| 17281 | 17280 | US | This shows the streamlined acidity and minerality of a fine coastal Chardonnay, as well as the dryness. But the ripeness is impressive, suggesting notes of Key lime pie, lemon meringue and ripe, sweet kiwi, with subtle oak influence. An impressive wine from start to finish. | Taylor Ridge Vineyard | 94 | 45 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Boheme 2009 Taylor Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Boheme |
| 17282 | 17281 | France | Powerful while still fruity, this shows acidity and notes of ripe black cherry and spice. Very structured and solid, this complete, tannin-packed wine is definitely for long-term aging. | | 94 | | Burgundy | Chambertin Clos de Bèze | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 2010 Chambertin Clos de Bèze | Pinot Noir | Domaine Drouhin-Laroze |
| 17283 | 17282 | France | This is beautifully rich and powerful, with tropical fruit flavors and a hint of wood. It has enormous concentration of sweet, ripe white and yellow fruits, balanced by the sharp cut of acidity. | Valmur Grand Cru | 94 | 60 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin 2010 Valmur Grand Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin |
| 17284 | 17283 | France | Perfumed, floral and ageworthy, this combines a taut texture with a toast note, showing great depth of flavor. The line of pure green and white fruit is very apparent. On the finish, bright acidity matches the great fruitiness. | Les Folatières Premier Cru | 94 | 80 | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Vincent Girardin 2010 Les Folatières Premier Cru (Puligny-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Domaine Vincent Girardin |
| 17285 | 17284 | US | The winery has been producing this bottling for many years, and this is possibly the finest ever. It's soft, but not too soft, ripe, but not too ripe, and exquisitely flavorful, offering tiers of red cherries, cocoa and bacon, enhanced with smoky, sweet new oak. It's a fine wine to drink with grilled steak. | Cherryblock | 94 | 90 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Sebastiani 2009 Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Sebastiani |
| 17286 | 17285 | US | This blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot, using grapes sourced entirely from this iconic Red Mountain vineyard. Notes of spice and iron interplay with tightly wound berry and cassis fruit. This is a steely, muscular wine, with an underpinning of graphite. History has proven that it will age beautifully. | Ciel du Cheval Vineyard | 94 | 35 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Soos Creek 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red (Red Mountain) | Red Blend | Soos Creek |
| 17287 | 17286 | Italy | From one of the Valpolicella's best producers, this vineyard-designate Amarone is amazingly soft and velvety, with aromas of softly worn leather, moist chewing tobacco, ripe black cherry and barbecue smoke. It's an elegant but modern rendition, showing power, intensity and impressive length. Best yet, the fruit is young enough to promise more years of graceful aging. | Vigneto Monte Sant'Urbano | 94 | 80 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Speri 2008 Vigneto Monte Sant'Urbano (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Speri |
| 17288 | 17287 | France | The vines here have produced a 2009 that is hugely ripe, rounded and concentrated. With its sweet wood and vanilla flavors, with balancing apple and apricot fruits, it's a wine for pleasure soon, but it will also age. | Château Grenouilles Grand Cru | 94 | 90 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Chablisienne 2009 Château Grenouilles Grand Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | La Chablisienne |
| 17289 | 17288 | US | This reserve-level Cabernet—made from grapes sourced partly from 35-year-old vines—is lovely in its wealth of detail. A brambly, elegant mouthful of berry and cherry flavors mingles with a note of rose petal. The finish is soaked in graphite, with length, grip and finesse. | The Albatross Reserve | 94 | 80 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gorman 2009 The Albatross Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Gorman |
| 17290 | 17289 | US | This pure Syrah—the first reserve Syrah from Gorman—pulls out all the stops. It's a tannic, bold, earthy and powerful wine that's loaded with black fruits. Aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak, it takes the wood in stride, adding Red Mountain minerality to the mix. | Behind the Black Curtain Reserve | 94 | 80 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gorman 2010 Behind the Black Curtain Reserve Syrah (Red Mountain) | Syrah | Gorman |
| 17291 | 17290 | France | It's rare in Burgundy that a producer can add his name to a vineyard, but Faiveley's tradition goes back at least a century. This is huge and dense; the notes of spice, sweet black plum and acidity are all comfortably balanced with the powerful tannic structure. This needs at least seven years of aging. | Clos des Cortons Faiveley | 94 | 215 | Burgundy | Corton | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Faiveley 2010 Clos des Cortons Faiveley (Corton) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Faiveley |
| 17292 | 17291 | US | This wine is always impressive, but its degree of greatness is vintage driven, suggesting its extreme sensitivity to the Oakville terroir. The 2009 is ageable and concentrated, better than the 2008 but falling short of the 2007, which approached perfection. Dry and tannic, it's rich in blackberries, black currants and dark chocolate flavors. The long, spicy finish only hints at the intensity. Hold until 2015, and it should have a long life for many years beyond. | | 94 | 85 | California | Oakville | Napa | | | Vine Cliff 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Vine Cliff |
| 17293 | 17292 | US | Aged in French oak puncheons, this youthful, citrusy, big and smoky wine seems to flicker in and out—like an old movie—with each sip revealing a different view of the landscape. Herb, cacao, cassis and balsamic flavors intertwine. The lengthy finish is balanced and structured. | John Lewis | 94 | 75 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gramercy 2009 John Lewis Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Gramercy |
| 17294 | 17293 | US | Bone dry yet sweet in fruit, it shows the acids and tannins of this cool section of Napa Valley, which gives such excellent structure to the ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit. It feels vital, offering a different impression with every sip. Wonderful to drink now but capable of aging; drink now–2019. | State Ranch | 94 | 100 | California | Yountville | Napa | | | Nickel & Nickel 2009 State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Yountville) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Nickel & Nickel |
| 17295 | 17294 | US | Opulento is made entirely- with authentic Portuguese varieties, based on 60% Touriga Nacional. It's truly Port-like in flavor, showing deep notes of black cherry and cassis fruit. Smooth and supple, this is thoroughly delicious and should not be missed. | Opulento Dessert Wine Touriga-Souzao-Tinto Cão | 94 | 20 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Brian Carter Cellars 2009 Opulento Dessert Wine Touriga-Souzao-Tinto Cão Port (Yakima Valley) | Port | Brian Carter Cellars |
| 17296 | 17295 | Italy | The Cesari family has perfected its formula for achieving pure pleasure in liquid form. This is superstar Amarone, with loads of chewy, ripe fruit, decadent dark chocolate, leather, moist pipe tobacco and candied raspberry flavors. Even with all of the richness, extraction and deliciousness, this is an elegant wine. Drink after 2018. | Il Bosco | 94 | 90 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Cesari 2006 Il Bosco (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Cesari |
| 17297 | 17296 | US | With elaborate oak, concentrated fruit, dense tannins and exquisite balance, this tiny production Cabernet—the winery's first-ever reserve—demands to be cellared. It's completely dry and rich in blackberries, black currants, baking chocolate, anise and minerals. It feels dramatic from the start, like the opening notes of a great symphony or rock song. Cellar it for at least eight years, and it could age well beyond that. | Eternity | 94 | 125 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Clark-Clauden 2009 Eternity Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Clark-Clauden |
| 17298 | 17297 | US | This is built to impress through its sheer power. With a little Petit Verdot blended in, which adds a floral character, it's marked by an intense flavor of ripe wild blackberries, with a dried berry quality that's suggestive of currants and a liqueur fullness, courtesy of the high alcohol. The French oak is a full 100% new, and is in keeping with the wine's volume. So rich and tannic now, it's barely drinkable. Give it at least 6–8 years in a good cellar and see what happens. | Old Vine Estate | 94 | 125 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | David Arthur 2009 Old Vine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | David Arthur |
| 17299 | 17298 | France | Firm and closed, this shows both richness and minerality. It has hidden power, concentration and a steely edge. It's crisp and densely packed with minerality and ripeness. For aging over at least seven years. | Grenouilles Grand Cru | 94 | 70 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin 2010 Grenouilles Grand Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin |
| 17300 | 17299 | France | Big and concentrated, this is packed with tannins and solid dark fruits. It's powerful with a dark plum flavor and an impressive density of texture. Give it at least 7–10 years. | | 94 | 128 | Burgundy | Charmes-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Vincent Girardin 2010 Charmes-Chambertin | Pinot Noir | Domaine Vincent Girardin |
| 17301 | 17300 | France | Firmly tannic and powerful, this is dominated by a plum skin texture and a spice note. It's dense and rich, with a dry structure and the acidity of the vintage showing on the finish. | | 94 | 141 | Burgundy | Echézeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Vincent Girardin 2010 Echézeaux | Pinot Noir | Domaine Vincent Girardin |
| 17302 | 17301 | France | This has all the elements—fruit, tannin, acidity and wood, with powerful weight and concentration. Let this age for at least eight years; this is going to be impressive. | Domaine des Perdrix | 94 | 195 | Burgundy | Echézeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Devillard 2010 Domaine des Perdrix (Echézeaux) | Pinot Noir | Domaines Devillard |
| 17303 | 17302 | France | From this rich vintage comes this delicious, open wine. Flavors of tropical fruit and peach create an opulent and generous feel, with notes from having aged in wood offering complexity. It's concentrated and ageworthy, worth keeping for 4–5 years and more. | Les Preuses Grand Cru | 93 | 70 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Chablisienne 2009 Les Preuses Grand Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | La Chablisienne |
| 17304 | 17303 | Italy | This is a modern, plump rendition of Amarone, with soft lines and chewy aromas of black cherry, chocolate fudge, cinnamon and blackberry preserves that are immediate and upfront. The rich, velvety texture make this a great candidate for pairing with wintery cheese fondue. | Ambrosan | 93 | 88 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Nicolis 2006 Ambrosan (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Nicolis |
| 17305 | 17304 | Chile | Crisp aromas of grassy green fruits, cactus and nettle set up a standard palate, which for this wine means ripped and racy. Flavors of stone fruits, lime, passion fruit and bitter greens end lightly bitter, juicy and green. | EQ Coastal | 89 | 20 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Matetic 2013 EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Matetic |
| 17306 | 17305 | Austria | Freshly cut green pear mingles with ripe white currant in a restrained but fresh and focused body that also reveals numerous shades of pear fruit. In Styria, the local name for Chardonnay is Morillon. | Steirische Klassik | 89 | 24 | Südoststeiermark | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Neumeister 2013 Steirische Klassik Morillon (Südoststeiermark) | Morillon | Neumeister |
| 17307 | 17306 | Austria | Straitlaced and fresh, this is a simple but effective wine with zesty acidity cushioned by a fuller body. This one is a real all-rounder with a lovely clean lemon peel finish. | Dornleiten | 89 | 29 | Kremstal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Nigl 2013 Dornleiten Riesling (Kremstal) | Riesling | Nigl |
| 17308 | 17307 | Austria | Lime zest and floral-but-clean edges accompany ripe mandarin fruit on the generous but slender body. The wine is both full-fruited and balanced. | Halbtrocken Off-Dry | 89 | 12 | Burgenland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Nittnaus Hans und Christine 2013 Halbtrocken Off-Dry Muskat Ottonel (Burgenland) | Muskat Ottonel | Nittnaus Hans und Christine |
| 17309 | 17308 | Germany | Whiffs of lanolin, lime and mineral accent the steely, stony flavors in this dry, medium-bodied wine. Concentrated flavors of lime and lemon lend an invigorating briskness to the palate. An ideal summer dinner wine to pair with seafood or fowl. | Royal Kabinett | 89 | 25 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Prinz von Hessen 2012 Royal Kabinett Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Prinz von Hessen |
| 17310 | 17309 | Portugal | Wood aging gives this ripe wine its toasty character. This texture is balanced by rich peach and apricot fruits, rounded and fruity. Old vines bring an extra concentration to this full, generous wine. Drink from 2016. | Reserva Branco | 89 | 18 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Porrais 2012 Reserva Branco White (Douro) | Portuguese White | Quinta de Porrais |