| 50544 | 50543 | Italy | Beautiful and luminous, this amber-colored Recioto di Soave is generous and opulent. Its many aromatic layers include apricot, honey, toasted almond and butterscotch. It has rich sweetness and enough tingling acidity to tickle your tongue and keep the palate refreshed. | Le Colombare | 92 | 55 | Veneto | Recioto di Soave | | | | Pieropan 2004 Le Colombare (Recioto di Soave) | Garganega | Pieropan |
| 50545 | 50544 | Austria | With the extra crispness of the 2007 vintage, this wine has lost its usual opulent character, but it has gained a great definition of structured fruit and flavors of cream, caramel, spice and pear. A benchmark Grüner from its home territory. | Goldjoch | 92 | 50 | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | R&A; Pfaffl 2007 Goldjoch Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | R&A; Pfaffl |
| 50546 | 50545 | France | Very young, very closed up, but it's possible to tell that this will be an immense wine, even from the 2004 vintage. The acids, the dense structure, the hints of wood and the power of this wine are already in place. Soon, the fruit will come bursting in. | | 92 | 26 | Southwest France | Madiran | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château d'Aydie 2004 Tannat (Madiran) | Tannat | Château d'Aydie |
| 50547 | 50546 | Austria | Concentrated structure and flint combine with richness in this wine. It shows spice, dense acidity, freshness and very green, crisp fruit flavors. There is a real line of structure running through the fruit, an edge of lemon zest. Keep 4–5 years. Screwcap. | Setzberg Smaragd | 92 | 56 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Johann Donabaum 2007 Setzberg Smaragd Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Johann Donabaum |
| 50548 | 50547 | Austria | Crisp and perfumed, this shows white berries, crisp white stone fruit and a great twist of lemon zest. It's light, floating, the acidity like a whisper within the fresh flavors. The final acidity stays forever. | Kugler | 91 | 25 | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Weinrieder 2007 Kugler Riesling (Niederösterreich) | Riesling | Weinrieder |
| 50549 | 50548 | Spain | The winery spells it Petite Verdot, and the wine shows tight aromas of black fruits, leather and mushroom. The palate is deep and very ripe, with full-force blueberry and blackberry flavors. A little edgy and tannic, but immensely ripe and pleasant, just like all the Marqués de Griñon 2004s. Good now and better in 2009–10. | Estate Bottled | 91 | 45 | Central Spain | Dominio de Valdepusa | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marques de Griñon 2004 Estate Bottled Petit Verdot (Dominio de Valdepusa) | Petit Verdot | Marques de Griñon |
| 50550 | 50549 | US | Spindrift is the little winery that could, and makes excellent wines at consumer-friendly prices, from a variety of grapes that showcase all the strengths of Oregon. This lovely bottle is spicy and tart, yet full-flavored with a mix of lime, lemon, pineapple, pear and rind that gracefully runs into a midpalate that is full and spicy. The sharp acids keep it lively and refreshing, and the finish is nothing short of remarkable in a wine at this price. | | 91 | 16 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Spindrift Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Blanc | Spindrift Cellars |
| 50521 | 50520 | Italy | A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, this opens with aromas of black fruit, toasted oak and espresso. The palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and roasted coffee bean alongside polished tannins. | Rosso | 89 | 49 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cottanera 2011 Rosso (Etna) | Red Blend | Cottanera |
| 50522 | 50521 | France | Fragrant and rich, but also with acidity and a tight, nervy texture, this concentrated wine has good potential. A single-vineyard wine, it contrasts richness and spice with a fresher character. Drink from 2016. | Domaine Saint-Rémy Im Berg | 89 | 21 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Ehrhart 2013 Domaine Saint-Rémy Im Berg Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Domaine Ehrhart |
| 50523 | 50522 | France | This cool wine features considerable freshness cutting the fragrant fruits. The single-vineyard site of Hohrain is next door to Pfersigberg Grand Cru. The wine is still young and showing textured mineral character. It needs several years to bring out its depth of flavor. Drink from 2017. | Lieu dit Hohrain | 89 | 49 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Emile Beyer 2012 Lieu dit Hohrain Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Emile Beyer |
| 50524 | 50523 | Italy | A blend of 70% Carricante, 15%, Catarratto and 15% Grillo this offers aromas of dried Spanish broom, candied lemon peel and a hint of butterscotch. The ripe palate offers mature apple, candied ginger and mineral, with a note of bitter almond on the close. Made without added sulfites. | Quantico Bianco | 89 | 32 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Emmi Veruccia 2013 Quantico Bianco (Etna) | White Blend | Emmi Veruccia |
| 50525 | 50524 | US | Bien Nacido Vineyard actually planted this grape decades ago at Craig Jaffurs' request, and his mastery shows, with aromas balancing between sharper lime zest and riper white peach. There's lots of verve on the palate, yet the steely acidity is presented with medium brushstrokes rather than jabs, with flavors of poached pears, lime glaze and nectarine. | Bien Nacido Vineyard | 89 | 27 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Jaffurs 2013 Bien Nacido Vineyard Viognier (Santa Barbara County) | Viognier | Jaffurs |
| 50526 | 50525 | US | Well-defined, crisp and lightly peppery, this estate-grown Pinot Gris carries no hint of oak aging. Tart apple and pear fruit have just the right bite to sail into a sharp and satisfying finish. | | 89 | 16 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Jovino 2013 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Gris | Jovino |
| 50527 | 50526 | New Zealand | Kumeu River is one of New Zealand's most consistent producers of Chardonnay. This bottling boasts slightly austere aromas of wet stone, struck flint and woodsmoke, then delivers white peach and pineapple flavors on the palate. It's medium in body, with a slightly creamy texture and a moderately long finish. | Estate | 89 | 34 | Kumeu | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kumeu River 2012 Estate Chardonnay (Kumeu) | Chardonnay | Kumeu River |
| 50528 | 50527 | Italy | Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, pear, Spanish broom and brimstone lead the nose on this vibrant white. The bright palate offers citrus, apple and mineral along with a touch of light oak that adds depth, while crisp acidity imparts energy. | Bianco | 89 | 25 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Le Vigne di Eli 2013 Bianco (Etna) | Carricante | Le Vigne di Eli |
| 50529 | 50528 | Argentina | Exotic aromas of cardamom, blueberry and spiced currant filter onto a fresh but wide-bodied palate with raspberry, blueberry, herb and spice flavors. The finish is intriguing due to a reprise of notes like anise, mint and herbal berry flavors. | 1907 | 89 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mendoza Vineyards 2011 1907 Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Mendoza Vineyards |
| 50530 | 50529 | US | Bright, clean, crisply rendered raspberry fruit—nicely spiced—really shines here. This relatively modestly priced cuvée carries itself with style and elegance, still young, tight and tart, with plenty of medium-term aging potential. | | 89 | 24 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Patton Valley 2013 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Patton Valley |
| 50531 | 50530 | Spain | Slightly leesy, oily aromas are mature, with notes of salami, apple and melon popping up. The palate is lush and round, with good acidity keeping things vertical. Leesy flavors of melon, vanilla, spiced apple and brine finish chunky, with moderate complexity. | | 89 | 25 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pazo de Señorans 2013 Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Pazo de Señorans |
| 50532 | 50531 | Italy | A blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Frappato, this elegant wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, blue flower and spice. The juicy fruit carries over to the soft, supple palate together with notes of toast and espresso. Drink through 2017. | Dorilli | 89 | 32 | Sicily & Sardinia | Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Planeta 2012 Dorilli (Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico) | Red Blend | Planeta |
| 50533 | 50532 | US | Made from 47% Primitivo, 29% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah and 8% Petite Sirah, this offers a complex nose that mixes sanguine elements of iron, tar and black rocks with smoked meats. The palate is plush and smoky with decent grip, culminating with a bit of creosote funk on the finish. | Holystone | 89 | 28 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Sextant 2012 Holystone Red (Paso Robles) | Red Blend | Sextant |
| 50534 | 50533 | Italy | Made mostly with red grape Nerello Mascalese vinified as a white wine, this conveys a pretty fragrance of wild flower, dried herb and hay. The round palate offers tropical fruit, McIntosh apple, flinty mineral and rosemary alongside energizing acidity. | Ciuri | 89 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terrazze dell'Etna 2012 Ciuri (Etna) | White Blend | Terrazze dell'Etna |
| 50535 | 50534 | US | This explodes in sizable red cassis and berry fruit along with darker shades of blackberry and espresso. With leathery tannins that remain puckeringly huge, it can stand some time in the cellar mellowing out, through 2026. | Central Park West Vineyard | 89 | 50 | California | St. Helena | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Trinchero 2011 Central Park West Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (St. Helena) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Trinchero |
| 50536 | 50535 | Italy | Aromas recall rose petal, dark berry and orange zest. The palate delivers mature blackberry, cocoa, mocha and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. | Il Moro | 89 | 28 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Valle dell'Acate 2011 Il Moro Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Valle dell'Acate |
| 50537 | 50536 | US | The Momtazi vineyard supplies these grapes. The wine has a sharp edge to it, a sense of raw wood that pushes against tart, stiff red fruits. Whiffs of smoke and salted chocolate add welcome nuances. The winery's AVA series provides interesting, nicely differentiated wines at somewhat moderate (for Oregon Pinot) prices. | AVA Series | 89 | 50 | Oregon | McMinnville | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 AVA Series Pinot Noir (McMinnville) | Pinot Noir | Willamette Valley Vineyards |
| 50538 | 50537 | US | Tight and bright, this tasty wine hits the mineral button under tangy lemon flesh and rind. The tart fruit is refreshing, clear and clean through a driving finish. | | 89 | 14 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Wine by Joe 2013 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Gris | Wine by Joe |
| 50539 | 50538 | US | It is rare to find a high-end domestic Pinot Noir so restrained, so elegant. Lightly layered with tangy raspberry, mineral and herb, this wine proves that supple, graceful, complex, delicious Pinots can be made in Oregon. So often they are sacrificed on the altar of overripeness and oak. Here are authentic flavors of grape and soil, biodynamically farmed and lovingly crafted into a complete and fascinating wine that with attention, gives the drinker more. | Mitra | 92 | 85 | Oregon | McMinnville | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Maysara 2005 Mitra Pinot Noir (McMinnville) | Pinot Noir | Maysara |
| 50540 | 50539 | Austria | The terraced vineyard of Ried Bruck is a dominant site in Spitz, stony and impossibly steep. The excellent exposure gives richness to the wine, even in cooler years such as 2007. There is fine balance here, a ripe, perfumed character, with its aromas of wild flowers and thyme and its flavors of green pears and red apples. | Ried Bruck Viessling Smaragd | 92 | 57 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Högl 2007 Ried Bruck Viessling Smaragd Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Högl |
| 50541 | 50540 | Spain | Big and noisy for a wine with 13 years of age behind it. The bouquet mixes raisin, tobacco and leathery aromas with great results. The palate is stylish and flows nicely, with tobacco, dried fruit and tomato flavors. Excellent on the finish, with classy oak and leather. Drink now through 2015. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines. | Gran Reserva 904 | 92 | 60 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | La Rioja Alta 1995 Gran Reserva 904 (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | La Rioja Alta |
| 50542 | 50541 | France | The almost legendary wine of Gassac is in fact a deeply satisfying, rich but structured southern wine, with a fine balance between spice, red fruits and powerful tannins. There's a raw edge of youth here, confirming that these wines always have considerable aging potential. | | 92 | 40 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays de la Haute Vallée du Gassac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Mas de Daumas Gassac 2005 Red (Vin de Pays de la Haute Vallée du Gassac) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mas de Daumas Gassac |
| 50543 | 50542 | France | Proof again from Pierre Luneau that Muscadet can age. This wine, 11 years old, still tastes fresh. The only concession to age is the loss of the high green primary fruits, but the flavors have then rounded out, still creamy, still full of vivacious acidity, but now with almonds, some toast and ripeness. | Le L d'Or de Pierre Luneau | 92 | 30 | Loire Valley | Muscadet Sèvre et Maine | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Luneau-Papin 1997 Le L d'Or de Pierre Luneau (Muscadet Sèvre et Maine) | Melon | Domaine Luneau-Papin |