| 9498 | 9497 | Italy | This crisp red blend from the Langhe in northern Italy offers sharp notes of dill and green olive backed by forest berry and white cherry. There's a taut, linear feel that is enhanced by the wine's fine, compact texture. | | 87 | 18 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Virna Borgogno 2008 Red (Langhe) | Red Blend | Virna Borgogno |
| 9499 | 9498 | US | Rich and showy, but a little too strong in everything, showing flamboyant tropical fruit, caramelized oak, butterscotch and sweet vanilla cream flavors. It's all quite delicious, but the wine ultimately lacks subtlety and distinction, especially at this price. | | 87 | 50 | California | San Francisco Bay | Central Coast | | | Hestan 2008 Chardonnay (San Francisco Bay) | Chardonnay | Hestan |
| 9500 | 9499 | Italy | This is a simple, fruit-forward Nebbiolo with ripe notes of strawberry and raspberry jam backed by light shadings of tobacco and spice. The wine shows bright acidity and clean, polished tannins. | Usignolo | 87 | 27 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Cascina Bruciata 2008 Usignolo Nebbiolo (Langhe) | Nebbiolo | Cascina Bruciata |
| 9501 | 9500 | Italy | This is a thick and vinous Dolcetto with bright grape and blueberry aromas followed by a touch of rubber and spice. It offers a slightly sweet aftertaste with dense, plump concentration. | Vigneti in Rio Sordo | 87 | 23 | Piedmont | Dolcetto d'Alba | | | | Cascina Bruciata 2009 Vigneti in Rio Sordo (Dolcetto d'Alba) | Dolcetto | Cascina Bruciata |
| 9502 | 9501 | France | A chunky wine, packed with tannins that fill out the dark plum and black cherry fruits. It's solid, if on the dry side, with fine acidity. | | 87 | 60 | Burgundy | Nuits-St.-Georges | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Chanson Père et Fils 2008 Nuits-St.-Georges | Pinot Noir | Chanson Père et Fils |
| 9503 | 9502 | US | Extraordinarily rich and sweet in raspberry, cherry, vanilla custard, brown sugar and cinnamon spice flavors. Soft and somewhat sugary on the finish, it shows lots of ripe California fruit, but would benefit from being drier. | Black Nova III | 87 | 78 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Château Julien 2007 Black Nova III Malbec-Syrah (Monterey County) | Malbec-Syrah | Château Julien |
| 9504 | 9503 | Romania | Surprisingly multifaceted, this lovely Sauvignon Blanc counters sweet, ripe stonefruit and gooseberry on the nose and palate with elegant hints of fresh tarragon and bergamot. Dry and medium bodied in style, it's a refreshing wine with brisk acidity and balanced alcohol. | Single Vineyard Selection Sebes Alba Transylvania | 87 | 9 | Sebes | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Cramele Halewood 2010 Single Vineyard Selection Sebes Alba Transylvania Sauvignon Blanc (Sebes) | Sauvignon Blanc | Cramele Halewood |
| 9505 | 9504 | Romania | Flirtatious on the nose with heady white blossoms, peach and sweet citrus scents, this medium-bodied Feteasca Regala is crisp and vivacious on the palate with an abundance of white peach and apricot flavors balanced by lime zest and a fresh, zippy acidity. | Alb Demisec | 87 | 7 | Recas | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Cramele Recas 2010 Alb Demisec Feteascǎ Regalǎ (Recas) | Feteascǎ Regalǎ | Cramele Recas |
| 9481 | 9480 | US | This notable Gewürtz starts with an aromatic, fresh fruit nose—melon, flowers—tinged with spice. On the palate, the wine offers an elegant array of white fruit, citrus and spice flavors and a shot of balancing acidity. The wine offers complexity but is also fun and refreshing, not perfumy or heavy. | Estate Bottled | 87 | 15 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Lamoreaux Landing 2007 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes) | Gewürztraminer | Lamoreaux Landing |
| 9506 | 9505 | Chile | Dark and dense up front, with leathery, beefy aromas that suggest weight and size. The palate is indeed round and full, while the flavors are herbal and savory as you dig through blackberry and fig. Hefty, a little hot and a bit baked on the finish. | Legado Reserva | 87 | 16 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | De Martino 2008 Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | De Martino |
| 9507 | 9506 | France | This is rounded and soft, with wood and spice flavors. There's an intriguing touch of ginger, along with a salty, mineral character. | Champs Pimont Premier Cru | 87 | 79 | Burgundy | Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jacques Prieur 2009 Champs Pimont Premier Cru (Beaune) | Chardonnay | Domaine Jacques Prieur |
| 9508 | 9507 | US | Sweet and candied, this Zin, which is a blend of Mount Veeder and Oakville fruit, is obviously superripe in blackberries, cherries, raspberries, mocha and dusty baking spices. It's sweet in fruity essence but nicely dry on the finish. Drink now with barbecue, baked ham, soft cheeses. | | 87 | 36 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Fontanella 2009 Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Fontanella |
| 9509 | 9508 | Chile | Dry and spicy up front, with aromas of herbed raspberry and sandalwood. The palate is juicy and structured, with toasty, spicy plum and berry flavors and good zest. Finishes toasty, with a bit of chocolaty richness. Fresh, ripe and well oaked. | Hacienda Araucano Reserva | 87 | 11 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | François Lurton 2009 Hacienda Araucano Reserva Carmenère (Colchagua Valley) | Carmenère | François Lurton |
| 9510 | 9509 | | This mouthwatering blend starts with a nose of fresh mint, pineapple and mango, followed by flavors of orange peel, peach and lemon. Fresh and fruity with a mineral backbone, the wine finishes on an earthy spin. Pair with grilled sardines or poultry dishes. | Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko | 92 | 28 | | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Tsililis 2015 Theopetra Malagouzia-Assyrtiko White | White Blend | Tsililis |
| 9482 | 9481 | US | Shows the crisp acidity and delicately silky mouthfeel of Carneros Chard, with ripe flavors of pineapples, guavas, kiwis and minerals. Could be a tad drier, but it's a pretty nice wine. | | 87 | 23 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | MacRostie 2007 Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | MacRostie |
| 9483 | 9482 | Italy | Floral and mineral tones blend nicely to create a fragrant yet polished nose. This luminous Prosecco sparkler made by vintner Maurizio Favrel delivers clean intensity and focused crispness. The mouthfeel is lean and tonic and the wine closes with a blast of citric zest. | Ruio Brut | 87 | 20 | Veneto | Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | | | | Malibràn NV Ruio Brut (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Malibràn |
| 9484 | 9483 | Australia | Imported by Bluewater Wine Company. | | 87 | 20 | Western Australia | Western Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Strait Jacket 2007 Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon (Western Australia) | Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon | Strait Jacket |
| 9485 | 9484 | Italy | This is a distinctive Prosecco (from the 2007 vintage) with aromas of chopped white pepper, minerals, mature lemon, stone fruit and honey. The wine showcases a sweet-versus-sour theme and ends with lively acidity. The blend sees 15% Verdiso, Perera and Bianchetta for more density and thickness. | Uvaggio Storico Dry | 87 | 24 | Veneto | Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | | | | Val d'Oca 2007 Uvaggio Storico Dry (Prosecco di Valdobbiadene) | Prosecco | Val d'Oca |
| 9486 | 9485 | Chile | A little candied and jumpy on the nose, with floral, grapey aromas. The palate is wide and stocky, with grabby tannins that turn the flavors of bold berry and plum a bit thick. Fruity and extracted on the finish; good wine but needs some refinement to match the big size. | Chamán Gran Reserva | 87 | 20 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Santa Cruz 2006 Chamán Gran Reserva Malbec (Colchagua Valley) | Malbec | Viña Santa Cruz |
| 9487 | 9486 | Austria | Knoll's simplest Riesling is super-fresh, floral, aromatic. The white berry fruits are dominant, supported by a tight line of acidity. It is, of course, very young, not yet ready to drink, its citric character dominant. It needs a year at least. | Loibner Federspiel | 87 | | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Emmerich Knoll 2008 Loibner Federspiel Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Emmerich Knoll |
| 9488 | 9487 | US | This lively Riesling offers aromas of citrus, apricot and honey, followed by layers of white fruit, spice and pepper. The wine has a slightly sweet fruity character but it's balanced by acid and minerals. A fun but impressive Riesling. | | 87 | 14 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Fox Run 2007 Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Fox Run |
| 9489 | 9488 | Chile | Dark and minerally, with black fruits, char and power on the nose. The palate is fresh and grippy, with integrated cassis, berry and herb flavors. Dry and lightly herbal on the finish, which is long and solid. A very nice blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. | Red Wine | 88 | 12 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Calcu 2008 Red Wine Red (Colchagua Valley) | Red Blend | Calcu |
| 9490 | 9489 | US | Pine and herb and green apple scents introduce this sharply defined wine, with crisp acidity and bright fruit flavors. It's tight and juicy, an excellent companion to creamy dishes or soft cheeses. | Unoaked | 88 | 19 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cave B 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Cave B |
| 9491 | 9490 | Greece | Currants, cherry and cocoa aromas give this Cabernet a luscious start. On the palate, a smoky wave of cherry, blackberry and cedar is both exotic and likeable. This is a tight wine but has appealing fruit accents. | Estate Hatzimichalis | 88 | 20 | Atalanti Valley | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Hatzimichalis 2007 Estate Hatzimichalis Cabernet Sauvignon (Atalanti Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hatzimichalis |
| 9492 | 9491 | New Zealand | Sourced from Marlborough's main valley, this is a nicely made example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Grapefruit and crushed tomato-leaf notes mingle easily, backed by ripe, vaguely tropical fruit. It's medium in body, finishing clean and refreshing. | | 87 | 18 | Wairau Valley | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Goldwater 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Wairau Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Goldwater |
| 9493 | 9492 | New Zealand | This Syrah is really attractive upfront, with aromas of sweet pastry crust, baked plum, licorice and cracked pepper. The plum and blackberry fruit is balanced by some savory elements on the palate, which doesn't show a lot of weight or length. A pretty wine to drink over the next couple of years. | Silistria | 87 | 30 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Gunn Estate 2007 Silistria Syrah (Hawke's Bay) | Syrah | Gunn Estate |
| 9494 | 9493 | US | Like most California Tempranillos, this one's dry, acidic and rich in red cherry fruit, cola and beef jerky flavors. It's a pleasant wine, with a silky, light mouthfeel. Try as an interesting alternative to Pinot Noir. | Tempestuous | 87 | 35 | California | San Benito County | Central Coast | | | Bella Luna 2008 Tempestuous Tempranillo (San Benito County) | Tempranillo | Bella Luna |
| 9495 | 9494 | US | Just a touch of oak adds a welcome creamy smokiness to this dry, crisply acidic wine. It's superrich in ripe lychee, Mandarin orange, sweet lime and spice flavors. Refreshing and clean, it's a nice cocktail sipper. | | 87 | 22 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Benessere 2009 Pinot Grigio (Carneros) | Pinot Grigio | Benessere |
| 9496 | 9495 | Italy | L'Ardì shows sweet and succulent fruit flavors with plump aromas of red cherry and plum. Dolcetto is a great wine to pair with grilled sausage or pepperoni pizza. | L'Ardì | 87 | 12 | Piedmont | Dolcetto d'Acqui | | | | Vigne Regali 2009 L'Ardì (Dolcetto d'Acqui) | Dolcetto | Vigne Regali |
| 9497 | 9496 | Bulgaria | Nicely concentrated with a core of ripe red fruit and menthol, this is a fresh, forward Cab that's a bargain at $8. Bright and clean from start to finish, the finish lingers on smooth, velvety tannins and a fresh, herbaceous mint note. | Veni Vidi Vici | 87 | 8 | Thracian Valley | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Vini 2009 Veni Vidi Vici Cabernet Sauvignon (Thracian Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Vini |