21301 | 21300 | US | Made with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, this estate-grown wine is made in small lots and offers aromas of baked bread and red fruit from the get-go. The Cabernet shows its presence, and there's a wealth of bitter, leathery tannin offset by soft, approachable oak. | Heritage | 87 | 50 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Medlock Ames 2013 Heritage Merlot (Alexander Valley) | Merlot | Medlock Ames |
21302 | 21301 | Australia | This medium-bodied, silky-textured Chardonnay offers hints of pineapple and yellow plum on the nose and palate. It's clean and refreshing on the finish, just what's wanted in this easy-to-like price range. Drink now. | | 87 | 13 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Milton Park 2014 Chardonnay (South Australia) | Chardonnay | Milton Park |
21303 | 21302 | Italy | Made with 80% Sangiovese, 10% Mammolo and 10% Canaiolo, this offers subdued aromas of red cherry, chopped mint and a hint white pepper. The breezy, easygoing palate shows crushed raspberry and orange zest underscored by lively acidity. | | 87 | 12 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montepulciano | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Poggio Salvi 2014 Rosso di Montepulciano | Red Blend | Poggio Salvi |
21304 | 21303 | US | Grown along the Bay Area's Peninsula near the heart of Silicon Valley, this wine is brisk and energetic, with raspberry, pomegranate, dried ginger, sage, rose petals and lavender on the nose. Earthiness leads the slightly sour palate, with turned dirt, juniper and iron, finishing on a menthol sensation. | Los Trancos Creek Vineyard | 87 | 38 | California | Santa Clara Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Portola Vineyards 2012 Los Trancos Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Clara Valley) | Pinot Noir | Portola Vineyards |
21305 | 21304 | Chile | Smells like pineapple blended with lemon candy. Zesty in the mouth, with crisp lemon, lime, bell pepper and a touch of mineral stoniness. Long on the finish, and for a wine of this price it's delivering the max. Likable and not complicated. | La Palma | 85 | 8 | Cachapoal Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña La Rosa 2009 La Palma Sauvignon Blanc (Cachapoal Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Viña La Rosa |
21306 | 21305 | Chile | Not as dark and sticky as many wines of this variety; the nose is defined by cherry and raspberry along with barnyard and animal hide. At first the palate seems sharp and acidic, but with time it settles on fuller, more creamy cherry and raspberry along with mocha. Narrow on the finish but fresh and forward. | Gran Reserva de los Andes | 85 | 12 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Santa Alicia 2007 Gran Reserva de los Andes Carmenère (Maipo Valley) | Carmenère | Santa Alicia |
21307 | 21306 | US | Tons of upfront fruity flavor mark this crisp, tannic wine. It's almost sweet in jammy cherries and blackberries, with a smoked meat edge of bacon and caramelized notes from oak. Could be drier and have greater structure and complexity. Drink now with robust grilled meats. | Machado Creek Vineyards | 85 | 30 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Fernwood 2007 Machado Creek Vineyards Petite Sirah (Central Coast) | Petite Sirah | Fernwood |
21308 | 21307 | US | Tastes a little sweet for a true brut, with sugary flavors of strawberries, raspberries and vanilla, and the finish is soft. The blend is French Colombard, Chardonnay and Sangiovese. | Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes | 85 | 16 | California | California | California Other | | | Korbel 2008 Brut Made with Organically Grown Grapes Sparkling (California) | Sparkling Blend | Korbel |
21309 | 21308 | US | Here's a good Cabernet to drink now. It's soft and gritty in tannins, with ripely forward blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, coated with sweet, smoky oak. | | 85 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Magness 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Magness |
21310 | 21309 | Italy | Here's a crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon from northern Italy with background aromas of peach, honeydew melon and white peach. The wine shows medium consistency and good staying power with a dry, crisp finish. | D'Amblè | 85 | 22 | Piedmont | Langhe | | | | Orlando Abrigo 2009 D'Amblè Sauvignon (Langhe) | Sauvignon | Orlando Abrigo |
21311 | 21310 | Chile | Earth, leather and roasted berry fruit are exactly what a wine of this base grape and price should smell like. The palate is medium in intensity, with herbal flavors, dark berry fruit notes and leather. Call it basic but comfortable, with varietal correctness. | | 85 | 9 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Elias 2008 Carmenère (Central Valley) | Carmenère | San Elias |
21312 | 21311 | Chile | Dark in color, smoky and full of coconut and mocha aromas. However, the palate is more acidic, tight and starching than ideal. Add in peppery, herbal flavors to the black cherry, oak and high acidity and it gives off a tight, crisp personality. | Castillo de Molina | 85 | 12 | Maule Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Pedro 2008 Castillo de Molina Shiraz (Maule Valley) | Shiraz | San Pedro |
21313 | 21312 | Italy | There's a milky, lactic aspect to this wine that takes a few seconds to absorb. Once you do, the nose is greeted by cherry and black spice. The mouthfeel is determined and sharp. | Cannubi Riserva | 85 | | Piedmont | Barolo | | | | Borgogno F.lli Serio e Battista 2004 Cannubi Riserva (Barolo) | Nebbiolo | Borgogno F.lli Serio e Battista |
21314 | 21313 | Italy | This is a light, compact Roero Riserva (made with Nebbiolo grapes) that shows drying tannins and sharp aromas of wild berry, citrus zest and white almond. | Trinità Riserva | 85 | | Piedmont | Roero | | | | Malvirà 2006 Trinità Riserva (Roero) | Nebbiolo | Malvirà |
21315 | 21314 | Italy | The name Grignolino comes from the dialect word for “seeds.” The grape, on the other hand, requires special winemaking techniques in order to soften the wine's tannins due to the natural abundance of seeds. Light in color and bright with fresh fruit characteristics, this would make an ideal red aperitivo wine. | | 85 | 17 | Piedmont | Monferrato | | | | Quattro Leoni 2008 Grignolino (Monferrato) | Grignolino | Quattro Leoni |
21316 | 21315 | US | Here's a good Sauvignon Blanc that will go well with a wide range of foods. Clean, crisp and a little sweet, it has pleasant pineapple, lemon, lime and vanilla flavors. | | 85 | 18 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rutherford Hill 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Rutherford Hill |
21317 | 21316 | Chile | Vanilla, wood shavings, charcoal and floral berry aromas come with a hint of minty green. The palate has a healthy but common grabbiness to it, with flavors of black cherry, cassis and herbs. Almost cloying on the finish, with candied notes and vanilla. A strange wine that doesn't fully come together. | Tributo Single Vineyard | 85 | 20 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Caliterra 2008 Tributo Single Vineyard Malbec (Colchagua Valley) | Malbec | Caliterra |
21318 | 21317 | Italy | Light in appearance with ruby highlights, this Roero delivers easy aromas of tar, cassis, rose and licorice. The wine is light, fresh and sharp with a lean, watery finish. | | 85 | | Piedmont | Roero | | | | Careglio 2007 Roero | Nebbiolo | Careglio |
21319 | 21318 | Chile | Bargain hunters should like this mildly medicinal Cab because it's got raspberry and black fruit character and only minor faults, i.e. slight medicinality. Otherwise it's fruity, steady and respectable, with good body and mouthfeel. | Grande | 85 | 7 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Veo 2009 Grande Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Veo |
21320 | 21319 | US | Too sweet and oaky, with sugary vanilla and pineapple jam flavors. Could be a Starbucks drink. Saved a bit by crisp acidity. | | 84 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Starmont 2008 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Starmont |
21321 | 21320 | US | Chardonnays from this vineyard always are powerful, but this bottling is over the top. It has ultraripe apricot and tangerine flavors, with strong acidity. Seems almost botrytised, with a honeyed intensity, although it's dry. | Sleepy Hollow Vineyard | 86 | 30 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Sheldon 2007 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Chardonnay | Sheldon |
21322 | 21321 | US | The black pepper and cocoa flavors that always mark this fine vineyard show up again in this dry, tannic wine. So do the blackberries and cassis that make it so sweetly fruity. The acidity is awkward, though, and tastes like it was added to balance out a high alcohol wine. | White Hawk Vineyard | 86 | 36 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Deep Sea 2008 White Hawk Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Deep Sea |
21323 | 21322 | France | Slightly herbal in character—not surprising given that it's 70% Cabernet Franc, an unusual variety for the Gard. Those leafy notes persist from start to finish, balanced out hints of peach and raspberry. Easy to drink. | Rosé de Fayel | 86 | 12 | Rhône Valley | Vin de Pays du Gard | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine des Cantarelles 2010 Rosé de Fayel Rosé (Vin de Pays du Gard) | Rosé | Domaine des Cantarelles |
21324 | 21323 | South Africa | White florals and clover add an interesting edge to this brisk Sauv Blanc, otherwise loaded with flavors of grapefruit pith and pineapple core acidity. Drink now. | | 86 | 15 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Edgebaston 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Sauvignon Blanc | Edgebaston |
21325 | 21324 | South Africa | Peppery notes emanate from the bouquet first, followed by more traditional notes of black plum, black currant leaf and dried fig. The mouth is loaded with more brambly fruit flavors against an easygoing structure and light tannins. | | 86 | 19 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Eikendal 2008 Merlot (Stellenbosch) | Merlot | Eikendal |
21326 | 21325 | Italy | This edition of Soave Classico Runcaris offers simple aromas of pear, Golden Delicious apple, stone fruit and melon. There's a drying point of minerality at the back and crisp acidity to boot. | Runcaris | 86 | 15 | Veneto | Soave Classico | | | | Fattori 2009 Runcaris (Soave Classico) | Garganega | Fattori |
21327 | 21326 | Argentina | Giant and black, with extracted but pruney aromas that are sweet and raisiny. The palate is chunky, with raisin, fig and black plum flavors. Sweet but falls flat on the finish; has its good qualities but frankly it's an overripe wine. | Oro | 86 | 45 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Gauchezco 2008 Oro Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Gauchezco |
21328 | 21327 | Argentina | Opens with earthy, leafy aromas that can best be described as “mature.” Throw in tobacco and baked plum, and the picture is complete. The palate is concentrated and tight, with sweet, herbal berry flavors and caramel on the finish. Rugged and herbal as a whole but with good qualities; 50% Cabernet with 40% Merlot and 10% Malbec. | Calcura | 86 | 20 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Antucura 2006 Calcura Red (Uco Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Antucura |
21329 | 21328 | US | Give credit to Ballentine for sticking by this variety even when it's such a hard sell. It's a good wine, crisp and minerally, with sweet Pinot Grigio-like citrus, vanilla and spice flavors. | Estate | 86 | 16 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Ballentine 2010 Estate Chenin Blanc (Napa Valley) | Chenin Blanc | Ballentine |
21330 | 21329 | Argentina | Blackberry and other sweet aromas lead to a soft, mildly oaky palate with sweet, ripe plum and berry flavors. There's juicy acids and reasonable amounts of toast, licorice and spice on the finish. Not sure what differentiates this from Reserve, but the Barrel Select seems better balanced. | Barrel Select | 86 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Norton 2008 Barrel Select Merlot (Mendoza) | Merlot | Bodega Norton |