| 5251 | 5250 | Spain | Smoky, oaky aromas of popcorn and buttered toast are louder than this bubbly's citrus and white-fruit scents. A bright, juicy, citrusy palate is full of pulse, while tangerine, orange and lemon flavors cut a direct path to a zesty finish showcasing white peach and nectarine flavors. | L' Hereu | 91 | 24 | Catalonia | Penedès | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Raventós I Blanc 2012 L' Hereu Sparkling (Penedès) | Sparkling Blend | Raventós I Blanc |
| 5252 | 5251 | Italy | Dense and structured, this opens with aromas of baked plum, menthol, coconut and toasted oak. The concentrated palate displays cherries marinated in spirits, grilled sage, licorice and roasted coffee bean alongside tightly packed, fine-grained tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2018–2030. | Salco | 91 | 65 | Tuscany | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Salcheto 2010 Salco (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) | Sangiovese | Salcheto |
| 5253 | 5252 | US | From a p of Sonoma Mountain exposed to the Petaluma Gap, this wine is spicy in cinnamon and cola, its oak profile reduced and intense. Roses and cherries provide the floral and the fruit around deeper, darker tendencies into Asian spice and black tea. Drink now through 2021. | Silver Pines Vineyard | 91 | 44 | California | Sonoma Mountain | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Bailiwick 2013 Silver Pines Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Mountain) | Pinot Noir | Bailiwick |
| 5254 | 5253 | Canada | A fine companion to the winery's Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a smooth mix of plums, black cherries, tobacco and spice. It's knitted together beautifully, with highlights of cinnamon. | | 91 | 38 | British Columbia | Okanagan Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Burrowing Owl 2013 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Valley) | Cabernet Franc | Burrowing Owl |
| 5255 | 5254 | US | This unique and interestingly yummy wine shows the exuberance of carbonic maceration. A light-bodied beauty, it offers grenadine and kirsch-like exoticness, buoyed by a tang of rose petals and orange zest. | | 91 | 40 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Castrucci 2013 Pinot Noir (Napa Valley) | Pinot Noir | Castrucci |
| 5256 | 5255 | France | The two parcels that go into this wine have performed well in 2012. This solid, dense wine is firm with tannins and rich with red plum and berry fruits. It is perfumed, ripe and concentrated. With this structure and with the acidity, it will age, so drink from 2018. | Les Brunettes et Planchots | 91 | 55 | Burgundy | Aloxe-Corton | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Santenay 2012 Les Brunettes et Planchots (Aloxe-Corton) | Pinot Noir | Château de Santenay |
| 5257 | 5256 | US | A 100% varietal wine from the winery property, certified organic to boot, this is classic in cedar, currant and a freshness of blackberry. Vibrant acidity on the palate balances out the tightness of new oak. It captures the dustiness known to the appellation as well. | Miljenko's Selection Estate Grown | 91 | 90 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Grgich Hills 2012 Miljenko's Selection Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Grgich Hills |
| 5258 | 5257 | France | Made from superripe grapes from old vines that have aged on lees, this is a rich, concentrated wine. Full-bodied yellow fruit and ripe pear flavors are sustained by the tight, steely mineral texture and the tangy aftertaste. This dense wine deserves to age until 2018. | La Dame de Châtenoy | 91 | 26 | Loire Valley | Menetou-Salon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Isabelle et Pierre Clément 2014 La Dame de Châtenoy (Menetou-Salon) | Sauvignon Blanc | Isabelle et Pierre Clément |
| 5269 | 5268 | US | Floral notes, as well as hints of lemon, pear and pineapple introduce this high-acid white. It's full-bodied on the palate, and intense and well integrated, with a finish that's delightfully spicy with ginger. | Estate Vineyard | 88 | 28 | California | El Dorado | Sierra Foothills | Virginie Boone | @vboone | David Girard 2012 Estate Vineyard Grenache Blanc (El Dorado) | Grenache Blanc | David Girard |
| 5270 | 5269 | France | Aged in wood, this is an unusual style of Pinot Blanc for Alsace. The toast flavors are subtle, leaving plenty of room for fresh fruits, light acidity and creamy texture. It's ready to drink. | Barriques | 88 | 25 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Ostertag 2011 Barriques Pinot Blanc (Alsace) | Pinot Blanc | Domaine Ostertag |
| 5271 | 5270 | France | This is a light, fruity wine that's ripe with perfumed quince and tropical fruit flavors. The palate is satisfyingly balanced with tight, bright acidity. This is wine that is not for aging, and ready to drink now. | Tradition | 88 | 29 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Pfister 2011 Tradition Pinot Gris (Alsace) | Pinot Gris | Domaine Pfister |
| 5272 | 5271 | France | Very perfumed, this wine is exotic and rich with fruit, but also remarkably dry. Drink from 2017. | | 88 | | Provence | Bandol | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Sorin 2011 Red (Bandol) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine Sorin |
| 5273 | 5272 | US | This 2011 Lola is light and creamy, with hints of buttered apple, from aging in 18% new French oak. It finishes soft, supple and lightly spiced. | Lola Evergreen Vineyard | 88 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Efeste 2011 Lola Evergreen Vineyard Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Efeste |
| 5274 | 5273 | US | With flavors of grass, grapefruits and tropical fruits, this is a lovely wine to drink now. It's dry and savory, with a brisk hit of acidity. | Nelson Vineyards | 88 | 15 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | El Roy 2010 Nelson Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Dry Creek Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | El Roy |
| 5275 | 5274 | Italy | This wine opens with a pretty fragrance of blue flower, black fruit and spice. The juicy palate is one dimensional but delicious, offering ripe black cherry and blackberry layered with milk chocolate. It's extremely accessible so enjoy soon. | Riserva Sassi Neri | 88 | 35 | Central Italy | Conero | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Fattoria Le Terrazze 2008 Riserva Sassi Neri (Conero) | Montepulciano | Fattoria Le Terrazze |
| 5276 | 5275 | US | Beautifully floral on the nose with hints of fresh apple, lemon and peach, this dry, delicately textured Riesling fills the mouth with ripe grapefruit and lemon flavors. Its sprightly and crisp in character but finishes long with a hint of white-tea astringency. | Riesling 10 Hanging Delta Vineyard | 88 | 30 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Fox Run 2011 Riesling 10 Hanging Delta Vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes) | Riesling | Fox Run |
| 5277 | 5276 | France | With up-front spiciness, this is an attractive, light and fragrant wine. There is no complexity, just pleasant off-flavors of honey and lychees. Drink now. | Cuvée Saint-Jacques | 88 | 20 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Frédéric Mallo 2010 Cuvée Saint-Jacques Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Frédéric Mallo |
| 5278 | 5277 | Chile | Tight, gritty, steely aromas of nettle and ocean mist allow for a modest amount of citrus fruit to poke through. A narrow, high-acid palate may peel back the enamel on your teeth, while flavors of sour green apple and gooseberry finish shear and tart. | Boya | 88 | 18 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Garces Silva 2013 Boya Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Garces Silva |
| 5279 | 5278 | Austria | Toasty mocha and coffee-bean aromas play around the nose before the dark plum fruit hits the palate, where the mocha theme continues. Luscious, rounded and soft, this is a winner on cool evenings, even without food—or perhaps just a little square of dark chocolate. | Heideboden Rot | 88 | 20 | Burgenland | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Hannes Reeh 2012 Heideboden Rot Red (Burgenland) | Red Blend | Hannes Reeh |
| 5280 | 5279 | US | Toast and spice notes add warmth to crisp blackberry and cassis on this elegantly composed Meritage. Richly concentrated on the palate, it's bold and mouthfilling, with big, brawny tannins that should meld beautifully over the next 3–5 years. | | 88 | 27 | New York | Finger Lakes | Finger Lakes | Anna Lee C. Iijima | | Damiani 2010 Meritage (Finger Lakes) | Meritage | Damiani |
| 5259 | 5258 | US | Aromas of blackberry, black currant, cinnamon and dark plum lead to high toned herbal, green olive, licorice and barrel spice grace notes. The black fruit flavors are forward and concentrated, with smoked meat on the finish. | The Deal Sundance | 91 | 35 | Washington | Wahluke Slope | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | K Vintners 2012 The Deal Sundance Syrah (Wahluke Slope) | Syrah | K Vintners |
| 5260 | 5259 | US | Exotic, complex and vivid aromas, rich and fulfilling fruit flavors and a hefty structure form a great package in this full-bodied and extroverted wine. The winemaker allowed wild yeast and kept 30% whole clusters in the fermentation, then aged it in neutral barrels. | Estate Reserve | 91 | 72 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Kanzler 2013 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) | Pinot Noir | Kanzler |
| 5261 | 5260 | US | Though sourced principally from Red Mountain grapes, where the Col Solare winery is located, this Cab-dominated Bordeaux-style blend is simply labeled Columbia Valley. It's a user-friendly wine with plump cherry fruit and notes of tobacco, licorice and vanilla. Soft and supple and ready to drink. | | 88 | 45 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Shining Hill 2010 Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Shining Hill |
| 5262 | 5261 | France | Intensely rich, this wine is packed with flavors of spice, gingerbread and lychees. It has a full, rounded character with an intense spiciness that is anchored to a more structured texture. Drink now and until 2018. | | 88 | 25 | Alsace | Alsace | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Trimbach 2010 Gewurztraminer (Alsace) | Gewürztraminer | Trimbach |
| 5263 | 5262 | US | This Pinot Noir is rich and elegant, but somewhat straightforward with flavors of raspberry and cherry wrapped in a pleasant coating of smoky oak. It's less ageable than Truchard's 2010 vintage so decant and drink now. | | 88 | 35 | California | Carneros | Napa-Sonoma | | | Truchard 2011 Pinot Noir (Carneros) | Pinot Noir | Truchard |
| 5264 | 5263 | Greece | Produced from indigenous red varieties grown on the slopes of Mt. Olympus, the Rapsani Grand Reserve starts with voluptuous aromas of blackberry, spice box and liquorice, offering full-bodied flavors of black fruit and olive on the palate. The fruit is well balanced by a spice and mineral backbone. A very good red for lamb, dried meats or stews. | Grand Reserve Hand Picked Grapes | 88 | 30 | Rapsani | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Tsantali 2009 Grand Reserve Hand Picked Grapes Red (Rapsani) | Red Blend | Tsantali |
| 5265 | 5264 | Italy | Made from 100% Montepulciano, this delicious, friendly wine is loaded with mouthwatering black cherry layered with mint, nutmeg and black pepper. It's round, ripe and extremely approachable so enjoy soon. Pair with everything from hearty pasta dishes to barbecue fair. | San Lorenzo | 88 | 17 | Central Italy | Rosso Conero | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Umani Ronchi 2011 San Lorenzo (Rosso Conero) | Montepulciano | Umani Ronchi |
| 5266 | 5265 | Italy | Floral sensations of acacia flower, jasmine and herbs meld with tropical fruit, citrus and sage. The medium-bodied palate also offers a flinty mineral note and a whiff of smoke, while bright acidity leaves the palate refreshed. | Villa Angela | 88 | 15 | Central Italy | Falerio | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Velenosi 2012 Villa Angela Pecorino (Falerio) | Pecorino | Velenosi |
| 5267 | 5266 | US | With a sensual mouthfeel, but firm tannins, this is just what you want a Merlot to be. The cherry, red currant, violet and mocha flavors are complex and easy to drink now, especially with a great steak. At the age of four-plus years, it's soft and mellow. | | 88 | 20 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Wellington 2009 Merlot (Sonoma Valley) | Merlot | Wellington |
| 5268 | 5267 | Italy | This delightful sparkler shows the versatility of the Verdicchio grape. A metodo classico, it has bright and delicious apple, tropical fruit and citrus flavors, with a walnut note on the finish. It's enjoyable now and the silky mousse makes this extra drinkable. | Luigi Ghislieri | 88 | 35 | Central Italy | Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Colonnara NV Luigi Ghislieri (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi) | Verdicchio | Colonnara |