| 8431 | 8430 | Chile | Scattered aromas of black olive and stewed berry fruits lead to a heavy, awkward palate. This tastes strained, with burnt, leafy black-fruit flavors and a soft, low-acid finish. | Gran Aracauno | 85 | 35 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | François Lurton 2013 Gran Aracauno Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | François Lurton |
| 8432 | 8431 | US | There are lots of dried tones to the nose: herbs, meat and hay. The palate shows more fruit, with tart cherry and raspberry flavors giving a snappy resistance to the grippy, sandy tannins. | | 85 | 22 | Nevada | Nevada | | Alexander Peartree | | Nevada Ridge 2011 Barbera (Nevada) | Barbera | Nevada Ridge |
| 8433 | 8432 | US | This brut sparkler is made from Chambourcin, a hybrid grape of uncertain parentage. Fresh figs and dates come to mind on the nose, while the linear palate is persistently citrus-driven. | Franken's French Hybrid Brut | 85 | 32 | Illinois | Illinois | | Alexander Peartree | | Illinois Sparkling Co. NV Franken's French Hybrid Brut Sparkling (Illinois) | Sparkling Blend | Illinois Sparkling Co. |
| 8434 | 8433 | Chile | This Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend is a green machine with a pyrazine-led explosion of green bean and bell pepper aromas. Robust and grabby on the palate, this tastes heavily of herbal plum and canned green bean, while a minty finish includes flavors of olive and bitterness. This feels right but smells and tastes extremely green. | B | 85 | 39 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Balduzzi 2010 B Red (Maule Valley) | Red Blend | Balduzzi |
| 8435 | 8434 | France | The lemony freshness that the nose promises is slightly unbalanced on the bright palate but the flavors are clean and invigorating. This easydrinking wine would make a perfect party apéritif. | | 85 | 24 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Gustave Lorentz 2014 Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Gustave Lorentz |
| 8436 | 8435 | Chile | This is an overtly oaky Cabernet with resiny, balsamic aromas that share space with baked black-fruit scents. The palate feels flabby and fat, with modest tannic grip. Jammy blueberry and cassis flavors end oaky, resiny and jammy. | Gran Reserva | 85 | 15 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Indomita 2014 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Indomita |
| 8437 | 8436 | US | Whiffs of nuts, dusty mineral and lemon are demure on the nose, but become more concentrated on the palate of this dry white. A blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, it's more minerally than fruity, but refreshing and brisk. | Gratitude | 85 | 14 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Inspire Moore 2014 Gratitude White (Finger Lakes) | White Blend | Inspire Moore |
| 8438 | 8437 | US | Some will find this Chardonnay severe and lacking in richness as it's marked by dryness, minerality and acidity, rather than tropical fruit and sweet oak.It would not be surprising if this wine made gains in 5–6 years, but even if it doesn't, it defines a more elegant style. | Albutom Vineyard Estate Grown | 92 | 50 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2009 Albutom Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Thomas Fogarty |
| 8439 | 8438 | US | There's lots of mouthwatering acidity in this bone-dry Pinot Noir, with an ample supply of ripe fruit in the form of raspberries and cherries. There's also something wonderfully earthy, like roasted mushrooms splashed with balsamic and tamari sauce. The cool 2010 vintage was kind to Bacigalupi Vineyard, which can produce overripe wines in hot years. | Bacigalupi Vineyard | 92 | 39 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Von Holt 2010 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Von Holt |
| 8440 | 8439 | US | A wonderful wine, one of the best Petite Verdots in California, although the truth is there aren't all that many. It's sturdy in tannins and richly textured, with delicious blackberry flavors that are a little earthier and drier than Cabernet Sauvignon. | Limited Selection | 92 | 35 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Kunde 2009 Limited Selection Petite Verdot (Sonoma Valley) | Petite Verdot | Kunde |
| 8441 | 8440 | US | Whatever the blend is on this red wine, and winemaker Heidi Barrett isn't saying, it's really interesting. The bottle is old-fashioned and stubby, like something from the 1700s. The wine itself is immediately likeable for its spicy array of spices and berries. Despite its upfront appeal, there's a complexity that elevates it. | Pirate TreasuRed | 92 | 60 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | La Sirena 2009 Pirate TreasuRed Red (Napa Valley) | Red Blend | La Sirena |
| 8442 | 8441 | US | This is White Oak's best Chardonnay in years. The wine benefited from the chilly vintage, expressing citrus and tropical fruit flavors while preserving its vital acidity. It shows real elegance. | Estate Grown | 92 | 24 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | White Oak 2010 Estate Grown Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | White Oak |
| 8443 | 8442 | US | Insanely rich, this explodes in the mouth with orange, pineapple, apricot, tropical fruit and sweet new-oak flavors. The richness is tempered with crisp acidity and a minerality that tastes like a lick of cold steel. This is a good price for a Santa Lucia Chardonnay this rich and appealing. | Sarmento Vineyard | 92 | 25 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Windstream 2010 Sarmento Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Chardonnay | Windstream |
| 8444 | 8443 | France | This is the current release from Guigal, which makes it one of the few Hermitages on store shelves that's ready to drink. It's medium to full in weight, chunky and assertive, but not overly concentrated or tannic. Instead, it delivers beefy notes of coffee, black olive and spice, backed by hints of raspberries and cedar. | | 92 | 90 | Rhône Valley | Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | E. Guigal 2006 Hermitage | Syrah | E. Guigal |
| 8445 | 8444 | US | This is made in a ripe, high-alcohol style, which gives it a little burning sensation, like Cognac. The flavors certainly are delicious, exploding with blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate and roasted oak. The tannin-acid structure is intricate and smooth. | Alisos Vineyard | 92 | 35 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | a-non-ah-mus 2009 Alisos Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | a-non-ah-mus |
| 8446 | 8445 | US | The Pocai Vineyard is a very interesting one, growing Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and the wines are always worth looking into. This Cabernet Franc, at four years of age, is mellowing, with the tannins turning gentle and the flavors becoming delicious and dramatic. Particularly bright in red cherries, it's a beautiful wine for drinking over the next year or two. | Estate Grown Pocai Vineyard | 92 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Ballentine 2008 Estate Grown Pocai Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Ballentine |
| 8447 | 8446 | Argentina | Smooth and polished, this bears cola, earth, blackberry and floral aromas. It shows power and precision, with silky tannins, integrated acidity and deep flavors of berry, leather and herb. This is slightly minty, smoky and spicy on the back end, where fine oak takes charge. Drink now–2015. | Gran Medalla | 92 | 46 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Trapiche 2008 Gran Medalla Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Trapiche |
| 8448 | 8447 | US | Delicious and crisp in acidity, this is dry despite its flavors of honey and ripe, jammy tropical fruit. How this wine achieves such a quality is magic, but the brisk acidity helps, as does its stony minerality. Ready to enjoy now. | Bien Nacido Vineyards | 92 | 32 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Stephen Ross 2010 Bien Nacido Vineyards Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Stephen Ross |
| 8449 | 8448 | Portugal | Earthy aromas are a hallmark of the Baga grape, a component of this full-bodied, tannic blend. With weight and richness, a mint note and new wood flavors, it is a serious wine that still should develop over three years. | Quinta das Baceladas | 92 | 29 | Bairrada | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Caves Aliança 2007 Quinta das Baceladas Red (Bairrada) | Portuguese Red | Caves Aliança |
| 8450 | 8449 | Argentina | This opens with persuasive aromas of wild berry and cassis before cola and leather notes enter. It's a powerfully built Malbec with bright acidity, strong bones and pure, bold flavors of blackberry and black cherry. This is youthful and more fruit focused than the oakier DJN 2006 Reserva Malbec. | Don Juan Nahuel | 92 | 32 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cielo y Tierra 2007 Don Juan Nahuel Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Cielo y Tierra |
| 8451 | 8450 | US | A consummate Russian River Pinot Noir in an accessible style. This is simply enchanting, like raspberry-infused silk dusted with brown butter, cinnamon and vanilla. Showing just beautifully now, this is soft and gentle, and it should glide through the next six years. | | 92 | 40 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Davis Family 2009 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Davis Family |
| 8452 | 8451 | US | A beautiful Pinot to drink now, this is elegant and supple, with crisp acidity and a delightfully light texture. However, there's nothing light about the flavors, which suggest wild forest berry, softened cola, mushroom, dried pine and spice, enhanced with a subtle jacket of sandalwood. | | 92 | 44 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Freeman 2010 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Freeman |
| 8453 | 8452 | Spain | Fresh, floral and not overbearing on the nose, this has red berry and cassis aromas, with no interference from oak or too much extraction. It feels pure and elegant, with wild berry and cherry flavors that end on a ripe, slightly sweet-tasting finish. Good for near-term drinking. | | 92 | 24 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Clos Gebrat 2010 Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Clos Gebrat |
| 8454 | 8453 | Spain | This smells like orange marmalade. It feels smooth and creamy, but not terribly thick due to fine acidity, with flavors of orange, honey, peach and spice. Long and creamy on the finish, this is a fresh, delicious wine that should impress anyone with a sweet tooth. | Vino Dulce | 92 | 28 | Northern Spain | Navarra | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ochoa 2010 Vino Dulce Moscatel (Navarra) | Moscatel | Ochoa |
| 8455 | 8454 | France | Despite this wine's thick veneer of toasty, vanilla-scented oak, it has plenty of underlying fruit, powerful enough to handle the wood. It's full bodied, dense and richly textured, with a long, velvety finish redolent of blackberries and cedar. Approachable now, but should easily age through 2025. | Domaine de Thalabert | 92 | 60 | Rhône Valley | Crozes-Hermitage | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2009 Domaine de Thalabert (Crozes-Hermitage) | Syrah | Paul Jaboulet Aîné |
| 8456 | 8455 | Italy | From one of Italy's most important showcase designer wineries, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot lives up to its super Tuscan celebrity. It is gently redolent of dark chocolate, ripe fruit, leather, tobacco and crushed black pepper—the bouquet's elegant moderation is one of its strongest points. The mouthfeel is rich, creamy and long. Drink after 2018. | Petra | 92 | 80 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Petra 2008 Petra Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Petra |
| 8457 | 8456 | Italy | This ruby-colored Brunello opens with notes of fresh fruit, forest floor, cedar wood, exotic spice and blackberry preserves. It shows a bright berry mouthfeel, with cherry intensity and a clean, fresh finish. | | 92 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Pietroso 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Pietroso |
| 8458 | 8457 | US | A beautiful Cabernet, this has all the hallmarks of a fine wine. It's dry, rich in tannins and elegant, with long, deep flavors of blackberries, currants and dark chocolate. It's already throwing some sediment, so give it a careful decant. | Estate Grown | 92 | 40 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Korbin Kameron 2007 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Korbin Kameron |
| 8459 | 8458 | Italy | This wine's most outstanding quality is the elegant and delicate manner with which the bouquet slowly reveals itself. This vineyard-designate wine is a traditional blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo, opening with subtle aromas of red cherry, dried violet, moist earth, vanilla and cured meat. | Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio | 92 | 57 | Central Italy | Torgiano | | | | Lungarotti 2007 Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio Red (Torgiano) | Red Blend | Lungarotti |
| 8460 | 8459 | US | Showing the richness of the vineyard, this delivers huge, flamboyant flavors of apricot and tangerine jam. While it's technically dry, there's a honeyed sweetness that suggests a touch of botrytis. It's a strong wine, unafraid to command a boldness that may not be for everyone. This is distinctly Californian in style, and as it loses fruit with age, it will develop nut and earthy notes. | Charles Heintz Vineyard | 92 | 55 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Migration 2010 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Migration |