| 22171 | 22170 | US | Rich in ripe, forward fruit, with oaky influences, this dry Syrah has pepper-infused black currant and cherry flavors, with a nice, smoky finish. It's a full-bodied wine whose tannins are strong but sweetly ripe, in the modern style. Drink now. | | 87 | 36 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | La Capilla 2005 Syrah (Paso Robles) | Syrah | La Capilla |
| 22172 | 22171 | Italy | A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2003 Rovaio is surprisingly light and delicate considering the hot vintage that shaped it. Aromas include Amaretto, root beer, blueberries and blue flowers. The wine is lean and fresh in the mouth, with very good persistence. | Rovaio | 87 | 30 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | La Lastra 2003 Rovaio Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | La Lastra |
| 22173 | 22172 | US | Tastes a bit forward and simple right now in cherry pie filling, raspberry tart, framboise and orange datenut cookie flavors, with a silky texture and fine, ripe tannins. Could develop interesting bottle complexities over the next 6–8 years. | | 87 | 35 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Ojai 2005 Grenache (Santa Barbara County) | Grenache | Ojai |
| 22174 | 22173 | Italy | On first impact, the wine is earthy smelling with dim tones of Brie and Camembert. Wait a few minutes, and spicy blueberry notes to appear. Overall, this is a simple, no-fuss wine that would pair well with risotto or pasta. | Intenso | 87 | 17 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Podere la Marronaia 2005 Intenso Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Podere la Marronaia |
| 22175 | 22174 | US | With an edge of sweet red currants and slightly sugared herb tea, this Zin can't really be called completely dry. But the tannin-acid balance is very fine, and makes the wine balanced and enjoyable. Should be great with pasta with a marinara sauce. | | 87 | 25 | California | Fiddletown | Sierra Foothills | | | Renwood 2005 Zinfandel (Fiddletown) | Zinfandel | Renwood |
| 22176 | 22175 | Italy | The blend is Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot, and this, the estate's second wine, is a less intense, less sophisticated interpretation, with lingering notes of bright fruit and light smoke. | Casa Boschino | 87 | 15 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | San Fabiano Calcinaia 2005 Casa Boschino Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | San Fabiano Calcinaia |
| 22177 | 22176 | US | This zippy, fruit-forward wine opens with bright raspberry and pungent spice aromas, adding in milk chocolate streaks through a supple, medium-weight middle. The finish gets a little tight, with some plastic flavors creeping in. | | 87 | 24 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Spindrift Cellars 2005 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Spindrift Cellars |
| 22178 | 22177 | US | Rarely bottled on its own, Pinot Meunier is better known as a blending component for Champagne. This bottling is like a Pinot Noir in its lightly silky texture and cherry, cola and vanilla flavors. It's very elegant, yet doesn't quite rise to the classic status of Pinot Noir. | Van der Kamp Vineyard | 87 | 60 | California | Sonoma Mountain | Sonoma | | | Tandem 2006 Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Meunier (Sonoma Mountain) | Pinot Meunier | Tandem |
| 22179 | 22178 | Italy | Guidoalberto is the “pocketbook-friendly” alternative from the same estate that makes Sassicaia. But for $60, you could ask for more. This is a chewy, succulent wine with good length on the close. The aromas are awkward in places with espresso, chocolate yogurt and a touch of cheese rind. | Guidalberto | 87 | 60 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Tenuta San Guido 2005 Guidalberto Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Tenuta San Guido |
| 22180 | 22179 | US | You might think this was a big Pinot Noir, like a Santa Lucia Highlands, if you blind-tasted it. It's thick and forward in blackberry, currant and cherry flavors, with a firm tannic structure, and very dry. Shows enough balance to age for up to six years. | Old Vine | 87 | 25 | California | Contra Costa County | Central Coast | | | Trinitas 2004 Old Vine Mataro (Contra Costa County) | Mataro | Trinitas |
| 22181 | 22180 | Italy | This 50-50 Merlot-Cab Franc blend is priced irresistibly low. Aromas include red cherry fruit, chocolate and spice that give it a modern edge. It has plenty of dimension and some oak nuances in the mouth. | | 87 | 10 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Villa Pillo 2005 Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Villa Pillo |
| 22182 | 22181 | Spain | Castilla y León can be good bargain country, and all of the 2006 Volteo wines are Best Buy qualifiers. This varietal Tempranillo has a clean, fruity nose backed by bright berry flavors built on a floor or two of structure. It's a composed quaffer with pure flavors, adequate length and overall balance. | | 87 | 8 | Central Spain | Vino de la Tierra de Castilla | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Volteo 2006 Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) | Tempranillo | Volteo |
| 22183 | 22182 | Italy | A 60-30-10 blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah, Carato is a vibrant, cheerful wine elegant aromas that recall the small berry fruit and blue flowers usually associated with Sangiovese. The wine has a clean and balanced delivery and ends with crisp acidity. | Carato | 87 | 16 | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Erik Banti 2004 Carato Red (Toscana) | Red Blend | Erik Banti |
| 22184 | 22183 | Spain | Nice and familiar, and very much in the sweet, creamy style. There's almond candy and caramel on the palate and then maple syrup on the finish. Soft and sweet throughout, with just enough acidity and complexity to save it from being boring. | Oloroso Dulce Cream | 87 | 11 | Andalucia | Jerez | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Osborne NV Oloroso Dulce Cream Sherry (Jerez) | Sherry | Osborne |
| 22185 | 22184 | US | Easton continues to be devoted to its Barbera, which as always is a big, tannicly dry mountain wine. It's packed with blackberry, coffee, chocolate and spice flavors, with a distinctly baked quality, like macaroons. Should age forever. | | 87 | 22 | California | Shenandoah Valley (CA) | Sierra Foothills | | | Easton 2005 Barbera (Shenandoah Valley (CA)) | Barbera | Easton |
| 22186 | 22185 | Spain | Mature and a little waxy on the nose; this is a plump, fruity, semisoft wine with apple, pineapple and melon flavors. It's round and fairly mild, with plenty of taste, width and drinkability. Drink soon before it softens even further. | El Bino | 87 | 13 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | El Bully 2006 El Bino Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | El Bully |
| 22187 | 22186 | Italy | Here's a Cab with aromas of beef broth, cigar box and spice. It's distinctive nose is framed delicately by dusty mineral tones and black licorice, while the mouthfeel is fresh and vibrant. | Campora | 87 | | Tuscany | Toscana | | | | Falchini 1998 Campora Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Falchini |
| 22188 | 22187 | Spain | Cepas Vellas refers to old vines, but what's most noticeable on this wine is the popcorn and cream that characterizes both the nose and mouth. In between the oak-aided folds there's melon, waxy papaya and banana flavors sitting on a plump, cushioned palate. It's a holdover from 2005, so drink it while you have it. | Aquis Celenis Cepas Vellas | 87 | 18 | Galicia | Rías Baixas | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Fernando Diéguez Otero 2005 Aquis Celenis Cepas Vellas Albariño (Rías Baixas) | Albariño | Fernando Diéguez Otero |
| 22189 | 22188 | US | The winery has struggled with Pinot made from this warm, sunny highland appellation, which is more suitable for Zinfandel. Their '06 is a savory wine, dry and rich in cherries and oak, with a silky texture. But there's a heaviness that makes you think Pinot isn't the best grape to grow this far above the Anderson Valley fogline. | | 87 | 27 | California | Mendocino Ridge | | | | Greenwood Ridge 2006 Pinot Noir (Mendocino Ridge) | Pinot Noir | Greenwood Ridge |
| 22190 | 22189 | Portugal | It may be a second-rate grape in France, but in Portugal Alicante Bouschet has really come into its own. This is a ripe, smooth wine, with dark plum skin tannins, red peppers and intense concentrated spice. Drink now. | | 86 | 11 | Alentejano | | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Adega Cooperativa de Borba 2006 Alicante Bouschet (Alentejano) | Alicante Bouschet | Adega Cooperativa de Borba |
| 22191 | 22190 | US | An acidic, bone-dry Chardonnay, brilliant in fruit, that doesn't seem to have been touched by oak. It's so pure in zesty Meyer lemon, lime and kiwi flavors, with a mouthwateringy clean finish. | White | 86 | 15 | California | Monterey | Central Coast | | | American Roots 2006 White Chardonnay (Monterey) | Chardonnay | American Roots |
| 22192 | 22191 | France | Hints of fresh mint leaves highlight the brooding black currant and dark fruit aromas. The balance of Cabernet and Merlot has been successfully achieved, as the wine is beautifully structured with a firm backbone of ample tannins and a rich, supple mouthfeel. | Kosher | 86 | 32 | Bordeaux | Haut-Médoc | | Lauren Buzzeo | @laurbuzz | Barons Edmund Benjamin de Rothschild 2003 Kosher (Haut-Médoc) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Barons Edmund Benjamin de Rothschild |
| 22193 | 22192 | US | This is quite light, almost ephemeral, with tart raspberry and red licorice flavors and a strong metallic/mineral streak. It is delicately made, and interesting, but comparable to a simple Bourgogne rather than a wine priced at this level. | Momtazi Vineyard | 86 | 45 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Boedecker Cellars 2005 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Boedecker Cellars |
| 22194 | 22193 | US | This is a light, leafy wine, with tannins that taste of green tea and leave a sensation of astringency long after the wine is swallowed. Sounds like Burgundy! In a world where so many Oregon wineries are making Pinot Noir that is superripe, extracted and alcoholic, this shows why the Burgundy comparison is still valid. | | 86 | 35 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Capitello 2005 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Capitello |
| 22195 | 22194 | US | Pierre Léon is a selection of different clones from the winery estate. Maybe it's the vintage, but the wine seems dilute. The flavors of tart wild berry, earth and herb have a thin, edgy character; and the tannins seem greener than what would be optimal. | Pierre Léon | 86 | 36 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | WillaKenzie Estate 2005 Pierre Léon Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | WillaKenzie Estate |
| 22196 | 22195 | Italy | Toh! offers excellent value in the form of fragrant aromas of peach, honey, melon and light floral tones. The wine is lean and compact, yet offers that creamy smoothness that is characteristic of the Friulano grape. | Toh! | 85 | 10 | Northeastern Italy | Friuli Grave | | | | Di Lenardo 2007 Toh! Friulano (Friuli Grave) | Friulano | Di Lenardo |
| 22197 | 22196 | US | This opens with a strong scent of herb and bud; it's sharp and aggressively leafy. The wine follows with similar flavors. The light fruit flavors of plum and berry are quickly suffocated with leaf, herb, earth, spice and tannin. Time may be the answer. | | 85 | 30 | Oregon | Willamette Valley | Willamette Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Domaine Meriwether 2004 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) | Pinot Noir | Domaine Meriwether |
| 22198 | 22197 | South Africa | Pepper, plum and smoke on the nose starts this wine off with a sultry kick. On the palate, it offers medium bodied, smoky spice flavors that linger. pair with lamb, wild game or blue cheeses. | | 85 | 13 | Durbanville | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Durbanville Hills 2005 Shiraz (Durbanville) | Shiraz | Durbanville Hills |
| 22199 | 22198 | South Africa | A magnetic nose of cinnamon spice and cigarbox leads this elegant Cabernet from Excelsior, and it's followed by balanced cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Firm tannins, good acidity and an overall spicy touch give the wine energy and pluck. Good for everyday sipping and ready to drink now. | | 85 | 10 | Robertson | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Excelsior 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Excelsior |
| 22200 | 22199 | US | A brisk, savory Sauvignon Blanc with rich flavors of citrus fruits, lemongrass, green melons, figs and smoky vanilla spice. Tastes a little on the sweet side. | Ghielmetti Vineyard | 85 | 17 | California | Livermore Valley | Central Coast | | | Fenestra 2007 Ghielmetti Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Livermore Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Fenestra |