| 44237 | 44236 | Portugal | An impressive, serious wine that's only produced in top vintages. It's elegant and complex, a powerful wine with its dark tannins, licorice and black plum flavors. Concentrated and intense, it's worth aging for at least four years. | Quinta do Cardo Grande Escolha | 93 | 55 | Beira Interior | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Companhia das Quintas 2009 Quinta do Cardo Grande Escolha Red (Beira Interior) | Portuguese Red | Companhia das Quintas |
| 44238 | 44237 | US | Flashy and delicious, this just blows your mind. It's like the essence of the ripest, purest blackberries, with a note of crème de cassis and the sweet appeal of melted dark chocolate. It's a soft wine, but grippy in tannins, which gives it good structure. Your best bet may be to drink it over the next six years. | Moose Valley Vineyard | 93 | 135 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | D.R. Stephens 2009 Moose Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | D.R. Stephens |
| 44239 | 44238 | US | With waves of raspberry, cherry, honeyed cream, cinnamon and caramelized oak flavors, this defines the word delicious. The richness is balanced by crisp acidity and delicate tannins. Just superb to drink now; try pairing it with lamb that's been salted and peppered, seasoned with a hint of rosemary. | Starr Ridge Vineyard | 93 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Davis Family 2009 Starr Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 44240 | 44239 | US | Another great Anderson Valley Pinot from Drew, made using fruit from a vineyard in Philo—the “deep end” or coolest section of the valley. While you won't find obnoxious acidity despite the officially high reading, the wine does have cool-climate notes of mushrooms, pine needles and cola, in addition to classic fruit flavors of raspberries and cherries. It's very fine, dry and complex; enjoy now or cellar for 6–8 years. | Morning Dew Vineyard | 93 | 48 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | Drew 2010 Morning Dew Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Drew |
| 44241 | 44240 | Italy | From Antinori's Castello della Sala estate, this landmark white helped to shine the spotlight on Umbria's untapped enological potential. A blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto, this is smooth, creamy, complex and long lasting. It offers a beautiful bouquet of vanilla, apricot, exotic fruit and honey, with a subtle touch of exotic spice. | Cervaro della Sala | 93 | | Central Italy | Umbria | | | | Marchesi Antinori 2010 Cervaro della Sala White (Umbria) | White Blend | Marchesi Antinori |
| 44242 | 44241 | Portugal | A vineyard selection is used to make this powerful, super ripe wine. With its opulent flavors, it is as densely packed with fruit as it is with tannins. Balanced and gorgeous, this is ready to drink now, yet it will age over several years. | Quinta da Fronteira Grande Escolha | 93 | 60 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Companhia das Quintas 2009 Quinta da Fronteira Grande Escolha Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Companhia das Quintas |
| 44243 | 44242 | US | This is by far the most expensive of Duckhorn's new releases, but it's not the best to drink now. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, it's easy to imagine the winemaker singling out the most tannic and concentrated lots, but what you get is, simply, a very tannic wine. There's a gigantic core of blackberry and black currant fruit, but it's hard to appreciate because of the astringency. The suggestion is longterm aging, but there can be no guarantees. | The Discussion Estate Grown | 93 | 125 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Duckhorn 2008 The Discussion Estate Grown Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Duckhorn |
| 44221 | 44220 | France | Produced from organically grown grapes, this razor-sharp wine is fresh with caramel and red berry flavors. It's a lively wine enhanced by a zingy orange zest character. Drink now, although the wine will be better at the end of 2015. | | 87 | | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine d'Eole 2014 Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Domaine d'Eole |
| 44244 | 44243 | Portugal | This is powerfully impressive, with its firm structure giving great depth to the rich black-cherry and plum fruits. Dense and tannic, it needs to age for at least four years. | Reserva Old Vines | 93 | 40 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Duorum 2009 Reserva Old Vines Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Duorum |
| 44222 | 44221 | France | Delicious and tangy, this wine is tensely textured. With its pale orange-pink color it is fruity and packed with acidity and red currants, finished with a twist of spice. | Cuvée Paparazzi | 87 | 30 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Sainte-Marie 2014 Cuvée Paparazzi Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Domaine Sainte-Marie |
| 44223 | 44222 | France | Soft and rounded, this is a warm, ripe wine. With its yellow fruits and light texture, it's fruity, already open for drinking. Crisp lemon gives an appealing edge to the bright aftertaste. | | 87 | 24 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Vrignaud 2013 Chablis | Chardonnay | Domaine Vrignaud |
| 44224 | 44223 | France | From a vineyard just at the edge of the Bandol appellation, this fresh and fruity wine has a lively, light touch that contrasts with its richer texture. The aftertaste, packed with acidity and orange freshness, is delicious. | Bélouvé | 87 | | Provence | Bandol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Bunan 2014 Bélouvé Rosé (Bandol) | Rosé | Domaines Bunan |
| 44225 | 44224 | Italy | Aromas of plum, toasted oak, cedar and espresso lead the nose. The palate delivers black cherry, roasted coffee bean, licorice and clove alongside a tannic backbone. Drink through 2017. | Le Sentinelle Riserva | 87 | 20 | Tuscany | Morellino di Scansano | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Fattoria Mantellassi 2010 Le Sentinelle Riserva (Morellino di Scansano) | Red Blend | Fattoria Mantellassi |
| 44226 | 44225 | Italy | The 2007 vintage was beautiful in Umbria, and this proves to be a stand out wine with enormous power, personality and depth. It delivers gorgeous intensity with pulses of black cherry, chocolate fudge, spice, leather and pipe tobacco. The finish is soft and rich. | Collepiano | 93 | 60 | Central Italy | Sagrantino di Montefalco | | | | Arnaldo Caprai 2007 Collepiano (Sagrantino di Montefalco) | Sagrantino | Arnaldo Caprai |
| 44227 | 44226 | US | This vineyard has been source to some of Fogarty's greatest Chardonnays, and this 2009 bottling continues the tradition of excellence. It's bone dry and tart in acidity, with smoky oak and lees influences. But the real star of the wine is the fruit; the flavors of lemon and lime custard, papaya, guava and nectarine are delicious. | Damiana Vineyard Estate Grown | 93 | 50 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2009 Damiana Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Thomas Fogarty |
| 44228 | 44227 | US | The closest thing in California you can get to a great French Chablis, this is absolutely dry, high in acidity and streamlined. It offers tantalizing citrus rind and peach fruit flavors, with a savory taste of cold minerals. Fans of rich, buttery Chardonnay will find it lean, but if you have a cellar, age it for six years and see how it evolves. | Portola Springs Vineyard Estate Grown | 93 | 50 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2009 Portola Springs Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Thomas Fogarty |
| 44229 | 44228 | US | There's something about this wine that strongly suggests it will improve in the cellar after a good bit of aging. As it is, it's dry, smooth, tannic and intense, with concentrated blackberry and black currant flavors, and a buttered toast note from aging in oak. It's completely delicious, but if you can keep from popping the cork, it should reward after 2015. | Extended Elevage | 93 | 50 | California | Howell Mountain | Napa | | | Topel 2007 Extended Elevage Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Topel |
| 44230 | 44229 | US | Is it just a simple, delicious drink-me-now Pinot? Or is it actually complex and worthy of pairing with the best foods? It's both. Front-loaded with raspberry purée, smoked butter and oak flavors, it has subtle layers of mushroom and dried pine that lift it into an ethereal place. Who cares if it will age? It's drop-dead gorgeous now. Char-broiled salmon could be your best pairing. | La Brisa | 93 | 40 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Walt 2010 La Brisa Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) | Pinot Noir | Walt |
| 44231 | 44230 | France | Open and primal on nose, this has notes of game, roasted meat, lead pencil, green bell pepper and blackberry. It offers succulent fruit on the midpalate, accompanied by generous viscosity and oak. The wine sits broadly across the palate with significant heft, chewy tannins and moderate acidity. The harmony of flavors and structure lingers onto the lengthy finish. | | 93 | 45 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Coteaux du Languedoc | | | | Prieuré St. Jean de Bébian 2008 Red (Coteaux du Languedoc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Prieuré St. Jean de Bébian |
| 44232 | 44231 | France | Made from grape must that is heated before fermentation, this is powerful and concentrated, with a rich and very dense character. Prune, dried fruit and fresh plum notes combine with an intense background of acidity. Age for at least five years. | Clos Triguedina The New Black Wine | 93 | 50 | Southwest France | Cahors | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jean-Luc Baldès 2009 Clos Triguedina The New Black Wine Malbec (Cahors) | Malbec | Jean-Luc Baldès |
| 44233 | 44232 | France | A full-bodied, rich wine, with tannins either supremely smoooth or just concealed under masses of plummy fruit. Yet despite the enormous ripeness, it's not lacking nuance, boasting savory notes of espresso and leather. Drinkable now, but should age through 2023, at least. | La Louvée | 93 | 84 | Rhône Valley | Cornas | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Jean-Luc Colombo 2009 La Louvée (Cornas) | Syrah | Jean-Luc Colombo |
| 44234 | 44233 | France | This seems awfully civilized for Cornas, with bold, clean blueberry fruit front and center, anchored by a framework of cedar and vanilla. This full-bodied, lush, creamy expression of Northern Rhône Syrah should drink well through 2025. Imported by DHI Selections, T. Edward Wines Ltd | Les Barcillants | 93 | 50 | Rhône Valley | Cornas | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Les Vins de Vienne 2009 Les Barcillants (Cornas) | Syrah | Les Vins de Vienne |
| 44235 | 44234 | France | With its massively concentrated blackberry fruit framed in ample new oak, this bears a bit of resemblance to some Australian Shirazes. It's mouthfilling but supple, with nuances of Christmas spices like cinnamon, clove and anise that linger on the long finish. Drink 2014–2023. | Gambert de Loche | 93 | 90 | Rhône Valley | Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Cave de Tain 2009 Gambert de Loche (Hermitage) | Syrah | Cave de Tain |
| 44236 | 44235 | Spain | Modern and bulky, this has a lot of great things going on. It opens with aromas of mineral, graphite, sage and bold berry, with chewy, roasted black-fruit flavors. It's long, compact, chocolaty and spicy on the finish. Still not mature but it's drinkable—best from 2014 and on. | Clássic | 93 | 89 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cims de Porrera 2005 Clássic Carignan (Priorat) | Carignan | Cims de Porrera |
| 44245 | 44244 | Portugal | Always a powerful wine, this has the added benefit of being produced from a fine vintage, yielding a hugely dense and concentrated bottling. Power comes from the ripe blackberry and black currant fruit and from the dark, firm tannins. Age this wine at least five years. | Grande Reserva | 93 | 39 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Portal 2009 Grande Reserva Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta do Portal |
| 44246 | 44245 | US | Another terrific offering from Shafer, this is a wine that seems to do well regardless of the vintage. It always shows a firm minerality and slight herbaceousness, with tropical fruit flavors and a smoky coating of fine oak. It's a shade less opulent than the 2009, making this very elegant and refined, yet still rich and complex. Don't drink it too cold—airing brings out subtle nuances. | Red Shoulder Ranch | 93 | 48 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Shafer 2010 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Shafer |
| 44247 | 44246 | US | A great follow-up to the winery's 2008, this continues a roll of classy Diamond Mountain-based Cabs from Wallis Family. It's dry, softly tannic and likeable for its depth of blackberry, cherry, currant and cedar flavors. This straddles the line between immediate drinkability and ageability. | | 93 | 65 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | | | Wallis Family Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Wallis Family Estate |
| 44248 | 44247 | Italy | Carpineto's Vino Nobile Riserva is almost too much of a good thing with its rich density, bold intensity and big aromas of ripe blackberry, leather, exotic spice and tobacco. It has smooth texture and polished tannins as well. Age 10 years or more. | Riserva | 92 | 32 | Tuscany | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | | | Carpineto 2006 Riserva (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) | Prugnolo Gentile | Carpineto |
| 44249 | 44248 | US | Proprietor Jon McDaniel, a sommelier, has crafted a Pinot Noir that's modest in alcohol and brisk in acidity, with an elegantly earthy touch. It's rich in cherries, pomegranates and dried herbs, a wine to savor and linger over as it warms up in the glass. | Shepherd Anderson Creek Vineyard | 92 | 32 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | Amos Cellars 2010 Shepherd Anderson Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Amos Cellars |
| 44250 | 44249 | US | Racy and brisk, clean and tart, this shows Meyer lemon, lime, white peach, mineral and white pepper aromas. Thankfully, it's very dry in taste, with exotic tropical-fruit, cashew and white flower flavors wrapped into a creamy, smoky mouthfeel. One of the best California Chenin Blancs in recent years. | Signature | 92 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Chappellet 2010 Signature Chenin Blanc (Napa Valley) | Chenin Blanc | Chappellet |