| 27511 | 27510 | Austria | This wine's nose gives little more than a suggestion of zesty ripeness. The palate, on the other hand, is full of friendly, lively fruit. Crisp green and yellow apple and ripe citrus pervade its slender but joyful frame. Zesty and fresh, it only faintly hints of the variety's usual nuttiness. | | 89 | 21 | Burgenland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Tinhof 2016 Neuburger (Burgenland) | Neuburger | Tinhof |
| 27512 | 27511 | France | The vines of Saint-Tropez are often within sight of the sea in the hills above the famous resort. This single-estate wine from a property managed by the Saint-Tropez cooperative contrasts fresh fruit and acidity with a generous ripe texture. It is soft, fruity and ready to drink now. | Château la Moutte | 89 | 32 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Vignobles de Saint-Tropez 2016 Château la Moutte Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Vignobles de Saint-Tropez |
| 27513 | 27512 | Spain | Apple, peach and yeast aromas are welcoming but a little wayward. This brut nature shows roundness on the palate and no coarseness. Briny apple and dried-apricot flavors are calm on the finish. | Brut Nature Vintage | 89 | 20 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vilarnau 2013 Brut Nature Vintage Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Vilarnau |
| 27514 | 27513 | Spain | Floral melon and peach aromas are mellow. This feels round, with citrusy acidity cutting into the body. Basic grapefruit and apricot flavors are friendly, while this is a touch foamy on the finish. | Reserva Brut Rosé | 89 | 18 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vilarnau NV Reserva Brut Rosé Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Vilarnau |
| 27515 | 27514 | Austria | The fruitiness of fresh, green Conference pears fills the nose of this wine. Its palate is more subdued, with streamlined, citrus freshness, compact body and a dry, refreshing finish. | Stephanus | 89 | 12 | Kamptal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Weixelbaum 2016 Stephanus Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal) | Grüner Veltliner | Weixelbaum |
| 27516 | 27515 | US | This elegant nectarine-scented Riesling is a notable solo project by Hazlitt winemaker Michael Reidy. It's deft on the palate, but offers plenty of ripe quince and tangerine flavors accentuated by zesty lime acidity. It finishes moderately long. | R Is For | 89 | 13 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Attic Cellar 2014 R Is For Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Attic Cellar |
| 27517 | 27516 | US | Immaculate freshness abounds in this zesty Chardonnay. While supple and quite creamy on the palate, pristine lemon and pear flavors and a vibrant backdrop of lemony acidity invigorate. Elegantly meshed vanilla and spice tones linger on the finish. | 1866 Reserve | 89 | 21 | New York | Seneca Lake | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Bellangelo 2014 1866 Reserve Chardonnay (Seneca Lake) | Chardonnay | Bellangelo |
| 27518 | 27517 | US | A chalky, mineral aroma leads to lively green apple and dried herb flavors. This wine is light-bodied and subdued but has enjoyable, savory flavors to complement its moderate fruitiness and an easy elegance that separates it from the pack. | | 89 | 23 | California | Yolo County | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Berryessa Gap 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Yolo County) | Sauvignon Blanc | Berryessa Gap |
| 27535 | 27534 | Spain | Consistency is apparently not Fransola's calling card. One year it's pungent and green, and then in a warm year like 2006 it's fruity, ripe and sweet, with green apple, pear and tropical fruit flavors making their mark. Seems like Sauvignon Blanc in Catalonia needs ample heat to show the ginger, lime and apple characteristics that make it a likable. In this case, that's mostly what's on display. | Fransola | 88 | 29 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Torres 2006 Fransola Sauvignon Blanc (Penedès) | Sauvignon Blanc | Torres |
| 27536 | 27535 | US | Tart and racy, this sets up the palate for spicy fare with bracing acids and scents of citrus skins. It is the first-ever Riesling for A to Z, a nod perhaps to the growing demand for these wines, especially on the West Coast. Flavors mix citrus, white flowers, strawberries and spice, with a finishing lick of minerality. | | 88 | 13 | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | A to Z 2006 Riesling (Oregon) | Riesling | A to Z |
| 27537 | 27536 | US | This lighter, fruit-forward Syrah from Abacela showcases the spicy, peppery side of the grape. These may be younger vines, or simply less ripe than the fruit that went into the other Syrah, but it is still a very attractive wine, with sweet raspberries, black pepper and rock. A fine balance of acid and tannin provides the right structure for near-term drinking. | Umpqua Cuvée | 88 | 19 | Oregon | Southern Oregon | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Abacela 2004 Umpqua Cuvée Syrah (Southern Oregon) | Syrah | Abacela |
| 27538 | 27537 | Spain | Abelis Carthago's top wine, Fighting Bulls, is also its toughest to enjoy. There's overripeness and barnyard on the nose, and thus the prune, black plum and jammy berry flavors that control the palate are not surprising. Big and forceful for sure, but also choppy and incongruent across the palate. | Fighting Bulls | 88 | 60 | Northern Spain | Toro | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Abelis Carthago 2004 Fighting Bulls (Toro) | Tinta de Toro | Abelis Carthago |
| 27539 | 27538 | Italy | The hot vintage definitely left its mark on this Cabernet Sauvignon from the Montalcino area. Coffee, vanilla, fudge and espresso bean are backed by jammy fruit and ripe berries. In the mouth, it shows firm tannins and good length. | Tavernelle | 88 | 41 | Tuscany | Sant'Antimo | | | | Castello Banfi 2003 Tavernelle Cabernet Sauvignon (Sant'Antimo) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Castello Banfi |
| 27540 | 27539 | Spain | Ripe and honeyed, but also nicely balanced by flower blossom aromas and acidic zest on the palate. For straightforward apricot and peach flavors, this wine serves its purpose. It's smooth, sweet and easygoing, and overall it's just elegant and lively enough to jostle your palate. | Miguel Asensio Vino Dulce de Moscatel | 88 | 22 | Spain Other | Spain | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Asensio 2006 Miguel Asensio Vino Dulce de Moscatel Moscatel (Spain) | Moscatel | Asensio |
| 27519 | 27518 | Spain | Name and reputation get you only so far, as this underwhelming offering from a poor vintage proves. Compact stewy aromas of baked berry fruits and asphalt are the appetizer. A main course of chunky jammy stewy berry and prune flavors finishes with a desiccated essence. Unico is known to age for decades, but not this vintage. Drink now for what it's worth. | Unico | 89 | 500 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vega Sicilia 2008 Unico (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon | Vega Sicilia |
| 27520 | 27519 | Israel | A smooth, velvety textured wine, full of slightly overripe dark cherry, raspberry and plum with accents of cassis, tea and spice that thrill the palate. Closing with a clean and silky finish, this wine is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It's 60% Cab, 30% Merlot and 10% Shiraz. | Wadi Katlav Kosher | 88 | 47 | Judean Hills | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Katlav 2005 Wadi Katlav Kosher Red (Judean Hills) | Red Blend | Katlav |
| 27521 | 27520 | US | Higher in alcohol than Kenwood's regular '05 Sonoma Zin, this one's hotter and more full-bodied. It's got a density that can stand a little bottle age. Give it two or three years to soften, and let the blackberry, cherry and coffee fruit emerge from the tannins. | Reserve | 88 | 20 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Kenwood 2005 Reserve Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Kenwood |
| 27522 | 27521 | Spain | Classic old-school Gran Reserva. The nose is full of barbecue, molasses and dried plum, while the palate has complexities in the form of tobacco, tire rubber and earth. It goes somewhat citrusy and quick on the finish, ending in a wash of orange-infused leather and chocolate. Drink now or hold for another 5 years. | Gran Reserva | 88 | 25 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marques de Arienzo 1998 Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Marques de Arienzo |
| 27523 | 27522 | Spain | There's no denying the wine's raisiny ripeness; it's confirmed via Sherry/Port aromas and black plum/baked fruit flavors. But it's not simply a heavyweight on its last legs. To the contrary, the wine delivers a jolt of core intensity and finishing notes of spicy black pepper and licorice. Drink right away. | Reserva | 88 | 19 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Marqués de la Concordia 2004 Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Marqués de la Concordia |
| 27524 | 27523 | Spain | The essence of 2005 is captured in this creamy, rich offering that touches up against overripe but pulls back into balance at the last moment. Expect soft tannins, lots of coconutty oak and molasses notes along with a limited but easygoing finish. Drink soon. | y Llanahermosa | 88 | 45 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Montecastro 2005 y Llanahermosa (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Montecastro |
| 27525 | 27524 | Portugal | A firm, ripe wine, with great red fruit flavors, dark tannins and an edge of coffee. There is some toast element here in this still young wine. Hopefully the just overripe fruit edge will disappear as it develops. | | 88 | 19 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta de Ventozelo 2004 Tinta Roriz (Douro) | Tinta Roriz | Quinta de Ventozelo |
| 27526 | 27525 | US | Spindrift's reserve bottling does not seem substantially different from its regular 2005 Pinot, except that it extends its flavors through a much longer and smoother finish. Bright red fruit flavors mix raspberry and blueberry with milk chocolate. An impression of spun sugar wraps up the finish. | Reserve | 88 | 38 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Spindrift Cellars 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Spindrift Cellars |
| 27527 | 27526 | Italy | Not as intense as other Tolaini wines, this Sangiovese (with 15% Merlot) doles out measured portions of prune, plum, black cherry, leather, resin and tobacco. In the mouth, it has cherry flavors, dense tannins and a long finish. | Al Passo | 88 | 20 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tolaini 2004 Al Passo Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Tolaini |
| 27528 | 27527 | Italy | The wine opens with aromas of lush cherry fruit, cola, coffee and leather. It boasts very good intensity, chewy tannins and ripe succulence on the finish. A Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. | Borgoforte | 88 | 12 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Villa Pillo 2005 Borgoforte Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Villa Pillo |
| 27529 | 27528 | Spain | Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell made in a ripe, high-alcohol style results in monster aromas of shoe polish and black licorice. The palate is a wave of chocolate and candied black fruits that crashes into a heavy, ultraripe finish of prune and pepper. A lunker wine with a sweet smile and a big handshake. | | 88 | 130 | Levante | Jumilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | El Nido 2003 Red (Jumilla) | Cabernet Blend | El Nido |
| 27530 | 27529 | Germany | Strongly petrolly and slaty, with those powerful elements backed by apple and pineapple notes. It's plump for a kabinett, weighing in at 10.5% alcohol, but balanced and easy to drink now. | Westhofener Kabinett | 88 | 20 | Rheinhessen | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Groebe 2005 Westhofener Kabinett Riesling (Rheinhessen) | Riesling | Groebe |
| 27531 | 27530 | Germany | This medium-bodied kabinett features an appealing lushness to its texture—it's not a slim, racy wine but instead offers hints of honey and diesel oil balanced by ripe apples and citrus. Drink now. | Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Kabinett | 88 | 19 | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Matheus 2005 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Kabinett Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) | Riesling | Matheus |
| 27532 | 27531 | Portugal | This wine is flavorful, with plenty of blackberry fruit, as well as a dense, tannic heart. The fruit's edges are smoothed by the wood aging, but it is still fruit that dominates, ripe, hearty and packed with acidity to finish. | Quinta do Cachão | 88 | 10 | Douro | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Messias 2004 Quinta do Cachão Touriga Franca (Douro) | Touriga Franca | Messias |
| 27533 | 27532 | Portugal | Made from the Arinto grape, this wine has a lively, vibrant, lifted green fruit character, very crisp like apple skins, deliciously fresh, with just some caramel edges to round it out. To finish, it shows some structure from the crisp acidity. | | 88 | | Bucelas | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Avelar 2004 Arinto (Bucelas) | Arinto | Quinta do Avelar |
| 27534 | 27533 | Portugal | A juicy, spicy wine, packed with open, generous black fruits. The blend of Castelão and Trincadeira gives blackberries, some raisins and a smooth chocolate underlay. | Falcoaria | 88 | 16 | Ribatejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Quinta do Casal Branco 2004 Falcoaria Red (Ribatejo) | Portuguese Red | Quinta do Casal Branco |