| 32506 | 32505 | US | Really smooth textured. Quite elegant as well, with sleek, complex layers of black currant, blackberry, plum, black cherry, herb, chocolate, coffee, spice, toast and a beguiling hint of tar. The wine is incredibly complex and inviting, framed beautifully in velvety tannins. Long and lush on the finish, it's blended from grapes grown on Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and the Napa Valley floor. | Signature | 94 | 64 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Darioush 2000 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Darioush |
| 32507 | 32506 | France | This Moueix-owned premier grand cru classé property quietly goes about producing great wines. The 2000 is a complete success, with its aromas of red berry fruits and sweet wood, its flavors cedar and truffles alongside the fine, elegant tannins. It will age slowly and reveal layers of complexity over the years. | | 93 | 87 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Magdelaine 2000 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Magdelaine |
| 32508 | 32507 | France | This is a solid, huge wine, with rich but very dry tannins. With its dense, almost black color, and its sense of brooding power, it promises long aging. It will never be in the opulent Bordeaux camp, despite its prominent new wood flavors, but will probably outlive all but a handful top wines. | | 93 | 90 | Bordeaux | Saint-Estèphe | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Calon Ségur 2000 Saint-Estèphe | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Calon Ségur |
| 32509 | 32508 | France | This is the flagship wine from the mini-empire (now comprising five properties) that is controlled by Comte Stephan von Niepperg. He has made a modern, wood dominated wine, with rich, concentrated black fruits. It is powerful, perhaps too powerful, lacking a sense of the usual grace of this estate, although the ripeness of the wine does compensate. | | 93 | 50 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Canon la Gaffelière 2000 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Canon la Gaffelière |
| 32510 | 32509 | France | In 2000, this was still the property of Lily Lacoste, who also owned Pétrus. Latour à Pomerol was sold in 2001 to a Catholic charity. The management, then and now, is with the Moueix family who make the most of the fabulous vineyard. The 2000 is a hugely opulent, velvet textured wine, but it retains hints of the elegance that is the hallmark of this property. | | 93 | 75 | Bordeaux | Pomerol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Latour à Pomerol 2000 Pomerol | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Latour à Pomerol |
| 32511 | 32510 | France | Under the regime of Gérard Perse, Pavie seems to have become more opulent, more extracted, and, dare I say it, more simplistic. The richness of the 2000 vintage lends itself to this technique. While it is a wonderful, immediately appealing wine, with its intense dark fruits, it seem to lack the complexity of other wines of similar status. | | 93 | 250 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pavie 2000 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pavie |
| 32512 | 32511 | Australia | Just about the best white wine out of Australia this year, this Roussanne isn't a fleshy wine, but it has beauty, power and structure in its corner. Full-bodied with powdery tannins, it has flavors of honeydew, peach fuzz and mineral, and an herbal-peppery finish that lingers on the tongue. Nose is a tantalizing mix of marzipan, jasmine and clover. Just excellent. | Aeolia | 93 | 75 | Victoria | Victoria | | | | Giaconda 2001 Aeolia Roussanne (Victoria) | Roussanne | Giaconda |
| 32513 | 32512 | US | Super-delicious, a mouthful of Chardonnay perfection. Really notable for the pure concentration of its flavors, such as fresh ripe white peach, mango, and spicy fig. Elaborately oaked, but not too much to support the huge fruit. The rich and creamy texture is a delight. | Vanumanutagi Vineyard | 92 | 30 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Clos La Chance 2001 Vanumanutagi Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Clos La Chance |
| 32514 | 32513 | US | The wine starts of with intriguing bacon and earth tones that are followed up by rich, ripe raspberry, black cherry, spice, licorice, herb and toast flavors. It's beautifully balanced, with supple tannins and a flashy, robust character that remains enticing and long at the end. Look for more of this varietal from Darioush as its Shiraz vineyards mature. | | 92 | 64 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Darioush 2000 Shiraz (Napa Valley) | Shiraz | Darioush |
| 32515 | 32514 | Greece | Fresh lemon and lime and a spray of minerals and sea salt gives this wine a slightly lean, austere character. Clean and bright and not overly complicated, it will pair well with shellfish and grilled seafood. | Estate | 84 | 32 | Santorini | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Argyros 2007 Estate Assyrtico (Santorini) | Assyrtico | Argyros |
| 32516 | 32515 | Spain | Opens with decent dusty apple and peach aromas, but they don't really hold together for long. And the palate is similar in that it offers adequate opening flavors of green apple and citrus but no improvement after that. Drink right away; it won't age well. | Blanco | 84 | 9 | Central Spain | La Mancha | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Basico 2008 Blanco Sauvignon Blanc (La Mancha) | Sauvignon Blanc | Basico |
| 32517 | 32516 | US | First taste was excellent, as the wine entered the mouth with round, ripe red fruit and a hint of spice. But it has something off in the finish, and as it sits in the mouth it loses its freshness and leaves a rather sour, gluey impression. | | 84 | 20 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Duck Pond 2008 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Duck Pond |
| 32518 | 32517 | Greece | This refreshing red starts with aromas of allspice, clove, mint and red berries, followed by flavors of tobacco, clove and cherry on the palate. A wine with some elbows, it could age for 3-5 more years. Pair with grilled meats. | Argilos | 84 | 14 | Nemea | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Harlaftis 2007 Argilos Agiorgitiko (Nemea) | Agiorgitiko | Harlaftis |
| 32519 | 32518 | Greece | Dark chocolate, cassis, violets and red berry start this red from Greece. On the palate, like flavors with a touch of bitter cocoa and smoke are earthy and exotic. Pair with grilled meats and hearty stews. | Kanenas Maronia Vineyards | 84 | 22 | Ismarikos | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Tsantali 2006 Kanenas Maronia Vineyards Red (Ismarikos) | Red Blend | Tsantali |
| 32520 | 32519 | Italy | This bottle has much of the history of Italian winemaking inside. You remember the hay-wrapped flasks at the local trattoria? This is a modern interpretation with simple aromas of cherry, wild berry and wet earth. It would pair beautifully with pizza or pasta thanks to the fresh acidity and lean mouthfeel. | | 84 | 10 | Tuscany | Chianti | | | | Ruffino 2008 Chianti | Sangiovese | Ruffino |
| 32491 | 32490 | Spain | Intriguing aromas of boysenberry and blueberry come with smoky notes of hickory and aged cheese. This is showing a firm grip on the palate along with ripe, intense flavors of black fruits and prune. On the finish, it's tannic and loaded with licorice and toasty accents. Drink through 2019. | Venta la Ossa TNT | 92 | 27 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mano A Mano 2010 Venta la Ossa TNT Red (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Red Blend | Mano A Mano |
| 32492 | 32491 | France | While displaying strong herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc flavors, the wine is also rich with fruitiness, offering a delicious series of green fruits followed by pineapple and tropical flavors. It's a wine that's right up front, crisp and bright at the end. | | 92 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Garde 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château la Garde |
| 32493 | 32492 | Italy | This displays primary aromas of black fruit along with whiffs of roasted herbs and espresso. The palate offers black plum, prune and Morello cherry accented by black pepper, coffee, toast and vanilla. Youthfully aggressive and tightly packed, this needs time to fully develop. Drink after 2022. | Meriame | 92 | 80 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Paolo Manzone 2010 Meriame (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Paolo Manzone |
| 32494 | 32493 | Italy | This opens with a classic Nebbiolo fragrance of Morello cherry, dried rose petal, mint and thyme. The ripe palate offers up crushed black cherry, prune, black pepper, cake spices and licorice alongside brooding tannins and uplifting acidity. It's already well balanced but will be even better in another few years. | Muncagota Riserva | 92 | 65 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Produttori del Barbaresco 2009 Muncagota Riserva (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Produttori del Barbaresco |
| 32495 | 32494 | US | This is an extremely smooth Syrah, another reminder of how well the Rhône grape does when planted in California's cooler Pinot Noir climates. Licorice and boysenberry characterize the nose, with the combination of rich fruit and peppery spice framing the palate. The lingering vanilla finish kicks it up even one more notch. | Tondre Grapefield | 92 | 32 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Joyce 2012 Tondre Grapefield Syrah (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Syrah | Joyce |
| 32496 | 32495 | US | Upfront aromas of buttered dinner rolls—which take on a caramel quality with long sniff—contrast nicely with lime edges. The wine is expansive on the palate, but subtle in flavorings, with toasted coconut, balanced acidity and, on the finish, toasted marcona almonds. | Rita's Crown | 92 | 50 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Longoria 2012 Rita's Crown Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) | Chardonnay | Longoria |
| 32497 | 32496 | France | Here is a huge ripe and luxurious wine, with great power. The texture is solid, filled with firm tannins, the flavors are black and ripe. Along with the power, though, is much of the elegance and poise that characterizes great Saint-Julien. | | 95 | 40 | Bordeaux | Saint-Julien | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Branaire-Ducru 2000 Saint-Julien | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Branaire-Ducru |
| 32498 | 32497 | Australia | Classic Aussie Shiraz from the vineyard that borders the backbone vineyard of Penfold's Grange. This one's made by ex-Grange winemaker Daryl Groom, who now lives in California's Sonoma County but owns his own Australia vineyard. Lush, deep, rich and ripe, the wine fans out to reveal complex layers of black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, chocolate, blackberry, tar, vanilla, coconut and herbs. Smooth and plush textured, with a finish that doesn't quit. | | 94 | 40 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | | | Groom 2001 Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Shiraz | Groom |
| 32499 | 32498 | France | This is a wonderful, dense wine, very concentrated, very intensely flavored. At this stage of its development, it is the opulence which is most evident, but there are already hints that it will show pure fruit alongside sweet tannins, and will develop complexity. | | 94 | 75 | Bordeaux | Pomerol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Fleur-Pétrus 2000 Pomerol | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Fleur-Pétrus |
| 32500 | 32499 | France | Sometimes it seems as if La Mission is as good as Haut-Brion - that was certainly the case in 2001. But in 2000, La Mission fitted more comfortably into its usual good neighbor slot. That is not to suggest it is not a great wine - the score indicates that. At the moment, it is closed, solid and chunky, but all the right hints are there, and it will develop slowly and in a sustained way over many years. | Pessac-L�ognan | 94 | 350 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2000 Pessac-L�ognan (Bordeaux) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château La Mission Haut-Brion |
| 32501 | 32500 | France | At first taste, this wine seems more new world than Bordeaux. But then the subtle, perfumed aromas and structured fruit show through, along with the clean acidity and black tannic fruits. Give this wine at least 12 years before opening. | | 94 | 80 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Rauzan-Ségla 2000 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Rauzan-Ségla |
| 32502 | 32501 | US | Only eight barrels of this totally wonderful stuff were produced. This young, immature Syrah is massive and splendid. Huge in fruit, pepper, smoke, and earthy flavors, swaddled in rich tannins and smart oak. Great now, but will improve over the next 4 years. | Ascent | 94 | 75 | California | Sierra Foothills | Sierra Foothills | | | Domaine de la Terre Rouge 2000 Ascent Syrah (Sierra Foothills) | Syrah | Domaine de la Terre Rouge |
| 32503 | 32502 | France | At this stage, this is very closed, very tight, giving little. But it is possible to discern that this is going to be a beautiful wine. There are flavors of sweet raisins and the fruit has a new world richness, but the structure of dry tannins is always present. It looks as though it has a good, long life. | | 94 | 120 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Palmer 2000 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Palmer |
| 32504 | 32503 | France | The renaissance of Kirwan, with the consultancy of Michel Rolland, continues with this ripe, forward, concentrated wine. The tannins are sweet and soft, with a solid, chunky structure that promises a long life. The finish displays balanced new wood flavors and a smooth polish. | | 94 | 55 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Kirwan 2000 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Kirwan |
| 32505 | 32504 | France | It is the power that is so evident in this wine - a full, up-front expression of Merlot at its most powerful. It is somewhat closed up at this stage, but it is going to continue its development as an enormous wine which still manages to keep its power under firm control. | | 94 | 179 | Bordeaux | Pomerol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Hosanna 2000 Pomerol | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Hosanna |