| 8881 | 8880 | US | The mountain appellation speaks loudly in this wine, contributing juicy blackberry, tar and leather, all within a forested context of wild truffle and crunchy leaves. Concentrated and robust in body and ripeness, it unwinds slowly in the glass, imparting jolts of black pepper as it goes. | | 95 | 75 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Mt. Brave 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mt. Brave |
| 8882 | 8881 | Portugal | Always impressive, this wine is structured and powerful, with firm tannins that are still coming together. Packed with black fruits and tannins, it conveys a rich, almost Port-like quality, perhaps because the grapes are foot-trodden as in Port. Drink this wine from 2022. | Vinha da Francisca | 95 | 100 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta Vale Dona Maria 2014 Vinha da Francisca Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta Vale Dona Maria |
| 8883 | 8882 | US | Site speaks loudly in this beautifully made wine that is allowed to show its naturally inclined power within a constraint of cool-climate terroir. Juicy and explosive on the palate in cherry, raspberry, forest floor and jolts of cardamom, it's both lush and toasty, with a firmness to the tannin structure that suggests plenty of aging potential. It should get pretty interesting between 2024 and 2034, if one can possibly wait. | Durell Vineyard | 95 | 65 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Three Sticks 2014 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Three Sticks |
| 8884 | 8883 | Italy | Combining finesse and structure, this impressive wine opens with fantastic scents of new leather, woodland berry, baking spice and balsamic notes. A blend of Nebbiolo and 15% Vespolina, the enticing palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry and white pepper framed in firm refined tannins. An energizing mineral note carries the lingering finish. Despite the warm vintage, it still boasts freshness. Drink through 2026. | | 95 | 55 | Piedmont | Boca | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Le Piane 2009 Boca | Red Blend | Le Piane |
| 8885 | 8884 | US | Softly layered, this ripe, bold wine shows a wealth of body and complexity. The ripeness will please for its interwoven notions of Dr Pepper, black-cherry jam and black pepper, its tannins leathery and full of bravado. | Reserve | 95 | 150 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Macauley 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Macauley |
| 8886 | 8885 | US | There is impressive depth to the nose of this bottling, with concentrated black cherry, black plum and blueberry fruit enhanced by white pepper, roasted meat, licorice and hot asphalt. The palate is awash in savory flavors, with soy, charred beef and tobacco followed by waves of blueberry and leather and a wash of vanilla, plum skin and mocha, all atop perfectly polished tannins. | Mia's Vineyard | 95 | 50 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Falcone 2013 Mia's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Falcone |
| 8887 | 8886 | US | This wine is made to highlight the vintage and best vineyards, relying heavily on the producer's top-end site, Sacrashe. A hugely constructed wine, bold and brawny, it also manages to be soft and velvety, allowing for a greater contribution of savory elements than sweet, from leather to black pepper to Mexican chocolate. It pushes the boundaries on decadence in mysterious ways. | Kathryn Hall | 95 | 165 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Hall 2013 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hall |
| 8888 | 8887 | Italy | This is a lovely vineyard designate Barbaresco that combines fresh flavors of cassis and wild berries with ethereal notes of root beer, licorice and tar. It finishes with smooth, sturdy tannins and will only improve over the next 5–10 years. | Vigneto Brich Ronchi | 93 | 60 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Albino Rocca 2008 Vigneto Brich Ronchi (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Albino Rocca |
| 8889 | 8888 | France | An impressively powerful wine, with packed acidity, sweet fruits and ripe tannins. The wine has great density, a dusty texture, the fruit powering through while preserving the relative austerity of the vintage. | Corton le Rognet | 93 | 120 | Burgundy | Corton | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Camille Giroud 2008 Corton le Rognet (Corton) | Pinot Noir | Camille Giroud |
| 8890 | 8889 | France | Offering both richness and absolute freshness, the wine layers ripe white and yellow fruits, creamed apple flavors and a great line of mineral texture and citrus flavor. It will age, give this 6 years. | Le Champ Gain | 93 | 100 | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Camille Giroud 2008 Le Champ Gain (Puligny-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Camille Giroud |
| 8891 | 8890 | Italy | From the Monforte d'Alba area of Barolo, this deeply concentrated and rich wine is etched by sharp aromas of licorice, black pepper, red cherry, chocolate, leather and cigar box. The mouthfeel, with its soft, velvety tannins, is particularly pleasurable. Drink after 2015. | Rocche di Castelletto | 93 | 74 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Cascina Chicco 2007 Rocche di Castelletto (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Cascina Chicco |
| 8892 | 8891 | France | A wine with great weight, density and structure from a well-positioned parcel of vines. The juicy plum flavors affirm the potential for opulence as the wine ages. | Clos Vougeot | 93 | 250 | Burgundy | Clos de Vougeot | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Bertagna 2009 Clos Vougeot (Clos de Vougeot) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Bertagna |
| 8893 | 8892 | France | Firmly tannic wine, with balancing ripe fruit well under the structured layers. The weight of the wine comes from the rich and generous black plum fruit and acidity. A wine for long-term aging. | Clos de la Bousse d'Or | 93 | 146 | Burgundy | Volnay | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de la Pousse d'Or 2009 Clos de la Bousse d'Or (Volnay) | Pinot Noir | Domaine de la Pousse d'Or |
| 8894 | 8893 | France | All the proper structure of young Gevrey-Chambertin with the addition of rich, generous fruit. The core is of wood and dry fruit tannins, the fruit of rich black plum juice. At this stage, the wine is firm. Give it 5–6 years to open up. | Les Combottes | 93 | 224 | Burgundy | Gevrey-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Dujac 2009 Les Combottes (Gevrey-Chambertin) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Dujac |
| 8895 | 8894 | France | Rich, opulent and spicy, with a great balance between wood and fruit. The generous black plum and black currant fruit is delicious, balanced by taut acidity. Keep for 3-4 years. | Champans | 93 | 138 | Burgundy | Volnay | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jacques Prieur 2009 Champans (Volnay) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Jacques Prieur |
| 8896 | 8895 | US | One of the few California Malbecs that comes close to the dense fruit and sheer deliciousness of Argentine bottlings. The wine is full-bodied, soft and insanely rich in blackberry, black currant, cassis, chocolate, bacon and spice flavors, with intense tannins and a fine cut of acidity for balance. This is barbecue wine on steroids. | Krupp Vineyard | 93 | 60 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Krutz 2008 Krupp Vineyard Malbec (Napa Valley) | Malbec | Krutz |
| 8897 | 8896 | France | Very mineral, textured wine, its acidity and taut green fruit flavors firmly in evidence. It has some of the richness and opulence of the vintage, with great swathes of ripe yellow fruits developing. For long-term aging. | Bâtard-Montrachet | 93 | 299 | Burgundy | Bâtard-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Latour 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet (Bâtard-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Louis Latour |
| 8898 | 8897 | France | Firmly structured wine, which also boasts delicious jammy fruit, very ripe, very opulent. The tannins are sweet and rich, suggesting aging potential over 7–8 years and more. An impressive wine. | Charmes Chambertin | 93 | 359 | Burgundy | Charmes-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Latour 2009 Charmes Chambertin (Charmes-Chambertin) | Pinot Noir | Louis Latour |
| 8899 | 8898 | Italy | Ripe berry and mature fruit aromas of prune and candied cherry open the bouquet of this lovely, garnet-colored Barolo. The wine offers excellent intensity and depth with what can best be described as a lively mouthfeel. Indeed, this wine exudes life, health and brightness. | San Pietro | 93 | 50 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Podere Ruggeri Corsini 2007 San Pietro (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Podere Ruggeri Corsini |
| 8900 | 8899 | US | Hugely delicious, just a joy to drink. So soft and velvety, so rich in blackberry jam, cassis and chocolate flavors, with the tannins so smooth and round. Really wonderful over the next few years, although the softness and high alcohol suggest it's not an ager. | Vintner Select Cuvée | 93 | 130 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Pride Mountain 2008 Vintner Select Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Pride Mountain |
| 8901 | 8900 | Italy | Punset releases its wines much later than others and its organic, Nebbiolo-based wines really do need a lot of time in the bottle before they are ready to drink. Take this 2004 Barbaresco: The wine is very alive and bright with firm tannins and a long finish that will gain traction over the next decade. | | 93 | | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Punset 2004 Barbaresco | Nebbiolo | Punset |
| 8902 | 8901 | Italy | This Riserva Barbaresco hits a home run thanks to the pretty richness of its fruit and spice tones and the elegant aromatic accents offered in the form of violet, cola and licorice. The wine shows dark concentration, velvety richness and a sweet milk chocolate finish. | Gaia Principe Riserva | 93 | | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Roberto Sarotto 2006 Gaia Principe Riserva (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Roberto Sarotto |
| 8903 | 8902 | US | The aromas begin with a pretty violet character, around plum and smoke. Flavors are tightly wound and balanced, with sharp acids. This slowly opens over many hours of breathing time to unveil smooth, soft fruit, light herbs, pretty floral highlights and great texture. | Pentad | 93 | 50 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Seven Hills 2007 Pentad Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Seven Hills |
| 8904 | 8903 | Italy | Barolo La Rosa delivers bold, dark concentration with sweet spice tones of almond paste and vanilla cream backed by sharply focused aromas of red berry, cassis, plum and mocha. In the mouth, this beautiful Nebbiolo boasts a linear but long-lasting feel. | La Rosa | 93 | 115 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Fontanafredda 2007 La Rosa (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Fontanafredda |
| 8905 | 8904 | Italy | Barolo Vigna Rué is a meaty, beefy expression of Nebbiolo with generous tones of leather and tobacco backed by red cherry, spice, smoked beef jerky and soy sauce. Dark fruit concentration helps pad against the fresh oak tones that are also evident (and that will surely soften with more bottle aging). | Vigna Rué | 93 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Germano Angelo 2007 Vigna Rué (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Germano Angelo |
| 8906 | 8905 | Italy | You'll love the powerful richness and natural concentration of this beautiful Barolo. It boasts masculine renderings of cherry liqueur, carob pod, red rose and sassy cinnamon spice. The wine shows great aging potential (10 years or more) thanks to its firm tannins and fresh acidity. | | 93 | 55 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Aurelio Settimo 2007 Barolo | Nebbiolo | Aurelio Settimo |
| 8907 | 8906 | Italy | Brezza's finely nuanced Cannubi expression of Nebbiolo delivers sweet spice tones of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg followed by delicate tones of root beer, drying mineral, soy sauce and forest fruit. The wine is fine, compact and chiseled on the close with a long, structured finish. It's very elegant overall. | Cannubi | 93 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Brezza 2007 Cannubi (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Brezza |
| 8908 | 8907 | Italy | Barolo Coste di Rose is a darkly concentrated and rich wine with sweet spice overtones of clove, licorice and cinnamon over cherry fruit and raspberry. There's a soft, chewy quality to the mouthfeel that is typical of wines from the 2007 vintage. | Coste di Rose | 93 | 61 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Bric Cenciurio 2007 Coste di Rose (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Bric Cenciurio |
| 8909 | 8908 | France | A wine that is very mineral, very structured in its tannins, the black fruits flavors a straight line cut through with acidity. | Latricières Chambertin | 93 | 185 | Burgundy | Latricières-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Camille Giroud 2008 Latricières Chambertin (Latricières-Chambertin) | Pinot Noir | Camille Giroud |
| 8910 | 8909 | Italy | Massara is a gorgeous, seriously beautiful expression of Barolo with dark concentration that follows straight up to the wine's rim. Opulent aromas are of forest fruit, cherry cola, licorice, mesquite shavings and root beer. The wine has all the qualities for a long aging future including acidity, tannins and pulpy fruit tones. | Massara | 93 | 65 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Castello di Verduno 2007 Massara (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Castello di Verduno |