| 7684 | 7683 | Spain | It's almost absurd how good this $9 Tempranillo is. Full, clean, deep aromas of black fruits and licorice feed into an energetic yet generous palate with moderate richness. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry and pepper finish spicy but not pushy. What a deal! | | 90 | 9 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mano A Mano 2011 Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Tempranillo | Mano A Mano |
| 7685 | 7684 | US | From a dark bottle, this salmon-colored rosé is medium-bodied and made in a bigger style than many others. Fully textured, it discloses flavorful touches of crunchy pear and cranberry. It would go well with a goat cheese salad adorned in dried cranberries and cherries. | 800 Vines Vineyard Rosé of | 90 | 25 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Ousterhout 2013 800 Vines Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Ousterhout |
| 7686 | 7685 | Turkey | Aromas of cherry, raspberry and buttered toast set the scene for a wine whose flavors of Bing cherry, custard, clove and fennel are bright on entry before pleasantly washing across the side palate. Unified fruit and spice flavors endure on the taste buds into the smooth, drawn out finish. | Reserve Single Vineyard Bozokbag | 90 | 39 | Thrace | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Suvla 2011 Reserve Single Vineyard Bozokbag Cabernet Sauvignon (Thrace) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Suvla |
| 7687 | 7686 | Italy | This structured blend of 50% Nero d'Avola, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot opens with earthy aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, mature black fruit and exotic spice. The palate boasts polished tannins as well as flavors of ripe blackberry, red currant, grilled pepper and a hint of cocoa. | | 90 | 39 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ceuso 2009 Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Ceuso |
| 7688 | 7687 | US | Smoothly seductive in bright red-berry and pomegranate fruit, this young Zinfandel comes from mostly Dry Creek Valley vineyards. Rippling in baking spice and subtle vanilla oak, it's a complete wine, with balanced acidity and mellowed tannins. Clean and long on the finish, it will complement rather than overpower a meal. | | 90 | 25 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Decoy 2012 Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Decoy |
| 7689 | 7688 | US | From 100% estate-grown fruit, it spent more than a year in 100% French oak and is dense in baked strawberry, black cherry and a richness of herb. The grip of fruit is balanced by moderate acidity. The grapes are organically certified. | La Terre Promise | 90 | 55 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Domaine Carneros 2011 La Terre Promise Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Carneros |
| 7690 | 7689 | France | Full of bright yellow fruits, this is ripe, rounded and already delicious. Rich mango and peach flavors contribute an exotic edge to the more mineral texture. Drink now. | Vieilles Vignes | 90 | 32 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine La Soufrandise 2012 Vieilles Vignes (Pouilly-Fuissé) | Chardonnay | Domaine La Soufrandise |
| 7691 | 7690 | Spain | Loamy, earthy blackberry and plum aromas are woody and attractive. This is loud and lively on the palate, with acidity and tannins making their presence felt. Blackberry and baked plum are the key flavors, and this finishes loamy and smooth. Drink through 2018. | | 90 | 22 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca La Mata 2011 Ribera del Duero | Tinto del Pais | Finca La Mata |
| 7681 | 7680 | US | Sourced entirely from the Chelle den Millie vineyard, the grapes were picked and processed specifically for rosé. A deep, delicious and rather potent summer wine, it captures the brisk cherry fruit without entangling it in too much tannin or herb. It's all about the fruit, and bravo for that. | Rosé of | 90 | 24 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Va Piano 2013 Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Franc | Va Piano |
| 7692 | 7691 | Italy | Made from a blend of 60% Alicante, 30% Nocera and 10% Calabrese, this wine has aromas of violet, tilled earth, mature plum, prune and black cooking spice. The soft, savory palate delivers ripe black cherry and black berry, accented by black pepper and nutmeg. It's balanced, with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Made for early drinking pleasure, so enjoy soon. | Hierà | 90 | 20 | Sicily & Sardinia | Salina | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Hauner 2012 Hierà Red (Salina) | Red Blend | Hauner |
| 7693 | 7692 | South Africa | Notes of grass, green pepper and citrus on the nose are followed by a combination of steely minerality and plump grapefruit on the palate in this sophisticated wine. Zippy but substantial, it will pair well with foods like oysters or grilled fish. | | 87 | 21 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Mulderbosch 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape) | Sauvignon Blanc | Mulderbosch |
| 7694 | 7693 | US | At a time when many others have dropped Sangiovese from their portfolios, Amador Foothill remains committed to the great grape of Tuscany. The wine is medium-bodied and soft, somewhat like a warm-climate Merlot, with a pepper edge to the cherry and red currant flavors. It finishes dry and elegant. | Estate | 87 | 20 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | | | Amador Foothill Winery 2005 Estate Sangiovese (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Sangiovese | Amador Foothill Winery |
| 7695 | 7694 | Italy | This Cabernet-Merlot blend is definitely dominated by spice that takes shape as cumin, turmeric and ground clove. The fruit is present, although there's not much, in the form of mature plum and dried prunes. The wine tastes ripe, slightly sweet and is a bit short on the finish. | Patrimonio | 86 | 14 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Antonino Tringali-Casanuova 2004 Patrimonio (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Antonino Tringali-Casanuova |
| 7696 | 7695 | France | Full, rounded and creamy, this is a fine, green plum- and white berry-flavored wine that has some good depth as well as fine floral aromas. It is lively and fresh, but with some richness. | | 86 | 20 | Bordeaux | Graves | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Toumilon 2005 Graves | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Toumilon |
| 7697 | 7696 | US | Courtney Benham, a brand from Martin Ray, does a good, consistent job with their Sauvignon Blanc, at a fair price. The '06, like its predecessors, is dry and crisp, with succulent flavors of limes, pineapples, sweet green peas, figs and spicy vanilla. This is a good price for a wine of such sophistication. | | 86 | 14 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Courtney Benham 2006 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Courtney Benham |
| 7698 | 7697 | South Africa | Flavors of bright, ripe black currant fruit and a nose of cinnamon, anise and blackberry recommend this energetic wine from the Wellington region. Slightly rustic but still restrained and elegant, the wine will pair well with grilled meat and a myriad of cheeses. | | 86 | 15 | Wellington | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Eventide Cellar 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Wellington) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Eventide Cellar |
| 7699 | 7698 | US | It hasn't all come together yet in this young wine, and it's hard to predict where it's going. Fresh and juvenile, it shows ripe, jammy cherry-berry fruit, with some hard-edged tannins and a bitterness in the finish. Could come together, but the absence of prior vintages makes it a guessing game. | Epos | 86 | 60 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Bonneau 2005 Epos Meritage (Napa Valley) | Meritage | Bonneau |
| 7700 | 7699 | Spain | For a basic Tempranillo from Rueda, there's nothing not to like about this wine. It's snappy and fresh, maybe a bit sharp, but not spiky. The flavors are of berry and cherry, and the feel is tight but solid, with some juicy depth. Drink it like you might Beaujolais. | Viña Sanzo | 86 | 9 | Northern Spain | Rueda | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Valsanzo 2005 Viña Sanzo Tempranillo (Rueda) | Tempranillo | Valsanzo |
| 7701 | 7700 | US | Black currant and cherry flavors, accented with a touch of smoky oak, mark this dry, smooth wine. It has the textural hallmarks of the best of Napa Valley Cabernet, but lacks the richness. Drink now. | | 86 | 23 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Hunter Ashby 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hunter Ashby |
| 7702 | 7701 | US | Gentle and candy ripe, this Cab has pie-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries, red plums, licorice and chocolate, accented with toasty, spicy oak, wrapped into sweet, fine tannins. Too soft for the cellar, so drink up. | | 86 | 85 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Nicholls 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Nicholls |
| 7703 | 7702 | South Africa | A perfect summer wine, this Sauvignon Blanc offers a combination of cheerful citrus and fruit and a flinty minerality that keep it dry and clean on the palate. Paired with seafood, it's even better. | | 86 | 17 | Walker Bay | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Southern Right 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Walker Bay) | Sauvignon Blanc | Southern Right |
| 7704 | 7703 | US | Here's a straightforward Chardonnay, with potent fruit and the crisp acidity of this cool, coastal region. The flavors are pure Meyer lemon, lime zest and tangy mineral. | | 86 | 22 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | | | Stephen Ross 2006 Chardonnay (Edna Valley) | Chardonnay | Stephen Ross |
| 7705 | 7704 | Spain | At first the aromas of hard cheese and blatant oak veil the black fruit quotient in this blend. However, in the mouth the wine is more expressive and ripe, with plum, berry and ample oak-driven vanilla. It doesn't appear to have much depth or complexity, but overall it is smooth and pleasant. | | 86 | 56 | Northern Spain | Navarra | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pago de Larrainzar 2005 Red (Navarra) | Red Blend | Pago de Larrainzar |
| 7706 | 7705 | Spain | Fairly ripe and deep smelling, yet it's more racy and lean in the mouth. There's good berry fruit to this Tempranillo-led wine, but it turns kind of sharp and sheering on the back palate. Freshness and snappy zest are the wine's main characteristics. Probably best with tapas. | Joven Roble | 86 | 19 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pago de los Capellanes 2006 Joven Roble (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo Blend | Pago de los Capellanes |
| 7707 | 7706 | South Africa | A rich, stately nose announces the elegance of this Merlot from the consistently poised Vergelegen. Balanced flavors of berry and spice and smooth, subtle tannins give the wine additional class. Drinkable now, but the wine could easily age. | | 86 | 35 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Vergelegen 2004 Merlot (Stellenbosch) | Merlot | Vergelegen |
| 7708 | 7707 | Spain | This blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is light and leafy but not dirty or harsh. It's a thin-sided, tangy sort of wine with as much citrus as there is berry fruit. For something aged and mild, it's pretty good but not what you'd call substantial. Imported by Luneau USA Inc. | Gran Reserva de Familia | 86 | 20 | Central Spain | Valdepeñas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Albali 1998 Gran Reserva de Familia Red (Valdepeñas) | Tempranillo Blend | Viña Albali |
| 7709 | 7708 | US | Light in color and body, this is a silky Pinot Noir for everyday fare. It shows cola, cherry jam, persimmon and Asian spice flavors, with a coating of toasty oak. | Estate | 86 | 28 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Judd's Hill 2006 Estate Pinot Noir (Napa Valley) | Pinot Noir | Judd's Hill |
| 7710 | 7709 | France | This is overpowering, almost too much. The fruit is so rich it feels overextracted, superjuicy and then hit with tannins and new wood. For those who like superconcentrated wines, this will be a big hit, but not with food. | | 86 | 60 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | L'Egrégoire 2004 Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | L'Egrégoire |
| 7682 | 7681 | France | Layers of wood and yellow fruits are already well balanced in this ripe while crisp wine. A steely texture balances the fruit to give a wine that is structured while offering the potential of a more opulent future. Drink from 2015. | | 90 | | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jean-Claude Debeaune 2012 Pouilly-Fuissé | Chardonnay | Jean-Claude Debeaune |
| 7683 | 7682 | France | In this powerful, full-bodied wine, soft fruit accompanies the firm tannins. The wine is already well integrated, showing dense red fruits as well as structure. A touch of wood will soften soon. Drink from 2016. | Morgeot Premier Cru | 90 | 60 | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Latour 2011 Morgeot Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet) | Pinot Noir | Louis Latour |