20611 | 20610 | France | A soft style, this is ripe with attractive apple and crisp pear fruits. The wine is refreshing with its acidity lacing through the flinty texture. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018. | Le Clos Chartier | 87 | 25 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jérôme Gueneau 2016 Le Clos Chartier (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Jérôme Gueneau |
20612 | 20611 | France | Light, bright and packed with crisp fruit, this is a refreshing wine. Produced from Pinot Noir, it has red-cherry flavors along with a mineral texture and bright fruitiness. Drink now. | Le Rabault | 87 | 29 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Joseph Mellot 2016 Le Rabault Rosé (Sancerre) | Rosé | Joseph Mellot |
20613 | 20612 | France | This oddly named Cabernet Sauvignon is fine. It has light tannins, a juicy, stalky character, upfront black currant fruit and balanced acidity. Drink now. | Romantic | 87 | 10 | France Other | Vin de France | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | L. Tramier & Fils 2015 Romantic Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de France) | Cabernet Sauvignon | L. Tramier & Fils |
20614 | 20613 | Italy | This 100% Nero d'Avola has blue flower, black-skinned berry and Mediterranean scrub aromas. It's easygoing and juicy, offering black cherry and white pepper flavors alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon. | | 87 | 15 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Marilena Barbera 2015 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Marilena Barbera |
20615 | 20614 | France | From the Sancerre vineyard of this Pouilly-Fumé producer, this is a ripe wine. Packed with apple and rich peppered-pear flavors, it is spicy, shot through with acidity and lightly mineral at the end. The wine is ready to drink. | Domaine de la Croix-Canat La Vendangette | 87 | 22 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Tinel-Blondelet 2015 Domaine de la Croix-Canat La Vendangette (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Domaine Tinel-Blondelet |
20616 | 20615 | France | This cool-climate Pinot Noir is soft and gentle. Its ripe tannins and cherry flavors are both lightly structured and juicy. Although still young, it's ready to drink. | Alphonse Dolly Les Doigts d'Or de Dolly | 87 | 14 | France Other | Vin de France | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Eric Louis 2016 Alphonse Dolly Les Doigts d'Or de Dolly Pinot Noir (Vin de France) | Pinot Noir | Eric Louis |
20617 | 20616 | Argentina | Clean, fresh, stony aromas are basic but good. A round palate benefits from citric kick, while this tastes of mixed tropical fruits backed by skins-based bitterness. | Estate | 87 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca El Origen 2015 Estate Chardonnay (Mendoza) | Chardonnay | Finca El Origen |
20618 | 20617 | Portugal | The three grapes (castas) are Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend makes a satisfyingly structured wine with some firm tannins as well as ripe fruitiness. Drink now. | 3 Castas | 87 | 12 | Tejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Fiuza 2016 3 Castas Red (Tejo) | Portuguese Red | Fiuza |
20619 | 20618 | France | This is a smooth, ripe and generous wine befitting southern Merlot. It has just the right amount of acidity, black currant fruitiness and a smoky aftertaste. | | 87 | 16 | France Other | Vin de France | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Florent Descombe NV Merlot (Vin de France) | Merlot | Florent Descombe |
20620 | 20619 | France | This spicy, strongly perfumed wine is full of fruit and juicy acidity. It's dry and structured, with a firm backdrop of tannins. It will be great for the winter. | | 87 | 16 | France Other | Vin de France | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Florent Descombe NV Syrah (Vin de France) | Syrah | Florent Descombe |
20621 | 20620 | France | This is a soft, easygoing style from the Millets, now in their third generation in Sancerre. With attractive white stone fruits and a citrus streak, the wine has delicious refreshing acidity and a light bright aftertaste. Drink now. | | 87 | 30 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | François Millet 2016 Sancerre | Sauvignon Blanc | François Millet |
20622 | 20621 | Italy | Made from organically grown grapes, this Dolcetto has ripe black-skinned berry and nutmeg aromas. The palate evokes ripe black cherry and clove. It's straightforward, with rounded tannins, and should be drunk soon. | Campo del Pero | 87 | 14 | Piedmont | Dolcetto d'Alba | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Giribaldi 2016 Campo del Pero (Dolcetto d'Alba) | Dolcetto | Giribaldi |
20623 | 20622 | Portugal | The ripe, spicy strawberry and orange fruitiness of this wine is immediately attractive. It has lively acidity within a rich framework. Drink this refreshing wine now. | Monte da Peceguina | 87 | 23 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade da Malhadinha Nova 2016 Monte da Peceguina Rosé (Alentejano) | Rosé | Herdade da Malhadinha Nova |
20624 | 20623 | US | This smooth and easy-drinking wine blends 60% Pinot Gris with equal amounts of Chardonnay and Riesling. It's light blush in color, with hints of honey on both the nose and palate. A good, all-purpose white, it should be consumed over the next year or two. | Mingle | 87 | 19 | Oregon | Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | A Blooming Hill Vineyard 2016 Mingle White (Chehalem Mountains) | White Blend | A Blooming Hill Vineyard |
20625 | 20624 | US | From estate-grown grapes, this opens with sizable, grippy tannins and strong barrel-heavy aromas. It then settles down into layers of blackberry and blueberry, sprinkled with a hint of cinnamon. This wine will benefit from a decant or a few more years in bottle. | 35th Anniversary Reserve Mailbox Vineyard | 88 | 64 | California | Spring Mountain District | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Keenan 2011 35th Anniversary Reserve Mailbox Vineyard Merlot (Spring Mountain District) | Merlot | Keenan |
20626 | 20625 | US | Subtle aromas and flavors of crisp apple and cherry, a dry composition, fine texture and crisp finish make this rather reserved and well balanced. This reliable standby is the kind of bubbly to have on hand for spur-of-the-moment occasions. | Brut | 88 | 14 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Korbel NV Brut Sparkling (California) | Sparkling Blend | Korbel |
20627 | 20626 | Italy | This savory red features aromas and flavors of violet, juicy blueberry, blackberry, plum and a whiff of cake spice. Firm but fine-grained tannins give support. While it's full-bodied, it's also easy to drink. A licorice note signals the close. | Sasseo | 88 | 16 | Southern Italy | Salento | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Masseria Altemura 2012 Sasseo Primitivo (Salento) | Primitivo | Masseria Altemura |
20628 | 20627 | South Africa | The bouquet of this wine takes time to fully open, but eventually reveals a lush mélange of pineapple, honeydew, yellow apple, buttered popcorn and orange creamsicle. Ample acidity keeps the mouthfeel fresh and the palate lifted, giving levity to the ripe fruit flavors. A hint of flintiness lingers on the close. Drink now. | | 88 | 23 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Meerlust 2011 Chardonnay (Stellenbosch) | Chardonnay | Meerlust |
20629 | 20628 | Canada | This has an edge, a frame of herb and skin flavors that tightens the mouthfeel. Green pineapple, cilantro, cucumber and lemon verbena are in play, with a penetrating attack and a pleasantly soft finish. The wine has a density that somehow recalls extra-virgin olive oil. | Meyer | 88 | 20 | British Columbia | Okanagan Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Meyer Family Vineyards 2012 Meyer Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) | Chardonnay | Meyer Family Vineyards |
20630 | 20629 | Italy | Aromas of scorched earth, underbrush, spicy plum, allspice and graphite lead the nose. On the palate, notes of cracked pepper and clove accent the mature blackberry, raspberry and fig flavors. It's balanced with well-integrated tannins and finishes on a note of bitter almond. Drink through 2016. | Curtirussi | 88 | 40 | Southern Italy | Salento | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Mocavero 2010 Curtirussi Negroamaro (Salento) | Negroamaro | Mocavero |
20631 | 20630 | Chile | Foresty blackberry aromas come with a whiff of mint and herbs. This has a lively, moderately tannic palate that's home to raspberry, plum and vanilla flavors. It's a basic, steady, satisfying blend of Cab Franc, Syrah and Merlot. | Urban Maule | 88 | 14 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | O. Fournier 2012 Urban Maule Red (Maule Valley) | Red Blend | O. Fournier |
20632 | 20631 | Italy | A blend of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera, this straightforward, savory wine leads with aromas of spicy plum, black cherry and freshly ground pepper that carry over to the palate. Fresh acidity and polished tannins balance the juicy fruit flavors. | Arcangelo | 88 | 15 | Southern Italy | Salice Salentino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Palamà 2012 Arcangelo Red (Salice Salentino) | Red Blend | Palamà |
20633 | 20632 | US | A jammy, big-boned Pinot that's soft in blackberry and raspberry on the palate and hearty enough to enjoy on its own. Fans of bigger styles of wine will be pleased. | | 88 | 40 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Ram's Gate 2012 Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Ram's Gate |
20634 | 20633 | Chile | This opens with funky, earthy notes of blueberry, juniper and animal hide. The palate is chunky and jammy, which is welcome given 2011's cold conditions. Flavors of herbal blackberry, baked plum and spice finish with a note of green and heat as well as with acidic freshness. | Reserva | 88 | 15 | Maipo Valley-Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Echeverria 2011 Reserva Syrah (Maipo Valley-Colchagua Valley) | Syrah | Echeverria |
20635 | 20634 | Italy | This straightforward Barolo opens with aromas of rose, leather and menthol. The palate doles out sour cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove and grilled sage alongside velvety tannins. There's not much complexity but it's savory and already enjoyable. Drink through 2019. | La Fenice | 88 | 45 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenimenti Famiglia Cavallero 2009 La Fenice (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Tenimenti Famiglia Cavallero |
20636 | 20635 | Italy | Leafy underbrush, dried sage, rose, grilled herb and leather aromas lead the nose. The straightforward palate delivers sour cherry and ground white pepper alongside firm but rather fleeting tannins. Drink through 2019. | Cannubi | 88 | 99 | Piedmont | Barolo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenuta Carretta 2009 Cannubi (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Tenuta Carretta |
20637 | 20636 | France | With a rich, dense texture, this is an opulent, generous and ready-to-drink wine packed with black fruits. Tannins are now well integrated into the fruit and a touch of wood aging smoothes it all out. It's a bountiful wine, ready to drink now. | Torus | 88 | | Southwest France | Madiran | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Alain Brumont 2010 Torus Tannat-Cabernet (Madiran) | Tannat-Cabernet | Alain Brumont |
20638 | 20637 | Italy | Aromas of mature black berries, prune toast and tilled earth lead the nose on this savory wine. The succulent, easygoing palate doles out crushed blackberry, Morello cherry, dried plum and clove alongside supple tannins. It closes on a note of bitter almond. | | 88 | 18 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Amastuola 2011 Primitivo (Puglia) | Primitivo | Amastuola |
20639 | 20638 | US | Bright, tangy, lean and appetizing, this light-bodied wine has mouth-cleansing acidity, lemon and green apple flavors, a zingy balance and clean, dry finish. Time to bring on the oysters or goat cheese. | Bill Dillian Vineyard | 88 | 20 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Andis 2013 Bill Dillian Vineyard Semillon (Amador County) | Sémillon | Andis |
20640 | 20639 | US | A slick of wax and lanolin lends a mineral tone to bright apple cider and honey notes in this sprightly semisweet Riesling. Spine-tingling with acidity, it's an elegant, classically styled wine with a pristine, fruit-focused finish. | Martini Reinhardt Selection | 88 | 45 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Anthony Road 2012 Martini Reinhardt Selection Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Anthony Road |