| 54114 | 54113 | Spain | Lean, dry raspberry aromas and a slight floral essence carry the nose toward a zesty, semisharp palate with crisp cherry and cranberry flavors. Not bad in a lean, stripped-back way; but there's no excess oak, weight or sweetness. Lean stuff for old-school palates nursing plates of ham or salami. | Arderius | 83 | 10 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Leza García 2006 Arderius (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Bodegas Leza García |
| 54115 | 54114 | Spain | Pickle and sweet funk on the nose give this chunky wine a nose that's less than fresh. Flavors of orange, peach and cantaloupe are sweet but flat, and in the end it tastes more like a fruit juice than a really solid dry rosé. | Rosado | 83 | 13 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Darien 2007 Rosado Tempranillo (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Darien |
| 54116 | 54115 | US | Deep and dark in the glass, this bottling from a family-owned winery shows aromas of cola spice, wild cherry, cocoa dust and game. On the palate, rich black-cherry fruit is expertly cut by accents of dried sagebrush and licorice. Persistent, bountiful acidity carries it to a black raspberry-inflected finish. | Estate | 93 | 46 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Boekenoogen 2015 Estate Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Boekenoogen |
| 54117 | 54116 | US | Just two barrels of this Paul Hobbs-consulted wine were made, and that focus is evidenced by its soft and lavish vanilla, mace, cocoa, white pepper and lavender aromas and its core of cassis fruit. Luxurious tannins and underlying acidity carry measured blackberry and chocolate flavors. | Limited | 93 | 65 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Brave & Maiden 2014 Limited Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Brave & Maiden |
| 54118 | 54117 | Italy | This lightly sparkling, terroir-driven wine is loaded with soul and finesse. It's ethereal and bone dry, with delicately alluring aromas and flavors of white spring flower, ripe apple, Bartlett pear, citrus and Alpine herb. Crisp acidity and a silky mousse provide balance and finesse while a mineral note energizes the focused finish. The sediment at the bottom of the bottle adds even more flavor to the last glass. | Col Fondo | 93 | 25 | Veneto | | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ca' dei Zago 2016 Col Fondo Glera | Glera | Ca' dei Zago |
| 54119 | 54118 | France | This perfumed and floral wine is concentrated and dense. Its ripe black-plum and spice flavors are impressive with their intensity. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is showing considerable aging potential. Drink this wine from 2020. | Le Fondis | 93 | 35 | Loire Valley | Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Amirault 2014 Le Fondis (Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil) | Cabernet Franc | Domaine Amirault |
| 54120 | 54119 | US | Burnt tea, forest floor and crushed leaf aromas ride atop dense layers of turned earth and stemmy rose scents in this intriguing wine from a beloved site. Moderate acidity keeps it fresh, highlighting its succulent black cherry fruit with lavender and Asian spice notes that emerge on the finish. | Keefer Ranch Vineyard | 93 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Siduri 2015 Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Siduri |
| 54091 | 54090 | US | Overly sweet, this soft wine has flavors of sugared crushed cherries, blackberries and raspberries, like high-class marmalade. | | 83 | 36 | California | Temecula | South Coast | | | Leonesse Cellars 2005 Meritage (Temecula) | Meritage | Leonesse Cellars |
| 54092 | 54091 | US | This is the kind of fun, flirty white that won't break the bank or your brain—it's simple and sippable. The nose offers pineapple, lemon and a touch of toast, while the fruit flavors are bright and appealing. Could use a touch of acidity but overall, the wine is balanced. A good everyday choice. | Miss Chevious Nautie III | 83 | 9 | New York | New York | New York Other | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Lucas Vineyards NV Miss Chevious Nautie III White (New York) | White Blend | Lucas Vineyards |
| 54093 | 54092 | Australia | With its ample body and complex touches of chocolate, plum and spice, this is clearly a serious attempt at rosé, just one that seems a bit tired at this stage of its evolution. Drink up. | Saignée Rosé | 83 | 15 | New South Wales | Hunter Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Margan 2007 Saignée Rosé Shiraz (Hunter Valley) | Shiraz | Margan |
| 54094 | 54093 | Spain | Bramble and burning brush on the nose, while the palate is murky as it delivers tomato leaf, baked plum and carob flavors. Seems sort of cooked and funky, with a muddled mouthfeel. The 2005 is a cleaner, more focused wine. | | 83 | 10 | Northern Spain | Campo de Borja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Coto de Hayas 2006 Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon (Campo de Borja) | Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon | Coto de Hayas |
| 54095 | 54094 | Spain | Dill, cheese and mossy fruit give this wine a less than super bouquet. The palate is light, with strawberry flavors mixed with some peppery, herbal overtones. Short on the finish; not much bang for the buck. | Reserva | 83 | 19 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Diez-Caballero 2001 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Diez-Caballero |
| 54096 | 54095 | US | Soft, rustic and slightly sweet, with jammy flavors of cherries, blackberries, pepper and smoky oak. Drink now. | Grand Reserve | 83 | 28 | California | California | California Other | | | French Hill 2006 Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc (California) | Cabernet Franc | French Hill |
| 54097 | 54096 | Spain | Almost volatile, but with reduced raisin below. If you are familiar with hot-climate California Zinfandel, this is not unlike that. It has a vinegary attack and then a strange but limited sweetness lurking in the weeds. A challenged wine. | Javier Asensio Tinto | 83 | 10 | Northern Spain | Navarra | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Asensio 2003 Javier Asensio Tinto Red (Navarra) | Red Blend | Asensio |
| 54098 | 54097 | Italy | This playful rosé is marked by a saccharine, cotton candy quality that will remind you of cherry cough drops or raspberry lollipop. It's a simple, no-fuss, beautifully packaged wine with a subtle touch of bitter astringency on the close. | Negroamaro | 83 | | Southern Italy | Salento | | | | Villa Mottura 2007 Negroamaro Rosé (Salento) | Rosé | Villa Mottura |
| 54099 | 54098 | Spain | Meaty and very oaky, with resin, mocha and milky aromas that amount to a wood cutter's dream. Not surprisingly, the mouthfeel is more shocking and acidic than the oaky bouquet suggests; flavors are racy and tart, and then a bitter lactic quality comes on strong. Too much going on, with nothing pulling in the same direction. | Crianza | 83 | 15 | Central Spain | La Mancha | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gladium 2005 Crianza Tempranillo (La Mancha) | Tempranillo | Gladium |
| 54100 | 54099 | US | This bone-dry blush has flavors of pepper, herb tea and baked cherry pie filling, and finishes very dry. It tastes a little tired, despite its young age. | El Jabalí Vineyard Vin Gris | 83 | 20 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Alma Rosa 2006 El Jabalí Vineyard Vin Gris Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Alma Rosa |
| 54101 | 54100 | US | White flowers, honey and toasted spice lead on this Riesling from New York, and on the palate, a backbone of elegant fruit prevails. Paired with the wine's sweet touch, the flavors offer a simple, appealing quaff that will pair well with spicy cuisine. | Semi-Sweet | 83 | 16 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Anthony Road 2007 Semi-Sweet Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Anthony Road |
| 54102 | 54101 | US | Soft, sweet and simple in structure. Many wine lovers will enjoy the cherry, raspberry, vanilla and chocolate-cinnamon flavors that taste like a dessert pastry. | | 83 | 30 | California | Atlas Peak | Napa | | | Arger-Martucci 2005 Syrah (Atlas Peak) | Syrah | Arger-Martucci |
| 54103 | 54102 | Spain | The name boasts of balance but we find mostly pine needle, skunk and eventually creamy red-fruit aromas followed by lean, tangy stawberry and cherry flavors. Light fruit and simple oak is all that's here. | A4 Nuestro Equilibrio | 83 | 23 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Anta 2006 A4 Nuestro Equilibrio (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo Blend | Anta |
| 54104 | 54103 | Italy | The wine's aromas are simple and rather monothematic and recall apple cider or pear juice. There's even a slight veil in its appearance and a gritty texture that further reinforces that pear juice impression. That said, Bisceglia is an up and coming modern winery and one worth keeping an eye on in the future. | | 83 | | Southern Italy | Basilicata | | | | Bisceglia 2006 Chardonnay (Basilicata) | Chardonnay | Bisceglia |
| 54105 | 54104 | US | An everyday Chard, with superripe pear and apricot flavors and a thick coat of smoky oak. | Reserve | 83 | 10 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Napa Family Vineyards 2005 Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Napa Family Vineyards |
| 54106 | 54105 | US | Tastes semisweet, like a lemon, lime and pineapple cough drop. But the acidity is brisk and cleansing, and lots of people will enjoy this affordable wine. | | 83 | 7 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Hilltown 2006 Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey County) | Sauvignon Blanc | Hilltown |
| 54107 | 54106 | US | This exotic white blend from Iowa offers aromas of orange and citrus with a minerally zip, and on the palate, is a bit on the sweet and curvy side. Not terribly inspired but still pretty, it will pair well with Asian cuisine. | Black Road | 83 | 13 | Iowa | Iowa | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Jasper NV Black Road White (Iowa) | White Blend | Jasper |
| 54108 | 54107 | US | An awkward Chard that tastes unnaturally oaky, with medicinal flavors of toasted, sweet vanilla bean. You'll find hints of pineapples and papayas, but that oaky thing is really strong. | | 83 | 10 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Magistrate 2006 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Magistrate |
| 54109 | 54108 | US | The 2006 was really good, but the 2007 is a disappointment. Where that wine was complex, this is simple, tasting of watermelon, cotton candy and LifeSaver cherry flavors that finish watery and sugary. | Vin Gris of | 83 | 22 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | Migration 2007 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Migration |
| 54110 | 54109 | Spain | Very dark and seemingly on the cooked side of the ledger. The nose is black and raisiny, while the core flavors are saucy. At least this meaty, overdone Garnacha isn't oaked, so in that sense it isn't offensive. But it is definitely soft, and without much future. | Viñas Viejas | 83 | 11 | Northern Spain | Calatayud | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Agustín Cubero 2006 Viñas Viejas Garnacha (Calatayud) | Garnacha | Bodegas Agustín Cubero |
| 54111 | 54110 | US | A plucky nose of fruitcake and spice leads off. On the palate, good, robust red fruit, a solid, dry and minerally backbone and a touch of oak offer dimension and balance. A bit rough and ready, the wine will benefit from pairing with grilled meats or spicy dishes that can match its energy. | Calvin Clarion | 83 | 28 | New Mexico | New Mexico | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Casa Rondeña Winery 2006 Calvin Clarion Red (New Mexico) | Red Blend | Casa Rondeña Winery |
| 54112 | 54111 | Spain | Airén is a big-crop white grape that is usually distilled into brandy or made into Sherry. But here we see it as a dry white table wine, and while it is limited in scope, the wine's punch-bowl approach and cleansing lime and kiwi flavors are decent. | | 83 | 8 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sierra Virgen 2007 Airen (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Airen | Sierra Virgen |
| 54113 | 54112 | Italy | Aromas recall sweet candy, bordering on cotton candy, with peppermint powder and aromatic flowers in the background. The nose is saccharine and synthetic and the wine is watery and easy in the mouth. | | 83 | 21 | Southern Italy | Lamezia | | | | Statti 2006 Greco (Lamezia) | Greco | Statti |