| 10501 | 10500 | US | Soft, silky and seductive, this qualifies as an outstanding everyday Pinot (by Oregon standards) that offers more subtle scent and flavor than most under-$30 bottles. Violets, cherries and star anise are mixed in the nose; the palate adds herbal and earthy nuances. | Tavola | 88 | 25 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ponzi 2006 Tavola Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Ponzi |
| 10502 | 10501 | Austria | The Kirchberg vineyard just to the west of Vienna produces distinctly smoky, mineral wines that give a tight, coiled, peppery style of Grüner Veltliner. This is a powerful wine that shows considerable ripeness, finishing with vanilla and spice. Screwcap. | Kirchberg | 88 | 28 | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Schwarzböck 2007 Kirchberg Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | Schwarzböck |
| 10503 | 10502 | South Africa | This stylish and affordable Chenin hits all the right notes with its full-bodied nose of fresh fruit, spice and citrus and balanced, pretty flavors of tropical fruit. Slightly curvy but still fresh, it's a white with energy and extra character. | | 88 | 10 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Spier 2006 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Chenin Blanc | Spier |
| 10504 | 10503 | US | A wonderful Riesling, so polished and pretty. It was grown on the cooler western side of the Santa Lucia Mountains, where the chilly climate has kept refreshing acidity while letting the grapes fully ripen. Showing flavors of Meyer lemons and limes, yellow apricots, peaches, wildflowers and slate, it finishes with a long, fine taste of honey. | Skyline | 88 | 15 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2007 Skyline Riesling (Monterey) | Riesling | Thomas Fogarty |
| 10505 | 10504 | Italy | Banana, papaya and mango color a dense, thick wine with background notes of lavender honey, molasses and sticky peach syrup. The wine also has a chalky or ash-like note that adds dimension and complexity. It offers a unique and cheerful experience overall. | Selezione San Blâs | 88 | | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Valle 2006 Selezione San Blâs Friulano (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Friulano | Valle |
| 10506 | 10505 | US | A Châteauneuf-style blend, based on Grenache, that's clean, fresh and savory. It shows cherry, currant, anise and herb flavors that are wrapped into a soft texture. Oak adds a pleasant, subtle note of smoke. | Z Cuvée | 88 | 18 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Zaca Mesa 2006 Z Cuvée Red (Santa Ynez Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Zaca Mesa |
| 10507 | 10506 | US | Shows great improvement over last year's so-so bottling. This '06 Meritage displays a nice balance of firm tannins, acidity and currant-licorice flavors, with well-integrated oak. Feels elegant and subdued, and will be a good companion to anything that wants a dry, full-bodied red wine. | Reserve Selection | 88 | 15 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Hayman & Hill 2006 Reserve Selection Meritage (Monterey County) | Meritage | Hayman & Hill |
| 10508 | 10507 | South Africa | A lush nose of dark fruit and pepper leads to juicy but balanced flavors of berry, spice and a touch of smoke in this mouthfilling red. Balanced acidity, good structure and overall solid fruit flavors mean the wine will pair well with many dishes—think smoked meats, grilled chicken, or stews. | Oro | 87 | 17 | Paarl | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Black Pearl 2005 Oro Red (Paarl) | Red Blend | Black Pearl |
| 10509 | 10508 | France | Creamy soft fruit, with the richness of 2005, hinting at some toast flavors. This wine is the second label from the Conti family, owners of Château Tour des Gendres, by far the best producer in Bergerac. It is a rounded, full wine, with fine, ripe white fruits, pears and nectarines, topped with light acidity. | Tour des Gendres Le Classique | 87 | 12 | Southwest France | Bergerac Sec | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tour des Gendres 2005 Tour des Gendres Le Classique White (Bergerac Sec) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Tour des Gendres |
| 10510 | 10509 | South Africa | A zippy, spicy nose offering minerality, earthiness and red berries starts this pert Zinfandel. The wine offers balanced tannins, fruit and a fresh acidity. Friendly and fun. | | 87 | 10 | Olifants River | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Diamond River 2005 Shiraz (Olifants River) | Shiraz | Diamond River |
| 10511 | 10510 | Chile | Welcoming jammy fruit aromas are clean and robust, while the palate on this value-priced bottling is creamy, balanced and generous. The flavors are naturally a bit herbal, but there's so much beefy blackberry and dark plum fruit that the package is downright commendable. For everyday Carmenère, this is where to look. | | 87 | 10 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Echeverria 2007 Carmenère (Central Valley) | Carmenère | Echeverria |
| 10512 | 10511 | US | A solid rosé that brings to mind bistros, steaks and pommes frites. Grenache provides the flavor background of cherries, while Barbera brings a firm spine of acidity. Finishes bone dry. A delightful and useful blush wine. | Dry | 87 | 14 | California | Napa County | Napa | | | Enjoie 2007 Dry Rosé (Napa County) | Rosé | Enjoie |
| 10513 | 10512 | South Africa | A cheerful nose of raspberry, strawberry and lemon starts this rosé blend, and like flavors follow in layers that offer substance beyond the typical rosé. The wine has a touch of sweetness and a more unctuous mouthfeel than the nose might suggest, giving it the weight to pair with more complex dishes. Overall, an affordable, elegant choice. | | 87 | 10 | Coastal Region | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Goats do Roam Wine Co. 2008 Rosé (Coastal Region) | Rosé | Goats do Roam Wine Co. |
| 10514 | 10513 | Chile | Nice berry fruit aromas with a touch of sweetness set this off in good form. The palate is solid and well balanced in terms of feel, while flavors of cassis and berry show a little bit of oak-based vanilla. Textbook and straight from central casting, but satisfying and not the least bit difficult. | Reserva | 87 | 11 | Rapel Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gracia de Chile 2007 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Rapel Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Gracia de Chile |
| 10515 | 10514 | US | Very strongly flavored, and needs a salty cut of meat to tame its powers. Explodes with jammy blackberries, blueberries, cherries and raspberries, with a monster blast of black pepper. Bring on the sausages. | Ex Anima | 88 | 25 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | | | Wrath 2010 Ex Anima Syrah (Monterey) | Syrah | Wrath |
| 10516 | 10515 | Spain | Smells mature and slightly baked, with granular, sweet, raisiny core aromas. The palate is full in size and smooth in feel, with ripe berry flavors fading to raisin and prune on the back palate and finish. Chunky, flavorful and ready to drink now. | Valdecampaña Crianza | 88 | 16 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Recoletas 2005 Valdecampaña Crianza (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Recoletas |
| 10517 | 10516 | US | A lovely Merlot, softly tannic and rich, with oak-influenced herbs, cherries, blackberries and cassis. It's stongly flavored, but nuanced, with an elegant structure. Drink now. | | 88 | 24 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Charles Krug 2008 Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Charles Krug |
| 10518 | 10517 | US | A blend of Evergreen vineyard fruit and old-vine Riesling sourced from a pair of Yakima Valley vineyards, this feels drier than its 1.8% residual sugar. Citrus and citrus rind flavors make for a tart, grapefruity style with some bite to the finish. It has the heft to take on a range of spicy foods. | | 88 | 14 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Seven Hills 2010 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Riesling | Seven Hills |
| 10519 | 10518 | US | This Pinot certainly has lots of concentrated fruit, with an intensity of cherry and raspberry jam, pomegranates and cola. It's also well oaked, to judge from the strong layer of buttered cinnamon toast. Feels strong and indelicate now, with a punch of acidity, but could mellow over the next 2–3 years. | River Road Ranch | 88 | 35 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Trione 2008 River Road Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Trione |
| 10520 | 10519 | US | This is one of Iron Horse's sweeter sparkling wines. There's a sugary edge to the raspberry, strawberry, lime and orange flavors. But it's not too sweet, and there's plenty of balancing acidity. The blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. | Russian Cuvée | 88 | 38 | California | Green Valley | Sonoma | | | Iron Horse 2006 Russian Cuvée Sparkling (Green Valley) | Sparkling Blend | Iron Horse |
| 10521 | 10520 | Spain | Begins with weight and yeasty, bready, white fruit aromas. The palate is round and full, with lime, apple and kiwi flavors. Zesty and proper on the finish, with good length and clarity. Solid and nice throughout. | Brut Exclusive Reserva | 88 | 15 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marqués de Gelida 2007 Brut Exclusive Reserva Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Marqués de Gelida |
| 10522 | 10521 | US | An example of a soft, accessible Pinot whose rich, ripe flavors are the main attraction. Brims with cola, cherry, cranberry and red licorice flavors. Seems best over the next 2–3 years. | | 88 | 45 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Pfendler 2009 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Pfendler |
| 10523 | 10522 | Spain | Dry, minty oak aromas mix well with snappy plum and vanilla to form a proper, pleasing bouquet. The palate is fresh, vibrant and houses sweet, slightly spicy plum and berry flavors. Same on the finish, which is correct, spicy and dry. | | 88 | 17 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Protos 2009 Ribera del Duero | Tinto Fino | Protos |
| 10524 | 10523 | Spain | This is a perennial winner among well-priced Spanish whites. The nose is clean, light and suggests apple blossom and buttercup. The palate has a good, tight, regular feel and honest flavors of green fruits and melon. Pleasant at every checkpoint. | | 88 | 15 | Galicia | Ribeiro | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Costeira 2010 White (Ribeiro) | White Blend | Viña Costeira |
| 10525 | 10524 | Spain | A bit roasted and reedy smelling, with a hint of stem and grass mixed with berry and leather. The palate is full and feels creamy, with mildly roasted black fruit and leathery flavors. Good on the finish as the wine picks up steam and clarity with airing. | Reserva | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Mayor 2005 Reserva (Ribera del Duero) | Tinto Fino | Viña Mayor |
| 10526 | 10525 | US | Lots of leesy, vanilla richness in this New World-style Chardonnay. It brims with mango, orange and cinnamon spice flavors. Will satisfy fans of this sweet, creamy approach. | Level 6 | 88 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Fog Crest 2008 Level 6 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Fog Crest |
| 10527 | 10526 | US | A great value Zin from Amador. It's a briary, meaty, mountain version of America's grape with plenty of pepper to please. Grab a slab of ribs for this one. | Maverick | 88 | 15 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Four Vines 2009 Maverick Zinfandel (Amador County) | Zinfandel | Four Vines |
| 10528 | 10527 | Uruguay | Immediately this barrel-selection Tannat presents itself well, with boysenberry, plum, brick dust and rubbery aromas. The palate is nicely balanced, with layered fruit and complexity to the texture. Blackberry, cassis and spice flavors finish toasty and composed. For Uruguay at its best, give this a try. | 30 Barricas Edición Limitada | 90 | 29 | Juanico | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pueblo del Sol 2009 30 Barricas Edición Limitada Tannat (Juanico) | Tannat | Pueblo del Sol |
| 10529 | 10528 | Italy | Enticing aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine, citrus and a whiff of stone fruit mingle in the glass. The crisp palate offers apple, white peach, nectarine and mineral. It's fresh and balanced, with tangy acidity. | | 90 | 20 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige Valle Isarco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Abbazia di Novacella 2013 Riesling (Alto Adige Valle Isarco) | Riesling | Abbazia di Novacella |
| 10530 | 10529 | Chile | Spicy cherry, blackberry, tobacco, tar and oaky vanilla aromas set up a creamy palate that's whole and comfortable. Raspberry, cassis, plum and spice flavors come with a raw, snappy feel and a woody finish that's smooth and mildly lactic. This is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah and 10% Carmenère. | El Alto | 90 | 45 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alto Los Romeros 2012 El Alto Red (Colchagua Valley) | Red Blend | Alto Los Romeros |