| 12541 | 12540 | US | Fresh and approachable, this is a light, flowery expression of the variety, sourced from the Russian River no less, that's dry and flavored in fennel, apricot and apple. Medium in terms of weight and body, it finishes refreshingly. | | 88 | 25 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Terlato 2013 Pinot Grigio (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Grigio | Terlato |
| 12542 | 12541 | Argentina | This is oaky and resiny on the nose, but not overly so, with pear and apple aromas as well as a streak of saline. On the palate, this offers a good mix of oak resin, fruit pulp and acidity. Flavors of oak spice, white pepper, peach and apple finish fresh but with an oaky aftertaste. | Reserva | 88 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Terrazas de Los Andes 2013 Reserva Chardonnay (Mendoza) | Chardonnay | Terrazas de Los Andes |
| 12543 | 12542 | US | A blend of grapes from Washington and Oregon, this includes 25% Semillon also. As you might suspect, it's an unusual wine, opening soft and spicy, with a lightly honeyed character. Fruit flavors emphasize lemon curd and key lime, and there's a refreshing ginger ale flavor running through the fruit core. | 56% Washington/44% Oregon | 88 | 17 | Washington-Oregon | | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | J. Scott Cellars 2012 56% Washington/44% Oregon Sauvignon Blanc (Washington-Oregon) | Sauvignon Blanc | J. Scott Cellars |
| 12544 | 12543 | Spain | Ripe, heady aromas of toasty, creamy oak along with prune, raisin and cedar might be too much for those who are oak averse. Like the nose, the palate is woody and creamy, but also thick and somewhat flabby. Flavors of coconut, mocha, baking spices and blackberry finish woody and with chewy tannins. | Tinto Cuvee Mosteiro | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Valdeorras | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Avanthia 2011 Tinto Cuvee Mosteiro Mencía (Valdeorras) | Mencía | Avanthia |
| 12545 | 12544 | New Zealand | A solid, well-made offering, this wine comes across as slightly chunky and full, but delivers plenty of satisfying dark cherry and plum flavors. The finish is slightly dry and dusty, so pair it with red meats rather than more delicate Pinot accompaniments. | | 88 | 25 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Cairnbrae 2012 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Cairnbrae |
| 12546 | 12545 | US | The producer sources from older plantings of both Zin and Petite Sirah, of which there is 5% in this wine. Given more than a year in American oak, it's velvety on the palate with brown sugar, oak and high-toned raspberry, easily enjoyable on its own or on the table. | | 88 | 29 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Markham 2012 Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Markham |
| 12547 | 12546 | Italy | Aromas of Spanish broom, acacia and white tree fruit take shape in the glass. On the palate, crisp acidity balances mature golden apple, pear, mineral and dried Mediterranean herb. | N'ettaro Bianco | 88 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Masseria Setteporte 2013 N'ettaro Bianco (Etna) | White Blend | Masseria Setteporte |
| 12548 | 12547 | US | Apricot fuzz and grapefruit burst first in this white, surrounded by handfuls of generously high-toned tangerine. The oak presence is minimal, providing texture without impeding flavor. Refreshing, the wine's finish suggests thyme and lemon verbena. Under 10% Sémillon is also in the blend. | | 88 | 22 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Matanzas Creek 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County) | Sauvignon Blanc | Matanzas Creek |
| 12549 | 12548 | Argentina | Char and gritty scents ride heavily on the bouquet, which also shows fresher notes of cassis and raspberry. This excels via a natural feeling, pulpy palate and flavors of raspberry and red plum accented by pepper and herbs. A lightly herbal, minty finish offers length and good texture. | Unsung Hero | 88 | 26 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mendoza Vineyards 2011 Unsung Hero Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Mendoza Vineyards |
| 12550 | 12549 | Israel | Dark red-violet in color, this offers aromas of cherry, seawater and molasses, while flavors suggest cherry, cranberry, smoked meat, mocha, mint and eucalyptus. Cool notes outweigh fruit flavors, leading to a sense that something is off balance. Strong tannins back off on a bright finish that fails to diminish the minty notes. | Karem Moshe | 88 | 50 | Judean Hills | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Montefiore 2011 Karem Moshe Red (Judean Hills) | Red Blend | Montefiore |
| 12551 | 12550 | US | Three months in stainless steel result in a very pale wine with aromas of lemon peel and grapefruit flesh. The palate is painted with bright, citrus zest acidity throughout, yet retains the varietal's flavors of nectarine flesh and yellow melons. It makes a leading option for the unoaked crowd. | Metallico Un-Oaked | 88 | 22 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Morgan 2013 Metallico Un-Oaked Chardonnay (Monterey) | Chardonnay | Morgan |
| 12552 | 12551 | Italy | A delicate floral fragrance of white flower, pear, citrus, hay and a hint of beeswax and Mediterranean herb lead the nose. The palate is polished and bright, showing green apple, citrus and mineral alongside fresh acidity. | Fondo Filara Bianco | 88 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Nicosia 2013 Fondo Filara Bianco (Etna) | White Blend | Nicosia |
| 12553 | 12552 | US | Effervescent in honeysuckle and papaya, this vineyard-designated white offers medium body and a long length. It becomes a rounded expression of melon and minerality on the palate that's both fresh and fruity. | Croft Vineyard | 88 | 19 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | J. Rickards 2013 Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Alexander Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | J. Rickards |
| 12554 | 12553 | US | An unusual commingling of 50% Petit Verdot with 50% Merlot, this wine is expectedly big and soft. Aromas of coconut and baked bread waft to the fore before dry layers of cranberry and blackberry pack their own punch. This wine screams out for a juicy steak. | Pickett Road | 88 | 50 | California | Calistoga | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Kenefick Ranch 2011 Pickett Road Red (Calistoga) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Kenefick Ranch |
| 12555 | 12554 | New Zealand | As befits a vintage bubbly, this is toasty and yeasty upfront, yet remains fresh and citrusy. It's a medium-bodied sparkler that comes across as fairly dry, making it clean and refreshing on the finish. | Small Parcels Fizz Methode Traditionnelle | 88 | 35 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kim Crawford 2009 Small Parcels Fizz Methode Traditionnelle Sparkling (Marlborough) | Sparkling Blend | Kim Crawford |
| 12556 | 12555 | US | Named after the winery owners' kids Niki and Kiara, this blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot offers roasted game and subtle blackberries on the nose. It's more complex on the palate, with smoked plums leading into licorice and coffee in the midpalate, finishing on nice and easy tannins. | Nikiara | 88 | 39 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Le Vigne 2011 Nikiara Red (Paso Robles) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Le Vigne |
| 12557 | 12556 | Italy | This is ripe and ready, with rather funky aromas that recall meat juice, leather, truffle, scorched earth and fleshy berry. The earthy palate doles out mature sour cherry, licorice, game, raspberry jam and toasted almond. It closes on a note of orange zest. | Puritani Rosso | 88 | 40 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Valenti 2011 Puritani Rosso (Etna) | Red Blend | Valenti |
| 12558 | 12557 | US | Perfumey in Buddha's Hand citrus, this offers a well-executed combination of steely acidity and wet stone with tropical citrus, apple and creamy vanilla, lingering harmoniously on the seamless finish. | | 88 | 19 | California | Oakville | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Chime 2013 Chardonnay (Oakville) | Chardonnay | Chime |
| 12559 | 12558 | Chile | Dark and muscular up front, with a bright purple color and grapy, woody aromas, this Malbec is pleasant, albeit clipped on the palate. Short, punchy plum and boysenberry flavors finish with a barrel note or two, but not much more. | Reserva | 87 | 11 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Autoritas 2014 Reserva Malbec (Colchagua Valley) | Malbec | Autoritas |
| 12560 | 12559 | Italy | Ripe plum, berry and cocoa aromas lead the nose on this fruity, easygoing red. The soft, round palate offers ripe blackberry, juicy raspberry, a note of dark spice and a hint of chocolate. It's simple but well made and enjoyable, with silky tannins. | Il Giglio | 87 | 10 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Masseria del Feudo 2014 Il Giglio Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Masseria del Feudo |
| 12561 | 12560 | US | A juicy wine certain to please those who opt for the hip label, this is quite showy on the nose, with densely packed blackberries, clove, caramel and vanilla elements. The rich palate is equally poppy and boisterous, with black cherry jam, allspice and nutmeg notes. | ChillHouse | 87 | 19 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Peachy Canyon 2012 ChillHouse Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Peachy Canyon |
| 12562 | 12561 | US | Tight tannins support a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon with 21% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Black fruit, tobacco and leather give it a robust profile, finishing full bodied and ripe. | Sonnet #63 | 87 | 70 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Madrigal 2012 Sonnet #63 Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Madrigal |
| 12563 | 12562 | France | Consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt has helped this light wine to have a good balance and soft, generous fruitiness. The tannins are kind, rounded and already well integrated with the fruit. Drink from 2017. | Château Lestruelle | 87 | 30 | Bordeaux | Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Maison Bouey 2013 Château Lestruelle (Médoc) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Maison Bouey |
| 12564 | 12563 | New Zealand | This is a light- to medium-bodied example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, one that offers somewhat pungent, sweaty aromas that veer toward scallion at times, followed by mouth-puckering grapefruit flavors. | | 87 | 18 | Nelson | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Woollaston 2014 Sauvignon Blanc (Nelson) | Sauvignon Blanc | Woollaston |
| 12565 | 12564 | US | Squeaky fresh and full of grapefruit, peach and nectarine flavors, this semi-dry Riesling is an irresistible quaffer. Straightforward, juicy and refreshing, it's a delightful wine for youthful consumption. | Semi Dry | 87 | 14 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Treleaven 2013 Semi Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Treleaven |
| 12566 | 12565 | US | A blend of near-equal parts Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot topped off with a pinch of Petit Verdot, this wine exhibits aromas of barrel spices, dried herbs and cherry, showing whiffs of volatility. The flavors are soft and pure, lingering on the finish. | Barrel Racer | 87 | 27 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Tucannon 2012 Barrel Racer Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Tucannon |
| 12567 | 12566 | US | Almost dark enough, as well as fruity enough, to be a red wine, this tastes fresh and has a touch of candied character. The wine is medium bodied, resembles cherries and raspberries in flavor and carries enough acidity for good balance. | Dry | 87 | 23 | California | North Coast | North Coast | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | V. Sattui 2014 Dry Rosato (North Coast) | Rosato | V. Sattui |
| 12568 | 12567 | Italy | This robust red opens with aromas of toast, baked plum, menthol, espresso and vanilla that carry over to the warm, densely concentrated palate along with blackberry jam, licorice and oak-driven spice. You'll notice the heat of evident alcohol on the midpalate while close-grained tannins give it an astringent finish. | Tané | 87 | 50 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Valle dell'Acate 2011 Tané Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Valle dell'Acate |
| 12569 | 12568 | Italy | Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with aromas that recall dark-skinned fruit, blue flower and an earthy whiff of game. The straightforward, juicy palate delivers red cherry, raspberry and a cinnamon note alongside smooth tannins. Drink soon. | | 87 | 16 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Vigna di Pettineo 2013 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Vigna di Pettineo |
| 12570 | 12569 | France | This ripe, juicy wine offers blackberry flavors and young acidity. It is developing balance, fresh fruits and supporting tannins. The structure is integrating into the fruit, which will dominate if you wait to drink until 2017. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. | Château La Fôret | 87 | 20 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Supérieur | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | VIgnobles Roux 2014 Château La Fôret (Bordeaux Supérieur) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | VIgnobles Roux |