| 14791 | 14790 | France | Showing some maturity in its dried fruit notes, this is neverhtheless an attractive heavyweight for near-term drinking. Chocolate fudge and prune notes pick up hints of cinnamon and dried herbs, then end long and softly dusty. Drink now–2020. | | 91 | 35 | Rhône Valley | Gigondas | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Sélection Laurence Féraud 2011 Gigondas | Rhône-style Red Blend | Sélection Laurence Féraud |
| 14792 | 14791 | US | From the high-elevation site long prized by this producer, this wine opens with a sturdy tannic grip that takes time to resolve in the glass. As it does, ripe and robust layers of blackberry, currant and wild sage flavors emerge, bolstered by leather and bittersweet chocolate notes. | Monte Rosso Vineyard | 91 | 65 | California | Moon Mountain District Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Sbragia 2013 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Moon Mountain District Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Sbragia |
| 14793 | 14792 | Israel | Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry and birch root. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, smoked meat, vanilla custard and anise move across the palate, with fruit and smoke notes rising and receding in rhythm. Zesty cherry notes linger on the tongue despite strong but pleasant tannins. | Secret Reserve | 91 | 40 | Judean Hills | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Shiloh Winery 2014 Secret Reserve Merlot (Judean Hills) | Merlot | Shiloh Winery |
| 14794 | 14793 | Italy | This elegant white opens with aromas of crushed tomato vine, yellow peach and elderflower. The juicy palate doles out grapefruit, honeydew melon and a hint of papaya. Fresh acidity provides support. | Passion | 91 | 40 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | St. Pauls 2015 Passion Sauvignon (Alto Adige) | Sauvignon | St. Pauls |
| 14795 | 14794 | Italy | Aromas of spiced plum, tilled earth, new leather and a hint of baking spice lift out of the glass. The big chewy palate shows fleshy black cherry, chocolate and a hint of pipe tobacco while velvety tannins provide the framework. It's already approachable but will offer plenty of enjoyment for several years or more. | p. 56 | 91 | 80 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenuta Buon Tempo 2012 p. 56 (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Tenuta Buon Tempo |
| 14796 | 14795 | Israel | A nose of black plums and juniper berry paves the way for flavors of strawberry, pomegranate and mocha with a slight hint of eucalyptus. There is a subtle interplay of acidity and soft tannins that recede to reveal a bright drawn-out finish. | Legacy | 91 | 70 | Shomron | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Teperberg 2013 Legacy Cabernet Franc (Shomron) | Cabernet Franc | Teperberg |
| 14797 | 14796 | Italy | This 100% Lagrein boasts alluring aromas of blackberry, tilled earth and a whiff of baking spice. The ripe luscious palate doles out black plum, cassis, star anise and a note of ground pepper alongside supple tannins. It will offer fine sipping over the next few years. Drink through 2020. | Porphyr Riserva | 91 | 70 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terlan 2013 Porphyr Riserva Lagrein (Alto Adige) | Lagrein | Terlan |
| 14798 | 14797 | US | This rich, juicy yet elegant bottling from an old vineyard in west Paso Robles boasts black currant and rosebud aromas. The palate is textural and lithe, with tangy black plum and blackberry flavors. This has the bones to grow into an impressive wine in the years to come. | Cardinal Old Bailey Vineyard | 91 | 90 | California | Adelaida District | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | The Farm Winery 2013 Cardinal Old Bailey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Adelaida District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | The Farm Winery |
| 14799 | 14798 | South Africa | This is a surprisingly bright and enticing wine, with forward scents of red apple and orange that are laced with notes of wood and baking spice. The palate is rich and creamy, but not overly so, with good acidic cut to the lingering flavors of wood-grilled apple and peach. Drink now–2019. | | 91 | 25 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Thelema 2014 Chardonnay (Stellenbosch) | Chardonnay | Thelema |
| 14800 | 14799 | Italy | Made entirely with Müller-Thurgau grown in high mountain vineyards, this opens with aromas of toasted hazelnut, fennel and mature orchard fruit. The round bright palate delivers creamy yellow apple, white peach and a juicy orange zest note while an energizing mineral note lifts the finish. | Feldmarschall | 91 | 40 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tiefenbrunner 2015 Feldmarschall Müller-Thurgau (Alto Adige) | Müller-Thurgau | Tiefenbrunner |
| 14801 | 14800 | Chile | A nose of mild green fruits is prickly and dances, while the palate offers minerality and pithy lime and other green fruit flavors. Finishes with consistent green fruit notes, dryness and a hint of bell pepper. Doesn't blow you away but delivers most of what Chilean SB is known for. | | 87 | 12 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Peñalolen 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Peñalolen |
| 14802 | 14801 | Italy | Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a delightfully light and fresh red wine (a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, two native Sicilian grapes) that offers delicate berry notes with cola and almond paste. It's a very food-friendly wine with pretty mineral tones on the close. | | 87 | 22 | Sicily & Sardinia | Cerasuolo di Vittoria | | | | Planeta 2008 Cerasuolo di Vittoria | Red Blend | Planeta |
| 14803 | 14802 | US | This is a reserved and elegant example, fashioned along European lines. There's mixed vegetable and tomato notes upfront and a juicy palate of red fruit rounded out by a vanilla top note. The medium finish shows soft tannins. Serve with firm cheese. Drink now to 2011. | La Tavola | 87 | 11 | New York | North Fork of Long Island | Long Island | | | Raphael 2007 La Tavola Red (North Fork of Long Island) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Raphael |
| 14804 | 14803 | US | A nice racy version, with lots of petroleum and peach character shot through with notes of wet stone. Ends on a lingering grapefruit peel tone. Try with sweet and sour pork. Drink now. | Semi-Dry | 87 | 16 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | | | Red Tail Ridge 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Red Tail Ridge |
| 14805 | 14804 | Argentina | Big, meaty and dense, with dampness, earth and size. This is your typical deep and chewy wine, but the structure and core qualities are just above average. Flavors of black cherry, plum and brown sugar are good, while the finish shows a creamy vanilla flavor and cola. Good but not great for the price. | Gran | 87 | 32 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Riglos 2006 Gran Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Riglos |
| 14806 | 14805 | Chile | Light citrus, green herb and nettle aromas are just what you'd expect from Leyda SB, and the palate has a plump, easy feel along with fresh flavors of melon, tangerine and nectarine. More round than linear, with good length and clarity. | Reserva | 87 | 10 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Santa Carolina |
| 14807 | 14806 | US | Very ripe in the modern style, with masses of jammy blackberries, black currants and black cherries and uplifted, smoky notes of oak. The tannins are thick and astringent. One defect is a certain sharpness that lasts through the finish and makes the mouthfeel tart. | Quid Pro Quo | 87 | 49 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Ahnfeldt 2005 Quid Pro Quo Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Ahnfeldt |
| 14808 | 14807 | US | There's some sharpness throughout this Zinfandel. The palate wishes it were smoother and more harmonious, especially since the flavors are very rich, suggesting ripe blackberries and blueberries, picked under a warm summer sun, as well as black pepper and mocha. Ready now. | Three Goose | 87 | 34 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Alderbrook 2007 Three Goose Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Alderbrook |
| 14809 | 14808 | Argentina | Saturated in color almost to the point of opaque. The nose is brash, with rubbery berry, chocolate and sandalwood aromas. Intense but not overpowering, with flavors of sweet black plum, berry and black currant. Spry and lively throughout, with licorice and bitter chocolate on the finish. | | 87 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Argento 2008 Bonarda (Mendoza) | Bonarda | Argento |
| 14810 | 14809 | US | A tiny bit of Mourvèdre and Barbera are added into the blend, but this is honest and true to varietal Washington Syrah, with strawberry and cherry candy fruit flavor in abundance. Initially forward and light on the palate, it moves into more herbal, earthy flavors in the finish. | | 87 | 15 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Boomtown 2007 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Boomtown |
| 14811 | 14810 | US | Thick and unctuously soft, this southern Rhône-style blend is rich in blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice and bacon flavors, with a coating of smoky oak. It's quite decadent, but could use greater structure. | Trés Violet | 87 | 34 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Calcareous 2007 Trés Violet G-S-M (Paso Robles) | G-S-M | Calcareous |
| 14812 | 14811 | France | Delicious and inviting with notes of eucalyptus, chocolate-covered cherries and wild raspberries on the nose. The palate exhibits darker flavors by way of black cherry and plum, fleshing out the solidly structured medium weight mouth. A moderate, evolving finish closes nicely with a kiss of sweet oak. | La Cuvée Mythique | 87 | 15 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Les Vignerons de la Méditerranée 2006 La Cuvée Mythique Red (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Les Vignerons de la Méditerranée |
| 14813 | 14812 | US | A complex opening of leather, plum, vanilla and gingerbread leads to a crisp palate with intense cherry notes. Lacks the multi-dimensionality of a top wine but the touches of youthful fruit on the medium finish are guaranteed to charm. Drink now. | Reserve | 87 | 20 | New York | North Fork of Long Island | Long Island | | | Lieb 2004 Reserve Merlot (North Fork of Long Island) | Merlot | Lieb |
| 14814 | 14813 | Chile | Dark and meaty on the nose, with plum, blackberry and spice notes. The palate is fleshy but a little hollow in the middle, with dark fruit that's tasty but not real deep or complicated. Finishes short, with saltiness. Superficial in many ways, but dark, fun and gets the job done. | Reserva | 87 | | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Porta 2008 Reserva Carmenère (Maipo Valley) | Carmenère | Porta |
| 14815 | 14814 | US | There are lush, profound flavors of cherries, red currants, licorice, bacon and sweet smoky sandalwood in this wine, and it has the silky mouthfeel of a fine coastal Pinot. On the debit side is a certain harshness and sharpness of tannins that suggests green seeds. | Lone Oak Vineyard | 87 | 44 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Rockroom Winemaking Cooperative 2008 Lone Oak Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Rockroom Winemaking Cooperative |
| 14816 | 14815 | US | Showing gorgeously, with honeysuckle, spring flower, clove and holiday spice tones. There's well-defined acidity and a lingering apple cider note. Try with cod in a miso sauce. Drink now to 2011. | Semidry | 87 | 15 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | | | Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008 Semidry Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Chateau Lafayette Reneau |
| 14817 | 14816 | US | There's lots to like about this cool-climate Chardonnay, from the ripe pineapple, kiwi and lime flavors to the rich touch of lees and vanilla. It has a sharp cut of acidity that's almost Champagne-like, and calls for extremely rich fare to balance. Try with shrimp risotto. | The Terraces | 87 | 35 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Coastview 2008 The Terraces Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Coastview |
| 14818 | 14817 | Argentina | Aromas of violets, blackberry and black currant jam are solid, while the palate shows sharper acidity than most Bonardas, and thus a juicy sensation along with flavors of snappy black cherry and boysenberry. Fresh and forward, with a lot of fruit and potency. | Reserve | 87 | 15 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cruz Alta 2008 Reserve Bonarda (Mendoza) | Bonarda | Cruz Alta |
| 14819 | 14818 | US | A little sharp in the mouth, with a bite of citrusy acidity, but the cherry, cola, pomegranate and sandalwood flavors are very rich, and the texture is silky. The acidity could resolve in a few years. Best by 2012 or so. | Barrel 31 | 87 | 59 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Cumbre of Vine Hill 2007 Barrel 31 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Cumbre of Vine Hill |
| 14820 | 14819 | Italy | This is a light and elegant expression of Nero d'Avola, with pretty nuances of spice and smoke between bay leaf and powdered curry. Black fruit fills the mouth thanks to the wine's soft and chewy texture. | | 87 | 17 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Feudo Principi di Butera 2007 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Feudo Principi di Butera |