64681 | 64680 | US | This Temecula Valley producer designated this bottling California but it's just as good as many of its single-vineyard designates and Temecula Valley appellation Syrahs, perfumed with violet and blackberry jam and fleshy in mouthfeel with tastes of plum and tobacco. | | 88 | 34 | California | California | California Other | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Leonesse Cellars 2008 Syrah (California) | Syrah | Leonesse Cellars |
64682 | 64681 | US | From this Temecula producer, a barrel selection of plum and black cherry Zinfandel with good depth and structure that's still got some tannins to work out but is ready to drink now. | Barrel Select | 88 | 28 | California | California | California Other | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Lorenzi Estate 2008 Barrel Select Zinfandel (California) | Zinfandel | Lorenzi Estate |
64683 | 64682 | Italy | A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot (with small percentages of other varieties mixed in), this extracted wine delivers mature fruit, dried rose petal and dark chocolate. The wine is fresh but gritty and thickly textured as well. | | 88 | 30 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Michele Satta 2009 Bolgheri | Red Blend | Michele Satta |
64684 | 64683 | US | A big, bold Zin, with a kick of peppery spices. Really front-loaded with wild berry, currant, cherry pie and sweet tobacco flavors. Nothing subtle about this barbecue-friendly powerhouse. | Enz Vineyard | 87 | 36 | California | Lime Kiln Valley | Central Coast | | | Kenneth Volk 2009 Enz Vineyard Zinfandel (Lime Kiln Valley) | Zinfandel | Kenneth Volk |
64685 | 64684 | US | Another fine, food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc from Lake Sonoma. It's vibrant in mouthwatering acidity, with a clean, minerally scour that frames ripe flavors of lemons, limes, oranges and honey. | | 87 | 14 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Lake Sonoma 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Dry Creek Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Lake Sonoma |
64686 | 64685 | Italy | Ser Amerigo (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Colorino) is a bright and straightforward wine with aromas of cherry, forest berry and bitter almond. The mouthfeel is tight and polished, and there's a touch of crisp acidity as well. | Ser Amerigo | 87 | 44 | Tuscany | Colli della Toscana Centrale | | | | Marchesi Gondi 2006 Ser Amerigo Red (Colli della Toscana Centrale) | Red Blend | Marchesi Gondi |
64687 | 64686 | Portugal | Pure fruit flavors are fresh, but still show the ripeness of 2009. This is a fruity, ready-to-drink wine that has citrus, green plums and fresh acidity. | Branco | 87 | 19 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Maritávora 2009 Branco White (Douro) | Portuguese White | Maritávora |
64688 | 64687 | US | An easy-drinking, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc, very ripe in pineapples, oranges and kiwi fruit, but balanced with crisp acidity. A touch of new oak adds smoky creaminess. The single vineyard referenced on the label is in a warmer part of Napa Valley. | Single Vineyard | 87 | 22 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Maroon 2010 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Maroon |
64689 | 64688 | Spain | Dusty plum and black cherry aromas feature a touch of dry oak. Tight, snappy and properly tannic in the mouth, with full berry, baked plum and background spice flavors. Finishes with control and power; good red wine for the price. | | 87 | 9 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Maximo 2009 Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Tempranillo | Maximo |
64690 | 64689 | US | The Yiddish word zaftig describes this Merlot perfectly. It's fleshy, with a soft, fat mouthfeel framing ultraripe cherry pie filling, milk chocolate, anise and sandalwood flavors that finish jammy-sweet and spicy. | | 87 | 25 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Pacific Coast 2008 Merlot (Paso Robles) | Merlot | Pacific Coast |
64691 | 64690 | Australia | A lean, crisp style of Chardonnay, with citrusy flavors and a touch of honeyed development. Drink it over the next few months. | Stone Cutting No Oak | 87 | 20 | South Australia | Clare Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Pauletts 2009 Stone Cutting No Oak Chardonnay (Clare Valley) | Chardonnay | Pauletts |
64692 | 64691 | Chile | Smells big and full but also soupy, stewed and herbal. The texture and feel are commendable, while the flavor profile includes candied red fruit, herbal notes and stewed meat. Feels choppy on the finish, with chewiness and flavors of chocolate and herbs. | | 87 | 18 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Peñalolen 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Peñalolen |
64693 | 64692 | Australia | A fruit-driven Cabernet, with cheerful, bright cherry-berry flavors. Tannins are firm but ripe, accenting the cassis-tinged close with a slightly dusty texture. | Cat Amongst the Pigeons Cat Walk | 87 | 20 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Rosedale Wines 2009 Cat Amongst the Pigeons Cat Walk Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rosedale Wines |
64694 | 64693 | Portugal | An attractive, red-fruited wine, lightweight with acidity and smoothed with wood. It is fresh, with coffee and black cherry flavors, now ready to drink. | Quinta do Pégo | 87 | 17 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Rozes 2008 Quinta do Pégo Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Rozes |
64695 | 64694 | US | Smelling of fig, sweet plum, raspberry syrup and vanilla, this is a meaty, thick Syrah. | Larry Venturi Vineyards | 87 | 25 | California | Mendocino | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Simaine Cellars 2009 Larry Venturi Vineyards Syrah (Mendocino) | Syrah | Simaine Cellars |
64696 | 64695 | Italy | Here's a youthful and fresh Bolgheri blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc that opens with vinous or foxy notes of crushed grapes, blueberry and dark cherry. The wine offers a dark ruby color and rich concentration followed by a soft, plush mouthfeel. | Digià | 87 | | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Batzella 2010 Digià (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Batzella |
64697 | 64696 | Italy | Comedìa is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that delivers immediate aromas of spice, toasted almond and cherry fruit. It shows crisp, fresh acidity and an easy mouthfeel that would pair well with aged pecorino cheese. | Comedìa | 87 | 19 | Tuscany | Rosso di Toscana | | | | Bellini 2009 Comedìa Red (Rosso di Toscana) | Red Blend | Bellini |
64698 | 64697 | Spain | Light, minerally and fresh smelling, with a note of lime and cured ham. Feels and tastes like pure citrus, with hits of pear, honeydew and ripe apple poking through. Juicy and fresh stuff. | | 87 | 10 | Northern Spain | Rueda | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cantarranas 2010 Verdejo (Rueda) | Verdejo | Cantarranas |
64699 | 64698 | US | This Pinot is gigantic in raspberry, cherry and cola fruit, and its silky texture and crisp acidity make it particularly drinkable. On the other hand, it's rather forward and one-dimensional. Give it a good, long decant, and you might even want to pour the glasses an hour before drinking. Now–2015. | Floodgate Vineyard | 87 | 38 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Cartograph 2009 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Cartograph |
64700 | 64699 | France | Although it does have attractive structure with some dry tannins, the wine is ready to drink. Its attractive berry fruits are layered with acidity and a touch of coffee. Balanced and fresh. | | 87 | 16 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Supérieur | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tour d'Auron 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Tour d'Auron |
64701 | 64700 | US | A brisk Syrah, dry and tart, with some notable tannins. It's so rich and sweet in blackberries, beef jerky, carob and spices, you can forgive a few faults, such as excessive acidity. | Cool Climate | 87 | 16 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Cline 2009 Cool Climate Syrah (Sonoma Coast) | Syrah | Cline |
64702 | 64701 | US | Teriyaki chicken and Chinese roast pork are just two umami foods that come to mind to pair with this spicy, fruity and exuberant young red wine. A Merlot-based Bordeaux blend with Sangiovese, it's rich in cherry, bacon and pepper flavors. | Spinning Red Lot #3 | 87 | 20 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Curveball 2009 Spinning Red Lot #3 Red (Sonoma County) | Red Blend | Curveball |
64703 | 64702 | US | A still-closed, tannic, mountainous Zinfandel giant from the great grower, Deaver. It's marked deliciously by tobacco and dark plum. | | 87 | 26 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Deaver 2008 Zinfandel (Amador County) | Zinfandel | Deaver |
64704 | 64703 | France | There's a strong floral edge to this wine, with assertive aromas of peony and carnation dominating the rich and jammy cherry and strawberry fruit center. Lightweight with low tannins, it's an easy drink with good balance and versatility. | La Réserve | 87 | 17 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Corbières | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Domaine Sainte-Eugénie 2009 La Réserve Red (Corbières) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Sainte-Eugénie |
64705 | 64704 | France | A rich wine laden with juicy blackberry fruits and wood tannins, lapping up the ripe vintage. Soft and ready to drink. | La Patache | 87 | 12 | Bordeaux | Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Lapalu 2009 La Patache (Médoc) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Domaines Lapalu |
64706 | 64705 | Spain | Oak is apparent on the front end, where milk chocolate and vanilla aromas vie with red berry scents. Feels full and forward, with standard, appealing berry fruit and cassis-like flavors. Toasty and a touch bitter on what amounts to a solid finish. | Monte Castrillo | 87 | 14 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Torremilanos 2009 Monte Castrillo (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Finca Torremilanos |
64707 | 64706 | US | A nice, soft Cabernet to drink now. It's mainly from Napa County, and the blend includes Merlot, Syrah and Grenache. Easy to like for its spice and fruit. From Pine Ridge. | | 87 | 24 | California | California | California Other | | | Forefront 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Forefront |
64708 | 64707 | US | This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food. | | 89 | 15 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | LangeTwins 2012 Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | LangeTwins |
64709 | 64708 | Australia | Wakefield (known as Taylors in Australia) was founded in Clare with the goal of producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, so it's no surprise this wine is a solid effort. Cassis and black-tea notes are carried easily by the medium body and dusty tannins that turn silkier on the finish. Drink now–2025. | | 89 | 17 | South Australia | Clare Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Wakefield 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Wakefield |
64710 | 64709 | US | Zaca Mesa was the first winery to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County. This wine comes from that 3.5 acre block planted in 1978, and shows deep plum fruits, sweet tar and cedar on the nose. The palate offers asphalt, black rocks and cracked pepper that spice up a sour plum-skin fruit profile. | Black Bear Block | 89 | 68 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Zaca Mesa 2011 Black Bear Block Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Zaca Mesa |