| 19801 | 19800 | US | This Super-Tuscan-style wine won't be confused as anything from Tuscany. It's soft, tannic and very fruity, with a sugary finish. Bring on the hamburgers. | Sassolino | 83 | 24 | California | Cienega Valley | Central Coast | | | Pietra Santa 2009 Sassolino Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon (Cienega Valley) | Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon | Pietra Santa |
| 19802 | 19801 | Spain | The aromas on this wine are borderline offputting, with petrol and diesel exhaust leading the way. It's a viscous, blowsy offering with 15% abv and powdery, sugary flavors of melon and tropical fruits, particularly banana. Heat and bitterness control the finish. | Moscatel de la Marina | 83 | 20 | Levante | Alicante | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Enrique Mendoza 2011 Moscatel de la Marina Moscatel (Alicante) | Moscatel | Enrique Mendoza |
| 19803 | 19802 | Spain | This overpriced Cava is all about the packaging and not much about the quality of the wine in the bottle. It smells acrid and burnt, and while the mouthfeel is fine, it tastes sulfuric and dried out, with a bitter finish. And that's not saying anything about the gold glitter flakes that float throughout this weird, pricey Cava. | Brut Gold | 83 | 70 | Spain Other | Spain | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Antier NV Brut Gold Sparkling (Spain) | Sparkling Blend | Antier |
| 19804 | 19803 | Argentina | This is pricey for what you get. It's a blend of 50% Riesling with 40% Albariño and 10% Sauvignon, and frankly it smells a bit oily and stalky, while the palate is soft and the flavors suggest underripe green melon and apple. On the finish, it's a bit green. | Tiara | 83 | 30 | Mendoza Province | Luján de Cuyo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Alicia 2011 Tiara White (Luján de Cuyo) | White Blend | Viña Alicia |
| 19805 | 19804 | Chile | The oak on this basic Cab offers a nose that is pasty and lactic, while the palate and finish are resiny. In between, there are rubbery tannins, berry fruit flavors and a lot of vanilla and carob. | | 83 | 12 | Central Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Cono Sur 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cono Sur |
| 19806 | 19805 | Spain | Normally I'm a fan of Juvé y Camps. This bottling is bland on the nose, with a cleaning-solution aroma. The palate is foamy in feel and short in flavor, with a strange blend of bitter lettuce, brine and green herbs. Frankly, it's not up to par, a possible reflection of the below-average 2008 vintage. | Brut Nature Gran Reserva Reserva de la Familia | 83 | 17 | Catalonia | Cava | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Juvé y Camps 2008 Brut Nature Gran Reserva Reserva de la Familia Sparkling (Cava) | Sparkling Blend | Juvé y Camps |
| 19807 | 19806 | Chile | This inky, unfiltered Merlot is a chore to get through. For starters, the saturated bouquet is murky and less than fresh. In the mouth, expect a blocky, extracted mouthfeel and roasted flavors of herbal berry and raisin. Lastly, there's a tannic grab as well as particles and chunks floating about. | Unfiltered | 83 | 15 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Loma Larga 2009 Unfiltered Merlot (Casablanca Valley) | Merlot | Loma Larga |
| 19808 | 19807 | France | This is a soft, unfocused wine that only hints at fruitiness. It is rounded and full bodied, with a touch of pepper as well as lemon zest acidity at the end. | Brut d'Argent Brut Blanc de Blancs | 83 | 14 | France Other | Vin Mousseux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | La Cheteau NV Brut d'Argent Brut Blanc de Blancs Sparkling (Vin Mousseux) | Sparkling Blend | La Cheteau |
| 19809 | 19808 | US | Other than being very sweet, this dessert wine has little to recommend it. It's soft and rich in white sugar flavors, with traces of oranges, red currants, chocolate and anise. High alcohol gives it a peppery burn. | Black Magic Late Harvest | 83 | 20 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Carol Shelton NV Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel (Sonoma County) | Zinfandel | Carol Shelton |
| 19810 | 19809 | Argentina | Almost citrusy aromas of candied berry are jammy and unconvincing. The mouth is narrow and pinched in feel, with herbal, wiry berry flavors that finish minty and hot. | Reserva | 83 | 13 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Fat Gaucho 2010 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Fat Gaucho |
| 19811 | 19810 | Chile | Given the $27 price, this “limited edition” Sauvignon is lacking in many places. The nose is challenging, with a strong scent of bathroom cleanser, while the palate delivers acid and citrusy flavors but no middle tier. On the finish, it's like scallions and tarragon, with cutting acidity. | Bill Limited Edition | 83 | 27 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | William Cole 2011 Bill Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | William Cole |
| 19812 | 19811 | Chile | Funky on the nose, then tangy and briny in the mouth, with lemon, green notes and pickled flavors that lose clarity and fruit content with airing. This tastes green, ashy and stretched on the finish. Not a good value at $45. | Brut Nature | 83 | 45 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Morandé NV Brut Nature Sparkling (Casablanca Valley) | Sparkling Blend | Morandé |
| 19813 | 19812 | Chile | Initially this smells perfumed and powdery, like a grande dame preparing to go out for the night. On deeper inspection, it smells grassy and citrusy, then tastes and feels dilute. At best this is a quaffing wine due to minimal character but good acidity. | Albamar | 83 | 12 | Casablanca Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | William Cole 2012 Albamar Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | William Cole |
| 19814 | 19813 | US | A whiff of leather opens this wine, which is well along its aging curve. There's a bitter edge to the tannins, along with some rounded cherry cola flavors. | | 83 | 38 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Lazy River 2007 Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | Lazy River |
| 19815 | 19814 | US | A simple wine, soft and candied, with raspberry and cherry flavors. It's a Rhône-style blend based on Syrah. | Rendezvous Halter Ranch | 83 | 32 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Chateau Lettau 2010 Rendezvous Halter Ranch Red (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Chateau Lettau |
| 19816 | 19815 | US | Very pale, almost transparent, despite alcohol over 14% abv, this very light, citrusy wine carries a background flavor of vitamin pill, and feels a bit flat in the mouth. | | 83 | 19 | Oregon | Rogue Valley | Southern Oregon | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Ledger David 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Rogue Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Ledger David |
| 19817 | 19816 | Chile | Take a cool year like 2010—which is tough to begin with—on a late ripener like Cabernet, and throw in a ton of char and burnt oak, and what you get is a wine that smells like a smoldering campfire. The palate is tannic, while roasted flavors of charred black fruits and burning wood end with molasses. | Gran Reserva | 83 | 20 | Colchagua Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | TerraNoble 2010 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | TerraNoble |
| 19818 | 19817 | Argentina | Smoky and dark, with serious aromas of black licorice, earth and lush berry. The palate has a great feel to it along with huge flavors of cassis, blackberry, black peppercorn, coffee and sweet coconut. It's stellar from front to back, with coffee, mocha and silky tannins on the finish. Composed of 60% Malbec with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and small parts Tannat and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2013. | Amano Remolinos Vineyard | 93 | 50 | Mendoza Province | Agrelo | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Decero 2007 Amano Remolinos Vineyard Red (Agrelo) | Red Blend | Finca Decero |
| 19819 | 19818 | France | A powerful wine, packed with solid tannins, giving rich fruit over the hard, youthful structure. Black tannins and complex bitter chocolate and acidity suggest this is a wine that still needs time to knit together. The final is big and generous. | | 93 | | Burgundy | Grands-Echezeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri de Villamont 2007 Grands-Echezeaux | Pinot Noir | Henri de Villamont |
| 19820 | 19819 | France | Luscious and seriously structured, this is a wine that offers the dense texture of a Gevrey Grand Cru vineyard. It has rich fruit, touched by chocolate and licorice, as well as ripe black fruits. For aging over 4–5 years and more. | | 93 | | Burgundy | Mazis-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri de Villamont 2007 Mazis-Chambertin | Pinot Noir | Henri de Villamont |
| 19821 | 19820 | France | Foursquare, almost chunky, the tannins dominate black fruits, dark chocolate and spice flavors. There is considerable concentration here, along with initial high acidity. Straight from bottling, the fruit is subdued. The weight of the wine, though, confirms that this is going to be a powerhouse. | | 93 | 279 | Burgundy | Echézeaux | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Latour 2008 Echézeaux | Pinot Noir | Louis Latour |
| 19822 | 19821 | Austria | Regarded as a Styrian Grand Cru, the Kranachberg produces landmark Sauvignon Blanc. In the hands of Wilhelm Sattler, the richness of the fruit, with its almost tropical spice element, is tinged with elegance as well as great concentration. There is a fresh, racy aftertaste. | Kranachberg | 93 | 45 | Südsteiermark | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Sattlerhof 2008 Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark) | Sauvignon Blanc | Sattlerhof |
| 19823 | 19822 | France | Firm and solid, this is a wine marked by blackberries, solid and dense tannins. The concentration will bring all the elements together to give an important wine, while never losing the 2008 acidity. | Les Porrets St.-Georges Premier Cru | 93 | | Burgundy | Nuits-St.-Georges | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Bouchard Père & Fils 2008 Les Porrets St.-Georges Premier Cru (Nuits-St.-Georges) | Pinot Noir | Bouchard Père & Fils |
| 19824 | 19823 | Italy | Cantine Barbera has produced a beautiful Passito dessert wine that shows feminine harmony and balance. The natural intensity is here; Aromas of apricot, honey, candied fruit and almond paste emerge with confidence from the nose. In the mouth, the wine is particularly sweet and smooth. | Albamarina | 93 | | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Cantine Barbera 2008 Albamarina White (Sicilia) | White Blend | Cantine Barbera |
| 19825 | 19824 | France | Soft and ripe, with a sprinkling of pepper and spice, this is a rich, gentle wine. The tannins are open, lying under the lively black and red berry fruits. It will age over the next few years, but is not for the long-term. | Les Epenots Premier Cru | 93 | | Burgundy | Pommard | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Domaine Parent 2007 Les Epenots Premier Cru (Pommard) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Parent |
| 19826 | 19825 | Italy | From the distant 1994 vintage, this Vin Santo blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia has been aged an astonishing 15 years in small oak barrel. You can detect some of that evolution on the bouquet thanks to aromas of dried apricot, marron glacé, maple syrup and candied fruit with cinnamon spice. It's a sweet, thick wine with great intensity and the potential to age many more years to come. | Riserva | 93 | 140 | Tuscany | Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina | | | | Fattoria di Grignano 1994 Riserva (Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina) | White Blend | Fattoria di Grignano |
| 19827 | 19826 | US | Big, round and lush, this is the fourth vintage for this wine, one of the best Chardonnays in Washington state. In this vintage it did not go through full malolactic, leaving a nice underlying acidity with a leesy, creamy freshness. Golden apples, stone fruits and a lick of butterscotch add to the luscious, generous finish. | Big Sissy Conner Lee Vineyard | 93 | 35 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Gorman 2009 Big Sissy Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Chardonnay | Gorman |
| 19828 | 19827 | France | A powerful wine, offering a dark, textured view of Clos de Vougeot. It is muscular, packed with ripe fruit and a layer of spice and wood. Black plums and prunes provide extra, delicious flavors. | | 93 | | Burgundy | Clos de Vougeot | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Henri de Villamont 2007 Clos de Vougeot | Pinot Noir | Henri de Villamont |
| 19829 | 19828 | France | Relatively light and fruity with tight tannins. The wine has fresh acidity that still dominates the texture. There is a delicious spicy element that edges around the tannic core. It seems firm, not yet ready to soften into middle age. | Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru | 93 | | Burgundy | Gevrey-Chambertin | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Louis Jadot 2004 Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru (Gevrey-Chambertin) | Pinot Noir | Louis Jadot |
| 19830 | 19829 | US | A stunningly good, young Cabernet, marked by rich, ripe flavors of blackberries, black currant and cedar flavors, wrapped into strong but fine tannins. Lovely and sweet now, with some decanting, and should develop bottle complexity over the next 6–8 years. | | 93 | 65 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Materra Cunat Family Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Materra Cunat Family Vineyards |