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4
2.01k
49,683
france
Ripe tropical fruit flavors give this wine from Sancerre producer Eric Louis its warm character. It has enough acidity to cut through the richness and give it a fruity aftertaste. It's ready to drink.
Alphonse Dolly Les Doigts d'Or de Dolly
86
14
13,228
us
Some unripe mushroom and leafy notes compromise this silky wine, along with richer flavors of cola. The alcohol is nice and moderate, but the cold vintage has taken its toll. Drink up.
R. Buoncristiani Vineyard
84
38
88,315
france
The long slope of the Côte du Py has produced this structured wine that's firm, dry, tannic and needing to age. It is concentrated in both structure and in rich black-plum fruits. The wine will age well, so don't drink before 2017.
Côte du Py
90
22
79,014
france
This firm and tannic wine shows the structure of the Malbec grape. It is also fruity with red currant and black plum-skin flavors that are supported by intense acidity. The wine, with its dry texture should be aged, so drink from 2016.
Château Terrebert
86
13
77,184
us
Fat in mouthfeel, waxy and earthy in aroma and packed with apricot and almond flavors, this layered and concentrated wine emphasizes savory notes rather than fruity ones and lushness in texture rather than crispness. Dried meats like prosciutto and salami could make great pairings.
Enigma
90
25
109,131
us
Scents and flavors of toasted grain introduce this pretty wine that boasts accents of citrus blossom. Hints of peach skin carry some bite in the back of the mouth. Serve chilled and drink soon.
Les Collines Vineyard
86
16
3,534
australia
D'Arenberg's The Coppermine Road is always structured—sometimes to excess—but the 2009 vintage seems to have the requisite flesh to age successfully. Cedar, chocolate and cassis notes surround a firm core of dusty tannins. Drink from 2015–2025, and possibly beyond.
The Coppermine Road
92
65
110,759
italy
Made using an aromatic clone of Malvasia, this is a slightly sweet sparkler that would work beautifully with appetizers or tapas. It shows a light hay color and aromas of peach and honey.
Despina
84
23
35,682
canada
This is the winery's superstar Bordeaux-style blend, and one of the defining red wines of the Okanagan. In its youth it is peppery, tannic and tough, with strong herbal flavors, along with pomegranate, cranberry and white raspberry fruit. It's firmly acidic, lightly toasty, complex and finished with flavors of coffee grounds, cacao, baking spices and smoke. Drink now through 2025.
Nota Bene
92
60
19,542
us
Pinot-phile Brian Loring lends his deeply extracted style to this Rhône grape, delivering concentrated blueberry, black plum, dark chocolate and mint aromas. The palate is hearty, with mint chocolate chip ice cream, eucalyptus, fennel and ripe black cherry flavors.
Russell Family Vineyard
90
45
56,011
us
Rich earthy tones of iron and sagebrush meet with a touch of barnyard, roasted meats, dark cranberry fruit and a touch of sarsaparilla on the nose of this Josh Jensen bottling. More iron, wet clay, turned loam and slate minerality show on the palate, where black pepper, cooked black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry round out the still quite tannic sip.
de Villiers
92
52
78,709
us
A bold aroma of warm salted butter melds with notes of undergrowth, dark cherry and raspberry. Malleable at first, the palate becomes jolted by elevated acids, making the wine feel edgy on the finish.
Estate Club
83
18
97,225
us
While this wine starts out a bit reductive, it subsequently explodes with aromas of dried herbs and generous amounts of black pepper. It's palate-coating and mesmerizing in feel, showing a dazzling sense of texture, lightness and richness.
Gamache Vineyard
93
35
116,419
italy
This opens with rather funky aromas of scorched earth, overripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of barnyard. The extracted palate offers mature black cherry, toast, espresso and a gamey note alongside tightly packed tannins. A note of roasted coffee bean signals the close.
Arborina La Foia
88
90
56,687
us
While a bit restrained in style, this dry easy-going Riesling offers delicate shades of tangerine and yellow-apple flavor augmented by zesty lime and lemon acidity. Crisp texture and a soft bristle of lime zest lend a vibe to the finish.
Reserve
87
25
47,853
us
Extremely dark fruit tones come from the nose of this wine, including blackberry and black cherry. It also offers touches of red fruit alongside snapped dark chocolate, licorice and a tarragon mintiness. Density and darkness consume the palate too, with blueberry fruit laced by dried basil, oregano, lavender and tar.
Camatta Hills Vineyard
93
45
117,423
france
An intriguing nose combines dried and baked apple with a far more floral notes. The dry palate accentuates the apple at one moment and sprays of honeysuckle and jasmine on the next. This is fragrant, dry and summery, concentrated and totally refreshing. A wine for special moments of joy.
Kirchberg Grand Cru
91
33
21,769
us
Mazzocco's style has settled into high alcohol, in this case 15.8%, sweet, jammy pie-filling fruit flavors, and soft tannins. If this is the kind of Zin you enjoy, it's for you.
Maple
82
40
84,811
us
From the vineyard around viticulturist Anne Moller-Racke's home planted to the Donum clone, this is a stunner from start to finish, an elegantly tousled expression of mint and bay leaf that's big-boned at first, yet completely lively and fresh on the palate, settling into a place of grace, bursting in brooding dark berry, cherry, cinnamon and clove all wrapped up in a sultry texture.
Anne Katherina Vineyard Farmhouse Estate Farmed
95
90
58,775
us
Vespera combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Petite Sirah from two of the winery's signature vineyards, Grigsby and Collinetta, into an explosion of chocolate, mint and intense tannins. A tropical layer lurks on the back palate, making the wine an intriguing quaff.
Vespera
91
50
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
53
84,082
us
Syrah has been one of Fenestra's better reds. The Livermore Valley heat has fully ripened the grapes, making for a soft, plush wine with forward flavors of cherry, blackberry and raspberry jam, chocolate liqueur, orange tea, dates, and licorice, leading to a dry, spicy finish.
Estate
85
20
87,412
us
This revamped label by Josh Klapper of La Fenetre is exciting on all fronts, and this four-barrel bottling from Aubaine Vineyard is one of the best. Light red cherry and pomegranate meet with gravel, dried basil and oregano on the delicate nose. Thyme, bergamot and Earl Grey tea flavors pop on the tight palate, which is still wound up but offers underripe strawberry, fennel and lavender florality.
Guest Star
94
50
106,485
us
This Bordeaux blend is a little rough around the edges. It has a sharp, jammy feeling, and seems too sweet in raspberry- and cherry-pie filling. Will appeal to fans of an easy drinking, accessible style of a Cabernet-based wine.
Mon Amour
85
59
44,589
us
Woody, herbal and resplendent in forest-floor pine and sandalwood, this is a complex, earthy and medium-bodied wine. It's low in oak, and revelatory in cool-climate seductions of pomegranate, cranberry and rhubarb compote. The finish is all black tea, with still-developing tannin structure and power.
Calegari Vineyard
95
58
38,487
us
A simple hamburger or pasta dish is your best bet to pair with this good, straightforward Zin. It's dry, acidic and rather thin with wild berry, raisin, cola and oak flavors.
Old Vine
85
38
85,906
argentina
Chunky, ripe and fruity, with bacon and roasted berry aromas. The palate has a good feel and tannins that melt away, while the flavors of black cherry and cassis lean toward medicinal but don't fully go there. Bold like Malbec should be, with hints of rubber and latex on the finish.
Paso de Piedra
89
19
95,020
spain
This Tempranillo-Graciano blend opens with rugged aromas of cherry and currant. The palate follows that lead, with choppy, bumpy tannins. Flavors of cherry and berry fruits come with a coating of crusty, blackened oak, holding onto coarseness across the finish. Drink through 2022.
N. 2
89
25
124,037
spain
Briny, minerally, dusty aromas of white currant and crushed vitamins set up a foamy, lazy palate. Salty flavors of apple and persimmon finish flat, with a briny aftertaste.
Brut Nature
83
14
88,169
germany
Spice and black plums are touched with hints of purple flowers and beet root in this ripe, supple Pinot Noir. Richness is offset by bright acidity and a fine, but firm, frame of tannins. It's an elegant wine with evenhanded grace.
Blauschiefer
93
50
128,695
france
A beautifully fine, elegant wine, the acidity like a shaft of light through the tight apple and grapefruit flavors. The texture is taut, steely, with vivid tannins. It is still young, although showing brilliant fruit. Worth aging for 5–6 years.
Cuvée William Deutz Brut
94
167
129,404
italy
A broader, flatter style and aromas of exotic fruit, banana and papaya describe the nose of this Prosecco Extra Dry. Yet the wine delivers a very clean entry onto the palate and does a great job of keeping your mouth refreshed.
Extra Dry
85
10
43,847
italy
Aromas suggest leafy underbrush, espresso and toasted oak. The evolved palate offers coffee, roasted hazelnut and dried red berry alongside fleeting tannins.
Sandrina
85
24
50,758
portugal
A blend of Gouveio and Verdelho, this is a spicy, perfumed wine that has fine, lively acidity to go with its honey, lemon and pear flavors. To drink now, although the mineral edge suggests aging potential.
2 Duas Castas Gouveio-Verdelho
89
13
119,424
us
Coming from one of the state's top Syrah vineyards, this wine offers aromas of herb, stem, flower, smoked meat and marionberry that are followed by a velvety palate redolent with fruit and savory flavors. It delivers a lot of enjoyment and sophistication.
Red Willow Vineyard
91
40
96,195
spain
Apricot and nectarine notes rise up from the bouquet. This is juicy but bland, with melon and green-herb flavors. A soft finish renders this barely refreshing, and normally that's what Las Brisas is known for. The blend is Verdejo, Viura and Sauvignon Blanc.
Las Brisas
83
13
67,513
chile
Thick and meaty on the nose, with aromas of cola and spice. The palate has a tight structure, some sharpness and spicy, braised-fruit and tobacco flavors. Finishes mostly in the spice zone, with dried fruits and a spot of leftover acidic bite. Good for a basic Cabernet-Carmenère blend.
Aliwen Reserva
87
13
46,251
france
Raspberry and earth tones open this medium-weight Provence blend. There's cherry fruit and a moderate level of complexity on the palate but also a slightly funky note in the background. Tannins are forceful but polite; try with pork roast.
Cru Classé
86
23
28,772
us
Though Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc each make up just 3% of this wine, they seem to show themselves aromatically, with herb and floral notes that provide the backdrop for Merlot's cocoa and cherry. The red fruit flavors are plump and juicy, backed by bright acid that leads to a long, fruit filled finish. It doesn't always come off as completely varietal but it's nearly impossible to resist all the same.
Seven Hills Vineyard
91
40
1,954
chile
On the nose, this Cab delivers a mix of vinegar, rubber and jumpy berry aromas. The palate is smooth but bland and soft, while flavors of licorice, prune and herbal notes finish easy.
First Edition
86
18
94,498
us
Petite Sirah has a long history in Livermore Valley and the Del Arroyo Vineyard from which this wine hails is planted to the heritage Concannon clone. Restrained and spicy, it offers velvety blackberry and raspberry fruit and a lingering tropical aroma, encased with a morsel of dark chocolate. With well-managed tannins, the wine begs to be set on the table alongside peppery steaks.
Del Arroyo Vineyard
90
35
10,017
us
One of the finer Pinot Blancs from Oregon, this vineyard-designate has a lighter mouthfeel than the winery's Pinot Gris, yet in some ways shows more complexity and overall appeal. Fresh fruit flavors of apple and melon carry a touch of almond. The bracing minerality extends through the finish.
Bryan Creek Vineyard
91
25
36,510
us
A rare finding of this variety in California, this wine is golden-orange in color and offers resin-like sweetness that may not appeal to everybody.
Estate Muscadine
83
25
104,540
italy
Creamy, rich and immensely satisfying, this carefully crafted Trebbiano d'Abruzzo opens with mature notes of apricot, lemon zest, vanilla cream and pineapple. The mouthfeel is what sets its apart, however: It's decadently opulent and long-lasting.
Marina Cvetic'
91
60
33,393
italy
Aromas of rose petal, perfumed berry and exotic spice lead the nose. It's radiant, with wonderful intensity and elegance, delivering ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, mineral, licorice, baking spice and a hint of mint alongside a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and edgy acidity. Despite the full structure and youthful tension, it has a remarkably silky, supple texture. Drink 2018–2032.
Contrada R
95
60
24,189
argentina
Round, melony and driven by aromas of pears and apples, this internationally styled wine should strike a chord among casual Chardonnay quaffers. It's kind of sweet, a little bit fat, and it finishes smooth. True to the blueprint in many ways; think California and this will complete the picture. Imported by Excelsior Wine & Spirits.
Select
87
12
80,945
us
A little gritty in texture, and the rawness is compounded by black pepper tartness. Yet there's a huge, succulent core of black cherry fruit, and the wine is perfectly dry and acidic. An interesting Pinot, one to stash in the cellar and see what happens.
Graham Family Vineyard
88
56
113,464
us
Strawberry fruit defines this open, broad-flavored wine. The palate is smooth in feel and carries accessible red-fruit flavors that offer immediate appeal.
Freedom Stand Sure Vineyard
89
29
109,739
germany
There's a brooding quality to the smoky, diesel-fuel like aromas of this wine, but that's left in the rearview by ripe flavors of honey and baked apple once it's in the mouth. This wine is round and atypically soft for the vintage, but picks up some lively lime notes on the finish.
Scharzhofberger Spätlese
89
41
102,913
spain
Raisin and baked plum aromas set the stage for a somewhat flat-feeling palate. Plum and berry aromas are chunky and finish soft, with low acidity and not a lot of pop.
Alcanta Barrique Oak Aged
86
14
101,278
us
Fresh juice aromas and caramelized blackberry scents combine with dark chocolate and a little lavender in this blend of 44% Petite Sirah, 38% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache. Soft, thick and sticky on the palate, it shows tangy plum skin and tart boysenberry flavors, with sharp and strong acidity.
One Hundred Percent
86
22
70,906
austria
Very honeyed, liquorous wine, with a full texture, orange marmalade flavor and acidity contrasting with a sweet toffee character. It has weight and richness, with possible long-term aging. Screwcap.
Ruster Ausbruch
90
40
125,341
us
Syrah (48%) makes up nearly half this wine with the rest spread between Grenache (32%) and Mourvèdre. Ripe aromas of red and blue fruit, cranberry and black pepper are followed by a velvety palate that delivers the goods.
Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre
90
25
73,804
us
Scents of raspberries, flowers and exotic spices take the lead. The palate feels broad and untethered, featuring glossy tannins, balanced acids and a pliable finish.
Josie's Knoll
87
23
87,248
israel
Dark and rich, there's a slightly liquorous sensation to the blackberry and cassis core. The medium-weight mouth offers lifting acidity, great balance and depth, with attractive notes of cigar spice, cocoa powder and roasted espresso grinds on the finish.
Secret Reserve
90
40
59,748
italy
A modernist take on Barbara. Nose shows a good deal of dark ripe fruit, skirting the edge of overripeness. On the palate, it is fat and chunky, with quite intense fruit compote flavors, and just enough acidity to hold it together. Friendly and quaffable.
Gaiana
87
27
89,118
us
There sure is a lot of ripe flavor in this Pinot, which swamps the tastebuds with raspberries, cherries, vanilla and sweet oak. It's basically a dry wine, with smooth tannins, but it is deficient in acidity. That steals some liveliness, and makes the richness taste flat.
San Remo Vineyard
87
49
75,706
us
Juicy and austere in understated waves of cranberry and cherry fruit, this wine delivers subtle power and intensity in a leathery-textured package. True to its old vine heritage, it shows a dry dustiness of peppery spice.
Home Ranch Teldeschi Vineyards Century Old Vine
90
32
47,409
germany
While the nose of this Riesling is fresh with scents of orange zest and berries, the palate is unctuously ripe and rich with sweet tropical fruit. It's a lush, easy-going sip but lively with acidity and irresistably tasty.
Piesporter Goldtröpfchen
87
17
9,893
us
Nutty and reminiscent of lemon oil, this wine also offers a full-bodied richness of apple and caramel, transforming into peach and vanilla bean flavor as it opens.
Sangiacomo Vineyard
88
46
90,508
argentina
Argento has found its calling with this wine, by far the best to date from this label. It's deep and pure, with raisin, blackberry, spice and vanilla on the nose. Super solid and lush, with layered flavors of jammy berry, coffee and chocolate. Holds all its form on the finish; excellent vino for the dollar.
Reserva
90
16
118,115
us
Tart and tight, this puts a sharp focus on cranberry and raspberry fruit. There are ample acids and a hint of milk chocolate around light tannins.
Whistling Ridge Vineyard
88
39
4,971
italy
You don't see much Syrah from the Veneto in northeast Italy, but Cicogna shows that the variety does have a future here. This expression is soft and plump with ripe fruit, blackberry, leather and tobacco. There's a point of bright freshness on the long finish.
Cicogna
90
35
9,801
us
From Montemaggiore Vineyard on the western hills of the appellation, and containing 5% Viognier, this is a well-made wine, nicely rustic in a dirty, rowdy mix of black pepper and earth. Dense, thick layers of cocoa play with floral notes of lavender and rose, finishing softly. This will age well through 2023.
Dragon's Kiss
93
35
47,893
chile
There's a pickled scent, but no fruit on the nose. This is pinched on the palate, with underripe, nutty, oily flavors of spent white fruits and bitterness.
Reserva
80
13
18,920
austria
Pervaded by lively, friendly, zippy freshness, this easy-drinking Riesling comes with a sprightly, fruity balance on its dry palate that is made all the more summery by the faintest amount of fizz.
Vom gelben Löss
89
20
96,681
portugal
This is a soft, ripe and fruity wine, full of red berry fruits, soft spiciness and attractive acidity. Big, rich and bold, it is a full-bodied and immediately attractive wine that will easily charge through spicy foods.
Azul Portugal
87
11
79,641
us
Concentrated fruit, spice and black-tea flavors lend a sense of depth on the palate and make this full-bodied wine satisfying to sip. Made from the estate vineyard using only Clone 777 vines, it matches black cherry and tart cherry notes to a nicely gripping texture, with a lingering finish.
Graceful Lady Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard Clone 777
91
66
39,532
chile
Calina usually makes a nice value Chardonnay, and this vintage is no different. The wine has a chunky dry-peach opening, which is backed by a round, smooth palate and flavors of sweet pear, baked apple and roasted corn. Honey and orange notes make cameo appearances. Good for the price.
Reserva
87
10
15,347
us
Acidic and brittle, with an unnatural tartness to the sweet, jammy cherry, blackberry, cola and oak flavors. This Bordeaux-style blend is best opened now.
Twisted Sisters Matriarch
84
20
3,463
italy
Here's a blend of Merlot and Franconia (aged 48 months in oak) with straightforward aromas of cherry fruit and underbrush. The wine is smooth and offers slight sweetness followed by some sour notes on the close.
Colmello Rosso
88
27
58,988
us
A stellar deal for the price, this wine shows plum, strawberry and asphalt on the nose, with a touch of clove-nutmeg spice. It's tart and dry, with dusty elderberry flavors on the palate, boosted by a touch of mint and a decent structure.
Incredible Red
88
12
21,228
croatia
There's so much nuance and complexity in this rustic yet fascinating Croatian wine, that it takes a while to break down its components. Initial scents of dried leaves and mulch blow off to reveal an array of delicate floral and fruit aromas, accented by rich chocolate and vanilla notes. Big in both alcohol and structure, its massively tannic, but smoothes out with aeration. Decant to drink now, but could easily evolve for 5–10 years.
Dinga
89
65
11,022
italy
Aromas of white spring flowers, ripe Bartlett pear and roasted almond take the lead. The juicy, round palate offers lemon pastry, juicy golden apples and a nutmeg note alongside fresh acidity. It finishes on a slightly sweet note recalling glazed brown sugar.
Thurner
87
16
71,972
us
This wine hews to the Milbrandt style, emphasizing notes of vanilla and tobacco ahead of the simple black-fruit flavor. It has a hint of smoky earthiness and a citrusy edge to the acids.
Traditions
87
15
27,175
us
Soft and lightly buttery, this offers clean fruit flavors of apple and pear. Not quite as concentrated as previous efforts, perhaps a reflection of a cooler vintage in this northern location.
Stillwater Creek Vineyard
89
23
35,756
us
A good but average red wine for drinking now. Shows ripe berry, cherry, currant, licorice and spice flavors, with edgy tannins that are a little scoury. Drink up.
Estate
86
49
75,548
us
This wine has very dark flavor characteristics, and is almost completely dominated by the oak barrels (40% American) in which it’s been aging for 33 months. That’s a long time, and American oak has strong aromas and flavors, perhaps too strong. The tannins are pretty and supple, and the fruit that’s buried under all that wood seems lovely, but this wine should have been released two years ago.
Coastal Reserve
83
22
122,680
italy
Dark spice, cherry, plum, prune and bitter chocolate characterize this Bolgheri blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other varieties. The wine is soft, lush and generous on the close.
Scopaio
88
30
123,771
us
Trisaetum produces both a dry and an off-dry cuvée from each of its three estate vineyards, as well as two versions of an Estates Reserve. Richer and bigger overall than the individual cuvées, this dry bottling is smooth and round, with a palate-pleasing blend of citrus flesh and peel, notably orange. There's tangerine and spice as well, and the wine continues bright and long through a most engaging finish.
Estates Reserve Dry
94
38
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
43
39,580
us
A solid Cabernet from this hot appellation, located well inland in Sonoma County. The wine is dry, tannic and fairly high in alcohol, although it wears its heat well. The fruit is very ripe in the direction of black currants and dark chocolate. Will hold and change over the next 6–8 years, turning drier and earthier, but you can drink it now.
Glockner-Turner Ranch
88
50
99,984
us
A rich, ripe, oaky Cabernet, from this ambitious little appellation in the warmer, eastern part of the Santa Ynez Valley. It's nice to drink now for the fine tannins and dry flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries and oak.
Grassini Family Vineyard
88
36
22,480
portugal
Fresh and creamy, this is a smooth, rich wine. It has citrus and baked apple flavors that meld easily and fully into a fruity texture. With some weight, it also has a bright, crisp aftertaste.
Audaz Branco
86
10
38,539
italy
Featuring Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Merlot, this New World red is big and powerful, with beautiful aromas of berry fruit, smoke, orange rind and spice. The mouth is fully enveloping and downright delicious. It finishes with a blast of black coffee and toast. Big-boned and aggressive, but still fairly friendly. Drink now or hold for up to six years.
Tassinaia
92
55
45,048
us
An aromatic blend of 46% Viognier, 37% Roussanne, 17% Riesling, this bears complex scents and flavors of oranges and apricots, which are joined by notes of grapefruit and melon, and complemented with juicy acidity. One-third was barrel fermented in neutral oak, and a portion was left on its lees for added texture.
Oriana
91
25
97,956
us
One of the winery's luxury-level releases, this doesn't play the massive Paso ripeness game, instead offering easy notes of black currant, violet, grape candy and burnt caramel on the nose. The palate is even more restrained, with black cherries, baking spice, a touch of asphalt and soft tannins.
Limited Resource Estate Grown
88
87
83,995
france
This is a rich blend of Duras and Braucol. It is densely textured with ripe black-plum and berry fruits and some still young tannins. The wine will age well to show ripe fruits and a generous texture. Drink from 2018.
Rouge
88
19
82,326
chile
Jammy red-berry aromas come with a green streak. The wine is a bit hard in feel, with choppy tannins. Sweet blueberry and graham cracker flavors are offset by saline and green accents, while the finish is chunky and earthy.
Chamán Gran Reserva
87
25
75,231
us
Roughly three quarters Syrah, this includes with Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The detail is impressive—a high-def wine with berry, herb, dried leaf, bloody meat and a splash of citrus.
Sophia
88
29
28,082
us
Dry and smoothly tannic, the blackberry flavors have a softly herbal, earthy tinge. There's a lot of new oak, possibly too much, because the smoky caramel is just a bit overpowering.
Bob's Burn Pile
88
75
121,532
romania
This Romanian Pinot Noir has aromas of sweet black cherry, smoked meats and red raspberry. In the mouth there are flavors of smoke and black plums.
Dreambird
85
7
121,036
us
Hints of spice, smoke and cedar lend a savory tone to flavors of pressed apple and pear in this brisk semidry Riesling. It's an uncomplicated but tasty wine, brightened by streaks of tart, lemony acidity and a delicate swirl of honey on the finish. Drink now.
Estate Grown and Bottled Semi-Dry
88
17
15,230
italy
Refreshing and bright, this would pair with a range of Mediterranean foods, from tomato bruschetta to fried zucchini flowers. It offers a steady flow of citrus, pear and stone fruit flavors.
Le Volpare
87
13
94,252
chile
Neutral on the nose to the point of dull and mute. The palate is more wet than complex, and the flavors of apple, candy and toffee are basic at best. For a half-bottle priced at $25, this is underwhelming and far too simple in all facets.
Hacienda Araucano Kochii Late Harvest
84
25
122,701
australia
Clean, crisp and easy to drink, with raspberry fruit accented by subtle wood spice and cedar elements. Tannins are soft, making this a Shiraz to drink now and over the next few years.
Polish Hill River
88
22
37,758
us
At a time when so many California rosés are blah, Fort Ross' is the real deal. Dry and crisply structured, it shows raspberry, cherry, lavender, thyme and pepper flavors that have an edge of mouthwatering bitterness.
Fort Ross Vineyard Rosé of
87
16
95,791
italy
This dark, brawny expression doles out lavish aromas of smoked bacon, black olive, molasses, maple syrup and rich blackberry preserves. It's spicy and rich, but also tart and crisp. Those contrasting elements give it a sweet and sour feeling.
Tenuta Lena di Mezzo
90
50
20,038
italy
This structured blend of Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and a small percentage of other grape varieties offers cassis, mocha and underbrush aromas. The dense palate doles out prune, carob, licorice and pipe tobacco notes alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2023.
Mille e una Notte
91
80
121,010
us
From a tiny spot near the town of Forestville, this vineyard-designate does justice to the special site, planted in Goldridge dirt to a variety of suitcase clones. Earth, sage and a persistence of exotic spice mark it first, inviting one in for further exploration of raspberry, cherry and a firmness of tannin. Concentrated, it's enjoyable now and yet should have years more to go in the bottle. Drink now through 2024.
Reuling Vineyard
94
69