40591 | 40590 | US | Chalk Line includes all five Bordeaux grapes along with 25% Syrah. The first sniff brings up generous red and purple fruit aromas and pretty, yet restrained, barrel toast. It's well-integrated with medium density and excellent balance. | Chalk Line | 90 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Guardian 2011 Chalk Line Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Guardian |
40592 | 40591 | US | You'd never guess that this was rocking it so hard with 16.3% alcohol, as this wine achieves balance in the face of such boozy contents. The nose holds a blackberry core with rusty, spicier edges of star anise. These are followed by a palate of black cherry and cedar, with enough tannins to ensure evolving drinking until at least 2018. | Michael's Estate Reserve | 90 | 50 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Adelaida 2011 Michael's Estate Reserve Zinfandel (Paso Robles) | Zinfandel | Adelaida |
40593 | 40592 | US | Along with the Dolcetto, this Petite Sirah tops the new releases for this micro-boutique winery. Bright and lightly toasty, it's a forward wine, with pretty cherry, cola and earth components. An appealing and supple streak of leather comes with hints of spice and butterscotch, all woven together seamlessly. | | 90 | 26 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Animale 2011 Petite Sirah (Yakima Valley) | Petite Sirah | Animale |
40594 | 40593 | US | Full-flavored and textured, probably from the use of a Sauvignon Musque Clone for half of the wine, this is nonetheless a light wine, subtle in stone fruit, kiwi and lemon-lime. The acidity has an electricity and bubbliness that almost make it come alive. It's the right wine for fresh-shucked oysters. | Estate | 90 | 20 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Armida 2013 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Armida |
40595 | 40594 | US | This tasty, toasty red wine is all Sangiovese. The tangy red berry fruit flavors carry highlights of peppery herbs. With some air time the wine smoothes out and rolls into a creamy, mocha-infused finish. | Kiona Estate | 90 | 29 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Barrister 2011 Kiona Estate Sangiovese (Red Mountain) | Sangiovese | Barrister |
40596 | 40595 | France | Big and smoky, it discloses fruit as well as solid tannins. The wine has power and density, with black fruits that show sweetness. It will be delicious but the structure does need to soften first. Drink from 2017. | | 90 | 55 | Burgundy | Gevrey-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bouchard Père & Fils 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin | Pinot Noir | Bouchard Père & Fils |
40597 | 40596 | US | Honeycrisp apples come to mind at first sip, along with dollops of peach, lemongrass and caramel. The mouthfeel is fresh and flavorful, with excellent texture and length. | 62% Sémillon-21% Sauvignon-17% Muscadelle | 90 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Buty 2012 62% Sémillon-21% Sauvignon-17% Muscadelle White (Columbia Valley (WA)) | White Blend | Buty |
40598 | 40597 | France | Ripe and fruity, it shows both good acidity and attractive tannins. It has weight, red cherry flavors and a structure that supports the fruitiness. It's delicious but needs more time. Drink from 2017. | Le Village | 90 | | Burgundy | Savigny-lès-Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri de Villamont 2011 Le Village (Savigny-lès-Beaune) | Pinot Noir | Henri de Villamont |
40599 | 40598 | US | Dark burgundy in color, it has an old-world soul, earthy and brooding in clove, mushroomy forest floor and a light texture of cherry, not what you'd expect from a big-time NASCAR guy. Restrained yet powerful. | | 90 | 50 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Jeff Gordon 2011 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Jeff Gordon |
40600 | 40599 | France | At this stage, this wine is closed and packed with acidity. But just wait for a few years and the ripe wood and yellow fruits will emerge. It's a full-bodied, rich wine that needs to round out. Drink from 2016. | Morgeot Premier Cru | 90 | 112 | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Joseph Faiveley 2011 Morgeot Premier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet) | Chardonnay | Joseph Faiveley |
40601 | 40600 | US | At first, all you sense is a heavy, operatic costume of chocolaty, smoky, coffee-like oak flavors. Underneath these, a ripe and slightly sweet boysenberry soul keeps the drama going. Like a sturdy stage set, the richly laced tannins support the fruit and oak until the curtain falls. | | 90 | 25 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Zinhead 2011 Zinfandel (Lodi) | Zinfandel | Zinhead |
40602 | 40601 | France | Rich as well as structured, it's ripe and already delicious. Berry and cherry fruits are nicely surrounded by both acidity and tannins. Full in the mouth, it's going to be an estimable wine. Drink from 2017. | | 90 | 30 | Burgundy | Savigny-lès-Beaune | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pierre André 2011 Savigny-lès-Beaune | Pinot Noir | Pierre André |
40603 | 40602 | Turkey | This wine has a deep violet-red color and a nose of raspberry, vanilla and graphite. Fruit-dominant flavors of raspberry and cherry, with a touch of custard, showcase a satisfying cooperation between deep and bright notes that make for a satisfying sipping experience. | Reserve Single Vineyard Bozokbag | 90 | 39 | Thrace | | | Mike DeSimone | @worldwineguys | Suvla 2011 Reserve Single Vineyard Bozokbag Syrah (Thrace) | Syrah | Suvla |
40604 | 40603 | Italy | This opens with aromas of ripe black plum, tilled soil, blue flower, leather and game. The palate is still very tight but offers black cherry and bitter prune accented by notes of black pepper, clove, graphite and nutmeg. It's all supported by a backbone of assertive tannins. Drink after 2019. | Pago dei Fusi | 90 | 60 | Southern Italy | Taurasi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Terredora 2009 Pago dei Fusi (Taurasi) | Aglianico | Terredora |
40605 | 40604 | US | Hailing from a hillside estate of hand-tended grapes, this traditional Bordeaux blend begins with a menthol, roasted fennel and cinnamon-touched nose. On the palate, the herbals continue alongside ripening plum and gingerbread cake, followed by a lingering finish. | Cinque | 90 | 50 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | La Rusticana d'Orsa 2010 Cinque Red (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | La Rusticana d'Orsa |
40606 | 40605 | US | A five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend, it's still a big, tough, chewy, tannic wine with a chunky, somewhat blocky mouthfeel. Cherry, cassis and wood flavors dominate, and the tannins are quite astringent. Re-tasted over many hours it remained stubbornly hard and compact. Give this one some further bottle age. | Estate Grown Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee | 90 | 50 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | L'Ecole No. 41 2011 Estate Grown Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | L'Ecole No. 41 |
40607 | 40606 | Spain | Spicy plum and berry aromas are slightly earthy and on the money. This feels full and plump, but well balanced. Spicy dry plum and berry flavors are limited but focused, while this offers a vanilla note on a finish that fades out slow and easy. Drink through 2019. | Viña Real Reserva | 90 | 32 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | CVNE 2011 Viña Real Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo | CVNE |
40608 | 40607 | US | From the famous Westside Road-adjacent vineyard, this Chardonnay shows a proclivity toward lush roundness of texture and tropical flourish in flavor. Vanilla nuttiness is complemented by pineapple, green apple and caramel, lasting long into the finish. | Bacigalupi Vineyard | 90 | 44 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | E16 2014 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | E16 |
40609 | 40608 | Spain | Leafy gritty earthy berry aromas are spicy. This feels rugged but fresh, with a tolerable but strong tannic grip. Plum, boysenberry, chocolate, blackened toast and peppercorn flavors finish leafy, with firm tannins. | | 90 | 30 | Northern Spain | Somontano | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Enate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Somontano) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Enate |
40610 | 40609 | Australia | This seems a bit oaky on the nose, where scents of baking spices and cedar dominate, but those elements are balanced out on the palate, where blackberries, plums and black currants comes to the fore. This is a full-bodied, ripe-textured wine worth a look. Drink now–2025. | Three Blocks | 90 | 30 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Fox Creek 2014 Three Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Fox Creek |
40611 | 40610 | Italy | A blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino, this offers delicate ripe black-skinned fruit and cooking spice aromas. On the palate, ripe black cherry, espresso and clove flavors are framed by firm tannins. Drink through 2019. | Riserva | 89 | 30 | Tuscany | Chianti Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Mangiacane 2011 Riserva (Chianti Classico) | Red Blend | Mangiacane |
40612 | 40611 | Australia | Dense and rich, this is a hearty dry red for near-term drinking. Black olive and espresso aromas give way to chocolate and dark berries on the palate, while the finish is velvety and warm. | | 89 | 16 | South Australia | McLaren Vale | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Thomas Goss 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Thomas Goss |
40613 | 40612 | Australia | This wine ticks all the boxes, but just lacks the excitement and drama to take it to the next level. Smoke and vanilla notes add interest to the juicy, easy-to-drink cassis fruit. There's ample but not too much weight on the palate. Supple tannins. Perhaps it just needs additional cellaring time to warrant the price, although it doesn't come across as needing it in the structural sense. | Ashmead Single Vineyard | 89 | 108 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Elderton 2010 Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Elderton |
40614 | 40613 | US | Dark fruit and violet aromas are muted under opulent notes of vanilla and oak. On the palate, skin-driven, dark fruit flavors combine with rough oak, while chewy tannins linger on the long, bitter finish. | New World Reserve | 89 | 38 | Virginia | Monticello | | Carrie Dykes | | Trump 2014 New World Reserve Red (Monticello) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Trump |
40615 | 40614 | Italy | Made of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot, this has aromas that recall black-skinned berries, leather and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is just as lush: black currant, tobacco and baking spice flavors, framed by supple tannins. Enjoy through 2020. | Varvàra | 89 | 28 | Tuscany | Bolgheri | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Castello di Bolgheri 2014 Varvàra (Bolgheri) | Red Blend | Castello di Bolgheri |
40616 | 40615 | France | The wine is tight with tannins and a dense texture. It has plenty of fruit underneath to allow this blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot to balance out. Perfumed and with fine acidity, the wine should be ready from 2019. | Moulin du Château la Clide | 89 | 89 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Clide 2011 Moulin du Château la Clide (Saint-Émilion) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Clide |
40617 | 40616 | US | It's a treat to find a well-priced Merlot that has some gutsy tannin and dark fruit to go along with its sweeter flavors and mild texture. This wine has concentrated black cherry, clove and oak spice flavors, with a firm structure and lingering finish. | | 89 | 13 | California | California | California Other | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Château Souverain 2014 Merlot (California) | Merlot | Château Souverain |
40618 | 40617 | France | A very shy nose leads to a friendly palate of ripe but very tender apple fruit. The roundness and ripeness on the fresh slender body speaks of the beautiful 2015 vintage. The finish is broader and full of fruit. Drink soon. | Fraîcheur Gourmande | 89 | 20 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Charles Frey 2015 Fraîcheur Gourmande Sylvaner (Alsace) | Sylvaner | Domaine Charles Frey |
40619 | 40618 | France | The lovely and lively citrus-inflected nose of pear is very inviting. The palate comes across as more earthy and rounded. The body is light and easy, but has a subtle moreish texture. | Barriques | 89 | 28 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Ostertag 2015 Barriques Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Domaine Ostertag |
40620 | 40619 | France | There is a yeasty rounded freshness on the nose. The palate is also pervaded by pleasantly creamy fresh yeast notes. Again, this is about texture rather than power. This is made from one of the few vineyards of Chasselas, a rather neutral variety, that still exists in Alsace. It's a light-bodied wine made for the table and, dare I say it, for quenching thirst. | Vieilles Vignes | 89 | 22 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Schoffit 2015 Vieilles Vignes Chasselas (Alsace) | Chasselas | Domaine Schoffit |