107611 | 107610 | Italy | The Ravazzól vineyards produce fruit with intense aromas of blackberry, chocolate and spice. In the case of this wine, those tones are further enhanced with red apple and mesquite wood. The mouthfeel is smooth and very polished. | Vigneti di Ravazzól | 92 | | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Cà La Bionda 2004 Vigneti di Ravazzól (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Cà La Bionda |
107612 | 107611 | France | Les Meslaines is the name of the parcel of Pinot Noir that produces this Blanc de Noirs. It has richness, a ripe character with fresh apricot flavors, a Champagne that has the weight of a wine. It could do with bottle age, but for freshness drink now. | Les Meslaines Grand Cru Brut | 92 | 67 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Lamiable 2005 Les Meslaines Grand Cru Brut Pinot Noir (Champagne) | Pinot Noir | Lamiable |
107613 | 107612 | France | A Blanc de Noirs made from 100% Pinot Noir, this is already showing some maturity, with flavors of black truffles and mushrooms to go with the richness. There is a yeasty character that blends well with the almonds and currants. The finish is ripe and full. | Perle Noire Brut Grand Cru | 92 | 69 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Soutiran NV Perle Noire Brut Grand Cru Pinot Noir (Champagne) | Pinot Noir | Soutiran |
107614 | 107613 | US | Made in the modern style, this Cab is soft and creamy in the mouth, and fantastically rich. It oozes ripe, crushed blackberries, black currants and dark unsweetened chocolate, with the sweetness coming from natural fruit and caramelized oak. The tannins are as soft and complex as they come. | Winfield Vineyard | 92 | 80 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | The Grade 2005 Winfield Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | The Grade |
107615 | 107614 | Italy | This top-end Cabernet from the dynamic Moletto estate delivers impressive intensity and extremely attractive notes of black fruit, toasted spice and black stone. The nose is slightly sweet smelling and the mouthfeel is modern, penetrating, plush and velvety. | Selecti | 92 | 60 | Veneto | Veneto Orientale | | | | Moletto 2001 Selecti Cabernet Sauvignon (Veneto Orientale) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Moletto |
107616 | 107615 | US | This is the first Riesling from Whitman, and it's a beauty. Lovely, inviting aromas mix roses and rocks, leading into fresh, layered, complex fruit flavors of pear, apple, white peach and orange. It's got plenty of acid so the residual sugar is almost undetectable, but the alcohol stays at a Germanic 12.5%. This is so good it makes you wish that winemaker Steve Lessard had been doing Riesling all along. | | 92 | 14 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Riesling | Whitman Cellars |
107617 | 107616 | France | Pol Roger's excursion into a bone-dry Champagne brings a house style with natural weight up against an almost bony wine style. The resulting mix is certainly dry, edgy, very crisp, leaning towards austere. Extra bottle time would help the wine to gain weight and flesh out the structure. | Pure Brut Nature | 91 | 57 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Pol Roger NV Pure Brut Nature (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Pol Roger |
107618 | 107617 | France | The wine is rich, complex, softly creamy, but at the same time dry. It has a wine-like weight, a full mouthfeel of puréed apples and white currants, finishing though with mineral acidity. | Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs | 91 | 115 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Soutiran NV Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Soutiran |
107619 | 107618 | US | Comes down on the opposite side of the spectrum from the opulent 2006, a bone-dry, acidic young Chardonnay marked more by minerals than fruit. With citrus, papaya and floral notes and a tang of cold steel, it has a leesy yeastiness that adds complex interest. Compelling, and possibly ageworthy. | Heintz Vineyard | 91 | 45 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Suacci Carciere Wines 2007 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Suacci Carciere Wines |
107620 | 107619 | US | Strikes an interesting balance between richness and austerity. Will fascinate true connoisseurs for its mineral-laden suggestions of dried lemons and kaffir limes, and the way sweet oak elaborates them. Crisp acidity provides the final balance of mouthwatering tartness. A true Chablis-style Chardonnay, at a fair price. | Reserve | 91 | 29 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Bedarra 2007 Reserve Chardonnay (Dry Creek Valley) | Chardonnay | Bedarra |
107621 | 107620 | France | Solid, rich and ripe red raspberries and brambly berries are upfront on the nose of this attractive wine, with seductive tones of sweet oak and cured meat in the back. Medium in weight, with spicy, structured tannins and ample acidity, the oak is well-integrated into the plush fruit core. | | 90 | 20 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Saint-Chinian | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Gérard Bertrand 2014 Syrah-Mourvèdre (Saint-Chinian) | Syrah-Mourvèdre | Gérard Bertrand |
107622 | 107621 | Greece | This light-bodied wine offers a fruity nose of cherry and raspberry and fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry and a touch of herbs. Balanced but with assertive style, the wine is perfect for spicy cuisine or burgers. | Demestica Semi Dry | 90 | 13 | Achaia | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Achaia Clauss 2015 Demestica Semi Dry Rosé (Achaia) | Rosé | Achaia Clauss |
107623 | 107622 | Austria | The nose is shy but a deeper sniff reveals ripe notes of green pear. These also appear on the compact and slender palate, accented by a bright lemon freshness. It's refreshing, clean and bright, and the finish leaves you wanting more. | Sandgrube | 90 | 16 | Kremstal | | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Aigner 2016 Sandgrube Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal) | Grüner Veltliner | Aigner |
107624 | 107623 | US | Crisp pear skins, kaffir lime, dewy oregano and underripe honeydew show on the nose of this sprightly bottling. The palate reveals a straightforward, slightly restrained Sauv Blanc, with grass, lime, sliced pear, chilled cherimoya and jasmine flavors. | | 90 | 18 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Alma de Cattleya 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County) | Sauvignon Blanc | Alma de Cattleya |
107625 | 107624 | US | Made entirely from Grenache, this wine is whole-cluster fermented and aged in stainless steel. It's a dry, light expression that's pretty on the nose and palate, with inviting strawberry notes alongside hints of lemon and orange. It offers refreshing acidity alongside a meaty body and wet-stone minerality. | Rosé of | 90 | 28 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Anaba 2016 Rosé of Grenache (Sonoma Valley) | Grenache | Anaba |
107626 | 107625 | US | Very light in color, this wine brings appealing aromas of white pepper, smoked meat, orange peel, herb, earth and sauvage. The palate is ethereally light and delicate, showing pleasing nuances, with plenty of floral flavors on the finish. | Stoney Vine Vineyard | 90 | 60 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Ardor 2015 Stoney Vine Vineyard Grenache (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Grenache | Ardor |
107627 | 107626 | US | One of Temecula's pioneering vintners, Phil Baily takes his balanced wines seriously. This bottling shows lots of damp earth, black olive, concentrated mulberry, dried herbs and cardamom on the nose. Stewed black-cherry fruit meshes with Indian spice and well-integrated tannins on the palate that is built for aging. | Estate Bottled | 90 | 35 | California | Temecula Valley | South Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Baily 2013 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Temecula Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Baily |
107628 | 107627 | Italy | Aromas of yellow stone fruit and chopped Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this fragrant sparkler. The frothy palate doles out juicy yellow peach, mature apricot, thyme and a hint of candied tangerine zest alongside fresh acidity. | Vigna Senza Nome | 90 | 18 | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Braida di Giacomo Bologna 2015 Vigna Senza Nome (Moscato d'Asti) | Moscato | Braida di Giacomo Bologna |
107629 | 107628 | US | This latest bottling from the Jackson Family Wines' “Seeds of Empowerment” fundraising series shows woody, somewhat gamy aromas of animal hide alongside black cherry and sandalwood spice. The gamy quality extends to the sip, where dried meat meets red currant, cherries and a hint of fennel. | Clone 4 | 90 | 35 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Cambria 2014 Clone 4 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Cambria |
107630 | 107629 | Spain | Heavily oaked and charred aromas of saucy berry fruits and espresso lead to a choppy, astringent palate. Reedy plum and berry flavors are a touch herbal and saucy. It feels tannic and drawing on an oaky finish that sports a clove note. Drink from 2018–2026. | Finca Valdehierro 16 Meses Barrica | 90 | 75 | Northern Spain | Cigales | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Carlos Moro 2014 Finca Valdehierro 16 Meses Barrica Tempranillo (Cigales) | Tempranillo | Carlos Moro |
107631 | 107630 | France | This is the second wine of Clos Haut-Peyraguey. It comes from a fine Sauternes vintage with a great balance between acidity and rich sweetness. With botrytis, plenty of sweetness, bitter marmalade and apricot fruit and delicious acidity, the wine is almost ready to drink. Just wait until the end of 2017. | Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey | 90 | 32 | Bordeaux | Sauternes | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey 2013 Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey (Sauternes) | Bordeaux-style White Blend | Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey |
107632 | 107631 | France | The rich fruit and structure of this impressive wine are already well integrated. With power and concentration as well as layers of dark fruits, it is showing fine aging potential. The wine, dominated by 80% Merlot, comes from vines in the east of Saint-Emilion. Drink from 2020. | | 90 | 25 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Chapelle aux Moines 2014 Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Chapelle aux Moines |
107633 | 107632 | France | The second wine of La Dominique on the Saint-Emilion plateau shows the fruity side of this estate. It is packed with red fruits and with soft tannins. The acidity and the smooth texture promise early drinking for a generous wine. Drink from 2018. | Relais de la Dominique | 90 | | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château la Dominique 2014 Relais de la Dominique (Saint-Émilion) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château la Dominique |
107634 | 107633 | France | A traditional blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is a silky, medium-bodied wine. Cinnamon and cedar shadings frame bright cherry fruit and linger through the elegant finish. Drink now–2019. | | 90 | 22 | Rhône Valley | Lirac | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château la Genestière 2014 Red (Lirac) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Château la Genestière |
107635 | 107634 | France | This wine from the Gonfrier family property is full of berry fruits. It's also a ripe wine that is already drinkable. It has generous tannins and balanced acidity that gives the wine its crisp edge as a contrast to the blackberry flavors. Drink now, or even better, wait until 2018. | | 90 | 15 | Bordeaux | Bordeaux Supérieur | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château le Gardera 2015 Bordeaux Supérieur | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château le Gardera |
107636 | 107635 | US | Lively acidity wraps itself around fresh notions of grapefruit, gooseberry and peach in this fuller, richer style of white. French oak played a part in both fermentation and aging, adding a luxurious undercurrent of texture and complexity. | | 90 | 25 | California | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Cosa Obra 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma Coast) | Sauvignon Blanc | Cosa Obra |
107637 | 107636 | US | The inaugural release from this winery from Sleight of Hand Cellars' production winemaker Keith Johnson is a blend of Mourvèdre (90%), Syrah (8%) and Grenache Blanc. Stylistically somewhat unique for Washington, it brings brooding aromas of sauvage, herb, smoked meat and white pepper, along with a bit of reduction. The fruit flavors are pure and bring an appealing sense of texture. Give it time to open up and pair it with food to see it at its best. | French Creek Vineyard | 90 | 34 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Devium 2015 French Creek Vineyard Red (Yakima Valley) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Devium |
107638 | 107637 | US | This is a hearty and hedonistic blend of Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and Petit Verdot from one of Monterey's warmer regions. Pure blackberries and black cherries show on the brooding nose, with touches of mint and licorice. The palate is soft on entry, then come boisterous flavors of black currant and blueberry. Nettle, fennel and coffee elements add depth. | Three Crowns | 90 | 25 | California | San Bernabe | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Diora 2014 Three Crowns Red (San Bernabe) | Red Blend | Diora |
107639 | 107638 | France | This taut, intense wine is a bit angular compared to many Tavels, but pull out a bottle around Thanksgiving, and it should be singing. Cherry and citrus flavors collide on the palate, but should merge into a seamless whole with a bit of bottle age. | | 90 | 16 | Rhône Valley | Tavel | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine Chantepierre 2016 Tavel | Rosé | Domaine Chantepierre |
107640 | 107639 | France | From a somewhat maligned vintage, this is a commendable effort. It's not as textural as the wine can be in better years, but it shows enough richness to easily carry the attractive leather, mocha and spice flavors. Drink now–2025. | Tradition | 90 | 20 | Rhône Valley | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Domaine de Mourchon 2014 Tradition Red | Rhône-style Red Blend | Domaine de Mourchon |