| 74821 | 74820 | Italy | Made with mostly Merlot, with smaller percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this expertly blended red delivers a bright assortment of penetrating aromas: Exotic spice, cola, black peppercorn, leather, espresso and blackberry work together in beautiful harmony. Fine mineral accents that add yet one more interesting layer to this streamlined wine. | Etico | 94 | 48 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Podere L'Aione 2004 Etico Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Podere L'Aione |
| 74822 | 74821 | US | This is a barrel selection from the winery's Sleepy Hollow Vineyard and is one of the most concentrated Chardonnays in California. Has the honeyed richness of a botrytized wine, but is absolutely dry. Tastes like an apricot and pineapple tart, with seasonings of nutmeg, cinnamon, and the smoky, nutty pie crust. Very few California Chardonnays need time, but this one does. Stash until late 2008, but this powerhouse should gradually peak over a decade. | Cuvée Carlotta | 94 | 60 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Talbott 2004 Cuvée Carlotta Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Talbott |
| 74823 | 74822 | Portugal | A signature wine created by Domingos Soares Franco of J.M. da Fonseca to celebrate Portuguese blends, this is superb, a powerhouse of complex flavors, fresh, dark and elegant all at the same time. It is firm but not overpowering, finished by smooth toast, dark and powerful. | Hexagon | 94 | | Terras do Sado | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | José Maria da Fonseca 2003 Hexagon Red (Terras do Sado) | Portuguese Red | José Maria da Fonseca |
| 74824 | 74823 | Italy | This is an expertly crafted Merlot that offers much in terms of intensity, charm and personality. You could drink it with a fork and knife because its concentration is dark, plush and extracted with care. Pristine aromas of flower petal, red fruit, molasses and spice are rounded off by an outstanding mouthfeel consisting of extraordinary length and polished tannins. | Messorio | 94 | 250 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Le Macchiole 2003 Messorio (Bolgheri) | Merlot | Le Macchiole |
| 74825 | 74824 | Italy | The beauty of this wine is in its elegant, restrained character. There are no loose ends or sharp spikes here. Instead, the 85-15 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend is extremely compact and streamlined with beautiful extraction and pretty notes of chocolate, spice, tobacco and bold cherry. Imported by Vias Imports. | D'Alceo | 94 | 240 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castello dei Rampolla 2004 D'Alceo Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Castello dei Rampolla |
| 74826 | 74825 | Italy | Made from a clonal selection of the estate's best Cabernet Sauvignon, this cheerful red is concentrated and extracted with a seductively sweet-smelling nose. It is by no means simple: Background aromas of tar, root beer, espresso, chopped mint and bright berry speak to its Tuscan roots. It's still a bit thick and chewy in the mouth, so drink it after 2012 and give it time to open. | Il Pareto | 94 | 79 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta di Nozzole 2004 Il Pareto Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Tenuta di Nozzole |
| 74827 | 74826 | Italy | Inky concentration and pretty sweet cherry come right at you thanks to the natural intensity of this Merlot-Cabernet-Petit Verdot blend. The wine's thick fruitiness extends deep and wide over the palate, giving it a distinct personality. The tannins are still a bit tight; drink after 2010. | Tenuta Montebello Picconero | 94 | 130 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tolaini 2004 Tenuta Montebello Picconero Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tolaini |
| 74828 | 74827 | Italy | Arnione, a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot, packs heat and intensity and is a beautifully integrated and generous wine. Thick extraction is accented by chocolate, cherry, leather, cigar, liquid vanilla and root beer. It's tight in the mouth with bright fruit flavors. Drink after 2015. | Arnione | 94 | 100 | Tuscany | Bolgheri Superiore | | | | Campo alla Sughera 2004 Arnione (Bolgheri Superiore) | Red Blend | Campo alla Sughera |
| 74829 | 74828 | Italy | This release of Luca Sanjust's monumental Merlot is more subdued than the previous vintage, but what it lacks in intensity it makes up for in elegance. Instead of bursting red fruit and thick density, this feminine wine offers bite-size bursts of soft cherry, forest floor and toasted almond. It's smooth and supple in the mouth. | Galatrona | 94 | 100 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Fattoria Petrolo 2005 Galatrona Merlot (Toscana) | Merlot | Fattoria Petrolo |
| 74830 | 74829 | US | With their '05 reserve, Reverie has produced possibly their greatest Cabernet Sauvignon ever. But be forewarned, it needs cellaring. Not a long time, just enough to soften and sweeten a bit. Right now, the tannins shove to the front of the line, pushing aside the delicious blackberries and currants. But the wine has Bordeaux-like elegance. Even a few years in the bottle will help resolve things. | Estate Special Reserve | 94 | 85 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | | | Reverie 2005 Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Reverie |
| 74831 | 74830 | Italy | A wine that gives you everything you could possibly want: complexity, elegance, intensity and a long, creamy finish. Oreno is a 50-25-25 blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese (which prove to be perfect proportions in this case). It exhibits aromas of bright cherry, prune, plum, espresso grinds and cedar wood. | Oreno | 94 | 85 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta Sette Ponti 2004 Oreno Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tenuta Sette Ponti |
| 74832 | 74831 | Italy | There's just something about this 50-50 Sangiovese-Merlot blend that makes it absolutely irresistible. The fullness, the harmony, the intensity of aromas and the long, fruity persistency on the finish work together to produce one of the great modern super Tuscans. | Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi | 94 | 99 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Mazzei 2004 Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Mazzei |
| 74833 | 74832 | Italy | This top-notch blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Mazzei's beautiful Maremma property boasts thick, modern concentration and pretty renderings of red fruit, vanilla and exotic spice. It has excellent texture in the mouth and is velvety and lively at the same time. | Tenuta Belguardo | 94 | 60 | Tuscany | Maremma | | | | Mazzei 2004 Tenuta Belguardo (Maremma) | Red Blend | Mazzei |
| 74834 | 74833 | Italy | Suolo is 100% Sangiovese and this is one of the best vintages ever for this delicate, feminine wine. The purity and intensity of its aromas are outstanding and the wine's complexity makes it a pleasure to contemplate over a long meal. There's a distinctive Brunello-like touch to its soul. | Suolo | 94 | 120 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Argiano 2004 Suolo Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Argiano |
| 74835 | 74834 | Italy | This vintage has some Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the blend to back the Sangiovese and Merlot, and is more complex and complete. There's cherry, tobacco, leather, spice, black fruit and a touch of cool freshness in the form of leafy greens. It's a sophisticated wine with tight tannins and a long, dusty finish. | Giorgio Primo | 93 | 85 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Fattoria La Massa 2004 Giorgio Primo Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Fattoria La Massa |
| 74836 | 74835 | Italy | Cabreo is a bulldozer of a wine with brawny power, solid dimension and hearty aromas of smoked bacon, black ink, tar and chocolate fudge. The blend is 70-30 Sangiovese and Cabernet and the dense concentration achieved with these two grapes is remarkable. | Il Borgo | 93 | 56 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Cabreo 2004 Il Borgo Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Cabreo |
| 74837 | 74836 | Italy | This is a well-built and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon (with 5% Sangiovese) with thick layers of cherry, forest bramble, caramel, molasses and smoky tobacco-like tones that are deep and penetrating. It scores high in terms of intensity, complexity and ends with fresh, menthol nuances on the finish. | Sammarco | 93 | 130 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castello dei Rampolla 2004 Sammarco Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Castello dei Rampolla |
| 74838 | 74837 | Italy | With eight years of age on it, this wine is at a beautiful point in its evolution with delicate elegance, refined perfumes and special accents on cinnamon, mineral tones and bright fruit. It's sophisticated and persistent, with silky tannins and sweet spice on the close. | Schidione | 93 | 138 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Jacopo Biondi-Santi 2000 Schidione Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Jacopo Biondi-Santi |
| 74839 | 74838 | Italy | Delicious, sweet-smelling and gorgeous, this Syrah from Cortona exhibits flawless aromas of ripe blueberry, spice, bacon and tobacco. The extraction is excellent and so is the intensity of its mouthfeel. | Bramasole | 93 | 38 | Tuscany | Cortona | | | | La Braccesca 2004 Bramasole Syrah (Cortona) | Syrah | La Braccesca |
| 74840 | 74839 | US | This new release from Melrose fills the mouth with flavor; it runs from orange blossom to Meyer lemon to candied pineapple, finally settling into a strong citrus/tropical blend of delicious fruit flavors. It seems to strike a perfect balance, staying lively and well-defined, without becoming hot or bitter. | | 90 | 18 | Oregon | Umpqua Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Melrose 2009 Viognier (Umpqua Valley) | Viognier | Melrose |
| 74841 | 74840 | Italy | Mocali's bright Rosso di Montalcino makes a great first impression thanks to its vibrant aromas of cherry, blackberry, spice and root beer. The wine is very rich and smooth in the mouth with impressive persistency. | | 90 | 20 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Mocali 2008 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Mocali |
| 74842 | 74841 | Austria | One of the library releases from Nikolaihof, this has become a light, elegant wine that walks a tightrope between freshness and mature smoke and toast flavors. Smooth almonds and spiced apples are beautifully ready to drink. | Steinriesler | 90 | 70 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Nikolaihof 1999 Steinriesler Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Nikolaihof |
| 74843 | 74842 | Italy | Here's a genuine and fruit-driven expression of Brunello with ripe notes of mature cherry and blackberry followed by a focused mineral tone of black stone or chalkboard. You'll also get interesting layers of eucalyptus, cola and dried herbs at the back. | Villa al Cortile | 90 | 45 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Piccini 2005 Villa al Cortile (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese Grosso | Piccini |
| 74844 | 74843 | US | Though this is near the bottom end of the Rex Hill Pinot pole, it does not suffer from a lack of flavor. Big fruit, organically grown, runs right through the core, a mix of berries, cherries and plums; woven into the fruit is a lightly leafy vein, a whiff of tobacco, and a suggestion of earthy, organic compost. Thoroughly delicious. | | 90 | 32 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rex Hill 2008 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Rex Hill |
| 74845 | 74844 | US | Barrel fermented, soft and ripe with bright fruits, especially banana, but also pear, apricot, peach and citrus. Rich and creamy, it combines sweet barrel toast with a hint of honey. Lush through the finish, which adds caramel and cinnamon toast. | | 90 | 28 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | àMaurice 2006 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | àMaurice |
| 74846 | 74845 | Spain | An impressive Montsant blend of Grenache, Cabernet and Syrah with a purple color and friendly black fruit aromas. Not overly complex but deeply drawn and balanced. The plum, fresh raisin and blackberry flavors are smooth and structured, and overall flavor and liveliness are key attributes. Drink now through 2012. | Solpost Fresc | 90 | 19 | Catalonia | Montsant | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cellers Sant Rafel 2007 Solpost Fresc Red (Montsant) | Red Blend | Cellers Sant Rafel |
| 74847 | 74846 | US | This is 100% Viognier, all stainless steel fermented, with more guts and concentration than the creamier barrel-fermented Viognier from this winery. Lime and pineapple fruit flavors are bracing and clean, moving into light peach and tangerine as they persist in the mouth. | L'Artiste | 90 | 24 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Coeur d'Alene 2008 L'Artiste Viognier (Washington) | Viognier | Coeur d'Alene |
| 74848 | 74847 | Italy | Part of the Lionello Marchesi collection of Italian estates, Coldisole consistently produces quality Brunello with a large enough case production to make the wines reasonably easy to locate in the USA. This expression offers a bright, ruby appearance followed by vibrant aromas of cherry and spice. | | 90 | 31 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Coldisole 2005 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Coldisole |
| 74849 | 74848 | US | For those who value a totally natural, biodynamic, unfiltered wine, this is it. The neck of the bottle is lined with purple sediment that is almost psychedelic it's so intense. The wine is fermented with native yeasts, and it's a scrapey, authentic beast of a Grenache, with 15% Syrah in the blend, and it takes no prisoners. Grapey, full-throttle, deep and concentrated, with blueberries and plums, boysenberries and kirsch, it invites both contemplation and hedonistic pleasure. | Grenache 74 | 90 | 27 | Oregon | Applegate Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cowhorn 2008 Grenache 74 Grenache (Applegate Valley) | Grenache | Cowhorn |
| 74850 | 74849 | Australia | Rather subdued in fruit on the nose, showing more vanilla and toast, but this really expands on the palate, delivering great fruit sweetness and nuance in a harmoniously round, supple package. Finishes long, warm and spicy at 15.5% alcohol. | Marquis Philips G.G. | 90 | 20 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | R Wines 2007 Marquis Philips G.G. Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | R Wines |