| 1981 | 1980 | US | Soft, sweet and appealing, this has raspberry and cherry jam flavors, with an oak-influenced note of buttered toast. It's an easy, gentle wine, with some real depth and complexity. | | 88 | 28 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Pessagno 2010 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Pessagno |
| 1982 | 1981 | Italy | Plumbago is a pure expression of Nero d'Avola that portrays the natural characteristics of this indigenous Sicilian grape. Red berry, cherry, almond skin and pistachio open the bouquet and give way to zesty freshness on the palate. | Plumbago | 88 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Planeta 2010 Plumbago Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Planeta |
| 1983 | 1982 | US | This smells deep and bass-like, with resonating notes of honeyed white currant, spiced breakfast toast and apricot preserves, accented with touches of caramel and toasted nut. It feels round, rich and opulent, with a nice lift of acids that give the wine some spring. | Richland Reserve | 88 | 22 | Virginia | Virginia | | | | Potomac Point 2010 Richland Reserve Chardonnay (Virginia) | Chardonnay | Potomac Point |
| 1984 | 1983 | Italy | This Syrah offers bright tones of leather, cured meat and blackberry. Smooth and long-lasting, the palate boasts loads of bright berries. | Schietto | 88 | 19 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Principi di Spadafora 2007 Schietto Syrah (Sicilia) | Syrah | Principi di Spadafora |
| 1985 | 1984 | US | An exotic, spicy Pinot Noir, this is medium-bodied and crisp, with complex cranberry, raspberry, red licorice and smoky sandalwood flavors. Drink this dry, silky effort now. | Knittel Vineyard | 88 | 40 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Renteria 2009 Knittel Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Renteria |
| 1986 | 1985 | US | A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise, this is bone dry and brisk in acidity, with complex flavors of mineral, herb, sour cherry candy, red currant and white pepper. Although production was only 2,000 cases, this wine is worth the search. | Rhône de Robles | 88 | 18 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Robert Hall 2011 Rhône de Robles Red (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Robert Hall |
| 1987 | 1986 | France | For a Morgon, this is relatively light, showing more fruit than structure, with freshness that's tempered by a firm edge and minerality. Keep for a year, or drink now. | Domaine de l'Oseraie | 88 | 14 | Beaujolais | Morgon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Signé Vigneron 2011 Domaine de l'Oseraie (Morgon) | Gamay | Signé Vigneron |
| 1988 | 1987 | Spain | Berry and cherry aromas are surprisingly sturdy and clean. Freshness is maintained on the palate, which is honest enough to offer modest tannic bite. Lightly spiced plum and raspberry flavors change little on an easy finish. | Flirty Bird | 85 | 4 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Felix Solis 2013 Flirty Bird Syrah (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Syrah | Felix Solis |
| 1989 | 1988 | Spain | Gritty aromas of stewed berry, lemony oak, green herbs and tin set up a tannic, chewy, highly extracted palate that's lacking in elegance. Flavors of chocolate, green herbs, blueberry, vanilla and plastic finish oaky and creamy, with lasting heat. | | 85 | 13 | Levante | Jumilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marionette 2012 Monastrell-Syrah (Jumilla) | Monastrell-Syrah | Marionette |
| 1990 | 1989 | US | This is serviceable but rather bland, with a dusting of cinnamon spice and simple, tart fruit. | | 85 | 16 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Wildewood 2013 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley) | Chardonnay | Wildewood |
| 1991 | 1990 | France | A lightly fruity wine that has a soft texture, gentle acidity and a perfumed aftertaste. It is ready to drink with its steely backbone well enmeshed in the fruitiness. | Roi Clovis | 85 | 25 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wunsch & Mann 2012 Roi Clovis Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Wunsch & Mann |
| 1992 | 1991 | Argentina | Initial plum and berry aromas fall off with airing and reveal notes of chemical and chewing gum dust. On the palate, this blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Tannat is chewy, sticky and flat. Modest but sweet berry flavors veer toward molasses prior to finishing without much acidity or verve. | | 84 | 15 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ricominciare 2010 Malbec-Tannat (Uco Valley) | Malbec-Tannat | Ricominciare |
| 1993 | 1992 | Argentina | Aromas of latex, plastic, clove and wild berry fruits try to come together. A hard, high-acid palate is narrow and choppy, with biting tannins, while a salty flavor profile that includes blackberry finishes woody and savory, with a lasting taste of clove. | | 84 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ricominciare 2011 Malbec-Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley) | Malbec-Cabernet Franc | Ricominciare |
| 1994 | 1993 | Argentina | Gritty, roasted berry aromas are rubbery and hint at Band-Aids. In the mouth, this is O.K. in feel, albeit a bit jammy and thick. Short, generic berry flavors come with minty accents and some green on the finish. | Trumpeter | 84 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Rutini 2012 Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutini |
| 1995 | 1994 | US | Lemon curd and artificial butter show on the nose and palate, with underripe peach adding verve to a creamy body. | Church Creek Oak | 84 | 18 | Virginia | Virginia's Eastern Shore | | Alexander Peartree | | Chatham 2012 Church Creek Oak Chardonnay (Virginia's Eastern Shore) | Chardonnay | Chatham |
| 1996 | 1995 | US | This full-throttle, oaky Chardonnay features an intriguingly curious mix of corn nuts, diesel and marijuana on the nose. The corresponding layers of flavor are straightforward and simple. | | 84 | 20 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | McIlroy 2013 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | McIlroy |
| 1997 | 1996 | US | Despite its single-vineyard designation, this watery effort could be from anywhere. Thin, dilute, barely ripe strawberry fruit vanishes quickly once in the mouth, and there is little trace of any barrel flavors from aging in 20% new French oak. | Guadalupe Vineyard | 84 | 25 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Wildewood 2013 Guadalupe Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Wildewood |
| 1998 | 1997 | Italy | Fruity aromas that recall blueberry and pomegranate carry over to the lean palate along with brisk acidity. | | 84 | 11 | Sicily & Sardinia | Terre Siciliane | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Vino dei Fratelli 2013 Nero d'Avola (Terre Siciliane) | Nero d'Avola | Vino dei Fratelli |
| 1999 | 1998 | France | Towards the dry end of the Pinot Gris spectrum, this is a crisp, apple and pear flavored wine that has a light character. It's fruity, crisp and ready to drink. | Réserve Particulière | 84 | 15 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Cave de Beblenheim 2013 Réserve Particulière Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Cave de Beblenheim |
| 2000 | 1999 | France | This wine has a light, fresh character to go with the ripe spiced fruits. It's smooth with a tangy lime-zest flavor filled out with yellow fruits. Drink now. | Anne de K | 84 | 19 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Cave de Kientzheim-Kaysersberg 2013 Anne de K Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Cave de Kientzheim-Kaysersberg |
| 2001 | 2000 | Italy | The nose isn't very expressive but reveals white flower and tropical fruit. The simple palate delivers pineapple and lemon zest alongside brisk acidity. | Baglio del Sole | 84 | 12 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Feudi del Pisciotto 2013 Baglio del Sole Inzolia (Sicilia) | Inzolia | Feudi del Pisciotto |
| 2002 | 2001 | Spain | Dusty aromas of red cherry are muddled by oaky notes of plastic and latex. A jumpy, bright palate is rudimentary, as are lightly spiced plum and raspberry flavors. A fresh, dry, basic finish seems appropriate. | Oak Aged | 84 | 10 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mureda 2012 Oak Aged Syrah (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Syrah | Mureda |
| 2003 | 2002 | Argentina | Dry, spicy aromas aren't overly ripe or expressive. In the mouth, this basic Cab is raw, racy and spiky in feel. Flavors of herbal red-berry fruits are leafy, while finishing flavors of carob and pepper register as adequate. | Oak Cask Estate Bottled | 84 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Felipe 2012 Oak Cask Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | San Felipe |
| 2004 | 2003 | France | Soft, floral and fruity, this is a rounded wine with a gentle texture, yellow fruits and light acidity. There is a good touch of spice to fill the wine out right at the end. | Tradition | 84 | 8 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vieil Armand 2013 Tradition Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Vieil Armand |
| 2005 | 2004 | US | Underripe fruit seems more sour than anything. Some bitter, stemmy flavors creep into the finish. | | 84 | 19 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Wine by Joe 2013 Pinot Noir (Oregon) | Pinot Noir | Wine by Joe |
| 2006 | 2005 | Portugal | This wine looks and tastes bright pink. It is creamy, not quite dry and soft, although the aftertaste shows some fresh acidity. Crushed strawberry flavors suggest that it will pair well with fruit salad. | Basta Brut Rosé | 84 | 20 | Vinho Espumante | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wine with Spirit NV Basta Brut Rosé Sparkling (Vinho Espumante) | Portuguese Sparkling | Wine with Spirit |
| 2007 | 2006 | Portugal | Made from Castelão, the local grape of the Setúbal region, this wine is as bright and clean as possible. The light texture makes it ideal for summer drinking. | Azul Portugal | 84 | 11 | Península de Setúbal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wines & Winemakers 2014 Azul Portugal Rosé (Península de Setúbal) | Rosé | Wines & Winemakers |
| 2008 | 2007 | France | The style is all perfume, recalling straightforward lychee and spice wine. It has a rounded texture, soft and medium sweet, and is ready to be enjoyed. | | 84 | 23 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wunsch & Mann 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Wunsch & Mann |
| 2009 | 2008 | US | This is soft and easy in texture, light in flavors and slightly sweet. Light to medium bodied, it has very little tannin or astringency, is low in acidity and quiet on the finish. | HomeFront | 84 | 15 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Murphy-Goode 2012 HomeFront Red (California) | Red Blend | Murphy-Goode |
| 2010 | 2009 | France | This is light, fruity and fresh for a Gewurztraminer. A crisp character brings out bitter orange and ripe pear flavors. Drink now. | | 84 | 19 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pierre Sparr 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Pierre Sparr |