| 19981 | 19980 | Germany | This is a lithe, sinewy wine, powerful yet lean, with coiled intensity to its crisp citrus and mineral flavors. It finishes long and tart, with the bracing acids suggestive of a long evolution. Hold 3–5 years and see if it blossoms. | Abtsberg Superior | 87 | | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Maximin Grünhäuser 2005 Abtsberg Superior Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) | Riesling | Maximin Grünhäuser |
| 19982 | 19981 | Portugal | Fresh and perfumed, this wine offers great citric flavors, a lively crispness rare in white wines from central Portugal. Pear and some yellow fruits give roundness. | | 87 | 10 | Ribatejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta da Alorna 2006 White (Ribatejo) | Portuguese White | Quinta da Alorna |
| 19983 | 19982 | US | Exciting, fresh and full of spicy, toasted undertones, this wine immediately calls for a food pairing of a richer seafood (think oysters, crab) or poultry. The flavors are balanced and buoyed by crispness, but the wine still offers complexity and a lingering finish. | Estate Bottled Reserve | 87 | 20 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Lamoreaux Landing 2006 Estate Bottled Reserve Chardonnay (Finger Lakes) | Chardonnay | Lamoreaux Landing |
| 19984 | 19983 | US | The winery's Saralee's bottling has been variable over the years. The '06 is tasty and eminently drinkable if you want a nice, dry, crisp Pinot. It's pale in color, silky in the mouth, and direct in cherry, cola, spice and oaky flavors. Drink now. | Saralee's Vineyard | 87 | 42 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Lost Canyon 2006 Saralee's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Lost Canyon |
| 19985 | 19984 | US | Here's a nice, smooth-drinking red wine that's rich enough to serve with your best fare. The balance is nice, with crisp acids and tannins framing cherry, red currant and mocha flavors. Try this medium-bodied wine as an alternative to Cabernet or Merlot. | | 87 | 27 | California | El Dorado | Sierra Foothills | | | Madroña 2004 Malbec (El Dorado) | Malbec | Madroña |
| 19986 | 19985 | Italy | Sangiovese with 25% Merlot for added softness and dimension, this wine boasts pretty notes of cherry, blue flowers, toasted almonds and exotic spice. It has nice elegance overall but is a bit compact in the mouth. | Poggio alla Badiola | 87 | 15 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Mazzei 2004 Poggio alla Badiola Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Mazzei |
| 19987 | 19986 | Israel | Draws you in with its brilliant ruby color and assertive bouquet of dark plum, black cherry and berry nuanced with menthol and dirt. A full, round mouthfeel and soft, fleeting tannins showcase the wine's solid balance, and the strong finish is not sweet or overdone. | Kosher | 87 | 24 | Judean Hills | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Psagot 2004 Kosher Merlot (Judean Hills) | Merlot | Psagot |
| 19988 | 19987 | US | When this hilly vineyard Cab first came out, it was very good, but quality has slipped over the years. The '04 is perfectly decent in oak-infused blackberry and currant flavors and rich tannins, and it may even improve for a few years. | Landslide Vineyard | 87 | 34 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Simi 2004 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Simi |
| 20005 | 20004 | Germany | Slaty minerality frames bold pineapple and lime aromas and flavors in this medium-bodied, nearly dry Riesling. Fresh and minerally on the finish. | Laumersheimer Kapellenberg Kabinett Trocken | 87 | 22 | Pfalz | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Knipser 2006 Laumersheimer Kapellenberg Kabinett Trocken Riesling (Pfalz) | Riesling | Knipser |
| 20006 | 20005 | Spain | This is Cáceres' bread-and-butter red Rioja, and the '04 is fruity, light and very approachable. The nose shows some cotton candy and other bouncy red-fruit aromas, while the palate is easygoing, fleshy and balanced by a beam of juicy acidity. Along the way, you'll pull out flavors of cherry, raspberry and a finishing note of bitter coffee. | Crianza | 87 | 15 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marqués de Cáceres 2004 Crianza (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Marqués de Cáceres |
| 20007 | 20006 | Portugal | This wine is young but ripe, with spice and blackberry fruits. It has a core of mineral tannins that are a reminder of the hard schist rocks of the Douro. With this dry structure, it needs to be aged, so drink from 2017. | Charamba | 86 | 8 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Aveleda 2013 Charamba Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Aveleda |
| 20008 | 20007 | Argentina | This rosado smells of red apple cider, red licorice candy and cotton candy. It's full on the palate, with helpful acidity. Flavors of grapefruit and orange are limited, but overall this rosé of Malbec makes the grade. | Rosa de Argentina Rosado de | 86 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Belasco de Baquedano 2014 Rosa de Argentina Rosado de Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Belasco de Baquedano |
| 20009 | 20008 | Argentina | Brandied cherry aromas are a touch stalky and hot, but overall this opens well. Edgy in feel, this Cab shows baked berry flavors and scratchy acidity in front of a stalky, roasted tasting finish. | Roble Oak | 86 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Privada 2012 Roble Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bodega Privada |
| 20010 | 20009 | Argentina | Jammy, somewhat green aromas are suggestive of tomato sauce with oregano and thyme. This feels full, creamy and thick, with earthy, herbal berry flavors that finish with creamy weight and chewy tannins. | | 86 | 22 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cicchitti 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cicchitti |
| 19989 | 19988 | Germany | On the dry side, this medium-bodied kabinett clocks in at 11% alcohol but seems balanced anyway, with peach and pear aromas and flavors given complexity through notes of smoke, clover blossom and mint. Crisp and refreshing on the finish. | Jean-Baptiste Kabinett | 87 | 19 | Rheinhessen | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Gunderloch 2006 Jean-Baptiste Kabinett Riesling (Rheinhessen) | Riesling | Gunderloch |
| 19990 | 19989 | Spain | An obscure Catalonian wine made from indigenous grapes, this pricey oddball starts with bubblegum and candy aromas mixed with smoke and meat. The color is dark and the wine is a bit rough. But in a country, unusual way it redeems itself with zippy cherry flavors and a fresh, tight mouthfeel. Best with food. | Gaintus | 87 | 49 | Spain Other | Vino de Mesa | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Heretat Montrubí 2004 Gaintus Red (Vino de Mesa) | Red Blend | Heretat Montrubí |
| 19991 | 19990 | US | Fans of Barbera will find the hard acids and thick tannins they love in this rustic Italian variety. The flavors are all dry: dried blackberries and cherries, dried leather, cured tobacco leaf, beef jerky, star anise. Yet there's a fruity sweetness that's charming. Great with almost anything starring sausage. | Terra d'Oro | 87 | 18 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | | | Montevina 2005 Terra d'Oro Barbera (Amador County) | Barbera | Montevina |
| 19992 | 19991 | Italy | Le Sughere is a well-composed wine, except for a hint of Band-Aid that blows off relatively quickly to enhance natural aromas of red fruit, root beer and toast. It offers sweet herb flavors and fresh mint on the close. | Le Sughere di Frassinello | 87 | 25 | Tuscany | Maremma | | | | Rocca di Frassinello 2005 Le Sughere di Frassinello (Maremma) | Red Blend | Rocca di Frassinello |
| 19993 | 19992 | US | This is soft, fruity and very approachable, with flavors of strawberry jam. Highlights of sassafras and a pleasing spiciness add texture and interest. | | 87 | 40 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Stoller 2005 Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Stoller |
| 19994 | 19993 | US | This is a Cab-based Bordeaux blend, and it shows Paso's ability to produce a ripe, gentle red wine that's immediately appealing. There's a nice earthiness to the cassis flavors, and a rich, tannic structure that makes you dream of a perfectly broiled steak or chop, brushed with brown butter sauce with a touch of garlic. | Nikiara | 87 | 30 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Sylvester 2005 Nikiara Red (Paso Robles) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Sylvester |
| 19995 | 19994 | US | Earthy, like some Napa Chards, with a sage and thyme edge to the pear and peach fruit. The wine also is a little soft. But there's an interesting minerality. Could develop bottle complexity over the next few years. | Brosseau Vineyard | 87 | 39 | California | Chalone | Central Coast | | | Testarossa 2006 Brosseau Vineyard Chardonnay (Chalone) | Chardonnay | Testarossa |
| 19996 | 19995 | US | This small production (200 cases) Pinot Noir is a mix of older and younger estate vines, a selection of lots given 22 months in 60 and 132 gallon French oak casks. It's still tasting quite young, sharp and chewy, with spicy fruit backed up against earthy tannins. Give it plenty of breathing time. | Estate Reserve | 87 | 38 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | David Hill 2005 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | David Hill |
| 19997 | 19996 | US | Tart and forward, with cranberry and raspberry fruit front and center, this is a tasty, acidic and lightly spicy effort that shows some nice precision. It's not a big wine, but balanced and based upon sharp acids that carry the fruit and cut through the finish. | | 87 | 20 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Duck Pond 2006 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Duck Pond |
| 19998 | 19997 | US | Nothing subtle about this big, ripe, oaky Chardonnay. It shows the tropical fruit richness of a fine Alexander Valley Chard, flamboyant in pineapple custard flavor, with a flinty minerality. The sweet overlay of smoky oak is perfectly in keeping with the wine's volume. | Stuhlmuller Vineyard | 87 | 32 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Dutcher Crossing 2006 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay (Alexander Valley) | Chardonnay | Dutcher Crossing |
| 19999 | 19998 | Australia | Winemaker Nick Goldschmidt has turned out a Shiraz that seems a bit conflicted. It's only medium-bodied, yet packs in overripe flavors of cooked berries laced with dark chocolate and espresso. The peppery notes on the finish give it enough verve to pair with steaks or burgers. | | 87 | 25 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Forefathers 2005 Shiraz (McLaren Vale) | Shiraz | Forefathers |
| 20000 | 19999 | Portugal | Fast becoming one of the hallmark blends of Portugal, this 50-50 mix of Aragonez and Touriga Nacional is a seriously structured wine, with great wild fruit and mushroom flavors alongside dark, dry tannins. The acidity is very definite. A good food wine. | Aragonez and Touriga Nacional | 87 | 11 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Adega Cooperativa de Borba 2006 Aragonez and Touriga Nacional Red (Alentejano) | Touriga Nacional Blend | Adega Cooperativa de Borba |
| 20001 | 20000 | US | A grilled steak will play nicely against the tannins and acids of this Syrah, grown in the cool Carneros district north of San Francisco. The black peppercorn and blackberry flavors suggest a butter-enriched wine reduction sauce. Best now and for a couple years. | | 87 | 25 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Buena Vista 2005 Syrah (Carneros) | Syrah | Buena Vista |
| 20002 | 20001 | Italy | Here's a simple but genuine Sangiovese from the Montepulciano area that delivers measured notes of blueberry, spice, tobacco and leather. It's a no-fuss red that is both lean and bright on the palate. | Capoverso | 87 | 22 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Capoverso 2005 Capoverso Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Capoverso |
| 20003 | 20002 | France | A rich wine that shows plenty of berry fruits, supported by some dry but dusty tannins. This is a wine that is going to develop with its firm powerhouse of ripe fruit that is emerging from a tight period in its development. | | 87 | 20 | Bordeaux | Graves | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut Selve 2003 Graves | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut Selve |
| 20004 | 20003 | France | This grassy, very herbaceous wine is all crisp green fruits. Touched by a creamy texture under a layer of freshness, it shows some good weight and structure. There is light wood that rounds it all out. | Héritage | 87 | 12 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Blanc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lamothe-Vincent 2006 Héritage (Bordeaux Blanc) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Lamothe-Vincent |