wine_id
int64 1
130k
| country
stringclasses 41
values | description
stringlengths 28
764
| designation
stringlengths 1
95
| points
int64 80
100
| price
float64 4
2.01k
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31,600 | portugal | from the home of touriga nacional, this is a seriously structured wine. packed with tannins as well as initially austere fruit, it is still young. it will develop its perfumed black fruits and acidity as it ages to fill out the dense texture. drink from 2018. | ribeiro santo | 90 | 28 |
83,261 | us | crisp, clean aromas of asian pear, pink lady apple, dried pineapple and a touch of dried melon show on the nose of this wine from a group of malibu vintners. the palate shows ripe apple and brown-pear flavors, with a bubblegum twist and lime-juice acidity. | collective | 88 | 15 |
122,369 | italy | this straightforward sangiovese-based wine conveys subdued aromas of blackberry, espresso and toasted notes. the palate is somewhat dilute but offers restrained red cherry and hints of white pepper alongside firm but fleeting tannins. | riserva golden boar | 86 | 22 |
97,885 | portugal | a bright, red cherry flavored wine that has fresh fruitiness and a light, if dry, structure. with trincadeira and aragonez (aka tempranillo) dominant, it's a naturally rich with a velvety texture. drink from 2015. | guadalupe tinto | 88 | 14 |
127,506 | chile | a bit spicy and murky at first, but with airing some cranberry and pepper notes come up strong. the fruit flavor falls squarely into the cherry category, yet it's sweet and a bit simple. roundness and a nice body work in the wine's favor; overall it's fairly chewy and substantive. | santa digna | 85 | 13 |
84,004 | austria | appetizing peardrop notes on the nose lead to a light, refreshing and dry body that's enlivened by fresh spritz. the flavors get a boost of citrus on the clean, refreshing finish. | green eyes | 88 | 11 |
80,040 | us | earth and rose petal notes open on the nose of this vineyard designate, a sultry and succulent wine that will please in its fullness of body and texture. hearty blue and red berry flavors give it juiciness on the palate, seasoned with cola and cinnamon. | terra de promissio | 92 | 70 |
31,343 | australia | this is muscular and sturdy for a pinot noir, with savory notes of mushrooms, beets and earth that add to that impression. while it lacks precision and elegance, it does offer a chunky mouthful of pinot with ample length and intensity to the finish. | the feral fox | 86 | 32 |
83,815 | france | exquisitely fragrant notes of ripe, aromatic apples rise from the glass: tart, fruity and fresh in equal measure. the palate shows both evolved autolysis by way of soy-spiced breadiness and even more fruit in the way of bruised, tart apple notes of great purity. the finish is long and full of flavor, complex, nuanced and resolutely dry. | clos liebenberg | 93 | 57 |
96,549 | chile | spunky and lightly herbal up front, with exotic, lightweight aromas. feels snappy, tight and lean in the mouth, with bouncy red plum and pie cherry flavors. shows good juiciness, reasonably complex flavors and a dry, spicy finish. | ona | 87 | 15 |
93,281 | argentina | horsey smelling and muddled on the nose, this malbec offers a mix of many things, but true harmony isn't one of them. the palate is lactic in feel, while roasted flavors of black fruits and bacon finish with candied sweetness. | finca la florencia | 84 | 12 |
43,639 | us | from one of three estate-farmed vineyards belonging to the producer, bone ash is dry-farmed and planted to old vines in volcanic soils, the minerality of which is divinely present in this wine. high-toned, balanced in acidity and softly structured, it offers a range of fruit, from sharp cranberry to jammy blackberry, changing in the glass over time. complex and layered, it will cellar well through 2022. | bone ash vineyard | 95 | 105 |
21,075 | us | an easy, delicious pinot noir, this is dry and brisk in acidity, with rich cherry, cola, cranberry and sweet oak flavors. the silky texture makes it especially drinkable now. | wet kiss | 87 | 52 |
30,332 | france | this is a crisp, intensely fruity wine. full of red berries and fresh acidity, it is dry with a tangy orange-peel character, light minerality and a touch of caramel. it is ready to drink. | la fleur d'amélie | 85 | 15 |
14,024 | italy | this opens with aromas suggesting mature berry, baking spice, menthol, scorched earth and oak. the ripe palate offers stewed prune and bitter chocolate while assertive, tightly wound tannins grip the finish. | monserra | 88 | 65 |
42,467 | italy | you won't find many wines like this on the market today. the blend is tai grapes with 30% sauvignon. the bouquet is broad and intense with complex aromas of peach, apricot, cinnamon, passion fruit, toasted almond and butterscotch. in the mouth, the texture is long, creamy and soft. | olmèra | 90 | 44 |
81,517 | us | a savory whiff of nut accents fresh white grapefruit and apricot in this brisk, light-bodied wine. it's straightforward and quaffable, with a refreshing, citrusy finish. | reserve | 87 | 22 |
109,800 | argentina | deep berry, cola, mint and leather aromas are classy and not overdone. feels lush and deep in the mouth, with blatant ripeness and toasty, oaky flavors of cola, coconut and blackberry. finishes big but not that long or complex. drink now through 2013; malbec with cabernet sauvignon and merlot. | synthesis the blend | 91 | 54 |
63,601 | spain | peachy aromas are less than perky, while in the mouth this is lemony, narrow and citric. flavors of lemon and tangerine finish with stony mineral notes but also a drawing citric acidity. | baladiña | 86 | 16 |
6,941 | australia | petrol and citrus aromas and flavors merge seamlessly in this medium-bodied dry riesling. it seems atypically round for such a young eden valley riesling, so maybe not a long-term proposition, but it goes down easily now, with a long, slightly oily finish. | julius | 89 | 30 |
126,440 | us | sourced from the kiona vineyard on red mountain, and vinified in oregon, this features a brambly, berry-strewn mid-palate with dried leaves and spices adding further interest. it rolls pleasantly across the palate into a tart, fruity finish. | reserve | 88 | 30 |
70,529 | us | tastes fairly straightforward now, with fresh, vigorous blackberry, blueberry, cherry, anise and mocha flavors that have a minerally bite. the tannins are tough, gritty and dry, as befits a young cabernet grown on diamond mountain. needs time, and lots of it. hold until after 2016, at least. | red rock terrace | 92 | 175 |
22,957 | argentina | tan in color, with dry lightly oxidized aromas as well as notes of white pepper and peach pit, this white pinot noir is low on fruit and feels tight, acidic and raw. tart apple and sour lemon flavors include a note of fino sherry, while this closes with a steady beam of sharp acidity. | soil blanco de | 86 | 20 |
50,234 | france | this wine comes from a selection of parcels on the plateau above the lot river in cahors. it's rich and firm, with great wood and spice notes as well as exuberant black plum and berry fruit. with its acidity, still-young tannins and firm texture, it will age. drink from 2020. | prieuré de cénac | 93 | 25 |
53,233 | france | the wine is ripe and smooth with a fine balance between acidity and the red fruits. it is light on tannins, concentrating on the fruitiness. the aftertaste with its spice is dense and ripe. drink from 2017. | premium | 90 | 20 |
17,103 | france | this wine is still young, very fresh in its crisp acidity and lemon and grapefruit flavors. it has the potential to age well, with an underlay of tension between fruit and mineral texture. it is complex, structured and needs to mature further. drink from 2018. | tsarine millésime brut | 92 | 60 |
110,403 | us | this is a generous, richly fruity and well-oaked wine that blends almost-jammy cherry and blackberry flavors with sweet-seeming accents like vanilla and cinnamon. it's relatively soft in texture and easy to sip. | artisan collection | 87 | 9 |
29,708 | france | this wine is rich, full of berry fruits and spice. the appealing juicy quality is crisp while also showing a balanced character. with a perfumed aftertaste, this attractive wine will be even better from 2016. | arbin | 87 | 19 |
65,620 | austria | this is a honeyed wine, with a strong showing of ginger marmalade and bright acidity. it's full in the mouth and layered with acidity and lush, unctuous flavors. it shows great aging potential; drink from 2015. | beerenauslese | 93 | 34 |
37,951 | us | this wine has a deep-gold color, attractive baking-spice and buttered popcorn aromas, appealing apple and pear flavors and medium body. the texture is soft and easy and the acidity tastes low. | organic grapes | 85 | 5 |
27,501 | new zealand | cinnamon and clove notes accent fleshy fruit flavors of ripe pear and melon in this broad, nearly full-bodied wine. those attractive spice notes linger on the finish. | estate grown | 89 | 20 |
52,649 | france | a beautiful rounded wine, full of juicy fruit, but sustained by a strong tannic structure. this dryness suggests good aging potential, as does the ripeness of the fruit and the acidity. keep for at least 6 years. | grands epenots premier cru | 94 | 95 |
46,528 | us | virginia's 2010 harvest brought intense heat and little rain, making for many ripe, powerful wines, such as this cabernet franc. aromas of blackberry cobbler, jammy blueberry, caramel and vanilla lead to a medium- to full-bodied palate that bears muscular tannins and lush acids. this is a big boy in terms of alcohol, clocking in at 15.8%, which makes for a warm finish. | marquis de lafayette | 87 | 24 |
107,555 | portugal | this is one in a series of wines that blends syrah with a major douro grape, the wine has a severe, austere character, as much structure as fruit. wood aging has helped to soften the wine and give density. it needs more time, so drink from 2019. | touriga franca-syrah | 88 | 30 |
48,539 | us | this blend of 90% sauvignon blanc with some sauvignon gris and musque grapes does its best to achieve ripeness, but it's dominated by green flavors of gooseberries, along with a hint of ammonia. dry and a bit vegetal in style, this barrel-aged wine finishes on a tart note. | estate bottled | 84 | 33 |
105,285 | australia | starts off a bit leathery and lacking fruit, but somewhere along the way raspberries start folding into the otherwise savory mix of leather and black olives. medium in body, turning tart and tea-like on the finish. drink now-2012. | d'arry's original | 85 | 19 |
57,930 | france | with its extra touch of richness and a feeling of maturity, this remains a benchmark nonvintage champagne. it has flavors of ripe white fruits, balancing acidity with just a touch of final softness. | extra cuvée de réserve white foil brut | 90 | 50 |
71,518 | australia | a solid, well-made sauvignon blanc from rockbare that combines aromas of melon rind and underripe nectarine with flavors of stone fruit and citrus, this is a nice wine, albeit not one that solves the mystery of what austin powers was missing in the spy who shagged me. | mojo | 86 | 20 |
87,351 | us | still light and astringent, this seems to be in some bottle shock: the score is a guesstimate. it's been well-rested, and tasted over a 24-hour period, but more aging is recommended. stem and leaf flavors accompany tart raspberry fruit. the rating could rise or fall depending upon how it cellars. | jessie vineyard | 91 | 60 |
113,848 | spain | caramel, toffee and spice aromas are good but standard. this feels tight and comfortable but it doesn't dance across your palate. flavors of toasted nuts, salt and briny stone fruits finish nutty but without complexity. | premium oloroso dry | 87 | 16 |
7,866 | argentina | toasty woodsmoke aromas are matched by wild berry, cassis, cherry and marshmallow scents on the nose of this huge malbec. creamy feeling but also inky and fully concentrated, this tastes like black cherry and cough drops. candied ripeness carries onto the finish along with chocolate and dry spice flavors. drink through 2022. | bramare marchiori vineyard | 94 | 90 |
116,711 | us | smells and tastes porty, with caramelized raisin and black currant flavors. and with nearly 17% alcohol, it's hot. | estate | 81 | 29 |
82,519 | italy | this opens with aromas of toasted oak, yellow apple skin and a confectionery note. the aromas carry over to the firm palate along with butterscotch and a mineral note but it doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the dominant oak sensations. | sanct valentin | 87 | 38 |
127,330 | france | very ripe pear fruit is dangerously close to tipping over into cloying richness, almost hinting at cream soda. the palate is less overwhelming. as always, that special streak of alsace acid saves the day. | tradition | 88 | 19 |
48,836 | us | golden in color, this is a creamy voluptuous white wine, fermented and aged entirely in new french oak. melon, spicy nutmeg and fig build flavor around a core of thick texture and concentration, finishing in buttery toast. | reserve | 90 | 60 |
113,981 | us | intensely fruity, forward tones of peach and strawberry are shaded by bramble and earth on this light-footed rosé. approachable and fresh, yet just a touch savory, it finishes brisk and clean. | cuvée classique | 87 | 25 |
58,191 | us | cherry-vanilla and boysenberry jam combine around a ripe, lush and full-bodied wine, ideal for smoky, grilled foods. smooth tannins make it enjoyable now and accessible to many palates, though be mindful of its power and intensity. | snake eyes | 88 | 35 |
126,269 | us | a definitive scent of leather suggests brettanomyces has taken over here. that leathery nose and palate totally dims the fruit, and dries out the finish. | anna maria | 84 | 24 |
22,425 | us | a benchmark style for washington riesling, this mixes stone and citrus fruits, adds highlights of wintergreen spice, hints of honeysuckle, lemon and tea, and finishes with some fruit sweetness, though the wine is essentially dry. | traditions | 88 | 13 |
14,354 | australia | this wine's concentrated dark fruit shows in the color—a vibrant dark garnet—and in the aromas of blueberry, vanilla and dried spices. the 16% alcohol is well concealed, manifesting only as wonderfully full, creamy density on the palate, magnifying the intense cola, earth and spice complexity. a pronounced peppery, black licorice note adds extra length to the finely textured finish. drink now–2020. | old vine | 95 | 60 |
114,116 | us | the underlying fruit has flavors that veer toward green apple tart, with the baked, sweet taste of pie crust. acids are crisp and uplifting. a generous overlay of oak and lees adds the final touches of buttercream and a rich texture to this nice, foodworthy wine. | owl ridge vineyards | 88 | 28 |
74,911 | us | tart red cherries and cassis are flecked with ceder and graham-cracker crumbs on this lush, velvety red blend. it's opulent on the palate with warm tones of cassis liqueur marked by cocoa and spice, but balanced with pert acidity. it's a regal wine that should continue to show well till at least 2018. | musée | 90 | 90 |
109,412 | austria | a beautifully perfumed wine is give shape by its great swathe of minerality, its intense acidity. the fruits range from citrus to white peach, a gallery of delicious flavor. like any great riesling, it needs years to mature. | hochrain smaragd | 96 | 103 |
15,484 | portugal | this wine comes from the joint venture between quinta de la rosa and winemaker jorge moreira. it is ripe yet crisp in acidity, with smooth vanilla and rich apple, citrus and spice flavors. the wine is developing still and will be ready from 2017. | passagem reserva branco | 90 | 27 |
54,518 | us | this is a big, satisfying wine, smelling like ripe black cherry and cranberry, tasting concentrated like espresso and cranberry, and feeling like it's wrapped in a thick blanket of insistent tannins. it needs time to mellow or pairing with a protein-heavy dish. best to drink after 2020. | passion | 90 | 32 |
101,734 | us | aromas like plums and flavors like prunes give a ripe character to this medium-bodied and smooth-textured wine. it has good balance due to firm tannins and light acidity, so it doesn't get tiring on the third or fourth sip. | tinto rey | 86 | 17 |
69,950 | chile | if you want a crisp and clear chardonnay, then you can do much worse than this cutting, fresh wine. starts out with neutral pear and apple aromas, which are backed by pithy green melon and nectarine flavors. fresh on the finish, with juicy acidity. very straightforward. | unwooded | 86 | 9 |
46,449 | us | opens aromatically exhibiting lemon cheesecake, then delves into the rightful amount of apple and pear, finishing with a hearty helping of vanilla and caramel. del arroyo remains a source to watch in livermore, especially for chardonnay. | del arroyo vineyard | 89 | 32 |
8,830 | spain | highly concentrated black-fruit aromas of plum and currant are made more interesting by cola and forest-floor notes. this is a dense, chewy and almost fat cabernet sauvignon. baked berry, fig and savory grilled-meat flavors are massive, backed up by a lush, deep finish. drink 2018–2025. | single vineyard estate bottled | 93 | 40 |
79,085 | us | this brilliant wine is supremely focused from the aroma to the finish, like a laser beam of rich and concentrated bing-cherry flavor. the purity of the fruit makes it delicious to taste, and to feel the burst of cherry spread from the bright aromas on to the palate and to linger on the finish. drink after 2019 when it should broaden a bit. | the west end | 94 | 60 |
6,739 | us | shows the softness and herbal quality that mark alexander valley cabernet, in the best sense. the wine feels fine and beautiful in the mouth, with the complexity and elegance to pair with great food. delightful for its cherry, berry, currant, cola and oak flavors. great now, and should develop over the next five years. | best barrels | 94 | 75 |
7,070 | us | this wine, aged in stainless steel barrels, offers muted berry fruit, somewhat masked by aromas of rubber tire and plastic. the finish is short and slightly bitter. | dion vineyard | 84 | 26 |
48,792 | us | scents and flavors of beet root, rhubarb and cranberry are front and center in this stiff, tart wine with root and acidic flavors. it spent 22 months in one-third new french oak, but that doesn't register on the palate. | vintner's blend | 86 | 35 |
29,602 | israel | this red-violet-colored wine has cherry and chocolate aromas. it's well constructed, with softly gripping tannins and overall sense of brightness. blackberry, black currant, toffee and basil flavors coalesce in a slightly spicy but juicy finish. | canaan | 88 | 13 |
89,317 | us | by sourcing french colombard and force carbonating like beer, david potter made this fun and tasty wine as an antidote to the high prices that sparkling wine traditionally require. aromas of apple cider, crisp granny smith apples, key lime, yellow melon and chalk lead into a palate laced with fatter bubbles and flavors of more apple and pear. | mubbly | 90 | 30 |
105,388 | spain | aromas saturated with roasted berry fruits and leather lead to a firm palate with rough tannins. savory plum and black cherry flavors finish with integrated spice notes. given that 2014 was a difficult year throughout spain, this wines is in good shape; drink through 2019. | damana 5 | 89 | 16 |
47,286 | italy | this is an oak-heavy red wine from southern italy that is embellished by aromas of vanilla, toast and spice that sit heavy over a rich core of ripe fruit. the wine is firm and streamlined in the mouth and offers a hint of sour cherry on the close. this vintage represents a huge jump forward in quality compared to 2004. | riserva | 87 | 15 |
20,383 | france | this wine is medium sweet in style with a rich, complex character. it has notes of spice and honey that accent ripe peach and apricot flavors. the richness of the wine comes from it's dense texture. it is ready to drink now, but will also age well. | kessler grand cru | 93 | 30 |
92,472 | italy | this 100% chardonnay, from antinori's castello della sala estate, opens with aromas of golden delicious apples, vanilla and a whiff of oak. the palate delivers creamy apple and juicy lemon flavors, with notes of well-integrated oak. despite the richness, it's also elegant and fresh. | bramìto del cervo | 88 | 20 |
32,994 | us | high alcohol gives this blend chili pepper heat behind the black cherries, mocha and currants. it's a robust, heady wine that wants rich stews and roasts to pair with. | el cabrhône | 85 | 27 |
35,020 | us | showing an enormous blast of cherries and raspberries, this pinot is saved from being a fruit bomb by earthy, mushroomy complexities and a hit of acidity that makes the mouth water. it's way too young now, and should easily take 5–7 years in the cellar to come around. | pisoni vineyard | 92 | 80 |
9,220 | us | what a great improvement the '06 is over the '05. it's considerably lower in alcohol, and much more balanced and crisp. yet the flavors are ripe and seductive, in peaches, pears, papayas, honeysuckle flowers and oak-influenced butter, honey and vanilla. great with thai food. | private reserve | 87 | 35 |
39,908 | us | strong in flavor and smooth in the mouth, this soft, juicy syrah is like velvet made of blackberries, blueberries and chocolate. it is, in a word, delicious, and while it's somewhat sweet, the acidity and minerality balance it. | anna's estate vineyard | 87 | 28 |
83,190 | spain | this black-colored crianza delivers big, toasty aromas of charred oak, setting the stage for a massive palate, the equivalent of an 18-wheeler. blackened flavors of burnt wood, coffee and berry fruit lead to a smacking tannic finish. drink 2020–2025. | ardal crianza vendimia seleccionada | 91 | 30 |
44,396 | us | another strong entry in the emergent cab-meets-syrah category, this 75% cabernet sauvignon and 25% syrah blend offers aromas of black plum, boysenberry, dried purple flowers and strong anise. the flavors are compelling, with baked boysenberry, strawberry and plum notes leading into roasted fennel bulbs and balsamic vinegar. | inception | 91 | 58 |
78,022 | us | there is light melon fruit to the nose of this wine, but its aromatics are mostly about minerality, with wet river stones and rainy cement notes most prominent. the head-trained, organically farmed and very old vines contribute a bright, zesty, nearly overpowering acidity to the palate, where pear skins and tangy kumquat flavors hold a laser-sharp line. | wirz vineyard | 91 | 23 |
24,581 | us | this bold, full-bodied and flavorful wine wraps ripe, generous blackberry flavors in a blanket of fine-grained tannins that helps support the richness and keep the wine in balance. it's from a little-known, tiny winery doing interesting things. | estate grown | 91 | 35 |
124,181 | argentina | crisp, minerally cherry aromas come with a complex note of desert herbs. this feels totally fresh and full, basically just right. nicely oaked, ripe flavors of plum and berry fruits are chocolaty, dry and spicy on the finish. | la mascota | 90 | 17 |
110,259 | germany | intense smoke and nut-skin aromas add an earthy, savory minerality to rich, sweet meyer lemon and orange-peel notes on the palate of this delicate yet powerful wine. there's massive complexity here, revealing itself in layers and layers on the long, lingering palate. | erdener prälat auslese | 90 | 40 |
45,463 | us | from the rocky, volcanic soils of the mighty, high-elevation vineyard, this wine imparts generous layers of blood-red berry, smoke, vanilla and cranberry, a testament to terroir and unobtrusive winemaking. powerfully built in tight, leathery structure, it conveys a distinct taste of that volcanic rock. | monte rosso vineyard | 93 | 62 |
67,621 | us | this is the winery's best nebula in years. while it's still a little on the soft, sweet side, the cool vintage has resonated in the wine's flavor, giving it a good structure housing cherry, currant and sandalwood flavors. drink now. | nebula | 87 | 29 |
1,737 | us | ian brand explores fringe growing regions to deliver well-priced and fun wines for this label. this shows aromas of tight nectarine and granny smith apple, and the flavors are laser-focused with apple skins, yellow grapefruit pith and steely gunmetal. its intense energy is a little wound up now, but will blossom with time. | jack's hill | 92 | 22 |
105,942 | italy | this is a silky and soft nebbiolo with bright berry aromas and simple spice nuances. there's an elegant, feminine quality to this red wine, but it also shows power and determination. | diauleri | 87 | 32 |
50,640 | france | rich and full in mouthfeel, this wine is maturing well, giving some suggestions of bottle age alongside ripe pear and apple flavors. the acidity is still fresh, resulting in a crisp, tight finish. drink now. | brut | 90 | 25 |
111,987 | italy | prunar is a deep and sophisticated pinot bianco (aged 50-50 in large oak casks and stainless steel) that excels in terms of mouthfeel. it delivers a long, creamy finish accented by tones of apricot, pear and grapefruit. | prunar | 88 | 18 |
109,348 | us | this is a very fruity wine, one dominated by apple and peach and citrus flavors. good acids make it bright, and it's impeccably clean and focused. could use some more depth and layers. —s.h. | alluvium blanc | 85 | 16 |
23,045 | italy | this big and brooding wine offers intense aromas of black fruits, raisins, vanilla and toast. the palate presents ripe blackberry, white pepper, prune and licorice flavors. pair it with seasoned cheeses or mushroom risotto. | le bessole | 88 | 24 |
90,068 | chile | for chilean sauvignon blanc with character, style and panache, kingston family's cariblanco is a perennial pace-setter. there's mineral, sea air and tropical fruit aromas to get it going. next in line is a flush palate of passion fruit and green apple. finishes long and stylish, with elegance. | cariblanco | 90 | 16 |
75,296 | portugal | a simple, fruity and caramel-flavored blend of touriga nacional and aragonez, this is soft and smooth. just enough acidity keeps it clean and crisp. | nana | 84 | 17 |
108,167 | us | this 100% varietal wine offers lightly volatile notes of vanilla, coconut, pepper and dried cherries. the fruit flavors show good concentration along with a beguiling feel and a finish that lingers. although the wood takes center stage, it plays its part well. | coyote canyon vineyard | 88 | 32 |
104,742 | south africa | this is a solid and well-made chardonnay, with notes of yellow apple, melon and fresh hay on the nose and mouth. there's a subtle astringency to the fruit flavors on the medium-weight palate, with bright acidity that carries through to the clean and refreshing finish. drink now–2019. | fire heath | 88 | 33 |
18,240 | france | beginning to mature, this rich wine with its beautiful honey and spice flavors is, as always with petit manseng, finely balanced with acidity. the texture is smooth and opulent, its mango fruit cut with lemon-like tang. drink from 2018. | séduction | 92 | 32 |
28,205 | 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 |
86,348 | australia | for such a young wine, this seems surprisingly developed—or maybe it's just riper than usual. it may lack in bracing lemon-lime department, but hints of apple blossoms and tropical fruit turn spicy and a bit apricot-like on the long finish. | individual vineyard selection dry | 89 | 17 |
55,510 | italy | sangiovese is enhanced with 15% malvasia nera in this modern, rich wine. it offers sweet cherry renderings backed by blueberry, milk chocolate and molasses. ripe and chewy in the mouth, the wine's juicy succulence calls out for lamb, beef or game meat. | i sodi di san niccoló | 92 | 60 |
10,170 | spain | don't let the gold color fool you, this is quite vital with floral, leesy, almost grassy aromas. bracing acidity is at the core with clover, grass, quince and sour-apricot flavors. blasting acidity is a force on the finish. | pazo cilleiro | 87 | 20 |
129,064 | us | a blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot, this soft, approachable wine from a storied producer is meant to enjoy young and yet exudes plenty of complexity. luscious aromas of graham cracker and blueberry jam belie a classically balanced measure of integrated tannins and dark chocolate. drink now through 2020. | napanook | 93 | 60 |
119,644 | italy | rose, iris, wild berry and baking spice aromas merge with scents of new leather and a balsamic menthol note on this stunning and classically crafted barolo. the structured, polished palate delivers juicy marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, pipe tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit noble tannins and bright acidity. it's going to just keep getting better and better over the next few decades. drink from 2023 through 2053. | bussia | 97 | 55 |
20,144 | chile | aromas of juniper and green herbs are raw and austere. this cool-climate cab franc is severe in feel, with tart currant, oak and green flavors. hard tannins, spice notes and herbaceous red-fruit flavors control the finish. | unfiltered | 83 | 25 |
41,333 | portugal | this is a full, fruity, rich and concentrated wine. it has bright red berries, some firm tannins and a good dense texture. it's also light and crisp, with acidity that cuts through the ripe fruitiness. drink now through 2019. | paxis tinto | 87 | 9 |