| 12031 | 12030 | Italy | Aromas of coffee, espresso, toast, black plum, vanilla and berry fruit open this wine. The straightforward palate delivers rich black cherry accented with vanilla, chocolate and licorice alongside tight tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink after 2018. | | 90 | 50 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Amalia 2010 Barolo | Nebbiolo | Amalia |
| 12032 | 12031 | Spain | Traditional Rioja aromas of leather, vanilla, dried red fruits, spice and dill turn earthy with airing. This is healthy but mature on the palate, with oaky flavors of vanilla accenting core pie cherry, red plum and raspberry. Oak spice and acidity reverberate on the finish. Drink now. | Don Jacobo Reserva | 90 | 23 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Corral 2005 Don Jacobo Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Bodegas Corral |
| 12033 | 12032 | US | The husband-and-wife team behind this label deliver a well-balanced, approachable but serious wine in this bottling. Aromas include red rose, dark violet, pomegranate, limestone and clove. On the palate, there is luscious black cherry fruit, with slate and acidity to stand it up straight. | | 90 | 30 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Brophy Clark 2011 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Brophy Clark |
| 12034 | 12033 | Italy | It opens with pretty aromas of red rose, wild cherry, leather, earth and balsamic notes. The palate delivers juicy black cherry accented with black pepper and licorice, with brawny, teeth-coating tannins. Drink 2016–2021. | Riserva | 90 | 24 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cantina del Nebbiolo 2009 Riserva (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Cantina del Nebbiolo |
| 12035 | 12034 | Italy | Surprisingly ripe and dense for the vintage, this opens with aromas of plum, vanilla and chocolate that carry over to the palate along with espresso and coffee. It has a forward nature with tame acidity and soft tannins that make it already accessible. Drink 2015–2025. | Rapet | 90 | 103 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ca'Romè 2010 Rapet (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ca'Romè |
| 12036 | 12035 | France | Tight acidity characterizes this wine. It's fresh, touched by some toastiness and minerality. The dominant character is the fresh herbaceous character that brings out sliced apple and chive flavors. Attractive now, it will be even better in 2016. | | 90 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Cantelys 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Cantelys |
| 12037 | 12036 | US | A lightly funky whiff of the chicken yard underlies the aromatics, but for most tasters it will be an asset, as it does not block the pretty cherry fruit. These forward, appealing cherry flavors, matched to natural acidity and lengthened with that whiff of funk, make for a delicious and value-priced effort. | Oregon | 90 | 22 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Coeur de Terre 2012 Oregon Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Coeur de Terre |
| 12038 | 12037 | US | Pinot Gris from 2013 is looking very good in the Willamette, with crisp, concise, complex flavors. Here it's a mix of lemon, lime and pineapple, with refreshing minerality. | | 90 | 18 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Lange 2013 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Gris | Lange |
| 12054 | 12053 | US | Raw oak is the dominant scent, which overlays a less intense cherry aroma. It feels medium bodied, with a certain flatness about its core. Acidity lends the finish some zip, but it lacks focus overall, ending on a hazy mocha note. | Reserve | 83 | 29 | Virginia | Virginia | | | | Narmada 2009 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Virginia) | Cabernet Franc | Narmada |
| 12039 | 12038 | US | Full-bodied, structured and leathery, it's characterized by a combination of plum and gamy meat, accented by a taste of black olive tapenade. It finishes smooth and toasty. | Fleur de Veeder | 90 | 40 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Yates Family Vineyard 2010 Fleur de Veeder Merlot (Mount Veeder) | Merlot | Yates Family Vineyard |
| 12040 | 12039 | US | With 4% Petit Verdot added for body and color, this Cab is otherwise on the brighter side of red fruit and acidity, nicely balanced and approachable in cranberry, cassis and a wink of violet. It's not as meaty and robust as the winery's Morisoli, a tamer version of a similar beast. | Vittorio's Vineyard | 90 | 48 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | V. Sattui 2010 Vittorio's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | V. Sattui |
| 12041 | 12040 | Italy | Crushed rose, violet, leather, espresso and dark berry aromas lead the nose. The bright palate offers black plum, fleshy raspberry, black cherry, coffee, toasted oak and black pepper alongside fresh acidity and teeth-coating tannins. Drink after 2018. | Fossati Riserva | 90 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Dosio 2008 Fossati Riserva (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Dosio |
| 12042 | 12041 | US | This lovely wine shows perfect physiological ripeness, with high acidity intact. Melon and white peach fruit flavors anchor a snappy, fresh, all-stainless style. | | 90 | 19 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Elk Cove 2013 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Blanc | Elk Cove |
| 12043 | 12042 | US | Holding its wines in barrel and bottle longer than most before release, En Garde's Cabernet shows ample, leathery tannin that will benefit from further aging, in addition to being hedonistically enjoyable now. Cinnamon and clove are the most pronounced aromas and flavors, followed by black currant. | | 90 | 88 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | En Garde 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | En Garde |
| 12044 | 12043 | Italy | The nose is still a bit closed, but the palate is more expressive and accessible. It delivers ripe black cherry, sweet raspberry, subtle oak, vanilla and espresso flavors alongside firm tannins. It's good now but will be better after 2018. | | 90 | 45 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Francone 2010 Barolo | Nebbiolo | Francone |
| 12045 | 12044 | France | The wine is round, full in the mouth and rich. With yellow fruits as well as red apple flavors, it's ripe without missing out on a more steely, cool and herbaceous backdrop. Drink now. | Les Herses | 90 | 28 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Gitton Père et Fils 2012 Les Herses (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Gitton Père et Fils |
| 12046 | 12045 | Australia | This wine's plum, mocha and cedar notes are carried by ample body and a silky texture. It's a round, supple blend of 59% Shiraz, 31% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre that finishes long, reverberating with fresh acids and mocha shadings. Drink it over the next several years. | Plexus | 90 | 40 | South Australia | Barossa Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | John Duval Wines 2011 Plexus G-S-M (Barossa Valley) | G-S-M | John Duval Wines |
| 12047 | 12046 | Portugal | A solid, tannic wine that has both great rich fruits and a dry core that needs to soften with age. It tastes powerful without sacrificing a perfumed and floral elegance. This is a serious wine, with a dense texture and potential. Drink from 2016. | | 90 | 13 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Kopke 2011 Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Kopke |
| 12048 | 12047 | US | It pulls together toasty oak sweetness in the aromas and delicious ripe cherry and cranberry flavors with bass notes of black plum and clove. Full-bodied, it has firm but not tight tannins that add to the velvety texture. | | 90 | 50 | California | Anderson Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | La Crema 2012 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | La Crema |
| 12049 | 12048 | US | Brilliant pink with a touch of orange, this refreshing and light-bodied wine tastes fresh and strawberrylike. It has an appetizingly crisp texture and clean fruity finish. | Rose of | 90 | 28 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Lusso Della Terra 2013 Rose of Merlot (California) | Merlot | Lusso Della Terra |
| 12050 | 12049 | US | The green gooseberry and apricot side of Sauvignon Blanc comes out in this crisp, clean wine. It tastes a little too sweet, though, giving it a cloying, candied taste. | Estate Zingy | 83 | 20 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Buttonwood Farm 2011 Estate Zingy Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Buttonwood Farm |
| 12051 | 12050 | US | This tastes like an alcoholic fruit drink with apricot, orange and mango flavors. Still, it's clean and pleasant. | Coastal Series | 83 | 9 | California | California | California Other | | | Jenica Peak 2011 Coastal Series Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Jenica Peak |
| 12052 | 12051 | US | Shy, timid notes of white peach and tropical fruit are offset by hints of vanilla and nutty biscuit. It feels medium to full bodied, but this lacks intensity and concentration overall. A touch of spice on the midpalate adds interest. | | 83 | 28 | Virginia | Monticello | | | | Keswick Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay (Monticello) | Chardonnay | Keswick Vineyards |
| 12053 | 12052 | US | This is a simple North Coast Cabernet with herbal and green olive and pepper tones. | | 83 | 10 | California | North Coast | North Coast | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Line 39 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Line 39 |
| 12055 | 12054 | US | Sweet and simple, this features fruit-juice-like flavors of orange, pineapple and apricot. A great big burst of lemony acidity saves it. | | 83 | 15 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rutherford Ranch 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Rutherford Ranch |
| 12056 | 12055 | Spain | Dry berry, leather and spice aromas lead to a juicy, high-acid palate, with red cherry, tart plum and pepper accents. It remains zesty, clean, simple and sharp on the finish. | Reserva | 83 | 25 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Sonsierra 2008 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Sonsierra |
| 12057 | 12056 | US | This doesn't taste quite ripe, with vegetal flavors marring the raspberry and cherry notes. Otherwise, it shows a softly tannic mouthfeel. | Camp 4 Vineyard | 83 | 30 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Tercero 2009 Camp 4 Vineyard Mourvèdre (Santa Ynez Valley) | Mourvèdre | Tercero |
| 12058 | 12057 | Argentina | This opens with a familiar taste of artificial, roasted char, then it moves on to soupy berry aromas. It feels scratchy, with flavors of hickory, baked plum and berry. | | 82 | 8 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Funky Llama 2011 Merlot (Mendoza) | Merlot | Funky Llama |
| 12059 | 12058 | Argentina | Fiery, hard and closed on the nose, this has a chemical hint. It feels acidic and sappy, with a weird mix of flavors that run from fish and fake butter to earthy, leathery raspberry. Stalky on the finish. | DOC | 82 | 29 | Mendoza Province | Luján de Cuyo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lagarde 2010 DOC Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) | Malbec | Lagarde |
| 12060 | 12059 | US | A note of cracked pepper—a defining characteristic of Syrah—is the first note to hit, followed by scents of tobacco and blackberry liqueur. The palate tastes tart and acetic, showing a prominent balsamic tone. Drinking this with food might tame the acids a bit. | | 82 | 33 | Virginia | Virginia | | | | Doukénie 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Virginia) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah | Doukénie |