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
26,497	France	This crisp, balanced wine has lively citrus fruits, light spiciness and some tight, mineral acidity. Drink now.	87	12	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
1,420	US	Sourced entirely from the Sagemoor vineyard, this richly endowed Viognier smothers the palate in a lush mix of fat, candied citrus and tropical fruits. Honeysuckle and orange pekoe tea flavors trickle into the lingering, lip-smacking finish.	93	24	Washington	Viognier
40,249	US	Plush blackberry, fennel, mocha, char and peppercorn aromas show on the nose of this bottling from longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner. Dried plum skin, cherry and elderberry flavors show on the palate, which is layered with tannins and turns savory with charred beef, charcoal and tobacco flavors.	91	64	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
68,954	Italy	Aromas of black-skinned berry marinated in spirits, dark spice, chopped herb and a balsamic note emerge in the glass. The robust assertive palate offers dried sour cherry, powdered sage and star anise alongside a backbone of bracing, mouth-drying tannins that grip the finish. Give this a few more years to soften, then drink up to capture the remaining fruit.	89	99	Tuscany	Sangiovese
75,194	Italy	This opens with aromas of raw oak and espresso. The bracing, somewhat muddled palate offers sour red cherry, coconut, dried sage and a dusting of mocha alongside a marked metallic—almost chemical—note. Raspy tannins produce a mouth drying finish.	85	47	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
17,034	US	From a newer vineyard located up Gypsy Canyon off of Highway 246, this wine shows light apple aromas along with lemon blossoms. Ripe yellow pears and apples show through a stony tightness that frames the midpalate, offering a Key-lime pith element and good saline quality.	90	32	California	Chardonnay
36,742	US	The label—a grinning winery dog—is irresistible. The wine is a bit sharp, with a green edge to the tannins and a strong streak of vanilla, perhaps from some sort of oak treatment.	85	20	Washington	Syrah
89,123	Italy	Beautiful in terms of intensity and consistency, this light style of Nebbiolo offers pretty aromas of forest fruit and crushed white pepper. Polished tannins bring up the rear and this wine would pair nicely with quiche or cheese flan.	88	23	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
4,545	US	Made from organic grapes, Green Truck's Petite has not a lot going on aromatically and exhibits very little in the way of the variety's profile, tasting like generic red wine.	81	14	California	Petite Sirah
30,166	US	A suggestion of minty eucalyptus makes itself quietly known on the entry of this wine, followed by soft, seamless layers of rich red cherry. Floral and bursting in elegance, it's a vibrant, worthy representation of the vineyard. Sadly, this is the last vintage from this producer from this site. Drink now through 2020.	92	39	California	Pinot Noir
3,525	France	This nonvintage cuvée is dominated by Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. That gives richness as well as a crisp lemon and tangy orange character. Ripe and full, it's balanced and ready to drink.	88	45	Champagne	Champagne Blend
8,619	France	This second wine of this estate is aged in tank, making it all bright, ripe berry fruit and juicy acidity. The tannins are still there as it's still aging. Give this attractive, fruity wine until late 2018 before opening.	86	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
31,111	US	The aromas on this wine are surprisingly blue fruited for a Cabernet, followed by notes of herb, green pepper and spice. The flavors are lightly sweet, followed by a spice-filled finish. It's a straightforward quaffer that doesn't quite show its variety.	85	13	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
45,744	US	This unusual wine, fermented with wild yeasts and using 20% whole bunches, is still pulling all of its diverse components into focus. Grapefruit, citrus, lemon and a saline quality adorn the spare red fruits. The length and persistence are spot on, but this could benefit from another year or two of bottle age before you pop the cork.	90	60	Oregon	Pinot Noir
64,590	US	There's a lot going on in this Merlot, which is likeable now for its rich blackberry, cherry, cranberry, cola and spice flavors. It's dry and balanced.	86	4	California	Merlot
32,240	France	Yeasty funk still dominates the nose and only lets a touch of lemon zest through. The palate continues with the zesty background against which flashes of riper fruit appear: juicy pear and luscious tangerine. The fruit expression is ripe but utterly fresh. The taut dry palate is anchored in something cool and fresh, something that expands as texture and fills not only the palate but also the mind. This is fresh and luminous, elegant and fine boned. Drink now through 2030.	94	55	Alsace	Riesling
125,044	Spain	Red-berry aromas feature a hint of raisin along with oaky notes of shoe polish and lemon. A pinched, grabby, high-acid palate contains rubbery flavors of berry, plum and citrus. On the finish, oak flavors and controlled bitterness settle in.	86	20	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
119,166	Spain	The scent of citrus peel gets this wine started. There's a light spritz to the palate, then bland, salty flavors take over. It offers a hint of citrus on the finish but mostly brine and salt.	83	21	Northern Spain	Rosé
115,920	US	Extremely light on aromas, this bottling eventually shows lemon peel, chalk and slate. The palate is simple yet clean, with flavors of pear, nectarine and lime peels.	85	14	California	Chardonnay
111,753	France	Almost black in color, this stunning wine is gorgeous, rich and dense. It's grand and powerful, with a strong sense of its own importance. The beautiful tannins and the fragrant black currant fruits are palpable. It's a great wine, with huge potential.	100	1,500	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
121,434	US	A wisp of a wine that's dark-salmon in color, this is made entirely from Grenache grapes grown near the town of Davis. It's dry, light and fun, offering a strawberry and watermelon fruitiness, with a trace of spice on the end.	87	18	California	Rosé
108,084	US	This wine has some off aromas, seeming to show some oxygen exposure, which distracts from its notes of orange peel and spice. The palate is considerably better but struggles to make up the difference.	86	36	Washington	Syrah
69,428	Italy	This opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, oak and crushed black cherry. The palate shows predominantly oak sensations including coffee, vanilla and espresso alongside notes of prune, but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent tannins leave the mouth feeling dried out.	87	48	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
59,478	US	This dry, tart wine smells like sliced apples and has lemon pastry-like flavors without the sweetness. The palate is full-bodied but cut with a zing of lemon and green apple.	84	35	California	White Blend
119,002	France	This wine is soft, gently fruity with light raspberry and red-currant flavors. An attractive zesty lemon character adds to this pale-colored wine.	85	22	Provence	Rosé
79,335	Argentina	Hints of rubber, iodine and graphite accent concentrated blackberry aromas in front of a chewy, pruny palate. Flavors of rubber and herbs share the stage with prune and raisin, while the finish is rich and plodding, with depth but limited complexity. Drink through 2018.	89	25	Mendoza Province	Malbec
104,309	France	The seventh generation of the Carreau family has produced this rich full-bodied and structured wine. It has dense tannins as well as plenty of ripe red fruits. The structure suggests the wine will continue to age, so drink this ripe wine from 2017.	89	14	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
64,662	US	This is a sweet, softly simple wine whose apricot, citrus and peach flavors will satisfy those looking for a decent everyday white wine.	83	10	California	Pinot Grigio
8,103	France	From vines in the heart of this large appellation, this is a warmhearted and ripe wine. With wood and spice in equal balance with the white fruits, this is a juicy crisp wine full of great acidity and also with a ripe hint of yellow fruits. This fine wine will be best from 2020.	93	117	Burgundy	Chardonnay
53,354	US	Made in a lighter style, this Pinot comes from the cooler Napa side of the Carneros. It's light- to medium-bodied and dry, with a silky texture and pleasant flavors of cherries, exotic dusty spices and sandalwood. Elegant and moderate in alcohol, it's a wine to drink now.	90	24	California	Pinot Noir
26,476	US	Fruity and front-loaded, with a tongue-tingling mouthfeel. The tasty black cherry fruit quickly fills the mouth with a burst of fresh fruit. The wine is designed for near-term enjoyment.	88	45	Oregon	Pinot Noir
45,991	Italy	Here's another stunning offering from this fantastic estate. Elegant, structured and restrained, it opens with enticing Nebbiolo scents of blue flower, perfumed berry, dark spice and a light balsamic note of eucalyptus. The luminous palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, licorice and cinnamon while vibrant acidity and firm, polished tannins provide seamless support. Drink 2023–2043.	97	96	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
104,311	France	While there are plenty of firm tannins, there is also some fine red-berry fruit and layers of spice. The wine is structured as well, bringing the whole into balance. Drink this fine wine from 2018.	89	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
96,743	US	Juicy pineapple, mango and citrus notes lend a tropical feel to this penetrating, yet light bodied, Pinot Gris. Off dry in style, it's dancingly light on its feet, with a revitalizing shower of acidity that lingers through the finish.	88	18	New York	Pinot Gris
118,836	France	Lovely notes of crisp apples make for a very friendly nose. The palate comes in with immense freshness that is nonetheless tempered by a balm-like rounded texture that couches Riesling's freshness in seamless fluidity. The palate remains dry and is colored with red and green apple, lemon and tangerine. The finish is dry and wonderfully lip smacking.	91	36	Alsace	Riesling
2,552	US	Lots of fresh apple flavors, a crisp balance and smooth mouthfeel make this light-bodied wine refreshing and fun to drink. It has some richness on the midpalate and finish, but basically keeps its lively, tangy personality going.	89	17	California	Chardonnay
67,660	Italy	Fragrant spring flower, white stone fruit, citrus and baked bread aromas lift out of the glass. Creamy and crisp, the vibrant palate delivers juicy Bartlett pear, Gala apple, vanilla and pastry cream. It's all framed in an elegant continuous perlage.	94	35	Piedmont	Sparkling Blend
37,324	Argentina	Generic red-fruit aromas are accented by sage and thyme, while in the mouth the feel is wiry. Full-blooded raspberry and cherry flavors come with pronounced acidity and lighter-framed tannins, so there's some sharpness. All in all it's a no-frills red wine with minimal Cabernet character.	85	12	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
116,439	US	Savory and satisfying, this is one of the best Pinot Grigios at this price point. It shows real class, with brisk acidity framing flavors of lemons, limes, mangoes and honey. Perfect for drinking with today's Asian, Indian, Ethiopian and Mexican fare, or on its own as an apéritif.	87	8	California	Pinot Grigio
103,483	US	A firm, full, distinctive Pinot Noir, from an organic vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Light fruit flavors of berry play second fiddle to notes of earth and clay, and drying tannins. The wine surprises with its length; it extends into a finish that continues to hold your attention and its focus, for a minute or more.	90	28	Oregon	Pinot Noir
128,397	Argentina	Blanketed with heavy, minty, candied oak, this Malbec-led blend is meaty, sulfuric, pasty and gaseous on the nose. Plump, oaky and sticky on the palate, with vanilla and candied blueberry and black-plum flavors, this is more fat and oaky than structured and defined.	84	15	Mendoza Province	Red Blend
43,418	US	Very light and summery on the nose, this bottling shows aromas of yellow melon, green pear, lime blossoms, lime juice and a touch of chalk. Wet rocks, cut garden herbs and green apple skins emerge on the refreshing palate, which is perfect for sunny days and shellfish.	89	22	California	Sauvignon Blanc
41,011	France	Behind the tannins, the fruit is beginning to broaden out and become rich. An attractive juicy character comes from the fresh black currant and berry fruits. Give this wine until 2016 and it will be ready to drink. Consulting oenologue Claude Gaudin manages this Médoc region estate.	86	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
127,410	US	Made in a more popular style than Calera's Mt. Harlan bottling, this Chard features lush flavors of pineapple and orange jam, honey and vanilla. The acidity is bright and mouthwatering.	88	18	California	Chardonnay
85,782	US	Aged six months in neutral French oak, this offers aromas of spice, pineapple and almond skin. Full bodied, the palate is redolent with tropical-fruit flavors. The mouthfeel dazzles, especially for a wine at this price.	90	20	Washington	Chardonnay
9,689	Argentina	Tropical and toasty, with buttercup and banana on the nose. Good acidity keeps the palate zesty and moving forward, while the flavors of lemon, lime and pineapple are juicy and clean. Good in a fresh and simple way, with just a spot of oak character.	86	12	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
21,975	US	Lots of lusciousness in this blush Zin. It may be technically dry, like the label says, but there's a lush fruitiness to the strawberry, watermelon, vanilla and spice flavors. What a great summer brunch wine this is.	88	12	California	Zinfandel
67,632	France	A very perfumed, fragrant and refreshing wine. It is full in the mouth, ripe, smelling of hedgerow blossoms and having a touch of spring in its fruits. Ready to drink, but also keep until 2016.	87	14	Alsace	Riesling
124,152	US	Shows the fantastic power and extracted fruit that this vineyard is famous for. Just massive in apricots, tangerines and pears, it's enriched with sweet smoky oak, which adds vanilla bean and buttered toast to the richness. Fortunately, brisk acidity and minerality provide balance.	90	23	California	Chardonnay
6,410	US	A little ungainly at first blush, with tannicly sharp elbows and some green, minty flavors. But it shows some pretty cherries and spices, and is dry and silky.	85	42	California	Pinot Noir
102,484	Germany	Lip-smacking is an inelegant yet apt word to describe the unctuousness of this nectar of honey, saffron and marmalade. It's delightfully rich and creamy, yet gorgeously balanced, seared by a razor's edge of lemon-lime acidity. It's an exceptional wine now, penetrating and persistent, but will surely delight for decades to come.	97	440	Mosel	Riesling
96,159	US	An estate-grown vineyard-designate, this impressive offering is smooth in cherry, berry and clove, with wisps of black pepper dancing around its edges. The finish is long and spicy. It's complex yet fun, and will do well at the table though it's also easy enough to enjoy on its own.	92	85	California	Pinot Noir
112,090	France	Bright and fruity, this wine has fine acidity, which balances the firm tannins. The whole wine feels juicy, packed with forward fruit and having a lively character. Drink now.	88	16	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
22,320	US	This limited-production wine was fermented in a 500 liter French oak puncheon and put through full malolactic. The mouthfeel is creamy and the wine balanced, with buttery highlights around jicama and green-apple fruit. Despite the low alcohol, it's ripe enough to feel full bodied.	90	50	Oregon	Chardonnay
88,864	US	Showing lovely silkiness, dryness and transparency, this is a Pinot to drink now or age for a while. The flavors are rich but elusive, suggesting wild summer raspberries, cola, pine needles and sautéed mushrooms splashed with balsamic, with the sweet smokiness of oak barrel aging. It's delicate and powerful, but only 47 cases were produced.	95	50	California	Pinot Noir
59,999	France	The nose is still shy but already tells of tender sweetness. The palate has a rounded earthy smoky element that grounds the luscious generous fruit of dried pear and supersweet Reine Claude and mirabelle plums. The sweetness of this SGN is balanced and almost fresh, but the intriguing thing is a kind of smoky, dark and mysterious core of stone.	95	90	Alsace	Pinot Gris
4,222	Italy	Made with 60% Friulano and 40% Sauvignon, this has aromas of toast and citrus. The aromas carry over to the palate alongside notes of vanilla and chopped herb. Drink soon.	87	50	Veneto	White Blend
81,251	US	Flowery and electric in high-toned grapefruit and peach, this is a crisp, clean white from a consistent producer. Medium-bodied, it holds small percentages of Sémillon and Muscat. The finely hewed texture benefits from 10% of the wine having been aged in neutral oak.	89	17	California	Sauvignon Blanc
65,581	US	Very light in the glass, this vanguard blend of 9% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Blanc and 32% Pinot Gris shows tight aromas of wet cement, sliced apple, Key lime sorbet and kiwi popsicle. There's lots of brisk, apple- and pear-driven energy on the palate, which also offers a very stony character and white-rock minerality, all dancing across the tongue with panache.	92	36	California	White Blend
69,679	US	A baked lemon, honeyed aspect of this wine makes it seem overripe in many ways, a lush, full-bodied characteristic that seems slightly overdone. From one of the farming family's Green Valley ranches, it's intense and creamy.	86	44	California	Chardonnay
125,954	US	Black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and mint touches show on the nose of this approachable bottling. The palate is solidly structured, pairing soy and licorice flavors with tangy black-plum and elderberry fruit.	90	20	California	Petite Sirah
7,661	Italy	Corvo Bianco is a tried and true white wine that helped introduce Sicilian wines to international markets. It's worth revisiting this wine if you are looking for something fresh to wash down seafood.	85	10	Sicily & Sardinia	White Blend
26,364	Italy	Honey, pear, peach and mineral notes open the bouquet of this fragrant blend of Vermentino, Viognier and Petit Manseng. The palate is smooth, crisp and silky in texture.	90	35	Tuscany	White Blend
106,771	Italy	A blend of 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Chardonnay, this has aromas of ripe orchard fruit, citrus and a whiff of pastry dough. The bright palate delivers golden apple and toasted almond alongside small persistent bubbles and fresh acidity.	88	24	Piedmont	Sparkling Blend
112,931	US	Dry and acidic, this has citrus and green peppercorn flavors that are barely ripe. If you like the lean style, this is for you.	83	18	California	Sauvignon Blanc
4,167	US	This wine is textbook New World Viognier—bright, focused and balanced, with sassy fruit flavors of citrus and apricot. The aromatics conjure up subtle notes of citrus rind and jasmine flowers, and the overall length and concentration are as good as it gets.	92	30	Oregon	Viognier
72,239	Italy	The La Serra cru lies right above Cerequio and offers a glorious panoramic view of the town of Barolo. Poderi Marcarini has a long association with this vineyard and has carefully harnessed the natural aromatic intensity of the fruit grown here. Blackberry, cassis and raspberry are enhanced by spice and vanilla. It's a tight, firm wine. Drink after 2018.	91	66	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
46,703	US	Exotic aromas of cranberry, plum, sandalwood, myrrh and lavender makes for an elegant entry to this bottling by the winemaking team of Steve Fennell and Laura Roach. Layered flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate are laced throughout by dried herbs, while the tannic structure is firm but not obtrusive. Drink 2018–2034.	93	70	California	Pinot Noir
119,527	US	Ah, subtlety and richness come together in this delicious, layered and creamy-textured wine. It has light aromas of marzipan and pear, more fully developed vanilla, nutmeg and pear tart flavors and a luscious mouthfeel that helps extend the finish.	92	24	California	Chardonnay
129,415	Italy	Aromas of dark culinary spice, iris, berry and a whiff of oak lead the nose. The linear, tightly wound palate shows raw cranberry, clove and star anise framed in racy acidity. Taut close-grained tannins leave a firm finish. Give this a few more years to unwind then drink.	89	77	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
94,196	Portugal	On the nose, this is rough and rustic. If the palate is less obviously barnyard, it still carries something of that character, with blackberry and wood flavors along with spicy accents. The wine is still young, so the rough edges could smooth out. Drink from 2015.	85	18	Douro	Portuguese Red
119,906	US	This is a heady, seriously generous Pinot Noir from a coolish site in the Sonoma Coast AVA that clearly had a banner ripening year in 2012. The fruit is smoky and concentrated in dark berry and cherry, an intriguing bit of spearmint playing around in the background. Rodgers Creek is an estate vineyard for the brand, planted to Pommard clones. A steal at this price.	90	30	California	Pinot Noir
118,648	US	This is a skin-contact wine, fermented on skins for a week, that displays the technique in its dark golden color. From there, it's ripe in a sweetness of baked pear, honey and dried apricot, while lean on the palate despite the fleshy nature of the fruit.	86	35	California	Sauvignon Blanc
25,405	US	This is a big and complex wine by Napa-turned-Paso winemaker David Galzignato. Dense aromas suggest ripe plums, black licorice, vanilla and mint. Flavors are juicy with purple fruits and grounded with herbs and mint, all hanging on an excellent tannic structure that's substantial but not pushy.	93	52	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
126,529	US	Richness and density highlight this full-bodied and deftly oaked wine that smells like baking spices and black pepper sprinkled on ripe black cherry and dark chocolate. The texture is very inviting, almost thick, and beautifully marries the ripe fruit with velvety tannins.	91	35	California	Petite Sirah
71,597	France	A rich, ripe wine, striated with yellow fruits, acidity and spice from wood. It is warm and generous, while not losing sight of its origins in the streak of minerality. A fine, attractive wine that could do with another year's aging.	90	28	Burgundy	Chardonnay
104,365	US	This rare single-vineyard rosé is all Syrah. Pale peach in color, it brings aromas of blood orange and strawberry that are followed by a textured lively palate with an extended finish. It's one of the best rosés the state has produced to date.	92	22	Washington	Rosé
43,259	France	This wine has a muddy aspect to the nose. The palate is fresh and sprightly but a little dilute and derives its fruit from a light, refreshing lemon note.	85	22	Alsace	Riesling
15,314	France	Weight and a rich character bring out caramel and apricot fruits as well as a crisp citrus core. It's warm, round and ripe, and still fresh while full in the mouth. Age this very drinkable wine until 2015.	89	40	Burgundy	Chardonnay
39,196	US	Concentrated blackberry, currant and vanilla flavors ride a boldly ripe, full-bodied palate that reflects the warmth and intensity of the vintage. Dusty tannin and softened oak allow the fruit to speak, accented by black licorice.	88	70	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
32,429	Italy	This opens up with an alluring fragrance of rose, violet, ripe berry and wild herb. The succulent palate delivers juicy raspberry, black cherry, licorice and black pepper alongside lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.	89	15	Sicily & Sardinia	Red Blend
1,669	France	This is a light and fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has spice and a layer of dry tannins that are acting as a support to the red fruits and acidity.	85	20	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
70,742	US	A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is somewhat unformed, with notions of black olive and garrigue suggested but never quite committed to. The finish is lean and diluted.	83	65	California	Red Blend
78,880	US	Smells a bit musty and earthy, tastes overly sweet and sharp in acids, like raspberry jelly. Drink now.	81	26	California	Cabernet Franc
8,777	US	A citrus-inflected, vanilla-leaning nuttiness consumes the aromas of this offering, which makes for a very pleasant sipping experience. There is good acidity, with apple, lemon and a bit of tropically, including nicely rounded fruit in the midpalate. A dazzling zest continues to the finish as well.	89	35	California	Chardonnay
2,473	US	Aromatic and elegant, generous and supple, this tastes rich while feeling polished and complete. An enticing, light aroma of oaky spice and raspberry mixes with tasty red cherry and black currant flavors on the palate. It is medium bodied, smooth in texture, and has a mild finish.	90	11	California	Pinot Noir
69,257	US	Jammy, baked black cherry gives this wine a richness of flavor and texture, while cola and clove stand idly by in support. Lively acidity preserves a freshness on the palate.	88	45	California	Pinot Noir
37,017	US	This is consistently one of Zaca Mesa's best Syrahs of several bottlings they produce every vintage. The mildly cool year was kind to the fruit, giving controlled blackberry and black currant flavors that are wrapped in refined tannins. The wine finishes with a swirl of smoke and peppery spice, plus a touch of warmth from the alcohol. Drink now–2015.	93	44	California	Syrah
61,958	US	Brooding aromas of fresh and dried herbs mix with freshly tilled soil, tomato leaf, coffee, mineral and spice box. It's restrained in style with supple smoke, herb and cherry flavors backed by soft tannins.	91	90	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
107,543	Portugal	Celebrating the creation of the Douro demarcated region in 1756 by the King of Portugal, this wine comes from vineyards at the heart of the historic region. It is structured and dark, dense with both tannins and black fruits. At three years old, it is still young, so wait until 2018.	88	14	Douro	Portuguese Red
31,573	Italy	Ripe black-skinned fruit, dark spice, underbrush and roasted coffee aromas lead the nose of this wine, along with an earthy note of game. The rounded, chewy palate is loaded with black cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and truffle flavors set against fresh acidity and polished tannins.	90	16	Piedmont	Barbera
65,751	Argentina	A heady but attractive bouquet of marzipan, balsam wood, blackberry, cassis and raisin introduce a loaded but well-balanced, full-bodied palate. Toast, chocolate and black fruit flavors finish with additional spice, chocolate and lustiness. Drink through 2019.	92	20	Mendoza Province	Malbec
91,419	US	This bottling from fine winery Foxen has varied over the vintages, sometimes quite good, sometimes ordinary. The '11 is somewhere in the middle. It's a bit thin, with the blackberry, coffee and currant flavors disappearing quickly on the finish. It's also oddly acidic, whether naturally so or added. Either way, it's not an ager.	86	48	California	Syrah
55,238	US	This is a Rhône blend based on Syrah and Grenache. It's super-fruity, with a blast of blackberries, cherries, currants and milk chocolate that taste like they were baked into a tart, and the texture is soft and velvety. Drink now.	87	28	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
79,426	US	Tastes candied at this time, offering a myriad of raspberry and cherry jam, red currant and caramelized oak flavors. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's a rich, satisfying wine, but a little underwhelming for a Dominus wine.	89	59	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
40,433	Italy	This riserva opens with intense tones of ripe cherry, chocolate, leather and light spice. The palate feels firm and smooth, with mild tannins and a rich, velvety texture.	92	30	Tuscany	Sangiovese
54,275	US	Rich in heady cinnamon and aromatics of a perfumed rose in bloom this is a beautifully integrated, well-proportioned Pinot Noir, its black cherry and blackberry complemented by a depth of earth and mushroom and silky concentration of tannins.	94	44	California	Pinot Noir
12,062	US	The texture is a bit sharp, and the flavors range from blackberry to prune on this everyday, dry Cabernet.	82	28	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
27,897	US	Scents of waxy lemon peel, lanolin, fresh herb and fennel entice on this wonderfully dry Riesling, with penetrating lemon and white peach flavors. Brisk and vibrant, it has a refreshing crushed-stone minerality.	89	19	New York	Riesling
24,387	US	A slight candied glaze accents forward fruity apple and tangerine flavors in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Soft sunny acidity and an expansive weighty mouthfeel marks the midpalate. Drink now.	86	25	New York	Chardonnay

26,497

France

This crisp, balanced wine has lively citrus fruits, light spiciness and some tight, mineral acidity. Drink now.

87

12

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

1,420

US

Sourced entirely from the Sagemoor vineyard, this richly endowed Viognier smothers the palate in a lush mix of fat, candied citrus and tropical fruits. Honeysuckle and orange pekoe tea flavors trickle into the lingering, lip-smacking finish.

93

24

Washington

Viognier

40,249

US

Plush blackberry, fennel, mocha, char and peppercorn aromas show on the nose of this bottling from longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner. Dried plum skin, cherry and elderberry flavors show on the palate, which is layered with tannins and turns savory with charred beef, charcoal and tobacco flavors.

91

64

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

68,954

Italy

Aromas of black-skinned berry marinated in spirits, dark spice, chopped herb and a balsamic note emerge in the glass. The robust assertive palate offers dried sour cherry, powdered sage and star anise alongside a backbone of bracing, mouth-drying tannins that grip the finish. Give this a few more years to soften, then drink up to capture the remaining fruit.

89

99

Tuscany

Sangiovese

75,194

Italy

This opens with aromas of raw oak and espresso. The bracing, somewhat muddled palate offers sour red cherry, coconut, dried sage and a dusting of mocha alongside a marked metallic—almost chemical—note. Raspy tannins produce a mouth drying finish.

85

47

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

17,034

US

From a newer vineyard located up Gypsy Canyon off of Highway 246, this wine shows light apple aromas along with lemon blossoms. Ripe yellow pears and apples show through a stony tightness that frames the midpalate, offering a Key-lime pith element and good saline quality.

90

32

California

Chardonnay

36,742

US

The label—a grinning winery dog—is irresistible. The wine is a bit sharp, with a green edge to the tannins and a strong streak of vanilla, perhaps from some sort of oak treatment.

85

20

Washington

Syrah

89,123

Italy

Beautiful in terms of intensity and consistency, this light style of Nebbiolo offers pretty aromas of forest fruit and crushed white pepper. Polished tannins bring up the rear and this wine would pair nicely with quiche or cheese flan.

88

23

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

4,545

US

Made from organic grapes, Green Truck's Petite has not a lot going on aromatically and exhibits very little in the way of the variety's profile, tasting like generic red wine.

81

14

California

Petite Sirah

30,166

US

A suggestion of minty eucalyptus makes itself quietly known on the entry of this wine, followed by soft, seamless layers of rich red cherry. Floral and bursting in elegance, it's a vibrant, worthy representation of the vineyard. Sadly, this is the last vintage from this producer from this site. Drink now through 2020.

92

39

California

Pinot Noir

3,525

France

This nonvintage cuvée is dominated by Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. That gives richness as well as a crisp lemon and tangy orange character. Ripe and full, it's balanced and ready to drink.

88

45

Champagne

Champagne Blend

8,619

France

This second wine of this estate is aged in tank, making it all bright, ripe berry fruit and juicy acidity. The tannins are still there as it's still aging. Give this attractive, fruity wine until late 2018 before opening.

86

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

31,111

US

The aromas on this wine are surprisingly blue fruited for a Cabernet, followed by notes of herb, green pepper and spice. The flavors are lightly sweet, followed by a spice-filled finish. It's a straightforward quaffer that doesn't quite show its variety.

85

13

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

45,744

US

This unusual wine, fermented with wild yeasts and using 20% whole bunches, is still pulling all of its diverse components into focus. Grapefruit, citrus, lemon and a saline quality adorn the spare red fruits. The length and persistence are spot on, but this could benefit from another year or two of bottle age before you pop the cork.

90

60

Oregon

Pinot Noir

64,590

US

There's a lot going on in this Merlot, which is likeable now for its rich blackberry, cherry, cranberry, cola and spice flavors. It's dry and balanced.

86

4

California

Merlot

32,240

France

Yeasty funk still dominates the nose and only lets a touch of lemon zest through. The palate continues with the zesty background against which flashes of riper fruit appear: juicy pear and luscious tangerine. The fruit expression is ripe but utterly fresh. The taut dry palate is anchored in something cool and fresh, something that expands as texture and fills not only the palate but also the mind. This is fresh and luminous, elegant and fine boned. Drink now through 2030.

94

55

Alsace

Riesling

125,044

Spain

Red-berry aromas feature a hint of raisin along with oaky notes of shoe polish and lemon. A pinched, grabby, high-acid palate contains rubbery flavors of berry, plum and citrus. On the finish, oak flavors and controlled bitterness settle in.

86

20

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

119,166

Spain

The scent of citrus peel gets this wine started. There's a light spritz to the palate, then bland, salty flavors take over. It offers a hint of citrus on the finish but mostly brine and salt.

83

21

Northern Spain

Rosé

115,920

US

Extremely light on aromas, this bottling eventually shows lemon peel, chalk and slate. The palate is simple yet clean, with flavors of pear, nectarine and lime peels.

85

14

California

Chardonnay

111,753

France

Almost black in color, this stunning wine is gorgeous, rich and dense. It's grand and powerful, with a strong sense of its own importance. The beautiful tannins and the fragrant black currant fruits are palpable. It's a great wine, with huge potential.

100

1,500

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

121,434

US

A wisp of a wine that's dark-salmon in color, this is made entirely from Grenache grapes grown near the town of Davis. It's dry, light and fun, offering a strawberry and watermelon fruitiness, with a trace of spice on the end.

87

18

California

Rosé

108,084

US

This wine has some off aromas, seeming to show some oxygen exposure, which distracts from its notes of orange peel and spice. The palate is considerably better but struggles to make up the difference.

86

36

Washington

Syrah

69,428

Italy

This opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, oak and crushed black cherry. The palate shows predominantly oak sensations including coffee, vanilla and espresso alongside notes of prune, but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent tannins leave the mouth feeling dried out.

87

48

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

59,478

US

This dry, tart wine smells like sliced apples and has lemon pastry-like flavors without the sweetness. The palate is full-bodied but cut with a zing of lemon and green apple.

84

35

California

White Blend

119,002

France

This wine is soft, gently fruity with light raspberry and red-currant flavors. An attractive zesty lemon character adds to this pale-colored wine.

85

22

Provence

Rosé

79,335

Argentina

Hints of rubber, iodine and graphite accent concentrated blackberry aromas in front of a chewy, pruny palate. Flavors of rubber and herbs share the stage with prune and raisin, while the finish is rich and plodding, with depth but limited complexity. Drink through 2018.

89

25

Mendoza Province

Malbec

104,309

France

The seventh generation of the Carreau family has produced this rich full-bodied and structured wine. It has dense tannins as well as plenty of ripe red fruits. The structure suggests the wine will continue to age, so drink this ripe wine from 2017.

89

14

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

64,662

US

This is a sweet, softly simple wine whose apricot, citrus and peach flavors will satisfy those looking for a decent everyday white wine.

83

10

California

Pinot Grigio

8,103

France

From vines in the heart of this large appellation, this is a warmhearted and ripe wine. With wood and spice in equal balance with the white fruits, this is a juicy crisp wine full of great acidity and also with a ripe hint of yellow fruits. This fine wine will be best from 2020.

93

117

Burgundy

Chardonnay

53,354

US

Made in a lighter style, this Pinot comes from the cooler Napa side of the Carneros. It's light- to medium-bodied and dry, with a silky texture and pleasant flavors of cherries, exotic dusty spices and sandalwood. Elegant and moderate in alcohol, it's a wine to drink now.

90

24

California

Pinot Noir

26,476

US

Fruity and front-loaded, with a tongue-tingling mouthfeel. The tasty black cherry fruit quickly fills the mouth with a burst of fresh fruit. The wine is designed for near-term enjoyment.

88

45

Oregon

Pinot Noir

45,991

Italy

Here's another stunning offering from this fantastic estate. Elegant, structured and restrained, it opens with enticing Nebbiolo scents of blue flower, perfumed berry, dark spice and a light balsamic note of eucalyptus. The luminous palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, licorice and cinnamon while vibrant acidity and firm, polished tannins provide seamless support. Drink 2023–2043.

97

96

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

104,311

France

While there are plenty of firm tannins, there is also some fine red-berry fruit and layers of spice. The wine is structured as well, bringing the whole into balance. Drink this fine wine from 2018.

89

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

96,743

US

Juicy pineapple, mango and citrus notes lend a tropical feel to this penetrating, yet light bodied, Pinot Gris. Off dry in style, it's dancingly light on its feet, with a revitalizing shower of acidity that lingers through the finish.

88

18

New York

Pinot Gris

118,836

France

Lovely notes of crisp apples make for a very friendly nose. The palate comes in with immense freshness that is nonetheless tempered by a balm-like rounded texture that couches Riesling's freshness in seamless fluidity. The palate remains dry and is colored with red and green apple, lemon and tangerine. The finish is dry and wonderfully lip smacking.

91

36

Alsace

Riesling

2,552

US

Lots of fresh apple flavors, a crisp balance and smooth mouthfeel make this light-bodied wine refreshing and fun to drink. It has some richness on the midpalate and finish, but basically keeps its lively, tangy personality going.

89

17

California

Chardonnay

67,660

Italy

Fragrant spring flower, white stone fruit, citrus and baked bread aromas lift out of the glass. Creamy and crisp, the vibrant palate delivers juicy Bartlett pear, Gala apple, vanilla and pastry cream. It's all framed in an elegant continuous perlage.

94

35

Piedmont

Sparkling Blend

37,324

Argentina

Generic red-fruit aromas are accented by sage and thyme, while in the mouth the feel is wiry. Full-blooded raspberry and cherry flavors come with pronounced acidity and lighter-framed tannins, so there's some sharpness. All in all it's a no-frills red wine with minimal Cabernet character.

85

12

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

116,439

US

Savory and satisfying, this is one of the best Pinot Grigios at this price point. It shows real class, with brisk acidity framing flavors of lemons, limes, mangoes and honey. Perfect for drinking with today's Asian, Indian, Ethiopian and Mexican fare, or on its own as an apéritif.

87

8

California

Pinot Grigio

103,483

US

A firm, full, distinctive Pinot Noir, from an organic vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Light fruit flavors of berry play second fiddle to notes of earth and clay, and drying tannins. The wine surprises with its length; it extends into a finish that continues to hold your attention and its focus, for a minute or more.

90

28

Oregon

Pinot Noir

128,397

Argentina

Blanketed with heavy, minty, candied oak, this Malbec-led blend is meaty, sulfuric, pasty and gaseous on the nose. Plump, oaky and sticky on the palate, with vanilla and candied blueberry and black-plum flavors, this is more fat and oaky than structured and defined.

84

15

Mendoza Province

Red Blend

43,418

US

Very light and summery on the nose, this bottling shows aromas of yellow melon, green pear, lime blossoms, lime juice and a touch of chalk. Wet rocks, cut garden herbs and green apple skins emerge on the refreshing palate, which is perfect for sunny days and shellfish.

89

22

California

Sauvignon Blanc

41,011

France

Behind the tannins, the fruit is beginning to broaden out and become rich. An attractive juicy character comes from the fresh black currant and berry fruits. Give this wine until 2016 and it will be ready to drink. Consulting oenologue Claude Gaudin manages this Médoc region estate.

86

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

127,410

US

Made in a more popular style than Calera's Mt. Harlan bottling, this Chard features lush flavors of pineapple and orange jam, honey and vanilla. The acidity is bright and mouthwatering.

88

18

California

Chardonnay

85,782

US

Aged six months in neutral French oak, this offers aromas of spice, pineapple and almond skin. Full bodied, the palate is redolent with tropical-fruit flavors. The mouthfeel dazzles, especially for a wine at this price.

90

20

Washington

Chardonnay

9,689

Argentina

Tropical and toasty, with buttercup and banana on the nose. Good acidity keeps the palate zesty and moving forward, while the flavors of lemon, lime and pineapple are juicy and clean. Good in a fresh and simple way, with just a spot of oak character.

86

12

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

21,975

US

Lots of lusciousness in this blush Zin. It may be technically dry, like the label says, but there's a lush fruitiness to the strawberry, watermelon, vanilla and spice flavors. What a great summer brunch wine this is.

88

12

California

Zinfandel

67,632

France

A very perfumed, fragrant and refreshing wine. It is full in the mouth, ripe, smelling of hedgerow blossoms and having a touch of spring in its fruits. Ready to drink, but also keep until 2016.

87

14

Alsace

Riesling

124,152

US

Shows the fantastic power and extracted fruit that this vineyard is famous for. Just massive in apricots, tangerines and pears, it's enriched with sweet smoky oak, which adds vanilla bean and buttered toast to the richness. Fortunately, brisk acidity and minerality provide balance.

90

23

California

Chardonnay

6,410

US

A little ungainly at first blush, with tannicly sharp elbows and some green, minty flavors. But it shows some pretty cherries and spices, and is dry and silky.

85

42

California

Pinot Noir

102,484

Germany

Lip-smacking is an inelegant yet apt word to describe the unctuousness of this nectar of honey, saffron and marmalade. It's delightfully rich and creamy, yet gorgeously balanced, seared by a razor's edge of lemon-lime acidity. It's an exceptional wine now, penetrating and persistent, but will surely delight for decades to come.

97

440

Mosel

Riesling

96,159

US

An estate-grown vineyard-designate, this impressive offering is smooth in cherry, berry and clove, with wisps of black pepper dancing around its edges. The finish is long and spicy. It's complex yet fun, and will do well at the table though it's also easy enough to enjoy on its own.

92

85

California

Pinot Noir

112,090

France

Bright and fruity, this wine has fine acidity, which balances the firm tannins. The whole wine feels juicy, packed with forward fruit and having a lively character. Drink now.

88

16

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

22,320

US

This limited-production wine was fermented in a 500 liter French oak puncheon and put through full malolactic. The mouthfeel is creamy and the wine balanced, with buttery highlights around jicama and green-apple fruit. Despite the low alcohol, it's ripe enough to feel full bodied.

90

50

Oregon

Chardonnay

88,864

US

Showing lovely silkiness, dryness and transparency, this is a Pinot to drink now or age for a while. The flavors are rich but elusive, suggesting wild summer raspberries, cola, pine needles and sautéed mushrooms splashed with balsamic, with the sweet smokiness of oak barrel aging. It's delicate and powerful, but only 47 cases were produced.

95

50

California

Pinot Noir

59,999

France

The nose is still shy but already tells of tender sweetness. The palate has a rounded earthy smoky element that grounds the luscious generous fruit of dried pear and supersweet Reine Claude and mirabelle plums. The sweetness of this SGN is balanced and almost fresh, but the intriguing thing is a kind of smoky, dark and mysterious core of stone.

95

90

Alsace

Pinot Gris

4,222

Italy

Made with 60% Friulano and 40% Sauvignon, this has aromas of toast and citrus. The aromas carry over to the palate alongside notes of vanilla and chopped herb. Drink soon.

87

50

Veneto

White Blend

81,251

US

Flowery and electric in high-toned grapefruit and peach, this is a crisp, clean white from a consistent producer. Medium-bodied, it holds small percentages of Sémillon and Muscat. The finely hewed texture benefits from 10% of the wine having been aged in neutral oak.

89

17

California

Sauvignon Blanc

65,581

US

Very light in the glass, this vanguard blend of 9% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Blanc and 32% Pinot Gris shows tight aromas of wet cement, sliced apple, Key lime sorbet and kiwi popsicle. There's lots of brisk, apple- and pear-driven energy on the palate, which also offers a very stony character and white-rock minerality, all dancing across the tongue with panache.

92

36

California

White Blend

69,679

US

A baked lemon, honeyed aspect of this wine makes it seem overripe in many ways, a lush, full-bodied characteristic that seems slightly overdone. From one of the farming family's Green Valley ranches, it's intense and creamy.

86

44

California

Chardonnay

125,954

US

Black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and mint touches show on the nose of this approachable bottling. The palate is solidly structured, pairing soy and licorice flavors with tangy black-plum and elderberry fruit.

90

20

California

Petite Sirah

7,661

Italy

Corvo Bianco is a tried and true white wine that helped introduce Sicilian wines to international markets. It's worth revisiting this wine if you are looking for something fresh to wash down seafood.

85

10

Sicily & Sardinia

White Blend

26,364

Italy

Honey, pear, peach and mineral notes open the bouquet of this fragrant blend of Vermentino, Viognier and Petit Manseng. The palate is smooth, crisp and silky in texture.

90

35

Tuscany

White Blend

106,771

Italy

A blend of 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Chardonnay, this has aromas of ripe orchard fruit, citrus and a whiff of pastry dough. The bright palate delivers golden apple and toasted almond alongside small persistent bubbles and fresh acidity.

88

24

Piedmont

Sparkling Blend

112,931

US

Dry and acidic, this has citrus and green peppercorn flavors that are barely ripe. If you like the lean style, this is for you.

83

18

California

Sauvignon Blanc

4,167

US

This wine is textbook New World Viognier—bright, focused and balanced, with sassy fruit flavors of citrus and apricot. The aromatics conjure up subtle notes of citrus rind and jasmine flowers, and the overall length and concentration are as good as it gets.

92

30

Oregon

Viognier

72,239

Italy

The La Serra cru lies right above Cerequio and offers a glorious panoramic view of the town of Barolo. Poderi Marcarini has a long association with this vineyard and has carefully harnessed the natural aromatic intensity of the fruit grown here. Blackberry, cassis and raspberry are enhanced by spice and vanilla. It's a tight, firm wine. Drink after 2018.

91

66

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

46,703

US

Exotic aromas of cranberry, plum, sandalwood, myrrh and lavender makes for an elegant entry to this bottling by the winemaking team of Steve Fennell and Laura Roach. Layered flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate are laced throughout by dried herbs, while the tannic structure is firm but not obtrusive. Drink 2018–2034.

93

70

California

Pinot Noir

119,527

US

Ah, subtlety and richness come together in this delicious, layered and creamy-textured wine. It has light aromas of marzipan and pear, more fully developed vanilla, nutmeg and pear tart flavors and a luscious mouthfeel that helps extend the finish.

92

24

California

Chardonnay

129,415

Italy

Aromas of dark culinary spice, iris, berry and a whiff of oak lead the nose. The linear, tightly wound palate shows raw cranberry, clove and star anise framed in racy acidity. Taut close-grained tannins leave a firm finish. Give this a few more years to unwind then drink.

89

77

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

94,196

Portugal

On the nose, this is rough and rustic. If the palate is less obviously barnyard, it still carries something of that character, with blackberry and wood flavors along with spicy accents. The wine is still young, so the rough edges could smooth out. Drink from 2015.

85

18

Douro

Portuguese Red

119,906

US

This is a heady, seriously generous Pinot Noir from a coolish site in the Sonoma Coast AVA that clearly had a banner ripening year in 2012. The fruit is smoky and concentrated in dark berry and cherry, an intriguing bit of spearmint playing around in the background. Rodgers Creek is an estate vineyard for the brand, planted to Pommard clones. A steal at this price.

90

30

California

Pinot Noir

118,648

US

This is a skin-contact wine, fermented on skins for a week, that displays the technique in its dark golden color. From there, it's ripe in a sweetness of baked pear, honey and dried apricot, while lean on the palate despite the fleshy nature of the fruit.

86

35

California

Sauvignon Blanc

25,405

US

This is a big and complex wine by Napa-turned-Paso winemaker David Galzignato. Dense aromas suggest ripe plums, black licorice, vanilla and mint. Flavors are juicy with purple fruits and grounded with herbs and mint, all hanging on an excellent tannic structure that's substantial but not pushy.

93

52

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

126,529

US

Richness and density highlight this full-bodied and deftly oaked wine that smells like baking spices and black pepper sprinkled on ripe black cherry and dark chocolate. The texture is very inviting, almost thick, and beautifully marries the ripe fruit with velvety tannins.

91

35

California

Petite Sirah

71,597

France

A rich, ripe wine, striated with yellow fruits, acidity and spice from wood. It is warm and generous, while not losing sight of its origins in the streak of minerality. A fine, attractive wine that could do with another year's aging.

90

28

Burgundy

Chardonnay

104,365

US

This rare single-vineyard rosé is all Syrah. Pale peach in color, it brings aromas of blood orange and strawberry that are followed by a textured lively palate with an extended finish. It's one of the best rosés the state has produced to date.

92

22

Washington

Rosé

43,259

France

This wine has a muddy aspect to the nose. The palate is fresh and sprightly but a little dilute and derives its fruit from a light, refreshing lemon note.

85

22

Alsace

Riesling

15,314

France

Weight and a rich character bring out caramel and apricot fruits as well as a crisp citrus core. It's warm, round and ripe, and still fresh while full in the mouth. Age this very drinkable wine until 2015.

89

40

Burgundy

Chardonnay

39,196

US

Concentrated blackberry, currant and vanilla flavors ride a boldly ripe, full-bodied palate that reflects the warmth and intensity of the vintage. Dusty tannin and softened oak allow the fruit to speak, accented by black licorice.

88

70

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

32,429

Italy

This opens up with an alluring fragrance of rose, violet, ripe berry and wild herb. The succulent palate delivers juicy raspberry, black cherry, licorice and black pepper alongside lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.

89

15

Sicily & Sardinia

Red Blend

1,669

France

This is a light and fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has spice and a layer of dry tannins that are acting as a support to the red fruits and acidity.

85

20

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

70,742

US

A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is somewhat unformed, with notions of black olive and garrigue suggested but never quite committed to. The finish is lean and diluted.

83

65

California

Red Blend

78,880

US

Smells a bit musty and earthy, tastes overly sweet and sharp in acids, like raspberry jelly. Drink now.

81

26

California

Cabernet Franc

8,777

US

A citrus-inflected, vanilla-leaning nuttiness consumes the aromas of this offering, which makes for a very pleasant sipping experience. There is good acidity, with apple, lemon and a bit of tropically, including nicely rounded fruit in the midpalate. A dazzling zest continues to the finish as well.

89

35

California

Chardonnay

2,473

US

Aromatic and elegant, generous and supple, this tastes rich while feeling polished and complete. An enticing, light aroma of oaky spice and raspberry mixes with tasty red cherry and black currant flavors on the palate. It is medium bodied, smooth in texture, and has a mild finish.

90

11

California

Pinot Noir

69,257

US

Jammy, baked black cherry gives this wine a richness of flavor and texture, while cola and clove stand idly by in support. Lively acidity preserves a freshness on the palate.

88

45

California

Pinot Noir

37,017

US

This is consistently one of Zaca Mesa's best Syrahs of several bottlings they produce every vintage. The mildly cool year was kind to the fruit, giving controlled blackberry and black currant flavors that are wrapped in refined tannins. The wine finishes with a swirl of smoke and peppery spice, plus a touch of warmth from the alcohol. Drink now–2015.

93

44

California

Syrah

61,958

US

Brooding aromas of fresh and dried herbs mix with freshly tilled soil, tomato leaf, coffee, mineral and spice box. It's restrained in style with supple smoke, herb and cherry flavors backed by soft tannins.

91

90

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

107,543

Portugal

Celebrating the creation of the Douro demarcated region in 1756 by the King of Portugal, this wine comes from vineyards at the heart of the historic region. It is structured and dark, dense with both tannins and black fruits. At three years old, it is still young, so wait until 2018.

88

14

Douro

Portuguese Red

31,573

Italy

Ripe black-skinned fruit, dark spice, underbrush and roasted coffee aromas lead the nose of this wine, along with an earthy note of game. The rounded, chewy palate is loaded with black cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and truffle flavors set against fresh acidity and polished tannins.

90

16

Piedmont

Barbera

65,751

Argentina

A heady but attractive bouquet of marzipan, balsam wood, blackberry, cassis and raisin introduce a loaded but well-balanced, full-bodied palate. Toast, chocolate and black fruit flavors finish with additional spice, chocolate and lustiness. Drink through 2019.

92

20

Mendoza Province

Malbec

91,419

US

This bottling from fine winery Foxen has varied over the vintages, sometimes quite good, sometimes ordinary. The '11 is somewhere in the middle. It's a bit thin, with the blackberry, coffee and currant flavors disappearing quickly on the finish. It's also oddly acidic, whether naturally so or added. Either way, it's not an ager.

86

48

California

Syrah

55,238

US

This is a Rhône blend based on Syrah and Grenache. It's super-fruity, with a blast of blackberries, cherries, currants and milk chocolate that taste like they were baked into a tart, and the texture is soft and velvety. Drink now.

87

28

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

79,426

US

Tastes candied at this time, offering a myriad of raspberry and cherry jam, red currant and caramelized oak flavors. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's a rich, satisfying wine, but a little underwhelming for a Dominus wine.

89

59

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

40,433

Italy

This riserva opens with intense tones of ripe cherry, chocolate, leather and light spice. The palate feels firm and smooth, with mild tannins and a rich, velvety texture.

92

30

Tuscany

Sangiovese

54,275

US

Rich in heady cinnamon and aromatics of a perfumed rose in bloom this is a beautifully integrated, well-proportioned Pinot Noir, its black cherry and blackberry complemented by a depth of earth and mushroom and silky concentration of tannins.

94

44

California

Pinot Noir

12,062

US

The texture is a bit sharp, and the flavors range from blackberry to prune on this everyday, dry Cabernet.

82

28

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

27,897

US

Scents of waxy lemon peel, lanolin, fresh herb and fennel entice on this wonderfully dry Riesling, with penetrating lemon and white peach flavors. Brisk and vibrant, it has a refreshing crushed-stone minerality.

89

19

New York

Riesling

24,387

US

A slight candied glaze accents forward fruity apple and tangerine flavors in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Soft sunny acidity and an expansive weighty mouthfeel marks the midpalate. Drink now.

86

25

New York

Chardonnay