| 73981 | 73980 | US | Soft and ripe enough to drink now, after a decent decanting, it shows pure raspberry, blueberry and cherry fruit flavors, subtlely accented with cola and baking spices, and all of it wrapped into thick but smooth tannins. Good as it is, it will gain traction over the next 15 years. | Hirsch Vineyard | 95 | 75 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Williams Selyem 2009 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Williams Selyem |
| 73982 | 73981 | US | Rutherford Hill has specialized in Merlot for decades, and their Reserve bottling is always one of the best. This 2007 is right up there, rich, dense and opulent. It shows massive blackberry, cherry, blueberry, anise and cedar flavors, wrapped into a fine tannin-acid structure, and the finish is dry. Perfect with the best steak you can find. | Reserve | 95 | 59 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rutherford Hill 2007 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Rutherford Hill |
| 73983 | 73982 | Italy | This fabulous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers loads of plush softness and succulent richness. Aromas of chocolate, ripe fruit and spice are distinct and clear, and the wine shows compelling complexity and intensity overall. | Giusto di Notri | 95 | 80 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tua Rita 2008 Giusto di Notri Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tua Rita |
| 73984 | 73983 | France | A rich and opulent wine, very ripe, packed with luscious blackberry and damson fruit as well as sweet tannins. It is a fruit salad of fruit flavors given structure by a core of dryness. Already a gorgeous wine, but one that will also age. | | 95 | 116 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Rauzan-Ségla 2009 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Rauzan-Ségla |
| 73985 | 73984 | France | Elegant as well as rich, this is a beautiful wine. It has great depth of flavor, the sweetest fruit, deliciously ripe. At the same time, the tannins are an underlying sustenance to the impressive ageworthiness. | | 95 | 120 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Clos Fourtet 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Clos Fourtet |
| 73986 | 73985 | France | A gorgeously perfumed wine, dominated by the ripest Cabernet Franc, combining richness and an intense structure. With its tannins, it will age well over many years. The fruit is finely textured, deliciously juicy, showing the most complex series of flavors. | | 95 | 295 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Le Dôme 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Le Dôme |
| 73987 | 73986 | Italy | Paleo is a landmark Italian expression of Cabernet Franc that is not at all bashful in terms of fullness and richness. Bold fruit and black cherry aromas have been soften by careful oak tones of spice and leather. Structured, firm but also velvety in texture, this wine needs more years to evolve. | Paleo | 95 | 130 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Le Macchiole 2008 Paleo Cabernet Franc (Toscana) | Cabernet Franc | Le Macchiole |
| 73988 | 73987 | Italy | This represents a debut vintage from a brand new estate in a little-known corner of southern Tuscany made with consultant Michel Rolland. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot and the results are savory and delicious, with lingering tones of blackberry, rum cake, spice and leather. | | 95 | 175 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Monteverro 2008 Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Monteverro |
| 74005 | 74004 | US | Cola, root beer and Red Hots candy play against strawberry, pomegranate and damson on the nose of this playful Pinot Noir. Rusty cranberry, tart red plums and a bit of garrigue spice play on the palate. | Murmur Vineyard | 89 | 42 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Stasis 2014 Murmur Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Stasis |
| 74006 | 74005 | US | The nose on this appellation blend is plump and inviting, blending pan-seared Gala apples and browned butter with a more intriguing botanical aroma. There is zip on the tip of the sip, with flavors of lime peel, lemon zest and a nuttiness in the midpalate. | | 89 | 25 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Stephen Ross 2015 Chardonnay (Edna Valley) | Chardonnay | Stephen Ross |
| 74007 | 74006 | US | This blend of 37% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 26% Mourvèdre is brooding, with its char, smoke, cranberry, dark plum and woodspice aromas. On the palate, silky black cherry flavors are accented with barrel-derived notes, striking a lovely balance. | 6 Prong Vineyard | 89 | 36 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Stottle 2013 6 Prong Vineyard G-S-M (Horse Heaven Hills) | G-S-M | Stottle |
| 74008 | 74007 | France | The wine has delicious acidity as well as lively fruitiness. An attractive mineral texture offers a tangy view of a ripe vintage. Drink this crisp wine now. | Domaine des Trois Tilleuls | 89 | 28 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Union Beaujolaise 2015 Domaine des Trois Tilleuls (Pouilly-Fuissé) | Chardonnay | Union Beaujolaise |
| 74009 | 74008 | Italy | Black-skinned berry, tilled soil and baking spice aromas lead the way in this wine. Made from very old vines, it delivers blackberry, star anise and clove flavors alongside round tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy through 2021. | | 89 | 13 | Piedmont | Barbera d'Asti | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Vinchio-Vaglio Serra 2015 Barbera d'Asti | Barbera | Vinchio-Vaglio Serra |
| 74010 | 74009 | US | This wine's apple, melon and pear aromas are bright and appealing. The flavors are taught and focused, with a light creaminess and lemony acidity. It's interesting overall, providing both quality and value. | | 89 | 15 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Willow Crest 2016 Pinot Gris (Yakima Valley) | Pinot Gris | Willow Crest |
| 73989 | 73988 | US | This unique Syrah vineyard is located at the northwestern edge of the Columbia Valley AVA. Exotic, silky and compelling, the aromas and flavors combine gorgeously sleek berry fruit flavors with a foundation of liquid rock (hence the vineyard name). Supple, authoritative and long, it gathers both strength and subtlety as it breathes. | Rocky Mother Vineyard | 95 | 42 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Nefarious 2009 Rocky Mother Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Nefarious |
| 73990 | 73989 | France | With its superripe, jammy fruit, this is lush and opulent. It does have a fine structure as well as bitter chocolate and dark tannins. A hugely powerful wine. | | 95 | 350 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pavie 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pavie |
| 73991 | 73990 | France | Dark and structured, this is a firm wine. It has a smoky wood character, powerful tannins over intensely ripe fruit. Acidity and sweetness balance to give a dense wine, powered with richness and destined to age for many years. | | 95 | 69 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Giscours 2009 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Giscours |
| 73992 | 73991 | France | Impressively weighty wine, with a fine combination of tannins, full fruit and a solid, chunky core. The wine is rich, but it also has a sweet acidity. Powerful ageworthy wine, never losing sight of elegance. | | 95 | 375 | Bordeaux | Pomerol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Hosanna 2009 Pomerol | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Hosanna |
| 73993 | 73992 | France | Mint aromas hint at the wood, but more important is the massive Merlot fruit that is an essential element in the blend. The result is a wine that blends richness and power with an initially severe character. Slowly it opens to reveal opulent blackberry jam flavors, immensely ripe. | Les Forts de Latour | 95 | 412 | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Latour 2009 Les Forts de Latour (Pauillac) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Latour |
| 73994 | 73993 | Chile | Clos Apalta, depending on your point of view, is arguably Chile's best wine. And this vintage is outstanding! Earth, minty spice, ripe berry, minerality and smoky aromas cover the bases. It's superbly structured, with a fine texture and depth. Tastes lush and complex, with blackberry, crème de cassis, fine herbs and tobacco. Finishes classy. Drink now through 2016. | Clos Apalta | 95 | 90 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lapostolle 2008 Clos Apalta Red (Colchagua Valley) | Red Blend | Lapostolle |
| 73995 | 73994 | US | This is a brand-new bottling from Merry Edwards. It's her first from Westside Road, which is warmer than her haunting grounds around the southern part of the valley. It's quite a promising debut. The wine is round, soft, charming and complex, with elaborate cherry, blackberry, licorice and cola flavors. It feels important and ageworthy. Drink now, with several hours of decanting, or cellar through 2020. | Georganne | 95 | 54 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Merry Edwards 2009 Georganne Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Merry Edwards |
| 73996 | 73995 | Portugal | Ninety-year-old vines produce this ink-black wine, intensely powerful and concentrated. At this stage it is very young, its superb dense fruit still developing. But the power, the rich tannins and the smooth feel from open stone fermenters still make this a wine that needs considerable aging. Give it 5–7 years and more. | Vinha Maria Teresa | 95 | 145 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Crasto 2009 Vinha Maria Teresa Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta do Crasto |
| 73997 | 73996 | US | Bursting with sweet toast from the barrel aging, this offers ripe and pretty berry fruit, deep and long, with highlights of oolong tea. The alcohol is not intrusive, and the acidity keeps it buoyed and lively. | | 95 | 50 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sequel 2008 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Sequel |
| 73998 | 73997 | US | This Cabernet is a blend of estate and purchased fruit. In a successful year, it rivals Stag's Leap's best wines, including Cask 23, and 2008 was a very successful year. Blended with 2% Merlot, and aged in lots of new French oak, the wine is, in a word, stunning. Rich, flashy blackberry and dark chocolate flavors are anchored by an earthiness suggesting cured olives and dried herbs. Delicious now, this beauty should develop additional complexities throughout the decade. | Artemis | 95 | 55 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2008 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stag's Leap Wine Cellars |
| 73999 | 73998 | Italy | Amazing plushness and richness characterizes this impressive offering from Aia Vecchia. It's hard to match the beauty of this wine, which expresses itself as dark chocolate, cherry liqueur, black licorice, cigar box and dark spice. Soft, plush, super-rich tannins characterize the mouthfeel. | Sorugo | 95 | 40 | Tuscany | Bolgheri Superiore | | | | Aia Vecchia 2008 Sorugo (Bolgheri Superiore) | Red Blend | Aia Vecchia |
| 74000 | 73999 | France | A seductive wine, deliciously ripe with the softest, juiciest fruit over smoky new wood. The wine shows intense fruit as well as a soft Merlot core. The tannins are beautifully integrated in this ripely sweet wine. | | 95 | 250 | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2009 Pauillac | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande |
| 74001 | 74000 | France | Densely fruity wine, all sweetness and richness without too much weight. It does have power, a dark core, but it is the sweet balance that is so attractive. There is a layer of acidity as well, giving freshness to the final character of the wine. | | 95 | | Bordeaux | Pomerol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Providence 2009 Pomerol | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Providence |
| 74002 | 74001 | US | A very great success, although it is expensive. Shows perfect Dry Creek Zinny character, with briary, brambly wild forest berry fruit, cola and spices, and a savory note of grilled meat. The finish is dry and balanced. More than half the oak barrels were new French, giving the wine a rich coat of toast. Drink this beauty now and over the next eight years. | Reserve | 94 | 56 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Ledson 2007 Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Ledson |
| 74003 | 74002 | France | A core of sweetness shows through this wine. It has juicy acidity shining prominently—it shows its fresh side immediately. Bélair-Monange is still a work in progress, although this will always be a delicious wine. | | 94 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bélair-Monange 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Bélair-Monange |
| 74004 | 74003 | France | Straight down the line, this wine shows fruit and acidity. The tannins are relatively soft while the fruit is forward. Blackberries, coffee and licorice notes all come together. | | 94 | 90 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Gaffelière 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Gaffelière |