| 18421 | 18420 | France | Full-bodied and lushly textured, this delicious Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. It's fragrant with hints of wildflowers and black cherries, but adds enough savory hints of black olive and coffee to avoid being a simple fruit bomb. A bit warm, but impressive; for early drinking. | | 91 | 40 | Rhône Valley | Gigondas | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine du Pradas 2009 Gigondas | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine du Pradas |
| 18422 | 18421 | US | The cool vintage has kept this wine tart in acidity; and there may even be a touch of botrytis, to judge from the golden apricot note that rides over the pears, limes and buttery cream. Bone dry and minerally, it's an elegant, Chablis-style wine for drinking now. | | 91 | 30 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Lynmar 2010 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Lynmar |
| 18423 | 18422 | US | An enormous Pinot Noir that's rich and ripe in cherries, red currants, licorice, cola and sweet toasty oak, and thoroughly dry on the finish. There's no doubting its layers of complexity, although it's a little warm with alcohol. Could be an ager. Try after 2016. | Quail Hill Vineyard Bliss Blend | 91 | 70 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Lynmar 2010 Quail Hill Vineyard Bliss Blend Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Lynmar |
| 18424 | 18423 | US | This affordable Chard is a wonderful food wine. It's dry, brisk in acidity and clean, with nice varietal flavors of pineapples, oranges, pears and limes. Oak treatment adds a just right touch of vanilla and buttered toast, while brisk acidity makes it all bright and zesty. Easy to find, with 13,200 cases produced. | | 91 | 25 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | MacRostie 2010 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | MacRostie |
| 18425 | 18424 | US | A fine effort, with an inviting swirl of earthy components. Citrus, spice, earth, compost, coffee grounds and cinnamon comprise this detailed, aromatic wine. It sits squarely in the classic mold of the better Walla Walla Syrahs. | Les Collines Vineyard | 91 | 28 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tertulia 2008 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Tertulia |
| 18426 | 18425 | US | Stylistically, this Pinot is right in the middle of the big, blowsy style and the more austere, low-alcohol style. It's balanced, dry and rich in cherry and raspberry-pie flavors, with an opulent overlay of sweet, smoky oak. Drink now–2015. | Barrel 31 | 91 | 34 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Vine Hill 2008 Barrel 31 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Vine Hill |
| 18427 | 18426 | Italy | This is a pure expression of Pinot Noir from one of Italy's first organic and biodynamic wine producers located in the far, mountainous north of the country. Aged in oak barrique, the wine is elegant, fine and silky, with beautiful aromas of wild berry, almond, cola and herb. | Krafuss | 91 | 50 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | | | Alois Lageder 2008 Krafuss Pinot Noir (Alto Adige) | Pinot Noir | Alois Lageder |
| 18428 | 18427 | US | Smooth and chocolaty, this palate-coating Syrah brings ripe black-cherry flavors into a lush and compelling core. Just a hint of leather does not detract from the powerful fruit. | | 91 | 24 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Watermill 2008 Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Watermill |
| 18444 | 18443 | Portugal | Produced from selected parcels of fruit in top vintages, this is the flagship wine from this Jorgensen family estate. Aragonez and Syrah dominate this ripe still-young wine. It is rich and concentrated with powerful tannins and layers of acidity, dark chocolate flavors and generous black-plum flavors. It will certainly age further and this fine wine will be best drunk from 2019. | Reserva | 92 | 110 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Cortes de Cima 2012 Reserva Red (Alentejano) | Portuguese Red | Cortes de Cima |
| 18429 | 18428 | Italy | Ripe fruit, dried apricot, candied fruit and sweet caramel open the nose of this amber-colored dessert wine. The wine imparts a thick, chewy mouthfeel, with loads of apricot sweetness and honey-coated almond on the finish. | | 91 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Passito di Pantelleria | | | | Cantine Florio 2008 Passito di Pantelleria | White Blend | Cantine Florio |
| 18430 | 18429 | South Africa | Seductive and forward, the Avec Chêne (with wood) boasts intense aromas of vanilla, butter and cream that frame the superripe peach and guava fruits. A touch of honey and sweet spice add depth to the round, creamy-textured palate. Rich but not overdone, with a sweet orange oil lift to the long, evolving finish. Drink 2013-2015. | Avec Chêne | 91 | 35 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Simonsig 2010 Avec Chêne Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Chenin Blanc | Simonsig |
| 18431 | 18430 | US | Unbelievable that there's no oak on this Chardonnay. It's so rich and creamy in vanilla, tangerine, peach and apricot flavors, you won't miss that hit of buttered toast. The acidity is marvelous. | Un-Oaked Sustainable Farming | 91 | 16 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Sorelle Per Sempre 2010 Un-Oaked Sustainable Farming Chardonnay (Central Coast) | Chardonnay | Sorelle Per Sempre |
| 18432 | 18431 | US | This Chardonnay has all the bells and whistles the winemaker can bestow on it. It's soft and creamy, with flavors of sweetly-sour pineapple and lemon-drop candy, buttered toast and savory cinnamon spices. Fine acidity gives a sheen to the richness. | Upper Barn | 91 | 60 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Stonestreet 2010 Upper Barn Chardonnay (Alexander Valley) | Chardonnay | Stonestreet |
| 18433 | 18432 | Australia | Full bodied and richly textured, this is a terrific value in Barossa Cabernet. And it's no simple fruity concoction, either. Instead, it delivers complex notes of grilled meat, coffee and black olive layered easily over a base of dark plums. Finishes long, velvety and mouthwatering; drink now–2020. | Blacksmith | 91 | 30 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Langmeil 2008 Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Langmeil |
| 18434 | 18433 | Spain | Beautiful aromas of forest floor, dusty berry and smoked meats lead to a huge, tannic but tolerable mouthful of toasty blackberry, cassis, chocolate and additional darkness. It's toasty and really long on the finish; almost syrupy but not quite. A tannic effort, like all Griñon wines. | Single Vineyard Estate Bottled | 91 | 40 | Central Spain | Dominio de Valdepusa | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marques de Griñon 2005 Single Vineyard Estate Bottled Syrah (Dominio de Valdepusa) | Syrah | Marques de Griñon |
| 18435 | 18434 | Austria | This is an intense expression of steely Riesling, with a complex structure and excellent aging potential. It is full of citrus, pear and crisp pineapple flavors that are laced with concentrated acidity. Age for at least five years. Screwcap. | Moosburgerin Reserve | 91 | 41 | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Buchegger 2010 Moosburgerin Reserve Riesling (Kremstal) | Riesling | Buchegger |
| 18436 | 18435 | US | Completely satisfying on every level. Kudos to the winery for releasing a wine this dry, complex and delicious, at such a good price. Easy to drink, yet sophisticated and elegant. | Lot 285 | 91 | 24 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Cameron Hughes 2009 Lot 285 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cameron Hughes |
| 18437 | 18436 | France | Elegant, taut and poised, this has enough texture to suggest it needs a few more months of aging. It has a finely wrought character that comes from the mix of zesty acidity and sweet fruit. | Grand Réserve Cru Classé | 91 | 28 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Sainte Marguerite 2011 Grand Réserve Cru Classé Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Château Sainte Marguerite |
| 18438 | 18437 | France | From old vines, this is a concentrated wine that's full of dense red-berry fruits and an intense caramel and spice character. It has an apple skin texture, with an herbal aftertaste. | Vieilles Vignes | 91 | | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Saint-André de Figuière 2011 Vieilles Vignes Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Domaine Saint-André de Figuière |
| 18439 | 18438 | France | With a dominance of Mourvèdre, this is big and rich. It has weight, with intense fruit flavors and a dense texture. Structured and concentrated, this is a food-friendly rosé. | | 91 | 19 | Provence | Bandol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Sorin 2011 Rosé (Bandol) | Rosé | Domaine Sorin |
| 18440 | 18439 | Spain | Woodsy and smooth smelling, with integrated spice and black-fruit aromas. It feels like a padded vise grip, with demanding tannins and blackberry, toast and coffee flavors that narrow down due to tannic astringency. Incredibly flavorful and potent; drink or hold. | Summa Varietalis Estate Bottled Syrah+Cabernet Sauvignon+Petit Verdot | 90 | 30 | Central Spain | Dominio de Valdepusa | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marques de Griñon 2005 Summa Varietalis Estate Bottled Syrah+Cabernet Sauvignon+Petit Verdot Red (Dominio de Valdepusa) | Red Blend | Marques de Griñon |
| 18441 | 18440 | US | Spicy, peppery and still a bit sharp, this Merlot-dominated blend includes fruit from both estate vineyards—Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge. It shows the seamless polish that marks all of Jean-François Pellet's wines. The finish is focused and long, with delicious highlights of cinnamon and dark chocolate. | | 90 | 50 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Pepper Bridge 2009 Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Pepper Bridge |
| 18442 | 18441 | US | Quite inky in the glass, this bottling shows black currant, black cherry and hearty violets on the nose. The palate is quite dark with a strong core flavor of black coffee, enhanced by loamy soils, crushed lava rocks and a touch of tarragon. A thick palate is sliced by bright acidity. | Reserve | 92 | 30 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Clos LaChance 2013 Reserve Petite Sirah (Central Coast) | Petite Sirah | Clos LaChance |
| 18443 | 18442 | Italy | Aromas of apple, berry, pastry cream and bread dough delicately carry over to the crisp, creamy palate, along with Rainier cherry, citrus and a hint of baking spice. It's lovely and balanced, showing an elegant mousse and bright acidity. | Silvì Metodo Classico Riserva Rosé | 92 | 55 | Piedmont | Alta Langa | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Colombo 2011 Silvì Metodo Classico Riserva Rosé Pinot Nero (Alta Langa) | Pinot Nero | Colombo |
| 18445 | 18444 | Chile | This cooler-vintage Le Dix, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of the best on record. Dry, lightly oaked aromas of ripe berry and cassis include a hint of vanilla. A compact palate delivers blunt-force red-berry and black currant flavors. On the finish, this simmers with modest heat as well as oak and café mocha flavors. Drink through 2026. | Le Dix de Los Vascos Estate Grown | 92 | 65 | Colchagua Costa | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) 2013 Le Dix de Los Vascos Estate Grown Red (Colchagua Costa) | Red Blend | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) |
| 18446 | 18445 | France | Produced in the small white-wine enclave within the Madiran appellation, this wine is a blend of the two emblematic grapes of the region. It's rich and full bodied, hinting at the ripeness of the sweet wines that are also made here. It has style, along with intense acidity, apricot and pear flavors and smooth fruitiness. Drink now. | Odé d'Aydie | 92 | 20 | Southwest France | Pacherenc du Vic Bilh | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Famille Laplace 2015 Odé d'Aydie (Pacherenc du Vic Bilh) | Gros and Petit Manseng | Famille Laplace |
| 18447 | 18446 | US | Potent aromas of road tar and black pepper meet very concentrated blackberry jam flavors and a sweet but not syrupy mouthfeel in this very dark-colored and full-bodied dessert wine. Made from traditional Portuguese grape varieties, the wine's density and richness of fruit is impressive, and everything tastes in balance. | Legacy 1868 | 92 | 45 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Jessie's Grove 2008 Legacy 1868 Red (Amador County) | Red Blend | Jessie's Grove |
| 18448 | 18447 | US | Dramatic in aromas and opulent in flavors, this rich and gorgeously fruity wine has a great sense of layering and concentration, and a moderately tannic texture that feels layered and supple on the palate. Light spicy nuances dress up the focused black cherry and blueberry flavors. | | 92 | 25 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Klinker Brick 2014 Dolcetto (Lodi) | Dolcetto | Klinker Brick |
| 18449 | 18448 | US | Lovely golden color highlights a balanced, floral and pretty late-harvest expression of apricot jam in this nuanced wine, which is relatively low in alcohol with 12.3% residual sugar. It offers viscosity that doesn't overpower, making it ideal for pairing with hard pungent cheeses or vanilla ice cream. | Mille Baci Estate Late Harvest | 92 | 46 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Luna 2015 Mille Baci Estate Late Harvest Pinot Grigio (Napa Valley) | Pinot Grigio | Luna |
| 18450 | 18449 | Italy | Aromas of ground black pepper and wild berry lead the way. The juicy delicious palate mirrors the nose, doling out succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon. Easygoing and balanced, it boasts supple tannins and fresh acidity. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon. | | 92 | 15 | Veneto | Bardolino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Monte del Frà 2016 Bardolino | Red Blend | Monte del Frà |