| 15121 | 15120 | US | If you had the resources to analyze what makes a picture postcard-perfect Russian River Pinot Noir, and then to actually produce it in case quantities, this is what you'd come up with. The wine is dry and silky and crisply acidic, with pleasant cherry, root beer and spice flavors. It's as friendly as can be and fully ready now. | | 87 | 37 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | MacMurray Ranch 2006 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | MacMurray Ranch |
| 15122 | 15121 | Argentina | Raspberry and cherry aromas are light and pleasing, while the palate exhibits those same friendly and inviting raspberry flavors along with some citrus. A fresh and clean wine, nothing more or less. But it manages to rise above the masses via its focus, length and purity. | Rosé | 87 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Melipal 2008 Rosé Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Melipal |
| 15123 | 15122 | US | Marked by extreme dryness and tannic astringency, this 100% Syrah might benefit from time in the cellar, although there can be no guarantees with an unknown producer. It has a good core of black currants, black pepper and baker's chocolate. Try after 2009. | | 87 | 30 | California | Mendocino County | | | | Meyer Family Cellars 2004 Syrah (Mendocino County) | Syrah | Meyer Family Cellars |
| 15124 | 15123 | US | Some diesel and cracker on the nose, along with the usual Gewürztraminer mix of citrus and soap. The fruit is substantial and fills out the midpalate, offering peaches, apricots, suggestions of papaya and some crisp, apple acids. In keeping with past vintages, this new release is finished at just under 3% residual sugar. It should stand up nicely to spicy noodle dishes. | | 87 | 12 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Columbia Winery 2007 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Gewürztraminer | Columbia Winery |
| 15125 | 15124 | US | Drink this lusty, hearty red wine now with beef stew and sausage casseroles. It's a big, softly tannic wine that's sweet with blackberry, licorice and chocolate flavors. | | 87 | 26 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Cru Vin Dogs 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Dry Creek Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah | Cru Vin Dogs |
| 15126 | 15125 | France | There is some good bottle age with this nonvintage Brut. The wine is soft, just toasty, with almond and spicy pear flavors. In the mouth, it is quite tight, a crisp, but one-dimensional wine, with a well-balanced aftertaste. | Heritage Brut | 87 | 67 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Delbeck NV Heritage Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Delbeck |
| 15127 | 15126 | New Zealand | Unusually supple for Fromm, but still featuring a heavy overlay of toasty, cedary oak. If you don't mind that in your Pinot, you may like this even more, because it does offer ripe cherry-berry flavors underneath. Drink over the near term. | La Strada | 87 | 27 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Fromm Winery 2006 La Strada Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Fromm Winery |
| 15128 | 15127 | US | Entirely varietal and estate-grown, this big-bottled wine offers a welcome taste of berry pie dusted in cinnamon and clove, the oak sturdy and sweet in vanilla. Luxuriously smooth, the texture is velvety and lush, like a river of dark chocolate. It ends in a flash of black pepper. | Doctor's Cuvée Estate Grown | 93 | 125 | California | Calistoga | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Kenefick Ranch 2012 Doctor's Cuvée Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Calistoga) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kenefick Ranch |
| 15129 | 15128 | US | This is a remarkable effort at the price, the wine sourced from Beckstoffer-owned sites in Carneros. Apple, peach and lemon highlight an integrated, vibrantly fresh experience on the palate, which lingers and impresses long after the finish. | Y3 | 93 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Jax 2015 Y3 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Jax |
| 15130 | 15129 | France | This Premier Cru vineyard lies north of the Grand Crus, with a west-facing exposure. It has yielded a wine with soft, generous floral character, ripe yellow fruit and a crisp, mineral edge. Finely sculpted and ageworthy, it will be best from 2019. | Fourchaume Premier Cru | 93 | 40 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Chablisienne 2014 Fourchaume Premier Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | La Chablisienne |
| 15131 | 15130 | France | This refreshing wine comes from one of the Premier Cru sites on the north-facing bank of the Serein river. It's structured, tight and full of fine acidity and grapefruit and crisp apple flavors. Its texture and mineral character will allow it to age. Drink from 2019. | Montmains Premier Cru | 93 | 35 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Chablisienne 2014 Montmains Premier Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | La Chablisienne |
| 15132 | 15131 | Chile | Ripe black-fruit aromas are the foundation of a complete heady nose that also includes balsam wood, tobacco, orange peel and especially chocolate. A round full voluminous palate deals woody spicy flavors of herbal berry and cassis, while this is fully ripe, oaky and long on the finish. Drink this ripe, thick Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend now through 2022. | | 93 | 75 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Altaïr 2014 Red (Cachapoal Valley) | Red Blend | Altaïr |
| 15133 | 15132 | US | Unctuous, with a profound sense of the salty sea, this wine is both rich and bright, balanced between crisp, defined acidity and complex depth of flavor. Lemon verbena and quince compete against a more nuanced, satisfying bite of caramelized pear as the finish refreshes. | J McK Estate Vineyard | 93 | 42 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Anaba 2014 J McK Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros) | Chardonnay | Anaba |
| 15134 | 15133 | Italy | Enticing scents of blue flower, woodland berry, moist earth and chopped herb lift out of the glass. The elegant palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry, star anise and cinnamon set against a backbone of firm but refined tannins. It's impeccably balanced, with bright acidity. Hold for even more complexity and to let the tannins unwind. Drink 2020–2033. | Vigna Machia dei Goti | 93 | 46 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Antonio Caggiano 2013 Vigna Machia dei Goti (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Antonio Caggiano |
| 15135 | 15134 | US | Brooding black currant, blackberry pie aromas meet with clove, sweet tobacco, black tea and hot cola on the nose of this blend of 49% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre from the Coastview, Antle and Brosseau vineyards. There is candied Concord grape fruit to the energetic, light-on-its-feet sip, along with bay leaf, sage, marjoram and thyme. | Gabilan Mountains | 93 | 44 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2013 Gabilan Mountains G-S-M (Monterey County) | G-S-M | Big Basin |
| 15136 | 15135 | US | This is a hugely structured and concentrated wine, the double plusses marked on barrel selections meant to call out the best of the best. Herbal, it offers complex characteristics of dried herb, cedar and leather, with a big grip of tannin tenacious on the palate and peppery finish. | Double Plus Estate Grown | 93 | 500 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Hewitt 2013 Double Plus Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Hewitt |
| 15137 | 15136 | US | This celebration of legendary Jerry Lohr's 80th birthday is a winner on all fronts. A zesty, uplifting nose of blackberry, cola, licorice, leather and clay leads into a cohesively woven palate of soy, shiitake dust, roast beef and dark chocolate. The acidity is well-measured, the tannins are chalky and grippy and it's powerful without being flashy. | Signature | 93 | 100 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | J. Lohr 2013 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | J. Lohr |
| 15138 | 15137 | France | This is one of a collection of Champagnes tasted and approved by a group of growers under the Special Club label. With a predominance of Chardonnay, it's still crisp and fruity, showing rich apple and pear flavors. Its citrusy acidity gives it lift, slowing any signs of maturity. It will continue to age gracefully but is delicious now. | Special Club Brut | 93 | 56 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Charlier & Fils 2005 Special Club Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Charlier & Fils |
| 15139 | 15138 | Italy | Spiced plum, blue flower, vanilla, French oak and balsamic aromas lead the way on this firmly structured red. Full-bodied and elegant, the youthful, enveloping palate evokes blackberry, black cherry, pipe tobacco and ground clove framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2032. | Riserva | 93 | 55 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Donnachiara 2012 Riserva (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Donnachiara |
| 15140 | 15139 | Germany | This is a remarkably well-priced yet classic Mosel-style beerenauslese. It's deeply concentrated with unctuous honey and peach flavors, dusted with a veil of pollen and crushed minerals. It's effortlessly spry yet electric on the palate, with a high-toned lemon-lime finish. | Beerenauslese | 93 | 56 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Dr. Loosen 2013 Beerenauslese Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. Loosen |
| 15141 | 15140 | US | There's a feral quality to this bottling by the trio of Brandon Sparks-Gillis and John and Steve Dragonette that makes it fascinating. Aromas of dark cranberry and rose petal meet up with funkier game and composting flowers on the nose. There is strong ginger and mace spice on the sip, giving intrigue to the light strawberry, red plum and pomegranate fruits. | John Sebastiano Vineyard | 93 | 60 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2014 John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Dragonette |
| 15142 | 15141 | Italy | Sunbaked soil, new leather, forest floor and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The smooth elegantly structured palate delivers morello cherry, black raspberry, dried herb, licorice and tobacco while fine-grained tannins provide polished support. | Elzana Riserva | 93 | 26 | Tuscany | Carmignano | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Fattoria Ambra 2012 Elzana Riserva (Carmignano) | Red Blend | Fattoria Ambra |
| 15143 | 15142 | Germany | Perfumed blossom and apricot aromas are especially appealing here. Dry in style, with a plush pink grapefruit palate, the wine's sharp acidic edges lend verve. The finish is long, marked by a cool, mineral tang. Delicious already, it should hold well through 2025. | Dürkheimer Spielberg Trocken Erste Lage | 93 | 38 | Pfalz | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Karl Schaefer 2015 Dürkheimer Spielberg Trocken Erste Lage Riesling (Pfalz) | Riesling | Karl Schaefer |
| 15144 | 15143 | France | A joint venture between Champagne de Sousa and Burgundy's Olivier Leflaive, this rosé is deliciously bright with red fruit. It has a weighty, vinous character with just an edge of tannin to give it extra richness. Hints of toastiness and fine acidity cut through its fruit core. Drink now. | Brut Rosé | 93 | 79 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Valentin Leflaive NV Brut Rosé (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Valentin Leflaive |
| 15145 | 15144 | Italy | Made with 100% dried Zibibbo grapes, this elegant dessert wine offers intense aromas of ripe apricot, lemon jam and acacia honey. The fresh balanced palate doles out juicy layers of tangerine zest, candied fig and a touch of cinnamon. | Ben Ryé | 93 | 39 | Sicily & Sardinia | Passito di Pantelleria | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Donnafugata 2013 Ben Ryé (Passito di Pantelleria) | Zibibbo | Donnafugata |
| 15146 | 15145 | France | A blend of three vintages, this impressive wine from the southern Champagne vineyards of the Aube has both crisp fruit and maturity from bottle aging. It's ripe with sliced apple fruit and plenty of citrus. Drink now. | Esprit Grand Cru | 93 | 40 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Baron-Fuenté NV Esprit Grand Cru (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Baron-Fuenté |
| 15147 | 15146 | US | This aromatic brooder shows notes of dark cherry, barrel spice, pencil lead, vanilla and herb, along with a light floral note. The palate has nuance and detail with balance that is impressive. Give it some time in the cellar to strut its stuff. Best after 2023. | Heart of the Hill | 93 | 110 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Betz Family 2014 Heart of the Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Betz Family |
| 15148 | 15147 | US | From a 16-year-old vineyard 2,200 feet up on the eastside of the Salinas Valley, this bottling offers fresh raspberry juice along with touches of bay leaf, pine and incense, like a morning walk through the forest. There is sizzling acidity at the start of the sip, which carries light, bright and tangy strawberry flavors along with more forest floor touches. The structure is upright but light. | Coastview Vineyard | 93 | 44 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2014 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir (Monterey County) | Pinot Noir | Big Basin |
| 15149 | 15148 | US | This 100% varietal wine is a blend of fruit from Grand Ciel (42%), Upchurch (31%), Ciel du Cheval (19%) and Klipsun vineyards. Wound-up aromas of black cherry and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black-fruit flavors, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen. It flat out impresses. | Four Flags | 93 | 69 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | DeLille 2014 Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | DeLille |
| 15150 | 15149 | Spain | Ultraripe aromas of blackberry, cassis, raisin, tobacco and vanilla lead to a plush flush palate with kick-ass tannins. This tastes of baked blackberry, cassis and chocolate, while the finish is stout and dense as a brick. If you like full-bodied, ripe and saturated reds, this was made for you. Drink through 2025. | Viña Magna | 93 | 33 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio Basconcillos 2011 Viña Magna (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Dominio Basconcillos |