| 28201 | 28200 | US | You'll want to stash this young Cab away for a while because it's too closed and tannic now for enjoyment. But it has a very rich, concentrated core of cassis flavor and is dry and balanced in acidity. Should negotiate the next 6–8 years easily, and maybe longer. | | 91 | 55 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Frazier 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Frazier |
| 28202 | 28201 | US | The wine is still showing a lot of rich new oak flavors: toast, coconut and vanilla crème. Sur lie aging (in 100% French oak) adds plenty of texture and the impression of minerality. Behind the oak is a lush mix of fruits, from tangerine and pineapple through papaya and ripe banana. | | 91 | 36 | Washington | Washington | Washington Other | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Abeja 2006 Chardonnay (Washington) | Chardonnay | Abeja |
| 28203 | 28202 | France | A delicious, full, creamy wine, the mousse just filling the mouth. It is well balanced, some toasty fruits going with the flavors of grapefruit and apricot. The wine has an impressively taut texture, bringing the promise of some aging potential. | Fleur de Prestige Millésime Brut | 91 | | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Beaumont des Crayères 2000 Fleur de Prestige Millésime Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Beaumont des Crayères |
| 28204 | 28203 | Italy | La Marega is a ripe and juicy wine with fruity aromas of red cherry, apple, cedar and exotic spice, ranging from nutmeg to cardamom. The blend is unusual too with Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina, Dindarella and Sangiovese. Deep, dark concentration rolls over the palate with beautiful intensity and succulence. Drink after 2013. | La Marega | 91 | 67 | Veneto | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | | | | Le Salette 2004 La Marega (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico) | Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara | Le Salette |
| 28205 | 28204 | US | This vineyard-designated Sauv Blanc is half fermented in stainless steel, 40% in concrete eggs and the rest in French oak. It is completely different from the winery's Columbia Valley bottling, with much riper and rounder fruit flavors showing off stone fruits, such as peaches and apricots, along with tropical hints of papaya. There's plenty of stuffing and spice, and a perfect mix of the grape's innate herbaceous and grassy qualities, ramped up with riper, sweeter fruit. | Stillwater Creek Vineyard | 91 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Matthews 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Sauvignon Blanc | Matthews |
| 28206 | 28205 | US | The Claret is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the other four Bordeaux grapes filling in the other half, and is quite firm, sappy and muscular. It is tightly structured with cassis, black cherry and plenty of dark, tarry undertones. The herbal aspects show in some black olive and black tea flavors; the tannins are strong and supple, and the wine has a sinuous finish suggesting both strength and length. An exceptional value, this wine should age very nicely. | Claret | 91 | 30 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Matthews Estate 2005 Claret Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Matthews Estate |
| 28207 | 28206 | US | Consistent with previous releases, this Michel Rolland effort is a soft, silky, smoky wine that introduces itself with round cherry fruit and then charges ahead with layers of licorice, citrus, coffee and rock that enliven the finish. There is plenty of tart raspberry fruit to open, and the balancing acids to give the wine a tight core. It's a very polished and appealing balance of forward, approachable fruit married to more elegant, ageworthy tannins and acids. | | 91 | 55 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Pedestal 2005 Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Merlot | Pedestal |
| 28208 | 28207 | US | Not showing well now due to hard tannins and extreme dryness. There's a core of blackberry fruit but it's buried beneath astringency. This Merlot-based Bordeaux blend may develop. | Ispiri | 85 | 45 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Eric Guerra 2005 Ispiri Red (Alexander Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Eric Guerra |
| 28209 | 28208 | Argentina | A zesty, lean-boned wine, but give it credit for offering classic pepper and raspberry aromas mixed with a touch of pickle and green. The palate is properly sized and balanced, with tart plum flavors that are satisfying enough. Not a deep or sophisticated wine, but it's clean and pretty good for Argentine Pinot. | Eagle's Rock | 85 | 10 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca la Celia 2007 Eagle's Rock Pinot Noir (Mendoza) | Pinot Noir | Finca la Celia |
| 28210 | 28209 | US | At about four years of age, Talbott's '04 tastes overripe. It has the aromas and flavors of a botrytized, late-harvest Chardonnay, brimming with apricot jam and pineapples, except that it's bone dry. With the very high acidity, this makes it unbalanced and not entirely enjoyable. This is a bottling that seems to do better in cooler vintages. | Diamond T Estate | 85 | 65 | California | Monterey County | Central Coast | | | Talbott 2004 Diamond T Estate Chardonnay (Monterey County) | Chardonnay | Talbott |
| 28211 | 28210 | Argentina | A neutral nose is the result of oak and mild apple and banana aromas offsetting each other. The palate is fairly forward, with apple, pear and banana flavors. Balance is achieved courtesy of healthy fruit, light oak and good acidity. Don't expect miracles and it should do the trick. | | 85 | 16 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Tapiz 2007 Chardonnay (Mendoza) | Chardonnay | Tapiz |
| 28212 | 28211 | US | Oaky and tannic, this Merlot-based Bordeaux blend feels tough and dry right now, although it does have deep touches of blackberry jam. Might soften and sweeten with some time in the bottle. | Lexington | 85 | 45 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Thomas Fogarty 2004 Lexington Meritage (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Meritage | Thomas Fogarty |
| 28213 | 28212 | US | Rich and ripe in fruit and a little heavy in toasty oak, this Chard will appeal to fans of that California style. It oozes with pineapple tart, peach pie, butterscotch and caramel candy flavors. | Reserve | 85 | 35 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Highway 12 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley) | Chardonnay | Highway 12 |
| 28214 | 28213 | US | A textbook example of a New World style of California Chardonnay, with high oak and very ripe pineapple pie filling, vanilla-honey and cinnamon spice flavors wrapped into a soft, semi-sweet mouthfeel. Many consumers will love it. | | 85 | 40 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Huge Bear 2006 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) | Chardonnay | Huge Bear |
| 28215 | 28214 | US | You could classify this as an off-dry wine, but it's just sweet and honeyed enough to be a dessert wine. With pleasant acidity providing balance, it shows flavors of ripe peaches, diesel, nectarines, apples, vanilla and buttercup flowers. | Old Vine | 85 | 20 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Jana 2007 Old Vine Riesling (Napa Valley) | Riesling | Jana |
| 28216 | 28215 | US | Bone dry, earthy and leathery, this Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon seems a bit tired. The fruit is showing early signs of fading, and the tannins—earthy, green and a bit rough—may already be taking over. Some earthy, organic, almost biodynamic flavors come out in the finish. | Proprietor's Reserve | 85 | 36 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Maryhill 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Maryhill |
| 28217 | 28216 | US | A nice everyday Chard, fairly rich in fruit, herb and spice flavors, and with a nice overlay of oak. Easy to drink and totally dry. | Handley Vineyard | 85 | 20 | California | Dry Creek Valley | Sonoma | | | Handley 2006 Handley Vineyard Chardonnay (Dry Creek Valley) | Chardonnay | Handley |
| 28218 | 28217 | US | This is a pretty good wine, dry, spicy and full-bodied, but it's not particularly Cabernet-ish or Napa-ish. It could be Zinfandel or Syrah or anything, with its peppery black currant and mocha flavors. It's also quite soft. Drink now. | | 85 | 22 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Bridgeway 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bridgeway |
| 28219 | 28218 | US | Oak stars in this wine, to its detriment. Underneath all that wood is a crisply elegant Chardonnay with ripe pear, peach and papaya flavors. But the oak plasters it with a ton of caramel and butterscotch that tastes excessive. | Bacigalupi Vineyard | 85 | 55 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Rutz 2005 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) | Chardonnay | Rutz |
| 28220 | 28219 | US | Made in a style so ripe and direct in fruit and oak, it's almost simple, with spun sugar flavors of raspberries, cherries, anise and vanilla. Those flavors are delicious, yet the wine lacks structural integrity. | Sierra Madre Vineyard | 85 | 42 | California | Santa Maria Valley | Central Coast | | | Sierra Madre 2006 Sierra Madre Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) | Pinot Noir | Sierra Madre |
| 28221 | 28220 | US | The Naked Riesling is organically farmed and produced. This new vintage already seems a bit tired and has an unusually deep (oxidized?) golden color. It's drinking well enough, like a somewhat aged apple cider, but does not have the sort of freshness that one would hope for in a just-released 2007 wine. | Naked | 85 | 12 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Snoqualmie 2007 Naked Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Riesling | Snoqualmie |
| 28222 | 28221 | US | With an opening scent of freshly crushed raspberries and cherries sprinkled with black pepper and drizzled with anisette, this is an inviting wine. A Grenache-based Rhône blend, it turns soft and a little sweet and simple in the mouth, but is very easy to enjoy. | Cuvée Christie | 85 | 28 | California | Santa Barbara County | Central Coast | | | Tercero 2006 Cuvée Christie Red (Santa Barbara County) | Rhône-style Red Blend | Tercero |
| 28223 | 28222 | US | Comes down on the honeyed, easy side of Chardonnay, with ginger ale, pineapple jam, green apple butter and vanilla flavors designed to please. Drink now. | | 85 | 25 | California | Alexander Valley | Sonoma | | | Hawkes 2006 Chardonnay (Alexander Valley) | Chardonnay | Hawkes |
| 28224 | 28223 | US | This is a light Pinot, both in color and body, with modest flavors of cola, cherryskin and orange tea. It's very dry and nicely silky in the mouth. Seems at its best now. | Oehlman Vineyard | 85 | 33 | California | Russian River Valley | Sonoma | | | Hawley 2006 Oehlman Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) | Pinot Noir | Hawley |
| 28225 | 28224 | France | Aromas of red berries and summer flowers lead easily into a palate of soft, creamy fruit. The wine is simple, pleasant, a celebratory rosé. If it lacks great character, it does hang together well, leaving a fresh aftertaste. | Grand Rosé Brut | 85 | 60 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Beaumont des Crayères NV Grand Rosé Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Beaumont des Crayères |
| 28226 | 28225 | France | Soft and creamy, this has freshness, the taste of pear and apricot and a light texture. It's in the apéritif style, light, delicate and elegant. | Cuvée des Moines Brut Blanc de Blancs | 85 | 69 | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Besserat de Bellefon NV Cuvée des Moines Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Champagne) | Chardonnay | Besserat de Bellefon |
| 28227 | 28226 | US | Occupying the bottom rung (in terms of cost) of the Columbia Crest ladder, Two Vines wines are generally light, quite clean and simple, with a minimum exposure to oak. This fits the mold, with flavors of strawberry chews and cotton candy. The tannins are also light and herbal, with an earthy, pleasantly leafy finish. | Two Vines | 85 | 8 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Columbia Crest 2005 Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Columbia Crest |
| 28228 | 28227 | US | Comes down on the brittle side, a dry, acidic Pinot Noir with good structure, but lacks the richness you really want. You'll find modest cherry, cola and vanilla flavors. | | 85 | 24 | California | Sonoma | Sonoma | | | MacMurray Ranch 2006 Pinot Noir (Sonoma) | Pinot Noir | MacMurray Ranch |
| 28229 | 28228 | France | Fruity, soft, with attractive green apple and pineapple flavors, a fresh, lightly sweetened style. | Sélection Premier Cru Brut | 85 | | Champagne | Champagne | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Marc Hebrart NV Sélection Premier Cru Brut (Champagne) | Champagne Blend | Marc Hebrart |
| 28230 | 28229 | US | The cassis, black currant, chocolate and sweet oak flavors star in this soft, easy wine. It could use a firmer structure, but it's very savory and easy to drink. | | 85 | 25 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | | | Mettler Family Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mettler Family Vineyards |