| 37051 | 37050 | Chile | This grassy, slightly stalky smelling SB struggles with purity on the nose. In the mouth, however, it's lifted and shows good feel along with flavors of green herbs and citrus. The finish is under control, with adequate cut. | Reserva el Algarrobo | 85 | 12 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | TerraNoble 2011 Reserva el Algarrobo Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | TerraNoble |
| 37052 | 37051 | US | Alexander Valley's Merlots are always easy wines to drink, and with their 2010, they follow that formula. It's soft and gently tannic, with blackberry and herb flavors. | Estate | 85 | 20 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Alexander Valley Vineyards 2010 Estate Merlot (Alexander Valley) | Merlot | Alexander Valley Vineyards |
| 37053 | 37052 | Spain | After a soupy smelling opening, leather and rubbery black-fruit aromas rise up. The palate feels firm and acidic, while the flavors revolve around berry fruit and oak, with additional oak spice and grabby tannins controlling the finish. | | 85 | 13 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zumaya 2010 Ribera del Duero | Tempranillo | Zumaya |
| 37054 | 37053 | Spain | On first whiff, you may not be convinced that this Tempranillo-Cabernet blend is up to snuff. The nose has carob, rubbery oak, creamy vanilla and cookie aromas along with jammy berry. The palate is capped with tannins and feels rubbery, while flavors of milk chocolate, baked cherry and rubber finish with blackened flavors of barbecue. For $10 it's pretty good, but don't expect a miracle. | Mil Cepas Gran Reserva | 85 | 10 | Catalonia | Terra Alta | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cellers Unió 2006 Mil Cepas Gran Reserva Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon (Terra Alta) | Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon | Cellers Unió |
| 37055 | 37054 | US | A fleshy, full-bodied Syrah with a streak of gingerbread flavor that's got a bite of heat on the finish. This is a wine for people who like a bolder, higher-alcohol style. | | 85 | 23 | California | Calaveras County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Chatom Vineyards 2009 Syrah (Calaveras County) | Syrah | Chatom Vineyards |
| 37056 | 37055 | US | The cool 2010 vintage seems to have taken a toll on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It's distinctly herbal with dry, astringent tannins and the fruit unable to stand up to the oak. | Ruah | 85 | 18 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Desert Wind 2010 Ruah Red (Wahluke Slope) | Red Blend | Desert Wind |
| 37057 | 37056 | Argentina | There's a stalky, baked angle to the nose of this full-bodied, heavily oaked Chardonnay. The palate, as the nose suggests, is heavy and rich, with candied, creamy banana and baked apple flavors. It's ripe and oily on the finish. | Grande Reserve | 85 | | Mendoza Province | Tupungato | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Domaine Jean Bousquet 2011 Grande Reserve Chardonnay (Tupungato) | Chardonnay | Domaine Jean Bousquet |
| 37058 | 37057 | Spain | The nose on this Syrah-Cabernet combination is defined almost entirely by raisin and prune. The wine feels heavy and raisiny rich on the palate, with one-dimensional flavors of raisin and prune (just like the bouquet indicates). Lastly, the finish tastes brandied. | | 85 | 22 | Levante | Valencia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Drassanes 2008 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Valencia) | Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon | Drassanes |
| 37059 | 37058 | Chile | From the start, this is a heavily roasted and fully oaked wine. The nose is charred and cooked, with black-fruit aromas lurking below the surface. The mouth is drying and shows black-fruit flavors along with burnt meat, licorice, lemon peel and herbs. | Reina Ana | 85 | 12 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aguirre 2010 Reina Ana Cabernet Sauvignon (Maule Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Aguirre |
| 37060 | 37059 | France | A classic Gaillac blend of Duras, Gamay, Merlot and Syrah, this is a bright, fruity wine, the lighter of the two wines produced at Château Lecusse. Red berries dominate, allied to crisp acidity. | Grappes d'Or | 85 | 11 | Southwest France | Gaillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lecusse 2009 Grappes d'Or Red (Gaillac) | Red Blend | Château Lecusse |
| 37061 | 37060 | US | This is a good value Zinfandel. Its label was modeled after the Fillmore's better days of poster art, meant to appeal to Baby Boomer rock lovers everywhere. Spicy and not overbearing, it'll work for casual jam sessions and/or barbecues. | | 85 | 11 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Deep Purple 2011 Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | Deep Purple |
| 37062 | 37061 | France | A soft, apple-y, ripe wine, this is a broad, fruity and instantly attractive wine. A fine example of cool, unoaked Chardonnay, it's lightly fragrant and crisp on the finish. Screwcap. | | 85 | 12 | Loire Valley | Val de Loire | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de Bernier 2011 Chardonnay (Val de Loire) | Chardonnay | Domaine de Bernier |
| 37063 | 37062 | Italy | Altrovino is a 50-50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that opens with intense aromas of black fruit, spice, tobacco and smooth black chocolate. In the mouth, this wine offers richness and a silky, long finish. | Altrovino | 88 | 40 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Duemani 2006 Altrovino Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Duemani |
| 37064 | 37063 | France | The Buzet co-op's top brand, this is big, powerful and rich. It is dominated by blackberry jelly and sweet plums, as well as firm tannins. The palate is weighty, solid, maybe missing freshness but certainly giving good intensity. | Baron d'Ardeuil Vieilles Vignes | 88 | 17 | Southwest France | Buzet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vignerons de Buzet 2005 Baron d'Ardeuil Vieilles Vignes Red (Buzet) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Vignerons de Buzet |
| 37065 | 37064 | New Zealand | A step up in quality from the 2008—not surprising given the relative strength of the vintage. A flinty note accents nectarine and grapefruit flavors in this light- to medium-bodied offering, lingering nicely on the finish. | | 88 | 15 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mount Fishtail 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) | Sauvignon Blanc | Mount Fishtail |
| 37066 | 37065 | France | A tightly tannic wine, with a firm feeling of wood, balanced by stalky black currant fruit and a layer of acidity. It is still young, with the tannins likely to soften. | Château de Sabazan | 88 | 25 | Southwest France | Saint-Mont | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Producteurs Plaimont 2006 Château de Sabazan (Saint-Mont) | Red Blend | Producteurs Plaimont |
| 37067 | 37066 | Portugal | Balanced fresh wine, full of mango, guava and pineapple flavors. It has freshness, brightness, along with a refreshing citrus burst. | Guadalupe Branco | 88 | 14 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Quetzal 2009 Guadalupe Branco White (Alentejano) | Portuguese White | Quinta do Quetzal |
| 37068 | 37067 | Spain | This is a smooth, subdued style of Rioja that's perfect for tapas or casual consumption. The nose offers the right kind of entry: cherry and raspberry with dusty spice. And the flavors are friendly and suggest black fruits and smoke. A little more oaky and charred than some, but a nice crianza nonetheless. | Crianza | 88 | 13 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ramón Bilbao 2006 Crianza (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Ramón Bilbao |
| 37069 | 37068 | Australia | A faint coppery-pink rosé, Taltarni's 2008 Taché is a blend of 58% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier. It's lean and crisp, with a zesty, citrusy feel to the modest toast and mushroom flavors. | Taché | 88 | 25 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Taltarni 2008 Taché Sparkling (South Eastern Australia) | Sparkling Blend | Taltarni |
| 37070 | 37069 | Italy | This is a very likable and easy-to-drink blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon that moves over the palate with bright fruit intensity and silky tannins. The wine is fresh and would pair well with a heaping plate of sausage and white Tuscan beans. | Daniello | 88 | 18 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta di Trecciano 2006 Daniello Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tenuta di Trecciano |
| 37071 | 37070 | Portugal | Ripe, fruity Chardonnay, with toast flavors balancing with smooth apricot and pear juice. The wine is soft, rich and generous, finishing with a light acidity. | Cova da Ursa | 88 | 20 | Península de Setúbal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal 2008 Cova da Ursa Chardonnay (Península de Setúbal) | Chardonnay | Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal |
| 37072 | 37071 | US | A robust, spicy wine that offers lots of bang for the buck. The flavors range from lush raspberries and red cherries up through blackberries and currants, veering into mocha, and there's lots of crushed black pepper. Easy to like with steak, lamb, Mexican food. | The Slammer | 88 | 14 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Big House 2008 The Slammer Syrah (Central Coast) | Syrah | Big House |
| 37073 | 37072 | Spain | Brickish in color, with mature aromas of cedar, pine, tobacco, olive and dried fruits. There's still some racy acidity that's keeping the rooty flavors of tobacco, dried berry, coffee and spice moving forward. Finishes dry and a little bit classic; drink now for an affordable taste of Navarra. | Crianza | 88 | 14 | Northern Spain | Navarra | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Castillo de Monjardin 2005 Crianza Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Navarra) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Castillo de Monjardin |
| 37074 | 37073 | France | Soft and full in the mouth, with spice adding an extra dimension to the broad berry fruits. The wine is ready to drink, its acidity melding well into the richness. The final taste is solid and dense. | | 88 | 22 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Croix Melin 2008 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Croix Melin |
| 37075 | 37074 | New Zealand | Starts off with slightly confected yet delicious aromas of cherries, almond paste and vanilla, but turns slightly more savory on the palate, where it picks up some herbal shadings. This is relatively light in body, with a crisp structure that suggests it may last longer than most Marlborough Pinots; drink now–2017. | | 88 | 29 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Churton 2007 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Churton |
| 37076 | 37075 | US | This very rich Chardonnay oozes showy flavors of pineapples, pears and golden mangoes, with winemaking notes of buttered toast, crème brûlée and a slight taste of yeast. It's not particularly subtle, projecting power instead. | Gold Coast Vineyard Reserva Dorada | 88 | 35 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Costa de Oro 2008 Gold Coast Vineyard Reserva Dorada Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Costa de Oro |
| 37077 | 37076 | Italy | This oaky blend of Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) sees 10 months of barrique for extra intense notes of spice, cinnamon, clove and general woodshop. There is black fruit, cola and blackberry pie as well, but the wine needs a few more years of aging to find balance. | Zizzolo | 88 | | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Fornacelle 2008 Zizzolo (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Fornacelle |
| 37078 | 37077 | US | Very dry, with mouth-watering acidity, but the palate also searches for a little more fruit than the wine offers. Still, the pineapples, peaches and apricots are pleasant enough. | Reserve | 88 | 33 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Kunde 2008 Reserve Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley) | Chardonnay | Kunde |
| 37079 | 37078 | Portugal | From Sauvignon Blanc grown in the vineyards of the Mateus palace, this is a classic, herbaceous wine with attractive fresh and grassy acidity. The high altitude fruit is bright and crisp. | Três Bagos Sauvignon | 88 | 15 | Duriense | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lavradores de Feitoria 2009 Três Bagos Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc (Duriense) | Sauvignon Blanc | Lavradores de Feitoria |
| 37080 | 37079 | Italy | This Bolgheri blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Cabernet Franc offers green tones of pepper and chopped spice over natural rubber, bramble and wild berry. The wine feels tonic and sharp in the mouth and ends with a twist of sour cherry. | | 88 | | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Le Grascete 2007 Bolgheri | Red Blend | Le Grascete |