| 12091 | 12090 | US | By “Old Vine Cabernet” the winery refers to vines that were planted in 1973. But somehow the fruit doesn't express old-vine character. Instead, it's a mix of sweet-tasting strawberry and bitter stem flavors that lack focus, with a peppery highlight. | Old Vine Cabernet | 86 | 32 | Washington | Snipes Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Upland Estates 2009 Old Vine Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon (Snipes Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Upland Estates |
| 12092 | 12091 | Bulgaria | Ripe red-cherry and sweet pastry notes are fragrant on this bright, easy-drinking Pinot Noir. On the finish, hints of smoke and ash add savory tones that would be pleasant alongside duck- or pork-based dishes. | Veni Vidi Vici | 86 | 9 | Thracian Valley | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Vini 2011 Veni Vidi Vici Pinot Noir (Thracian Valley) | Pinot Noir | Vini |
| 12093 | 12092 | US | Loaded with vibrant jammy fruit, this is a bright Zinfandel that has a smoky grilled-meat note on the finish. Pair this with meaty dishes. | | 86 | 11 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Zynthesis 2011 Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | Zynthesis |
| 12094 | 12093 | New Zealand | At 50,000 cases imported, this must be one of the most ubiquitous New Zealand Pinots in the United States. It's medium bodied and tightly wound, with a crisp core of mouthwatering acidity that adds zest to the flavors of dark cherry, earth and leather. Drink now. | | 86 | 19 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Oyster Bay 2011 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Oyster Bay |
| 12095 | 12094 | New Zealand | This is a pretty solid value for the price, as long as you don't mind plenty of oak influence. A cedary note dominates the nose and casts a long shadow across the cherry-stained palate, imparting a vanilla flavor and some drying tannins along the way. Despite that, there's ample length and a mouthwatering quality to the finish. Drink now. | | 86 | 16 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Ponga 2010 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Ponga |
| 12096 | 12095 | New Zealand | Light in weight and lacy in texture, this is a savory, subtly flavored Pinot Noir that's ready to drink. Notes of smoke, mushrooms and dried herbs intertwine with tart fruit. | Old Coach Road | 86 | 20 | Nelson | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Seifried 2009 Old Coach Road Pinot Noir (Nelson) | Pinot Noir | Seifried |
| 12097 | 12096 | US | This off-dry Riesling has exuberant aromas of orange blossoms and ripe red berries. It balances concentrated apple and honey flavors with flashes of green herbs and brisk, lime-tinged acidity. So light and dainty, it's easy to drink. | | 86 | 14 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Montezuma 2010 Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Montezuma |
| 12098 | 12097 | US | This Pinot Noir offers plenty of varietal pleasure. It's dry and crisp in acidity, with cherry skin, red currant and cola flavors. | | 86 | 12 | California | California | California Other | | | Nice Pairing 2011 Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | Nice Pairing |
| 12099 | 12098 | Italy | A 80-20 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with a polished bouquet that's comprised of red fruit, spice and rubber notes, enhanced by leather, tobacco, dark cherry fruit and exotic spice accents. A hint of Band-Aid brings up the rear. | Il Guado | 86 | 23 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Poggio alle Querce 2009 Il Guado (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Poggio alle Querce |
| 12100 | 12099 | Israel | Toasty and oaky, with wood-grilled peach and roasted apple-skin aromas unfolding on the nose. Melon and pear flavors flesh out the medium-weight mouth, and linger alongside hints of sweet spice and charred wood on the close. | | 86 | 22 | Judean Hills | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Psagot 2011 Chardonnay (Judean Hills) | Chardonnay | Psagot |
| 12101 | 12100 | Israel | Bright and juicy, this wine offers upfront fruit aromas and flavors of blueberry, black cherry and plum. Hints of fudgy brownie and berry preserve add depth and decadence to the palate, and stay well into the medium-length finish. Drink now. | | 86 | 17 | Galilee | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Recanati 2011 Merlot (Galilee) | Merlot | Recanati |
| 12102 | 12101 | US | This presents the opulence that many Chardonnay fans enjoy. It bears flavors of caramel, orange, pineapple, tapioca, vanilla, honey and cinnamon, which are wrapped in a creamy texture. | Reserve | 86 | 19 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | River Road 2011 Reserve Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | River Road |
| 12103 | 12102 | Israel | This bold red made from Argaman—a cross between Souzão and Carignan—offers upfront notes of boysenberry and black plum, accented by hints of bark and spiced chocolate. It's inky and dark, but with a good acidic cut that keeps the finish fresh and the wine approachable now. | Dovev Single Vineyard | 86 | 38 | Galil | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Segal's 2009 Dovev Single Vineyard Argaman (Galil) | Argaman | Segal's |
| 12104 | 12103 | US | Here is a straightforward Malbec that offers the expected mix of berry and herb flavors, plus a suggestion of minerality and a whiff of sweatiness. It's a good companion for a burger or a steak. | Reserve | 86 | 34 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Seven Bridges 2008 Reserve Malbec (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Malbec | Seven Bridges |
| 12105 | 12104 | US | Made in the popular style, this has flavors of buttered toast, orange, peach, Meyer lemon and vanilla bean, which are brightened by crisp acidity. Drink now. | | 86 | 24 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Alderbrook 2010 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Alderbrook |
| 12106 | 12105 | Greece | Toasted nut, rhubarb, pepper and spice box aromas abound on the nose of this plucky red. Black cherry, spice and pepper flavors follow. Clean, spicy and food friendly, this selection is ageable and assertive. | Grand Reserve | 86 | 27 | Naoussa | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Boutari 2007 Grand Reserve Xinomavro (Naoussa) | Xinomavro | Boutari |
| 12107 | 12106 | US | This Rhône-style blend is rich and forward, with blackberry, cherry and raspberry jam flavors. A sweet, spicy flavor is pretty much all you get. | BEEspoke | 86 | 30 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Jorian Hill 2009 BEEspoke G-S-M (Santa Ynez Valley) | G-S-M | Jorian Hill |
| 12108 | 12107 | Italy | There's an almost effervescent feel to this Sangiovese-based wine, which has small percentages of Merlot and Colorino in the blend. It is redolent of cherry cola, almond paste, raspberry and toasted nut. | | 86 | 14 | Tuscany | Chianti | | | | L'Oca Ciuca 2009 Chianti | Red Blend | L'Oca Ciuca |
| 12109 | 12108 | US | This is a dry, slightly understated version of McGregor's standard label Gewürztraminer. It's elegant and fruity, with flavors of fresh lychee and peach that are peppered with a dash of exotic spice. Full bodied, but refreshingly quaffable. | Reserve Dry | 86 | 25 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | McGregor 2010 Reserve Dry Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes) | Gewürztraminer | McGregor |
| 12110 | 12109 | US | The nose of this juicy wine conjures plum and raisin cake, and the palate follows with explosive red cherry and clove and cinnamon seasonings. Big and brawny, it's also softly textured and layered, winning one over in its head-on hedonism. | | 90 | 27 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Novy 2015 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) | Zinfandel | Novy |
| 12111 | 12110 | US | Coming from the original plantings at this esteemed vineyard, this wine brings brooding, high-toned aromas of savory herbs, exotic spice and cherry. The palate is all about sophistication and delicacy of flavor, showing nuance and detail, particularly considering the warmth of the vintage. | 1973 Block Red Willow Vineyard | 90 | 72 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Owen Roe 2014 1973 Block Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Owen Roe |
| 12112 | 12111 | US | This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Merlot (15%) and Malbec. Aromas are fresh and fruit filled, with notes of raspberry and black cherry, along with abundant spice and herb accents. The palate is vibrant and flavorful, delivering hedonistic appeal as well as freshness. The emphasis is on elegance. | Union Gap Vineyard | 90 | 85 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Owen Roe 2014 Union Gap Vineyard Red (Yakima Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Owen Roe |
| 12113 | 12112 | US | Plummy cinnamon notes meet fruity coconut depth in this ripe, soft and brightly constructed wine that's rich and full-bodied. | Fortis | 90 | 200 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Pine Ridge 2014 Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Pine Ridge |
| 12114 | 12113 | Spain | A high level of char introduces this saturated, high-energy Rioja, which also shows animal and wild herb aromas. Oak and vanilla flavors share space with plum and blackberry fruit on the palate, a mocha note echoing on the strong, acid-driven finish. Drink through 2027. | Reserva | 90 | 32 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Quasar 2012 Reserva (Rioja) | Red Blend | Quasar |
| 12115 | 12114 | US | Fermented in a concrete egg, this is a texture-based style with subtle penetrating minerality. The fruit flavors suggest peach, pear and Meyer lemon—not big and rich, but elegant and satisfying. | Dolium | 90 | 29 | Oregon | Umpqua Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Reustle 2015 Dolium Grüner Veltliner (Umpqua Valley) | Grüner Veltliner | Reustle |
| 12116 | 12115 | US | This wine's restrained aromas take time to come around, showing a mix of dust and black pepper before waves of juicy red fruit and soft tannin and oak mingle together seamlessly on the palate. Toasted oak and vanilla notes mark the long finish. | | 90 | 30 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Rodney Strong 2014 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Rodney Strong |
| 12117 | 12116 | Italy | Savory and bright, this has classic varietal aromas of grapefruit, tropical fruit and an herbaceous note reminiscent of crushed tomato vine. The vibrant palate delivers green melon, kiwi and dried herb alongside tangy acidity and a hint of stony mineral. | | 90 | 16 | Northeastern Italy | Collio | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ronco dei Tassi 2015 Sauvignon (Collio) | Sauvignon | Ronco dei Tassi |
| 12118 | 12117 | Italy | Aromas of grapefruit, tropical fruit, citrus zest, a whiff of graphite and an herbaceous note take center stage on this expressive yet elegant white. The round medium-bodied palate delivers ripe pear, yellow apple, lemon and a quintessential note of bitter almond typical of the variety. | Toc Bas | 90 | 25 | Northeastern Italy | Friuli Isonzo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Ronco del Gelso 2015 Toc Bas Friulano (Friuli Isonzo) | Friulano | Ronco del Gelso |
| 12119 | 12118 | US | This is an impressive bottling of well-distributed wine, blended with smaller percentages of all the major red Bordeaux varieties (plus 1% Tannat). Spicy clove, leather, cedar and herb hints highlight its subdued red fruit. The tannins are grippy and oak quite present, but both provide welcome structure and strength. | Landslide Vineyard | 90 | 38 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Simi 2013 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Simi |
| 12120 | 12119 | Germany | Lusciously ripe apricots and yellow peaches are electrified by racy streaks of acidity in this dry Riesling. It's light in body yet creamy and expansive on the palate. The finish is long and crisply mineral. | Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Trocken | 90 | 22 | Nahe | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | SJ Montigny 2014 Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Trocken Riesling (Nahe) | Riesling | SJ Montigny |