic, family-run wine estate in northern Italy, this light Pinot Grigio offers aromas of lemon soda, peach and tangerine skin.

84

10

Veneto

Pinot Grigio

45,433

US

Fragrant and plush aromas of cassis, blueberry and black cherry mix with strong notes of licorice and black olive. Silky, detailed, supple and beautifully proportioned, this is a terrific value.

91

25

Washington

Red Blend

91,027

US

This is an oaky Chardonnay with buttered toast and butterscotch flavors that overlay rich apricot, tangerine and tropical fruits. The opulence is balanced with crisp acidity. It's all a bit forward and obvious, but in a good way.

88

15

California

Chardonnay

35,074

Italy

Bacco in Toscana is an easy and slightly awkward blend of Sangiovese and 20% Syrah with bright berry notes and background aromas of moist earth and tobacco.

83

10

Tuscany

Sangiovese

95,764

Spain

Deep in color for an '01, with sweet aromas of vanilla, tobacco, leather and hickory. The palate is endowed with big berry fruit and flavors directed by wood spice, and the tannic level is just right given the wine's midterm age. With licorice, resin and additional hickory on the finish, 7 Viñas (vineyards) is one of Baron de Ley's better efforts.

89

69

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

105,304

Argentina

Smoky and big on the nose, with crusty black-fruit flavors backing that up. The wine is less deep and more hard and scratchy than some Mendoza Malbecs, but it's solid and sure-footed even if the mouthfeel is stark. Probably better with food than others due to its leaner, less opulent style.

87

19

Mendoza Province

Malbec

107,906

US

This lovely rosé brings a complex mix of citrus, strawberry and melon flavors, etched with vivid acidity. It's poised, balanced and clean in style—a great example of how a seemingly simple wine can surprise with unexpected depth.

90

20

Oregon

Rosé

104,743

US

Pepper, lavender, cranberry and iodine aromas lead the nose of this easy-drinking blend of 41% Petit Sirah, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 9% Grenache. The palate is tense and tart, its dried red fruit melding with graphite, nori and black pepper flavors.

88

17

California

Red Blend

94,555

US

Bright tangerine and honey notes intensify from nose to palate on this zesty dry Riesling. While light-footed and spry, it's a racy citrusy wine with persistence and presence. It's dry through the finish, but marked by a lingering kiss of honey.

90

26

New York

Riesling

102,424

Italy

Made from dried Nebbiolo grapes, this structured wine weaves together plum, raisin, leather, earth, carob, balsamic and mineral notes. Combining power and finesse, it's well balanced but still young, with a firmly tannic backbone. Drink after 2017.

92

120

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

103,576

France

Fruity, crisp with red-currant and citrus flavors, this is a bright, vivacious wine. There is a tight mineral edge that contrasts with the fruitiness and turns this into a food friendly wine. Drink now.

88

25

Provence

Rosé

15,203

Italy

There's a lot to love on this juicy, delicious wine, starting with aromas of ripe, dark-skinned berry, baking spice, leather, sun baked soil and menthol. The elegant, structured palate delivers ripe black cherry, cinnamon, anise and tobacco while firm, polished tannins provide support and finesse. A blast of orange zest signals the close.

94

69

Tuscany

Red Blend

116,599

US

This upper-end brand for Bill Foley's Santa Barbara projects delivers a nose of dark raspberry, slate and clove. Tongue-tingling acidity emerges amid flavors of pomegranate juice, black pepper and toasted sage. The lively palate benefits from a seared lemon-skin bitterness.

90

75

California

Pinot Noir

122,118

France

While this wine is concentrated with firm tannins, the rich fruit dominates. It is dark, complex and rich, filled with black-plum flavors and a good structure. Intense juiciness character complements the tannins, giving a ripe wine that can age. Drink from 2018.

91

22

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

26,299

US

A savory, tannic and slightly earthy Cabernet Sauvignon made by winemakers Denis and May-Britt Malbec, who consult on many Napa Valley-based projects. The 2007 and 2009 are more indicative of how silky smooth and refined their Cabernets can be, with this one exhibiting just slightly too much tobacco and smoke on the finish, overpowering the berry fruit.

87

80

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

74,796

Argentina

Average red juice with sweet, rubbery aromas and flavors that match. It's Malbec in its most simple state: raspberry and cherry distilled into a quaffable liquid. Chilling might help.

83

7

Mendoza Province

Malbec

46,489

US

This new line from the well-regarded Testarossa Winery is a barrel selection emphasizing richness. The wine floods the mouth with succulent raspberries and cherries, with tarter notes of cranberries and red licorice. Earthiness provides extra complexity, and it could age well through 2020.

91

60

California

Pinot Noir

78,098

Spain

Rich and voluptuous on the bouquet, this has coconut, ripe blackberry and leather aromas. It feels huge, grabby, tannic and supercharged, with ultradark and chocolaty berry flavors that last long on the finish, where pepper, spice and chocolate flavors sneak into the frame. Drink 2014–2021.

92

132

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

94,051

US

Smooth and instantly appealing, this estate-grown Merlot has a broad, chocolaty palate that's loaded with cherry fruit. There are peppery, herbal highlights, and plenty of lingering, polished tannins.

90

12

Washington

Merlot

39,412

US

This much-admired vineyard brings exotic scents of ripe black-cherry fruit soaked in Asian spices. The wine is compact and powerful, with strong tannins and a light whiff of tar. Drink 2018 through 2026.

92

65

Oregon

Pinot Noir

113,904

US

A rustic wine with some sharp elbows, but there's enough berry, licorice, soy sauce and grilled beef flavor to satisfy. With sturdy tannins, it's a nice barbecue wine.

85

28

California

Red Blend

8,595

US

Very dry and elegantly silky, this Pinot, from one of the best vineyards in the valley, brims with cherry, red currant, cola, licorice and peppery spice flavors. Seems at its best now and in the short term.

89

52

California

Pinot Noir

72,216

US

The faux French name and labeling notwithstanding, this is a no-frills Oregon Chardonnay, fruity and clean. Simple flavors of melon and apple carry the palate, with no suggestion of oak.

86

16

Oregon

Chardonnay

37,425

US

An appellation wine that's affordable and instantly likable, this has strong forest and mushroom elements, seeming at once rustic and sophisticated. Cranberry and orange tones add brightness to the savory character, framed by fine tannins.

90

35

California

Pinot Noir

66,724

US

Tart, barely ripe fruit flavors echo rhubarb and salmonberry. This acidic wine has some spice and lift, and finishes with scents and flavors of fresh pine needles.

86

28

Oregon

Pinot Noir

69,406

Spain

Initial aromas of wet cement, black cherry and cassis grow more rubbery, reduced and animal-driven the longer this Syrah sits around. Bright, fresh and fiercely tannic, this deals dark-berry flavors, peppery spice and raw oak on top of dry, herbal notes. Oaky but not overly charred or pushy on the finish.

87

24

Catalonia

Syrah

76,582

US

This delightfully pure expression of the Syrah grape seduces from the first sniff, which sails along on a flying carpet of blue and purple fruits, licorice, clove and tobacco. The beguiling aromas continue in the mouth, where the wine assumes a seamless, plump and powerful presence. Ciel du Cheval Syrah is every bit as good as the Bordeaux grapes for which the vineyard is most famous.

94

35

Washington

Syrah

63,118

Italy

There's a very interesting and unique Asian quality here that reveals itself on the nose as saffron, soya, clove and Chinese barbecue sauce. The wine is lean and compact in the mouth with a long, silky finish: Hold five to 10 years in your cellar.

91

70

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

82,217

France

A touch of lemon appears on the nose. The palate is light and frothy, with easy freshness and lively citrus and apple fruit. The finish is dry. Drink soon.

87

23

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

64,148

France

The tannins are linear and direct in this otherwise fruity wine. Along with dark tannins, it is also rich with warm red fruits. The acidity still shows strongly and suggests that the wine needs time. Drink from 2020.

92

81

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

62,609

US

Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Barbera are tossed into the blend. The result is a rather generic mish-mash, pleasant but unfocused, that turns vegetal and stemmy in the finish.

83

19

Washington

Red Blend

121,922

US

A light-golden Chardonnay that does its county proud. It's lively and bright, with medium weight and flavors of sweet lemon custard, apple, and a lime-zest-dominated finish. This is a very good wine at a very fair price that should pair with an assortment of dinner fare.

88

11

California

Chardonnay

75,682

US

Although this Pinot is captivatingly rich in raspberry and cherry pie filling, red currant and Dr. Pepper cola flavors, it also has fine acidity and smooth, complex tannins, and a lovely overlay of sweet, smoky oak. Good as it is, there's no reason why it shouldn't develop bottle complexity over the next six years.

93

59

California

Pinot Noir

21,237

Italy

This Brunello shows elegant aromatic restraint in its tight aromas of wild berry and red currant. Dark flavors of barbecue spice, cured meat, leather and tobacco layer the midpalate, then turn fine and full on the finish.

89

80

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

50,139

France

Sumptuous, ripe and very full on the palate, this wine is dense and packed with notes of botrytis that give a strong sense of structure. This well-balanced wine shows potential to age, offering rich acacia honey and beautiful final acidity. Drink from 2020.

94

60

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

77,804

Germany

Sweet, verging on honeyed, this lush wine features plenty of superripe apples balanced by just a dash of citrus and a hint of bitterness on the finish. Could use more complexity.

89

40

Mosel

Riesling

46,524

France

A full-bodied wine, with some vanilla from light wood aging, rounded white fruits and a smooth texture. Touches of spice give extra interest to this fruity, open wine that is ready to drink.

87

25

Burgundy

Chardonnay

88,491

Australia

A bit fuller-bodied compared to most Australian Sauvignons, but the lime and herbal-grassy notes remain refreshing on the finish. Melon and fig flavors plump up the midpalate.

88

15

South Australia

Sauvignon Blanc

17,701

France

A fruity wine, it also has some structure. Ripe yellow and pineapple fruit flavors are laced with acidity, an apple skin texture and lemon zest. It feels rich and generous, a wine to age for a couple of years.

88

28

Burgundy

Chardonnay