| 18091 | 18090 | US | This is a big, tannic and dry Cabernet, but it's very elegant, and shows the pedigree of Alexander Valley at its best. Impeccably balanced in acidity and tannins, the fruit is pure blackberries and black currants, with a wonderful earthiness suggesting dried sage and thyme. Should develop nicely over the next 6–8 years. | Reserve | 91 | 47 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Geyser Peak 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Geyser Peak |
| 18092 | 18091 | US | Deep and refined, this beautifully integrated Syrah opens with scents of briar, berry, and cherry. Details of light pepper, iron and earth are buoyed by vivid acids. Complex, aromatic and graceful. | | 91 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Tulpen 2006 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Syrah | Tulpen |
| 18093 | 18092 | Italy | This is a well-integrated super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, although the 2005 vintage doesn't have quite the same intensity as 2004. The wine is well defined and sharp in the mouth with a tonic and bright quality of fruit. | Balifico | 91 | 60 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Volpaia 2005 Balifico Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Volpaia |
| 18094 | 18093 | Portugal | With its dense color and sweet fruits, this is wine that works well, with a great rich, soft texture. There is a concentrated juicy and jammy character, with final approachable spice and acidity. | Late Bottled Vintage | 91 | 22 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | W. & J. Graham's 2005 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | W. & J. Graham's |
| 18095 | 18094 | Portugal | Delicious sweet raisin and mulled wine fruit, full of herbs and nutmeg spice. This is a ripe wine, but too heavy, showing some austerity, but no sign of tiring. | Late Bottled Vintage | 91 | 35 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Smith Woodhouse 1999 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Smith Woodhouse |
| 18096 | 18095 | France | Ame means the spirit, the soul, and Alain Rotier believes this wine expresses the true nature of his Gaillac estate. On that basis, it's a place of great perfumes, coming through in the wine from wood as well as chunky black fruits. It is a relatively soft wine, the concentration in the dense fruit rather than the tannins. | L'Ame du Domaine | 91 | 40 | Southwest France | Gaillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Rotier 2007 L'Ame du Domaine Duras (Gaillac) | Duras | Domaine Rotier |
| 18097 | 18096 | France | Classic botrytis sweet and dry flavors bring out the rich honey and lemon juice. The wine also has freshness, a tight edge of orange and sweet chutney spice. A great example of sweet Gaillac. | Renaissance Doux | 91 | 30 | Southwest France | Gaillac | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Rotier 2007 Renaissance Doux Loin de l'Oeil (Gaillac) | Loin de l'Oeil | Domaine Rotier |
| 18098 | 18097 | South Africa | A full-bodied wave of savory spice and rich fruit. Aromas of tobacco, mint, cassis and mocha lead, followed by smooth, luscious flavors of plum, smoke, and tobacco. Ageable but delicious now, the wine has a soft character that makes it good for solo sipping. It also will pair nicely with steaks and soft cheeses. | Liber II | 91 | 51 | Durbanville | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Emineo 2007 Liber II Red (Durbanville) | Red Blend | Emineo |
| 18099 | 18098 | US | A beautiful Viognier that showcases the variety's rich, exotic side. Offers a mouthburst of ripe grilled peaches, pineapples, green apples, honeysuckle and vanilla wrapped into a creamy, buttery texture. Try as an offbeat alternative to Chardonnay. | | 91 | 27 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Freemark Abbey 2008 Viognier (Napa Valley) | Viognier | Freemark Abbey |
| 18100 | 18099 | Italy | Here's a rich, chocolaty Sangiovese (with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) from central Tuscany with cheerful notes of wild berries and cherries that make for a sophisticated but cheerful wine. It boasts good intensity and power and has enough body and natural crispness to match most meat dishes. | Gagliole | 91 | 85 | Tuscany | Colli della Toscana Centrale | | | | Gagliole 2007 Gagliole Sangiovese (Colli della Toscana Centrale) | Sangiovese | Gagliole |
| 18101 | 18100 | Italy | Here's a lively Tuscan Merlot with soft layers of spice and cola lavished over a solid core of black fruit. The aromas are pristine and focused and the wine makes an equally excellent impression in the mouth thanks to its soft, yielding tannins and sweet cherry flavors. | Poggio ai Merli | 91 | 75 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Castellare di Castellina 2007 Poggio ai Merli Merlot (Toscana) | Merlot | Castellare di Castellina |
| 18102 | 18101 | France | An intriguing blend of Négrette, Syrah and Malbec, this wine is a selection of the best lots of the vintage. It has purity of blackberry fruit, edged with an earthy, barnyard character. It is ripe, generous, but not overweight. | Le Bouissel | 91 | 26 | Southwest France | Fronton | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Bouissel 2005 Le Bouissel Red (Fronton) | Red Blend | Château Bouissel |
| 18103 | 18102 | Italy | Here's a beautifully fragrant Vino Nobile di Montepulciano with well-integrated oak aromas of spice and cigar box followed by blackberry and chocolate. This is a proud, modern wine with loads of intensity and personality. Pair it with lamb or pork roast. | | 91 | 30 | Tuscany | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | | | Poliziano 2006 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | Prugnolo Gentile | Poliziano |
| 18104 | 18103 | US | A lovely Cabernet that shows the soft tannins and earthy herbaceousness of Alexander Valley. On a fruitier note are the cherries and red currants that are accented by sweet, smoky oak. Spicy and dry, this polished wine wants a few years in the cellar. 2011–2015. | Reichel Vineyard | 91 | 48 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Respite 2006 Reichel Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Respite |
| 18105 | 18104 | US | A bit hard in tannins and stinging in acidity, but the lush, ripe flavors make up for it. Offers waves of black and red cherries, cola, licorice and bacon flavors, accented with sweet, smoky oak. Good now, and should develop for a few years. | | 91 | 29 | California | San Luis Obispo County | Central Coast | | | Sinor-LaVallee 2007 Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County) | Pinot Noir | Sinor-LaVallee |
| 18106 | 18105 | US | This is the first time a Cabernet Franc has been made at Spring Valley since 2003. It's rich and earthy, tannic and concentrated, with plum and black cherry dusted with light mocha. Smooth and supple in the mouth, it glides into a tasty finish with toasted almonds. | Katherine Corkrum | 91 | 50 | Washington | Walla Walla Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Spring Valley Vineyard 2007 Katherine Corkrum Cabernet Franc (Walla Walla Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Franc | Spring Valley Vineyard |
| 18107 | 18106 | Portugal | Initially it seems very dry, but there is freshness as well. The wine has a sweet, jelly core, with soft tannins, well balanced. Raisins and black figs dominate, with the aftertaste bringing a firming of tannins and structure. Powerful and impressive. | Late Bottled Vintage | 91 | 25 | Port | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Taylor Fladgate 2003 Late Bottled Vintage (Port) | Port | Taylor Fladgate |
| 18108 | 18107 | US | Lots of new oak on this young Merlot, and the wood dominates, sending out waves of toast, clove and vanilla-buttered toast aromas. Oak tannins join the grapeskin tannins in making the mouthfeel hard and astringent. The underlying flavors are of blackberries, black cherries, red licorice and unsweetened baker's chocolate. It's a good wine that should develop bottle complexity through 2012. | | 91 | 90 | California | Howell Mountain | Napa | | | W.S. Keyes 2006 Merlot (Howell Mountain) | Merlot | W.S. Keyes |
| 18109 | 18108 | US | There are few varietal Petit Verdots in Washington, and even fewer pure varietals such as this, which goes right to the front of the pack. The fruit is sweet, tangy, grapey and young, with plum and cassis filling out the midpalate. The acids are juicy and natural, and the tannins—often aggressive and herbal with this grape—are polished and smooth. | | 91 | 37 | Washington | Yakima Valley | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Olsen Estates 2007 Petite Verdot (Yakima Valley) | Petite Verdot | Olsen Estates |
| 18110 | 18109 | US | Blended with 10% Syrah, this is a voluptuous, rich wine, dry and full-bodied. It has blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, bacon and sweet oak flavors. Clearly the winery's best, albeit most expensive Cabernet ever, it's gorgeous to drink now. | Signature Series | 90 | 37 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | One Hope 2009 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | One Hope |
| 18111 | 18110 | Argentina | This Cab opens with mellow, woody aromas on top of cassis and berry scents. The palate is a bit choppy and drying, but there's good structure to it along with attractive flavors of moss, earth, baked berry and light herbs. | | 89 | 22 | Mendoza Province | Maipú | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Luigi Bosca 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipú) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Luigi Bosca |
| 18112 | 18111 | France | Not just old vines, but ancient vines, this is a juicy, concentrated and ripe wine. It is sufficiently rich and textured to need some aging to bring out the full fruits even more. Drink from 2014. | Anciennes Vignes | 89 | 26 | Loire Valley | Menetou-Salon | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Patient Cottat 2012 Anciennes Vignes (Menetou-Salon) | Sauvignon Blanc | Patient Cottat |
| 18113 | 18112 | US | Elysium is crafted from Black Muscat grapes grown in the Central Valley near Madera and it tastes of raspberry jam and citrus peel, thick in texture but holding on to enough acidity to balance itself out. The residual sugar is 17.52%. Mix with Champagne for a California-style Kir Royale, the bubbles will really make it pop. | Elysium | 89 | 25 | California | California | California Other | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Quady 2012 Elysium Black Muscat (California) | Black Muscat | Quady |
| 18114 | 18113 | US | Cold-fermented in stainless steel after being harvested at 31.4 degrees Brix, this Late-Harvest Riesling is ripe in apple and honey, with a sustained level of rich earth notes from the 134 g/L residual sugar. Crisp and light, it's balanced and ideal for after-dinner cheeses or poached pears. | Late Harvest | 89 | 30 | California | Lake County | | Virginie Boone | @vboone | Schug 2012 Late Harvest Riesling (Lake County) | Riesling | Schug |
| 18115 | 18114 | Argentina | Root beer, marzipan and wood-accented berry aromas lead to a pleasant, medium-bodied palate with cassis and blackberry flavors that are robust at first but hollow out with time. Toast, dark chocolate and herbal flavors ride high on a fresh, driving finish. | Lassia Select | 89 | 14 | Other | Patagonia | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Bodega Patritti 2010 Lassia Select Red (Patagonia) | Red Blend | Bodega Patritti |
| 18116 | 18115 | US | With almost half of this wine aged in new French oak, it's barrel forward with notes of char and caramel along with tropical fruit. This fruit expression helps to retain a sense of elegance that carries through the finish. | Canoe Ridge Estate | 89 | 22 | Washington | Horse Heaven Hills | Columbia Valley | Sean P. Sullivan | @wawinereport | Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay (Horse Heaven Hills) | Chardonnay | Chateau Ste. Michelle |
| 18117 | 18116 | Spain | This inaugural barrel-fermented white blend is gold in color and toasty on the nose, with baked apple, a pinch of sweat and heavy raw-oak aromas. A resiny mouthfeel leads to a savory palate with more wood and corn flavor than fruit. The finish has a smooth feel and lasting oaky flavors. | Tres Viñas Blanco Reserva Viura-Malvasia-Garnacha Blanca | 89 | | Northern Spain | Rioja | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Baron De Ley 2008 Tres Viñas Blanco Reserva Viura-Malvasia-Garnacha Blanca White (Rioja) | White Blend | Baron De Ley |
| 18118 | 18117 | Spain | Earthy berry and gritty toast and leather aromas form a strong, masculine bouquet. This feels flush but also jagged due to hard tannins. Flavors of blackberry, fine coffee, mint and oak lead to a spicy, peppery tasting finish with oaky notes and power. Drink through 2016. | Adaro de Prado Rey | 89 | | Northern Spain | Ribera del Duero | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pradorey 2010 Adaro de Prado Rey (Ribera del Duero) | Red Blend | Pradorey |
| 18119 | 18118 | Spain | A wiry, minty nose with aromas of herbs, compost and strawberry is pushy and direct. In the mouth, this feels grabby and tight, with driving tannins. Flavors of baked berry, carob and herbs finish with a prune-driven character, heat and choppy tannins. | | 89 | 25 | Catalonia | Priorat | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Nita 2011 Red (Priorat) | Red Blend | Nita |
| 18120 | 18119 | US | A very nice wine, showcasing the Napa style of lush, plush opulence. It's softly tannic, with ripe blackberry, raspberry, mocha and cedar flavors. Not an ager—drink by 2015. | Double Lariat | 89 | 45 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Jamieson Ranch 2011 Double Lariat Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Jamieson Ranch |