| 211 | 210 | South Africa | This leads with clean yet soft scents of ripe apple, Anjoy pear and orange blossom. Those notes carry through to the medium-weight palate, well integrated with soft toasted-oak tones. It's harmonious and balanced, with ample acidity lending good lift through the close. Drink now. | | 90 | 20 | Western Cape | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Eikendal 2014 Chardonnay (Western Cape) | Chardonnay | Eikendal |
| 212 | 211 | France | This is taut and sinewy in profile, but shows off a fine range of aromas, from thyme and lavender to cocoa, red plum and ripe cherry. The raspberry and herb flavors finish in a storm of firm tannins. Drink 2020–2025. | Les Christins | 90 | 32 | Rhône Valley | Vacqueyras | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Famille Perrin 2013 Les Christins Red (Vacqueyras) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Famille Perrin |
| 213 | 212 | Spain | Mellow white-fruit aromas are nonspecific and oaky, but not overly so. This barrel-fermented Verdejo feels plump and chunky, with balancing acidity. Salty melon, apricot and apple flavors end steady and long. For barrel-fermented Verdejo, this is at the top of the pile. | Fermentado en Barrica | 90 | 40 | Northern Spain | Rueda | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Matarromera 2015 Fermentado en Barrica Verdejo (Rueda) | Verdejo | Matarromera |
| 214 | 213 | US | This blend of 60% Petite Sirah, 21% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Tannat and 1% Viognier is tightly wound but likely to improve with time. Opened now, it offers elderberry, black currant, pencil lead and loam on the nose, with lava rock, crème de cassis and kirsch flavors slowing emerging on the palate. | 1105 | 90 | 48 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | MCV 2014 1105 Red (Paso Robles) | Red Blend | MCV |
| 215 | 214 | US | This is a big, brawny expression of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise, the Grenache playing the dominant role in the blend. It coats the palate in dense raspberry and blueberry fruit, seasoned with pepper and nutmeg. A leathery touch to the texture and lifted acidity keeps it from feeling heavy or overdone. | Verah | 90 | 36 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Mounts 2014 Verah Red (Dry Creek Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mounts |
| 216 | 215 | Israel | Aromas of blackberry, fennel bulb and smoke set the scene for flavors of cherry, raspberry, chocolate and tobacco leaf. Mellow but ever-apparent tannins ply the palate alongside a strong bolt of acidity that tapers off into a pomegranate-imbued finish. | French Blend | 90 | 80 | Galilee | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Or Haganuz 2014 French Blend Red (Galilee) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Or Haganuz |
| 217 | 216 | Italy | Black-skinned berry, pipe tobacco and Mediterranean herb aromas waft out of the glass and carry over to the firm linear palate along with morello cherry, licorice and a hint of clove. Taut fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide the backbone while orange peel marks the finish. Drink 2019–2025. | | 90 | 57 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Podere Scopetone 2012 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Podere Scopetone |
| 218 | 217 | Portugal | Wood aging gives this ripe blend of Baga and Touriga Nacional its richness and density. It's full of black fruit, toast and a touch of pepper. With ripe tannins and crisp acidity, it can easily age another year. Drink from 2018. | | 90 | 20 | Beira Atlantico | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Foz de Arouce 2013 Red (Beira Atlantico) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de Foz de Arouce |
| 219 | 218 | US | Pithy, with grapefruit and lemon peel flavors, this wine is deceptively crisp and light on the nose, offering a wealth of body and lushness on the palate, accented with nutmeg and peach. It includes 4% Sémillon, partly from the winery's beloved To Kalon vineyard. | | 90 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Robert Mondavi 2015 Fumé Blanc (Napa Valley) | Fumé Blanc | Robert Mondavi |
| 220 | 219 | Hungary | From a vineyard in Northern Tokaj this dry Furmint has aromas of citrus pith and freshly cut pineapple. In the mouth, there are delightful flavors of grapefruit juice and white peach before the pleasantly acidic finish. | Megyer Dry | 90 | 36 | Tokaj | | | Jeff Jenssen | @worldwineguys | Samuel Tinon 2015 Megyer Dry Furmint (Tokaj) | Furmint | Samuel Tinon |
| 221 | 220 | US | Briny green olive notes underlie a tropically ripe, full-bodied expression of the variety. The wine's apple, pineapple and mango fruit is wrapped in toasted oak and moderate acidity. | | 90 | 40 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Sixteen by Twenty 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Sixteen by Twenty |
| 222 | 221 | Italy | This opens with enticing aromas of chamomile flower, white peach and a whiff of Alpine herb. The elegant palate offers McIntosh apple, candied lemon and a vein of energizing mineral. Fresh acidity lends balance. | Passion Riserva | 90 | 40 | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | St. Pauls 2014 Passion Riserva Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige) | Pinot Bianco | St. Pauls |
| 226 | 225 | South Africa | There's a pleasant, toasty seam throughout the nose and mouth of this well-balanced wine, expressed in notes of sweet spice and honeycomb that frame the yellow melon and apple fruit core. It's plush and mouthfilling, but not flabby or overdone, thanks to balancing acidity and an assertive spicy tone that dominates the finish. Drink now. | | 90 | 25 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Oldenburg 2013 Chardonnay (Stellenbosch) | Chardonnay | Oldenburg |
| 227 | 226 | South Africa | This is a round and rich wine, with notes of wood-grilled apple, guava and toasted challah. Smooth and lush in feel, ripe peach and tropical tones drive the palate, while hints of honeysuckle and baking spice unfold on the finish. Ample acidity keeps the wine's weight in check. Drink now. | | 90 | 20 | Stellenbosch | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Oldenburg 2014 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Chenin Blanc | Oldenburg |
| 223 | 222 | Italy | Chopped herb, forest floor, leather, espresso and a balsamic note are some of the aromas that waft out of the glass. The powerfully structured palate delivers prune, dried cherry, tobacco, and roasted coffee bean framed in firm fine-grained tannins. Give the tannins a few more years to unwind then drink to capture the fruit richness. Drink 2018–2023. | Trentennale | 90 | | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Talenti 2011 Trentennale (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Talenti |
| 224 | 223 | Italy | Bright and creamy, this savory white offers aromas and flavors of ripe apple, Bartlett pear, Alpine herb and a citrus note. Fresh acidity and a mineral vein energize the finish. | | 90 | | Northeastern Italy | Alto Adige | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terlan 2015 Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige) | Pinot Bianco | Terlan |
| 225 | 224 | Argentina | Blackberry and road-tar aromas are dark and stout. This is moderately tannic and a bit rough and jagged on the palate. Flavors of stewed black plum and prune are ripe almost to an extreme, and that's how it finishes as well. | Lunta | 90 | 22 | Mendoza Province | Luján de Cuyo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Mendel 2014 Lunta Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) | Malbec | Mendel |
| 228 | 227 | US | The deep ruby color belies this wines cool-climate origins. The nose shows more black fruit aromas than is typical for Pinot Noir. The palate is all Pinot, though, with cherry pie filling flavors made more complex by vanilla from toasty new oak. It finishes with some nice mineral and earth notes. Silky tannins allow for immediate consumption but the wine will gain in complexity after a year or two in the cellar. | Grace House | 85 | 15 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | | | Wagner 2006 Grace House Pinot Noir (Finger Lakes) | Pinot Noir | Wagner |
| 229 | 228 | US | A thoroughly honest effort, opening with lovely quince, apple and lemon fruit. The palate has a crisp lime edge and finishes with a kick of refreshing acidity. Drink now. | Semi-Dry | 85 | 14 | New York | Cayuga Lake | Finger Lakes | | | Treleaven 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling (Cayuga Lake) | Riesling | Treleaven |
| 230 | 229 | US | Not clear what the varietal blend is, but it's like a nice, easy southern Rhône wine. Soft and fruity, it's rich in jammy blackberry, cherry, Mandarin orange, chocolate and anise spice flavors. | Costa Del Sol | 85 | 18 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Benessere 2005 Costa Del Sol Red (Napa Valley) | Red Blend | Benessere |
| 231 | 230 | US | Orange blossom and flowers lead on this Gewürtz, and on the palate, a citric, lemon edge outweighs the sweet and floral components that would give this wine a prettier edge. Nonetheless, the wine has an attractive, crisp and clean character and will pair well with grilled seafood and poultry. | | 85 | 16 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Bloomer Creek 2006 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes) | Gewürztraminer | Bloomer Creek |
| 232 | 231 | Argentina | Meaty and rubbery, but that's young Bonarda. This is a sound wine with dark berry flavors, raisin and pulsing acidity. Still, there's modest roundness to the palate and length to the finish. Overall, it's tasty, full and borderline raisiny. Drink now. | | 85 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Andean Sky 2007 Bonarda (Mendoza) | Bonarda | Andean Sky |
| 233 | 232 | Australia | Lifted cedar and pine notes interspersed with appealing woodsy scents give way to a surprisingly intense palate that shows some nice peppery notes but ultimately falls short on the finish. Nearly imperceptible tannins suggest early consumption. | Red Belly Black | 85 | 12 | South Australia | South Australia | | | | Angove's 2006 Red Belly Black Shiraz (South Australia) | Shiraz | Angove's |
| 234 | 233 | US | There is an odd, piercing edge to the aromas, a mix of acetic acid and pungent herb, with a hint of diesel. Somehow it's not off-putting, just atypical. The light, tart fruit is a mix of rhubarb and cranberry, very earthy and tasting of dirt and bark in the finish. This could be quite pleasant with a hearty, rustic dish such as beef Bourgogne. | Reserve | 85 | 28 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Silvan Ridge 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Silvan Ridge |
| 235 | 234 | Italy | Neutral and unassuming on first impact, this luminous rosé eventually delivers notes of mineral, ash, stone fruit and small berry. The wine offers more in the mouth, however, where it exhibits fresh flavors of raspberry and blueberry. | Cerasuolo Rosè | 85 | 10 | Central Italy | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo | | | | Talamonti 2007 Cerasuolo Rosè (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) | Montepulciano | Talamonti |
| 236 | 235 | US | Overly sweet and simple, and something of a disappointment given the winery's past performance, this Syrah tastes like melted cherry jam, stirred with chocolate pie filling and sprinkled with fennel and pepper. | Thompson Vineyard | 85 | 49 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Testarossa 2006 Thompson Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Testarossa |
| 237 | 236 | US | Shows rich, firm mountain tannins and well-ripened, concentrated flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants and cocoa, and is thoroughly dry. But the wine loses a few points for hot caramelization, which may be partly over-charred oak and partly shriveled, overripe berries, if not both. | Kiss Ridge Vineyard | 85 | 85 | California | Diamond Mountain District | Napa | | | Meeker 2004 Kiss Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Meeker |
| 238 | 237 | Italy | The wine boasts a beautiful appearance thanks to its saturated golden color and faint amber highlights. It has a very fragrant nose and offers honey, peach and soapy floral notes. In the mouth, the wine delivers sweet fruit and a soft, silky texture. | | 85 | 18 | Central Italy | San Marino | | | | Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino NV Moscato (San Marino) | Moscato | Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino |
| 239 | 238 | Australia | The sort of wine one imagines early Australian settlers gulped down—big and burly in the mouth and a bit warm, rough and dusty on the finish. Hints of mint-accented cherry fruit and earthy notes. | The Derelict Vineyard | 85 | 29 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | D'Arenberg 2006 The Derelict Vineyard Grenache (McLaren Vale) | Grenache | D'Arenberg |
| 240 | 239 | US | A little rough and rugged, with jangly tannins and blackberry fruit so ripe it veers into raisins. Very dry, it's probably at its best now. | | 85 | 36 | California | Mendocino | | | | Dogwood 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Dogwood |