12291 | 12290 | Italy | Here's a fantastic addition to your cellar collection of Barolos. Gianfranco Alessandria's San Giovanni Barolo is at the top of its class. The wine is elegant and ethereal with dark, spicy concentration and loads of pulpy fruit, licorice, ginger, cola and leather. Open this bottle in ten years or so. | San Giovanni | 94 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Gianfranco Alessandria 2006 San Giovanni (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Gianfranco Alessandria |
12292 | 12291 | Italy | With fruit sourced from some of Barolo's best vineyard crus, this beautiful wine offers fullness, character and longevity. Textbook Nebbiolo aromas include wild berry, blue flower, white pepper, cola and tar. The mouthfeel is spicy, fresh and well structured. Pair this wine with steak au poivre (in 5–10 years or so). | Cannubi San Lorenzo Ravera | 94 | 95 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Giuseppe Rinaldi 2006 Cannubi San Lorenzo Ravera (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Giuseppe Rinaldi |
12293 | 12292 | US | This 100% Cabernet's dark, saturated color testifies to its extracted ripeness and richness. It's a gigantic wine, buried at the moment under smoky oak, but tremendous underneath in blackberry, cherry, currant, sweet herb, violet and cured meat flavors. A big success even in this vintage. Now, with decanting, and through 2019. | Campbell Vineyard | 94 | 75 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Honig 2007 Campbell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Honig |
12294 | 12293 | France | The beauty of Krug's rosé is the sense of bottle age, of that extra richness. That means the wine is not just the sum of its delicious red berry fruits. It's also the way the wine is rounded out, filled with secondary flavors, toast and almonds and a taut minerality. The aftertaste is taut, dry, seamless, complex. | Brut Rosé | 94 | 400 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Krug NV Brut Rosé (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Krug |
12295 | 12294 | France | In acknowledgement of the superior quality of 2002, Moët has released this wine well after the 2003. The decision is fully justified, for this is still young. It is impressive, intensely concentrated, mineral, showing tight grapefruit and apple flavors. Excellent aging potential. | Grand Vintage Brut | 94 | | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Moët & Chandon 2002 Grand Vintage Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Moët & Chandon |
12296 | 12295 | Italy | Nei Cannubi from Poderi Einaudi is textbook Barolo; the kind of wine you can bank on for an elegant and enlightening drinking experience. You see that, here, all the elements are perfectly in place and stacked for maximum pleasure. Aromas of blue flower, berry and shaved mineral build in intensity and the wine is determined and persistent on the palate. | Nei Cannubi | 94 | 100 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2006 Nei Cannubi (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Poderi Luigi Einaudi |
12297 | 12296 | Italy | Here's yet another extraordinary wine from the famed Cannubi cru of Barolo. In this expression from the Brezza family, you'll be rewarded with bright aromas of forest berry, licorice, earth, leather and cola. The wine is intense, generous and very elegant. Pair it with chicken in morel mushroom sauce. | Cannubi | 94 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Brezza 2006 Cannubi (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Brezza |
12298 | 12297 | Italy | This year's best expression from the celebrated Rabajà cru, Bruno Rocca presents a beautifully integrated Barbaresco that shows equal parts fruit (prune, plum and cassis) and spice (vanilla, root beer and clove). The wine is smooth, silky and very enduring on the close with excellent structure. Drink after 2015. | Rabajà | 94 | | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Bruno Rocca 2007 Rabajà (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Bruno Rocca |
12299 | 12298 | Italy | Thanks to its dense clay soils, the Brunate cru delivers wines with high color saturation and aromatic caliber. This Barolo offers layers of black fruit, plum, spice, tobacco, cola and dark chocolate. The wine is firm and finely textured with power, dimension and personality on the long finish. | Bricco Rocche Brunate | 94 | 88 | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Ceretto 2005 Bricco Rocche Brunate (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Ceretto |
12300 | 12299 | Italy | Barolo Riva is a fantastic wine with enormous personality and charm. At the outset, the wine appears modern and bold with determined aromas of black fruit and spice. But wait a second and the wine will surprise you with its sassy complexity and finesse. Give it 10 more years of cellar aging. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. | Riva | 94 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Claudio Alario 2006 Riva (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Claudio Alario |
12271 | 12270 | US | Big, fruity wine, with layers of fruit, earth, toast and oak. Spicy cranberry/raspberry fruit leads into toasty, dry tannins. There is a lovely density, buttressed with new oak, but anchored with ripe, firm fruit. Lovely winemaking. | Alegria | 91 | 26 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rosenblum 1998 Alegria Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) | Zinfandel | Rosenblum |
12272 | 12271 | US | Firm, ripe and fruity, with a nice mix of plums, berries and earth. The mountain fruit shows good acids, some mineral elements, and a long, complex finish with a fair amount of earth and barnyard. A distinctive, earthy style. | Bradford Mountain | 91 | 21 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Peterson 1997 Bradford Mountain Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Peterson |
12273 | 12272 | US | Good color, tight, firm fruit, with some heft to it. There's cassis as well as cherry, and the wine has the weight of a Sonoma Zin, with good acids to give it lift. This is the first estate bottling from this exciting new winery. Unfortunately, just 28 cases made. | | 90 | 21 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Midnight 1998 Zinfandel (Paso Robles) | Zinfandel | Midnight |
12274 | 12273 | South Africa | Displaying style and character, this mid-weight Merlot ‘s complex nose shows classic berry, plum, mocha and earth flavors, with interesting cinnamon and olive accents. The round palate shows solid flavors of plum, cocoa and coffee as well as good texture and fruit to acid balance. Finishes with moderate tannins, offering good near-to mid-term aging potential. | | 90 | 17 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Jardin 1998 Merlot (Stellenbosch) | Merlot | Jardin |
12275 | 12274 | US | Old vine clone, with brambly, gamy notes throughout. Lifts up the palate with lively, bright flavors. Good concentration, balance and follow-through. | Rockpile Road | 90 | 19 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rosenblum 1998 Rockpile Road Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Rosenblum |
12276 | 12275 | South Africa | Just what Sauvignon Blanc should be. Fresh and clean with grassy and melon notes present throughout. Vibrant acidity, a smooth mouthfeel and a long finish complete this very lively wine. Would make a great aperitif. | | 90 | 13 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Simonsig 2000 Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Sauvignon Blanc | Simonsig |
12277 | 12276 | US | Ripe, round, toasty wine, with rich, plummy fruit and a full-throttle palate feel. Nicely made and surprisingly evolved; jammy and pleasure-packed. Finishes with a pleasing fruit sweetness. | Monte Rosso Vineyard Grand Reserve | 90 | 21 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Villa Mt. Eden 1998 Monte Rosso Vineyard Grand Reserve Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) | Zinfandel | Villa Mt. Eden |
12278 | 12277 | US | Blackberries are the story here, boatloads of rich, ripe, jammy blackberries. There is just a whiff of volatile acidity, then a wonderful mouthful of fruit with some stony earth underneath. Shows a light touch with the oak, good acids and a deft handling of the tannins. | Estate Reserve | 90 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Storybook Mountain 1997 Estate Reserve Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Storybook Mountain |
12279 | 12278 | US | This is the 33rd vintage of this landmark Zinfandel, which, since it's a blend that includes just 74% Zinfandel in it, isn't technically Zinfandel at all. Whatever. It's just plain delicious, old-vine, succulent juice. Jammy, juicy, vibrant and tight, it has a long life ahead. | Geyserville | 90 | 30 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ridge 1998 Geyserville Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Ridge |
12280 | 12279 | US | Full bodied and well-oaked, this full-throttle Zin comes on with intense blackberry and vanilla aromas and flavors accented by cinnamon and chocolate notes. Ripe and even on the palate, the handsome fruit plays out on the lengthy finish with tart, dark berry and pepper notes. | Hendry Vineyard Reserve | 90 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Rosenblum 1998 Hendry Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Rosenblum |
12281 | 12280 | South Africa | Fat-bodied but tangy, with grapefruit and lime aromas and flavors. A touch of figginess and a tangerine note on the palate balance the flavor profile. There's lovely texture—quite full for Sauvignon Blanc—and a long ripe finish. | | 90 | 15 | Groenekloof | | | | | Neil Ellis 2000 Sauvignon Blanc (Groenekloof) | Sauvignon Blanc | Neil Ellis |
12282 | 12281 | Australia | Attractive blackberry aromas with bright tobacco and herb accents open this well-balanced wine. The palate shows strong cassis, earth and herb flavors, and an even mouthfeel. Finishes with dark cherry notes and full, fine tannins. This will age nicely and can use a little time. Quite flavorful and elegant. | Bin 407 | 90 | 19 | South Australia | South Australia | | | | Penfolds 1998 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Penfolds |
12283 | 12282 | Canada | Shows pronounced oily, earthy, almost tobacco-like elements to its bouquet; also honey and clementines. Not overly rich, but flavorful and complete, with excellent balance. Like the other Colio Estate wines, this emphasizes subtle earth shadings over slap-you-in-the-face-fruit. | Icewine | 90 | | Ontario | Lake Erie North Shore | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Colio 1998 Icewine Riesling (Lake Erie North Shore) | Riesling | Colio |
12284 | 12283 | South Africa | Lively, with brisk lime and herb aromas opening into a mouthful of tart grapefruit flavors. Shows a nice mouthfeel and a long finish with a crisp citrus tang and a slight mineral note. This zinger is right up there with the best in this style from New Zealand. | | 90 | 13 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Waterford 2000 Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Sauvignon Blanc | Waterford |
12285 | 12284 | Italy | You'll absolutely love this wine. Barbaresco Santo Stefano offers intensity, harmony and imparts delicious aromas of sweet spice, wild berries, licorice, tar and light touches of smoke or graphite. It boasts a smooth, rich texture with bright acidity on the close. This is a very pure and pristine expression of Nebbiolo that will live long in the cellar. | Santo Stefano | 94 | 58 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | | | Castello di Neive 2007 Santo Stefano (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Castello di Neive |
12286 | 12285 | Italy | Enrico VI is an elegant and unique expression of Nebbiolo with impressive finesse and sophistication. Save this bottle for an important occasion and cellar age the wine five to 10 more years at a minimum. Aromas include coffee, tar, dried tobacco, leather and delicate forest fruit. There are hints of vanilla and toast on the close that will soften with time. | Enrico VI | 94 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Cordero di Montezemolo 2006 Enrico VI (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Cordero di Montezemolo |
12287 | 12286 | France | This is a crisp, high-wire-walking wine, just so poised. Its youthful red fruits, laced with citrus, taste so fresh, with a strawberry bite. At this stage, it is intensely enjoyable as young Champagne, but it does need to age for several years. | Rosé Brut | 94 | 67 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Roederer 2005 Rosé Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Louis Roederer |
12288 | 12287 | US | Such are the tannins in this 100% Cab that it demands cellar time. It's really shut down and astringent in youth, which emphasizes the dryness. But it's very fine, with a solid core of ripe black cherry fruit that will express its sweetness when the tannins melt away. Winemaker Amy Aiken is really showing her stuff with this polished ager. Best 2013–2019. | Morisoli Vineyard | 94 | 120 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Meander 2007 Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Meander |
12289 | 12288 | US | With a pretty pink-salmon color, this Pinot Noir-based blush is rich and full-bodied. It has considerable weight for a bubbly, but the acidity and freshness and yeasty tang lift it up to Champagne elegance. Impossible not to fall in love with this raspberry-scented beauty, but why wouldn't you want to? | Brut Rosé | 94 | 41 | California | North Coast | North Coast | | | Schramsberg 2007 Brut Rosé Sparkling (North Coast) | Sparkling Blend | Schramsberg |
12290 | 12289 | US | Rich, concentrated, and loaded with smoky, dark, spicy fruit flavors, this is a full-on Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. There's plenty of barrel influence, from 70% new French oak, but it's welcome, and appropriate, perfectly matched to the power of the fruit. An underlayer of woodsy earth and mushroom adds further complexity. | Minnick Hills Reserve | 94 | 60 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Dumas Station 2006 Minnick Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Dumas Station |