| 58561 | 58560 | Chile | Bramble, leather and red fruit make for a decent nose, while the palate is basically deep and fruity, with an emphasis on blackberry and cherry flavors. For the most part the wine has structure and feel, although there's a spot of bitterness on the finish. | Reserva | 85 | 11 | Aconcagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Porta 2006 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Aconcagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Porta |
| 58562 | 58561 | South Africa | Earthy tobacco, smoke and spice on the nose and a fruit-forward palate make this expressive Shiraz an attractive cohort to smoked meat dishes and cheese assortments. The wine has a backbone of toasted oak and a smooth character. | | 85 | 27 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Rudera 2004 Syrah (Stellenbosch) | Syrah | Rudera |
| 58563 | 58562 | US | Sharp and bitter, this is an edgy version of Viognier. Citrus peel leads into a thin middle and a finish that seems tannic and hard. | | 85 | 20 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Del Rio 2005 Viognier (Rogue Valley) | Viognier | Del Rio |
| 58564 | 58563 | Germany | A relatively dry kabinett, with slightly nutty scents of vegetable oil followed by flavors of peach pit and underripe melon. But the sum of the parts is actually better than they sound alone, offering fresh, lemony refreshment with mineral underpinnings. Drink now. | Oppenheimer Kabinett | 85 | 13 | Rheinhessen | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Dr. Heyden 2005 Oppenheimer Kabinett Riesling (Rheinhessen) | Riesling | Dr. Heyden |
| 58565 | 58564 | Italy | This is the perfect wine for washing down pasta salad and easy dishes. Peach, citrus and pink grapefruit are delivered in measured doses and the wine is light and lean in the mouth with a brilliant sparkle of acidity on the close. | | 85 | 11 | Northeastern Italy | Delle Venezie | | | | Ecco Domani 2006 Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie) | Pinot Grigio | Ecco Domani |
| 58566 | 58565 | South Africa | Aromas of cherry, plum and flint introduce this fun Merlot from South Africa. Elegant, soft and supple on the palate, this offers good fruit flavors and a pleasant finish. Not terribly complex but certainly enjoyable. Imported by Cape Wine Ventures, LLC. | | 85 | 8 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Tall Horse 2005 Merlot (Western Cape) | Merlot | Tall Horse |
| 58567 | 58566 | Australia | Made by Ben Glaetzer, the Heartland wines are meant to offer an affordable entry to the Epicurean portfolio. The Stickleback Red blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Shiraz and Grenache to make an attractive wine for everyday drinking. Some smoky notes frame black cherry and black olive fruit, while the texture is creamy on the midpalate, fading a bit on the finish. | Stickleback Red | 85 | 12 | South Australia | South Australia | | | | Heartland 2005 Stickleback Red Red (South Australia) | Red Blend | Heartland |
| 58568 | 58567 | US | This is the winery's first bottling of this Bordeaux blending grape It is a curiosity that will be of interest to those in search of the unique and rare, but this does not convince me that the grape should be the centerpiece of a varietal wine. There's tangy, plummy fruit, searing acids and very astringent tannins. But the wine is incomplete—there's no middle. | | 85 | 40 | Oregon | Southern Oregon | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Abacela 2005 Petit Verdot (Southern Oregon) | Petit Verdot | Abacela |
| 58569 | 58568 | South Africa | This traditional Shiraz displays aromas of prune and toasted spice, followed by flavors of cheerful cherry and vanilla. Though young, the wine has a balanced, silky texture and good finish. | | 85 | 27 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Bilton 2004 Shiraz (Stellenbosch) | Shiraz | Bilton |
| 58570 | 58569 | US | The blue bottle with the banana-colored cork is almost iconic in Oregon. The wine, as always, is far less flashy but perfectly serviceable. It gives fair flavor for your 10 bucks, keeping it simple, sweet and slightly tropical. Don't look for complexity, but if you want a decent, tasting room Riesling, this does the job nicely. | Blue Moon | 85 | 10 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bridgeview 2006 Blue Moon Riesling (Oregon) | Riesling | Bridgeview |
| 58571 | 58570 | Chile | After an early blast of mint and menthol, the nose works its way toward solid berry, spice and vanilla flavors. The finish is round and moderately long, with no sharp angles or jagged edges. Good yet standard Merlot at a welcome price point. | | 85 | 7 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chilcas 2005 Merlot (Central Valley) | Merlot | Chilcas |
| 58572 | 58571 | US | I sense some sappy black cherry fruit in here, but it's buried in heavily-toasted barrels and a reductive, plastic flavor that takes over and won't let go. If you give it plenty of extra air time it smoothes out slightly. | Reserve | 85 | 20 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Silvan Ridge 2005 Reserve Syrah (Rogue Valley) | Syrah | Silvan Ridge |
| 58573 | 58572 | US | With its slightly sweet notes of pineapple pie, dates and vanilla, this zesty Sauvignon Blanc is nice to sip as a cocktail. It will also pair well with a smoky ham sandwich with Dijon mustard. | | 85 | 18 | California | Mendocino County | | | | Zina Hyde Cunningham 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino County) | Sauvignon Blanc | Zina Hyde Cunningham |
| 58574 | 58573 | Chile | A good effort given the price. Although the nose is a little bland, the wine is clean and shows hints of pear and sweet grapefruit. The palate is wet and not overly concentrated, so things flow easily as it delivers tepid lime and citrus flavors. A lightweight made for limited-thought quaffing, which is exactly what you should expect for eight bucks. | | 85 | 8 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Valdivieso 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Valdivieso |
| 58575 | 58574 | US | Full-bodied, soft and ultra-ripe, this six-variety blend, based on Zinfandel and Carignane, is sweet and rustic. It has jammy flavors of wild berries, molasses, chocolate and pepper spice. | Old Vine Cuvee | 85 | 18 | California | Contra Costa County | Central Coast | | | Trinitas 2006 Old Vine Cuvee Red (Contra Costa County) | Red Blend | Trinitas |
| 58576 | 58575 | US | Softly direct in fruity concentration, this easy-drinking Syrah has powerfully ripe flavors of red cherry jam, red currants, milk chocolate and pepper spice. It tastes a little sugary sweet through the finish. Drink now. | Estate | 85 | 40 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Bridlewood 2005 Estate Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Bridlewood |
| 58583 | 58582 | Austria | Full and fat, this soft wine has broad, sweet apple flavors. The green plum acidity gives structure, aided by a fruit skin edge. There is a spicy finish to give the wine freshness. Screwcap. | | 85 | 12 | Burgenland | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Rosenhof 2007 Welschriesling (Burgenland) | Welschriesling | Rosenhof |
| 58584 | 58583 | US | Cherry soda, cherry candy; however you define it, this has a sweet cherry character. Light and fruity, it does offer some black pepper and loam character as well, elevating it above the level of simple soda pop wine. | | 85 | 15 | Washington | Rattlesnake Hills | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Roza Ridge 2004 Syrah (Rattlesnake Hills) | Syrah | Roza Ridge |
| 58585 | 58584 | US | With smoky, ashy aromas and soft, slightly sweet medicinal flavors of cherries, root beer and vanilla oak, this Pinot might improve with age, but is currently a bit simple. | | 85 | 36 | California | Mendocino Ridge | | | | Taft Street 2006 Pinot Noir (Mendocino Ridge) | Pinot Noir | Taft Street |
| 58586 | 58585 | US | A nice, charming Cab, filled with good varietal flavors of ripe blackberries, currants, cherries, red licorice and cedar. Feels a little too soft and one-dimensional for the price. | 22 Black | 85 | 31 | California | California | California Other | | | JAQK Cellars 2006 22 Black Cabernet Sauvignon (California) | Cabernet Sauvignon | JAQK Cellars |
| 58587 | 58586 | France | A subtle wine, with delicate notes of melon and pear mingling with hay on the nose. The full-bodied palate shows pleasant apricot and honey notes leading to a short, crisp finish. Drink now. | | 85 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Laurent Miquel 2007 Chardonnay-Viognier (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Chardonnay-Viognier | Laurent Miquel |
| 58588 | 58587 | France | A plain jane nose of woods and garrigue adds some juicy, surprisingly dense fruit in the mouth along with plush tannins. The moderate finish is cassis-infused. Try with spare ribs. | | 85 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Les Jamelles 2006 Syrah (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Syrah | Les Jamelles |
| 58589 | 58588 | Chile | The bouquet delivers moderate citrus and snap, while the palate offers midlevel varietal flavors of lime and generic citrus. There's a smattering of green-herb character, while the finish is peppery, light, a touch watery but fresh. Drink soon and it should elicit more smiles than frowns. | | 85 | 10 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Misiones de Rengo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Misiones de Rengo |
| 58590 | 58589 | France | Intense apricot, floral and grass aromas open this expressive Pays d'Oc Sauvignon. There's some lemony intensity on the palate just enough acidity to keep the lime zest finish fresh. Drink up. | | 85 | 13 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Montpezat 2007 Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Sauvignon | Montpezat |
| 58577 | 58576 | US | This is simple, pleasant, with whispers of melon, apple and even celery, set against light acids and herbs. | | 85 | 17 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Buried Cane 2006 Chardonnay (Washington) | Chardonnay | Buried Cane |
| 58578 | 58577 | Italy | The aromas here recall tropical tones of kiwi, mango, banana and papaya. This is a clean and luminous white wine with a smooth and supple mouthfeel. | | 85 | 13 | Southern Italy | Salento | | | | Cantele 2007 Chardonnay (Salento) | Chardonnay | Cantele |
| 58579 | 58578 | France | Some foliage aromas are echoed in the mouth along with dark fruit and banana. Medium weight and structured tannins provide a full body, leading into a strong but somewhat waxy finish. | Pic Saint-Loup Vieilles Vignes | 85 | 20 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Coteaux du Languedoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Château de Lancyre 2004 Pic Saint-Loup Vieilles Vignes Red (Coteaux du Languedoc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Château de Lancyre |
| 58580 | 58579 | Italy | This Riserva blend of Negroamaro, Montepulciano and Malvasia Nera delivers very ripe and rich notes of strawberry jam and fruit preserves. The mouthfeel is polished and well-structured, but the wine exhibits a mature taste profile. | Riserva Vigna Flaminio | 85 | 15 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | | | Agricole Vallone 2005 Riserva Vigna Flaminio Red (Puglia) | Red Blend | Agricole Vallone |
| 58581 | 58580 | Chile | There's something plaguing the nose here: talcum powder? air freshener? Whatever, it seems powdery and a touch artificial. The palate features soft flavors of green bean and orange juice, and the mild vegetal character carries onto the finish. Plump, with some friendliness, but a touch green. | | 85 | 18 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Arboleda 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Arboleda |
| 58582 | 58581 | Italy | Fragrant and floral, this 60-40 blend of Pinot Bianco and a little-known grape called Tai makes for an easy and informal wine that does not lack in character or definition. It could pair with white meat, vegetables or a salad lunch. | Pralis | 85 | 12 | Northeastern Italy | Delle Venezie | | | | Paladin 2007 Pralis White (Delle Venezie) | White Blend | Paladin |