41491 | 41490 | US | The grapes come from the Chicken Dinner vineyard, which says it all. Pop this tart, tangy wine, with its Zin-like red berry flavors and hints of white pepper, and bring on the fried chicken. —P.G. | Winemaker's Series | 86 | 10 | Idaho | Idaho | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ste. Chapelle 2000 Winemaker's Series Syrah (Idaho) | Syrah | Ste. Chapelle |
41492 | 41491 | US | Smells sulfury on opening, and these fumes blow off only with difficulty. Afterward, the wine reveals black cherry aromas veering into chocolate, and drinks rich. There's a blast of fabulously ripe wild berry fruit, and it's dry. But loses points for the opening odor. Tasted twice, with consistent results. —S.H. | Domenici Vineyards | 86 | 25 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Sebastiani 1999 Domenici Vineyards Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) | Zinfandel | Sebastiani |
41493 | 41492 | Australia | Attractive aromatics and plenty of complexity are the pluses; the minus is a healthy dose of bell pepper. Smoke, herbs, eucalyptus and sour cherry hang on a claret-style frame. —J.C. | | 86 | 30 | Victoria | Victoria | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Virgin Hills 1998 Red (Victoria) | Red Blend | Virgin Hills |
41494 | 41493 | Australia | Aptly named, for the oak influence here is strong—a dusty woodiness that's almost cedary. Fortunately, it's well integrated with the full-bodied cherry fruit. Finishes dry, but soft and ripe. —J.C. | | 86 | 18 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Twelve Staves 2000 Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | Twelve Staves |
41495 | 41494 | US | Possesses deep flavors of currants and blackberries, and yet you still have to wonder why it merits bottling on its own. It's bone-dry and tannic, and its austerity is a challenge. —S.H. | T-bar-T | 86 | 26 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Iron Horse 1999 T-bar-T Cabernet Franc (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Iron Horse |
41496 | 41495 | Australia | At two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, this wine comes across full and rich, and a trifle alcoholic. The overall sensation is of a cherry-vanilla sundae smothered in toffee and chocolate—too much of a good thing for some tasters, heaven in a glass to others. —J.C. | Grenache-Mourvedre | 86 | 9 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Tatachilla 1999 Grenache-Mourvedre Red (South Australia) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Tatachilla |
41497 | 41496 | US | The style is usually big and bold, but for the moment this wine, though dense and dark, has a hole in the middle. Rich scents of black cherry, blueberry and earth seem to vanish, leaving only a tannic finish. —P.G | | 86 | 15 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tefft Cellars 1999 Merlot (Yakima Valley) | Merlot | Tefft Cellars |
41498 | 41497 | Austria | Smells nice enough, with rich custardy aromas, freshly baked sweetened piecrust, and peaches and vanilla. It tastes much drier than you'd think, given the opening. Delicate peach and hazelnut flavors are offset by decent, not great, acidity. In fact, if the acids were higher, the wine would be better. —S.H. | Gelber | 86 | 23 | Austria | | | | | Repolusk 2000 Gelber Muskateller (Austria) | Muskateller | Repolusk |
41499 | 41498 | US | The blend is almost equal—53% Cab and 47% Merlot—and the definite dill and bell pepper aromas indicate less- than-stellar fruit. But the wine is well made and budget priced, and enough black cherry fruit is bobbing beneath the surface to make things work. Stiff tannins lead into a roasted coffee finish. —P.G. | | 86 | 11 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Snoqualmie 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Snoqualmie |
41500 | 41499 | US | This vineyard straddles the cool-hot line between Anderson Valley and Alexander Valley, but in this vintage, warm weather won out. The wine is good, but too full-bodied, and wants the delicacy Pinot Noir demands. The flavors have a heaviness more akin to Syrah. —S.H. | Weir Vineyard | 86 | 30 | California | Mendocino | | | | Rutz 1999 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir (Mendocino) | Pinot Noir | Rutz |
41501 | 41500 | US | An interesting wine, grown in Cabernet country, that's as full-bodied as a red wine. The flavors are solidly Viognier, though, with exotic tropical fruits and wild flowers that drink almost off-dry. Plenty of oak and sur lie aging provide textural complexities. —S.H. | | 86 | 19 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Spencer Roloson 2000 Viognier (Rutherford) | Viognier | Spencer Roloson |
41502 | 41501 | US | Bright in aromas of pineapple, lemon and green apple, but also boasting sweet cream and yeastiness, this wine is layered on the nose. Zippy and fresh, with ample acidity and flavors of subdued lemon and pineapple, it's an easy wine to pair with dishes from halibut to a more robust pork chop. | | 87 | 24 | Virginia | Monticello | | Carrie Dykes | | Stinson 2014 Chardonnay (Monticello) | Chardonnay | Stinson |
41503 | 41502 | Australia | Tahbilk's Marsanne is always difficult to evaluate young, as it's invariably rather neutral in aroma and flavor. Subtle notes of pear and marshmallow make a fleeting appearance before yielding to crisp, lemony finish. Drink now with oysters, or hold 5–10 years for greater weight, texture and versatility with food. | Estate Grown and Bottled | 87 | 18 | Victoria | Nagambie Lakes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Tahbilk 2015 Estate Grown and Bottled Marsanne (Nagambie Lakes) | Marsanne | Tahbilk |
41504 | 41503 | US | Blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this medium-weight effort carries scents of tomato leaf and Mediterranean herbs. Those highlights continue into the palate, with pomegranate fruit and a dry pleasant lightly herbal character. | | 87 | 30 | Oregon | Southern Oregon | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Season 2013 Malbec (Southern Oregon) | Malbec | Season |
41505 | 41504 | Italy | Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Malvasia Bianca, this opens with red-skinned fruit and an earthy underbrush aromas. The fresh, straightforward palate evokes red cherry and chopped herb, framed by smooth tannins. Enjoy soon. | Vegante | 87 | 16 | Tuscany | Chianti | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Sensi 2015 Vegante (Chianti) | Red Blend | Sensi |
41506 | 41505 | US | Barrel fermented and aged for 14 months in French oak, this enters with a nutty, toasty flavor around lighter fruit. Jicama, apple and white peach combine in the midpalate, then thin out quickly, with some bite to the finish. | | 87 | 30 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Soléna 2015 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Soléna |
41507 | 41506 | US | Temperance Hill grapes are sourced for this Pinot Noir project. Barrel spices dominate, with tart berry fruit in the background. It's a solid effort, though it thins out and feels a bit stripped in the finish. | L'Autre | 87 | 36 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sparkman 2013 L'Autre Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Sparkman |
41508 | 41507 | US | Pungent grassy notes lead the nose of this bottling from Vina Robles, with rounder passionfruit scents as well. The palate combines flinty minerality with lime zest, kumquat and herbal flavors, recalling its initial grassiness. | | 87 | 16 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Vina Robles 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Paso Robles) | Sauvignon Blanc | Vina Robles |
41509 | 41508 | US | Ripe blueberry and huckleberry flavors form a wall of fruitiness in this full-bodied, ready-to-enjoy red, offering a soft, simple layering of cedar and mocha. | | 87 | 55 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | William Harrison 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | William Harrison |
41510 | 41509 | US | The most recent planting at the estate vineyard gets its own designate. It's 100% Dijon 777 clone, and the flavors push stem and rock and forest floor front and center. For some tasters, that's enough; for others, a bit more actual fruit would be welcome. Right now it's a stiff, herbal wine that's already showing signs of drying out. | Bailey Block | 87 | 40 | Oregon | McMinnville | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Youngberg Hill Vineyards 2014 Bailey Block Pinot Noir (McMinnville) | Pinot Noir | Youngberg Hill Vineyards |
41511 | 41510 | US | The strawberry fruit shows a wild herbal side, with a touch of toasted grain. The tannins are firm and the finish carries a hint of chicken broth. | | 87 | 30 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | 2Hawk 2015 Pinot Noir (Rogue Valley) | Pinot Noir | 2Hawk |
41512 | 41511 | Italy | This opens with sun-baked soil, mocha, prune and leafy underbrush aromas. The densely concentrated palate offers black cherry jam, espresso and vanilla flavors, with scorching alcohol and assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish. | | 87 | 50 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Agostina Pieri 2012 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Agostina Pieri |
41513 | 41512 | US | This is a light easy-drinking style that fills the quaffable white wine bill quite nicely. It's lemony and tart, with a slice of orange peel for extra interest. | Estate | 87 | 16 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Apolloni 2015 Estate Pinot Grigio (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Grigio | Apolloni |
41514 | 41513 | Italy | Dark-skinned berry and baking spice aromas lead the nose. The easygoing palate offers juicy black cherry and mocha flavors with a touch of white pepper. Dusty tannins leave a drying finish. Drink through 2021. | | 87 | 45 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bonacchi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Bonacchi |
41515 | 41514 | Italy | This opens with subdued black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The palate is straightforward and easygoing, with black cherry, tilled soil and leather alongside flavors supported by firm tannins. Enjoy through 2021. | Casalino | 87 | 40 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bonacchi 2012 Casalino (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Bonacchi |
41516 | 41515 | US | The winery notes that these vines were planted in 1983, and the wine offers generous dry extract along with dried apple fruit. It's lightly tawny in color, with sappy acids. Best to drink up in 2017. | Dry | 87 | 16 | Oregon | Elkton Oregon | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bradley 2015 Dry Riesling (Elkton Oregon) | Riesling | Bradley |
41517 | 41516 | US | Fresh blueberry, burned caramel, black licorice and sage scents show on the nose of this bottling of a variety that doesn't often get its own stage. The tannins are light but ever-present, framing black plum, elderberry, thyme and peppercorn flavors. It's not as rich or dense as similar wines but is nevertheless a nice sipper. | | 87 | 22 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Broken Earth 2011 Petit Verdot (Paso Robles) | Petit Verdot | Broken Earth |
41518 | 41517 | Spain | White-flower aromas are a touch yeasty, like animal crackers. This feels plump but maintains a sense of freshness. Citrus and nectarine flavors are generic but good, while this is lasting on the finish, with notes of grape-skin extract and pyrazines. | | 87 | 12 | Northern Spain | Rueda | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Montespina 2016 Sauvignon (Rueda) | Sauvignon | Montespina |
41519 | 41518 | US | The so-called Northern Whites are Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling. They make a comfortable blend, with floral aromas and plump peach and apple fruit. Though finished dry, it has appealing fruit sweetness. | Borealis The Northern Whites | 87 | 16 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Montinore 2015 Borealis The Northern Whites White (Willamette Valley) | White Blend | Montinore |
41520 | 41519 | Italy | This has mocha, game and black-skinned berry aromas. The dense palate evokes cured meat, espresso and prune, framed by grainy, mouth puckering tannins. Drink through 2021. | | 87 | 42 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Podere La Vigna 2012 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Podere La Vigna |