41371 | 41370 | Spain | On the surface, this smells of green apple and citrus, although deeper digging reveals pickled briny scents. A pinched citric palate and dry bitter flavors of green fruits and almond skins finish mild and slightly bitter. | | 86 | 12 | Catalonia | Terra Alta | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Las Colinas Del Ebro 2015 Garnacha Blanca (Terra Alta) | Garnacha Blanca | Las Colinas Del Ebro |
41372 | 41371 | Argentina | Earthy leathery berry and briar patch aromas are a touch tomatoey. This feels sturdy, but that's really all you can say about the mouthfeel. Peppery spicy red-berry flavors are a bit grassy on the finish. | Reserve | 86 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cruz Alta 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cruz Alta |
41373 | 41372 | Italy | Fun and refreshing, this bright dessert wine has aromas of white spring flower and tropical fruit. The lightly foaming palate presents ripe apricot, peach and a hint of aromatic herb while a note of candied lemon drop closes the soft finish. | | 86 | 15 | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cupcake 2015 Moscato d'Asti | Moscato | Cupcake |
41374 | 41373 | Italy | Made with organic grapes, this straightforward wine opens with plum aromas and a whiff of cinnamon. The round easygoing palate doles out black cherry and a hint of cake spice accompanied by mellow tannins. | Casanova | 86 | 9 | Central Italy | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Barone Cornacchia 2015 Casanova (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) | Montepulciano | Barone Cornacchia |
41375 | 41374 | US | Closed aromas make it a challenge at first to get a read on this wine that takes time to unfurl touches of herb and dried fruit. Soft in tannin and low in oak, it offers a depth of black cherry and vanilla on the palate, with a touch of cedar and currant. | | 86 | 65 | California | Yountville | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Bell 2013 Merlot (Yountville) | Merlot | Bell |
41376 | 41375 | US | This wine has more body and a richer mouthfeel than many of its peers, with mild floral and almond flavors and a touch of butterscotch. | | 86 | 10 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Belle Ambiance 2015 Pinot Grigio (California) | Pinot Grigio | Belle Ambiance |
41377 | 41376 | Argentina | Blackberry and smoky, woody aromas are aggressive at first then more subtle. This feels dry and oaky, while black-fruit flavors taste heavily of clove, mint and peppery spice. Those same flavors along with spiced fruit cake carry the finish. | Dedicación Personal | 86 | 21 | Mendoza Province | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alfredo Roca 2013 Dedicación Personal Bonarda | Bonarda | Alfredo Roca |
41378 | 41377 | Argentina | Light plum and cherry aromas come with a note of bitter horseradish. This feels full and rubbery, with creamy cherry flavors that show an herbal side. On the finish, mild notes of green herbs share space with creamy weight and briny hints. | 006 Riverside Estate | 86 | 20 | Other | Patagonia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aniello 2015 006 Riverside Estate Pinot Noir (Patagonia) | Pinot Noir | Aniello |
41379 | 41378 | Spain | Round citrus and apple aromas are a touch funky. This has a basic mouthfeel along with pithy, briny, yeasty white-fruit flavors. Mild green notes come up on the finish. | Deshora Brut Wine Made With Organic Grapes | 86 | 20 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aranleón NV Deshora Brut Wine Made With Organic Grapes Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Aranleón |
41380 | 41379 | US | Pleasantly fruity and almost sweet, this medium-bodied wine offers a fruit bowl of flavor and freshness on the palate. | Peach, Bright, Lovely | 86 | 9 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | AVA Grace Vineyards 2014 Peach, Bright, Lovely Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | AVA Grace Vineyards |
41381 | 41380 | Italy | Aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit waft out of the glass. The easygoing frothy palate doles out apricot, citrus and medicinal herb alongside a soft mousse. | | 86 | 15 | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castello del Poggio 2015 Moscato d'Asti | Moscato | Castello del Poggio |
41382 | 41381 | Portugal | This wine is ripe, juicy and full of fruit. It has a jammy character, with soft tannins and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now. | Terra a Terra Reserva | 86 | 16 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Caves Transmontanas 2012 Terra a Terra Reserva Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Caves Transmontanas |
41383 | 41382 | US | This is a rugged, dark and meaty version of Pinot Noir, so don't look for elegance or finesse. It's showing musky flavors of fig and plum, with a background of underbrush and ample tannins. Tasty enough, though lacking in varietal specificity. | | 86 | 36 | Washington | Columbia Gorge (WA) | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cerulean 2012 Pinot Noir (Columbia Gorge (WA)) | Pinot Noir | Cerulean |
41384 | 41383 | France | A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, this is a crisp fruity wine with attractive acidity and lemon flavors that have been given some time to soften out. It has a touch of barrel aging, but the wine is really all about fruitiness. Drink now. | | 86 | 18 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Blanc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Birot 2014 Bordeaux Blanc | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château de Birot |
41385 | 41384 | France | Named after the small grey lizards that are common in Beaujolais, this is bright and friendly wine. It is soft with red fruits and balanced acidity. Perfumed and fruity, the wine is ready to drink. | Les Gatilles | 86 | 22 | Beaujolais | Chiroubles | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Javernand 2014 Les Gatilles (Chiroubles) | Gamay | Château de Javernand |
41386 | 41385 | France | Despite being barrel fermented and matured, this Condrieu retains a remarkable amount of varietal character in its flamboyantly floral and spicy aromas. It's full bodied, broad and richly textured, yet avoids any sense of heaviness, finishing on hints of honey and white pepper. Drink now–2020. | La Doriane | 94 | 140 | Rhône Valley | Condrieu | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | E. Guigal 2010 La Doriane (Condrieu) | Viognier | E. Guigal |
41387 | 41386 | US | Inky red-purple in color and thick, this is a powerfully impressive Cabernet from the mighty Monte Rosso Vineyard. It's rich in spicy cinnamon, deep, dark plum and herbal tobacco. With the acidity in balance, it offers huge leather up front, dotted by undertones of cedar and pencil shavings. The finish is deftly accented by a seasoning of black pepper that lingers on the tongue. | Monte Rosso Vineyard | 94 | 85 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Louis M. Martini 2010 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Louis M. Martini |
41388 | 41387 | US | This almost-pure Cabernet includes grapes sourced from Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills vineyards. The structure is gorgeous—massive yet precise—with a steely spine, great concentration and supple, mixed black fruits. A streak of lead pencil and a hint of toast contribute further complexity. Delicious already, this will reward cellaring through 2025. | The Illusionist | 94 | 52 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sleight of Hand 2011 The Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Sleight of Hand |
41389 | 41388 | Italy | This gripping, delicious wine seamlessly weaves together sensations of blue flower, exotic incense, ripe black cherry, mature plum, cracked pepper, mocha, clove and graphite. It's already delicious and well balanced, with bracing tannins and racy acidity, but give it time to soften and develop complexity. Drink 2019–2029. | Fatica Contadina | 94 | 34 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terredora Di Paolo 2009 Fatica Contadina (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Terredora Di Paolo |
41390 | 41389 | US | This hides its 37 g/L residual sugar with bracing acidity and overall complexity. A dense run of ripe fruits—Meyer lemon, sweet pineapple, orange, tangerine and papaya—carries an interesting black tea note. The sweetness is detailed and complex, with honey and ginger candy flavors. | DuBrul Vineyard | 94 | 22 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Côte Bonneville 2013 DuBrul Vineyard Riesling (Yakima Valley) | Riesling | Côte Bonneville |
41391 | 41390 | France | Rich and full-bodied, the flavors of quince and pear are balanced by great acidity. It is a big, powerful wine that, with its tight fruit and steely background, promises long aging. The tropical fruits also need several years to show strongly. Drink from 2018. | | 94 | 428 | Burgundy | Bâtard-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2011 Bâtard-Montrachet | Chardonnay | Domaine Faiveley |
41392 | 41391 | Spain | Deep berry aromas blend with sweet, creamy, spicy oak notes on the nose of this cellar-worthy bruiser, which is live-wire, energetic and holding a lot in reserve. A full allotment of oak-driven flavors include coffee, mocha, pepper, baked berry and chocolate. On the finish, it's huge and tastes of toast, medicinal berry and chocolate-drenched cherries. Drink from 2015–2025. | Malleolus | 94 | 50 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emilio Moro 2010 Malleolus (Ribera del Duero) | Tinto Fino | Emilio Moro |
41393 | 41392 | Spain | Ripe, muscular aromas of forest floor, blackberry, cassis and violet are stunningly attractive. This is showing vise-grip tannins in support of blackberry, licorice, mocha and woodspice flavors. Café mocha and an oaky, creamy note of toffee work the finish on this well-structured wine that should be drunk from 2015–2025. | Tinus | 94 | 300 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | García Figuero 2010 Tinus (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | García Figuero |
41394 | 41393 | France | A wine from a tiny premier cru that is literally situated at a crossroads. It displays the smoothness and richness that come with wood aging, as well as concentrated tannins to support the generous fruit. Black plums and strawberries give a dense wine that will age. Drink from 2018. | Aux Echanges Premier Cru | 94 | 130 | Burgundy | Chambolle-Musigny | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Alex Gambal 2011 Aux Echanges Premier Cru (Chambolle-Musigny) | Pinot Noir | Alex Gambal |
41395 | 41394 | US | Made from estate-grown fruit near the chilly Sonoma Coast town of Freestone, this is a fully layered wine, expertly balanced in acidity yet offering plenty of full-figured mouthfeel and viscous pleasure. It delivers an electric mix of Meyer lemon, minerals and brioche, and will please a diverse range of palates. | Freestone Vineyards Estate Grown | 94 | 55 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Joseph Phelps 2012 Freestone Vineyards Estate Grown Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Joseph Phelps |
41396 | 41395 | US | Fans of Petit Verdot, which has almost attained cult status in Washington, will not want to miss this spectacular effort. Bright, chewy and muscular though it is, the tannins have been polished perfectly, and set off with 40% new oak, adding dark, smoky chocolate and espresso flavors. The acidity keeps up, underscoring tart berry fruit with some sweet green-tomato highlights. | Dionysus Vineyard | 94 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tamarack Cellars 2012 Dionysus Vineyard Petit Verdot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Petit Verdot | Tamarack Cellars |
41397 | 41396 | US | For this sweet and jammy wine, the fruit is sourced from what is reputed to be the second-oldest planting of Syrah in Washington State. Hints of lilac lead into concentrated flavors of blueberry and boysenberry, along with lush barrel accents of mocha and chocolate. Tannins are smooth and silky, and the wine has the grip and substance to cellar well through at least 2024. | Portteus | 94 | 65 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Va Piano 2011 Portteus Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Va Piano |
41398 | 41397 | France | While this wine comes out of the gate showing little but earth and dark fruit aromas, it lightens and develops more delineation with air, eventually revealing berry, plum and spice notes. Right now, the flavors are almost jammy, so purists may want to wait a few years before opening a bottle. Full-bodied, chewy and rich, this superripe Hermitage should age well for up to 15 years. | Ermitage | 94 | 100 | Rhône Valley | Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Maison Nicolas Perrin 2010 Ermitage (Hermitage) | Syrah | Maison Nicolas Perrin |
41399 | 41398 | Italy | This gorgeous wine opens with fragrances of blue flower, moist earth, leather and ripe berry. The delicious palate delivers succulent black cherry, cinnamon, white pepper and balsamic herbs alongside smooth, silky tannins. It's already delicious now, but hold for complexity. Drink now–2026. | Serra della Contessa | 94 | 65 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Benanti 2011 Serra della Contessa (Etna) | Red Blend | Benanti |
41400 | 41399 | France | This impressive offering is drawn from the cooperative's own domaine. It's full bodied and firm, with a chewy finish that demands cellaring, but the complex aromas and flavors of cedar, cassis, roasted meat, licorice and cracked peppercorns are compelling even now. | Gambert de Loche | 94 | 140 | Rhône Valley | Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Cave de Tain 2010 Gambert de Loche (Hermitage) | Syrah | Cave de Tain |