| 1201 | 1200 | Germany | Whiffs of sugar cookies and raspberries entice on this consistently pleasing bargain buy. Fruity and floral and a just shade off dry, its an easygoing wine but with a depth beyond what one might presume from its cheeky packaging. Finishes on a lingering white peach note. | Original | 87 | 10 | Pfalz | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Blue Fish 2015 Original Riesling (Pfalz) | Riesling | Blue Fish |
| 1202 | 1201 | France | Fresh, crisp and fruity, this is an immediately drinkable wine. It has great freshness, lively acidity and perfumed apple fruitiness. The acidity cuts through brightly and leaves a vibrant, textured aftertaste. | | 87 | 32 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bouchard Père & Fils 2014 Pouilly-Fuissé | Chardonnay | Bouchard Père & Fils |
| 1203 | 1202 | US | There's a solid concentration of red and black berries to the nose of this wine, with tar and soy sauce giving depth. Solid tannic grip on the palate offers support to the array of dark cherry and blackberry alongside sandalwood and smoke. | | 87 | 26 | Texas | Texas | | Alexander Peartree | | Brennan 2014 Tempranillo (Texas) | Tempranillo | Brennan |
| 1204 | 1203 | US | This wine is very good in a ripe, almost-sweet style. It smells and tastes like blackberry pie, has full fruit flavors and a smooth, rich texture without noticeable tannins. | California Series | 87 | 14 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Cambridge & Sunset 2014 California Series Zinfandel (California) | Zinfandel | Cambridge & Sunset |
| 1205 | 1204 | Portugal | Syrah, Castelão and Aragonez go into the blend of this rich juicy wine. It is so soft and ripe, just hinting at tannins and with red-berry fruit. The wine is round and smooth, ready to drink. | Cascas Winemaker Selection | 87 | 10 | Lisboa | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Casca Wines 2015 Cascas Winemaker Selection Red (Lisboa) | Portuguese Red | Casca Wines |
| 1206 | 1205 | Italy | This offers aromas suggesting cherries marinated in spirits, underbrush and a whiff of camphor while the firm but rather lean palate offers grilled herb, licorice and a note of sour cherry. Astringent tannins grip the finish. | Rocche di Castelletto | 87 | 75 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cascina Chicco 2012 Rocche di Castelletto (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Cascina Chicco |
| 1207 | 1206 | US | There's a touch (17%) of new oak here, which adds flavors of caramel and vanilla to the rather tart and simple fruit. It falls into the generic yellow/green apple style, with hints of arugula. | Apreciação Estate Vineyard | 87 | 35 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Coelho 2014 Apreciação Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Coelho |
| 1208 | 1207 | Italy | Truffle, underbrush, new leather and chopped herb aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The bright, elegantly structured palate delivers tart cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound noble tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it time to develop. Drink 2023–2033. | Bussia Dardi Le Rose | 93 | 80 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Poderi Colla 2013 Bussia Dardi Le Rose (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Poderi Colla |
| 1209 | 1208 | Portugal | Old vines, many up to 80-years-old, supply the grapes that were fermented in traditional granite lagars for a ripe jammy character in this powerful wine. It has solid tannins and great acidity, both of which will allow the wine to age. Drink this impressive wine from 2020. | Reserva | 93 | 55 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta da Foz 2016 Reserva Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta da Foz |
| 1210 | 1209 | US | This is an assertive, flavorful and robust wine, with a medium to full body, a mouthfilling texture and fine-beaded bubbles. A creamy viscosity and wonderful layers of butter, apple, vanilla and ginger make for a delicious palate. | Estate Bottled Brut | 93 | 24 | California | Anderson Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Roederer Estate NV Estate Bottled Brut Sparkling (Anderson Valley) | Sparkling Blend | Roederer Estate |
| 1211 | 1210 | US | Black in color, this heavy concentrated wine is thick in black pepper and clove, with underlying streaks of cedar. Well structured, it unfurls depths of black cherry, currant and vanilla as it develops in the glass, finishing a full bodied as it started. | Reserve | 93 | 52 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | St. Francis 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Francis |
| 1212 | 1211 | US | This blend works in commingling 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 4% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot, all from the producer's vineyard. Caramel sparks a richness against which herbal, woody tannins speak. The body expansive and full, and the finish awash in spicy clove. | Vermejo Deux Chevaux Vineyard | 93 | 115 | California | Yountville | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Tamber Bey 2014 Vermejo Deux Chevaux Vineyard Red (Yountville) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Tamber Bey |
| 1213 | 1212 | US | Dark purple flowers and tart boysenberry paste show on the nose of this intensely concentrated wine, alongside pencil shavings, bay lead and a lot of iron minerality. More bay leaf and pine needle show on the herbally full and texturally grippy palate, giving minty spice to the dark fruit flavors. | Dierberg | 93 | 60 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Tantara 2015 Dierberg Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Tantara |
| 1214 | 1213 | US | Dark and deep aromas of black cherry, clove, allspice, black pepper and char make for a hearty impression on this appellation blend. The palate is also rich and powerful, its thick mouthfeel showing black cherry, cocoa, vanilla and a touch of asphalt. A rocky minerality and minty finish complete the experience. | | 93 | 40 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Westerly 2013 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Westerly |
| 1215 | 1214 | US | Complex and composed, this vineyard-designate wine is brightly decorated in flavors of grapefruit pith and lemon zest, with zippy acidity. As it develops in the glass, richer elements of peach and apricot flesh out the palate with succulent aplomb. | Dry Stack Vineyard | 93 | 55 | California | Bennett Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Aesthete 2016 Dry Stack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Bennett Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Aesthete |
| 1216 | 1215 | Portugal | This estate whose name means four winds is in the Douro Superior, the easternmost part of the Douro region. It is intensely rich and solid—a classic blend for the region with a dominance of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, aged in wood and with plenty more aging ability. This black-fruit-flavored wine will be best from 2020. | Quinta dos Quatros Ventos | 93 | 28 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal 2014 Quinta dos Quatros Ventos Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal |
| 1217 | 1216 | US | From the Barton family's estate vineyard, this is a very dark Syrah with aromas of blackberry, balsamic, lavender and thyme flowers. There's a rich blueberry flavor at the core of the palate, where cocoa shavings, tense tannins and a lilac florals combine for a multi-layered wine. | Paradise City | 93 | 60 | California | Paso Robles Willow Creek District | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Barton 2013 Paradise City Syrah (Paso Robles Willow Creek District) | Syrah | Barton |
| 1218 | 1217 | Italy | Alluring aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and an earthy note of tilled soil come together in the glass. The elegant, structured palate delivers red currant, Marasca cherry and star anise alongside bright acidity and refined tannins. It's well balanced and delicious. Drink through 2022. | Piano Alto | 93 | 33 | Piedmont | | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bava 2014 Piano Alto Barbera | Barbera | Bava |
| 1219 | 1218 | Italy | Alluring aromas of beeswax, white spring flower and acacia float from the glass. On the vibrant palate, crisp acidity offsets yellow apple, Anjou pear and nectarine while the slightest hint of paraffin graces the dry finish. | Villa Bucci Riserva | 93 | 57 | Central Italy | Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bucci 2014 Villa Bucci Riserva (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico) | Verdicchio | Bucci |
| 1220 | 1219 | US | Scott Sampler's experimentation with extra long macerations seem to imbue even more of a sense of place to his wines. In this case, that translates to very purple aromas of grape Jolly Ranchers, violet oil and warm black licorice. An exotic Indian-candy spice shows on the tip of the sip, leading into rich blueberry and fresh purple-flower flavors, with coffee and cocoa on the finish. | Fauve Thompson Vineyard | 93 | 75 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Central Coast Group Project 2013 Fauve Thompson Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Central Coast Group Project |
| 1221 | 1220 | France | This smooth, rich and fine wine is maturing well. It has a good balance of ripe fruit and acidity. Bitter coffee and spice notes add complexity while not detracting from the fruit. Drink from 2020. | | 93 | 40 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tour Grand Faurie 2009 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Tour Grand Faurie |
| 1222 | 1221 | US | Lilacs and wisteria combine for a floral and approachable nose in this clonal study, which is also loaded with clove, peppercorn, rosemary and elderberry aromas. It's soft and lush on the palate, with rich plum and black cherry flavors leveled by notes of anise, potpourri, fresh mint and Earl Grey tea. | Pommard Clone | 93 | 58 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Fess Parker 2015 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Fess Parker |
| 1223 | 1222 | US | Extremely lively peppercorn aromas meet with black plum, blackberry, dried violets and lavender on the nose of this bottling by vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano. The palate is spicy with cracked pepper, rosemary oil and pine needles, which mix with the blackberry and elderberry fruits. Roasted lamb flavors also make an appearance against tannins that rise up in the finish. | | 93 | 55 | California | Ballard Canyon | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Hecho por Ruben 2014 Syrah (Ballard Canyon) | Syrah | Hecho por Ruben |
| 1224 | 1223 | US | After three years en tirage, this well-evolved wine is heady and floral, made to highlight and celebrate diversity. Creamy and lush on the palate, it has a rounded richness of stone fruit. Made predominantly from Pinot Noir, it has an accentuated taste of strawberry shortcake. | Rainbow Cuvée | 93 | 65 | California | Green Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Iron Horse 2013 Rainbow Cuvée Sparkling (Green Valley) | Sparkling Blend | Iron Horse |
| 1225 | 1224 | Portugal | The Reserva version of the popular Borba brand in Portugal is a dense, powerfully tannic wine. Its juicy black currant and blackberry fruits are suffused with tannins—its dry core surrounded by richness. Hints of dark chocolate and pepper come from the alcohol but certainly don't take away from the great fruitiness of the wine. Drink from 2019. | Marquês de Borba Reserva | 93 | 75 | Alentejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | J. Portugal Ramos 2014 Marquês de Borba Reserva Red (Alentejo) | Portuguese Red | J. Portugal Ramos |
| 1226 | 1225 | US | What a treat to find a great rendition of this rare varietal. Concentrated black-fruit flavors pair beautifully with aromatic oak accents in this bold and complex wine. It has plenty of tannins to support the intense blackberry and blueberry flavors, while enticing cinnamon, cumin and leather come up in the aroma and last through the lingering finish. | | 93 | 38 | California | Suisun Valley | North Coast | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Judd's Hill 2014 Charbono (Suisun Valley) | Charbono | Judd's Hill |
| 1227 | 1226 | US | Dark gold in color, a strong note of apple skin gives way to tight acidity on the entry of this wine. As it develops in the glass, it becomes plush and fleshy, imparting complex elements of candied quince and orange blossom. | Rochioli Vineyard | 93 | 49 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Longboard 2015 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Longboard |
| 1228 | 1227 | US | Marc Piro continued to hone his craft under Jim Clendenen at Au Bon Climat, and that expertise shows in this bottling, which combines Presqu'ile and Bien Nacido Vineyards to produce a wine that's both zesty in the underripe style yet full of fruit as well. Aromas of wild oregano, thyme, tapenade and red cherry lead into a palate full of tantalizing acidity, with tart Montmorency cherry, tangy tomato and fennel spice. | Points West | 93 | 32 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Piro 2015 Points West Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Piro |
| 1229 | 1228 | US | This elegant bottling by two service-industry veterans shows tons of potpourri, dried lavender, black raspberry and red plum on the nose. The flavors are quite broad and inviting, with hibiscus and ripe tomato meshing into juniper and clove. It's light in mouthfeel and weight, but well structured. | Reserve | 93 | 55 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Point & Line 2015 Reserve Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Point & Line |
| 1230 | 1229 | Portugal | This producer specializes in seeking out parcels of old vines. In this case, the vines, planted at high density, have unusually crooked trunks. The wine itself, richly tannic and dense, has new wood flavors, ripe black-plum fruits and a dark firm character. It is still young and will develop into an impressively rich wine. Drink from 2019. | Crooked Vines Colheita | 93 | 32 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Secret Spot Wines 2014 Crooked Vines Colheita Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Secret Spot Wines |