43741 | 43740 | Italy | Here's a round and approachable Aglianico that shows a softer side to what is southern Italy's most noble grape. This offers delicious blackberry flavors layered with nutmeg and a hint of vanilla along with smooth tannins. | Mastro | 88 | 15 | Southern Italy | Campania | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Mastroberardino 2011 Mastro Aglianico (Campania) | Aglianico | Mastroberardino |
43742 | 43741 | US | The regular Brut bottling is the star of the new Michelle lineup (formerly Domaine Ste. Michelle). Yeasty and foamy when first poured, it settles into a light and pleasing sparkler, with gentle hints of lemon curd and fresh cream. | Brut | 88 | 14 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Michelle NV Brut Sparkling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Sparkling Blend | Michelle |
43743 | 43742 | US | This is a creamy, tasty, delicious wine, showing a rich mix of vanilla, lemon curd, peach and melon flavors. It coats the tongue generously and has an appealing purity. | Traditions | 88 | 13 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Milbrandt 2012 Traditions Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Milbrandt |
43744 | 43743 | Italy | This fragrant Malvasia opens with enticing floral aromas that recall acacia and yellow flowers. The palate offers creamy peach flavors, with hints of thyme and sage that are balanced by edgy acidity and a crisp finish. | Tasto di Seta | 88 | 22 | Central Italy | Colli Piacentini | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castello di Luzzano 2012 Tasto di Seta Malvasia di Candia (Colli Piacentini) | Malvasia di Candia | Castello di Luzzano |
43745 | 43744 | Argentina | Wiry aromas of red plum and cherry are offset by deeper, more baked and stewy notes. This drills away with hard tannins and punchy acidity, while cherry, plum, mint and earthy flavors finish with baked, chocolaty power. The blend is 40% each of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 20% Merlot. | Primogénito Blend | 88 | 29 | Other | Patagonia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Patritti 2008 Primogénito Blend Red (Patagonia) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Bodega Patritti |
43746 | 43745 | France | Produced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, this dry wine has been given some bottle age to soften the intense acidity. That makes for an attractive, balanced wine, the apple flavors working alongside almonds and yeastiness. The aftertaste is fresh and full of citrus flavors. | Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs Extra Brut | 88 | 74 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Comtes de Dampierre NV Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs Extra Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Comtes de Dampierre |
43747 | 43746 | Italy | Delicate aromas of wisteria, jasmine and a whiff of white orchard fruit mingle in the glass. The bright palate offers tart Granny Smith apple, green pear and lime alongside racy acidity and a soft mousse. | Rive di Ogliano Contrada Granda Brut | 88 | 30 | Veneto | Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Masottina 2014 Rive di Ogliano Contrada Granda Brut (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Masottina |
43748 | 43747 | US | A spicy aroma of ginger cookies meets dark, blackberry flavors on the palate of this medium-bodied, pure-tasting wine. The gushing fruit flavors are compelling and palate-cleansing, with light tannins and acidity keep it fresh and lively. | Dunnigan Hills | 88 | 15 | California | Lake County | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Matchbook 2013 Dunnigan Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Matchbook |
43749 | 43748 | Canada | Technically off dry, with 14 g/L residual sugar, this also boasts substantial acidity. The ripe fruits include spicy apple, Meyer lemon and orange marmalade, with a round, food-ready mouthfeel. | Reserve | 88 | | British Columbia | Okanagan Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Mission Hill 2013 Reserve Riesling (Okanagan Valley) | Riesling | Mission Hill |
43750 | 43749 | Italy | Bread crust and golden apple aromas lead the way and follow through to the lively palate along with citrus zest and toasted hazelnut. Bright acidity and brisk, persistent bubbles offset the rich flavors. | Satèn Brut | 88 | 26 | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Monzio Compagnoni 2010 Satèn Brut Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | Monzio Compagnoni |
43751 | 43750 | Spain | This barrel-fermented Viura is crystalline on the nose, with tropical fruit aromas, minerally apple notes and a touch of yeast. Balanced and properly acidic, this tastes like nectarine, lemon and persimmon, while the finish is balanced, zesty and a touch oily in texture. | | 88 | 16 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Muga 2014 Viura (Rioja) | Viura | Muga |
43752 | 43751 | France | From 45-year-old Gamay vines, Stéphane Aviron created an open, fruity wine that has fresh cherry flavors cut with acidity and a dry edge of tannin. A smoky as well as juicy character adds interest and spice. | | 88 | 13 | Beaujolais | Beaujolais-Villages | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Potel-Aviron 2014 Beaujolais-Villages | Gamay | Potel-Aviron |
43753 | 43752 | Portugal | This wine is dry and structured, with fresh acidity. It is perfumed by red berry and cherry aromas and an attractive touch of spice. The aftertaste is crisp, light and fruity, ending sweet. | Eirados Late Bottled Vintage | 88 | | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta Santa Eufemia 2010 Eirados Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Quinta Santa Eufemia |
43754 | 43753 | Portugal | This is a light and fruity wine that has some attractive red berry flavors and lively acidity. There is a tannic background that gives the a sense of structure, although the dry core lacks some fruit tones. | Late Bottled Vintage | 88 | | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta Santa Eufemia 2010 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Quinta Santa Eufemia |
43755 | 43754 | Portugal | This wine is dense, tough and dark—a black plum-skin texture is concentrated and firm, giving a big and powerful wine that is solid. Drink from 2017. | Late Bottled Vintage | 88 | | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta Seara d'Ordens 2010 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Quinta Seara d'Ordens |
43756 | 43755 | US | A heavy chaparral element consumes the nose of this wine, with sagebrush, eucalyptus, pencil lead and just a touch of elderberry fruit. The palate is all about tart cranberries and sour cherries, with a bit of graphite minerality holding it together. It's a brisk and earthy sipper. | | 88 | 25 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Santa Barbara Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Santa Barbara Winery |
43757 | 43756 | Spain | Cidery apple aromas come with a stony accent and modest yeasty complexity. A crisp, lean, focused mouthfeel and zesty flavors of lemon-lime and green apple finish citrusy and direct. | Gran Cuvée Reserva | 88 | 14 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Segura Viudas NV Gran Cuvée Reserva Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Segura Viudas |
43758 | 43757 | France | Creamy aromas predominate on the nose and carry through to a round, rich palate. This is generous, full and bready, with a lot of earthy flavors on the midpalate. While there is balance, there is little fruit and lots of yeasty character. | | 88 | 28 | Alsace | Crémant d'Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Sipp Mack 2011 Sparkling (Crémant d'Alsace) | Sparkling Blend | Sipp Mack |
43759 | 43758 | Italy | Delicate scents of yellow fruit and acacia flower float from the glass. The vibrant palate offers green apple, lemon and lime framed in bracing acidity and a firm, persistent perlage. | Particella | 88 | 22 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Sorelle Bronca NV Particella (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Sorelle Bronca |
43760 | 43759 | US | Woody, wet herbs of oregano and thyme mix with bitter chocolate, a whiff of smoke and extract cranberry and blueberry on the nose of this winery's top-end bottling. Dark flavors of black cherries, blueberries and pencil lead show on the highly structured palate. | Astral | 88 | 90 | California | Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Star Lane Vineyard 2011 Astral Cabernet Sauvignon (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Star Lane Vineyard |
43761 | 43760 | France | The nonvintage Taittinger cuvée, with its lively mousse, is soft and creamily fruity. While the bottle tasted was young, it had enough ripe white fruits and lime-juice flavors to balance out the freshness. Typically for Taittinger, Chardonnay is an important element in the blend, giving the wine its final mineral tautness. | Brut Réserve | 88 | 42 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Taittinger NV Brut Réserve (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Taittinger |
43762 | 43761 | France | Crisp, textured and fresh, this is a tight, nervy and mineral wine. Bright apple flavors are lifted with intense acidity. This bottling is still young, very dry and taut and needs to age. | Perle de Nacre Extra Brut | 88 | | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vincent Couche NV Perle de Nacre Extra Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Vincent Couche |
43763 | 43762 | US | Smooth and fruity, this all-stainless effort carries a citrusy tang into the finish. It quickly settles into a good flavor groove, with suggestions of fresh-baked bread. | | 88 | 17 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Winter's Hill 2014 Pinot Gris (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Gris | Winter's Hill |
43764 | 43763 | France | Chiroubles is highest of the Beaujolais cru villages, producing wines with good structure. This wine, with its firm tannins, shows some aging potential. It has acidity and ripe red-plum flavors over a dry core. Drink from 2017. | Eté Fleuri | 88 | 18 | Beaujolais | Chiroubles | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vignerons de Bel Air 2014 Eté Fleuri (Chiroubles) | Gamay | Vignerons de Bel Air |
43765 | 43764 | US | This wine leaps out of the glass with fresh and bright aromas of strawberry blossoms, ripe raspberries, red flowers and a tiny bit of iron. The flavors are reminiscent of a potpourri satchel, with dried hibiscus flowers, tart cranberries, sour cherries and touches of pencil lead. | | 88 | 20 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Windrun 2013 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Windrun |
43766 | 43765 | US | Fruit from six vineyards that comprise the winery's vineyard-designate series is blended into this village cuvée. At first it seems stiff, almost severe, remaining tightly wound for hours. Gradually the fruit emerges, with rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry notes, and highlights of citrus rind in a high-acid finish. | Villages Cuvée | 88 | 26 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | St. Innocent 2013 Villages Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | St. Innocent |
43767 | 43766 | US | A pale-colored rosé made entirely from Pinot Noir, this skates near off-dry territory, with perceptible sweetness. It's fruity, soft and round, with forward flavors of cherries and cream. | Zenith Vineyard Oeil de Perdrix | 88 | 20 | Oregon | Eola-Amity Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | St. Innocent 2014 Zenith Vineyard Oeil de Perdrix Rosé (Eola-Amity Hills) | Rosé | St. Innocent |
43768 | 43767 | Italy | Tropical fruit, white peach and almond aromas come together on the nose and follow through to the green-apple driven palate. It's vibrant, with racy acidity and a rather brisk perlage. | Extra Dry | 88 | | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenuta 2 Castelli NV Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Tenuta 2 Castelli |
43769 | 43768 | Portugal | A complex blend of four grapes, this wine is rich, rounded and ripe. There is a juicy character to it, with spice and some firm, extracted tannins in the background. At this stage, it is still too dry and tannic and the wine needs time for the black fruits to come forward. Drink from 2017. | Morgado da Canita | 88 | 13 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade dos Machados 2013 Morgado da Canita Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Herdade dos Machados |
43770 | 43769 | US | This is a svelte but muscular wine with a deep red color, abundant black cherry and plum flavors and a rich, velvety texture. Lively acidity keeps all that ripeness in balance. It's full bodied, substantial in fruit flavor and will be great to pair with big proteins. | School House Vineyards | 88 | 28 | California | Sierra Foothills | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Val du Vino 2012 School House Vineyards Barbera (Sierra Foothills) | Barbera | Val du Vino |