wine_id
int64 1
130k
| country
stringclasses 41
values | description
stringlengths 20
764
| designation
stringlengths 1
95
| points
int64 80
100
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
51,462 | uruguay | This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is orange in color and smells neutral except for a note of orange peel. On the palate, this has a grabby skins-driven texture. Short flavors of stone fruits are chunky and clunky. Other than having a mild flavor of nectarine, the finish is neutral. | Reserve Collection Blanc de Noir | 84 |
51,917 | chile | Straightforward apple and melon aromas are lightly oaky, but mostly clean and elegant. This Chardonnay delivers a fresh, clean palate, with a mix of oak, vanilla, banana and melon flavors. A round, properly sized and balanced finish is the final piece of framework. | Gran Reserva de Los Andes | 88 |
55,863 | us | A Cabernet-dominated, Bordeaux-style blend, the Electrum is tannic, dark and earthy. Its cassis fruit is cloaked in rich, dense layers of graphite, espresso and dark chocolate. The density is impressive and suggests that a decade or more in the cellar may prove rewarding. | Electrum Estate Grown | 91 |
108,988 | us | This begins with a reserved nose that unfolds into deep, black aromas of licorice, turned earth and graphite. Pomegranate and acai fruit flavors mix with red clay and touches of whiskey, but the tannins are powerful. Give it until at least 2018 to smooth out. | Brosseau Vineyard | 88 |
5,980 | us | There's a touch of reduction on the nose of this wine, which otherwise offers a nutty profile that's somewhat shut down. Oaky and smoky, it has a bit of minty chocolate on the thick, full-bodied palate. | Wildcat Vineyard | 87 |
41,461 | us | This is an approachable blend of Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvédre, Petite Sirah and Tempranillo, melding ripe dark cherry, vanilla and cedar on the nose and palate. A plush and soft texture makes this wine perfect for everyday consumption, especially when barbecue is involved. | Estate Cuvée | 86 |
56,715 | us | Brooding aromas of purple fruit, apple and spice are followed by brawny dark fruit flavors. The tannins bring a firm squeeze. | Newsprint | 87 |
121,625 | us | Pale salmon colored, this is a fairly aromatic rosé with notes of strawberry, bubblegum and cherry. It's off-dry, leaning toward medium sweet and needs a bit more acidity to stand it up. | Tempranillo | 85 |
34,427 | us | This big blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Sangiovese presents a potent purple-flower aroma on the nose as well as boysenberry, tar, dried oregano, pepper and leather. The bone-dry palate is wrapped in a chalky silky texture, with nettle, oregano and blackberry flavors. | Exponent | 89 |
45,023 | spain | Lush prune and raisin aromas stop short of being mushy and make way for fresher notes of black currant and toast. Saturated, dense and chewy on the palate, this tastes ripe and toasty, with hefty blackberry and chocolate flavors. Additional toastiness and peppery spice flavors work the finish on this generous Tempranillo from an excellent vintage. Drink from 2017–2030. | Valdegatiles | 94 |
23,025 | us | Forward and nicely rounded off, this brings spicy cherry and cranberry fruit front and center. There are well-integrated streaks of herb, a dash of stem, and a dusting of white pepper. Give it an hour or two to breathe, or better yet, decant before drinking. | Winery Hill Vineyard | 91 |
95,799 | austria | Alongside the fresh red cherry fruit there are hints of iron oxide and pepper. None dominate, but they present themselves in beautiful waves making for a very intriguing palate with soft, pliable tannins and a fresh backbone. A very authentic rendition of Zweigelt. So fresh and so moreish. | Rote Rieden | 90 |
56,601 | us | Crisp in citrus, with noticeable tension that softens in the glass, this wine offers tremendous value and elegance. Medium bodied and well integrated in terms of oak and power, it has a lovely note of preserved lemon on the finish. | Signature Series | 90 |
105,118 | italy | A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this delightful red has fruity aromas of wild berry and plum. The easy-drinking palate offers black cherry and a spicy note of clove alongside polished tannins. It's made to be drunk young, so enjoy soon. | Castiglioni | 87 |
123,972 | italy | This lovely sparkling wine has aromas of white peach and bread crust. The palate delivers creamy peach and apricot flavors, along with notes of toasted almond. Crisp, quenching acidity makes for a clean finish. | Satèn | 89 |
30,520 | us | From the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the Dry Creek Valley, winemaker Leo Hansen crafts a dry, floral white with textured character and nuanced acidity that's garnished with layers of apple, herb and pear, and just a suggestion of tropical flourish on the finish. | Saini Farms | 90 |
26,212 | france | Soft and ripe with an attractive kick of juicy acidity, this is a perfumed wine with yellow and white fruit flavors. It has all the freshness a ripe wine needs, showing a tangy, bitter orange and lime aftertaste. | Hors Classe | 88 |
98,749 | australia | Sparkling Shiraz may not be something you pour every day, but this is one worth reaching for. It delivers lots of upfront berry fruit and lashings of dark chocolate, then finishes relatively dry and clean. | Black Bubbles Sparkling | 88 |
40,793 | us | This rosé is a field blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache. A very pretty pale-peach color, the aromas bring pleasing notes of herb, spice, strawberry, passion fruit and mineral. The flavors are dry and full in feel, showing weight and intensity but still a sense of lightness. | Oldfield Estate | 90 |
95,626 | us | Hearty and plump aromas of plum and mulberry shine above the baked soil and cinnamon elements on the nose of this bottling from the Watsonville area. The texture is right down the middle, with even weight and expected acidity, allowing the flavors of anise and dark red fruit to arise. | Regan Vineyards Reserve | 91 |
93,557 | italy | Intense aromas of beeswax, stone fruit and a hint of honey jump from the glass. The bright palate offers juicy apricot, nectarine and crisp green apple alongside vibrant acidity. A mineral note marks the finish. | Novaserra | 90 |
42,306 | portugal | Azal is one of most widely planted vines in Vinho Verde. It gives an attractive wine, with high acidity. This wine is crisp with lemon and with a tangy aftertaste. Drink now. | Dom Diogo Colheita Seleccionada | 86 |
53,338 | us | This is an earthy Pinot, showing layers of leaf, stem and clay. A tart cranberry flavor balances out the core, with drying tannins through the finish. | Special Reserve | 87 |
82,222 | spain | Clean white-fruit aromas are fresh and dry. This brut Cava puts out citric notes on a palate with bright malic acidity. Lime and green-apple flavors finish fresh but without any shift towards complexity. | El Miracle Brut | 87 |
121,271 | portugal | Ripe and juicy, this is a warm version of Touriga Nacional. Acidity and a smoky character balance the crushed blackberry fruitiness. Drink the wine now. | Reserva | 86 |
90,550 | france | Pure Négrette produces a smooth, black cherry and red berry-flavored wine. Light hints of wood from aging in big barrels have helped to give the wine a rich and spicy character. This is further enhanced by black-fruit acidity that adds a fresh streak to this warm, ripe wine. Drink now. | La Folle Noire d'Ambat | 88 |
9,273 | italy | Aromas of tilled earth, truffle and woodland berry lead the nose. The lively, straightforward palate offers up juicy wild cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside soft, polished tannins. Simple but well made, it's ideal for everyday. | Piegaia | 86 |
61,127 | us | The 200-acre Shea vineyard provides fruit to many of Oregon's best winemakers. Here is the estate's own brand, offering up a fragrant, appealing blend from various blocks. Floral highlights, dusty spices, a whiff of cocoa and a streak of nut butter all come into focus around pretty purple fruits. The finish is silky, long and lovely. | Estate | 91 |
114,697 | france | This comes from a producer based in the Marne Valley, so it is not unusual to find a 100% Pinot Meunier wine. It gives great fruitiness, apples and crisp pears as well as bright, ready-to-drink acidity. | Constance Brut | 88 |
97,979 | france | This wine is fruity, packed with red-berry flavors. It has plenty of the acidity that marks this vintage in rosés while keeping a riper backdrop. Drink now. | Les Hauts de Smith | 86 |
70,745 | chile | Aromas of sandalwood and Middle Eastern spices feed into a creamy palate with little to no acidic cut. Flavors of caramel and milk chocolate rest on one side of a flavor void, while herbal, green notes reside on the other side, while the finish is resiny and lactic. | Reserva | 83 |
50,094 | us | Crisp in acidity and fine in tannins, this Pinot Noir is good now with food. It's silky and dry, with nuanced flavors of wild raspberries and cherries, cola, dried herbs and oak. Has enough balance and acidity to develop bottle complexity over the next 4-6 years. | Huber Vineyard | 89 |
863 | us | Lighter bramble and red-currant fruits pop on the nose of this wine from the appellation's eastern end, as do baking-spice notes, crushed vanilla and hibiscus. It's airy on the palate, with tense cranberry and pomegranate, crushed oregano and dill, pencil lead minerality and a slowly simmering acidity. | Rio Vista Vineyard | 90 |
82,931 | portugal | A sweet toffee flavor dominates this wine. It is soft, round and smooth. Dried prune and sultana add to the wine's richness. The aftertaste is soft and fruity. | Tawny Reserve Decanter | 86 |
84,271 | italy | Lovely scents of rose petal, iris and perfumed berry slowly take shape in this striking wine. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe red cherry, licorice, white pepper, cinnamon and sage alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. A mineral note wraps around the finish. Hold for even more complexity; drink 2019–2024. | Ravera | 94 |
65,917 | us | Vibrant lavender, as well as the flowering tips of rosemary and thyme, meet with blueberry on the floral nose of this wine that shows little of the tarry harshness that often comes from the grape. Lavender also marks the sip, as does white pepper, crushed thyme, dried mint, sage and even tarragon, atop a dark purple-fruit backbone. | Besson Vineyard | 89 |
14,728 | us | Made in the modern style, a predictable Chardonnay with too much oak riding on top of too thin fruit, finishing sweet and cloying. | Swallowtail | 82 |
45,687 | portugal | A ripe, full-bodied and spicy wine, defiantly dry, with a tight acid character. Aromatic fruit finish with intense perfumes, so that the wine is both rich and fresh. | JP Azeitão Branco | 87 |
83,287 | us | Soft and round, this is a ripe wine accented in toasted oak, vanilla and Good-n-Plenty-type licorice, made in a likable style. | The Californian Limited Edition | 86 |
50,100 | us | Ultrarich and fruity, this Cabernet shows the grapey ripeness Paso Robles is famous for. The wine is fresh and jammy in blackberries, cherries and raspberries. It's a little one-dimensional, and the alcohol is very high, but not hot. Drink now. | Viking Estate Vineyard | 89 |
60,759 | australia | Not the darkest, biggest or richest Shiraz to ever come out of Australia, this is nevertheless a delightful wine. A green peppercorn note accents red raspberry and cherry fruit, with just a hint of vanilla in the background. Drink it over the next year or two. | Made with Organic Grapes | 89 |
63,799 | us | Harsh, with rough tannins and sweet and sour cherry flavors. | Parcel 9 | 82 |
118,269 | france | Smoky glints of stone and ripe Mirabelle plum pervade the more usual notes of ripe pear. There is an earthy undertow but the palate sits serenely with its chiseled freshness and streamlined acidity. As you linger, every sip reveals different aspects of tart citrus, fresh-cut pear peel, ginger biscuits and chalky stone. The body is slender and dry. | Roche Calcaire | 93 |
112,319 | us | A hearty cradling of oak provides a tinge of vanilla sweetness here, before richer notions of apple pie and cinnamon tug at the wine's fuller-bodied core. It'll appeal to fans of this richer, riper style, while still finishing in a measure of acidity. | Classic Collection | 86 |
115,113 | us | This delicious wine shows focused black cherry, cola, cream soda and baking spice flavors. It's perfectly balanced, with all components in proportion and settled nicely together. Drink now through 2022. | Dundee Hills | 92 |
66,805 | portugal | The classic Douro blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz has created a solid, dense and very structured wine. Black plums dominate on the fruit spectrum, supported by dry tannins. Fragrant and fresh, it's a wine to age. Drink from 2017. | Quinta da Fronteira Reserva | 92 |
19,335 | us | This wine offers very ripe and vivid fruit in the aromas and the flavors, like blackberries and dark plums picked when they're just beginning to shrivel. The texture is broad and the body full, but the tannins and acidity feel low, so the wine's personality is both big and soft. | Estate Bottled | 88 |
126,897 | south africa | This Cab has all of the classic notes one would expect: rich dark berry fruit, black plum skin, cigar tobacco and black currant leaf are all front and center. The tannins are surprisingly firm and tightly structured, but the nuances of milk chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumb add decadence to the finish. | Bergkelder Selection | 87 |
10,753 | italy | Cecchi's Coevo is a wonderful super Tuscan blend that costs half as much as the other cult wines in this elite category. The wine is rich, opulent, intense and extremely focused in terms of its aromatic delivery and the mouthfeel is long, textured and rich. | Coevo | 94 |
118,911 | france | Light and fruity, with cherry notes and touches of clay-like earthiness. Simple and clean, and priced accordingly. | Pont du Rhône | 84 |
28,626 | new zealand | Part of a new line of single-vineyard wines from New Zealand's largest winery, this Rapaura-grown Sauvignon Blanc is herbal upfront, verging on peppery, but balances that component with flavors of underripe stone fruit and white grapefruit. It's full-bodied and creamy without being heavy, finishing long and fresh despite the weight. | Conders Forest | 90 |
119,732 | italy | Poggio alla Guardia opens with tart, bright aromas of white cherry and forest berry. There's a touch of white almond at the end that lends a bitter touch. | Poggio alla Guardia | 87 |
26,023 | italy | Slender and compact, this has a light ruby color, with lively aromas of wild berry and bitter almond. The acidity shows a tight, nervous quality. | Monte Fiore | 86 |
11,846 | chile | Smells bland, with a bit of apple. The palate is candied and soft, with sweet orange, mango and other tropical flavors. Finishes honeyed and lazy, with sweet, simple flavors of honeydew and apple juice. | Equilibrio Made With Organically Grown Grapes | 84 |
32,921 | us | Far better known for Chardonnay, the Sleepy Hollow vineyard also grows a small amount of Pinot Noir, which it sells to outside wineries. Twin Oaks has done a creditable job in crafting this drily interesting Pinot. Pale in color, it has a light, silky texture, but the flavors are full, suggesting raspberries, cherries, root beer and Asian spices. | Sleepy Hollow Vineyard | 88 |
79,390 | new zealand | This combines bold fruit flavors reminiscent of peach or nectarine with leafy, herbal notes. The tomato and celery leaf tones provide a cool contrast to the ripe fruit, and a burst of crisp acids on the finish keeps the wine refreshing. | The Nest | 90 |
7,956 | austria | The glass gives off a great waft of delicate citrus and pear-flavored fruits, lightly perfumed and with a layer of minerality that sits easily underneath the freshness. | Loibner Klostersatz Federspiel | 88 |
43,449 | south africa | This 100% Chardonnay MCC leads with rich, toasty notes of brioche, baked apple and soft nuttiness. The palate is round and full, with brisk carbonation but a fine mousse, and flavors of Honeycomb cereal and lime zest. Enjoy now. | Armilla Brut Méthode Cap Classique | 87 |
92,454 | spain | Fruity is the best way to describe this young wine that shows touches of weight and darkness but mostly simple, fresh, lightly candied berry aromas and flavors. There's crispness and intensity to the palate, while the finish is clean. | Seis | 88 |
25,485 | uruguay | An opaque color is appropriate for this fully extracted Tannat. Aromas of blackberry, sandalwood and exotic spices are a strong point, while the palate is primed with grating acidity. Full blackberry, cassis and herbal flavors finish cool and toasty but long due to the wine's full-force acidity. | Domaine Castelar Vineyard | 89 |
8,408 | us | Dried black fruits, cedar, tobacco and just a few dried purple flowers show on this wine's slightly sour nose. The palate is a bit flat, with purple berries, tar and tobacco flavors that come and go quickly. | Brohaugh | 85 |
55,250 | us | Like its companion, Carpe Noctum, the Confero offers full flavors of cherry and berry, with spice and toast backing. Here the flavors are a touch lighter but perhaps more elegant and detailed, with suggestions of mint and caramel trickling through the finish. | Confero | 91 |
109,958 | us | This wine smacks you in the face first thing, demanding attention, before settling into mouthwateringly succulent layers of Asian pear, graham cracker and Nilla wafer. An underbelly of oak supports the fruit, remaining subtle and providing structure. The acidity shines most on the finish, inviting further exploration. | Durell Vineyard | 92 |
11,925 | us | Intensely dense and feral, this wine opens with a thicket of tart cherry and strawberry, followed by leathery black pepper and lavender. Medium in body and acidity, it works for the table, finding balance as it goes, before a rich taste of toffee finishes things off. | Grist Vineyard | 92 |
70,062 | us | A candied, buttery aroma, ripe fruit flavors and full body characterize this wine. It seems to have a strong spicy influence that comes with firm tannins and an almost-sweet character. | Estate | 86 |
26,801 | italy | Cured meat, leather, underbrush, blue flower and toast aromas lead the nose while the tight palate offers tart red cherry, baking spice and dried herb. Firm, close-grained tannins provide structure while a hint of star anise closes it down. | Gramolere | 90 |
103,913 | italy | Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, leather, clove, rose and a whiff of menthol set the tone. The firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and grilled herb alongside assertive tannins. Drink 2017–2025. | Ornato | 91 |
48,496 | us | Starting out brooding, this wine opens with notes of mortared violets, purple fruit, herbs and plum. The dark fruit flavors are dense and full, putting a focus on the purity. | Olsen Brothers Vineyard | 92 |
40,921 | us | You'll find tons of blackberry, cherry, raspberry, orange zest, chocolate and spice flavors in this dry wine, but it's no mere fruit store. With polished tannins and fine Carneros acidity, it achieves an elegant balance. Drink now. | Heritage Reserve | 90 |
117,349 | france | This creamy white is soft and smooth, with just the right kick of acidity at the end. Delicious and perfumed, it's ready to drink now. | Altesse Cuvée Gastronomie | 87 |
116,671 | chile | Melon and citrus scents blend with notes of crushed vitamins and lanolin. This feels round and smooth, with acidic kick that helps maintain balance. Melon and creamy flavors lead the charge, with a briny hint in the background. Drink now. | Vetas Blancas Reserva Especial | 89 |
16,783 | germany | Hints of crushed mineral and struck steel lend a honed, linear feel to this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. It's a bit austere in style, but elegantly composed, with intense apple and pear flavors as well as a streak of lemon-lime on the finish. | Erbach Ortslage Kabinett Trocken | 89 |
100,689 | us | Winemakers Dan Rosenberg and Bob Bossi have dialed this wine in. While not very deep in color, it packs an incredible amount of spicy, meaty notes into the aroma and an even greater amount of ripe, luscious fruit and spice flavors into the palate. It's a gentle giant that oozes with oak accents recalling cedar, cinnamon and vanilla that sink nicely into its plump cherry and plum flavors. | Love Ranch | 92 |
69,813 | us | Malbec makes up just under half of this wine, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Despite its young age, it seems quite evolved with aromas and flavors of raisins and dried cherry. | Genesis | 83 |
102,922 | chile | Tarry black-cherry aromas are a bit damp, oaky and scratchy, but overall this opens well. A solid, firm, edgy palate offers flavors of herbal blackberry and baked black plum, while the finish is meaty and a touch salty. | Select Terroir | 86 |
434 | italy | Coffee, toasted oak, coconut and raspberry confiture aromas lead the way. On the dense palate, dark chocolate, oak and licorice accent fleshy black cherry while fine-grained tannins provide support. | Rocche dell'Annunziata | 89 |
67,662 | us | Fresh cranberries and mulberries meet with crushed thyme, peppercorn and chaparral on the elegant and subtle nose of this bottling, from a vineyard on the southwestern edge of the appellation. The palate is dry and redolent of wild mint, sage and bay leaf, spiced by black and white pepper, which all lead into the black plum-flavored finish. | Radian Vineyard | 94 |
70,056 | france | If you want a truly herbal, grassy wine, look no further. This wine is tight, crisp and green with juicy green-plum acidity. It is forward, all fruit with just a tang of texture at the end. Drink now. | Domaine du Tremblay Vin Noble | 86 |
17,171 | france | Perhaps this rating will seem conservative in time, but for now this wine shows a bit too much oak-derived toast and vanilla, giving it an air of superficial attractiveness. Cracked pepper, cassis and mixed berries mingle easily on the palate, but seem to fade on the finish. Drink now, or hold another 4–5 years and see what direction things go. | Les Archevêques | 89 |
68,640 | us | Dark in color, ripe and pruney in aroma, the palate is medium bodied and thick with dried fruit flavors. | Bertram Vineyard Reserve | 85 |
120,504 | france | Ripe, smooth and toasty, this has the feel and texture of Chardonnay. It is full and rounded, yet its acidity and red fruit character lend elegance. | Les Clans | 89 |
44,348 | spain | Nice, brawny and integrated, with sexy aromas of wild berry, dark plum, leather and earth. The palate has the right weight and tannic grab, while the flavors of black fruit, fine herbs, cola and coffee are measured yet generous. Finishes with driving chocolate and vanilla flavors. Drink now through 2016. | Old Vines Unfiltered | 93 |
73,557 | cyprus | Fleshy peach, spice and citrus lead on this fresh, fun white from Cyprus, which displays good balance of refreshing summer fruit and minerals with an underpinning of honeyed softness. Versatile and easygoing, this will pair well with grilled fish and poultry. | Ayios Andronicos | 88 |
86,052 | france | Opens with a complex and elegant nose, offering aromas of lemon, orange, crackers and vanilla. This Champagne has great balance, a light, lively, zingy feel, and fuller, more mature biscuit and vanilla notes. Zesty is a good word here, and a slight chalky element adds further interest on the lengthy finish. | Grande Cru Brut | 90 |
60,926 | us | This soft and seductive wine is reminiscent of a good Chassagne-Montrachet from a relatively warm year. It has the same ripe, lightly tropical fruit, inflected with citrus and buoyed by firm acidity. The use of oak is restrained, the balance perfect, and the finish long and satisfying. | Cuvée Forêts Diverses | 91 |
99,143 | us | The blend is roughly two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Merlot, the color is dark and rich, and the nose inviting. Spice and tobacco, vanilla and moist earth surround black cherry fruit, with tart and lightly drying tannins. Not a big wine, but well-crafted, smooth and supple. | Whistle Stop | 86 |
89,856 | france | This single-vineyard wine offers wonderfully balanced fruits and texture, along with ripe fruitiness. Apples, crisp citrus and warmer pear and peach flavors are all integrated into a texture that just hints at the herbal while being more about bright, fresh acidity and fruit. Drink now. | Le Paradis | 93 |
4,100 | us | Cranberry and strawberry rise to the top of this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend in terms of aroma and flavor, the color and weight of the wine light ruby red. Dry tannin and herb intermingle around a soft texture before becoming puckering on the finish. Small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are within the blend. | Cardinal's Peak | 86 |
81,250 | italy | This delicious and velvety expression of Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of earth, ripe black berry, leather and clove. The juicy palate offers blackberry pulp and ripe blueberry, accented by a note of unsweetened black licorice. | Il Moro | 89 |
39,961 | australia | As unevolved as they are, the dense and multilayered aromas and flavors are truly impressive here. Black currant, herb, tea, oak, vanilla, maple, anise, blueberries and more--it could be an excercise in overkill, if all the parts weren't in such fine harmony. Really big, but with excellent balance, this reveals much less now than the RWT. It is everything a flagship wine in its infancy should be--immaculate component parts, superbly full on the palate, possessed of great length and incredible potential. An absolute keeper to visit in 7, 15 or 25 years. To be released 5/01. | Grange | 96 |
79,159 | france | Laced with really crisp fruits and red-currant flavors, this is a brightly fruity wine. Lively and with a tight texture, this is ready to drink. | Villa Aix en Provence | 85 |
115,577 | chile | All signs point in one direction: the top of the heap. This is one great Chilean red blend! With Syrah, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the mix, Gê sets a new benchmark for multigrape blends from Chile. This wine is loaded with berry, cassis and black plum flavors, but it's textured, balanced and alluring. There's a bit of creaminess on the finish to offset any tannic bite that's still holding on, but as a whole it's delicious, generous and ready to go. Best now through 2011. | Gê | 93 |
18,558 | portugal | Smooth, soft wine, very accessible and up-front. The stewed fruit flavors and fresh acidity give an attractive lift to this open wine. | Evel | 86 |
97,385 | france | Here's a friendly, accessible and value-priced rosé that's perfect for warm-weather entertaining. Ripe cherry, plum and raspberry flood the nose and mouth, with a soft dusting of cocoa that adds interest and decadence. The ripe flavors are full and jammy, but balanced by medium acidity that keeps the palate fresh and the finish clean. | La Tradition | 87 |
89,474 | us | Legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen delivers aromas of sour cherry, dried pine needles, bay leaf and kirsch-like brandy on this wine. The full, dense palate features butter-fried herbs including tarragon, marjoram and black pepper, all laid across a roasted lamb-like gaminess, followed by hints of dark chocolate and mint. | Le Bon Climat | 94 |
73,000 | australia | Typical of the variety, this wine shows ripe strawberries, florals, white pepper and a hint of stalky, smokey gamyness. The flavors on the palate are simpler—mainly cherry and strawberry fruit—but there's still a delicacy and juiciness that make this easy to knock back. | Survivor Vine The Vincent | 89 |
101,928 | france | This full-bodied blend of Clairette (60%) and Roussanne (40%) is concentrated but a bit simple, with aromas and flavors of grilled pineapple. It's crisp and clean on the flavorful finish. | Grand Veneur | 89 |
79,606 | france | Intense and crisp, this wine concentrates great acidity and tight citrus flavors. It's zesty, bright and fresh, with a refreshing, lightly salty character. Ready to drink. | Apremont Vieilles Vignes | 89 |
22,590 | us | Pleasantly fruity, with tart raspberry fruit, this easy, accessible Merlot from a single vineyard finishes with a light lick of toast. | Mirage Vineyard | 86 |
97,940 | us | A spicy but subtle nose of cigar spice and red berry lead into a spirited character of more spice and medium body on the palate. Though the wine has heft, it need more strength in the midpalate and has an overall tartness that could deter. Pair it with grilled meats, though, and you'll find it shapes up. | Sette 7 | 84 |