8821 | 8820 | France | While there are firm tannins here, the wine also has rich fruit. The two together, allied to the concentration, promise some good aging for a solidly made wine. Fine acidity cuts through in the aftertaste. Drink from 2017. | | 87 | | Bordeaux | Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Escot 2011 Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Escot |
8822 | 8821 | France | This wine is packed with fruit tannins and dense black currant fruits. It's rich, structured, very dry with its tannins and firm. It's a solid effort that is going to develop well. Drink from 2017. | | 87 | | Bordeaux | Haut-Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Hourtin-Ducasse 2011 Haut-Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Hourtin-Ducasse |
8823 | 8822 | France | This attractively balanced wine has black fruits that are well integrated into the soft tannins, the perfumed acidity and a ripe, juicy texture. Developing deliciously, the wine should be ready to drink by 2015. | | 87 | | Bordeaux | Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Picoron 2011 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Picoron |
8824 | 8823 | France | Rich already, this wine is darkly tannic and powered by solid tannins. The weight of fruit behind the tannins also brings out acidity and black currant flavors. It will remain dry but well structured and with good fruitiness. Drink from 2017. | | 87 | 25 | Bordeaux | Haut-Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Reysson 2011 Haut-Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Reysson |
8825 | 8824 | France | The herbaceousness comes from both the Sauvignon and Sémillon in the blend. The Sémillon also gives a full texture as well as potential richness. With attractive citrus acidity, this is a very drinkable wine that can age. | | 87 | 25 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Blanc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tanesse 2012 Bordeaux Blanc | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Tanesse |
8826 | 8825 | US | The blend includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and was aged in 22% new (mostly French) oak. A streak of caraway and pepper suggests less than optimal ripening, though the fruit reaches tart black cherry concentration. Tannins are a bit astringent. | | 87 | 32 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Coeur d'Alene 2010 Cabernet Franc (Washington) | Cabernet Franc | Coeur d'Alene |
8827 | 8826 | Austria | Spicy herbal notes creep into a ripe nose of apricot and red apple. The same savory, earthy touch plays on the softened palate. | Alte Reben | 87 | 47 | Niederösterreich | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Ebner-Ebenauer 2012 Alte Reben Riesling (Niederösterreich) | Riesling | Ebner-Ebenauer |
8828 | 8827 | US | A pretty spray of cherry blossom perfume runs from start to finish on this off-dry rosé. It's a bit honeyed on the palate, with ripe, luscious cherry flavor, but it's quaffable and undeniably tasty. | Rosé | 87 | 14 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Glenora 2012 Rosé Pinot Noir (Finger Lakes) | Pinot Noir | Glenora |
8829 | 8828 | France | Cos d'Estournel's Médoc property produces wines that are all fruit. This is typical, a medley of black and red fruits on a light bed of tannins. The downside is a rustic flavor that needs to blow away. Give the wine until 2015. | | 87 | | Bordeaux | Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Goulée 2011 Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Goulée |
8830 | 8829 | US | Dry and rich, it has hard tannins framing blackberry, blueberry, cassis and oak flavors. But it's somewhat generic. | Montona Reserve | 87 | 95 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Andretti 2011 Montona Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Andretti |
8831 | 8830 | Spain | Highly concentrated black-fruit aromas of plum and currant are made more interesting by cola and forest-floor notes. This is a dense, chewy and almost fat Cabernet Sauvignon. Baked berry, fig and savory grilled-meat flavors are massive, backed up by a lush, deep finish. Drink 2018–2025. | Single Vineyard Estate Bottled | 93 | 40 | Central Spain | Dominio de Valdepusa | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marques de Griñon 2013 Single Vineyard Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Dominio de Valdepusa) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Marques de Griñon |
8832 | 8831 | US | Les Collines is one of the most exciting Syrah vineyards in the state and this wine, which all comes from Block 30 and saw only neutral barrels, expresses this site exquisitely. It opens with aromas of violets, rubbed herb, smoked meat and purple fruit. The palate brings a mesmerizing sense of purity, with mouth-coating seamless fruit and savory flavors. It drinks well on its own but is really designed for the dinner table. | Damavian Les Collines Vineyard | 93 | 45 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | W.T. Vintners 2014 Damavian Les Collines Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | W.T. Vintners |
8833 | 8832 | US | This cleanly made wine has potential to live long in the cellar. Intensely focused aromas of black raspberry and black plum combine with crushed asphalt and a touch of purple flowers on the nose. The tightly wound palate slowly reveals tart boysenberry, char and pine resin, flavors that the firm structure will reveal even more deliciously with time. Drink 2018–2029. | Fiddlestix Vineyard | 93 | 52 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Ancien 2014 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Ancien |
8834 | 8833 | US | Velvety on the palate, this coastal wine from a site three miles from the Pacific Ocean shows cool-climate savory tones of cranberry, rose petal and pine, with streaks of black licorice adding to the complex range of flavor. Integrated and lushly elegant, it finishes in a strong touch of cardamom. | Taylor Ridge Vineyard | 93 | 55 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Boheme 2014 Taylor Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Boheme |
8835 | 8834 | US | Quite dark in the glass, this meticulous blend of 47.32% Mourvèdre, 42.18% Syrah, 7.5% Petite Sirah and 3% Grenache shows rich, nose-tickling aromas of dried purple flowers, dark blueberry, caramelized blackberry and a touch of vanilla. The palate perfectly pairs dark fruit and bright acidity with touches of caramel and a tar-like structure. It's big, yet balanced. | Forty Two | 93 | 49 | California | Adelaida District | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Brecon Estate 2015 Forty Two Red (Adelaida District) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Brecon Estate |
8836 | 8835 | Italy | Red berry, camphor, dried Alpine herb and a whiff of espresso are some of the aromas you'll find on this firmly structured red. On the young, taut palate, assertive fine-grained tannins frame red cherry, star anise and coffee bean. It's still young, with a tight, tongue-drying finish. Drink 2023–2033. | Bricco Rocche | 93 | 270 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ceretto 2013 Bricco Rocche (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ceretto |
8837 | 8836 | Italy | Aromas of menthol, red berry, coffee and blue flower waft from the glass along with whiffs of chopped aromatic herb. The aromas follow through to the velvety palate along with Marasca cherry, raspberry and licorice. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide a structured framework. Drink 2025–2033. | Brunate | 93 | 130 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ceretto 2013 Brunate (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ceretto |
8838 | 8837 | France | The second wine from the biodynamic estate of Durfort-Vivens, this is a deliciously ripe fruity wine, dominated by 82% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a crisp accessible character that will allow it to age relatively quickly. The wine has juicy acidity, red-berry fruits and final acidity. Drink from 2019. | Viviens | 93 | 40 | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Durfort-Vivens 2014 Viviens (Margaux) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Durfort-Vivens |
8839 | 8838 | France | This is a very fine wine, bringing together sophisticated tannins and rich black fruits. It has structure, acidity and a juicy core that are well balanced, ripe and with great intensity. This is a serious wine from billionaire Clément Fayat and family and it is well worth aging. Drink from 2022. | | 93 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Dominique 2014 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Dominique |
8840 | 8839 | US | From the producer's mountain estate, and blended with 7% Malbec, this wine is chalky in blue fruit, with a hearty back-palate of tannin. The grit softens in the glass, revealing nuanced elegance and shades of nutmeg, cherry and blueberry brightness. | jd | 93 | 55 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davies 2014 jd Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Davies |
8841 | 8840 | US | Dark in color and deep in heavily ripened fruit flavors, this full-bodied, concentrated wine is a show-stopper. A quiet sense of power comes from the dried plum and raisin aromas and the rich blueberry, clove and dark-chocolate flavors. This is a keeper that will be best to drink after 2020. | Estate Bottled | 93 | 35 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Easton 2014 Estate Bottled Zinfandel (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Zinfandel | Easton |
8842 | 8841 | US | Blended with 12% Grenache, aromas of blackberry, caper, fresh herb, cranberry, mineral and spice are followed by full-bodied, lush black-fruit flavors, with white pepper and raw meat notes that persist on the finish. It flat out impresses, bringing a compelling sense of balance. | Emmy Stone Tree Vineyard | 93 | 49 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Efeste 2014 Emmy Stone Tree Vineyard Mourvèdre (Wahluke Slope) | Mourvèdre | Efeste |
8843 | 8842 | Austria | On the surface there is brisk, spicy grapefruit zest, while underneath the nose hints at generously ripe apricot and Mirabelle plum. The palate plays off juicy stone fruit and zesty citrus on a sleek, slender, concentrated body. The freshness is brisk and taut, while the fruit is charming and soft. With a slender, sleek and dry mouthfeel, this is just what you want from Riesling. | Ried Burgstall Federspiel | 93 | 38 | Wachau | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | F X Pichler 2016 Ried Burgstall Federspiel Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | F X Pichler |
8844 | 8843 | US | This medium-weight wine shows a crispness of style and provenance. Caramelized oak is softened and made fruity by the taste of apple skin and pear. Stony mineral is given additional freshness by layers of lemon peel and orange zest, finishing focused and clean. | Camp Meeting Ridge | 93 | 85 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Flowers 2014 Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Flowers |
8845 | 8844 | US | Red-cherry sauce, sagebrush, bay leaf and peppercorns show on the nose of this bottling that offers an intense density of aromas. The structure is firm and grabs hold of the palate, where flavors of tart red cherry, chaparral and slate combine. | JA Ranch | 93 | 55 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Foley 2014 JA Ranch Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Foley |
8846 | 8845 | Spain | This dark, concentrated number is new from the García family, known for the wines of San Román and Mauro. Like most reds from this clan, this is loaded with blackberry and toasty oak aromas. A massive, raw palate shows abrasive tannins. Oak-forward flavors of blackberry, cassis and coconut finish woody and powerful. Drink from 2018–2028. | | 93 | 62 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Garmón 2014 Ribera del Duero | Tempranillo | Garmón |
8847 | 8846 | Italy | This full-bodied wine opens with aromas of crushed berry, tobacco, leather, clove and a balsamic note. The robust enveloping palate offers cherry marinated in spirits, licorice, peppercorn and dried herb framed in firm velvety tannins. | Bussia Riserva 90 Dì | 93 | 90 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Giacomo Fenocchio 2011 Bussia Riserva 90 Dì (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Giacomo Fenocchio |
8848 | 8847 | Italy | Underbrush, scorched earth, ripe berry, blue flower and leather aromas take shape in the glass. The full-bodied enveloping palate doles out black cherry marinated in spirits, fleshy raspberry, truffle game and dark baking spice alongside firm, velvety tannins. A licorice note marks the finish. It's evolving quickly and won't need years to come around. Drink 2020–2030. | Arione | 93 | 59 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Gigi Rosso 2013 Arione (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Gigi Rosso |
8849 | 8848 | Austria | A combination of grapefruit zest, russet-pear peel, ripe apple and fresh lemon creates a nose and palate that are alluring, refreshing and very fruity. A bit of that zestiness is also apparent on the midpalate texture that delivers crunch, finesse and an enlivening purity. The finish is dry and long, full of moreish juiciness. | Engelsberg | 93 | 25 | Traisental | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Markus Huber 2016 Engelsberg Riesling (Traisental) | Riesling | Markus Huber |
8850 | 8849 | US | Light cranberry and pomegranate show on the nose of this always-anticipated bottling by Dan Lee, with a pine-needle aroma to provide depth. The slightly sour flavor of Montmorency cherries mixes with snappy cranberry and underripe red currants on the sip, which gains herbal and peppery spice complexity as it breathes. | Double L Vineyard | 93 | 64 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Morgan 2015 Double L Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Morgan |