| 26221 | 26220 | Germany | Blossomy perfume wafts throughout this squeaky fresh off-dry Riesling. Tart tangerine and punchy yellow peach and mango flavors are vibrant and crisp, resonating long on the finish. It's a straightforward yet balanced, fruity wine. Drink now. | Nik Weis Selection Urban | 88 | 12 | Mosel | | | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | St. Urbans-Hof 2014 Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling (Mosel) | Riesling | St. Urbans-Hof |
| 26222 | 26221 | Italy | This opens with aromas of toast, espresso, cooking spice and red berry. The palate offers up young sour cherry, vanilla, coconut and mocha alongside still raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink 2017–2022. | Martinenga | 88 | | Piedmont | Barbaresco | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy 2012 Martinenga (Barbaresco) | Nebbiolo | Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy |
| 26223 | 26222 | US | This is a breadwinner bottling for the otherwise high-end, single-vineyard specialists from Los Gatos. It's a solid deal, offering a tight, slightly sour nose of cranberry juice, graphite and violets. The palate clings to juicy cherries with a sage-like twist. | Cuvee 107 | 88 | 20 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Testarossa 2013 Cuvee 107 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Testarossa |
| 26224 | 26223 | US | This reserve-level wine is annotated with interesting highlights of iron, mint and tea leaf, all wrapped around a black-cherry core. There's a streak of cola running through it all, and just a hint of alcohol burn in the finish. | Founders Choice Estate | 88 | 48 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Treos 2011 Founders Choice Estate Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Treos |
| 26225 | 26224 | Portugal | Still holding its deep red color, this is otherwise a wine that is now mature and ready to drink, hailing from the first vintage of the Vadio Project. It has earthy flavors of bramble and undergrowth, and a dry character that will become more pronounced over the next years. Luis Patrão started the organic Vadio Project to preserve the native Baga grape grown nine miles from the Atlantic Ocean in central Portugal. | Vadio | 88 | 35 | Bairrada | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vadio Wines 2005 Vadio Baga (Bairrada) | Baga | Vadio Wines |
| 26226 | 26225 | France | This wine has simple fruit with fresh acidity, touches of lemon and a crisp, tangy texture. Still young, it offers a flinty edge and a steely aftertaste, both of which will merge into the apple and grapefruit flavors over the next few months. Drink from 2016. | | 88 | 35 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | William Fèvre 2014 Chablis | Chardonnay | William Fèvre |
| 26227 | 26226 | US | Brilliant gold in color, this wine by Santa Barbara's pioneering Rhône house shows pressed white flowers, bruised apple and a touch of iodine on the nose. It's quite heavy on the viscous palate, with a sense of fish oil as well as caramelized apple, iodine, roasted almonds, singed marshmallow and dried apricot. It's a very meaty white wine. | | 88 | 25 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Zaca Mesa 2011 Roussanne (Santa Ynez Valley) | Roussanne | Zaca Mesa |
| 26228 | 26227 | Turkey | Aromas of grapefruit, orange peel and freshly starched sheets give way to flavors of lemon curd, grapefruit, hazelnut and rose petal in this wine made of 100% Emir, a native Turkish variety. There is a sense of brightness on the palate, and the soft floral finish features a final spray of citrus. | | 88 | 15 | Turkey | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Turasan 2013 Emir (Turkey) | Emir | Turasan |
| 26229 | 26228 | Portugal | This ripe and smooth wine is fragrant, spicy and delicious in apricot and peach flavors. There is a crisp texture to the wine, with streaks of freshness and minerality. The finish has refreshing acidity and a salty kick, making this ideal for pairing with food. | Parus Branco | 88 | 30 | Península de Setúbal | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Herdade da Comporta 2014 Parus Branco Antão Vaz (Península de Setúbal) | Antão Vaz | Herdade da Comporta |
| 26230 | 26229 | US | Aromas of beeswax and lemon oil, the flavors following along with tangerine, orange and peach. Very dry, with exceptional concentration of fruit, and well-integrated flavors of cracker and grain. This was barrel fermented, and delivers a long, concentrated finish. | Lawrence Vineyards Dry | 90 | 18 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gård 2007 Lawrence Vineyards Dry Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Riesling | Gård |
| 26231 | 26230 | US | Here's a good buy in a big, rich, decadently delicious Syrah. Soft and dry, with refined tannins, it offers flavors of currants, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola, black pepper and spices. Easy to like, yet complex. | Grand Reserve | 90 | 25 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Kendall-Jackson 2007 Grand Reserve Syrah (Santa Barbara County) | Syrah | Kendall-Jackson |
| 26232 | 26231 | France | Vibrant and juicy with red cherry and blueberry playing well alongside notes of thyme and soft pepper spice. Medium weight in the mouth with soft grain tannins, solid acidity, and a finish that leaves a delicious raspberry syrup flavor lingering until the next sip. Drink now or hold for a year. | Les Coteaux | 90 | 20 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Languedoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Mas Belles Eaux 2006 Les Coteaux Red (Languedoc) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Mas Belles Eaux |
| 26233 | 26232 | Italy | This “classico” interpretation of Nero d'Avola and Frappato from COS is every bit as enjoyable as the producer's top-shelf Pithos expression. You'll get pretty spice tones backed by elegant fruit and almond. Pair it with light meat dishes and serve it a few degrees cooler than you normally would a red wine. | | 90 | 31 | Sicily & Sardinia | Cerasuolo di Vittoria | | | | COS 2006 Cerasuolo di Vittoria | Red Blend | COS |
| 26234 | 26233 | US | Big and concentrated, this is a huge mouthful of really tasty juicy. Peach, pineapple and soft tropical flavors combine in a ripe and luscious wine, which puts the fruit well ahead of the butter and toast. | | 90 | 12 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Caterina 2008 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Caterina |
| 26235 | 26234 | US | As with all Dusted Valley wines, the focus is on varietal purity, and the careful blending (an addition of 10% Merlot) enhances it, by expanding the midpalate and adding complexity. Green coffee and oak-driven coconut and vanilla custard flavors dominate, with dark fruits holding down center court. | | 90 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Dusted Valley 2007 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Franc | Dusted Valley |
| 26236 | 26235 | US | A very likeable Cabernet Sauvignon, easily up there with the best of Easton's Cabs. The wine is dry and rich in fruit, with finely ground tannins housing ripe blackberry and black currant flavors. Should develop in the bottle over the next 2–4 years. | Estate Bottled | 90 | 35 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | | | Easton 2006 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Easton |
| 26237 | 26236 | US | Though labeled Columbia Valley, this is actually Wahluke Slope fruit, 100% varietal. Licorice, smoke and herbs race up the spine, rounded out with black fruits, fig, tobacco and coffee. Good grip and length. | | 90 | 32 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Patterson 2006 Malbec (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Malbec | Patterson |
| 26238 | 26237 | Chile | The Elqui Valley is the new source for this Syrah, and we like its leathery, complex, smoky nose that foretells layered blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors. Fairly thick and modern, but balanced, with a long, lightly minty finish. Interesting and well seasoned with oak. | 1865 Limited Edition | 90 | 25 | Elqui Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | San Pedro 2007 1865 Limited Edition Syrah (Elqui Valley) | Syrah | San Pedro |
| 26239 | 26238 | France | There is enticing new wood here, a wine that shows richness to boost the ripe, creamy apple and pear fruits. It has a generous character, to contrast with its core of steely acidity. The finish is more earthy, suggesting the wine still needs time in the bottle. | Vaillons Premier Cru | 90 | 32 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Simonnet-Febvre 2007 Vaillons Premier Cru (Chablis) | Chardonnay | Simonnet-Febvre |
| 26240 | 26239 | US | A delicious and interesting white wine, made from a variety more usually used for blending purposes. It's honey-rich but dry, similar in structure to an oaky Chardonnay, with tropical fruit and vanilla flavors that have a pleasant touch of bitterness. | Thompson Vineyard | 90 | 30 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Jaffurs 2008 Thompson Vineyard Grenache Blanc (Santa Barbara County) | Grenache Blanc | Jaffurs |
| 26241 | 26240 | US | Very rich, ripe and dry, a Merlot with a drop of Cabernet that needs a year or two to resolve. It's fat and fleshy in cherries, violets, red currants and cola, with a dusting of cocoa, pepper and cinnamon. The tannins are ample, but very finely ground. Hold until 2011. | Grand Reserve | 90 | 28 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Kendall-Jackson 2007 Grand Reserve Merlot (Sonoma County) | Merlot | Kendall-Jackson |
| 26242 | 26241 | US | A rich, full-bodied and dry Syrah that shows fine terroir. It comes from an area, in the Gabilan Mountains of Monterey, that does not yet have a sub-appellation, but should. The wine is effusive in blackberries, black currants, mocha, pepper and cedar, with a sweetly exotic note of foie gras. Now–2012. | North Block | 90 | 29 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Coastview 2007 North Block Syrah (Monterey County) | Syrah | Coastview |
| 26243 | 26242 | US | The Cowgirl Cab, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is DaMa's most popular offering. Loaded with bright, brambly berry fruits, licorice and loam, it's notable also for smooth, silky tannins. | Cowgirl Cab | 90 | 21 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | DaMa 2007 Cowgirl Cab Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | DaMa |
| 26244 | 26243 | US | From Klipsun and Hedges fruit, this muscular, aromatic Merlot begins with pretty berry scents, then develops flavors of currant and cherry. It's a wine with meat and muscle, still packed tight, but dense with potential. Give it plenty of decanting, or cellar it for five years. | Outlaw | 90 | 42 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sparkman 2007 Outlaw Merlot (Red Mountain) | Merlot | Sparkman |
| 26245 | 26244 | US | This is a Merlot-dominated Bordeaux blend. Along with pleasant, strawberry fruit you'll find scents of candied roses and hints of fresh herb. The length and detail bespeak a wine with medium-term aging potential. Baking spices dominate the finish, with a burst of heat from the near-15% alcohol. | Ruby Leigh Red | 90 | 42 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Sparkman 2007 Ruby Leigh Red Red (Red Mountain) | Red Blend | Sparkman |
| 26246 | 26245 | US | A rich, ripe and complex Cabernet, with classic Napa tannic structure. Not quite up there with the winery's higher-priced Dollarhide or Elu bottlings, but showing similar elegance and taste. Brims with blueberry, mocha and cedar flavors that should develop over the next four years. | Estate Bottled | 90 | 35 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | St. Supéry 2005 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Supéry |
| 26247 | 26246 | US | Shows the exuberant volume and power of most Santa Lucia Pinot Noirs, with strong, jammy cherry, raspberry and cola flavors and big, sturdy tannins, although the wine never loses its essentially silky texture. Feels juvenile and precocious now. Give it until late 2010 to begin to mellow. | Tondré Grapefield | 90 | 43 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Tondré 2007 Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Tondré |
| 26248 | 26247 | Chile | Purple as can be, with grapey aromas that aren't subtle in the least. Typically thick, with mild tannins and shy, almost reserved berry, cassis and chocolaty oak flavors. Dense wine, but not as expressive and deeply flavored as previous vintages. Drink now through 2011. | Viu 1 | 90 | 75 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viu Manent 2007 Viu 1 Malbec (Colchagua Valley) | Malbec | Viu Manent |
| 26249 | 26248 | Italy | Here's a thick and resinous Pinot Grigio with a deeply golden color and intense aromas of pine, almond, honey and dried apricot. This is not the light and breezy style of Pinot Grigio you may be familiar with, so look to pair this wine with Tandoori chicken or oven-roasted pasta. | Ipso Zuc di Volpe | 90 | 52 | Northeastern Italy | Colli Orientali del Friuli | | | | Volpe Pasini 2007 Ipso Zuc di Volpe Pinot Grigio (Colli Orientali del Friuli) | Pinot Grigio | Volpe Pasini |
| 26250 | 26249 | US | A really nice Merlot, and look at that price. It's dry, elegant and entirely balanced, with a rich earthy texture. Shows classic flavors of black cherries, black currants, violets, anise and sweet sandalwood. Terrific value. | Block 500 | 90 | 14 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Trentadue 2007 Block 500 Merlot (Alexander Valley) | Merlot | Trentadue |