60901 | 60900 | US | Made in a bone dry, acidic style, what this Chardonnay lacks in richness it makes up for in elegance. Fans of sweet, buttery Chards won't like it, but true aficionados will appreciate the austere citrus and mineral flavors. | | 89 | 21 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Deep Sea 2009 Chardonnay (Central Coast) | Chardonnay | Deep Sea |
60902 | 60901 | France | Expect ripe and open fruit from this Faiveley owned vineyard in Mercurey. The wine tastes soft, the tannins well integrated into the ripe cherry and berry fruits. It could age, but it is ready to drink now. | Clos des Myglands Premier Cru | 89 | 40 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2009 Clos des Myglands Premier Cru (Mercurey) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Faiveley |
60903 | 60902 | Italy | This plump Rosso di Montalcino offers ripe, succulent fruit notes of black cherry, blueberry and fresh plum, rounded by toasted espresso and almond. All that results in a soft, round and smooth mouthfeel. | | 89 | 25 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Fossacolle 2009 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Fossacolle |
60904 | 60903 | France | Just an edge of butter gives this wine roundness and extra richness. Along with this character comes ripe peach fruit, lifted with acidity. Ready to drink. Screwcap. | Kimmeridgien | 89 | 18 | Burgundy | Bourgogne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jean-Marc Brocard 2010 Kimmeridgien (Bourgogne) | Chardonnay | Jean-Marc Brocard |
60905 | 60904 | Australia | This is a classically styled Coonawarra Cab, with ample cassis, cedar and mint wrapped up into a balanced, well-proportioned whole. The Katnook style favors silky tannins over power, making this elegant Cabernet one to drink over the next several years. | Founder's Block | 89 | 20 | South Australia | Coonawarra | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Katnook Estate 2009 Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Katnook Estate |
60906 | 60905 | US | Round, ripe and quite pretty cherry fruit flavors, showing a hint of loam and a briny note. Tannins have smoothed out, and the length is better than average. Score could improve with further bottle age. | Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard | 89 | 36 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | McCrea Cellars 2007 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah (Yakima Valley) | Syrah | McCrea Cellars |
60907 | 60906 | US | This is a rich, ripe Syrah, with deep, long-lasting chocolate, blackberry jam and oak flavors. Impresses for its sheer razzle dazzle. Probably best over the next few years. | Fox Family Vineyard | 89 | 45 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Blair Fox 2009 Fox Family Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Blair Fox |
60908 | 60907 | Italy | Big and bold, but a bit disjointed aromatically. Ripe fruit and pipe tobacco vie with a fine note of graphite or lead pencil. It seems soft, with a touch of sweetness, but crisp tannins. Give it a few more years to unwind. Finishes thick and chewy. | | 89 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Bonacchi 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Bonacchi |
60909 | 60908 | Australia | This 60-40 blend combines Shiraz's blackberry fruit with Cab's slightly herbal notes to make a pretty marriage. It shows enough firmness to stand up to rich, fatty meats now, or to sustain it through up to a decade of cellaring. | Mountain Estate | 89 | 14 | Australia Other | Central Ranges | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Inkberry 2009 Mountain Estate Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Ranges) | Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon | Inkberry |
60910 | 60909 | Italy | This wine strikes a nice balance between sweet and savory spice on the nose, with ripe fruit, prune and leather in the background. This is a velvety, warm, earthy wine with a broad aromatic delivery and bold Brunello style. It's smooth and round, without any of the sharp acidic accents you sometimes find in Sangiovese Grosso. | | 89 | 40 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | La Colombina 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | La Colombina |
60911 | 60910 | Italy | This Brunello shows elegant aromatic restraint in its tight aromas of wild berry and red currant. Dark flavors of barbecue spice, cured meat, leather and tobacco layer the midpalate, then turn fine and full on the finish. | | 89 | 80 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Le Gode 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Le Gode |
60912 | 60911 | South Africa | Dusty dark cherry and blackberry fruit dominate the nose, with secondary aromas of game, peppery spice and tobacco. The dark fruit character continues on the palate, transitioning into the finish, which is laced with hints of mocha and spice. Medium weight, with nice vibrancy in the mouth. Drink now-2015. | Silkbush Mountain Vineyards | 89 | 18 | Breedekloof | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Lions Drift 2009 Silkbush Mountain Vineyards Pinotage (Breedekloof) | Pinotage | Lions Drift |
60913 | 60912 | Spain | Pretty to sniff, with aromas of lemon, fresh white fruits and minerals. Feels crisp, chiseled and racy, with blazing acidity propelling green apple, lime, green melon and saline flavors. Long on the finish. Drink now. | Pazo Barrantes | 89 | 19 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pazo de Barrantes 2010 Pazo Barrantes Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Pazo de Barrantes |
60914 | 60913 | Germany | This wine is a shining example of the glorious minerality that singles out Mosel Riesling. The nose shows really appealing pear and gardenia scents overlaying wet stone notes. The mouthwatering acidity wakes up your palate and is in perfect balance with the substantial residual sugar. Drink now (with sushi) or hold five or more years for even more complexity. | Erdener Treppchen Spätlese | 91 | 30 | Mosel | | | | | Dr. Loosen 2008 Erdener Treppchen Spätlese Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. Loosen |
60915 | 60914 | New Zealand | Supple but structured, this is only the third vintage for Felton Road's Cornish Point Pinot and it is really starting to hit its stride. Touches of hickory smoke and mocha accent the dark plum and savory fruit, finishing long, spicy and with a note of brown-sugar sweetness. | Cornish Point | 91 | 65 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Felton Road 2008 Cornish Point Pinot Noir (Central Otago) | Pinot Noir | Felton Road |
60916 | 60915 | Spain | A smooth and coaxing Sherry with almond and dried fruit aromas that lead perfectly to toffee and almond flavors. There's more dryness than fruit here, with peanut brittle accents and then a long, smoky finish that doesn't lose focus. Graceful Oloroso, with a nice individual character. | Cristina Oloroso Abacado | 91 | 18 | Andalucia | Jerez | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | González Byass NV Cristina Oloroso Abacado Sherry (Jerez) | Sherry | González Byass |
60917 | 60916 | Italy | Cheerful and bright, this luminous sparkler offers dried fruit aromas with yeast and baked bread tones as well. It has aged nicely over the past five years but maintain the freshness and crispness you look for in an Italian sparkling wine. | Satèn | 91 | 47 | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | Quadra 2005 Satèn Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | Quadra |
60918 | 60917 | US | As classy a bottle as you might expect from veteran winemaker Laurent Montalieu. Once again the fruit is crystal clear, setting up fresh pear, green apple and pink grapefruit flavors against crisp, juicy acidity. The finish is lively and spicy. | | 91 | 20 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Soléna 2008 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Soléna |
60919 | 60918 | New Zealand | This is a medium-dry Riesling with plenty of weight and richness, but also wonderfully perfumed aromatics of citrus blossom. Lime and green apple fruit carries the palate, and finishes long, with an almost tactile sense of minerality. | | 91 | 21 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Spy Valley 2009 Riesling (Marlborough) | Riesling | Spy Valley |
60920 | 60919 | Germany | Serious and earthy, like walking into a wall of minerality. The fruit takes a back seat here, but is lusciously peachy and fresh while the long finish is sparked by hints of exotic spices. Give this two to three years to show its best. | Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese | 91 | | Mosel | | | | | Joh. Jos. Prüm 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Joh. Jos. Prüm |
60921 | 60920 | US | Serious Cabernet, rich and complex and full bodied, made from Knights Valley and Alexander Valley fruit, with a few grapes from Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder. Dense and tannic now, but high toned, with waves of black currants, black cherries and oak. A good price for a Cabernet of this quality. Drink now–2012. | Grand Reserve | 91 | 30 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Kendall-Jackson 2007 Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kendall-Jackson |
60922 | 60921 | US | Still quite young yet unmistakably lush, this bottling immediately shows fresh apples, white peach and plenty of new oak from 100% barrel fermentation. The lip-smacking acidity keeps fruit and oak in balance; all that is needed is a bit more bottle age. Decant it if you plan to drink it immediately. | Caitlin's Reserve | 91 | 40 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Adelsheim 2008 Caitlin's Reserve Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Adelsheim |
60923 | 60922 | New Zealand | Gibbston is the coolest of Central Otago's subregions, and this wine reflects that in its delicate floral and herbal notes, even a touch of rhubarb. But there's also ample cherry fruit and a wonderfully lacy, silky texture. Long and crisp on the finish. Best from 2012–2018. | Gibbston Vineyard | 91 | 55 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Valli 2008 Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir (Central Otago) | Pinot Noir | Valli |
60924 | 60923 | Spain | A genuinely attractive, well-made old vines red with earthy, minerally aromas along with violet petal and blackberry. The palate has a fine feel to it, depth and complexity, while flavors of dry berry and baking spices work wonders. Dry, pure and long on the finish, and really quite excellent for a vino de tierra. Drink now through 2014. | Dominus Gran Selección Viñedos Viejos | 91 | 50 | Northern Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Yllera 2004 Dominus Gran Selección Viñedos Viejos Red (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León) | Tempranillo Blend | Yllera |
60925 | 60924 | Italy | There's a nice mineral vein that helps keep this wine focused. Beyond that, you'll taste fresh fruit and some distance notes of roasted almond and sourdough. The mouthfeel is clean and crisp and the bubbles are soft and creamy. | Soul Satèn | 91 | | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | Contadi Castaldi 2001 Soul Satèn Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | Contadi Castaldi |
60926 | 60925 | Spain | Dense and heavy, and maybe a touch dull on the nose in terms of fruit aromas. But once it hits the palate the wine shines with intense black fruit, sugar beet and chocolate flavors. The finish is toasty and warm, with saturation and texture. Almost over the edge as far as ripeness, but not quite. Drink now through 2012. | Vendimia Seleccionada | 91 | 59 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | García Figuero 2005 Vendimia Seleccionada (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | García Figuero |
60927 | 60926 | US | This soft and seductive wine is reminiscent of a good Chassagne-Montrachet from a relatively warm year. It has the same ripe, lightly tropical fruit, inflected with citrus and buoyed by firm acidity. The use of oak is restrained, the balance perfect, and the finish long and satisfying. | Cuvée Forêts Diverses | 91 | 35 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Hamacher 2007 Cuvée Forêts Diverses Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Hamacher |
60928 | 60927 | US | Powerful scents mix dried herb, wet grass and petrol—it could be mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc in a blind tasting, and it has that much density and extract. The label says dry, and it is certainly that, much in the Australian style. Big, concentrated, high acid and quite cellarworthy. | Dry | 91 | 20 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Amity Vineyards 2008 Dry Riesling (Willamette Valley) | Riesling | Amity Vineyards |
60929 | 60928 | France | While not strictly part of the Haut-Médoc Château Cambon la Pelouse, this small parcel in Margaux is under the same ownership and vinification. The wine has weight, some solid fruit, with the wood adding polish but not dominating. A well-structured wine for medium-term aging. | L'Aura de Cambon | 91 | 40 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Cambon la Pelouse 2007 L'Aura de Cambon (Margaux) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Cambon la Pelouse |
60930 | 60929 | France | Now owned by Château Labégorce-Margaux, this classed growth is beginning to come back to life. With this vintage, perhaps the wood flavor is too much, but the fruit has weight, dark spicy character and solid tannins. Age for 5–6 years for the wood to soften. | | 91 | | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Marquis d'Alesme 2007 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Marquis d'Alesme |