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42,208 | US | Bristling lime acidity and savory tones of herb and smoke contrast ripe tangerine and cantaloupe flavors in this dry single-vineyard Riesling. It's a concentrated, powerful wine, but feels tart and tight still, suggesting aging till at least 2016 would be best. | 88 | 22 | New York | Riesling |
60,188 | US | Brooding aromas of dill, purple fruit, vanilla and wood spice are followed by full dark cherry flavors backed by a wall of firm yet still accessible tannins. | 88 | 30 | Washington | Petite Sirah |
88,065 | France | Faintly spiced, ripe apple and pear notes on the nose are mellowed by gentle, barely-there sweetness on the palate. This is rounded and pliable, but without an ounce of fat. A balanced, gently spiced wine with deep but slender richness that finishes dry. | 90 | 34 | Alsace | Pinot Gris |
57,387 | US | This 100% Cabernet shows a ripeness level that few Cabs in the world are able to achieve. It's awesomely rich in blackberry, blueberry and cherry jam, cassis liqueur and mocha flavors, with new oak influences. Drink it over the next four years. | 88 | 80 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
31,257 | Italy | After some rough front-end sulfur blew off, nice cherry fruit with dried spice accents showed. The profile is lean and dry, and there's length to the finish; also some biting tannins. | 84 | 17 | Tuscany | Sangiovese |
29,352 | Portugal | This wine is spicy with ripe tannins and juicy berry fruits. It is soft and ready to drink with its balanced fruitiness and acidity. | 87 | 55 | Douro | Portuguese Red |
4,285 | Spain | Lemon-lime aromas are clean but basic. A tangy juice-like palate tastes of briny citrus fruits, while the finish shows standard lime and green-apple flavors. | 85 | 12 | Catalonia | Sparkling Blend |
27,439 | US | Nice to see such a nice Merlot from Château Julien, their best ever. It does what Merlot should, being dry and lush, with complex sour cherry, currant, herb, cocoa and spice flavors wrapped into smooth tannins. A lovely wine for drinking now. | 90 | 42 | California | Merlot |
87,645 | Spain | Gritty berry and olive aromas are woodsy and a touch flat. This feels full and grabby, while flavors of tea, herbal blackberry, salt and roasted meat finish blackened and peppery, with a toasty element that gets more pronounced the longer this sits. Drink through 2022. | 90 | 30 | Northern Spain | Red Blend |
119,925 | US | The 300 designation is the altitude at which the two vineyard soils mingle. This cuvée sees no wood. Aromatic and spicy, it shows bright berry fruit, hints of bitter greens and a streak of cola syrup. Excellent density and concentration for an Oregon Pinot in this price range. | 90 | 25 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
5,820 | Argentina | Aromas are leafy and scratchy, also suggesting cement. This feels resiny and creamy in the mouth. Flavors of woody, generic berry fruits finish hot and scratchy. | 84 | 9 | Mendoza Province | Malbec |
120,115 | US | This shows simple, candied raspberry and cherry flavors, with a nice spiciness. The mouthfeel is creamy and silky. | 85 | 12 | California | Pinot Noir |
14,053 | US | There a lot of complexity on the palate of this dryish brut, with flavors of limes, raspberries, yeast, toast and vanilla. It's a tad scoury in the mouth, with a sandpapery roughness. Not an ager, so drink up. | 87 | 45 | California | Sparkling Blend |
107,466 | US | Hailing from the state's oldest Syrah vineyard, this wine displays aromas of pure blue fruit, assorted herbs and whiffs of smoked meat. The palate is dense and seamless, with fine-grained tannins providing support. Its best days are far in front of it. Best from 2022–2030. | 94 | 60 | Washington | Syrah |
117,116 | US | Two fistfuls of Merlot help soften this wine, along with 5% Petit Verdot. These grapes contribute to the full-bodied spirit and youthful tannin make-up that becomes plush and lush as it goes, revealing sizable elements of mocha, black currant and vanilla-tinged oak. Drink now through 2020. | 93 | 80 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
15,378 | France | A big, ripe and jammy wine made from old vines. There are black plum fruits but the wine is dominated by licorice, black coffee and wood. It is powerful and very solid. Drink from 2017. | 86 | 36 | Bordeaux | Merlot |
109,360 | US | Smells funky, with forest floor, humus and mushroom aromas mingling with riper scents of wild berries and sweet oak. The fruity flavors are well developed, and drink sweetlyripe, yet the wine has a one-dimensionality and is excessively soft. —S.H. | 85 | 23 | California | Zinfandel |
111,419 | US | Fire up the grill, or pan fry a juicy steak to eat with this robust red wine, a Bordeaux blend with 24% Syrah. It's bone dry and tannic and juicy in berries, cherries, currants, leather and herbs, and while it's an easy sipper, the structure was harder to achieve than you might think. | 87 | 28 | California | Red Blend |
45,737 | France | A structured wine, this is full of firm tannins and has juicy fruit underneath. It has attractive acidity, some smoky flavors and a firm aftertaste. All this means the wine needs to develop, and it will be better to drink from 2017. | 90 | 25 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
30,682 | Germany | Green, herbal notes are prominent on this brisk, savory Riesling. Lemony acidity and hints of bitter lime pith add a stark, refreshing quality that would accompany rich goat cheese or cured meats quite well. | 85 | 13 | Mosel | Riesling |
34,802 | France | Light and fragrant, this emphasizes crisp apple and grapefruit flavors. It has a light, breezy character. Very ready to drink. | 85 | 20 | Burgundy | Chardonnay |
60,393 | US | Aromas of fresh green straw and citrus set the stage for a mouth full of grass and citrus, which may sound strange, but it's what we found. The finish is tangy and hard-edged, but a touch of sweetness saves it from a worse fate and actually brings the wine to a good finish. About 40% of the cuvée was barrel fermented, which gives it a softer feel than it might otherwise have. | 86 | 18 | California | Sauvignon Blanc |
59,608 | US | Lots of rich, oaky blackberry, cherry and currant flavors in this dry, appealing Syrah. There's a roasted meat and black-pepper note that adds appeal, but also a green streak of unripe fruit. Drink up. | 86 | 35 | California | Syrah |
69,455 | US | This wine is medium to full bodied, with integrated, toasty oak and a healthy dose of baked apple and pear. Made in a luxurious style, it delivers in flavor and subtle elegance, with the structure to age further. Drink through 2020. | 92 | 40 | California | Chardonnay |
90,162 | France | A gold colored wine, it is honeyed, almost as if touched by botrytis. It's full and rich with a syrupy texture, very smooth, the spice is completely sublimated by the mature character and some fragrant final acidity. It's ready to drink. | 92 | 45 | Alsace | Gewürztraminer |
32,692 | US | This is the kind of wine that negociant Don Sebastiani & Sons produces so well. For an everyday price, you get a pretty nice Cabernet, dry and spicy, with a good punch of berry fruit. | 87 | 12 | California | Merlot |
123,714 | US | Huckleberry, blackberry, coffee and bramble aromas lead to full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. It's appealing despite the heavy-handed oak. | 89 | 35 | Washington | Syrah |
35,485 | Italy | Intense aromas of mature black cherry, licorice, leather and a balsamic note lead the nose and follow over to the palate along with cranberry and a note of pipe tobacco. Tightly packed, rather austere tannins provide firm support and need time to unwind. Drink after 2012. | 90 | 120 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
107,064 | Argentina | Grapey and foxy, with green, minty aromas and a hollow center. The palate is bulky, heavy and tannic, while the flavors are strained and grapey. Sweet and incomplete; grapey but not in harmony. | 83 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Cabernet Sauvignon |
41,361 | US | Light aromas of toast, apple, vanilla and custard are followed by lightly creamy fruit and barrel flavors that provide interest. | 86 | 21 | Washington | Chardonnay |
65,025 | US | Juicy, bright, loaded with young, grapey, berry flavors. Bright and polished, with a Grenache-like character, though it is 100% varietal. | 88 | 10 | Washington | Merlot |
7,288 | US | A distinctive smoky, peppery aroma and equally interesting savory flavors complement plenty of ripe fruit in this full-bodied, dry and balanced wine. Co-fermented with Petite Sirah and Barbera, it shows plenty of fine-grained tannins, giving good grip to the palate and more than just fruitiness. Best after 2020. | 90 | 35 | California | Zinfandel |
7,472 | US | This 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon shows cocoa, green herb and cherry notes, with a hint of volatility. It's medium bodied on the palate, with scratchy tannins. | 86 | 36 | Washington | Cabernet Sauvignon |
7,206 | US | A whiff of pine needle runs through this wine, accenting its tight and trim red berry fruit. It's a mix of three clones that were aged in one quarter new French oak, which brings notes of vanilla and toast to its smooth finish. | 90 | 45 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
46,782 | Italy | There's plenty of pop to this bright, tight versatile red. Pretty full-fruited aromas rise up along with earth, leather and spice. The lively palate races with blackberry, and the finish is satisfyingly long and clean as a whistle. Youth should be served here; drinking this Sangiovese now is the way to go. | 88 | 14 | Tuscany | Sangiovese |
61,021 | Spain | Basic cherry and red plum aromas are simple and fresh. Feels tight and crisp on the tongue, with an average body and edgy flavors of strawberry and red plum. Lightly oaked and hollow on the finish, with juicy acidity. | 84 | 12 | Northern Spain | Tempranillo |
35,598 | US | This is one of the more New Zealand-like Sauvignon Blancs out there, and that's a compliment. The wine is thoroughly dry and very crisp in acidity, with a grassy, lemony, minerally profile that makes it savory. Approximately one-fifth was barrel fermented, adding just the right touch of cream and smoke. | 91 | 24 | California | Sauvignon Blanc |
112,135 | Italy | La Gerla is one of the finest producers in Montalcino and the estate's less formal Rosso delivers spice and sophistication with loads of oak-related aromas that enhance the wine's natural fruit and consistency. You'll taste the oak spice in the mouth as well so pair this wine with grilled meat or barbecue. | 87 | 17 | Tuscany | Sangiovese Grosso |
45,307 | France | This is ripe and fruity with attractive red-fruit flavors and a touch of tannins to keep it all in place. The wine is soft with just a layer of tannin and plenty of red cherries at the end. | 88 | 28 | Burgundy | Pinot Noir |
27,216 | US | Sweet but thin fruit flavors follow floral, spicy aromas in this light-bodied wine. The texture is smooth and the finish short and lean. | 83 | 24 | California | Gewürztraminer |
62,623 | US | This wine by the family-owned winery on Highway 46 East—now home to a large amphitheater for rock concerts—shows aromas of oak smoke, squeezed blackberries and a just barely noticeable hint of camphor. It's evenly spiced on the palate, like a well seasoned beef roast, with dried Italian herbs giving complexity to black cherries, blueberries and coffee notes. | 88 | 24 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
120,205 | US | Mostly Thistle fruit, with some Hyland also, this is a blend of lots aged in one stainless barrel, one Champagne barrel, and the rest neutral. The mix works well, crafting a well-defined wine with some chicken-stock flavors modulating strands of lime, citrus and apple. It finishes with light toast and impressive length. | 92 | 48 | Oregon | Chardonnay |
45,808 | US | To call this a big Cab would be an understatement. It's a black-colored, saturated wine that detonates on the palate, offering a blast of black and red berries, currants, cassis, dark unsweetened chocolate, anise and fine, upscale new oak. But the tannins are fierce. Very fine, among the best St. Helena Cabernets of the vintage. Needs time. 2012–2020. | 95 | 100 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
33,655 | Italy | Delicate aromas of crushed herb blue flower and red berry set the tone on this straightforward but solid Barolo. The linear palate offers sour cherry, cranberry and a suggestion of clove alongside firm tannins and fresh acidity. | 89 | 45 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
8,984 | US | Substantive in oak and weight, this concentrated, estate-grown wine is impressive in velvety texture and a savory conjuring of tobacco and black tea. Dark, brambly blackberry and dark cherry join in on the fun, providing vibrancy amid all the sophistication. Finishing with a dash of cardamom, this wine will cellar nicely through 2020. | 93 | 90 | California | Pinot Noir |
70,183 | US | This Zin, which contains a bit of Petite Sirah, isn't quite as concentrated as the winery's single-vineyard Zins. But it's close, and the price isn't as high. It's a powerful wine, full-bodied and rich in blackberries, currants, mocha, licorice and prunes, with a long, spicy finish. | 89 | 32 | California | Zinfandel |
99,921 | US | Soft, slightly sweet and simple, a wine with tastes of chocolate-covered cherries, raspberries and smoky sandalwood. Drink now. | 84 | 23 | California | Zinfandel |
101,843 | Italy | Fruity aromas of wild berry meld together with whiffs of violet, tilled earth and dark spice on this young juicy red. The round savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, black berry, white pepper and a hint of licorice alongside supple tannins. It's easygoing and made to be drunk young so enjoy soon. | 89 | 12 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
43,653 | US | This incredibly tasty wine seems to melt in the mouth. Classic aromas of cinnamon, black cherry and cedar becomes more chocolaty on the palate as layers of cocoa, dark plum and toasted baguette unfold. Its texture is so velvety that the fine-grained tannins seem to dissolve as you sip, while still providing a slight grip that counteracts the richness and full body. Tempting now, it will be best 2022–2032. | 95 | 60 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
59,491 | Argentina | Jammy jumbled foxy aromas set up a blocky flat palate. Greasy flavors of buttered-up berry fruits finish without much verve. This is good enough, but just barely. | 84 | 17 | Mendoza Province | Malbec |
39,814 | US | Give this deliciously polished 100% Cab a year or two in the bottle to let all the parts come together. It's rich and forward in black and red cherries, red currants and licorice, with a generous overlay of sweet, toasty oak. | 91 | 110 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
122,574 | US | Sheer opulence is the hallmark of this wine. Call it feminine in its soft silkiness, and the way the raspberry, cherry and sandalwood flavors caress the palate. Yet there's a firmness of structure, a stony, minerally quality that lends power and authority. Great now, and will develop in the bottle for the next 6–8 years. | 95 | 58 | California | Pinot Noir |
95,400 | US | A crisp wine, dry and clean, with citrus, green apple and lemongrass flavors. A small percentage of new oak adds toast, while sur lie aging brings a tart creaminess. Pretty good, but it's a little too unripe and green to earn a higher score. | 86 | 40 | California | Sauvignon Blanc |
121,921 | US | This is enormously rich in berry, cherry and cola flavor. It's flashy, but not particularly subtle as a Pinot Noir should be, and it veers on being a little heavy. | 88 | 70 | California | Pinot Noir |
82,496 | Italy | Here's a modern, plush and extracted expression of Sangiovese Grosso that has been enhanced by elegant oak aging. Still young, it exhibits notes of vanilla, toasted coconut, smoke and resin along with a solid base of cassis and dried berry fruit. The texture here is polished and smooth with zesty spice on the close. | 94 | 96 | Tuscany | Sangiovese Grosso |
120,403 | France | A short wood-aging has given this wine an extra dimension that's both ripe and ageworthy. Yellow fruits are spiced up by the toast and ginger flavors, whlle intense background acidity provides wonderful freshness. This wine deserves to age. Drink from 2017. | 91 | 29 | Burgundy | Chardonnay |
122,920 | US | The bell pepper, cedar and green bean notes in this wine come across as astringent and thin. | 83 | 35 | California | Cabernet Sauvignon |
81,244 | US | A blend of Conner Lee and Stillwater Creek vineyard fruit, this carries tart, wild berry flavors on a sea of bright acidity. Streaks of anise and a touch of floral aromatics add zest and interest. | 89 | 40 | Washington | Malbec |
95,607 | US | Persistent bubbles deliver lively aromas of kumquat, yeast, sharp lemon and wet slate on the tight, never opulent nose of this bottling. The palate's creamy bubbles are very pleasant in texture, delivering sharp, acid-driven flavors of citrus and a touch of brioche. | 91 | 64 | California | Sparkling Blend |
128,329 | Italy | Here's a riserva Brunello that opens with inky, dark concentration and tertiary aromas of graham cracker, dried carob powder and ripe berry fruit. The wine shows a dusty, powdery side that makes it appear older than it really is. Black currant, cured meat and leather appear on the close. Drink now. | 90 | 100 | Tuscany | Sangiovese Grosso |
92,633 | US | An unusual blend of Malbec and Petit Verdot, with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is quite a success. It's dry, full bodied and complex, with blackberry tart, blueberry, dark chocolate, cassis and cedar flavors leading to a long, exotically spicy finish. The tannins are strong, suggesting ageability. Fine now, and could develop in interesting directions over the next six years. | 91 | 40 | California | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
28,135 | US | This single vineyard in the Dundee Hills recalls Oregon Pinots from days gone by. It's not too big, not too oaky, plenty ripe and delivers spicy berry fruit along with earthier streaks of leaf, herb, baking spices and a whiff of cinnamon. Stiff acids and earthy tannins betray its youth, but though still a little rough around the edges, this could be cellared for a decade or more. | 90 | 60 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
102,724 | US | The Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon seems a little reductive at the moment; odd, since the 2005 vintage was forward, almost fat, and the wine has been in bottle for quite some time. It should definitely be decanted and aired out before serving, which will help to push the fruit flavors forward. The finish is just slightly dilute, but the wine is well-made and may just be suffering from some of the occasional dumbness that strikes Cabernet. | 86 | 18 | Washington | Cabernet Sauvignon |
43,266 | Spain | Yeasty aromas accent pear and apple scents. On the palate, zesty acidity creates juiciness but also a sense of coarseness. Straightforward apple and lime flavors finish quiet. | 85 | 10 | Catalonia | Sparkling Blend |
100,598 | US | I like this Merlot for its plush fruit and soft balance. It's bigtime in chocolate-infused blackberries, plums and cherries, with more exotic notes of Asian spices. Yet the finish is totally dry, and the tannins are rich and ripe. Seems at its best now. | 87 | 25 | California | Merlot |
58,889 | France | Hints of dried pear and apple appear on the nose and suggest subtlety but the palate does otherwise: it comes in with bright citrus freshness, recalling lemon oil and candied lemon peel. This is absolutely dry and very sprightly, lively and even exuberant. There is great depth of fruit here that will just evolve. Drink 2017—2030. | 93 | 20 | Alsace | Riesling |
76,786 | Italy | Iris, wild berry and a whiff of camphor aromas lead the nose. The tightly wound but straightforward palate offers raw sour cherry, cranberry, crushed herb and dark spice notes alongside bright acidity and assertive, rather grainy tannins. Drink after 2023. | 88 | 54 | Piedmont | Nebbiolo |
106,683 | US | This wine delivers a full-figured spectrum of flavor and texture, including apple, pear and honeyed caramel notes. Supportive oak plays nicely in the background as the finish winds down softly. | 90 | 20 | California | Chardonnay |
24,053 | US | Good, if a bit heavy and dull. Tastes like an older wine, with soft cherry, cocoa, licorice, spice and dried fruit flavors. Drink now. | 85 | 28 | California | Pinot Noir |
70,659 | France | Still young and fruity, this is a bright, crisp wine packed with red berry fruit flavors. A smoky character underlies the fruit, allowing some toast and spice to come through. Drink from 2016. | 86 | 12 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
60,151 | US | Tastes like there's a great deal of residual sugar left over, giving the wine an overtly sugary sweetness that's almost like Sauternes. | 84 | 75 | California | Chardonnay |
35,154 | US | Sweet and extracted in pineapple, tangerine, lime and vanilla flavors, this Chardonnay also is generously oaked, which gives it even richer vanilla and buttered toast notes. It's flashy, yet would benefit from greater dryness and restraint. Size isn't everything. | 86 | 28 | California | Chardonnay |
74,376 | US | Quite a deep color for a rosé—easily confused with a light Pinot Noir—this shows blackberry, black raspberry, hibiscus and fruit punch on the nose. For such a ripe nose, the palate is quite fresh and energetic, with black-plum skins, red-apple flesh and grippy cherry-pit flavors. | 88 | 19 | California | Rosé |
8,132 | US | NEXT is a new label for King Vintners, a new division of King Estate. This blends grapes from southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley, putting a pleasing toasty character around the light red fruit. A streak of burnt coffee suggests that the barrel influence is still being integrated. | 87 | 40 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
84,014 | Italy | Delicate aromas of wisteria, jasmine and a whiff of white orchard fruit mingle in the glass. The bright palate offers tart Granny Smith apple, green pear and lime alongside racy acidity and a soft mousse. | 88 | 30 | Veneto | Glera |
14,470 | US | Smoky funkiness permeates this wine, which is lean on the palate and mushy in terms of structure. Cherry and pepper are the most distinguishable characteristics before the quick finish. | 84 | 15 | California | Pinot Noir |
26,416 | US | Made in a more full-bodied style than many other Russian River Pinots, this one's a little heavy and soft. But it is delicious, offering tiers of raspberries, cherries, cola, licorice, brown sugar and toasty oak. Drink now. | 88 | 23 | California | Pinot Noir |
114,870 | US | Give this Zin extra points for sheer power. The vineyard consists of two parcels in St. Helena that date to the 1930s or earlier. It's a tremendous wine, dry, full-bodied and strong in alcohol, with blackberry, blueberry, red currant, licorice, black pepper and cedar flavors. | 92 | 39 | California | Zinfandel |
62,398 | Italy | The fresh bouquet of this blend shows feminine notes of blue flower and light spice. The aromas are a bit raw at this stage, and there's a touch of cherry-like sourness on the close. | 88 | 18 | Tuscany | Red Blend |
30,176 | Italy | This radiant wine opens with heady aromas of white flower, honey, beeswax and citrus zest. The elegant palate shows class and pedigree, offering nectarine, aromatic herb and white stone fruit alongside lively acidity. An energizing mineral note closes the lingering finish. | 92 | 29 | Northeastern Italy | Riesling |
60,557 | US | This fruity Pinot is loaded with ripe strawberry preserves, mixed in with tomato leaf and slightly resiny flavors that are typical in Oregon. It's an interesting mix, both ripe and herbal at the same time, but not yet entirely melded together. It will be fun to see where it goes in the next five years. | 88 | 34 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
54,107 | US | An awkward Chard that tastes unnaturally oaky, with medicinal flavors of toasted, sweet vanilla bean. You'll find hints of pineapples and papayas, but that oaky thing is really strong. | 83 | 10 | California | Chardonnay |
109,361 | US | Decent everyday sipper, with heaps of sweet berry flavors wrapped in silky bright acids and dusty tannins. It's kind of thin in structure and in the finish, but is a perfectly nice quaff for the price. —S.H. | 85 | 12 | California | Zinfandel |
78,347 | France | A wine with some weight, showing simple fruit and acidity, the texture open and with a high dosage. It is easy, soft and balanced. | 86 | 60 | Champagne | Champagne Blend |
116,829 | US | Very light in the glass, this fascinating exploration of the underripe side of Pinot Noir shows green olive and crushed cherry tomato aromas on the nose, with prevalent bay leaf, green peppercorn and pine resin. Those elements converge on the sip to make a cranberry, spicy herb and eucalyptus nut tea, which is tangy and complex. | 94 | 46 | California | Pinot Noir |
104,083 | US | Incredibly suave dark strawberry and cherry aromas meld with chocolate and dusty earth notes on the nose of this bottling from one of the appellation's largest vineyards. The palate is more tightly wound, offering dried thyme, bay leaf and peppercorn instead of opulent fruit. | 92 | 60 | California | Pinot Noir |
116,495 | US | Cherry fruit and a tense slate rockiness show on the nose of this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah, along with a bit of heat. Energetic, juicy plums and black cherries consume the palate, which is rich, lively with acidity and just a tad sweet. | 88 | 58 | California | Red Blend |
11,827 | Australia | Yalumba has been working hard at this style of rosé, and the 2012 is very successful. It's medium in weight, with pretty red-fruit aromas and flavors of watermelon and strawberry. An undercurrent of minerality rides through the palate and finishes slightly chalky. Drink up. | 88 | 12 | South Australia | Sangiovese |
51,380 | US | A beautiful Chardonnay for drinking now. It's dry and crisp, with pineapple, peach and pear flavors accented with vanilla oak and creaminess from lees aging. Despite the richness, there's a firm minerality, a tang of steel that makes the wine bracing. The grapes are from a vineyard in the southerly, cool Coombsville area, an area that needs its own appellation. | 94 | 35 | California | Chardonnay |
38,942 | US | This wine offers aromas of clove and woodspice, with blue-fruit notes in the background. The flavors showing pleasing density and weight, shortening up on the finish. | 88 | 14 | Washington | Malbec |
129,529 | France | The Lelarge family has been on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims since the 18th century. The family's non-vintage Champagne is soft, rounded and creamy. It has fresh citrus and tangy orange zest fruits that are tight, crisp and with a direct line of acidity. It's totally ready to drink. | 89 | 40 | Champagne | Champagne Blend |
62,049 | US | Aggressive now in acidity, this Chardonnay has powerful sour Lifesaver candy flavors of pineapples and stony minerals, with a potent kick from smoky oak. It tastes young and jammy. It's elegant, and changes interestingly as it warms in the glass. | 89 | 44 | California | Pinot Noir |
10,730 | US | The winemaker has said he makes Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to support his Syrah habit. Here he offers a compelling case in point, making a velvety, substantial 100% Syrah that's more elegant than overpowering. Mocha-kissed tannins play nicely with black and red berry fruit, providing a structure built to age, through 2021. | 91 | 29 | California | Syrah |
27,675 | US | Hannah Nicole's Merlot is one of its better wines, tasting of red plum and vanilla-laced toasted oak, its tannins grippy, with plenty of dried herb flavors in the background. Smooth and big. | 86 | 24 | California | Merlot |
94,172 | US | Surprisingly, in this excellent vintage where the Pinot ripened quite nicely, this is a strongly herbal wine with a grassy aroma as well. Black cherry fruit is grounded in a chalky, earthy finish. | 85 | 16 | Oregon | Pinot Noir |
41,111 | US | Sound and clean, if a little one-dimensional, with cherry, raspberry and cola flavors. Has a nice silky texture, but the wine is unlikely to age, so drink soon. | 86 | 40 | California | Pinot Noir |
29,890 | US | This wine comes from the coolest pocket of the producer's estate, the last part typically picked. It offers a study in savory tannin development and thickness, the skins unable to soften gently in the cold. Earthy clove defines the flavor, along with a leathery meatiness and firm structure. A suggestion of black cherry tries to muddle through. Drink now through 2023. | 94 | 70 | California | Pinot Noir |
19,490 | US | This Pinot Gris offers a distinctive mix of flavors, with apple, pear, pink grapefruit and sweet Meyer lemon all in the tangle of fruit. It's sappy and soft, but runs afoul of some mousy, bacterial flavors in the finish. Except for that, it would score much better. | 85 | 18 | Oregon | Pinot Gris |
12,375 | France | Packed with red fruits and soft tannins, this is fresh, crisp and with bright acidity. The tannins at the back offer a firm aftertaste, along with juicy red currant fruits. Thierry Lurton bought the 14th-century château in 2007. | 85 | 13 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend |
105,226 | US | Juicy and big-bodied, this is a balanced expression of earthy black cherry and well-honed structure. Soft and lush on the palate, it'll appeal to fans who like a bit more meat on their Pinot bones, yet appreciate the fine texture of the tannins. | 90 | 55 | California | Pinot Noir |