| 30901 | 30900 | Italy | This savory blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo leads with earthy aromas of freshly tilled soil, underbrush, black berries and plum. The vibrant, structured palate offers sour cherry layered with white pepper, thyme and sage balanced by fresh acidity and a solidly tannic backbone. Hold to develop complexity. Drink 2015–2020. | Riserva | 91 | 35 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castellare di Castellina 2010 Riserva (Chianti Classico) | Red Blend | Castellare di Castellina |
| 30902 | 30901 | Italy | Earthy aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, truffle and red berries take center stage in this intense blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo/Colorino. The palate delivers succulent black cherry, mint and menthol sprinkled with toasted notes and espresso. It has structure and finesse alongside gripping, tongue-drying tannins. Give this a few more years. Drink 2016–2024. | Il Poggio Riserva | 91 | 60 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castello di Monsanto 2009 Il Poggio Riserva (Chianti Classico) | Red Blend | Castello di Monsanto |
| 30903 | 30902 | Italy | This vibrant blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Merlot opens with an intense fragrance of violet, lilac and raspberries accented with whiffs of orange peel and sandalwood. Juicy black cherry, black plum, white pepper and cinnamon-spice take center stage on the palate alongside a firm, tannic backbone. Already delicious, hold for complexity. Drink through 2018. | Riserva | 91 | 25 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castello di Monterinaldi 2008 Riserva (Chianti Classico) | Red Blend | Castello di Monterinaldi |
| 30904 | 30903 | Germany | Orange blossom and berry aromas are accented by hints of spice and smoke on this powerful but elegantly finessed Riesling. It's dry in style, but builds in heft and richness on the palate, amassing flavors of tangerines, peach and honey. A line of steely lime acidity adds balance and cut. | Erbacher Hohenrain Erste Lage | 91 | 71 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Baron Knyphausen 2011 Erbacher Hohenrain Erste Lage Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Baron Knyphausen |
| 30905 | 30904 | Australia | Ample vanilla notes from oak aging mark the nose and palate of this savory Shiraz. It's on the full side for the Hunter, with a rich texture and a long, velvety finish. Drink 2015–2025. | | 91 | 36 | New South Wales | Hunter Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Brokenwood 2010 Shiraz (Hunter Valley) | Shiraz | Brokenwood |
| 30906 | 30905 | Australia | The Clare Valley is an underappreciated source of fine Cabernet Sauvignon, and this is one of the region's standard bearers. Minty notes add a dose of Australia to this slightly austere wine, which also boasts dark chocolate, cassis and tobacco. Drink 2015–2025. | St. Andrews Single Vineyard Release | 91 | 50 | South Australia | Clare Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Wakefield 2009 St. Andrews Single Vineyard Release Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Wakefield |
| 30907 | 30906 | US | So dry and acidic that it comes as a surprise how ripe in fruit it is. Apricots, tangerines, limes and peaches are the fruits, along with a granite-like minerality. There's also lots of new French oak. The Califa Selection is a block selection that shows particular purity. Drink now–2015. | Califa Selection Estate | 91 | 40 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | | | Chamisal Vineyards 2011 Califa Selection Estate Chardonnay (Edna Valley) | Chardonnay | Chamisal Vineyards |
| 30908 | 30907 | France | With age, this 2002 has become fascinating, still showing sweetness while also offering dried fruits, prunes, figs and spice. A nutty character suggests the wine can still age for many years. | Vin de Paille | 91 | | France Other | Côtes du Jura | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château d'Arlay 2002 Vin de Paille White (Côtes du Jura) | White Blend | Château d'Arlay |
| 30914 | 30913 | US | Young, tart and tannic, this offers primary fruit flavors of cranberry and pie cherry. A hint of smoked meat wafts across the palate and through the finish. | Shea Vineyard | 91 | 55 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Raptor Ridge 2012 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | Raptor Ridge |
| 30915 | 30914 | Germany | Intense whiffs of tangerine and lemon zest perfume this aromatic Riesling. It's dry on the palate but ripe and expansive in feel, with juicy, concentrated white grapefruit and pear flavors. It finishes long and lean with a distinctly mineral tone. | Silberlack Trocken Erstes Gewächs | 91 | 75 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Schloss Johannisberger 2011 Silberlack Trocken Erstes Gewächs Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Schloss Johannisberger |
| 30916 | 30915 | US | Visitors to Sonoma Valley are familiar with the beautiful Cherryblock Vineyard, which has been Sebastiani's flagship Cabernet source for decades. The 2010 vintage was kind to it, producing fruit that's not only exceptionally ripe, but well structured. Balanced acidity and soft, intricate tannins house luscious black cherry, currant, anise and new oak flavors. The wine should age in the bottle for at least eight years. | Cherryblock | 91 | 90 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Sebastiani 2010 Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Sebastiani |
| 30917 | 30916 | Germany | Saffron and orange rind lend spicy zest to honey and floral tones on this gorgeously rich auslese. It's luscious, with sweet yellow peach and caramel flavors, but struck with a clean line of tangerine acidity. Bold and powerful in concentration, it finishes with just a hint of tea-leaf astringency. | Auslese | 91 | 30 | Pfalz | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Gerd Anselmann 2010 Auslese Riesling (Pfalz) | Riesling | Gerd Anselmann |
| 30918 | 30917 | Portugal | A rich and luscious wine that has sweet tannins, blackberry fruits and ripe tannins. It's a complex wine, elegant with full fruits, juicy acidity and a strong, firm textured core. Big and full-bodied, this is a wine that can age. It is drinkable now and until 2020. | Altano Quinta do Ataíde Reserva | 91 | 24 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Symington Family Estates 2010 Altano Quinta do Ataíde Reserva Touriga Nacional (Douro) | Touriga Nacional | Symington Family Estates |
| 30919 | 30918 | Turkey | Fragrances of cherry cola and mocha yield to flavors of eucalyptus, mocha, black cherry and strawberry. This wine is bright on entry before being joined by strong tannins. Acidity ultimately wins out, leading to a smooth, lasting finish. | Nexus | 91 | 34 | Aegean | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Urla 2011 Nexus Red (Aegean) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Urla |
| 30920 | 30919 | Argentina | This starts out tarry, but airing reveals aromas of tobacco, asphalt and oaky berry fruits. The mouthfeel is flush and extracted, but not overly heavy. Flavors of black fruits are more generic than specific, while the finish is tannic, with lively acidity. The blend is Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda. | Corte B | 91 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vistalba 2011 Corte B Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Vistalba |
| 30921 | 30920 | US | The instantly recognizable label, sporting a bright green praying mantis on a plain brown background, is a quirky choice for a fine, estate-grown reserve. The fruit reaches blackberry concentration, with stiff, ripe tannins swathed in dark chocolate. Hints of earth and stem fade out through a lingering finish. It's already drinking well but could be cellared until 2019. | Praying Mantis | 91 | 30 | Oregon | Walla Walla Valley (OR) | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Watermill 2009 Praying Mantis Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR)) | Syrah | Watermill |
| 30922 | 30921 | Spain | Earthy, subtle aromas of cured meats, licorice and baked plum are smooth and sly. This feels firm, structured and staunch in the mouth, while flavors of earthy plum, berry, carob, tea and spice finish dry and elegant. This mature Rioja is ready to drink now. | Vendimia Seleccionada Reserva | 91 | 34 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zinio 2006 Vendimia Seleccionada Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Zinio |
| 30923 | 30922 | Germany | Whiffs of smoke and mineral lends complexity to pretty white peach and floral tones on this dainty off-dry Riesling. It's juicy with stone fruit, but maintains that streak of minerality and a clean, focused acidity that leads to a long, dry finish. | Tradition | 91 | 22 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Robert Weil 2011 Tradition Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Robert Weil |
| 30924 | 30923 | New Zealand | All of the Brajkovitch family's 2010 Chardonnays are top-notch, so choices become more a question of preference than of absolute quality. The Hunting Hill is medium bodied and silky in texture, with hints of grilled pineapple and bold, assertive fruit flavors. It should drink well for at least four more years. | Hunting Hill | 91 | 46 | Kumeu | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kumeu River 2010 Hunting Hill Chardonnay (Kumeu) | Chardonnay | Kumeu River |
| 30925 | 30924 | US | This outstanding Chardonnay is made from 100% Dijon clones, sourced from Lange Estate, Freedom Hill and Durant vineyards. Tasty, toasty, creamy and fresh, this is a rich, palate-coating wine with a mix of crisp apple, pear and melon fruit. The texture and depth are lovely. | Three Hills Cuvée | 91 | 38 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Lange 2012 Three Hills Cuvée Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Lange |
| 30926 | 30925 | Germany | Unctuous mango and peach flavors are accented by hints of candle wax and dried herbs on this delicate but intensely concentrated Riesling. Silky and sweet in texture, it's brightened by streaks of orange acidity and touches of saffron and lemon peel that linger on the finish. | Oestrich Lenchen Auslese | 91 | 65 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Peter Jakob Kühn 2011 Oestrich Lenchen Auslese Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Peter Jakob Kühn |
| 30927 | 30926 | US | Ripe, succulent flavors of cherries and cola mark this Pinot, along with earthier complexities of grilled mushrooms. Oak adds a sweet layer of toast, yet the wine remains satisfyingly dry. It's so delicious now, you can hardly keep from drinking it, but it will reward a year or two in the cellar. | | 91 | 40 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Renteria 2010 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Renteria |
| 30909 | 30908 | France | Dark in color, this powerful and concentrated wine is still very young. There is possibly too much extraction here that shows in bitterness, but the wine also has the potential for aging with its rich underlying fruitiness. Don't drink before 2015. | La Chevalerie | 91 | 50 | Loire Valley | Anjou Villages Brissac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Varière 2011 La Chevalerie Cabernet Sauvignon (Anjou Villages Brissac) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Château la Varière |
| 30910 | 30909 | US | The Horseshoe Bend Vineyard, which is in the cool Laguna part of the southern valley, is capable of great Pinot Noir. In a warmer vintage, the wines are lush. In chilly ones like 2011, they're elusive. But the wines always have great structure. This bottling is marked by acidity, tannins, dryness and a superbly silky mouthfeel. The flavors veer between barely ripe cherries and pomegranates to green tomatoes and celery leaf. The wine needs time. Give it until 2017 to begin to show its stuff. | Horseshoe Bend Vineyard | 91 | 50 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Davis Family 2011 Horseshoe Bend Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 30911 | 30910 | US | From a vineyard on Howell Mountain, the wine shows not only that area's hard tannins, but also the Duckhorn style of tough young Merlots. The wine is vastly rich in black and red currants, violets, anise and lavishly toasted new French oak. Start drinking it in 2017, and it should be going strong for an additional decade. | Stout Vineyard | 91 | 85 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Duckhorn 2010 Stout Vineyard Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Duckhorn |
| 30912 | 30911 | France | Full and ripe, the wine has smooth flavors of apricots, ripe apples and pears and a structure that includes wood tastes. It's a rich wine, hinting at spice and showing fresh, juicy acidity at the end. Drink until 2019. | Grande Fumé | 91 | 37 | Loire Valley | Pouilly-Fumé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fournier Père et Fils 2010 Grande Fumé (Pouilly-Fumé) | Sauvignon Blanc | Fournier Père et Fils |
| 30913 | 30912 | Portugal | The second wine of the Prats and Symington partnership is rich and powerful in its own right. It is packed with blackberry, ripe tannins and a solid, dense structure. Acidity cuts through this dark wine that still needs to age. Drink from 2017. | Post Scriptum | 91 | 24 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Prats & Symington LDA 2011 Post Scriptum Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Prats & Symington LDA |
| 30928 | 30927 | US | Stark has nailed the essence of Barbera in this wine—it's juicy, textured, balanced, fruity and yes, delicious. Awash in bright blackberry and red cherry fruit, it'll go down easy with food or without, a delightful addition to the bounty of Sierra Foothills Barbera from a Healdsburg-based producer. | Damiano Vineyard | 91 | 34 | California | Sierra Foothills | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Stark 2012 Damiano Vineyard Barbera (Sierra Foothills) | Barbera | Stark |
| 30929 | 30928 | Argentina | Minerally, earthy aromas of plum and blackberry are oaky and attractive. This is round and well balanced, with cassis, blackberry, spice and herbal flavors settling on a spicy finish led by cardamom and clove notes as well as a smooth feel. Drink through 2017. | Gran Medalla | 91 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Trapiche 2010 Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Trapiche |
| 30930 | 30929 | US | Sweet cherry-vanilla rolls off the palate in this concentrated, lush and velvety Pinot Noir that offers all the aspects of classic Russian River Valley fruit. The texture is seamlessly integrated around firm, supple tannins and bright, earthy red fruit. | Pleasant Hill Vineyard | 91 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Whetstone 2012 Pleasant Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Whetstone |