| 51961 | 51960 | US | Robustly structured and concentrated, this wine is tight-grained in tannin and firm on the palate, with meaty elements of leather, tobacco and clove. The dark personality traits continue on the black pepper-seasoned finish, which begs for steak. | Firehouse Vineyard | 93 | 89 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Piña 2013 Firehouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Piña |
| 51962 | 51961 | US | Boysenberry, black fruit, bay leaf, plum and spice aromas are followed by intense but still well-balanced dark-fruit flavors. It stretches out on the finish, drinking extremely well now, but its best days are in front of it. Best from 2023–2030. | Père de Famille | 93 | 75 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Betz Family 2014 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Betz Family |
| 51963 | 51962 | US | Smoky bacon and a bittersweet element of black tea make for an exotically spicy, complex and full-bodied wine from the mighty vineyard site overlooking the Petaluma Gap. Black cherry, pomegranate and cardamom are wrapped in a swaddling of toasted oak, while the mouthfeel is dense and concentrated. | Gap's Crown Vineyard | 93 | 60 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Black Kite 2014 Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Black Kite |
| 51964 | 51963 | US | Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, this is a light, ethereal and lovely sparkling wine, faintly pink in hue with high-toned, nuanced layers of red cherry and orange. This is one to enjoy on its own or at the table, picnic blanket or tailgating from the back of a truck, preferably with soft cheeses. | Rosé de Noir Dutton Ranch | 93 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davis Family 2014 Rosé de Noir Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 51965 | 51964 | US | This wine is a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot. Vibrant aromas of cherry meats, raspberry, dried herb and barrel spice are followed by a fruit-forward flavorful palate backed by firm tannins. It has a high yum factor. | D2 | 93 | 48 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | DeLille 2014 D2 Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | DeLille |
| 51966 | 51965 | France | This wine is still young, reveling in its bright fruit and mineral texture. Drawn from Côte des Blancs vineyards, it's tight, tense and loaded with citrus fruit. With its finely crisp aftertaste, it's delicious now for its fruit but will also be great from 2020, once its toasty character develops more fully. | Blanc de Blancs Brut | 93 | 80 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Deutz 2010 Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Deutz |
| 51967 | 51966 | US | The winery holds back its wines to good effect. There's no sign of fatigue here, just well-integrated complex meaty flavors. It's dusky and dark, with aromas of smoke, tobacco and espresso. Flavors include all of the above around black fruits and slightly gritty tannins. It's dense and delicious and ready to drink. | Three Sleeps Vineyard Sketches of Spain | 93 | 28 | Oregon | Columbia Gorge (OR) | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Dominio IV 2012 Three Sleeps Vineyard Sketches of Spain Tempranillo (Columbia Gorge (OR)) | Tempranillo | Dominio IV |
| 51968 | 51967 | US | This bottling, from seven cool climate vineyards, makes a great intro into savory Syrah, showing all that peppery might without shoving it down the throat. Cracked peppercorn is redolent on the nose and palate, with the latter also showing raw lamb and beef char. The sip tends toward soy and leather, but with a core of dried blackberry fruit that's familiar to most palates. The texture is tightly woven. | Seven | 93 | 45 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2014 Seven Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Dragonette |
| 51969 | 51968 | France | This is a relatively new Champagne for Gosset, which has traditionally focused on Pinot Noir. Drawing mainly from Côte des Blancs vineyards, it's crisply elegant with a fine mineral texture and taut character. It's poised for further development in bottle. Drink from 2018. | Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut | 93 | 85 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Gosset NV Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Gosset |
| 51970 | 51969 | Italy | Aromas of smoke, charred earth, dark spice and black-skinned berry lift out of the glass. The concentrated firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, ground pepper and a hint of tobacco framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2029. | Primum Riserva | 93 | 180 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Guastaferro 2011 Primum Riserva (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Guastaferro |
| 51971 | 51970 | France | Produced from two parcels on the Montagne de Reims, this dry yet soft wine is ripe and richly fruity. Still young, its minerality and bright fruitiness are firmly intact. It will be a delicious Champagne as it matures. Drink from 2019. | Inattendue Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs | 93 | 55 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Huré Frères 2011 Inattendue Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Huré Frères |
| 51972 | 51971 | US | This combines nearly proportional percentages of all five Bordeaux varieties, grown on the founder's estate, allowing each room to speak. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot together make up the majority, paving the road to full-bodied ripeness with supportive acidity, the highlights being smoky plum, blackberry and mocha. | Founder's Reserve Estate Grown | 93 | 150 | California | Calistoga | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Kenefick Ranch 2012 Founder's Reserve Estate Grown Red (Calistoga) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Kenefick Ranch |
| 51973 | 51972 | Portugal | One of the top wines from this producer, this blend of at least 10 grape varieties comes from its estate. The wood aging has added sophistication to this already concentrated wine. With black fruits to the fore and firm tannins, it will age well. Drink from 2019. | Confidencial Reserva | 92 | 26 | Lisboa | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Casa Santos Lima 2014 Confidencial Reserva Red (Lisboa) | Portuguese Red | Casa Santos Lima |
| 51974 | 51973 | US | Baked black plum, dark strawberry and baking spice show on the well-integrated and elegant nose of this bottling by New Zealand-raised winemaker Fintan du Fresne. A chalky mouthfeel carries forth flavors of bright boysenberry fruit, loam and more brown spice, elements that are sure to gather more power with extended bottle age. | Califa | 92 | 60 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Chamisal Vineyards 2014 Califa Pinot Noir (Edna Valley) | Pinot Noir | Chamisal Vineyards |
| 51975 | 51974 | US | Winemaker Bruno Corneaux keeps a tight grip on alcohol levels, without sacrificing ripeness, flavor or balance. This aromatically compelling wine jumps up with scents of sea breeze, toasted nuts and buttered popcorn. Flavors follow, with apples, vanilla and toast coming to a full-bodied lingering finish. There's ample length and tension to age gracefully for another decade. | | 92 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Domaine Divio 2015 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Domaine Divio |
| 51976 | 51975 | US | From a vineyard that's actually west of the already coastal Sta. Rita Hills, this wine offers rounded red fruits of strawberry, plum and even watermelon on the nose, along with cinnamon and graphite touches. The palate combines cherries, hibiscus, rose petals and tangy cranberry, sailing through herbal touches into a dried mint flavor that carries deep into the finish. | Duvarita Vineyard | 92 | 60 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2014 Duvarita Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Dragonette |
| 51977 | 51976 | US | There's a slight bit of pleasant funk to the nose of this appellation blend, as well as graphite, sour cherry, soy and shiitake mushroom aromas. The palate is wound around tight acidity, with wild raspberry flavors lifted by incense and pine forest elements. | | 92 | 45 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2014 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Dragonette |
| 51978 | 51977 | US | This wine is a blend of fruit from Bacchus, Phinny Hill and Loess vineyards. Brooding aromas of black cherry, herb and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black blackberry and game flavors, backed by tightly coiled tannins. It comes off as a bit richer than the norm for this winery but still delivers the goods. Best after 2022. | Reserve | 92 | 95 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Gramercy 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Gramercy |
| 51979 | 51978 | US | This is a powerful bottling, as is expected by this producer, showing fresh boysenberry, purple flower potpourri, tart black plums and a touch of rosemary on the nose. It's undeniably delicious at first sip, with caramelized blackberry and hints of thyme and rosemary. The texture is squeaky and sticky, and it's a bit sweet and boozy, but a definite Paso crowd-pleaser. | Intrepid | 92 | 750 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Law 2013 Intrepid Syrah (Paso Robles) | Syrah | Law |
| 51980 | 51979 | US | The name refers to the rocks in this section of the estate vineyard, and they can be felt as well as tasted in the wine. The mouthfeel is slightly astringent, with hints of metal and stone, and the alcohol is muted, allowing the more subtle suggestions of citrus and beet and truffle and wild strawberry to emerge. All in all it's the most complex and intriguing of the winery's offerings, and merits your full attention. | Rocheux | 92 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Le Cadeau 2015 Rocheux Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Le Cadeau |
| 51981 | 51980 | Germany | Sunny tangerine acidity highlights the rounded, slightly creamy mouthfeel of this light-bodied dry Riesling. Bright grapefruit and quince flavors are forward and fresh, offset by stony mineral tones that linger on the finish. It's a delicate yet richly balanced wine to enjoy now though 2025. | Herrenberg | 92 | 42 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Maximin Grünhäuser 2015 Herrenberg Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Maximin Grünhäuser |
| 51982 | 51981 | Chile | This blend of 78% Carignan, 18% Syrah and 4% Chardonnay deals a complete aromatic package of marzipan, fine oak and smooth berry fruits. A compact wall-to-wall palate is boldly acidic but balanced by pulpy berry fruit. Flavors of black plum, blackberry and burnt toast finish under control, with elegance and length. Drink through 2023. | Vigno Old Vines Dry-Farmed | 92 | 30 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Morandé 2013 Vigno Old Vines Dry-Farmed Carignan (Maule Valley) | Carignan | Morandé |
| 51983 | 51982 | US | A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Zinfandel and 5% Petit Verdot, a block and barrel selection of the producer's best lots, this is a well-made, impressive wine. Leather saddle and robust tannin is accented by dried herb, espresso and smoke, making for a burly explosion of blackberry and cherry. | X2 Estate | 92 | 95 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Paraduxx 2013 X2 Estate Red (Napa Valley) | Red Blend | Paraduxx |
| 51984 | 51983 | US | Medium in weight and structure, this wine shows a tempting leanness at first, balancing its ripeness with complex notions of clove, cola and black cherry. Twisted in tannin and oak on the midpalate, its youthfulness on full display, it has a succulent finish. | | 92 | 175 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Patel 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Patel |
| 51985 | 51984 | US | The winery has stuck with a deeply austere, penetrating and rather Germanic style of dry Riesling—which is difficult to do this well. Though built for acid freaks, it's also layered with complex flavors, blending citrus pith and rind, wet stone, green apple and green pineapple. It's drinking well already, and likely to hold steady for up to a decade. | Bone Dry | 92 | 26 | Oregon | Umpqua Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Paul O'Brien 2015 Bone Dry Riesling (Umpqua Valley) | Riesling | Paul O'Brien |
| 51986 | 51985 | Chile | Composed, cool aromas of marzipan, vanilla, boysenberry and cassis are touched up by controlled oak. This feels cushioned but with pop and tannic grab. Dark peppery herbal black-fruit flavors come with a chocolaty component, while this tastes of herbs and chocolate cake on a bold oaky finish. Drink through 2022. | | 92 | 23 | Marchigue | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Polkura 2013 Syrah (Marchigue) | Syrah | Polkura |
| 51987 | 51986 | US | Very tasty and large in scale, it sports a huge nose of dark plum and heavy cedar, along with cinnamon and vanilla accents wrapped in very toasty oak. Very dark fruit with licorice shadings and an elegant, supple mouthfeel add to the appeal. The dark flavors and heavy toast continue on the long finish, which doesn't want to quit. | Clone 6 | 92 | 130 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Beaulieu Vineyard 1997 Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Beaulieu Vineyard |
| 51988 | 51987 | France | Exemplary in all areas, from the smoke, mushroom and berry nose to the exotic undertones of island spice and fine oak supporting vibrant raspberry fruit. It's one of those wines that's a pure pleasure to drink, and it's ready out of the gate. For very good Burgundy that clicks on all cylinders, this is it. | Premier Cru Les Vergelesses | 92 | 33 | Burgundy | Pernand-Vergelesses | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Laleure-Piot 1998 Premier Cru Les Vergelesses (Pernand-Vergelesses) | Pinot Noir | Laleure-Piot |
| 51989 | 51988 | US | A full load of berry fruit in the nose, black-currant flavors and extremely even balance. It features an attractive set of cherry and cassis flavors, and the heavy tannins that hit home on the long finish, while fairly starching, don't stand in the way of the overall pleasure it gives. | | 92 | 78 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Clark-Claudon 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Clark-Claudon |
| 51990 | 51989 | US | Blackberry aromas have a Port-like character and a smoky undertone. Big extraction leaves a thick, weighty mouthfeel and the essence of Cabernet's sweetness. Some mineral, coffee and meat on the lengthy finish. A good mix of finesse and wildness. | Dollarhide Ranch Limited Editi | 92 | 70 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | St. Supéry 1997 Dollarhide Ranch Limited Editi Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Supéry |