| 50097 | 50096 | France | This wine is on the austere, lean side, with firm tannins and fruit that is still only just showing and therefore lacking depth of flavor. The finish has attractive red berry fruits. | | 89 | | Bordeaux | Margaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Durfort-Vivens 2008 Margaux | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Durfort-Vivens |
| 50098 | 50097 | France | Dark in style, as is often the case here, with a hard, tough edge. It is austere, the fruit a mere hint in the background. It does have potential, although this will come slowly. | | 89 | | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut Bages Libéral 2008 Pauillac | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut Bages Libéral |
| 50099 | 50098 | Portugal | An attractive, fruity wine, very pure in character, with some minerality along with dry tannins. The wine does keep a little sweetness, but remains on the dry side. | Quinta da Roêda Vintage | 89 | 58 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Croft 2008 Quinta da Roêda Vintage (Port) | Port | Croft |
| 50100 | 50099 | Italy | Fattoi's Brunello stands out in a crowd thanks to its meaty aromas of barbecue and smoked bacon. It's an easy and intense wine with a direct, penetrating feel on the close. | | 89 | 62 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Fattoi 2006 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Fattoi |
| 50071 | 50070 | France | Pale in color, this ripe, full-bodied wine has a rich core of red fruits and spicy acidity. The wine is concentrated while still keeping elegance and fresh fruitiness. The aftertaste is full and smooth. | Cuvée Prestige | 90 | 26 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château les Crostes 2014 Cuvée Prestige Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Château les Crostes |
| 50072 | 50071 | France | A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, this boasts assertive aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry, bramble and licorice root, with accents of black pepper and cocoa powder. The velvety tannins frame the dark fruit core on the palate, with lingering notes of dried fig and charred pepper on the close. | Panatella | 90 | 25 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Minervois | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Château Tourril 2010 Panatella Syrah-Grenache (Minervois) | Syrah-Grenache | Château Tourril |
| 50073 | 50072 | France | This blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Carignan opens with attractive aromas of fudgy brownie, mocha latte, dried cherry and raspberry sauce. Medium weight and plush, it's rich and attractive, but not overly done, with flavors of blackberry and cherry that lead into a spicy finish of black pepper and roasted cocoa nib. | Philippe | 90 | 25 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Minervois | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Château Tourril 2011 Philippe Red (Minervois) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Château Tourril |
| 50074 | 50073 | France | Earthy notes and yeasty richness swing along the aromatic lemon bouquet. On the very slight, slender palate these flavors appear linear and leave a feeling of near weightlessness. Savory tones of yeast make themselves felt on the long, gossamer finish. | Les Éléments | 90 | 14 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Bott-Geyl 2013 Les Éléments Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Domaine Bott-Geyl |
| 50075 | 50074 | France | The Rolle, or Vermentino, has produced a warm, herbal, southern sun-touched wine. It is full of rich yellow fruits and laced with acidity. A light touch of honey from the ripe fruits gives a deliciously smooth aftertaste. Drink now. | L'Esprit de Provence | 90 | 19 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine du Grand Cros 2014 L'Esprit de Provence Rolle (Côtes de Provence) | Rolle | Domaine du Grand Cros |
| 50076 | 50075 | France | This impressively concentrated wine focuses on the brilliant red fruits that shine through the generous texture. It is ripe, with a streak of fresh acidity at the end to give the essential refreshing aftertaste. | Cuvée Clarendon | 90 | 30 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Gavoty 2014 Cuvée Clarendon Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Domaine Gavoty |
| 50077 | 50076 | France | So pale, this wine is almost white. The fruit and the red-berry flavors are definitely those of a rosé, a fruity, full wine with a touch of spice as well as a tight, mineral texture. Weight and ripeness are balanced by a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink now. | Château de Selle | 90 | 50 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaines Ott 2014 Château de Selle Rosé (Côtes de Provence) | Rosé | Domaines Ott |
| 50078 | 50077 | US | Poached apple, tart nectarine skins and a tiny whiff of petrol decorate the nose of this single-vineyard study that received 14% new oak. It's clean and easy on the palate, with Golden Delicious apples, cement stoniness and a pear skin tartness. | Vogelzang Vineyard | 90 | 45 | California | Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Dragonette 2013 Vogelzang Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara) | Sauvignon Blanc | Dragonette |
| 50079 | 50078 | France | Saint-Maur's vines are planted close to Saint-Tropez in one of the warmest sectors of the Provence coast. This wine is firm and tannic, with signs of bitter coffee from extraction that are balanced by the ripe black-currant flavors. It will develop well; drink after 2017. | | 90 | 25 | Provence | Côtes de Provence | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Saint-Maur 2013 Red (Côtes de Provence) | Provence red blend | Château Saint-Maur |
| 50080 | 50079 | US | A light, straightforward and focused wine, 100% varietal, this offers cranberry, mushroom and a complexity of tannin and oak. High acidity dances around fresh layers of strawberry and raspberry on the palate, with a grippy, cinnamon-spiced finish. | Estate Grown | 90 | 38 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Cuvaison 2013 Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Napa Valley) | Pinot Noir | Cuvaison |
| 50081 | 50080 | US | The inaugural release of this producer's GSM blend is comprised of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre. Jammy and dense in blackberry, espresso and leather, it offers a mouthful of flavor and intensity without ever becoming over the top. | Throne | 90 | 42 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Davis Family 2012 Throne G-S-M (Russian River Valley) | G-S-M | Davis Family |
| 50082 | 50081 | France | Tender, freshly cut yellow pears and yellow plums play on a rounded, rich and almost oily palate that remains dry but expresses richness in terms of texture and mouthfeel, edged with earthy and nutty notes. This finishes exquisitely clean. | Les Élements | 90 | 16 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Bott-Geyl 2012 Les Élements Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Domaine Bott-Geyl |
| 50083 | 50082 | France | Beautiful and appetizing notes of Cox Orange Pippin apples shine. The palate is zesty, sprightly and textured, and shows pure fruit—a combination that spells ideal refreshment. The lemony fillip on the finish is lip-smacking. | | 90 | 17 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Dopff & Irion 2014 Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Dopff & Irion |
| 50084 | 50083 | US | The oak (40% new French and American) is up front, with aromas of barrel spices, cocoa and generous amounts of vanilla followed by cherries and blue fruit. This wine is velvety in feel, displaying a mixture of fruit and barrel that carries through the finish. The oak influence is heavy but the appeal is impossible to ignore. | H3 | 90 | 15 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Columbia Crest 2013 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Columbia Crest |
| 50085 | 50084 | Italy | Pressed violet, baked plum, baking spice and coconut emerge on the nose and carry over to the full-bodied palate along with ripe black cherry and licorice. Tightly packed but refined tannins provide firm support. | | 90 | 45 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | David Sterza 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Blend | David Sterza |
| 50086 | 50085 | US | There's brilliant black cherry and blackberry richness on the nose of this blend of 10 grapes, from Syrah to Malbec to Touriga Nacional, as well as a mineral character of cold asphalt, clay and mud. The palate offers earthy and delicious flavors, with dried strawberry and olallieberry as well as black pepper and cappuccino. | Jack Barrett | 90 | 62 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Proulx 2013 Jack Barrett Red (Paso Robles) | Red Blend | Proulx |
| 50087 | 50086 | US | As a counterpoint to fruit-driven takes on this historic California grape, this bottling shows the variety's shrubby side, with aromas of wild peppercorns, woody elderberries and olallieberries. Flavors are extremely earthy and restrained, with oregano, thyme and incense, proving quite elegant and never boisterous. | Pierce Ranch | 90 | | California | San Antonio Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard 2012 Pierce Ranch Petite Sirah (San Antonio Valley) | Petite Sirah | Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard |
| 50088 | 50087 | US | A rich umami character of smoked beef, freshly laid pavement and cola mixes with sour cherries and a light raspberry element on the nose of this wine. Flavors are quite dynamic, with a punchy strawberry-raspberry-sour cherry juice picking up complexity from a eucalyptus bite. | | 90 | 25 | California | Santa Lucia Highlands | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Sextant 2013 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) | Pinot Noir | Sextant |
| 50089 | 50088 | US | This powerful wine that also holds 5% Cabernet Franc shyly packs a punch. At first it comes off as elegant, soft and highly approachable. Faint notions of blackberry and black cherry are highlighted amidst a concentrated, tannic build. | Estate Grown and Bottled Unfiltered | 90 | 90 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Signorello 2012 Estate Grown and Bottled Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Signorello |
| 50090 | 50089 | Italy | Still young and needing additional cellar time to achieve full integration, this dark, brooding Brunello opens with very masculine aromas of Spanish cedar, root beer, forest floor, dark fruit and bramble. There's still slight bitterness on the close and a firm tannic bite. | | 89 | 45 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Belpoggio 2006 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Belpoggio |
| 50091 | 50090 | Italy | Ripe fruit aromas of strawberry or raspberry marmalade distinguish this plush, modern Brunello. Those jammy fruit notes are followed by a quick succession of spice, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg nuances. It's a soft, silky wine with bright sweetness to the mouthfeel. | | 89 | 50 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | | | Castelli Martinozzi 2006 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Castelli Martinozzi |
| 50092 | 50091 | New Zealand | A New World analog to an Alsace vendange tardive, this sweet, lushly fruited Riesling displays ample honey, melon and apple fruit, with just a hint of lime zest to provide some balance to its 60 g/L of residual sugar. Try it with spicy Asian dishes, on its own or with a cheese course. | Riche | 89 | 24 | Waipara | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Mountford 2009 Riche Riesling (Waipara) | Riesling | Mountford |
| 50093 | 50092 | US | With rich, candied raspberry and cherry flavors, this Pinot is saved from simplicity by good structure. The tannins are rich and fine and come in equal parts from grapes and oak barrels. Acidity is pure cool climate. Give it a little more stuffing, and the score would soar. | Summit | 89 | 29 | California | Monterey-Santa Barbara | Central Coast | | | Pali 2008 Summit Pinot Noir (Monterey-Santa Barbara) | Pinot Noir | Pali |
| 50094 | 50093 | Israel | With 19 months spent in French oak, this is a big and powerful Cab based wine (with 18% Merlot) that has the drive and stuffing to hold nicely through 2015. Black fruit dominates with supporting notes of licorice, fruit cake, coffee and Asian spice. The velvety texture and firm structure make this an ideal choice for pairing with hearty meat entrées. | Special Reserve | 89 | 48 | Galilee | | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Recanati 2006 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Galilee) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot | Recanati |
| 50095 | 50094 | US | Crisp in acidity and fine in tannins, this Pinot Noir is good now with food. It's silky and dry, with nuanced flavors of wild raspberries and cherries, cola, dried herbs and oak. Has enough balance and acidity to develop bottle complexity over the next 4-6 years. | Huber Vineyard | 89 | 32 | California | Sta. Rita Hills | Central Coast | | | Seagrape 2007 Huber Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) | Pinot Noir | Seagrape |
| 50096 | 50095 | US | With soft tannins, gentle acidity and herbal flavors of blackberries and cherries, this dry Cabernet displays classic Alexander Valley character. It's a little simple now, but should develop interesting bottle complexities over the years. | Winemaker's Reserve | 89 | 40 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Souverain 2006 Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Souverain |