| 34531 | 34530 | US | Perhaps an unrepresentative bottle (just one was submitted), but this 2008 reserve was muddy in the glass and flabby in the mouth. Oaky and buttery to an extreme degree, it had lost all freshness and fruit. | Reserve | 83 | 25 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Hogue 2008 Reserve Chardonnay (Yakima Valley) | Chardonnay | Hogue |
| 34532 | 34531 | US | Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this is a sweet, rustic wine. It's overripe and Porty, with caramel, blackberry jam and chocolate flavors. | Spellonu Red | 82 | 15 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Spell Wine 2006 Spellonu Red Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Spell Wine |
| 34533 | 34532 | US | Overoaked and tired, a simple, sweet Chardonnay with buttered popcorn and pineapple jam flavors. | | 82 | 16 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Spell Wine 2008 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Spell Wine |
| 34534 | 34533 | US | This starts out well, with some varietal fruit and pepper in the nose. But the aggressive vanilla and coffee flavors suggest that the oak treatments were not well integrated, and the tannins have a bitterly harsh edge to them. | | 82 | 19 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Claar 2008 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Claar |
| 34535 | 34534 | Chile | Banana and lacquer aromas blend with pickled white fruit scents and brine. It's by no means a fresh and inviting Chardonnay; instead, it's a bit mustardy and briney, and not terribly fresh in feel. Is that sauerkraut on the finish? | T.H. West Limarí | 82 | 20 | Limarí Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Undurraga 2009 T.H. West Limarí Chardonnay (Limarí Valley) | Chardonnay | Undurraga |
| 34536 | 34535 | Chile | Bland and oily on the nose, with a mushy palate that's pickled and isn't bringing much to the table. The wine is lemony and green, with a tangle of briney citrus flavors and low acidity. Proves that no oak does not mean no faults. | Reserva Unoaked | 82 | 11 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Apaltagua 2010 Reserva Unoaked Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Apaltagua |
| 34537 | 34536 | Chile | A murky wine with tree bark, rooty fruit aromas and a sharp, high-acid palate that's tannic. Tastes herbal, tart and a bit vegetal, with an herbal, scratchy finish that strongly hints at green. Imported by GOS Wines and BMC Imports. | | 82 | 24 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Loma Larga 2007 Cabernet Franc (Casablanca Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Loma Larga |
| 34538 | 34537 | France | A richly aromatic wine, with swathes of sweet fruit, ripe tannins and a juicy, jammy feel. This is so generous, open, welcoming. There is structure as well, cushioned by the sweet fruits. | | 92 | 20 | Beaujolais | Fleurie | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henry Fessy 2009 Fleurie | Gamay | Henry Fessy |
| 34539 | 34538 | France | Ripe, rounded and generous, a warm plum juice-flavored wine. There is power and concentration. It is a very complete, ageworthy wine, although accessible now. | | 92 | 20 | Beaujolais | Saint-Amour | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henry Fessy 2009 Saint-Amour | Gamay | Henry Fessy |
| 34540 | 34539 | US | Mirabelle is the darkest, chewiest, most tannic of the three clonal selection Pinots offered by Vidon. It's a Pinot in Cab clothing. Chewy, dense, ripe fruit keeps it all in proportion, a thick black cherry core with rings of chocolate. Think Saturn in a glass. | Mirabelle Clone 115 | 92 | 50 | Oregon | Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Vidon Vineyard 2009 Mirabelle Clone 115 Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Vidon Vineyard |
| 34541 | 34540 | US | The perfect California cool-climate Chardonnay. It's balanced and elegant, yet opulent, with beautiful acidity giving brightness to the ripe tangerine, pineapple, buttered toast, cinnamon and crème brûlée flavors. | Bien Nacido Vineyard | 92 | 30 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Au Bon Climat 2008 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Au Bon Climat |
| 34542 | 34541 | US | Made from the same vineyard as Babcock's "Loin" Cabernet, only the addition of Merlot makes the wine richer, fatter and more complex. More feminine, too, despite firm tannins. It's sweet in cherries, blackberries, vanilla, mocha and cinnamon spice. Very fine, one of the best Santa Ynez Valley Bordeaux blends, and a wine to drink over the next several years. | Nucleus | 92 | 50 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Babcock 2007 Nucleus Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Babcock |
| 34543 | 34542 | US | Lots of zesty acidity in this wonderfully complex, exotic Pinot Noir, which comes from the true Sonoma Coast, in the Fort Ross area. It's explosive in wild summer raspberries and cherries, briary nettles, vanilla bean and spices, with a perfect coating of sweetly caramelized oak. Very pure and refined, and best enjoyed young. | Hellenthal Vineyard | 92 | 40 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Bjornstad 2008 Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Bjornstad |
| 34544 | 34543 | US | Pretty much as good as Bjornstad's single-vineyard bottlings. It's opulent and creamy, with exotic tropical fruit, green apple, pear and honey flavors, elaborately oaked and spicy. Wonderful acidity gives a clean scour to all the richness. | | 92 | 25 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Bjornstad 2009 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) | Chardonnay | Bjornstad |
| 34545 | 34544 | US | From older vines comes this very dry, tannic young wine. It has a distinguished minerality anchoring the black cherry, cola and spice flavors. Almost old fashioned in style, with some ruggedness to the texture. Give it until after 2014. | Sanford & Benedict Vineyard | 92 | 50 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Bonaccorsi 2008 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Bonaccorsi |
| 34546 | 34545 | Italy | Castello Banfi's delicious Cum Laude is a super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah that opens with rich aromas of black fruit and chocolate fudge. The 30% Cabernet Sauvignon component adds background notes of exotic spice, moist tobacco and firm tannins. | Cum Laude | 92 | 37 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castello Banfi 2006 Cum Laude Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Castello Banfi |
| 34547 | 34546 | Italy | Tassinaia is a perennial super Tuscan expression with lush layers of cherry and blackberry backed by soft spice nuances and toasty oak aromas such as baked vanilla bean and roasted almond. Dense, firm tannins lend a sturdy but velvety texture. | Tassinaia | 92 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castello del Terriccio 2006 Tassinaia Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Castello del Terriccio |
| 34548 | 34547 | Italy | Perbruno is a beautiful Syrah from central Tuscany that showcases loads of elegant spice and cinnamon backed by blueberry, cherry and sophisticated oak renderings. Pair this wine with succulent steak and green pepper cream sauce. | Perbruno | 92 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | I Giusti e Zanza 2008 Perbruno Syrah (Toscana) | Syrah | I Giusti e Zanza |
| 34549 | 34548 | US | A delicious Merlot, drily tannic and rich in blackberries, cherries and chocolate. Nearly as good as the winery's much more expensive Reserve. Great with grilled steak with sautéed mushrooms. | | 92 | 36 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Keenan 2007 Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Keenan |
| 34550 | 34549 | Argentina | A deep, developed wine with cola, licorice and prune aromas. The palate is poised and balanced even if it's rich and very ripe. Layered in the mouth, with plum, prune, chocolate, coffee and fine spice, which is about as complete a package as you'll find with Malbec. Cabernet and Syrah; drink now through 2015. | Henry Gran Guarda No. 1 | 92 | 65 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lagarde 2007 Henry Gran Guarda No. 1 Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Lagarde |
| 34551 | 34550 | US | Outstanding, with a honeyed note that suggests a hint of botrytis. A lovely blending of complex fruits, perfectly set against the acids and residual sugar just over one percent. This resonates beautifully. | | 92 | 18 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Penner-Ash 2009 Riesling (Willamette Valley) | Riesling | Penner-Ash |
| 34552 | 34551 | US | Racy acidity gives this wine a brisk, uplifted mouthfeel. It's rich in honeysuckle, citrus and vanilla flavors. This is Qupe's most expensive white wine and a fine example of a California Roussanne. | Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate | 92 | 40 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Qupé 2008 Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate Roussanne (Santa Maria Valley) | Roussanne | Qupé |
| 34553 | 34552 | US | Very ripe, showing rich, pure varietal flavors of blackberries, cherries, ground pepper, grilled meat, sweet sandalwood and spices. One hundred percent Syrah, it's balanced with great acidity. Really smooth and delicious, and a crowd pleaser. Could develop over the next 4–5 years. | Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard | 92 | 55 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | | | Qupé 2009 Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Syrah (Edna Valley) | Syrah | Qupé |
| 34554 | 34553 | Italy | From one of Tuscany's most charismatic producers, Roccato has shown a steady evolution in quality and intensity that culminates with this beautiful vintage. A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine delivers Rocca's signature juicy softness with background notes of spice and almond. | Roccato | 92 | 57 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Rocca delle Macìe 2007 Roccato Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Rocca delle Macìe |
| 34555 | 34554 | Italy | Romitorio di Santedame delivers the elegance and storied tradition of Tuscany in a refined, sophisticated package. Bright notes of cherry, cassis and white almond give a fresh edge to the wine's rich concentration. | Romitorio di Santedame | 92 | 80 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Ruffino 2005 Romitorio di Santedame Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Ruffino |
| 34556 | 34555 | US | Excellent price for a coastal sparkling wine made from the superior grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Rich and ripe in strawberries, limes and vanilla, it has a doughy yeastiness, with crisp acidity and a dry finish. | | 92 | 25 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Sonoma Coast Vineyards 2007 Sparkling (Sonoma Coast) | Sparkling Blend | Sonoma Coast Vineyards |
| 34557 | 34556 | France | In ripe vintages, T-L's whites show much less oak influence than expected, and this 2009 Condrieu is a case in point. It delivers all of Condrieu's floral aromas, plus flashes of lychee, tropical fruit and apricot. It's Condrieu at its exotic, sexy best, long-lasting and spicy on the finish. Drink now. | | 92 | 74 | Rhône Valley | Condrieu | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Tardieu-Laurent 2009 Condrieu | Viognier | Tardieu-Laurent |
| 34558 | 34557 | US | From the Los Alamos Valley, an oaky, mushroomy Pinot Noir, with blackberry, raspberry and cherry pie filling flavors as well as earthy notes of mushrooms and cola. Voluptuous and silky, it's lovely for drinking now. | Precocious | 92 | 55 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Babcock 2009 Precocious Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Babcock |
| 34559 | 34558 | Spain | A bit thick and raisiny on first take, but with airing and swirling it becomes fresher. The palate is rich and rooty, with cocoa, prune, earth notes and tea-like flavors. Ripe and smooth on the finish, with no tannic backlash or lazy oak. Ripe as can be but still lively; drink now through 2018. | Miros de Ribera Reserva Selección Barricas | 92 | 50 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Peñafiel 2004 Miros de Ribera Reserva Selección Barricas (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Bodegas Peñafiel |
| 34560 | 34559 | Italy | Here's a beautiful wine fit for serving at elegant dinner parties or special occasions. There's a slightly aged quality of dry cassis or candied fruit that is followed by warming tones of toasted nut and dark leather. The overall effect is that of elegance and persistency. | | 92 | 100 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Boscarelli 2006 Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Boscarelli |