| 7411 | 7410 | US | High acidity gives this wine its mouth-tingling, almost sour taste, but oodles of cherries balance it. It's also pretty tannic. Doesn't seem like an ager, so drink with meats in rich tomato sauce, garlic and cheese. | | 86 | 22 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Ca' del Solo 2006 Dolcetto (Monterey County) | Dolcetto | Ca' del Solo |
| 7412 | 7411 | US | This inexpensive Pinot Gris has pear fruit with spicy highlights that somehow conjure up caraway. It's wrapped in yeasty flavors of fresh-baked bread and plenty of lemony acid. | | 86 | 15 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cloudline 2007 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Cloudline |
| 7413 | 7412 | Portugal | For a wine at this price, this is an impressive performance. It is rich, finely structured, the juicy blackberry flavors filling the mouth. It may lack complexity, but the spice, tobacco and berry flavors are enjoyably drinkable. | Cortello | 86 | 7 | Estremadura | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Dão Sul 2006 Cortello Touriga Nacional (Estremadura) | Touriga Nacional | Dão Sul |
| 7414 | 7413 | US | A good Cabernet, if a little gritty, with herb-infused flavors of black currants, plums and spices. Might soften with a few years in the bottle, but not really a longterm ager. | Director's Cut | 86 | 29 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Francis Ford Coppola 2006 Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Francis Ford Coppola |
| 7415 | 7414 | US | Honey, flower and melon leads on this delicate Riesling from Hazlitt. Juicy, full flavors of melon and citrus are balanced with a crisp minerality that lingers in the finish. Complex and energetic. | | 86 | 13 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Finger Lakes) | Sauvignon Blanc | Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards |
| 7416 | 7415 | US | The Macari No 1 offers an aromatic nose of grapefruit and tropical fruit, followed by crisp citrus and mineral flavors. The wine is balanced and refreshing, but has complexity. Pair with Thai or Indian dishes. | No 1 | 86 | 27 | New York | North Fork of Long Island | Long Island | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Macari 2007 No 1 Sauvignon Blanc (North Fork of Long Island) | Sauvignon Blanc | Macari |
| 7417 | 7416 | Spain | Bramble and brine are present on the nose, and while 2005 was a very good vintage in Rioja, this wine brings a little less than expected. It's endowed with snappy red-fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry, and there's also vanilla and herbal notes. The feel is dry, medium-bodied and grabby, with a hint of stemmy snap. | Crianza | 86 | 16 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marqués de Cáceres 2005 Crianza (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Marqués de Cáceres |
| 7418 | 7417 | France | Those who seek out Gewürztraminer for its intense, exotic nose will want to look elsewhere. Despite the subtle aromatic profile, the rich palate is bursting with flavors of rose water, spice and cloves. It finishes fairly dry, with just a hint of residual sugar. | Reserve | 86 | 17 | Alsace | Alsace | | | | Pierre Sparr 2006 Reserve Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Pierre Sparr |
| 7419 | 7418 | US | Dry and softly tannic, this is a nice Cab to drink now with steaks and chops. It has herb-infused flavors of black currants and cherries, with a spicy edge. | Geyserville Estate | 86 | 20 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Trentadue 2005 Geyserville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Trentadue |
| 7420 | 7419 | Spain | A touch of volatility accompanies opening black fruit and plum aromas, while the palate brings both a raisiny essence and austere acidity that causes tartness. For basic Priorat, this is fine. But if you're looking for greatness, there isn't much to speak of. Overall, it's a good but regular wine, nothing more or less. | Negre | 86 | 16 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Scala Dei 2006 Negre Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Scala Dei |
| 7421 | 7420 | US | Soft berry and pepper spice aromas give this elegant red a mellow start. On the palate, savory meat and cherry flavors are touched with an herbal lift. Smooth and delicate in nature, and a pretty sipping wine. | Estate Vineyard | 86 | 20 | Idaho | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Koenig Vineyards 2006 Estate Vineyard Merlot | Merlot | Koenig Vineyards |
| 7422 | 7421 | US | Creamy and fruity, this Viognier has forward flavors of pineapples, limes, ripe green apples, vanilla, honey and cinnamon spice, balanced with crisp acidity, and totally dry on the finish. It's an easy, enjoyable wine. | | 86 | 26 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Meadowcroft 2007 Viognier (Sonoma County) | Viognier | Meadowcroft |
| 7423 | 7422 | France | Attractive aromas of mineral and slate are hampered by some musty notes. Nonetheless, the palate is well-structured, with refreshing acidity reinforcing mineral notes. This is an austere, dry style perfect for those who shy away from the fruitier examples. | Les Princes Abbés | 86 | 20 | Alsace | Alsace | | | | Domaines Schlumberger 2006 Les Princes Abbés Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Domaines Schlumberger |
| 7424 | 7423 | South Africa | Mature fruit is veneered with oak and kissed with dusty cocoa and dry earth. Although this is losing freshness, it comes off as elegant and the tannins suggest that it may age for just a year or two longer. | | 86 | 22 | Paarl | | | | | Plaisir De Merle 1998 Merlot (Paarl) | Merlot | Plaisir De Merle |
| 7425 | 7424 | US | A tart, flinty and apple-y rendition of Riesling, one that's lean and light, one that leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh after swallowing or spitting. One that would make a particularly pleasant aperitif. | | 86 | 12 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Elk Cove 2001 Riesling (Willamette Valley) | Riesling | Elk Cove |
| 7426 | 7425 | US | Light and fresh, with hints of peach, citrus, melon, spice and slate. The wine serves up a refreshing mix for spring and summertime sipping. Fruity on the finish. -J.M. | | 86 | 8 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Firestone 2002 Riesling (Central Coast) | Riesling | Firestone |
| 7427 | 7426 | South Africa | Approachable, fresh flavors of red plum, toast, tobacco and apple peels finish with a cedary zing. The body of this wine is lightweight, with good acids and particulate tannins with a fair grip. | | 86 | 33 | Western Cape | | | | | Havana Hills 1999 Shiraz (Western Cape) | Shiraz | Havana Hills |
| 7428 | 7427 | US | Bright, fresh, fruity and light bodied, with pretty peach, apple and spice flavors that leave a crisp, clean and pleasant finish. Fairly sweet, but refreshing. | Bay Mist | 86 | 8 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | | | J. Lohr 2002 Bay Mist Riesling (Monterey) | Riesling | J. Lohr |
| 7429 | 7428 | South Africa | Damp, foresty earth aromas meet those of cherry and dusty cocoa, which carry to the palate of lightweight red fruit. The balance of smooth tannins and gentle acidity is pleasant, but there is room for more heft and complexity overall in this wine. | | 86 | 22 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Thelema 1999 Merlot (Stellenbosch) | Merlot | Thelema |
| 7430 | 7429 | South Africa | This wine has a thin streak of eucalyptus throughout. As a foil to that green note, there is red licorice, cassis, sweet cherry and blk plum to entice. Pleasant notes of molasses, oiled leather and white pepper round out the palate. | Cape | 86 | 34 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Mas Nicolas 2000 Cape Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch) | Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon | Mas Nicolas |
| 7431 | 7430 | US | A nice Cabernet, proper and pleasant, it tastes of blackcurrants and oak and is very dry and balanced. No doubting that it comes from a good vineyard and has been made in a competent style. | | 86 | 12 | California | Mendocino County | | | | Mendocino Gold 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mendocino Gold |
| 7432 | 7431 | Australia | A well-balanced and straightforward wine, the Tintara is medium-bodied and creamy in the mouth, with stone fruit and vanilla flavors. Butterscotch, and maybe some nuttiness, wraps it up on the finish. | Tintara | 86 | 15 | South Australia | Adelaide Hills | | | | Hardys 2001 Tintara Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills) | Chardonnay | Hardys |
| 7433 | 7432 | US | This funky white blend, now in its 6th rendition, carries no vintage or regional designation, but we know it's a blend of several white grapes grown mostly in Oregon. The nose is ripe and full of melon, while the spunky palate deals orange and lemon, but not in sour-ball fashion. The finish has some thickness and a slight sticky feel, but ample acidity throughout renders it a good, brisk drink. | Evolution 6th Edition | 86 | 15 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sokol Blosser NV Evolution 6th Edition White (Oregon) | White Blend | Sokol Blosser |
| 7434 | 7433 | US | Rustic and funky, with a curious nose sending up scents of fruit, musk, soy, pepper and espresso. Flavors are vivid and grapey, and there is a penetrating spicy note running throughout. The finish is tannic and rough. | | 86 | 20 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Abacela 2000 Cabernet Franc (Oregon) | Cabernet Franc | Abacela |
| 7435 | 7434 | South Africa | This wine seems to reach out to the mainstream: flavors and aromas of sweet vanilla, cinnamon toast and brown sugar are met with lightweight red fruit, a soft balance and just a touch of white pepper. Inoffensive on all counts, but lacks the depth needed to set it apart. | | 86 | 10 | Western Cape | | | | | New World 2002 Syrah (Western Cape) | Syrah | New World |
| 7436 | 7435 | South Africa | The balance of this wine has slightly spritzy acidity in the lead, wrapped with sheer tannins. Rich aromas of earth, leather and toast are contrasted by the bright fruit which is a sweet candylike strawberry-cherry at the forepalate. | African Tradition Collection - Elephant | 86 | 12 | Paarl | | | | | Niel Joubert 2000 African Tradition Collection - Elephant Shiraz (Paarl) | Shiraz | Niel Joubert |
| 7437 | 7436 | US | Ripely fruity, with sun-warmed flavors of white peach and nectarine. Acids are fine, and boost the structure. There's also a subtle overlay of oak that adds to the tastes. | | 86 | 14 | California | El Dorado County | Sierra Foothills | | | Perry Creek 2001 Chardonnay (El Dorado County) | Chardonnay | Perry Creek |
| 7438 | 7437 | US | While this wine is labeled "dry," it's technically not. There's some sugar left in it, it just seems dry if you compare it to the winery's regular, semi-dry version. Aromas of spiced pears and musky, evening flowers blend with flavors of pears, peaches and dried spices. | Dry | 86 | 10 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Glenora 2002 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Glenora |
| 7439 | 7438 | US | Dramatically dark, staining the glass with glycerine streaks, this wine unabashedly celebrates its hot country origins. Considerable tannins frame a core of berry fruit, with a zingy, peppery note that stimulates the taste buds, but acidity is soft. At the same time, it retains a rustic character typical of the varietal. | Artist Collection | 86 | 35 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Imagery 2000 Artist Collection Petite Sirah (Paso Robles) | Petite Sirah | Imagery |
| 7440 | 7439 | Spain | Pine needle, lilac and some musk on the nose. Citrus is the driving force from then on. There's tangerine and some melon for flavor, and plenty or orange and passion fruit on the finish. A drink-now citrus ball that's full and flavorful. | Viña Sol | 86 | 10 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Torres 2002 Viña Sol White (Penedès) | White Blend | Torres |