33029 | 33028 | Italy | You can't beat the low price and overall good cheer of this fresh Italian Chardonnay in a screwtop bottle. The golden-colored wine reveals a soft and smooth texture accented by pretty aromas of stone fruit, honey and almond nut. | | 87 | 11 | Northeastern Italy | Delle Venezie | | | | Lagaria 2008 Chardonnay (Delle Venezie) | Chardonnay | Lagaria |
33030 | 33029 | France | Here's an 100% unoaked Chard that offers ripe tropical notes of mango and pineapple alongside flavors of rich red apple and canteloupe in the round mouth. Softly prickling acidity leads nicely into the fruity finish. | | 87 | 12 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Le Drunk Rooster 2008 Chardonnay (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Chardonnay | Le Drunk Rooster |
33001 | 33000 | France | This blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc gives a crisp, lightly textured wine, floral in character with flavors of white peach and plum. Ready to drink. | Gouleyant | 85 | 12 | Southwest France | Gaillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Georges Vigouroux 2012 Gouleyant White (Gaillac) | White Blend | Georges Vigouroux |
33002 | 33001 | Argentina | Piercing, jabbing aromas of wood and berry fruits lead to a juicy, acidic, fresh feeling palate with light, oaky, generic flavors of minty berry, herbs and oak. A modest, oaky finish is undistinguished. | | 85 | 18 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Lagarde 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Lagarde |
33003 | 33002 | US | With a translucent ruby color, this wine shows nice Pinot Noir character. It has a light, silky texture and flavors of sour cherry and raspberry candy, Dr. Pepper cola and sandalwood. | | 85 | 13 | California | California | California Other | | | Masked Rider 2011 Pinot Noir (California) | Pinot Noir | Masked Rider |
33004 | 33003 | Argentina | Initially this smells burnt and gritty, with leafy aromas and a whiff of tar. The mouthfeel is grabby, while flavors of roasted berry, burnt leaves and leather finish rustic and hard. | | 85 | 17 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Old Winery 2011 Red (Mendoza) | Red Blend | Old Winery |
33005 | 33004 | Argentina | Pushy, smoky, forceful aromas of roasted blackberry and campfire set up a sticky feeling, slightly gummy palate that's full of berry, plum and rubbery flavors. On the finish, this flattens out and becomes heavier. | Reserva | 85 | 12 | Mendoza Province | Uco Valley | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca El Origen 2011 Reserva Malbec (Uco Valley) | Malbec | Finca El Origen |
33006 | 33005 | Spain | Dense, stewy, baked aromas of blueberry and Graham cracker lead to a blocky, flabby palate with earthy flavors of stewed berries and prune. In many ways this registers as overripe and raisiny. | Roble | 85 | 22 | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vallemon de Sardilici 2009 Roble (Ribera del Duero) | Tempranillo | Vallemon de Sardilici |
33007 | 33006 | US | The core dark-cherry and raspberry scents are set off by smoky oak, licorice and spearmint subtleties. Medium in body, this feels open and pliant, yet the acids make the finish succulent. | Divino | 85 | 32 | New Mexico | New Mexico | | | | Vivác Winery 2008 Divino Red (New Mexico) | Red Blend | Vivác Winery |
33008 | 33007 | US | Brisk acidity gives this Sauvignon Blanc a mouthwatering quality, but it's pretty ripe, with flavors of white sugar, lemons and pineapple. Will pair well with salty, savory foods like sausages, ham or teriyaki chicken. | | 85 | 17 | California | Santa Ynez Valley | Central Coast | | | Santa Barbara Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Santa Barbara Winery |
33009 | 33008 | Argentina | Although Argentina is hardly Pinot Grigio country, this is a tropical-style quaffer with good balance and enough acidity to avoid coming across heavy. Creamy aromas of melon and lychee set up flavors of nectarine and tangerine. A lasting but modest finish is fair and appropriate. | Oak Cask | 85 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Trapiche 2012 Oak Cask Pinot Grigio (Mendoza) | Pinot Grigio | Trapiche |
33010 | 33009 | US | The winery turns to this Monterey appellation to up their Chardonnay games. The wine is lush and oaky, with intensely ripe tangerine and apricot flavors. | | 85 | 19 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | | | Vina Robles 2012 Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Chardonnay | Vina Robles |
33011 | 33010 | US | Hailing from the cool 2011 vintage, it's light in style with notes of red currant, herbs and olive with little apparent oak influence. A straight-forward easy quaffer. | | 85 | 13 | Washington | Rattlesnake Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Hyatt 2011 Merlot (Rattlesnake Hills) | Merlot | Hyatt |
33012 | 33011 | France | A light style of Pinot Gris, softly ripe and rounded. There are touches of spice, peach and peppered apples, an attractive balance of acidity to finish. | | 85 | | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Jean Becker 2011 Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Jean Becker |
33013 | 33012 | US | Some unripe vegetal flavors mar this blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah. It's softly tannic, and what fruit there is suggests sweetened cherry pie. | The Devious Woman | 85 | 34 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | JR Wine 2011 The Devious Woman Red (Napa Valley) | Red Blend | JR Wine |
33014 | 33013 | US | This fruity wine is a sugary mix of bubble gum, mint and syrupy peaches. It consists of bold flavors, but lacks the delicacy that Riesling can show in many vintages. | Katie Mae Zillah Ranch Vineyard | 85 | 14 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Kana 2012 Katie Mae Zillah Ranch Vineyard Riesling (Yakima Valley) | Riesling | Kana |
33015 | 33014 | France | Dominated by Sylvaner but with some fragrant Muscat also in the blend, this is a perfumed wine, fresh while soft. It's delicate, balanced, cut neatly with acidity. A great apéritif wine. | | 85 | 12 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Kuentz-Bas 2011 White (Alsace) | White Blend | Kuentz-Bas |
33016 | 33015 | US | Just 75% Cabernet, the rest a mix of Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot, this turns generic, with bitter berry flavors. There's a little toastiness backing the tannins but a short finish, overall. | | 85 | 24 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Mercer 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mercer |
33017 | 33016 | US | A mouthful of ripe, fruity jam and baking spice from a vineyard also sourced by the producer for Cabernet Sauvignon. | Wackman Ranch | 84 | 18 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Virginie Boone | @vboone | McConnell Estates Winery 2008 Wackman Ranch Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | McConnell Estates Winery |
33018 | 33017 | US | This Merlot is as pale as a Pinot Noir, which suggests how light bodied it is. It's silky and dry in the mouth, with pleasant cherry, cola and sandalwood flavors. | | 84 | 12 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Montoya 2010 Merlot (Monterey County) | Merlot | Montoya |
33019 | 33018 | US | There's lots of mouthwatering acidity in this Chard, but it's also jammy with simple apricot, orange, peach and oak flavors. The result is like a Lifesaver candy, a little bit sweet and sour. | Split Oak Estates Sur Lie | 84 | 12 | California | California | California Other | | | Morro Bay 2011 Split Oak Estates Sur Lie Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Morro Bay |
33020 | 33019 | US | This is a lush, rich Chardonnay with especially ripe pineapple, peach and lime flavors, as well as a coating of oaky, buttered toast. | Signature Selection | 84 | 14 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Pedroncelli 2012 Signature Selection Chardonnay (Dry Creek Valley) | Chardonnay | Pedroncelli |
33021 | 33020 | France | A Bordeaux blend with some Tannat thrown into the mix, this is a juicy, very fruity wine. It has fresh berry flavors, a touch of spice and soft tannins. Drink now. | | 84 | | Southwest France | Côtes de Gascogne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Rieutort 2011 Red (Côtes de Gascogne) | Red Blend | Rieutort |
33022 | 33021 | US | Strong, caramelized oak stars in this dry, rather one-dimensional Cabernet. Despite some black currant, anise and mocha flavors, it's like drinking toothpicks. | Winemaker's Reserve | 84 | 40 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Souverain 2009 Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Souverain |
33023 | 33022 | France | This rosé from the Côtes du Rhône is ahead of the pack, with intense cherry and spice character, a dry, crisp palate and a lovely strawberry finish that hangs around just long enough. | | 87 | 14 | Rhône Valley | Côtes du Rhône | | | | E. Guigal 2008 Rosé (Côtes du Rhône) | Rosé | E. Guigal |
33024 | 33023 | Argentina | Nicely aromatic, with all that's good about affordable Malbec from Argentina: bold fruit, depth and some richness. The palate is plump and stocked with tasty blackberry, plum and raisin flavors, while the finish is sturdy and subtle. A good wine that should not offend anyone. | Reserve | 87 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Trivento 2008 Reserve Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Trivento |
33025 | 33024 | Argentina | Shows pretty good concentration and depth on the nose, where it only slightly hints at the herbal character that comes later. The palate is a touch astringent, with cola, blackberry and herbal flavors. Persistent on the finish, but also herbal and not overly complex. | Malbec Reserva | 87 | 14 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Vila 2007 Malbec Reserva Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Vila |
33026 | 33025 | Chile | Nice Pinot, with light tomato, mint, lemon peel and red plum aromas. The palate is dry and refreshing, with purity and citrusy raspberry/cherry flavors. Shows more weight and stuffing toward the finish, but stays narrow in terms of flavor. One of Chile's most expensive Pinot Noirs. | Ventolera | 87 | 32 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Litoral 2008 Ventolera Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley) | Pinot Noir | Viña Litoral |
33027 | 33026 | France | The nose beguiles, with scents of vanilla, freshly baked bread and wet stones that give way to tones of lemon and apricot on the tongue. This wine is light-bodied and crisp, a good summer sipper. Drink up over the next year, perhaps with a piece of grilled fish. | | 87 | 15 | Alsace | Alsace | | | | W. Gisselbrecht 2007 Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | W. Gisselbrecht |
33028 | 33027 | Italy | Here's a clean and well-balanced rosé with a fresh bouquet of fruity and floral aromas, followed by a crisp, tonic mouthfeel. This is exactly the kind of wine that is appropriate to serve at outdoor picnics or with friends at lunch. Very nice. | Cerasuolo Rosato | 87 | | Central Italy | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo | | | | La Valentina 2008 Cerasuolo Rosato (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo) | Rosé | La Valentina |