41791 | 41790 | France | This soft, rounded wine has attractive ripe white-stone-fruit flavor. It also has a rich, spicy side, with light hints of wood that give it a mellow character. The wine is developing well and will be ready from 2017. | Domaine Adélie Les Champs-Michaux | 89 | 36 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Albert Bichot 2014 Domaine Adélie Les Champs-Michaux (Mercurey) | Chardonnay | Albert Bichot |
41792 | 41791 | US | This is a chunkier, somewhat rustic cousin to Pinot Noir, often used to bulk up a sparkling wine. Here, on its own, it's generously loaded with pomegranate, earth and green tea flavors. The aromatics capture some of the rose petal bouquet of its more delicate relation. | | 89 | 30 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Amalie Robert 2014 Pinot Meunier (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Meunier | Amalie Robert |
41793 | 41792 | US | This spent 18 months in French oak and three years in bottle, ahead of an April 2016 release. Light and elegant, it carries a whiff and taste of leather, with earthy, slightly grainy tannins. With air, the strawberry fruit gains some flesh. Decant it and drink now through 2018. | Barrel Select | 89 | 80 | Oregon | Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Vidon Vineyard 2011 Barrel Select Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Vidon Vineyard |
41794 | 41793 | France | Ripe notes of juicy yellow-pear waft from the glass The palate is equally full-fruited but comes with a dry, crisp and refreshing palate and a clean finish. | W3 | 89 | 15 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Wolfberger 2015 W3 White (Alsace) | Alsace white blend | Wolfberger |
41795 | 41794 | US | Baked lemon, jasmine and honeyed Pink Lady apples open the nose of this bottling, a special anniversary project for the usually Rhône-only winery. Lighter flavors of lemon zest and crisp apple flesh sit atop a chalky grip, making for a wine that would work well with a variety of lighter foods. | Homage Collection Bien Nacido Vineyard | 89 | 22 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Zaca Mesa 2014 Homage Collection Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Blanc (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Blanc | Zaca Mesa |
41796 | 41795 | Italy | Aromas of ripe plum, sunbaked earth and toast lead the way on this structured red. The palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and toasted oak while dusty tannins give it a firm, slightly astringent finish. | Cembali | 89 | 44 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Baglio di Pianetto 2010 Cembali Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Baglio di Pianetto |
41797 | 41796 | Italy | Initially closed, a few swirls of the glass releases subtle scents suggesting Spanish Broom, linden blossom, flint and a whisper of orange zest. While the palate is less expressive than the nose, it still offers yellow apple, citrus and mineral alongside crisp acidity. It's still very immature and needs additional time to age. | Pietramarina Bianco Superiore | 89 | 80 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Benanti 2012 Pietramarina Bianco Superiore (Etna) | Carricante | Benanti |
41798 | 41797 | Italy | This offers aromas of scorched earth, underbrush and a whiff of oak. The firm palate offers sour cherry, fleshy strawberry, toast, coconut and espresso alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish. | | 89 | 52 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cottanera 2012 Etna | Nerello Mascalese | Cottanera |
41799 | 41798 | France | Some flinty notes precede earthier, ripe apple notes that also spread across the palate. There is a textured mouthfeel, while a clean seam of lemon crispness counters the earthy fruit. Texture and freshness linger pleasantly. | Rosenberg | 89 | 26 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Barmès-Buecher 2014 Rosenberg Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Domaine Barmès-Buecher |
41800 | 41799 | France | With attractive wood flavors, this is a wine with spice, toast and citrus flavors. Orange and yellow fruits come through the lime acidity and zesty texture. Drink from 2017. | Clos Rochette | 89 | 35 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2014 Clos Rochette (Mercurey) | Chardonnay | Domaine Faiveley |
41801 | 41800 | France | This wine is smoky, ripe and packed with tannins. The fruit gives the wine weight although it is not yet fully developed. There is a toasty background to this rich wine with its juicy red-berry fruits and acidity. Drink from 2019. | Champ Perdrix | 89 | 55 | Burgundy | Marsannay | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Huguenot 2014 Champ Perdrix (Marsannay) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Huguenot |
41802 | 41801 | France | This wine is ripe with yellow fruits and rich pears. It has a rounded character, with a creamy texture shot through with acidity. The aftertaste has touches of grapefruit and a minerality that gives good texture. Drink from 2018. | Clos de Mazeray | 89 | 117 | Burgundy | Meursault | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jacques Prieur 2014 Clos de Mazeray (Meursault) | Chardonnay | Domaine Jacques Prieur |
41803 | 41802 | Chile | Max Reserva is the easiest, most fruity of the Errazuriz Chardonnay lineup for 2014. Aromas of vanilla wafer, barrel toast, smoke and white fruits announce a smooth but simple palate. Peach, melon and toasty oak are the key flavors, while this finishes a touch salty. | Max Reserva | 89 | 20 | Aconcagua Costa | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Errazuriz 2014 Max Reserva Chardonnay (Aconcagua Costa) | Chardonnay | Errazuriz |
41804 | 41803 | Italy | Citrus, Mediterranean herb and cut grass aromas lead the way. The crisp palate offers Bartlett pear, unripe apricot and grapefruit alongside tangy acidity. A saline note backs up the succulent finish. | | 89 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Feudo Disisa 2015 Grillo (Sicilia) | Grillo | Feudo Disisa |
41805 | 41804 | Italy | Made with 50% Nero d'Avola and 50% Syrah, this presents aromas of dark berry, allspice and Mediterranean herb. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, black pepper and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. | Santagostino Baglio Sorìa | 89 | 22 | Sicily & Sardinia | Terre Siciliane | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Firriato 2012 Santagostino Baglio Sorìa Red (Terre Siciliane) | Red Blend | Firriato |
41806 | 41805 | US | One of better deals for Pinot Noir anywhere, this bottling by Alison Crowe shows cinnamon, star anise, ripe red cherry, turned earth and wet slate on the easy-to-like nose. The palate packs more cherries with ripe strawberries, tart plum skins, orange-juice tang and a lingering clove-spice character. | | 89 | | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Garnet 2014 Pinot Noir (Monterey County) | Pinot Noir | Garnet |
41807 | 41806 | US | This atypical blend of 56% Syrah and 44% Merlot shows red roses and red currants on the rather light nose. The palate is also delicately layered with light red plums, tangy strawberries and a tight bay leaf herbal component. | Vigneronne | 88 | 59 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Admirable Family Vineyard 2013 Vigneronne Syrah-Merlot (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah-Merlot | Admirable Family Vineyard |
41808 | 41807 | US | Fragrant in sugarplum and cherry-vanilla, this summery wine uses Grenache, Merlot and Petit Verdot to string together a dry, likable quaff high in acidity and light-bodied from start to finish. | | 88 | 15 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Angels & Cowboys 2015 Rosé (Sonoma County) | Rosé | Angels & Cowboys |
41809 | 41808 | US | The fourth-generation family behind San Antonio Winery make this top-end bottling from the vineyard they planted. Aromas of dark red fruit, heavy black spice, tar and smoke hit the nose with promising force, but the palate proves quite tannic with sour and bitter cranberry skins. This has all the elements needed for a classic wine, but give till 2016. | Sarmento Vineyard | 88 | 40 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Windstream 2013 Sarmento Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Windstream |
41810 | 41809 | US | Aromas of coffee, cinnamon toast, cranberry and clove emerge off of this blend of 56% Syrah, 24% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre by UC Davis grad-friends Richard Bruno and Chris Condos. It's not too complicated on the palate but very food-friendly, with dark red fruit, licorice and tree bark, blending ripe and tart elements for a straight-ahead sipper. | Red Dirt | 88 | 18 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Vinum 2012 Red Dirt G-S-M (Paso Robles) | G-S-M | Vinum |
41811 | 41810 | Spain | At first this smells raw and oaky, so much so that notes of paint and paste are as prominent as vanilla. In the mouth, however, this is a fresh wine with tomatoey acidity. Flavors of baked berry, plum and raisin blend with herbal notes, while the finish is long and tastes of vanilla and spice. | Crianza | 88 | 21 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vivanco 2010 Crianza (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Vivanco |
41812 | 41811 | US | Lively and loaded with citrus fruits, notably juicy orange, this is totally refreshing. Clean, crisp fruit dominates, along with zippy acidity. Drink now. | | 88 | 13 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | A to Z 2013 Chardonnay (Oregon) | Chardonnay | A to Z |
41813 | 41812 | US | Potent and intense, this has a dark red color that goes to the rim and exotic huckleberry and dark cherry aromas. Thick layers of fruit, dark chocolate and spice on the palate combine with firm, framing tannins and acidity for a lip-smacking finish. It will get better with age through at least 2018. | Row Five Red Cuvée | 88 | 29 | California | Mendocino | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Alder Springs 2012 Row Five Red Cuvée Red (Mendocino) | Red Blend | Alder Springs |
41814 | 41813 | Italy | Aromas of dried yellow flower, lemon zest, pear and a balsamic note lead the nose on this blend of Carricante and 20% Catarratto. The linear palate delivers mature yellow apple, citrus and a vein of mineral. | Petralava Bianco | 88 | 22 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Antichi Vinai 1877 2013 Petralava Bianco (Etna) | White Blend | Antichi Vinai 1877 |
41815 | 41814 | Argentina | This extracted Malbec blend deals full doses of blueberry, blackberry, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and mocha aromas. The palate weighs in on the jammy, overripe side, with almost no acidic cut. Soupy, ultraripe flavors of crème de cassis, carob and prune finish raisiny. Drink this syrupy wine through 2017. | Profundo | 88 | 40 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bressia 2010 Profundo Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Bressia |
41816 | 41815 | US | This big-bodied Zinfandel intrigues with a commingling of rustic charm and brawny California ripeness. The power and concentration of lush blackberry and plum are accessorized by dusty leather and dried herb, with a finishing touch of black pepper. | Attila's Selection | 88 | 36 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Buena Vista 2012 Attila's Selection Zinfandel (Alexander Valley) | Zinfandel | Buena Vista |
41817 | 41816 | US | Annette Hoff Danzer is only the second female winemaker in Monterey County, and her wine from Chualar Canyon on the east side of the Salinas Valley offers aromas of fragrant white flowers, lemon-lime soda and lychee. The racy acidity is a bit strong on the palate, but will unwind nicely in months to come, with flavors of ripe lemon and crushed rocks. | Chula Vina | 88 | 24 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Cima Collina 2013 Chula Vina Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Cima Collina |
41818 | 41817 | Italy | Subdued aromas suggest red berry and a hint of dried herb. The tight palate shows red raspberry, raw cherry and a hint of cinnamon while rather austere tannins and brisk acidity provide support. | Alta Mora Rosso | 88 | 25 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cusumano 2013 Alta Mora Rosso (Etna) | Red Blend | Cusumano |
41819 | 41818 | US | Earthy and dry, this single-block designated white is fresh in cut grass and hay, with a tropical edge. Composed and steely, especially on the finish, it provides plenty of richness balanced by classic acidity. | Virginia's Block Jane's Vineyard | 88 | 25 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davis Bynum 2013 Virginia's Block Jane's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Davis Bynum |
41820 | 41819 | France | Amazing candy-shop aromas set the scene for a totally perfumed wine. This is ripe, full in the mouth and a great example of the character of Gewurztraminer. Drink this wine now for all its exuberance. | | 88 | 22 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jean-Luc Mader 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Domaine Jean-Luc Mader |