| 50131 | 50130 | US | A bit rough and edgy, but for the price, you get a pretty nice glassful of wine. This dry Cab offers rich black currant, blackberry, mulberry and cedar flavors. | | 84 | 10 | California | California | California Other | | | Ironstone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Ironstone |
| 50132 | 50131 | France | Juicy but crisp, textbook Syrah aromas of meat and game mix with plum and floral aromas on the nose, while the palate shows a pleasant core of cherry, which persists on the medium finish. Try with barbecued meat. | La Violette | 84 | 13 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Jean-Luc Colombo 2006 La Violette Syrah (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Syrah | Jean-Luc Colombo |
| 50133 | 50132 | France | Lovely cassis and jam scents are hampered by some slight musty aromas, which eventually give way to a blast of black licorice. Burnt sugar and cassis dominate the soft, sweetish palate that offers just a bit of grip. The short finish is reminiscent of a raspberry cordial. Drink up. | | 84 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Les Jamelles 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Les Jamelles |
| 50134 | 50133 | Germany | Medium in body yet with a slightly viscous texture, this entry-level offering shows some petrolly minerality and mirabelle plum tartness. It's a solid effort, just lacks the vivacious, forward fruit you might expect in a young Riesling. | P2 Two Princes | 84 | 13 | Nahe | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Prinz Salm 2007 P2 Two Princes Riesling (Nahe) | Riesling | Prinz Salm |
| 50135 | 50134 | New Zealand | This is a light- to medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc that's clean and fresh, but not particularly intense or characterful—the kind you can comfortably serve to a non-wine crowd and expect accolades for your choice. Drink now. | | 84 | 11 | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Redcliffe 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) | Sauvignon Blanc | Redcliffe |
| 50136 | 50135 | US | Too sugary sweet by far, which is partly the result of very high alcohol but may also be due to some residual sugar. The sweetness draws attention to the oak, and makes it taste stronger than it really is. Despite flavors of blackberries, blueberries and mocha, this wine is too Porty and unbalanced. | Deaver Vineyard | 84 | 29 | California | Amador County | Sierra Foothills | | | Terra d'Oro 2006 Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel (Amador County) | Zinfandel | Terra d'Oro |
| 50137 | 50136 | Spain | Floral cherry, raspberry and aged wood aromas are elegant and mature. This Rioja is in regal condition, with smooth tannins and integrated acidity. Dried cherry, red plum, herbs and vanilla create a classic Rioja flavor profile. A supple, long finish puts this in perfect drinking shape, which doesn't mean it can't last another through 2025 or so. | Monte Real Gran Reserva | 94 | 65 | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodegas Riojanas 1998 Monte Real Gran Reserva (Rioja) | Tempranillo Blend | Bodegas Riojanas |
| 50138 | 50137 | Italy | Soulful and smooth, this conveys classic Sangiovese fragrances of ripe black cherry, leather, scorched earth, baking spice and crushed violet. The savory palate doles out ripe wild cherry, cinnamon, grilled herb, tobacco and mineral alongside big, velvety tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage. It's already delicious but will age for years. Drink through 2027. Grand Cru Selections, Oliver McCrum Wines. | | 94 | 102 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Il Paradiso di Manfredi 2007 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Il Paradiso di Manfredi |
| 50139 | 50138 | Italy | Aromas of leather, forest floor, tobacco, mature berry and a balsamic note open this structured, elegant wine. The palate delivers crushed black cherry, cinnamon, licorice and savory herb alongside firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2026. | Riserva | 94 | 50 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Pian delle Querci 2006 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Pian delle Querci |
| 50140 | 50139 | France | Sumptuous, ripe and very full on the palate, this wine is dense and packed with notes of botrytis that give a strong sense of structure. This well-balanced wine shows potential to age, offering rich acacia honey and beautiful final acidity. Drink from 2020. | | 94 | 60 | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Rayne Vigneau 2011 Sauternes | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château de Rayne Vigneau |
| 50141 | 50140 | France | Big, ripe and juicy, this wears its rich black fruits right up front. A strong and firmly tannic structure serves as a background to the fruit. The wine is rich, complex and full of potential. Spice, ginger and nutmeg come through at the end along with the fruit. Drink from 2022. | | 94 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Malartic-Lagravière 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Malartic-Lagravière |
| 50142 | 50141 | France | This structured wine with big, bold red fruits offers ripe acidity, a dense texture and considerable concentration. It also has the hallmark freshness of the vintage that balances the strong aging potential. Drink from 2022. | | 94 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine de Chevalier 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Domaine de Chevalier |
| 50143 | 50142 | France | This is a perfumed and generous wine with great tannins and a strong minerality. This is the first year that wines from the former Château Magdelaine were also included in Bélair as the two estates were amalgamated. It's dense, complex, balanced in character yet still with fruitiness of the vintage. Drink from 2024. | | 94 | 225 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bélair-Monange 2012 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Bélair-Monange |
| 50144 | 50143 | France | Very firm and closed up, this wine is a tough proposition at the moment. It has the weight to develop well along with richness. Acidity, sweet fruits and concentrated tannins will all come through strongly as the wine matures. Drink from 2020. | | 94 | 80 | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut-Bailly 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut-Bailly |
| 50145 | 50144 | France | This dark and dense wine is closed, with its tannins very dominant. It's a solid, dark wine intense with juicy acidity, firm dry structure and a rich core. This is a magnificent wine for serious aging, with all the elements coming strongly into play. Drink from 2022. | | 94 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Smith Haut Lafitte |
| 50146 | 50145 | US | Gentle on the front palate, this gorgeously rendered Cabernet Sauvignon, with smatterings of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, develops weight and body as it goes, while retaining classic restraint. Cherry and cassis counterpoise layers of toasty oak, cedar and silky tannins, finishing balanced. | Estate Bottled | 94 | 145 | California | Oakville | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Far Niente 2012 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Far Niente |
| 50147 | 50146 | Italy | Forest floor, leather, fennel and woodland berry aromas lead the nose. The vibrant palate delivers crunchy red cherry-berry, eucalyptus, sage and a balsamic note alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2025. | | 94 | 75 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Querce Bettina 2010 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Querce Bettina |
| 50148 | 50147 | US | Aromas of a raspberry torte with flaky crust mix with cardamom and marjoram spices on another compelling wine from the region's historic producer. Tart cranberries kick off the palate, followed by wet slate and graphite minerality in the midpalate that barely hide riper fruits. It culminates in a cola-laced finish. | Stone Corral Vineyard Proprietor Grown | 94 | 54 | California | Edna Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Talley 2012 Stone Corral Vineyard Proprietor Grown Pinot Noir (Edna Valley) | Pinot Noir | Talley |
| 50149 | 50148 | Italy | An alluring fragrance of rose, aromatic herb, dark berry and a whiff of new leather take shape in the glass. The firm palate delivers ripe, dark berry, grilled sage, mint and sweet pipe tobacco alongside austere tannins that need time to come around. It's well balanced, with a licorice finish. Drink after 2018. | Vigna Piaggia | 94 | 43 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Abbadia Ardenga 2010 Vigna Piaggia (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Abbadia Ardenga |
| 50150 | 50149 | US | The producer continues to hit it out of the park with this vintage of Pinot, offering a gorgeously balanced interpretation of a marquee vineyard site. Rose petal and lavender aromas evolve into flavors of rosemary, high-toned orange peel, dried cherry and cranberry on the palate, keeping things ethereal throughout. Smooth and medium bodied, the tannins are coy and the entire experience memorable. | Rochioli Vineyard | 94 | 70 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Gary Farrell 2012 Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Gary Farrell |
| 50151 | 50150 | Italy | Crushed berry, leather, scorched earth, carob and underbrush are just some of the aromas offered by this powerfully structured Brunello. The ripe, warm palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, clove and grilled herb alongside firm, chewy tannins. Drink 2017–2027. | Poggio al Vento Riserva | 94 | 150 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Col d'Orcia 2007 Poggio al Vento Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Col d'Orcia |
| 50152 | 50151 | US | Tropically layered in glazed pineapple and generously vibrant Asian pear, this wine offers heartiness at the beginning that evolves in the glass into a compellingly balanced wine. The oak is there, but well-integrated. | Yellow Rock Vineyard | 93 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Acacia 2012 Yellow Rock Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Acacia |
| 50153 | 50152 | France | This wine is already balanced, rich and structured. Acidity, honey and yellow fruits are well integrated. At the same time, aging potential is there with the dry core, firm texture and the strong final acidity. Drink from 2020. | | 93 | 35 | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Filhot 2011 Sauternes | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Filhot |
| 50154 | 50153 | France | An equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Cabernet Franc, this wine is structured, serious and also approachable. Ripe, juicy fruit is in evidence under the firm structure and dusty tannins. The combination is a rich and supple wine that will be ready from 2018. | Le Clarence de Haut-Brion | 93 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut-Brion 2012 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut-Brion |
| 50155 | 50154 | France | Lafite's second wine is much closer to a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that the first wine. It's also a properly rich, satisfying wine that is as much fruit as structure. Packed with blackberry fruits, it has a fresh character that dominates the firmer tannins and touch of bitter chocolate. Drink from 2020. | Les Carruades de Lafite | 93 | 170 | Bordeaux | Pauillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Lafite Rothschild 2012 Les Carruades de Lafite (Pauillac) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Lafite Rothschild |
| 50156 | 50155 | France | Concentrated and rich, this has fine tannins that are integrated into the big plum fruits. It's a black-fruited wine that has both the fruit and the structure to allow it to age well. Drink from 2020 | | 93 | | Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Pape Clément 2012 Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Pape Clément |
| 50157 | 50156 | France | Very fresh and strongly fruity, with just the right amount of dry botrytis, this is already approachable. However that botrytis does promise aging, with peach and ripe orange flavors pushing forward. Drink this attractive wine from 2019. | | 93 | | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Suduiraut 2011 Sauternes | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Suduiraut |
| 50158 | 50157 | Italy | Aromas of dark berry, graphite, forest floor and grilled herb mingle in the glass. The savory palate offers ripe black cherry, grilled herb, vanilla, licorice and a gamy note alongside a firm, tannic backbone. Drink after 2018. | Selezione Prime Donne | 93 | 80 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2010 Selezione Prime Donne (Brunello di Montalcino) | Sangiovese | Donatella Cinelli Colombini |
| 50159 | 50158 | US | This blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon delivers notes of savory herbs, vanilla, cocoa and dark plum surrounded by a salty brine. The cranberry and blackberry flavors exhibit depth, elegance and purity, with a mesmerizing mouthfeel that leads to a hyper-extended, fruit-filled finish. | The Brook Blend | 93 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Flying Trout 2011 The Brook Blend Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Flying Trout |
| 50160 | 50159 | Italy | Earthy aromas of game, leather, tilled soil and eucalyptus lead the nose. The concentrated palate shows some muscle, delivering ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha, licorice and tobacco along with assertive but fine-grained tannins. Hold for complexity. Drink 2018–2028. | | 93 | 35 | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Molino di Sant'Antimo 2010 Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | Molino di Sant'Antimo |