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
62,441	US	Austere and elegant in its cool-climate, light-bodied way, this wine is dark and brooding nonetheless, offering a wild bramble of berry and rhubarb flavors. Firm in tannin and subtle in oak, it is dotted in black-tea and savory forest-floor edges.	92	55	California	Pinot Noir
105,178	US	From Chiles Valley, this blend of 71% Semillon and 29% Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best wines of its type of the vintage. Cofermented and barrel aged in 15% new French oak, it shows extraordinary richness, and savory flavors of green and yellow tree fruits, green tea, cashew, Asian spices and gingery vanilla. It even has some dusty tannins that make for grip and structure. The finish is absolutely dry.	93	25	California	Bordeaux-style White Blend
68,144	US	This wine is made by UC-Santa Cruz astrophysics professor Joe Miller, who's taught wine appreciation for years. Regal and wondrous, the nose conveys concentrated lavender, violets, cedar, oregano, rose petals and patchouli spicing up a grapy frame. The palate offers red fruits laced with clove spice and earth. Ginger, rose water and raspberry emerge in the midpalate, with just enough acidity to carry it through.	94	39	California	Pinot Noir
18,971	US	Captures the essence of Russian River Chard with its crisp acids that boost and brighten an explosion of taste. The tropical fruit and spice flavors are enriched by toasty oak, while sur lie aging adds a creaminess to the texture of this deliciously dry wine.	89	32	California	Chardonnay
59,331	Italy	This Amarone is made in a more restrained style. It shows black cherry, raisin and black pepper sensations. While it's not overly complex, it has great fruit and spice flavors, and is perfect to accompany seasoned dishes, like grilled Portobello mushroom steaks.	89	50	Veneto	Red Blend
60,682	Spain	Citrus peel and mineral aromas set up a zesty palate that doesn't show a lot of weight or body. Mild citrus and apple flavors are maintained on a basic finish. This is fresh, clean and easygoing.	86	11	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
21,526	US	Lightly silky, this has mouth-cleansing acidity and delicious red-cherry pie, spice and sandalwood flavors. It's really easy to drink now, elegant and complex. You can even give it a little chill on a hot night.	92	60	California	Pinot Noir
80,592	US	Restrained, smooth and soft, this vineyard-designate is pillowy on the palate while remaining satisfying and expansive in juicy red fruit. Holding 25% Merlot, it offers undercurrents of dried herb and coconut flake atop quiet oak and is a beautiful wine for the table.	92	95	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
24,864	US	Almost all varietal with just a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) to fill it out, this is an intriguing wine with notes of cherry cordial, chocolate and herbs. With very little new oak influence, the soft, supple fruit flavors are allowed to shine through, giving this wine a real sense of polish.	87	20	Washington	Merlot
121,053	US	This wine is a blend of fruit from Boushey, Olsen and Sagemoor vineyards. Light in color, the aromas bring vibrant notes of stemmy herb, smoked meat and raspberry. It's light and elegant in style, with pillowy fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a sense of delicacy.	90	32	Washington	Grenache
10,780	Germany	Whiffs of smoke and crushed stone form a veil over concentrated peach and preserved quince in this remarkably nuanced auslese. It's sweet and juicy on the palate and accented with hints of fresh herb. Earthy flavors lend a dark, savory dimension.	90	43	Mosel	Riesling
94	US	Barrel notes are prominent, with aromas of Creamsicle and baking spice. The palate is broad and dry with stone-fruit and barrel flavors. It provides intrigue but the wood seems to get in the way at times.	88	22	Washington	Viognier
32,647	US	Here's a soft, lushly delicious wine to drink now with steak, veal, pork, chicken or just about anything that wants a dry, medium-bodied red wine. It's rich in berry, currant, tobacco, spice and cedar flavors, and possesses that hard to define quality of finesse.	87	35	California	Red Blend
49,784	Italy	With fruit sourced from various vineyard sites, this dark and fleshy Barolo offers ripe fruit aromas with tar, licorice, smoked ham, toasted hazelnut and moist pipe tobacco. Prunotto offers a well-made wine on the extraripe and dense side that ends with an opulent, fruit-driven close.	91	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
61,171	US	The alcohol is refreshingly moderate in this dry, silky Pinot. The flavors are quite complex, suggesting wild cherries and raspberries, mushrooms, cola and sandalwood, with hints of balsam and herbs. The wine should age well, but the acidic sharpness on the finish will always be prominent.	87	120	California	Pinot Noir
47,632	US	Firm, hard and tight, this offers black cherry flavors with some peach-pit phenolics. It's sharp and edgy, definitely on the herbal side, with a hint of stem.	87	16	Washington	Merlot
33,035	France	An attractive, fresh Chablis, with flavors of juicy currants, spice and lime juice. It is crisp and shows full final fruit and acidity.	87	19	Burgundy	Chardonnay
33,934	US	Very ripe prune and wild berry flavors fill this full-bodied and rather soft-textured wine. Based on Zinfandel grapes, it is bold in aroma, forward in flavor, smooth in the mouth and tastes a little bit sweet on the finish.	86	25	California	Red Blend
50,924	Italy	Aged only in stainless steel, this youthful Barbera d'Asti shows cheerful aromas of ripe fruit and sweet berries. The wine does a very nice job of balancing its naturally fresh acidity with the bright, pristine nature of its fruit.	86	15	Piedmont	Barbera
121,938	US	This block-designate wine shows flamboyant aromas of red cherry, cola, purple flowers and light caramel. The palate offers an amazingly cohesive and zesty experience, combining piquant cranberry and tart raspberry with slate-driven minerality and a persistent woody spice. The texture is soft, but lifted by strong acidity.	96	64	California	Pinot Noir
14,604	US	Very rich and dramatic, a fine Pinot, and it's nice to see this veteran winery continue at such a high level. With a near-perfect structure of acidity and tannins, it offers lush flavors of cherries, raspberries, cotton candy, sweet vanilla, granola and cinnamon spices. Grows better and better in the glass.	94	50	California	Pinot Noir
66,345	US	From Vine Hill Vineyard, this wine is juicy in raspberry and vanilla, made in a fuller-bodied style with pronounced tannins on the finish. Let it open to express itself fully.	88	46	California	Pinot Noir
69,134	US	Coming from two of the state's finest vineyards—Cold Creek and Klipsun—this cool-vintage, 100% varietal wine shows an unusual Washington Cabernet profile of blueberry and plum along with herbs and a kiss of vanilla. It's soft and supple in feel with elegant coffee and blue fruit flavors.	88	41	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
103,122	US	Very rich and opulent, in the Heidi Barrett style, this Cabernet is sweetly jammy but somewhat direct in blackberries, cherries and raspberries. The finish is extraordinarily long and spicy, an indication that it's a wine for the cellar. Firm tannins and fine acidity confirm its ageability. Hold this flashy, decadent wine until 2016 and then try it again.	94	250	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
111,002	US	There's a lively gaminess to the nose; a wild, Rhônish note, perhaps from the Carignane, Mourvèdre and Petit Sirah blended in. This wine is front-loaded: the flavors lighten up on the palate, and the finish is tight and tannic.	87	18	California	Zinfandel
117,835	US	This wine hails from six Napa Valley vineyards, including the producer's Calistoga-based estate Bone Ash, as well as Beck stoffer Georges III in Rutherford. It opens in mouthfilling black licorice and blackberry, juicy and soft with the backbone to age. Dried herb provides a savory component, while a fresh vibrancy offsets the wine's denseness. Cellar this concentrated wine through 2022.	94	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
33,480	US	This fresh, appealing wine is lightly spritzy, with flavors of pear and melon that show persistence.	87	12	Washington	Pinot Grigio
35,574	Argentina	Minty and toasty upfront, this is layered with blackberry, licorice, leather and toast aromas. It feels raring and ready to go, courtesy of firm acidity and good overall framing. Flavors of wild berry are bright, with herb and oak accents. Long, toasty and solid on the finish.	91	15	Mendoza Province	Malbec
15,096	Italy	This simple sparkler opens with fresh citrus and peach followed by bright acidity and smooth effervescence. Those easy-drinking and refreshing qualities make this Prosecco the perfect summer sipper.	84	15	Veneto	Glera
55,006	US	Made in a careful, non-intrusive, natural style, this combines wild strawberry and peppery herb flavors. It offers moderate tannins and a strongly herbal finish.	89	24	Oregon	Pinot Noir
76,730	France	Based in the Côte des Blancs, this producer has made a soft, ripe style of Blanc de Blancs. It's smooth and creamy in texture, drinkable now with its hint of toastiness balanced by crisper apple flavors.	89	72	Champagne	Chardonnay
113,189	US	This is a good, solid Pinot Noir, a little rustic and direct, but offering lots of drinking pleasure. It's dry and silky, with rich black cherry, raspberry, cola and sandalwood flavors. Drink over the next year or two.	88	56	California	Pinot Noir
17,887	US	Wood aromas of cedar are expertly spliced with purple fruits on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Merlot. A touch of greenness on the palate gives those deep purple fruits some depth, but the tannins are quite gripping, and should release more with time. Drink 2018 onward.	88	30	California	Red Blend
59,876	US	Touches of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot contribute to this wine's overall complexity. The cuvée formerly known as “Cask,” it now emphasizes the historic estate property. Red currant and cedar notes and firm tannins strike first, as bright, underlying acidity provides balance. Tobacco leaf and chocolate flavors mark the long finish.	92	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
40,720	Italy	Easy, simple and bone dry, this should pair with slightly sweet appetizers based on cream or cheese. Its bright, crisp acidity also helps cut through those fatty foods.	86	21	Veneto	Glera
76,189	US	Made in an easy-going style, this Chardonnay has ripe, forward flavors of orange jam, buttered toast and vanilla flavors. Fine acidity provides balance.	84	18	California	Chardonnay
41,891	US	This expands the winery's portfolio with a nod to the $20 pricepoint that's become a defining limit to affordable Oregon Pinot. This wine is hard, slightly burnt and bitter in the finish, with simple candy cherry-fruit flavors.	85	20	Oregon	Pinot Noir
14,755	US	This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There's freshness to the fruit, with aromas of cherry and raspberry kissed by herb, clove and spice. The flavors are lush and palate-coating, with the tannins bringing a touch of astringency that hopefully will settle out with additional time in the bottle.	90	50	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
60,862	US	Too sharp in acids, giving the cherry and raspberry flavors a real bite. Almost sour on the finish. Drink now.	82	19	California	Petite Sirah
6,903	US	The winemaker aged a majority of this wine on the lees in new French oak, and the rest in stainless steel. This combination is easygoing and very fruity in aroma and flavor. The body is medium while the texture is soft and agreeable.	87	16	California	Chardonnay
102,608	US	This blend is comprised of Merlot (70%) and dabbles of Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot and Shiraz, sourced mainly from the Clements Hills region of Lodi. The wine is marked by a strong streak of green bell pepper and herbal scents, and is a tad dull on the palate.	82	27	California	Red Blend
8,173	US	An earthy, leathery aromatic character carries over to the palate of this wine, joined by ripe plum flavors. The blend here is 53% Mourvèdre and 47% Syrah, feeling full-bodied, firmly tannic and ready for cassoulet.	87	28	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
74,258	Spain	A little heat on the nose is acceptable given that the remaining cherry and plum aromas are pure. A bit acidic on the palate but staunchly fresh, with good fruit flavor in the red plum category. Cleansing due to higher acidity, with hints of mocha and mineral.	86	10	Northern Spain	Grenache
34,696	US	This 100% varietal wine hails from Stone Tree, Cold Creek and Beverly vineyards. Aromas of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and raspberry lead to exuberant layered fruit flavors. It displays a lot of intensity, focus, and length.	92	85	Washington	Merlot
113,464	US	Strawberry fruit defines this open, broad-flavored wine. The palate is smooth in feel and carries accessible red-fruit flavors that offer immediate appeal.	89	29	Oregon	Pinot Noir
32,966	US	Loads of clove, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg spice show up the strawberry, blueberry and red cherry aromas of this lavish bottling, which also offers scents of crushed rock and turned earth. Similar elements entertain the palate, culminating with a minty pine needle note, proving to be a very dynamic sip.	90	65	California	Zinfandel
23,994	US	A wonderful wine at a great price. This is complex and delicious in blackberry and black currant flavors, with a savory minerality on the finish. As it starts off with tough tannins, allow it to decant.	92	26	California	Merlot
26,252	US	A bright, cheerful and very well-crafted Zinfandel that shows a deft touch at handling this variety's challenges. Achieves thorough ripeness, with blackberry, black currant, cola and pepper flavors, even as the alcohol is kept moderate, and the finish is dry and smooth.	90	40	California	Zinfandel
113,747	US	The producer picks from cooler sites to preserve the wine's freshness and acidity, succeeding in this majority varietal wine, blended with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Light and easygoing on the entry, it traffics in crisp red and black berry plus inviting notes of herb before finishing in powerful tannins.	88	33	California	Merlot
15,298	Italy	Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, violet and a whiff of baking spice. On the bright silky palate, notes of pipe tobacco, chopped herb and a hint of game add depth to the red-berry core.	90	28	Tuscany	Sangiovese
58,413	Italy	Lively and fresh with medium aromatic intensity, here's an all-Italian Riesling executed in a delicate, feminine style. It shows sharp, focused lines of citrus, white flower and stone fruit.	87	18	Northeastern Italy	Riesling
71,212	US	Previously this Syrah was sourced completely from Lawrence vineyard grapes, but here they are mixed with fruit from Stonetree. It's a dark, smoky wine, with highlights of licorice around deep cassis fruit flavors. The chewy tannins finish with a pleasant streak of lovely cherry fruit.	90	16	Washington	Syrah
107,604	US	Ripe and crisp and rich, in the manner of this fine vintage, offering an explosion of cherries, currants, anise and vanilla-scented cedar. With its silky texture, it's a beauty, but needs time. Give it 3–4 years in the cellar.	92	60	California	Pinot Noir
37,803	US	Racy, this stainless-steel fermented white is fuzzy in gooseberry and pineapple, not quite veering into fresh-cut grass, but staying more tropical and generous in ripe fruit. A dry, lemony finish provides refreshment.	85	20	California	Sauvignon Blanc
47,059	US	A Cab-based wine with 20% Merlot, this has juicy blackberry and currant to soften the overreaching tannic profile. Blessed in cedar and tobacco, this also presents a strong showing of dried herb. The fruit leans black and blue, from blueberry to black plum, a nod to the Merlot.	88	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
93,736	US	This small-production wine has an oaky, earthy complexity from the aroma through the finish. It is full bodied, ripe and rich, leading with toasted oak and a flinty quality. The fruit flavors are muted at first but develop nicely with each sip.	91	82	California	Pinot Noir
61,136	US	This is a high-acid, minerality-driven wine from the wilds of Rockpile. Soft and integrated in terms of oak and tannin, it also possesses a savage touch of grip, a nod to its mountainous heritage and the perils and pleasures of a warm year. Black cherry and a vibrant squeeze of citrus stand out on the palate, providing juiciness and balance.	91	38	California	Zinfandel
105,419	US	This is a good value for a Sonoma Coast Pinot of this quality. The wine is dry, crisp and clean, with complex flavors of raspberry jam, pomegranates and heirloom tomatoes, which lend a satisfying earthiness to the fruit. New French oak is applied judiciously, and crisp acidity gives it delicious bite.	90	35	California	Pinot Noir
95,960	France	While firmly tannic and structured, this wine shows youth with its concentrated fresh berry flavors and bright acidity. The dry core promises a long-term future, so don't drink before 2016.	90	25	Provence	Red Blend
2,034	US	Dry and tannic, this 100% Cab has flavors of herbs, blackberries and tea. It's a tough wine not showing generosity now. You can age for a couple years, but the tannins will outlast the fruit.	87	45	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
61,966	Italy	Ripe plum, iris, violet and underbrush aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry, licorice, clove and a hint of tobacco. Tightly knit but ripe tannins and fresh acidity provide support. Drink 2016–2022.	91	35	Tuscany	Sangiovese
5,872	US	Densely extracted, this larger production wine succeeds in keeping things simple and approachable, its midpalate juicy and round, with accents of graphite, compost, leather, black currant and berry.	88	19	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
84,280	Italy	Structured and delicious, this opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, leather rose petal and a balsamic note. The juicy palate doles out raspberry compote, ripe red cherry, cinnamon and a sprinkling of white pepper. Firm velvety tannins provide the framework while a licorice note closes the lingering finish. Drink 2019–2025.	94	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
66,245	US	With 80% of the blend comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by every other major red Bordeaux variety, this wine offers dusty tannins around soft, integrated oak, sharp black fruit and dried herb. Robust and ripe on the finish, it should mellow in the cellar, through 2022.	91	60	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
68,986	US	Made by Heidi Peterson Barrett from the Lamborn family's own grapes, this wine reflects its mountain home, densely concentrated in rich, blackberry jam and dried herb. Full bodied, it packs a punch before showing finesse and shocks of dried herb on the finish.	91	100	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
108,110	US	This is a highly unusual, quirky blend of the Georgian Rkatsiteli and Moldovan Sereksiya grapes. Tonic and crisp, it offers robust peach and apple flavors on the attack, but fades a bit quickly on the midpalate. Straightforward but refreshing.	86	25	New York	White Blend
101,510	US	Savory pepper and rustic gravel aromas meet with strawberry and dried cherry on the nose of this proprietary red blend that is widely available. Strawberry pie flavors dominate the sip, but there's also a lava rock minerality and a burst of acidity.	88	15	California	Red Blend
99,108	US	Good, tangy red fruit, with youthful vigor and zest. Nuances of citrus rind, cranberry and toast; it's compact and sleek, still young and tight, but perfectly balanced and precision-tuned.	88	28	California	Zinfandel
83,262	Italy	Aromas of dried cherry, raisin, oak and a balsamic note follow through to the palate along with a coffee note. Firm tannins grip the finish. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit richness.	88	100	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
44,352	US	Showing the usual balance and harmony of this bottling, which is made from the five Bordeaux varieties, the '06 nonetheless lacks a bit of the richness of other vintages. It's beautifully clean and dry, with sound currant, blackberry, herb tea and cedar flavors, but is missing a certain fatness in the middle. Best now–2012.	92	75	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
38,488	US	Smashberry is the perfect name for this wine. Made from an unstated blend of grape varieties, it tastes like mashed, ripe blackberries, blueberries and cherries. The alcohol level is moderate, but gives the wine a pleasant warmth.	85	12	California	Red Blend
88,736	France	Old-style gin bottles are obviously popular in Provence. This pale salmon-pink colored wine comes in such a bottle. It's lightly fruity with attractive acidity that dominates the fruit and texture. Drink now.	85	18	Provence	Rosé
26,495	Germany	Juicy and approachable, this blend of Riesling and Müller-Thurgau offers fleshy stone fruit and tangerine flavors brightened by soft, slightly yielding acidity. It's a pristinely fruity wine with just a touch of minerality on the finish. Drink now.	87	11	Mosel	White Blend
1,611	France	Under the same ownership as Château de Panigon, this property (which has a heart on its cork) has produced a wine offering layers of smoky wood as well as ripe fruit. That solid structure suggests the wine will need time to develop. The aftertaste boosts a more juicy fruitiness.	87	19	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
98,475	Italy	Ripe, black-skinned fruit, dark spice and chopped herbs abound on this structured red. The big, bold palate offers ripe black cherry, blackberry extract, mocha and licorice while round tannins envelop the palate.	91	72	Veneto	Red Blend
67,245	US	Whiffs of savory spice and terra-cotta pots lend rusticity to this unusually earthy Chardonnay. Partial fermentation on grape skins gives the palate grip, accentuating softer tones of bruised apple and pear. Brisk acidity lengthens the finish.	87	13	New York	Chardonnay
39,812	US	This Cab is in a somewhat awkward state now, poised between fresh blackberry and cherry fruit and mature notes of dried fruits and mushrooms. That tension lends it interest. The grapes come from Calistoga and Carneros, which also gives a dynamic play between lushness and acidity. It's a fine, stylish wine for drinking now–2017.	91	50	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
7,709	France	This is overpowering, almost too much. The fruit is so rich it feels overextracted, superjuicy and then hit with tannins and new wood. For those who like superconcentrated wines, this will be a big hit, but not with food.	86	60	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
115,617	US	A smaller project from the Scheid family of wines, this single-vineyard expression offers a sanguine nose of blood, iodine, dirt, crushed violets and a touch of pungent juniper and pine. It's light and lithe on the palate, with pomegranate, cranberry and iron, proving to be a very fresh sipper.	92	34	California	Pinot Noir
74,679	US	This Chardonnay's tropical and citrus fruit flavors are dripping with honey richness. There's also a lot of buttered toast and vanilla. Will appeal to all those Chard lovers out there who like ripe, lush wines.	84	19	California	Chardonnay
110,613	France	This entry-level wine of the Saint André de Figuière range is pretty impressive in itself. It has a rounded, smooth character that is lifted by attractive red berry acidity and a nervy, mineral texture. Balanced acidity completes the picture.	90	18	Provence	Rosé
51,294	US	Bright aromas of peach, pear and nectarine are followed by lightly sweet fruit flavors. It brings some appeal but the apparent residual sugar gets in the way.	86	19	Washington	Viognier
66,721	Argentina	Waxy apple aromas are chunky, dusty and a bit choppy. Ditto the palate, which is thick and on the full side, with moderate acidity. Apple, savory oak and spice flavors finish with a briny, saline note.	86	15	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
24,972	France	A touch of passion fruit plays around the peach aromas on the nose. There is a lovely touch of smoke, too. The palate is off dry and the fruit is made richer, riper and more intense by the residual sweetness. Zesty lemony freshness acts as counterpoint. This is lovely, compact and full of fruit.	90	22	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
114,827	Italy	This is a lovely Chianti Classico that shows balanced aromas of cherry and raspberry that match up very nicely with the natural acidity you feel in the mouth. This is a great wine to pair with chicken in creamy mushroom sauce or buttered baked potato.	88	25	Tuscany	Sangiovese
84,988	US	This is a bit hard and aggressive now, with a punch of green tannins. That makes it hard to appreciate the underlying oaky, ripe blackberry and currant fruit. It doesn't seem to have the inherent balance necessary for aging, so give it a decanting and drink it now.	88	70	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
100,323	US	This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (27%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Merlot delivers a medley of herb, baker's chocolate, smoke, plum and black tea aromas. Fine-grained tannins support its dark fruit flavors, which stretch long into the finish. Highly styled yet lovely.	91	39	Washington	Red Blend
104,925	US	Shows lots of rich blackberry and cherry sour candy flavors, with a smoky coating of oak, and smooth, easy-to-drink tannins that make this Cabernet ready to open now.	87	42	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
96,421	US	This medium-bodied white features balanced oak that manages to play off flavors of baked apple and butterscotch with compelling swathes of saltiness. This wine will work well with seafood as a result, and make for a decent match with midweek meals.	85	30	California	Chardonnay
106,718	US	A superb value, this drinks way above its price. Buttery apple fruit is bedecked with cinnamon and buttressed with refreshing mineral-drenched acids. A nice hint of toast avoids any suggestion of clumsiness or artificiality.	90	14	Oregon	Chardonnay
81,518	France	This is a rich, ripe style of rosé, full of rich red-berry fruits and crispened by acidity. It is full bodied and just lightly textured. Drink now while it is still young and fruity.	87	30	Loire Valley	Rosé
39,207	France	Owned by the Castel family, this chateau regularly produces attractive wines. This year, the wine is rich and still with its layers of dominant wood flavors. It also has a fine structure that will allow it to age. The finish brings in bright, juicy acidity. Drink from 2020.	88	25	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
70,690	Italy	This accessible Barbaresco opens with ripe red berry, rose, leather and earthy aromas. The fresh palate offers dark cherry, ripe raspberry and black pepper alongside firm tannins and bright acidity. Drink now–2019.	90	30	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
53,836	Italy	This easy-drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers red cherry, strawberry and a hint of anise. Simple and rather diluted, it's made to be drunk young, with brisk acidity and fleeting tannins.	84	13	Tuscany	Red Blend
26,913	US	This is tart in acidity and tastes of raspberry jam, with a bubblegum-gassiness reminiscent of Beaujolais. It's easy and refreshing.	83	12	California	Zinfandel
64,768	US	Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) takes the lead on this wine, followed by Merlot (21%), Syrah (17%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and five other varieties. Aromas of blue fruit, char, plum, herb, confection and spice are followed by easy-drinking plum flavors, with a slightly clipped finish. It's a pleasant easy drinker.	87	16	Washington	Red Blend
91,042	Italy	This savory selection offers a spicy bouquet of black pepper, nutmeg and clove, along with blackberry and cherry notes. It has a refined and vibrant palate, with black cherry, pepper and spice notes framed by silky tannins and refreshing acidity.	88	25	Veneto	Red Blend
23,353	US	For those looking for a leaner, earthier but still-stylish Cabernet, this is the ticket. It's very dry, with soft Alexander Valley tannins and flavors of blackberries, cherries and herbs. This elegant young wine could easily develop fascinating bottle complexities over the next 8–10 years.	90	38	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
76,409	US	Violets, blackberries and espresso beans whirl together into a delicious, silky nose on this wine by Josh Baker and Matt Brain. It's similarly luxurious on the palate, soft and sensual with lots of boysenberry and olallieberry. It also shows a peppery licorice spice, boosted by focused acidity that enlivens every part of the tongue.	94	38	California	Syrah
122,512	US	This wine impresses from first pop, a complicated, well-crafted exploration of full-bodied flavor and brambly beauty. Blueberry pie, violet and cigar tease the nose as they follow through on a soft, supple layering of fine-tuned texture. But it's the stony minerality and undeniable coaxing of white pepper that imprint the memory. This wine should only get better through 2034.	95	50	California	Petite Sirah

62,441

US

Austere and elegant in its cool-climate, light-bodied way, this wine is dark and brooding nonetheless, offering a wild bramble of berry and rhubarb flavors. Firm in tannin and subtle in oak, it is dotted in black-tea and savory forest-floor edges.

92

55

California

Pinot Noir

105,178

US

From Chiles Valley, this blend of 71% Semillon and 29% Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best wines of its type of the vintage. Cofermented and barrel aged in 15% new French oak, it shows extraordinary richness, and savory flavors of green and yellow tree fruits, green tea, cashew, Asian spices and gingery vanilla. It even has some dusty tannins that make for grip and structure. The finish is absolutely dry.

93

25

California

Bordeaux-style White Blend

68,144

US

This wine is made by UC-Santa Cruz astrophysics professor Joe Miller, who's taught wine appreciation for years. Regal and wondrous, the nose conveys concentrated lavender, violets, cedar, oregano, rose petals and patchouli spicing up a grapy frame. The palate offers red fruits laced with clove spice and earth. Ginger, rose water and raspberry emerge in the midpalate, with just enough acidity to carry it through.

94

39

California

Pinot Noir

18,971

US

Captures the essence of Russian River Chard with its crisp acids that boost and brighten an explosion of taste. The tropical fruit and spice flavors are enriched by toasty oak, while sur lie aging adds a creaminess to the texture of this deliciously dry wine.

89

32

California

Chardonnay

59,331

Italy

This Amarone is made in a more restrained style. It shows black cherry, raisin and black pepper sensations. While it's not overly complex, it has great fruit and spice flavors, and is perfect to accompany seasoned dishes, like grilled Portobello mushroom steaks.

89

50

Veneto

Red Blend

60,682

Spain

Citrus peel and mineral aromas set up a zesty palate that doesn't show a lot of weight or body. Mild citrus and apple flavors are maintained on a basic finish. This is fresh, clean and easygoing.

86

11

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

21,526

US

Lightly silky, this has mouth-cleansing acidity and delicious red-cherry pie, spice and sandalwood flavors. It's really easy to drink now, elegant and complex. You can even give it a little chill on a hot night.

92

60

California

Pinot Noir

80,592

US

Restrained, smooth and soft, this vineyard-designate is pillowy on the palate while remaining satisfying and expansive in juicy red fruit. Holding 25% Merlot, it offers undercurrents of dried herb and coconut flake atop quiet oak and is a beautiful wine for the table.

92

95

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

24,864

US

Almost all varietal with just a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) to fill it out, this is an intriguing wine with notes of cherry cordial, chocolate and herbs. With very little new oak influence, the soft, supple fruit flavors are allowed to shine through, giving this wine a real sense of polish.

87

20

Washington

Merlot

121,053

US

This wine is a blend of fruit from Boushey, Olsen and Sagemoor vineyards. Light in color, the aromas bring vibrant notes of stemmy herb, smoked meat and raspberry. It's light and elegant in style, with pillowy fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a sense of delicacy.

90

32

Washington

Grenache

10,780

Germany

Whiffs of smoke and crushed stone form a veil over concentrated peach and preserved quince in this remarkably nuanced auslese. It's sweet and juicy on the palate and accented with hints of fresh herb. Earthy flavors lend a dark, savory dimension.

90

43

Mosel

Riesling

94

US

Barrel notes are prominent, with aromas of Creamsicle and baking spice. The palate is broad and dry with stone-fruit and barrel flavors. It provides intrigue but the wood seems to get in the way at times.

88

22

Washington

Viognier

32,647

US

Here's a soft, lushly delicious wine to drink now with steak, veal, pork, chicken or just about anything that wants a dry, medium-bodied red wine. It's rich in berry, currant, tobacco, spice and cedar flavors, and possesses that hard to define quality of finesse.

87

35

California

Red Blend

49,784

Italy

With fruit sourced from various vineyard sites, this dark and fleshy Barolo offers ripe fruit aromas with tar, licorice, smoked ham, toasted hazelnut and moist pipe tobacco. Prunotto offers a well-made wine on the extraripe and dense side that ends with an opulent, fruit-driven close.

91

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

61,171

US

The alcohol is refreshingly moderate in this dry, silky Pinot. The flavors are quite complex, suggesting wild cherries and raspberries, mushrooms, cola and sandalwood, with hints of balsam and herbs. The wine should age well, but the acidic sharpness on the finish will always be prominent.

87

120

California

Pinot Noir

47,632

US

Firm, hard and tight, this offers black cherry flavors with some peach-pit phenolics. It's sharp and edgy, definitely on the herbal side, with a hint of stem.

87

16

Washington

Merlot

33,035

France

An attractive, fresh Chablis, with flavors of juicy currants, spice and lime juice. It is crisp and shows full final fruit and acidity.

87

19

Burgundy

Chardonnay

33,934

US

Very ripe prune and wild berry flavors fill this full-bodied and rather soft-textured wine. Based on Zinfandel grapes, it is bold in aroma, forward in flavor, smooth in the mouth and tastes a little bit sweet on the finish.

86

25

California

Red Blend

50,924

Italy

Aged only in stainless steel, this youthful Barbera d'Asti shows cheerful aromas of ripe fruit and sweet berries. The wine does a very nice job of balancing its naturally fresh acidity with the bright, pristine nature of its fruit.

86

15

Piedmont

Barbera

121,938

US

This block-designate wine shows flamboyant aromas of red cherry, cola, purple flowers and light caramel. The palate offers an amazingly cohesive and zesty experience, combining piquant cranberry and tart raspberry with slate-driven minerality and a persistent woody spice. The texture is soft, but lifted by strong acidity.

96

64

California

Pinot Noir

14,604

US

Very rich and dramatic, a fine Pinot, and it's nice to see this veteran winery continue at such a high level. With a near-perfect structure of acidity and tannins, it offers lush flavors of cherries, raspberries, cotton candy, sweet vanilla, granola and cinnamon spices. Grows better and better in the glass.

94

50

California

Pinot Noir

66,345

US

From Vine Hill Vineyard, this wine is juicy in raspberry and vanilla, made in a fuller-bodied style with pronounced tannins on the finish. Let it open to express itself fully.

88

46

California

Pinot Noir

69,134

US

Coming from two of the state's finest vineyards—Cold Creek and Klipsun—this cool-vintage, 100% varietal wine shows an unusual Washington Cabernet profile of blueberry and plum along with herbs and a kiss of vanilla. It's soft and supple in feel with elegant coffee and blue fruit flavors.

88

41

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

103,122

US

Very rich and opulent, in the Heidi Barrett style, this Cabernet is sweetly jammy but somewhat direct in blackberries, cherries and raspberries. The finish is extraordinarily long and spicy, an indication that it's a wine for the cellar. Firm tannins and fine acidity confirm its ageability. Hold this flashy, decadent wine until 2016 and then try it again.

94

250

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

111,002

US

There's a lively gaminess to the nose; a wild, Rhônish note, perhaps from the Carignane, Mourvèdre and Petit Sirah blended in. This wine is front-loaded: the flavors lighten up on the palate, and the finish is tight and tannic.

87

18

California

Zinfandel

117,835

US

This wine hails from six Napa Valley vineyards, including the producer's Calistoga-based estate Bone Ash, as well as Beck stoffer Georges III in Rutherford. It opens in mouthfilling black licorice and blackberry, juicy and soft with the backbone to age. Dried herb provides a savory component, while a fresh vibrancy offsets the wine's denseness. Cellar this concentrated wine through 2022.

94

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

33,480

US

This fresh, appealing wine is lightly spritzy, with flavors of pear and melon that show persistence.

87

12

Washington

Pinot Grigio

35,574

Argentina

Minty and toasty upfront, this is layered with blackberry, licorice, leather and toast aromas. It feels raring and ready to go, courtesy of firm acidity and good overall framing. Flavors of wild berry are bright, with herb and oak accents. Long, toasty and solid on the finish.

91

15

Mendoza Province

Malbec

15,096

Italy

This simple sparkler opens with fresh citrus and peach followed by bright acidity and smooth effervescence. Those easy-drinking and refreshing qualities make this Prosecco the perfect summer sipper.

84

15

Veneto

Glera

55,006

US

Made in a careful, non-intrusive, natural style, this combines wild strawberry and peppery herb flavors. It offers moderate tannins and a strongly herbal finish.

89

24

Oregon

Pinot Noir

76,730

France

Based in the Côte des Blancs, this producer has made a soft, ripe style of Blanc de Blancs. It's smooth and creamy in texture, drinkable now with its hint of toastiness balanced by crisper apple flavors.

89

72

Champagne

Chardonnay

113,189

US

This is a good, solid Pinot Noir, a little rustic and direct, but offering lots of drinking pleasure. It's dry and silky, with rich black cherry, raspberry, cola and sandalwood flavors. Drink over the next year or two.

88

56

California

Pinot Noir

17,887

US

Wood aromas of cedar are expertly spliced with purple fruits on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Merlot. A touch of greenness on the palate gives those deep purple fruits some depth, but the tannins are quite gripping, and should release more with time. Drink 2018 onward.

88

30

California

Red Blend

59,876

US

Touches of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot contribute to this wine's overall complexity. The cuvée formerly known as “Cask,” it now emphasizes the historic estate property. Red currant and cedar notes and firm tannins strike first, as bright, underlying acidity provides balance. Tobacco leaf and chocolate flavors mark the long finish.

92

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

40,720

Italy

Easy, simple and bone dry, this should pair with slightly sweet appetizers based on cream or cheese. Its bright, crisp acidity also helps cut through those fatty foods.

86

21

Veneto

Glera

76,189

US

Made in an easy-going style, this Chardonnay has ripe, forward flavors of orange jam, buttered toast and vanilla flavors. Fine acidity provides balance.

84

18

California

Chardonnay

41,891

US

This expands the winery's portfolio with a nod to the $20 pricepoint that's become a defining limit to affordable Oregon Pinot. This wine is hard, slightly burnt and bitter in the finish, with simple candy cherry-fruit flavors.

85

20

Oregon

Pinot Noir

14,755

US

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There's freshness to the fruit, with aromas of cherry and raspberry kissed by herb, clove and spice. The flavors are lush and palate-coating, with the tannins bringing a touch of astringency that hopefully will settle out with additional time in the bottle.

90

50

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

60,862

US

Too sharp in acids, giving the cherry and raspberry flavors a real bite. Almost sour on the finish. Drink now.

82

19

California

Petite Sirah

6,903

US

The winemaker aged a majority of this wine on the lees in new French oak, and the rest in stainless steel. This combination is easygoing and very fruity in aroma and flavor. The body is medium while the texture is soft and agreeable.

87

16

California

Chardonnay

102,608

US

This blend is comprised of Merlot (70%) and dabbles of Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot and Shiraz, sourced mainly from the Clements Hills region of Lodi. The wine is marked by a strong streak of green bell pepper and herbal scents, and is a tad dull on the palate.

82

27

California

Red Blend

8,173

US

An earthy, leathery aromatic character carries over to the palate of this wine, joined by ripe plum flavors. The blend here is 53% Mourvèdre and 47% Syrah, feeling full-bodied, firmly tannic and ready for cassoulet.

87

28

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

74,258

Spain

A little heat on the nose is acceptable given that the remaining cherry and plum aromas are pure. A bit acidic on the palate but staunchly fresh, with good fruit flavor in the red plum category. Cleansing due to higher acidity, with hints of mocha and mineral.

86

10

Northern Spain

Grenache

34,696

US

This 100% varietal wine hails from Stone Tree, Cold Creek and Beverly vineyards. Aromas of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and raspberry lead to exuberant layered fruit flavors. It displays a lot of intensity, focus, and length.

92

85

Washington

Merlot

113,464

US

Strawberry fruit defines this open, broad-flavored wine. The palate is smooth in feel and carries accessible red-fruit flavors that offer immediate appeal.

89

29

Oregon

Pinot Noir

32,966

US

Loads of clove, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg spice show up the strawberry, blueberry and red cherry aromas of this lavish bottling, which also offers scents of crushed rock and turned earth. Similar elements entertain the palate, culminating with a minty pine needle note, proving to be a very dynamic sip.

90

65

California

Zinfandel

23,994

US

A wonderful wine at a great price. This is complex and delicious in blackberry and black currant flavors, with a savory minerality on the finish. As it starts off with tough tannins, allow it to decant.

92

26

California

Merlot

26,252

US

A bright, cheerful and very well-crafted Zinfandel that shows a deft touch at handling this variety's challenges. Achieves thorough ripeness, with blackberry, black currant, cola and pepper flavors, even as the alcohol is kept moderate, and the finish is dry and smooth.

90

40

California

Zinfandel

113,747

US

The producer picks from cooler sites to preserve the wine's freshness and acidity, succeeding in this majority varietal wine, blended with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Light and easygoing on the entry, it traffics in crisp red and black berry plus inviting notes of herb before finishing in powerful tannins.

88

33

California

Merlot

15,298

Italy

Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, violet and a whiff of baking spice. On the bright silky palate, notes of pipe tobacco, chopped herb and a hint of game add depth to the red-berry core.

90

28

Tuscany

Sangiovese

58,413

Italy

Lively and fresh with medium aromatic intensity, here's an all-Italian Riesling executed in a delicate, feminine style. It shows sharp, focused lines of citrus, white flower and stone fruit.

87

18

Northeastern Italy

Riesling

71,212

US

Previously this Syrah was sourced completely from Lawrence vineyard grapes, but here they are mixed with fruit from Stonetree. It's a dark, smoky wine, with highlights of licorice around deep cassis fruit flavors. The chewy tannins finish with a pleasant streak of lovely cherry fruit.

90

16

Washington

Syrah

107,604

US

Ripe and crisp and rich, in the manner of this fine vintage, offering an explosion of cherries, currants, anise and vanilla-scented cedar. With its silky texture, it's a beauty, but needs time. Give it 3–4 years in the cellar.

92

60

California

Pinot Noir

37,803

US

Racy, this stainless-steel fermented white is fuzzy in gooseberry and pineapple, not quite veering into fresh-cut grass, but staying more tropical and generous in ripe fruit. A dry, lemony finish provides refreshment.

85

20

California

Sauvignon Blanc

47,059

US

A Cab-based wine with 20% Merlot, this has juicy blackberry and currant to soften the overreaching tannic profile. Blessed in cedar and tobacco, this also presents a strong showing of dried herb. The fruit leans black and blue, from blueberry to black plum, a nod to the Merlot.

88

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

93,736

US

This small-production wine has an oaky, earthy complexity from the aroma through the finish. It is full bodied, ripe and rich, leading with toasted oak and a flinty quality. The fruit flavors are muted at first but develop nicely with each sip.

91

82

California

Pinot Noir

61,136

US

This is a high-acid, minerality-driven wine from the wilds of Rockpile. Soft and integrated in terms of oak and tannin, it also possesses a savage touch of grip, a nod to its mountainous heritage and the perils and pleasures of a warm year. Black cherry and a vibrant squeeze of citrus stand out on the palate, providing juiciness and balance.

91

38

California

Zinfandel

105,419

US

This is a good value for a Sonoma Coast Pinot of this quality. The wine is dry, crisp and clean, with complex flavors of raspberry jam, pomegranates and heirloom tomatoes, which lend a satisfying earthiness to the fruit. New French oak is applied judiciously, and crisp acidity gives it delicious bite.

90

35

California

Pinot Noir

95,960

France

While firmly tannic and structured, this wine shows youth with its concentrated fresh berry flavors and bright acidity. The dry core promises a long-term future, so don't drink before 2016.

90

25

Provence

Red Blend

2,034

US

Dry and tannic, this 100% Cab has flavors of herbs, blackberries and tea. It's a tough wine not showing generosity now. You can age for a couple years, but the tannins will outlast the fruit.

87

45

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

61,966

Italy

Ripe plum, iris, violet and underbrush aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry, licorice, clove and a hint of tobacco. Tightly knit but ripe tannins and fresh acidity provide support. Drink 2016–2022.

91

35

Tuscany

Sangiovese

5,872

US

Densely extracted, this larger production wine succeeds in keeping things simple and approachable, its midpalate juicy and round, with accents of graphite, compost, leather, black currant and berry.

88

19

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

84,280

Italy

Structured and delicious, this opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, leather rose petal and a balsamic note. The juicy palate doles out raspberry compote, ripe red cherry, cinnamon and a sprinkling of white pepper. Firm velvety tannins provide the framework while a licorice note closes the lingering finish. Drink 2019–2025.

94

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

66,245

US

With 80% of the blend comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by every other major red Bordeaux variety, this wine offers dusty tannins around soft, integrated oak, sharp black fruit and dried herb. Robust and ripe on the finish, it should mellow in the cellar, through 2022.

91

60

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

68,986

US

Made by Heidi Peterson Barrett from the Lamborn family's own grapes, this wine reflects its mountain home, densely concentrated in rich, blackberry jam and dried herb. Full bodied, it packs a punch before showing finesse and shocks of dried herb on the finish.

91

100

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

108,110

US

This is a highly unusual, quirky blend of the Georgian Rkatsiteli and Moldovan Sereksiya grapes. Tonic and crisp, it offers robust peach and apple flavors on the attack, but fades a bit quickly on the midpalate. Straightforward but refreshing.

86

25

New York

White Blend

101,510

US

Savory pepper and rustic gravel aromas meet with strawberry and dried cherry on the nose of this proprietary red blend that is widely available. Strawberry pie flavors dominate the sip, but there's also a lava rock minerality and a burst of acidity.

88

15

California

Red Blend

99,108

US

Good, tangy red fruit, with youthful vigor and zest. Nuances of citrus rind, cranberry and toast; it's compact and sleek, still young and tight, but perfectly balanced and precision-tuned.

88

28

California

Zinfandel

83,262

Italy

Aromas of dried cherry, raisin, oak and a balsamic note follow through to the palate along with a coffee note. Firm tannins grip the finish. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit richness.

88

100

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

44,352

US

Showing the usual balance and harmony of this bottling, which is made from the five Bordeaux varieties, the '06 nonetheless lacks a bit of the richness of other vintages. It's beautifully clean and dry, with sound currant, blackberry, herb tea and cedar flavors, but is missing a certain fatness in the middle. Best now–2012.

92

75

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

38,488

US

Smashberry is the perfect name for this wine. Made from an unstated blend of grape varieties, it tastes like mashed, ripe blackberries, blueberries and cherries. The alcohol level is moderate, but gives the wine a pleasant warmth.

85

12

California

Red Blend

88,736

France

Old-style gin bottles are obviously popular in Provence. This pale salmon-pink colored wine comes in such a bottle. It's lightly fruity with attractive acidity that dominates the fruit and texture. Drink now.

85

18

Provence

Rosé

26,495

Germany

Juicy and approachable, this blend of Riesling and Müller-Thurgau offers fleshy stone fruit and tangerine flavors brightened by soft, slightly yielding acidity. It's a pristinely fruity wine with just a touch of minerality on the finish. Drink now.

87

11

Mosel

White Blend

1,611

France

Under the same ownership as Château de Panigon, this property (which has a heart on its cork) has produced a wine offering layers of smoky wood as well as ripe fruit. That solid structure suggests the wine will need time to develop. The aftertaste boosts a more juicy fruitiness.

87

19

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

98,475

Italy

Ripe, black-skinned fruit, dark spice and chopped herbs abound on this structured red. The big, bold palate offers ripe black cherry, blackberry extract, mocha and licorice while round tannins envelop the palate.

91

72

Veneto

Red Blend

67,245

US

Whiffs of savory spice and terra-cotta pots lend rusticity to this unusually earthy Chardonnay. Partial fermentation on grape skins gives the palate grip, accentuating softer tones of bruised apple and pear. Brisk acidity lengthens the finish.

87

13

New York

Chardonnay

39,812

US

This Cab is in a somewhat awkward state now, poised between fresh blackberry and cherry fruit and mature notes of dried fruits and mushrooms. That tension lends it interest. The grapes come from Calistoga and Carneros, which also gives a dynamic play between lushness and acidity. It's a fine, stylish wine for drinking now–2017.

91

50

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

7,709

France

This is overpowering, almost too much. The fruit is so rich it feels overextracted, superjuicy and then hit with tannins and new wood. For those who like superconcentrated wines, this will be a big hit, but not with food.

86

60

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

115,617

US

A smaller project from the Scheid family of wines, this single-vineyard expression offers a sanguine nose of blood, iodine, dirt, crushed violets and a touch of pungent juniper and pine. It's light and lithe on the palate, with pomegranate, cranberry and iron, proving to be a very fresh sipper.

92

34

California

Pinot Noir

74,679

US

This Chardonnay's tropical and citrus fruit flavors are dripping with honey richness. There's also a lot of buttered toast and vanilla. Will appeal to all those Chard lovers out there who like ripe, lush wines.

84

19

California

Chardonnay

110,613

France

This entry-level wine of the Saint André de Figuière range is pretty impressive in itself. It has a rounded, smooth character that is lifted by attractive red berry acidity and a nervy, mineral texture. Balanced acidity completes the picture.

90

18

Provence

Rosé

51,294

US

Bright aromas of peach, pear and nectarine are followed by lightly sweet fruit flavors. It brings some appeal but the apparent residual sugar gets in the way.

86

19

Washington

Viognier

66,721

Argentina

Waxy apple aromas are chunky, dusty and a bit choppy. Ditto the palate, which is thick and on the full side, with moderate acidity. Apple, savory oak and spice flavors finish with a briny, saline note.

86

15

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

24,972

France

A touch of passion fruit plays around the peach aromas on the nose. There is a lovely touch of smoke, too. The palate is off dry and the fruit is made richer, riper and more intense by the residual sweetness. Zesty lemony freshness acts as counterpoint. This is lovely, compact and full of fruit.

90

22

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

114,827

Italy

This is a lovely Chianti Classico that shows balanced aromas of cherry and raspberry that match up very nicely with the natural acidity you feel in the mouth. This is a great wine to pair with chicken in creamy mushroom sauce or buttered baked potato.

88

25

Tuscany

Sangiovese

84,988

US

This is a bit hard and aggressive now, with a punch of green tannins. That makes it hard to appreciate the underlying oaky, ripe blackberry and currant fruit. It doesn't seem to have the inherent balance necessary for aging, so give it a decanting and drink it now.

88

70

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

100,323

US

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (27%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Merlot delivers a medley of herb, baker's chocolate, smoke, plum and black tea aromas. Fine-grained tannins support its dark fruit flavors, which stretch long into the finish. Highly styled yet lovely.

91

39

Washington

Red Blend

104,925

US

Shows lots of rich blackberry and cherry sour candy flavors, with a smoky coating of oak, and smooth, easy-to-drink tannins that make this Cabernet ready to open now.

87

42

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

96,421

US

This medium-bodied white features balanced oak that manages to play off flavors of baked apple and butterscotch with compelling swathes of saltiness. This wine will work well with seafood as a result, and make for a decent match with midweek meals.

85

30

California

Chardonnay

106,718

US

A superb value, this drinks way above its price. Buttery apple fruit is bedecked with cinnamon and buttressed with refreshing mineral-drenched acids. A nice hint of toast avoids any suggestion of clumsiness or artificiality.

90

14

Oregon

Chardonnay

81,518

France

This is a rich, ripe style of rosé, full of rich red-berry fruits and crispened by acidity. It is full bodied and just lightly textured. Drink now while it is still young and fruity.

87

30

Loire Valley

Rosé

39,207

France

Owned by the Castel family, this chateau regularly produces attractive wines. This year, the wine is rich and still with its layers of dominant wood flavors. It also has a fine structure that will allow it to age. The finish brings in bright, juicy acidity. Drink from 2020.

88

25

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

70,690

Italy

This accessible Barbaresco opens with ripe red berry, rose, leather and earthy aromas. The fresh palate offers dark cherry, ripe raspberry and black pepper alongside firm tannins and bright acidity. Drink now–2019.

90

30

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

53,836

Italy

This easy-drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers red cherry, strawberry and a hint of anise. Simple and rather diluted, it's made to be drunk young, with brisk acidity and fleeting tannins.

84

13

Tuscany

Red Blend

26,913

US

This is tart in acidity and tastes of raspberry jam, with a bubblegum-gassiness reminiscent of Beaujolais. It's easy and refreshing.

83

12

California

Zinfandel

64,768

US

Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) takes the lead on this wine, followed by Merlot (21%), Syrah (17%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and five other varieties. Aromas of blue fruit, char, plum, herb, confection and spice are followed by easy-drinking plum flavors, with a slightly clipped finish. It's a pleasant easy drinker.

87

16

Washington

Red Blend

91,042

Italy

This savory selection offers a spicy bouquet of black pepper, nutmeg and clove, along with blackberry and cherry notes. It has a refined and vibrant palate, with black cherry, pepper and spice notes framed by silky tannins and refreshing acidity.

88

25

Veneto

Red Blend

23,353

US

For those looking for a leaner, earthier but still-stylish Cabernet, this is the ticket. It's very dry, with soft Alexander Valley tannins and flavors of blackberries, cherries and herbs. This elegant young wine could easily develop fascinating bottle complexities over the next 8–10 years.

90

38

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

76,409

US

Violets, blackberries and espresso beans whirl together into a delicious, silky nose on this wine by Josh Baker and Matt Brain. It's similarly luxurious on the palate, soft and sensual with lots of boysenberry and olallieberry. It also shows a peppery licorice spice, boosted by focused acidity that enlivens every part of the tongue.

94

38

California

Syrah

122,512

US

This wine impresses from first pop, a complicated, well-crafted exploration of full-bodied flavor and brambly beauty. Blueberry pie, violet and cigar tease the nose as they follow through on a soft, supple layering of fine-tuned texture. But it's the stony minerality and undeniable coaxing of white pepper that imprint the memory. This wine should only get better through 2034.

95

50

California

Petite Sirah