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120,543 | australia | A mature, mossy (in a good way) Shiraz, this seamlessly blends cedar and vanilla shadings with dark berry notes. It's medium to full in body, with solidly savory and earthy underpinnings that make it especially easy to match with food. Drink now–2018. | 8 Songs | 91 |
17,288 | us | This reserve-level Cabernet—made from grapes sourced partly from 35-year-old vines—is lovely in its wealth of detail. A brambly, elegant mouthful of berry and cherry flavors mingles with a note of rose petal. The finish is soaked in graphite, with length, grip and finesse. | The Albatross Reserve | 94 |
121,176 | spain | Winemaker Victoria Benavides has maxed out the ripeness but has avoided any raisin, prune or molasses characteristics, which we like. Her Gran sits heavier on the palate than the 2004 Crianza, with firm tannins. But it also lingers more solidly on the back of the palate. To admire its purity and power, it's probably best to drink over the next four years. | Gran | 92 |
117,202 | france | This ripe, sweet wine is rich and full of dried and fresh fruit flavors. It is spicy, with a touch of spirit on the palate as well as bold black-plum fruit, dense tannins and a sweet aftertaste. Drink from 2017. | Le Cèdre Vintage | 88 |
17,411 | france | Earthy aromas lead to a smooth and ripe wine that has a farmyard character. It also has red fruits and rounded tannins that could age further. The Merlot has acidity and a soft, while full aftertaste. | Cuvée K | 84 |
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 |
120,099 | us | Blended with small amounts of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this shows classic mountain characteristics of strength and power, with a smooth sublime foundation of textured tannin at its core. Dark cherry, vanilla and chocolate provide a richness of broad flavor, accented in cedar, tobacco and an underlying acidity that leaves a tangy finish. | Pritchard Hill | 94 |
46,237 | spain | The opening of smoke, rubber and black cherry comes across as being dark and good. The palate holds form with lively cherry, plum and currant flavors and finally a medium-long, somewhat warm and meaty finish. Good for an everyday, no-frills Garnacha. | Viña Alarba Old Vines | 86 |
51,764 | us | Although it has a delicate structure, that feels almost lace-like on the palate, this light-bodied Riesling bursts with concentrated ripe peach and apricot flavors. Semisweet in style, this has vibrant acidity and an oyster-shell- and stone-like minerality that lingers on the long finish. | Riesling 11 Lake Dana Vineyard | 90 |
108,317 | italy | Aromas of violet, wild red berry and dark cooking spice lift out of the glass. The aromas carry over to the soft, straightforward palate accompanied by mellow but rather fleeting tannins. | Sabazio | 87 |
24,191 | us | Dry and elegant, this Pinot has a Central Coast feeling, with a pale color and brisk acidity. The cherry, cola, spice and oak flavors seem a little simple now, but that could be deceiving, as years in the cellar might benefit. | Vista Verde Vineyard | 87 |
32,734 | us | This extroverted wine brims with toasted oak, chocolate and smoke aromas, followed by ripe, jammy fruit flavors. With full body and a velvety texture of soft tannins, it's both smooth and tongue-gripping at the same time. | The Toy Vineyard | 90 |
45,485 | uruguay | Oaky aromas rest on top of raisin, blackberry and dried-cheese scents. This feels full and tannic, with saucy, herbal, tomato, plum and berry flavors. On the finish, oak-based flavors of graphite and charcoal vie with ringing acidity and edgy tannins. | Reserve Collection | 88 |
75,519 | us | Lush and vibrantly balanced, this wine is marked by juicy layers of blueberry, huckleberry and spicy cola and clove. Velvety-smooth on the palate, it's a satisfying, medium-bodied effort that effectively shows the beauty of the site and the vintage. | Pratt Vineyard Sexton Road | 93 |
106,834 | us | Deep and hearty mulberry aromas meet with condensed rose petals, cinnamon, clove and hot gingerbread on the earthy, spicy nose of this clonal bottling by longtime winemaker Denise Shurtleff. The sip is thick and full of chaparral herbs at first, then opens toward rounded red cherry, cranberry and cinnamon before diving into fennel and peppercorn. It's amazing for one clone to be so complex. | Barbara's Clone 667 | 94 |
127,877 | france | The wine is structured while also juicy. Its red-berry fruits are in the process of coming together with the tannins to give a rich wine. It has plenty of acidity at the end to give a crisp aftertaste. | Cuvée Alix | 87 |
80,200 | italy | Much of the improvements made to the celebrated Pajé cru are thanks to the Roagna family that owns a large part of it. Here is a cellared Riserva with darker concentration and heft followed by broad aromas of tobacco, leather, spice and plummy fruit. Mineral notes and cassis play a part and the wine needs some time in the glass to fully open. | Pajé Riserva | 90 |
92,873 | austria | A wonderful mix of white pepper, fresh lemon zest, herbal pungency and green pear flavors makes Grüner Veltliner such a success. Here it all comes in one focused, friendly and easy package, with peppery length. | Lois | 90 |
107,465 | us | Kirsch, brown stem, herb and olive aromas give way to a powerful mouthful of black fruit speckled with savory accents. The finish lingers. | The Deal Sundance | 94 |
97,403 | us | Within an enclave of adored cool-climate vineyard sites, just under five miles from the ocean, Taylor Ridge is planted to the Swan clone of Pinot Noir. In this bottling, the culmination of site and Swan comes together in complex, savory ways. Burnt orange meets blackberry tart in a brooding, tightly gripped wine that manages to hold on to a thicket of acidity, giving it balance and brightness. | Taylor Ridge Vineyard | 92 |
91,540 | canada | Though pale in color, this is a tannic and flavorful wine with an earthy underpinning. Lightly spiced red-fruit flavors unfold and gather strength midpalate. This nicely captures the elegance of Naramata Bench Pinot Noir. | Foxtrot Vineyard | 90 |
110,723 | italy | This structured blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with slightly evolved aromas of prune, underbrush and a hint of leather. The rich palate delivers lush plum, black cherry and coffee accented with notes of Mediterranean herbs alongside solid but ripe tannins. Drink 2014–2019. | Vigna Casi Riserva | 89 |
36,101 | argentina | Mint and crushed mineral aromas mix with floral scents and barrel resin to form a solid bouquet. The palate is a touch racy and sharp, and thus there's tartness to the cherry and raspberry flavors. Not sour or underdone, but definitely tilts to the red-fruit side of things. | Particular | 87 |
122,207 | us | This is the winery's sweet sparkling wine. It has the elegant structure, fine acidity and forward raspberry, strawberry, lime, vanilla and smoke flavors of the dry bruts, with a sugary finish, for those who like their bubblies on the sweet side. | Cuvée M | 86 |
129,182 | spain | Underripe berry aromas are leathery and briny. This wine is bulky and chewy in feel, with herbal berry and rubbery flavors. A rustic finish with good mouthfeel delivers animal-like flavor notes. | Reja | 84 |
27,239 | france | Full of yellow fruits, this is a ripe and lightly wood-aged wine. Great acidity and plenty of rich but lively fruitiness play well together, leading into a crisp aftertaste. It needs to age a bit more, so drink from 2018. | Solutré | 90 |
129,817 | france | Soft, ripe and rich, this is very easy on the palate. The wine does have good depth of flavor from the rounded black cherry flavors, the fruit almost sweet in its openness. It is already delicious. | En Chevret | 89 |
37,640 | argentina | Spice, mint, herb, raspberry and currant aromas form a good nose. Things run a bit choppy and rough on the palate, but overall it works, bearing roasted berry and herb influences, with grabby tannins. This is a full, stocky, spicy and mildly green-leaning Cabernet. | 1300 | 87 |
17,668 | us | Juicy, soft and sublime, this vineyard site sits on the extreme Sonoma Coast, near the town of Annapolis, approaching the Mendocino County line. Fine tannins and bright acidity combine for a memorable taste experience, marked in fresh strawberry, raspberry and black pepper. | Campbell Ranch Vineyard | 92 |
49,495 | portugal | This is a limited quantity release from the Kopke's stock of aged Ports. At 40 years, the wine has become concentrated, intense and almost unbearable in its acidity and spirit. It's a great bottling although much less drinkable than other aged White Ports in their range. | 40 Years Old White | 91 |
78,237 | france | Full marks to Moncontour for indicating on the label that this is a dry wine (not always the case in Vouvray). In 2007, that dryness translates into a dominant acidity, fresh apple flavors and a texture of lemon zest. It is a crisp wine, either to be drunk now or aged for 4–5 years for the secondary flavors to develop. | Sec | 87 |
103,422 | italy | Aromas suggest citrus, acacia flower, and hints of vanilla and honey. The creamy palate offers Bartlett pear, sage and lemon drop brightened by fresh acidity. | Praepositus | 89 |
78,041 | spain | Yeasty, bready aromas of toast and apple set up a smooth, mature palate with good acidity. Apple, quince and dry yeasty, toasty flavors end with length, complexity and a mild note of baked apple. Drink now. | Cla Ror Gran Reserva Brut Nature | 90 |
85,908 | italy | Here's a brightly saturated Pinot Grigio with toasted notes of almond, freshly baked bread and creamy butter. You can taste the influence of oak here and the wine is rich in flavor and intensity. The mouthfeel is dense, creamy and long-lasting. | Maso delle Rose | 89 |
27,949 | us | This five grape Bordeaux-style blend has a sharp, spicy aroma, a strong suggestion of clove. The fruit is quite light and tastes of strawberries, but quickly is overtaken by the tannins and the barrel flavors. Drink soon. | Estate Mélange Rouge | 85 |
27,085 | argentina | A little sweet on the nose, but also fairly scattered and unfocused. The feel is nice and the bubble bead is right on. But the flavors are centered around dull apple, and there seems to be a salinic element that makes everything taste a little salty. | Extra Brut | 84 |
73,723 | us | This perfumed floral red made from Baco Noir, an underappreciated French-American hybrid grape, offers surprising depth of complexity and finesse. Hints of dark char, porcini and spice mingle amidst prettier tones of violet and black cherry. It's crisp and lively on the palate, edged by layers of fine feathery tannins and a crush of granite on the finish. Ready to drink now, but tuck a few bottles away to enjoy from now until 2022 if you can. | Middlehope Casscles Vineyards | 91 |
112,853 | spain | Clean and inviting, but simple, with apple and fresh-herb aromas. The palate is properly crisp yet not sharp, and the flavors of green apple and white grapes are snappy. Regular and a little better than good in every way, but ultimately more basic than special. | Brut | 87 |
29,483 | us | With no oak influence, this Cabernet Franc is chock full of pristine raspberry and cherry notes. It's quite concentrated on the palate with deep, ripe red-fruit flavor, but marked by tart cranberry acidity and a long, lingering finish and just a hint of leafy green notes. | Estate Bottled T23 Unoaked | 89 |
109,914 | italy | Delicate scents of rose, chopped mint, dark spice and tilled soil aromas take shape in the glass. The firmly structured palate offers red cherry, pomegranate, licorice and white pepper set against a backbone of polished, fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish. Drink 2018–2027. | Cannubi | 93 |
129,187 | spain | Mild, dusty cherry aromas set up a pulling, dry palate. Flavors of tea and spiced tomato lack fruit, and this wine is dry and somewhat abrasive on the finish. The blend is 80% Bobal with Cabernet Sauvignon. | Premium Selection | 84 |
53,949 | us | This is an über-aromatic wine, with appealing notes of white peach, jasmine, honeysuckle and lime. It's lean in style, drinking off dry but balanced by racy acidity that stretches out the finish. | Kung Fu Girl | 90 |
28,039 | us | This wine is made from 50% Sémillon, 29% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué clone, the fruit sourced from both the Monte Rosso and Leveroni vineyards. It's fleshy and full of fig flavor, laced in mild lemon, quince and oaky vanilla. | Voilà | 86 |
35,922 | us | This 100% varietal wine celebrates what the variety can do when planted in the right place. Remarkable layers of dried plum and cherry come with additional flavors of cocoa powder, coffee and leather. Smooth and medium bodied, it has a grip of tannin on the finish that mellows going down. | Estate St. Helena Vineyard | 91 |
274 | italy | This is a gorgeous Italian white from northern Italy that boasts fragrant tones of spring flower and chopped herb backed by peach, honey and white almond. It's crisp, intense and would be perfect with basil Thai curry. | Estrosa | 89 |
29,744 | us | This wine is comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Dusty earthiness frames its green, vegetal flavors, wrapped in ripe, sturdy tannins and bitter leather and clove notes. | Reminiscence Estate Grown | 84 |
28,352 | spain | Stone-fruit and melon aromas are minerally. This feels linear and tight due to racy acidity. Flavors of white fruits, lime and stones are slightly tart, while this is short but firm on the finish. For barrel-fermented Viura, this is not oaky in any overt way. | Barrel Fermented | 89 |
99,540 | us | Bella's quartet of new 2009 Zinfandels is their best ever. This small-production wine, a best-of-barrels selection from their various vineyards, is softly tannic and silky, and its flavors of wild berry, currant, cola, spice and sandalwood should be enjoyed now. The mouthfeel is utterly luxurious, offering the best elements of a Napa Valley cult Cabernet, with the briary, rustically chic qualities of Zinfandel. | Barrel 32 | 94 |
55,295 | us | Meaty, smoky flavors mark this dark and full-bodied wine, adding a layer of interest to the ripe blackberry and black-pepper notes underneath. The color is extremely dense and the tannic texture stops just short of extreme. | Heritage Clones | 86 |
42,448 | france | Tasting of white grapes, this is fruity, lightly spicy and fragrant. It's a rare grape in Alsace which is a shame because its delicate, attractive fruitiness makes it a great apéritif wine. | Réserve | 88 |
58,869 | us | This Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul blend may be technically dry, but it's so rich in fruity extract, it tastes almost as sweet as an off-dry dessert wine. Yet the acidity is refreshing, giving balance to the peach pie, apricot, pineapple jam, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors. | Esprit de Beaucastel | 86 |
69,575 | us | Rich in strawberry, raspberry, vanilla and brown sugar flavors, this 100% Pinot Noir is delicate in texture, with brisk acidity. It's a good bubbly for drinking now. | Brut Rosé | 84 |
128,939 | france | Lucien Lardy takes the risk of not using sulfur during fermentation, giving a wine that retains its great fruitiness. It's bright, full of red cherry fruits and lively acidity. Tannins are a hint in the background, enough to give structure but not to suggest long aging. Drink until 2018. | Les Roches | 89 |
22,547 | france | Notes of ripe, yellow Mirabelle plums play along with the pear notes and lead to a dry and fresh body. Gentle bitter hints of pith and almond lend texture and frame. | Reserve | 89 |
96,970 | france | This is a rounded and rich wine, packed with citrus fruits and delicious acidity. Lemon and orange-zest flavors balance well with the mineral texture. Drink from 2018. | Les Charmes | 87 |
117,529 | spain | Rooty, leathery and spicy aromas accent dry baked-berry notes. The feel is smooth and natural, with texture and acidity supporting toasty, leathery, spicy berry and plum flavors. Mildly baked tasting on the finish, with cinnamon and pepper accents. Drink now through 2014. | Reserva | 90 |
62,322 | italy | Pipe tobacco, spiced plum, underbrush, vanilla, new leather and balsamic aromas jump out of the glass while the juicy delicious palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and ground pepper. Firm, velvety and enveloping tannins provide smooth polished support. Drink through 2029. | Radici Riserva | 94 |
107,947 | italy | This 100% Viognier from Piedmont reveals fragrances of white flowers, oak and aromatic herbs. The palate is dominated by oak accompanied by notes of sage, thyme, citrus and fennel. It lacks fruit richness. Saranty Imports, Pleasure Elite. | Centobricchi | 86 |
50,506 | italy | Nozze d'Oro (dedicated to the producer's wife on their 50th wedding anniversary) offers fragrant, herbaceous qualities that recall cut grass, tomato leaf and exotic fruit (the blend is 80-20 Insolia and Sauvignon Blanc). The wine is aromatic and generous and boasts firm texture and a crisp close. Pair it with raw fish or Japanese dishes. | Nozze d'Oro | 88 |
43,777 | australia | JC is making an effort to upgrade its Reserve range, and this is a good example, offering peach and pineapple flavors framed by vanilla, butter and toast. It's all barrel-fermented, impressive at this production level (25,000 cases) and price point. | Reserve | 87 |
110,108 | portugal | Soft and rich, this is powerful stuff. The texture is velvety smooth, the dark tannins very much second fiddle to the superripe fruit. Raisins and red fruits bring in some acidity, but even this fruit flavor is almost sweet in its richness. Drink now. | Falcoaria Reserva | 89 |
3,246 | france | There are flavors of peanuts as well as the more usual white fruits in this wine that is rounded and soft, with gentle acidity. The wine, fresh at the end, is ready to drink. | Brut | 86 |
98,606 | spain | Grapefruit, peach and flowery aromas amount to a pleasant wine. This varietal Macabeo feels oily but it also has citric snap. Pineapple, grapefruit and salty flavors finish lemony fresh. | Blanco | 86 |
121,446 | us | This lower alcohol blend of 75% Viognier and 25% Grenache Blanc is expectedly racy and taut, with mineral-dominant aromas of wet cement, apple cider and baking soda. Tight and pithy on the palate, this is wound up super tight with a steely structure, allowing green fruit and more rocky flavors to carry the weight. | Sui | 90 |
6,414 | new zealand | This light- to medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc appears to aim at a minerally style, marrying hints of green (veggies?) with otherwise pleasant citrusy aromas and flavors. Grapefruit and anise make an appearance on the finish. Drink up. | The Stones | 85 |
75,311 | portugal | From the farthest reaches of the upper Douro, Quinta da Ervamoira has produced this sun-drenched wine, with great raisin flavors that vie with a fruity red-berry character. Both sweet from the dried fruits and dry from the intense acidity, with a light cocoa aftertaste, it is a balanced wine that can be drunk now. | RP10 Quinta da Ervamoira Tawny 10 Years | 90 |
56,098 | hungary | This 100% Furmint has delightful aromas of vanilla, honeycomb and honeydew melon. It's creamy and elegant in the mouth with flavors of lemon curd and Key Lime pie. | Király Dulo | 90 |
75,920 | spain | Concentrated dark berry aromas are powerful on the nose, showing a touch reduced but minerally. The palate on this young Ribera wine is pure and potent but not fierce. Ripe, loamy blackberry flavors finish muscular, with just enough elegance and grace to confirm the wine's overall quality. | Heritage | 91 |
82,716 | us | From a historic vineyard planted in 1971, this bottling show savory and dark notes of strawberry, raspberry, licorice, slate, sage and a touch of oak smoke. The palate boasts earthy structure and vibrant acidity, with flavors of slightly bitter cherry fruit, beet juice and bay leaf. | Sanford & Benedict Vineyard | 93 |
100,696 | england | Blossom honey, a touch of melon and fresh, fragrant red-apple fruit make for an appetizing nose. On the palate these alluring flavors are joined by the generous, rounded notion of sponge cake. Towards the finish the pure freshness of bright lemon takes over, and fine bubbles offer fruit and creaminess. It's a balanced and appetizing rosé with a lasting, beautifully yeasty finish. | Balfour Brut Rosé | 92 |
129,518 | portugal | There is a toasty character to this wine with its (not unpleasant) lightly oxidized flavors. There is also perfumed fruit and flavors of ripe rich fruitiness. It is a finely structured wine, ready to drink now. | Private Collection Branco | 88 |
2,185 | greece | Fresh lemon, sea salt and grapefruit aromas lead this buoyant pour from Crete. On the palate, appealing flavors of ripe lemon, tropical fruit and spice give it weight enough to pair with heartier dishes. That said, it finishes clean with a peppery finish. | Vóila Vineyard | 89 |
88,563 | spain | Jumpy, tutti-frutti aromas are young and spunky in nature. This is a fresh, lively, basic Tempranillo with candied red-berry and boysenberry flavors. A mild, basic finish confirms its standard but overall good quality. | Madurado | 85 |
46,425 | spain | Deep aromas of baked black fruits are bolstered by oaky notes of lemon peel and barrel spice. This is intense and hard driving, with flavors of coffee, lemon, blackberry, chocolate and tar. The smoky finish is accompanied by roasted berry notes and shearing acidity. Drink through 2020. | Colección Privada | 92 |
84,212 | us | Tiny amounts of Zinfandel and Malbec are added to this wine, which otherwise delivers varietally appropriate notes of tart cranberry and black currant. From there, leather comes onto the palate, bolstering an already heady mix of tannin and oak, finishing rich in tobacco and dark chocolate. | Classic Collection | 89 |
83,224 | us | For lovers of lush, buttery Chardonnay, this is the one to seek out. Generously toasty barrel flavors complement spicy pineapple fruit. It's forward, full-bodied and ready to drink now. | Grand Estates | 88 |
39,160 | italy | Dried yellow flowers, chamomile, acacia and ripe pear aromas lead the nose. The firm palate delivers yellow apple, hazelnut and a mineral note alongside bright acidity and a refined perlage. | Rive di Collato | 88 |
127,214 | us | Named after the winemaker's daughter, this bottling shows thyme-laced pomegranate-punch aromas on the nose that smells like the chaparral that surrounds the vineyard. Potpourri and sachet flavors arise on the palate, giving nuance to the tart red fruits of cranberry and pomegranate. Strong oregano, thyme and marjoram herbs add depth. | Cuvée Vivienne Estate Grown | 94 |
79,605 | us | Dried berries, fennel fronds and pencil shavings show on the nose of this blend of 63% Grenache, 24% Syrah and 13% Mourvèdre. There is decent density and a soft mouthfeel on the sip, where plummy fruits meet with leather and dried herbs. | SLH | 89 |
30,799 | austria | Only faint glimpses of ripe red plum with aromatic spice reminiscent of clove and cinnamon reveal themselves. With more air, the characteristic pepper appears, as does dark, ripe fruit. The palate is concentrated and structured but remains fresh and slender. This is elegant wine for an elegant occasion. | Goldberg | 92 |
113,033 | us | This wine offers a wealth of dried cherry, chocolate and licorice, remaining relatively medium bodied and sublime on the palate. Hints of dried herb and minerally thickets of violet dot the experience. | Timber Crest Vineyard | 90 |
127,024 | italy | Made with organically grown Catarratto and Pinot Grigio grapes, this offers intense honeysuckle aromas that recall room freshener. The lean, simple palate offers tart green apple and a hint of citrus. | Purato | 84 |
124,659 | us | Well balanced, lively and delicious, this medium-bodied wine pulls together spicy oak and raspberry aromas, compelling and bright fruit flavors and a lip-smacking texture due to fine-grained tannins and good acidity. | Estate | 89 |
80,990 | us | The reductive scent of rubber meets with deep blackberry on the nose. The palate proves more interesting, with mocha and espresso notes laid over blackberry fruit, all framed in strong tannins. | Family Reserve | 85 |
28,372 | france | With its high proportion of Chardonnay, this revels in its crispness, green fruits and a youthful, yeasty character. There are minerality and pink grapefruit flavors as well as a full mousse. The finish is deliciously crisp, rounded. An elegant Champagne. | Brut | 88 |
15,446 | italy | This opens with aromas of mature black currant and dark baking spice. The full-bodied palate offers mature black cherry, ripe blackberry, licorice and pipe tobacco alongside a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017 through 2022. | Famiglia Pasqua | 90 |
14,667 | us | It's a shame that just 100 cases of this wine were made, as this bright, fresh, exciting Zinfandel belongs with the best of California, not just Washington. The fresh-picked strawberry and raspberry flavors are concentrated and vibrating with juicy acidity. They lead into a sappy, lengthy midpalate, with an underpinning of rock. | Stonetree Vineyard | 92 |
26,155 | spain | Spicy, toasty black-fruit aromas set up a firm palate with wrenching tannic grip. Spicy flavors of dark plum and blackberry are typical of this type of Monastrell blend. Peppery notes and herbal accents are up front on the finish. | C | 89 |
56,017 | us | From an Olivet Lane-situated site, where Pinot Noir is its likely neighbor, this head-trained vineyard is planted to a heritage selection put in the ground in the 1920s. It sings in black licorice and juicy black cherry, showing a tightness of texture and medium build, buoyant in acidity. This is a likable, complex wine with traces of dried herb that linger. | Maffei Vineyard | 92 |
29,764 | new zealand | This sunset-hued bubbly starts with notes of overripe berries and watermelon candy. The mousse is satisfying but the cloying sweetness on the palate may turn many off this less-than-subtle sparkler. | Rosé | 83 |
53,357 | italy | Made with ripe Nero d'Avola grapes, this inky red wine offers density, richness and milky aromas of chocolate, blueberry and creamy berry. There's a touch of bitter spice on the close and the wine tastes chewy and soft. | Aynat | 89 |
33,294 | germany | Buoyant floral perfume contrasts a slightly restrained palate that's more mineral than fruit. Off dry in style with delicate tones of honey and caramel, it finishes brisk and clean. | Niersteiner Gutes Domtal Spätlese | 87 |
2,531 | spain | Wiry cherry and herb aromas are fresh and reedy. This Rioja feels crisp and mildly astringent. Quick, punchy flavors of plum and wild berry fruits turn more oaky prior to a finish that's fresh and forward, with hard tannins. Drink through 2021. | Crianza | 89 |
98,657 | france | There’s a pleasing nose here with some toast and mineral notes. A dry palate follows with lime, herb and mushroom flavors, and the mouthfeel is light and positive. More of the same follows on the finish, with a tasty biscuit note. It’s a solid, straightforward sparkler with a refreshing lack of pretense. Kosher, too. | Cremant d'Alsace | 86 |
106,829 | us | Rich and complex in the modern Paso style, this blend of 59% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Petite Sirah and 4% Grenache pairs baked plum and blackberry with white pepper, sarsaparilla, coffee candy and cola on the nose. The flavors are deftly integrated, with touches of espresso, black cassis, black cherry and milk chocolate. Zesty and fun, it's also well structured. | Passage | 94 |
97,774 | france | A pale gray-pink color, this is fresh, crisp and bright in the mouth, with a touch of pepper to add interest. The aftertaste is full of ripe raspberries. | Eloge | 88 |
100,934 | us | The winery calls this a Super-Tuscan blend, though the inclusion of 38% Carmenère might have some Italian vintners scratching their heads. The rest is mostly Sangiovese, with bits of Syrah and Cabernet as well. Juicy citrus and purple berries, some pomegranate and dark chocolate can be found, along with the green bean, stemmy flavors of Carmenère. | Phoenix | 86 |
30,986 | us | Tasted in September ‘07, this Cab was pretty high in tannins, giving it a tough astringency some folks won't like. But the wine is clean and complex, with blackberry, tobacco and sage flavors. It's the opposite of a cult Cabernet, which is to say it's more like a traditional dry Bordeaux than something out of Napa. | Barney's Heritage Cuvee | 87 |
13,637 | france | This finely balanced wine is both crisp and packed with fruit. Its mineral texture is balanced by the sliced green apple and lively acidity. With its lightly toasty aroma, it is ready to drink. | Appogia Blanc de Blancs Brut | 91 |
187 | italy | This is a luminous, mature red wine with thick concentration and huge—almost too much—emphasis on toasted oak. Aromas recall vanilla, spice and coffee, although you will find blueberry and cherry on the finish: It is a blend of Nero d'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. | Montenero | 88 |