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73,689 | us | Smooth and distinguished, a flamboyant wine with enough flavor to last all day. Peaches, pears and tropical fruits are encased in lush, toasty oak, while lees adds a creamy, mealy texture. This classy wine is rich and balanced. | Reserve | 91 | 38 |
63,154 | spain | Cherry, red currant and minerally aromas are fresh and appealing. This blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon is pure and lithe on the palate, while toasty, minerally berry and cherry flavors finish dry, focused and with notes of licorice, cocoa and herbs. This succeeds by offering a little bit of everything good; drink through 2019. | Petit Saó | 91 | 18 |
127,172 | chile | The melon and apple aromas are slightly dull but harmless. It feels decent, with orange and green-herb flavors. The finish is citric and green. | Reserva | 82 | 12 |
71,097 | chile | Minty, leathery berry fruit aromas are herbal and foresty. This is flush and solid in feel, with controlled tannins. Roasted, herbal black plum and berry flavors are what you'd expect from Colchagua Valley Carmenère, while this feels meaty and tastes blackened on the finish. | Los Lingues Vineyard | 88 | 20 |
84,878 | france | While the wine certainly has structure, its main character, from the dominant Merlot, is the juicy, stalky fruit and jammy, ripe black plums. It does have an edge of bitter chocolate and a layer of wood. When that softens, it will be a ripe, broad wine. Drink from 2017. | Cuvée Reine | 88 | 30 |
126,162 | us | The nose of this Pinot Noir rosé is enticing with hints of ripe raspberry and violet. Subtle yet elegant on the palate, it's brisk and tonic with delicate berry flavors accented by a refreshing mineral tone that lingers on the finish. | Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Dry | 88 | 18 |
119,384 | us | Boisterous and juicy with blackberry-pie aromas on the nose, touched by caramel, milk chocolate and some lilac, this is a porch-pounding, crowd-pleasing red wine. Cola and black-cherry juice pop on the palate, which is hedonistically pleasing although not too complex. | Suite Petite | 86 | 15 |
32,937 | spain | Contino gives its single-vineyard Graciano all that it can, and still the wine, despite its deep purple color, is tight as a drum. There's juniper and blueberry on the nose, and then tangy blackberry flavors with an herbal slant. As varietal Graciano goes, this is nicely done. But it's up to you to decide if varietal Graciano is worth $147 a pop. | Single Vineyard | 87 | 147 |
92,785 | france | Hugely dense and dark, the wine is over the top in all respects. From the heavy bottle to the much too concentrated fruit and wood flavors, it is a statement wine. Its saving grace is the quality of the vintage that inevitably has produced a wine that will balance out the tannins as it matures. Drink from 2019. | Osage | 87 | 84 |
92,949 | us | An aromatic offering with notes of peach, honeysuckle and a whiff of lime leaf. It drinks almost dry, with tart fruit flavors that seem a bit diluted. | The Benches | 87 | 18 |
51,302 | spain | This Viura smells oxidized and soft, with barrel-based aromas in charge. A soft, watery palate is resiny, tasting bready and yeasty more than fruity. If you dig around, there's some complexity and quality, but this is not the best vintage for Capellanía. | Capellanía | 86 | 30 |
60,066 | chile | Hard aromas of road tar and herbal berry fruits are the definition of gritty. Leafy dry red-fruit flavors are light on ripeness, while this is spicy tasting and drawing on the finish. | Grand Reserve | 86 | 17 |
19,282 | spain | More traditional and Old World in style, with some light oak supporting aromas of rubber, smoked meats, leather and berry fruit. There's good life to the bouncy palate along with flavors of zesty plum and cherry. Snappy and crisp on the finish. | Old Vine | 87 | 18 |
100,806 | us | Lavish floral notes perfume this lusciously sweet ice-style Riesling. Honeyed apples and fresh figs burst on the palate, their flavors intensified on the finish with a hit of zesty lemon acidity. | Ice | 89 | 25 |
68,813 | us | Medium bodied and lean in profile, this wine starts with floral aromas, then brings in fairly tart cherry and pomegranate flavors and firmly tannic texture. | Sage Canyon | 86 | 26 |
125,933 | portugal | This elegant, structured wine has layers of intense acidity surmounted by firm tannins and red currant fruit. It's a real food wine, that acidity ready for rich meats. It's also likely to age well. Drink now and until 2024. | Vadio | 90 | 22 |
32,431 | bulgaria | Aromas of cherry, blackberry preserves and oven-roasted acorn squash greet the nose in this ruby-colored wine. A grid of velvety tannins provides a backdrop for flavors of cherry pie, pomegranate seeds and Chinese five-spice powder. | Imperial | 89 | 14 |
43,870 | france | A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from grand cru vineyards, this is a clean, precisely made wine that almost seems engineered—it's that crisply defined. It shows perfect, streaming, tiny bubbles, a tight, yeasty entry and a steely, concise finish. | Grande Cru Brut | 88 | 40 |
128,434 | australia | A remarkable effort, especially considering how difficult the 2011 vintage was in South Australia. Floral notes emerge on the nose, dressing up hints of raspberry compote, while the medium- to full-bodied palate delivers raspberries, cherries, cinnamon, clove and pepper. The tannins on the finish are fine and silky. Drink now–2025. | Ancestor Vine 1850 | 94 | 90 |
120,241 | israel | Inky violet-red in the glass, this wine has a fruit-forward nose of black cherry and strawberry. There is a good balance of acidity and tannins amidst flavors of black cherry, raspberry, caramel and orange zest. The perception of light spice remains on the tongue after the gentle finish. | Mt. Tabor | 90 | 15 |
45,719 | us | From the Frediani Vineyard, this is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Perfumed in lavender and a grip of blackberry jam, it also imparts characteristics of plum and clove, allowing both varieties to speak. Smooth on the finish, it's robustly full bodied and fleshy to the end. | Integrity | 90 | 100 |
11,107 | uruguay | Inky cool herbal black-fruit aromas set up a choppy tight palate with pounding tannins. Flavors of black coffee and blackberry are heavily toasted. The finish keeps that toasty theme while introducing notes of pepper and horseradish. | 100 Años Viñas Mendoza | 87 | 17 |
52,326 | chile | About as typical and pleasant as you'll find in this price range. The nose is snappy, with aromas of fresh peas, bell pepper, citrus and wild herbs. Feels light and fresh, with flavors of lime and apple alongside tangerine. | Reserva | 87 | 10 |
91,667 | france | Produced from organic grapes, the wine is beautiful and honey touched. Its acidity keeps crispness while the fruit shines with lemon and creamed-apple flavors. Drink from 2018. | Cuvée Silex | 91 | 23 |
50,615 | austria | Those cherry fruit flavors so characteristic of St. Laurent just fill the mouth with their lightly spicy edge. Around them, wood polishes the tannins and the acidity and gives the wine an ageworthy character. This is a sophisticated wine, its juicy fruit character in fine harmony with the tannins and wood. | Reserve | 91 | 40 |
35,646 | austria | This shows a slight, volatile lift on the nose. That headiness is also present on the palate, which is slender, with a refreshing core of lime and lemon mflavors. It finishes clean. | Reserve | 88 | 37 |
68,480 | chile | Smooth, fruity and fairly deep for a basic Merlot. The palate is medium-to-full in terms of weight and bite, with ripe berry fruit and light oak notes leading to a long, chocolaty finish. Textbook everyday Chilean Merlot, which means it's pleasant and easy to drink. | Estate Bottled | 88 | 13 |
76,781 | france | Luscious stone-fruit notes on the nose suggest ripeness and opulence. The palate speaks with that same generous fruit but holds a tight fresh grip that unites mirabelle, crisp green apple, bright citrus and yeasty richness. This is a beautifully balanced expressive wine with fine creamy fizz that is lovely now but will also reward laying down. The finish is long and deliciously dry and fresh. Drink 2017–2022. | Trois Châteaux Brut | 92 | 29 |
20,308 | us | This cuvée is a barrel selection, fermented with whole berries and aged in 35% new oak. Simple strawberry and raspberry fruit seems almost weightless, and the quick finish carries a strong streak of bouillon. | The Attaché | 86 | 40 |
69,783 | germany | Subtle hints of cereal and grain permeate throughout this medium-sweet Riesling, lending a savory tone to honeyed grapefruit and apple flavors. While lacking great refinement, it offers fruit-forward refreshment for casual settings. Drink now. | Sweet | 86 | 15 |
64,162 | us | Daffodils, lemon rinds and yellow apples rise on the nose of this bottling like a delicate flower petal. The palate is also finely toned, light in style and easy to enjoy, with hints of limestone, sea salt, Meyer lemon and Gravenstein apple. | Estate Bottled | 92 | 27 |
26,997 | us | This is a new bottling for Morgan, and appeals for it's reasonable price. It's blended creatively with Tempranillo and Grenache making it complex with flavors of cherry, currant, sweet tea, cola and exotic spices. It's dry in style with big, tough tannins and high acidity, but it's not likely to develop in the cellar, so drink it now. | GI7 | 87 | 22 |
23,778 | france | In this balanced off-dry wine, all the elements of ripe fruit, a high dosage and crisp acidity come together. It is perfumed with white-flower aromas while the palate is soft with a ripe baked-apple flavor. The bottling is ready to drink. | Demi-Sec | 89 | 35 |
4,989 | south africa | Fresh, fruity and charming, this rosé offers full-bodied flavors of strawberry and spice that are balanced and complex. A step above the typical flirty rosé, the wine gives style and substance and will handle heartier dishes—think Moroccan tagine or grilled, spiced fish. | Juanita Rosé | 88 | 19 |
27,311 | us | At the age of four-plus years, this 100% Cabernet is not showing well. It's very tannic and dry, with mouthwatering acidity and a brittle mouthfeel. The flavors are elusive, suggesting black currants, oak and minerals, although it certainly is elegantly structured. It might improve by cellaring until 2022. | Gratitude Vineyard | 88 | 125 |
97,027 | us | Juicy red fruit defines this blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Supportive tannins accent its cedar, oak and raisin notes. | 20/20 | 88 | 35 |
19,180 | new zealand | Takes the bold ripeness of the regular Gunn Estate bottling and kicks it up by adding herbal, passion fruit and pineapple flavors to the mix. The rich, creamy texture is balanced by the freshness and minerality of the lingering finish. | Skippers Pool | 91 | 19 |
107,432 | czech republic | This dry Riesling offers rich floral aromas of lilies and freesia. Soft floral notes continue on the palate, where they are joined by stronger flavors of citrus, honey and roasted hazelnut. | Michlovský | 88 | 15 |
41,187 | italy | This opens with aromas of intense mint, menthol and a whiff of ripe dark-skinned fruit. On the palate, anise, espresso and ground pepper add depth to dried black cherry while polished tannins provided support. Drink through 2019. | Salicaria | 91 | 35 |
8,508 | us | Nice and dry, with good varietal flavors of blackberries and currants, wrapped into rich tannins. It's a fine Cabernet to drink with ordinary food, and a good value. | Running with the Bulls | 86 | 10 |
103,797 | italy | More savory and spicy than fruity, this Sangiovese-Merlot-Sagrantino blend shows cured meat, tobacco, leather and black currant aromas. The finish is polished and firm. | Rojano | 88 | 25 |
99,036 | argentina | Easy aromas of bath oil and mixed tropical fruits are mellow, with nothing too defined. A fresh, lithe palate offers bright acidity and flavors of orange and grapefruit. Light acidity and tropical flavors create a friendly, simple finish. | Ampakama Estate Bottled | 87 | 10 |
17,366 | france | Lightly perfumed, this soft, ripe wine has attractive acidity that is balanced by ripe yellow- and white-stone fruits. The acidity at the end is just right. Drink now. | Passeport Bordeaux Blanc by Laurent Prada | 88 | 10 |
117,594 | us | Made in tiny amounts, this wine blends 72% Mourvèdre with field-blended Petite Sirah, Syrah, Peloursin, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. It comes from two acres in the heart of the appellation, representing historic varieties still hanging on for dear life. Raisiny leather, gunpowder and an intensity of blueberry give it life, atop an undeniable funkiness that's hard to resist. | Two Acres | 94 | 45 |
108,349 | us | Floral scents greet you at first, a beguiling mix of clover and apple blossom. Pineapple, tangerine and nectarine fruit flavors follow, big and full, finishing with an interesting whiff of almond. | Pfeiffer Vineyards | 93 | 22 |
13,429 | portugal | Classic tannic Dão Touriga Nacional, packed with minerality, dark and dry tannins, firm and with a good juicy final character. Part of a range of wines from across the country under the name Azul Portugal. | Azul Portugal | 90 | 10 |
36,950 | us | Sultry and inviting aromas of buttercream, custard and white peach are sliced by Meyer-lemon juice, salt and jasmine on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. It's finely tuned on the palate, delivering butterscotch and pecan flavors dissected by razor-sharp acidity and a chalky texture. | Pratt Vineyard | 93 | 70 |
33,377 | us | Musky in leather, tobacco and black tea, this wine is juicy in currant and cranberry before finishing a tad flat. From a robust mountain appellation, it's surprisingly resolved in terms of tannin and the oak is relatively restrained. | Reserve | 87 | 40 |
22,411 | spain | Initially this wine is flat and a bit chemical on the nose, but with time lime and tropical fruit aromas poke through. The mouthfeel is round but a little bland and broken up, while flavors of yeasty, bready tropical fruits and applesauce finish easy but flabby. | Selección Especial 1 | 87 | 18 |
43,368 | us | This wine opens with the fresh liveliness of stemmy earth and black tea notes, growing funkier and more herbal on the midpalate. Brightly layered and deeply flavored, it's a full-bodied rendition that remains true to its variety. | Jane's Vineyard | 91 | 35 |
81,921 | france | Balanced and fruity, this ripe, sweet wine delivers both botrytis and generous fruit. It has fine acidity to cut through the richness, giving intense sweetness and a dry core. Drink from 2021. | La Chapelle | 92 | 25 |
100,874 | france | This is a ripe wine that's also fresh and fruity. It has some structured tannins, along with a dense texture. At the same time, the red cherry and blueberry fruits have a crisp edge that finishes the wine with fine acidity. While the charity Hospices of Belleville owns land as part of its foundation, the wines are made by Beaune négociant Joseph Drouhin. Drink from 2017. | Domaine des Hospices de Belleville | 91 | 26 |
1,822 | argentina | Salmon-colored and spritzy, this rosé of Pinot Grigio smells stony and peachy. A zesty palate has sizzle and zest to it, while stone-fruit and minerally flavors are salty prior to a mildly bitter finish that tastes of pithy citrus. | Piedra Negra Pinot Gris Alta Colección | 85 | 12 |
64,159 | us | This wine is big in every dimension, from an unusually deep gold color, to a smoky, oaky, toasted-baguette aroma to almost sweet flavors like poached pear that are backed by more buttery, smoky nuances and surprisingly good acidity. While it makes a big first impression, further sips bring out even more complexity, layers and length. | Jewel Collection Series Estate Reserve | 92 | 40 |
72,887 | austria | The fragrant lift of conifer and citrus, of cypress and mandarin leaves, will make Riesling lovers swoon. The palate follows with plump yet precise stone fruit including apricot and peach. Sunshine seems to dominate the palate. This is full-frontal charm in a glass: decadently fruited but utterly balanced and sharp. Simply lovely and utterly moreish. Drink soon for top aromatics. | Steinbügel | 91 | 39 |
100,256 | spain | Ripe, savory and smoky up front, this is oozing blackberry, cassis, bacon and leather aromas. The palate on this minerally Rioja is as juicy, ripe and fresh as they come. Flavors of plum, berry, herbs and oak are integrated, classy and finish long, with a touch of coconut and raw wood that will likely disappear with more bottle age. Drink through 2025. | Valdegines Single Vineyard | 93 | 65 |
37,536 | us | Rustic aromas of crushed rocks and chewing tobacco pair interestingly with more floral elements of rose petal, lilac and wisteria on the nose of this bottling. Coffee and tobacco flavors show on the palate, where muddy tannins present leathery flavors of dark red cherries. It shows its long barrel aging with pride. | Thérèse Vineyards Dos Niñas Vineyard | 88 | 30 |
70,012 | us | Despite the broad appellation, South Coast fruit seems to dominate in the tropical fruit aromas, accompanied by a generous dose of spicy, vanilla-tinged oak. Similarly tastes very ripe and fruity, although has noticeable sweetness. | Vintner's Reserve | 85 | 12 |
11,531 | us | A little too harsh and raw, and there's heat from high alcohol, although there are other things to like about this Zin. It's dry and spicy, with complex wild berry, currant, cola and beef jerky flavors. The alcohol is 15.4%. | Heritage Selection Zen Ranch | 86 | 26 |
66,263 | argentina | Berry, plum and cassis aromas, what many would call the usuals for CS, are present and accounted for. This offers good weight and nice tannins; flavors of red fruits are fairly oaked, while wood spice, plum and apple-skin flavors finish things off. | Made with organically grown grapes | 88 | 17 |
16,141 | us | Enormously ripe and rich—this is honeyed, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It's creamy, too, with a butterscotch accent. The magic comes on the finish with a swirl of acidity and dry mineral. Decadent but never cloying, this defines the ripe California style. | Mitsuko's Vineyard | 93 | 28 |
52,589 | italy | Yellow flower, hay and orchard fruit aromas lead the nose. The bright, straightforward palate provides lemon, lime zest and a hint of pineapple alongside fresh acidity. | Calebianche | 86 | 25 |
107,494 | us | Bright, crisp red cherry and blackberry flavors drive a refreshing, fruity personality. Touches of nutmeg and vanilla show through, but this is not an oaky wine by any means. It will please a crowd and pair well with a wide variety of foods. | Estate | 87 | 40 |
5,377 | us | Ripe, opulent blackberry, cherry, butterscotch and vanilla bean flavors mark this soft wine. You can drink it now with everyday fare like beef tacos and cheeseburgers. | California Square | 85 | 23 |
63,578 | us | The wine is so pale in color, you could read a newspaper through the garnet hue. That suggests its silky and delicate texture. The flavors are classic Sonoma Coast, suggesting perfectly ripe raspberries and strawberries, persimmons and cola, with a rich jacket of smoky sandalwood. You can enjoy this lovely Pinot Noir now, and it will age interestingly through 2024. | Hurst Vineyard | 93 | 45 |
31,884 | us | Age has been kind to this Petite, one of Concannon's smalller bottlings. The wine is noticeably easygoing with mellowed plum and blackberry fruit and tamed tannins. | Heritage | 87 | 60 |
95,128 | austria | Zestiness on nose and palate is reminiscent of freshly peeled lemon. There is a slender linearity that spells summer and joy, refreshment and verve. This is as clear and limpid as a mountain stream—and as deliciously bracing. | In der Schablau Reserve | 90 | 29 |
66,140 | chile | Bland, oaky aromas register as resiny. This has a heavy, syrupy mouthfeel. Flavors of canned pineapple and peach finish heavy. | Vitral Reserva | 83 | 12 |
18,619 | argentina | Rustic, rubbery, leathery aromas are highly suggestive of animal hide and stalky berry fruits. This is hard as rocks on the palate, with an astringent mouthfeel. Briny, leathery berry and plum flavors end with a stalky aftertaste. | Estate | 83 | 15 |
88,797 | italy | Aromatic notes of red rose, raspberry and blueberry shape the nose of this brilliantly pink rosé. The wine is intense and full of delicate spice and candied fruit nuances that promise an excellent pairing with fish couscous. | Nadhir | 85 | 22 |
30,925 | germany | Unctuous mango and peach flavors are accented by hints of candle wax and dried herbs on this delicate but intensely concentrated Riesling. Silky and sweet in texture, it's brightened by streaks of orange acidity and touches of saffron and lemon peel that linger on the finish. | Oestrich Lenchen Auslese | 91 | 65 |
125,838 | us | A portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from vines planted in 1973, with additions of 10% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot. It's an exceptionally fine-tuned blend, with pinpoint fruit flavors, sappy acids and complementary barrel notes. The classic structure, which is the hallmark of all Betz wines, suggests a long life ahead. | Père de Famille | 96 | 65 |
43,509 | italy | Aromas of purple flower and wild berry lead the nose on this blend of 60% Sangiovese, 22% Merlot, 10% Canaiolo 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Colorino. The easy-drinking, chewy palate doles out black raspberry, Morello cherry, black pepper and baking spice alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2017. | Birbanera | 90 | 38 |
34,314 | chile | This opens with grassy, green aromas of candied raspberry. A chunky palate delivers candied, caramelized, slightly weedy red-fruit flavors. Not a lot besides acidity and heat is driving the finish. | Reserva | 84 | 10 |
86,212 | us | Upon first sniff, this could be a Chilean red; but then the warm fruity entry—complete with hints of crushed flower and fresh herb—suggests something else entirely. The wine does not hold together well, turning sour and herbal through the back of the palate. | Dion Carlo | 85 | 38 |
65,604 | us | This wine is 100% varietal, all aged in once-used French oak. It's packed to the brim with black fruit, herbs, licorice, jalapeño pepper and barrel spices, with crystalline clarity to the aromas. There's plenty of depth and richness to the full-bodied flavors, with exquisite balance and a finish that lingers. | Old Scratch | 92 | 28 |
88,391 | us | This Merlot, Cab and Petite Sirah blend sneaked into a very upscale Napa Cabernet tasting, and it acquitted itself very well. Dry and firm in tannins, it shows a high level of refinement, not to mention ageability. With black currant, plum, pepper and dark chocolate flavors, it's fine now and should hold and blossom for 6–8 years. | The McNab | 91 | 45 |
116,748 | chile | Damp, herbal aromas of pine, juniper and olive blend with black-fruit scents. Dense and mouthfilling, it features flavors of black fruits, savory spices and rubber that finish herbal and a mile long. This may benefit by waiting until 2015–2016 in bottle. | Unfiltered | 87 | 25 |
6,119 | spain | Opening plum and raspberry aromas are complete and elegant, with dry earthy notes. This feels lush and layered with deep plum, raspberry and creamy oak flavors. Through to the finish, this is long, nicely oaked and complex in flavors and strong in structure and balance. Drink through 2021. | Reserva | 92 | 35 |
117,750 | italy | This 80-20 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with milk chocolate, cherry, exotic spice, blackberry jam and crème de cassis notes. The mouthfeel is chewy, rich and plush, and the supple tannins are followed by loads of dark berry fruit. | Renzo | 91 | 30 |
104,483 | portugal | Dense and textured, this is a tannin dominated wine. The black fruit is still developing through the firm structure. At the end, with juicy blackberry fruits, the wine shows its generous future. Drink from 2017. | Vega | 88 | 9 |
76,346 | us | A deep straw color, this ready-to-drink Riesling is scented with wet rock, bee pollen, and ripe, yellow apples. Flavors are tart despite the 10 g/L residual sugar. It's fruity, flavorful and quite ready to drink up. | Recumbent | 88 | 18 |
63,931 | france | Color is on the salmon pink side, signalling fresh acidity and flavors of apples and citrus to go with the red fruits. Easy drinking. | Amalthée | 88 | 12 |
88,073 | france | With time, fresh rose petals merge into heady Turkish delight notes on the nose. This is full-on Gewurztraminer with all the bells and whistles: utterly decadent rose water and honeysuckle notes are submerged in rich, indulgent sweetness. This is perfumed and full-on: a super-charged varietal expression with rich, powdery layers of rose, honey and caramel. | Cuvée Christine Vendanges Tardives | 90 | 72 |
70,176 | portugal | A sophisticated, mature wine, it combines fresh, ripe apple fruits with a toasty edge. It's a full-throated wine, full of flavor and ready to drink now. | Borga Bruto | 89 | 35 |
31,514 | italy | This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon starts with aromas of cedar, plum and hints of lemon thyme. The palate offers black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, espresso and mint alongside round, soft tannins. It's ready, so enjoy soon. | Pievi | 89 | 30 |
89,139 | south africa | A comforting nose of vanilla toast, butter and a spin of citrus starts this venerable producer's elegant Chardonnay. On the palate, the wine is creamy, with integrated fresh fruit and spice components, and offers a lingering, unctuous finish. | Reserve | 89 | 33 |
45,861 | italy | Martummè is an austere Taurasi-style Aglianico (from the Sannio region, however) that places emphasis on richness, elegance and sophistication. Deep and penetrating in the mouth, it delivers a long succession of spice, leather, tobacco and black fruit aromas. Very nice. | Martummè | 89 | 24 |
115,584 | france | An impressive wine, with its tense structure, its ripe pear and melon flavors and its layers of richness. The smooth wood shows slowly and gently as it underlies the fruit flavors. There is also power here, and a definite ability to age. | Les Clos Grand Cru | 93 | 78 |
27,536 | us | This lighter, fruit-forward Syrah from Abacela showcases the spicy, peppery side of the grape. These may be younger vines, or simply less ripe than the fruit that went into the other Syrah, but it is still a very attractive wine, with sweet raspberries, black pepper and rock. A fine balance of acid and tannin provides the right structure for near-term drinking. | Umpqua Cuvée | 88 | 19 |
62,886 | italy | Serpico is a beautiful but also modern expression of Aglianico (the grapes come from ancient vines in the Taurasi area) that opens with dark notes of blackberry, crushed stone, chocolate, rum cake, licorice and cola. The mouthfeel is smooth, firm and very rich. | Serpico | 92 | 80 |
2,213 | italy | Produced with dried Garganega grapes, this boasts aromas and flavors of dried apricot, baked apple, citrus zest and toasted sensations. It ends on a note of roasted hazelnut. | Le Colombare | 88 | 53 |
47,184 | italy | Dark and dense, this opens with earthy aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, smoke and ripe black-skinned fruit. The firm palate offers ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and anise alongside velvety tannins. | NOS Riserva | 90 | 30 |
31,805 | germany | Shows plenty of barrel influence in its brown sugar and cinnamon aromas, while the flavors run toward cherry, vanilla and coconut. There's a bit of alcoholic warmth to the finish. | Ganymed | 86 | 50 |
127,183 | chile | Simple pear and apple work the largely nondescript nose, which is backed by more of the same on the palate. The feel is almost dilute, while the finish is mildly sweet before turning empty and a bit bitter. | Casa La Joya Reserve | 83 | 11 |
16,997 | portugal | A fruity tawny, with cherry-jelly flavors plus attractive acidity that balances the sweet, simple, forward flavors. Perhaps drink it as an apéritif, easy and fragrant. | Pátria Tawny | 84 | 17 |
18,812 | us | An atypically oaky wine for Siduri, with a rich veneer of French oak overlying black cherries, cola and spice. The intensity builds on the palate, where root beer and black cherries culminate in a long, smoky-spicy finish. Needs a couple of years to pull itself together, but the raw materials are all there. | Archery Summit Vineyard | 91 | 49 |
94,143 | us | Longtime San Francisco Giant Rich Aurilia teams with fellow baseballer Dave Roberts to produce a wine with restrained, focused aromas of black cherry, pencil shavings, sarsaparilla and hints of allspice. The palate is all about black gravel and turned loam, with tiny bits of black cherry and noticeably firm tannins. | Sierra Mar Vineyard | 93 | 54 |
110,941 | argentina | Earthy and leafy aromas yield to tomato leaf and weighty plum aromas. The palate is full but sharp, with tart, driving pie cherry and herbal flavors. Stays rather hard on the finish, where more tomato rolls out. | Broquel | 83 | 15 |
129,490 | us | There's some muscle and meat to this tight young wine, with black raspberry and cherry fruits. But those flavors feel squeezed by the chalky sour-lemon acidity, which may or may not soften with additional bottle age. | Stoller Vineyards | 88 | 50 |