| 18811 | 18810 | France | Brut nature is a bone-dry style of Champagne, dry well beyond ordinary brut, which lends a steely refinement to the usual toast and fruit. This wine is absolutely built for oysters or caviar. Though it’s a rarely seen style of Champagne, this is an excellent effort. | Cuvée Ultra Brut | 91 | 65 | Champagne | Champagne | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Laurent-Perrier NV Cuvée Ultra Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Laurent-Perrier |
| 18812 | 18811 | US | A very fun and pure-pleasure rendering of California sparkling wine. From some of the best grapes in Mendocino County, Pacific Echo has hit a home run. Delicious pear and apple fruit unfolds in sweet, nutty form. It’s creamy yet crisp in the mouth, and thirst-quenching—a nice bonus. Equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. | Private Reserve Brut | 91 | 32 | California | Anderson Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pacific Echo 1992 Private Reserve Brut (Anderson Valley) | Champagne Blend | Pacific Echo |
| 18813 | 18812 | US | An atypically oaky wine for Siduri, with a rich veneer of French oak overlying black cherries, cola and spice. The intensity builds on the palate, where root beer and black cherries culminate in a long, smoky-spicy finish. Needs a couple of years to pull itself together, but the raw materials are all there. | Archery Summit Vineyard | 91 | 49 | California | California | California Other | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Siduri 1998 Archery Summit Vineyard Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | Siduri |
| 18814 | 18813 | US | Commanding nose, with cherry, purple basil, mineral and meaty elements. Fine depth of fruit, with sweet-tart and earthy notes, and a brisk mouthfeel. The tangy finish with its tart cherry, mineral and earth complexity holds you a long time. Serious, and fulfills Domaine Drouhin Oregon's promise to make great Pinot Noir on a par with Burgundy. | | 91 | 38 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | | | Domaine Drouhin 1998 Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Drouhin |
| 18815 | 18814 | US | Tree bark and pine needles mark the aromas, adding woodsy complexity and weight to ripe black cherries. Full and somewhat backward, this needs a few years to sort itself out and fully express its generous nature, but you can sense the future now in its power and velvety texture. | Freedom Hill Vineyard | 91 | 48 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Panther Creek 1998 Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Panther Creek |
| 18816 | 18815 | US | An ultrapure nose and tons of polish and precision define this tasty reserve-style blend of several vineyards. Pretty much an easy-drinker, with an undercurrent of sweet cherries and vanilla. It hits all chords and fades away smooth. Style and power come in proper proportions. Will age nicely for at least five years. | Reserve | 91 | 36 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Panther Creek 1998 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Panther Creek |
| 18817 | 18816 | US | A tight, rich, dense package, wrapped in just the right amount of French oak. Black cherries are blended with foresty aromas and a dark earthy richness reminiscent of humus. It’s all capped by wonderfully vivid and balanced acidity that gives a little extra length to the chocolate-cherry finish. | Reserve | 91 | 36 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | | | Cristom 1998 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Cristom |
| 18818 | 18817 | US | A solid wine with lots of character and a core of ripe, almost sweet cherry fruit. The sweetness is balanced by complex leather, tarragon and earth aromas, and on the palate by an attractive mineral note that continues to the long finish. Crisp acidity and firm tannins provide a good frame for evolution. Cellar for 3 or 4 years. | Reserve | 91 | 30 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | | | Argyle 1998 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Argyle |
| 18821 | 18820 | US | Very youthful, so the first aromas are of a wild field, with some cranberry. It’s a full-volume wine, with an appealing chunky forwardness but also bright acidity, style and character. In a word, it’s “balanced.” Will go with almost anything, from baked salmon to dark chocolate. A real pleaser, especially at this price point. Best Buy. | | 90 | 18 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Elk Cove 1998 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Elk Cove |
| 18822 | 18821 | France | A richly opulent blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. It is rich, almost too rich due to its low acidity, but with some attractive melon, green plum and peach fruits. The spice from wood adds interest. | | 87 | 14 | Southwest France | Bergerac Sec | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lionel Osmin & Cie 2010 White (Bergerac Sec) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Lionel Osmin & Cie |
| 18823 | 18822 | Italy | Fiore di Campo is a blended white wine from northeast Italy and as its Italian name suggests, there are indeed many aromas here that recall fresh field flowers. Distant accents of dried hay, crushed mineral and citrus fill out the background. | Fiore di Campo | 87 | 22 | Northeastern Italy | Venezia Giulia | | | | Lis Neris 2008 Fiore di Campo White (Venezia Giulia) | White Blend | Lis Neris |
| 18824 | 18823 | Germany | Lean and crisp, with lime and green apple notes that finish clean and refreshing. Devoid of much sweetness, this is a relentlessly dry Riesling, linear in profile and sharply focused. | Estate Dry | 87 | 15 | Mosel | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Von Schleinitz 2009 Estate Dry Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Von Schleinitz |
| 18825 | 18824 | US | Zucca has made a fragrant and floral Sangiovese Rosato here, dry like cherry jam on toast and a nutty finish. Pair it with tropically seasoned seafood. | Sangiovese Rosato | 87 | 18 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Zucca 2010 Sangiovese Rosato Rosé (Amador County) | Rosé | Zucca |
| 18826 | 18825 | Argentina | For Torrontés, this is a juicy, solid example. Smells of orange blossom and lychee, which is backed up by a thorough palate with lime, lemon and tangerine flavors. Shows balance, verve, modest depth and clarity. Drink now. | | 87 | 13 | Other | Salta | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alberti 154 2010 Torrontés (Salta) | Torrontés | Alberti 154 |
| 18827 | 18826 | Argentina | Citrusy in style, with aromas of orange, passion fruit and grapefruit. Feels flush and full-bodied, with basic tangerine and navel orange flavors. Fresh on the finish but hollow in terms of depth, with a light fade. | Dedicación Personal | 87 | 18 | Mendoza Province | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alfredo Roca 2011 Dedicación Personal Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | Alfredo Roca |
| 18828 | 18827 | Argentina | An aggressive, forceful blend of one-third each Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot that's scratchy and a bit green on the nose, but also very dark and heavy with berry aromas. Feels raw and tannic, with extracted flavors of baked berry and herbs. Finishes minty and tough. | Libertad Vineyards Finca Libertad | 87 | | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Benegas 2008 Libertad Vineyards Finca Libertad Red (Mendoza) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Benegas |
| 18829 | 18828 | Argentina | A blend of Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with lightly herbal red fruit aromas that come across reedy and foxy. Lively and a little scratchy in the mouth, with raspberry and buttery plum flavors. Shows more than adequate freshness and pulse, but breaks apart when held up to higher scrutiny. | Pasodoble | 87 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Poesia 2009 Pasodoble Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Bodega Poesia |
| 18830 | 18829 | Italy | Made from an Italian grape called Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13, this fresh white wine opens with aromas of honeydew melon, peach, passion fruit and almond paste. It shows a silky, smooth feel in the mouth. | Nina | 87 | 17 | Veneto | Veneto | | | | Cà Di Rajo 2008 Nina Manzoni (Veneto) | Manzoni | Cà Di Rajo |
| 18831 | 18830 | France | Exhibiting stalky blackberry fruits, this wine is on the austere side, promising some good aging. The fruit, acidity and tannins are in fine balance. | | 87 | 14 | Southwest France | Bergerac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Tour des Gendres 2010 Red (Bergerac) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Tour des Gendres |
| 18832 | 18831 | Italy | Here's a fresh and crisp Pinot Grigio that offers many more layers of intensity and personality than your standard, supermarket-bought Grigio. It shows creamy layers of silky, ripe fruit. | | 87 | 18 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Colutta 2010 Pinot Grigio (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Pinot Grigio | Colutta |
| 18833 | 18832 | France | A fresh and white-fruited wine. It has the crispest acidity along with open melon and peach fruits, moving to a soft, ripe aftertaste. A great apéritif wine. | Signature | 87 | 15 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de la Sanglière 2010 Signature White (Côtes de Provence) | White Blend | Domaine de la Sanglière |
| 18834 | 18833 | US | Cherry flavors turn a bit syrupy, with a sour cherry candy appeal. Acidic and slightly volatile, this tight, chewy wine spent 14 months in 40% new French oak barrels. | Estate Selection | 87 | 34 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Erath 2009 Estate Selection Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Erath |
| 18835 | 18834 | US | Here's a big, lusty Syrah, unapologetic for its lush, ripe flavors and easy deliciousness. It's so fruity in cherries, blackberries, cola and dark chocolate, it's almost a dessert wine, except that it finishes dry. | Estate | 87 | 32 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Everett Ridge 2008 Estate Syrah (Dry Creek Valley) | Syrah | Everett Ridge |
| 18836 | 18835 | Argentina | Dark and sweet smelling, with marzipan, coconut, licorice and black fruit aromas. Surprisingly clacky and tartaric feeling, with oak-slathered berry flavors that are both baked and racy. Shows flashes of quality flavors, but the mouthfeel and overall balance are just o.k. | Synthesis | 87 | 34 | Mendoza Province | Tupungato | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Sophenia 2009 Synthesis Malbec (Tupungato) | Malbec | Finca Sophenia |
| 18837 | 18836 | US | Though two years older than the widely available Oregon bottling from Firesteed, this wine is almost its twin. Elegant and balanced, with light flavors of wild berry and an herbal underpinning. | | 87 | 30 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Firesteed 2007 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Firesteed |
| 18838 | 18837 | US | Salty is not a common descriptor for Pinot Gris, but appropriate here. Crisp apple, Asian pear, unripe peach, a dusting of cinnamon, and some slightly bitter skin flavors combine here; the acids rule. | | 87 | 14 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Foris 2010 Pinot Gris (Rogue Valley) | Pinot Gris | Foris |
| 18839 | 18838 | Argentina | As prices for Argentinean Malbecs climb, this is a really good value. It's earthy and full, and slightly rustic on the nose. Feels ripe and rugged, with scratchy tannins supporting red berry and oak-based vanilla notes. Feels fresh and good for a large-production Malbec. | | 87 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gouguenheim Winery 2009 Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Gouguenheim Winery |
| 18840 | 18839 | Austria | There can be few Pinot Blancs that come in such a heavy bottle. Once the wine is poured, it's a fresh apple and cream wine, with attractive acidity and a soft aftertaste. Some toast shows through at the end. | | 87 | | Leithaberg | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Hillinger 2010 Pinot Blanc (Leithaberg) | Pinot Blanc | Hillinger |
| 18819 | 18818 | France | Here is a wonderfully ripe, round, fruit-laden and full-bodied Champagne, with a richness unusual for a 100% Chardonnay blanc de blancs. It's so brimming with delicious fruit one is tempted to call it almost fleshy. Seductive and sensuous, with a lip-licking, lingering finish. | Grande Cru Blanc de Blancs | 91 | 45 | Champagne | Champagne | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Soutiran NV Grande Cru Blanc de Blancs (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Soutiran |
| 18820 | 18819 | US | Earthy and engaging, and a little bit rugged. Aromas of barnyard and Middle Eastern tahini set up a palate full of spiced-up curranty fruit. Light oak shows itself early in a finish that unfolds in layers, revealing complexity and class. | 3 Vineyard | 90 | 25 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Chehalem 1998 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Chehalem |