| 27631 | 27630 | France | Cocoa and cedar aromas dominate the bouquet, but then some dark fruit emerges on the palate. It's dense, rich and flavorful, but lacks the elegance and finesse to score higher. | Cuvée Prestige | 87 | 14 | Rhône Valley | Costières de Nîmes | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château de Campuget 1998 Cuvée Prestige Red (Costières de Nîmes) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Château de Campuget |
| 27632 | 27631 | US | Lots of sharp-edged oak around a soft, plummy, chocolate-covered cherry of a wine. Smooth and easy-drinking, up to a fairly tannic finish. The acids keep everything in balance. | | 87 | 20 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Easton 1997 Zinfandel (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Zinfandel | Easton |
| 27633 | 27632 | South Africa | Plum, chocolate and herbaceous notes make for an attractive flavor package. A smooth mouthfeel, medium body and a long finish add further positive notes. You won't go wrong with this one. | | 87 | 18 | Stellenbosch | | | | | Warwick 1997 Merlot (Stellenbosch) | Merlot | Warwick |
| 27634 | 27633 | US | Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries, with smooth coffee and cream flavors streaking through the finish. Nicely made in a clean, classic Napa Zin style. | | 87 | 18 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Van Asperen 1997 Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Van Asperen |
| 27635 | 27634 | US | Blueberry, spices, fruitcake, even a maple syrup note mark the nose of this fairly sweet Zinfandel. The somewhat candied quality to the berry fruit was not favored by all tasters, but the plush yet structured mouthfeel has significant appeal. Dark sweet-tart fruit and moderate, even tannins work together to provide a positive finish. | Rustridge Vineyard | 87 | 18 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rosenblum 1998 Rustridge Vineyard Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Rosenblum |
| 27636 | 27635 | US | Good, thick, black cherry fruit, dense tannins, with a dark, dense, chalky finish. This is manly Zin—muscular, balanced and heavy. Great for outdoor grilling. | | 87 | 22 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Newlan 1998 Zinfandel (Napa Valley) | Zinfandel | Newlan |
| 27637 | 27636 | US | This is bright and smooth, with forward berry fruit and just the right amount of chocolaty oak. Supple and tangy, with a lip-smacking finish. | | 87 | 22 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Savannah-Chanelle 1998 Zinfandel (Paso Robles) | Zinfandel | Savannah-Chanelle |
| 27638 | 27637 | US | Some of Seghesio's plantings are over a century old, and the wine has a classic, briary quality to it. Supple and inviting, it drinks well now but has the balance and structure to age for a few years. | Old Vine | 87 | 18 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Seghesio 1998 Old Vine Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Seghesio |
| 27639 | 27638 | US | High toned, alcoholic nose, with cherry nail-polish scents. Cherries and plums fill the mouth, along with tongue-lashing tannins. The blend includes 6% Grenache and 4% Mourvèdre, which gives it a nice, peppery edge. Lots of flavor for this price. | Special Reserve | 87 | 10 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Shenandoah 1998 Special Reserve Zinfandel (Amador County) | Zinfandel | Shenandoah |
| 27640 | 27639 | France | Opulent richness combines with an aromatic delicacy, with honey, orange and acacia. The freshness and acid-sweetness balance of Castelnau are already accessible. | Castelnau de Suduiraut | 90 | 30 | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Suduiraut 2003 Castelnau de Suduiraut (Sauternes) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Suduiraut |
| 27641 | 27640 | Italy | Cupinero is a softly oaked red that's immediately likeable. It makes an elegant first impression with sweet cherry, white peppercorn, chocolate and exotic spice. Wood tones are more evident in the mouth, where vanilla and toasted flavors take over. Drink after 2010. | Cupinero | 90 | 40 | Tuscany | Maremma | | | | Col di Bacche 2005 Cupinero (Maremma) | Merlot | Col di Bacche |
| 27642 | 27641 | Italy | Unabashedly exhibits thick layers of roasted nut, espresso bean, black chocolate and spicy pipe tobacco. The wine is modern and plush and seems to be bursting at the seams in terms of richness and concentration. | Riserva | 90 | 32 | Tuscany | Montecucco | | | | Collemassari 2004 Riserva (Montecucco) | Red Blend | Collemassari |
| 27643 | 27642 | Italy | Thick extraction and enduring notes of sweet spice set the tone of this sophisticated Sangiovese. The wine appears older than it is but does an excellent job of delivering cinnamon and overripe black fruit. It closes with firm tannins and bright cherry flavors. | Locorosso | 90 | 35 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Pratesi 2005 Locorosso Sangiovese (Toscana) | Sangiovese | Pratesi |
| 27644 | 27643 | Spain | There's no denying the wine's core strengths, which start with the bouquet's campfire and prune qualities and extend onto the palate, where peppy raspberry and plum flavors take over. This is a complete, stylish Rioja that's about halfway through the aging process. It's still juicy and agile, with licorice and raisin notes adding some sweetness. Drink now–2016. | Gran Reserva | 90 | 38 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Ramón Bilbao 1999 Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Ramón Bilbao |
| 27645 | 27644 | Italy | This plump blend of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc is raw in places but carries a pretty tune of blueberry, spice and smoked ham. The deep ruby color is glorious and the wine ends with firm tannins. | Tenuta S. Giovanni Valdisanti | 90 | 40 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tolaini 2004 Tenuta S. Giovanni Valdisanti Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tolaini |
| 27646 | 27645 | Italy | Scrio boasts chunky aromas of clove, milk chocolate, coconut and pulsing blueberry. You can definitely identify the hot vintage in the wine's complex DNA although it isn't a big issue in terms of quality. The mouthfeel is polished and firm and the wine's long finish is amazing. | Scrio | 90 | 210 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Le Macchiole 2003 Scrio Syrah (Toscana) | Syrah | Le Macchiole |
| 27647 | 27646 | Australia | Richly tropical in nature, with ripe flavors suggesting peaches and mangoes framed by lingering hints of butter and toast. It's a plump, amply endowed version of this wine, but may not be as long lived as some other vintages. Drink now–2010. | Art Series | 90 | 79 | Western Australia | Margaret River | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Leeuwin Estate 2004 Art Series Chardonnay (Margaret River) | Chardonnay | Leeuwin Estate |
| 27648 | 27647 | US | To judge by the blast of white pepper and strong tannins, the Northern Rhône is the model for this dry, single-vineyard wine. It is a distinguished Syrah, but too tannic and closed down now for thorough enjoyment. Best to cellar for 3 or 4 years, maybe longer, until it throws some sediment. | Corner Pocket Vineyard | 90 | 32 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Mill Creek 2005 Corner Pocket Vineyard Syrah (Dry Creek Valley) | Syrah | Mill Creek |
| 27649 | 27648 | Italy | This whopper of a wine sees 24 months in wood and is a powerhouse blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Add the fact that it comes from a hot vintage and you have one syrupy thick, divinely decadent super Tuscan. Dense black fruit and mulberries intermingle with chewy tannins and thick concentration. | Castello di Nipozzano Mormoreto | 90 | 50 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Marchesi de' Frescobaldi 2003 Castello di Nipozzano Mormoreto Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Marchesi de' Frescobaldi |
| 27650 | 27649 | Italy | Sweet oak shadings are lavished over a solid core of cherry and black currant in this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Dig deeper and you'll encounter exotic spice, tobacco, sweet red fruit, natural rubber and chocolate yogurt. It boasts chewy, tart tannins over long-lasting cherry flavors. | Vignarè | 90 | 45 | Tuscany | Bolgheri Superiore | | | | Guicciardini Strozzi 2004 Vignarè (Bolgheri Superiore) | Red Blend | Guicciardini Strozzi |
| 27651 | 27650 | Italy | Cabernet Franc is the base of this modern, plush wine with notes of cherry, plum, prune, mature fruit, earth, Porcini mushroom and spicy tobacco. The mouthfeel is elegant and delicate despite the thick extraction. | | 90 | 75 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Villa Vignamaggio 2004 Cabernet Franc (Toscana) | Cabernet Franc | Villa Vignamaggio |
| 27652 | 27651 | Italy | Balifico's build and concentration grow on the palate offering aromas of cherry, rum, vanilla, cloves, lead, incense, candle wax and Asian spice along the way. The blend of Sangiovese and Cab delivers complexity, drying tannins and smoky overtones. | Balifico | 90 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Volpaia 2003 Balifico Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Volpaia |
| 27653 | 27652 | Portugal | Only the second garrafeira (the name means special selection) made by the Borba cooperative, this is a serious, complex wine that wears its tannins and rich fruits lightly. The dried fruits, chocolate and edge of bitterness all promise aging potential. There's a fresh, juicy feel to the aftertaste, before the spice from wood aging kicks back in. | Garrafeira | 90 | 22 | Alentejo | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Adega Cooperativa de Borba 2002 Garrafeira Red (Alentejo) | Portuguese Red | Adega Cooperativa de Borba |
| 27654 | 27653 | Italy | Careful winemaking has saved this blend from the hot vintage, preserving its vibrant aromas of red fruit, lavender flower, blueberry and almond. In fact, the wine manages to be delicate in fragrance and approach. Drink now. | 50 & 50 | 90 | 155 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Avignonesi-Capannelle 2003 50 & 50 Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Avignonesi-Capannelle |
| 27655 | 27654 | US | This is a dessert wine, and a very pleasurable one. It's sweet but not too sweet, and very high acidity provides crisp balance to the pineapple, peach, honeysuckle, vanilla and spice flavors. The official sugar reading is 7.5%, and the alcohol is a refreshingly low 9%. Great with a fruit tart, sorbet or Key lime pie. | Bartolucci Vineyard | 90 | 16 | California | Lake County | | | | Bonterra 2006 Bartolucci Vineyard Muscat (Lake County) | Muscat | Bonterra |
| 27656 | 27655 | Spain | A firm wine with fine structure and balance. The nose is fiery and rustic early on, then seductive as it opens up. The palate exhibits currents of raspberry, cherry and plum, and below the surface there's vanilla and brown sugar. A smooth operator that shows the Campo Viejo brand in its best light. | Gran Reserva | 90 | 20 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Campo Viejo 2001 Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | Campo Viejo |
| 27657 | 27656 | Germany | This is close to dry in style, with its baked apple and spice flavors supported by stony, mineral notes and ample (12.5%) alcohol. It's fairly full-bodied for a German Riesling, finishing with hints of mineral oil that cling to the palate. Drink now. | Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Spätlese Feinherb | 90 | 22 | Rheingau | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Carl Ehrhard 2005 Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Spätlese Feinherb Riesling (Rheingau) | Riesling | Carl Ehrhard |
| 27658 | 27657 | Italy | Thick and powerful, this pure Cabernet boasts a wide offering of aromas: Plum, prune, wild mushroom, moist earth and mature fruit are identifiable characteristics. The mouthfeel is gritty and raw but full of penetrating flavors. | Il Sole di Alessandro | 90 | 70 | Tuscany | Colli della Toscana Centrale | | | | Castello di Querceto 2003 Il Sole di Alessandro Cabernet Sauvignon (Colli della Toscana Centrale) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Castello di Querceto |
| 27659 | 27658 | Spain | With a gold glint and put-together aromas of peach, candle wax, mineral and citrus, this is very nice Albariño that's now fully ripe, mature and drinking at its best. The palate pits juicy melon against dry papaya; it's big, ripe, full and the perfect foil for all sorts of white-friendly foods. Only 1,000 cases made of this reserve-style wine. | Erxebre | 90 | 15 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Condes de Albarei 2006 Erxebre Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Condes de Albarei |
| 27660 | 27659 | US | This is the fourth 90-point score this bottling has earned in as many years, meaning the wine has hit a very nice stride. Made with no oak, it offers a crisp, fruity freshness, with flavors of limes, tangerines, peaches, pears and vanilla. | Bien Nacido Vineyard | 90 | 22 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Kynsi 2006 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Blanc (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Blanc | Kynsi |