| 12871 | 12870 | Italy | The wine opens with a beautiful amber color and offers nut, dried apricot, honey, resin and orange zest. It has a thick, gritty quality with toasted flavors of roasted chestnut and loads of luscious sweetness. | Solamini et Amicis Passito | 91 | 65 | Veneto | Veneto | | | | Moletto 2003 Solamini et Amicis Passito Sauvignon (Veneto) | Sauvignon | Moletto |
| 12872 | 12871 | Italy | Abundant and generous, here is a saturated and golden-colored Picolit with sun-drenched aromas of raisins, orange zest, dried apricot, caramel and molasses. The wine exhibits a bold, modern style and delivers sticky sweet flavors and a chewy finish. Pair it with aged cheeses. | | 91 | | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Girolamo Dorigo 2005 Picolit (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Picolit | Girolamo Dorigo |
| 12873 | 12872 | Portugal | Mature, definitely dry in character, with attractive wood acidity. Dark gold in color, it has just enough sweetness, but the style is certainly a sipping Port, not a mixer, giving an intriguing finishing austerity. | Dry White | 91 | 16 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wiese & Krohn NV Dry White (Port) | Port | Wiese & Krohn |
| 12874 | 12873 | US | This is a classy Chardonnay. Grown 1,200 feet above Calistoga and fairly well-oaked in new barrels, it's rich and complex, with flavors of grilled tropical fruits and toasted meringue. The structure is greatly improved by a crisp, minerally edge of acidity. | | 91 | 27 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Cali 351 2006 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Cali 351 |
| 12875 | 12874 | Germany | This is a fairly full-bodied Mosel auslese, with plenty of both alcohol (9.5%) and remaining sweetness. A hint of dried apricot marks the nose, while apple, honey and clover blossom also come into play. Finishes long, with mouthcoating intensity of spice and citrus. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC. | Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese Goldcap | 91 | 46 | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Johann Haart 2006 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese Goldcap Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) | Riesling | Johann Haart |
| 12876 | 12875 | Spain | Dark, ripe and handsome. Those are the basics on this showy wine. Aromas of leather, shoe polish and char darken up the berry fruit, while flavors of blackberry and plum vie with oak-based mocha. Plenty of length and potential on the finish, but also some hard oak that needs more time to get absorbed. Best in 2009–2010. | Esculle de Solabal | 91 | 62 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Solabal 2005 Esculle de Solabal (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Solabal |
| 12877 | 12876 | US | Tastes brittle and aloof in its youth, with a very dry mouthfeel dominated by acidity and tannins, although the texture is silky and smooth. You don't want to open this too soon. Given the core of cherries and pomegranates, it should develop, but no guarantees. The Freestone area is very cool and its possibilities are unknown but promising. | Balistreri Family Vineyard Freestone View Block | 91 | 100 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Sonoma Coast Vineyards 2005 Balistreri Family Vineyard Freestone View Block Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Sonoma Coast Vineyards |
| 12878 | 12877 | Italy | Privilegio (made with a blend of white grapes from Campania, in southern Italy, that are dried on racks after the harvest) delivers musky and sophisticated aromas of bright fruit, natural rubber, apricot, almond paste and baked apple pie. It tastes sweet and syrupy but remains lively and bright to the end. | Privilegio | 91 | 35 | Southern Italy | Campania | | | | Feudi di San Gregorio 2005 Privilegio White (Campania) | White Blend | Feudi di San Gregorio |
| 12879 | 12878 | Australia | A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, the resulting wine is complex, round and complete. Aromas and flavors of plum, leather, cured meat and spice are carried by plenty of weight, yet without seeming heavy. There's a lush, slightly creamy mouthfeel and a long, spicy finish. Delicious now, but should hold at least through 2015. | Abbotts Prayer Vineyard | 91 | 75 | South Australia | Lenswood | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Henschke 2005 Abbotts Prayer Vineyard Red (Lenswood) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Henschke |
| 12880 | 12879 | South Africa | From elegant white producer Paul Cluver, this wine starts with a beautiful nose of fragrant peach, honey and apricot, then unfolds into an enticing balance of lush peach, pineapple and apricot flavors. Elegant but fresh, the complex flavors mingle perfectly with a bright, zinging acidity. The lingering finish offers a touch of orange peel and dried apricot. Delicate but full of character. | Noble Late Harvest | 90 | 24 | Elgin | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Paul Cluver 2006 Noble Late Harvest Riesling (Elgin) | Riesling | Paul Cluver |
| 12881 | 12880 | US | It's labeled Viognier, but the blend includes 20% Roussanne and a bit of Marsanne as well. It works terrifically, yielding a wine with a spicy mix of grapefruit, citrus rind, and Asian pear. Wonderful mouthfeel, with cut, focus and length. | | 91 | 20 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ott & Murphy 2010 Viognier (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Viognier | Ott & Murphy |
| 12882 | 12881 | Israel | A gorgeous Cab-based blend with 17% Cab Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 7% Merlot, Edom is rich and seductive. Sultry notes of mulled boysenberry and blackberry are infused with cigar tobacco, cedar and roasted cocoa nib accents. A strong structure of firm tannins and moderate acidity carry through to the black-pepper-flecked finish. | Edom | 91 | 35 | Judean Hills | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Psagot 2009 Edom Red (Judean Hills) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Psagot |
| 12883 | 12882 | Italy | COS is a nod to the three friends who founded the winery, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Cirino Strano. This beautiful Nero d'Avola opens with bright berry aromas, toasted pistachio nut and bright accents of chopped herbs. | Syre | 91 | 50 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | COS 2005 Syre Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | COS |
| 12884 | 12883 | Italy | Sàgana shows its best qualities in the 2008 vintage. It opens with a dark, inky appearance and thick aromas of red cherry, chocolate, espresso bean and dark spice. It's a bold and concentrated wine, with savory endnotes of soy and Teriyaki sauce. | Sàgana | 91 | 35 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Cusumano 2008 Sàgana Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Cusumano |
| 12885 | 12884 | Spain | Bold and gold, with penetrating aromas of orange, dried apricots, sweat and honey comb. The feel is rich and layered, with just enough acidity to lend volume to the apricot, dried peach and honey flavors this late-harvest Chardonnay is pushing. Thick and a bit unctuous on the finish; drink now. | Caligo Essència Sweet White Wine | 91 | 90 | Spain Other | Spain | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | D.G. Viticultors NV Caligo Essència Sweet White Wine Chardonnay (Spain) | Chardonnay | D.G. Viticultors |
| 12886 | 12885 | France | Organically grown grapes have yielded a firm, dense wine that brings out the power of Morgon. It has dark plum skins and cherry fruit, layered with firmly structured tannins. It's an impressive wine for aging 2–3 years. | | 91 | 30 | Beaujolais | Morgon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Chasselay 2010 Morgon | Gamay | Domaine Chasselay |
| 12887 | 12886 | US | Red wine doesn't get richer or more delicious than this Rhône-style blend of five varieties, based on Grenache. It's flamboyant in raspberry, cherry and milk chocolate flavors, yet the sweetness is balanced by fine acidity and a mushroomy earthiness. Drink now–2014. | Gypsy | 91 | 25 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Epiphany 2008 Gypsy Red (Santa Ynez Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Epiphany |
| 12888 | 12887 | Italy | Quater is an innovative blend of Nero d'Avola, Perricone, Frappato and Nerello Cappuccio (four important indigenous grapes of Sicily) with a vinous but intense bouquet of red fruit, chocolate and spice. The mouthfeel is soft, velvety and opulent. | Quater | 91 | 32 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Firriato 2008 Quater Red (Sicilia) | Red Blend | Firriato |
| 12889 | 12888 | Italy | Frank Cornelissen is one of the rising stars of Italy's natural wine movement. Munjebel 7 (he does editions, instead of vintages) shows a bright ruby appearance with suspended particles that give it a slightly cloudy appearance. The aromas are fine, delicate and complex with wild berry, crushed granite and dusty earth. His wines are aged in large clay amphorae. | Munjebel 7 | 91 | 50 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | | | Frank Cornelissen NV Munjebel 7 (Etna) | Nerello Mascalese | Frank Cornelissen |
| 12890 | 12889 | France | Initially a very soft wine, it slowly shows its ripe fruits, intense texture and blend of buttery toast and acidity. Yellow fruits dominate, bursting through the acidity to give a ripe, opulent finish. Age for 3–4 years. | Vaudésir Grand Cru | 91 | 120 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Garnier et Fils 2009 Vaudésir Grand Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | Garnier et Fils |
| 12891 | 12890 | US | This is a big, tannic, midnight black Cabernet, rude in youth and barely drinkable. The tannins are powerful enough to lock down the palate. The grapes, grown in Calistoga, are very ripe in blackberries, currants and dark chocolate, but those tannins are stubbornly astringent. Almost old-fashioned in toughness despite very high alcohol, it's a curiosity that seems likely to develop in the cellar, but with so little evidence of past vintages, all bets are off. | Blueline Vineyard | 91 | 125 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Hourglass 2009 Blueline Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hourglass |
| 12892 | 12891 | US | All Pepper Bridge vineyard fruit—62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah—this is right in line with the excellent 2006 Sayulita, which came from the Lefore Vineyard. Bright fruit, tart and tangy, gives a juicy, fresh quality to the mouthfeel. Lots of high-acid berry flavors, are accented by light chocolate and caramel notes from 20 months in second and third use French oak. | Sayulita Red | 91 | 40 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Balboa 2007 Sayulita Red Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Balboa |
| 12893 | 12892 | US | The fruit for this excellent Cabernet Franc is sourced from wide-ranging vineyards throughout the Yakima, Columbia and Walla Walla valleys. Aged 18 months in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak, it is the most accessible of the new red wine releases from Barrister. The tart red fruits are coated with creamy caramel and pretty toast notes, and it sails like clean silk into a long, smooth, buttery finish. | | 91 | 28 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Barrister 2009 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Franc | Barrister |
| 12894 | 12893 | US | Bésoleil remains Grenache-dominated, but this new vintage includes 14% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and (for the first time) 9% Cinsault. Bright and penetrating, the brilliant raspberry fruit is the star here, tart and fresh, with the juiciness of a young Zinfandel. | Bésoleil | 91 | 45 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Betz Family 2009 Bésoleil Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Betz Family |
| 12895 | 12894 | US | As before, this is 100% Syrah from the Red Willow Vineyard's oldest vines. It can seem rather light when first opened, with pretty raspberry scents that carry delicate hints of herb. Complexities emerge with airing: more subtle whiffs of earth and flower and flavors that don't overwhelm, but seem to keep adding interesting threads of blueberry, black cherry, Asian spice and game. | La Côte Patriarche | 91 | 55 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Betz Family 2009 La Côte Patriarche Syrah (Yakima Valley) | Syrah | Betz Family |
| 12896 | 12895 | Spain | Ripe and leaning to the dark fruit side, with spicy blackberry aromas. Feels round and complete as it unfolds, and not at all edgy. Flavors of plum, cocoa and spice come with toasty oak, and the finish is bright and snappy. Will age for another decade without much trouble, but it's more than drinkable now. | Monte Real Reserva | 91 | 27 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Riojanas 2004 Monte Real Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Bodegas Riojanas |
| 12897 | 12896 | Portugal | With its fine aged-wood and fruit character, this is a sweet yet complex wine. Toast, almonds, a hint of spirit and the palate and delicate acidity all combine easily in a harmonious wine whose closest comparison is with a great amontillado. | 20-Year-Old White | 91 | | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Burmester NV 20-Year-Old White (Port) | Port | Burmester |
| 12898 | 12897 | US | The winemaker pulled out all the bells and whistles, barrel fermenting this Chardonnay, putting it through partial malolactic fermentation, and aging it on the lees. The result is a rich, creamy wine, ripe in pineapple, orange, pear, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors, and brightened with brisk Carneros acidity. Shows impeccable balance, at a fair price. | | 91 | 25 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Isabel Mondavi 2010 Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Isabel Mondavi |
| 12899 | 12898 | US | Just delicious. Feels like a modern, cult-style Napa Cabernet, soft and complex and slightly sweet, with tannins so finely ground, it's drinkable now. The flavors are Cabernet-like also, with blackberries,blueberries, mocha and spices, although its briary, brambly quality is distinctive to Zinfandel. | George's Vineyard | 91 | 34 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | JR Wine 2009 George's Vineyard Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | JR Wine |
| 12900 | 12899 | New Zealand | Always one of the most approachable Pinot bottlings from Felton Road, the Bannockburn is a medium-bodied wine in 2009, redolent of earth, smoke and mushrooms. Silky tannins on the finish frame flavors of ripe cherries, dark earth and a hint of espresso. Drink now–2016. | Bannockburn | 91 | 53 | Central Otago | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Felton Road 2009 Bannockburn Pinot Noir (Central Otago) | Pinot Noir | Felton Road |