| 60871 | 60870 | Italy | This strange wine opens with a bright gold, almost amber color and a surprisingly neutral nose. There's nothing wrong with the wine, in fact in the mouth, it leaves resiny aromas of butterscotch, exotic fruit and candied banana. | Strione | 81 | | Southern Italy | Campania | | | | Cantine Astroni 2007 Strione Falanghina (Campania) | Falanghina | Cantine Astroni |
| 60872 | 60871 | US | Just barely acceptable for its medicinal taste and harsh texture. Shows some sweet blackberries on the finish. | | 81 | 7 | California | California | California Other | | | flipflop 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) | Cabernet Sauvignon | flipflop |
| 60873 | 60872 | New Zealand | Sauvignon Blanc has never been a focus at Kumeu River, and this is an overly lean, green and underripe rendering. | | 81 | 19 | Kumeu | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kumeu River 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Kumeu) | Sauvignon Blanc | Kumeu River |
| 60874 | 60873 | Italy | Made with Gragnano grapes from sunny Sorrento, this sparkling red wine opens with aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry, smoked ham and Band-Aid. It's a strange combination for a bubbly wine that sees firm tannins awkwardly placed within its creamy perlage. | Versacrum | 81 | 16 | Southern Italy | Penisola Sorrentina | | | | Sorrentino 2009 Versacrum Gragnano (Penisola Sorrentina) | Gragnano | Sorrentino |
| 60875 | 60874 | Chile | Smells strange, as if juniper berries were blended with tomato and weedy red fruits. Scratchy and herbal in the mouth, with game and other oddball flavors. Finishes gummy and confected, with a final blast of green herbs and weeds. | Selection | 80 | 16 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Corinto 2009 Selection Syrah (Central Valley) | Syrah | Corinto |
| 60876 | 60875 | Chile | Heavy and soupy in its current state. This is one chunked-out white wine that is barely hanging on with flavors of papaya and dried-out peach. Has lost whatever freshness it may have had. | La Joya Reserve | 80 | 12 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Bisquertt 2008 La Joya Reserve Viognier (Colchagua Valley) | Viognier | Viña Bisquertt |
| 60877 | 60876 | US | Tastes old, tired and vegetal, with modest berry flavors. It's also too soft and sweet. The alcohol seems higher and hotter than the official reading of 14.3%. | | 80 | 29 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Estrella Creek 2005 Petite Sirah (Paso Robles) | Petite Sirah | Estrella Creek |
| 60878 | 60877 | Chile | Green and funky smelling, with a grassy, tomato character. Sticky and unctuous on the palate, with a strange, weedy set of red fruit flavors. Finishes creamy and weak; barely acceptable but still not fresh or well balanced. | Selected Varietal | 80 | 12 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Indomita 2009 Selected Varietal Merlot (Maipo Valley) | Merlot | Indomita |
| 60879 | 60878 | Chile | Oxidized and mute, with mushy, nutty flavors and a similar finish. An underperformer that lacks freshness, purity and character. | | 80 | 12 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Root:1 2009 Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Root:1 |
| 60880 | 60879 | Chile | Overly perfumed, with burnt notes, wayward sulfur and acridness at the wine's core. The palate is fleshy and low in acidity, with bitterness to the white fruit flavors that are none too clean. Offers very little that's redeeming. | | 80 | 9 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña el Aromo 2010 Viognier (Maule Valley) | Viognier | Viña el Aromo |
| 60881 | 60880 | Italy | This is an elegant Nebbiolo-based wine and arguably the most feminine of Gaja's newest releases. There's extreme balance and sophistication evident in the focused aromas of wild berry, white licorice, pressed violets and polished stone. The mouthfeel is tight, firm and those tannins need at least 10 more years to soften in your cellar. Beautiful. | Sorì Tildìn | 99 | 440 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Gaja 2007 Sorì Tildìn Nebbiolo (Langhe) | Nebbiolo | Gaja |
| 60882 | 60881 | Italy | Always a standout among Gaja's five single-vineyard wines, Sorì San Lorenzo benefits from an excellent vintage to produce what will surely become a must-have bottle for collectors of Italian wine. There's enormous beauty and elegance here, backed by power and intensity with ripe fruit, spice, toasted nut and cola. It also shows impressive linearity and focus. Hold for 10 years or more. | Sorì San Lorenzo | 99 | 440 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Gaja 2007 Sorì San Lorenzo Nebbiolo (Langhe) | Nebbiolo | Gaja |
| 60883 | 60882 | Italy | Sperss (the name is inspired by the local word for “nostalgia”) is a vineyard located in the Barolo territory of Serralunga. Angelo Gaja adds 6% Barbera to the wine for brightness and freshness but the overall ensemble shows so much more than that. It delivers sophisticated softness and a velvety texture that is backed by exotic spice and loads of wild berry and licorice. Add huge depth and intensity and you have the criteria for a cellar-worthy wine. Will be ready to drink after 2020. | Sperss | 98 | 255 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Gaja 2006 Sperss Nebbiolo (Langhe) | Nebbiolo | Gaja |
| 60884 | 60883 | US | Made from Carneros-grown grapes, this Syrah strikes the palate as rather candied in blackberries and cherries. It's smooth in the mouth, and the oak brings a pretty layer of smoky cedar. | | 89 | 55 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Cakebread 2009 Syrah (Napa Valley) | Syrah | Cakebread |
| 60885 | 60884 | Italy | A bright nose of cherry, vanilla and rum cake leads into a moderately intense midpalate, with bright endnotes of dried mint and ginger on the cool, crisp finish. | | 89 | 46 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Cantina di Montalcino 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Cantina di Montalcino |
| 60886 | 60885 | US | Cedarville is loved for its Syrah and Grenache but it can expertly handle its estate Zinfandel too—grown at 2,500-foot elevation—This smoky, raspberry-wrapped, silky wine is full of big, round mountain tannins yet somehow manages to be light on its feet on the finish. Have it with sticky ribs. | Estate | 89 | 22 | California | El Dorado | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Cedarville Vineyard 2009 Estate Zinfandel (El Dorado) | Zinfandel | Cedarville Vineyard |
| 60887 | 60886 | Spain | Aromas of pencil shavings, marzipan and jammy berry are sweet and slightly candied. Flavors of Bing cherry, raisin, licorice and citrus peel are forward and tight, while the finish is long and flavorful, with some acidic tang. Lively despite a mild raisiny quality. Drink now through 2013. | Roureda Llicorella Gran Selecció Vitis 60 | 89 | 30 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cellers Unió 2006 Roureda Llicorella Gran Selecció Vitis 60 Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Cellers Unió |
| 60888 | 60887 | US | Very rich and flamboyant, this could only have grown in a New World climate. In fact it's from a coastal vineyard. Ripe and expressive in raspberries, cherries, sandalwood and spices, the richness is balanced with crisp acidity. Drink over the next three years for freshness. | Gloria | 89 | 40 | California | San Luis Obispo County | Central Coast | | | Cutruzzola 2009 Gloria Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County) | Pinot Noir | Cutruzzola |
| 60889 | 60888 | Italy | Here's a bright and fresh Rosso that delivers notes of red cherry, raspberry and cassis. The wine has a smoky element on the finish that intensifies an otherwise smooth mouthfeel. | | 89 | | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Geografico Castello Tricerchi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Geografico Castello Tricerchi |
| 60890 | 60889 | US | Hawk and Horse have managed to make a delicious Cabernet from a challenging vintage. Dark, earthy flavors of cedar, spice and blackberry, are enriched with plenty of smoothness and structure to give it that extra something special. Made by winemakers Dick Peterson and Scott Harvey from a certified-Biodynamic vineyard with rocky red soil at 2,200 feet above sea level. | | 89 | 65 | California | Red Hills Lake County | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Hawk and Horse Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Hills Lake County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hawk and Horse Vineyards |
| 60891 | 60890 | Argentina | Packed and concentrated, with blueberry, blackberry, bramble and pastry aromas. Initially, it's jumbled and out of joint, with jumpy acids and heavy flavors of blackberry, grilled meat and herbs, while on the finish, the fruit fades quickly, leaving weight, resin and vanilla. | Bramare Rebon Vineyard | 89 | 55 | Mendoza Province | Perdriel | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Cobos 2009 Bramare Rebon Vineyard Malbec (Perdriel) | Malbec | Viña Cobos |
| 60892 | 60891 | Italy | Carillon opens with a dark, concentrated appearance and smoky aromas of barbecue, spice and toasted oak. The fruit element comes forth on the palate, revealing the wine's bright cherry and crème de cassis notes. | Carillon | 89 | 60 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Vini Italiani da Sogno 2006 Carillon (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Vini Italiani da Sogno |
| 60893 | 60892 | Italy | The subtle, subdued nose is of perfumed spice, dried red rose and currant. But there is chewy softness here and enough extraction to hold the wine firm on the palate. The structure is there but the fruit definition is less apparent. | Carillon | 89 | 60 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Vini Italiani da Sogno 2007 Carillon (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Vini Italiani da Sogno |
| 60894 | 60893 | Argentina | Opens with cassis, black cherry, blackberry and dusty aromas that suggest leather. Feels healthy, with blazing acidity propelling dark fruit, toast and vanilla flavors. Juicy on the finish due to semisharp acids, with length and liveliness. | Q | 89 | 22 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zuccardi 2010 Q Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Zuccardi |
| 60895 | 60894 | Italy | Spicy wood notes, dark fruit, rum cake, dried ginger, licorice and cola add up to an ethereal and elegant Brunello that is more smooth and silky than it is bold and bulky. Spice, sandalwood and cedar appear on the close, but it has a compact, streamlined structure. | | 89 | 50 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Ridolfi 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Ridolfi |
| 60896 | 60895 | US | Tart and juicy, with crisply-rendered berry and plum fruit flavors. As with all the Smasne wines, the oak is a large presence, here adding a striking note of clove. The tannins hint at a slight green streak, but the overall balance is fine. | Block #3 Lawrence Vineyard | 89 | 32 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Smasne Cellars 2008 Block #3 Lawrence Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Smasne Cellars |
| 60897 | 60896 | US | From Dwelley vineyard grapes, this barrel-fermented Viognier offers appealing toasty fruit coated in buttered nut goodness. Meyer lemon and stone fruits, dusted with cinnamon, give it a French pastry sort of finish, though it is completely dry. | | 89 | 24 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Stottle 2008 Viognier (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Viognier | Stottle |
| 60898 | 60897 | Italy | This Rosso displays soft aromas of red cherry, chocolate and light spice that create a clean and balanced bouquet. Its smooth, fresh mouthfeel suggests it would pair with veal, roast turkey or pork. | | 89 | 36 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Tenuta La Fuga 2010 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Tenuta La Fuga |
| 60899 | 60898 | Italy | This hearty Rosso opens with earthy tones of leather, tobacco and dried rose petal. The wine's consistency is sharp and defined with uplifting acidity. | | 89 | 22 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Tenuta Vitanza 2009 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Tenuta Vitanza |
| 60900 | 60899 | Australia | Shows some of the warmth of the vintage in its elevated alcohol levels and high-toned fruit. It's full-bodied and supple, with flavors of brandied plums and baking spices. Drink it over the next few years. | William Randell | 89 | 40 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Thorn Clarke 2008 William Randell Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Shiraz | Thorn Clarke |