| 1051 | 1050 | US | Shows plenty of lush, ripe fruit, wrapped in soft tannins and balanced with crisp acids. The forward black cherry, red licorice, orange and smoky vanilla flavors are rich, and the price makes it a great value. | | 85 | 10 | California | California | California Other | | | Little Black Dress 2006 Merlot (California) | Merlot | Little Black Dress |
| 1052 | 1051 | Spain | Quite leesy and funky, with meaty, oily aromas that are a departure from normal Albariño and are indicative of the 30% Treixadura and Loureiro that beef things up. Perfectly drinkable, and with a decent mouthfeel, but still it lacks the straightforward cleanliness of the really good wines from Galicia. Imported by Republic National Distributing Co. | Señor da Folla Verde | 85 | 25 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marqués de Vizhoja 2007 Señor da Folla Verde White (Rías Baixas) | White Blend | Marqués de Vizhoja |
| 1053 | 1052 | US | Estancia produces solid, savory Pinot Grigios at a fair price, and they even dropped their price last year. This one's a little off-dry, with crisp acidity and pleasant citrus, peach and honeysuckle flavors. | | 85 | 12 | California | California | California Other | | | Estancia 2007 Pinot Grigio (California) | Pinot Grigio | Estancia |
| 1054 | 1053 | Spain | With tobacco, molasses, spearmint and baked fruit aromas, this finds itself squarely in the old school forum. The palate shows straight-ahead red fruit with light herbal and pepper accents. Snappy and a bit thin, but it offers all the basics. | Reserva | 85 | 30 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca La Emperatriz 2000 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Finca La Emperatriz |
| 1055 | 1054 | Italy | Grassy and tonic with background shadings of white flower and stone fruit, this Ribolla Gialla offers aromas of white peach, kiwi and subtle hints of exotic fruit. The wine is crisp and lean in the mouth. | | 85 | 19 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Vinai dell'Abbate 2006 Ribolla Gialla (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Ribolla Gialla | Vinai dell'Abbate |
| 1056 | 1055 | Austria | Beyond the spice of this cool-climate wine, the flavors offer red berry fruits, fresh acidity and stalky tannins. It's soft, easy to drink now. | Sandgrube 13 Chremisa | 85 | 24 | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Winzer Krems 2005 Sandgrube 13 Chremisa Zweigelt (Kremstal) | Zweigelt | Winzer Krems |
| 1057 | 1056 | Austria | One of the original in the new generation of light, fresh Grüner Veltliner, Veltlinsky is a good example. With its green apple directness and smooth structure, it is a wine for the year, a fine apéritif or seafood partner. Screwcap. | Veltlinsky | 85 | 10 | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Graf Hardegg 2007 Veltlinsky Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | Graf Hardegg |
| 1058 | 1057 | Chile | A little tart and pickled off the bat, with notes of rhubarb and red cherry along with a stronger, more evident blast of oak. The palate is fresh but sort of lean and wanting, with regular raspberry and plum flavors. Snappy but slightly sappy and resiny for what's on offer. | El Delirio Reserve Syrah-Malbec | 85 | 11 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Botalcura 2006 El Delirio Reserve Syrah-Malbec Red (Central Valley) | Red Blend | Botalcura |
| 1059 | 1058 | US | This is the kind of wine someone serves at a big party, maybe in paper cups, along with the canapes, and you're delighted because it's actually pretty good. It's dry, soft and chocolaty, with a rich undertow of blackberries and currants. | | 85 | 16 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Bridgeway 2004 Syrah (Central Coast) | Syrah | Bridgeway |
| 1060 | 1059 | Italy | La Piazza is a line of wine from Sicily's Calatrasi winery that uses fruit from various parts of Italy. This is their Pinot Grigio from northern Italy that tastes rich and creamy and is made in a New World style. Aromas revolve around butter, almond paste, peach and apricot. It doesn't have huge length, but it does taste rich and dense. | La Piazza | 85 | | Northeastern Italy | Delle Venezie | | | | Calatrasi 2006 La Piazza Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie) | Pinot Grigio | Calatrasi |
| 1061 | 1060 | France | As in nearby Sauternes, 2005 produced some exceptionally rich botrytised wine in Monbazillac. This example from one of the leading Bergerac producers certainly shows plenty of richness, but it seems rather too sugary, showing toffee flavors and fatness. The acidity is missing. | | 85 | 11 | Southwest France | Monbazillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bélingard 2005 Monbazillac | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Bélingard |
| 1062 | 1061 | France | For those with a classical bent, Clos Teddi is named after Thetis, sea goddess and mother of Achilles. This rosé, appropriately, summons up lunch by the ocean, with its crisp, fresh, dry strawberry and pink grapefruit flavors, just touched by caramel. | Rosé | 85 | 25 | France Other | Patrimonio | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Clos Teddi 2007 Rosé Red (Patrimonio) | Red Blend | Clos Teddi |
| 1063 | 1062 | Italy | Young spring flowers, lemongrass, green melon and dandelion come to mind and color what is a fresh wine with an easy, no-fuss approach. There's no big complicated story here, but that's exactly the point. | | 85 | | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Colutta 2007 Friulano (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Friulano | Colutta |
| 1064 | 1063 | South Africa | Layered and rustic, this wine starts with aromas of tobacco and sausage and leads into spicy, dark fruit flavors. Vibrant with supple tannins, the wine needs some time. | | 85 | 20 | Darling | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Ormonde 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Darling) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Ormonde |
| 1065 | 1064 | Italy | This is a ripe, slightly jammy blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot with tones of cooked spice and blackberry pie. There are also some green leafy notes in the back backed by dense black tea that come as a surprise. You'll feel some grit on the palate and more fruit flavors on the close. | Evoè | 85 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Principe di Corleone 2004 Evoè Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Principe di Corleone |
| 1066 | 1065 | Portugal | Ripe and fruity, this is already delicious, but that doesn't detract from the firm tannins and density of a wine that will age well. It has all the elements, with the fruit, solid tannins and a juicy aftertaste. Drink from 2025. | Quinta do Seixo Vintage | 94 | 50 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Sandeman 2015 Quinta do Seixo Vintage (Port) | Port | Sandeman |
| 1067 | 1066 | US | Composed, complex and complete, this mellow wine is very comfortable in its skin. Touches of oak, tobacco, dried plum and cardamom fill the aroma, and ripe but not overripe black cherry, tamarind and cola flavors flood the palate, supported by fine-grained tannins and medium-full body. | Old Vine Reserve | 94 | 38 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Scott Harvey 2012 Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel (Amador County) | Zinfandel | Scott Harvey |
| 1068 | 1067 | US | This wine offers astounding quality for the price, a juicy expression of fruit and spice with a depth of firm resolved tannin, lively acidity and layers of black cherry and cola. Approachable and delicious, it hits the mark on every level being light bodied and refreshingly balanced while complex. | | 94 | 34 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Sea Slopes 2015 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Sea Slopes |
| 1069 | 1068 | US | With its distinctive black label, this reserve is set apart from the winery's expanding lineup of Pinots. It shows more oak-derived flavors, along with ripe plum and cherry fruit. Streaks of espresso, vanilla and chocolate come through, suggesting it will only improve with a hearty decant or additional bottle age. Drink now through the mid-2020s. | Family Reserve MMXIV | 94 | 100 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Trisaetum 2014 Family Reserve MMXIV Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Trisaetum |
| 1070 | 1069 | US | Sourced from the estate's original 1999 plantings, this is a chewy, majestic, earthy and deeply dark wine. Its black fruit is ribbed wtih iron, licorice, coffee and graphite notes and framed by earthy tannins that lend texture. It drinks bigger than its listed alcohol would suggest. | Bergström Vineyard | 94 | 95 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bergström 2015 Bergström Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Bergström |
| 1071 | 1070 | US | This single vineyard wine is a blend of six separate blocks, each planted to a different clone. It deftly combines savory herb flavors with ripe Bing cherry fruit. The tannins are polished, textured and balanced, leading into a long finish that leaves a final impression of composted earth. | Shea Vineyard | 94 | 62 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bergström 2015 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | Bergström |
| 1072 | 1071 | Italy | This wine's enticing rose, blue flower, menthol and herb scents come together in the glass. On the taut, precise palate, tightly knit, refined tannins enwrap crunchy red cherry and juicy cranberry flavors. White pepper and clove notes add depth, while bright acidity lends balance. Drink 2023–2035. | Castelletto | 94 | 57 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Mauro Veglio 2013 Castelletto (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Mauro Veglio |
| 1073 | 1072 | Portugal | This is a major Douro wine from the Poças family-owned Port and wine producer. Dusty tannins already give it class as well as richness. Packed with black-plum fruits and with good concentration, the wine is still maturing. It needs to age further, so drink from 2019. | Símbolo | 94 | 150 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Poças 2014 Símbolo Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Poças |
| 1074 | 1073 | Portugal | Full of ripe fruit, this wine is rich while also having a delicately perfumed character. With its spice, generous fruits and sense of poise, it will age well. Drink from 2027. | Vintage | 94 | 78 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Vesuvio 2015 Vintage (Port) | Port | Quinta do Vesuvio |
| 1075 | 1074 | Australia | Sourced from vines planted in 1847, this is a full-bodied, open-knit wine, supple and velvety in texture. Vanilla cream and black cherries mark the nose, while the flavors are more savory, resembling black olives and grilled meat. It's long and lush on the finish. Drink it now through 2025. | Moorooroo | 94 | 100 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Schild Estate 2013 Moorooroo Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Shiraz | Schild Estate |
| 1076 | 1075 | US | Always impressive in its grasp of power and grace, this white is memorable from start to finish, beginning with a dark golden-hay color that dazzles in the glass. A strong floral component of jasmine invites on the nose, while sparkling acidity maintains a freshness amidst the integrated oak and delicious flavors of honeyed pear and crème brûlée. | Red Shoulder Ranch | 94 | 52 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Shafer 2015 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Shafer |
| 1077 | 1076 | France | From old vines planted in a single vineyard, this is a spectacular red. It has the crisp acidity of the cool-climate Sancerre, but it also has the weight and ripeness of a fine Burgundy. The wood aging has left a spicy toasty edge to the beautiful cherry fruits and acidity. It could age for another year to be at its best. Drink from 2019. | En Grands Champs | 94 | 112 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Alphonse Mellot 2014 En Grands Champs (Sancerre) | Pinot Noir | Alphonse Mellot |
| 1078 | 1077 | Italy | This savory, firmly structured, full-bodied red opens with subtle dark berry, rose petal, pipe tobacco and crushed herb aromas. It delivers layers of juicy Marasca cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon and clove flavors, buttressed by youthfully assertive but refined tannins and nicely balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2023–2033. | Ascheri | 94 | 180 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ascheri 2013 Ascheri (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ascheri |
| 1079 | 1078 | US | Irresistably delicious and reminiscent of cru Burgundy, this laser-focused effort features bright Meyer lemon, tangerine and peach flavors, with plenty of juicy acidity. It grows deeper and richer as it breathes—and seems to disappear way too quickly once opened. | Old Stones | 94 | 35 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bergström 2015 Old Stones Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Bergström |
| 1080 | 1079 | US | This winery is earning a place among Oregon's best with its top tier wines, like this one. Complex and loaded with bee pollen, crisp apple, lime zest, seabreeze and toasted cracker notes, it leaves you breathless the longer it breathes. | Elusive Queen | 94 | 85 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Big Table Farm 2015 Elusive Queen Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Big Table Farm |