| 12766 | 12765 | Australia | Faintly nutty notes of toasted grain accent this wine's otherwise straightforward pineapple fruit. It's medium in body, with a fine line of crisp acidity running through it from start to finish. Drink now. | Bin Select 462 | 85 | 10 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kalbarri 2010 Bin Select 462 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia) | Chardonnay | Kalbarri |
| 12767 | 12766 | Italy | There's an inky, raw feel to this riserva (Sangiovese blended with tiny percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), followed by candied cherry and rum cake. It finishes sour and bitter. | Squarcialupi Riserva | 85 | 30 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | | | La Castellina 2007 Squarcialupi Riserva (Chianti Classico) | Sangiovese | La Castellina |
| 12768 | 12767 | US | Shows ripe, forward raspberry and cherry jam flavors, wrapped in a silky texture brightened by crisp acidity. Feels a bit rugged, though, with a green sharpness throughout. Drink up. | Goodchild High 9 Vineyard | 85 | 30 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Lucas & Lewellen 2009 Goodchild High 9 Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Noir | Lucas & Lewellen |
| 12769 | 12768 | US | There's little if any oak on this dry Pinot Grigio, leaving the lemon, lime, peach and mineral flavors to star. It's an easy wine to drink, and with crisp acidity, stimulates the palate as a cocktail sipper. | | 85 | 18 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Mosby 2010 Pinot Grigio (Santa Barbara County) | Pinot Grigio | Mosby |
| 12770 | 12769 | New Zealand | Part of Pernod Ricard New Zealand, Church Road is a historic property dating back to the end of the 19th century, so it is a shame that the wines are not available in the U.S. The 2007 Reserve Cabernet Merlot features delicate scents of dried herbs and tea leaves allied to bold cassis and cherry fruit. It's firm and slightly drying on the finish; give it until 2015 to come into its own. | Reserve | 90 | | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Church Road 2007 Reserve Cabernet Merlot (Hawke's Bay) | Cabernet Merlot | Church Road |
| 12771 | 12770 | France | A fine, totally sweet-fruited burst of Merlot that brings together fine structure with the beginnings of mature texture. There is a layer of vanilla, a warmly polished feel with glowing berries and sweet spice. Delicious and certainly ready to drink. | P du Roy | 90 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | D & R Dubois 2000 P du Roy (Saint-Émilion) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | D & R Dubois |
| 12772 | 12771 | France | A generous wine, but one with good backbone and structure. The black fruits are beginning to meld into the sweet tannins and flavors of black cherry compote and spices. It is approaching maturity, but could age another 2–3 years. | Arthus | 90 | | Bordeaux | Côtes de Castillon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | D & R Dubois 2005 Arthus (Côtes de Castillon) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | D & R Dubois |
| 12773 | 12772 | US | A beautifully balanced, elegant Pinot Noir from a great appellation that's ready to drink now. It's dry and firm in acidity, with complex flavors of cherries and raspberries, although to overemphasize the fruit gives the wrong impression. Also prominent are minerals, flowers and herbs. | | 90 | 40 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Demetria 2007 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Demetria |
| 12774 | 12773 | US | This is one of the best buys on the market now for a Cabernet of this quality at this price. It's a wonderful wine, well structured and dry, with lush flavors of blackberries, currants, herbs and cedar that are wrapped into firm, ripe tannins. Should develop additional complexity through 2014. | | 90 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Edge 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Edge |
| 12775 | 12774 | Italy | Ferrari's base Brut (with a 2.5-million-bottle production) is a lovely sparkler with yeasty aromas of freshly baked bread and loads of dried fruit, honey and apricot. The mouthfeel is soft and creamy and this impression is reinforced by its foamy perlage. | Brut | 90 | 24 | Northeastern Italy | Trento | | | | Ferrari NV Brut Chardonnay (Trento) | Chardonnay | Ferrari |
| 12776 | 12775 | Italy | Ferrari's rosé sparkler offers distinctive aromas of freshly baked bread and yeast followed by wild berries, stone fruit and citrus. The mouthfeel is intense and generous and this wine boasts a particularly creamy, full and satisfying mouthfeel. | Rosé | 90 | 30 | Northeastern Italy | Trento | | | | Ferrari NV Rosé Sparkling (Trento) | Sparkling Blend | Ferrari |
| 12777 | 12776 | Italy | This creamy blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco offers a solid structure, firm and persistent perlage, backed by fragrant aromas of yellow fruit and pressed flowers. You could pair this wine with shellfish or smoked salmon. | Brut Satén Millesimato | 90 | | Lombardy | Franciacorta | | | | Fratelli Berlucchi 2005 Brut Satén Millesimato Sparkling (Franciacorta) | Sparkling Blend | Fratelli Berlucchi |
| 12778 | 12777 | New Zealand | The lifted nose of herbs and tea gives an extra shot of complexity to this concentrated wine. Intense cherry and cassis fruit ends in a long finish that blends drying tannins with mouthwatering acids. Best from 2014–2020. | Reserve | 90 | | Hawke's Bay | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Villa Maria 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Hawke's Bay) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Villa Maria |
| 12779 | 12778 | New Zealand | A broad, richly textured wine made in a dry style, this packs in the pear, nectarine and melon flavors, then wraps them up with touches of spice on a harmonious, long finish. Drink now. | Vineyard Reserve | 90 | 18 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kawarau Estate 2008 Vineyard Reserve Pinot Gris (Central Otago) | Pinot Gris | Kawarau Estate |
| 12780 | 12779 | Australia | A few years of age have turned this South Australia Chardonnay into a highly nuanced tipple. Kerosene, hay and coconut aromas play off fragrant blood orange scents while the palate offers up toast and caramel in a tight, well-defined structure. Try with grilled salmon or serve on its own. Drinking at its peak now but will last a few more years. | Reeves Point | 90 | 28 | South Australia | South Australia | | | | Jacob's Creek 2005 Reeves Point Chardonnay (South Australia) | Chardonnay | Jacob's Creek |
| 12751 | 12750 | France | Crisply fruity, herbaceous and citric, with lemon zest and fine pineapple. The wine's acidity should soften in a year. | | 85 | 17 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Blanc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tanesse 2010 Bordeaux Blanc | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Tanesse |
| 12752 | 12751 | France | A black currant-dominated wine, with a stalky, herbal series of flavors along with a positive juicy, fruit-forward character. The tannins are firmly dry with some smoky spice at the end. | Réserve Spéciale | 85 | 15 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) 2010 Réserve Spéciale (Bordeaux) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) |
| 12753 | 12752 | Chile | A touch hard, fiery and scratchy on the bouquet, then juicy and fresh in the mouth, with edgy flavors of peppery plum, raspberry, herbs and dry oak. Finishes herbal and minty, with average feel. | Eco Balance | 85 | 9 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emiliana 2010 Eco Balance Carmenère (Central Valley) | Carmenère | Emiliana |
| 12754 | 12753 | Chile | There's a funky, strange quality to San Pedro's high-end 2008 Syrahs from Elqui. Like the Kankana ultrapremium bottling, this wine is jammy and exotic smelling, with mulchy notes, rubber and horsey aromas. It's chunky and full in the mouth, with prune, vanilla and canned asparagus flavors. Has the weight and density but smells and tastes too odd to rate higher. | 1865 Limited Edition | 85 | 25 | Elqui Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Pedro 2008 1865 Limited Edition Syrah (Elqui Valley) | Syrah | San Pedro |
| 12755 | 12754 | Chile | Consistent with the previous year, this Syrah-led blend is average at best, with sweet, foxy aromas of candied fruit. Feels chunky and tannic, with herb-infused, heavily extracted berry flavors. Herbal and peppery on the finish. | Amalia | 85 | 40 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Los Boldos 2009 Amalia Red (Cachapoal Valley) | Red Blend | Viña Los Boldos |
| 12756 | 12755 | US | Aromatically a bit dull, this blend of 54% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 11% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache is structured, dense and lush, tasting of tar and black fruit. | Melange De Reves | 85 | 28 | California | Temecula Valley | South Coast | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Leonesse Cellars 2008 Melange De Reves Red (Temecula Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Leonesse Cellars |
| 12757 | 12756 | France | Clean and fresh with medium-intense aromas and flavors of watermelon rind, carnation, red cranberry and a touch of green banana. Balanced and straightforward, and easy to find with 5,000 cases imported. | Cinsault | 85 | 11 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Pays d'Oc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Les Jamelles 2010 Cinsault Rosé (Pays d'Oc) | Rosé | Les Jamelles |
| 12758 | 12757 | US | Aged over two years in American oak with fruit grown in Amador and Lodi, this Syrah is all oak and leather, recalling bacon on the grill like a diner on a workday morning. Balanced in the mouth with come-hither tannins. | Reserve | 85 | 28 | California | California | California Other | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Martin Lane Winery 2008 Reserve Syrah (California) | Syrah | Martin Lane Winery |
| 12759 | 12758 | US | In Pinot Noir, you get what you pay for. Granted, MaManis's 2010 is a pretty simple wine. But it is classic in the silky structure and pleasant raspberry and cherry flavors, touched with smoky oak, and is one of the better Pinots at this price. | | 85 | 11 | California | California | California Other | | | McManis 2010 Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | McManis |
| 12760 | 12759 | Portugal | An earthy wine, with a strong herb and spice character. The fruit is fresh, laced with black currant acidity and soft tannins. A fine, food-friendly wine, ready to drink. | Cister da Ribeira | 85 | 9 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Ventozelo 2009 Cister da Ribeira Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de Ventozelo |
| 12761 | 12760 | Spain | Cassis, raisin, vanilla and rooty spice aromas give this Tempranillo blend some class on the bouquet. It's resiny and fairly heavy feeling, with lightly burnt and earthy flavors of herbal red berry and plum. Dry and peppery on the finish. | Señorío de los Llanos Crianza | 85 | 8 | Central Spain | Valdepeñas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Los Llanos 2005 Señorío de los Llanos Crianza Red (Valdepeñas) | Red Blend | Bodegas Los Llanos |
| 12762 | 12761 | Portugal | A bright, citrusy, crisp, off-dry Vinho Verde. It is the perfect aperitif wine with its light texture, slight fizz and a delicious lemon and grapefruit aftertaste. | Cruzeiro Branco | 85 | 9 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vinhos Norte 2010 Cruzeiro Branco White (Vinho Verde) | Portuguese White | Vinhos Norte |
| 12763 | 12762 | US | A simple Syrah, with decent cherry, licorice and tobacco flavors that finish quick. It's dry and clean, and a certain elegance makes it a nice pairing with a wide variety of fare. | Steinbeck Vineyard | 85 | 21 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Eberle 2009 Steinbeck Vineyard Syrah (Paso Robles) | Syrah | Eberle |
| 12764 | 12763 | France | A dark pink color, this rosé promises rich, dark fruit notes of ripe cherry and muddled strawberry with a slightly medicinal edge. The medium weight mouth falls a bit flat, and closes abruptly on the finish. Drink now. | Syrah-Grenache | 85 | 18 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Languedoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Gérard Bertrand 2010 Syrah-Grenache Rosé (Languedoc) | Rosé | Gérard Bertrand |
| 12765 | 12764 | Italy | There's a touch of smoke, ash or sulfur at the very beginning that never fully blows away. In the mouth, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah offers ripe cherry and blackberry flavors, with hints of black pepper and bitter almond. | Borgeri | 85 | 30 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | | | Giorgio Meletti Cavallari 2009 Borgeri (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Giorgio Meletti Cavallari |