| 107041 | 107040 | US | This majority Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, is elegant in sandalwood and cedar, offering a taste of cassis and dried herb atop integrated yet sizable tannins. French oak, half of it new, encased the wine for a little more than two years, adding to its power and structure. Drink now through 2021. | Red | 92 | 75 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Vellum 2011 Red Merlot-Cabernet (Napa Valley) | Merlot-Cabernet | Vellum |
| 107042 | 107041 | US | Aged in barrel for close to two years, this 100% varietal wine from a classic Napa Valley producer delivers a compelling mix of blackberry pie and chocolate. The flavors form around soft, silky, well-integrated oak and fine-grained tannins. Rich and robust, it discloses an elegance that suggests further cellaring, through 2022. | Benchland Select | 92 | 115 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Cakebread 2012 Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cakebread |
| 107043 | 107042 | France | This is a dry, mineral wine with a tight texture of lemon zest, white stone fruits and crispness. It is dry while keeping fresh fruitiness. The texture and the structure are just coming together as the wine moves towards a more mature future. A light toastiness adds complexity. | Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut | 92 | 85 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Gosset NV Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Gosset |
| 107044 | 107043 | US | Delicious fruit aromas and abundant spices waft up from the glass. The flavors follow suit, with ripe plum, strawberry and cinnamon all well supported by firm acidity and a medium-to-full body. This is a well-rounded wine that's easy to enjoy. | Jackson Estate | 91 | 30 | California | Anderson Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Kendall-Jackson 2013 Jackson Estate Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Kendall-Jackson |
| 107045 | 107044 | US | Cola, cranberry, raspberry and pencil shavings greet the nose on this wine by regional veteran Rick Longoria. It's lush and plush on the palate, with licorice, black truffle, black sage and barely ripe blackberry flavors. | Lovely Rita | 91 | 32 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Longoria 2013 Lovely Rita Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Longoria |
| 107046 | 107045 | France | This offers plenty of tannins and a dry, firm structure along with the weight of ripe plums, blackberries and a rich character. The wine is certainly going to age, with its solid texture and bold fruit aftertaste. Drink from 2017. | Les Thorins | 91 | 25 | Beaujolais | Moulin-à-Vent | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lucien Lardy 2014 Les Thorins (Moulin-à-Vent) | Gamay | Lucien Lardy |
| 107047 | 107046 | Italy | Made following the principles of biodynamic agriculture, this bright, savory sparkler offers aromas of white peach, green apple and chopped herbs. The palate doles out ripe Bartlett pear, lime, ginger and sage alongside zesty acidity and a foaming mousse. A note of candied nectarine closes the finish. This would be perfect for toasts or as an aperitivo. | Col di Manza Extra Dry | 91 | 25 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Perlage 2014 Col di Manza Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Perlage |
| 107048 | 107047 | Italy | This stunning sparkler opens with lovely aromas of hawthorn, wisteria, white orchard fruit and herbs. The crisp, savory palate offers white peach, green apple, lemon zest and minerals while a creamy mousse softens the vibrant acidity. | Canah Brut | 91 | 22 | Veneto | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Perlage NV Canah Brut (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) | Glera | Perlage |
| 107049 | 107048 | France | An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is a crisper than other Champagnes in the Coutelas range. It is also still young with its bright green and citrus fruits and tense texture. Lively and fresh, it should be aged and not drunk before 2017. | Vintage Brut | 91 | 60 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | A. D. Coutelas 2006 Vintage Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | A. D. Coutelas |
| 107050 | 107049 | France | Balanced and rich with apple flavors, this is tightly textured, cut with lemon zest and full of fruit. Although aged for six years, it is still so fresh and crisp, with a bright, lively aftertaste only just hinting at some toast. | Brut Réserve | 91 | 65 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Réserve (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Charles Heidsieck |
| 107051 | 107050 | France | Pale in color, this fragrant wine has some bottle age that gives a toast and almond character. Ripe strawberry flavors balance between softness and a crisp, tight aftertaste. It is ready to drink. | Réserve Brut Rosé | 91 | 80 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Charles Heidsieck NV Réserve Brut Rosé (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Charles Heidsieck |
| 107052 | 107051 | Portugal | This is not a shy wine—it is concentrated and powerful, with ripe tannins and dense black fruits. Coming from vineyards in the Douro Superior, this shows the region's the heat and harsh growing conditions, giving a compact, firm wine with a mineral texture to balance the juicy fruits. It will need several years, so drink from 2017. | Quinta da Fronteira Reserva | 91 | 40 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Companhia das Quintas 2012 Quinta da Fronteira Reserva Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Companhia das Quintas |
| 107053 | 107052 | South Africa | This vintage of Fusion V is already approachable and enjoyable, with ripe aromas and flavors of brambly berry and cherry that are accented by attractive notes of cocoa powder, cigar tobacco, sweet spice and leather. The fine tannins are grippy and structured, complementing the black pepper, toast and licorice elements that linger on the finish. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, drink now–2019. | Fusion V | 91 | 60 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | De Toren 2011 Fusion V Red (Stellenbosch) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | De Toren |
| 107054 | 107053 | France | Still young and fruity, this wine is totally integrated, harmoniously blending the red fruits with a tight texture and fresh acidity. Although it is drinkable now, it will benefit from bottle age, so best drink from 2017. | Cuvée Prestige Rosé Brut | 91 | 62 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | J. M. Gobillard et Fils 2010 Cuvée Prestige Rosé Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | J. M. Gobillard et Fils |
| 107055 | 107054 | France | A balanced wine, this shows both fresh, crisp fruit and the beginnings of toasty maturity. Its richness contrasts with a steely texture and tight, lemon-zest character that gives the wine a delicious tension. | Grande Réserve Premier Cru Brut | 91 | 56 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | J. M. Gobillard et Fils NV Grande Réserve Premier Cru Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | J. M. Gobillard et Fils |
| 107056 | 107055 | France | From one of the rising stars in Beaujolais, this ripe wine has both a tense minerality and rich black fruits from vines that average 60 years. It is balanced between the very fresh acidity and a dry edge that will allow it to age. Drink from 2016. The vineyards are certified organic. | La Sambinerie | 91 | 19 | Beaujolais | Beaujolais-Villages | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Richard Rottiers 2014 La Sambinerie (Beaujolais-Villages) | Gamay | Richard Rottiers |
| 107057 | 107056 | Argentina | Candied blueberry and syrupy aromas jump from the glass. The palate, however, is tangy and underdeveloped, with herbal, sharp flavors of boysenberry and black raspberry. Not a lot to the finish other than heat and licorice. | | 84 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Budini 2009 Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Budini |
| 107058 | 107057 | Portugal | Lightweight, attractive, very juicy wine. It is a great pizza wine, with its edge of tannins and lively acidity. Drink this year. | Tuga | 84 | 10 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Castello d'Alba 2009 Tuga Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Castello d'Alba |
| 107059 | 107058 | US | This is a soft, heavy Viognier. Despite some rich flavors of citrus and tropical fruits, it has a vegetal edge, and finishes jammy sweet. | | 84 | 16 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Deep Sea 2009 Viognier (Santa Barbara County) | Viognier | Deep Sea |
| 107060 | 107059 | US | A pleasant Cabernet, soft and fruity, with pretty blackberry, cherry and cola flavors, and a kiss of sweet oak. | | 84 | 16 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Kenwood 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kenwood |
| 107061 | 107060 | Argentina | Sweet and light smelling, with sugar cookie and blueberry aromas. The palate is medium in weight, with snappy acids and dry, lightly herbal flavors of raspberry and red plum. Mostly fresh on the finish, but with little volume or follow through. | | 84 | 7 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | La Vuelta 2010 Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | La Vuelta |
| 107062 | 107061 | Argentina | Heavily earthy and rubbery smelling, then big and bulky but out of whack on the palate. Tastes buttery and gummy, with generic berry fruit flavors that finish oaky. | | 83 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alberti 154 2009 Tempranillo (Mendoza) | Tempranillo | Alberti 154 |
| 107063 | 107062 | Argentina | Leathery and pinched on the nose, with rubber, olive and berry aromas. The palate runs hard and snappy due to high acidity and spiky tannins, while the flavor profile deals herbal notes, olive and dark plum. Fades fast on the finish, leaving a salty residue. | | 83 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Argento 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Argento |
| 107064 | 107063 | Argentina | Quite herbal and foxy on the nose, with char and olive aromas. The palate is thick, jammy and clumsy, with bittersweet notes of stewed berry and blackberry syrup. A huge, muscular wine that's really ripe and untamed. | La Consulta Select | 83 | 19 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Altocedro 2009 La Consulta Select Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Altocedro |
| 107065 | 107064 | Argentina | Grapey and foxy, with green, minty aromas and a hollow center. The palate is bulky, heavy and tannic, while the flavors are strained and grapey. Sweet and incomplete; grapey but not in harmony. | Reserva | 83 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Norton 2008 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bodega Norton |
| 107066 | 107065 | US | Simple and hot, with unevenly ripened flavors of raspberries and mint. Some portion of Cline's very old vines in Oakley add richness. | Ancient Vines | 83 | 16 | California | California | California Other | | | Cline 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel (California) | Zinfandel | Cline |
| 107067 | 107066 | Argentina | Raspberry, plum and cherry aromas become more thin, cheesy and leathery with time. The palate is hard and narrow, with sheer flavors of generic raspberry and plum. Clacky and rough feeling on the finish. | Reserva | 83 | 19 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Don Manuel Villafañe 2007 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Don Manuel Villafañe |
| 107068 | 107067 | Argentina | Jammy and a bit scratchy on the nose, and also sort of dull and earthy. In the mouth, it's tangy and citrusy, bordering on sour tasting, with pie cherry, plum and light savory notes. Finishes red and juicy, but with a tomato accent. | Colección | 83 | 12 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alma del Sur 2009 Colección Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Alma del Sur |
| 107069 | 107068 | Argentina | Candied, dark and murky on the nose, then narrow, clampy and tannic in the mouth. Flavors are herbal, while the fruit content is sweet blackberry and black plum. Short and hollow on the finish, which leaves a grapey residue. | | 83 | 17 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Carmine Granata 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bodega Carmine Granata |
| 107070 | 107069 | US | Soft and sugary sweet, with spicy black raspberry and chocolate flavors, this is a clean, simple wine to drink with barbecue. | | 83 | 20 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Calcareous 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calcareous |