| 1021 | 1020 | US | Creamy and fresh, this is made from estate-grown grapes, fermented in a mix of stainless steel and neutral barrels. The fruit flavors blend jicama, melon and pear, with a touch of sweetness. It finishes with a hint of honeysuckle. | | 88 | 14 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Stanton Vineyard 2013 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Gris | Stanton Vineyard |
| 1022 | 1021 | Argentina | Warm, earthy, jammy berry aromas are oaky and bring a note of latex into the fold. This chunky Malbec is tannic and grabby, with oaky flavors of black plum and vanilla set against herbal undertones. Spice, chocolate, carob and drawing tannins create a bold but rough finish. | Reserva | 88 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Terrazas de Los Andes 2012 Reserva Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Terrazas de Los Andes |
| 1023 | 1022 | Italy | Made entirely with Insolia, this opens with subdued aromas of tropical fruit and white spring flower. The bright, linear palate offers passion fruit, peach, nectarine zest and a hint of ginger alongside crisp acidity. | Cubia Tenuta Ficuzza | 88 | 27 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cusumano 2013 Cubia Tenuta Ficuzza Insolia (Sicilia) | Insolia | Cusumano |
| 1024 | 1023 | Israel | This offers aromas of honeydew melon and vanilla. On the palate, gentle flavors of nutmeg, cinnamon and eucalyptus predominate over a bright burst of citrus. Tannins are a tad bold for a relatively delicate white wine, but they are tempered by baking spice flavors that wash across the tongue and notes of tangerine on the back palate. | Alma Semillon-Viognier-Pinot Gris | 88 | 25 | Galilee | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Dalton 2013 Alma Semillon-Viognier-Pinot Gris White (Galilee) | White Blend | Dalton |
| 1025 | 1024 | France | The Pfleck vineyard with its clay and limestone soil gives a rich style of Pinot Gris. This wine, with its intense spice and lychee flavors, is typical. It has a crisp edge but the ripe fruitiness and touch of pepper give weight and richness. Drink now. | Pfleck | 88 | 28 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Barmès-Buecher 2012 Pfleck Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Domaine Barmès-Buecher |
| 1026 | 1025 | US | This is a softer Sauvignon Blanc for those not sworn to the grassy side of the grape, as the Buellton-based winery does a lot of barrel-fermenting. Aromas include pressed kiwi and a sour pucker of lime, and the broiled pear flavors prove easy drinking, if not exceedingly complex. | Vogelzang | 88 | 42 | California | Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2012 Vogelzang Sauvignon Blanc (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara) | Sauvignon Blanc | Dragonette |
| 1027 | 1026 | US | Smooth-drinking, this offers soft, mellow flavors of melon and pear. Light but persistent, it's a clean, fresh and appealing selection, best enjoyed now. | | 88 | 13 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Firesteed 2013 Pinot Gris (Oregon) | Pinot Gris | Firesteed |
| 1028 | 1027 | US | The pretty fruit flavors suggest relatively young vines, bringing light cherry to the front and center. Hints of marzipan, a flash of finishing heat and subtle chalkiness run through the finish. Another year or two of bottle age should continue to improve this one. | Estate | 88 | 34 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Folin Cellars 2012 Estate Grenache (Rogue Valley) | Grenache | Folin Cellars |
| 1029 | 1028 | Spain | This lighter-bodied Mencía from Valdeorras shows exotic, minerally aromas of raspberry, blueberry and Middle Eastern spices. The palate runs crisp and fresh, but not real deep or intense. Flavors of raspberry, plum and schist finish dry and floral, with a touch of lasting oak. | | 88 | 19 | Northern Spain | Valdeorras | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gaba do Xil 2012 Mencía (Valdeorras) | Mencía | Gaba do Xil |
| 1030 | 1029 | Spain | Clean, peachy aromas set up a light, minerally, citrusy body. Flavors of gooseberry, lime and lemon hold steady and double up on gooseberry on the finish. Overall, this is round, minerally and elegant, but also slightly sour and edgy. | | 88 | 18 | Northern Spain | Bizkaiko Txakolina | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gorka Izagirre 2013 White (Bizkaiko Txakolina) | White Blend | Gorka Izagirre |
| 1031 | 1030 | US | There's a substantial earthiness to this Chardonnay, grown in a relatively cool estate vineyard. Vibrant on the palate in ripe apple and lemon, it offers medium weight and body, with a crispness to the finish and a food-friendly nature. | Miljenko's Selection | 88 | 60 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Grgich Hills 2012 Miljenko's Selection Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Grgich Hills |
| 1032 | 1031 | Spain | Leathery cherry and cassis aromas are softened up by baking spice accents. In the mouth, this is hard-edged and pointed, with sharp, lemony acidity. Flavors of spiced plum and pie cherry finish with jagged acids and heat. This is a real enamel-peeler; more time in bottle can only help. | Crianza | 88 | 28 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Linaje Garsea 2010 Crianza (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Linaje Garsea |
| 1033 | 1032 | New Zealand | This is a soft, slightly sweet rendering of Pinot Gris, loaded with succulent pear, pineapple and melon fruit. Chill it well and sip it by the pool this summer. | | 88 | 16 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Omaka Springs 2013 Pinot Gris (Marlborough) | Pinot Gris | Omaka Springs |
| 1034 | 1033 | US | Sea salt, Bosc pear, apple cider, squeezed lemon and shreds of vanilla frame a leaner nose on this wine from mid-Monterey County. The cider element carries to the rather pungent palate, proving quite high-toned and acidic with some minerality, grapefruit peel grip and long-lasting vibrancy on the finish. | | 88 | 22 | California | Arroyo Seco | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Ventana 2013 Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco) | Chardonnay | Ventana |
| 1035 | 1034 | France | With its few years of aging, this is now a ripe and broad wine rich in yellow fruits that are cut with pear juice. It has nutty overtones, and a bright, crisp aftertaste. | Clos de la Tourelle Château Ollwiller | 88 | 10 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vieil Armand 2010 Clos de la Tourelle Château Ollwiller Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Vieil Armand |
| 1036 | 1035 | Italy | This juicy, delicious red features aromas of red berry, Mediterranean brush and aromatic herb. The easygoing palate doles out ripe blackberry, crushed Morello cherry, a charred note and a touch of baking spice alongside smooth, supple tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the succulent fruit. | Aquilae | 88 | 12 | Sicily & Sardinia | Terre Siciliane | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Viticultori Associati Canicatti 2012 Aquilae Nero d'Avola (Terre Siciliane) | Nero d'Avola | Viticultori Associati Canicatti |
| 1040 | 1039 | Spain | Varietally correct aromas of peach and melon form a good opening to this mostly fresh but fading Albariño. Flavors of melon, papaya and peach are typical for the grape, and the finish is holding on but showing signs of maturation. Drink immediately. | | 87 | 15 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pazo Torrado 2013 Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Pazo Torrado |
| 1041 | 1040 | Argentina | Dark in color and forcefully oaked on the nose, this resiny Malbec will appeal to fans of richly styled reds. Plum, berry, tomato leaf and herbal flavors finish woody but fair, with lasting acidity. | Clásico | 87 | 15 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sur de los Andes 2012 Clásico Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Sur de los Andes |
| 1037 | 1036 | Italy | An attractive fragrance of white flower, stone fruit, apple and a whiff of smoke opens this linear wine. The bright palate offers dried citrus, Golden Delicious apple and mineral alongside brisk acidity. | Salisire Bianco | 88 | 28 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Vivera 2010 Salisire Bianco (Etna) | Carricante | Vivera |
| 1038 | 1037 | US | This wine offers notes of toasted vanilla bean, herbs and red fruit. It's broad in feel while the fruit flavors are elegant in style, with the supple feel bringing much of the enjoyment. | Spofford Station | 88 | 28 | Oregon | Walla Walla Valley (OR) | Oregon Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | WildAire 2012 Spofford Station Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR)) | Syrah | WildAire |
| 1039 | 1038 | New Zealand | This lacks a bit of midpalate richness, but otherwise offers fine drinking. Clove, cinnamon and leather complexities keep the cherry flavors interesting, while the finish is clean and crisp. Drink now. | Gimblett Gravels Reserve | 87 | 20 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mills Reef 2012 Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot-Malbec (Hawke's Bay) | Merlot-Malbec | Mills Reef |
| 1042 | 1041 | New Zealand | In marked contrast to the plush, sexy 2010, the 2011 Patriarch is a stern taskmaster. The aromas and flavors of cherry, cedar and dried herbs are pleasant, but carry with them a worring dry astringency. Try drinking this over the near term, with rare beef to help ameliorate the tannin's effects. | The Patriarch Premium | 87 | 70 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Babich 2011 The Patriarch Premium Red (Hawke's Bay) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Babich |
| 1043 | 1042 | Spain | A pretty decent Rioja for the vintage, but you're going to have to be ready for some rubbery aromas and then staunch red fruit with a little bite. It's quite the traditional wine, with lemon peel, leather and tobacco. Runs short on the finish. | Crianza | 85 | 15 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Rentas de Fincas 2003 Crianza (Rioja) | Red Blend | Rentas de Fincas |
| 1044 | 1043 | Austria | The lightest in a range of Grüner Veltliner from Hans Setzer. This is a green apple and grapefruit flavored wine, all lightness, freshness and crispness. There is a green plum skin tang to it, added to citrus. | Vesper | 85 | 20 | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Setzer 2007 Vesper Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | Setzer |
| 1045 | 1044 | Italy | The wine boasts a pretty golden hue and segues to tones of almond skin, stone fruit, nut and cardboard. It feels smooth and rich in the mouth and has some tart citrus flavors on the close. | Rive Alte | 85 | 17 | Northeastern Italy | Isonzo del Friuli | | | | Tenuta Luisa 2007 Rive Alte Pinot Grigio (Isonzo del Friuli) | Pinot Grigio | Tenuta Luisa |
| 1046 | 1045 | US | Far and away the freshest and most interesting of the three vintages submitted for review. The fruit retains more of its youthful gloss; it's riper and shows more cherry character, along with bright, spicy highlights. The tannins are proportionate and less earthy and herbal. This is no barn-burner, but it's a good quaffer. | | 85 | 24 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Honeywood Winery 2006 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Honeywood Winery |
| 1047 | 1046 | Italy | There's a saccharin or soda-like element to the nose of this Verduzzo-Friulano blend that gives the wine a cheerful, upfront personality but that overpowers the natural fruit. The wine tastes both tart and sweet and ends with butterscotch candy flavors. | Bianco degli Arzillari | 85 | 28 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | I Clivi 2004 Bianco degli Arzillari White (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | White Blend | I Clivi |
| 1048 | 1047 | US | This is a pretty good buy for a Merlot that shows lots of polish and sophistication. It has savory black cherry, currant, cola and spice flavors. The tannins are a little rugged and green, so it loses some points. | | 85 | 16 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Irony 2004 Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Irony |
| 1049 | 1048 | France | Created by music industry businessman Kedar Massenburg (CEO Motown Records), the K'orus range is produced in the Languedoc. This Cabernet Sauvignon gives blackberry fruits, very juicy, lightly sweet to finish, but retaining attractive structure and acidity. | | 85 | 12 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Kedar's K'orus NV Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kedar's K'orus |
| 1050 | 1049 | France | Easy, creamy wine, with soft apple flavors and a touch of citrus. There is a light edge of toast to round out the soft, fleshy aftertaste. | | 85 | 12 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Kedar's K'orus NV Chardonnay (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Chardonnay | Kedar's K'orus |