64501 | 64500 | US | Wallulla Vineyard provides the majority of the fruit for this Chardonnay. The lemon verbena and floral aromas and flavors are dialed way down here, with full malolactic fermentation providing a creamy feel. | The Expedition | 85 | 15 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Canoe Ridge 2011 The Expedition Chardonnay (Horse Heaven Hills) | Chardonnay | Canoe Ridge |
64502 | 64501 | Argentina | This is a clean, basic wine with white-fruit aromas of peach and apple. The palate is well balanced, and there's a good level of citrus flavor along with green herb accents. On the finish, it's more tropical, with a hint of banana. | Reserva | 85 | 14 | Other | Neuquén | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chaltén 2012 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Neuquén) | Sauvignon Blanc | Chaltén |
64503 | 64502 | France | Minty aromas go along with firm, barely bitter tannins. They dominate the wine, smothering the fruit and lending a burnt quality to the palate. | | 85 | 22 | Bordeaux | Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bréhat 2010 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Bréhat |
64504 | 64503 | South Africa | Attractive aromas of fresh raspberry and strawberry lead the bouquet of this wine, with secondary accents of mocha and earth. Bright and lively on the palate, with tart red-fruit flavors of currant and rhubarb that carry through to a brisk, mouthwatering finish. Drink now. | | 85 | 10 | Robertson | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Robertson Winery 2011 Pinot Noir (Robertson) | Pinot Noir | Robertson Winery |
64505 | 64504 | Spain | This single-pago wine is earthy, rooty, herbal and almost grassy smelling. The mouthfeel is clampy, with dried berry, herbal shadings and a chunky, earthy finish. As a whole there's a malty character to this wine, but it has elements of quality and character. | Nuestra Selección | 85 | 36 | Central Spain | Finca Élez | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Manuel Manzaneque 2005 Nuestra Selección Red (Finca Élez) | Red Blend | Manuel Manzaneque |
64506 | 64505 | US | A good-value Cabernet Sauvignon that's straightforward in texture, body and structure. Its dark cherry and herbal tones are just right for meaty mid-week dishes, including that old standby, roast chicken. | | 85 | 11 | California | North Coast | North Coast | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Monogamy 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Monogamy |
64507 | 64506 | Spain | This is punchy and angular up front, with herbal red-fruit aromas. The palate feels fresh, a bit acidic, with peppery, mildly oaky flavors of plum and berry. This is a standard wine with ample body and some oak. | | 85 | 15 | Northern Spain | Campo de Borja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pagos del Moncayo 2011 Garnacha-Syrah (Campo de Borja) | Garnacha-Syrah | Pagos del Moncayo |
64508 | 64507 | Spain | This wine smells hard and lemony, and thus it's not surprising that the palate feels citric and tangy, with hard tannins. The flavor profile includes lemony oak, rubbery red fruit and mild earthy flavors in front of a drying finish. Drink now. | Reserva | 85 | 14 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Cerrada 2007 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Viña Cerrada |
64509 | 64508 | South Africa | Herbal notes of bark and soft spice mingle with red cherry and plum fruit aromas and flavors. This is bright and accessible now thanks to approachable tannins and a clean, easygoing finish. | L'Avenir | 85 | 13 | Western Cape | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Laroche 2011 L'Avenir Pinotage (Western Cape) | Pinotage | Laroche |
64510 | 64509 | France | Muscat's typical sweetness and delicacy give this an attractive balance of crisp acidity and ripe raspberry flavor. It's light, lively and intensely fruity. | Pink | 85 | 8 | France Other | Vin Mousseux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Royal Muscato NV Pink Sparkling (Vin Mousseux) | Sparkling Blend | Royal Muscato |
64511 | 64510 | US | Austere and tannic, this savory Primitivo tastes of black cherry and blackberry, with leather overtones. | Sorriso | 85 | 22 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Sorelle Winery 2010 Sorriso Primitivo (Lodi) | Primitivo | Sorelle Winery |
64512 | 64511 | US | This well-priced, light-bodied Pinot Grigio provides flavors of stone fruit—mostly apricot—with a tiny trace of petrol. It would make a fine apéritif, particularly alongside oysters or shrimp. | | 85 | 13 | California | California | California Other | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Villa Toscano 2011 Pinot Grigio (California) | Pinot Grigio | Villa Toscano |
64513 | 64512 | Chile | Briary spice and wild berry aromas set up a palate with a core of raspberry flavor mixed with a mild dose of greenness. The finish is clean and standard—fruity and not bashful. | La Palma | 85 | 9 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña La Rosa 2011 La Palma Carmenère (Cachapoal Valley) | Carmenère | Viña La Rosa |
64514 | 64513 | US | This is dry, crisp in acidity and clean, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors. With no oak, the fruit stars. There's a touch of apricot that gives it an eccentric taste. | Steel | 85 | 18 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Lincourt 2011 Steel Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) | Chardonnay | Lincourt |
64515 | 64514 | US | With some tart pink-grapefruit and lime flavors, this bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc is fine to drink now. The acidity gets the tastebuds watering. | | 85 | 20 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Martin Ray 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Martin Ray |
64516 | 64515 | US | A large-production wine that's simple and straightforward in its dark cherry flavor and soft texture, this wine is a crowd-pleaser. It finishes quick but satisfying. | 181-Merlot | 85 | 13 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Noble Vines 2010 181-Merlot Merlot (Lodi) | Merlot | Noble Vines |
64517 | 64516 | Portugal | In this rich, earthy wine, plum and licorice flavors combine with a core of tough tannins. It is rich, fruity and ready to drink. | Tinto | 85 | 17 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Delaforce 2009 Tinto Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Delaforce |
64518 | 64517 | Portugal | Round and soft, this features white fruit flavors filled out by a touch of smokiness and light acidity. It's gentle, dry and full bodied. Screwcap. | Tagus Creek Chardonnay and Fernão Pires | 85 | | Tejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Falua 2011 Tagus Creek Chardonnay and Fernão Pires White (Tejo) | Portuguese White | Falua |
64519 | 64518 | Portugal | A blend of Portuguese grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon, this is attractive and softly fruity. Its black fruit and gentle tannins make it completely ready to drink. | Sexy Tinto | 85 | 16 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fitapreta Vinhos 2011 Sexy Tinto Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Fitapreta Vinhos |
64520 | 64519 | Italy | In its unmistakable squat bottle, this Moscato-based dessert wine offers pretty floral tones and flavors of peach and citrus. Its easy mouthfeel make it a natural pairing with almond cookies. | | 85 | 20 | Northeastern Italy | Trentino | | | | Gaierhof 2011 Moscato Giallo (Trentino) | Moscato Giallo | Gaierhof |
64521 | 64520 | Hungary | There's a chalky minerality that carries from the nose to the palate of this bone-dry Hungarian rosé, adding a touch of elegance to the fresh red cherry and raspberry flavors. It is easy drinking and balanced in structure. Drink now. | Weninger & Gere | 85 | 15 | Villány | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Gere Attila 2011 Weninger & Gere Rosé (Villány) | Rosé | Gere Attila |
64522 | 64521 | Portugal | This soft, balanced selection has warm, ripe red fruits that are laced with acidity. With its spicy edge and open texture, this is ready to drink now. | Monte Velho | 85 | 10 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade do Esporão 2011 Monte Velho Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Herdade do Esporão |
64523 | 64522 | Italy | Touches of sweet peach and honey open the bouquet of this easygoing, well-priced sparkler. Pair this with barbecued shrimp or tempura vegetable appetizers. | Enrico Extra Dry | 85 | 11 | Veneto | Prosecco | | | | Bellussi NV Enrico Extra Dry (Prosecco) | Glera | Bellussi |
64524 | 64523 | US | This Merlot is soft, simple and seemingly sweet in fruit and oak. With ripe cherry, mocha and spice flavors, it will partner well with a cheeseburger. | | 85 | 15 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Buena Vista 2010 Merlot (Sonoma County) | Merlot | Buena Vista |
64525 | 64524 | Portugal | Bright and fruity, this has a ripe applesauce flavor that's cut with citrusy acidity. It's a great apéritif, with a soft texture and refreshing finish. | Alandra Branco | 85 | 8 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade do Esporão 2011 Alandra Branco White (Alentejano) | Portuguese White | Herdade do Esporão |
64526 | 64525 | Chile | Except for some resiny oak, this wine is limited on the nose. It feels fleshy but balanced by citric acid, while the flavors include melon, pear and oak-driven spice. It's not too fruity, exact or minerally, but it will likely please fans of basic, casual Chardonnay. | Classic Series | 85 | 12 | Curicó Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Montes 2011 Classic Series Chardonnay (Curicó Valley) | Chardonnay | Montes |
64527 | 64526 | US | This wine is sharp and minty, with wintergreen flavors accompanying the riper blackberry and currant. That tartness gives this blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a dry bite. Drink now. | Barrel Select | 85 | 28 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rutherford Hill 2009 Barrel Select Red (Napa Valley) | Red Blend | Rutherford Hill |
64528 | 64527 | Chile | On the nose, tropical fruit aromas are cloaked in creamy, toasty oak. It feels full and round, with flavors of sweet pear, banana and a lot of resiny wood. The finish features walnut, vanilla and cream flavors. | Reserva | 85 | 12 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Carolina 2011 Reserva Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Santa Carolina |
64529 | 64528 | Portugal | Red sparkling wine is always an acquired taste, especially when it is a tannic, tart version like this. But this is as fine as a red sparkling Vinho Verde can be. Pair it with sardines. | Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto | 85 | 26 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Casal Paço Padreiro NV Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto Vinhão (Vinho Verde) | Vinhão | Casal Paço Padreiro |
64530 | 64529 | Italy | This opens with tonic aromas of citrus and crushed stone, with light touches of peach and pear at the back. The wine is bright and clean, with a sharp, firm quality of effervescence. | Tramontana Brut | 85 | 17 | Veneto | Prosecco | | | | Conselve NV Tramontana Brut (Prosecco) | Glera | Conselve |