| 526 | 525 | US | There's an expert balance between lightly melted butter, pithy Meyer lemon and toasted marcona almond on the nose of this bottling from the region's iconic vineyard. The palate is wound up tightly, offering good grip and lots of textural length while showing flavors of chamomile, saffron, sea salt and more Meyer lemon rinds. | Rincon Vineyard | 91 | 49 | California | Arroyo Grande Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Testarossa 2015 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay (Arroyo Grande Valley) | Chardonnay | Testarossa |
| 527 | 526 | US | Just 8% of this reserve spent time in new oak, putting the emphasis on juicy jammy flavors of cranberry fruit. It rolls into sour cherry, some citrus and a most refreshing, clean and vivid mouthfeel. Drink now and into the mid-2020s. | Prince Hill Vineyard Reserve | 91 | 55 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tumwater 2014 Prince Hill Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Tumwater |
| 528 | 527 | Germany | A surprising whiff of black currant on the nose of this elegant white points to Scheurebe—one of Germany's lesser-known grapes. Wittmann's version is particularly poised, offering loads of peach and grapefruit flavors, sharply contrasted by zesty lime and mineral tones. The finish is long and sleek, touched by a hint of bee pollen. | Trocken | 91 | 30 | Rheinhessen | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Wittmann 2015 Trocken Scheurebe (Rheinhessen) | Scheurebe | Wittmann |
| 529 | 528 | France | This producer shows its preference for dry Champagnes with this bone-dry, oak-fermented bottling. With its bottle age and the softening effect of wood, it's generous and gently textured, leaving plenty of room for its bright fruit and balanced acidity to show. Drink from 2018. | Brut Zéro Sélection | 91 | 42 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jeaunaux-Robin NV Brut Zéro Sélection (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Jeaunaux-Robin |
| 530 | 529 | US | From the sought-after site on Westside Road, this wine delivers a nuanced, elegant expression of juicy red cherry, plum, pomegranate and light, compelling spice. With a depth of body and soft, integrated tannin, it's complex without being overpowering, finishing in a mix of sautéed mushroom and forest floor. | Bucher Vineyard | 91 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Joseph Jewell 2014 Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Joseph Jewell |
| 531 | 530 | Chile | Jammy berry aromas seem reduced at first, with notes of iodine and rubber. But with airing this packed Syrah comes around. A flush saturated tannic palate is home to toasty blackened berry, coffee and spice flavors. On the finish, burnt toast and espresso flavors don't slip. Drink through 2022. | Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Made With Organic Grapes | 91 | 24 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lapostolle 2013 Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Made With Organic Grapes Syrah (Colchagua Valley) | Syrah | Lapostolle |
| 532 | 531 | US | One of a crop of new Oregon sparklers, this was barrel fermented with native yeast and aged for 56 months prior to disgorging. Fine tiny bubbles and a fresh, yeasty aroma introduce the wine, which has excellent concentration. Green apple and green banana, a touch of cucumber and a nice toasty frame all combine gracefully. The odds are that this will continue to improve in bottle for another five years at least. | Blanc de Noir | 91 | 50 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Le Cadeau 2011 Blanc de Noir Sparkling (Oregon) | Sparkling Blend | Le Cadeau |
| 533 | 532 | US | Scott Shull (Raptor Ridge) consults here. This brings a blend of clones from the estate vineyard, with ample new wood still showing through. Black fruits and a vein of coffee are also in the mix, with a balanced, somewhat muscular mouthfeel. This has the strength to stand up to a lightly blackened grilled seafood filet. | Diversité | 91 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Le Cadeau 2015 Diversité Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Le Cadeau |
| 511 | 510 | US | Flint and smoke aromas show strongly on this bottling, alongside hints of lemon balm and a rustic apple cider vinegar savory kick. Tangy smoked tangerine flavors show on the energized sip, where a unique sandalwood smoky quality plays with more cider-like tang. | Coastview Vineyard | 91 | 48 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2014 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Big Basin |
| 534 | 533 | US | Slightly liquorous when first opened, this pushes the alcohol up towards a place where some of the nuances are lost. But it has plenty of flavor, power and punch. Black coffee, black cherry, black olive and black licorice are entwined here, with some heat in the follow-through. Give it a good decanting and it will start to smooth out. | Équinoxe | 91 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Le Cadeau 2015 Équinoxe Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Le Cadeau |
| 535 | 534 | US | Black plum, charred wood, coffee syrup and cracked black pepper show on the excellently bright nose of this bottling. The flavors are equally intriguing, with umami touches of charred beef along with rosemary, bay leaf, olie and more black pepper. | Di Domenico | 91 | 38 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Le Vigne 2014 Di Domenico Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Le Vigne |
| 536 | 535 | Germany | Fresh green apple and grapefruit aromas are bolstered on the palate of this dry, elegantly balanced Riesling. It's light bodied yet delightfully creamy. A kiss of tangerine zest marks its moderately long finish. | Trocken | 91 | 22 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Maximin Grünhäuser 2015 Trocken Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Maximin Grünhäuser |
| 537 | 536 | US | Merlot (63%) takes the lead on this blend followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Cabernet Franc. The aromas seem somewhat wound up at present, with notes of wood spice, vanilla and fresh herb. The palate is über-smooth, showing a fine sense of balance and polish. | | 91 | 50 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Northstar 2013 Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Northstar |
| 538 | 537 | US | A 100% varietal wine, this offers upfront structure and gravelly texture, its tannins robust. The medium-bodied ripeness allows plenty of room for dried herb and cedar, accents to the bolder notions of black raspberry jam and coffee. | | 91 | 110 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Padis 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Padis |
| 539 | 538 | US | This is sourced from 30-year-old Wädenswil vines from a vineyard in the Elkton AVA. It's complex and compelling, showing layers of stone, strawberry, citrus, chocolate and sassafras. It's an elegant wine, well proportioned and modest in scope, but delicious. | Bradley Vineyard | 91 | 45 | Oregon | Umpqua Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Paul O'Brien 2014 Bradley Vineyard Pinot Noir (Umpqua Valley) | Pinot Noir | Paul O'Brien |
| 540 | 539 | US | Bright pomegranate and dried strawberry notes start the aromas on this bottling and then descend into more brooding cola, smoked herbs, cinnamon and spicy hibiscus. There is herbal and mineral depth to the palate, with raspberry, cranberry and pencil lead flavors that evolve toward fruit punch, thyme and earth. It's light in body but full of grippy texture. | Twin Creeks Estate | 93 | 42 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Claiborne & Churchill 2014 Twin Creeks Estate Pinot Noir (Edna Valley) | Pinot Noir | Claiborne & Churchill |
| 512 | 511 | France | This potentially rich Champagne is still young. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that dominate the blend show tight acidity, minerality and a tangy, orange-like edge. Give it time to mature, and it will be splendid. | Cuvée St Clément | 91 | 70 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Boude Baudin 2010 Cuvée St Clément (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Boude Baudin |
| 513 | 512 | France | Aged for an extra two years to soften its tense acidity, this Champagne is defiantly bone-dry yet not searing. Its ripe and rich fruitiness cushions the crisp acidity and taut, nervy citrus character. Drink now. | B. Zéro Brut Dosage | 91 | 59 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Boude Baudin NV B. Zéro Brut Dosage (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Boude Baudin |
| 514 | 513 | US | Big tannins support the layers of extracted, concentrated fruit that leans red into cherry, cassis and currant. Char and vanilla speak for the oak. | El Adobo Ranch Vineyard | 91 | 90 | California | Chiles Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Conn Creek 2013 El Adobo Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Chiles Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Conn Creek |
| 515 | 514 | Chile | Baked blueberry and boysenberry aromas are more ripe than delicate. This Merlot is saturated and deeply tannic. Flavors of coffee, chocolate and lemon peel precede a toasty finish that overflows with chocolaty oak and lingering tannins. Drink through 2023. | 20 Barrels Limited Edition Peralillo Estate | 91 | 35 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cono Sur 2012 20 Barrels Limited Edition Peralillo Estate Merlot (Colchagua Valley) | Merlot | Cono Sur |
| 516 | 515 | US | Delicate in cranberry and strawberry, this wine is highlighted in uplifted acidity and plenty of length and breadth within its medium-bodied structure. A pleasing streak of cardamom is consistent throughout, as accents of forest floor and cola figure in. | Silver Eagle Vineyard | 91 | 75 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | D.R. Stephens 2014 Silver Eagle Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | D.R. Stephens |
| 517 | 516 | US | This is a relatively thick and dense wine, grippy in tannin and oak at first, youthful and desiring of time and air. Beyond its strength, its shows the beginnings of delicacy and grace, commingling raspberry with clove and tea. | Soul Patch Estate Grown | 91 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davis Family 2014 Soul Patch Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 518 | 517 | US | This is a soft, smooth and earthy wine, still unraveling from its youth, that's crisp and fresh in acidity. Chewy still in texture, it offers a glorious celebration of red cherry, rhubarb, tea and clove. | Starr Ridge Vineyard | 91 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davis Family 2014 Starr Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 519 | 518 | France | From a walled vineyard once owned by the local bishop, this wine is structured and firm while also having great red cherry and berry fruit. It's one of a number of Premier Crus from this producer—and certainly the most expressive with its generous fruit and balanced tannins. Drink from 2018. | Le Clos l'Evêque Premier Cru | 91 | 60 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jeannin-Naltet 2014 Le Clos l'Evêque Premier Cru (Mercurey) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Jeannin-Naltet |
| 520 | 519 | US | Deliciously fruity but also well-structured, this full-bodied wine has excellent concentration and good balance. Effusive aromas of blueberry and black cherry lead to opulent but not overripe berry flavors that are lightly accented by clove and cinnamon nuances. | The Brat | 91 | 36 | California | Calaveras County | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Prospect 772 2014 The Brat Grenache (Calaveras County) | Grenache | Prospect 772 |
| 521 | 520 | US | Bob Lindquist is almost certainly the only vintner in America that is drying Marsanne on straw mats to make a dessert wine. The result is aromas of Asian pear, white peach, baked apple and baking spice, more fresh rather than sweet. It is viscous on the sip, and the sweetness steadily grows on the palate, offering cotton candy flavors. Fascinating stuff. | Doux Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard | 91 | 35 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Qupé 2013 Doux Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Marsanne (Edna Valley) | Marsanne | Qupé |
| 522 | 521 | US | This is a delicate yet flavorful take on this grape, from a biodynamic, cool-climate vineyard. Light red plum and hibiscus aromas meet with sweet herbs and cinnamon spice on the nose. The lithe palate offers candied strawberry with thyme, anise and touches of garden herbs, with that red fruit flavor carrying deep into the finish. Would pair great with spicy food. | Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard | 91 | 35 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Qupé 2013 Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Grenache (Edna Valley) | Grenache | Qupé |
| 523 | 522 | US | The Sims is amped up in 2014, dark and thick and showing a roasted character. Mocha, black tea and Kahlua flavors push the palate into a gritty charred mode. It's delicious, liquorous, and suitable for smoky ribs or a juicy burger. Drink now through 2020. | Sims Vineyard | 91 | 55 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rex Hill 2014 Sims Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Rex Hill |
| 524 | 523 | US | There's a whiff of volatility upon opening, then a rush of bright, tangy orange and cherry fruit. The 20% new oak aging does not really come through in scent or flavor. Though not in any way effervescent, this young release carries an impression of carbonation in the finish. Give it another year or two of bottle age and drink after 2019. | Steve's Reserve | 91 | 65 | Oregon | Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ruby 2015 Steve's Reserve Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Ruby |
| 525 | 524 | US | Wood spice, cherry and herb aromas are followed by luscious cherry flavors. It keeps you coming back for more with a high yum factor. | Wallula | 91 | 35 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Structure 2014 Wallula Syrah (Horse Heaven Hills) | Syrah | Structure |