64561 | 64560 | US | Merlot has long been Waterbrook's strong suit, and this offers the expected seamless blend of cherry/berry fruit, softly polished tannins and toasty barrel flavors. What are missing—at least for the moment—are the grace notes. Give it plenty of breathing time and you begin to detect traces of spice and earth, finishing with a lick of chocolate. | Reserve | 87 | 22 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Waterbrook 2005 Reserve Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Waterbrook |
64562 | 64561 | US | Not as forward and lush as the appealing 2005, this all-purpose red, tasted a few months prior to its official release, is still knitting the components together. What is in place is plenty of tart, ripe raspberry fruit, precise and clean, and a soft backdrop of lightly chocolaty tannins. | Mélange Noir | 87 | 15 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Waterbrook 2006 Mélange Noir Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Waterbrook |
64563 | 64562 | US | In calling this southern Rhône-style blend Bistro Style, the winery means to suggest friends gathered in a nice restaurant, having fun and not being fussy about what's in the bottle. That perfectly describes this dry, soft red wine, with its flavors of blackberries, cherries and cocoa. | Sultry Red Bistro Style Wine | 87 | 13 | California | California | California Other | | | Hey Mambo 2006 Sultry Red Bistro Style Wine Red (California) | Red Blend | Hey Mambo |
64564 | 64563 | US | With only .01 residual sugar, this Gewurz really is dry, as the label says. With grapes sourced mainly from the well-known Ferrington Vineyard, it's very spice, with zesty lemon, pineapple, lychee and green apple flavors. | Dry | 87 | 24 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | Londer 2006 Dry Gewürztraminer (Anderson Valley) | Gewürztraminer | Londer |
64565 | 64564 | Italy | Franco Pacenti's brooding Brunello offers coffee, prune, ripe fruit and a thick, brownish color that all point to a ripe vintage. You'll get a distinctly sweet aroma of vanilla or maple syrup and the wine offers medium length on the finish. | | 87 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Canalicchio 2003 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Canalicchio |
64566 | 64565 | Italy | Mantele is a bright and luminous Sauvignon with immediate aromas of mango, kiwi and pineapple. The winemaking approach here puts an emphasis on purity, elegance and straightforwardness. | Mantele | 87 | | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | | | Cantina Nalles Magre 2007 Mantele Sauvignon (Alto Adige) | Sauvignon | Cantina Nalles Magre |
64567 | 64566 | Italy | Casanuova delle Cerbaie presents a mature Brunello that shows signs of the hot 2003 vintage. The wine is ripe with aromas of black cherry and blackberry preserves with warm tones of leather and spice. | | 87 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Casanuova delle Cerbaie 2003 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Casanuova delle Cerbaie |
64568 | 64567 | Italy | Here's a 2004 Chianti Classico (with a 15% component of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for extra structure and smoothness) that delivers aromas of wet earth, white mushroom, blackberry, tobacco and leather. Drink it with stewed meats or game dishes. | | 87 | 20 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | | | Castello di Monastero 2004 Chianti Classico | Sangiovese | Castello di Monastero |
64569 | 64568 | US | This is spicy and complex; wonderfully aromatic with a mix of Meyer lemon, pineapple and peach. Along with the fruits there are minty streaks and what might be called minerality. It turns a little bit chalky and soapy in the finish. | Small Lot Series | 87 | 20 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Columbia Winery 2007 Small Lot Series Riesling (Yakima Valley) | Riesling | Columbia Winery |
64570 | 64569 | US | This Syrah has a lovely mouthfeel, with soft, plush tannins, clean acids and a dry, balanced finish. The flavors are of black currants, roasted meat, violets, anise and crushed black pepper. Has some green notes, but it's a nice glass of wine. | Crane Ranch Vineyard | 87 | 36 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Crane Brothers 2005 Crane Ranch Vineyard Syrah (Napa Valley) | Syrah | Crane Brothers |
64571 | 64570 | US | Very rich and fruit-forward in currants, cola, cedar and figs, with an exotic complexity suggesting dried dates and figs. Delicious, but a bit full-bodied and heavy. Could develop. | Cargasacchi Vineyard | 87 | 50 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Loring Wine Company 2007 Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Loring Wine Company |
64572 | 64571 | US | This Merlot over-delivers for the everyday price. It's bone dry and classically structured, with rich, ripe tannins and mouthwatering acidity framing flavors of cherries, red and black currants, dusty spices and cedar. Sommeliers, scoop this one up. More than 15,000 cases produced. | L de Lyeth | 87 | 11 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Lyeth 2006 L de Lyeth Merlot (Sonoma County) | Merlot | Lyeth |
64573 | 64572 | France | Starting with green acidity, this wine opens up well to give cool lemon and mineral flavors. These are followed by a creamy texture that softens the acidity, giving a ripe, full finish. | | 87 | 36 | Burgundy | St.-Romain | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Maison Champy 2006 St.-Romain | Chardonnay | Maison Champy |
64574 | 64573 | US | The grapes had no problem getting ripe, to judge by the opulent cherry jam, red currant and black raspberry flavors, with their edge of toasty oak and mocha. Crisp coastal acidity provides needed crispness for balance. Drink now for freshness. | Estate | 87 | 39 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | McIntyre Vineyards 2006 Estate Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | McIntyre Vineyards |
64575 | 64574 | US | Very sweet and rich in honeyed citrus and vanilla flavors, this dessert wine suggests white cookies and cakes as partners. It's not particularly complex, but it is deliciously easy to drink. | | 87 | 33 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Mendelson 2000 Pinot Gris (Napa Valley) | Pinot Gris | Mendelson |
64576 | 64575 | US | An exuberantly ripe, fruity Cabernet, brimming with polished flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants and sweet smoky oak. Shows a fine enough structure of crispness and firm tannins for balance. | Estate | 87 | 25 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | | | Mettler Family Vineyards 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mettler Family Vineyards |
64577 | 64576 | New Zealand | Roaring Meg is Mt. Difficulty's entry-level Pinot, offering authoritative if somewhat chunky flavors. Plum and cola notes predominate, filling the mouth and showing plenty of persistence. | Roaring Meg | 87 | 24 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mt. Difficulty 2007 Roaring Meg Pinot Noir (Central Otago) | Pinot Noir | Mt. Difficulty |
64578 | 64577 | Australia | The blend is 59% Shiraz, 41% Grenache in this medium-bodied, low-tannin red. The aromas are dark—black cherry and plum—but the flavors are redder and juicier, with raspberry notes backed by cinnamon and clove. The label may be a bit polarizing, but the wine inside is well made and a solid value. | Ass Kisser Fine Red Wine | 87 | 10 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Rocland Estate 2005 Ass Kisser Fine Red Wine Red (South Australia) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Rocland Estate |
64579 | 64578 | Italy | This Brunello has a smoky, spicy element that recalls crushed white pepper, vanilla and dried herbs. Succulent fruit is delivered in the form of chewy blackberry and blueberry preserves. It's a nice wine with good structure and medium length. | | 87 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | San Lorenzo 2003 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | San Lorenzo |
64580 | 64579 | US | Simple but elegant, with cherry, red currant, pepper and sage flavors wrapped into firm tannins. Has an elegantly silky mouthfeel, like a good Pinot Noir. Drink now. | | 87 | 26 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Silverado 2006 Sangiovese (Napa Valley) | Sangiovese | Silverado |
64581 | 64580 | US | This Cabernet opens with lush mocha and coffee scents, and is a soft, well-rounded wine with well-rounded fruit flavors. Small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot are included in the blend. | Cs | 87 | 18 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Substance 2007 Cs Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Substance |
64582 | 64581 | Italy | This is a brilliant and well-executed Trebbiano d'Abruzzo with pretty tones of peach, pear and fresh grapefruit. The wine exhibits a smooth, silky texture and ends on a crisp note that adds a touch of spice on the finish. | Aternum | 87 | 17 | Central Italy | Trebbiano d'Abruzzo | | | | Talamonti 2006 Aternum (Trebbiano d'Abruzzo) | Trebbiano | Talamonti |
64583 | 64582 | US | Talbott's style is always exotic and eccentric, with the grapes tasting so ripe, they have an almost botrytised, apricotty flavor. So it is with this '06, which also brims with grilled pineapple and sweet smoky oak. Best now. | Sleepy Hollow Vineyard | 87 | 45 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Talbott 2006 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Chardonnay | Talbott |
64584 | 64583 | US | Fruity, dry and immediately appealing, showing ripe raspberry, cherry, blackberry, cola, licorice, bacon and sandalwood flavors. Could use greater complexity, especially at this price. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Malbec. | Tytanium | 86 | 75 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Ty Caton 2008 Tytanium Red (Sonoma Valley) | Red Blend | Ty Caton |
64585 | 64584 | US | It's dry to slightly off-dry, with clean, zesty acidity and decent flavors of citrus fruits, green apples, Asian pears and peaches. | | 86 | 28 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Ty Caton 2009 Riesling (Central Coast) | Riesling | Ty Caton |
64586 | 64585 | US | Cabernet Franc seems to be a strength in the Rogue Valley, as the fruit expression is good and the aggressive herbaceousness of Cabernet Sauvignon is somewhat tamed. Here the aromas are blackberry and cassis, and those fruit flavors are threaded with smoke and coffee. Balanced into a light, herbal finish. | Anna Maria | 86 | 28 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Valley View 2006 Anna Maria Cabernet Franc (Rogue Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Valley View |
64587 | 64586 | Spain | Waxy on the nose, with buttercup, creamy yellow-fruit scents and white flowers. The palate is wet, racy and a touch like soda, with sweet, candied flavors of peach and melon. Plods along with good enough acidity to support the wine's core sweetness and candied qualities. | | 86 | 15 | Northern Spain | Somontano | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viñas del Vero 2009 Chardonnay (Somontano) | Chardonnay | Viñas del Vero |
64588 | 64587 | Italy | This cheerful 60-40 blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc offers pristine aromas of white flower, honeysuckle, peach blossom and a touch of crushed white pepper. The wine is smooth and silky on the close and shows a sunny Tuscan personality. | Trappoline | 86 | 15 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Badia a Coltibuono 2009 Trappoline White (Toscana) | White Blend | Badia a Coltibuono |
64589 | 64588 | US | Soft and somewhat rustic, this is a flavorful Pinot Noir, with herb, earth, citrusy acids, leather and quite tart cherry fruit. It would not fit into a textbook definition of classic varietal flavor, but it feels handmade, and it is light years beyond much of the corporate plonk being labeled Pinot Noir these days. | | 86 | 20 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Winter's Hill 2008 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Winter's Hill |
64590 | 64589 | US | Wonderfully frothy in the glass, this round, rich sparkling wine smells sweetly of apple cider and buttered toast. This Pinot Noir/Chard blend has plenty of toasty, nutty flavors on the palate as well. Fresh apple and lemon notes make this a refreshing, uncomplicated sip with a pleasant walnut skin astringency on the finish. | Noblesse Oblige Rosé Sparkling Wine | 86 | 40 | New York | The Hamptons, Long Island | Long Island | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Wölffer 2006 Noblesse Oblige Rosé Sparkling Wine Sparkling (The Hamptons, Long Island) | Sparkling Blend | Wölffer |