| 106819 | 106818 | New Zealand | This plush, silky wine is a thrill ride from start to finish. Asphalt and black olive notes on the nose give it a rather rustic edge to start, but purer peppery notes emerge with air. And once past the funk, this shows layers of blueberry and mulberry fruit, maybe even a trace of apricot to go along with savory notes of olive and espresso that glide gracefully through the long, silky finish. Drink now–2025. | | 94 | 35 | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Paritua 2014 Syrah (Hawke's Bay) | Syrah | Paritua |
| 106820 | 106819 | US | Stark minerality, from hot gravel to chipped slate, meets with garrigue elements of lavender and thyme on the nose of this strong bottling that gains a savory quality thanks to roasted-pork aromas. The requisite fruit arrives on the sip, where smashed cranberry meets with pepper spice and dried herbs. The structure is grippy and affords great length in the finish. | Soberanes Vineyard | 94 | 64 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Testarossa 2014 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Testarossa |
| 106821 | 106820 | Italy | Underbrush, dried plum, resin, leather and a whiff of baking spice aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The big chewy palate shows juicy blackberry, ripe black cherry, tobacco and clove set against a backbone of firm velvety tannins. Despite its heft, it also boasts surprising finesse. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2017–2025. | Riserva | 94 | 135 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Venturini Massimino 2005 Riserva (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Red Blend | Venturini Massimino |
| 106822 | 106821 | US | There's a lot going on aromatically in this bottling, with a base of red plum and hibiscus lifted through hints of clove, cinnamon, dried rose petals and dried ginger. More plum and mulberry fruit power the palate, enhanced by fennel fronds, peppercorns, cedar, juniper and pine-forest flavors. | MacGregor Vineyard | 94 | 31 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Windemere 2013 MacGregor Vineyard Pinot Noir (Edna Valley) | Pinot Noir | Windemere |
| 106823 | 106822 | US | The lilac, charcuterie, peat, smoke and black and green-olive aromas are tightly wound. The palate is focused, flavorful and energetic, showing depth and intensity while remaining quite light on its feet. | Armada Vineyard | 94 | 95 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cayuse 2013 Armada Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Cayuse |
| 106824 | 106823 | US | The aromas pop with notes of funk, smoked meat, red fruit, flowers, stems and orange peel. It's compact out of the gate with concentrated, tightly wound, salty flavors of olive brine, crushed rock and violets. It shows an exquisite sense of balance and a crazy long finish. | En Cerise Vineyard | 94 | 80 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cayuse 2013 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Cayuse |
| 106825 | 106824 | US | This wine grabs the attention with a distinctive earthy, wild yet sophisticated personality. The aroma is like forest floor, dried mushrooms and black tea. Flavors convey rhubarb and plum but also are savory and smoky as they fill the mouth and linger on the finish. | Chileno Valley Vineyard | 94 | 44 | California | Marin County | North Coast | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Couloir 2014 Chileno Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir (Marin County) | Pinot Noir | Couloir |
| 106826 | 106825 | France | This is a rich textured wine from the center of this Premier Cru. It has structure and concentration as well as generous white stone fruits. Densely packed with acidity, toast and a fine, creamy texture, the wine is likely to age well. It is produced from biodynamically grown grapes (as are all the Olivier Leflaive family Grand and Premier Crus). Drink from 2020. | Clos Saint-Marc Premier Cru | 94 | 103 | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Olivier Leflaive 2014 Clos Saint-Marc Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Olivier Leflaive |
| 106801 | 106800 | Italy | This pink sweet sparkling wine opens with sweet notes of raspberry, vanilla cream, cinnamon and a touch of white pepper. The smooth mouthfeel is supported by fizzy effervescence. Incrocio Manzoni 13.0.25 was created in the 1930's by Italian professor Luigi Mazoni and is a cross between Raboso del Piave and Moscato d'Amburgo grapes. | Manzoni Moscato Rosé | 85 | 12 | Veneto | Veneto | | | | Bonotto delle Tezze NV Manzoni Moscato Rosé Sparkling (Veneto) | Sparkling Blend | Bonotto delle Tezze |
| 106827 | 106826 | France | This is a domaine wine, coming from one of the vineyards owned by Olivier Leflaive and worked biodynamically. It is a very fine wine from probably the most well-known premier cru in the village. With its rich acidity and white fruits, it is generous as well as crisply textured. The toast from the wood aging adds its juicy character to this impressive wine. Drink from 2019. | Les Folatières Premier Cru | 94 | 185 | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Olivier Leflaive 2014 Les Folatières Premier Cru (Puligny-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Olivier Leflaive |
| 106828 | 106827 | France | Structured and still very young, this is a dense and fruity wine. The tannins and the spice and licorice from wood aging show strongly, although they are just beginning to soften and integrate. Expect a rich wine, layered with fruit and ripe tannins as it develops. Drink from 2023. | | 94 | 450 | Burgundy | Echézeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Philippe Pacalet 2013 Echézeaux | Pinot Noir | Philippe Pacalet |
| 106829 | 106828 | France | From old vines, as are most of the wines from this producer, this is a dense and powerful wine. New wood aging has given the wine a strongly toasty character balanced with creamy apple and yellow fruits. The wine is concentrated and obviously needs to age. Drink from 2022. | | 94 | 300 | Burgundy | Corton-Charlemagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Roche de Bellene 2014 Corton-Charlemagne | Chardonnay | Roche de Bellene |
| 106830 | 106829 | US | Rich and complex in the modern Paso style, this blend of 59% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Petite Sirah and 4% Grenache pairs baked plum and blackberry with white pepper, sarsaparilla, coffee candy and cola on the nose. The flavors are deftly integrated, with touches of espresso, black cassis, black cherry and milk chocolate. Zesty and fun, it's also well structured. | Passage | 94 | 45 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Sextant 2013 Passage Red (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Sextant |
| 106802 | 106801 | US | Light and fruity, with simple cherry fruit making this a good wine to chill and sip on a hot summer day. There is a streak of stemmy tannins in the astringent finish. | | 85 | 16 | Oregon | Columbia Valley (OR) | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Highland Springs 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (OR)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Highland Springs |
| 106803 | 106802 | US | An awkward Zin, very high in alcohol (15.4%), yet a bit thin in berry-cherry fruit. It shows some unevenly ripened flavors. | Buchignani Vineyard | 85 | 28 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Keating 2009 Buchignani Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Keating |
| 106804 | 106803 | Argentina | The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. Turns a touch soupy and salty in the mouth, where the red fruit flavors thin out quickly. Finishes without much punch, but at least it's solid. | | 85 | 18 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ksana 2008 Bonarda (Mendoza) | Bonarda | Ksana |
| 106805 | 106804 | US | The vineyard needs a warm vintage to fully ripen, which 2010 definitely wasn't. The wine is acidic and green, with an ammonia edge to the pineapples, mangoes and limes. | Magnolia Lane | 85 | 15 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Kunde 2010 Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Kunde |
| 106806 | 106805 | France | Very light in flavor and texture, the wine has hints of strawberry flavors with acidity and a crisp, clean character. | | 85 | 12 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Miradou 2010 Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Miradou |
| 106807 | 106806 | US | Lots of sweet raspberry, cherry and sugar-coated doughnut flavors in this simple little Pinot. It has the virtues of silkiness and good acidity. Drink now. | Huntington | 85 | 19 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Pali 2009 Huntington Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Pali |
| 106808 | 106807 | US | Simple and sweet, with sugared tangerine and vanilla flavors, enriched with caramelized oak. The blend is mostly Viognier, with Roussanne and Marsanne. | La Naris | 85 | 28 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Sheldon 2009 La Naris White (Sonoma Coast) | White Blend | Sheldon |
| 106809 | 106808 | Argentina | Fiery and clipped on the nose, but then it settles onto red fruits and candy notes. The palate shows good grip and a proper but basic feel, with generic red berry and currant flavors. Solid on the finish; good in a common way. | Colección | 85 | 12 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alma del Sur 2009 Colección Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Alma del Sur |
| 106810 | 106809 | France | This wine is refreshing, its red fruit juice laced with acidity and a touch of herbs. Easy and light to drink. | Cuvée Victoria | 85 | 16 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Andrieux & Fils 2010 Cuvée Victoria Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Andrieux & Fils |
| 106811 | 106810 | Italy | Packaged in an eye-catching gold bottle, this cheerful Italian sparkling wine opens with floral tones of jasmine and honeysuckle followed by a thin, easygoing mouthfeel. This is a great bubbly to serve at birthday parties or anniversaries. | Il Vino dei Poeti Gold Brut | 85 | | Veneto | Veneto | | | | Bottega NV Il Vino dei Poeti Gold Brut Glera (Veneto) | Glera | Bottega |
| 106812 | 106811 | US | A little on the sweet side, with lemonade and pineapple juice flavors that are sugared. Crisp acidity fortunately provides a clean finish to this slightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc. | | 85 | 15 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Brander 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Brander |
| 106813 | 106812 | Argentina | Brambly and leafy on the nose and palate, with tight acidity and reedy, peppery flavors that suggest foresty raspberry. The finish is equally peppery, herbal and leafy, but overall it's not green or unappealing. A natural wine in that it's unoaked. | | 85 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Maipú | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Coiron 2009 Malbec (Maipú) | Malbec | Coiron |
| 106814 | 106813 | Argentina | Syrupy smelling on first take, with bacon, rubber and herb aromas. The palate has a healthy, full feel and a mixed bag of not fully connected flavors including herbs, spice, dried fennel and sweet berry fruits. A somewhat odd tasting blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. | Dos Fincas | 85 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Carlos Basso 2009 Dos Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Carlos Basso |
| 106815 | 106814 | US | A pleasant, easy-drinking Zin. Has rich flavors of cherries, raspberries, figs and spices. Pretty good barbecue wine for the price. | Old Vine | 85 | 14 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Project Paso 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel (Paso Robles) | Zinfandel | Project Paso |
| 106816 | 106815 | Portugal | A light, bright, deliciously lemony wine, with an attractive aromatic lift. Fruity, ready to drink now. | Vinha Conchas | 85 | 9 | Lisboa | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta da Cortezia 2010 Vinha Conchas White (Lisboa) | Portuguese White | Quinta da Cortezia |
| 106817 | 106816 | France | A blend of wines from different vineyards in Pouilly, this powerful wine is concentrated, with tight minerality that demands further aging. Rich and packed with apples and green plums, it is a beautiful wine that will age well. Drink from 2018 at the earliest. | Indigène | 94 | 75 | Loire Valley | Pouilly-Fumé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pascal Jolivet 2014 Indigène (Pouilly-Fumé) | Sauvignon Blanc | Pascal Jolivet |
| 106818 | 106817 | US | From an extreme coastal vineyard three miles north of Cambria, this bottling kicks off with peppery spice on the nose along with strong black olive, bay leaf, dill and a black-raspberry element on the edges. Lively underripe fruit tones power the palate, as does Kalamata olive, North African spice, coriander and tomato leaf. | Steiner Creek Vineyard | 94 | 48 | California | San Luis Obispo County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Presqu'ile 2014 Steiner Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County) | Pinot Noir | Presqu'ile |