| 55509 | 55508 | Italy | This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot has found enduring harmony and long-lasting persistency in this vintage. The quality of the aromas is top-notch, with cherry and toast spread equally in balanced competition. It is firm but yielding in the mouth with chewy tannins. | Casalferro | 92 | 49 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Barone Ricasoli 2004 Casalferro Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Barone Ricasoli |
| 55510 | 55509 | US | A new brand from the PlumpJack folks, and a very promising start. It brings Sancerre-like sophistication and polish to a variety that's usually not very elegant. With crisp acidity and a mineral backbone, the wine's flavors are of citrus fruits, figs and vanilla, with a hint of tart gooseberry. The winery is set to release a pair of Cabs in the next few years. | | 92 | 26 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Cade 2006 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Cade |
| 55511 | 55510 | Italy | Sangiovese is enhanced with 15% Malvasia Nera in this modern, rich wine. It offers sweet cherry renderings backed by blueberry, milk chocolate and molasses. Ripe and chewy in the mouth, the wine's juicy succulence calls out for lamb, beef or game meat. | I Sodi di San Niccoló | 92 | 60 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castellare di Castellina 2003 I Sodi di San Niccoló Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Castellare di Castellina |
| 55512 | 55511 | Italy | Smelling this wine is like entering a spice box: Saffron, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon all put in minute appearances. But the real protagonist is the wood, which still needs a few years to integrate, and the plump chocolate-covered cherries you get in the mouth. It's a thickly extracted wine with tight tannins: Drink after 2010. | Poggio ai Merli | 92 | 65 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castellare di Castellina 2005 Poggio ai Merli Merlot (Toscana) | Merlot | Castellare di Castellina |
| 55501 | 55500 | Spain | This is far and away the best Mirto of all time. It's ripe and brawny, with bacon and black-fruit aromas that put it squarely into the Nuevo Classic mold. In the mouth, licorice and nutmeg flavors give character to smooth blackberry and dark plum flavors, while the finish is cushioned, herbal and long. Immediately appealing but with five to ten years of aging potential. | Mirto | 92 | 65 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ramón Bilbao 2005 Mirto (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Ramón Bilbao |
| 55513 | 55512 | Portugal | Pure Arinto from the Lisbon region, this wood-aged wine is delicious and Chardonnay-like in its richness, with great swathes of apples and cream flavors, layered with toast. This is a great advertisement for a neglected region in Portugal's viticulture. | Morgado Santa Catherina | 92 | 14 | Bucelas | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Companhia das Quintas 2005 Morgado Santa Catherina Arinto (Bucelas) | Arinto | Companhia das Quintas |
| 55514 | 55513 | US | From 130-year-old vines, this is a densely layered, bigtime Zin. The flavor concentration is just tremendous, a critical mass of briary, wild blackberries, black currants, dark chocolate, licorice and fabulous Asian spice. True, the alcohol is on the high side, but the wine finishes balanced and dry. Will take up to 10 years of cellaring. | Century Vines | 92 | 35 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Sausal 2005 Century Vines Zinfandel (Alexander Valley) | Zinfandel | Sausal |
| 55502 | 55501 | Italy | Romitorio di Santedame is Ruffino's top wine. It is a big, plump wine and is almost too thick and powerful in places, making it well suited to succulent cuts of red meat. But it's hard not to love its extraction, sophisticated mouthfeel and blockbuster tannins. Drink after 2010. | Romitorio di Santedame | 92 | 70 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Ruffino 2004 Romitorio di Santedame Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Ruffino |
| 55515 | 55514 | Italy | Coronato is a robust, modern super Tuscan only produced for export markets. Indeed, you can sense a New World appeal within its rich, succulent fabric thanks to penetrating notes of coffee, espresso, tar, aniseed, chocolate and bursting cherry. It's soft and velvety with enormous charm. | Coronato | 92 | 70 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Tenuta di Biserno 2005 Coronato (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Tenuta di Biserno |
| 55503 | 55502 | Italy | Nambrot features inviting aromas of sweet cherry, vanilla bean and espresso grinds. The wine is sweet and succulent in the mouth with blueberry flavors and a long, spicy finish. | Nambrot | 92 | 60 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta di Ghizzano 2004 Nambrot Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tenuta di Ghizzano |
| 55504 | 55503 | Italy | A concentrated, inky black wine with woodshop tones that are still very evident. Let this wine settle five years to allow for prettier spice tones and more delicacy in terms of its fruit. This is a big chewy wine at this stage with blockbuster tannins. Drink after 2015. | Greppicaia | 92 | 55 | Tuscany | Bolgheri Superiore | | | | Tenuta I Greppi 2004 Greppicaia (Bolgheri Superiore) | Red Blend | Tenuta I Greppi |
| 55505 | 55504 | US | This is from a cool, southeastern corner of the large Sonoma Coast AVA. In this cool vintage, you can taste the fog in the crisp acids and dense tannins. Not a fruit bomb like so many others. Instead, a very dry, serious Syrah that requires patience. Such is the action-packed core of blackberries and currants that this wine should evolve over the next decade. | | 92 | 36 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Lynmar 2005 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) | Syrah | Lynmar |
| 55506 | 55505 | Italy | This Cab offers big blackberry aromas, brown sugar, dark concentration and a brooding disposition. It's plush and modern, and a true bruiser, with firm tannins and opulent flavors of toast and plum. Ready to drink. | Cortaccio | 92 | 61 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Villa Cafaggio 2001 Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Villa Cafaggio |
| 55507 | 55506 | Italy | This Cabernet Sauvignon emphasizes delicate, feminine aromas that are rare to find in the variety. Small berry, toasted almond and herbs are buoyant and fresh. But Cabernet's hearty character definitely comes through midpalate thanks to jackhammer tannins and thick concentration. Drink after 2012. | Monile | 92 | 49 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Viticcio 2004 Monile Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Viticcio |
| 55508 | 55507 | Italy | This expression of Petit Verdot from Maremma in southern Tuscany boasts thick concentration and lively aromas of prune, plum, black fruit, root beer, peppercorn and licorice. It's still raw in the mouth and needs time; drink after 2010. | A Solo | 92 | 55 | Tuscany | Maremma | | | | Guicciardini Strozzi 2004 A Solo (Maremma) | Petit Verdot | Guicciardini Strozzi |
| 55516 | 55515 | US | Aromas of slightly overripe fruit lead to just off-dry fruit flavors. It lacks a sense of cohesion. | Rascal | 83 | 11 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | The Great Oregon Wine Company 2015 Rascal Pinot Gris (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Pinot Gris | The Great Oregon Wine Company |
| 55517 | 55516 | Australia | This wine's floral aromas, complete with hints of apricot, citrus and spice, are fine, and the palate delivers a cornucopia of fruit, but despite this wine's ample spritz, it comes across as a bit heavy and sweet. | | 83 | 8 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Yellow Tail NV Moscato (South Eastern Australia) | Moscato | Yellow Tail |
| 55518 | 55517 | Portugal | This wine, with its late release and maturity is aiming to show that Alvarinho can age. The verdict: Sometimes, but not this time. The wine is definitely old with a strong oxidative character and no sign of any fruit. | Sonhador | 83 | 25 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Howard's Folly 2012 Sonhador Alvarinho (Vinho Verde) | Alvarinho | Howard's Folly |
| 55519 | 55518 | Chile | Aromas of pink grapefruit and passion fruit are more in the Sauvignon Blanc field than your typical Chardonnay. Citric and bouncy on the palate, this tastes of tart grapefruit, orange peel and salt, and it stays that way through the finish. | Unoaked | 83 | 14 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Famiglia Meschini 2015 Unoaked Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Famiglia Meschini |
| 55520 | 55519 | Chile | Stewed black-fruit aromas are coated with a heavy smear of milk chocolate. In the mouth, this feels gooey and sticky. Candied berry flavors are overly chocolaty and finish with coffee and mocha notes. | Reserva Encinos | 83 | 14 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Luz 2015 Reserva Encinos Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Santa Luz |
| 55521 | 55520 | Chile | Dusty cherry and tomato aromas are neither elegant nor elevated. A jagged palate lacks flow, while this tastes of salty sour plum. A low-depth finish tastes peppery. Overall, this is simply adequate Pinot Noir. | Special Release Reserva | 83 | 15 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aresti 2015 Special Release Reserva Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley) | Pinot Noir | Aresti |
| 55522 | 55521 | US | The aromas bring notes of cocoa, green herb and purple fruit, seeming more evolved than its age might indicate, while also bringing along some volatility. The palate shows gamy fruit flavors that seem a bit dried out. | Ava's Crush | 83 | 33 | Washington | Rattlesnake Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cedar River Cellars 2013 Ava's Crush Cabernet Sauvignon (Rattlesnake Hills) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cedar River Cellars |
| 55523 | 55522 | US | Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon each make up 45% of this wine, with the balance Malbec. It comes off as quite green, with notes of bell pepper and green herb, along with unusual mesquite flavors. The alcohol pokes through on both the aromas and palate. | Confluence | 83 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cedar River Cellars 2014 Confluence Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Cedar River Cellars |
| 55524 | 55523 | US | The aromas start out quite reduced, providing significant distraction. The bell-pepper flavors are light and show a bit of age. | | 83 | 25 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Coyote Canyon 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coyote Canyon |
| 55525 | 55524 | US | Aromas of cocoa, blue fruit, herb and spice are followed by dried-out fruit flavors. Medicinal and game notes linger on the finish. | G.W. Smith H/H Estate Reserve | 83 | 38 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Coyote Canyon 2012 G.W. Smith H/H Estate Reserve Malbec (Horse Heaven Hills) | Malbec | Coyote Canyon |
| 55526 | 55525 | Spain | Murky grassy berry aromas and a whiff of cinnamon make for a sketchy nose. This feels choppy, while quick-hitting flavors of forced oak, baking spice and murky berry fruits finish hollow. | Made With Organic Grapes | 83 | 10 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mureda 2015 Made With Organic Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mureda |
| 55527 | 55526 | Chile | Granular aromas of latex, plum and animal lead to a choppy piercing high-acid palate. Dilute flavors of generic berry fruits are candied on one hand and tart and weedy on the other. | Organic | 83 | 14 | Chile | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cono Sur 2015 Organic Pinot Noir (Chile) | Pinot Noir | Cono Sur |
| 55528 | 55527 | Chile | If you know Falernia and Elqui, then this fits the mold. If you don't, you'll probably find this Malbec to be weird or unlikable. Herbal aromas of olive and road tar are common to the winery and region. In the mouth, this is heavy, syrupy and lacks lift. Blackened stewy berry flavors include notes of cardamom and chocolate. On a flabby finish, this tastes of coffee grounds. | Reserva | 83 | 12 | Elqui Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Falernia 2013 Reserva Malbec (Elqui Valley) | Malbec | Falernia |
| 55529 | 55528 | Chile | Leafy burnt aromas of compost lack freshness. This feels lean, raw and grabby, while forced flavors of oak and savory, roasted plum finish rubbery and tannic. | Reserve | 83 | 10 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Tres Palacios 2014 Reserve Merlot (Maipo Valley) | Merlot | Tres Palacios |
| 55530 | 55529 | Chile | Aromas of sulfur and swimming pool blow off and leave citrusy notes. Pyrazinic flavors of bell pepper suggest barely ripe (maybe underripe) grapes. That essence is confirmed on a finish via white pepper and bell pepper flavors. | Reserva | 83 | 10 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Tres Palacios 2016 Reserva Rosé (Maipo Valley) | Rosé | Tres Palacios |