| 19185 | 19184 | US | Australian winemaker John Duval is the winemaker for Long Shadows' signature Syrah. His experience shows in the Oz-like color (almost black), the spicy berry, plum, cherry and currant fruit, and the silky, polished tannins. Interestingly, Duval uses a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, rather than going with Viognier. The wine seems to be holding something back; it's definitely got some years ahead. | | 91 | 55 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sequel 2005 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Sequel |
| 19186 | 19185 | US | This is a powerful, sappy, sensuous and fragrantly fruit-driven mix of Syrah from the Seven Hills, Clifton, Bacchus, Candy Mountain, Willard, Pheasant and Stone Tree vineyards—a true Columbia Valley potpourri. It's blended with 7% Grenache from Stone Tree as well, adding floral/violet highlights. It's a well-made Syrah that reflects the particular Washington profile of floral aromas, tart berry fruit and juicy acids. Excellent focus and definition in a style built for acid lovers. | | 91 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | L'Ecole No. 41 2005 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | L'Ecole No. 41 |
| 19187 | 19186 | Chile | Chile's first high-profile, high-priced Carmenère has proven itself to be an excellent wine. The '05 has a slight herbal DNA, but there's plenty of oak, vanilla, raw fruit and texture to cover that up. On the palate, blackberry, prune and fine herbs comprise the flavors, while the finish turns thick and dense. With 8% Petit Verdot, Purple Angel continues to press the case for high-end Chilean Carmenère. | Purple Angel | 91 | 48 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Montes 2005 Purple Angel Carmenère (Colchagua Valley) | Carmenère | Montes |
| 19188 | 19187 | France | Grapefruit, toast and white peach aromas give this wine a great start. It is not powerful but is deliciously balanced with fresh green plum and pink grapefruit flavors rounded out with just the perfect amount of wood. Drink 2010. | Premier Cru | 91 | 48 | Burgundy | Saint-Aubin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Morey-Blanc 2005 Premier Cru (Saint-Aubin) | Chardonnay | Morey-Blanc |
| 19189 | 19188 | Italy | L'Arringatore is a 60-30-10 blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Ciliegiolo that boasts a clean modern approach and expert fruit extraction. The nose is sweet-smelling with cherry, almond, blueberry, chocolate and spice and the wine offers a pleasantly approachable intensity of aromas. It's big and brooding in the mouth with plush tannins and noticeable oak-driven flavors on its beautiful, long-lasting finish. | L'Arringatore | 91 | 37 | Central Italy | Colli Perugini | | | | Goretti 2003 L'Arringatore Red (Colli Perugini) | Red Blend | Goretti |
| 19190 | 19189 | US | This is ripe and pungent, a rich and fruit-driven mix of fig, peach and melon. There are interesting herbal highlights, and more acidity than in the past. The thyme and rosemary streak continues into and through the finish, while the fruit maintains its power and polish, with just the lightest barrel influence perceptible in a kiss of toast. | Fries Vineyard | 91 | 20 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | L'Ecole No. 41 2006 Fries Vineyard Sémillon (Wahluke Slope) | Sémillon | L'Ecole No. 41 |
| 19191 | 19190 | US | The winery's basic Cab, with no vineyard designation, shares the qualities of the more expensive bottlings. It's dry and tannic and ultraconcentrated in varietal character, with explosive cassis, cherry and new oak flavors. Impresses now for its luxurious mouthfeel, and should develop through 2013. | | 91 | 50 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | | | Von Strasser 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Von Strasser |
| 19192 | 19191 | Chile | The 2004 gives some easy aromas of milk chocolate, mint, herbs, olives and eucalyptus. As it opens, the tannins get stickier and the flavors of chocolate, plum, cassis and tobacco expand. On the finish, look for vanilla and good herbal length. | | 91 | 70 | Aconcagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Seña 2004 Red (Aconcagua Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Seña |
| 19171 | 19170 | US | The winery blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec for this high-end red. Burly in tobacco and cedar, it also offers a floral, high-toned spirit built around juicy cranberry on the palate. With well-integrated tannins and oak, it finishes in a note of bittersweet chocolate. | Fortis | 90 | 150 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Pine Ridge 2012 Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Pine Ridge |
| 19193 | 19192 | US | The second of three Syrahs from Betz, this is thick and dark, heavy with still-chewy tannins, this rich and compact wine needs more time in bottle. It's done in a big, toasty style, with lush black cherry fruit set against smoky, chewy tannins. It has a lot of power, but in its current (quite youthful) stage of development it remains stubbornly tight, herbal and hard. Give it plenty of breathing and/or cellar time. | La Cote Rousse | 91 | 50 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Betz Family 2005 La Cote Rousse Syrah (Red Mountain) | Syrah | Betz Family |
| 19194 | 19193 | Australia | This medium- to full-bodied wine manages to be mouthfilling and round without being excessively soft or syrupy. A savory, meaty, coffee-like note complements the ripe blackberry fruit, which persists a good long time on the finish. Drink now–2015. | Killerman's Run | 91 | 20 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Kilikanoon 2005 Killerman's Run Shiraz (South Australia) | Shiraz | Kilikanoon |
| 19172 | 19171 | Italy | Bright and elegant, this opens with aromas of blue flower, woodland berry, baking spice and a whiff of toasted oak. The sleek, savory palate doles out sour cherry, crushed strawberry, cinnamon and a hint of thyme alongside polished tannins. | Carandelle | 90 | 25 | Tuscany | Maremma Toscana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Podere San Cristoforo 2013 Carandelle (Maremma Toscana) | Sangiovese | Podere San Cristoforo |
| 19195 | 19194 | Chile | Some years Calina makes Bravura and in others it doesn't. This is the best we've tried; it shows asphalt, black olive and tobacco aromas in addition to cassis, blackberry and cola flavors. Ripe, fairly rich and true to both the Chile and Cab blueprint. Drink now–2010. | Bravura | 91 | 45 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Calina 2003 Bravura Red (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Blend | Calina |
| 19196 | 19195 | Italy | This is a very pretty blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet with well-defined notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, chocolate, bramble and maple syrup. Recognizable oak renderings establish a refined and sophisticated feel and offer background notes of toasted nut and spice. The wine delivers fresh berry flavors, tight tannins and cool freshness on the finish. Drink after 2010. | Arcibaldo | 91 | 65 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Cennatoio 2003 Arcibaldo Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Cennatoio |
| 19173 | 19172 | US | Coming from a vineyard that sits 500 feet above Monterey Bay, this shows crisp green apple and grapefruit rinds on the nose, as well as a sharp, intriguing herbal tinge. It's extremely tight and high-toned on the palate, with bitter lime peels, white rocks and salinity, finishing on toasted apples. | Regan Vineyards | 90 | 30 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Portola Vineyards 2012 Regan Vineyards Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Chardonnay | Portola Vineyards |
| 19174 | 19173 | US | Swathes of tarragon and lavender add lift to this stately Bordeaux-style blend. The palate is bright with sweet-tart black plum flavor, but supple and round, showing well-integrated oak notes and a fine layer of tannins on the finish. | The Chosen Spot Ingle Vineyard | 90 | 40 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Heron Hill 2012 The Chosen Spot Ingle Vineyard Red (Finger Lakes) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Heron Hill |
| 19175 | 19174 | Italy | Made with organically grown grapes, this blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante and 5% Ciliegiolo has aromas of underbrush, spiced plum, blue flower, menthol and leather. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, clove, carob, star anise and a tarry note alongside supple, smooth tannins. It's an earthy, intriguing expression from Scansano. | Vigna I Botri | 90 | 20 | Tuscany | Maremma Toscana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | I Botri 2008 Vigna I Botri (Maremma Toscana) | Red Blend | I Botri |
| 19176 | 19175 | Italy | Earthy aromas of truffle, leather, scorched earth, game and a balsamic note lead the nose. The brawny, monolithic palate delivers ripe red berry, steeped plum, licorice and a confectionary note alongside chewy tannins. | Riserva | 90 | 65 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Il Grappolo 2009 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Il Grappolo |
| 19177 | 19176 | US | Fermented with 35% stems and aged in neutral French oak, this 100% varietal wine brings both hedonistic and intellectual enjoyment. Lighter in color, it offers intriguing notes of flowers, mineral, dried herbs and red and blue fruit. The elegantly styled, creamy flavors suggest smoke and mineral, with an appealing sultry feel. | Upland Vineyard | 90 | 40 | Washington | Snipes Mountain | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Kerloo 2012 Upland Vineyard Grenache (Snipes Mountain) | Grenache | Kerloo |
| 19178 | 19177 | US | Tight, tannic and bone dry, this ultralow production wine comes from the small, somewhat obscure Sonoma Mountain appellation. It aims high, with the Northern Rhône the model. The blackberry and black currant flavors have an edge of smoky oak. Judging from the way the wine gains interest in the glass as it warms, it should have a fine future. | | 91 | 28 | California | Sonoma Mountain | Sonoma | | | Verve 2005 Syrah (Sonoma Mountain) | Syrah | Verve |
| 19179 | 19178 | US | This is a big, voluptuous Pinot, solidly in the Garys' style, but it possesses a delicate silkiness despite the size. In its extreme youth, the wine is all primary fruit and oak, with flavors of cherries, black raspberries, red licorice, cola and smoky vanilla. It feels broad and obvious, in the way of a young wine. However, 1-3 years in the bottle should bring out complexity. | Garys' Vineyard | 91 | 48 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Vision Cellars 2006 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Vision Cellars |
| 19180 | 19179 | US | Walla Walla Vintners wines generally offer a sophisticated blend of vineyard sources and mixed varietals, and this Cab includes modest proportions of Merlot, Cab Franc, Carmenère, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It rounds out into a broadly flavorful bowl of chocolate-covered cherries, with a whiff of tobacco and forest coming through as well. Powerful and seductive, it will please those who love ripe black fruits and plenty of sweet and creamy new oak. | | 91 | 35 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Walla Walla Vintners 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Walla Walla Vintners |
| 19181 | 19180 | New Zealand | Takes the bold ripeness of the regular Gunn Estate bottling and kicks it up by adding herbal, passion fruit and pineapple flavors to the mix. The rich, creamy texture is balanced by the freshness and minerality of the lingering finish. | Skippers Pool | 91 | 19 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Gunn Estate 2007 Skippers Pool Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) | Sauvignon Blanc | Gunn Estate |
| 19182 | 19181 | US | Consistent with recent vintages, this lovely Sémillon opens immediately into a creamy, leesy, expressive core. Scents of green apple, lemon and beeswax turn into lush fruit flavors of melon, pear and citrus. It shows far more complex and interesting fruit character than most unoaked Chardonnays—here, the acids are not intrusive, but come up naturally in the back of the throat. | | 91 | 20 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Amavi 2006 Sémillon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Sémillon | Amavi |
| 19183 | 19182 | New Zealand | Agressively pungent and herbal without being over the top, this is Sauvignon Blanc that screams of its origins. Grapefruit and passion fruit flavors wash easily across the palate, leaving plenty of grassy herbaceousness in their wake, and a crisp, lingering finish. Drink now. | | 91 | 15 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Drylands 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) | Sauvignon Blanc | Drylands |
| 19184 | 19183 | France | Powerful wine, structured with apple skin tannins, layers of ripe, spicy toast and a taut, mineral character. There is something of the Meursault richness here, in the full white fruit flavors, but this is also a wine that needs to age. | Les Tessons | 91 | 93 | Burgundy | Meursault | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pierre Morey 2005 Les Tessons (Meursault) | Chardonnay | Pierre Morey |
| 19197 | 19196 | US | The blend is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 11% Syrah and a splash of Cab Franc. This is nicely sculpted, with the typical plush midpalate, matching crisp red berries to butterfat. The fruit is sleek and has an underpinning of mineral and accents of fennel. Though the alcohol tops out at a hefty 14.7%, the fruit can handle it. | Riverbend Red | 91 | 32 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Fielding Hills 2005 Riverbend Red Red (Wahluke Slope) | Red Blend | Fielding Hills |
| 19198 | 19197 | US | This elegant effort is 46% Cab Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 18% Cab Franc; still wrapped up tight and showing tart cassis and berry fruit. There is a lot of the classic Ciel minerality underlying the fruit, with hard tannins and lightly peppery herbal details. At just 14.1% alcohol, this is a classic example of how Washington brings bright New World fruit and terroir to a style that retains the elegance of the Old World. | Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine | 91 | 40 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Soos Creek 2005 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine Red (Red Mountain) | Red Blend | Soos Creek |
| 19199 | 19198 | US | Made in the Sleepy Hollow style, extraordinarily ripe, almost botrytized in apricot and honey flavors like a dessert wine, except that it's bone dry. Really epitomizes this vineyard and corner of Monterey, where Chard ripens to beautifully while maintaining acidity. | Sleepy Hollow Vineyard | 91 | 39 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Testarossa 2006 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Chardonnay | Testarossa |
| 19200 | 19199 | Australia | Loaded with smoke, hickory and vanilla, this definitely shows plenty of oak, but there's also plenty of fruit to balance the ledger. Cola and blackberry flavors pick up a slightly tart edge on the long, finely textured finish. | Cellar No. One Reserve | 91 | 65 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Chateau Reynella 2004 Cellar No. One Reserve Shiraz (McLaren Vale) | Shiraz | Chateau Reynella |