| 6841 | 6840 | US | A very particular Chardonnay that shows the dual properties of ripe, delicious fruit and acidic, minerally earthiness. Flavors veer toward citrus and tropical fruits, while oak brings lovely notes of vanilla and buttered toast. Great price for a Chard of this distinction and class. | | 91 | 26 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Domaine Chandon 2010 Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Domaine Chandon |
| 6842 | 6841 | Italy | Fossacolle's Brunello is distinguished by a chewy texture that is backed by dark concentration and plump berry fruit. The cherry and blackberry layers are thick and soft, but don't let them fool you; Sangiovese's characteristic acidity keeps the palate polished and pristine. | | 91 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Fossacolle 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Fossacolle |
| 6843 | 6842 | Italy | This opens with a pretty garnet color and subtle aromas of spice, crème de cassis, leather and tobacco. The wine shows compact lines with tight structure, bright acidity and a lingering note of smoky ash on the close. The style is traditional, sour and bright. | Le Chiuse di Sotto | 91 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Gianni Brunelli 2008 Le Chiuse di Sotto (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Gianni Brunelli |
| 6844 | 6843 | Italy | This Brunello opens with inky, dark concentration and definitely shows a chewy, almost raw quality of cherry fruit that will most likely disappear withdonn just two or three more years of cellar aging. Cola, spice, leather and smoke fill in the rear and the wine ends with crisp acidity. | Vigna Piaggia | 91 | 60 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Abbadia Ardenga 2008 Vigna Piaggia (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Abbadia Ardenga |
| 6845 | 6844 | Italy | Altesino is part of an elite group of vintners that really put Montalcino on the international wine map. Its 2008 Brunello shows some of the nervous acidity that is typical of the vintage, but it also delivers soft tones of cherry fruit, spice and chocolate that round off any sharp edges. | | 91 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Altesino 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Altesino |
| 6846 | 6845 | US | Penetrating notes of melon, stone fruit and white florals set apart this lavish Riesling from Anthony Road. Semisweet in style with honeyed fruit flavors, it's balanced by bracing lime acidity and crushed-stone minerality that extends the finish. | Martini Reinhardt Selection | 91 | 30 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Anthony Road 2009 Martini Reinhardt Selection Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Anthony Road |
| 6847 | 6846 | Argentina | Once again, this Malbec-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Norton excels. The nose is a bit grapy and candied, but there's depth and a level of intensity that bodes well for the future. The palate is deep and concentrated, with blackberry, prune, stewed plum, graphite and coffee flavors in front of a mellow, smooth finish. Drink now through 2016. | Privada | 91 | 23 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Norton 2010 Privada Red (Mendoza) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Bodega Norton |
| 6848 | 6847 | Italy | Here's a pretty Brunello that shows interesting complexity and bright aromas that really distinguish this wine from other 2008s. The aromas lean toward herbal and menthol tones, with accents of cola and black licorice. There's more fruit in the mouth, especially cherry, with crisp freshness too. | Molino della Suga | 91 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Bonacchi 2008 Molino della Suga (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Bonacchi |
| 6849 | 6848 | Italy | This selection offers balance and integrated aromas of spice, dark fruit, leather, tobacco, cola and rum cake. The wine shows power and heft both in terms of alcohol and consistency. Smoothly polished, fine tannins appear on the close. | | 91 | 55 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Castello Banfi 2008 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Castello Banfi |
| 6850 | 6849 | France | A very structured, firm wine with excellent acidity and dark, dry tannins. The alcohol does show through, but the wine is firm and very dense, a big success from this Lurton family owned property. | | 91 | 30 | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bouscaut 2010 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Bouscaut |
| 6851 | 6850 | France | A big, ripe and juicy wine packed with black fruit notes and laced with acidity. The tannins offer a contrast to the fruitiness, bringing balance and structure. This is an impressive wine, the smoky aftertaste bringing out the wood aging. | | 91 | 25 | Bordeaux | Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Manon la Lagune 2010 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Manon la Lagune |
| 6852 | 6851 | Italy | This Brunello Selezione epitomizes the clean, polished and easygoing style of the 2008 vintage. The wine shows a savory side with aromas of cured meat and dried herb, as well as a bold fruit side with plush cherry and blackberry. The acidity is high, but is also balanced out by its natural density and rich texture. | Selezione Madonna delle Grazie | 91 | 99 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Il Marroneto 2008 Selezione Madonna delle Grazie (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Il Marroneto |
| 6853 | 6852 | US | Awesomely rich and ripe in Meyer lemon tart, orange zest and golden mango flavors, with oak and lees nuances that make it complex and interesting. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, which gives the acidity the bite of a fresh green apple. | Oro de Plata | 91 | 33 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Keller Estate 2010 Oro de Plata Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Keller Estate |
| 6854 | 6853 | France | This bright elegant Champagne is from a family firm now run by three sisters. With its balance between acidity and ripe apple flavors, it is poised between bone dry and a richer Brut style. The wine is fruity although with a crisp mineral aftertaste. Drink now. | L'Universelle Brut | 89 | 65 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Baron Albert NV L'Universelle Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Baron Albert |
| 6855 | 6854 | Italy | Delicate scents evoking jasmine, citrus and exotic fruit mingle together on this creamy sparkler. On the off-dry palate, crisp acidity and persistent bubbles lift white peach, yellow pear and candied nectarine. | Miravel Extra Dry | 89 | 20 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bellenda 2016 Miravel Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Bellenda |
| 6856 | 6855 | Italy | Aromas of white flower, crushed rock and pear lift out of the glass. Dry and refreshing, the palate offers yellow apple, acacia and a hint of citrus alongside crisp acidity. | Grand Cuvée del Fondatore Motus Vitae Rive San Pietro di Barbozza Brut Nature | 89 | 26 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bortolomiol 2015 Grand Cuvée del Fondatore Motus Vitae Rive San Pietro di Barbozza Brut Nature (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Bortolomiol |
| 6857 | 6856 | Argentina | Spicy, slightly green aromas of plum and currant open this Cabernet Franc. The tight, solid palate is light in feel and not overextracted. Saucy, oaky flavors of berry fruits, spice and cocoa finish with a distinct flavor of oak. Drink through 2019. | Monteagrelo | 89 | 27 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bressia 2014 Monteagrelo Cabernet Franc (Mendoza) | Cabernet Franc | Bressia |
| 6858 | 6857 | US | This is a very summery bottling, with bright, fruity aromas recalling guava, peach, gardenia, pineapple and lemon-lime soda. That fruit salad aspect persists on the palate, but it's cut by a powerful burst of acidity, making it great for lakeside sipping. | Estate Grown | 89 | 22 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Buttonwood 2016 Estate Grown Grenache Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley) | Grenache Blanc | Buttonwood |
| 6859 | 6858 | Spain | A dark, roasted, smoky opening is the greeting on this burly Tempranillo from Zamora. Grabbing tannins pinch like squeaky rubbery, while this tastes of savory, roasted black fruits. A meaty, chewy, tannic finish is confirmation of overall toughness. Drink through 2021. | Venta Mazzaron | 89 | 18 | Northern Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viñas del Cenit 2014 Venta Mazzaron Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León) | Tempranillo | Viñas del Cenit |
| 6860 | 6859 | Italy | Green apple and honeysuckle aromas follow through to the fresh polished palate along with nectarine drop and white peach. Bright acidity lifts the rich flavors while a creamy mousse lends finesse. | Extra Dry | 89 | 19 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato NV Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato |
| 6861 | 6860 | France | This blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier is full bodied and rich. Red-berry aromas are followed on the palate with tangy apricot and strawberry fruitiness. It is a ripe wine, ready to drink. | Charles VII Grande Cuvée des Lys Blanc de Noirs Brut | 89 | 50 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Canard-Duchêne NV Charles VII Grande Cuvée des Lys Blanc de Noirs Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Canard-Duchêne |
| 6862 | 6861 | France | Tart red currant and red apple mingle with tangy citrus on nose and palate. Very frothy lively mousse fizzes across the palate, making it refreshing and appetizing. The citrus and tart red-fruit notes appear again on the clean dry finish, making it moreish and long. | Mayerling Brut Rosé | 89 | 40 | Alsace | Crémant d'Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Cave de Turckheim NV Mayerling Brut Rosé Sparkling (Crémant d'Alsace) | Sparkling Blend | Cave de Turckheim |
| 6863 | 6862 | France | The nose is rather shy and just hints at citrus freshness. The palate, however, fizzes with expressive lively lemon notes which are presented on a light, fruity, inherently fresh and dry body. This is easy and totally refreshing and finishes on a lovely lemon note. | Prestige Brut | 89 | 50 | Alsace | Crémant d'Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Cave du Roi Dagobert NV Prestige Brut Sparkling (Crémant d'Alsace) | Sparkling Blend | Cave du Roi Dagobert |
| 6864 | 6863 | Canada | Cab Franc makes a strong case for being top gun among this region's reds. This estate-grown example has been vinified for aromatics, elegance, balance and detail, and succeeds beautifully. Juicy boysenberry and blueberry fruit is buoyed with ample acidity. The flavors penetrate through a clean, crisp, lingering finish. Just 60 cases were exported to the U.S. | | 89 | 20 | Ontario | Niagara Escarpment | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cave Spring 2014 Cabernet Franc (Niagara Escarpment) | Cabernet Franc | Cave Spring |
| 6865 | 6864 | US | This savory, spicy wine is relatively light but offers a tasty combination of non-fruit flavors such as black pepper, beef broth and wood smoke. It's medium bodied, lightly tannic and quite complex for its moderate concentration. | | 89 | 38 | California | Contra Costa County | Central Coast | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Cinnabar 2014 Carignan (Contra Costa County) | Carignan | Cinnabar |
| 6866 | 6865 | Argentina | Citrus blossom and leesy vanilla notes open this balanced aromatic white from Argentina's north. Leesy tropcial-fruit flavors focus on lychee and lime. The wine is moderately long on a simple but solid finish. | Estate | 89 | 15 | Other | Salta | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Colomé 2016 Estate Torrontés (Salta) | Torrontés | Colomé |
| 6867 | 6866 | Germany | Candle wax and pollen notes lend a slightly earthy tone to fresh lemon and lime in this off-dry Riesling. Crisp and citrusy, it finishes briskly with bracing darts of lime zest and cocktail bitters. | Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett Feinherb | 89 | 19 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Dr. Leimbrock 2015 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett Feinherb Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. Leimbrock |
| 6868 | 6867 | France | From the Marne Valley, close to Epernay, this Champagne has had some good bottle aging. That has softened and broadened the crisp texture and minerality of this Chardonnay-based wine. It is full, rich and creamy, finishing with a fine burst of acidity. | Blanc de Blancs Brut | 89 | 95 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Emile Leclère NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Emile Leclère |
| 6869 | 6868 | Argentina | Coffee, beef stock, blackberry and graphite aromas require patience to process. A lively, ringing palate is jammy at its essence. Dark, toasty flavors of blackberry and blueberry are mildly green and herbal. It feels rubbery on a tannic finish. | Paisaje de Tupungato | 89 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Flichman 2015 Paisaje de Tupungato Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Finca Flichman |
| 6870 | 6869 | Austria | This naturally cloudy pét nat smells both of yeast and freshly cut russet-pear peel, giving an impression of full, ripe fruit. The palate has the same fresh pear notes as well as that textural element of peel. Bone dry, it comes with finest fizz and is utterly refreshing, if rustic. It would shine as a full-flavored picnic wine, with a lastingly dry finish. | Pet Nat Vol. 5 | 89 | 28 | Weinland Österreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Fuchs und Hase 2015 Pet Nat Vol. 5 Sparkling (Weinland Österreich) | Sparkling Blend | Fuchs und Hase |