| 300 | 299 | Italy | Pinay is a tight and defined red blend from northern Italy with bright accents of cherry cola, forest berry, licorice and dark mineral. There's a sharp, sour note on the close that would pair with smoked cheese. | Pinay | 87 | | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Attilio Ghisolfi 2007 Pinay Red (Langhe) | Red Blend | Attilio Ghisolfi |
| 271 | 270 | Italy | A gorgeous expression of Friulano, this wine (in a screwcap bottle) makes an elegant addition to chicken, pasta or seafood dinners. Layers of peach, almond and pineapple are wrapped tightly together. | | 89 | 25 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Livio Felluga 2009 Friulano (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Friulano | Livio Felluga |
| 272 | 271 | Greece | Lively aromas of lemon, grapefruit and melon start this white from Greece. Flavors of grapefruit and lemon rind are fresh and crisp but still offer dimension. The finish is spicy and clean. A great food wine: pair with grilled fish or clams. | | 89 | 15 | Santorini | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | My Big Fat Greek Wine 2010 Assyrtico (Santorini) | Assyrtico | My Big Fat Greek Wine |
| 273 | 272 | Italy | This partially oak-aged expression of Pinot Bianco from cool-climate Alto Adige (in the far north of Italy) offers a lovely texture that is creamy and smooth at the same time. Measured aromas include melon, apricot, grapefruit and a touch of vanilla spice. | Sirmian | 89 | 26 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | | | Nals Margreid 2010 Sirmian Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige) | Pinot Bianco | Nals Margreid |
| 274 | 273 | Argentina | Leather, berry, earth, raisin and roasted qualities define the nose on this Tempranillo-led blend of four grapes. Feels good in the mouth, with active raspberry, plum and coffee flavors that comes with a roasted accent. Mildly leafy, baked and woody on the thorough finish. | B Crux | 89 | 19 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | O. Fournier 2007 B Crux Red (Uco Valley) | Red Blend | O. Fournier |
| 275 | 274 | Italy | This is a gorgeous Italian white from northern Italy that boasts fragrant tones of spring flower and chopped herb backed by peach, honey and white almond. It's crisp, intense and would be perfect with basil Thai curry. | Estrosa | 89 | 13 | Piedmont | Monferrato | | | | Pico Maccario 2010 Estrosa White (Monferrato) | White Blend | Pico Maccario |
| 276 | 275 | Argentina | A medium-weight Cabernet with plum, prune, tobacco and herb aromas. Features average weight and body, with a creamy texture and layered flavors of black fruit, raspberry and spice. Finishes with herb and plum notes as well as a pinch of tobacco. | Reserva de Familia | 89 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sottano 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Sottano |
| 277 | 276 | US | A huge, kick butt Zinfandel, packed with sweet berry, bacon, black pepper and smoky cedar flavors. There's absolutely nothing shy about it. Packs a real punch all the way through to the spicy finish. Good price for a Sonoma Zin this classic. | Old Vines | 89 | 20 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | St. Francis 2009 Old Vines Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | St. Francis |
| 278 | 277 | US | Quite a good Cabernet, showing the elegance and ripe fruitiness you expect from Napa, in a style for drinking now. Drily tannic, it shows classic blackberry and blueberry flavors. | | 89 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Trailhead 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Trailhead |
| 279 | 278 | US | Fruity, forward and quite refreshing, this has appealing black cherry fruit with a light candy flavor. The balancing tannins add sufficient depth and weight to allow this a few more years in the cellar. | Bishop Creek | 89 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Erath 2009 Bishop Creek Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | Erath |
| 280 | 279 | Italy | This oak-fermented Sauvignon (in an artsy, screwcap bottle) delivers a rich, spicy finish and thick layers of peach, citrus, tomato leaf and honey-like aromas. It's a gorgeous wine that is an absolute pleasure to drink. | | 89 | 52 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | | | Franz Haas 2009 Sauvignon (Alto Adige) | Sauvignon | Franz Haas |
| 281 | 280 | Austria | A strongly spicy, rich wine, this has great concentration and an intense, dense texture.There is weight with plenty of ripe tropical fruits to contrast pronounced black pepper and bitter almond character. It's still young, so don't drink before 2015. Screwcap. | Schiefer Reserve | 92 | 24 | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Forstreiter 2012 Schiefer Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Forstreiter |
| 282 | 281 | US | This is another fine Pinot from Cambria, showing the winery's great price-quality ratio. Words like opulent and elegant come to mind to describe intense flavors of black cherries, licorice, cola, herb tea and Indian spices. It's bone dry, and also quite tannic, but you can enjoy it now with big, rich lamb and beef dishes, or a wild mushroom risotto. Otherwise, it will continue to improve for at least eight years. | Bench Break Vineyard | 92 | 34 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Cambria 2011 Bench Break Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Cambria |
| 283 | 282 | Italy | This delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot opens with an intense, brooding fragrance of dark fruit, spice and leather. The palate delivers a concentrated black-cherry flavor that's framed by big, chewy tannins and punctuated by spicy accents of white and black pepper, licorice and pipe. Drink 2015–2024. | Dulcamara | 92 | 41 | Tuscany | Toscana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | I Giusti e Zanza 2009 Dulcamara Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | I Giusti e Zanza |
| 284 | 283 | US | Bella Vida replaces the Abbey Ridge bottling and does so with pizzazz. The best of the 2011 releases, this is a beautiful expression of grapes grown on red clay soils, with refined, deeply penetrating flavors of ripe raspberries. Smooth, supple and long, with uncommon purity, it finishes with a kiss of chocolate from 18 months in one-quarter new oak barrels. | Bella Vida Vineyard Unfiltered | 92 | 52 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | J. Christopher 2011 Bella Vida Vineyard Unfiltered Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | J. Christopher |
| 285 | 284 | Argentina | This huge Malbec defines jammy and concentrated. The bouquet is ripe, soft and minty, while the palate echoes the nose with thickness and density. Flavors of prune, raisin, tea and blackberry are borderline syrupy, while the finish is smooth and pure but doesn't offer much spine or foundation. Drink this modern Malbec sooner rather than later. | Marchiori Vineyard Block C2 | 92 | 215 | Mendoza Province | Perdriel | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Cobos 2011 Marchiori Vineyard Block C2 Malbec (Perdriel) | Malbec | Viña Cobos |
| 286 | 285 | Austria | This is a very aromatic wine that's rich, spicy and with just a touch of ripeness. It has spiced pear, lychee and honey notes all balanced by a wonderful fresh acidity. Drink now and until 2020. Screwcap. | Steiner Kögl Erste Lage | 92 | | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Salomon-Undhof 2011 Steiner Kögl Erste Lage Riesling (Kremstal) | Riesling | Salomon-Undhof |
| 287 | 286 | US | While delicious now with flavors of raspberries, cherries, cola and oak, all showered with tart, citrusy acidity, this wine also has a great future. Give it 6–8 years to evolve in the bottle for further complexity. | Rincon Vineyard | 92 | 60 | California | Arroyo Grande Valley | Central Coast | | | Talley 2011 Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley) | Pinot Noir | Talley |
| 288 | 287 | Spain | This is the stud in the Acústic stable. A blend of 70% Carignan and 30% Garnacha, Braó is lively and bright on the nose, with ripe blackberry and cassis aromas. The palate is concentrated and juicy, with fine balance and bold flavors of blueberry, blackberry and coffee. A toasty, dark finish features chocolate, toast and minerality. Drink through 2019. | Braó Vinyes Velles | 92 | 40 | Catalonia | Montsant | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Acústic 2010 Braó Vinyes Velles Carignan-Grenache (Montsant) | Carignan-Grenache | Acústic |
| 289 | 288 | Austria | While it feels rich and round, this is also a wine with a crisp side to it. Acidity cuts through ripe pear, apricot and lychee flavors, giving a decidedly crisp balance. It's a wine that is already ready to drink. Screwcap. | Kremser Gebling Erste Lage | 92 | | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Josef Schmid 2011 Kremser Gebling Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Josef Schmid |
| 290 | 289 | US | This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is so rich and decadent, with milk chocolate, blackberry and new French oak flavors. Made by celebrity winemaker Philippe Melka, it's soft and approacheable on the palate and widely appealing. Your best bet is to drink up now. | Fortune Teller | 92 | 125 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Parallel 2010 Fortune Teller Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Parallel |
| 291 | 290 | France | This is a wine that has great potential—you can tell from the firm tannins, tight acidity and closed texture. Initially, black currant flavors are touched with dark, dusty notes, but they finish with more juicy character on the afterntaste. Drink from 2017. | | 92 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Estèphe | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lafon-Rochet 2011 Saint-Estèphe | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Lafon-Rochet |
| 292 | 291 | Italy | This powerful Sagrantino opens with aromas of meat juice, truffle and black fruit. The palate offers blackberry, black cherry, cinnamon and black pepper, along with tobacco notes. It also has Sagrantino's trademark tannic backbone, but the tannins are ripe and are balanced by bright acidity. | | 92 | | Central Italy | Sagrantino di Montefalco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Dionigi 2006 Sagrantino di Montefalco | Sagrantino | Dionigi |
| 293 | 292 | France | Rich almonds, ripe peaches and a smoky, oxidized character all come together in this ripe, complex, fascinating wine. There is a great tang of apple acidity on the finish. Drink now. | Vin Jaune | 92 | 45 | France Other | Arbois | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Daniel Dugois 2006 Vin Jaune Savagnin (Arbois) | Savagnin | Domaine Daniel Dugois |
| 294 | 293 | Australia | This wine displays ample concentration in its inky color and potent aromas of dark berry fruit. There's a hint of raisining as well. In the mouth, it's mouthfilling but lacks a bit of texture; the flavors include dark plums, vanilla and hints of dried fruits, like figs and dates. With a finish that calls to mind chocolate fudge (minus the sugar), opt for drinking this wine over the relatively near term, now to 2020. | Green's Vineyard | 92 | 70 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kilikanoon 2009 Green's Vineyard Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Shiraz | Kilikanoon |
| 295 | 294 | Argentina | Deep, lush aromas of black fruits, graphite and coconut are welcoming and friendly. The mouthfeel is pure and smooth, with elegance and power. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, hard spices and licorice filter into a long, mellow, classy finish. This is a pushy, full-bodied wine that doesn't throw punches; drink through 2020. | Synthesis | 92 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Tupungato | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Sophenia 2011 Synthesis Malbec (Tupungato) | Malbec | Finca Sophenia |
| 296 | 295 | US | This blend showcases the soft lusciousness and ripe fruit of Paso Robles. It's rich and sweet in jammy blackberries, cherries, chocolate and spicy sandalwood. Drink now. | Treana Red | 87 | 35 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Treana 2008 Treana Red Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah | Treana |
| 297 | 296 | Chile | Rooty and leafy on the nose, with red berry aromas peeking through some obvious oak. The palate offers cherry and raspberry flavors along with sweetness, and things are backed by vanilla and chocolate. Good, tasty and oaky, with proper layering. | Grey [Glacier] Single Block Trinidad Vineyard | 87 | 20 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ventisquero 2008 Grey [Glacier] Single Block Trinidad Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Ventisquero |
| 298 | 297 | US | This is a soft, gentle Cabernet for drinking now. It's pleasantly rich, offering blackberry, cherry, chocolate and cedar flavors, wrapped into easy tannins. | | 87 | 15 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Aquinas 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Aquinas |
| 299 | 298 | Chile | Foresty and dark on the bouquet, with aromas of licorice, prune, forest and foxiness. The palate is full and tannic, while flavors run sweet, creamy and slightly syrupy, with chocolate and spiced fig notes. Finishes rich and rough, with dry herbs and true Chilean Cab flavors of olive and oregano. | | 87 | 19 | Aconcagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Arboleda 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Aconcagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Arboleda |