| 52921 | 52920 | US | This bottling from an extremely cool-climate vineyard is light and easy on the nose, with ripe apples, sharp herbs, moss and an inherent grassy character deep within. It's extremely lively on the palate, with compellingly delivered acidity and a lime-skin tension carrying flavors of dried dill and sharp lemony citrus. It's one of the better Sauv Blancs of the vintage. | | 92 | 26 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Presqu'ile 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Maria Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Presqu'ile |
| 52928 | 52927 | France | From selected parcels of the Ollières estate, this wine is impressive. It has weight but that is balanced by the acidity and the generous black fruits and acidity. This is certainly a wine that has been well aged, although it would pay to wait another year before drinking. So drink this very fine wine from 2018. | Haut de l'Hermitage | 92 | 40 | Provence | Coteaux Varois en Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château d'Ollières 2013 Haut de l'Hermitage Red (Coteaux Varois en Provence) | Provence red blend | Château d'Ollières |
| 52922 | 52921 | Spain | Alluring aromas of cocoa powder, berry fruits, graphite and raw oak lead to a jammy palate with density and weight. This old-vines Monastrell tastes of chocolaty oak and herbal blackberry. On the finish, it's tight and rugged, with mildly scratchy tannins and a saucy aftertaste. Drink through 2022. | Pie Franco | 92 | 70 | Levante | Jumilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Casa Castillo 2014 Pie Franco Monastrell (Jumilla) | Monastrell | Casa Castillo |
| 52929 | 52928 | US | This bottling, which is balanced by 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, rides the savory edge of the grape, with aromas of underbrush and dried herbs giving depth to the black-olive and black-currant aromas. The palate offers a mix of red and darker fruits, including cranberry, plum and blackberry, with touches of thyme and anise. | Reserve | 92 | 84 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Chateau Margene 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chateau Margene |
| 52923 | 52922 | Chile | A nose led by aromas of fine oak, raspberry and mild spices opens this blend of 80% Carmenère and 20% Malbec. In the mouth, it's nicely built, with delicate layering and not too much weight. Toasty, spicy red-fruit flavors include a tobacco note and the wine tastes a bit chocolaty on the tail end. Drink through 2023. | Sucesor | 92 | 25 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Casa Donoso 2013 Sucesor Red (Maule Valley) | Red Blend | Casa Donoso |
| 52930 | 52929 | France | The Suremain family winery in the main street of Mercurey has cellars going back to the 17th century. This wood-aged wine will have been kept here, where it has developed into a structured and firm wine, full of dry tannins as well as ripe red-berry fruits. Drink from 2023. | Les Crêts Premier Cru | 92 | 38 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de Suremain 2015 Les Crêts Premier Cru (Mercurey) | Pinot Noir | Domaine de Suremain |
| 52924 | 52923 | Italy | Alluring Nebbiolo aromas of dark berry, purple flower, baking spice, truffle and herb slowly unfold in this wine. The savory, succulent palate doles out Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and licorice flavors against a backdrop of firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. | Asili | 92 | 75 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cascina Luisin 2014 Asili (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Cascina Luisin |
| 52931 | 52930 | France | A blend from different parts of the Fleurie appellation, this wine is elegant and floral. Crisp red fruits are sustained by acidity and by a juicy character. As often with this appellation, it is a wine to age and will be better from 2018. | La Chanaise | 92 | 20 | Beaujolais | Morgon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Dominique Piron 2015 La Chanaise (Morgon) | Gamay | Domaines Dominique Piron |
| 52925 | 52924 | Italy | Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this boasts enticing blue flower, wild berry and cake spice scents. The fresh, elegant palate evokes strawberry, raspberry, candied nectarine and ginger, the flavors framed by vibrant acidity. It finishes crisp and dry. | Vigna del Cristo | 92 | 18 | Central Italy | Lambrusco di Sorbara | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cavicchioli 2016 Vigna del Cristo (Lambrusco di Sorbara) | Lambrusco di Sorbara | Cavicchioli |
| 52926 | 52925 | US | In this opulent, layered and full-bodied wine, a smoky beefy aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth texture come with flavors of dark maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and baking spices. It's very mouth filling and mouth coating as well as firmly tannic, but the richness of the flavors helps it to drink very smoothly. | Naylor Vineyard | 92 | 29 | California | El Dorado | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Cedarville Vineyard 2014 Naylor Vineyard Petite Sirah (El Dorado) | Petite Sirah | Cedarville Vineyard |
| 52932 | 52931 | France | Produced from 100-year-old vines, this wine has been aged for nearly three years and has lost its intense fruitiness. Wood and spice flavors are present along with a perfumed intensity and toastiness. Drink this wine now. | Aux Bouthières | 92 | 38 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Pascal et Mireille Renaud 2014 Aux Bouthières (Pouilly-Fuissé) | Chardonnay | Domaine Pascal et Mireille Renaud |
| 52933 | 52932 | Spain | Appealing black-fruit aromas include notes of tobacco and chocolate. This is a brooding, deep Tinto Fino with grippy tannins. Ripe berry, plum and cassis flavors are flush, while this wine finishes dark, with a reprise of young, rubbery tannins. Best from 2019–2030. | Parada de Atauta | 92 | 30 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio de Atauta 2015 Parada de Atauta (Ribera del Duero) | Tinto Fino | Dominio de Atauta |
| 52927 | 52926 | France | Structured and dense with tannins, this is a big wine with a big future. Its black fruits, acidity and solid texture all point to its weight and richness. It is going to be a rich fruity wine. But wait until 2023. | | 92 | 32 | Burgundy | Savigny-lès-Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Chanson Père et Fils 2015 Savigny-lès-Beaune | Pinot Noir | Chanson Père et Fils |
| 52934 | 52933 | Spain | The 2015 harvest produced a bumper crop of excellent Bierzo wines, Baltos included. Aromas of black fruits and violets are full and floral, with a hint of nicely scented candle. There's balance to the palate along with toasty, blackened flavors of blackberry and spice. Toasty notes persist on a well-balanced finish. Drink this fairly dense and wholly delicious Mencía trough 2020. | Baltos | 92 | 16 | Northern Spain | Bierzo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio de Tares 2015 Baltos Mencía (Bierzo) | Mencía | Dominio de Tares |
| 52935 | 52934 | US | Very fresh although not particularly fruity aromas of raspberry mesh with allspice, thyme and tarragon on the nose of this block-designate bottling from the historic vineyard. Energetic and lighter red-fruit flavors like pomegranate show on the sip, where fennel is the dominant spice. | Block 43 Bien Nacido Vineyard | 92 | 65 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Foxen 2015 Block 43 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Foxen |
| 52936 | 52935 | US | This estate-driven wine combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Made in a classical Old-World style, it offers chalky tannin around composted earth, blackberry and cassis. The texture is firm and grippy, with supportive acidity at its core. | Amaino | 92 | 49 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | G & L Lurton 2013 Amaino Red (Sonoma County) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | G & L Lurton |
| 52937 | 52936 | US | Wiemer's Cuvée Brut is fresher and more forward than the producer's longer-aged blanc de blanc. Yet amidst the cutting green apple and lemon, there's plenty of autolytic character, expressed as whispers of toast, rising dough and burnt sugar. It's vibrantly balanced by tiny, penetrating bubbles and a lingering, fresh finish. | Cuvée Brut | 92 | 32 | New York | Seneca Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Hermann J. Wiemer 2013 Cuvée Brut (Seneca Lake) | Champagne Blend | Hermann J. Wiemer |
| 52938 | 52937 | US | This wine comes from one of Washington's top vineyards, best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, however this Malbec seems to shine as well. Almost 100% varietal, it boasts vibrant plum, coffee, clove, vanilla and herb aromas. The palate is loaded with plump, creamy fruit and an oak note of lingering espresso. | Champoux Vineyard | 92 | 40 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Januik 2014 Champoux Vineyard Malbec (Horse Heaven Hills) | Malbec | Januik |
| 52939 | 52938 | France | This wine has the weight that is typical of this appellation. It is full bodied, ripe with melon and yellow fruits. Contrasting with that, a crisper edge brings out minerality and a nervy texture. Drink from 2022. | Les Macherelles Premier Cru | 92 | 69 | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Roux Père et Fils 2015 Les Macherelles Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Roux Père et Fils |
| 52940 | 52939 | France | This is a structured, full-bodied wine that has solid tannins and concentrated fruitiness. It is packed with red-berry flavors, ripe tannins and spice from the wood aging. The wine will take time to develop. Drink from 2022. | Les Lavières Premier Cru | 92 | 36 | Burgundy | Savigny-lès-Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Seguin-Manuel 2015 Les Lavières Premier Cru (Savigny-lès-Beaune) | Pinot Noir | Seguin-Manuel |
| 52941 | 52940 | Italy | This wine's truffle, underbrush, dark berry and baking spice aromas take center stage. Still young and primary, it shows unripe red berry, sage, ground clove, truffle and star anise flavors on the palate, structured with bracing tannins and vibrant acidity. Give it time to fully come together. Drink 2021–2028. | Currà | 92 | 70 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Sottimano 2014 Currà (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Sottimano |
| 52942 | 52941 | US | A layered, somewhat delicate nose of rose petals, purple flowers, cola spice and raspberry-laced chocolate serves as the introduction to this bottling. Cherry, cranberry and raspberry emerge subtly on the sip, lifted by potpourri and sagebrush that fit into a chalky and tight structure. This will age very well. | Bien Nacido Vineyards | 92 | 42 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Stephen Ross 2015 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Stephen Ross |
| 52943 | 52942 | US | This is a big, bold and dry wine that will pair well with roast lamb chops or grilled steaks. Spice rack aromas and generous blackberry, boysenberry and black-cherry flavors ride a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins. It has good concentration, layers of flavor and a lip-smacking texture. | The Smuggler's Son | 92 | 35 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | The Smuggler's Son 2014 The Smuggler's Son Red (California) | Red Blend | The Smuggler's Son |
| 52944 | 52943 | US | Classic Sonoma Zinfandel, dry, spicy and elegant, with briary, brambly wild berry, tobacco, leather and pepper flavors. It's dry and rich in dusty tannins, and will hold for a good six years. | Lone Redwood Ranch | 88 | 26 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Joseph Swan Vineyards 2004 Lone Redwood Ranch Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) | Zinfandel | Joseph Swan Vineyards |
| 52945 | 52944 | US | Given 22 months in new French oak, this reserve Pinot Noir still brings the fruit front and center. Blackberries rule here, but there is a strong menthol/mint streak as well, which leaves the palate feeling as if a curiously strong breath mint has recently passed through. Kason seems to have great fruit sources, packaged in a rather rustic style, but offering quite delicious and bold flavors at moder prices. | Old Vine Reserve | 88 | 29 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Kason 2006 Old Vine Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Kason |
| 52946 | 52945 | Spain | For an off vintage, this is a nice wine. It has a touch of leafiness on the nose but also dark fruit, shoe polish and style. Gets better as it airs out, and thus the raspberry and plum flavors take on a forward, easygoing likability. Textured on the finish, and definitely not dilute or choppy like so many others from 2002. | Reserva | 88 | 18 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Luis Cañas 2002 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Luis Cañas |
| 52947 | 52946 | Spain | Dark in color, with licorice, kirsch, mineral and prune aromas. This registers as a ripe wine with a soft frame. It's not flabby but it does seem a bit oily and rich, with black cherry and baked plum flavors. Finishes a touch short, but also a little thick. Drink now through 2010. | Finca El Puig | 88 | 38 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Fuentes 2004 Finca El Puig Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Fuentes |
| 52948 | 52947 | Italy | This base Barolo offers upfront aromas of tealeaf, moist tobacco, apple skin, cedar wood, white cherry and wild berry. Those notes are overlapped and tangled yet the wine finds balance in the mouth thanks to the supporting role of tannins and acidity. Overall, this is a fresh, traditional and direct expression of Nebbiolo. | | 88 | 60 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Giribaldi 2004 Barolo | Nebbiolo | Giribaldi |
| 52949 | 52948 | US | Shows wonderfully ripe, pure Pinot Noir fruit flavors, with black and red cherries and currants elaborated with exotic Asian spices and sweet, smoky sandalwood. Very tasty and elegant now and for the next several years. | | 88 | 25 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Buena Vista 2006 Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Buena Vista |
| 52950 | 52949 | Italy | Here's a traditional interpretation of Nebbiolo by Giuseppe Marengo with immediate aromas of ginger, root beer, pencil shaving and Spanish cedar. The wine is compact yet not overconcentrated and offers a bright mouthfeel with spice tones and rock-hard tannins. Drink with stewed meats or pasta with wild boar. | | 88 | 74 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Ca'Romè 2006 Barbaresco | Nebbiolo | Ca'Romè |