| 21871 | 21870 | US | One of the best Syrahs at this price point in California. It's lush in blackberries, blueberries, chocolate and sweet oak, with a creamy mouthfeel. Drink now for freshness. | Ballard Canyon Estate | 92 | 25 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Rusack 2009 Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Rusack |
| 21872 | 21871 | US | Tamarack blends grapes from an astonishing number of sites scattered across the length and breadth of the Columbia Valley, and yet makes wines that are distinctive, polished, generous, and focused. The 2008 Merlot includes 5% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. Its structure is firmly Cab-like, its fruit broadly displayed across the midpalate, a mix of ripe strawberries and cherries dusted with sweet baking spices and cocoa. It's a joyride from start to finish. | | 92 | 28 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tamarack Cellars 2008 Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Tamarack Cellars |
| 21873 | 21872 | US | Beautiful to drink now, one of the most rewardingly plush Syrahs on the market. It's easy to like, with soft tannins and a creamy mouthfeel housing ripe, savory cherry and blueberry pie flavors. If only more Syrahs were this delicious. | | 92 | 35 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Terlato 2008 Syrah (Dry Creek Valley) | Syrah | Terlato |
| 21874 | 21873 | US | Three things characterize this wine: exceptionally intense blackberry and currant flavors, thick, hard tannins and a bone dry finish. It's big and firm with a lot of promise, so do try to cellar it for at least six years, but people who like their wines young could try it sooner. | | 92 | 80 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Valance 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Valance |
| 21875 | 21874 | US | The wine, from this old vineyard, contains a good chunk of Petite Sirah, which adds body and tannins to the Zinfandel. It's a delicious wine, wonderfully drinkable, with deep, complex blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, licorice, raisin, black pepper and sandalwood flavors that finish long and spicy. | Luvisi 1908 Vineyard | 92 | 38 | California | Calistoga | Napa | | | Vermeil 2009 Luvisi 1908 Vineyard Zinfandel (Calistoga) | Zinfandel | Vermeil |
| 21876 | 21875 | US | One of the most satisfying Rieslings of the vintage. It's dry, crisp and exotic, with crisp flavors of citrus fruits, wildflowers and that famous diesel or lighter fluid taste that characterizes the best Rieslings. Really a superior wine that shows the brilliance of Edna Valley for unoaked white varieties, as well as the excellence of the Paragon Vineyard. | Paragon Vineyard | 92 | 20 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | | | Zocker 2009 Paragon Vineyard Riesling (Edna Valley) | Riesling | Zocker |
| 21877 | 21876 | US | This is a big, gutsy Syrah. It's strong and astringent in tannins and potent in ripe, fruity blackberries and plums, with a spicy edge of smoked bacon. The overall balance testifies to a pedigreed address and superior grapegrowing. As savory as it is, it's not really ready for drinking. Hold for up to six years. | Ledbetter Family Vineyard | 92 | 40 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Longboard 2008 Ledbetter Family Vineyard Syrah (Russian River Valley) | Syrah | Longboard |
| 21878 | 21877 | France | A wine that reveals a textured side of Meursault. It has weight, ripe apricot and pineapple fruit with a refreshing touch of acidity. But the chalky, mineral character equally defines the wine. Age for 3–4 years. | Charmes Premier Cru | 92 | 75 | Burgundy | Meursault | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Jadot 2009 Charmes Premier Cru (Meursault) | Chardonnay | Louis Jadot |
| 21879 | 21878 | US | Viticulturalist Ann Kraemer, who farms Shake Ridge Vineyards for many other producers, keeps some of the grapes for Yorba, her label with winemaker Ken Bernards of Ancien. The result is an exceptionally good dark plum, black cherry and blackberry-tinged Syrah with pepper and meat thread throughout the deep fruit concentration of this still-tight, mountain-grown wine. Cellar another 2–5 years. | Shake Ridge Vineyards | 92 | 32 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Yorba 2007 Shake Ridge Vineyards Syrah (Amador County) | Syrah | Yorba |
| 21880 | 21879 | Italy | The largely unexplored Faro denomination in the northern point of Sicily is producing some of the island's best work. The promising Nocera grape variety is used here and vintner Salvatore Geraci is one of its biggest proponents. This blended red is finely embroidered with subtle notes of forest berry, cassis, leather and spice. | | 92 | 80 | Sicily & Sardinia | Faro | | | | Palari 2008 Faro | Red Blend | Palari |
| 21881 | 21880 | US | Deep purple, this riveting Malbec melds dark red and blue fruits to the grip and texture of ripe Yakima Valley tannins. Think clean earth lightly dusted with chocolate, and you have the finish. A powerful wine with excellent cellar potential. | Timley | 92 | 34 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Stevens 2009 Timley Malbec (Yakima Valley) | Malbec | Stevens |
| 21882 | 21881 | US | The soft but flavorful entry into a land of dark fruits, smoke and espresso barely hints at the wine to come. Give it time to breathe and it opens into a wonderfully complex, smooth and creamy wine with no rough edges. Pretty red fruit, seductive and lingering, is matched to hints of chocolate from 30 months in neutral barrels. | | 92 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tranche 2007 Barbera (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Barbera | Tranche |
| 21883 | 21882 | US | Just what you want in a Sauvignon Blanc-based white Bordeaux-style wine. It's bone dry and mouthwateringly tart in acidity, while the citrus flavors suggest gooseberries, but don't fall into the trap of green underripeness. Sémillon constitutes 20% of the blend. | White Wine | 92 | 38 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Vellum 2010 White Wine White (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Vellum |
| 21884 | 21883 | US | A first for Animale, and a terrific success, despite the almost 16% alcohol. Bursting with ripe berry flavors, this complex and flat-out delicious wine goes well beyond its highly-extracted black fruit. Wet rock, chalk and mineral extend and enhance the finish, with a chocolaty kiss at the very end. | | 92 | 26 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Animale 2009 Mourvèdre (Red Mountain) | Mourvèdre | Animale |
| 21885 | 21884 | US | Aurielle's Cabernets have been consistent over the years, offering lots of ripe, modern-style blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate and oak flavors in a wine that's drinkable now. This '08 is quite stylish and elegant despite the power, with near-perfect tannins. You could age it, but it's really best enjoyed for flashy, youthful richness. | | 92 | 90 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Aurielle 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Aurielle |
| 21886 | 21885 | US | Shows the ripe fruit of Balletto's Pinot Noirs, with bright, forward raspberries and cherries. But there's an appealing earthiness, something like wild mushrooms sautéed in olive oil. Oak adds the perfect touch of buttered toast. Drink now–2015. | Winery Block | 92 | 34 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Balletto 2009 Winery Block Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Balletto |
| 21887 | 21886 | US | The grapes for this Syrah come from the Ballard Canyon area, which is likely to be Santa Barbara's next official appellation. It's a big, full-bodied wine, tannic and dry, with blackberry, blueberry, smoked meat, black pepper and sandalwood flavors. Feels fine and dramatic in the mouth, and should develop bottle interest through 2015. | Tierra Alta Vineyard | 92 | 39 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Blair Fox 2009 Tierra Alta Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah | Blair Fox |
| 21888 | 21887 | US | This full-bodied, 100% Cabernet is lightly gamy, offering a sensuous potpourri of wild herbs and brambly berries. It's subtle, lovely, distinctive, smoothly rendered and unusually textural and complex. Drink it with enjoyment now, or give it a few more years in the cellar. | | 92 | 42 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bunchgrass 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bunchgrass |
| 21889 | 21888 | Portugal | A powerful expression of rich red fruit, smoothed by wood aging and nearly four years in bottle. It has layers of acidity, spice, soft tannins and flavors of maturing fruit. It is ready to drink now but worth aging as well. | Foral de Evora Colheita | 92 | 19 | Alentejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Cartuxa 2007 Foral de Evora Colheita Red (Alentejo) | Portuguese Red | Cartuxa |
| 21890 | 21889 | France | A richly smoky wine, with all its juiciness surrounded by dark tannins. Despite a dominance of Merlot, this is still intensely structured. The wine has so much richness as well as acidity. | | 92 | | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pibran 2009 Pauillac | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pibran |
| 21891 | 21890 | Spain | Even in marginal vintages like 2008, Atauta manages to shine above the rest. This delivers a gorgeous mix of blackberry blended with complex notes of fine herbs, vanilla and chocolate. It's alert in the mouth, with strong but manageable tannins and full flavors of berry, cherry and vanilla. Short but precise on the finish; drink now through 2015. | | 92 | 32 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Dominio de Atauta 2008 Ribera del Duero | Tinto Fino | Dominio de Atauta |
| 21892 | 21891 | Italy | Cometa is an irresistible white wine from the deep south of Italy. It speaks its own Sicilian language but with modern, international accents. Made from Fiano grapes, it opens with a beautiful golden color, and delivers rich aromas of stone fruit, vanilla cream and rose. The mouthfeel is exceedingly soft, creamy and long-lasting. | Cometa | 92 | 43 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Planeta 2010 Cometa Fiano (Sicilia) | Fiano | Planeta |
| 21893 | 21892 | Portugal | A supremely ripe Port from Ramos-Pinto's vineyard in the far east of the Douro. It is finely perfumed, with layered tannins upon structured plum skins and black cherry fruit. It's in a fruity style, but the structure certainly promises aging. | Quinta da Ervamoira Vintage | 92 | 88 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Ramos-Pinto 2009 Quinta da Ervamoira Vintage (Port) | Port | Ramos-Pinto |
| 21894 | 21893 | US | This is the darkest, biggest, richest of Raymond's 2007 Cabernets. It's ripe and full in blackberries and currants, with a thick coating of sweet, toasty oak, but it's not really drinkable now because the tannins are so strong. Designed for the cellar, it should develop bottle complexity over the next 10–12 years. | Generations | 92 | 85 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Raymond 2007 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Raymond |
| 21895 | 21894 | Portugal | This old tawny Port has developed a green-gold color and extreme concentration. With a beautiful floral perfume, the flavors are of almonds, acidity and a bite of spirit, while overall is the beautiful smooth texture. | Over 40 Years Old Tawny | 92 | 56 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Rozes NV Over 40 Years Old Tawny (Port) | Port | Rozes |
| 21896 | 21895 | Italy | In reaction to Mount Etna's volcanic eruptions, local farmers have adopted a unique mix of Christianity and mysticism to protect against imminent dangers. Many vineyard sites are anointed with religious names, like Santo Spirito, as if the name were a lucky charm in itself. This delightful vineyard-designate wine is ethereal and bright, with loads of small berry intensity and a dusty, dry finish. | Santo Spirito | 92 | 40 | Sicily & Sardinia | Etna | | | | Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2008 Santo Spirito (Etna) | Red Blend | Tenuta delle Terre Nere |
| 21897 | 21896 | US | Can Washington Mourvèdre really be this good? From the Far Away Vineyard (previously named for owner Art den Hoed) it sure can. Sappy and fresh, this lively wine features ripe red fruits, sharp acids and smooth tannins, with toasted walnuts and caramel streaking through the finish. It shows excellent concentration and length. | Far Away Vineyard | 92 | 26 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Trio Vintners 2009 Far Away Vineyard Mourvèdre (Yakima Valley) | Mourvèdre | Trio Vintners |
| 21898 | 21897 | US | Here's a rich, ripe, opulent Syrah, all jammy blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, sprinkled with black pepper and housed in a structure of firm, strong tannins. It's a blend of some of the best vineyards in the county, including Bien Nacido, Larner and Ampelos. Drink now–2015. | | 92 | 27 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Jaffurs 2010 Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Jaffurs |
| 21899 | 21898 | New Zealand | This is a pretty, lightweight wine marked by peppery accents. Those give it an almost Syrah-like quality, although the weight and texture is all Pinot. Red cherry and spice flavors finish lacy and dusty. Ready to drink now. | | 89 | 34 | Martinborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Alana Estate 2012 Pinot Noir (Martinborough) | Pinot Noir | Alana Estate |
| 21900 | 21899 | New Zealand | The Awatere is typically quite cool, so this wine's level of ripeness is noteworthy. It's round and supple on the midpalate, creamy and plush on the finish. Cedar and vanilla notes frame the black cherry fruit, which hints at some dried-fruit character without going over the edge into raisin. Drink now. | | 89 | 21 | Awatere Valley | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Vavasour 2011 Pinot Noir (Awatere Valley) | Pinot Noir | Vavasour |