23161 | 23160 | Italy | Enticing aromas of perfumed berry, rose petal, scorched earth and spice lead the nose. On the palate, bracing tannins and bright acidity support crunchy strawberry, black cherry, clove and licorice. This is still all wound up and needs time to open. Drink 2018–2028. | Roncaglie | 90 | 70 | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Poderi Colla 2012 Roncaglie (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Poderi Colla |
23162 | 23161 | US | Fully ripened, this shows spicy highlights of cinnamon and hot red pepper candy. Plums and cherries are also here in abundance, and the wine sails into a smooth, satisfying café crême finish. | | 90 | 35 | Oregon | Applegate Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Quady North 2011 Cabernet Franc (Applegate Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Quady North |
23163 | 23162 | US | How can you not fall in love with this wine? It's crafted from vines specifically planted and tended for rosé, an interesting blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Grenache Blanc. Sexy, spicy and rich, it's packed with strawberry and cherry fruit backed with crisp and refreshing acidity. | | 90 | 15 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Quady North 2014 Rosé (Rogue Valley) | Rosé | Quady North |
23164 | 23163 | Portugal | This is a ripe and creamy wine, with a smooth texture that is finely cut by peach and lemon curd flavors. Coming from the classic Alvarinho region in the north of Vinho Verde, next to Spain, this is a ripe, full wine that can be enjoyed now. | Casa do Capitão-mor | 90 | | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Paços 2014 Casa do Capitão-mor Alvarinho (Vinho Verde) | Alvarinho | Quinta de Paços |
23165 | 23164 | Portugal | The Chardonnay in this blend dominates, giving a rich, generous feel to the wine, full of ripe plum and peach flavors. The Arinto provides fresh acidity that is behind the warm fruits. Full and generous, it is a wine that needs to age; drink from the end of 2016. | Margaride's | 90 | 15 | Tejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Casal Monteiro 2014 Margaride's White (Tejo) | Portuguese White | Quinta do Casal Monteiro |
23166 | 23165 | Portugal | The fragrant, delicious Encruzado is the star of this wine. Lightly toasted from wood fermentation and aging, it has great acidity that balances the fresh, bright apples and the ripe textured aftertaste. Drink from 2016. | | 90 | | Dão | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Covão 2013 Encruzado (Dão) | Encruzado | Quinta do Covão |
23167 | 23166 | Australia | For the price, this offers much more depth and structure than expected. Dark berry fruit, vanilla and cedar mark the nose, while there's plenty of weight and richness on the palate. Drink now–2025. | Signature | 90 | 14 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Red Knot 2014 Signature Shiraz (McLaren Vale) | Shiraz | Red Knot |
23168 | 23167 | Argentina | Cola, blackberry and dusty aromas amount to something nice and inviting. Cab Franc is new to the Broquel lineup, and this is lush, bold and fruity in style, with blackberry, black cherry and mocha flavors in front of a toasty, full-throttle finish. | Broquel | 90 | 18 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Trapiche 2012 Broquel Cabernet Franc (Mendoza) | Cabernet Franc | Trapiche |
23169 | 23168 | US | Pleasantly pungent in ripe damson plum, this Pinot has lovely acidity, giving it a spicy mouthfeel around firmly present tannins. Full-bodied midpalate, the wine mellows through to the finish, ending in juicy fruit and earth. | Fort Ross Vineyard Sea Slopes | 93 | 42 | California | Fort Ross-Seaview | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Fort Ross 2012 Fort Ross Vineyard Sea Slopes Pinot Noir (Fort Ross-Seaview) | Pinot Noir | Fort Ross |
23170 | 23169 | US | Bright, beautiful and balanced, this tiny production wine is aflutter in high-toned citrus notes, melon and peach. A well-crafted marriage of power and sophistication, the aromatics of wild jasmine shine, while texturally the wine is round and softly layered. | Rochioli Vineyard Old River Block Single Oak Puncheon | 93 | 60 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Gary Farrell 2012 Rochioli Vineyard Old River Block Single Oak Puncheon Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Gary Farrell |
23171 | 23170 | US | Ripe aromas of passionfruit, kiwi and nectarine rise alongside greener elements of celery stalk, wet thyme and Granny Smith apple on this promising early look at the vintage. The tongue tingles throughout the sip, with flavors of crisp apple, yellow melon and crushed chalk. Buttercream appears on the finish. | | 93 | 19 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Alma Rosa 2013 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) | Chardonnay | Alma Rosa |
23172 | 23171 | US | Bryan Babcock's three decades of experience show better than ever right now. This bottling from Radian Vineyard offers aromas of charred cloves, wet slate, peppercorns and macerated raspberries. Lively and energetic on the palate, it bursts with flavors of wild berries and ripe cranberries, with a tart citrusy twist that's a wakeup call to the mouth. | Appellation's Edge | 93 | 60 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Babcock 2012 Appellation's Edge Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Babcock |
23173 | 23172 | US | Black and white pepper splash all over the aromas of the otherwise cherry meringue-driven nose of this blend of 39% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier. It's light and airy on the palate, blending fresh strawberry fruit with a cornucopia of peppercorns. It provides a great example of how a fun, lively wine can be savorily serious as well. | Grizzly | 93 | 48 | California | Monterey-Santa Cruz | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2011 Grizzly G-S-M (Monterey-Santa Cruz) | G-S-M | Big Basin |
23174 | 23173 | US | This is one of the winery's last takes on this vineyard, as they move their focus to Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The nose is blackberry liqueur lifted with chopped black sage, fennel stalk and tobacco leaf. Flavors run from dark red fruit to black spices to tartness on the finish, like a balsamic reduction sauce. | Paderewski Vineyard | 93 | 55 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Big Basin 2012 Paderewski Vineyard G-S-M (Paso Robles) | G-S-M | Big Basin |
23175 | 23174 | Argentina | Deep, ripe, smooth blackberry, prune, cola and earth aromas are elegant and harmonious. This small-lot Malbec (50 cases made) shows ripeness and freshness on the palate as well as lightly roasted blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors. A firm, dry, on-the-money finish is the final note in this wine's well-sung chorus. Drink through 2018. | The Angel Oak Celestial Barrel Fermented | 93 | 75 | Mendoza Province | Valle de Uco | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | SignoSeis 2011 The Angel Oak Celestial Barrel Fermented Malbec (Valle de Uco) | Malbec | SignoSeis |
23176 | 23175 | Spain | Blackberry, raspberry and asphalt aromas are staunch and gritty. A tight, firm, structured palate is balanced from front to back, while dark berry flavors are woody, dry, toasty and spicy. The big, solid, oaky finish is right on the money. Best from 2016 through 2023. | Expresión | 93 | 75 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alidis 2010 Expresión (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Alidis |
23177 | 23176 | Argentina | Laser-like cassis and black cherry aromas come with an accent of toasted oak. A pure, well-balanced palate isn't at all pushy or heavy, while snappy, fresh flavors of raspberry and spiced plum finish racy, toasty and the slightest bit herbal. Drink through 2022. | Nicasia Vineyard | 93 | 120 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Catena Zapata 2010 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Bodega Catena Zapata |
23178 | 23177 | US | Nicole's is a consistent stunner, upholding its reputation just fine with this vintage, a vibrant and spicy take on rich, robust cherry and black raspberry that's both juicy and smooth. The finish wraps up nicely with a take on dark chocolate and mint. | Nicole's Vineyard | 93 | 65 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | J Vineyards & Winery 2012 Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | J Vineyards & Winery |
23179 | 23178 | US | From one block of the estate vineyard planted exclusively to Dijon clone 667, Paige's is deep and dark in color, intense in oak and earthiness, almost a quarter of it undergoing whole cluster fermentation. As intense on the palate as it is darkly hued, it offers brambly blackberry and dark cherry around a core of wild Tahitian vanilla and cinnamon-cardamom spice. | Paige's Ridge | 93 | 125 | California | Fort Ross-Seaview | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Wayfarer 2012 Paige's Ridge Pinot Noir (Fort Ross-Seaview) | Pinot Noir | Wayfarer |
23180 | 23179 | Germany | Sumptuous aromas of white peach and pineapple are tinged with rocky mineral tones on this powerful, penetrating dry Riesling. While moderate in alcohol, it's surprisingly ripe in grapefruit and peach flavors, bolstered by a thick, mouthfilling texture. | Wehlener Sonnenuhr GG Dry | 93 | 42 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Dr. Loosen 2012 Wehlener Sonnenuhr GG Dry Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. Loosen |
23181 | 23180 | Italy | Aromas of black currant, plum cake, vanilla and mocha lead the nose on this structured, full-bodied wine. On the palate, notes of cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg add depth to the rich blackberry and crushed plum flavors, Despite the hefty structure, it's also surprisingly elegant thanks to assertive but polished tannins and just enough fresh acidity. | | 93 | 43 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | David Sterza 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Blend | David Sterza |
23182 | 23181 | US | Showing more toast than butter, this is a firm, concisely knit and dense wine. Very ripe flavors of apple and peach are wrapped in a frame of toasty oak and caramel. Decadent and delicious, it rewards some extra breathing time and can be cellared 2021–2023. | Clos du Lune Vineyard | 93 | 70 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Domaine Serene 2012 Clos du Lune Vineyard Chardonnay (Dundee Hills) | Chardonnay | Domaine Serene |
23183 | 23182 | Germany | Honeysuckle wafts softly amidst white peach and lemon aromas on this dry, unctuous wine. Richly textured, it's almost oily in mouthfeel, but balanced by a streak of high acidity and a steely, mineral tone. Finishes long and lean on a bristling lime-zest note. | Brauneberger Trocken | 93 | 35 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Fritz Haag 2013 Brauneberger Trocken Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Fritz Haag |
23184 | 23183 | France | This is a rich, ripe Condrieu that manages to avoid seeming excessively weighty or oily. The suggestion of grilled apricot and pineapple slices is balanced by mouthwatering acidity and a slightly peppery, textural grip on the long finish. Drink by 2016. | La Combe de Malleval | 93 | 92 | Rhône Valley | Condrieu | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Michel & Stéphane Ogier 2011 La Combe de Malleval (Condrieu) | Rhône-style White Blend | Michel & Stéphane Ogier |
23185 | 23184 | France | Textbook Jamet, with flamboyant swirls of cracked pepper, grilled meat, plum, berry, black olive and espresso finishing long and silky. It's not the biggest or baddest Côte Rôtie, but it remains a benchmark for elegance and balance. Drink now–2027. | | 93 | 145 | Rhône Valley | Côte Rôtie | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine Jamet 2009 Côte Rôtie | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Jamet |
23186 | 23185 | France | Santa Duc's small parcel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is planted to a mix of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. It's a peppery, briary wine that's savory and spicy, with blackberry fruit providing support rather than leading. The tannins are soft, but still provide ample structure for aging through 2020. | Habemus Papam | 93 | 106 | Rhône Valley | Châteauneuf-du-Pape | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine Santa Duc 2010 Habemus Papam Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Santa Duc |
23187 | 23186 | Argentina | This is the best Enemigo Cabernet Franc to date. It's pure, heady, powerful juice with integrated smoky oak and spice aromas. Pure in the mouth, this is dense and full of quality. Blackberry and chocolate flavors are ripe and modern in style, while the finish is full, leathery, a touch salty and savory. Drink through 2019. | Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard | 93 | 110 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | El Enemigo 2011 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Mendoza) | Cabernet Franc | El Enemigo |
23188 | 23187 | Germany | Intensely concentrated flavors of sweet cantaloupe, tangerine and peach belie the difficulties inherent to Mosel's 2013 vintage. This spätlese is unusually rich and silken on the palate, yet maintains a thrilling high-acid profile. Finishes long with lingering notes of honeysuckle and saffron. | Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap | 93 | 78 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch) 2013 Berncasteler Doctor Spätlese Gold Cap Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch) |
23189 | 23188 | US | Elegant and well structured, this offers vibrant strawberry fruit wrapped around inviting aromatics of violet and spice. This cool-climate Pinot boasts a silky texture on the palate and finishes with subtle suggestions of wood smoke and cinnamon. | Fox Den Vineyard | 93 | 58 | California | Green Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Dutton-Goldfield 2012 Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir (Green Valley) | Pinot Noir | Dutton-Goldfield |
23190 | 23189 | US | A powerful, brooding nose of black cardamom and crushed clove melds with pomegranate and cherry, resulting in an incredibly aromatic wine that hails from a popular vineyard on the eastern edge of the appellation. The flavors are also quite deep—sour cherry, mocha, more clove—atop layers of bitter plum peels and refreshing acid. | John Sebastiano Vinyard | 93 | 48 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Foxen 2012 John Sebastiano Vinyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Foxen |