| 49621 | 49620 | Australia | Chocolate and prune aromas and flavors come across as somewhat generic, then finish on a drying, astringent note. | | 82 | 14 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Terra Australis 2007 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia) | Shiraz | Terra Australis |
| 49622 | 49621 | US | Neutral oak, 100% varietal. These three new releases from Cave B all taste of extremely young fruit, perhaps overcropped? In any event, without much going on. This is acidic, tastes like cranberry juice, with some volatility also. | Estate | 82 | 22 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Cave B 2007 Estate Barbera (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Barbera | Cave B |
| 49623 | 49622 | US | A bit harsh in the mouth and soft, which emphasizes the extracted fruit and makes the wine taste syrupy in blackberries and licorice. | The Climber | 82 | 17 | California | California | California Other | | | Clif Family 2006 The Climber Red (California) | Red Blend | Clif Family |
| 49624 | 49623 | US | Dry and crisp in acidity, but a little tired, even though it's less than three years of age. Shows dried fruit and tobacco flavors that are turning mushroomy. | | 82 | 22 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | | | Joullian 2006 Chardonnay (Monterey) | Chardonnay | Joullian |
| 49625 | 49624 | Portugal | A sweet, soft, clean wine, anonymous almost. Yes, there is freshness, lightness, but all the time the awkward, unbalancing sweetness pulls it down. Drink very chilled. | | 82 | 5 | Vinho Verde | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lagosta 2008 White (Vinho Verde) | Portuguese White | Lagosta |
| 49626 | 49625 | Spain | A tough wine to enjoy. The nose has a cheesy top layer, while the base aromas are of bell pepper and lettuce. It's very tangy and juicy in the mouth, with searing red-cherry flavors and green accents. Snappy and whispy to the max. | Crianza | 82 | 9 | Northern Spain | Navarra | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Príncipe de Viana 2005 Crianza Red (Navarra) | Tempranillo Blend | Príncipe de Viana |
| 49627 | 49626 | US | As sweet as Port, with chocolate and prune flavors. Feels as hot as a chile pepper, with nearly 17% alcohol. | Reserve West Dry Creek | 81 | 50 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Mazzocco 2006 Reserve West Dry Creek Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) | Zinfandel | Mazzocco |
| 49628 | 49627 | US | Despite 15.1% alcohol, this is dull, one dimensional and rather light. The tannins are a little beefed up, but there's marginal fruit and everything seems a bit out of whack. | Barrel Select | 81 | 14 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Mount Baker Vineyards 2005 Barrel Select Merlot (Yakima Valley) | Merlot | Mount Baker Vineyards |
| 49629 | 49628 | Argentina | Gold in color and heavy, with melony aromas and citrusy, melony flavors that end fast and veer toward bitter. Quite heavy and seemingly on the fade; there aren't many reasons to go here, chief among them the weird blend of Chardonnay and Sémillon. | | 81 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Aconcagua 2006 Chardonnay-Semillon (Mendoza) | Chardonnay-Semillon | Aconcagua |
| 49630 | 49629 | US | Dry and crisp, but so watered down, there's practically nothing there. Shows the barest hint of of citrus and flower flavors. | | 81 | 9 | California | California | California Other | | | Surf Point 2007 Pinot Grigio (California) | Pinot Grigio | Surf Point |
| 49631 | 49630 | Argentina | Past its sell-by date, with mealy aromas and dull flavors of apple and banana. The feel is flat, the acidity is not there, and the finish is bland and a little bitter. | | 81 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Carlos Basso 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendoza) | Sauvignon Blanc | Carlos Basso |
| 49632 | 49631 | Australia | Rubbery and rhubarby on the nose, then confected and frankly sweet-tasting on the palate, with a short finish. | | 81 | 10 | Australia Other | South Eastern Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Friday Monkey 2006 Merlot (South Eastern Australia) | Merlot | Friday Monkey |
| 49633 | 49632 | Australia | Starts with some odd aromas of burnt rubber, charred plum and scorched marshmallow, then delivers slightly sweet, caramelly flavors. It's thick and viscous in texture yet without much in the way of tannin. | | 81 | 15 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Patritti 2007 Shiraz (South Australia) | Shiraz | Patritti |
| 49634 | 49633 | Argentina | Off the grid and strange smelling, with jumbled aromas that are hard to describe. Exceedingly sour and lean on the palate, with a vegetal finish. | Grand Reserve | 80 | 20 | Other | San Juan | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Graffigna 2005 Grand Reserve Malbec (San Juan) | Malbec | Graffigna |
| 49635 | 49634 | Australia | This inexpensive Aussie Shiraz seems to have deteriorated in recent vintages. The 2007 tastes sweet, filled with candied fruit and turning a bit cloying on the finish. | | 80 | 12 | South Australia | South Australia | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Red Knot 2007 Shiraz (South Australia) | Shiraz | Red Knot |
| 49636 | 49635 | US | Soft and syrupy, with semisweet flavors of berries and anise. | Rosso Di California | 80 | 10 | California | California | California Other | | | Ca' Momi 2007 Rosso Di California Red (California) | Red Blend | Ca' Momi |
| 49637 | 49636 | Argentina | Heavy hayfield aromas are oxidized, and the flavors of almond peel, citrus pith and baked banana do nothing to impress. Not a fresh or healthy wine, if it ever was. Past its prime. | | 80 | 12 | Mendoza Province | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Alfredo Roca 2007 Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | Alfredo Roca |
| 49638 | 49637 | France | Wonderfully aromatic, this sure-to-be legendary wine offers richness, ripeness, and pure yellow fruits, peaches and apricots, all alongside a structured strain of chalky minerality. It is a wine for long aging, the wood spice just becoming integrated, the fruit still in its first vibrancy. But even now, it fills the mouth with generous fruits, and a great finish of citrus. | | 97 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de Chevalier 2007 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Domaine de Chevalier |
| 49639 | 49638 | US | Dark, viscous and monumental, this Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend detonates on the palate with black currants, chocolate and cedar concentration, wrapped into the most perfect tannins. Outstanding, and should age for many years. Only 277 cases of this wine, which was grown on steep hillsides, were produced. | Highland Estates Trace Ridge | 97 | 125 | California | Knights Valley | Sonoma | | | Kendall-Jackson 2006 Highland Estates Trace Ridge Red (Knights Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Kendall-Jackson |
| 49640 | 49639 | US | The vineyard is in the interior part of the appellation, toward Carneros, and the wine displays the firm, acidic minerality of that cool, foggy region. It has fantastic limpidity. The oak is remarkable for the purity of vanilla and smoky honey, while the underlying flavors of Meyer lemons, pineapples, nectarines and kumquats are decadently good. A masterpiece of Chardonnay. | Stone Côte Vineyard | 96 | 60 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Hartford Court 2007 Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Hartford Court |
| 49641 | 49640 | US | This is from a block of younger vines made from Dijon clones within the larger Arrendell Vineyard. The wine is quite full-bodied and robust, almost rustic, which is mainly due to the powerful, young tannins. With explosive berry, currant and mocha flavors, this powerful wine should hit its stride in mid-2010. | Hailey's Block | 95 | 60 | California | Green Valley | Sonoma | | | Hartford Court 2007 Hailey's Block Pinot Noir (Green Valley) | Pinot Noir | Hartford Court |
| 49642 | 49641 | Austria | A Riesling that hovers deliciously between Alsace and the German Rheingau. It has the richness of Alsace, but the structure of the Rheingau. And it brings more, because the tight soils of the Hochrain vineyard, with its stony subsoil, brings an intense minerality, which is surrounded by opulent apricot and pineapple fruits. A great wine with enormous potential. | Hochrain Smaragd | 95 | 74 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Franz Hirtzberger 2007 Hochrain Smaragd Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Franz Hirtzberger |
| 49643 | 49642 | Austria | One of Austria's great wines, this intense expression of an imposing vineyard explodes in the mouth. Its perfumed, floral character quickly gives way to a taut, tight mineral structure, a coiled spring with its white fruits, citrus and bright acidity all waiting to race out as the wine ages. Keep for at least five years. | Singerriedel Smaragd | 95 | 126 | Wachau | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Franz Hirtzberger 2007 Singerriedel Smaragd Riesling (Wachau) | Riesling | Franz Hirtzberger |
| 49644 | 49643 | US | High acidity marks this vibrant wine, which is from one of Kendall-Jackson's coolest coastal vineyards. The crispness lends a vibrant tension to the intense flavors of Meyer lemons, orange blossom and minerals, while oak adds softer, spicy notes. Feels racy and nervy all through, in a delicious way. | Seascape Vineyard | 94 | 65 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | | | Hartford Court 2007 Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) | Chardonnay | Hartford Court |
| 49645 | 49644 | US | This wine sports a green-apple and pear nose with some extra weight from barrel fermentation. Well-balanced and right on the border between stainless- steel and barrel-fermented styles: steel meets butter on the palate. Best Buy. | | 88 | 10 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Covey Run 1998 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Covey Run |
| 49646 | 49645 | US | Clear, bright and fragrant, with a soft and seductive nose. This is a wine that can only be called pretty, with a light floral component to it—roses maybe. There’s lots of ripe black-cherry fruit, some raspberries, and a chocolaty edge. It’s made for drinking right away, but structured enough for near-term aging. | | 88 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Canoe Ridge 1998 Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Canoe Ridge |
| 49647 | 49646 | US | Barrel fermentation, with the full malolactic treatment, yields a ripe, buttery wine that sets up rich and plush on the palate. Despite the fat, buttery style it isn't overblown or flabby, and lingers through a clean, polished finish. | Vintner's Select | 88 | 20 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Bookwalter 1997 Vintner's Select Chardonnay (Washington) | Chardonnay | Bookwalter |
| 49648 | 49647 | US | Bright orange-blossom scents mingle with spices and limes; there's plenty of acid despite the 1.9% residual sugar. Soft fruit on the palate, where it's elegant, in a sensual way. A perfect summer white. | | 88 | 8 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Seven Hills 1999 White Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | White Riesling | Seven Hills |
| 49649 | 49648 | US | Has very tight fruit, but it's deeply appley, with opulent cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger spice. Also drinks spicy and rich. Has a wonderfully deft, supple mouthfeel, and is quite dry. A fine example of a North Coast Chard that's clean and well crafted. | Block Collection Big River Ranch | 88 | 23 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Geyser Peak 1998 Block Collection Big River Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Geyser Peak |
| 49650 | 49649 | US | Toasty, smoky aromas from new oak come close to concealing shy apples and citrus fruits, but the strong spicy flavors assert themselves on the palate. A very long finish completes the picture. | Kinneybrook Vineyard | 88 | 20 | California | California | California Other | | | Kunde 1998 Kinneybrook Vineyard Chardonnay (California) | Chardonnay | Kunde |