6698 | 6697 | US | This is an impressive wine at the price and production level, a great go-to for multiple occasions. It delivers earthy, candied strawberry around a light, bright core, remaining soft and smooth in texture and intensity, finishing with a tease of milk chocolate. | | 91 | 25 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | La Crema 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | La Crema |
6699 | 6698 | Spain | Aromas of black cherry, cassis and alfalfa are ripe and appealing. This is 95% Monastrell with 5% Garnacha; the palate feels ripe, fresh and free-flowing, while flavors of blackberry and chocolate are moderate but appealing. A long, toasty, blackened finish is in excellent shape; drink through 2020. | X Alphabet Wines | 91 | 25 | Levante | Yecla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | La Purísima 2010 X Alphabet Wines Red (Yecla) | Red Blend | La Purísima |
6700 | 6699 | US | This vineyard-designate opens with intoxicating aromas of violet and rose before expanding on the palate into seamless, sturdy waves of juicy pomegranate and red cherry. Earthy and somewhat feral, it ends with a note of black tea. | Balletto Vineyard | 91 | 42 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | WesMar 2012 Balletto Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | WesMar |
6701 | 6700 | England | Crisp green apple flavors are immediately apparent—lactic inflections and floral notes appear too, alongside wood sorrel and moist brioche. The palate has electric English acidity and a very creamy, fine mousse that gives shapely curves to its slenderness. | Cuvée Brut | 91 | 40 | England | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Wiston Estate Winery 2010 Cuvée Brut Sparkling (England) | Sparkling Blend | Wiston Estate Winery |
6702 | 6701 | US | From high-elevation vineyards, this is a lean, dusty wine driven by dried herb, blueberry and savory tobacco, with a floral flirtation on the bouquet. Integrated tannins are still sizable and structured, the midpalate touched by a gamy, meaty suggestion akin to charcuterie. | | 91 | 75 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Mt. Brave 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mt. Brave |
6703 | 6702 | US | The fruit for this 100% varietal wine comes from Cold Creek, Klipsun and Anna Marie vineyards. Herb, dark fruit, toast and raspberry aromas lead to tightly wound fruit flavors with a buttery top note. Its best days await. Enjoy after 2018. | | 91 | 41 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Northstar 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Northstar |
6704 | 6703 | US | Jammy aromas and concentrated grape and blackberry flavors pack a lot of fruitiness into this full-bodied and velvet-textured wine. The ripe and almost sweet berry and plum notes gush forth with gusto while the firm, grippy texture keeps the mouthfeel nicely dry and helps clear the palate for the next bite or sip. | Bechthold Vineyard | 91 | 29 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Onesta 2012 Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault (Lodi) | Cinsault | Onesta |
6705 | 6704 | US | Crushed bricks, rose petals, red currants and grape syrup are sprinkled with elegant black spices in this blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot by Steve and Chrystal Clifton. The palate is silky, redolent with mulberry and tart plums skins, amped up by sagebrush and thyme. It's perfect for a variety of foods. | Alisos | 91 | 32 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Palmina 2011 Alisos Red (Santa Barbara County) | Red Blend | Palmina |
6691 | 6690 | US | A case study in cool-climate, estate-grown Syrah, the white pepper on the nose and palate is playful and exuberant, the acidity buoyant and lingering. The fruit takes on hushed tones of wild berry and bramble, with a soft texture inviting one in for more. | Estate | 93 | 50 | California | Fort Ross-Seaview | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Red Car 2010 Estate Syrah (Fort Ross-Seaview) | Syrah | Red Car |
6692 | 6691 | France | Clos Saint Landelin is a portion of the Vorbourg Grand Cru vineyard wholly owned by Muré. This rich wine is comfortably excessive, very full of spice and lychee flavors. Medium dry in character with a dry core, it is still young and could age. Drink from 2017. | Clos Saint Landelin Vorbourg Grand Cru | 93 | 45 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | René Muré 2012 Clos Saint Landelin Vorbourg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | René Muré |
6693 | 6692 | Italy | Blue flower, ripe berry, baking spice and mint aromas lead the nose on this full-bodied, elegant wine. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and mineral alongside firm, ripe tannins. It's young but already displays a great combination of structure and finesse. | Nervo | 93 | 49 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Rizzi 2011 Nervo (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Rizzi |
6694 | 6693 | US | The winery's proprietary block of Zin grapes (planted in 1999) from the coveted Stagecoach Vineyards contributes to an intense wine. Juicy and oaky, it's dense in cherry and plum, a note of lavender and sage complementing the whole. A thick liqueur sense characterizes the texture, but the palate stays alive through the site's rocky minerality. This one'll age. | Stagecoach Vineyards The Biale Block | 93 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Robert Biale 2012 Stagecoach Vineyards The Biale Block Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Robert Biale |
6695 | 6694 | Italy | Ripe and delicious, this starts off with aromas of fresh violet, rose, perfumed berry, exotic spice and tilled earth. It's still young but the palate already delivers a great depth of flavors including juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and black pepper alongside chewy tannins. Drink 2016 to 2021. | Pajorè | 93 | 58 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Sottimano 2011 Pajorè (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Sottimano |
6696 | 6695 | France | As the wine ages, it shows a soft, toasty and nutty side that adds complexity to the tight fruitiness that remains. It's a wine in transition, still fresh while adding some concentration, broadening the steely texture and giving hints of the serious wine it will be. Drink from 2018. | Réserve | 93 | 40 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Trimbach 2011 Réserve Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Trimbach |
6697 | 6696 | Italy | Aromas of mature black fruit, tobacco, allspice and mocha unfold in the glass along with a note of tilled earth. The opulent palate offers blackberry extract, dried plum, licorice and chocolate while velvety tannins provide support and give it a smooth texture. Drink through 2019. | Bramasole | 91 | 53 | Tuscany | Cortona | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | La Braccesca 2009 Bramasole Syrah (Cortona) | Syrah | La Braccesca |
6706 | 6705 | Spain | This magenta-hued Monastrell opens with concentrated aromas of jammy wild berries, herbs and rubber. The palate feels fleshy and chunky, while herbal, earthy blackberry and plum flavors precede a full-force finish of herbal, briny and salty accents. Drink through 2022. | El Sequé | 91 | 45 | Levante | Alicante | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Artadi 2012 El Sequé Monastrell (Alicante) | Monastrell | Artadi |
6707 | 6706 | US | Dwelley Vineyard provides most of the fruit for this Merlot. Toasty barrel aromas are at the fore followed by exotic spices, milk chocolate and cherry. The flavors are plush and jammy, lingering on the finish. | | 91 | 29 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Barrister 2012 Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Barrister |
6708 | 6707 | Italy | Stunning aromas of rose, violet, licorice, Asian spices and mature dark-skinned fruit waft out of the glass. The juicy, savory palate offers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, orange zest, anise, clove and chopped herbs alongside bright acidity and soft, supple tannins. A fantastic Barbera. | Ciabot del Fì | 91 | | Piedmont | Barbera d'Alba | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Brovia 2012 Ciabot del Fì (Barbera d'Alba) | Barbera | Brovia |
6709 | 6708 | US | This is just a gorgeous wine, so easy to enjoy, juicy in watermelon, grapefruit and dark, baked strawberry tart, a taste of summer evoked from every sip. Textured and complex, it gives a squeeze of blood orange that lingers and remains fresh through the finish. It's from the owner's estate vineyard, sought after by many other producers and made by Siduri's Adam Lee. | Rosé of | 91 | 20 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Bucher 2014 Rosé of Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Bucher |
6710 | 6709 | Chile | Aromas of mixed black fruits, spice and earth are deep, thorough and integrated. This blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère, 20% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Franc is tight and taught, with austerity and tannic grip. Flavors of toast, coffee and plum finish peppery, dry, tight and herbal, with a chocolaty note added in for good measure; drink through 2022. | D | 91 | 60 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Casa Donoso 2012 D Red (Maule Valley) | Red Blend | Casa Donoso |
6711 | 6710 | France | Another terrific value from the Costières de Nîmes, this features exquisite scents of grilled herbs—think thyme, rosemary, lavender—with ripe blueberries and roasted meat. It's open-knit and velvety on the palate already, so drink it now through 2018. | Les Cimels | 91 | 18 | Rhône Valley | Costières de Nîmes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château d'Or et de Gueules 2013 Les Cimels Red (Costières de Nîmes) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Château d'Or et de Gueules |
6712 | 6711 | France | Parcels of vines on the Phélan-Ségur estate are used for this second label. The wine, with its firm tannins, is developing well. It has structure and a dense texture along with ripe blackberry fruits and acidity. As it develops, it will be generous and ripe. Drink from 2018. | La Croix Bonis | 91 | 27 | Bordeaux | Saint-Estèphe | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Phélan-Ségur 2012 La Croix Bonis (Saint-Estèphe) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Phélan-Ségur |
6713 | 6712 | US | This brooding wine provides aromas of flowers, moist soil, raspberry and herbs. It's velvety in feel with abundant cherry and chocolate flavors that linger on the finish. | | 91 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Covington 2011 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Franc | Covington |
6714 | 6713 | Italy | Intense mint, menthol, ripe berry and dark spice aromas lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry mature raspberry, mint, thyme and clove alongside bracing tannins. Give this a few more years to reach its full potential. Drink after 2018. | Bussia | 91 | 53 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Deltetto 2011 Bussia (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Deltetto |
6715 | 6714 | France | This wine offers a complex, intoxicating bouquet: espresso, charred meat and black olive notes meld seamlessly together, adding notes of blueberries and pastry crust on the palate. It's not overly weighty, remaining fresh through the long, silky finish. | | 91 | 15 | Rhône Valley | Costières de Nîmes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine de la Petite Cassagne 2013 Red (Costières de Nîmes) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine de la Petite Cassagne |
6716 | 6715 | France | Granite and schist soil planted with old vines has produced this impressive wine. It is softer than it probably was when younger, although it has not lost one bit of its fresh crisp fruitiness and perfumes. The wine is concentrated, rich and is ready to drink. | Signature du Haut Bourg | 91 | 19 | Loire Valley | Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine du Haut Bourg 2010 Signature du Haut Bourg (Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu) | Melon | Domaine du Haut Bourg |
6717 | 6716 | Italy | A blend of bio-dynamically grown Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, blue flowers, espresso, grilled herbs and baking spice. The bright palate delivers blackberry extract, spiced blueberry, tobacco, coffee, sage and licorice. Firm tannins provide the framework. Drink 2016–2022. | Altrovino | 91 | 40 | Tuscany | Costa Toscana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Duemani 2012 Altrovino Red (Costa Toscana) | Red Blend | Duemani |
6718 | 6717 | US | This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Intricate aromas of vanilla, cedar, powdered chocolate, pipe tobacco and black cherry lead to focused, layered fruit and barrel flavors that show persistence. | Trutina | 91 | 29 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Dunham 2012 Trutina Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Dunham |
6719 | 6718 | US | Intense aromas of summer blackberries and cherry preserves waft from the nose of this rich, fruity, yet elegantly structured red. The palate is classic in style marked by ruffles of peppery spice and fine-grained tannins. A streak of menthol lingers through a long, black cherry finish. | | 91 | 32 | New York | Seneca Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Hermann J. Wiemer 2012 Lemberger (Seneca Lake) | Lemberger | Hermann J. Wiemer |
6720 | 6719 | US | Exhibiting cooler-climate characteristics, the fruit sourced primarily from the Stag's Leap District, this wine shows dried herb and cedar on the nose, evolving deeper layers of red cherry and cranberry on the midpalate. It takes on weight and structure on the finish. | Founder's Art Reserve | 91 | 80 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Judd's Hill 2010 Founder's Art Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Judd's Hill |