5131 | 5130 | France | Owned by Beaune merchant Louis Jadot, this cru estate produces some impressive wines. While its alcohol is excessive for a Beaujolais, it wears its power well. The black plum fruit and tannins from wood aging that are still very present will soften over the next year to give a rich generous wine with a style that is Burgundian rather than traditional Beaujolais. Drink from 2018. | Côte du Py | 92 | 43 | Beaujolais | Morgon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château des Jacques 2015 Côte du Py (Morgon) | Gamay | Château des Jacques |
5132 | 5131 | Chile | Initially this smells foxy, with jumpy untamed berry and plum notes racing across the nose. After the aromas come around, this is hard and choppy on the palate, while herbal black-plum and carob flavors finish more lushly than before, but still fairly tannic. Drink through 2023. | Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard | 92 | 120 | Puente Alto | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Concha y Toro 2013 Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Concha y Toro |
5133 | 5132 | France | The northernmost of the Beaujolais cru villages can produce wines that are Burgundian in their structure. This wine fits that profile well with its dark tannins and rich concentration. Densely textured with both black-cherry fruit and a dry core, the wine is taking its time to develop. Drink from late 2017 or 2018. | Vieilles Vignes | 92 | 25 | Beaujolais | Saint-Amour | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine des Chers 2015 Vieilles Vignes (Saint-Amour) | Gamay | Domaine des Chers |
5134 | 5133 | Austria | A touch of passion fruit haunts the nose. The palate is juicy with mirabelle plums and lively lemon and orange notes. There is zesty textured concentration and a wonderful purity of flavor. This is exciting and has lots of drive with a lip-smacking finish. | Schiefer Reserve | 92 | 19 | Kremstal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Forstreiter 2015 Schiefer Reserve Riesling (Kremstal) | Riesling | Forstreiter |
5135 | 5134 | US | Dark, dense with fruit flavor and thickly tannic, this full-bodied wine is a monument to concentration, ripeness and richness. Massive tannins are matched by huge jammy fruit, with a sense of layering and depth that is impressive and satisfying to experience. | | 92 | 20 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Freakshow 2014 Red (Lodi) | Red Blend | Freakshow |
5136 | 5135 | US | A blend of Syrah (68%), Grenache (29%) and Viognier, this wine brings pungent, directly appealing aromas of smoked meat, blue fruit, black olive, orange peel and high-toned flowers. The blue and black-fruit and smoked-meat flavors are silky and well constructed with a finish that lingers. | Vaucluse Lawrence Vineyards | 92 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Gård 2014 Vaucluse Lawrence Vineyards Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Gård |
5137 | 5136 | US | The producer sources from three sites, each vineyard-designate worthy: Cleary Ranch and Rayhill Vineyard in Freestone, and Stiling Vineyard in Russian River Valley. Together they sing, coaxing spicy white pepper and clove from the grapes while a velvety texture of firm tannin provides support. Raspberry and baked cherry highlight the fruit flavors. | | 92 | 60 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Blue Rock 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Blue Rock |
5138 | 5137 | Italy | Made from 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this has inviting aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, forest floor and a whiff of cedar. The dense, polished palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove, licorice and tobacco. Firm, refined tannins provide support. | Ilatraia | 92 | 70 | Tuscany | Toscana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Brancaia 2012 Ilatraia Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Brancaia |
5139 | 5138 | US | It's rare to see varietal Carmenère outside of Chile, let alone in Long Island, and such a great surprise when it's as tasty as this. It's lusciously fruity yet pristinely fresh, boasting crisp black-plum and cherry flavors that penetrate deeply on the palate. A herbaceous swathe of green leaf and bramble only accentuates the freshness. Fine firm tannins need a few years to meld. Hold until 2020. | | 92 | 24 | New York | North Fork of Long Island | Long Island | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Osprey's Dominion 2013 Carmenère (North Fork of Long Island) | Carmenère | Osprey's Dominion |
5140 | 5139 | US | The producer sources primarily from its historic Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard for this wine, a rich expression of the variety opaque in color. Meat, black pepper, leather and tobacco give it a velvety lushness and concentration buoyed by complex, savory components. The lengthy finish is all about bittersweet chocolate. | | 92 | 50 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Gundlach Bundschu 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Gundlach Bundschu |
5141 | 5140 | Chile | Spicy aromas of balsam wood, tobacco and sawmill work well with ripe but reserved red-berry scents. Tight, tannic but also fresh as opposed to drying, this Cabernet from a cool year delivers a classic set of herbal berry, plum and wood spice flavors. A ripped finish is dry and oaky now, with core fruit resting for the future. Drink 2018–2028. | Royale Los Lingues Vineyard | 92 | 26 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Koyle 2013 Royale Los Lingues Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Koyle |
5142 | 5141 | Austria | The merest touch of apricot caresses the vanilla and hazelnut notes of fine oak. The palate, on the other hand, conveys power and concentration, held tight and taut by lemon freshness. This will take a little while in bottle to unfold and should entice lovers of Chardonnay with its combination of bright freshness and lush fruit. | Kreuzgang | 92 | 39 | Wagram | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Anton Bauer 2015 Kreuzgang Chardonnay (Wagram) | Chardonnay | Anton Bauer |
5143 | 5142 | US | A savory rather than fruity blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, this bottling offers black pepper, anise and light violet alongside boysenberry and elderberry fruit on the nose. The palate tightens up into underripe cherry, thyme, marjoram and bay leaf, with very dry elderberry fruit tones. | Pendulum | 92 | 35 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Baker & Brain 2013 Pendulum Red (Monterey County) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Baker & Brain |
5144 | 5143 | US | Handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot figure into this wine, a lovely, medium-bodied beauty that finds balance in its measured use of oak. Vanilla, plum and bold jolts of pepper and cinnamon combine well on the lengthy palate. | Estate Grown | 92 | 35 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Ballentine 2014 Estate Grown Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Ballentine |
5145 | 5144 | Austria | A curious mix of roasted smokiness and red fruits makes for an appetizing autumnal nose. The red fruit underneath these flavors is beautifully pure and speaks of raspberry and wild strawberries. The wonderfully refreshing tartness zips across the palate like a bright streak of light and gives freshness, direction and poise to everything. The flavors are lasting and long. | Reserve | 92 | 60 | Niederösterreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Bründlmayer 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir (Niederösterreich) | Pinot Noir | Bründlmayer |
5146 | 5145 | US | A rich, opulent wine at an unbelievable price, this Chard has layers of ripe peaches, pears and tropical fruits, and a lush overlay of toasty oak. The wonderfully creamy texture leads to a long, spicy finish. Despite the statewide appellation, this is as good as many regional Chardonnays. | | 90 | 8 | California | California | California Other | | | Esser Cellars 2001 Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Esser Cellars |
5147 | 5146 | US | This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot is young, rambunctious and tight, but also very interesting. The aromas of chocolate, clove, pepper and black plum do the trick: you are drawn in. Intense flavors of cherry, plum, cassis and pepper, and a finish of piquant spices and oak are equally satisfying. Based on how this wine responded to air we say give it a few years to settle down. | | 90 | 30 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cana's Feast 1999 Red (Red Mountain) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Cana's Feast |
5148 | 5147 | France | This is a very modern style of wine, with generous new wood and super-ripe fruit flavors, balancing with polished solid tannins. Very international in style, it is good, but could come from anywhere. | | 90 | 70 | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pontet-Canet 2000 Pauillac | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pontet-Canet |
5149 | 5148 | France | This was the last vintage at Clos Fourtet under the ownership of the Lurtons. They made fine wine, but the potential of the property was never quite realized. The wine just fails to excite: it is rich and concentrated with ripe tannins and some sweetness, but at the same time, there is a layer of acidity and structure which gives the wine a firm, solid shape. | | 90 | 51 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Clos Fourtet 2000 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Clos Fourtet |
5150 | 5149 | Australia | Medium and smooth in the mouth, Jacob's Creek's top Chard (check?) has stone and star fruits at its core, and a sleek mineral quality. Creamy on the nose, but with a lively lime streak that keeps it crisp. Finishes medium-long with drying minerals. | Limited Release | 89 | 33 | South Australia | Padthaway | | | | Jacob's Creek 2000 Limited Release Chardonnay (Padthaway) | Chardonnay | Jacob's Creek |
5151 | 5150 | US | Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, with the other Bordeaux grapes filling in the rest. Though this 2006 vintage was held back for some time to allow for extra bottle age, this is still a hard, tannic wine that requires decanting. The build-out is well done, tannins firm and moderately ripe, fruit flavors Bordeaux-like. Right now it's a bit monolithic, tasty enough, but without the textural interest that most Abacela wines display. | | 87 | 32 | Oregon | Southern Oregon | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Abacela 2006 Claret (Southern Oregon) | Claret | Abacela |
5152 | 5151 | US | Although there's no oak on this wine, it has a spicy smokiness that could come from a drop of Grenache. There are also percentages of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris that fatten Sauvignon's minerals and limes. Acidity is mouthwateringly high. This isn't a great wine, but it is a unique one, especially for Santa Rita Hills. | Estate Grown | 87 | 18 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Babcock 2009 Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc (Sta. Rita Hills) | Sauvignon Blanc | Babcock |
5153 | 5152 | Spain | A steal for six bucks; the nose is floral and black, but under control. Meanwhile, the palate is bouncy, round and balanced, with juicy black plum and wild berry flavors. Clean and solid. | Viña Borgia | 87 | 6 | Northern Spain | Campo de Borja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Borsao 2009 Viña Borgia Grenache (Campo de Borja) | Grenache | Borsao |
5154 | 5153 | US | Very bright and acidic, with the savory taste of a sour lemondrop candy. If you're sensitive to acidity you'll find it tart. But it's deliciously layered, with tiers of buttered toast, vanilla and spice. | | 87 | 20 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Brophy Clark 2008 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Brophy Clark |
5155 | 5154 | US | This is a good, sound, everyday Chardonnay. It's very dry and crisp in Central Coast acidity, with mineral-laded flavors of lemons, limes, apples and pineapples, touched with vanilla and buttered toast. | | 87 | 18 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Carmel Road 2008 Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Carmel Road |
5156 | 5155 | Italy | You'll really love this simple and clean white wine from sunny Tuscany. The aromas here are crisp and fragrant, recalling peach, apricot and pear. The wine is zippy in the mouth but it also awards enough natural structure for tuna or sushi. | | 87 | 20 | Tuscany | Vernaccia di San Gimignano | | | | Castello Montaúto 2008 Vernaccia di San Gimignano | White Blend | Castello Montaúto |
5157 | 5156 | Australia | The 2007 Hickinbotham features attractive scents of ground spices, leather and red cherries, but doesn't seem to have the richness and depth of CH's other Grenaches this year. Tart cherry-berry fruit fades into finely textured tannins on the finish. Drink now–2015. | Hickinbotham | 87 | 45 | South Australia | Clarendon | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Clarendon Hills 2007 Hickinbotham Grenache (Clarendon) | Grenache | Clarendon Hills |
5158 | 5157 | Australia | Hints at cedar, spice and dark fruit on the nose, then turns unexpectedly tart on the palate. The tannins are soft, leaving the acidity to provide a counterbalance to the ripe fruit. Drink now. | The Custodian | 87 | 19 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | D'Arenberg 2008 The Custodian Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | D'Arenberg |
5159 | 5158 | France | Bright fruit freshness dominates this wine. The fruit is pure, vivid. light and crisp. The acidity is important here, driving the wine in a mineral direction. | | 87 | 14 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Specht 2008 Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Domaine Specht |
5160 | 5159 | US | A solid, straightforward, all-purpose Pinot Gris, this offers firm and spicy pear and apple fruit, some crisp phenolics giving it a racy edge, and a little bite to the back of the palate. It has the acidity to stand up to creamy pasta sauces or soft cheeses. | | 87 | 17 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Evergreen Vineyards |