| 3323 | 3322 | New Zealand | A plump, nicely concentrated Sauvignon Blanc, the 2009 Mount Beautiful doesn't have the most intense aromatics, but is holding on to its weighty melon and fig flavors and lingering citrus finish. Drink up. | | 87 | 20 | Canterbury | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mt. Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Canterbury) | Sauvignon Blanc | Mt. Beautiful |
| 3324 | 3323 | Italy | Sangiovese is enhanced by small percentages of Malvasia Nera and Colorino to deliver a plush, plump and satisfying Morellino from southern Tuscany. There's a nice feeling of informality here that makes this wine perfect for easy meals with family and friends. | | 87 | | Tuscany | Morellino di Scansano | | | | Poggio Nardone 2008 Morellino di Scansano | Sangiovese | Poggio Nardone |
| 3325 | 3324 | France | At first taste, the tannins dominate. Then fresher fruit shows through. The wine is firmly dry, the texture linear, the fruit showing some black currant character. | | 87 | 20 | Bordeaux | Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Ramafort 2008 Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Ramafort |
| 3326 | 3325 | New Zealand | Slightly more concentrated than other Marlborough Pinots in this price range, the 2008 Mana displays modest cherry fruit and an array of savory elements, including game, brine and peppery spice. It's a bit rough around the edges, yet in a charming sort of way. Drink now–2012. | | 87 | 17 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mana 2008 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Mana |
| 3327 | 3326 | US | Acidity marks this fresh, young Pinot Noir. It's as if the raspberry and cherry wine has been enlivened with a splash or three of lime juice. This primary fruit tartness may be because the wine was bottled and rushed to market too early. Don't drink it now. Give it a year or two to integrate. | Morning Dew Vineyard | 87 | 47 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | Drew 2009 Morning Dew Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Drew |
| 3328 | 3327 | Italy | Clove and dark Indian spice is the protagonist here and background aromas of cherry and moist earth play supporting roles. The wine is smooth and soft in the mouth with a bright, zesty close. | Le Vespe | 87 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Giuliano Tiberi 2007 Le Vespe Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Giuliano Tiberi |
| 3329 | 3328 | US | Made from an unknown blend of grapes, this nonvintage red is good, dry and versatile. It has juicy flavors of blackberries and pepper, with some extra layers of depth that make it a good value for a restaurant by-the-glass wine. | White Label | 87 | 18 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Greater Purpose NV White Label Red (Dry Creek Valley) | Red Blend | Greater Purpose |
| 3330 | 3329 | Spain | Maybe it's the Viura, becuase this $9 wine seems cleaner, rounder and slightly better than the winery's higher-priced pure Verdejos. Look for generic but fresh peach and citrus aromas and then lip-smacking citrus flavors. Finishes composed and clean, with lasting grapefruit flavor. 60% Verdejo and 40% Viura. | Isabelino | 87 | 9 | Northern Spain | Rueda | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Reina de Castilla 2009 Isabelino Verdejo-Viura (Rueda) | Verdejo-Viura | Reina de Castilla |
| 3301 | 3300 | South Africa | The wines of Backsberg have a distinctive, artistic quality to them that makes them ideal for collectors and drinkers who seek wines with style. This Pinotage has those qualities, with its layers of cinnamon and deep berry on the nose and smooth, integrated berry and smoke flavors. This is a real Pinotage so expect the rubbery smoke that goes along with it—but it's also elegant, offering structure and complexity with a gentle touch. | | 87 | 13 | Coastal Region | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Backsberg 2005 Pinotage (Coastal Region) | Pinotage | Backsberg |
| 3302 | 3301 | US | The grapes were grown on the Central Coast, mostly in Arroyo Grande, and the wine is characterized by vibrant acidity. There is an intense taste of raspberries, more usually found in a red variety like Grenache than a white wine, but Grenache Blanc consitutes nearly half the blend, along with Roussanne. | Le Cigar Blanc | 87 | 20 | California | California | California Other | | | Bonny Doon 2005 Le Cigar Blanc White (California) | White Blend | Bonny Doon |
| 3303 | 3302 | Spain | This one takes on an orange tint, and the aromas are akin to chocolate, spice cake and even some baked beans. The palate is quite crisp and healthy, with berry fruit, citrus and length. A good wine with a racy, cleansing feel. It's not spectacular but it ranks highly among similar competitors. | Brut Rosé | 87 | 15 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Codorníu NV Brut Rosé Pinot Noir (Cava) | Pinot Noir | Codorníu |
| 3304 | 3303 | Italy | Thanks to its buoyant aromas of field flower, green apple, pear and dried sage leaf, you could definitely describe this as a multidimensional wine with noticeable elegance. There are musky, sweet fruit flavors on the finish. | Extra Dry | 87 | 19 | Veneto | Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene | | | | Conte Collalto NV Extra Dry (Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Conte Collalto |
| 3305 | 3304 | US | Schug's regular Pinot, as opposed to their Heritage Reserve, is a dependably village-style expression of easy-drinking, cool-climate Pinot Noir. The '06, like previous vintages, shows a silky, delicate texture framing cherry, raspberry and cola flavors, with a smoky vanilla edge of oak. | | 87 | 22 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Schug 2006 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Schug |
| 3306 | 3305 | US | A first bottle was obviously off. A second was better, although still lacking the complexity you want at this price. It was a young Cab, dry and tannic, with a core of cassis and cherries. A few years in the cellar should soften it. | Star Vineyard | 87 | 80 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | St. Clement 2004 Star Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Clement |
| 3307 | 3306 | US | On a par with recent vintages, this four-year old Cab is soft and pleasant, with ripe cherry, blackberry, raspberry and herb flavors that are well oaked. The tannins are crunchy, but the wine isn't an ager. Best now through 2009. | | 87 | 27 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Arbios 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Arbios |
| 3308 | 3307 | Italy | This is a dry Prosecco, meaning it is slightly sweeter than a brut or extra dry. Traditionally, Prosecco has this level of sugar, making it a very true rendition of what the wine is intended to taste like: Fresh peach, basil, pineapple, yellow apple and even an understated touch of banana come into play. | Vigneto Giardino Dry | 87 | 22 | Veneto | Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | | | | Adami NV Vigneto Giardino Dry (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Adami |
| 3309 | 3308 | Portugal | One of the principle grapes of the Alentejo, Antão Vaz blends easily with the Arinto of neighboring Ribatejo. There is an attractive citrus element to this wood-aged wine, soft, open, but remaining fresh, the tropical fruit flavors well under control. | Antão Vaz-Arinto | 87 | | Alentejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Alentex 2006 Antão Vaz-Arinto White (Alentejo) | Portuguese White | Alentex |
| 3310 | 3309 | Italy | The idea here is to present a more structured and sophisticated Brut with emphasis on the nutty tones and mature peach. The wine succeeds in this regard but the whole point of Prosecco is to be light and fun; this ultimately lacks those sharp, well-defined fruit tones you might expect. | Brut Millesimato Motus Vitae | 87 | 37 | Veneto | Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | | | | Bortolomiol 2005 Brut Millesimato Motus Vitae (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Bortolomiol |
| 3311 | 3310 | Italy | Here is a lighter, paler shade of Prosecco with opulent and cheerful soapy and herbal qualities (thanks to 10% Pinot Bianco) backed by lemon candy and polished mineral. Yellow apple and chalk are immediately recognizable. The mouthfeel is creamy and foamy with fresh crispness that is noticeable but not exaggerated. | Brut | 87 | 16 | Veneto | Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | | | | Bortolotti NV Brut (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Bortolotti |
| 3312 | 3311 | US | There's a sweetmeat, salty leatheriness to this Pinot, like beef jerky. Give it a year or so to mellow out and let the smoky oak integrate with the ripe cherry, cola and raspberry flavors. Decant for an hour or two if you pop it open now. | Sangiacomo Vineyards | 87 | 32 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Castle 2005 Sangiacomo Vineyards Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Castle |
| 3313 | 3312 | Spain | Ginger ale and Sprite are the first things that come to mind when you give it a sniff. The palate shows ripe and sweet orange, tangerine and pink grapefruit, while the back end is lean and citrusy but far short of complex. Good in a standard way. | Reserva Raventós Brut | 87 | 15 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Codorníu NV Reserva Raventós Brut Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Codorníu |
| 3314 | 3313 | US | A bit heavy handed, with lots of tannins and acidity, and the jammy cherry-berry fruit is in your face. It's made in a big, bold style that will appeal to fruit-forward fans. | Turner Vineyard | 87 | 40 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Ortman Family 2008 Turner Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Ortman Family |
| 3315 | 3314 | Israel | Year after year, the Yasmin line from Recanati proves itself to be a fantastic value, and the 2009s are no exception. This 60% Merlot-40% Cabernet Sauvignon blend is fruit-driven but appropriately spiced with a lovely mocha-infused finish. The silky texture offers approachable, dusty tannins integrated throughout the medium-weight mouth. | Yasmin Kosher Red | 87 | 11 | Galilee | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Recanati 2009 Yasmin Kosher Red Red (Galilee) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Recanati |
| 3316 | 3315 | Italy | Perfect for a pairing with lasagna or meat cannelloni with bechamel sauce, this bright Chianti Classico has the natural acidity to cut though fatty food ingredients. The wine's aromas recall white cherry and raspberry. | | 87 | | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | | | Tenuta di Vignole 2007 Chianti Classico | Sangiovese | Tenuta di Vignole |
| 3317 | 3316 | US | Lola is a 50-50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend, smooth and supple, with a mix of purple berries, black cherry, cassis and smoke. The tannins finish a little green, and the Cab/Syrah combo seems to nullify the clear, varietal expression of either grape, but overall this is a well-crafted wine that could stand nicely alongside a hanger steak. | Lola Red | 87 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Two Vintners 2007 Lola Red Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Two Vintners |
| 3318 | 3317 | US | Teeters on the verge of complexity, with dry, spicy flavors of raspberries and cherries. Good Carneros acidity makes for a brisk mouthfeel. Should develop for a year or three in the bottle. | Truchard Vineyard | 87 | 27 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | X 2009 Truchard Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | X |
| 3319 | 3318 | Spain | Minerally, dry and clean white wine made from 60% Xarello and 40% Chardonnay. The nose is peachy, while the palate is spritzy and bouncy, with short, slightly creamy apple, melon and papaya flavors that are true to Xarello. Finishes smooth but a little flat. | Petit Albet | 87 | 13 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Albet I Noya 2009 Petit Albet White (Penedès) | White Blend | Albet I Noya |
| 3320 | 3319 | Italy | Avignonesi takes a traditionalists' approach to most of its wines, including this ruby-colored Rosso di Montepulciano. Slightly muddled aromas of cherry and dried raspberry mingle with tobacco, leather and spice. | | 87 | 19 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montepulciano | | | | Avignonesi 2008 Rosso di Montepulciano | Prugnolo Gentile | Avignonesi |
| 3321 | 3320 | Israel | Here's a fresh and lively unoaked Chard that's perfect for lighter fare like tabouleh salad or grilled chicken. Green apple and citrus mingle with a hint of lemon custard on the nose, while the medium-weight mouth offers more green plum and white nectarine flavors. Flavorful and refreshing; drink now. | Reserve Unoaked Kosher | 87 | 20 | Judean Hills | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Binyamina 2009 Reserve Unoaked Kosher Chardonnay (Judean Hills) | Chardonnay | Binyamina |
| 3322 | 3321 | Spain | A snappy, high-acid wine that pulses with red fruit aromas and flavors. It's sheering, which is normal for the Graciano variety, but it also tastes nice while delivering a bolt of raspberry and red plum flavor. Oak comes up late, providing a counterweight of vanilla and dry spice. Nice but like all varietal Gracianos, it's sharp and limited. | | 87 | 45 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Valserrano 2004 Rioja | Graciano | Valserrano |