14191 | 14190 | US | Once known as Nugent Vineyard, Winside is a blend of Dijon and Pommard clones that's on the more robust side, especially in this climatically perfect vintage. Offering exuberant red cherry fruit and layers of cola and milk chocolate, it's ready to enjoy with pork tenderloin and similarly hearty fare. | Winside Vineyard | 90 | 44 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Stemmler 2012 Winside Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Stemmler |
14192 | 14191 | Italy | Pretty scents of violet, rose, red berry, leather and forest floor rise from the glass along with a balsamic note. The palate offers crushed black cherry accented with notes of espresso, toast and sage. It has a tightly tannic, astringent finish. This will be better after 2018. | Tebavio | 90 | 60 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenuta L'Illuminata 2010 Tebavio (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Tenuta L'Illuminata |
14193 | 14192 | Portugal | This wood-aged Vinho Verde is a world away from the light and sweetened wines. It is rich, almost Chardonnay-like in its smooth, creamy character. At the same time, it still shows its origin in its tight acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now, or better in a year. | Grande Escolha | 90 | 17 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Casa do Valle 2013 Grande Escolha White (Vinho Verde) | Portuguese White | Casa do Valle |
14194 | 14193 | US | The personality of Pinot Noir comes through in this charming, medium-bodied, lighter-colored and aromatic offering. Nuances are reminiscent of cherry, herb and walking through a pine forest, along with a tangy texture and fresh finish that lingers. | Votre Santé | 90 | 14 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Francis Ford Coppola 2012 Votre Santé Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | Francis Ford Coppola |
14195 | 14194 | US | Earthy, spicy and big-boned in rich tones of ripe black cherry, licorice and mocha, the wine is fully developed in weight, well-integrated in tannins and hearty, with plenty of power and mouthfilling fruit. | Toboni Vineyard | 90 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Gary Farrell 2012 Toboni Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Gary Farrell |
14196 | 14195 | US | Green elements are often frowned upon in New World Bordeaux, but this wine shows why that's flawed thinking. Black pepper and sour cherry accompany vibrant jalapeño on the nose. That vivid herbaceous character extends to the palate, making for an intriguing, eye-opening drink. Why not pair with chile relleno? | Meritage | 90 | 38 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Alma Sol 2011 Meritage Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Alma Sol |
14197 | 14196 | Italy | Rose petal, violet, tilled earth, leather and a whiff of pastry cream lead the nose. The ripe palate delivers succulent wild cherry accented with cracked black pepper and cinnamon supported by assertive tannins. It's delicious and structured but also forward, so enjoy now–2019. | Riserva | 90 | 40 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Bera 2009 Riserva (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Bera |
14198 | 14197 | US | A handful of Sémillon adds to this wine's creaminess and texture, which is otherwise alive with citrus, stone fruit, grapefruit and ginger swirling through the glass. A lift on the finish makes the wine mouthwateringly juicy and complete. | | 90 | 26 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Black Stallion 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Black Stallion |
14199 | 14198 | US | Mouthpuckeringly tannic at first, this rustic, leathery Montepulciano grown in the hills above Jamestown has a lot of soul, its Italian roots easy to trace and enjoy. Chuck Hovey makes the well-structured, full-bodied wine, a liquid bowl of ripe plums and raspberries, which could stand a bit of bottle age and a gigantic plate of food. | | 89 | 28 | California | Tuolumne County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Gianelli 2009 Montepulciano (Tuolumne County) | Montepulciano | Gianelli |
14200 | 14199 | US | Soft and chocolaty, this smooth and broadly expressive Merlot has immediate flavor appeal. From a pair of Walla Walla vineyards, it's a showcase for silky fruit and buttery tannins. | | 89 | 30 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Kontos 2008 Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Kontos |
14201 | 14200 | US | This is a barrel selection from the winery's various lots. As rich as it is, it's not really showing all that well now, starring acidity and fresh, jammy raspberry, cherry and cola flavors, liberally oaked. Give it a good decant, but the gamble is ageability. Try after 2015 if you dare. | Vagon Rouge | 89 | 59 | California | Anderson Valley | | | | MacPhail 2009 Vagon Rouge Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | MacPhail |
14202 | 14201 | Spain | Mellow on the nose, with sweet aromas of maple, raisin and sautéed mushroom. Just fresh enough in the mouth, with toffee, vanilla, butter, coconut and mature roasted berry flavors. Delivers a lot of mocha on the finish as it maintains elegance and freshness. Ready to drink. | Gran Reserva | 89 | 25 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Montecillo 2003 Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Montecillo |
14203 | 14202 | US | Winemaker Collin Cranor is superexcited about Casa De Vinas, a vineyard much talked about in the Livermore Valley. His Petite Sirah is clearly not petite, but everything PS lovers will love: oaky, dark and ripe, with smoke, chocolate and textured tannins. | Casa De Vinas Reserve | 89 | 40 | California | Livermore Valley | Central Coast | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Nottingham Cellars 2009 Casa De Vinas Reserve Petite Sirah (Livermore Valley) | Petite Sirah | Nottingham Cellars |
14204 | 14203 | Spain | Heavy doses of char, rubber, graphite and hickory dance with black fruit aromas. Tastes big, rich, resiny and lemony, with a ton of barrel action forcing up chocolate, resin and dark spice flavors. Warm and long on the finish, with power to spare. 100% Garnacha. | Tres Picos | 89 | 17 | Northern Spain | Campo de Borja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Borsao 2009 Tres Picos Garnacha (Campo de Borja) | Garnacha | Borsao |
14205 | 14204 | France | Big, yet creamy in texture and refined, with plenty of silky tannins to frame the superripe black cherry fruit. Just lacks a little complexity, but still a very good, juicy mouthful of fruit and oak. Drink now–2013. | Grand Marrenon | 89 | 14 | Rhône Valley | Luberon | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Marrenon 2009 Grand Marrenon Red (Luberon) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Marrenon |
14206 | 14205 | France | A lovely example of mature Ventoux, revealing the sunny nature of the 2007 vintage in its velvety tannins and hints of chocolate and warmth. Raspberry and plum fruit carry a faintly peppery-herbal edge. Drink now–2016. | Les Fées | 89 | 17 | Rhône Valley | Côtes-du-Ventoux | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mas du Fadan 2007 Les Fées Red (Côtes-du-Ventoux) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mas du Fadan |
14207 | 14206 | US | Roughly half Grenache, 38% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, this shows intriguing aromas of black fruits, citrus, pine needle and loam. In the mouth there is a somewhat disjointed impression, with raspberry fruit and coffee grounds dominating. | Una Notte | 89 | 32 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | :Nota Bene 2008 Una Notte Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Rhône-style Red Blend | :Nota Bene |
14208 | 14207 | US | Drink this while it is still showing its youthful fruit. Black and purple berries abound, with excellent depth, some herbal grace notes and a spicy, lengthy finish. | | 89 | 24 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Plumb Cellars 2007 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Plumb Cellars |
14209 | 14208 | Hungary | Sauska's premiere bottling, the Cuvée 11 has a hefty dose of Cabernet Franc, giving it a distinct spice and bramble character. It's not a dainty wine at 15% abv, but the palate is clean with focused red fruit accented by fresh herbs and balanced tannins. | Cuvée 11 | 89 | 37 | Villány | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Sauska 2008 Cuvée 11 Red (Villány) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Sauska |
14210 | 14209 | US | This tasty effort has very tart red fruit set in sharp acids, with highlights of spices and seeds. Still quite young, with the acidity and structure to improve over the next few years. | | 89 | 28 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Watermill 2007 Tempranillo (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Tempranillo | Watermill |
14211 | 14210 | Spain | Smooth on the nose, with aromas of buttery oak, floral hints and lightly baked berry fruit. Maintains freshness and clarity on the palate, which has good weight and true flavors of dill, cherry and dried berries. Hits the spot despite being a bit oaky. | Reserva | 89 | 20 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Baron De Ley 2006 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Baron De Ley |
14212 | 14211 | France | This is a crisp, Syrah-based rosé, with some passion fruit on the nose, but then ripe berry flavors on the palate. It's plump and medium-bodied, yet finishes with a zing of refreshing acidity. Drink now. | Expression | 89 | 15 | Rhône Valley | Costières de Nîmes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château Beaubois 2010 Expression Rosé (Costières de Nîmes) | Rosé | Château Beaubois |
14213 | 14212 | Spain | This three-grape blend of Xarello, Muscat and Gewürztraminer is floral and inviting, with melony aromas. The palate is light but has stuffing and creamy edges. Tastes flowery, with green melon, lychee, honey and clover. Smooth, tasty and different. | | 89 | 14 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Temps de Flors 2010 White (Penedès) | White Blend | Temps de Flors |
14214 | 14213 | US | A luscious Zin, much better than the winery's '08. Made from old vineyards in the valley, it shows classic Dry Creek character, with firm tannins framing flavors of wild berries, dried red currants, pepper and sweet sandalwood. The alcohol is very high, if you're sensitive to that. | Red Rooster | 89 | 29 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Truett Hurst 2009 Red Rooster Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Truett Hurst |
14215 | 14214 | Spain | When caught fresh, this is one of the Txakoli region's best wines. It comes on hard, clacky and tight as a box of nails, with citrus and minerally aromas. The palate is crisp and tight, with apple, lime, kiwi and spritz. Long, clean and refreshing. | Getaria | 89 | 25 | Northern Spain | Getariako Txakolina | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Txomín Etxaníz 2010 Getaria White (Getariako Txakolina) | White Blend | Txomín Etxaníz |
14216 | 14215 | Spain | Lemony smelling but otherwise straightforward, with citrus blossom and apple aromas. Seems just creamy enough in the mouth, with mild citrusy acidity and normal, likable flavors of apple and orange. Uncomplicated, clean and ready to drink. | | 89 | 20 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Valtea 2010 Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Valtea |
14217 | 14216 | US | Lots of fruity richness in this Pinot. Brims with ripe raspberry and cherry jam flavors, with oaky overtones of buttered cinnamon toast. The alcohol is nice and moderate. Drink over the next four years. | | 89 | 34 | California | North Coast | North Coast | | | On Point 2009 Pinot Noir (North Coast) | Pinot Noir | On Point |
14218 | 14217 | US | Here's a lovely red wine, soft and appealing, and perfect for drinking now. It's dry and silky in tannins, with intricately layered cherry, smoked meat, pepper and sandalwood flavors. | | 89 | 35 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Peju 2007 Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Peju |
14219 | 14218 | Italy | Rich and opulent, this opens with toasted aromas of spice and nut, backed by accents of ripe fruit and blackberry jelly. The mouthfeel is soft, supple and slightly sweet. | Sud | 88 | 15 | Southern Italy | Salice Salentino | | | | Feudi di San Marzano 2010 Sud Red (Salice Salentino) | Red Blend | Feudi di San Marzano |
14220 | 14219 | Italy | This bears a dark color with inky concentration. It presents ripe blackberry and prune aromas, followed by chewy softness and a sweet spice flavor. | Sud | 88 | 15 | Southern Italy | Salento | | | | Feudi di San Marzano 2011 Sud Negroamaro (Salento) | Negroamaro | Feudi di San Marzano |