| 40363 | 40362 | France | Produced from old vines, this textured, solid wine has a tight and firmly tannic character. Underneath, red cherry fruits are already releasing a fragrant side and the potential of bright fruitiness. Drink from 2016. | Les Vaumuriens | 91 | | Burgundy | Pommard | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Chantal Lescure 2011 Les Vaumuriens (Pommard) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Chantal Lescure |
| 40364 | 40363 | France | From vines just to the north of Nuits Saint-Georges, this firm and structured wine features ripe fruits, red berries and bitter cherry flavors. Both dark in texture and perfumed, it's powerful and does need some aging. Drink from 2017. | Aux Chaignots Premier Cru | 91 | 112 | Burgundy | Nuits-St.-Georges | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2011 Aux Chaignots Premier Cru (Nuits-St.-Georges) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Faiveley |
| 40365 | 40364 | France | The 60% new wood aging is showing strongly in this structured wine. Rich and rounded, it offers hints of spice, red cherry fruits and a firmly, tannic edge. The aftertaste brings out a jammy richness. Drink from 2017. | Les Porets Saint-Georges Premier Cru | 91 | 101 | Burgundy | Nuits-St.-Georges | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2011 Les Porets Saint-Georges Premier Cru (Nuits-St.-Georges) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Faiveley |
| 40366 | 40365 | France | Herbal accents of thyme and rhubarb and a dash of pomegranate molasses give this dark-fruited wine an exotic edge, although it finishes with hints of creosote and espresso. It's full-bodied and supple in texture, making for a wine that should drink well through 2025. | Les Baptaurels | 91 | 80 | Rhône Valley | Châteauneuf-du-Pape | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine la Mereuille 2010 Les Baptaurels Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine la Mereuille |
| 40367 | 40366 | Italy | This concentrated blend of Nero d'Avola and other grapes opens with aromas of earth, game, underbrush and mature black fruit. The dense palate offers velvety tannins and doles out juicy black cherry flavor layered with fig, chocolate, white pepper, carob and mint. | Mille e Una Notte | 91 | 85 | Sicily & Sardinia | Contessa Entellina | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Donnafugata 2008 Mille e Una Notte (Contessa Entellina) | Red Blend | Donnafugata |
| 40368 | 40367 | US | A new cuvée for this winery, this is an equal mix of 30% Merlot, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon; plus 10% Petite Sirah. It offers generous and juicy pie fruit flavors of berry and cherry. The acidity, tannins and lightly tasted herbal notes are in perfect proportion. On balance it's a fruit-packed little gem that is immensely enjoyable. | Cuvée No. 439 | 91 | 32 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Dumas Station 2011 Cuvée No. 439 Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Dumas Station |
| 40369 | 40368 | US | 100% varietal from one of Washington's most esteemed vineyards, it's tightly wound and slow to reveal its charms. Notes of clove, woodspice, raspberry and cherry re supported by firm, slightly dry tannins that need time to soften. | Champoux Vineyard | 91 | 55 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Fidelitas 2010 Champoux Vineyard Merlot (Horse Heaven Hills) | Merlot | Fidelitas |
| 40370 | 40369 | US | Pinot Noir specialist Norm Yost hits the varietal's geeky purists with a straight clonal take, pulling just Clone 2A to deliver this wine. The nose is lighter, with cranberry, leather, butter, vanilla and root beer aromas. Meanwhile the palate is stronger—soft but a tad tannic on entry, with licorice and charred pepper steak on the finish. Equally elegant and forceful. | Rio Vista Vineyard Clone 2A | 91 | 42 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Flying Goat Cellars 2010 Rio Vista Vineyard Clone 2A Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Flying Goat Cellars |
| 40351 | 40350 | US | Coffee, spice, vanilla and pencil lead aromas are followed by rich, luscious, full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. It's hedonistic and pulls no punches but shows balance: an equal mix of fruit and barrel. | Estate Riverbend Vineyard | 92 | 36 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Fielding Hills 2013 Estate Riverbend Vineyard Merlot (Wahluke Slope) | Merlot | Fielding Hills |
| 40352 | 40351 | Portugal | One in a series of single varietal wines, this brings out the richness of Alicante Bouschet. The dark color comes from the red juice of the grapes. The flavors show richness, dense black fruits and a dark series of tannins. Drink this concentrated wine from 2018. | AB | 92 | 39 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade do Esporão 2012 AB Alicante Bouschet (Alentejano) | Alicante Bouschet | Herdade do Esporão |
| 40353 | 40352 | US | Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, ripe Asian pear and a touch of yellow melon show on the nose of this versatile and tasty bottling. Grippy tension consumes the palate, led by lemon rind, but there's also a richer yellow-apple and pear core as well as a bit of pineapple. | October Night | 92 | 25 | California | Arroyo Seco | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | J. Lohr 2014 October Night Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco) | Chardonnay | J. Lohr |
| 40354 | 40353 | US | A dash of spicy oak suggests nutmeg and cinnamon in the aroma of this well-balanced, rich and flavorful wine. Cherry, red currant and touches of mint and cedar fill out the palate, and the texture is just firm enough, with fine tannins for great balance. | | 92 | 50 | California | Anderson Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | La Crema 2013 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | La Crema |
| 40355 | 40354 | US | Slightly reductive in style, this wine shows aromas of lime skins and Brie-cheese rind before opening a bit toward lemon blossoms and raw cashews. The palate possesses a stunningly grippy and chalky texture, with sharp flavors of Key-lime rind and pomelo pith. | Unoaked | 92 | 25 | California | Arroyo Seco | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Lepe 2014 Unoaked Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco) | Chardonnay | Lepe |
| 40356 | 40355 | US | Fresh on the nose with black plum, dried tarragon, hot asphalt, potpourri and a touch of Earl Grey tea, this is a well-priced wine with great versatility for all sorts of foods. The palate is vibrant and bursting with energy, juicy enough for a summer day but made serious with firm tannins. It could hold up to steak as well as complementing roasted fish. | | 92 | 20 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Palmina 2013 Dolcetto (Santa Ynez Valley) | Dolcetto | Palmina |
| 40357 | 40356 | US | A light toasty, meaty aroma and savory flavors help this wine stand out from the pack. Full bodied, it's well structured due to firm tannins and acidity. It should be best after 2018. | Primo's Hill Estate Grown | 92 | 55 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Poseidon 2013 Primo's Hill Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Poseidon |
| 40358 | 40357 | Portugal | Aged for a year in oak, this rich wine is a blend that includes Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. It has a fine structure that brings in dense tannins as well as a darker, firmer character that will allow it to age further. Drink from 2018. | Lote | 92 | 16 | Dão | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta das Marias 2014 Lote Red (Dão) | Portuguese Red | Quinta das Marias |
| 40359 | 40358 | US | This wine offers immediate appeal, opening with aromas of black olive, funk, flowers and moist earth. It does not disappoint, with soft fruit and savory flavors that coat the palate. Meaty flavors add to the enjoyment and the balance is spot on. | | 92 | 32 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Saviah 2013 Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Saviah |
| 40371 | 40370 | US | A vibrant minerality consumes the aromas on this bottling from an extremely coastal vineyard. On the palate, strawberry and sagebrush flavors emerge, all couched in a clean, crisp and refreshing acidity with appropriate bitterness as well. Ready to drink now. | Salisbury Vineyard | 91 | 38 | California | San Luis Obispo County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Flying Goat Cellars 2010 Salisbury Vineyard Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County) | Pinot Noir | Flying Goat Cellars |
| 40372 | 40371 | US | There's a slightly pink hue to this wine from Lompoc's Norman Yost. The nose is bright and minerally, with strawberry, apple cider and slight watermelon aromas. There's even more going on once sipped, with pear spritzer and citrus zest playing along with gray rocks and elements both bitter and sour. It's a refreshing take on a grape that doesn't always get the rock star treatment. | Sierra Madre Vineyard | 91 | 22 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Flying Goat Cellars 2013 Sierra Madre Vineyard Pinot Gris (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Gris | Flying Goat Cellars |
| 40373 | 40372 | US | This oak-tank-fermented Chardonnay is light and nuanced with notes of toast, pear and green apple. The palate is densely flavored, creamy in feel, speckled with mineral notes and a streak of tart acidity throughout. | | 91 | | Washington | Columbia Gorge (WA) | Washington Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Foundry Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay (Columbia Gorge (WA)) | Chardonnay | Foundry Vineyards |
| 40374 | 40373 | US | A lighter style Zinfandel, it's also lighter in color. Aromas align more with fresh minerality than deep fruit, though there is tobacco, plum jam and some pepper on the nose. Once sipped, cranberry and pomegranate compete for the fruit side, while cedar and pepper form the spice element. It's great for sipping on the porch and shows how Zinfandel can be impressively lean, even with 14.7% alcohol. | | 91 | 24 | California | San Benito County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Pessagno Winery 2011 Zinfandel (San Benito County) | Zinfandel | Pessagno Winery |
| 40375 | 40374 | Italy | There's a reason why this finessed bottling is one of Sicily's most iconic whites. It doles out juicy yellow apple, mature pear, white grapefruit, yellow peach and tropical fruit accented by notes of vanilla and hazelnut, with fresh acidity. Subtle oak adds complexity and structure. | | 91 | 42 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Planeta 2011 Chardonnay (Sicilia) | Chardonnay | Planeta |
| 40376 | 40375 | US | This family-owned winery comes out swinging with this blend of 81% Zinfandel backed by bits of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah, casting aromas of boysenberry, cola and freshly cut grilled rib eye. On the palate, it's smooth and evenly balanced with blackberry pie, vanilla and milk chocolate, offering the perfect partner for barbecued ribs and flame-broiled steak. | | 91 | 52 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Proulx 2011 Zinfandel (Paso Robles) | Zinfandel | Proulx |
| 40377 | 40376 | US | Made with 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc, it spent 23 months in one-third new French oak. The overall structure is impressive, with firm acidity and streaks of iron and mineral around tight, taut black fruit. It will get even better with ample breathing time and/or further cellaring. | Archimage | 91 | 52 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sleight of Hand 2011 Archimage Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Sleight of Hand |
| 40378 | 40377 | US | There's a fascinating presence of herb-roasted chicken to the well-balanced nose of this Chardonnay from the historic Brousseay Vineyard, alongside chalky minerality, golden apple and Asian pear. Once sipped, it's very easy on the palate, with baked apple, wet stone, slight kiwi and a noticeable salinity. | Brosseau Vineyard | 91 | 45 | California | Chalone | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Testarossa 2012 Brosseau Vineyard Chardonnay (Chalone) | Chardonnay | Testarossa |
| 40379 | 40378 | France | The great fruit produces a delicious wine that is also structured with a strong steely element. It is full of yellow fruits, layers of wood and juicy acidity. The aftertaste is as bright as a button. | | 91 | 35 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Trenel Fils 2012 Pouilly-Fuissé | Chardonnay | Trenel Fils |
| 40380 | 40379 | US | This young wine is classic and spicy, with still-yeasty aromas of pear and apple. The flavors are focused, with vivid, lightly lemony acidity underscoring highlights of beeswax and flowers. | | 91 | 18 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Woodinville Wine Cellars 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Sauvignon Blanc | Woodinville Wine Cellars |
| 40360 | 40359 | US | From the estate vineyard of a winery founded in 1994 by Silicon Valley mogul TJ Rodgers of Cypress Semiconductor, the grapes must be picked by a special tractor-on-wires because they are so steeply planted. Like the other 2009s, this Pinot Noir is characterized by strong tannins, meaning that it will last. Unlike the others, this one boats a more mushroom-driven nose between shiitake and porcini, with a touch of mocha. The palate reveals caramelized raspberry, graphite and silty flavors. | Domaine Lois Louise Cote Sud | 91 | 62 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Clos de la Tech 2009 Domaine Lois Louise Cote Sud Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Clos de la Tech |
| 40361 | 40360 | Italy | This earthy Taurasi opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, blue flower, wet soil and leather. The ripe, structured palate doles out fleshy black cherry accented by cracked black pepper and balsamic herbs. With bracing tannins, give this time to fully develop depth and complexity; drink after 2019. Oliver McCrum, Polaner. | Coste | 91 | 70 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Contrade di Taurasi - Lonardo 2009 Coste (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Contrade di Taurasi - Lonardo |
| 40362 | 40361 | France | This textured wine shows wood flavors from its 30% new wood. To balance it has great ripe fruits and a tight texture of acidity. The wine is still nervy, closed up with minerality. It needs time, so drink from 2016. | Les Chouacheux Premier Cru | 91 | | Burgundy | Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Chantal Lescure 2011 Les Chouacheux Premier Cru (Beaune) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Chantal Lescure |