| 9001 | 9000 | US | Oak stands out, making smoky caramel and butterscotch the dominant flavors in this Chardonnay. Below that are fruity flavors of pineapples, green apple jam and peach preserves, finished with awesome Asian spices. Just 90 cases produced. | Boonfly's Hill | 88 | 50 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Kazmer & Blaise 2006 Boonfly's Hill Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Kazmer & Blaise |
| 9002 | 9001 | US | Ripe and oaky, with luscious flavors of pineapples, green apple butter, buttered toast and caramel, undergirded by a stony minerality. Drink now. | Poseidon's Vineyard | 88 | 24 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Molnar Family 2006 Poseidon's Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Molnar Family |
| 9003 | 9002 | Italy | This Verdicchio, from the best grapes of the estate's Villa Bianchi vineyard, offers pretty renderings of honey, pear and stone fruit. The aromas are fresh, vibrant and inviting and the mouthfeel is long-lasting and bright. Thirty percent of the wine ferments in new French oak to give the wine added texture and flavor. | Plenio Riserva | 88 | 25 | Central Italy | Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico | | | | Umani Ronchi 2004 Plenio Riserva (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico) | Verdicchio | Umani Ronchi |
| 9004 | 9003 | US | Strong scents of grass and grapefruit leap from the glass; this could pass for Sauvignon Blanc in a blind tasting. The flavors follow, sweetly grassy, hinting at melon and yellow fruits, with plenty of natural acids and alcohol at a moderate 13.5%. | | 88 | 18 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | WillaKenzie Estate 2007 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Blanc | WillaKenzie Estate |
| 9005 | 9004 | Australia | A solid effort that should have broad commercial appeal, Yangarra's 2006 Grenache displays a squeaky-clean bouquet of black cherries, mixed berries and a touch of vanilla. It's soft and velvety in the mouth, with a full, round presence, mixed fruit flavors and a touch of wood spice. Drink now–2010. | Old Vine Single Vineyard | 88 | 25 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2006 Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | Yangarra Estate Vineyard |
| 9006 | 9005 | US | Complex layers of slate, chalk and peach open this light-weight Riesling. Though slightly watery, the palate delivers delicious lemon and citrus notes and finishes quite crisp. Serve with sushi or tuna tartare. | Ingle Vineyard | 88 | 25 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | | | Heron Hill 2005 Ingle Vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Heron Hill |
| 9007 | 9006 | Argentina | Earthy and meaty, with aromas of dark cherry, plum and a whiff of volatility. Once things settle, it evolves into a full and flowing, semigeneric red with earnest grape and blackberry flavors along with cola. While it's hard to peg this as varietal Syrah, it's well made, balanced and full. Good for folks who like full-bodied wines. | Alberto Furque | 88 | 15 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Aconquija 2005 Alberto Furque Syrah (Uco Valley) | Syrah | Bodega Aconquija |
| 9008 | 9007 | Italy | Alastro, from the dynamic Planeta winery in Sicily, is a wood-driven blend of Grecanico and Chardonnay (only 10% sees oak) with sophisticated aromas of almond, buttery peach and honeysuckle. This luminous wine offers good density and weight in the mouth, with a smooth and polished finish. | Alastro | 88 | 21 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Planeta 2007 Alastro White (Sicilia) | White Blend | Planeta |
| 9009 | 9008 | Portugal | Firm and dry, this LBV from a fine Port year is structured, showing dry tannins as well as ripe, dry fruits. That means the richness is restrained, giving elegance, perfumes of violets and finishing with some tight acidity. | Late Bottled Vintage | 88 | 26 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Ramos-Pinto 2003 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Ramos-Pinto |
| 9010 | 9009 | US | This joins the happily increasing ranks of Oregon Pinots under $20 that can successfully compete with entry-level bottles from New Zealand, California and Burgundy. Grounded in varietal character, it brings tart red fruits, berries, cherries and loamy earth into play; the acids are plentiful and the wine does not overreach. Flavors are true and lingering, with suggestions of gunmetal and iron ore adding interest to the finish. | Spinnaker | 88 | 19 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Spindrift Cellars 2007 Spinnaker Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Spindrift Cellars |
| 9011 | 9010 | US | Ripe, tropical flavors of pear, peach and banana mingle in this blend of five vineyards. It's fleshy and ripe. | | 88 | 20 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Lachini 2006 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Lachini |
| 9012 | 9011 | Australia | Dark and taut, this is layered with lots of herbs, cedar and smoke backed by blackberry and cherry fruit. The racy palate is framed by branchy tannins and cassis flavors that linger on the medium finish. | Prelude Vineyards | 88 | 29 | Western Australia | Margaret River | | | | Leeuwin Estate 2004 Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Merlot (Margaret River) | Cabernet Merlot | Leeuwin Estate |
| 9013 | 9012 | Spain | Evidence of a warm vintage is sketched on the bouquet. Aromas of raisin, black licorice and mocha are quite sweet. The palate is wide and mildly tannic, with earthy, oaky black cherry and raspberry flavors. For a ripe wine with significant extraction, it's well balanced. But all along there's a hint of prune that tells you it's ripe and ready. | Gran Vino Pontac | 88 | 70 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Luis Alegre 2003 Gran Vino Pontac (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Luis Alegre |
| 9014 | 9013 | Italy | Here's a smoky, oak-driven wine with a nice balance between spice and aromas that recall blackberry, plum and mature cherry. As the wine evolves in the glass, it exhibits chocolate and espresso bean. It's dense and thick, with firm tannins that give it staying power. | | 88 | 9 | Central Italy | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane | | | | Farnese 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane | Montepulciano | Farnese |
| 9015 | 9014 | Italy | Firriato's blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah is a youthful wine with aromas of fresh blueberry, plum and prune. The wine offers rich density and very good harmony that makes it both approachable and a pleasure to drink. | Santagostino Baglio Sorìa | 88 | 30 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Firriato 2005 Santagostino Baglio Sorìa Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Firriato |
| 9016 | 9015 | Spain | Starts out with gritty, granular aromas that hint at raisin, yet the palate is fresher and more stand-up. Flavors of raspberry and cherry are round and sort of earthy, while the tannin-to-acid balance is good. Finishes sort of narrow but with crusty tannins and stature. Drink now. | Terras Cúa | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Bierzo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Valsanzo 2003 Terras Cúa Mencía (Bierzo) | Mencía | Valsanzo |
| 9017 | 9016 | Argentina | Classic Weinert wine; meaning it's well-aged, mature and sort of throwback. It's not purple and saturated and sticky; instead it's medium-weight and a touch scratchy, with roasted berry aromas followed by dry cherry, raspberry and plum flavors. A touch of burnt brown sugar offers balance and sweetness, and as a whole it seems ready to drink. | | 88 | 24 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Weinert 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Weinert |
| 9018 | 9017 | Australia | The opaque eggplant hue of this stunning value promises much—and what's in the glass delivers. Prominent oaky notes are layered over plum and high-toned floral aromas. Dense and voluptuous on the palate, with chewy tannins, this is a seriously ambitious wine that could benefit from a year or two in the bottle. | The Reserve | 88 | 11 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | | | Yellow Tail 2006 The Reserve Merlot (South Eastern Australia) | Merlot | Yellow Tail |
| 9019 | 9018 | US | It's toasty and lush with the scents and flavors of roasted walnuts and butterscotch; not a bad thing by any means. Under the sweet oak are flavors of berry, tart and fresh as if just-picked. This is a thoroughly delightful bottle and a rare find at this price—a Pinot Noir that can be enjoyed immediately but should cellar well for up to a decade. | | 88 | 24 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Arcane Cellars |
| 9020 | 9019 | US | More tannic than in past vintages, Bella's '06 Belle Canyon shows the same briary, brambly flavors, with spicy wild berries and olive tapenade accented with fresh green sage, black pepper and rosemary. Drink this exuberant Zin soon, with spicy grilled meats. | Belle Canyon | 88 | 35 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Bella 2006 Belle Canyon Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Bella |
| 9021 | 9020 | France | An herbaceous wine, smoothed out by spicy wood. The wine is balanced, the wood a delicious extra to pear and green plum-skin fruit flavors. Very perfumed, it demands fish with a sauce or scallops. | | 88 | 29 | Bordeaux | Premieres Côtes de Blaye | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut Bertinerie 2006 Premieres Côtes de Blaye | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Haut Bertinerie |
| 9022 | 9021 | France | Emphasizing richness rather than sweetness, here is a wine that is dominated by the dryness of botrytis. It has powerful, dark honey flavors allied to almonds and spice. The fruit, though, is less obvious. | | 88 | | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lamothe Guignard 2004 Sauternes | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Lamothe Guignard |
| 9023 | 9022 | Italy | This rich expression of Nerello Mascalese (a grape native to Sicily's Mount Etna) offers thick density and extraction followed by fresh notes of berry fruit and spice. It ends with chewy tannins and bright cherry flavors. | Barbazzale | 88 | 16 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Cottanera 2007 Barbazzale Nerello Mascalese (Sicilia) | Nerello Mascalese | Cottanera |
| 9024 | 9023 | Australia | A solid effort, this Shiraz-Viognier blend offers up raspberry and strawberry scents punctuated by more pungent notes of road tar, licorice, cola and black olive. It's full-bodied, powered by its 15% alcohol, yet could use a richer, thicker texture. Drink now to 2011. | Two Brothers | 88 | 23 | South Australia | Barossa | | | | Creed of Barossa 2005 Two Brothers Shiraz-Viognier (Barossa) | Shiraz-Viognier | Creed of Barossa |
| 9025 | 9024 | US | Juicy and fresh, this wine opens with gorgeous tropical fruit. The medium-weight palate shows sour candy flavors offset by a slight mineral edge and finishes with just enough acidity to carry off the sweetness. | Semi Dry | 88 | 16 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | | | Dr. Konstantin Frank 2007 Semi Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Dr. Konstantin Frank |
| 9026 | 9025 | Austria | It shows total citrus focus, linearity and precision, fringed by green pear peel and peppery leaves. Superior freshness and definite ageing potential show in the tingling, invigorating acidity. | Karmeliterberg | 91 | 16 | Kremstal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Hermann Moser 2013 Karmeliterberg Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Hermann Moser |
| 9027 | 9026 | US | Pinot Blanc in a warm year such as 2012 veers closer to the fruitiness of Pinot Gris, as shown here. Barrel fermented in French oak, it remains sleek and crisply defined, with pure fruit flavors of golden apple and ripe pear. | | 91 | 24 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ken Wright 2012 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Blanc | Ken Wright |
| 9028 | 9027 | US | Ken Wright produces more than a dozen single-vineyard Pinots in any given vintage. This wine, which sells for a fraction of the cost of those wines, uses many of the same grapes. It's an astonishing value, lushly fruited, tangy and laced with appealing minerality. The mix of red fruits, earth, acid and mineral is a perfect encapsulation of the pricier cuvées' strengths. | | 91 | 25 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ken Wright 2012 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Ken Wright |
| 9029 | 9028 | US | Part of King Estate's ambitious Limited Edition program for Pinot Gris, this is packaged in a hock bottle with a label styled for a European look. Slightly off dry, with residual sugar just below one percent, it's lovely with honey, tea, lemon cake and ripe, semitropical fruit flavors. Great focus and balance are in play, with perfect acidity. | Limited Edition Blend | 91 | 22 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | King Estate 2011 Limited Edition Blend Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | King Estate |
| 9030 | 9029 | Chile | This five-grape blend is ripe, smooth, loamy and rich on the nose, with aromas of pastry, syrupy berry and cassis. A flush, oaky palate has just enough acidity to maintain its poise, while creamy oak and vanilla flavors shadow mellow black plum and cassis. On the finish, oak hangs around and creates a coffee note. Drink this mouthfilling, friendly and generous wine through 2017. | Auma Los Lingues | 91 | 100 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Koyle 2010 Auma Los Lingues Red (Colchagua Valley) | Red Blend | Koyle |