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
120,886	Italy	Aromas of raspberry compote, vanilla, clove and a balsamic note slowly emerge on this structured red. The firm yet elegant palate shows dark cherry, cranberry, licorice, chopped herb and mineral. Fresh acidity and polished fine-grained tannins lend balance and finesse. Drink 2018–2027.	92	42	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
114,269	US	This Rhône-style red blend plays out broadly across the full palate, filling the mouth with tangy flavors of mixed berries and plums. Generously applied oak brings on a wash of baking spices, coconut and cinnamon, giving a sweetness to the moderate tannins.	91	68	Washington	Rhône-style Red Blend
118,026	Argentina	Salinic and almost dilute on the nose, which belies the richer banana and vanilla flavors that control the flavor profile. In the mouth, the wine has good bounce and acidity, so it feels alright even when things turn creamy on the finish.	86	17	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
43,862	US	Ripe and juicy, here’s a Cab that rises to the occasion, with fine currant, berry and herbal aromas, compounded with spicy oak. Very dry and fancy, it offers plenty of balance and harmony, and tastes soft, rich and complex.	88	17	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
73,385	US	Searing acidity marks this wine, which tastes like it has a lot of Edna Valley fruit in the blend. It also shows bright, strong, long hangtime flavors of limes and pineapples. It's actually quite a fine Chardonnay, dry and low in alcohol. A great value at this price.	89	15	California	Chardonnay
65,075	US	Pungent notes of cocoa, herb, medicine cabinet, vanilla and cherry liqueur mark this wine's nose. The palate is full bodied with firm, dry tannins and dried out fruit flavors.	86	13	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
76,714	Australia	This blended red brings in four of the five Bordeaux varieties (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot). Some prominent mint notes may limit its appeal, but it's otherwise a classic example of the genre, accenting cassis fruit with hints of vanilla and cedar. Despite the ample alcohol and a bit of warmth, there's also some austerity and firmness to the tannins. Drink 2018–2025.	89	25	South Australia	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
107,297	US	Nearly equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also features good handfuls of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that offer soft, velvety flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Lightly oaked, the tannins are grippy while the wine generates an herbal undertone on the nose.	90	38	California	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
19,482	US	A very appealing nose of earthy spice starts this successful Chard, and leads into a full, rounded blanket of toasted oak and fruit. There's complexity here without heaviness, and the wine finishes big but pretty. Pair with richer seafood—like crab—or creamy poultry dishes.	85	11	New York	Chardonnay
44,411	US	This wine is a unique blend of Malbec (60%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot. It opens with brooding but alluring aromas of dark plum, asphalt, and a kiss of baking spice. The flavors are full bodied and palate coating, showing weight but also a sense of suppleness that charms the senses.	91	34	Washington	Red Blend
29,959	Italy	This dazzling sparkler opens with enticing aromas of wisteria, spring wild flowers, vineyard dust and freshly picked orchard fruit. The crisp, linear palate doles out green apple, nectarine, pear and energizing mineral notes alongside a creamy perlage and vibrant acidity. It's perfectly balanced and refreshing.	93	29	Veneto	Glera
69,769	US	Punchy hibiscus and pomegranate notes mix with crushed black rocks and rose petals on the nose of this very reliable every-day drinker. The palate is earthy and herbal in character, with flavors of bay leaf, camphor, dried mint, pine sap and tangy cranberry juice making it very food-friendly.	86	13	California	Pinot Noir
27,371	US	Maybe this wine needs some age, but right now it's strong in sweet jammy raspberries and cherries, and the oak sticks out, like a caramelized, sweet vanilla coat. Yet it has good acidity and a fine, silky structure. If only it finished drier and firmer.	85	36	California	Pinot Noir
24,963	France	The small production of white wine from this estate, owned by the Kressmann family of Latour-Martillac, comes from a deep gravel outcrop. This wine is rich and beautifully ripe. Apricot and juicy pear flavors are backed with the wood aging. It is just ready to drink.	90	20	Bordeaux	Sauvignon Blanc
119,950	US	This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 18% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, brings barrel aromas of cocoa and chocolate that complement the cherry and plum notes. The flavors are soft and supple with some firmness to the tannins that still need some time to soften.	91	30	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
88,628	US	This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Mourvèdre offers aromas of toast, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, cherry and black pepper. The fruit flavors are lighter in style, with chewy tannins and mouthwatering acids.	89	20	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
80,947	US	Aromatic with pepper and fresh-cut tobacco, well defined by herbal fruits and leafy tannins, this single-vineyard Malbec is stylish and balanced. What is missing is depth, but the balance and length are just right, and the wine does not overreach.	88	30	Washington	Malbec
110,924	France	The top wine in the Sanglière range is delicious. With its finely balanced fruit and acidity, it is bright with orange and red-currant crispness as well as a warmer sunny character. With its final acidity it is a great food wine. Drink now.	90	20	Provence	Rosé
44,134	US	Note the remarkably low alcohol! Not surprisingly, this is a searingly tart wine, the acidity further emphasized by stainless steel fermentation and aging. Nonetheless, flavors are rich and deep, a lemon and grapefruit explosion that seems to demand raw oysters. Definitely a wine for acid lovers.	90	50	Oregon	Chardonnay
126,621	US	While packed with ripe berry and cherry flavors, this wine is also well-balanced due to good acidity and firm tannins that buoy the full flavors and give a lively tension in the mouth. Complementary spicy accents from oak come out with each sip.	89	13	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
119,914	France	From Aegerter's own vineyards, this firm wine is packed with tannins as well as concentrated fruits. It shows solid structure and dark fruits, with a juicy, ripe aftertaste. Drink from 2017.	90	100	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
12,031	Spain	Traditional Rioja aromas of leather, vanilla, dried red fruits, spice and dill turn earthy with airing. This is healthy but mature on the palate, with oaky flavors of vanilla accenting core pie cherry, red plum and raspberry. Oak spice and acidity reverberate on the finish. Drink now.	90	23	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
122,606	Italy	Aromas of yellow pear, Spanish broom and a whiff of honeyed nut float from the glass. The medium-bodied palate shows good weight and depth for the cool wet vintage, offering golden apple, nectarine zest and bitter almond framed in vibrant acidity. It finishes crisp and clean, with an underlying pinning of flint on the close.	89	21	Tuscany	White Blend
98,182	US	This bottling, from grapes grown in the winery's estate vineyard, has varied over the years. The 2011 vintage is not the finest expression, but it's a soft, easy-drinking Chardonnay with modest peach, pear and mango notes, along with substantial oak influence.	86	70	California	Chardonnay
29,895	US	Barrel notes of vanilla and spice take the lead in this aromatically brooding wine, followed by dried herbs and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black, coating the palate from end to end with layers of fruit, tannins that go the distance and a graphite-filled finish that lingers. It will drink best from 2020–2027.	94	99	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
127,898	US	With significant amounts of Mourvèdre (15%) and Grenache (8%) blended in, this drinks more like a GSM than a Syrah. Cranberry, herb and woodspice aromas are followed by tart, sleek fruit and smoke flavors that linger.	89	25	Washington	Syrah
121,814	France	This wine is firm with solid tannins. It has rich fruit and concentration with layers of blackberry and dark plums. It comes from a small seven-acre property and is aged for 15 months in wood. This impressive wine needs to age, so drink from 2022.	92	35	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
69,432	US	This stubbornly tight, short, tart wine shows lightly spiced cherry fruit. But after being opened for some hours, the flavors seem to thin out quickly, leaving an impression of a wine that lacks concentration.	87	42	Oregon	Pinot Noir
39,743	Italy	This opens with aromas of toast, sage, hazelnut and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate offers sour cherry, strawberry jelly, anise and orange peel alongside assertive tannins that leave a dusty finish.	88	60	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
34,988	US	Bryan Babcock makes plenty of more expensive Pinot Noirs, but this appellation blend hits all the right notes and shows off the results of the “pedestular cane suspension” technique he's been using in the vineyard. Wild thyme, sagebrush and bay leaf meet cranberry and slate aromas on the nose. Black raspberry and cranberry flavors lead the earthy palate, accented with nettle and peppercorn.	92	35	California	Pinot Noir
18,878	France	A soft, rich wine with delicious flavors of pear and red apples, lifted by pineapple acidity. It is ripe, but still young, with touches of yeast and almond. It will age well over the medium-term.	90	70	Champagne	Chardonnay
95,672	Italy	This straightforward Sangiovese opens with aromas of purple flower, woodland berry and a whiff of truffle. The bright, earthy palate offers tart cherry, cranberry, a hint of anise and a gamey note alongside zesty acidity.	87	23	Tuscany	Sangiovese
100,425	US	There's an exciting array of aromas on the nose of this wine, with honeydew melon, citrus candy and barely ripe cantaloupe gaining complexity thanks to fresh scents of chive, oregano and thyme. It's light and easy on the palate, with lots of yellow grapefruit freshness, a pithy edge and a singing acidity on the finish.	92	25	California	Chardonnay
95,064	France	With some age, this is a gloriously ripe and toasty wine. It has a rich character emphasized by the round texture and the creamy mousse. It also has great concentration, bringing together acidity as well as dense secondary flavors. With its rich, mature character, it is best suited for food. It is ready to drink, but will hold well through 2025.	95	170	Champagne	Champagne Blend
8,591	US	This is a very good wine, albeit with some coarseness to the tannins at this time. It's also a little earthy and mushroomy. But there's a solid core of black cherry, red currant, mocha and tangerine zest flavors. The vineyard is near Sanford & Benedict, whose Pinots require time to come around. This young wine should do interesting things.	89	49	California	Pinot Noir
53,469	US	With raspberry, cola and pomegranate flavors, this Pinot is satisfying and even somewhat complex. It's soft and gentle in the mouth, and ready to drink now.	87	39	California	Pinot Noir
75,967	US	From Stillwater Creek vineyard, this 80/20 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon simply tastes young. The fruit is ripe enough, but superficial, with a lot of barrel flavors providing the weight and filling in with smoke, toast and coffee. Malbec has a very promising future in Washington State, and it's good to see young and talented wineries such as Tildio doing the exploration. Right now, this is just a pleasant table wine.	85	28	Washington	Malbec
10,821	US	Delicate blossom and fresh apple notes are pretty on the nose. The palate is a bit bracing by comparison, offering tart lemon-lime flavors and a touch of earthiness on the finish. Drink now.	85	16	New York	Riesling
49,462	Germany	While more mineral than fruit-forward on the nose, this pretty, dry Riesling is quite yielding, suggesting ripe, rich pink grapefruit and white peach on the palate. It's feather light but silky in texture, balanced by a strike of lemon acidity that lingers on the finish.	92	22	Mosel	Riesling
82,256	US	This wine comes from a vineyard 1,000 feet above Annapolis owned by Thomas Rivers Brown and Fred Schrader, and farmed by Ulises Valdez. It demands time to open, concentrated as it is in juicy blackberry, plum and a hit of earth, the tannins integrated and silky soft.	92	59	California	Pinot Noir
58,032	Italy	Coconut, baked plum and French oak aromas come together in the glass. The taut, medium-bodied palate offers red cherry fruit with hints of toast, espresso and star anise, framed by fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.	90	40	Tuscany	Sangiovese
106,541	US	Though it was given twice as many new French oak barrels as the Estate bottling, this Vintage Select could be its twin. Solid and balanced, it mixes berry, herb and earth components, making for a well-structured, no-frills wine.	88	40	Oregon	Pinot Noir
65,904	US	The winery's top-of-the-line Cab, this offers a depth of toasted oak and plum surrounding barbecued meat aromas. Soft and approachable, the fruit is ripe and seasoned by jolts of black pepper on the finish.	88	90	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
11,167	Argentina	Mocha and chocolate welcome you in, but once you get in there isn't much to taste. There's generic red fruit, spice and leather, but the wine seems acidified and on the razor's edge. Not overly generous and the mouthfeel is sheering.	84	13	Mendoza Province	Syrah
88,749	France	This red-fruited, ripe wine has attractive bright acidity and some weight. It's dry and probably better suited to food than as an apéritif.	85	17	Provence	Rosé
42,049	US	Sharp and minty, with a wintergreen tartness to the fruitier cherries and herb tea. The wine is supple and dry, with a lovely silky texture, but the acidity is strong.	85	38	California	Pinot Noir
6,767	Argentina	This aged Cabernet is mild, mellow and earthy on the nose, with aromas of tobacco and baked berry fruits. Acidity is pronounced on the palate; after that there's a mix of spice, cherry and cassis flavors. Loud acidity on the finish freshens things up while creating citric scour. Drink now.	89	42	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
4,599	US	This 100% Viognier shows the variety's exotic side, with delicious tropical fruit, citrus, pear, melon, lychee and smoky oak flavors. It's a bit one-dimensional, but appeals for its fresh acids and richness.	87	30	California	Viognier
26,430	France	Big, juicy and smoky, this powerful wine comes from vines in the center of the vineyard. Black fruits and firm tannins dominate the richness of the wine with its dark structure and concentration. A touch of chocolate and licorice partners with the generous fruits. Drink from 2024.	94	299	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
23,034	France	Soft and rich, a wine that shows the warmth of the vintage in this southern Burgundy appellation. It's full of yellow fruits with just a hint of pineapple along with a good line in acidity. A sense of minerality and texture appears at the end.	88	31	Burgundy	Chardonnay
90,401	France	The herbal side of Touraine shows strongly here. The wine has richness as well as green fruits and gooseberries. Its acidity is dominant, tangy and full in the mouth. Drink now.	85	15	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
40,795	Italy	A blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, this vibrant sparkler offers delicate, appealing aromas of apple, mature pear, toast and bread crust that carry over to the expressive palate along with a note of citrus zest. An elegant continuous perlage accompanies the creamy flavors while a note of toasted hazelnut wraps up the finish.	90	24	Piedmont	Sparkling Blend
16,818	Spain	This is initially dark and earthy, with brandied cherry, leather and tobacco aromas. It feels complete and offers core acids to keep it feeling fresh. Flavors of black fruit and spice lead to a lasting finish with cola and cherry notes.	88	35	Northern Spain	Tempranillo
73,921	Argentina	A gold color and oaky aromas of popcorn, buttered corn and stone fruits open this chunky, resiny, oak-heavy Chardonnay. Oaky, buttery flavors carry over from the nose, and oak spice dominates the finish on this full-bodied but not very fruity offering.	88	30	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
26,787	US	Freshly buttered toast with a thin coating of marmalade comes to mind when sniffing this wine that also shows a touch of cinnamon and Meyer-lemon juice on the nose. The riper, rounded palate offers yellow apples dipped in caramel, sea salt and cinnamon, which pops again on the back end.	92	22	California	Chardonnay
97,560	US	Reticent aromas of kiwi and herb are followed by tart, medium bodied citrus flavors. The concentration isn't as dense as it could be.	86	22	Washington	Sauvignon Blanc
57,569	Germany	Whiffs of chalk and slate lend a mineral tone to aromas of honey and white peach on this unctuously sweet, yet nuanced Riesling. Ripe mango and yellow cherry flavors are densely concentrated on the palate, yet lifted by bursts of tangerine acidity. Finishes endlessly long with a lingering spray of blossoms.	93	57	Mosel	Riesling
16,627	US	Syrupy and dense, this is a burly wine, soft but powerful, that keeps coming back to the theme of blackberry syrup. Velvety tannins buoy the midpoint, before it finishes in a burst of intense ripeness.	86	33	California	Zinfandel
109,294	France	Rich wine showing all the spicy character that comes with Gewurztraminer. It is on the dry side while having some softness from its lychee perfumes. Fine as an apéritif or with pâté and Chinese food. Screwcap.	86	11	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
46,491	US	Coconut macaroon and smoky leather stand out most in this burly, bombastic and beyond full-bodied wine, which drinks ripe and hot.	86	36	California	Zinfandel
7,000	Italy	Pretty aromas suggest violet, rose, strawberry and mint. The vibrant palate offers red cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon alongside supple tannins and bright acidity. Enjoy through 2017.	89	17	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
24,709	Italy	This elegant Brunello shows loads of Montalcino typicity thanks to its aromas of cherry, forest floor, moist earth, dried violets and white almond. It delivers a tight, streamlined feel that is driven forward by the wine's polished tannins and bright acidity.	90	50	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
29,509	US	This is a European-style Syrah, cofermented with 2% Viognier. It's soft and round, medium in body, and has a savory midpalate with flavors of cranberry, plum and pepper. On the finish is a hint of smoky oak. Profits from sales of the wine go to the American River Conservancy Wakamatsu Colony Preservation and Restoration project.	89	75	California	Syrah
13,167	Italy	Straightforward and enjoyable, this delivers sensations of crushed blackberry, clove and espresso. It's bright and easygoing with fresh acidity and soft, supple tannins. Drink through 2015.	87	16	Tuscany	Red Blend
47,934	Italy	Livio Felluga adds a creamy, sophisticated edge to its Pinot Grigio that elevates the wine in terms of food pairing opportunities. Instead of appetizers and easy finger foods, this wine can stand up to fish, white meat and pasta. It has fragrant notes of creamy peach, citrus, white stone and pineapple followed by a shapely, dense structure.	88	23	Northeastern Italy	Pinot Grigio
120,846	US	A very pale peach color, this wine brings bright aromas of strawberry Jolly Rancher, cherry and kiwi. It drinks just a hair off dry, with tart fruit flavors, providing plenty of easy-drinking pleasure.	88	15	Washington	Rosé
96,611	US	Nonvintage juice at an amazing price. It's not going to knock your favorite Zin off the shelf, but as a house pour for spaghetti and meatballs-style cooking, it would do just fine. It has some sweet, tomato-juice flavors and a fair bit of concentration in the finish.	83	6	California	Zinfandel
111,691	France	Like most Sancerre producers, Roger also draws on vines across the Loire in Pouilly-Fumé. This ripe full wine shows the richness of this appellation and also its potential for aging. Its lime and green-plum fruits are shot through with acidity and balanced by a tangy rich texture. Drink from 2018.	91	26	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
16,639	US	The color alone catches your attention; it's a deep, smoky sunset hue that leads into an equally captivating palate. Rich, warm and dense with cherry pastry flavors, it also brings accents of cherry tobacco, orange liqueur and a glassy minerality.	93	42	Oregon	Pinot Noir
46,098	US	From Josh Jensen's 4.4-acre vineyard, this bottling offers black plum and mulberry aromas laced with crushed gravel and lavender notes. There is a powerful minty character to the palate, which helps enliven the hearty ripe cranberry and hibiscus elements. A thought-provoking and earthy wine.	93	70	California	Pinot Noir
75,248	US	Here's an elegant Pinot for drinking now. It's light and silky and dry in the mouth, with spicy flavors of cherry pie, rum punch and cola.	88	25	California	Pinot Noir
93,369	US	There's a strong sense of aromatic wood on the nose of this wine, with chaparral scrub and fennel stalks giving character to the raspberry, hibiscus and pomegranate fruit. The cooked herbs extend to the palate, where woody sage and pencil shavings spice up dark purple fruit.	87	20	California	Pinot Noir
53,056	US	Dark golden-yellow in color, this offers tart apple and honey flavors and is light on the palate, not overdone in oak. It will pair well with seafood or bacon and eggs.	89	24	California	Chardonnay
459	France	A rich, bottled-aged wine, full of toast as well as apple and crisp grapefruit flavors, this has great balance and elegance. It's full of fruit, but structured and seamlessly integrated. It's ready to drink now, but will also improve with age. Drink until 2020.	92	100	Champagne	Champagne Blend
99,429	US	This is a spicy, generously ripened wine, emboldened by fistfuls of cinnamon, leather and blackberry pie.	88	25	California	Zinfandel
113,015	US	Savory shades of dust and pressed apple contrast fresh lemon and blossom in this off-dry Riesling. It's starkly acidic, but plush tangerine and peach flavors round out the midpalate. Finishes moderately long on a earthy mineral note.	86	18	New York	Riesling
35,547	US	Aromas of green wood, vanilla and cola are followed by plump fruit flavors. The palate brings appeal but the aromas don't seem to match up.	87	28	Washington	Merlot
104,244	US	This is a light, graceful red that's stemmy and fresh in a mix of well-integrated cranberry, rhubarb and cardamom flavors. An undercurrent of earthy truffle plays on the palate, weaving its way to a long finish.	90	25	California	Pinot Noir
101,798	US	Brander's first Sauvignon Blanc of the cool 2011 vintage is delicious: It tastes dryish to slightly off-dry, with excellent acidity brightening the citrus and tropical fruit flavors.	88	15	California	Sauvignon Blanc
73,714	US	The aromas are pitch black, with notes of blackberry and black cherry along with high-toned spices. The flavors are full and ripe, with blackberry notes lingering on the finish.	91	42	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
124,346	US	Quite ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Pretty cherry, strawberry, tea, spice and herb flavors are at the core. Tannins are slightly robust, but still ripe. The wine finishes long, clean and elegant.	90	32	California	Pinot Noir
65,628	US	An ethereal Pinot from high atop Mendocino Ridge, sourced from just one block of the Signal Ridge Vineyard, this wine is a gorgeous glass of strawberry and cherry compote, with a pungency of pomegranate. Soft, well-integrated and zinging with acidity, this unfined and unfiltered Pinot is well worth seeking out.	93	34	California	Pinot Noir
56,113	US	Almost mauve in color, this widely distributed wine (named after the time the winemaking crew pops open their bottles at home) shows candied strawberry, watermelon Jolly Rancher and a touch of slate on the nose. Tons of tongue-tingling acidity and a expertly grippy texture cut through the watermelon and raspberry flavors.	89	15	California	Rosé
112,648	US	Soft and semi-sweet in chocolaty fruit, this Merlot has cherry, currant, chocolate and spice flavors that finish dry. It also has an herbal, veggie edge that brings some green mintiness to the equation.	84	38	California	Merlot
35,647	France	The Gasquet-Pascaud family has produced a light wine from its estate above Saint-Tropez. There is a yeasty character that gives it a richer more structured side. That should blow over as the wine ages for a few months just to bring out the fruitiness. Drink from late 2017.	88	20	Provence	Rosé
61,640	Italy	Licorice, ripe fruit, ginger, lemon zest, crushed stone, cassis and wild berry notes are bold, but in the mouth the wine is lean and compact, with a particularly bright and fresh feel in the mouth. There's even a menthol note at the very end.	91	49	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
4,364	France	Ripe and soft, with a texture that is well balanced, this wine has peach and apricot flavors marrying well with the layers of wood. There is a strong, fresh element to give the wine a final lift.	91	37	Burgundy	Chardonnay
110,942	US	A simple wine, with sweet, candied flavors of cherries and raspberries and a spicy finish. Drink now.	83	27	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
44,954	France	Light, bright and fruity, this has soft tannins, plenty of red fruits and balancing acidity. Just dry to finish, it is ready to drink now.	85	22	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
107,429	US	The aromas of this full-bodied, dry and sophisticated wine show black olive, light smoke and oak. The palate brings flavors of dark cherries and a touch of dark chocolate, with firm tannins offering a pleasing texture.	88	15	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
98,000	US	This is a pleasant, rather light-tasting wine with attractive, fresh raspberry aromas, red cherry flavors and good acidity to balance out the ripe fruitiness.	86	14	California	Red Blend
54,482	US	Made in an off-dry, almost sweet style, this polished Riesling is marked first and foremost by ripe fruit. Green apples, tangerines, Key lime pie and golden mangoes flood the mouth, made bright and clean with citrusy acidity. The alcohol is a refreshingly low 13%.	87	14	California	Riesling
15,361	US	This wine shows apparent barrel aging on the nose, with vanilla bean and coconut oil alongside caramelized apricot aromas. There is a very ripe papaya and guava tropicality on the palate, with a slight finish of iodine.	86	20	California	Pinot Gris
71,101	France	Although this seems initially austere, it has some fruit weight. Its tannins are dry and firm but will soften with time, showing potential for long, slow aging. Drink from 2020.	88	24	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
66,255	US	Dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, Key lime pith and a petrol character. The palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.	91	32	California	Riesling
119,585	US	This tastes overripe and Port-like. The flavors are of raisins, currants, licorice and sweet caramelized oak. This is unlikely to evolve positively, so drink now.	85	35	California	Syrah
11,311	US	Steely and tight, this block selection reveals a chalky flavor of citric acid that overshadows the fruit, which turns thin in the finish. Ample aeration helps a bit.	87	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
76,099	US	Awesomely rich, with massive tropical fruit, pear, vanilla cream and buttered toast flavors, finished with cinnamon spice. Acidity is high and crisp, and a bright scour of minerals brings balance. Made in the modern style, this is a Chardonnay to drink with lobster and scallops.	92	28	California	Chardonnay
81,193	US	This wine is a blend of Grenache (47%), Mourvèdre (38%) and Syrah. It's loaded with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, herbs, potpourri, peppery spices and kirsch. The plump red and black-fruit flavors show an exquisite balance of richness and restraint that carries through the long finish.	91	40	Washington	Rhône-style Red Blend
128,048	France	Exquisitely fresh and fruity, this delicious rosé has crisp red currant fruits that are tangy, bright and tight. It is very refreshing now, although in a few months the almost shocking acidity will soften. Drink from mid-2016.	88	26	Loire Valley	Rosé

120,886

Italy

Aromas of raspberry compote, vanilla, clove and a balsamic note slowly emerge on this structured red. The firm yet elegant palate shows dark cherry, cranberry, licorice, chopped herb and mineral. Fresh acidity and polished fine-grained tannins lend balance and finesse. Drink 2018–2027.

92

42

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

114,269

US

This Rhône-style red blend plays out broadly across the full palate, filling the mouth with tangy flavors of mixed berries and plums. Generously applied oak brings on a wash of baking spices, coconut and cinnamon, giving a sweetness to the moderate tannins.

91

68

Washington

Rhône-style Red Blend

118,026

Argentina

Salinic and almost dilute on the nose, which belies the richer banana and vanilla flavors that control the flavor profile. In the mouth, the wine has good bounce and acidity, so it feels alright even when things turn creamy on the finish.

86

17

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

43,862

US

Ripe and juicy, here’s a Cab that rises to the occasion, with fine currant, berry and herbal aromas, compounded with spicy oak. Very dry and fancy, it offers plenty of balance and harmony, and tastes soft, rich and complex.

88

17

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

73,385

US

Searing acidity marks this wine, which tastes like it has a lot of Edna Valley fruit in the blend. It also shows bright, strong, long hangtime flavors of limes and pineapples. It's actually quite a fine Chardonnay, dry and low in alcohol. A great value at this price.

89

15

California

Chardonnay

65,075

US

Pungent notes of cocoa, herb, medicine cabinet, vanilla and cherry liqueur mark this wine's nose. The palate is full bodied with firm, dry tannins and dried out fruit flavors.

86

13

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

76,714

Australia

This blended red brings in four of the five Bordeaux varieties (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot). Some prominent mint notes may limit its appeal, but it's otherwise a classic example of the genre, accenting cassis fruit with hints of vanilla and cedar. Despite the ample alcohol and a bit of warmth, there's also some austerity and firmness to the tannins. Drink 2018–2025.

89

25

South Australia

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

107,297

US

Nearly equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also features good handfuls of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that offer soft, velvety flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Lightly oaked, the tannins are grippy while the wine generates an herbal undertone on the nose.

90

38

California

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

19,482

US

A very appealing nose of earthy spice starts this successful Chard, and leads into a full, rounded blanket of toasted oak and fruit. There's complexity here without heaviness, and the wine finishes big but pretty. Pair with richer seafood—like crab—or creamy poultry dishes.

85

11

New York

Chardonnay

44,411

US

This wine is a unique blend of Malbec (60%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot. It opens with brooding but alluring aromas of dark plum, asphalt, and a kiss of baking spice. The flavors are full bodied and palate coating, showing weight but also a sense of suppleness that charms the senses.

91

34

Washington

Red Blend

29,959

Italy

This dazzling sparkler opens with enticing aromas of wisteria, spring wild flowers, vineyard dust and freshly picked orchard fruit. The crisp, linear palate doles out green apple, nectarine, pear and energizing mineral notes alongside a creamy perlage and vibrant acidity. It's perfectly balanced and refreshing.

93

29

Veneto

Glera

69,769

US

Punchy hibiscus and pomegranate notes mix with crushed black rocks and rose petals on the nose of this very reliable every-day drinker. The palate is earthy and herbal in character, with flavors of bay leaf, camphor, dried mint, pine sap and tangy cranberry juice making it very food-friendly.

86

13

California

Pinot Noir

27,371

US

Maybe this wine needs some age, but right now it's strong in sweet jammy raspberries and cherries, and the oak sticks out, like a caramelized, sweet vanilla coat. Yet it has good acidity and a fine, silky structure. If only it finished drier and firmer.

85

36

California

Pinot Noir

24,963

France

The small production of white wine from this estate, owned by the Kressmann family of Latour-Martillac, comes from a deep gravel outcrop. This wine is rich and beautifully ripe. Apricot and juicy pear flavors are backed with the wood aging. It is just ready to drink.

90

20

Bordeaux

Sauvignon Blanc

119,950

US

This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 18% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, brings barrel aromas of cocoa and chocolate that complement the cherry and plum notes. The flavors are soft and supple with some firmness to the tannins that still need some time to soften.

91

30

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

88,628

US

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Mourvèdre offers aromas of toast, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, cherry and black pepper. The fruit flavors are lighter in style, with chewy tannins and mouthwatering acids.

89

20

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

80,947

US

Aromatic with pepper and fresh-cut tobacco, well defined by herbal fruits and leafy tannins, this single-vineyard Malbec is stylish and balanced. What is missing is depth, but the balance and length are just right, and the wine does not overreach.

88

30

Washington

Malbec

110,924

France

The top wine in the Sanglière range is delicious. With its finely balanced fruit and acidity, it is bright with orange and red-currant crispness as well as a warmer sunny character. With its final acidity it is a great food wine. Drink now.

90

20

Provence

Rosé

44,134

US

Note the remarkably low alcohol! Not surprisingly, this is a searingly tart wine, the acidity further emphasized by stainless steel fermentation and aging. Nonetheless, flavors are rich and deep, a lemon and grapefruit explosion that seems to demand raw oysters. Definitely a wine for acid lovers.

90

50

Oregon

Chardonnay

126,621

US

While packed with ripe berry and cherry flavors, this wine is also well-balanced due to good acidity and firm tannins that buoy the full flavors and give a lively tension in the mouth. Complementary spicy accents from oak come out with each sip.

89

13

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

119,914

France

From Aegerter's own vineyards, this firm wine is packed with tannins as well as concentrated fruits. It shows solid structure and dark fruits, with a juicy, ripe aftertaste. Drink from 2017.

90

100

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

12,031

Spain

Traditional Rioja aromas of leather, vanilla, dried red fruits, spice and dill turn earthy with airing. This is healthy but mature on the palate, with oaky flavors of vanilla accenting core pie cherry, red plum and raspberry. Oak spice and acidity reverberate on the finish. Drink now.

90

23

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

122,606

Italy

Aromas of yellow pear, Spanish broom and a whiff of honeyed nut float from the glass. The medium-bodied palate shows good weight and depth for the cool wet vintage, offering golden apple, nectarine zest and bitter almond framed in vibrant acidity. It finishes crisp and clean, with an underlying pinning of flint on the close.

89

21

Tuscany

White Blend

98,182

US

This bottling, from grapes grown in the winery's estate vineyard, has varied over the years. The 2011 vintage is not the finest expression, but it's a soft, easy-drinking Chardonnay with modest peach, pear and mango notes, along with substantial oak influence.

86

70

California

Chardonnay

29,895

US

Barrel notes of vanilla and spice take the lead in this aromatically brooding wine, followed by dried herbs and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black, coating the palate from end to end with layers of fruit, tannins that go the distance and a graphite-filled finish that lingers. It will drink best from 2020–2027.

94

99

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

127,898

US

With significant amounts of Mourvèdre (15%) and Grenache (8%) blended in, this drinks more like a GSM than a Syrah. Cranberry, herb and woodspice aromas are followed by tart, sleek fruit and smoke flavors that linger.

89

25

Washington

Syrah

121,814

France

This wine is firm with solid tannins. It has rich fruit and concentration with layers of blackberry and dark plums. It comes from a small seven-acre property and is aged for 15 months in wood. This impressive wine needs to age, so drink from 2022.

92

35

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

69,432

US

This stubbornly tight, short, tart wine shows lightly spiced cherry fruit. But after being opened for some hours, the flavors seem to thin out quickly, leaving an impression of a wine that lacks concentration.

87

42

Oregon

Pinot Noir

39,743

Italy

This opens with aromas of toast, sage, hazelnut and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate offers sour cherry, strawberry jelly, anise and orange peel alongside assertive tannins that leave a dusty finish.

88

60

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

34,988

US

Bryan Babcock makes plenty of more expensive Pinot Noirs, but this appellation blend hits all the right notes and shows off the results of the “pedestular cane suspension” technique he's been using in the vineyard. Wild thyme, sagebrush and bay leaf meet cranberry and slate aromas on the nose. Black raspberry and cranberry flavors lead the earthy palate, accented with nettle and peppercorn.

92

35

California

Pinot Noir

18,878

France

A soft, rich wine with delicious flavors of pear and red apples, lifted by pineapple acidity. It is ripe, but still young, with touches of yeast and almond. It will age well over the medium-term.

90

70

Champagne

Chardonnay

95,672

Italy

This straightforward Sangiovese opens with aromas of purple flower, woodland berry and a whiff of truffle. The bright, earthy palate offers tart cherry, cranberry, a hint of anise and a gamey note alongside zesty acidity.

87

23

Tuscany

Sangiovese

100,425

US

There's an exciting array of aromas on the nose of this wine, with honeydew melon, citrus candy and barely ripe cantaloupe gaining complexity thanks to fresh scents of chive, oregano and thyme. It's light and easy on the palate, with lots of yellow grapefruit freshness, a pithy edge and a singing acidity on the finish.

92

25

California

Chardonnay

95,064

France

With some age, this is a gloriously ripe and toasty wine. It has a rich character emphasized by the round texture and the creamy mousse. It also has great concentration, bringing together acidity as well as dense secondary flavors. With its rich, mature character, it is best suited for food. It is ready to drink, but will hold well through 2025.

95

170

Champagne

Champagne Blend

8,591

US

This is a very good wine, albeit with some coarseness to the tannins at this time. It's also a little earthy and mushroomy. But there's a solid core of black cherry, red currant, mocha and tangerine zest flavors. The vineyard is near Sanford & Benedict, whose Pinots require time to come around. This young wine should do interesting things.

89

49

California

Pinot Noir

53,469

US

With raspberry, cola and pomegranate flavors, this Pinot is satisfying and even somewhat complex. It's soft and gentle in the mouth, and ready to drink now.

87

39

California

Pinot Noir

75,967

US

From Stillwater Creek vineyard, this 80/20 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon simply tastes young. The fruit is ripe enough, but superficial, with a lot of barrel flavors providing the weight and filling in with smoke, toast and coffee. Malbec has a very promising future in Washington State, and it's good to see young and talented wineries such as Tildio doing the exploration. Right now, this is just a pleasant table wine.

85

28

Washington

Malbec

10,821

US

Delicate blossom and fresh apple notes are pretty on the nose. The palate is a bit bracing by comparison, offering tart lemon-lime flavors and a touch of earthiness on the finish. Drink now.

85

16

New York

Riesling

49,462

Germany

While more mineral than fruit-forward on the nose, this pretty, dry Riesling is quite yielding, suggesting ripe, rich pink grapefruit and white peach on the palate. It's feather light but silky in texture, balanced by a strike of lemon acidity that lingers on the finish.

92

22

Mosel

Riesling

82,256

US

This wine comes from a vineyard 1,000 feet above Annapolis owned by Thomas Rivers Brown and Fred Schrader, and farmed by Ulises Valdez. It demands time to open, concentrated as it is in juicy blackberry, plum and a hit of earth, the tannins integrated and silky soft.

92

59

California

Pinot Noir

58,032

Italy

Coconut, baked plum and French oak aromas come together in the glass. The taut, medium-bodied palate offers red cherry fruit with hints of toast, espresso and star anise, framed by fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.

90

40

Tuscany

Sangiovese

106,541

US

Though it was given twice as many new French oak barrels as the Estate bottling, this Vintage Select could be its twin. Solid and balanced, it mixes berry, herb and earth components, making for a well-structured, no-frills wine.

88

40

Oregon

Pinot Noir

65,904

US

The winery's top-of-the-line Cab, this offers a depth of toasted oak and plum surrounding barbecued meat aromas. Soft and approachable, the fruit is ripe and seasoned by jolts of black pepper on the finish.

88

90

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

11,167

Argentina

Mocha and chocolate welcome you in, but once you get in there isn't much to taste. There's generic red fruit, spice and leather, but the wine seems acidified and on the razor's edge. Not overly generous and the mouthfeel is sheering.

84

13

Mendoza Province

Syrah

88,749

France

This red-fruited, ripe wine has attractive bright acidity and some weight. It's dry and probably better suited to food than as an apéritif.

85

17

Provence

Rosé

42,049

US

Sharp and minty, with a wintergreen tartness to the fruitier cherries and herb tea. The wine is supple and dry, with a lovely silky texture, but the acidity is strong.

85

38

California

Pinot Noir

6,767

Argentina

This aged Cabernet is mild, mellow and earthy on the nose, with aromas of tobacco and baked berry fruits. Acidity is pronounced on the palate; after that there's a mix of spice, cherry and cassis flavors. Loud acidity on the finish freshens things up while creating citric scour. Drink now.

89

42

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

4,599

US

This 100% Viognier shows the variety's exotic side, with delicious tropical fruit, citrus, pear, melon, lychee and smoky oak flavors. It's a bit one-dimensional, but appeals for its fresh acids and richness.

87

30

California

Viognier

26,430

France

Big, juicy and smoky, this powerful wine comes from vines in the center of the vineyard. Black fruits and firm tannins dominate the richness of the wine with its dark structure and concentration. A touch of chocolate and licorice partners with the generous fruits. Drink from 2024.

94

299

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

23,034

France

Soft and rich, a wine that shows the warmth of the vintage in this southern Burgundy appellation. It's full of yellow fruits with just a hint of pineapple along with a good line in acidity. A sense of minerality and texture appears at the end.

88

31

Burgundy

Chardonnay

90,401

France

The herbal side of Touraine shows strongly here. The wine has richness as well as green fruits and gooseberries. Its acidity is dominant, tangy and full in the mouth. Drink now.

85

15

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

40,795

Italy

A blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, this vibrant sparkler offers delicate, appealing aromas of apple, mature pear, toast and bread crust that carry over to the expressive palate along with a note of citrus zest. An elegant continuous perlage accompanies the creamy flavors while a note of toasted hazelnut wraps up the finish.

90

24

Piedmont

Sparkling Blend

16,818

Spain

This is initially dark and earthy, with brandied cherry, leather and tobacco aromas. It feels complete and offers core acids to keep it feeling fresh. Flavors of black fruit and spice lead to a lasting finish with cola and cherry notes.

88

35

Northern Spain

Tempranillo

73,921

Argentina

A gold color and oaky aromas of popcorn, buttered corn and stone fruits open this chunky, resiny, oak-heavy Chardonnay. Oaky, buttery flavors carry over from the nose, and oak spice dominates the finish on this full-bodied but not very fruity offering.

88

30

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

26,787

US

Freshly buttered toast with a thin coating of marmalade comes to mind when sniffing this wine that also shows a touch of cinnamon and Meyer-lemon juice on the nose. The riper, rounded palate offers yellow apples dipped in caramel, sea salt and cinnamon, which pops again on the back end.

92

22

California

Chardonnay

97,560

US

Reticent aromas of kiwi and herb are followed by tart, medium bodied citrus flavors. The concentration isn't as dense as it could be.

86

22

Washington

Sauvignon Blanc

57,569

Germany

Whiffs of chalk and slate lend a mineral tone to aromas of honey and white peach on this unctuously sweet, yet nuanced Riesling. Ripe mango and yellow cherry flavors are densely concentrated on the palate, yet lifted by bursts of tangerine acidity. Finishes endlessly long with a lingering spray of blossoms.

93

57

Mosel

Riesling

16,627

US

Syrupy and dense, this is a burly wine, soft but powerful, that keeps coming back to the theme of blackberry syrup. Velvety tannins buoy the midpoint, before it finishes in a burst of intense ripeness.

86

33

California

Zinfandel

109,294

France

Rich wine showing all the spicy character that comes with Gewurztraminer. It is on the dry side while having some softness from its lychee perfumes. Fine as an apéritif or with pâté and Chinese food. Screwcap.

86

11

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

46,491

US

Coconut macaroon and smoky leather stand out most in this burly, bombastic and beyond full-bodied wine, which drinks ripe and hot.

86

36

California

Zinfandel

7,000

Italy

Pretty aromas suggest violet, rose, strawberry and mint. The vibrant palate offers red cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon alongside supple tannins and bright acidity. Enjoy through 2017.

89

17

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

24,709

Italy

This elegant Brunello shows loads of Montalcino typicity thanks to its aromas of cherry, forest floor, moist earth, dried violets and white almond. It delivers a tight, streamlined feel that is driven forward by the wine's polished tannins and bright acidity.

90

50

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

29,509

US

This is a European-style Syrah, cofermented with 2% Viognier. It's soft and round, medium in body, and has a savory midpalate with flavors of cranberry, plum and pepper. On the finish is a hint of smoky oak. Profits from sales of the wine go to the American River Conservancy Wakamatsu Colony Preservation and Restoration project.

89

75

California

Syrah

13,167

Italy

Straightforward and enjoyable, this delivers sensations of crushed blackberry, clove and espresso. It's bright and easygoing with fresh acidity and soft, supple tannins. Drink through 2015.

87

16

Tuscany

Red Blend

47,934

Italy

Livio Felluga adds a creamy, sophisticated edge to its Pinot Grigio that elevates the wine in terms of food pairing opportunities. Instead of appetizers and easy finger foods, this wine can stand up to fish, white meat and pasta. It has fragrant notes of creamy peach, citrus, white stone and pineapple followed by a shapely, dense structure.

88

23

Northeastern Italy

Pinot Grigio

120,846

US

A very pale peach color, this wine brings bright aromas of strawberry Jolly Rancher, cherry and kiwi. It drinks just a hair off dry, with tart fruit flavors, providing plenty of easy-drinking pleasure.

88

15

Washington

Rosé

96,611

US

Nonvintage juice at an amazing price. It's not going to knock your favorite Zin off the shelf, but as a house pour for spaghetti and meatballs-style cooking, it would do just fine. It has some sweet, tomato-juice flavors and a fair bit of concentration in the finish.

83

6

California

Zinfandel

111,691

France

Like most Sancerre producers, Roger also draws on vines across the Loire in Pouilly-Fumé. This ripe full wine shows the richness of this appellation and also its potential for aging. Its lime and green-plum fruits are shot through with acidity and balanced by a tangy rich texture. Drink from 2018.

91

26

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

16,639

US

The color alone catches your attention; it's a deep, smoky sunset hue that leads into an equally captivating palate. Rich, warm and dense with cherry pastry flavors, it also brings accents of cherry tobacco, orange liqueur and a glassy minerality.

93

42

Oregon

Pinot Noir

46,098

US

From Josh Jensen's 4.4-acre vineyard, this bottling offers black plum and mulberry aromas laced with crushed gravel and lavender notes. There is a powerful minty character to the palate, which helps enliven the hearty ripe cranberry and hibiscus elements. A thought-provoking and earthy wine.

93

70

California

Pinot Noir

75,248

US

Here's an elegant Pinot for drinking now. It's light and silky and dry in the mouth, with spicy flavors of cherry pie, rum punch and cola.

88

25

California

Pinot Noir

93,369

US

There's a strong sense of aromatic wood on the nose of this wine, with chaparral scrub and fennel stalks giving character to the raspberry, hibiscus and pomegranate fruit. The cooked herbs extend to the palate, where woody sage and pencil shavings spice up dark purple fruit.

87

20

California

Pinot Noir

53,056

US

Dark golden-yellow in color, this offers tart apple and honey flavors and is light on the palate, not overdone in oak. It will pair well with seafood or bacon and eggs.

89

24

California

Chardonnay

459

France

A rich, bottled-aged wine, full of toast as well as apple and crisp grapefruit flavors, this has great balance and elegance. It's full of fruit, but structured and seamlessly integrated. It's ready to drink now, but will also improve with age. Drink until 2020.

92

100

Champagne

Champagne Blend

99,429

US

This is a spicy, generously ripened wine, emboldened by fistfuls of cinnamon, leather and blackberry pie.

88

25

California

Zinfandel

113,015

US

Savory shades of dust and pressed apple contrast fresh lemon and blossom in this off-dry Riesling. It's starkly acidic, but plush tangerine and peach flavors round out the midpalate. Finishes moderately long on a earthy mineral note.

86

18

New York

Riesling

35,547

US

Aromas of green wood, vanilla and cola are followed by plump fruit flavors. The palate brings appeal but the aromas don't seem to match up.

87

28

Washington

Merlot

104,244

US

This is a light, graceful red that's stemmy and fresh in a mix of well-integrated cranberry, rhubarb and cardamom flavors. An undercurrent of earthy truffle plays on the palate, weaving its way to a long finish.

90

25

California

Pinot Noir

101,798

US

Brander's first Sauvignon Blanc of the cool 2011 vintage is delicious: It tastes dryish to slightly off-dry, with excellent acidity brightening the citrus and tropical fruit flavors.

88

15

California

Sauvignon Blanc

73,714

US

The aromas are pitch black, with notes of blackberry and black cherry along with high-toned spices. The flavors are full and ripe, with blackberry notes lingering on the finish.

91

42

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

124,346

US

Quite ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Pretty cherry, strawberry, tea, spice and herb flavors are at the core. Tannins are slightly robust, but still ripe. The wine finishes long, clean and elegant.

90

32

California

Pinot Noir

65,628

US

An ethereal Pinot from high atop Mendocino Ridge, sourced from just one block of the Signal Ridge Vineyard, this wine is a gorgeous glass of strawberry and cherry compote, with a pungency of pomegranate. Soft, well-integrated and zinging with acidity, this unfined and unfiltered Pinot is well worth seeking out.

93

34

California

Pinot Noir

56,113

US

Almost mauve in color, this widely distributed wine (named after the time the winemaking crew pops open their bottles at home) shows candied strawberry, watermelon Jolly Rancher and a touch of slate on the nose. Tons of tongue-tingling acidity and a expertly grippy texture cut through the watermelon and raspberry flavors.

89

15

California

Rosé

112,648

US

Soft and semi-sweet in chocolaty fruit, this Merlot has cherry, currant, chocolate and spice flavors that finish dry. It also has an herbal, veggie edge that brings some green mintiness to the equation.

84

38

California

Merlot

35,647

France

The Gasquet-Pascaud family has produced a light wine from its estate above Saint-Tropez. There is a yeasty character that gives it a richer more structured side. That should blow over as the wine ages for a few months just to bring out the fruitiness. Drink from late 2017.

88

20

Provence

Rosé

61,640

Italy

Licorice, ripe fruit, ginger, lemon zest, crushed stone, cassis and wild berry notes are bold, but in the mouth the wine is lean and compact, with a particularly bright and fresh feel in the mouth. There's even a menthol note at the very end.

91

49

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

4,364

France

Ripe and soft, with a texture that is well balanced, this wine has peach and apricot flavors marrying well with the layers of wood. There is a strong, fresh element to give the wine a final lift.

91

37

Burgundy

Chardonnay

110,942

US

A simple wine, with sweet, candied flavors of cherries and raspberries and a spicy finish. Drink now.

83

27

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

44,954

France

Light, bright and fruity, this has soft tannins, plenty of red fruits and balancing acidity. Just dry to finish, it is ready to drink now.

85

22

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

107,429

US

The aromas of this full-bodied, dry and sophisticated wine show black olive, light smoke and oak. The palate brings flavors of dark cherries and a touch of dark chocolate, with firm tannins offering a pleasing texture.

88

15

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

98,000

US

This is a pleasant, rather light-tasting wine with attractive, fresh raspberry aromas, red cherry flavors and good acidity to balance out the ripe fruitiness.

86

14

California

Red Blend

54,482

US

Made in an off-dry, almost sweet style, this polished Riesling is marked first and foremost by ripe fruit. Green apples, tangerines, Key lime pie and golden mangoes flood the mouth, made bright and clean with citrusy acidity. The alcohol is a refreshingly low 13%.

87

14

California

Riesling

15,361

US

This wine shows apparent barrel aging on the nose, with vanilla bean and coconut oil alongside caramelized apricot aromas. There is a very ripe papaya and guava tropicality on the palate, with a slight finish of iodine.

86

20

California

Pinot Gris

71,101

France

Although this seems initially austere, it has some fruit weight. Its tannins are dry and firm but will soften with time, showing potential for long, slow aging. Drink from 2020.

88

24

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

66,255

US

Dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, Key lime pith and a petrol character. The palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.

91

32

California

Riesling

119,585

US

This tastes overripe and Port-like. The flavors are of raisins, currants, licorice and sweet caramelized oak. This is unlikely to evolve positively, so drink now.

85

35

California

Syrah

11,311

US

Steely and tight, this block selection reveals a chalky flavor of citric acid that overshadows the fruit, which turns thin in the finish. Ample aeration helps a bit.

87

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

76,099

US

Awesomely rich, with massive tropical fruit, pear, vanilla cream and buttered toast flavors, finished with cinnamon spice. Acidity is high and crisp, and a bright scour of minerals brings balance. Made in the modern style, this is a Chardonnay to drink with lobster and scallops.

92

28

California

Chardonnay

81,193

US

This wine is a blend of Grenache (47%), Mourvèdre (38%) and Syrah. It's loaded with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, herbs, potpourri, peppery spices and kirsch. The plump red and black-fruit flavors show an exquisite balance of richness and restraint that carries through the long finish.

91

40

Washington

Rhône-style Red Blend

128,048

France

Exquisitely fresh and fruity, this delicious rosé has crisp red currant fruits that are tangy, bright and tight. It is very refreshing now, although in a few months the almost shocking acidity will soften. Drink from mid-2016.

88

26

Loire Valley

Rosé