7111 | 7110 | US | Pale in color, this wine offers appealing, very varietal aromas of strawberry, cherry, sarsaparilla and coffee. It's quite elegant in style with strawberry and cinnamon flavors that show persistence. | | 87 | 16 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Primarius 2013 Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Primarius |
7112 | 7111 | US | This one-barrel bottling is quite intriguing, offering unexpected aromas and flavors. An element of crunched grapeseeds and unfermented wine grapes mixes with licorice, olive and pepper on the nose. A similar sense pervades the palate, along with light coffee and brown tea flavors. It's slightly odd, but also an interesting change of pace. | 1/1 | 87 | 125 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Sanguis 2012 1/1 Syrah (Central Coast) | Syrah | Sanguis |
7113 | 7112 | US | Reserved aromatically, this wine from the longtime Santa Barbara producer shows bits of plum, hibiscus and graphite on the nose. The palate is surprisingly lush and punchy, with plum and other dark purple-fruit flavors as well as licorice. | | 87 | 17 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Santa Barbara Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Santa Barbara Winery |
7114 | 7113 | US | A 100% varietal Pinot, this wine has a faint bouquet of ripe black cherry and blackberry, exuding full flavor and body. Smooth, the oak is low impact, providing extra weight and sustenance while remaining balanced with the fruit. | | 87 | 22 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Siduri 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) | Pinot Noir | Siduri |
7115 | 7114 | South Africa | Clean, attractive aromas of fynbos and orange blossom add character to the fresh citrus and white melon core. The palate is light and vibrant, with pleasantly refreshing acidity and a subtly spiced pear-flavored finish. Enjoy now. | Sunbird | 87 | 18 | Western Cape | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Simonsig 2014 Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape) | Sauvignon Blanc | Simonsig |
7116 | 7115 | US | A light, refreshing version of the variety from the heart of the Russian River, this traffics in medium-bodied peach and lime, ending with a sweetness of acidity. | Winemaker's Release | 87 | 25 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Sonoma-Cutrer 2014 Winemaker's Release Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Sonoma-Cutrer |
7117 | 7116 | Italy | Peach and passion fruit aromas lead the way on this sparkler. The frothy palate shows tropical fruit, Granny Smith apple and kiwi alongside racy acidity and brisk, medium-sized bubbles that lend a fun vibe. | Villa Luigia Extra Dry | 87 | | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Il Follo 2014 Villa Luigia Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Il Follo |
7118 | 7117 | France | Billed as Extra Brut, the wine in fact tastes closer to the sweeter Brut because there is so much attractive apple and crisp pear fruitiness. The aftertaste is balanced, soft and creamy. | Extra Brut | 87 | 40 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jacquart NV Extra Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Jacquart |
7119 | 7118 | Italy | This opens with aromas of spring flowers, tropical fruit and a whiff of peach. The vibrant palate delivers creamy Granny Smith apple, underripe pear and a citrus note alongside bright acidity and a creamy mousse. | Extra Dry | 87 | 18 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | La Gioiosa NV Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | La Gioiosa |
7120 | 7119 | Italy | This opens with floral aromas of jasmine, wisteria and a whiff of exotic fruit. The off-dry palate doles out white peach, pineapple, Granny Smith apple and candied citrus zest, accompanied by a frothy mousse and bright acidity. | Cuvée Oris | 87 | 22 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Villa Sandi NV Cuvée Oris (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Villa Sandi |
7121 | 7120 | Spain | A grapy, meaty, feral nose is wild, floral and herbal as a whole. This blend of Tempranillo and other Rioja varieties is tannic along its walls. Saucy, grapy, salty flavors are powerful, while the finish is tannic, voluminous and once again grapy like the nose and palate. | Colección Vivanco 4 Varietales Tempranillo-Graciano-Garnacha-Mazuelo | 87 | 75 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vivanco 2012 Colección Vivanco 4 Varietales Tempranillo-Graciano-Garnacha-Mazuelo (Rioja) | Red Blend | Vivanco |
7122 | 7121 | France | Tannins form a dark barrier to start this wine. It is still young, dense with chocolate as well as fruit flavors, showing the bitter, tough flavors that come from too much extraction. The fruit will hopefully come through and soften the tannins and bring out the richness. Drink from 2018. | Les Michelons | 87 | 25 | Beaujolais | Moulin-à-Vent | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Yohan Lardy 2014 Les Michelons (Moulin-à-Vent) | Gamay | Yohan Lardy |
7123 | 7122 | Italy | Pear and peach aromas lead the nose while the brisk palate offers lemon, lime, grapefruit and a mineral note. Zesty acidity and vigorous, persistent bubbles provide the racy framework. | Viti di San Mor Brut | 87 | | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Zardetto 2014 Viti di San Mor Brut (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Zardetto |
7124 | 7123 | US | One of the more reliable, affordably priced Rhône blends in the state, this mix of 43% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 8% Counoise offers slightly shy aromas of black and red licorice, red currant and cinnamon candy, tucked behind a layer of slate. The palate is more simplistic, with purple fruits most prevalent. | Cuvee Le Bac | 87 | 25 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Beckmen 2012 Cuvee Le Bac Red (Santa Ynez Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Beckmen |
7125 | 7124 | Spain | Mild applesauce aromas are reticent but clean. This feels fresh, stony, acidic and narrow on the palate. Briny, citrusy flavors are more generic than particular, while the finish tastes like briny citrus, with an aftertaste of salty tang. | | 87 | 17 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Landaluce 2014 White (Rioja) | White Blend | Bodegas Landaluce |
7139 | 7138 | US | Rich, ripe and tropical, this calls to mind bananas soaked in cream. Round and lightly spicy, it's a forward, fruit-driven wine with a veneer of spice and toast, but enough acid to keep it lively. | | 88 | 18 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | King Estate 2010 Chardonnay (Oregon) | Chardonnay | King Estate |
7126 | 7125 | Canada | This wine plays out broadly across the palate, showing tart berries and espresso components, along with a whiff of asparagus. The fruit is somewhat thin and front-loaded, with barrel flavors of toast and cigar box masking some—not all—of the herbaceousness. | | 87 | 49 | British Columbia | Okanagan Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Burrowing Owl 2011 Meritage (Okanagan Valley) | Meritage | Burrowing Owl |
7127 | 7126 | Argentina | Peach, pear, melon and vanilla aromas come with an aromatic sensation of wet rocks. Light and lifted on the palate, with honeydew, pear, lemon and stony flavors, this finishes fresh, clean and lightly powdery, with echoes of apple and pear. | Piedra Negra Alta Colección | 87 | 12 | Mendoza Province | Valle de Uco | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | François Lurton 2015 Piedra Negra Alta Colección Pinot Gris (Valle de Uco) | Pinot Gris | François Lurton |
7140 | 7139 | Portugal | In the hands of master blender Dirk Niepoort, even a straight tawny style has depth of flavor and intensity. The wine has red fruit, layered with concentrated acidity, a hint of wood aging, and remains fresh and fruity. | Tawny | 88 | 19 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Niepoort NV Tawny (Port) | Port | Niepoort |
7128 | 7127 | US | Lemon custard, ripe Gala apples and a seemingly sweet candy element show on the nose of this wine from a family-owned producer. Bright energy and ripe apple characterize the palate, along with green pear skins and stonefruit. | Family Reserve | 87 | 26 | California | Carmel Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Joullian 2014 Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Carmel Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Joullian |
7129 | 7128 | US | Strawberry fruit is mixed in with fresh, pungent herbs—a mix that nicely expresses the Chehalem Mountains terroir. Fruity, full and forward, this ripe and pleasing wine is balanced just right for near-term enjoyment. | Hawks View Vineyard | 88 | 55 | Oregon | Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Torii Mor 2009 Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Torii Mor |
7130 | 7129 | US | This wine is a great example of why Riesling is so increasingly popular. Despite the “dry” title on the label, it's actually a bit off-dry and crisp in acidity, with clean, savory flavors of limes, kiwi fruits, honey and vanilla. So easy to like, and the alcohol is relatively low. | Dry | 88 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | V. Sattui 2010 Dry Riesling (Napa Valley) | Riesling | V. Sattui |
7131 | 7130 | US | A light style, but still stylish, with finesse and good structure. The pretty plum fruit is lightly dusted with cocoa, softening the tannins and adding spice to the finish. A gentle and beguiling wine, ready for near-term enjoyment. | | 88 | 19 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Hedgeline 2010 Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Hedgeline |
7132 | 7131 | Portugal | A blend of typical Alentejo grapes, this is a firm effort, with the fruit laced inbetween the complex tannic structure. The acidity gives the wine a final lift. | 4 Quatro Castas | 88 | 16 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade do Esporão 2010 4 Quatro Castas Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Herdade do Esporão |
7133 | 7132 | Chile | Neutral up front except for green apple and mineral aromas. Feels quite good and healthy, with juicy acids pushing fresh bell pepper, lime and white peach flavors. Short but fresh and citrusy on the finish. | Reserva | 88 | 13 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chilcas 2011 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Chilcas |
7134 | 7133 | Italy | Dark, luscious and inky in appearance, Antrum shows thick and juicy aromas of jammy fruit, blackberry pie and rum cake. There are hints of dark spice and leather, with a touch of sour fruit and grittiness on the close. | Antrum | 88 | 48 | Central Italy | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo | | | | Ciavolich Giuseppe 2005 Antrum (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) | Montepulciano | Ciavolich Giuseppe |
7135 | 7134 | France | Bright and jammy red cherry, strawberry and raspberry aromas flood the nose of this Syrah-dominated blend, and carry onto the palate. Medium tannins add a bit of structure, while the finish is clean, with a mouthwatering sensation. | Les Bambins | 88 | 20 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint Loup | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Clos des Augustins 2010 Les Bambins Red (Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint Loup) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Clos des Augustins |
7136 | 7135 | Chile | Minearally and fresh on the nose, with hints of grass, lime and apple. Good and round in the mouth, with ample acidic punch and lively flavors of nopal, citrus and tarragon. Mellow and just zesty enough on the finish. | Gran Reserva | 88 | 15 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ventisquero 2011 Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Ventisquero |
7137 | 7136 | Italy | Appropriately named “Passion,” this hearty red wine expresses itself with opulence and generosity. Bold fruit layers of blackberry and cherry liqueur are framed by spice and chewy pipe tobacco. There's a ripe, syrupy feel in the mouth, with loads of jammy fruit on the close. | Passione | 88 | | Southern Italy | Primitivo del Salento | | | | Vigne & Vini 2008 Passione (Primitivo del Salento) | Primitivo | Vigne & Vini |
7138 | 7137 | US | Huge, ripe flavors of blackberry and plum jam, mocha, black currants, anise and cedar mark this wine, grown in the rugged hills of southern Monterey County. It's quite tannic and dry, but doesn't seem to be an ager, so drink up. | | 88 | 29 | California | Carmel Valley | Central Coast | | | Indigené 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Carmel Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Indigené |