| 7771 | 7770 | Austria | Both tropical and herbal notes join the citrus flavors on the nose, hinting of passion fruit as well as mint. The palate tones this down and puts ripe lemon in the spotlight. Sleek and slender, the body has a creamy element of yeast but is dry and brisk. The finish is very balanced and lasting. | Kremser Weinberge | 91 | 18 | Niederösterreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Türk 2016 Kremser Weinberge Riesling (Niederösterreich) | Riesling | Türk |
| 7772 | 7771 | Austria | Ripe notes of black cherry rise from the glass. The richness of the fruit is also apparent on the fleshy palate, where cherry notes fill out into red and black juiciness, with just a touch of the variety's telltale pepper. This wine is almost bouncy and reveals its firm grip and freshness only on the finish that echoes long. | | 91 | | Burgenland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Umathum 2015 Blaufränkisch (Burgenland) | Blaufränkisch | Umathum |
| 7773 | 7772 | Austria | Delicate notes of nettle and lemon play on the restrained nose. The palate adds slight but very refreshing spritz to the already slender and crisp body. This is an easy, delicate summer wine with a clean and refreshing finish. | | 91 | | Burgenland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Umathum 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Burgenland) | Sauvignon Blanc | Umathum |
| 7774 | 7773 | France | This is rich, honeyed and ripe on the nose and full-bodied and round in the mouth, with just enough acidity to provide backbone and length. The peach, melon and citrus notes linger on the mouthwatering finish. | Les Miaux | 91 | 75 | Rhône Valley | Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Ferraton Pere et Fils 2014 Les Miaux Marsanne (Hermitage) | Marsanne | Ferraton Pere et Fils |
| 7775 | 7774 | France | A blend of 74% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 6% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre and 4% Cinsault, this is an elegant and harmonious wine. It showcases a masterful balance between lush, ripe black berry fruits and earthy, toasty spice. With its crushed-velvet texture, bold fruit flavors and lingering spice accents, the wine is easy to appreciate and enjoy now, yet structured enough to age well for another 6–10 years. | Causse du Bousquet | 91 | 25 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Saint-Chinian | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Mas Champart 2013 Causse du Bousquet Red (Saint-Chinian) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mas Champart |
| 7776 | 7775 | Spain | Earthy aromas of olive, tobacco, prune and oak set up a palate with drawing tannins. This tastes of coffee, mocha and earthy mixed berries. The finish is meaty in texture, with compatible oak spice and berry-fruit notes. | Gran Reserva | 91 | 29 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sonsierra 2010 Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Sonsierra |
| 7777 | 7776 | France | Smooth, silky and ready to drink, this medium- to full-bodied wine is a fine choice to go with nearly any red-meat dish. Hints of smoke and herb dress up the dark berry flavors, finishing with mouthwatering acidity. | Vieilles Vignes | 91 | 40 | Rhône Valley | Crozes-Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Vieilles Vignes (Crozes-Hermitage) | Syrah | Tardieu-Laurent |
| 7778 | 7777 | US | This is the third of three Chardonnays named after the winemaker's daughters. The aromas bring notes of clarified butter, lees, spice, pear, pineapple and other tropical fruit. The flavors are rich but still show restraint, with a lightly creamy feel and a long finish. | Gemma Camaryn | 91 | 45 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Morell-Peña 2015 Gemma Camaryn Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Morell-Peña |
| 7779 | 7778 | US | This Willow Creek district winery delivers a powerful blend of 71% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier. It offers aromas of black licorice, black cherry and elderberry, with roasted meat in the background. It's very rich, bursting with flavors of blackberry and balsamic vinegar that evolve toward creosote and tar, all wrapped up in silky tannins. | WCS Jack John | 92 | 75 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Jada Vineyard & Winery 2012 WCS Jack John Red (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Jada Vineyard & Winery |
| 7780 | 7779 | Canada | Essentially a Bordeaux-style blend (just 4% Syrah breaks the mold), this smooth, silky wine is seductive. The blueberry, black cherry and plum fruit has compelling complexity, further enhanced with flavors of coffee and toast from 14 months in French oak. | LFNG Blind Trust | 92 | 30 | British Columbia | Okanagan Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Laughing Stock 2011 LFNG Blind Trust Red (Okanagan Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Laughing Stock |
| 7781 | 7780 | Austria | Grassy hints mingle with riper yellow pear notions. The palate turns out to be tenderly pear-fruited, with a core of warm ripeness and a slender, soft footprint of pear fruit salad. Incredibly elegant and fine-boned, notwithstanding its definition. | Scheiben | 92 | 45 | Wagram-Donauland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Leth 2013 Scheiben Roter Veltliner (Wagram-Donauland) | Roter Veltliner | Leth |
| 7782 | 7781 | Italy | Smooth and delicious, this opens with aromas of violet, mature dark fruit, leather and a touch of menthol. The palate delivers dried black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and licorice alongside polished tannins. It's already accessible but will also age well for another five or six years. Drink through 2020. | Vigna Fraschin | 92 | 39 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Manzone Fratelli 2009 Vigna Fraschin (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Manzone Fratelli |
| 7783 | 7782 | Austria | Very soft notions of ripe, yellow pear with floral overtones create a softer, luscious but completely dry palate. An ideal wine for those who like structure but mellow flavors. The savory edge of Grüner makes itself felt around the edges but never dominates and provides spicy length. | Berg Reserve | 92 | 73 | Traisental | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Markus Huber 2013 Berg Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Traisental) | Grüner Veltliner | Markus Huber |
| 7784 | 7783 | US | Michael Gill goes for broke booze-wise on this hot number, but the rewards are worth the risk. Aromas of blueberry, mint, graphite, dried cherry, lilac and graphite get a sagebrush lift. On the palate, distinct black licorice accompany blackberry syrup and white pepper. There's a slight bit of alcoholic burn on the finish, but it doesn't drink as hot as you'd guess. | Black Tie | 92 | 70 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Michael Gill Cellars 2012 Black Tie Syrah (Paso Robles) | Syrah | Michael Gill Cellars |
| 7785 | 7784 | Italy | Aromas suggest ripe blackberry, baking spice, mocha and a balsamic note of menthol. The brooding palate opens with mature black cherry, savory herb and black pepper alongside tightly knit but velvety tannins that still need to unwind. Drink 2016–2021. | Sottocastello di Novello | 92 | 47 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ca' Viola 2009 Sottocastello di Novello (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ca' Viola |
| 7786 | 7785 | Australia | This wine starts off a bit tarry at first, with scents of asphalt and roasted meat that then give way to brighter notes of blackberry and vanilla. On the palate, it's full, supple and rich, with a finish marked by hints of campfire and cherry. | The Blind Tiger Single Vineyard | 92 | 85 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | D'Arenberg 2010 The Blind Tiger Single Vineyard Shiraz (McLaren Vale) | Shiraz | D'Arenberg |
| 7787 | 7786 | US | This perfumey white dances in intense and creamy layers of stone fruit and vanilla, remaining vibrant and balanced from start to finish. The generous fruit is grown in the relatively cooler Oak Knoll section of the Napa Valley. This should develop further over time and in the glass. | | 92 | 41 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Darioush 2013 Viognier (Napa Valley) | Viognier | Darioush |
| 7788 | 7787 | Austria | Inviting notes of ripe yellow plum and a mossy creaminess on nose and palate combine to great effect. Peppery watercress notes provide extra interest. The spiciness persists for a long time in this beautifully balanced wine. | Endlos Reserve | 92 | 60 | Niederösterreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Dürnberg 2013 Endlos Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | Dürnberg |
| 7789 | 7788 | France | Produced only in good years, this wine comes from selected parcels in the Haute-Serre vineyard. With eucalyptus perfumes, it is a smooth and wood-aged wine. The smoothness masks the powerful tannins that are beginning to balance with the rich black fruits. This dense wine needs to age. Drink from 2019. | Château de Haute-Serre Cuvée Prestige | 92 | 49 | Southwest France | Cahors | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Georges Vigouroux 2011 Château de Haute-Serre Cuvée Prestige Malbec (Cahors) | Malbec | Georges Vigouroux |
| 7790 | 7789 | US | Light golden brown in color, this richly aromatic wine offers notes of brown sugar, dried pineapple, papaya and lychee. A whopping 270.8g/L residual sugar, it's thick, honeyed and sugary sweet with cinnamon, honey and granulated brown sugar flavors that linger on the finish. | Estate Grown Late Harvest | 92 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Gordon Estate 2012 Estate Grown Late Harvest Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Gewürztraminer | Gordon Estate |
| 7791 | 7790 | Italy | Alluring aromas of blue flower, leather, menthol, dark berry, baking spice and a balsamic note lead the way on this full-bodied, elegant red. The palate doles out ripe black cherry, while notes of clove, white pepper, tobacco, sage and licorice add depth. It's nicely balanced with firm, ripe tannins. Drink through 2023. | Fausoni Riserva | 92 | 62 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Prinsi 2008 Fausoni Riserva (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Prinsi |
| 7792 | 7791 | South Africa | Despite being barrel fermented, this attractive white manages to maintain a vivid vibrancy and freshness, with notes of fresh red apple, firm peach, pineapple core, green mango and clementine that are all infused with delicate hints of toasted oak and baking spice. Ample acidity lifts the medium-weight palate and rich melon, apple and toasted brioche flavors, leading into the long, lingering wood-spiced finish. | Barrel Fermented | 92 | 24 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Jardin 2012 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Stellenbosch) | Chardonnay | Jardin |
| 7793 | 7792 | Italy | Lightly hued and luminous, this offers aromas of dried rose petal, red berry and a whiff of baking spice. The elegant palate delivers wild strawberry, red raspberry, wild cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside silky tannins. It shows a more subtle and delicate side to Barolo. Drink through 2024. | Villero | 92 | 99 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio 2009 Villero (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio |
| 7794 | 7793 | Austria | This is still closed tightly and barely wants to give away more than punchy grapefruit zest, but the balanced palate that cushions the fresh but ripe acidity suggests that this will open up gradually. Drink as of 2017. | Steinertal Smaragd | 92 | 75 | Wachau | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Alzinger 2013 Steinertal Smaragd Grüner Veltliner (Wachau) | Grüner Veltliner | Alzinger |
| 7795 | 7794 | Austria | Subtle but unmistakable white pepper flashes through this slender, lemony but oh-so-savory wine. Notions of ripe pear enter on the midpalate which comes across as complete, harmonious and long. | Spiegel | 92 | 33 | Wagram | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Anton Bauer 2013 Spiegel Grüner Veltliner (Wagram) | Grüner Veltliner | Anton Bauer |
| 7796 | 7795 | Austria | Savory hints of bay and an inviting, lively pepperiness lend verve to this cherry-laden red. Somehow the fruit willingly shares the limelight with spicy, herbal notes and is all the more charming for it. This is ripe and rounded but not heavy and thus quite irresistible, with a moreish, lingering aftertaste. | Die Leidenschaft | 92 | 52 | Niederösterreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Arndorfer 2012 Die Leidenschaft Zweigelt (Niederösterreich) | Zweigelt | Arndorfer |
| 7797 | 7796 | US | Pepper rules this cool-climate, low-alcohol take on the grape by Doug Margerum, with both white and black pepper giving spice to blackened beef and blackberry fruits. The rich yet tart flavors trend toward boysenberry, with dried oregano and basil apparent alongside the very prominent cracked peppercorns. | | 92 | 50 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Barden 2012 Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Barden |
| 7798 | 7797 | US | Coming from one of the state's top Syrah sites, this wine dazzles the senses with notes of freshly roasted coffee, char, dark plum and sweet spices. It's medium bodied with thoroughly delicious coffee flavors backed by a soft feel. | Les Collines Vineyard | 92 | 30 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | J & J 2012 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | J & J |
| 7799 | 7798 | Austria | Yeasty, almost umami-like spice slowly yields to ripe, delicious apricot flavors. The generosity is toned by bright lemon freshness that runs right through this concentrated wine and provides satisfying length. There is a delicious aftertaste of crunchy apple. | Heiligenstein Alte Reben Reserve | 92 | 60 | Kamptal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Jurtschitsch 2013 Heiligenstein Alte Reben Reserve Riesling (Kamptal) | Riesling | Jurtschitsch |
| 7800 | 7799 | Austria | Soft, delicate pear and gentle citrus coalesce into a more citrus-focused, super-fresh palate with verve and elegance. Light-footed but concentrated, this is graceful, with wonderful minerality. | Gottschelle Reserve | 92 | 16 | Kremstal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Unger 2013 Gottschelle Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Unger |