54811 | 54810 | US | This is a tough, dry wine that needs rich fare to balance it out. It's very tannic and sharp in acidity, with flavors of coffee, blackberries, dark unsweetened chocolate and spices. Should develop well for many years, gradually mellowing and sweetening. | | 87 | 26 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Unti 2008 Barbera (Dry Creek Valley) | Barbera | Unti |
54812 | 54811 | Argentina | Floral and citric, with clean, juicy aromas that conjure memories of orange blossoms and fresh lime. The palate is light and mildly citric, with melon and papaya flavors bringing a tropical edge. Ready to drink now. | | 87 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zolo 2009 Torrontés (Mendoza) | Torrontés | Zolo |
54813 | 54812 | France | “Les Faisses,” meaning “terraces” in Occitan, refers to the vineyards overlooking the Heurault from which this wine was sourced. 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this is a vibrant, fruit-forward wine with ripe fruit characteristics of blueberry, raspberry and cherry along with accents of garrigue herbs and soft pepper. An easy-to-drink, ready-to-please wine at an attractive price. | Jean Claude Mas Les Faisses | 87 | 14 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Coteaux du Languedoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Domaines Paul Mas 2007 Jean Claude Mas Les Faisses Red (Coteaux du Languedoc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaines Paul Mas |
54814 | 54813 | US | Obvious but highly concentrated with mouth-coating tannins and an appetizing mix of coconut, vanilla and plum flavors. Fairly long, soy-flavored finish. Drink now or hold a year for better integration. | Norte Block Arizona Stronghold Vineyard | 87 | | Arizona | Cochise County | | | | Page Springs 2007 Norte Block Arizona Stronghold Vineyard Syrah (Cochise County) | Syrah | Page Springs |
54815 | 54814 | France | A toasty, smoky wine, with freshening acidity, crisp green and white fruits and an attractive edge of toasty oak. The wine is lively, fresh, delicious, very poised and vibrant. | Cuvée Vieilles Vignes | 87 | 25 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Pascal et Mireille Renaud 2007 Cuvée Vieilles Vignes (Pouilly-Fuissé) | Chardonnay | Domaine Pascal et Mireille Renaud |
54816 | 54815 | US | A 53% Syrah-47% Cabernet Sauvignon blend, finished at a moderate 13.5% alcohol. There are pretty aromas, floral and bready, with hints of darker fruits. A rather soft, medium-bodied, fruit-forward wine, with plum and cherry, and a bit of cocoa in the finish. | Lawrence Vineyards Don Isidro Red Wine | 87 | 20 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gård 2006 Lawrence Vineyards Don Isidro Red Wine Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Gård |
54817 | 54816 | US | Tight and acidic, with a sharpness that's a little cutting now, despite elaborate cherry pie filling, cola and red currant flavors. Could develop over the next few years, but it's a gamble. | Doctor's Vineyard | 87 | 52 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | George IV 2008 Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | George IV |
54818 | 54817 | US | Though it's Grenache, you can't really tell from the flavors. This is similar to many ice wines from western Canada—a bit fat and unctuous for icewine, tasting of caramel, simple and sweet. | Ice Wine | 87 | 26 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gilbert Cellars 2008 Ice Wine Grenache (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Grenache | Gilbert Cellars |
54819 | 54818 | US | Good fruit from the Riverbend vineyard brings earthy complexity to the wine. Sappy boysenberry fruit, soaked in barrel flavors of Kahlua and cinnamon, shows just a bit of alcoholic heat heading into the finish. | Shameless Hussy | 87 | 20 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Hard Row To Hoe 2007 Shameless Hussy Syrah (Wahluke Slope) | Syrah | Hard Row To Hoe |
54820 | 54819 | US | This is a big, ripe, rich Merlot, made in the modern style of fruity extraction. Cherries, red currants, red plums and vanilla-infused oak mingle together, leading to a spicy, dry finish. Now–2012. | Hawley Vineyard | 87 | 25 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Hawley 2006 Hawley Vineyard Merlot (Dry Creek Valley) | Merlot | Hawley |
54821 | 54820 | US | A sound red wine that, at this price, proves its worth as a versatile, satisfying table companion to all sorts of foods calling for a full-bodied red. A blend of Syrah and Grenache, it's dry and tannic, with pleasant cherry, berry, herb and spice flavors. | | 87 | 10 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Infinity 2008 Red (Central Coast) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Infinity |
54822 | 54821 | Italy | Here's a ripe and richly concentrated expression of Nero d'Avola from sunny Sicily with nice aromas of mature berries, cola and fresh almond paste. The wine boasts a bright, lively color and fresh, berry-driven flavors. | | 87 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Sortina 2007 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Sortina |
54823 | 54822 | Argentina | Floral fruit aromas are neither heavy nor concentrated, but they are a touch medicinal and chocolaty. Flavors of clove, cherry, plum and oak are racy, while the finish is a bit resiny and weighted down by vanilla. Good wine for the price. | | 87 | 12 | Mendoza Province | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ombu 2007 Malbec | Malbec | Ombu |
54824 | 54823 | Argentina | A major-league oakster, with oily popcorn and baked apple aromas. The oak and vanilla are lead players on the palate as well, but along the way there's balancing acidity, length and good flavors of spiced apple, lemon curd and cinnamon. Woody and plump on the finish. | | 87 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pascual Toso 2009 Chardonnay (Mendoza) | Chardonnay | Pascual Toso |
54825 | 54824 | US | High-toned, with somewhat muted fruit – waxy comes to mind – yet with appealing softness and immediate drinkability. It's non-vintage, a blend of two Cabernets, Merlot and Syrah, streaked with vanilla. | WoodsLake Due Anni Red | 87 | 16 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Patterson NV WoodsLake Due Anni Red Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Patterson |
54826 | 54825 | Spain | Somontano wines are not always easy to love due to firm acidity and limited flesh and fluff. Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon account for 70% of this lean, solidly oaked wine that revolves around its tangy raspberry and cherry core. Freshness and Old World restraint characterize Marboré. | Marboré | 85 | 30 | Northern Spain | Somontano | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Pirineos 2003 Marboré Red (Somontano) | Red Blend | Bodegas Pirineos |
54839 | 54838 | US | This Sangiovese tastes like the filling from a cherry pie, scooped out from the crust, then sprinkled with anise-flavored liqueur and pepper. That's a good flavor. The sweetness may be from residual sugar, but also from enormously high alcohol, approaching 16%. | | 85 | 36 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Javadi 2004 Sangiovese (Paso Robles) | Sangiovese | Javadi |
54827 | 54826 | Italy | Cherry soda, mint and crushed almond characterize the nose of this luminous rosé made with the hearty Aglianico grape. The wine is creamy and smooth with fresh berry acidity on the close. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers. | Albarosa | 85 | 15 | Southern Italy | Campania | | | | Cantina del Taburno 2007 Albarosa Rosé (Campania) | Rosé | Cantina del Taburno |
54828 | 54827 | US | One generally approaches a $15 Oregon Pinot Noir with extreme caution, but here is a lovely surprise. Clean, soft, balanced and reasonably varietal, this is as good a value as you will find in this price-driven state. The flavors are soft and supple, with butter and caramel streaks strongly evident. Don't look for big fruit, but what is there is crisp and clean. | | 85 | 15 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rock Point 2007 Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Rock Point |
54829 | 54828 | Italy | This is a light and friendly white wine that would pair well with salads and vegetarian dishes. The wine has easygoing aromas of yellow fruit and some dusty mineral tones for extra dimension. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers. | Gazza Ladra | 85 | 21 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | | | Santa Lucia 2007 Gazza Ladra Fiano (Puglia) | Fiano | Santa Lucia |
54840 | 54839 | US | Although the wine is not particularly Cabernet-esque with its pepper, leather and cherry tobacco flavors that could almost be Petite Sirah or Sangiovese, it's a pretty good drink. Dry and robust, it will go well with grilled meats or Italian food. | | 85 | 15 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Ku Dé Ta 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Ku Dé Ta |
54830 | 54829 | Spain | Expect no shortage of power and pounding tannins from this modern-styled, heavily extracted Tempranillo. The nose is dark, sweet and jammy, but all pleasantries cease there; the palate is tannic as nails, with baked plum and other roasted dark-fruit flavors. To this taster, it's a hard, tough wine. Others may find it more appealing. | M2 de Matallana | 85 | 39 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Telmo Rodríguez 2004 M2 de Matallana (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo Blend | Telmo Rodríguez |
54831 | 54830 | US | This is a good wine to explore if you're interested in California Marsanne. Crisp and soft, it has interesting flavors of tropical fruits, wildflowers, Asian spices, butterscotch and honey. Finishes on the off-dry side. | | 85 | 22 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | | | Karly 2006 Marsanne (Amador County) | Marsanne | Karly |
54832 | 54831 | US | The nose on this wine starts a bit grape-jelly clunky, but on the palate, an appealing balance of fruit, pepper, oaky spice and minerals triumphs. The wine has class and structure and will be great paired with grilled meat or richer dishes. | Epic Reserve | 85 | 25 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Keuka Spring 2005 Epic Reserve Red (Finger Lakes) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Keuka Spring |
54833 | 54832 | Italy | This is a distinctive red wine from Puglia marked by apple skin and floral notes of dried rosebud, black tea and green olive. It has depth and personality—and a touch of volatility—that leaves a fresh impression. | | 85 | 12 | Southern Italy | Salice Salentino | | | | La Pisara 2006 Red (Salice Salentino) | Red Blend | La Pisara |
54834 | 54833 | Italy | The nose here is sweex0t-smelling and penetrating, making it reminiscent of honey, freesia flowers and lilacs. This expression of Falanghina has a lean, easy feel in the mouth with sweet almost cloying flavors on the close. | Falanghina | 85 | 20 | Southern Italy | Campania | | | | Digi Or NV Falanghina Falanghina (Campania) | Falanghina | Digi Or |
54835 | 54834 | US | A nice followup to the winery's 2005, the '06 shows similar richness at the same price. It's expressive in ripe pineapple, peach jam and honey flavors, with buttered toast and smoky oak overtones. | | 85 | 9 | California | California | California Other | | | Dog Tail 2006 Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Dog Tail |
54836 | 54835 | Italy | Here is a bigger, broader style of Italian rosé (made from a blend of Primitivo, Aglianico and Syrah) with thick aromas of raspberry, blueberry, mature peach and almond. Its color is bright pink and the wine offers a playful note of sour cherry on the close. | Passerose | 85 | 15 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | | | Feudi di Terra d'Otranto 2007 Passerose Rosé (Puglia) | Rosé | Feudi di Terra d'Otranto |
54837 | 54836 | Spain | Quite sweet on the nose, with cherry-cola, berry jam and other sweet berry fruit flavors. There's not a whole lot of dryness to this red-colored, red-riding Cava. But it's just balanced enough if you're looking for bold berry flavors and a splash of acidity. | Brut Rosat | 85 | 17 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gran Rigau NV Brut Rosat Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Gran Rigau |
54838 | 54837 | US | This is a lively, bright young white wine that brims with acid-inspired tangerine, lime, quince and clove flavors. It has a little touch of oak, but is really fruit-driven. Represents a nice value in a dry, fairly complex sipper. | | 85 | 10 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | | | Ironstone 2006 Chardonnay (Lodi) | Chardonnay | Ironstone |