| 23976 | 23975 | US | Smith-Madrone tends to fly under the radar for Napa Valley Cabernet, but discerning palates understand its place in the pantheon. Vintages aren't always kind to this mountain fruit, but in 2009, the conditions were just right to produce a wine of immaculate structure. It has firm tannins and brisk acidity, and the flavors are classic, suggesting blackberries and cassis. As delicious as it is now, this will have no problem aging 10–15 years. | Estate Bottled | 94 | 45 | California | Spring Mountain District | Napa | | | Smith-Madrone 2009 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Smith-Madrone |
| 23977 | 23976 | New Zealand | Subtle toast and roasted cashew notes accent a wonderfully harmonious blend of stone fruit and citrus in this perennial favorite. It's medium to full in body and round without being fat or soft, long on the finish without being overly shrill or crisp. And it has a track record for aging well for up to 10 years or more. | Moutere | 93 | 42 | Nelson | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Neudorf 2010 Moutere Chardonnay (Nelson) | Chardonnay | Neudorf |
| 23978 | 23977 | US | Restrained and elegant, this deeply flavored Pinot Noir takes a masculine turn with threads of iron filings, earth and herb. The blueberry and plum fruit flavors are set against drying tannins. As with all Archery Summit Pinots, the length and balance are outstanding. | Arcus Estate | 93 | 100 | Oregon | Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Archery Summit 2011 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) | Pinot Noir | Archery Summit |
| 23979 | 23978 | Germany | Bold in alcohol, with a dry, intensely textured palate, this Riesling is rich and ripe, with notes of honeysuckle, peach and even a hint of berry. It carries its girth well, with a zippy streak of lemon acidity that cuts through all the ripeness, leading to a long, subtly mineral finish. | Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen Grosse Lage | 93 | 91 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Baron Knyphausen 2011 Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen Grosse Lage Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Baron Knyphausen |
| 23980 | 23979 | France | Silex is a flint and sand soil that suits Sauvignon Blanc well. This wine, with tight, nervy texture and crisp lemon character, is still fresh, full of primary citrus and gooseberry flavors. It needs until 2015 to fully integrate and show rich concentration. | Sancerre d'Antan | 93 | 50 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri Bourgeois 2011 Sancerre d'Antan (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Henri Bourgeois |
| 23981 | 23980 | France | The near-vertical slope of the Monts Damnés produces wines that have great elegance, style and impressive richness. This 2011 is still young, needing another year to start to bring out all the complex texture and aromatics. Drink until 2020. | La Côte de Monts Damnés | 93 | 30 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri Bourgeois 2012 La Côte de Monts Damnés (Sancerre) | Sauvignon Blanc | Henri Bourgeois |
| 23982 | 23981 | US | This was the final vintage Patrick Campbell fully presided over before selling the winery. It's a dense and compact wine, showing mountain tannins framing black currant, cassis, mineral, violet and new oak flavors. Despite the opulence, the finish is dry. Made from 100% Cabernet, the wine needs time in the cellar. Try it after 2018, and it should be rolling along in the mid-2020s. | | 93 | 60 | California | Sonoma Mountain | Sonoma | | | Laurel Glen 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Laurel Glen |
| 23983 | 23982 | Portugal | This is a signature wine for winemaker Cristiano van Zeller. It has all the dense structure of a powerful Douro wine, layers of fruit and acidity and a richly juicy aftertaste. It is still developing its power, so wait to drink until 2017. | CV Curriculum Vitae | 93 | | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lemos & Van Zeller 2011 CV Curriculum Vitae Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Lemos & Van Zeller |
| 23971 | 23970 | Australia | Always one of Yalumba's top offerings, the 2008 doesn't show any of the vintage's ill effects. Instead, this blend of Cabernet (56%) and Shiraz (44%) offers a rich, open-knit mouthful of chocomint and dark plum, underscored by savory, meaty notes. This is full bodied and supple, yet muscular, with at least a decade of cellaring potential. | The Signature | 94 | 54 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Yalumba 2008 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz (Barossa) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz | Yalumba |
| 23984 | 23983 | Italy | This opulent Chianti Classico opens with aromas of violets, black berries, meat juices and spice. The delicious palate delivers concentrated black cherry layered with white pepper, cinnamon, clove and balsamic herbs. It's soft and round but at the same time it boasts alluring intensity. | Casanuova di Nittardi | 93 | 35 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Nittardi 2011 Casanuova di Nittardi (Chianti Classico) | Red Blend | Nittardi |
| 23985 | 23984 | US | So ripe and beautiful in fruit and oak, so balanced in tannins and acids, that it's hard to know whether to enjoy this Cab now or age it. Right now, it's elaborate in blackberry, cherry, currant and new oak flavors, wrapped into insanely fine tannins. But it's also balanced enough to develop bottle complexity over the next 10 years. | | 93 | 85 | California | Stags Leap District | Napa | | | Pine Ridge 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Pine Ridge |
| 23986 | 23985 | Portugal | There is a great, juicy feel to this otherwise serious and firm wine. Black fruit flavors push through the structure, offering richness as well as power. The acidity, layers of toast and an impressively fresh feel all come through strongly. It needs aging; drink from 2017. | Tinto | 93 | 36 | Lisboa | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Chocapalha 2009 Tinto Red (Lisboa) | Portuguese Red | Quinta de Chocapalha |
| 23987 | 23986 | US | This noted Napa producer has excelled at Petite Sirah for a long time, and with the impressive 2010, they've out-done themselves. The wine comes from a vineyard block, said to be more than 70 years of age, that contains other varieties, such as Carignane, Grenache and Syrah. Thus, it's a field blend of the type that Italian-American vintners produced throughout much of the 20th century. Dry and tannic, with wild berry, currant, licorice, tobacco and oak flavors, the wine is wonderful now, and should develop bottle complexities until 2034. | Ne Cede Malis Estate Grown | 93 | 80 | California | Stags Leap District | Napa | | | Stags' Leap Winery 2010 Ne Cede Malis Estate Grown Petite Sirah (Stags Leap District) | Petite Sirah | Stags' Leap Winery |
| 23988 | 23987 | Australia | Powerful and concentrated, this Shiraz is seemingly imbued with the essence of dark fruit, framed by well-managed oak. Cedar, mint and cassis notes are a bit Cabernet-like, but the structure is pure Shiraz, broader and suppler than Cabernet, with a rich texture and a long finish. Drink now–2025. | | 93 | 37 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Chapel Hill 2010 Shiraz (McLaren Vale) | Shiraz | Chapel Hill |
| 23989 | 23988 | US | High toned and grapy when first opened, this opens up nicely with decanting. Pretty raspberry and light cherry fruit are enhanced with aromas of fresh-cut tobacco and just-picked herbs. The length and detail are impressive. | Champoux Vineyard | 92 | 55 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Buty 2009 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc (Horse Heaven Hills) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc | Buty |
| 23990 | 23989 | US | This shows a darker shade than most young whites, almost a burnished gold. Soft and complex, with ripe, slightly confected fruit flavors, it's super smooth, with honeysuckle highlights around waxy stone fruits. Excellent length. | 61% Sémillon/21% Sauvignon/18% Muscadelle | 92 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Buty 2010 61% Sémillon/21% Sauvignon/18% Muscadelle White (Columbia Valley (WA)) | White Blend | Buty |
| 23972 | 23971 | US | Perfumed and strikingly floral, this soft, seductive Pinot is light in color and body, with handsome layerings of strawberry fruit, Asian spice and suggestions of just-unearthed mushrooms or a newly minted Christmas wreath. On the finish, a touch of vanilla-tinged oak rounds things out. | Burt Williams' Morning Dew Ranch | 94 | 75 | California | Anderson Valley | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Williams Selyem 2011 Burt Williams' Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) | Pinot Noir | Williams Selyem |
| 23973 | 23972 | Germany | Spicy saffron and pollen notes add a savory warmth to sweet honey and lemon aromas on this gorgeously complex auslese. It's gingerly and bright on the palate, with tangerine acidity that highlights flavors of sweet peach preserves and jasmine tea. The finish lingers on and on and on. | Lorcher Schlossberg Auslese Goldkapsel | 94 | 154 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | August Kesseler 2011 Lorcher Schlossberg Auslese Goldkapsel Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | August Kesseler |
| 23974 | 23973 | Germany | Dried orange rind and saffron notes lend a spicy, exotic flair to sweet, silky honey and marmalade flavors on this beautifully concentrated Riesling. It's delicate in frame, yet intensely penetrating on the palate, with streaks of orange acidity and a bristling tea-leaf astringency that adds complexity to the finish. | Erbacher Steinmorgen Auslese Gold Cap | 94 | 133 | Rheingau | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Baron Knyphausen 2011 Erbacher Steinmorgen Auslese Gold Cap Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Baron Knyphausen |
| 23975 | 23974 | Portugal | Assobio is from a single vineyard in the Quinta dos Murças estate. A powerful, structured expression of Douro wine, it has black fruits, dark tannins, some subtle layers of wood aging and great concentration. Dark and richly fruity, it needs to mature before drinking. Wait until 2017. | Assobio | 94 | 13 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta dos Murças 2011 Assobio Red (Douro) | Portuguese Red | Quinta dos Murças |
| 23991 | 23990 | US | The Loner title seems to refer to an absence of oak, although it's not entirely unoaked. The wine spent time in what the winemaker calls “seasoned barriques” that lent no overt oak influence, but let the wine breathe and mellow. Marked by intense lemon, lime and mineral flavors, this bone-dry wine is elegant and eccentric. | Loner W10-a | 92 | 60 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Sanguis 2010 Loner W10-a Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) | Chardonnay | Sanguis |
| 23992 | 23991 | Austria | Rich and almost liquorous in its texture, this is powerful stuff. It has weight, with intense, concentrated flavors of tropical fruit, spice and a smooth character. The acidity lends lift on the finish. Screwcap. | Oberfeld Erste Lage Alte Reben Reserve | 92 | | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Unger 2010 Oberfeld Erste Lage Alte Reben Reserve Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Unger |
| 23993 | 23992 | Austria | A rich and creamy wine, this is full of the ripest fruit. It has flavors of yellow fruit and pineapple, with intense acidity. The wine is powerful yet balanced, with a delicious acidity on the finish. | Loam | 92 | | Niederösterreich | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Kurt Angerer 2010 Loam Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich) | Grüner Veltliner | Kurt Angerer |
| 23994 | 23993 | Austria | This is finely proportioned, with intense fruit flavors laced with spice, acidity and a mineral texture. Made using grapes from a single vineyard, it is concentrated, with a depth of intense flavor. For aging over 3–4 years. Screwcap. | Obere Steigen | 92 | 20 | Traisental | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Markus Huber 2011 Obere Steigen Grüner Veltliner (Traisental) | Grüner Veltliner | Markus Huber |
| 23995 | 23994 | US | A wonderful wine at a great price. This is complex and delicious in blackberry and black currant flavors, with a savory minerality on the finish. As it starts off with tough tannins, allow it to decant. | | 92 | 26 | California | Bennett Valley | Sonoma | | | Matanzas Creek 2009 Merlot (Bennett Valley) | Merlot | Matanzas Creek |
| 23996 | 23995 | Austria | While this is rich, it is also balanced and elegant. This is an impressive, ageworthy wine, with a perfumed, spicy character. It has white fruit and peach flavors and taut acidity. Screwcap. | Senftenberger Pellingen Erste Lage Privat | 92 | 67 | Kremstal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Nigl 2010 Senftenberger Pellingen Erste Lage Privat Riesling (Kremstal) | Riesling | Nigl |
| 23997 | 23996 | US | California Malbec by itself tends to be straightforward, which might be why the winemaker blended this one with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is excellent, one of the best Malbecs in California, with rich blackberry, currant and cedar flavors. The strong tannins suggest it should pair well with beef. | Dollarhide | 92 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | St. Supéry 2009 Dollarhide Malbec (Napa Valley) | Malbec | St. Supéry |
| 23998 | 23997 | Spain | This five-grape blend is harmonious, with aromas of sweet spice, ripe berry, cherry, licorice and mineral. It's racy, deep and powerful, with dark berry, black plum and oaky, spicy flavors. It's long, elegant and potent on the finish. Drink through 2018. | Grans Muralles | 92 | 109 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Torres 2007 Grans Muralles Red (Penedès) | Red Blend | Torres |
| 23999 | 23998 | Austria | This is perfumed with crisp apple and light spice aromas. It's a delicate yet concentrated wine, with acidity that's tempered with pepper and a fresh finish. Screwcap. | Gemischter Satz | 92 | 22 | Vienna | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Wieninger 2011 Gemischter Satz White (Vienna) | Austrian white blend | Wieninger |
| 24000 | 23999 | US | Give this polished young Pinot Noir some time in the cellar to come around. It's a seriously good wine, dry, tannic and medium-bodied, with a dense core of cherry and plum flavors. If you have to drink it before 2015, give it several hours in a decanter. | Estate Grown | 92 | 65 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Donum 2009 Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Donum |