| 22861 | 22860 | France | Named after the Roman emperor who allowed planting of vines in Cahors (and elsewhere in France), this wine is a fine expression of rich, concentrated Malbec. It is powered by its tannins and young black fruits at this stage and needs several years to present its full, rich and concentrated potential. From 2019, this will be a serious wine. | Clos Triguedina Probus | 93 | 70 | Southwest France | Cahors | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jean-Luc Baldès 2013 Clos Triguedina Probus Malbec (Cahors) | Malbec | Jean-Luc Baldès |
| 22862 | 22861 | Germany | While the nose is dominated by darker mineral notes of petrol and smoke, a penetrating core of juicy white peach and melon flavors flood the palate. Silky and lush in mouthfeel, it lingers long through a slick, lip-smacking finish. Drink now through 2025. | Ungsteiner Herrenberg GG | 93 | 62 | Pfalz | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Karl Schaefer 2013 Ungsteiner Herrenberg GG Riesling (Pfalz) | Riesling | Karl Schaefer |
| 22863 | 22862 | Australia | Winemaker Virginia Willcock's latest effort shows that top-flight Margaret River Chardonnay doesn't have to cost three figures. This is fine stuff, a bit funky at first, but opening up in the glass to reveal hints of brown-sugar-glazed pineapple and fresh citrus. It's medium to full in body, with a long, almost painfully crisp finish that brings all that fruit into bright, refreshing focus. | | 93 | 40 | Western Australia | Margaret River | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Vasse Felix 2013 Chardonnay (Margaret River) | Chardonnay | Vasse Felix |
| 22864 | 22863 | Australia | Not many $30 wines can offer fruit from 100-year-old vines, but this one does. It's full bodied and rich, with notes of plum and black cherries supported by hints of chocolate and vanilla. With its long, velvety finish, there's no reason to defer gratification, although it should drink well through at least 2020. | Generation Series The Magnet | 93 | 33 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mr. Riggs 2013 Generation Series The Magnet Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | Mr. Riggs |
| 22865 | 22864 | Australia | Appropriately youthful and flashy, this is textbook Barossa Shiraz, full bodied and rich. Dusty tannins and mouthwatering acids support dark berry fruit, cedar and vanilla. It's drinkable now, but should add savoriness over the next 10 or more years. | Orphan Bank | 93 | 69 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Langmeil 2013 Orphan Bank Shiraz (Barossa) | Shiraz | Langmeil |
| 22866 | 22865 | France | Made from Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, this intensely crisp and fresh wine is maturing well, although it's nowhere near ready to drink. It is a fine wine: tight, steely, mineral in character with citrus acidity balanced by warmer apricot and crisp apples. Drink from 2018. The Special Club is a group of growers who rate and taste each other's wines before release. | Special Club Blanc de Blancs Brut | 93 | | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pierre Gimonnet et Fils 2009 Special Club Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Pierre Gimonnet et Fils |
| 22867 | 22866 | Portugal | Aged for 18 months in wood, this impressive ripe wine is full of fruit and also a firm, smoky tannic structure. The partial fermentation in open stone tanks has given the wine an extra dimension of richness. This is a fine, concentrated wine that is now ready to drink. | Tinto | 93 | 18 | Lisboa | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Chocapalha 2011 Tinto Red (Lisboa) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de Chocapalha |
| 22868 | 22867 | Portugal | From a selection of old vines, this grand wine is rich and firmly structured. With dark tannins and powerful black plum fruit flavors, it is concentrated and with considerable aging potential. The wine is still young, packed with tannins and will not be ready to drink until 2019. | Passadouro | 93 | 25 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Passadouro 2013 Passadouro Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta do Passadouro |
| 22869 | 22868 | Portugal | Dark ruby with tawny gold highlights, this intense wine comes from Ramos-Pinto's Bom Retiro estate. It is dried raisins, toffee with beautifully integrated spirit and acidity. It's a rich wine, with some sweetness that is freshened with the final acidity. Like any tawny, drink now. | RP 20 Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 Years Old Tawny | 93 | 70 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Ramos-Pinto NV RP 20 Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 Years Old Tawny (Port) | Port | Ramos-Pinto |
| 22870 | 22869 | US | This is a beautiful wine, fully expressive of the vineyard and vintage. It's showy in juicy red and black wild berries, with just-right additions of cinnamon and black pepper. Full bodied and concentrated, it remains approachable and an ideal companion to meaty fare. | Monte Rosso Vineyard | 93 | 45 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Rock Wall 2013 Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Rock Wall |
| 22871 | 22870 | US | This winery is approaching cult status, and for good reason. Rather than compete with over-extracted competitors, this bottling shows a medium richness that pairs black plum and dark chocolate with light mint and dried herbs. Oregano, thyme, sage, bay leaf and black pepper power the palate, where boysenberry fruit and pencil lead complete the fresh but layered experience. | | 93 | 99 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Tanner DaFoe 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Tanner DaFoe |
| 22872 | 22871 | Portugal | When Aveleda's Guedes family purchased Quinta da Agueira, it came with its own grand house, a 19th century folly (a great term in the British lexicon). So, being fans of follies, the family named this spicy wine after the house. This wine is dense and concentrated, with dark fruit balanced by structured tannins. Drink now–2022. | Follies Casa da Agueira | 93 | 13 | Bairrada | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Aveleda 2012 Follies Casa da Agueira Touriga Nacional (Bairrada) | Touriga Nacional | Aveleda |
| 22873 | 22872 | US | A wondrously rich and extracted nose combines layers of brown spice, dried black cherries, fragrant violets and lilacs with concentrated, almost pruney purple fruit. That ripeness expertly pairs on the palate with strong tannic structure and sparkling acidity, allowing the blackberry, blueberry, caramel and lavender notes to shine without cloying. | Gabilan Mountains | 93 | 44 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2012 Gabilan Mountains G-S-M (Monterey County) | G-S-M | Big Basin |
| 22874 | 22873 | Italy | Corte Pavone's Rosso di Montalcino gives you a hearty drinking red that would pair with game, wild mushrooms and most meat dishes. You get plump fruit and exotic spice overtones that give the wine sophistication and personality. | | 88 | 22 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Corte Pavone 2008 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Corte Pavone |
| 22875 | 22874 | Italy | Cupano is an organic farm in Montalcino with consistent delivery of quality red wines. This less formal Rosso di Montalcino offers ripe cherry and blackberry notes followed by aromas of wet earth, leather and fresh tobacco. Pair it with Irish lamb stew. | | 88 | 55 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Cupano 2007 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Cupano |
| 22876 | 22875 | South Africa | A distinctive nose of fresh fruit, spice and citrus lead this luscious Chardonnay. On the palate, apricot and lemon, backed by toasted nuts, adds to the appeal. Clean and fresh while also full of body. An elegant food wine. | | 88 | 12 | Simonsberg-Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Le Bonheur 2008 Chardonnay (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch) | Chardonnay | Le Bonheur |
| 22877 | 22876 | Spain | Tropical smelling, with green banana, minerality and firmness to the bouquet. The palate is clean and cleansing, which are two very different things, while the wine tastes of tangy citrus and green melon. Fresh, tropical and uncomplicated. Drink this year. | | 88 | 14 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lícia 2008 Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Lícia |
| 22878 | 22877 | US | Great price for a Chardonnay of this quality. The grapes come from cool coastal areas, and the wine brims with crisp, long hangtime ripeness, accented with toasty oak. Feels rich and creamy, with pineapple, tropical fruit and vanilla flavors. | | 88 | 12 | California | California | California Other | | | Ménage a Trois 2008 Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Ménage a Trois |
| 22879 | 22878 | Spain | Fruity, minerally and nice, with aromas of pear, apple and pineapple that make you want to take a drink. The palate is juicy and fresh, with slate-driven green apple and citrus flavors. Quick on the finish, with a revisiting of the wine's mineral component. | Alma de Blanco | 88 | 15 | Galicia | Monterrei | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pazo das Tapias 2009 Alma de Blanco Godello (Monterrei) | Godello | Pazo das Tapias |
| 22880 | 22879 | Spain | A black wine with aromas of graphite, molten earth and black fruit. The palate is a pounder with strong tannins and blazing acidity, and that creates a mouthfeel with grating intensity and roasted black fruit flavors. Lively late, with herbal notes and a lasting tannic bite. At over 15% alcohol, there's a lot of fire and toughness, so hold for a few more years and hopefully the tannins will soften. | Reserva | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pradorey 2005 Reserva (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Pradorey |
| 22881 | 22880 | Portugal | A broad, ripe and very accessible wine. Spiced by nutmeg and vanilla, it is based on solid, chunky black fruits and distinguished layer of tannins. Ready to drink, or keep for one year. | Duas Quintas | 88 | | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Ramos-Pinto 2008 Duas Quintas Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Ramos-Pinto |
| 22882 | 22881 | US | The Roussanne really shines in the blend, offering rich, ripe, soft, seductive aromas of peaches and apricots, then folding into a broad midpalate with no rough edges. There is a definite peaches-and-cream feel to the midpalate, and that creamy flavor and texture runs right through a gentle finish. | Blanc du Moulin | 88 | 17 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Domaine Pouillon 2008 Blanc du Moulin White (Horse Heaven Hills) | White Blend | Domaine Pouillon |
| 22883 | 22882 | Spain | Opens with black fruit aromas, dry oak and spice. The palate shows an oaky creaminess, sticky tannins and solid berry fruit flavors that are matched and maybe even trumped by buttery oak. A little dry and drawing on the finish, but still a very nice RDD. | | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Emilio Moro 2007 Ribera del Duero | Tinto Fino | Emilio Moro |
| 22884 | 22883 | Spain | A nicely made and easy to like kind of young Ribera red with clean, bold blackberry aromas and flavors that fit the wine's big, tannic structure. Composed on the back palate and beefy on the finish. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink now through 2012. | Viña Pilar Crianza | 88 | 22 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Felix Callejo 2006 Viña Pilar Crianza (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Felix Callejo |
| 22885 | 22884 | France | A fruity style, not powerful but bright, with some rich strawberry jam flavors. It has an edge of tannins as well as spice, dried fruits and a cool, soft aftertaste. | Domaine Mont Chavy | 88 | | Beaujolais | Morgon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Georges Duboeuf 2008 Domaine Mont Chavy (Morgon) | Gamay | Georges Duboeuf |
| 22886 | 22885 | US | This is a big, rich, showy Chardonnay. Barrel fermented and aged in 80% new French oak, it shows buttered toast and charry vanilla bean aromas and flavors. The fruit below is good, if a little heavy and ripe, suggesting apricots and pears. Best now in its youth. | | 88 | 52 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Alpha Omega 2007 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) | Chardonnay | Alpha Omega |
| 22887 | 22886 | Spain | Leafy and spicy, with notes of paprika, tomato, dried leaves and broth. But in the mouth, it's fresh and vital, with good balance and flavors of dried cassis, tobacco and herbs. For an older wine from industrial Valdepeñas it's doing a good job. But now is the time to drink it. | Gran Reserva | 88 | 15 | Central Spain | Valdepeñas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Anciano 1999 Gran Reserva Tempranillo (Valdepeñas) | Tempranillo | Anciano |
| 22888 | 22887 | Italy | Light and tonic with raw notes of cherry and forest fruit, this is a bright, easy-drinking Rosso di Montalcino. Pair it with lamb, rosemary and roasted potatoes. The wine's natural acidity and tannins can stand up to the consistency of those dishes. | | 88 | 65 | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino | | | | Biondi Santi 2007 Rosso di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Biondi Santi |
| 22889 | 22888 | US | Bone dry, with brisk tannins, this is a Merlot to drink with good food and not worry about the wine overshadowing it. It's really drinkable, with a soft, lush mouthfeel and flavors of cherries, currants, spices and cedar. A huge and welcome improvement over the '06. | | 88 | 15 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Brass Tacks 2007 Merlot (Central Coast) | Merlot | Brass Tacks |
| 22890 | 22889 | US | Very rich, creamy and oaky, made in the ripe, California style of Chardonnay. Brims with buttered toast, vanilla cream, and caramelized wood aromas and flavors riding over underlying pineapples, pears and limes. Flamboyant, if a little top-heavy. Ready now. | Bien Nacido Vineyard | 88 | 38 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Tantara 2007 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Tantara |