17941 | 17940 | Chile | Smoky smelling and toasty, with peach, melon and cider aromas. The body is solid and held together by nice acidity, while the flavors of banana, melon and citrus are sweet but not quite candied in nature. Pretty much your standard, textbook, well-made Chardonnay. | | 87 | 17 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Arboleda 2008 Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) | Chardonnay | Arboleda |
17942 | 17941 | US | A good grip of acidity and tannins shape the fruity, earthy aromas and crisp raspberry and cranberry flavors. It's a very lively, refreshing style that is not overripe, and will be great with all kinds of food. | | 88 | 30 | California | Potter Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Paul Dolan 2012 Pinot Noir (Potter Valley) | Pinot Noir | Paul Dolan |
17943 | 17942 | US | Light lemon-lime aromas and fresh fruit flavors make this refreshing, crisp and lively. Not at all heavy, it's well-balanced, has good acidity and tastes dry. | | 88 | 18 | California | Potter Valley | | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Paul Dolan 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Potter Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Paul Dolan |
17944 | 17943 | US | This 100% varietal wine seems to still be in its shell, with light notes of coffee, plum and licorice along with other barrel spices. The fruit flavors are supple with some heft to the tannins and a tart lick of acidity that spruces things up. A lot of good things are going on here but they don't quite all come together. | Phinny Hill | 88 | 35 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Robert Ramsay 2011 Phinny Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Robert Ramsay |
17945 | 17944 | US | A strong percentage of Petit Verdot (14%) marks this wine, a mouthful of sanguine cranberry and lightly ripe red fruit that's high in acidity and balanced by a richer dollop of milk chocolate, particularly on the finish. | Reserve | 88 | 110 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Round Pond 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Round Pond |
17946 | 17945 | US | Intriguing with bites of melon, stone fruit and bristling acidity, this bright, fresh white wine maintains a level of tension and creaminess. It balances the two personalities against each other with aplomb, before losing some of its luster on the finish. | | 88 | 24 | California | Rutherford | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Round Pond 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Rutherford) | Sauvignon Blanc | Round Pond |
17947 | 17946 | France | Not quite dry, this offers flavors of honey and almonds, with a fresh element that brings in a more textured, mineral character. Ripe pears and fresh acidity shine through at the end. | Marie de Beauregard | 88 | 18 | Loire Valley | Vouvray | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Saget la Perrière 2013 Marie de Beauregard (Vouvray) | Chenin Blanc | Saget la Perrière |
17948 | 17947 | US | Made by a winery outside of Gilroy, this bottling from eastern Salinas Valley fruit brings very nice aromas of blackberry extract, baking spices, gingerbread and a hint of root beer. The flavors are full and rich as the nose predicts, with juicy cherry-chocolate, a touch of tobacco and lingering cinnamon spice. | | 88 | 32 | California | Chalone | Central Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Pinot Noir (Chalone) | Pinot Noir | Sarah's Vineyard |
17949 | 17948 | US | Light, lemony and crisp, this refreshing wine has some layers of complex herb midpalate and remains bright in acidity through the finish. From both the Miller Ranch in Yountville and Soda Creek Vineyard. | Miller Ranch | 88 | 22 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Silverado 2013 Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Silverado |
17950 | 17949 | Italy | Supple and fresh, this informal but savory wine has aromas of dark berry and allspice. Crafted to be paired with fish, the silky, easy-drinking palate offers juicy red cherry, ripe raspberry and clove alongside smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Serve chilled for a perfect summer red. | Otre Fish | 88 | 17 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Teanum 2013 Otre Fish Negroamaro (Puglia) | Negroamaro | Teanum |
17951 | 17950 | US | This aromatic wine carries notes of movie theater buttered popcorn, peach and lees. It's full bodied with buttery stone fruit flavors that show a considerable amount of creaminess and elegance. | | 88 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Telaya 2013 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Telaya |
17952 | 17951 | US | This wine seems to show some oxygen exposure, with notes of brown spices, vanilla, pepper and overripe pear. It's a shame because the luscious, rich cherry and raspberry flavors deliver. Tasted twice with consistent notes. | | 88 | 28 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Tempus Cellars 2011 Syrah (Yakima Valley) | Syrah | Tempus Cellars |
17953 | 17952 | Italy | Aromas of coconut, espresso and spiced plum steeped in spirits lead the nose on this full-bodied red. The bold palate delivers oak extract, dried black cherry, sweet vanilla and roasted coffee bean, with bracing tannins. | Bocca di Lupo | 88 | 46 | Southern Italy | Castel del Monte | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tormaresca 2010 Bocca di Lupo Aglianico (Castel del Monte) | Aglianico | Tormaresca |
17954 | 17953 | Italy | Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and blue flower come together in the glass. The straightforward palate offers black currant, dried plum, licorice and a tobacco note alongside firm tannins. | Torcicoda | 88 | 19 | Southern Italy | Salento | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Tormaresca 2012 Torcicoda Primitivo (Salento) | Primitivo | Tormaresca |
17955 | 17954 | Italy | Aromas of oak, espresso, steeped plum and cracked pepper lead the nose on this blend of 70% Negroamaro, 20% Montepulciano and 10% Malvasia Nera. The palate offers raspberry jam, clove, allspice and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins. It ends on a note of bitter prune. Drink through 2017. | | 88 | 19 | Southern Italy | Copertino | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Apollonio 2011 Red (Copertino) | Red Blend | Apollonio |
17956 | 17955 | US | This moderately aromatic wine features notes of black cherry, clove and abundant high-toned herbs. A supple mouthfeel with black fruit flavors accompanies firm, dry tannins. | | 88 | 40 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Cadaretta 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cadaretta |
17957 | 17956 | US | Blueberries, smoke and pepper-crusted beef aromas emerge on this solid offering. There's a lot happening on the palate, with flavors of tobacco, blackberries, dark plums and purple flowers, all grounded in tart plum-skin tannins. | Winemaker's Reserve | 88 | 40 | California | Temecula Valley | South Coast | Matt Kettmann | @mattkettmann | Callaway 2010 Winemaker's Reserve Syrah (Temecula Valley) | Syrah | Callaway |
17958 | 17957 | Italy | Sleek and spicy, this delivers accents of white pepper, clove, licorice and mineral wrapped around a core of juicy black cherry. Firm but polished tannins provide support. It's easy drinking and made to be enjoyed young. | | 88 | 18 | Piedmont | Dolcetto d'Alba | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cantina del Pino 2013 Dolcetto d'Alba | Dolcetto | Cantina del Pino |
17959 | 17958 | Italy | Firm and juicy, this hearty wine conveys aromas of spicy plum, tobacco and coffee. The dense, one-dimensional palate doles out succulent blackberry, raspberry, clove and mocha alongside hearty tannins. | Orfeo | 88 | 20 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Cantine Paolo Leo 2012 Orfeo Negroamaro (Puglia) | Negroamaro | Cantine Paolo Leo |
17960 | 17959 | France | From the vineyards of the grand castle of Sancerre, this has rich red and black cherry fruits, a line of the purest acidity and just the right amount of tannic structure to allow it to age a little longer. It has weight and final ripeness. | | 88 | 31 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château de Sancerre 2010 Sancerre | Pinot Noir | Château de Sancerre |
17961 | 17960 | US | The aromas are light on this wine with notes of dried herbs, mocha and anise. It's soft and elegant in its styling but with rich fruit flavors and dry, chalky tannins. | | 88 | 32 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Coeur d'Alene 2012 Cabernet Franc (Washington) | Cabernet Franc | Coeur d'Alene |
17962 | 17961 | US | This 100% varietal is completely made with fruit from Red Mountain Vineyard. Brightly aromatic, the wine offers notes of cherry cordial, black licorice and vanilla, with the volatiles amped up but just in check. It's rich, high-octane and liquorous with abundant cranberry flavors. | | 88 | 39 | Washington | Red Mountain | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Corvus 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Corvus |
17963 | 17962 | Australia | This is a well-priced example of Barossa Cabernet, laden with characteristic notes of chocolate, mint and berry fruit, wrapped in a layer of toasty oak. It's full bodied, yet easy to drink because of the soft tannins and mouthwatering finish. Probably best between now and 2020. | Grand Barossa | 88 | 16 | South Australia | Barossa | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Château Tanunda 2012 Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Château Tanunda |
17964 | 17963 | Australia | At 6+ years post-vintage, this wine seems pretty mature. The tannins are supple, while the fruit is starting to take on some dried character. Other notes include molasses, caramel, dried leaves and tomato. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Sangiovese. | Melba Lucia | 88 | 30 | Victoria | Yarra Valley | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | De Bortoli 2008 Melba Lucia Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese (Yarra Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese | De Bortoli |
17965 | 17964 | US | A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Syrah (24%), Merlot (19%) and Malbec, this appealing single-vineyard wine suggests vanilla, freshly ground coffee, dark fruit and spices. It's sweet and richly flavored, with a firm squeeze of tannins. | 4 Boys Les Collines Vineyard | 88 | 19 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | J & J 2012 4 Boys Les Collines Vineyard Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | J & J |
17966 | 17965 | US | This 100% varietal wine offers notes of coffee, vanilla and plum. It's medium bodied with espresso flavors and firm, slightly gritty tannins. | Les Collines Vineyard | 88 | 35 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | J & J 2012 Les Collines Vineyard Malbec (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Malbec | J & J |
17967 | 17966 | US | Mineral and wet stone are a pleasant entry into this wine, which continues into flavors of pretty pear, melon and citrus. The presence of oak on both the nose and palate is not overwhelming. | Kalaris Family Vineyard | 88 | 26 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Kalaris 2013 Kalaris Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Kalaris |
17968 | 17967 | Chile | This new brand from Ventisquero has chosen the unoaked route for this fleshy, stone-fruit driven Chardonnay that also manages to fold in tropical-fruit overtones and undertones. Nectarine, yeasty vanilla and orange flavors finish fleshy and pulpy, but generally quite fresh. | Kuda Unoaked | 88 | 19 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Kalfu 2013 Kuda Unoaked Chardonnay (Leyda Valley) | Chardonnay | Kalfu |
17969 | 17968 | US | The wine smells rich and opulent, like rose petals and bay leaves in a flood of blackberry jam, but tastes balanced and dry. It's an unusual table wine and a fun journey to take. | Rio Tinto Silvaspoon Vineyard | 88 | 16 | California | Alta Mesa | Central Valley | Jim Gordon | @gordone_cellars | Lee Family Farm 2011 Rio Tinto Silvaspoon Vineyard Red (Alta Mesa) | Red Blend | Lee Family Farm |
17970 | 17969 | Italy | Bright and fragrant, this offers aromas of Asian spice and fresh berry. The fresh, savory palate delivers juicy blackberry, wild blueberry, licorice and hint of peppercorn alongside robust tannins. There's not much complexity but it's delicious. Drink soon to capture the fresh, succulent fruit. | Elo Veni | 88 | 17 | Southern Italy | Salento | | Kerin O’Keefe | @kerinokeefe | Leone de Castris 2013 Elo Veni Negroamaro (Salento) | Negroamaro | Leone de Castris |