33185 | 33184 | Spain | Rooty aromas of licorice mix with raw slightly grassy red-fruit scents in front of a juicy lively high-acid palate. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo from a cool year shows spicy plum and red-berry flavors, while a peppery lightly herbal finish is tangy and fresh. | Finca Santa Sabina | 87 | 20 | Northern Spain | Somontano | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Otto Bestué 2013 Finca Santa Sabina Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon (Somontano) | Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon | Bodega Otto Bestué |
33186 | 33185 | Italy | Delicate aromas of red berry, blue flower and a whiff of used leather lead the nose. On the straightforward, somewhat fleeting palate, a note of white pepper adds interest to red cherry and pomegranate. | Molino del Piano | 87 | 40 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bonacchi 2012 Molino del Piano (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Bonacchi |
33187 | 33186 | US | Aromas of citrus peel, plum, herb, wood shavings and medicine cabinet are followed by plump cherry flavors. The tannins bring a slight sense of astringency. | Crawford Vineyard | 87 | 28 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Camaraderie 2013 Crawford Vineyard Malbec (Yakima Valley) | Malbec | Camaraderie |
33188 | 33187 | Italy | Underbrush, stewed prune and tobacco aromas follow over to the rather lean, evolved palate along with dried cherry, espresso and a hint of clove. Drink this over the next few years to capture the remaining fruit. | Gualto | 87 | 100 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Camigliano 2011 Gualto (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Camigliano |
33189 | 33188 | US | A youthful, light-bodied and exuberant expression of the variety, this shows raspberry, vanilla and currant flavors, with a tangy tartness of citrus on the palate. Oaky tannin comes through on the finish. | | 87 | 18 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Camp 2015 Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Camp |
33190 | 33189 | US | It's a grand, full-flavored wine that pulls together ripe, focused pear and honey flavors. Buttery, spicy oak nuances beef up the palate impression and run through the finish. For all its body and oaky spice, it doesn't get heavy. | High Elevation | 90 | 23 | California | Lake County | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Shannon Ridge 2013 High Elevation Chardonnay (Lake County) | Chardonnay | Shannon Ridge |
33191 | 33190 | US | Different vintages favor different sites, and this Goosepen Block offering, though perfectly made, is not quite as dense the other vintage offerings from Sokol Blosser. A wash of milk chocolate surrounds raspberry and cherry fruit. Smooth and supple, with a streak of cola and red licorice, it fades gently into a finish tinged with flavors of clay. | Goosepen Block | 90 | 80 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sokol Blosser 2012 Goosepen Block Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Sokol Blosser |
33192 | 33191 | US | The addition of 5% Sémillon proves to be the right call in this white, a structured, spritzy glass of tree-ripened apricot and exotic lemongrass with a pleasant heft to the palate. A twist of ripeness gives a mouthwatering, juicy finish. | Estate Bottled | 90 | 40 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Spring Mountain Vineyard 2012 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Spring Mountain Vineyard |
33193 | 33192 | US | As always, the historic winery produces a nuanced, restrained style, with a subdued nose of berries and balsamic reduction. It's light and bright on the palate, with chicory and woody tones and medium-ripe cherry fruit, a perfect partner to varied foods. | Côtes de Tablas Estate Grown & Bottled | 90 | 35 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Tablas Creek 2012 Côtes de Tablas Estate Grown & Bottled Red (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Tablas Creek |
33194 | 33193 | Italy | This brawny, earthy 11-year-old opens with aromas of leather, game, tobacco, graphite and mature plum. Given its age, it's surprisingly youthful, displaying dried dark cherry, fig, prune, black pepper and tobacco flavors alongside an assertive, tannic backbone. Drink through 2018. | Exubera | 90 | 100 | Central Italy | Montefalco Sagrantino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terre de la Custodia 2003 Exubera (Montefalco Sagrantino) | Sagrantino | Terre de la Custodia |
33195 | 33194 | US | Abundant flavors and fresh-tasting acidity come together in this full-bodied wine to form a complete, complex package. Yes, there is a vivid streak of vanilla and nutmeg from aging in all American oak barrels but the ripe apple flavors and underlying crispness keep those from overwhelming. | Reserve | 90 | 18 | California | Lake County | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Wildhurst 2012 Reserve Chardonnay (Lake County) | Chardonnay | Wildhurst |
33196 | 33195 | US | The vintage conditions led to a sharply delineated, acid-driven Pinot Blanc in 2013. Tart with lip-smacking flavors of gooseberry, lime and celery, it also features grace notes of fresh herb. The strong focus and tight persistence make this one to enjoy over through 2020. | | 90 | 21 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | WillaKenzie Estate 2013 Pinot Blanc | Pinot Blanc | WillaKenzie Estate |
33197 | 33196 | US | This wine is named for the mother of one of the owners, an artist and teacher who provided the inspired artwork found on the label. It blends mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and is soft in red currant with fully developed acidity. | Ellie's | 90 | 80 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Hall 2011 Ellie's Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hall |
33198 | 33197 | US | Dark in color, deep in aroma, quietly intense in flavor and so mouthcoating in texture—this Cabernet demands to be noticed. Yet all of those bold elements are wrapped in a tightly woven and softly finished texture. The flavors are like dark chocolate and ripe blackberries, the mouthfeel is fine and it's not overly tannic or too full-bodied. | | 90 | 15 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Carnivor 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Carnivor |
33199 | 33198 | US | A deep gold color combines with ripe fruit aromas and assertive, seductive oak flavors like vanilla and nutmeg in this full-bodied, lush-textured, unapologetic California Chardonnay. A layer of the tasty oak flavors stays strong on the finish. | | 90 | 26 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Alta 2012 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Alta |
33200 | 33199 | US | This is a deep and concentrated white wine, ripely adorned in honey and apricot with a streak of honeysuckle dancing on the nose throughout. Creamy and round, it is buoyed by a fresh sprinkling of orange blossom and rind. | Saralee's Vineyard | 90 | 30 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Arrowood 2012 Saralee's Vineyard Viognier (Russian River Valley) | Viognier | Arrowood |
33201 | 33200 | Germany | Hints of umami richness lend savoriness to primary red-cherry and cranberry flavors on this nuanced wine. Supple like silk yet refreshingly mineral, it finishes crisp and clean with lingering wet-granite notes. | Sommerhalde Erste Lage R GG | 90 | 103 | Baden | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Bernhard Huber 2011 Sommerhalde Erste Lage R GG Spätburgunder (Baden) | Spätburgunder | Bernhard Huber |
33202 | 33201 | US | Solely from Mount Veeder, this Cabernet Sauvignon has small percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The trio combine to offer currant and cranberry around a complex, woody core of oak, black tea and herbs. | Estate Grown | 90 | 60 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Brandlin 2011 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Brandlin |
33203 | 33202 | US | White pepper and matchstick come to the fore aromatically in this crisp white that's fuller bodied on the palate than one would expect given the aromatics. Apple and pear give a complex, autumnal fruit presence that leads up to a ripe, creamy finish. | The Count's Selection | 90 | 25 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Buena Vista 2013 The Count's Selection Pinot Gris (Sonoma Valley) | Pinot Gris | Buena Vista |
33204 | 33203 | Italy | Blueberry, plum cake, mocha, vanilla and sweet pipe tobacco aromas jump from the glass of this mature, structured wine. On the palate, notes of cinnamon and anisette back up primary flavors of dried black cherry and blackberry. Thanks to its smooth tannins, this would be nice to sip after dinner in front of the fire. | La Mattonara Riserva | 90 | 350 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Zymè 2003 La Mattonara Riserva (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Red Blend | Zymè |
33205 | 33204 | Spain | Ripe and dense from a warm vintage, this wine shows aromas of cedar, tobacco, black plum and blackberry on the nose. The baked fruit core is accented by cardamon and warm spice, then turns oaky and darker in character. Drink through 2017. | Llanos del Almendro | 90 | 140 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio de Atauta 2009 Llanos del Almendro (Ribera del Duero) | Tinto Fino | Dominio de Atauta |
33206 | 33205 | France | Guigal's 2009 entry-level Côte Rôtie comes across as a bit austere. Cool scents of crushed stone and black olive mark the nose, while the palate is firm and tight, only slowly giving up hints of espresso. Drink 2018–2024. | Brune et Blonde | 90 | 75 | Rhône Valley | Côte Rôtie | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | E. Guigal 2009 Brune et Blonde (Côte Rôtie) | Syrah | E. Guigal |
33207 | 33206 | Spain | This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with gritty black fruit aromas accented by licorice, olive and old leather. A racy red fruit palate has plenty of acidic fuel, while flavors of raspberry, red plum and spicy oak eventually turn chocolaty. Fig, herb and tomato flavors add complexity to the finish. Drink through 2019. | Santa Rosa | 90 | 42 | Levante | Alicante | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Enrique Mendoza 2010 Santa Rosa Red (Alicante) | Red Blend | Enrique Mendoza |
33208 | 33207 | Italy | Dried lychee, apricot, and baked biscuit aromas lead the nose on this enveloping dessert wine. The richly textured palate doles out honey, mature yellow peach, dried mint and candied citrus brightened by just enough fresh acidity that gives it a clean finish. | Motto Piane | 90 | 40 | Veneto | Recioto di Soave | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Fattori 2011 Motto Piane (Recioto di Soave) | Garganega | Fattori |
33209 | 33208 | US | Roughly half the fruit is estate grown. Lush, potent aromatics introduce an impressively concentrated wine, abundant in fresh pear flavor. An orange liqueur highlight adds a sharp, well-defined note to the finish. This wine should develop nicely through 2018 or 2020. | | 90 | 18 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Iris Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Iris Vineyards |
33210 | 33209 | Italy | An intense fragrance that recalls peach blossom, lemon blossom and hints of green apple lead the nose on this sparkling Chardonnay. The creamy palate delivers white peach, Golden Delicious apple, almond and lemon pastry brightened by crisp acidity and a steely mineral note. Fine bubbles add a touch of softness on the finish. | Regium Brut | 90 | 40 | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | La Valle 2008 Regium Brut Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | La Valle |
33181 | 33180 | US | Fashion designer/vintner Richard Hirsh is aiming for the mass market with this approachable if slightly sweet blend. Its wide appeal is the result of sun-filled fruit, showing honey, baked apple, orange blossom and tropical notes on the nose. It's soft on the palate, with candied apple, brown sugar and lemongrass flavors. | Honey Pie | 87 | 32 | California | California | California Other | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Woodstock Collection NV Honey Pie White (California) | White Blend | Woodstock Collection |
33182 | 33181 | South Africa | Aromas of gooseberry, guava and white peach are laced with hints of fresh-cut grass and subtle smoke. The palate offers straightforward citrus and green fruit tones, which are lifted by ample acidity and finish quickly on the brisk close. Drink now. | | 87 | 15 | Durbanville | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Durbanville Hills 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Durbanville) | Sauvignon Blanc | Durbanville Hills |
33183 | 33182 | Spain | Earthy red-berry aromas include a note of forest floor. A medium-bodied palate is centered on tight racy acidity, while this blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon tastes of red plum, mixed spices and cocoa powder. An edgy finish with spiced cherry and plum flavors is juicy and primed by raw acidity. | Crianza | 87 | 16 | Northern Spain | Somontano | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Enate 2012 Crianza Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon (Somontano) | Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon | Enate |
33184 | 33183 | US | This is a well-put-together, affordable wine that's moderate in ripeness and tannin and easygoing on the palate, offering a plethora of red and black cherry fruit. | Reserve | 87 | 27 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Frei Brothers 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Frei Brothers |