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
48,107	US	The 2008 Sineann Pinots are an elegant, refined group of wines, more expressive of Burgundian varietal character than any in memory, and the Resonance, as usual, is among the best. It has a vibrant purity to the fruit that rings true and long through mixed red berries, vivid acids, streaks of iron and earth, and sails on into a detailed and seamless finish.	92	48	Oregon	Pinot Noir
118,136	US	Yeasty and dilute, this is a bit like drinking flat beer. There's little ripeness and no varietal impact.	83	18	Oregon	Chardonnay
73,976	US	Certainly the finest Grand Ciel Syrah to date, this is a full-flavored, complete wine, loaded with pure fruit flavors of berry and cassis. The details pile on—a whiff of stone, a hint of chocolate, suggestions of spice, all in perfect proportion.	95	60	Washington	Syrah
22,967	US	Flavors of fresh apple and pear appear among light dusting of cinnamon spice. This makes for a wonderful quaffer.	87	16	Oregon	Pinot Gris
66,510	France	The 250-year history of the Moreau family is the story of wine: barrel-makers, winery suppliers, viticulturists, winemakers and négociants. The company is now directed by Frédéric Marque. Rich fruit and nutmeg flavors gives this wood-aged wine its ripe and fruity character. It offers zesty lemon and a delicious aftertaste of spiced apple and wood. Drink now.	88	23	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style White Blend
78,592	France	This is a tropical-fruit-flavored wine with only a hint of more herbal flavors. It is ripe and juicy with sweeping fruitiness as well as acidity. The texture, mineral in character, comes from the chalk of the vineyard—one of the top sites in Sancerre. Drink this beautiful wine from 2018.	93	35	Loire Valley	Sauvignon Blanc
57,362	US	Cabernet Sauvignon (73%) makes up the majority of this blend, with the balance Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of barrel spice, baking spice, dark fruit and herb are followed by luxurious black-fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a bit of heat but otherwise delivers.	90	30	Washington	Red Blend
11,867	US	So young, it tastes like it's still fermenting. Not a bad wine, but freshly tart and strong in grapy flavors. Should calm down by mid-2011 and become a nice, full-bodied and dry red wine.	84	15	California	Petite Sirah
96,288	US	Sparkling Pointe's prestige cuvée is always a standout in an ever improving line up of New York sparkling wines. Distinctly autolytic notes of biscuit and brioche abound, accenting bracing tons of tart tangerine, apple and lime. It's a lean, impossibly elegant wine with fine, persistent pétillance.	92	72	New York	Champagne Blend
51,408	France	Solid, chunky and dense, this shows a rich character based around dark tannins. It has a ripe black-plum flavor and juicy acidity on the finish.	85	18	Bordeaux	Merlot
97,746	US	Beautiful and likeable for its dryness, crisp minerality, and the sleek, clean mouthfeel. The fruit suggests oak-inspired pears, oranges and citrons. This elegant quaff gets better as it warms in the glass. Drink now.	92	35	California	Chardonnay
7,948	US	The grapes sure got ripe even in this cool, balanced vintage, so that the wine is jammy in cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors. It's delicious and crisply elegant, with a silky texture, but a little direct and forward. Probably at its best now.	88	48	California	Pinot Noir
46,900	US	A blend of fruit from Northridge Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Powerline Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, this pale colored wine delivers vibrant, complex aromas of strawberry, brown stems, fresh flowers, green olive, smoked meat and moist earth. The cranberry and smoked meat flavors are soft and sumptuous, leading to an extended fruit and savory note finish. It's all about elegance but the purity is dazzling.	94	50	Washington	Grenache
53,092	US	The cherry cola, herb, menthol and barrel-spice aromas seem a bit more evolved than their age might indicate. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with plump tannins providing support.	88	48	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
124,441	Spain	A rich, bacony, black fruit monster with deep, molten flavors and immense body and tannic grab. A bruising wine with boysenberry, blackberry, mint, licorice and chocolate for primary flavors, and then lemony oak as a backdrop. Young, tannic and wild now; best from 2011 through 2015.	94	96	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
24,686	France	This is a disappointment. The wine is tart, stalky and, at the same time, light. It has an edge of green that suggests underripe fruit. Developing fast.	85	24	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
23,679	France	As a Gewurztraminer becomes sweeter, it loses some of its spice. What it gains, as here, is a more intense, honeyed and fragrant character that also allows space for acidity. There is some dryness on the finish, as well as a pleasant astringency. Drink until 2019.	89	35	Alsace	Gewürztraminer
42,924	France	This is a concentrated wine that's full of black fruits and textured tannins. It has spice, rosemary and a taut character.	88	18	Provence	Rhône-style Red Blend
48,545	US	A touch of mushroomy unripeness undermines this Pinot Noir. That is a limiting factor, but the wine does show beautiful Pinot silkiness, and good enough raspberry and cola fruit.	84	23	California	Pinot Noir
91,873	France	Rounded wine, softly fruity. Its attractiveness comes from ripe white fruits, soft structure and a generous feel. It's not for aging and can be drunk now.	85	21	Burgundy	Chardonnay
34,399	US	Berries are the name of the game in this rich, forward Syrah. Cherries, raspberries, mulberries and spicier, gamier kinds of wild berries mark the flavors, which are lifted by sweet, smoky oak. The mouthfeel is pure and velvety, courtesy of ripely soft tannins. A fashionable wine to drink now, especially with lamb.	91	49	California	Syrah
115,142	France	Yellow plum, sweet apple and juicy pear form an appetizing, aromatic trinity. Those apple flavors, some of them fresh, some bruised, some baked, become the central theme of the lemon-focused palate. With some time, honeyed notes come to the fore and suggest that many things still lie hidden in this fruit-laden Riesling. The finish is dry, the entire wine is focused and still taut. It's delicious now but will reward cellaring.Drink 2015–2025.	92	30	Alsace	Riesling
5,774	Italy	Spiced plum, crushed blue flower, black currant and a whiff of warms spice waft out of the glass. The high-toned palate delivers ripe blackberry, date and dried cherry accented with notes of nutmeg, licorice and black pepper. Velvety tannins provide structure.	92	99	Veneto	Red Blend
62,721	US	Though just five years old, this wine seems advanced, with notes of pencil box, leather, dried orange peel, mesquite and brown spices. There's still plenty of juicy acid to be had that provides interest with some grit to the tannins.	87	30	Oregon	Syrah
35,242	US	A tough, gritty wine, with overripe, pruny flavors. It's quite dry and tannic, and will not age. Basically a Bordeaux blend with Zinfandel and Syrah.	82	29	California	Red Blend
57,174	Australia	For a wine that didn't go through malolactic fermentation, this is thickly textured, almost pulpy, lacking a bit of vibrance. The pineapple fruit is weighty, but one-dimensional.	83	20	South Australia	Chardonnay
129,582	US	A blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese, this is a grippy, leathery wine, the fruit sourced from two different sites in the appellation. Black leather, baked and dried plum, and cherry combine on the palate with breadth and length, finishing as if dusted in cocoa.	90	38	California	Red Blend
94,519	US	Here's an excellent example of a dry Zinfandel that doesn't need to drink like a Port in terms of its balance. The aromas are subtle, suggesting blackberries, but the flavors go deep into more blackberries, ripe red cherries and Santa Rosa plums accented with just a dash of cinnamon-like oak. This is full-bodied yet deceptively smooth and elegant in texture.	91	32	California	Zinfandel
115,875	France	From organic grapes in a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is rich and ripe. Generous red fruits are cut with light acidity and broadened by the smooth, creamy texture. The fruit lasts right through to the end.	91	30	Provence	Rosé
44,175	US	There's lots of zesty acidity in this ripe, forward Chardonnay. It features fruity flavors of oranges and apricots, with a touch of oak that lends a buttered toast note.	85	14	California	Chardonnay
101,322	US	Still gritty in tannins at nearly four years of age, but very rich in fruit, showing concentrated blackberry, currant, cassis and mineral flavors, accented with sweet, smoky cedar wood. The mouthfeel is elegant on this dry, complex wine, which should be decanted.	89	45	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
71,987	US	The green apple, apple skin and flower aromas pop. The off-dry peach flavors keep you coming back for more.	87	10	Washington	Riesling
9,413	Argentina	The nose is neutral except for dusty aromas and a hint of applesauce. This feels bold, thick and a bit clumsy, with pithy citrus, nectarine and apricot flavors. These notes continue through the wine's finish. Drink now.	83	9	Mendoza Province	Chardonnay
45,134	US	Dry and tough in tannins, yet impressive for balance and integrity. Shows currant, blackberry and smoky flavors, with a firm minerality. One of the better, more elegant Sangioveses out there.	90	25	California	Sangiovese
69,250	US	Earthy aromas of bay leaf and garrigue lift the dried boysenberry fruit on the nose of this bottling. Tangy elderberry fruit and underripe boysenberry show on the sip alongside oregano and savory spices.	88	43	California	Rhône-style Red Blend
115,059	US	Dry and a little bitter in tannins, with flavors of cherries, cranberries and herbs. It's elegantly constructed and feels silky and balanced in the mouth. A very nice and versatile food wine that will take a few years of cellaring.	87	19	California	Merlot
33,168	US	Easygoing wet cement, kiwi and nectarine aromas make for a standard but pleasing Sauvignon Blanc experience with this bottling. There is interesting grip to the palate, which pulls its flavors—apple, lime and bitter orange—forward.	87	12	California	Sauvignon Blanc
60,762	US	Rich and oaky, with pineapple jam, tangerine juice, buttered toast and vanilla spice flavors. It's a big, opulent wine, but a little in your face. Drink now.	89	37	California	Chardonnay
10,798	US	It's not clear what Swanson means by the word “instant,” although this blend, which contains some Merlot and Petit Verdot, is rich enough in blackberries, cherries and mocha to enjoy now. It's also a complex wine, layered withNapa tannins and an opulent overlay of new French oak. Give it a good, long decanting and drink over the next six years.	90	60	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
44,440	US	An exciting varietal wine from an appellation that has done well by it, this opens in aromas of baked bread and compost, in addition to toasty bacon and chocolate. Tart and tight, it's ripe and yet restrained, a nice tension of contrast at its core.	90	45	California	Syrah
11,051	Italy	Ripe blackberry, truffle, cured meat and leather aromas emerge on this svelte red. The polished, light- to medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, cinnamon and white pepper while fine-grained tannins provide elegant support.	89	60	Tuscany	Sangiovese
34,671	US	Deep aromas of black-cherry syrup meet with raisin, leather and fudge on the rustic but inviting nose of this dessert bottling. It's sweet and lavish on the sip, but with impressive grip, showing strawberry and cherry-sauce flavors along with cinnamon and clove spice.	92	30	California	Zinfandel
44,429	US	Bright citrus and apple aromas and flavors meet light vanilla and butter nuances in this medium-bodied, dry and nicely complex wine. It goes beyond the simple description of refreshment and takes on more personality and interest.	90	20	California	Pinot Gris
33,086	US	This wine made from Zinfandel grapes has an attractive, light coral color and effusive melon aromas. It follows up with vivid canteloupe and watermelon flavors buoyed by lively acidity. Light in body, it's also appetizing in texture.	88	20	California	Rosé
126,924	US	Tobacco box and cedar notes lend savory nuances to this stately, but slightly subdued Cabernet Sauvignon. Delicate black plum and cherry flavors are crisp and cool, fringed by soft fine tannins. Drink now through 2018.	87	16	New York	Cabernet Sauvignon
126,307	Spain	This tan-colored bubbly from stony soils smells complex, bready, yeasty and a lot like baked apple. A round, yeasty palate is cushioned like fine bedding, while yeasty flavors of bread and apple finish long. Drink through 2020.	92	30	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
49,775	Italy	Cantina del Pino is a true manufacturer of delight and magic. This pristine, elegant but mature Barbaresco is a prime example of this vintner's exciting potential. Aromas of jammy berry, cola, cedar and smoke are carefully layered and stacked tall. Open in 5–10 years.	91	45	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
61,096	US	Aromas of lemon-lime soda, ripe nectarine, honeydew and kiwi paint a tropicality that is strong but not overdone. Citrus-driven acidity drives the sharp palate, which also shows flavors of green apple and steel.	87	20	California	Viognier
110,493	US	A lovely 100% Viognier fermented and aged in both stainless steel and neutral oak, this wine opens with come-hither aromas of night-blooming jasmine and white flowers, evolving in the glass into a bright, viscous expression of honey and almond. Concentrated yet lively, it's a beautiful wine.	93	42	California	Viognier
113,060	US	This unabashedly powerful and jammy wine shows black-cherry candy, sweet roses, vanilla, black rocks and black pepper on the nose. The soft tannins carry forth waves of vanilla, coconut, caramel and blueberry jelly, perfect to please those seeking a whopper of a wine.	92	29	California	Zinfandel
68,040	Argentina	Angular plum aromas are grapy and display a lavender note. This is fairly full in body, with a slight syrupy quality to the palate. Black-fruit flavors are powerful but finish with rough, bumpy tannins.	88	20	Mendoza Province	Cabernet Sauvignon
118,740	US	Floral scents float above a chunky, cherry-fruited, single-vineyard wine. It's quite refreshing, with appealing texture and underlying minerality that compensates for the overall impression of palate lightness. Drink now through 2018, while the freshness remains at its peak.	88	50	Oregon	Pinot Noir
10,104	Italy	Showing youthful oak tones that still need time to integrate, this wine is a bit sour and ripe at the same time. Black cherry, tobacco, leather and spice aromas are nice, but the tannins are firm, and the wine shows a bright point of acidity on the close and a gritty, cooked-fruit finish.	88	50	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
84,847	US	Soft and muddled in smoky oak and generous tannin, this wine mixes red currant, raspberry and dried herb, easygoing and robust on the finish.	86	40	California	Cabernet Franc
65,231	US	Scents of white grapefruit and honeydew rind introduce this dry, refreshing Riesling. It's quite delicate in structure but concentrated with fresh apple flavor accented by bright lemon-lime acidity. Finishes on an earthy saffron note.	87	20	New York	Riesling
98,436	Italy	A lovely wine with a bright and polished bouquet, this delivers loads of dark fruit, licorice, moist earth, Spanish cedar and white truffle. Its complexity and endurance are impressive. Thanks to the tight tannins, this wine should easily evolve over the next 10–20 years.	94	85	Piedmont	Nebbiolo
5,677	US	This is an impressive blend of 45% Merlot with 25% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah from Stagecoach Vineyard and 10% Biale Zinfandel. It comes together seamlessly in a twist of structured blackberry, leathery tannin and tomato leaf, priced to be enjoyed by many.	90	20	California	Red Blend
129,295	France	Lovely notes of ripe mirabelle plum and yellow apple play on the nose. The palate adds a lot more citrus lightness and brightness to this and a finely fizzing mousse that heightens the impression of weightless freshness even more. This is a lovely, dry and invigorating apéritif.	90	24	Alsace	Sparkling Blend
77,429	Spain	Sierra Cantabria's wines are usually so good that one that's simple, tasty and regular such as this might get overlooked. But if you want an honest crianza with touches of balsam wood, bacon and rubber as well as dry plum and cherry fruit, this is it. Finishes peppery, with full tannins and oak-driven mocha flavor.	87	20	Northern Spain	Tempranillo Blend
4,563	France	The wine is rich and ready to drink. With red fruits and warm tannins, it is a ripe wine that has a light structure and balanced acidity. It is already an easy wine—fruity and soft at the end.	85	15	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
33,428	Italy	Made predominantly with Sangiovese and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers pretty aromas of blue flower, red berry, menthol and dark spice. The bright straightforward palate offers dried red cherry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside lithe tannins.	88	28	Tuscany	Red Blend
49,576	Italy	Lisini delivers an extremely satisfying Brunello that is richly redolent of black fruit, plum, cola, root beer, leather and pipe tobacco. It feels vibrant and fresh in the mouth with well- integrated acidity against firm tannins. Pair this pretty wine with grilled meats.	91	90	Tuscany	Sangiovese Grosso
116,888	US	This is a huge, extracted Cabernet Sauvignon. It's just what people expect Napa Cabernet to be: ripe, heady, oaky and bold. With deep, classy cassis, plum and chocolate flavors, it should develop additional nuances after 2017.	91	60	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
52,781	US	Quite as good as the excellent '07, maybe even better, as it shows a little more structure behind the raspberry and cherry flavors. Tastes really good, a silky, spicy and dry wine that's a pleasure to drink. What a shame how little Pinot is actually grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains.	93	39	California	Pinot Noir
95,624	US	Broad aromas of cranberry and pomegranate are dusted with dried sage, tea and forest woods in this single-vineyard expression. The sagebrush and woody spice flavors show strongly on the sip, giving depth to the pomegranate and hibiscus notes. Quite dry and tangy, this should age well.	91	60	California	Pinot Noir
58,961	US	Though labeled simply “Red”, this is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends grapes from Pepper Bridge and Candy Mountain vineyards. It has a satiny mouthfeel, with generous red fruits, licorice and hints of sweet herb. There's a dash of white pepper in the crisp, clean finish.	90	45	Washington	Cabernet Sauvignon
21,216	Italy	A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, this opens with violet and baking spice aromas. The dense palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove and cocoa flavors, with grippy tannins. Enjoy through 2020.	89	40	Tuscany	Red Blend
118,838	US	This is a silky-smooth and integrated wine, with firm, structured tannins that provide support without distracting. A wealth of brawny baked berry, tar and chocolate flavors reveal themselves over time, while subtle, deep clove and dried herb scents lie beneath.	91	64	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
74,559	US	Subtle and soft, this aromatic Bordeaux blend (54% Cab Sauvignon, 9% Carmenère, 9% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 18% Petit Verdot) is laced with herb and exotic and savory spices, woven through tight fruit flavors of blueberry and musky grape. This is a delicate, evocative and challenging wine that rewards your attention. Fascinating and complex, it needs time to breathe and good glassware to really open up.	91	50	Washington	Red Blend
22,171	Italy	A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2003 Rovaio is surprisingly light and delicate considering the hot vintage that shaped it. Aromas include Amaretto, root beer, blueberries and blue flowers. The wine is lean and fresh in the mouth, with very good persistence.	87	30	Tuscany	Red Blend
8,317	US	This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend, with 25% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. Generously oaky and ripe, it offers textured layers of graphite, cigar and cedar. An exciting sideshow of spicy Mexican chocolate accents deeper, darker shocks of black cherry.	92	48	California	Red Blend
86,665	Italy	Thin, simple and bright, this easy sparkling Prosecco Superiore opens with citrus, peach and white flower. Although the bottle does not specify the style, it feels like a Brut expression with very little residual sugar.	85	30	Veneto	Glera
127,246	US	Slightly sour aromas of red cherry, dark chocolate and a pinch of crushed anise show on this wine made by a Thousand Oaks family with deep Italian winemaking roots. The bell pepper and black pepper elements on the palate blend nicely with sour cherry and tart cranberry fruits, held together by rather sticky tannins.	87	34	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
76,565	US	Januik's reserve blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It's built like the Fortress of Solitude—at first impenetrable, then slowly revealing layer upon layer of deep, dark black fruits. A base of iron and stone adds further gravitas.	95	65	Washington	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
127,285	US	This wine impresses, with cedar, black cherries, dill and licorice on the complex nose. Sagebrush and blueberries power the palate, which also shows charred beef, asphalt and smoked meats. This is proving to be a very heavy and deep wine.	92	22	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
100,214	US	This full-bodied and firmly tannic wine from a star winery in Lake County has wood smoke and anise aromas, generous black fruit flavors and a good, grippy texture. That structure will help the wine age well, allowing the rather intense flavors to mellow and evolve. Best after 2021.	92	36	California	Syrah
16,945	France	This very rich, wood-aged wine is dense and powerful. The power takes away from the natural balance of a Bordeaux, giving dark tannins that dominate. Spice from the wood is also a strong element. It will round out, but will remain very ripe.	86	25	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
26,075	US	This is a flavorful, slightly heavy-feeling Chardonnay that offers ripe flavors of apricots, tropical fruits and pineapple cream. Although it's dry, it has a honeyed accent, especially on the spicy finish.	87	20	California	Chardonnay
49,763	Italy	A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas that recall green bell pepper, mature plum and soy sauce. The palate offers dried cherry, fig and a hint of baking spice alongside evolved, fleeting tannins. It's already extremely accessible so drink soon.	87	45	Tuscany	Red Blend
88,213	Spain	Sweet and corny on the nose, and then soft and sweet in the mouth, with candy corn and cereal flavors. Finishes candied, sort of like a glass of corn flakes topped with a sparkle.	84	14	Catalonia	Sparkling Blend
66,547	US	A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Petite Sirah, this is dry, brisk and straightforward, with red currant and pepper flavors. Drink it now with roasted or grilled meats and stews.	85	15	California	Red Blend
95,449	US	This is an intriguingly light, lean and savory wine, true to its extreme Sonoma Coast provenance. The color and texture tip one off to its ethereal nature, a blend of shy cranberry, rhubarb and exotic spice. The long finish highlights the flavors and freshness.	94	70	California	Pinot Noir
103,760	US	This bottling, which is enhanced by 2% Petit Verdot, shows deep black plum, dark chocolate and bright strawberry touches with a slight hint of barnyard on the nose. The latter element carries into the palate as well, adding nuance to the black cherry, fennel and milk chocolate flavors, all wrapped in firm tannins.	90	65	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
39,162	France	This attractive, finely textured wine has had five years cellar aging and is ready to drink. With ripe balance between apricot, pear and crisp citrus, this is a delicious, refreshing wine to drink now.	88	50	Champagne	Champagne Blend
109,065	US	Dark and bloody, this masterfully mixes layer upon layer of detail. Red meat, black olive, cassis and earth roll across the tongue, while hints of flower and chocolate linger in the nose. Complex, tart and earthy, this is as good as it gets in this price range.	93	25	Washington	Syrah
102,004	US	Full-bodied and rustic, a simple wine to drown pasta with sausages and marinara sauce. It's dry and gritty, with blackberry, mulberry and pepper flavors.	84	19	California	Zinfandel
123,040	France	This is fully mature with its leather and toast flavors enhanced by a smooth, rich texture. It is a delicious wine to drink now, with some red fruits and final acidity.	88	25	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
2,246	US	The vineyard is in the coolest part of the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. The wine, which is totally dry, is marked by brilliant acidity and long hangtime flavors of oranges, Meyer lemons and kiwi fruit, enriched by barrel fermentation and aging.	94	40	California	Chardonnay
102,208	US	This red sources from across three appellations and four varieties, all aged in a mix of French and American oak for one year. That oak imparts a smoky element around thick, concentrated baked fruit and big, lasting tannin weight, showing plenty of leathery tobacco.	85	22	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
113,604	US	Crisp and pungent, this has penetrating aromas of cut apple. Flavors resemble fresh, unfermented apple cider. There's a touch of bitterness in the finish.	86	16	Oregon	Pinot Grigio
105,746	Spain	Compared to the excellent 2006, this wine is heavier, riper and jammier at every check point. The nose is baked and raisiny, while the palate feels saturated to the extreme and gritty as well. The primary flavors run toward baked plum and blackberry, while licorice, leather and raisin notes carry the finish. Give this lots of air after opening, about an hour or so.	89	130	Catalonia	Red Blend
54,863	US	If the first duty of a wine is to offer pleasure, then this wildly succeeds. It shows the power of great Santa Rita Pinot, with superb balancing elegance. As sweet as the raspberries and licorice seem, the wine finishes dry and crisp in acidity, and even with some bracing tannins. Beautiful now, it will continue to evolve for 10 years.	94	60	California	Pinot Noir
77,142	US	Hailing from the winery's Minnick Estate Vineyard, this is an aromatic Riesling with notes of orange peel, ripe peaches, and jasmine. While listed at less than 10 g/L residual sugar, it tastes a good bit sweeter, but the acid keeps the sugar in check.	88	14	Washington	Riesling
46,585	France	There is a lot of power in this wine. It has great weight and richness and an intense structure. Hanging from the frame of the wine are dark plum fruits, layers of wood, sweet spice, complex acidity and dry tannins. Age for 6–7 years.	92	100	Burgundy	Pinot Noir
40,463	Australia	This blend of 45% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 27% Mourvèdre does show a trace of heat in its finish, but is otherwise a pleasant, medium-bodied sipper at a realistic price. Tart, slightly minty cherries feature undercurrents of chocolate and coffee, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Drink now.	85	10	South Australia	Rhône-style Red Blend
39,699	Italy	This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Merlot opens with a fruity fragrance of plum, black currants and prune accented with toasted notes. The one dimensional palate delivers juicy black cherry and blueberry mingled with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Soft and round, this should be enjoyed soon.	87	40	Tuscany	Red Blend
72,622	US	Meaty and also jammy, with popcorn and cedar aromas. Dry and complex, typical of the winery's style, and mildly astringent. The tannins are starching at this point, but should fade. Given time, the red fruit should emerge and conquer the youthful astringency.	90	55	California	Cabernet Sauvignon
26,072	US	Pleasant acidity and a tannic edge supports the oak-accented cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate and plum flavors. Rich and ripe, this Pinot Noir is for drinking now.	87	60	California	Pinot Noir
73,992	France	Mint aromas hint at the wood, but more important is the massive Merlot fruit that is an essential element in the blend. The result is a wine that blends richness and power with an initially severe character. Slowly it opens to reveal opulent blackberry jam flavors, immensely ripe.	95	412	Bordeaux	Bordeaux-style Red Blend
80,014	Portugal	Concentrated tannins give this wine from organic grapes a powerful structure. For balance, it also has a more fruity character that offers blackberry and black plums. The wine's dense texture means it needs to age through late 2014.	90	27	Douro	Portuguese Red

48,107

US

The 2008 Sineann Pinots are an elegant, refined group of wines, more expressive of Burgundian varietal character than any in memory, and the Resonance, as usual, is among the best. It has a vibrant purity to the fruit that rings true and long through mixed red berries, vivid acids, streaks of iron and earth, and sails on into a detailed and seamless finish.

92

48

Oregon

Pinot Noir

118,136

US

Yeasty and dilute, this is a bit like drinking flat beer. There's little ripeness and no varietal impact.

83

18

Oregon

Chardonnay

73,976

US

Certainly the finest Grand Ciel Syrah to date, this is a full-flavored, complete wine, loaded with pure fruit flavors of berry and cassis. The details pile on—a whiff of stone, a hint of chocolate, suggestions of spice, all in perfect proportion.

95

60

Washington

Syrah

22,967

US

Flavors of fresh apple and pear appear among light dusting of cinnamon spice. This makes for a wonderful quaffer.

87

16

Oregon

Pinot Gris

66,510

France

The 250-year history of the Moreau family is the story of wine: barrel-makers, winery suppliers, viticulturists, winemakers and négociants. The company is now directed by Frédéric Marque. Rich fruit and nutmeg flavors gives this wood-aged wine its ripe and fruity character. It offers zesty lemon and a delicious aftertaste of spiced apple and wood. Drink now.

88

23

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style White Blend

78,592

France

This is a tropical-fruit-flavored wine with only a hint of more herbal flavors. It is ripe and juicy with sweeping fruitiness as well as acidity. The texture, mineral in character, comes from the chalk of the vineyard—one of the top sites in Sancerre. Drink this beautiful wine from 2018.

93

35

Loire Valley

Sauvignon Blanc

57,362

US

Cabernet Sauvignon (73%) makes up the majority of this blend, with the balance Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of barrel spice, baking spice, dark fruit and herb are followed by luxurious black-fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a bit of heat but otherwise delivers.

90

30

Washington

Red Blend

11,867

US

So young, it tastes like it's still fermenting. Not a bad wine, but freshly tart and strong in grapy flavors. Should calm down by mid-2011 and become a nice, full-bodied and dry red wine.

84

15

California

Petite Sirah

96,288

US

Sparkling Pointe's prestige cuvée is always a standout in an ever improving line up of New York sparkling wines. Distinctly autolytic notes of biscuit and brioche abound, accenting bracing tons of tart tangerine, apple and lime. It's a lean, impossibly elegant wine with fine, persistent pétillance.

92

72

New York

Champagne Blend

51,408

France

Solid, chunky and dense, this shows a rich character based around dark tannins. It has a ripe black-plum flavor and juicy acidity on the finish.

85

18

Bordeaux

Merlot

97,746

US

Beautiful and likeable for its dryness, crisp minerality, and the sleek, clean mouthfeel. The fruit suggests oak-inspired pears, oranges and citrons. This elegant quaff gets better as it warms in the glass. Drink now.

92

35

California

Chardonnay

7,948

US

The grapes sure got ripe even in this cool, balanced vintage, so that the wine is jammy in cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors. It's delicious and crisply elegant, with a silky texture, but a little direct and forward. Probably at its best now.

88

48

California

Pinot Noir

46,900

US

A blend of fruit from Northridge Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Powerline Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, this pale colored wine delivers vibrant, complex aromas of strawberry, brown stems, fresh flowers, green olive, smoked meat and moist earth. The cranberry and smoked meat flavors are soft and sumptuous, leading to an extended fruit and savory note finish. It's all about elegance but the purity is dazzling.

94

50

Washington

Grenache

53,092

US

The cherry cola, herb, menthol and barrel-spice aromas seem a bit more evolved than their age might indicate. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with plump tannins providing support.

88

48

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

124,441

Spain

A rich, bacony, black fruit monster with deep, molten flavors and immense body and tannic grab. A bruising wine with boysenberry, blackberry, mint, licorice and chocolate for primary flavors, and then lemony oak as a backdrop. Young, tannic and wild now; best from 2011 through 2015.

94

96

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

24,686

France

This is a disappointment. The wine is tart, stalky and, at the same time, light. It has an edge of green that suggests underripe fruit. Developing fast.

85

24

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

23,679

France

As a Gewurztraminer becomes sweeter, it loses some of its spice. What it gains, as here, is a more intense, honeyed and fragrant character that also allows space for acidity. There is some dryness on the finish, as well as a pleasant astringency. Drink until 2019.

89

35

Alsace

Gewürztraminer

42,924

France

This is a concentrated wine that's full of black fruits and textured tannins. It has spice, rosemary and a taut character.

88

18

Provence

Rhône-style Red Blend

48,545

US

A touch of mushroomy unripeness undermines this Pinot Noir. That is a limiting factor, but the wine does show beautiful Pinot silkiness, and good enough raspberry and cola fruit.

84

23

California

Pinot Noir

91,873

France

Rounded wine, softly fruity. Its attractiveness comes from ripe white fruits, soft structure and a generous feel. It's not for aging and can be drunk now.

85

21

Burgundy

Chardonnay

34,399

US

Berries are the name of the game in this rich, forward Syrah. Cherries, raspberries, mulberries and spicier, gamier kinds of wild berries mark the flavors, which are lifted by sweet, smoky oak. The mouthfeel is pure and velvety, courtesy of ripely soft tannins. A fashionable wine to drink now, especially with lamb.

91

49

California

Syrah

115,142

France

Yellow plum, sweet apple and juicy pear form an appetizing, aromatic trinity. Those apple flavors, some of them fresh, some bruised, some baked, become the central theme of the lemon-focused palate. With some time, honeyed notes come to the fore and suggest that many things still lie hidden in this fruit-laden Riesling. The finish is dry, the entire wine is focused and still taut. It's delicious now but will reward cellaring.Drink 2015–2025.

92

30

Alsace

Riesling

5,774

Italy

Spiced plum, crushed blue flower, black currant and a whiff of warms spice waft out of the glass. The high-toned palate delivers ripe blackberry, date and dried cherry accented with notes of nutmeg, licorice and black pepper. Velvety tannins provide structure.

92

99

Veneto

Red Blend

62,721

US

Though just five years old, this wine seems advanced, with notes of pencil box, leather, dried orange peel, mesquite and brown spices. There's still plenty of juicy acid to be had that provides interest with some grit to the tannins.

87

30

Oregon

Syrah

35,242

US

A tough, gritty wine, with overripe, pruny flavors. It's quite dry and tannic, and will not age. Basically a Bordeaux blend with Zinfandel and Syrah.

82

29

California

Red Blend

57,174

Australia

For a wine that didn't go through malolactic fermentation, this is thickly textured, almost pulpy, lacking a bit of vibrance. The pineapple fruit is weighty, but one-dimensional.

83

20

South Australia

Chardonnay

129,582

US

A blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese, this is a grippy, leathery wine, the fruit sourced from two different sites in the appellation. Black leather, baked and dried plum, and cherry combine on the palate with breadth and length, finishing as if dusted in cocoa.

90

38

California

Red Blend

94,519

US

Here's an excellent example of a dry Zinfandel that doesn't need to drink like a Port in terms of its balance. The aromas are subtle, suggesting blackberries, but the flavors go deep into more blackberries, ripe red cherries and Santa Rosa plums accented with just a dash of cinnamon-like oak. This is full-bodied yet deceptively smooth and elegant in texture.

91

32

California

Zinfandel

115,875

France

From organic grapes in a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is rich and ripe. Generous red fruits are cut with light acidity and broadened by the smooth, creamy texture. The fruit lasts right through to the end.

91

30

Provence

Rosé

44,175

US

There's lots of zesty acidity in this ripe, forward Chardonnay. It features fruity flavors of oranges and apricots, with a touch of oak that lends a buttered toast note.

85

14

California

Chardonnay

101,322

US

Still gritty in tannins at nearly four years of age, but very rich in fruit, showing concentrated blackberry, currant, cassis and mineral flavors, accented with sweet, smoky cedar wood. The mouthfeel is elegant on this dry, complex wine, which should be decanted.

89

45

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

71,987

US

The green apple, apple skin and flower aromas pop. The off-dry peach flavors keep you coming back for more.

87

10

Washington

Riesling

9,413

Argentina

The nose is neutral except for dusty aromas and a hint of applesauce. This feels bold, thick and a bit clumsy, with pithy citrus, nectarine and apricot flavors. These notes continue through the wine's finish. Drink now.

83

9

Mendoza Province

Chardonnay

45,134

US

Dry and tough in tannins, yet impressive for balance and integrity. Shows currant, blackberry and smoky flavors, with a firm minerality. One of the better, more elegant Sangioveses out there.

90

25

California

Sangiovese

69,250

US

Earthy aromas of bay leaf and garrigue lift the dried boysenberry fruit on the nose of this bottling. Tangy elderberry fruit and underripe boysenberry show on the sip alongside oregano and savory spices.

88

43

California

Rhône-style Red Blend

115,059

US

Dry and a little bitter in tannins, with flavors of cherries, cranberries and herbs. It's elegantly constructed and feels silky and balanced in the mouth. A very nice and versatile food wine that will take a few years of cellaring.

87

19

California

Merlot

33,168

US

Easygoing wet cement, kiwi and nectarine aromas make for a standard but pleasing Sauvignon Blanc experience with this bottling. There is interesting grip to the palate, which pulls its flavors—apple, lime and bitter orange—forward.

87

12

California

Sauvignon Blanc

60,762

US

Rich and oaky, with pineapple jam, tangerine juice, buttered toast and vanilla spice flavors. It's a big, opulent wine, but a little in your face. Drink now.

89

37

California

Chardonnay

10,798

US

It's not clear what Swanson means by the word “instant,” although this blend, which contains some Merlot and Petit Verdot, is rich enough in blackberries, cherries and mocha to enjoy now. It's also a complex wine, layered withNapa tannins and an opulent overlay of new French oak. Give it a good, long decanting and drink over the next six years.

90

60

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

44,440

US

An exciting varietal wine from an appellation that has done well by it, this opens in aromas of baked bread and compost, in addition to toasty bacon and chocolate. Tart and tight, it's ripe and yet restrained, a nice tension of contrast at its core.

90

45

California

Syrah

11,051

Italy

Ripe blackberry, truffle, cured meat and leather aromas emerge on this svelte red. The polished, light- to medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, cinnamon and white pepper while fine-grained tannins provide elegant support.

89

60

Tuscany

Sangiovese

34,671

US

Deep aromas of black-cherry syrup meet with raisin, leather and fudge on the rustic but inviting nose of this dessert bottling. It's sweet and lavish on the sip, but with impressive grip, showing strawberry and cherry-sauce flavors along with cinnamon and clove spice.

92

30

California

Zinfandel

44,429

US

Bright citrus and apple aromas and flavors meet light vanilla and butter nuances in this medium-bodied, dry and nicely complex wine. It goes beyond the simple description of refreshment and takes on more personality and interest.

90

20

California

Pinot Gris

33,086

US

This wine made from Zinfandel grapes has an attractive, light coral color and effusive melon aromas. It follows up with vivid canteloupe and watermelon flavors buoyed by lively acidity. Light in body, it's also appetizing in texture.

88

20

California

Rosé

126,924

US

Tobacco box and cedar notes lend savory nuances to this stately, but slightly subdued Cabernet Sauvignon. Delicate black plum and cherry flavors are crisp and cool, fringed by soft fine tannins. Drink now through 2018.

87

16

New York

Cabernet Sauvignon

126,307

Spain

This tan-colored bubbly from stony soils smells complex, bready, yeasty and a lot like baked apple. A round, yeasty palate is cushioned like fine bedding, while yeasty flavors of bread and apple finish long. Drink through 2020.

92

30

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

49,775

Italy

Cantina del Pino is a true manufacturer of delight and magic. This pristine, elegant but mature Barbaresco is a prime example of this vintner's exciting potential. Aromas of jammy berry, cola, cedar and smoke are carefully layered and stacked tall. Open in 5–10 years.

91

45

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

61,096

US

Aromas of lemon-lime soda, ripe nectarine, honeydew and kiwi paint a tropicality that is strong but not overdone. Citrus-driven acidity drives the sharp palate, which also shows flavors of green apple and steel.

87

20

California

Viognier

110,493

US

A lovely 100% Viognier fermented and aged in both stainless steel and neutral oak, this wine opens with come-hither aromas of night-blooming jasmine and white flowers, evolving in the glass into a bright, viscous expression of honey and almond. Concentrated yet lively, it's a beautiful wine.

93

42

California

Viognier

113,060

US

This unabashedly powerful and jammy wine shows black-cherry candy, sweet roses, vanilla, black rocks and black pepper on the nose. The soft tannins carry forth waves of vanilla, coconut, caramel and blueberry jelly, perfect to please those seeking a whopper of a wine.

92

29

California

Zinfandel

68,040

Argentina

Angular plum aromas are grapy and display a lavender note. This is fairly full in body, with a slight syrupy quality to the palate. Black-fruit flavors are powerful but finish with rough, bumpy tannins.

88

20

Mendoza Province

Cabernet Sauvignon

118,740

US

Floral scents float above a chunky, cherry-fruited, single-vineyard wine. It's quite refreshing, with appealing texture and underlying minerality that compensates for the overall impression of palate lightness. Drink now through 2018, while the freshness remains at its peak.

88

50

Oregon

Pinot Noir

10,104

Italy

Showing youthful oak tones that still need time to integrate, this wine is a bit sour and ripe at the same time. Black cherry, tobacco, leather and spice aromas are nice, but the tannins are firm, and the wine shows a bright point of acidity on the close and a gritty, cooked-fruit finish.

88

50

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

84,847

US

Soft and muddled in smoky oak and generous tannin, this wine mixes red currant, raspberry and dried herb, easygoing and robust on the finish.

86

40

California

Cabernet Franc

65,231

US

Scents of white grapefruit and honeydew rind introduce this dry, refreshing Riesling. It's quite delicate in structure but concentrated with fresh apple flavor accented by bright lemon-lime acidity. Finishes on an earthy saffron note.

87

20

New York

Riesling

98,436

Italy

A lovely wine with a bright and polished bouquet, this delivers loads of dark fruit, licorice, moist earth, Spanish cedar and white truffle. Its complexity and endurance are impressive. Thanks to the tight tannins, this wine should easily evolve over the next 10–20 years.

94

85

Piedmont

Nebbiolo

5,677

US

This is an impressive blend of 45% Merlot with 25% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah from Stagecoach Vineyard and 10% Biale Zinfandel. It comes together seamlessly in a twist of structured blackberry, leathery tannin and tomato leaf, priced to be enjoyed by many.

90

20

California

Red Blend

129,295

France

Lovely notes of ripe mirabelle plum and yellow apple play on the nose. The palate adds a lot more citrus lightness and brightness to this and a finely fizzing mousse that heightens the impression of weightless freshness even more. This is a lovely, dry and invigorating apéritif.

90

24

Alsace

Sparkling Blend

77,429

Spain

Sierra Cantabria's wines are usually so good that one that's simple, tasty and regular such as this might get overlooked. But if you want an honest crianza with touches of balsam wood, bacon and rubber as well as dry plum and cherry fruit, this is it. Finishes peppery, with full tannins and oak-driven mocha flavor.

87

20

Northern Spain

Tempranillo Blend

4,563

France

The wine is rich and ready to drink. With red fruits and warm tannins, it is a ripe wine that has a light structure and balanced acidity. It is already an easy wine—fruity and soft at the end.

85

15

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

33,428

Italy

Made predominantly with Sangiovese and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers pretty aromas of blue flower, red berry, menthol and dark spice. The bright straightforward palate offers dried red cherry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside lithe tannins.

88

28

Tuscany

Red Blend

49,576

Italy

Lisini delivers an extremely satisfying Brunello that is richly redolent of black fruit, plum, cola, root beer, leather and pipe tobacco. It feels vibrant and fresh in the mouth with well- integrated acidity against firm tannins. Pair this pretty wine with grilled meats.

91

90

Tuscany

Sangiovese Grosso

116,888

US

This is a huge, extracted Cabernet Sauvignon. It's just what people expect Napa Cabernet to be: ripe, heady, oaky and bold. With deep, classy cassis, plum and chocolate flavors, it should develop additional nuances after 2017.

91

60

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

52,781

US

Quite as good as the excellent '07, maybe even better, as it shows a little more structure behind the raspberry and cherry flavors. Tastes really good, a silky, spicy and dry wine that's a pleasure to drink. What a shame how little Pinot is actually grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

93

39

California

Pinot Noir

95,624

US

Broad aromas of cranberry and pomegranate are dusted with dried sage, tea and forest woods in this single-vineyard expression. The sagebrush and woody spice flavors show strongly on the sip, giving depth to the pomegranate and hibiscus notes. Quite dry and tangy, this should age well.

91

60

California

Pinot Noir

58,961

US

Though labeled simply “Red”, this is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends grapes from Pepper Bridge and Candy Mountain vineyards. It has a satiny mouthfeel, with generous red fruits, licorice and hints of sweet herb. There's a dash of white pepper in the crisp, clean finish.

90

45

Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon

21,216

Italy

A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, this opens with violet and baking spice aromas. The dense palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove and cocoa flavors, with grippy tannins. Enjoy through 2020.

89

40

Tuscany

Red Blend

118,838

US

This is a silky-smooth and integrated wine, with firm, structured tannins that provide support without distracting. A wealth of brawny baked berry, tar and chocolate flavors reveal themselves over time, while subtle, deep clove and dried herb scents lie beneath.

91

64

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

74,559

US

Subtle and soft, this aromatic Bordeaux blend (54% Cab Sauvignon, 9% Carmenère, 9% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 18% Petit Verdot) is laced with herb and exotic and savory spices, woven through tight fruit flavors of blueberry and musky grape. This is a delicate, evocative and challenging wine that rewards your attention. Fascinating and complex, it needs time to breathe and good glassware to really open up.

91

50

Washington

Red Blend

22,171

Italy

A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2003 Rovaio is surprisingly light and delicate considering the hot vintage that shaped it. Aromas include Amaretto, root beer, blueberries and blue flowers. The wine is lean and fresh in the mouth, with very good persistence.

87

30

Tuscany

Red Blend

8,317

US

This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend, with 25% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. Generously oaky and ripe, it offers textured layers of graphite, cigar and cedar. An exciting sideshow of spicy Mexican chocolate accents deeper, darker shocks of black cherry.

92

48

California

Red Blend

86,665

Italy

Thin, simple and bright, this easy sparkling Prosecco Superiore opens with citrus, peach and white flower. Although the bottle does not specify the style, it feels like a Brut expression with very little residual sugar.

85

30

Veneto

Glera

127,246

US

Slightly sour aromas of red cherry, dark chocolate and a pinch of crushed anise show on this wine made by a Thousand Oaks family with deep Italian winemaking roots. The bell pepper and black pepper elements on the palate blend nicely with sour cherry and tart cranberry fruits, held together by rather sticky tannins.

87

34

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

76,565

US

Januik's reserve blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It's built like the Fortress of Solitude—at first impenetrable, then slowly revealing layer upon layer of deep, dark black fruits. A base of iron and stone adds further gravitas.

95

65

Washington

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

127,285

US

This wine impresses, with cedar, black cherries, dill and licorice on the complex nose. Sagebrush and blueberries power the palate, which also shows charred beef, asphalt and smoked meats. This is proving to be a very heavy and deep wine.

92

22

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

100,214

US

This full-bodied and firmly tannic wine from a star winery in Lake County has wood smoke and anise aromas, generous black fruit flavors and a good, grippy texture. That structure will help the wine age well, allowing the rather intense flavors to mellow and evolve. Best after 2021.

92

36

California

Syrah

16,945

France

This very rich, wood-aged wine is dense and powerful. The power takes away from the natural balance of a Bordeaux, giving dark tannins that dominate. Spice from the wood is also a strong element. It will round out, but will remain very ripe.

86

25

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

26,075

US

This is a flavorful, slightly heavy-feeling Chardonnay that offers ripe flavors of apricots, tropical fruits and pineapple cream. Although it's dry, it has a honeyed accent, especially on the spicy finish.

87

20

California

Chardonnay

49,763

Italy

A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas that recall green bell pepper, mature plum and soy sauce. The palate offers dried cherry, fig and a hint of baking spice alongside evolved, fleeting tannins. It's already extremely accessible so drink soon.

87

45

Tuscany

Red Blend

88,213

Spain

Sweet and corny on the nose, and then soft and sweet in the mouth, with candy corn and cereal flavors. Finishes candied, sort of like a glass of corn flakes topped with a sparkle.

84

14

Catalonia

Sparkling Blend

66,547

US

A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Petite Sirah, this is dry, brisk and straightforward, with red currant and pepper flavors. Drink it now with roasted or grilled meats and stews.

85

15

California

Red Blend

95,449

US

This is an intriguingly light, lean and savory wine, true to its extreme Sonoma Coast provenance. The color and texture tip one off to its ethereal nature, a blend of shy cranberry, rhubarb and exotic spice. The long finish highlights the flavors and freshness.

94

70

California

Pinot Noir

103,760

US

This bottling, which is enhanced by 2% Petit Verdot, shows deep black plum, dark chocolate and bright strawberry touches with a slight hint of barnyard on the nose. The latter element carries into the palate as well, adding nuance to the black cherry, fennel and milk chocolate flavors, all wrapped in firm tannins.

90

65

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

39,162

France

This attractive, finely textured wine has had five years cellar aging and is ready to drink. With ripe balance between apricot, pear and crisp citrus, this is a delicious, refreshing wine to drink now.

88

50

Champagne

Champagne Blend

109,065

US

Dark and bloody, this masterfully mixes layer upon layer of detail. Red meat, black olive, cassis and earth roll across the tongue, while hints of flower and chocolate linger in the nose. Complex, tart and earthy, this is as good as it gets in this price range.

93

25

Washington

Syrah

102,004

US

Full-bodied and rustic, a simple wine to drown pasta with sausages and marinara sauce. It's dry and gritty, with blackberry, mulberry and pepper flavors.

84

19

California

Zinfandel

123,040

France

This is fully mature with its leather and toast flavors enhanced by a smooth, rich texture. It is a delicious wine to drink now, with some red fruits and final acidity.

88

25

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

2,246

US

The vineyard is in the coolest part of the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. The wine, which is totally dry, is marked by brilliant acidity and long hangtime flavors of oranges, Meyer lemons and kiwi fruit, enriched by barrel fermentation and aging.

94

40

California

Chardonnay

102,208

US

This red sources from across three appellations and four varieties, all aged in a mix of French and American oak for one year. That oak imparts a smoky element around thick, concentrated baked fruit and big, lasting tannin weight, showing plenty of leathery tobacco.

85

22

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

113,604

US

Crisp and pungent, this has penetrating aromas of cut apple. Flavors resemble fresh, unfermented apple cider. There's a touch of bitterness in the finish.

86

16

Oregon

Pinot Grigio

105,746

Spain

Compared to the excellent 2006, this wine is heavier, riper and jammier at every check point. The nose is baked and raisiny, while the palate feels saturated to the extreme and gritty as well. The primary flavors run toward baked plum and blackberry, while licorice, leather and raisin notes carry the finish. Give this lots of air after opening, about an hour or so.

89

130

Catalonia

Red Blend

54,863

US

If the first duty of a wine is to offer pleasure, then this wildly succeeds. It shows the power of great Santa Rita Pinot, with superb balancing elegance. As sweet as the raspberries and licorice seem, the wine finishes dry and crisp in acidity, and even with some bracing tannins. Beautiful now, it will continue to evolve for 10 years.

94

60

California

Pinot Noir

77,142

US

Hailing from the winery's Minnick Estate Vineyard, this is an aromatic Riesling with notes of orange peel, ripe peaches, and jasmine. While listed at less than 10 g/L residual sugar, it tastes a good bit sweeter, but the acid keeps the sugar in check.

88

14

Washington

Riesling

46,585

France

There is a lot of power in this wine. It has great weight and richness and an intense structure. Hanging from the frame of the wine are dark plum fruits, layers of wood, sweet spice, complex acidity and dry tannins. Age for 6–7 years.

92

100

Burgundy

Pinot Noir

40,463

Australia

This blend of 45% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 27% Mourvèdre does show a trace of heat in its finish, but is otherwise a pleasant, medium-bodied sipper at a realistic price. Tart, slightly minty cherries feature undercurrents of chocolate and coffee, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Drink now.

85

10

South Australia

Rhône-style Red Blend

39,699

Italy

This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Merlot opens with a fruity fragrance of plum, black currants and prune accented with toasted notes. The one dimensional palate delivers juicy black cherry and blueberry mingled with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Soft and round, this should be enjoyed soon.

87

40

Tuscany

Red Blend

72,622

US

Meaty and also jammy, with popcorn and cedar aromas. Dry and complex, typical of the winery's style, and mildly astringent. The tannins are starching at this point, but should fade. Given time, the red fruit should emerge and conquer the youthful astringency.

90

55

California

Cabernet Sauvignon

26,072

US

Pleasant acidity and a tannic edge supports the oak-accented cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate and plum flavors. Rich and ripe, this Pinot Noir is for drinking now.

87

60

California

Pinot Noir

73,992

France

Mint aromas hint at the wood, but more important is the massive Merlot fruit that is an essential element in the blend. The result is a wine that blends richness and power with an initially severe character. Slowly it opens to reveal opulent blackberry jam flavors, immensely ripe.

95

412

Bordeaux

Bordeaux-style Red Blend

80,014

Portugal

Concentrated tannins give this wine from organic grapes a powerful structure. For balance, it also has a more fruity character that offers blackberry and black plums. The wine's dense texture means it needs to age through late 2014.

90

27

Douro

Portuguese Red