| 23011 | 23010 | Italy | A subdued nose offers whiffs of leather, tobacco, black plum and an earthy note of game. The palate delivers blackberry, prune, white pepper and savory herb. It's already accessible with smooth, almost slippery tannins. Drink through 2019. | Chiusa di Pannone | 91 | 70 | Central Italy | Montefalco Sagrantino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Antonelli 2007 Chiusa di Pannone (Montefalco Sagrantino) | Sagrantino | Antonelli |
| 23012 | 23011 | US | The dark fruits of blackberry and blueberry meet up with the greener aromas of damp pine tree undergrowth and a squeeze of citrus on this blend of 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache. The light purple fruits on the palate mesh well with all sorts of herbs, including thyme, oregano and even rosemary. | Dissident | 91 | 34 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Archium 2012 Dissident Syrah-Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley) | Syrah-Grenache | Archium |
| 23013 | 23012 | US | Candied cherry, cola, wild mint and anise swirl into a layered nose on this wine by a duo of relatively new winemakers, Ian Sergy and Zach Jarosz. Light coffee, clove-spiced berry juice and cinnamon-cherry flavors are on the heavily brown-spiced palate. | Haven | 91 | 42 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Archium 2012 Haven Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley) | Grenache | Archium |
| 23014 | 23013 | Germany | Delicate notes of bramble and char accent sultry black-cherry flavor in this bold, elegantly structured wine. Fresh cranberry acidity dazzles the midpalate, leading a long, mineral-tinged finish. | Alte Reben | 91 | 74 | Baden | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Bernhard Huber 2011 Alte Reben Spätburgunder (Baden) | Spätburgunder | Bernhard Huber |
| 23015 | 23014 | US | Another wildly complicated Pinot Noir from Bradley Brown, this smells of crimini mushrooms, smoldering chemise and sweet cherry tomato reduction sauce, with a pinch of cinnamon. It's lush with soft red and purple fruit once sipped, with smoky spice on the edges and smashed olives throughout. | Lester Family Vineyard | 91 | 44 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2012 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Big Basin |
| 23016 | 23015 | US | Black as night in the glass, the dark-leaning, attention-grabbing aromas range from black cherry to cassis, with some slate. The wine lacquers the palate with brooding purple fruit, boasting flavors of blackberry syrup, white pepper and violet. | | 91 | 38 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Brecon Estate 2012 Petite Sirah (Monterey County) | Petite Sirah | Brecon Estate |
| 23017 | 23016 | US | Josh Jensen was the first to plant this alternative Burgundian white varietal in America, and this bottling offers notes of honeyed apricot juice, ripe nectarines and melons and toasted almonds. It's waxy and fleshy on the palate, with grilled lemon warmth, squeezed lime acidity and a nutty finish. | | 91 | 24 | California | Mt. Harlan | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Calera 2013 Aligoté (Mt. Harlan) | Aligoté | Calera |
| 23018 | 23017 | US | Cottonwood Canyon specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but they also have three acres of Syrah in their Santa Maria vineyard. The result in this bottling offers aromas blending red fruit with minty herbs, like a cherry cough drop. The wine is fairly lean on the mouth, representative of a cooler-climate expression of the grape, with oregano, sour cherry, cranberry and chalky minerality. The finish is reminiscent of crème brûlée. | Patience | 91 | 68 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Cottonwood Canyon 2009 Patience Syrah (Santa Maria Valley) | Syrah | Cottonwood Canyon |
| 23019 | 23018 | US | Honey, crisp lemon and poached apple make for an excellent nose on this blend of 31% Marsanne, 26% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, 11% Viognier and 10% Picpoul. The flavors are equally impressive, with nectarine, white flowers and yellow pear making for an easy-to-quaff white wine. | Fifteen 10 | 91 | 24 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Derby 2011 Fifteen 10 White (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style White Blend | Derby |
| 23020 | 23019 | Germany | Mineral notes on the nose build in intensity throughout this brisk, invigorating semidry Riesling. Spine-tingling lemon-lime acidity offsets a palate full of luscious yellow peach and honey flavors. Finishes long with a spray of lavender. | Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Spätlese | 91 | 33 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2013 Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Spätlese Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler |
| 23021 | 23020 | US | This beautifully brings out and blends the crisp citrus side of the grape variety along with a touch of riper fruit flavor that's shaped by oak aging. It offers classic, grassy aromas, thirst-quenchingly tart flavors and very light touches of vanilla and nutmeg. | Estate | 91 | 40 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Hourglass 2013 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Hourglass |
| 23022 | 23021 | US | This Paulliac-style blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot presents bright red fruit on the nose alongside black licorice and traditional cigar box scents. The flavors are dominated by red cherries with a touch of anise, sprig of thyme and pleasingly brisk finish. | Cuvée PAU | 91 | 50 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | J. Lohr 2010 Cuvée PAU Red (Paso Robles) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | J. Lohr |
| 23023 | 23022 | US | With a rich, caramel-teased nose, this is a full-bodied and voluptuous Chardonnay that evolves in the glass to display much greater sophistication and concentration. It finishes light and lemony, rounded out by juicy stone fruit. | Pastorale Vineyard | 91 | 75 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Joseph Phelps 2012 Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Joseph Phelps |
| 23024 | 23023 | Argentina | Aromas of balsam wood, marzipan and ripe blackberry are focused and generous. Chewy tannins hold the palate together, while flavors of herbal, spicy cassis and black plum come with chocolate and baking spice notes before finishing thick but focused. Drink through 2018. | Benchmark Reserva | 91 | 35 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Las Vertientes 2013 Benchmark Reserva Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Las Vertientes |
| 23025 | 23024 | US | There's a nice touch of green pasilla chile on the nose of this wine, with red currant undertones. The peppery elements consume the palate as well, giving it a more distinct and food-friendly nature than overly ripe versions. | | 91 | 35 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Le Vigne 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Le Vigne |
| 23026 | 23025 | US | Forward and nicely rounded off, this brings spicy cherry and cranberry fruit front and center. There are well-integrated streaks of herb, a dash of stem, and a dusting of white pepper. Give it an hour or two to breathe, or better yet, decant before drinking. | Winery Hill Vineyard | 91 | 85 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Domaine Serene 2011 Winery Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Serene |
| 23027 | 23026 | US | Tightly wound and dry, this is an elegant, fruity Pinot marked by tart flavors of cranberries and pomegranates and relieved by richer notes of cherry pie and sweet oak. Turns sharp on the finish, with a cut of acidity. Drink up. | | 88 | 30 | California | Napa County-Sonoma County | Napa-Sonoma | | | Reata 2011 Pinot Noir (Napa County-Sonoma County) | Pinot Noir | Reata |
| 23028 | 23027 | US | There's a lot of appeal with notes of apricot, mango, butter and toasty spices. It's creamy in feel with the oak—70% American, half new—speckling the fruit flavors and the finish. | | 88 | 15 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Seven Falls 2011 Chardonnay (Wahluke Slope) | Chardonnay | Seven Falls |
| 23029 | 23028 | US | A soft, moderately jammy old-vine Zinfandel—the vines at Mohr-Fry Ranch go back to 1901 and 1944—that's heady in spicy ripe blackberry with an impressive backbone of structure and mouthwatering texture. | Mohr-Fry Ranch | 88 | 18 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | St. Amant 2011 Mohr-Fry Ranch Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | St. Amant |
| 23030 | 23029 | France | Celebrating the founding in 1875 of Antonin Rodet, this ripe, perfumed wine has red fruits that are opulent, gloriously drinkable already. It's ripe, softly textured, layered with delicate acidity. | Héritage Rodet | 88 | 28 | Burgundy | Mercurey | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Antonin Rodet 2010 Héritage Rodet (Mercurey) | Pinot Noir | Antonin Rodet |
| 23031 | 23030 | France | This Syrah-dominant blend, with 25% Carignan and 5% Grenache, leads with oak-driven aromas of charred cedar, sweet smoke and vanilla bean that envelop the ripe blackberry and cherry fruit tones. The palate is lush and full, with a creamy roundness that's partially lifted by generous spicy notes of garrigue, licorice root and black pepper on the close. | Passion d'une Vie | 88 | 28 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Côtes du Roussillon | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Bernard Magrez 2010 Passion d'une Vie Red (Côtes du Roussillon) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Bernard Magrez |
| 23032 | 23031 | Spain | Blueberry and blackberry aromas fold in earthy notes, herbal spice and a pinch of Cabernet-related green. This feels full but crisp, with level acidity and minty, oaky flavors of carob and herbal raspberry. A short finish is fresh and lively. | | 88 | 13 | Levante | Valencia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Casa L'Angel 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Valencia) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Casa L'Angel |
| 23033 | 23032 | France | This is a structured, fruity wine, with red cherry flavors that go well with the drier edge of tannin. It has a layer of acidity that cuts through the ripe fruit showing a more ageworthy character. Keep this wine for 2–3 years, although with its fruitiness it can be drunk now. | Les Gandelins | 88 | | Beaujolais | Chénas | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château des Jean-Loron 2010 Les Gandelins (Chénas) | Gamay | Château des Jean-Loron |
| 23034 | 23033 | France | Hints of earthy spice and bark add interest to the somewhat muted blackberry and black plum aromas. The wine opens up more on the palate, revealing a lush and creamy texture, with dense blackberry flavors and a sweet oak and vanilla spice that lingers through the finish. | | 88 | 15 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Côtes du Roussillon | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Domaine Cabirau 2011 Red (Côtes du Roussillon) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Cabirau |
| 23035 | 23034 | France | Soft and rich, a wine that shows the warmth of the vintage in this southern Burgundy appellation. It's full of yellow fruits with just a hint of pineapple along with a good line in acidity. A sense of minerality and texture appears at the end. | | 88 | 31 | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine du Chalet Pouilly 2010 Pouilly-Fuissé | Chardonnay | Domaine du Chalet Pouilly |
| 23036 | 23035 | France | The fruity characteristics are the star of this wine, with heady notes of forest berry, red plum and cherry that flood the nose and mouth. Accents of chocolate, menthol and sweet smoke add depth, but play a delicate supporting role to the fleshy fruit core. Medium weight, with fine tannins and a fairly easygoing structure. | Les Sorcières | 88 | 20 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Côtes du Roussillon | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Domaine du Clos des Fées 2010 Les Sorcières Red (Côtes du Roussillon) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine du Clos des Fées |
| 23037 | 23036 | US | A lovely Cabernet for drinking now with upscale fare, like steak. It's dry and smooth in the mouth, with velvety tannins, and the flavors are rich in black currants and mocha, with a touch of dried sage and cedar. | | 88 | 30 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Chateau St. Jean 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chateau St. Jean |
| 23038 | 23037 | US | The Cor wines are always notable for their limited use of new French oak (this wine saw none) and a style best suited for the dinner table. This wine is no exception with distinctly fruity aromas of plum and cherry followed by notes of peat and violets. The seamless fruit flavors are accented by citrusy acidity with the tannins quite well integrated for the variety. | Milbrandt Vineyards | 88 | 24 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cor Cellars 2011 Milbrandt Vineyards Petit Verdot (Wahluke Slope) | Petit Verdot | Cor Cellars |
| 23039 | 23038 | Italy | From one of Amarone's most esteemed producers, this shows lots of oak on the nose, along with ripe blackberry aromas. The palate is dominated by oak and vanilla, but it also has black cherry notes and ample acidity. It finishes on a note of drying wood tannins. | | 88 | | Veneto | Valpolicella Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Dal Forno Romano 2008 Valpolicella Superiore | Red Blend | Dal Forno Romano |
| 23040 | 23039 | France | Tight acidity with a strong minerality, apple and apricot flavors just touched by vanilla. This is fruity, while also textured and structured. Worth aging, so drink from 2015. | Broc de Biques | 88 | | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Damien et Romain Bouchard 2011 Broc de Biques (Chablis) | Chardonnay | Damien et Romain Bouchard |