| 4618 | 4617 | Italy | Amarone Capitel de' Roari delivers a crisp, lean expression that showcases Valpolicella winemaking tradition. The only out-of-place elements are the oak shadings that comes across as toasted nut, leather and dried tobacco. | Capitel de' Roari | 87 | 35 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Luigi Righetti 2007 Capitel de' Roari (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Luigi Righetti |
| 4619 | 4618 | Italy | New leather, pressed rose, violet, baking spice and crushed herb are just some of the aromas you'll find in this textbook Barolo. Firm yet loaded with finesse, the palate offers red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and clove notes set against a backdrop of youthfully austere tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note lingers on the finish. Give it time to fully bloom. Drink 2023–2033. | Cannubi | 94 | 66 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Francesco Rinaldi 2013 Cannubi (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Francesco Rinaldi |
| 4620 | 4619 | US | Quite light in color, the aromas bring initially locked up but then broadly expansive notes of peat, green olive, white pepper, strawberry, Stargazer lilies, mineral and herb, showing a lot of complexity. The palate is textured, bringing a profound mixture of fruit and savory flavors that intertwine effortlessly on the long finish. It brings a sense of tension, texture and finesse that is completely captivating. | La Paciencia Vineyard | 94 | 75 | Oregon | Walla Walla Valley (OR) | Oregon Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | No Girls 2014 La Paciencia Vineyard Grenache (Walla Walla Valley (OR)) | Grenache | No Girls |
| 4591 | 4590 | US | Shows the classy elegance of all Qupe's Syrahs, although it's thinner and rougher than the more expensive bottlings. Still, for the price, this wine is nicely dry and intricate in blackberry and crushed pepper flavors. | | 87 | 18 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Qupé 2008 Syrah (Central Coast) | Syrah | Qupé |
| 4592 | 4591 | US | A bit thin and acidic, but charming for its dryness and firm tannins, which call for rich, marbled beef. The pepper-inspired blackberry and cassis flavors are fine. Not an ager, but will benefit from a few hours of decanting. | York Creek | 87 | 30 | California | California | California Other | | | Ridge 2008 York Creek Zinfandel (California) | Zinfandel | Ridge |
| 4593 | 4592 | US | Made from 100% Syrah and aged in 100% new French oak, this wine is currently hard, astringent and oaky, with caramel, vanilla and buttered toast aromas and flavors. The actual Syrah itself is clean and pure in ripe blackberry jam. Might do something over the years, but probably best now, with a decant. | Waxing Poetic | 87 | 75 | California | California | California Other | | | Sanguis 2006 Waxing Poetic Syrah (California) | Syrah | Sanguis |
| 4594 | 4593 | Italy | Aged in large oak casks, this fresh Ripasso makes good use of minimal wood intervention that comes forth as light spice and cinnamon. The core of this wine, however, consists of pulsing black fruit and mature cherry. | | 87 | 26 | Veneto | Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso | | | | Santa Sofia 2007 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Santa Sofia |
| 4595 | 4594 | Italy | Vigneti di Montegradella is a well-priced Valpolicella with more intensity and density than you'd expect. In fact, the wine offers determination and personality with enough natural extraction to pair with bean soup or barbecued hamburgers. | Vigneti di Montegradella | 87 | 14 | Veneto | Valpolicella Classico Superiore | | | | Sartori 2006 Vigneti di Montegradella (Valpolicella Classico Superiore) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Sartori |
| 4596 | 4595 | US | This is a fresh, lively Pinot Noir for drinking now. It's elegantly silky and dry, with crisp acids and pure flavors of cherries, cola, spices and oak. A touch of oak adds smoky richness. | | 87 | 39 | California | Arroyo Seco | Central Coast | | | Scott Family 2008 Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco) | Pinot Noir | Scott Family |
| 4597 | 4596 | US | Good price for a nicely complex Cabernet for drinking now. Dry and smooth in tannins, it shows ripe blackberry, cherry, licorice and herb flavors, with a kiss of oak. | | 87 | 22 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | St. Francis 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Francis |
| 4598 | 4597 | Italy | In the past, Allegrini adopted a vocal stand against Ripasso (a middle ground wine between Amarone and Valpolicella) and for this reason Corte Giara Ripasso comes as a big surprise. Despite the controversy, this historic producer presents a very acceptable wine with pretty tones of sweet spice and bright berry. | Corte Giara | 87 | 20 | Veneto | Valpolicella Ripasso | | | | Allegrini 2008 Corte Giara (Valpolicella Ripasso) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Allegrini |
| 4599 | 4598 | US | A shade off the 2005, being leaner and more tannic, and more akin to the 2001. It's a dry, taut Cab, marked by a drying astringency accompanying the blackberry and mineral flavors. Drink now–2012. | | 87 | 40 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Arger-Martucci 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Arger-Martucci |
| 4600 | 4599 | US | This 100% Viognier shows the variety's exotic side, with delicious tropical fruit, citrus, pear, melon, lychee and smoky oak flavors. It's a bit one-dimensional, but appeals for its fresh acids and richness. | Saralee's Vineyard | 87 | 30 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Arrowood 2008 Saralee's Vineyard Viognier (Russian River Valley) | Viognier | Arrowood |
| 4601 | 4600 | US | Hints of smoke and wet stone combine with sweet Granny Smith apple and stonefruit aromas on the nose of this inviting dry Riesling. Smoke seeps through on the palate as well, melding with brighter flavors like orange peel and underripe tangerine, making for a refreshing yet deeply compelling sip. | Dry | 87 | 16 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Atwater 2008 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Atwater |
| 4602 | 4601 | US | Though richly perfumed with rose petals and elderflower, the flowery aromatics are reined in by bright lemon and citrus peel notes. The palate is plush and rich with flavors evocative of earl grey tea served with rose petal jam, with a gentle acidity to keep things fresh. | | 87 | 17 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Atwater 2008 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes) | Gewürztraminer | Atwater |
| 4603 | 4602 | US | The components of this wine are all over the place, with blackberry and currant fruit, 100% new oak, brisk tannins and acidity needing to come together for harmony. Whether or not they will is a guess. Right now it's rustic, but dry and complex enough to drink after a good decant. | Law of Proportions | 87 | 38 | California | California | California Other | | | Autonom 2007 Law of Proportions Syrah (California) | Syrah | Autonom |
| 4604 | 4603 | US | Quite good and rich in jammy berry, cherry, cassis and oak flavors, but there's a certain obvious appeal that lacks complexity, and it's not what you expect from a wine of this reputation and price. This bottling has been falling off from the glories of the 1990s for some years now. A pity. Hopefully the trend will reverse. Production was 9,008 cases. | Private Reserve | 87 | 115 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Beringer 2007 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Beringer |
| 4605 | 4604 | Spain | Rubbery and roasted, but not too much so. Otherwise one should look for medicinal berry aromas followed by flavors of baked plum, prune and black pepper. The finish is dense, a touch flat, and chocolaty; overall this is a chunky, sweet performer. | | 87 | 8 | Levante | Jumilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Tarima 2009 Monastrell (Jumilla) | Monastrell | Bodegas Tarima |
| 4606 | 4605 | France | A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this is another example of the fine values coming out of the Costières de Nîmes. It's a medium-bodied wine with a velvety texture and a fine balance between herbs and raspberry fruit on the one hand and dark berries and earth on the other. Drink it over the next 2–3 years. | | 87 | 12 | Rhône Valley | Costières de Nîmes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château Grande Cassagne 2008 Grenache-Syrah (Costières de Nîmes) | Grenache-Syrah | Château Grande Cassagne |
| 4607 | 4606 | Chile | A highly aromatic wine. Lychee is the prime scent along with white flowers, and the palate is oily but right, with lychee, ginger, spice and orange flavors. Plump but short on the finish, but clean as a whole. Very nice for Chilean Gewürz. | Visión | 87 | 13 | Casablanca Valley | | | | | Cono Sur 2009 Visión Gewürztraminer (Casablanca Valley) | Gewürztraminer | Cono Sur |
| 4608 | 4607 | Italy | A drying mineral note of slate or graphite runs through the middle of this plush and rich red Ripassato wine from Valpolicella. Background notes of spice and cherry cola come through as well, especially in the mouth where the wine boats a soft, compact feel. Pair this wine with lamb or light beef dishes. | Podere Bertarole Ripassato | 87 | 25 | Veneto | Valpolicella Classico Superiore | | | | Corteforte 2007 Podere Bertarole Ripassato (Valpolicella Classico Superiore) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Corteforte |
| 4609 | 4608 | Italy | Ripasso Cicilio shines bright with personality and freshness. This territory-driven wine boasts clean aromas of berry fruit, light shadings of spice and a touch of sweet cinnamon. It's easy, crisp mouthfeel washes clean over the palate. | Cicilio | 87 | 20 | Veneto | Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | | | | Degani 2008 Cicilio (Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Degani |
| 4610 | 4609 | US | Very dense in the mouth and full-bodied, with a dry, soft feeling. Lots of toasty oak, too. Feels somewhat inert, but the delicious cherries, toast and spices make it a pleasant sipper. | | 87 | 32 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Dierberg 2007 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Dierberg |
| 4611 | 4610 | France | From the family behind Bosquet des Papes in Châteauneuf, this is a solid Côtes du Rhône, with modest tannins but decent structure and typical notes of leather, dried cherries, chocolate and cinnamon. Drink it over the next few years. | | 87 | 16 | Rhône Valley | Côtes du Rhône | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine Nicolas Boiron 2008 Red (Côtes du Rhône) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Nicolas Boiron |
| 4612 | 4611 | Spain | Beefy, stocky aromas also bring herb, tomato and berry notes. The palate is jumpy and slightly medicinal, with currant, tomato, herb and plum flavors running the show. Medium in size, with level tannins and a juicy, good overall feel to it. | Baltos | 87 | 17 | Northern Spain | Bierzo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio de Tares 2007 Baltos Mencía (Bierzo) | Mencía | Dominio de Tares |
| 4613 | 4612 | Spain | Yellow-gold in color, with baked fruit, butterscotch, creamed corn and wood resin aromas. Forcefully oaked and massive in the mouth, with enough sporty acidity to prop up the woodspice, nutmeg and resiny flavors that render the fruit secondary. Much like chewing on an oak plank, structured and layered. | Blanco | 87 | 35 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Allende 2008 Blanco White (Rioja) | White Blend | Finca Allende |
| 4614 | 4613 | Spain | Slightly fiery and hot on the nose, but there's enough berry, cherry and dusty leather to keep it positive. The palate is more sheer and sharp than expected, with piercing raspberry, razor's edge acidity and only a touch of back-end sweetness. Juicy but short and searing. | Ecològic | 87 | 41 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Genium Celler 2006 Ecològic Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Genium Celler |
| 4615 | 4614 | US | This late-release Riesling from Seneca Lake wafts with the delicate perfume of sweet peas, ripe stonefruits and a petrol undertone. Dry, but with a touch of white peach sweetness, refreshing lime juice flavors and a high toned acidity keep this wine refreshing and brisk. | Oughterson Family Estates | 87 | 13 | New York | Seneca Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Highland Cellars 2007 Oughterson Family Estates Riesling (Seneca Lake) | Riesling | Highland Cellars |
| 4616 | 4615 | US | Dry and refreshing with clean, pure notes of white peach, orange blossoms and petrol on the nose and palate, this shows off Riesling's pristine side. A splash of tart, underripe starfruit and fresh limes on the palate combine with a brisk acidity and wet stone minerality, giving this wine an invigorating feel. | Falling Man Vineyard Dry | 87 | 18 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Keuka Lake Vineyards 2008 Falling Man Vineyard Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Keuka Lake Vineyards |
| 4617 | 4616 | Chile | A lively, surprising bargain made from Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. That it costs merely $8 makes the melon and apple aromas and flavors all the better. Citrusy as it evolves, and clean throughout, with no wavering. A very nice white quaffing wine. | Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay | 87 | 8 | Lontué Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Korta 2009 Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay White (Lontué Valley) | White Blend | Korta |