| 70021 | 70020 | US | Has aromas of blackberries and plums, with an earthy note, and a medicinal streak. Flavors are fruity and it drinks dry, with an earthy roughness that time won't round out. Simple and pleasant. | | 83 | 10 | California | California | California Other | | | Forest Glen 1998 Merlot (California) | Merlot | Forest Glen |
| 70022 | 70021 | US | Has dense, heavy aromas of jasmine, cinnamon, rose petal, chocolate and citrus. Fruity and fairly sweet, with flavors of ripe peaches, nectarines and orange sherbet. Acidity is okay, but there's a heaviness, a thickness to the wine that makes it a bit awkward on the palate. | | 83 | 9 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | | | Hoodsport 1998 Gewürztraminer (Yakima Valley) | Gewürztraminer | Hoodsport |
| 70023 | 70022 | US | Citrus fruits and figs are backed with a healthy dose of acidity in this somewhat tart offering. | | 83 | 7 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Covey Run 1998 White (Columbia Valley (WA)) | White Blend | Covey Run |
| 70024 | 70023 | US | Herbaceousness marks this wine, which doesn't seem to be ripe enough. True, there are some pretty black-cherry and chocolate notes in the aroma that carry through in the mouth. But it drinks thin, although not rough, and there's a green chlorophyll note that no amount of aging will get rid of. | | 82 | 18 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Buttonwood Farm 1997 Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley) | Merlot | Buttonwood Farm |
| 70025 | 70024 | US | Has slight but clean wildflower and peach aromas, and drinks light but fruity, with apple and peach notes. Seems a little off-dry, but with adequate acidity. Nothing wrong with this low-priced, everyday-style wine. | Reserve | 82 | 7 | California | California | California Other | | | Glen Ellen 1998 Reserve Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Glen Ellen |
| 70026 | 70025 | US | A simple, everyday red that won't break the bank. The grapes tend to get a little baked this far inland, especially Merlot, which really needs just the right conditions to maintain delicacy and balance. As a result the dominant notes are earthy, with a slightly baked or raisiny quality. The tannins, needless to say, are soft, and the acidity is low. | | 82 | 9 | California | Dunnigan Hills | Central Valley | | | R.H. Phillips 1998 Merlot (Dunnigan Hills) | Merlot | R.H. Phillips |
| 70027 | 70026 | US | Opens with watery, citrusy aromas, and tastes of apples and grapefruits. Not much complexity or depth, but it's clean, with no flaws. On the soft side, and finishes with a little residual sugar. | | 82 | 11 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | | | Hoodsport 1998 Chardonnay (Yakima Valley) | Chardonnay | Hoodsport |
| 70028 | 70027 | US | The aromas are watery and very faint, suggestive of kiwi, lime and vanilla. Flavors are similarly very light. What the palate gives is alcohol, acidity and sugar, with just the barest trace of citrus. | | 81 | 9 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | | | Hoodsport 1998 Chenin Blanc (Yakima Valley) | Chenin Blanc | Hoodsport |
| 70030 | 70029 | US | Has indistinct watery aromas of lemons and buttercups. Fresh and clean, but the flavors are weak and washed out. There's adequate acidity and alcohol, but your palate really has to work to ferret out the lemony flavors. | | 81 | 9 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | | | Hoodsport 1998 Sémillon (Yakima Valley) | Sémillon | Hoodsport |
| 70029 | 70028 | US | If Monterey has a problem with Cabernet Sauvignon, the challenges for Merlot are even more formidable, as this tough, thin, earthy wine shows. These grapes just didn't get ripe enough. so the dominant notes are herbaceous and tannic. It also finishes watery. | Coastal Selection | 81 | 13 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Mirassou 1997 Coastal Selection Merlot (Monterey County) | Merlot | Mirassou |
| 70031 | 70030 | US | Complex aromas of cassis, dough, espresso, bacon, and cola create instant interest. It seduces with its rich dark fruit and earth flavors, and a concentrated, suave mouthfeel. Big flavors and tannins don't quit on the long, even finish. Profoundly enjoyable, seamless and shows impeccable balance. Keep for five to seven years; it will last a long time. | Reserve | 96 | 60 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Lewis 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Lewis |
| 70032 | 70031 | US | The lovely bouquet of blackberry jam, oak with mint, cedar, and black olives draws you in. Broad and rich on the palate, with ample but fine tannins. Great depth of dark-berry fruit, with coffee and cedar shadings. The explosive finish just keeps going as intriguing sweet-tart fruit and bitter chocolate notes please all the way out. Best to hold six to nine years. | | 95 | 125 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | | | Cardinale 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cardinale |
| 70033 | 70032 | US | Very solid and deep, with a bouquet of delicious black-currant and dark-cherry fruit and toasty, buttery oak. Very comfortable mouthfeel. Full, with layered fruit and a long and elegant finish that sports big but not sharp tannins. Tight now; hold for three to six years. | | 95 | 50 | California | Stags Leap District | Napa | | | Pine Ridge 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Pine Ridge |
| 70034 | 70033 | US | Forward aromas of ripe cherries and deep vanillin oak meld nicely. Black plum, sweet cherry and coffee flavors, with cedar accents. The very full, supple mouthfeel is captivating. Shows fine length, spicy dry tannins and the stuffing to last. Hold four or more years, as it will keep for ages. | The Poet | 94 | 65 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | M. Cosentino 1997 The Poet Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | M. Cosentino |
| 70035 | 70034 | US | Made at a somewhat approachable price point, this blend of coastal vineyard sites holds back on fruit and texture. It provides a tightly closed and still youthful touch of savory herb and tea, finishing lean. | | 87 | 32 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Zepaltas 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Zepaltas |
| 70036 | 70035 | US | This lightly reductive wine has aromas of white peach, honeysuckle and the underside of a pineapple. It drinks medium sweet with tangerine flavors on the finish. | | 86 | 19 | Idaho | | | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Huston 2013 Riesling | Riesling | Huston |
| 70037 | 70036 | Italy | Dense and one-dimensional, this opens with faint aromas of raisin, leather and a whiff of spice. The evolved palate offers stewed plum, a green note of unripe cherry, powdered sage and a hint of licorice. Raspy tannins create an abrupt, astringent finish. | | 86 | 40 | Tuscany | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Il Cavalierino 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | Red Blend | Il Cavalierino |
| 70038 | 70037 | US | Syrupy red cherry, hibiscus and fruit-punch aromas show on the nose of this good-deal wine, along with touches of graphite and crushed potpourri. It's broad and a touch ripe on the palate, with pomegranate and marjoram notes. | | 86 | 17 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir (Central Coast) | Pinot Noir | Edna Valley Vineyard |
| 70039 | 70038 | Spain | A floral red-fruit nose opens this juicy yet basic Tempranillo. Raw edginess on the palate comes with candied plum and raspberry flavors, while this finishes fresh, with a modest salty note. | | 86 | 9 | Central Spain | La Mancha | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | El Cortijillo 2014 Tempranillo (La Mancha) | Tempranillo | El Cortijillo |
| 70040 | 70039 | Italy | Straightforward and easy drinking, this opens with aromas of violet, ripe berry and a whiff of menthol. On the palate, notes of star anise and dried sage lightly accent dried black cherry. | | 86 | | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Fattoria Montecchio 2012 Chianti Classico | Red Blend | Fattoria Montecchio |
| 70041 | 70040 | US | Chocolate-covered cherry and plum surround a shock of stark acidity on this wine that has a round and soft palate. On the finish, a touch of astringency flirts with cedar. | Broken Rock Vineyard | 86 | 82 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Foundry 2012 Broken Rock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Foundry |
| 70042 | 70041 | Spain | Light, almost neutral aromas are like stream water touched up with lime. This is basic on the palate, but easy to process. Flavors of papaya and melon are a bit leesy, while this Treixadura-Torrontés blend is short on the finish. | | 86 | 12 | Galicia | Ribeiro | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Campante 2014 White (Ribeiro) | White Blend | Bodegas Campante |
| 70043 | 70042 | Romania | This slightly sweet Moscato has aromas of fresh cut pineapple, magnolia, peaches, honeysuckle and dried anise seed. The palate gets lychee and apricot. | Dreambird | 86 | 7 | Viile Timisului | | | Jeff Jenssen | @worldwineguys | Cramele Recas 2014 Dreambird Moscato (Viile Timisului) | Moscato | Cramele Recas |
| 70044 | 70043 | US | Lighter in color, this wine packs fruit punch, cola and ripe cranberry into the nose. Flavors mix juicy strawberries with Earl Grey tea, marjoram and orange rind elements. | Small Lot Reserve | 86 | 16 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Irony 2013 Small Lot Reserve Pinot Noir (Monterey) | Pinot Noir | Irony |
| 70045 | 70044 | US | An extreme ripeness in aroma and flavor pumps this wine up to nearly the point of bursting. It is bold, super fruity, full bodied and concentrated. | | 86 | 16 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Lander-Jenkins 2012 Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | Lander-Jenkins |
| 70046 | 70045 | Spain | Cherry and blueberry aromas are floral at first, then a touch grassy after airing. This feels full and bouncy, while salty plum and berry flavors are limited but fine. This holds form on the finish. | | 86 | 10 | Northern Spain | Campo de Borja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Legado del Moncayo 2014 Garnacha (Campo de Borja) | Garnacha | Legado del Moncayo |
| 70047 | 70046 | US | This smoothly round and full-bodied wine offers a taste of the tropics, combining pineapple, payapa and coconut in tone and flavor. The oak (only 20% of it new) is pronounced, though on the way to integration, . | Reserve | 86 | 40 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Levendi 2013 Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Levendi |
| 70048 | 70047 | US | The aroma is very ripe, almost like a Port wine. Flavors are deep and ripe, with a twinge of dried fruit, and the texture is appropriately firm and tannic. It's a bold, hearty and full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend. | La Boheme Estate Reserve | 86 | 46 | California | Sierra Foothills | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Naggiar 2012 La Boheme Estate Reserve Red (Sierra Foothills) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Naggiar |
| 70049 | 70048 | France | This rounded wine is still tight and closed. The texture shows strongly at the moment, but will soften to bring out the crisp fruits and perfumed acidity. A rustic edge needs to blow away as the wine matures. Drink from 2017. | Cuvée Silex | 86 | 30 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Philippe Girard 2014 Cuvée Silex (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Philippe Girard |
| 70050 | 70049 | US | Somewhat muted, this estate-grown wine is most exuberant in pine and dusty cherry. Full bodied and robust on the palate, it retains a grip of tannin from start to finish. | Estate Grown Reserve | 86 | 40 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Balverne 2013 Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Balverne |