| 69001 | 69000 | Italy | Greppicante (a hearty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) shows dark berry fruit, chocolate and toasted almond. Subtle oak spice adds softness to the overall picture and the wine's natural concentration and richness help fuel a long, luscious finish. | Greppicante | 91 | 28 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | I Greppi 2009 Greppicante (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | I Greppi |
| 69002 | 69001 | US | Far and away the best of the newly released single vineyard red wines from Mercer Estates, this tightly wound Petit Verdot sports firm plum and cassis fruit, wreathed in smoky earth, black tea, licorice and dark chocolate. Delicious now, or cellar it for a few extra years. | Spice Cabinet Vineyard | 91 | 33 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Mercer 2008 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Petit Verdot (Horse Heaven Hills) | Petit Verdot | Mercer |
| 69003 | 69002 | Italy | Avvoltore offers a soft, supple texture and bright, round fruit. It's a perfect starting point for those who may want to learn more about the many wines of Maremma. | Avvoltore | 91 | | Tuscany | Maremma | | | | Morisfarms 2007 Avvoltore (Maremma) | Red Blend | Morisfarms |
| 69004 | 69003 | US | A blend of 81% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. An unusually tight Pedestal, this absolutely must be decanted. It opens well, with black fruits, toasted grain, and firm tannins, then hits a wall and stops short. However, with a lot of breathing time and/or aerating, it broadens out a bit and shows more length and finesse. | | 91 | 55 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Pedestal 2008 Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Pedestal |
| 69005 | 69004 | Portugal | Perfumed wine, with plum fruits, toast and a sweet, rich texture. It is dense, deep flavored, the fruit and tannins going right into the firm structure. Give this concentrated, bold wine at least 4–5 years. | Quinta dos Aciprestes Reserva | 91 | 20 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Real Companhia Velha 2008 Quinta dos Aciprestes Reserva Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Real Companhia Velha |
| 69006 | 69005 | US | Angel Vine sources excellent fruit, and makes what is arguably the most hedonistic, California-style Zinfandel in the Northwest. Here blended with 13% Primitivo, the sweet and liquorous berry fruit flavors are deep and luxurious. Buttressed with juicy natural acidity, this wine does not show its 14.8% alcohol. | | 91 | 19 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Angel Vine 2009 Zinfandel (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Zinfandel | Angel Vine |
| 69007 | 69006 | US | The best value among all of Bergevin Lane's 2008 Syrahs, this rich and smoky effort spent 20 months in oak. Sourced from Stone Tree and Francisca's vineyards, it has tight, ripe berry flavors and beautifully manicured tannins. | She-Devil | 91 | 22 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bergevin Lane 2008 She-Devil Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Bergevin Lane |
| 69008 | 69007 | France | A gorgeous Corbières with beautiful expression of the terroir thanks to prominent notes of wild berries and animal laced with accents of garrigue herbs and spice. A hint of cocoa dusts the firmly structured mouth, the palate brimming with flavors of boysenberry and mulberry. Tobacco leaf and licorice root remain on the close. | La Pompadour | 91 | 18 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Corbières | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Castelmaure 2008 La Pompadour Red (Corbières) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Castelmaure |
| 69026 | 69025 | Chile | A very tight and meaty wine, with lots of vitality and plenty of rich liqueur-like characteristics. The juicy palate burst with cassis and black cherry, while the finish is equally full force. Clearly Pablo Morandé has found something by mixing Syrah and Cabernet. | Edición Limitada - 22 Barricas | 89 | 18 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Morandé 2001 Edición Limitada - 22 Barricas Syrah-Cabernet (Maipo Valley) | Syrah-Cabernet | Morandé |
| 69009 | 69008 | France | A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine proves that not all Pays d'Oc are created equal. So deep and complex, you can discover a new aroma or flavor with each smell or sip. The fruit-forward core of dark black fruit is graced with accents of rosemary, violets and thyme, while the finish offers a rich, toasted oak character and spice that lingers masterfully. | Cigalus | 91 | 50 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Gérard Bertrand 2009 Cigalus Red (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Gérard Bertrand |
| 69010 | 69009 | US | The winery calls this brand new bottling a declassification of the estate Chardonnay, by barrel elimination. It's not quite as dramatic as their '09 estate, but, at half the price, it's a great buy. Dry, crisp and minerally, with citrus, pear and tropical fruit flavors, it's an elegant, Chablis-style Chard to drink now. | Sebella | 91 | 36 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Hanzell 2009 Sebella Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley) | Chardonnay | Hanzell |
| 69011 | 69010 | Spain | This wine pushes the envelope on concentration and ripeness. It's full of prune, raisin and licorice on the nose, but also a lot of weight. It's quite jammy and soft by Priorat standards, as intense blackberry and molten fudge flavors take over. Chewy, warm and ready to drink. | | 91 | 95 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vall Llach 2007 Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Vall Llach |
| 69027 | 69026 | Italy | Pieropan's La Rocca distinguishes itself from the Calvarino bottling by firmer structure and greater ageability. Tasted in spring 2003, this effort still has plenty of life left. Mimics Sauvignon a little in its gooseberry and red-currant flavors and grapefruity acidity. | La Rocca | 89 | 30 | Veneto | Soave Classico Superiore | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Pieropan 2000 La Rocca (Soave Classico Superiore) | White Blend | Pieropan |
| 69012 | 69011 | France | Rich and structured wine, this is full of opulent black fruits, sweet tannins and an immediately attractive smooth and juicy character. The wine has obvious weight and concentration. Ready to drink in the next 3–4 years. | | 91 | 59 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vieux Château Chauvin 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Vieux Château Chauvin |
| 69013 | 69012 | US | Intensely ripe, jammy raspberry and cherry fruit marks this impressive young Pinot Noir. It shows Williams Selyem's impeccable balance and elegance, but is a little soft and direct, lacking nuance. Could do interesting things in the bottle down the years, but seems best now and through 2014. | Olivet Lane Vineyard | 91 | 75 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Williams Selyem 2009 Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Williams Selyem |
| 69028 | 69027 | Italy | A blend of Pinot Grigio with a small percentage of Pinot Bianco that was aged in wood. The result is a full wine with aromas of white flowers, opulent and spicy on the palate, and leaving crisp acidity in the mouth. | Cornell | 89 | 24 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Produttori Colterenzio 2001 Cornell Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige) | Pinot Grigio | Produttori Colterenzio |
| 69029 | 69028 | Italy | From the Prail region of Alto Adige, this stunning, intense Sauvignon is full of grassy, herbaceous flavors. It is still young, needing time to lose its grapefruit character and ripen into a fine, aromatic wine. | Praedium | 89 | 19 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Produttori Colterenzio 2002 Praedium Sauvignon Blanc (Alto Adige) | Sauvignon Blanc | Produttori Colterenzio |
| 69030 | 69029 | Italy | This blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% of the Soave grape Garganega is aged in French oak for 10 months. The result is rich, spicy and toasty, with soft vanilla flavors and concentrated green plum and almond flavors from the fruit. | Le Lave | 89 | 23 | Northeastern Italy | Delle Venezie | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bertani 2001 Le Lave White (Delle Venezie) | White Blend | Bertani |
| 69014 | 69013 | Italy | This is an elegant and feminine Chianti Classico, with red cherry, and white almond, and delicate shadings of granite and ash. It's smooth and silky in the mouth; shows a very clean and attractive side of Sangiovese. | Coltassala | 91 | | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | | | Volpaia 2008 Coltassala (Chianti Classico) | Sangiovese | Volpaia |
| 69015 | 69014 | Portugal | Dark-colored wine, a blend of Baga and Touriga Nacional, both of which lend their tannins to this still-young wine. It is dense with a firm, dry presence. The fruit is textured, structured, focused on weight and aging potential. | | 91 | 20 | Beiras | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Foz de Arouce 2008 Red (Beiras) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de Foz de Arouce |
| 69016 | 69015 | Portugal | Exhibiting all the richness of the 2009 vintage, this is a serious, concentrated wine. The red fruits are deliciously juicy as well as layered with firm tannins. Ripe fruit is just waiting to burst out, but wait for two years. | La Rosa | 91 | | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de la Rosa 2009 La Rosa Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de la Rosa |
| 69017 | 69016 | Portugal | A wood-aged Chardonnay from mountain vineyards above the Douro. The wine has spice, yellow fruits and a strong toast character. Acidity is there to add some freshness to the concentrated, rounded taste. | Quinta de Cidrô Reserva | 91 | 25 | Duriense | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Real Companhia Velha 2009 Quinta de Cidrô Reserva Chardonnay (Duriense) | Chardonnay | Real Companhia Velha |
| 69018 | 69017 | US | Superripe in raspberries and cherries, with a strong coating of sweet, smoky oak, this Pinot Noir is a little lacking in subtlety. But it has excellent acidity, minerality and even some firm tannins, and that structure gives it elegance. A bit brusque now, but will be fascinating to watch it develop over the next six years. | Le Bon Climat Vineyard | 91 | 40 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Storm 2008 Le Bon Climat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Storm |
| 69019 | 69018 | Australia | Only slightly less rich than its Beast counterpart, the 2007 Beauty is a full-bodied wine nonetheless. Notes of blackberries, dark chocolate and espresso are framed by supple tannins and end with mouthwatering acidity. Drink now–2017. | The Beauty | 91 | 50 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Hentley Farm 2007 The Beauty Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Shiraz | Hentley Farm |
| 69020 | 69019 | France | With 15 months in French oak, this blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache starts off rich and lavish, as creamy mocha notes infuse the deep plum, blueberry and black cherry fruit core. Iris florals add lightness to the otherwise dark and concentrated mouth, as the crushed velvet texture transitions into a long finish loaded with roasted espresso and toasted fennel seed flavors. Drink now–2015. | Clot de l'Amandier La Clape | 91 | 63 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Coteaux du Languedoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Mas du Soleilla 2008 Clot de l'Amandier La Clape Red (Coteaux du Languedoc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mas du Soleilla |
| 69021 | 69020 | US | A very nice Cabernet from a winery that's done a good job with this vineyard bottling for many years. The wine is smooth as velvet, with soft, lush tannins and opulent blackberry, currant, dark chocolate and cedar flavors. It should develop in the bottle over the next 6–8 years. | Blue Tooth Vineyard | 91 | 40 | California | Oak Knoll District | Napa | | | Cenay 2009 Blue Tooth Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Oak Knoll District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cenay |
| 69022 | 69021 | France | A densely tannic wine that is showing fine aging potential. It is well endowed with weight, acidity and ripe black currant fruits. With the rich fruit that opens slowly in the mouth, it has a fine combination of sweetness and structure. Age for 5–6 years. | | 91 | 80 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut Breton Larigaudière 2009 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut Breton Larigaudière |
| 69023 | 69022 | France | Soft and juicy wine, all blackberry fruit and attractive acidity. There is a smoky wood edge just to add extra interest, while tannins are light and sweet. | | 91 | 34 | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lynch-Moussas 2009 Pauillac | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Lynch-Moussas |
| 69024 | 69023 | Italy | Scents of honey, pear and cinnamon waft from the glass; the flavors are of baked pears and apples, but never turn too soft or blowsy. Warming on the finish, with lots of dried spices and toast. | Capitello | 89 | 27 | Northeastern Italy | Friuli | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Tenuta Sant'Antonio 1998 Capitello Chardonnay (Friuli) | Chardonnay | Tenuta Sant'Antonio |
| 69025 | 69024 | Chile | Passion fruit, tangerine and fresh asparagus aromas are typical of this wine, which has been setting the pace for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc since its inception several years ago. The palate is snappy and busting loose with just-ripe banana and melon, while the finish is textured and long. | Block 30 Terrunyo | 89 | 20 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Concha y Toro 2002 Block 30 Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Concha y Toro |