| 43784 | 43783 | US | The powerful flavors of this Syrah are both its strength and weakness. No question it's a delicious wine, upfront in blackberry pie filling, currant, licorice, dark chocolate and peppery spices. However the very power of flavor makes it hard to pair with subtle food. Best with strong plates, like short ribs or beef tamales. | | 87 | 30 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Dogwood 2005 Syrah (Dry Creek Valley) | Syrah | Dogwood |
| 43785 | 43784 | US | Easton's estate Zin is big and lusty in blackberry, currant, licorice and spice flavors that are wrapped into sturdy tannins. It's a little on the superextracted, sweetly jammy side that emphasizes the fruit and pushes the wine's structural elements to the sideline. Could be an ager. | Estate Bottled | 87 | 30 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | | | Easton 2005 Estate Bottled Zinfandel (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Zinfandel | Easton |
| 43786 | 43785 | Austria | The vines, rare in the Wachau, were planted because the family liked to drink Sauvignon Blanc, a simple explanation for a wine that is fresh, green and balanced between herbaceousness and tropical fruit flavors. | Smaragd | 87 | 65 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | F X Pichler 2006 Smaragd Sauvignon Blanc (Wachau) | Sauvignon Blanc | F X Pichler |
| 43787 | 43786 | France | A ripe currant- and lime-flavored wine, this is rounded and soft. This full-bodied wine fills the mouth but maintains its delicate crispness. There are good bright highlights of green fruits and fresh acidity. | Fournier | 87 | 21 | Loire Valley | Pouilly-Fumé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fournier Père et Fils 2006 Fournier (Pouilly-Fumé) | Sauvignon Blanc | Fournier Père et Fils |
| 43788 | 43787 | US | This is a new brand from Gallo, named after a vineyard the Louis M. Martini winery used to designate. It's a rich, sturdy Merlot, with a thick tannin structure, and shows forward flavors of cherries, black and red currants, licorice, blackberry tea, cola and spice. Not an ager, but impressive for its complexity. | | 87 | 23 | California | Napa-Sonoma | Napa-Sonoma | | | Ghost Pines 2005 Merlot (Napa-Sonoma) | Merlot | Ghost Pines |
| 43771 | 43770 | France | Frothy, fresh, lemony and light—this uncomplicated, slightly earthy crémant is ideal apéritif material with its easy-drinking, light-footed character. There's a lemony lift on the finish that's rather moreish. | Cométe | 88 | 25 | Alsace | Crémant d'Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Vignoble des 2 Lunes 2011 Cométe Pinot Blanc (Crémant d'Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Vignoble des 2 Lunes |
| 43789 | 43788 | Australia | There's a touch of wood to this wine, but the primary emphasis is on citrusy, pineapple-scented fruit. Apple flavors provide roundness, while the wine finishes citrusy and fresh without being sharp. | MasterPeace | 87 | 12 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Andrew Peace 2006 MasterPeace Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia) | Chardonnay | Andrew Peace |
| 43772 | 43771 | France | A very subdued nose leads to a softly apple-fruited and dry palate that shows off a yeasty, autolytic texture and bright acidity. There is backbone and structure on this dry Blanc de Noirs, which really has the palest pink of a vin gris. | Blanc de Noirs | 88 | 19 | Alsace | Crémant d'Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Willm NV Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir (Crémant d'Alsace) | Pinot Noir | Willm |
| 43790 | 43789 | US | This elegant, gentle Pinot is made for immediate enjoyment. Dry and crisp, it shows true varietal flavors of cherries, cola, tobacco, vanilla, peppery spices and toast. | | 87 | 25 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Artesa 2006 Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Artesa |
| 43791 | 43790 | US | Rich and spicy, this lusty Zin shows how well the variety does in Russian River Valley. Aged in American oak, it's deep and long in cherry, cranberry, licorice, cola, cinnamon and paprika spice flavors. Best now, with rich meat dishes and hard cheeses. | | 87 | 21 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Balletto 2005 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) | Zinfandel | Balletto |
| 43792 | 43791 | Italy | This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot delivers warm tones of mature berry fruit with nice earthy renderings and a determined, mineral-driven backbone. Delicate aromas of berry fruit and dried violets are backed by deep spice flavors and firm tannins that are slightly on the green side. | Foresco | 87 | 18 | Central Italy | Umbria | | | | Barberani 2005 Foresco Red (Umbria) | Red Blend | Barberani |
| 43793 | 43792 | Argentina | A conflicted and hence confounding wine. The nose is very oaky, but it's a pointed, almost piercing wood and clove bouquet. The wine is fierce in the mouth, with kicking tannins and acidity pushing bulldozer-like blackberry and bitter espresso flavors. With 6% Merlot, this Patagonian Malbec has its virtues but isn't as friendly as past vintages. | J. Alberto | 87 | 40 | Other | Río Negro Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Noemía de Patagonia 2006 J. Alberto Malbec (Río Negro Valley) | Malbec | Bodega Noemía de Patagonia |
| 43794 | 43793 | Italy | Here is an absolutely unruly and untamed red wine from Umbria with dark, impenetrable concentration and inky tones of black cherry, blackberry, plum, Indian spice and wet granite. It has very astringent tannins, which are characteristic of the Sagrantino variety, and lingering flavors that recall smoked ham or bacon. | | 87 | 33 | Central Italy | Sagrantino di Montefalco | | | | Cantina Tudernum 2003 Sagrantino di Montefalco | Sagrantino | Cantina Tudernum |
| 43795 | 43794 | New Zealand | Pretty standard in terms of flavor profile, but well-executed, marrying toasty, pain grille aromas with flavors of vanilla, ripe pears and melon. Medium- to full-bodied, it finishes with a flourish of oak and spice. | | 87 | 20 | Martinborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Te Kairanga 2006 Chardonnay (Martinborough) | Chardonnay | Te Kairanga |
| 43796 | 43795 | Italy | This wine's most outstanding quality is the elegant and delicate manner with which the bouquet slowly reveals itself. This vineyard-designate wine is a traditional blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo, opening with subtle aromas of red cherry, dried violet, moist earth, vanilla and cured meat. | Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio | 92 | 57 | Central Italy | Torgiano | | | | Lungarotti 2007 Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio Red (Torgiano) | Red Blend | Lungarotti |
| 43797 | 43796 | US | Showing the richness of the vineyard, this delivers huge, flamboyant flavors of apricot and tangerine jam. While it's technically dry, there's a honeyed sweetness that suggests a touch of botrytis. It's a strong wine, unafraid to command a boldness that may not be for everyone. This is distinctly Californian in style, and as it loses fruit with age, it will develop nut and earthy notes. | Charles Heintz Vineyard | 92 | 55 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Migration 2010 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Migration |
| 43798 | 43797 | US | Lovely, crisp acidity marks this dry, complex Pinot Noir. It's not an ager, but very elegant, with delicate sour-cherry candy, cola and mushroom flavors. A great wine to serve with mushroom-based entrées. | Reserve | 92 | 45 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Beaulieu Vineyard 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Beaulieu Vineyard |
| 43799 | 43798 | US | Fogarty continues its streak of great, Chablis-style Chardonnays with this single-vineyard bottling. True afficionados will love the dryness, acidity and minerality, which give it such great structure. The severity is relieved by flavors of citrus zest and white peach, and the creamy sourdough richness imparted by lees aging. Try aging it for at least six years. | Langley Hill Vineyard Estate Grown | 92 | 50 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2009 Langley Hill Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Thomas Fogarty |
| 43800 | 43799 | Mexico | A world-class wine regardless of origin, this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Zinfandel blend is as full as they come, with alluring black cherry, cola and graphite aromas. The mouthfeel is smooth and rich, with a wave of cola, molasses and chocolate along with black cherry and blackberry. Sweet, dark, smoky and long on the finish. Drink now–2014. | Amado IV | 92 | 54 | Valle de Guadalupe | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viñas de Garza 2007 Amado IV Red (Valle de Guadalupe) | Red Blend | Viñas de Garza |
| 43773 | 43772 | Spain | Dusty, minerally, stony aromas come with a floral note and accents of peach and melon. This blend of Merseguera, Malvasia and Viognier is lightly spritzy, with citrus and green apple flavors that turn mildly bitter and pithy. Drink now with anything from the sea. | Mestizaje | 88 | 15 | Spain Other | Spain | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mustiguillo 2014 Mestizaje White (Spain) | White Blend | Mustiguillo |
| 43774 | 43773 | Spain | Mild citrus and papaya aromas set up a fresh, nonaggressive palate with flavors of seltzer, nectarine and brown sugar. This rosé of Pinot Noir is calm and collected on the finish, but low on complexity and sophistication. Drink now. | Titiana Brut | 88 | 25 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Parxet 2010 Titiana Brut Pinot Noir (Cava) | Pinot Noir | Parxet |
| 43775 | 43774 | France | Highly perfumed, this exotic wine has a strongly textured, scented character that masks the fruit. Red berries underlie the dry texture along with acidity, giving the wine a fresh and fruity aftertaste. | | 88 | 25 | Beaujolais | Juliénas | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pascal Aufranc 2014 Juliénas | Gamay | Pascal Aufranc |
| 43776 | 43775 | Italy | This Sangiovese opens with a saturated, deep color and segues into thick aromas of leather, black cherry, chocolate and tobacco. Fresh red fruit and cola co-exist with those heavier tones giving the wine heft and power. The mouthfeel is fruity and straightforward. Part of the Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini estates. | Tosco Forte | 87 | 20 | Tuscany | Colli della Toscana Centrale | | | | Castello di Poppiano 2004 Tosco Forte Sangiovese (Colli della Toscana Centrale) | Sangiovese | Castello di Poppiano |
| 43777 | 43776 | Italy | You'll love the fresh cherry, almond and cola notes this cheerful Sangiovese-Mammolo blend exhibits. There is a linear, genuine quality to its essence that makes it approachable, yet elegant. The mouthfeel is lean, smooth and imparts lingering toasted notes on the finish. Closed with a cool glass cork. | Green Label | 87 | 20 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | I Balzini 2006 Green Label Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | I Balzini |
| 43778 | 43777 | Australia | JC is making an effort to upgrade its Reserve range, and this is a good example, offering peach and pineapple flavors framed by vanilla, butter and toast. It's all barrel-fermented, impressive at this production level (25,000 cases) and price point. | Reserve | 87 | 12 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Jacob's Creek 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (South Australia) | Chardonnay | Jacob's Creek |
| 43779 | 43778 | US | Pun alert. Matchless might suggest a peerless wine, but then you notice that the label has been burnt, as if in a fire. The blend is roughly two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Syrah, and the wine is broadly fruity in the Walla Walla style, with suggestions of cherry pie and berry jam. The finish has a rather chalky feel, with chewy tannins. | Matchless Red | 87 | 26 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Otis Kenyon 2005 Matchless Red Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Otis Kenyon |
| 43780 | 43779 | New Zealand | Saint Clair has strayed from their Marlborough roots to source this Merlot from Hawke's Bay. The result boasts nicely ripe black cherry flavors, not overwhelmed by oak, finishing juicy and refreshing. Drink now. | Vicar's Choice | 87 | 16 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Saint Clair 2006 Vicar's Choice Merlot (Hawke's Bay) | Merlot | Saint Clair |
| 43781 | 43780 | Argentina | Creamy peach and vanilla aromas are perfectly attractive, as is the palate. There's plenty of peach, mango and citrus pith flavors to make it worthy, and the finish is long and citrusy. Surprisingly good given the paltry price and Argentina's dearth of success with Viognier. | | 87 | 8 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Julia 2007 Viognier (Mendoza) | Viognier | Santa Julia |
| 43782 | 43781 | US | From a vineyard north of St. Helena comes this 100% varietal wine. If you like your Cabs soft, superextracted and direct, you'll love it. The blackberry and cherry flavors are so ripe and sweet, they taste like pie filling. Best now and for a couple years. | Shibumi Vineyard | 87 | 85 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Shibumi Knoll 2004 Shibumi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Shibumi Knoll |
| 43783 | 43782 | US | Concentrated and intense, this Zin shows ultraripe blackberry, cherry, black raspberry, milk chocolate, coffee, Asian spice, anise and smoky vanilla flavors that linger long into the finish. It's big and brash, suggesting grilled ribs slathered with sweet barbecue sauce. | Louvau Vineyard | 87 | 32 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Dashe Cellars 2005 Louvau Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Dashe Cellars |