| 7021 | 7020 | France | This ripe, sweet-fruited wine is soft and quite mature. Red fruits have developed into a smooth and round texture with a delicate mushroom character. Drink now. | Jubiléé | 89 | 54 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Hugel 2009 Jubiléé Pinot Noir (Alsace) | Pinot Noir | Hugel |
| 7022 | 7021 | France | Profound enough for serious contemplation but with enough broad fruit appeal to serve to a crowd. There's loads of upfront Asian spice and lychee, afloat on a luxurious, sensually textured palate. Notes of geranium and macadamia nuts keep the taste buds entertained and carry over to the lingering finish. The noticeable residual sugar suggests pairing with something slightly sweet, like Tilapia in a mango salsa. Drink now to 2011. | Wintzheim | 92 | 48 | Alsace | Alsace | | | | Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2007 Wintzheim Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Domaine Zind-Humbrecht |
| 7023 | 7022 | US | Hobo's Zins are almost always among the most balanced and elegant out there, while preserving the variety's spicy, briary personality. This lovely single-vineyard bottling is dry and refined, showing complex flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and spices. Drink now. | Treborce Vineyard | 92 | 30 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Hobo 2008 Treborce Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Hobo |
| 7024 | 7023 | Italy | This Millesimato sparkling blend of Pinot Nero and oak-aged Chardonnay delivers a generous and creamy mouthfeel followed by refined aromas of dried fruit and baked bread. This is a beautiful wine to serve with tempura appetizers. | Millesimato Brut | 92 | 52 | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | La Montina 2005 Millesimato Brut Sparkling (Franciacorta) | Sparkling Blend | La Montina |
| 7025 | 7024 | Italy | You can taste the age here in the wine's sophisticated and evolved aromas of butterscotch, caramel, dried fruit and pressed flower petal. In fact, this wine comes from the far away 2000 vintage but has beautifully maintained its fruit characteristics and overall crispness. | Zerum Riserva Dosaggio Zero | 92 | 95 | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | La Valle 2000 Zerum Riserva Dosaggio Zero Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | La Valle |
| 7026 | 7025 | New Zealand | My favorite of Grant Taylor's 2008s, the Bannockburn bottling displays elegant lacings of vanilla and cinnamon over black cherries, then adds subtle meaty and herbal nuances. It's medium bodied and supple in texture, with a long, silky finish. Drink now–2015. | Bannockburn Vineyard | 92 | 55 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Valli 2008 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir (Central Otago) | Pinot Noir | Valli |
| 7027 | 7026 | US | A lovely wine that makes the case for bottling Cab Franc on its own. Shows beautifully ripe, fine Napa tannins with complex flavors of red cherries, red currants, licorice, cola and cedar. Think of it as a Cabernet Sauvignon that's lighter in body and more elegant. | Estate Bottled | 92 | 45 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | William Harrison 2006 Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc (Rutherford) | Cabernet Franc | William Harrison |
| 7028 | 7027 | US | At the age of four-plus years, this Cab still tastes young and fresh, as though it were bottled yesterday. Brims with ripe blackberries, cherries, cocoa and cedar, with a nice cut of acidity and ultrarefined tannins. Not quite ready for prime time, so give it 3–5 years to mellow. | | 92 | 70 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Brion 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Brion |
| 7029 | 7028 | New Zealand | The bulkiness that characterized earlier vintages of this Merlot-based blend has been tamed in this vintage, and the 2007 is a remarkably harmonious, elegant blend of ripe cherries, dried spices, chocolate and cedar. Supple tannins fade gracefully on the finish. Drink now–2018. | Sophia Gimblett Gravels | 92 | 50 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Craggy Range 2007 Sophia Gimblett Gravels Red (Hawke's Bay) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Craggy Range |
| 7030 | 7029 | US | Peju's regular Cab Franc, released a year ago, was immediately drinkable. This reserve, with a tiny case production, is denser and more tannic, but shows the same charm. It's a fat, fleshy wine, with luscious black cherry tart, cola and caramelized oak flavors. Fine now, and should develop for 5–7 years. | Reserve Estate Bottled | 92 | 95 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Peju 2006 Reserve Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc (Rutherford) | Cabernet Franc | Peju |
| 7031 | 7030 | US | Harrison's Cabernet is a bit hard in youth, marked by strong tannins that make for an astringent mouthfeel. It's also somewhat linear in varietal flavor, with ripe black currants and blackberries and a certain minerality. Not drinkable now, but all indications are for a good future. Better after 2012. | Estate Bottled | 92 | 50 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | William Harrison 2006 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | William Harrison |
| 7032 | 7031 | US | A big, bold and beautiful Cabernet. Will appeal to those who like the California style, although Bordeauxphiles will find it too ripe and fruity. Brims with blackberries, black cherries, currants, licorice and sweet toasted oak, wrapped into firm, mountain tannins. Now–2014. | | 92 | 65 | California | Spring Mountain District | Napa | | | Barnett 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Barnett |
| 7033 | 7032 | Italy | There are impressive aromas here of stone and passion fruits, dried herbs and thick, nutty overtones at the back. The acidity is refreshing and cool but the wine also boasts solid, firm structure. Try this sparkler with smoked salmon canapés. | Gran Cuvée Satèn | 92 | | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | Bellavista NV Gran Cuvée Satèn Chardonnay (Franciacorta) | Chardonnay | Bellavista |
| 7034 | 7033 | US | The private project of veteran winemaker Robert Brittan, the limited-production wines under his own label are treasures. This is his inaugural release. Both fruit ripeness and meaty depth are here in abundance, with a complex mix of tree fruits and stone fruits, streaks of earth and a fine layering of chocolate. This is a wine you excavate as much as drink; it's full of surprises. | Basalt Block | 92 | 45 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Brittan Vineyards 2006 Basalt Block Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Brittan Vineyards |
| 7035 | 7034 | France | This is powerful, a fine expression of the richness of 2005. Dense and dusty tannins fit in the structure of ripe, black plums and currants. It has just the right amount of acidity to keep fresh among all this richness. | | 92 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Coutet 2005 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Coutet |
| 7036 | 7035 | Spain | Teso la Monja is the new Toro winery from the Eguren family of Rioja fame (former owners of Numanthia-Termes in Toro), and it's proof that no beat has been missed since they sold out to Moët Hennessy. Expect dark, intense black fruit aromas and flavors mixed with heat, tannin, cola and spice. Some oak creeps out on the finish, but overall this is a lovely, bullish Toro. Drink now through 2014. | Almirez | 92 | 22 | Northern Spain | Toro | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Teso La Monja 2007 Almirez (Toro) | Tinta de Toro | Teso La Monja |
| 7037 | 7036 | New Zealand | Lifted cherry and floral aromatics carry with them a hint of barrel char in this medium-bodied, elegantly styled blend of 51% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec. It's admirably supple and harmonious from start to finish. Drink now–2015. | The Gimblett | 92 | | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Trinity Hill 2007 The Gimblett Red (Hawke's Bay) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Trinity Hill |
| 7038 | 7037 | US | Doesn't have quite the sheer ravishing power of the winery's Trace Ridge Cabernet, but this Cab-based Bordeaux blend is nuanced and possibly more complex and Bordeaux-like. The flavors are of currants, blackberries, cherries, anise and cedar, aged in 78% new French oak. Give it until 2011 to mellow. | Highlands Estates Trace Ridge | 92 | 75 | California | Knights Valley | Sonoma | | | Kendall-Jackson 2007 Highlands Estates Trace Ridge Red (Knights Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Kendall-Jackson |
| 7039 | 7038 | US | New oak dominates this young wine, with vanilla-accented buttered toast and smoky aromas. Underneath the wood are strong, complex flavors of raspberries, cherries, licorice, cola and Asian spices. With fine tannins and acidity, it seems to be a natural for the cellar. Hold until after 2011. | Flax Vineyard | 92 | 54 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Merry Edwards 2007 Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Merry Edwards |
| 7040 | 7039 | US | This is a late-harvest dessert wine blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. It's very rich and very sweet and very easy to like. Backed up with firm acidity, it shows extraordinarily ripe flavors of pineapples, apricots, oranges, honey, crème brûlée, vanilla bean, buttered toast and cinnamon spices. | Botricelli | 92 | 40 | California | California | California Other | | | Miraflores 2006 Botricelli Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc (California) | Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc | Miraflores |
| 7041 | 7040 | US | A beautiful Zin, dry and spicy. Shows lush, intricate flavors of blackberries, black raspberries, anise, pepper, cola and cedar. A very fine interpretation of a dusty Sonoma Zinfandel. | Branham Rockpile Vineyard | 92 | 30 | California | Rockpile | Sonoma | | | Hobo 2008 Branham Rockpile Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile) | Zinfandel | Hobo |
| 7042 | 7041 | US | Still quite young, but showing real depth and layering, the McCrone vineyard designate offers pomegranate and raspberry fruit, dusted with baking spices, and finished with a tasty vein of mocha. This is a wine to enjoy in the full bloom of its youth. | McCrone Vineyard | 92 | 50 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ken Wright 2008 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | Ken Wright |
| 7043 | 7042 | Germany | Truly stunning, this white starts out with subtle talcum powder and gravel notes, then adds intense perfume and peaches in the mouth. There's a finely tuned balance and good length. Exceptional harmony and intensity suggest it will improve for 15 years or more. | Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese | 92 | 30 | Mosel | | | | | Markus Molitor 2008 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Markus Molitor |
| 7044 | 7043 | France | This soft, tank-aged wine has attractive apple fruits, a touch of citrus and crisp acidity. Light and fruity, it is ready to drink. | | 84 | 12 | Loire Valley | Val de Loire | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bernier 2014 Chardonnay (Val de Loire) | Chardonnay | Bernier |
| 7045 | 7044 | Portugal | With a light prickle on the tongue, this is a fresh and fruity wine that has sweetness balanced by a citric edge. It's crisp and ready to drink. | Casal da Seara | 84 | 6 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Campelo 2014 Casal da Seara White (Vinho Verde) | Portuguese White | Campelo |
| 7046 | 7045 | Portugal | Made to be drunk young, this is a fruity red berry flavored wine. It has a bright crisp edge to its fruit as well as light tannins and acidity. It is quite ready to drink. | Vinea Tinto | 84 | 7 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Cartuxa 2014 Vinea Tinto Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Cartuxa |
| 7047 | 7046 | Argentina | Closed aromas of red fruits, wet cement and green herbs precede a flat fairly tannic palate. Grinding cherry and plum flavors finish with hard tannins and midland rubbery red-fruit flavors. | | 84 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ricordi 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Ricordi |
| 7048 | 7047 | Argentina | Earthy stalky leathery aromas suggest modest ripeness. This feels medium in weight, while short salty flavors of plum and raspberry are herbal and arguably a touch weedy. This feels a little hot on the finish. | | 84 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Septima 2014 Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Septima |
| 7049 | 7048 | US | This wine is somewhat diluted and one-dimensional. It makes a straightforward attempt at bringing a richness of apple and anise to the fore around neutral oak dynamics before finishing ripe and full. | | 84 | 18 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Mossback 2014 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Mossback |
| 7050 | 7049 | Portugal | A sweet rosé that is light and fresh from the crisp raspberry acidity. It is bright and fruity, ready to drink. | Lagar | 84 | 12 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quintas de Melgaço 2014 Lagar Rosé (Vinho Verde) | Rosé | Quintas de Melgaço |