| 1482 | 1481 | US | With quite a bit of residual sugar, this Riesling is sweet, but balanced with crisp acidity that makes it clean and zesty. The flavors are of peaches, apricots, candied ginger, honeysuckle and vanilla. Low alcohol makes it easy to drink. | Valley Oaks | 85 | 9 | California | California | California Other | | | Fetzer 2006 Valley Oaks Riesling (California) | Riesling | Fetzer |
| 1483 | 1482 | Argentina | Rather sweet and medicinal; the wine comes into form on the palate, which is fairly bright and forward as it pushes raspberry and cherry flavors. Acidity is on the high side, so the feel and finish have some burn. Could use some pizza or meat to help it along. | Altosur | 85 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Tupungato | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Sophenia 2006 Altosur Cabernet Sauvignon (Tupungato) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Finca Sophenia |
| 1484 | 1483 | France | A light wine, somewhat unfocused and lacking fruit intensity. But it is certainly pleasant, clean and fresh, with a definite green tinge and a citrus aftertaste. | Fournier | 85 | 19 | Loire Valley | Menetou-Salon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fournier Père et Fils 2006 Fournier (Menetou-Salon) | Sauvignon Blanc | Fournier Père et Fils |
| 1485 | 1484 | New Zealand | Shows plenty of weight on the palate, but also an overall lack of intensity to its slightly vegetal—green pea—flavors. Still, there's enough passion fruit and grapefruit to provide a sense of balance and a crisp, clean finish. | Arona | 85 | 11 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Barker's Marque 2007 Arona Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) | Sauvignon Blanc | Barker's Marque |
| 1486 | 1485 | US | The vineyard is on Howell Mountain. It's an awkward wine, with lots to like, but some problems. On the plus side is enormous cassis, cherry and chocolate fruit flavor and rich, fine tannins, and the 100% new oak seems proper given the wine's volume. But there's too much sugary sweetness in the finish, almost like a dessert wine. | Bancroft Ranch Vineyard | 85 | 75 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Beringer 2004 Bancroft Ranch Vineyard Merlot (Napa Valley) | Merlot | Beringer |
| 1487 | 1486 | Hungary | The rich, spicy and savory nose evoke the food for which the country is known, and this wine would undoubtedly pair well with full-bodied, spiced meats and stews. Its full, spicy nose leads into dependable flavors of red berry, wooded spice and pepper, with a slightly bitter, smoked edge. Not a terribly complex wine, but solid and tasty nonetheless. | Cuvée Barrique | 85 | 48 | Villány | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Bock 2000 Cuvée Barrique Red (Villány) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Bock |
| 1488 | 1487 | US | Shows a beautiful Pinotesque mouthfeel, all silk and satin, with that elegant Carneros acidity. But the flavors could be more concentrated. The cherries, cola and pomegranates feel a little watered down. | Reserve | 85 | 22 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Carneros Creek 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Carneros Creek |
| 1489 | 1488 | Italy | This is a bold and powerful wine with distinctive green notes that recall dried grass, black pepper and spice. It also has bitter chocolate, cardamom and cumin and its tannins are so strong, they literally leave your palate parched and dry. | | 85 | 35 | Central Italy | Sagrantino di Montefalco | | | | Casale Triocco 2003 Sagrantino di Montefalco | Sagrantino | Casale Triocco |
| 1471 | 1470 | US | Extremely luscious on the nose, this bottling is redolent of baked black cherries, vanilla, smoke and wet riverstones. That fruit-forward style carries over to the palate, with cherry pie and baking spice flavors, backed by a solid and an expertly balanced acidity that holds those rich flavors in check. | Hollister Edna Ranch | 93 | 100 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Tolosa 2015 Hollister Edna Ranch Pinot Noir (Edna Valley) | Pinot Noir | Tolosa |
| 1472 | 1471 | Italy | Mature plum, ripe berry, baking spice, underbrush and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this full-bodied wine. On the chewy palate, notes of cinnamon, clove and licorice add depth to dried cherry and raspberry. Velvety tannins give it just enough tension and texture. Drink 2018–2024. | Riserva | 93 | 85 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Villa Poggio Salvi 2011 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Villa Poggio Salvi |
| 1473 | 1472 | US | This varietal Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the producer's organic Chiles Valley estate. It's muscular and lushly layered, with spicy leather and tobacco notes accented by a delicate touch of violet and supported by firm, grippy tannin. Drink now through 2033. | Sievers Reserve | 93 | 80 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Volker Eisele Family Estate 2013 Sievers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Volker Eisele Family Estate |
| 1474 | 1473 | Chile | There's no shortage of heavily charred oak, and early on it may seem a bit mulchy and leathery. But as it knits together and the fruit rises, you'll see that there's a compact, serious wine laying in wait. Flavors of blackberry, licorice and herbs are authentic and powerful. Clacky tannins make food almost mandatory. | Reserva | 86 | 12 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | TerraNoble 2006 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | TerraNoble |
| 1475 | 1474 | Italy | This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino is a simple, fruit-forward wine with loads of red cherry, blueberry, cedar wood and exotic spice. It has a gritty, spicy mouthfeel and big, powerful tannins. | Riserva | 86 | 18 | Central Italy | Montefalco Rosso | | | | Terre de Trinci 2003 Riserva (Montefalco Rosso) | Red Blend | Terre de Trinci |
| 1476 | 1475 | Italy | Opens with a pretty shade of gold that denotes more sophisticated extraction and in fact that impression is carried through to the nose and mouth where the wine exhibits ripe fruity aromas, honey, almond skin, dried herbs and natural rubber. The mouthfeel is thin, but remains a step above the commercial Pinot Grigio that is so commonly available. The wine is packaged with a real vine clipping around the bottle neck. | Pinot Grigio | 86 | 15 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Mosolo Gleni 2006 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Pinot Grigio | Mosolo Gleni |
| 1477 | 1476 | US | This has light but sweet fruit flavor, leaning heavily toward strawberry and Bing cherry candy. The fruit is a bit mismatched to the tannins, which are thick and chewy, but with additional bottle age the middle may fill out somewhat. It's got a pretty, fruity entry and a substantial, slightly earthy finish; it's just that midpalate that falls a bit short. | | 86 | 20 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Arbor Crest 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Arbor Crest |
| 1478 | 1477 | Chile | A solid wine with a good mix of herbal, cola and red-fruit aromas. It deals spanking red fruit flavors and a sprinkle of vanilla and chocolate on the racy finish. For a short, fresh and clean wine, Aresti's Cab makes the grade. | Reserve | 86 | 14 | Rio Claro | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aresti 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rio Claro) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Aresti |
| 1490 | 1489 | Italy | Here's a delicate, feminine Sangiovese with a thin consistency and mature aromas of forest berry, raspberry, black olive and spice. It's a bit thorny in places with sour notes on the finish but it would pair well with pasta or pizza. | | 85 | 12 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castello di Monastero 2004 Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Castello di Monastero |
| 1491 | 1490 | New Zealand | Offers herb, cranberry and cherry aromas upfront, followed by a medium-bodied palate that's cedary and herbal, but also shows some chunky cherry fruit. Finishes on oaky notes of coffee and chocolate. | | 85 | 23 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Konrad 2006 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Konrad |
| 1492 | 1491 | Italy | Here's a lean, almost colorless, citrus-driven Grigio from sunny Umbria that has a bit of candy and cola on its sweet, fragrant nose. There are peppermint renderings and dried hay in the background. It's watery and lean in the mouth and would pair with appetizers or simple vegetable dishes. | Pinot Grigio | 85 | 15 | Central Italy | Umbria | | | | Lungarotti 2006 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Umbria) | Pinot Grigio | Lungarotti |
| 1493 | 1492 | New Zealand | A soft, easy-to-drink Pinot Noir—even for Marlborough. Tannins are developed and supple, while the flavors lean toward caramel, cherry and sandalwood. Drink now. | | 85 | 16 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mana 2006 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Mana |
| 1494 | 1493 | Argentina | Light, floral and somewhat out of the mold. Flavors of apricot, peach and mango are both fresh and fleshy, while the finish lingers for quite some time. Fairly forceful but restrained enough. | Coleccion | 85 | 12 | Other | Calchaquí Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Michel Torino 2007 Coleccion Chardonnay (Calchaquí Valley) | Chardonnay | Michel Torino |
| 1495 | 1494 | US | Made from authentic Port varieties, this dessert wine is quite sweet. The residual sugar is about 9.5%, giving a honeyed finish to the blackberry and chocolate flavors. It doesn't have the complexity for aging, so drink now. | Vintage Port | 85 | 34 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Robert Hall 2005 Vintage Port Port (Paso Robles) | Port | Robert Hall |
| 1496 | 1495 | US | A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, this tannic, dry wine has flavors of cherries, vanilla and smoky oak. It may develop some additional complexities over time. | Trompettes | 85 | 65 | California | Mount Veeder | Napa | | | Rubissow 2004 Trompettes Red (Mount Veeder) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Rubissow |
| 1497 | 1496 | Argentina | Round, nutty and smooth, with melon, citrus and apple flavors. In this wine's case, organic does not equal complexity. That said, what's here is clean and balanced, and there's more than enough fruit and intensity to satisfy. | Organica | 85 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Julia 2007 Organica Chardonnay (Mendoza) | Chardonnay | Santa Julia |
| 1498 | 1497 | Argentina | Timing is everything with this full-bodied PG. Get at it right away and it will still be almost viscous, but it should also show ripe tropical fruit flavors, core acidity and lots of personality. Just don't let it hang around for long, especially not at room temperature. | | 85 | 8 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Julia 2007 Pinot Grigio (Mendoza) | Pinot Grigio | Santa Julia |
| 1499 | 1498 | Italy | This Pinot Grigio is a bit more fragrant and floral in essence with aromas of stone fruit and peach blossom. It has a fresh, almost piquant edge but it also has that characteristic watery mouthfeel you'll likely encounter with this variety. | | 85 | 16 | Northeastern Italy | Collio | | | | Ronco Blanchis 2006 Pinot Grigio (Collio) | Pinot Grigio | Ronco Blanchis |
| 1500 | 1499 | Chile | The oak on this wine gives it a strong resin and cinnamon character. Along the way there's floral berry aromas, cherry and plum flavors, and finishing notes of root beer, chocolate and cough drops. A bit woody and tannic but it gets the job done. | Castillo de Molina Reserva | 85 | 12 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Pedro 2006 Castillo de Molina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Cachapoal Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | San Pedro |
| 1479 | 1478 | Australia | This 60-40 blend features gentle aromas of vanilla and cassis in a medium-bodied, creamy-smooth format. It's not powerful or complex, but offers pure cassis and vanilla flavors tinged with chocolate on the finish. Good value. | Yellow Label | 85 | 12 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Wolf Blass 2005 Yellow Label Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia) | Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon | Wolf Blass |
| 1480 | 1479 | Chile | Big, bold, wild and dark, with mild burnt aromas backed by broad blackberry and plum flavors. This represents the fruity, thick style of Syrah, with additional notes of black olive and savory meat pie. It's not flawless but its pounding fruit character will earn its share of fans. | Reserva | 85 | 9 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chilensis 2006 Reserva Syrah (Maule Valley) | Syrah | Chilensis |
| 1481 | 1480 | Chile | Pungent and sharp, and that's exactly the style that Los Vascos has mastered in recent years. This wine tastes very much like a coastal, Casablanca Chardonnay yet it hails from Colchagua. The nose is pithy and citric, and the palate is more of the same. Good mouthfeel and fresh, but green, citrusy and too much like Sauvignon Blanc. | Los Vascos | 85 | 12 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) 2007 Los Vascos Chardonnay (Colchagua Valley) | Chardonnay | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) |