| 31949 | 31948 | US | Another great success from Merryvale. Somehow they manage to make red wines that are ripe, oaky and opulent, yet maintain balance so that you can drink it over the course of a meal without the flavors palling. Dry and tannicly sophisticated, it shows complex waves of blackberries, cassis, cherries and sweet, smoky cedar. | | 93 | 65 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Merryvale 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Merryvale |
| 31950 | 31949 | Portugal | A big wine in every sense, dark in color, the fruit supremely rich without being excessive. It is very structured within its opulent framework. Likely to age well, this is concentrated, dense. | Reserva | 93 | 45 | Alentejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Quetzal 2008 Reserva Red (Alentejo) | Portuguese Red | Quinta do Quetzal |
| 31921 | 31920 | Italy | Here is a broad and bold expression of Brunello with a dark appearance, ripe fruit flavors, cured meat, leather and lingering intensity. There's a genuine but one-dimensional feel in the mouth with more heavy tones of tobacco and spice to follow. | Riserva | 90 | 130 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Fattoria dei Barbi 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Fattoria dei Barbi |
| 31922 | 31921 | US | Smooth, rich and tannic, and lovely for drinking now. You'll find blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and toasty oak flavors, leading to a dry finish. Give it a little time in a decanter before pouring. | Magnificat | 90 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Franciscan 2009 Magnificat Meritage (Napa Valley) | Meritage | Franciscan |
| 31923 | 31922 | Italy | The name of the estate translates as “Italian wines to dream about,” and there is good reason to dream about this latest Brunello. The wine offers solid color and concentration accented by dark leather, spice, prune and blackberry. You can feel the extracted fruit in the mouth that finds balance against the wine's natural acidity. | Carillon | 90 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Vini Italiani da Sogno 2008 Carillon (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Vini Italiani da Sogno |
| 31924 | 31923 | Italy | Il Puro (named for their organically-grown grapes) shows bright and polished notes of cherry and blackberry followed by wet earth, leather and tobacco. The mouthfeel is smooth, rich and dusty-dry. | Il Puro Casanova | 90 | 158 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | | | Volpaia 2007 Il Puro Casanova (Chianti Classico) | Sangiovese | Volpaia |
| 31925 | 31924 | US | This is a big Pinot Noir that's dark, heavy and rich. It tastes like a confection with raspberry and cherry-pie filling, with hints of currants, roasted almonds, milk chocolate and anise. While it's in-your-face now, it should mellow over the next six years. | Soberanes Vineyard | 90 | 55 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Black Kite 2010 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Black Kite |
| 31926 | 31925 | France | Heavy wood aging dominates this rich wine at this stage. That should integrate to leave an almost California ripeness from the 100% Merlot. It has a full and rounded structure, cushioned by generous fruits. | Prima | 90 | 35 | Bordeaux | Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Carignan 2010 Prima (Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux) | Merlot | Château Carignan |
| 31927 | 31926 | France | This is a lively wine, with faint touches of wood to give a smoother character. The wine is bright while having the necessary depth of flavor to promise good aging. | | 90 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Couhins 2010 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Couhins |
| 31928 | 31927 | France | Concentrated, with a strongly tannic element that is balanced by ripe fruits. It makes for a well-structured, impressive wine that also has a fruity element. Age for 4–5 years. | | 90 | | Bordeaux | Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Pitray 2010 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château de Pitray |
| 31929 | 31928 | France | Warm and rich, the wine from vineyards on the slopes above Cadillac have the structure of the vintage along with the ripe, blackberry fruits. It is already attractive to drink, and will continue to age nicely over the medium term. | | 90 | 15 | Bordeaux | Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Suau 2010 Côtes de Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Suau |
| 31930 | 31929 | US | This is one of the Russian River Valley's bigger, riper Pinots. The rich raspberry and cherry flavors are reminscent of a dessert pastry, yet it's dry, silky and bright in acidity. Gains in the glass as it breathes, so give it a brief decant and drink now–2015. | Pennachio Vineyard | 90 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | De Loach 2010 Pennachio Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | De Loach |
| 31931 | 31930 | Argentina | This black wine, despite being almost seven years old, remains rich and balanced on the nose, where ripe aromas of raisin and earth offer a slight herbal, minty edge. The mouthfeel is 100% thick and jammy, while flavors of prune, baked blackberry and chocolate lead to a chewy finish. This blend of Malbec, Merlot and Tannat is a knife-and-fork wine to drink now. | Blend Malbec-Merlot-Tannat | 90 | 45 | Other | Salta | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Domingo Molina 2006 Blend Malbec-Merlot-Tannat Red (Salta) | Red Blend | Domingo Molina |
| 31932 | 31931 | South Africa | Forward aromas of game and earthy spice notes are upfront on the bouquet, with notes of mulled berries, red plum and fig providing a concentrated, fruity backdrop. Earthy tones continue to dominate the medium-weight mouth, as flavors of tree bark and baking spice flood the palate and linger long into the finish. Fine tannins lend a satiny, smooth texture to the mouthfeel. | | 90 | 33 | Swartland | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Mullineux 2009 Syrah (Swartland) | Syrah | Mullineux |
| 31933 | 31932 | US | From Kimmel's cool Potter Valley vineyards, this 2010 Chardonnay has a lot to offer— refreshing lemon and grapefruit flavor, and a hint of orange peel amid its high-toned acidity. Lean and inviting with a richness on the finish, Kimmel is a name to watch in Mendocino Chardonnay. | | 90 | 32 | California | Mendocino County | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Kimmel 2010 Chardonnay (Mendocino County) | Chardonnay | Kimmel |
| 31934 | 31933 | Italy | Brunello Mastrojanni is always a highlight among the various wines from Montalcino. Bright and elegant, it shows aromas of cherry, cola, ginger, dried spice, leather and spice. The mouthfeel is lean and tight with crisp acidity and firm, polished tannins. | | 90 | 80 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Mastrojanni |
| 31935 | 31934 | US | This is a uniquely layered Pinot with concentrated dark-cherry liqueur flavor wrapped in notes of mushroom and dirt. The finish is bright and long-lasting. This one calls for chanterelles sautéed with plenty of olive oil and bacon bits. | Block 13 | 90 | 55 | California | Mendocino County | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Masút 2011 Block 13 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County) | Pinot Noir | Masút |
| 31936 | 31935 | Italy | A raw note of spice and tobacco gives this Brunello a brawny, masculine personality. Cherry cola, licorice, savory spice, smoked bacon and black currant hint at the many years of cellar aging that have shaped the evolution. Those flavors also add to the overall finesse and silkiness of the finish. | | 90 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Máté 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Máté |
| 31937 | 31936 | Italy | Very characteristic of the 2008 vintage, this young Brunello opens with soft and round aromas of cherry and blackberry backed by delicate tones of spice and tobacco. Once the wine hits the palate, you will feel that bright acidity that is so typical of Sangiovese Grosso. | Franci | 90 | 110 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Tassi 2008 Franci (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Tassi |
| 31938 | 31937 | Italy | This gorgeous super Tuscan opens with inky dark concentration and bright aromas of dark cherry and prune. It feels soft, lush and creamy in the mouth. Pair it with stewed game meat. | Insoglio del Cinghiale | 90 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta di Biserno 2011 Insoglio del Cinghiale Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tenuta di Biserno |
| 31939 | 31938 | Italy | Bright cherry cola and black currant gives this Brunello a plump and fruity personality that is difficult to find in the wines of 2008. Those fruit notes are raw, bold and are followed by a soft touch of milk chocolate or vanilla. The wine shows a creamy, velvety texture with a point of acidity and alcoholic heat. | | 90 | 70 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Tenute Silvio Nardi 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Tenute Silvio Nardi |
| 31940 | 31939 | Italy | A touch of ripe fruit that recalls strawberry or raspberry jam gives this wine a soft and round first impression. Later, evolved notes of leather, cola and cassis add to the overall complexity. The wine is graciously velvety and supple in the mouth. | | 90 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Tornesi 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Tornesi |
| 31941 | 31940 | US | This Petit Verdot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend clearly wants some time in the cellar. Although it's extraordinarily rich with blackberries, black currants and violets, the tannin-acid structure is such that aging for at least ten years shouldn't be a problem. | Black | 90 | 65 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Vellum 2009 Black Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Vellum |
| 31942 | 31941 | US | Lots of characteristic Cabernet flavor in this wine. Blackberrry jam and cassis liqueur flavors flood the mouth, heady and flashy and long in the finish. The tannins are thick, yet so soft, you can enjoy this wine now, although it will develop over the next ten years. | | 90 | 65 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Vellum 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Vellum |
| 31943 | 31942 | Italy | The wine opens with an inky dark color and segues to thick aromas of black fruit, espresso, tobacco and spice. Most of the action is on the nose however, because the mild mouthful offers just enough structure and acidity to compliment those foods. | | 90 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Verbena 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Verbena |
| 31944 | 31943 | Italy | This Brunello shows a pristine and bright bouquet that hinges on polished mineral nuances, like wet river stone, cherry cola, ripe blackberry, ginger and rum cake. The wine shows great evolution and complexity despite its young age and just enough fruity pulp to support the lively acidity. | | 90 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Villa Poggio Salvi 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Villa Poggio Salvi |
| 31945 | 31944 | US | A wisp of a wine, bright in lime, nutmeg and honeysuckle, with balanced acidity and mouthwatering texture and concentration. Handley's Gewürztraminer is always the right call when Thai or Chinese is on the menu. A nice introduction or re-introduction to Anderson Valley whites. | | 90 | 18 | California | Anderson Valley | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Handley 2011 Gewürztraminer (Anderson Valley) | Gewürztraminer | Handley |
| 31946 | 31945 | US | This wine is still so young and immature with fresh, jammy, berry flavors, spice and juicy acidity. Hold the wine for a year or three to allow it to settle and mature. | Reserve | 90 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Windsor Oaks 2011 Reserve Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Windsor Oaks |
| 31947 | 31946 | South Africa | The 14 months spent in oak lend this wine an earthy, sweet-spice-driven character that infuses the red cherry and currant aromas and flavors. The wood also contributes to the lush mouthfeel and smoky finish. But although it's oaky, it's not overwhelming, and the wine ultimately comes across as balanced and clean. | Cuvée Ameena | 90 | 39 | Western Cape | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Vins d'Orrance 2008 Cuvée Ameena Syrah (Western Cape) | Syrah | Vins d'Orrance |
| 31948 | 31947 | US | Tall Tales is a new designation for the winery's reserve Syrah. It's unfined, unfiltered and unabashed—a potent, powerful wine which teeters on the edge of bitterness. But within its compact and textural body are lively flavors of boysenberry and coffee grounds, tobacco and vanilla, cola and rock. It pushes deep into the palate and extends into a complex and long-lasting finish. | Tall Tales | 93 | 53 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Dusted Valley 2008 Tall Tales Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Dusted Valley |