| 54474 | 54473 | Chile | A glassy, crisp style of SB from Bío Bío in Chile's south. The nose is pungent and slick, while the palate has a smooth, tangy set of green fruit flavors like lime and apple. Reserved on the finish, with chiseled acids and fresh simplicity. | Eco Balance | 87 | 9 | Bío Bío Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emiliana 2010 Eco Balance Sauvignon Blanc (Bío Bío Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Emiliana |
| 54475 | 54474 | Chile | This unoaked Chard is light and peachy on the nose, with apple aromas. It's a fruity, driving, almost grating wine with apple, white grape and melony flavors. Super fruity and zesty without the wood tempering, with a citric, lightly bitter and pithy finish. | Natura Un-oaked | 87 | 11 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emiliana 2010 Natura Un-oaked Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Emiliana |
| 54476 | 54475 | Italy | If you want to taste a new grape variety from southern Italy, Pallagrello is a very interesting choice. The wine is naturally high in alcohol so take care to pair it with rich, creamy or cheesy dishes to dampen the heat. Aromas include stone fruit, honey and bitter nut. | Acquavigna | 87 | 16 | Southern Italy | Terre del Volturno | | | | Fattoria Selvanova 2007 Acquavigna Pallagrello (Terre del Volturno) | Pallagrello | Fattoria Selvanova |
| 54477 | 54476 | Greece | Plum, blackberry and earthy mushroom aromas lead here, followed by soft, balanced flavors of violet, plum and tobacco. Mellow and soulful, this wine will pair well with almost any meat-based dish. | Axia Syrah Xinomavro | 87 | 20 | Florina | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Alpha Estate 2007 Axia Syrah Xinomavro Red (Florina) | Red Blend | Alpha Estate |
| 54478 | 54477 | Greece | A stately nose of black cherry, cocoa powder, black pepper and vanilla lead this impressive red from Amyndeon. On the palate, balanced elements of tobacco, cherry, black pepper and spice are both assertive and elegant. Integrated but with some power, this wine can age or be enjoyed now. | Reserve Vieilles Vignes | 87 | 38 | Amyndeon | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Alpha Estate 2007 Reserve Vieilles Vignes Xinomavro (Amyndeon) | Xinomavro | Alpha Estate |
| 54479 | 54478 | Greece | This cheerful wine starts with a bright cherry and vanilla nose, followed by flavors of raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and smoke. Integrated and easy-drinking, it's a good go-to wine for everything from pizza to a more serious steak entrée. | Hedgehog Vineyard | 87 | 24 | Amyndeon | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Alpha Estate 2008 Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro (Amyndeon) | Xinomavro | Alpha Estate |
| 54480 | 54479 | US | A strong, bold young wine, with good varietal flavors of blackberries and black currants. It's hard in tannins now, and the oak hasn't been integrated even though the wine is nearing the five year mark. Somehow, it doesn't seem like a longterm ager, but it will benefit from a couple years in the bottle. | Unfiltered | 87 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Barlow 2006 Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Barlow |
| 54451 | 54450 | US | Blended with Petit Verdot, this is a fragrant, opulent wine that's softly tannic and easy to drink. It has deep flavors of ripe blackberries, mocha, violets and smoky cedar. Drink now. | Red Cedar Vineyard Estate | 87 | 35 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Clayhouse 2011 Red Cedar Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Clayhouse |
| 54452 | 54451 | US | This Chardonnay is marked by tart acidity, lemon and pear flavors and oak. While it's technically dry, it has a honeyed note that suggests Asian fare, or Sunday brunch with a cheese omelet. | | 87 | 28 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Clos du Val 2011 Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Clos du Val |
| 54453 | 54452 | Spain | On first sniff you may want to head for the hills; Maturana is a funky smelling grape with strong herbaceous notes. And while that character never subsides, this smells better with time. Flavors of mint, bell pepper and herbal berry fruits finish round, long and saucy. Only 160 cases of this unusual wine were made. | Colección Vivanco Parcelas | 87 | 105 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dinastía Vivanco 2010 Colección Vivanco Parcelas (Rioja) | Maturana | Dinastía Vivanco |
| 54454 | 54453 | Argentina | Powdery, tropical-fruit aromas are fine but innocuous. This feels clean and good, with ample acidity to keep things afloat. Flavors of tropical fruits come quickly and shutter down just as fast in front of a finish that's slightly oily in feel. | Hermanos | 87 | 15 | Other | Cafayate | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Domingo Molina 2012 Hermanos Torrontés (Cafayate) | Torrontés | Domingo Molina |
| 54455 | 54454 | Italy | This blend of equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a black fruit aromas and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate delivers ripe plum and black cherry flavors, with a coffee bean accent, presented in a forward and ready-to-drink style. | Vitiano | 87 | 12 | Central Italy | Umbria | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Falesco 2012 Vitiano Red (Umbria) | Red Blend | Falesco |
| 54456 | 54455 | Argentina | Earthy berry and cassis aromas are more generic than particular. The mouthfeel on this Cab is scratchy and heavy, with firm tannins that grab and bite. Plum and cassis flavors are minty, herbal and spicy, while the finish is even more minty, with scouring, hard tannins. | Reserva | 87 | 23 | Mendoza Province | Tupungato | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Lalande 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Tupungato) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Finca Lalande |
| 54457 | 54456 | US | You can always count on Frog's Leap to produce a dependable Merlot. This 2010 isn't their best, but it is a great wine for drinking now. The palate is complex with flavors of black cherry, cola, herb tea and oak all wrapped up with strong tannins. It's not an ager, so drink up. | | 87 | 38 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Frog's Leap 2010 Merlot (Rutherford) | Merlot | Frog's Leap |
| 54458 | 54457 | Austria | From the far western vineyards of the Wachau, this crisp, light and fruity wine is a delicious expression of Grüner's pepper and apple notes. With great freshness under the spice, it has refreshing crispness. Drink from 2014. Screwcap. | Kalmuck Federspiel | 87 | | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Gritsch Mauritiushof 2012 Kalmuck Federspiel Grüner Veltliner (Wachau) | Grüner Veltliner | Gritsch Mauritiushof |
| 54459 | 54458 | Argentina | This full-bodied Malbec smells roasted, rubbery and leathery, with meaty berry notes popping in and out. The palate is blocky and thick in feel, while flavors trend toward stalky and roasted, with a green note accenting a chocolaty finish. | Remolinos Vineyard | 87 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Decero 2011 Remolinos Vineyard Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Finca Decero |
| 54460 | 54459 | Spain | Roasted, leathery aromas are reedy and minty but not too heavy or over the top. This feels straightforward, while crusty blackberry flavors come with doses of mint and herbs, ending with a lightly oaked finish. | Old Hands Made With Organically Grown Grapes | 86 | 19 | Levante | Yecla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | La Purísima 2011 Old Hands Made With Organically Grown Grapes Monastrell (Yecla) | Monastrell | La Purísima |
| 54461 | 54460 | Argentina | Compact dark-fruit aromas turn more jammy with airing. This is gripping in feel, with firm tannins. Flavors of spice, herbs and black fruits finish with pronounced acidity, leftover tannins and a leathery accent. | [+] | 86 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Julia 2012 [+] Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Santa Julia |
| 54462 | 54461 | Argentina | While this is stout and dark up front, the nose comes with a note of stewed fruit. The thick, tannic palate is grabby and resiny in feel, while flavors of raw oak taste lactic, and the berry fruit component in the wine is loamy and feels big and blocky. | Reserva | 86 | 19 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Terrazas de Los Andes 2010 Reserva Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Terrazas de Los Andes |
| 54463 | 54462 | Spain | Smoke and leather aromas come with earthy, leafy berry and floral scents. This is crisp and acidic in feel, while flavors of peppery red fruits are spicy and drawing. Raw tannins and red-fruit flavors carry the finish. | Gran Coronas | 86 | 24 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Torres 2009 Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon (Penedès) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Torres |
| 54464 | 54463 | Austria | This is a really fruity, fresh strawberry-flavored wine. Remarkably pale in color, it expertly balances a dry profile with brisk natural acidity and bright, fresh fruitiness. It's ready to drink now. Screwcap. | | 86 | | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Weszeli 2012 Rosé (Niederösterreich) | Rosé | Weszeli |
| 54465 | 54464 | US | The flavors on this big Zin go beyond ripe blackberries and cherries to include currants, prunes and raisins. High alcohol gives it a glycerine sweetness throughout and a Port-like heat. Enjoy it with barbecue. | Molly's Reserve | 86 | 50 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Wilson 2011 Molly's Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Wilson |
| 54466 | 54465 | Austria | This is a fragrant, brightly perfumed wine that has a wonderfully crisp fruitiness. It is just crying out to be enjoyed as a fresh, lively apéritif with its tangy texture and pleasantly acidic finish. Screwcap. | Steinriegl | 86 | | Südsteiermark | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wohlmuth 2012 Steinriegl Gelber Muskateller (Südsteiermark) | Gelber Muskateller | Wohlmuth |
| 54467 | 54466 | France | Still very herbaceous, this Sauvignon Blanc-dominated wine is ripe, full of melon and peach flavors, with an attractive zesty character. There's enough structure for 2–3 years' aging. | Cru Réserve | 88 | | Bordeaux | Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bertinerie 2008 Cru Réserve (Côtes de Bordeaux) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Bertinerie |
| 54468 | 54467 | France | A little rough around the edges, this wine still has some attractive black berry and damson flavors and shows acidity and a texture of dry tannins. For medium-term aging. | | 88 | | Bordeaux | Listrac-Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Fourcas Dupré 2007 Listrac-Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Fourcas Dupré |
| 54469 | 54468 | Chile | Pure grapefruit and other citrus fruits make for an inviting bouquet. The palate is pure, round, fresh and full of green melon, citrus and passion fruit flavors. Overall this is ripe but properly green, with a hint of pithy lime and mineral on the finish. | Reserva | 88 | 13 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chilcas 2010 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Chilcas |
| 54470 | 54469 | US | Churchill makes Pinots in a lighter-bodied style, but they're still elegant and complex. This translucent wine is silky in the mouth, and the raspberry, cherry, and cola flavors are enhanced with brisk acidity. Best Now–2014. | Two Vineyard Blend | 88 | 45 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Churchill Cellars 2008 Two Vineyard Blend Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Churchill Cellars |
| 54471 | 54470 | US | A vibrant, useful rosé sparkling wine, full-bodied and rich. Crisp acidity brightens flamboyant flavors of raspberries, cherries, yeast and vanilla. Drink this dry bubbly now. | Cuvee de la Pompadour | 88 | 36 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Domaine Carneros NV Cuvee de la Pompadour Sparkling (Carneros) | Sparkling Blend | Domaine Carneros |
| 54472 | 54471 | France | The crispness and acidity are very evident in this bright, fresh, strawberry-flavored wine. Drink soon for its delicious liveliness. | Les Belles Vignes Rosé | 88 | 26 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fournier Père et Fils 2009 Les Belles Vignes Rosé Pinot Noir (Sancerre) | Pinot Noir | Fournier Père et Fils |
| 54473 | 54472 | Chile | Fleshy, melony and tropical smelling, with a bit of warm radiator dust. The palate is plump but maintains a level of freshness, zest and clarity. Tastes citrusy up front and then shows a softer, more melony side. Quite good for under $10. | Eco Balance | 87 | 9 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emiliana 2010 Eco Balance Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Emiliana |