| 27151 | 27150 | France | A blend of Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Grenache, all in even proportion, this is a lush and dense selection that offers upfront notes of wild blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and sweet spice. The palate is lush and the texture creamy, with medium tannins and lovely chocolate and toasted-oak accents that linger long on the finish. | Le Credo | 89 | 24 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Côtes du Roussillon Villages | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Domaine Cazes 2009 Le Credo Red (Côtes du Roussillon Villages) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Cazes |
| 27152 | 27151 | France | Old vines always add some concentration to a wine, and this firm and dark wine is no exception. It's also juicy and fruity with a full character that is already attractive but should age well over 4–5 years. | Vieilles Vignes | 89 | | Burgundy | Volnay | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Poulleau Père et Fils 2011 Vieilles Vignes (Volnay) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Poulleau Père et Fils |
| 27153 | 27152 | France | The wine has weight, and dense tannins at this stage. What does give it a hint of Volnay's generosity is the warm, full fruit that is behind the structure. It's obviously going to need at least three years to soften out into a more rounded wine. | | 89 | 40 | Burgundy | Volnay | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Nuiton-Beaunoy 2011 Volnay | Pinot Noir | Nuiton-Beaunoy |
| 27154 | 27153 | France | A fine vintage of this always delicious Chablis. The wine has weight, a sense of warmth from its yellow fruits and depth of flavor. Full and ripe in the mouth, it will age for a year, although it is drinkable already. | La Sereine | 89 | 24 | Burgundy | Chablis | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Chablisienne 2011 La Sereine (Chablis) | Chardonnay | La Chablisienne |
| 27155 | 27154 | Italy | Here's an interesting Amarone that shows intense black pepper aromas, along with ripe plum and raisin notes. The palate delivers blackberry, plum, toast, coffee and chocolate notes. The oak is well integrated and the tannins are chewy, but this could use a bit more freshness. | | 89 | | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | I Campi 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella | Red Blend | I Campi |
| 27156 | 27155 | US | The best of a lineup of single varietal red wines, this melds raspberry and cassis fruit flavors into a wrapping of earth and licorice. The dark and roasted accents continue through the finish with earthy tannins and a hint of stem. | | 89 | 30 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | J Bell Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | J Bell Cellars |
| 27157 | 27156 | France | A blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Carignan, this opens with skin-driven, black-fruit aromas and accents of savory herbs and forest floor. The medium-weight mouth offers gripping yet fine tannins and a decadent richness to the black cherry core. | Syrousse | 89 | 17 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Côtes du Roussillon Villages | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau 2011 Syrousse Red (Côtes du Roussillon Villages) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau |
| 27158 | 27157 | Italy | Here's a lovely wine that has structure, finesse and character. It's loaded with dark cherry, pepper, tobacco and spice sensations that are balanced by fresh acidity and supple tannins. | | 89 | 30 | Veneto | Valpolicella Superiore | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Marion 2009 Valpolicella Superiore | Red Blend | Marion |
| 27162 | 27161 | Italy | This Amarone boasts black cherry and plum flavors layered with notes of toasted oak, black pepper and chocolate. The alcohol is noticeable on the palate, with a warmth to the finish. It's not overly complex, but the fruit is delicious. | Campo Inferi Riserva | 89 | 69 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Brunelli 2008 Campo Inferi Riserva (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Red Blend | Brunelli |
| 27159 | 27158 | US | Most Airfield Estate wines are single variety; this is their Bordeaux-style blend, made from five Bordeaux grape varieties. More than 50% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from young vines, it's bright with fresh red berry and pomegranate fruit, set amidst a generous splash of brown spices. The wines spent two years in 50% new French oak, and should continue to improve over the next five years. | Aviator | 89 | 30 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Airfield Estates 2010 Aviator Red (Yakima Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Airfield Estates |
| 27160 | 27159 | France | It's the extra weight that gives this wine its Réserve title. With ripe white fruits, rich acidity and just a touch of spiciness, this is a full-bodied wine, its creamed pear bringing an extra full character. | Réserve | 89 | 18 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Boeckel 2012 Réserve Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Boeckel |
| 27161 | 27160 | US | What a nice Merlot, Brander's best yet. It's easy to drink now for the rich array of cherries, currants, cola, smoked meat and cedar, brightened with brisk acidity. But give it an hour or two in the decanter to soften and mellow. | | 89 | 22 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Brander 2010 Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley) | Merlot | Brander |
| 27163 | 27162 | Italy | This Amarone has sensations of plum, stewed prune, bitter almond and black licorice. It has a very warm midpalate and is enjoyable now but seemingly fast approaching its ideal drinking window; enjoy over the next few years. | | 89 | | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Buglioni 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Blend | Buglioni |
| 27164 | 27163 | Italy | This straightforward Amarone has blackberry and prune flavors, with hints of coffee and bitter almond. It's already drinking well and will work nicely with braised meat dishes or seasoned cheeses. | Rocca Alata | 89 | | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cantina di Soave 2010 Rocca Alata (Amarone della Valpolicella) | Red Blend | Cantina di Soave |
| 27165 | 27164 | Spain | Given the limited sampling of what I've tried from Casa l'Angel, this is a winery to watch. This blend of Syrah and Tempranillo is fully ripe and clean, with blackberry, toast and minerally aromas. It's solidly built, ready to drink and offers satisfying flavors of cherry and blackberry in front of a warm, medicinal finish. | Made with Organic Grapes | 89 | 15 | Levante | Valencia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Casa L'Angel 2011 Made with Organic Grapes Red (Valencia) | Red Blend | Casa L'Angel |
| 27166 | 27165 | US | Shows the richness and full body that a young Fogarty Pinot often displays, the result of a warmer growing region. The wine is forward and jammy in red cherries and earthy fruits, such as pomegranates and persimmons, with a spicy finish. Fine now, and will hold for a couple years. | Razorback Vineyard Estate Grown | 89 | 65 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2011 Razorback Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Pinot Noir | Thomas Fogarty |
| 27167 | 27166 | Austria | For a Beerenauslese this is more rich than sweet. It is very spicy and dry at the core with peppered pear flavors. It's powerful and concentrated, needing aging. Drink from 2017. | Beerenauslese | 89 | | Burgenland | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Tinhof 2010 Beerenauslese White (Burgenland) | Austrian white blend | Tinhof |
| 27168 | 27167 | Italy | This rich Sauvignon Blanc shows classic aromas of crushed tomato vine, cantaloup and a hint of bell pepper. The palate shows succulent green melon and apple flavors, with a hint of smoke and a freshly acidic backbone. This will pair well with asparagus dishes or pasta topped with pesto. | Piere | 89 | 40 | Northeastern Italy | Friuli Isonzo | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Vie di Romans 2011 Piere Sauvignon (Friuli Isonzo) | Sauvignon | Vie di Romans |
| 27169 | 27168 | Italy | This medium-bodied white is made from the Trebbiano grape in a small area between Veneto and Lombardy. It has lovely fragrances of peach blossom and Spanish broom, while the palate delivers white peach and lemon pastry flavors. It finishes crisp and clean. | San Benedetto | 89 | 15 | Lombardy | Lugana | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Zenato 2012 San Benedetto (Lugana) | Turbiana | Zenato |
| 27170 | 27169 | Argentina | An aggressive bouquet of raw wood, rubber, coconut, licorice and blackberry introduces a driving palate with powerful berry, plum and cassis flavors. This features bright acidity, plenty of weight and a lightly oaked finish with residual flavors of tomato, licorice and cassis. | Himno | 89 | 26 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Zemlia 2010 Himno Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Zemlia |
| 27171 | 27170 | Italy | This has subtle aromas of blackberry, pepper and tilled earth. The palate delivers a core of plum, blackcherry and licorice, uplifted with white pepper and orange zest accents. Its refreshing acidity makes it enjoyable now, but will also allow it to age modestly. Drink after 2016. | | 89 | 16 | Veneto | Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cottini 2011 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | Red Blend | Cottini |
| 27172 | 27171 | Italy | This straightforward Amarone offers aromas of tobacco leaf and raisin. The palate presents prune and plum flavors accented by a hint of chocolate. It also shows the heat of the vintage and is evolving fast, so enjoy this soon. | | 89 | 45 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Delibori 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella | Red Blend | Delibori |
| 27173 | 27172 | France | Structured wine, with firm tannins as well as a light touch of wood aging. It's a fruity wine, raspberry fruit cut with taut acidity. It can be drunk now for its fruitiness, but would be better allowing the tannins to soften. So drink from 2015. | Domaine des Perdrix | 89 | | Burgundy | Nuits-St.-Georges | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Devillard 2011 Domaine des Perdrix (Nuits-St.-Georges) | Pinot Noir | Domaines Devillard |
| 27174 | 27173 | Italy | This Amarone shows dominant oak and vanilla on the nose, along with prune and licorice notes. The palate is also dominated by oak, vanilla and toasted notes, along with black fruit and alcoholic warmth. Overall, it's a bit dense, and while it lacks finesse, it is rich and does have its own charm. | Campedel | 89 | 70 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Gamba Gnirega 2009 Campedel (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Red Blend | Gamba Gnirega |
| 27175 | 27174 | Italy | Mouthfuls of black cherry, raspberry, nutmeg and cinnamon abound in this wine. It boasts a beautiful structure coupled with elegant freshness. Drink now through the next few years. | | 89 | 33 | Veneto | Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Giuseppe Campagnola 2011 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | Red Blend | Giuseppe Campagnola |
| 27176 | 27175 | US | Soft and lightly buttery, this offers clean fruit flavors of apple and pear. Not quite as concentrated as previous efforts, perhaps a reflection of a cooler vintage in this northern location. | Stillwater Creek Vineyard | 89 | 23 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Novelty Hill 2011 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Novelty Hill |
| 27177 | 27176 | US | This brings a tight but well-balanced blend of cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors, with snappy acidity. The fruit is bolstered with firm, lightly earthy tannins. It was aged in a mix of half American, half French, all-neutral oak. | Estate Grown | 89 | 35 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Obelisco Estate 2010 Estate Grown Malbec (Red Mountain) | Malbec | Obelisco Estate |
| 27178 | 27177 | US | This is mostly Syrah, with 17% Mourvèdre and 5% co-fermented Viognier as well. Dark, sappy and substantial, it's a pleasing mix of black fruits, juicy in the mouth, and with a finishing streak of coffee liqueur. | L'Entente | 89 | 36 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ott & Murphy 2009 L'Entente Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Ott & Murphy |
| 27179 | 27178 | US | This is a Bordeaux-style blend with 60% Cabernet Franc as its anchor. Brambly berry flavors of strawberry and raspberry meld into a plummy middle, with the concentration of fruit preserves. The acidity is sufficient to keep it from becoming too soft, and the tannins are pleasant but subdued. This is a tasty bottle ready to enjoy immediately. | Radieux | 89 | 36 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ott & Murphy 2009 Radieux Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Ott & Murphy |
| 27180 | 27179 | US | This is a lovely bottle from this Idaho producer with notes of hay, butter, spice and melon. It has a broad, creamy feel that lingers on the finish. | French Creek Vineyard | 89 | 28 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Periple 2011 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay (Washington) | Chardonnay | Periple |