| 7651 | 7650 | Italy | There's a touch of sulfur that takes a few seconds to blow off. Once it does, this wine offers yellow rose, exotic fruit, peach and almond skin. | Aquilae | 85 | 13 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Viticultori Associati Canicatti 2010 Aquilae Grillo (Sicilia) | Grillo | Viticultori Associati Canicatti |
| 7652 | 7651 | Spain | Minerally on the bouquet, with apple and oceanic notes. Turns citric and acidic on the palate, with pineapple, orange and tangy flavors. Shows astringency on the finish, but at least it's juicy and driving. | | 85 | 25 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zarate 2010 Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Zarate |
| 7653 | 7652 | France | A wine with some warm black cherry fruit as well as structured acidity. It has a dry texture to go with the fruit, making it a ripe but food friendly wine. | Automne Festif | 85 | | Beaujolais | Côte de Brouilly | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vignerons de Bel Air 2010 Automne Festif (Côte de Brouilly) | Gamay | Vignerons de Bel Air |
| 7654 | 7653 | US | Smooth, sweet and savory, this Cabernet has forward flavors of blackberries, black currants, cola and sweet oak. It's an easy wine to drink now. | | 85 | 30 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Windsor Sonoma 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Windsor Sonoma |
| 7655 | 7654 | US | You get plenty of rich, ripe cherry, red currant, cappuccino and peppery spice flavors in this briskly tannic, dry young Merlot. The mouthfeel is a little rugged, though. Drink up. | Cavedale Vineyards Pépé | 85 | 39 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Y Rousseau 2009 Cavedale Vineyards Pépé Merlot (Sonoma Valley) | Merlot | Y Rousseau |
| 7656 | 7655 | US | A sweet-and-sour wine that mixes sour lemon candy with honey cough-drop elements. There is also an underlying streak of baby aspirin flavor, and the different aspects of the wine are not quite pulled together. | | 85 | 18 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Smasne Cellars 2010 Viognier (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Viognier | Smasne Cellars |
| 7657 | 7656 | Italy | This is a fresh, tonic and light Grillo that would pair with endive salad and sliced oranges or red beets in vinaigrette. The wine offers citrus, green herb and fresh kiwi aromas. | Sallier de la Tour | 85 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Tasca d'Almerita 2009 Sallier de la Tour Grillo (Sicilia) | Grillo | Tasca d'Almerita |
| 7658 | 7657 | US | While savory on the nose, with hints of mealy apple and chalk dust, the palate of this vibrant, light-bodied Pinot Gris exposes a range of delicate wildflower and lime zest notes, punctuated by snappy acidity and a brisk, clean mouthfeel. Drink now. | | 85 | | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2010 Pinot Gris (Finger Lakes) | Pinot Gris | Thirsty Owl Wine Company |
| 7659 | 7658 | Australia | Yes, a certain amount of acidity is desirable in Australian Riesling, but this one is exceedingly lean and crisp. Perhaps it will blossom with age, but for now it is simply intensely citrusy and rather skinny. Pair it with oysters, or put it in a cool dark place and hope for the best. | Grand Barossa | 85 | 16 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château Tanunda 2010 Grand Barossa Riesling (Barossa) | Riesling | Château Tanunda |
| 7660 | 7659 | Chile | Light on the nose, with a hint of apple and lime. Feels scouring, with sour-apple acidity and juicy but narrow flavors of white citrus and pineapple. Tangy but limited in flavor. Will work best as a palate-prepping or cleansing wash. | Reserve | 85 | 14 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cornellana 2011 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Cachapoal Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Cornellana |
| 7661 | 7660 | Italy | The wine that first introduced Americans to Sicily, this classic Corvo blend offers a light, bright appearance followed by easy tones of red berry, bitter almond and cassis. | | 85 | 10 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Corvo 2008 Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Corvo |
| 7662 | 7661 | Italy | Corvo Bianco is a tried and true white wine that helped introduce Sicilian wines to international markets. It's worth revisiting this wine if you are looking for something fresh to wash down seafood. | Bianco | 85 | 10 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Corvo 2010 Bianco White (Sicilia) | White Blend | Corvo |
| 7663 | 7662 | Italy | Made from organically-farmed Nerello Mascalese, this simple wine does show true varietal characteristics of wild fruit, dark mineral and cola. The aromas are mild and the mouthfeel delivers medium intensity. | | 85 | 19 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Di Giovanna 2009 Nerello Mascalese (Sicilia) | Nerello Mascalese | Di Giovanna |
| 7664 | 7663 | France | A rounded wine that is soft and fruity, the flavors edged with toast. There is an attractive citrus flavor that gives some crispness to what feels a fat wine. Drink now. | Cuvée Fût de Chêne | 85 | 25 | Burgundy | Mâcon-Pierreclos | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Marc Jambon 2009 Cuvée Fût de Chêne (Mâcon-Pierreclos) | Chardonnay | Domaine Marc Jambon |
| 7665 | 7664 | Italy | This version of Calanìca (made from 60% Frappato and 40% Syrah) offers a low impact bouquet of earthy forest fruit and bramble. It's a light, lean wine with a touch of soft spice on the close. | Calanìca Frappato-Syrah | 85 | 20 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Duca di Salaparuta 2009 Calanìca Frappato-Syrah Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Duca di Salaparuta |
| 7666 | 7665 | US | Shows the acidity and dryness that red wines from this appellation always have. It's Pinot Noir-esque in the silky texture and cola flavors, and is ready to drink now. | Force Canyon Vineyard | 85 | 20 | California | Arroyo Seco | Central Coast | | | Hangtime 2010 Force Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco) | Pinot Noir | Hangtime |
| 7667 | 7666 | US | Almost garnet red in color, this off-dry Pinot Noir sparkling packs a punch with an abundance of juicy black cherry and plum flavor. Concentrated but festive and fun, with a candy-coated cherry finish. | Brut Rosé | 85 | 25 | New York | Cayuga Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Hosmer NV Brut Rosé Pinot Noir (Cayuga Lake) | Pinot Noir | Hosmer |
| 7668 | 7667 | US | Made from native Cayuga grapes, this softly pétillant sparkler is pleasantly frothy, and features brisk, lemony acidity. Just a shade sweeter than brut, it's fruity and forward, with ample stone-fruit and blossom notes. Finishes with a dainty lacing of sugar. Drink now. | Sparkling Wine | 85 | 20 | New York | New York | New York Other | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Hosmer NV Sparkling Wine Sparkling (New York) | Sparkling Blend | Hosmer |
| 7669 | 7668 | Spain | Shows dark fruit aromas and raisin on the nose, feels fresh, zesty and edgy, with a bright mix of cherry, berry and mild spice flavors. Feels pretty good and offers a reasonably solid and long finish for a $6 red. | Opera Prima | 85 | 6 | Central Spain | La Mancha | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | J. Garcia Carrion 2010 Opera Prima Tempranillo (La Mancha) | Tempranillo | J. Garcia Carrion |
| 7670 | 7669 | US | There's a hint of caramelized sugar on the nose of this off-dry Gewürztraminer that gives an edge to all the succulent sweet pear nectar and apple blossoms notes that permeate the palate. Elegantly floral, it finishes with a touch of characteristic orange and clove spice. | Sunrise Hill Vineyard Semi-Dry | 85 | 15 | New York | Cayuga Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Knapp 2010 Sunrise Hill Vineyard Semi-Dry Gewürztraminer (Cayuga Lake) | Gewürztraminer | Knapp |
| 7671 | 7670 | US | Sharp acidity and even some tannins mark this simple Chardonnay. In its favor are savory green apple, peach and lime flavors, with creamy, oaky notes. | | 85 | 19 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Markham 2010 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Markham |
| 7672 | 7671 | Portugal | The perfumes of Malvasia Fina shine in this attractive dry sparkling wine. It is fruity, although with a yeasty edge, creating a fine apéritif style. | Bruto | 85 | | Vinho Espumante de Qualidade | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Murganheira 2005 Bruto Sparkling (Vinho Espumante de Qualidade) | Portuguese Sparkling | Murganheira |
| 7673 | 7672 | US | Sweet and fizzy, with orange soda and vanilla flavors. Made to appeal to serve the low-cost Moscato craze, and does a pretty good job. | | 85 | 13 | California | California | California Other | | | Allure NV Moscato (California) | Moscato | Allure |
| 7674 | 7673 | US | The family-owned, Santa Lucia Highlands-focused Wrath Winery produces their Ex Anima line to show off wines from their estate San Saba Vineyard made with very little intervention and no new oak. This wine is nearly as clear as water, and yet offers aromas or freshly cut grass, honeydew melon, kiwi and fresh rain on rocks. On the palate, minerality lingers alongside poached pear and peach. Refreshing and light, yet full of flavor. | Ex Anima | 90 | 19 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Wrath 2013 Ex Anima Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey) | Sauvignon Blanc | Wrath |
| 7675 | 7674 | US | Aged in 100% new French oak, this dark and muscular wine has lush scents of cut tobacco and dense cassis fruit. Black olive highlights bring a nice herbal element to the mix. The tannins, though quite astringent, are ripe and balanced. | the V | 90 | 52 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Adams Bench 2010 the V Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Adams Bench |
| 7676 | 7675 | US | This is actually Wahluke Slope fruit, though labeled simply Columbia Valley. Tart pomegranate fruit, a seam of clay and well-integrated highlights of herb and earth mark this extremely limited-production wine as special. Dolcetto does not have much of a track record in Washington, but what's here is quite promising. | | 90 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Animale 2011 Dolcetto (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Dolcetto | Animale |
| 7677 | 7676 | Greece | Sea salt and lemon rind start this refreshing white. Flavors of citrus, mineral and brine on the finish are balanced and bright. A lovely wine and a great pairing for grilled octopus, sushi or poultry. | | 90 | 28 | Santorini | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Argyros 2013 Assyrtiko (Santorini) | Assyrtiko | Argyros |
| 7678 | 7677 | Spain | Toasty aromas include popcorn, scrambled egg and briny white fruits. There's smoothness to the ripe palate, while apple, peach and citrus flavors—the Big Three of cava—finish fruity and with stuffing. This is a ripe winner that's richer and more flavorful than your average brut nature. | Gran Reserva Brut Nature | 90 | 35 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Castellroig 2009 Gran Reserva Brut Nature Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Castellroig |
| 7679 | 7678 | US | Vanilla-soaked French toast and caramelized apples promise a butter bomb in this Testarossa take on the historic Sierra Madre Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Once sipped, there is a surprising level of soda-like acidity, and a steadily emerging flavor profile that ranges from cream soda to squeezed lime. | Sierra Madre Vineyard | 90 | 45 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Testarossa 2012 Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Testarossa |
| 7680 | 7679 | Greece | Raspberry, spicebox and cinnamon aromas start this modern-style Xinomavro. Lively acidity and a good tannic structure balance the cherry fruit. A great introduction to the variety. | Young Vines | 90 | 17 | Naoussa | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Thymiopoulos 2012 Young Vines Xinomavro (Naoussa) | Xinomavro | Thymiopoulos |