Tuteldove/wine_review · Datasets at Hugging Face

wine_id int64 4 130k	country stringclasses 40 values	description stringlengths 28 723	designation stringlengths 1 95	points int64 80 100	price float64 4 2.01k
116,502	us	This is a true Claret, in that the blend includes 41% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Malbec. It is lushly scented with licorice, tobacco, clove, some plastic and dark fruits, especially black cherry. The fruit and indeed the wine itself has been softened to the point of losing its focus; perhaps an effort to subdue the vineyard's notorious tannins. This is forward and pleasant but a bit diffuse.	Claret	87	35
5,467	chile	Wayward aromas of tropical fruits and diesel fumes are warm and mild. The palate is plump and slightly citrusy, while flavors of white grapefruit, orange and pineapple end with pithy bitterness. On the finish, this is citrusy in flavor and pulpy in texture.	Corralillo	86	20
50,591	argentina	After a few nice vintages of Sol Huarpe from this San Juan producer, the 2007 is sharp and weighed down by rhubarb and burnt field aromas. The palate is thin, while the flavors are mildly vegetal and soupy. Finishes crisp and citrusy. Blame it on the vintage.	Sol Huarpe	83	17
124,120	us	A complete and expressive wine, with vibrant berry/cherry fruit, supple textures and a gentle hand with the oak. The tannins have been well managed and mediated; the wine is tannic but smooth with no roughness or excessively green flavors. It captures just a hint of pepper and herb, and is streaked with coffee highlights through the finish.	Klipsun Vineyard	91	40
37,243	slovenia	This sweet wine is nut brown in color, with aromas of dried prunes, caramelized pears and raisins. The palate is driven by sweet, dried fruit tones, balanced by bright acidity.	Valentino Sweet Red	90	60
98,073	spain	This gold-colored sweet Xarello is lightly oxidized, with aromas of butterscotch, baked squash and honey. The longer it sits, the better it gets, and that's despite blazing acidity. Flavors of pears in syrup, melon and honey finish long due to intense acidity.	Blanc de Neu	89	25
108,703	us	This bottling from one of the showcase vineyards in this eastern region of the Santa Ynez Valley shows a very cohesive and well-integrated nose, combining dried red and purple flowers with licorice, dill, nettle and boysenberry. The palate's solid and persistent acidity frames flavors of plump black plum and mocha.	Grassini Family Vineyard	92	52
121,589	italy	Aromas of dark-skinned berry, French oak, wild rose and a whiff of Alpine herb lift out of the glass. Linear and tense, the taut palate offers dried cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside a backbone of firm fine-grained tannins and bracing acidity. Drink 2017–2020.	Sassella Le Tense	89	35
39,348	spain	On the nose, this aging Chardonnay brings corn to mind. Its palate is neither exciting nor flawed, with melon and stone fruit flavors that are yeasty and short, finishing on a bready and slightly oxidized note. Not a great value for its price.	Milmanda	87	65
95,881	france	Light, creamed apple fruits with a bright line of fresh acidity. The wine is exuberant in its citrus character, just broadened by an underlay of green apples.	Buissonnier	84	15
81,541	france	With some Chardonnay in the blend, this is a ripe, yellow and white fruit flavored wine. It is soft, creamy and balanced between the crisper acidity and rounded fruit. Finishing with lemon zest, it is ready to drink.	Brut	88	18
17,784	france	There is no sign of the tannic punch of Malbec in this wine. Instead the texture is soft and open with just enough tannins to give shape to the delicious black currant fruitiness. The wine is ready for a glass now.	Gariottin Sélection	85	16
23,675	us	This vineyard blend shows the riper, oakier side of a Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Rich, fruity and direct, it has luscious raspberry, strawberry and oak flavors, with a touch of sautéed mushrooms and heirloom tomatoes. Drink over the next few years.	The James	89	60
33,361	chile	Woody aromas of sawdust and maple take over a lightly herbal bouquet. Plum, raspberry and chocolaty oak flavors finish herbal and resiny.	Zardoz	87	25
47,757	us	This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is brooding in dried sage, cedar and pencil shavings, the fruit black and ripe. Oaky and sanguine, it has a girth to it. Sprinkles of cinnamon and clove peak on the finish.	Estate	87	36
96,793	chile	With mild white-fruit aromas, dusty notes and a hint of banana, this is appealing up front. In the mouth, it's solid and pure feeling, with freshness and punchy acidity propelling tropical fruit flavors and oak-based vanilla. Oak spice, length and a full body make the finish impressive. 600 cases made.	Bill Limited Edition	90	35
119,276	portugal	Relatively dry, this has some firm tannins, darkened by plum skin flavors and ripe berries, lifted with acidity. The spirit element comes through as pepper and spice, giving an edge to the soft fruit.	Founders Reserve	87	16
27,645	italy	Scrio boasts chunky aromas of clove, milk chocolate, coconut and pulsing blueberry. You can definitely identify the hot vintage in the wine's complex DNA although it isn't a big issue in terms of quality. The mouthfeel is polished and firm and the wine's long finish is amazing.	Scrio	90	210
69,983	italy	The aromas and palate of this wine are dominated by oak. This sparkling wine also shows flavors of toast and vanilla, with subtle hints of butterscotch and lemon drop. It finishes on a bitter-walnut note.	Vintage Collection Brut	87	75
99,965	italy	This opens with Pecorino's classic floral fragrance of acacia and hawthorne, accented by whiffs of stone fruit. On the palate, it delivers ripe peach and apple flavors, with notes of ginger, almond and a drop of honey. Energizing minerality marks the finish.	Merlettaie	89	17
100,690	france	The golden ripeness of yellow stone fruit is already apparent on the nose. On the palate a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge provides some structure to counter the luscious medium-sweet richness. That sweetness boosts all the fruit notes and lets them linger. It's a rounded, balanced and totally fruit-driven wine.	Frankstein Grand Cru	92	30
21,989	us	A tempting, well-balanced wine from a tiny artisan winery, this is medium bodied but packs in a great array of ripe fruit and dark chocolate flavors. Firm tannins and acidity lift it and keep it lively through the finish. It tastes great now but will improve through 2020.	Heritage	91	50
41,132	italy	Made with Gewürztraminer and a drop of Sauvignon grapes that are left to dry for four months, this opens with aromas of nectarine, rose petal and baking spice. The rich, lingering palate delivers dried apricot, orange zest and candied fruit. Fresh acidity balances the sweet flavors.	Cashmere Passito	90	69
114,535	us	Almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this wine is reduced and tastes somewhat burnt, lacking in fruit with a sour aftertaste.	Proprietary Blend	80	36
89,718	us	This wine has unusually herbaceous aromas and touches of smoke and earth accenting the green-apple flavors. It's medium bodied and feels lean in texture.	District One	82	13
114,069	us	There's an earthy, rustic quality to this soft red Bordeaux blend that veers into overripe, syrupy qualities on the palate, giving it a heaviness that seems to defy its cooler appellation.	Estate Blend	85	55
109,324	chile	Pickled, briny aromas lead to a palate defined only by pithy citrus fruit. This tastes mostly of bitter citrus, while the finish brings herbacious tones.	Fina Reserva Ensamblaje Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay-Viognier	81	19
92,229	us	This offers appealing notes of cranberry, cherry and orange peel along with a kiss of vanilla. It's tart and fresh in style with puckering fruit flavors—perfect for the dinner table.	Blue Franc	87	13
70,692	us	Sultry pear and baked apple are the stars. Lemony and creamy on the palate, this offers slight hints of honey and tropical fruit. It boasts a long finish and robust yet restrained oak that should relax in time.	River Road Ranch	90	32
75,918	italy	This elegant but firmly structured white wine opens with an alluring fragrance of honeysuckle, exotic fruit and cantaloupe. The linear palate offers juicy white peach, apricot and mineral alongside crisp acidity.	Vette	91	25
125,860	italy	Fragrant blue flower, plum, cake spice and a whiff of leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine. Made with organically farmed Sangiovese, the juicy, delicious palate doles out ripe black cherry, fleshy blackberry, white pepper, licorice and grilled herb. It's open and well balanced, with firm, polished tannins. Drink through 2020.	Riserva	93	32
63,782	us	Opening with a touch of petrol-like reduction on the nose, this Eastside Road-grown wine imparts lighter shades of apple blossom and grapefruit pith, while a well-hewn foundation of minerality forms its core. Deep toffee, caramel and fig tones develop in the glass, with an intensity of body and warmth on the finish.	UV El Diablo Vineyard	94	70
126,704	portugal	A big, juicy wine with balancing acidity and bright red fruit flavors. This is full of freshness and fruit flavors, with only soft tannins to hold the flavors together.	Vila Santa Trincadeira	87	20
80,222	us	Mauve in color, this wine—an ode to Hearst Ranch architect Julia Morgan—shows strawberry pie and pink rose petals on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity on the palate is a touch boozy, with flavors of ripe strawberries, raspberries and lemon zest.	Julia	86	20
83,570	us	Toast, iodine, steel and kumquat-skin aromas show on this bottling from one of the region's older properties. The palate offers stone fruit ripeness but is driven by a sharp, citrusy acidity of Meyer lemon and Mexican lime.	Sierra Madre Vineyard	90	48
96,276	us	Sourced from an experimental vineyard planted in the early 1970s, this blends eight different varieties, all picked on the same day and co-fermented. At least one red grape (Cabernet Sauvignon), adds a touch of amber to the wine. It could be called rosé, though it's listed as a white wine. In any event, it's unique, with concentrated flavors of tree fruits, citrus peel and anise. Try it with charcuterie.	Field Blend Wings of Desire	89	28
125,644	italy	This Cartizze Prosecco is a bit unusual in the sense that is it extremely tonic and focused in the mouth whereas other wines from this vineyard tend to be softer and more feminine. Aromas include lime, kiwi and powdered mineral.	Cartizze	88	32
36,261	south africa	Mulderbosch hits another home run with this lively, cheerful rosé. It starts with layers of cherry, flowers and strawberry on the nose, then offers a combination of fresh fruit and peppery spice on the palate Overall it has a zippy, clean character that is well balanced and substantial.	Rosé	87	12
47,387	us	Nine years in tirage gives this 75% Chardonnay/25% Pinot Noir sparkler a deeply golden hue as well as aged aromas of hazelnut, caramelized apple and fermenting stone fruit. Apple juice dominates the oxidized flavor profile, with heavy duty yeast and lemon pith along for the curious, intriguing ride.	Brut Reserve	87	60
6,058	france	This wine is ripe, round, and fruity wine. It is refreshing and lively on the midpalate, with a crisp citrus note on the finish. Created by Producta Vignobles, a cooperative wine group.	La Cabane aux Oiseaux	89	13
112,004	us	Among the numerous 2009 single-vineyard bottlings from Erath, the Battle Creek seems especially youthful. At first a bit disjointed, it breathes itself into focus, with excellent component flavors—black cherry, cola, and clean earth.	Battle Creek	88	50
66,623	italy	This barrel-aged Soave conveys aromas of candied citrus, pineapple, and toasted oak. The palate delivers butterscotch, sugary vanilla and lemon drops in a low-impact, muted style.	Casette Foscarin	86	29
36,312	france	This wine is fresh with citrus and apple flavors, rich but showing good mineral texture. With its attractive juicy white-fruit aftertaste, the wine is full and ready to drink.	Fourchaume Premier Cru	87	35
60,782	spain	Lots of charred oak and leathery fruit start it out, and then you get runaway berry flavors and screechy, almost grabby tannins. It finally settles and smooths out with airing, but requires too much compromise on the part of the drinker. Has its good points but not enough of them.	Tempranillo Syrah	83	17
96,988	us	Luscious pink grapefruit and a hint of raspberry seduce on the palate of this bright, fruity Riesling. It's pleasantly sweet but calibrated neatly by a shot of lemon-lime acidity on the midpalate. A straightforward, spry sip for everyday enjoyment.	Medium	87	16
94,512	us	The best red Fusion in memory, this wine combines 60% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel and 3% Alicante Bouschet into a leathery, brambly package of big-boned intensity rich in blue and black fruit. Cherry and chocolate intermingle in pleasing ways, a hearty wine for the table, especially alongside Liberty duck.	Fusion	89	19
16,489	argentina	Ripe, dark, baked aromas of pastry, turned-up earth, campfire and wild-berry fruits set up a seriously deep and tannic palate that's stacked with black-fruit power, toasty oak and intensity. This tastes blackened, toasty and chocolaty on top of core blackberry and cassis flavors, while an oaky finish with peppery spice is just right for this type of burly wine. Drink through 2022.	Chacayes	93	80
113,153	spain	Compact cherry, plum and cassis aromas are nice. In the mouth, this is ruled by snappy edgy acidity. Flavors that match the nose finish raw, with blazing residual acidity. There's probably no limit to how long this Graciano will last; drink through 2030.	100 Abades	87	40
92,174	chile	Petrol leads the nose, which also deals pear and melon in a solid facsimile of Alsace. The palate is lemony and cut by streaking acidity, while the flavors of citrus run tart and monotone. Finishes zesty, with green apple and lemon.	T.H. Lo Abarca	87	20
124,876	chile	Rubbery black-fruit aromas come with a distinct and strong whiff of bacon. In the mouth, this is full, angular and highly tannic. A bacon-like flavor leads plum and saucy tomato notes, while this is chunky and scrubbing on the finish, with a flavor of clove.	Gran Reserva	88	20
115,341	us	Smelling like a fresh bowl of fruit, this blend of co-fermented Syrah (73%), Grenache (20%) and Viognier provides pure aromas of blueberries, raspberries, smoked meat, fresh flowers and orange peel. The oak (30% new French) is dialed back, letting the fresh, light and appealing texture and sweet fruit flavors shine.	Reserve Coyote Canyon Vineyard	92	35
110,247	romania	A nose with apples, vanilla and pear, and flavors of flowers and pears are found in this delicate Pinot Grigio. Spicy but floral, with a quaffable character.	Alb Sec	84	8
66,155	spain	The baked berry, raisin and vanilla aromas in this Tempranillo and Garnacha blend are a touch soupy. It's tannic and firm on the palate, with tomato, berry and mildly oxidized flavors.	Añares Crianza	88	18
42,528	spain	Rusty and mature in color, with earthy, lightly leafy aromas that come with notes of maple and brown sugar. This feels elegant and fit, with classic Rioja flavors of dried red fruit, cocoa and malt. The finish is long and tasting lightly baked. Drink now.	Viña Albina Gran Reserva	90	45
40,618	france	The lovely and lively citrus-inflected nose of pear is very inviting. The palate comes across as more earthy and rounded. The body is light and easy, but has a subtle moreish texture.	Barriques	89	28
18,365	us	Dusty mineral and saline notes lend interest to aromatic peach and apricot on this pretty, perfumed Chardonnay. The palate is refreshingly mineral, while the finish is brisk and nervy.	Doyle Family Vineyard Unoaked	87	10
34,054	us	This soft, light-bodied wine is on the savory side, a taste of cranberry and rhubarb at its core. It dances in cooler-climate aspects of forest floor and herb, with an unexpected aroma of menthol sneaking into the mix.	Hurst Vineyard	88	45
31,270	australia	At 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a firm, cassis-scented wine, but one that includes hints of ripeness and generous fruit. Dried herbs and brown sugar add nuance, while the velvety finish picks up some meaty, savory notes. Drink now–2025.	Church Block	91	20
39,226	italy	Alluring aromas of menthol, red berry, rose and herb lift out of the glass. The rounded solid palate offers raspberry, morello cherry, a touch of clove and a hint of cinnamon framed in firm tannins. It's straightforward by Barolo standards but it's appealing and already almost accessible. Drink after 2021.	Riserva	89	30
105,367	chile	This blend of Carmenère and Carignan opens with very woody, resiny aromas as well as black-fruit depth to support all that oak. An austere, oaky, acidic palate is drawing, while toasty, herbal, roasted berry flavors are resiny and salty tasting prior to an all-wood finish.	Enki	87	40
69,265	us	Red plum, kirsch, eucalyptus and baking spice show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the inland eastern side of the appellation. The palate offers juniper, pine, loam and tea flavors against the bright red cherry fruit, with an encompassing acidity that is strong but not searing.	Imagination Reserve Sebastianio Vineyards	88	60
53,897	portugal	This is a soft, creamy wine with fruitiness and a yeasty edge. Made from Bical, Arinto and Maria Gomes, it's ready to drink.	Blanc de Blancs Bruto	85	12
31,227	us	Coming from one of the few vineyards between the coastal town of Cambria and Paso Robles, this brooding wine offers dark and dank aromas of black dirt, slate, charred meat and very black cherry. Once sipped, sagebrush and lavender herbals emerge, along with sour cherry. A promising effort for an area that may be its own appellation one day.	Gloria	90	40
56,478	us	This is made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in two unlikely places in the Napa Valley: the Foss Valley near Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain. There is incredible deliciousness going on in this ever-so-lightly hued wine that is vibrantly crisp in grapefruit rind and earthy cranberry and raspberry. With the slightest salinity on the back palate, it remains thirst-quenching and memorable from start to finish.	Rosé of	93	22
61,456	us	A winning combination of seductive, spicy aromas and generous, well-developed fruit flavors make this wine hard to resist. It is full-bodied, dry and quite full-flavored, but without overdoing anything, so it's well balanced.	Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled	90	26
82,934	argentina	Spicy, stalky, roasted plum and berry aromas are savory and earthy. In terms of feel, this is big but has its shirt tucked in. The flavors, however, are herbal and almost weedy. This gets more difficult the longer it sits; by the time it finishes it's outright funky, herbal, medicinal and earthy all wrapped into one.	Profundo	86	40
73,163	france	Very pure notes of freshly cut, tart but ripe apples fill the nose, but there is also a slight perfume of fir forest and lemon zest. The palate is ripe and shows a dry but nonetheless lusciously ripe core, all straightened and brightened by fresh, lemony acidity. This has both balance and drama and is a joy to drink.	Steinert Grand Cru	93	32
35,513	spain	The aromas of this wine are gummy and candied on the nose. Weird flavors of pastry, mulched earth and clay are devoid of clean fruit and finish jumbled and flat.	Unus Old Vine	80	12
111,405	australia	An entry-level label for Coriole, the 2005 Redstone Shiraz features slightly earthy aromas combined with scents of dusty wood and modest blackberries. The tannins are a bit gripping on the finish; this wine might benefit from a year or two of bottle age.	Redstone	85	20
30,622	italy	Fruity aromas of ripe red berry and mature plum are accompanied by whiffs of baking spice and fennel. The palate offers oak, espresso, licorice and toast framed by astringent, woody tannins.	Valeirano	87	41
9,612	us	Although this wine could be held on to for many years, there's a soft approachability that makes it drinkable now. It's a big wine, packed with blackberries, cherries and dark chocolate. If you open it soon, decant it for a few hours.	Wurtele Vineyard Estate Grown	93	75
127,145	us	This wine is composed of near equal parts Idaho, Washington and California fruit. It starts out a touch reduced, with black currant and sugared-plum aromas. It drinks a hair off dry, which offsets a dry lick of tannins. It's eponymous pairing should work perfectly.	Steak House	86	11
114,886	france	Named after a pioneer of wood-aged Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has toast as well as rounded fruit. The subtle wood focuses on enriching the fruit and bringing out its steel and citrus character. The wine can certainly age, drink until 2020.	Etienne Henri	92	53
51,340	france	Situated next door to the Grand Cru vineyards, this vineyard produces some grand wines. This wine comes from the Olivier Leflaive domaine. It has richness and concentration with beautifully dense yellow fruits that are cut with inspiring acidity. The texture shows minerality and a taut and nervy character that will allow this fine wine to age very well. Drink from 2020.	Les Pucelles Premier Cru	94	193
75,165	us	Toasted hazelnut and apple flavors infuse this wine's light- to medium-bodied frame, which comes with a coarse, foamy bead.	Brut	84	30
23,630	us	This wine certainly packs in the flavor. It has lots of jammy, grapy aromas, and flavors that drip boysenberry and blackberry, followed by baking-spice accents. It has a full body, an almost thick texture and mild acidity and tannins.	Old Ghost	89	37
35,549	us	Rounded aromas of baked strawberry, red plum and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this always-solid offering for everyday sipping. Black raspberry and dried sagebrush make for a compelling palate that finishes on a touch of caramel.	Falcon's Perch	87	17
27,240	us	With its dried herb, parsley, cherry and spice aromas, this could only be Cabernet Sauvignon. Its cherry and raspberry flavors are bright yet subtle, carrying long into the finish.	Sagemoor Vineyard	90	50
117,780	us	This delivers berry flavors, with a touch of white pepper and citrus. There's a hint of balsa wood on the nose and an intriguing tart mineral note on the palate. It spent 10 months in 27% new French oak barrels.	Boulder Bluff Vineyard	92	68
94,714	us	Dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, Key lime pith and a petrol character. The palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.	Lafond Vineyard Late Harvest	91	32
42,733	us	This wine is half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (31%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec. It draws you into the glass with high-toned aromas of dried herbs, espresso, red and black fruit, along with floral notes. The palate is poised and polished, showing depth, texture and layering well beyond its weight class. It appeals on every level.	Interlude	92	28
69,245	france	This is a young wine with some bitter almond flavors and a taut, nervy character. The wine is tight with green apple acidity showing through. Give it four years and it will be a rich, fruit-and-spice flavored wine.	Clos le Vigneau	88	18
80,305	us	This is a soft, soothing and light-bodied wine with fresh fruit and herb aromas. Mild but bright flavors recall apple and lemon, and a touch of sweetness rounds off any edges.	Willow Springs	85	7
8,539	italy	This blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with delicate aromas of violet, berry and baking spices. The palate delivers black cherry, toast and clove alongside close-grained tannins that grip the finish.	Crognolo	87	35
40,609	australia	This seems a bit oaky on the nose, where scents of baking spices and cedar dominate, but those elements are balanced out on the palate, where blackberries, plums and black currants comes to the fore. This is a full-bodied, ripe-textured wine worth a look. Drink now–2025.	Three Blocks	90	30
5,765	france	Flinty reduction still dominates the nose but this is only a sign of youth in this nuanced wine. It discloses tentative pear blossom and fruit, plus notions of wet earth and candied lime. Above all, a zesty spine of acidity and freshness directs all the attention to a profound, stony core. There is life force here and you know this will continue to evolve.	Calcaire	92	55
5,704	italy	From one of the best vintages in the last 15 years, this classic Barolo needs to be opened a couple of hours ahead of time to breathe. It's a bit shy on aromas but the palate delivers dried cherry, fig, tobacco, white pepper and black tea flavors. Youthful acidity accompanies silky tannins in this wine that is just starting to develop complexity. Drink through 2024.	Riserva	91	50
100,462	us	Pretty generic-tasting but basically good, a dry red wine with considerable tannins and acids that frame herbal cherry flavors.	Vintner's Selection	84	10
58,578	france	Some foliage aromas are echoed in the mouth along with dark fruit and banana. Medium weight and structured tannins provide a full body, leading into a strong but somewhat waxy finish.	Pic Saint-Loup Vieilles Vignes	85	20
123,971	us	Pungent and assertively herbal, this blend of Chehalem's three estate vineyards has aromatics to spare, along with an earthy mix of root, stem and brambly fruit. There's a streak of cola also, and it delivers plenty of power for a cool vintage wine that clocks in at 12.7% alcohol.	Three Vineyard	89	29
67,731	us	Lemon shave ice and hints of white peach make for crisp, clean, and pinpoint precision on the nose, which trends toward ripe with a butter element in the background. The palate shows citrus energy, from salty lemons to lime zest, with a touch of browned butter and cream throughout the sip.	Baja-Ha	89	30
11,757	spain	Toasty right away, with lightly baked apple aromas. The palate has a fine feel and good overall intensity, while the flavors of lemon, white grapefruit and apple are subtle and clean. Long and persistent, and showing quite a bit for a standard nonvintage Cava.	Petit Albet Brut Cava	89	19
88,049	chile	Not unlike this producer's 1999 Chardonnay Selection, this Gran Reserva's delivery is all at the beginning. Apple and toasted oak start things off and are followed by crisp acidity and a smooth mouthfeel, However, the finish is short and the oak somewhat overbearing.	Gran Reserva	84	15
56,380	us	Ortman reaches into this Central Coast county to produce this slightly awkward wine. It's dry and rich in cherry pie filling, mocha and spice flavors, but has too much acidity, giving it a chile pepper burn.	Salisbury Vineyard	86	36
101,261	us	Bold, meaty and softly simple, this robustly full-bodied wine is redolent of mocha and brown sugar. Its ripely sweet blackberry fruit is cut with savory black-olive notes.	Heartland	86	32
44,474	chile	Jammy, candied berry and prune aromas are reduced. That theme continues onto the palate, which feels compacted. Flavors of black grapes, prune, blueberry and black pepper finish with a meaty note of beef jerky, raw tannins and a shortage of body. Very good but with flaws.	Gran Toqui	89	30
81,975	italy	This is a little less fragrant than usual but still offers aromas of tropical fruit, cut grass and white spring flower. The palate is more exuberant than the nose, doling out juicy pineapple, white grapefruit and sage alongside fresh acidity.	Lahn	89	26
104,368	france	Almost white in color, this is a rich wine with intense red-currant and raspberry fruits. It is a dry wine, destined to partner food, with fine acidity as well as a herbal edge. It is a concentrated wine, ready to drink from the end of 2017.	Excellence des Muraires	92	59
101,840	us	This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (73%) and Sémillon. Aromas of tropical fruit (that include kiwi and pineapple, along with toast and herb) lead to sleek spicy fruit flavors, with generous tropical flavors on the finish. It needs some time to settle in but shows a lovely sense of balance.	Chaleur Estate Blanc White Wine	89	39
70,713	us	Smooth and lightly buttery, this enjoyable single vineyard wine offers appealing flavors of apple and caramel. The finish is creamy and generous, with just a touch of heat.	Gold Vineyard	87	30

116,502

us

This is a true Claret, in that the blend includes 41% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Malbec. It is lushly scented with licorice, tobacco, clove, some plastic and dark fruits, especially black cherry. The fruit and indeed the wine itself has been softened to the point of losing its focus; perhaps an effort to subdue the vineyard's notorious tannins. This is forward and pleasant but a bit diffuse.

Claret

87

35

5,467

chile

Wayward aromas of tropical fruits and diesel fumes are warm and mild. The palate is plump and slightly citrusy, while flavors of white grapefruit, orange and pineapple end with pithy bitterness. On the finish, this is citrusy in flavor and pulpy in texture.

Corralillo

86

20

50,591

argentina

After a few nice vintages of Sol Huarpe from this San Juan producer, the 2007 is sharp and weighed down by rhubarb and burnt field aromas. The palate is thin, while the flavors are mildly vegetal and soupy. Finishes crisp and citrusy. Blame it on the vintage.

Sol Huarpe

83

17

124,120

us

A complete and expressive wine, with vibrant berry/cherry fruit, supple textures and a gentle hand with the oak. The tannins have been well managed and mediated; the wine is tannic but smooth with no roughness or excessively green flavors. It captures just a hint of pepper and herb, and is streaked with coffee highlights through the finish.

Klipsun Vineyard

91

40

37,243

slovenia

This sweet wine is nut brown in color, with aromas of dried prunes, caramelized pears and raisins. The palate is driven by sweet, dried fruit tones, balanced by bright acidity.

Valentino Sweet Red

90

60

98,073

spain

This gold-colored sweet Xarello is lightly oxidized, with aromas of butterscotch, baked squash and honey. The longer it sits, the better it gets, and that's despite blazing acidity. Flavors of pears in syrup, melon and honey finish long due to intense acidity.

Blanc de Neu

89

25

108,703

us

This bottling from one of the showcase vineyards in this eastern region of the Santa Ynez Valley shows a very cohesive and well-integrated nose, combining dried red and purple flowers with licorice, dill, nettle and boysenberry. The palate's solid and persistent acidity frames flavors of plump black plum and mocha.

Grassini Family Vineyard

92

52

121,589

italy

Aromas of dark-skinned berry, French oak, wild rose and a whiff of Alpine herb lift out of the glass. Linear and tense, the taut palate offers dried cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside a backbone of firm fine-grained tannins and bracing acidity. Drink 2017–2020.

Sassella Le Tense

89

35

39,348

spain

On the nose, this aging Chardonnay brings corn to mind. Its palate is neither exciting nor flawed, with melon and stone fruit flavors that are yeasty and short, finishing on a bready and slightly oxidized note. Not a great value for its price.

Milmanda

87

65

95,881

france

Light, creamed apple fruits with a bright line of fresh acidity. The wine is exuberant in its citrus character, just broadened by an underlay of green apples.

Buissonnier

84

15

81,541

france

With some Chardonnay in the blend, this is a ripe, yellow and white fruit flavored wine. It is soft, creamy and balanced between the crisper acidity and rounded fruit. Finishing with lemon zest, it is ready to drink.

Brut

88

18

17,784

france

There is no sign of the tannic punch of Malbec in this wine. Instead the texture is soft and open with just enough tannins to give shape to the delicious black currant fruitiness. The wine is ready for a glass now.

Gariottin Sélection

85

16

23,675

us

This vineyard blend shows the riper, oakier side of a Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Rich, fruity and direct, it has luscious raspberry, strawberry and oak flavors, with a touch of sautéed mushrooms and heirloom tomatoes. Drink over the next few years.

The James

89

60

33,361

chile

Woody aromas of sawdust and maple take over a lightly herbal bouquet. Plum, raspberry and chocolaty oak flavors finish herbal and resiny.

Zardoz

87

25

47,757

us

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is brooding in dried sage, cedar and pencil shavings, the fruit black and ripe. Oaky and sanguine, it has a girth to it. Sprinkles of cinnamon and clove peak on the finish.

Estate

87

36

96,793

chile

With mild white-fruit aromas, dusty notes and a hint of banana, this is appealing up front. In the mouth, it's solid and pure feeling, with freshness and punchy acidity propelling tropical fruit flavors and oak-based vanilla. Oak spice, length and a full body make the finish impressive. 600 cases made.

Bill Limited Edition

90

35

119,276

portugal

Relatively dry, this has some firm tannins, darkened by plum skin flavors and ripe berries, lifted with acidity. The spirit element comes through as pepper and spice, giving an edge to the soft fruit.

Founders Reserve

87

16

27,645

italy

Scrio boasts chunky aromas of clove, milk chocolate, coconut and pulsing blueberry. You can definitely identify the hot vintage in the wine's complex DNA although it isn't a big issue in terms of quality. The mouthfeel is polished and firm and the wine's long finish is amazing.

Scrio

90

210

69,983

italy

The aromas and palate of this wine are dominated by oak. This sparkling wine also shows flavors of toast and vanilla, with subtle hints of butterscotch and lemon drop. It finishes on a bitter-walnut note.

Vintage Collection Brut

87

75

99,965

italy

This opens with Pecorino's classic floral fragrance of acacia and hawthorne, accented by whiffs of stone fruit. On the palate, it delivers ripe peach and apple flavors, with notes of ginger, almond and a drop of honey. Energizing minerality marks the finish.

Merlettaie

89

17

100,690

france

The golden ripeness of yellow stone fruit is already apparent on the nose. On the palate a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge provides some structure to counter the luscious medium-sweet richness. That sweetness boosts all the fruit notes and lets them linger. It's a rounded, balanced and totally fruit-driven wine.

Frankstein Grand Cru

92

30

21,989

us

A tempting, well-balanced wine from a tiny artisan winery, this is medium bodied but packs in a great array of ripe fruit and dark chocolate flavors. Firm tannins and acidity lift it and keep it lively through the finish. It tastes great now but will improve through 2020.

Heritage

91

50

41,132

italy

Made with Gewürztraminer and a drop of Sauvignon grapes that are left to dry for four months, this opens with aromas of nectarine, rose petal and baking spice. The rich, lingering palate delivers dried apricot, orange zest and candied fruit. Fresh acidity balances the sweet flavors.

Cashmere Passito

90

69

114,535

us

Almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this wine is reduced and tastes somewhat burnt, lacking in fruit with a sour aftertaste.

Proprietary Blend

80

36

89,718

us

This wine has unusually herbaceous aromas and touches of smoke and earth accenting the green-apple flavors. It's medium bodied and feels lean in texture.

District One

82

13

114,069

us

There's an earthy, rustic quality to this soft red Bordeaux blend that veers into overripe, syrupy qualities on the palate, giving it a heaviness that seems to defy its cooler appellation.

Estate Blend

85

55

109,324

chile

Pickled, briny aromas lead to a palate defined only by pithy citrus fruit. This tastes mostly of bitter citrus, while the finish brings herbacious tones.

Fina Reserva Ensamblaje Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay-Viognier

81

19

92,229

us

This offers appealing notes of cranberry, cherry and orange peel along with a kiss of vanilla. It's tart and fresh in style with puckering fruit flavors—perfect for the dinner table.

Blue Franc

87

13

70,692

us

Sultry pear and baked apple are the stars. Lemony and creamy on the palate, this offers slight hints of honey and tropical fruit. It boasts a long finish and robust yet restrained oak that should relax in time.

River Road Ranch

90

32

75,918

italy

This elegant but firmly structured white wine opens with an alluring fragrance of honeysuckle, exotic fruit and cantaloupe. The linear palate offers juicy white peach, apricot and mineral alongside crisp acidity.

Vette

91

25

125,860

italy

Fragrant blue flower, plum, cake spice and a whiff of leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine. Made with organically farmed Sangiovese, the juicy, delicious palate doles out ripe black cherry, fleshy blackberry, white pepper, licorice and grilled herb. It's open and well balanced, with firm, polished tannins. Drink through 2020.

Riserva

93

32

63,782

us

Opening with a touch of petrol-like reduction on the nose, this Eastside Road-grown wine imparts lighter shades of apple blossom and grapefruit pith, while a well-hewn foundation of minerality forms its core. Deep toffee, caramel and fig tones develop in the glass, with an intensity of body and warmth on the finish.

UV El Diablo Vineyard

94

70

126,704

portugal

A big, juicy wine with balancing acidity and bright red fruit flavors. This is full of freshness and fruit flavors, with only soft tannins to hold the flavors together.

Vila Santa Trincadeira

87

20

80,222

us

Mauve in color, this wine—an ode to Hearst Ranch architect Julia Morgan—shows strawberry pie and pink rose petals on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity on the palate is a touch boozy, with flavors of ripe strawberries, raspberries and lemon zest.

Julia

86

20

83,570

us

Toast, iodine, steel and kumquat-skin aromas show on this bottling from one of the region's older properties. The palate offers stone fruit ripeness but is driven by a sharp, citrusy acidity of Meyer lemon and Mexican lime.

Sierra Madre Vineyard

90

48

96,276

us

Sourced from an experimental vineyard planted in the early 1970s, this blends eight different varieties, all picked on the same day and co-fermented. At least one red grape (Cabernet Sauvignon), adds a touch of amber to the wine. It could be called rosé, though it's listed as a white wine. In any event, it's unique, with concentrated flavors of tree fruits, citrus peel and anise. Try it with charcuterie.

Field Blend Wings of Desire

89

28

125,644

italy

This Cartizze Prosecco is a bit unusual in the sense that is it extremely tonic and focused in the mouth whereas other wines from this vineyard tend to be softer and more feminine. Aromas include lime, kiwi and powdered mineral.

Cartizze

88

32

36,261

south africa

Mulderbosch hits another home run with this lively, cheerful rosé. It starts with layers of cherry, flowers and strawberry on the nose, then offers a combination of fresh fruit and peppery spice on the palate Overall it has a zippy, clean character that is well balanced and substantial.

Rosé

87

12

47,387

us

Nine years in tirage gives this 75% Chardonnay/25% Pinot Noir sparkler a deeply golden hue as well as aged aromas of hazelnut, caramelized apple and fermenting stone fruit. Apple juice dominates the oxidized flavor profile, with heavy duty yeast and lemon pith along for the curious, intriguing ride.

Brut Reserve

87

60

6,058

france

This wine is ripe, round, and fruity wine. It is refreshing and lively on the midpalate, with a crisp citrus note on the finish. Created by Producta Vignobles, a cooperative wine group.

La Cabane aux Oiseaux

89

13

112,004

us

Among the numerous 2009 single-vineyard bottlings from Erath, the Battle Creek seems especially youthful. At first a bit disjointed, it breathes itself into focus, with excellent component flavors—black cherry, cola, and clean earth.

Battle Creek

88

50

66,623

italy

This barrel-aged Soave conveys aromas of candied citrus, pineapple, and toasted oak. The palate delivers butterscotch, sugary vanilla and lemon drops in a low-impact, muted style.

Casette Foscarin

86

29

36,312

france

This wine is fresh with citrus and apple flavors, rich but showing good mineral texture. With its attractive juicy white-fruit aftertaste, the wine is full and ready to drink.

Fourchaume Premier Cru

87

35

60,782

spain

Lots of charred oak and leathery fruit start it out, and then you get runaway berry flavors and screechy, almost grabby tannins. It finally settles and smooths out with airing, but requires too much compromise on the part of the drinker. Has its good points but not enough of them.

Tempranillo Syrah

83

17

96,988

us

Luscious pink grapefruit and a hint of raspberry seduce on the palate of this bright, fruity Riesling. It's pleasantly sweet but calibrated neatly by a shot of lemon-lime acidity on the midpalate. A straightforward, spry sip for everyday enjoyment.

Medium

87

16

94,512

us

The best red Fusion in memory, this wine combines 60% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel and 3% Alicante Bouschet into a leathery, brambly package of big-boned intensity rich in blue and black fruit. Cherry and chocolate intermingle in pleasing ways, a hearty wine for the table, especially alongside Liberty duck.

Fusion

89

19

16,489

argentina

Ripe, dark, baked aromas of pastry, turned-up earth, campfire and wild-berry fruits set up a seriously deep and tannic palate that's stacked with black-fruit power, toasty oak and intensity. This tastes blackened, toasty and chocolaty on top of core blackberry and cassis flavors, while an oaky finish with peppery spice is just right for this type of burly wine. Drink through 2022.

Chacayes

93

80

113,153

spain

Compact cherry, plum and cassis aromas are nice. In the mouth, this is ruled by snappy edgy acidity. Flavors that match the nose finish raw, with blazing residual acidity. There's probably no limit to how long this Graciano will last; drink through 2030.

100 Abades

87

40

92,174

chile

Petrol leads the nose, which also deals pear and melon in a solid facsimile of Alsace. The palate is lemony and cut by streaking acidity, while the flavors of citrus run tart and monotone. Finishes zesty, with green apple and lemon.

T.H. Lo Abarca

87

20

124,876

chile

Rubbery black-fruit aromas come with a distinct and strong whiff of bacon. In the mouth, this is full, angular and highly tannic. A bacon-like flavor leads plum and saucy tomato notes, while this is chunky and scrubbing on the finish, with a flavor of clove.

Gran Reserva

88

20

115,341

us

Smelling like a fresh bowl of fruit, this blend of co-fermented Syrah (73%), Grenache (20%) and Viognier provides pure aromas of blueberries, raspberries, smoked meat, fresh flowers and orange peel. The oak (30% new French) is dialed back, letting the fresh, light and appealing texture and sweet fruit flavors shine.

Reserve Coyote Canyon Vineyard

92

35

110,247

romania

A nose with apples, vanilla and pear, and flavors of flowers and pears are found in this delicate Pinot Grigio. Spicy but floral, with a quaffable character.

Alb Sec

84

8

66,155

spain

The baked berry, raisin and vanilla aromas in this Tempranillo and Garnacha blend are a touch soupy. It's tannic and firm on the palate, with tomato, berry and mildly oxidized flavors.

Añares Crianza

88

18

42,528

spain

Rusty and mature in color, with earthy, lightly leafy aromas that come with notes of maple and brown sugar. This feels elegant and fit, with classic Rioja flavors of dried red fruit, cocoa and malt. The finish is long and tasting lightly baked. Drink now.

Viña Albina Gran Reserva

90

45

40,618

france

The lovely and lively citrus-inflected nose of pear is very inviting. The palate comes across as more earthy and rounded. The body is light and easy, but has a subtle moreish texture.

Barriques

89

28

18,365

us

Dusty mineral and saline notes lend interest to aromatic peach and apricot on this pretty, perfumed Chardonnay. The palate is refreshingly mineral, while the finish is brisk and nervy.

Doyle Family Vineyard Unoaked

87

10

34,054

us

This soft, light-bodied wine is on the savory side, a taste of cranberry and rhubarb at its core. It dances in cooler-climate aspects of forest floor and herb, with an unexpected aroma of menthol sneaking into the mix.

Hurst Vineyard

88

45

31,270

australia

At 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a firm, cassis-scented wine, but one that includes hints of ripeness and generous fruit. Dried herbs and brown sugar add nuance, while the velvety finish picks up some meaty, savory notes. Drink now–2025.

Church Block

91

20

39,226

italy

Alluring aromas of menthol, red berry, rose and herb lift out of the glass. The rounded solid palate offers raspberry, morello cherry, a touch of clove and a hint of cinnamon framed in firm tannins. It's straightforward by Barolo standards but it's appealing and already almost accessible. Drink after 2021.

Riserva

89

30

105,367

chile

This blend of Carmenère and Carignan opens with very woody, resiny aromas as well as black-fruit depth to support all that oak. An austere, oaky, acidic palate is drawing, while toasty, herbal, roasted berry flavors are resiny and salty tasting prior to an all-wood finish.

Enki

87

40

69,265

us

Red plum, kirsch, eucalyptus and baking spice show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the inland eastern side of the appellation. The palate offers juniper, pine, loam and tea flavors against the bright red cherry fruit, with an encompassing acidity that is strong but not searing.

Imagination Reserve Sebastianio Vineyards

88

60

53,897

portugal

This is a soft, creamy wine with fruitiness and a yeasty edge. Made from Bical, Arinto and Maria Gomes, it's ready to drink.

Blanc de Blancs Bruto

85

12

31,227

us

Coming from one of the few vineyards between the coastal town of Cambria and Paso Robles, this brooding wine offers dark and dank aromas of black dirt, slate, charred meat and very black cherry. Once sipped, sagebrush and lavender herbals emerge, along with sour cherry. A promising effort for an area that may be its own appellation one day.

Gloria

90

40

56,478

us

This is made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in two unlikely places in the Napa Valley: the Foss Valley near Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain. There is incredible deliciousness going on in this ever-so-lightly hued wine that is vibrantly crisp in grapefruit rind and earthy cranberry and raspberry. With the slightest salinity on the back palate, it remains thirst-quenching and memorable from start to finish.

Rosé of

93

22

61,456

us

A winning combination of seductive, spicy aromas and generous, well-developed fruit flavors make this wine hard to resist. It is full-bodied, dry and quite full-flavored, but without overdoing anything, so it's well balanced.

Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled

90

26

82,934

argentina

Spicy, stalky, roasted plum and berry aromas are savory and earthy. In terms of feel, this is big but has its shirt tucked in. The flavors, however, are herbal and almost weedy. This gets more difficult the longer it sits; by the time it finishes it's outright funky, herbal, medicinal and earthy all wrapped into one.

Profundo

86

40

73,163

france

Very pure notes of freshly cut, tart but ripe apples fill the nose, but there is also a slight perfume of fir forest and lemon zest. The palate is ripe and shows a dry but nonetheless lusciously ripe core, all straightened and brightened by fresh, lemony acidity. This has both balance and drama and is a joy to drink.

Steinert Grand Cru

93

32

35,513

spain

The aromas of this wine are gummy and candied on the nose. Weird flavors of pastry, mulched earth and clay are devoid of clean fruit and finish jumbled and flat.

Unus Old Vine

80

12

111,405

australia

An entry-level label for Coriole, the 2005 Redstone Shiraz features slightly earthy aromas combined with scents of dusty wood and modest blackberries. The tannins are a bit gripping on the finish; this wine might benefit from a year or two of bottle age.

Redstone

85

20

30,622

italy

Fruity aromas of ripe red berry and mature plum are accompanied by whiffs of baking spice and fennel. The palate offers oak, espresso, licorice and toast framed by astringent, woody tannins.

Valeirano

87

41

9,612

us

Although this wine could be held on to for many years, there's a soft approachability that makes it drinkable now. It's a big wine, packed with blackberries, cherries and dark chocolate. If you open it soon, decant it for a few hours.

Wurtele Vineyard Estate Grown

93

75

127,145

us

This wine is composed of near equal parts Idaho, Washington and California fruit. It starts out a touch reduced, with black currant and sugared-plum aromas. It drinks a hair off dry, which offsets a dry lick of tannins. It's eponymous pairing should work perfectly.

Steak House

86

11

114,886

france

Named after a pioneer of wood-aged Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has toast as well as rounded fruit. The subtle wood focuses on enriching the fruit and bringing out its steel and citrus character. The wine can certainly age, drink until 2020.

Etienne Henri

92

53

51,340

france

Situated next door to the Grand Cru vineyards, this vineyard produces some grand wines. This wine comes from the Olivier Leflaive domaine. It has richness and concentration with beautifully dense yellow fruits that are cut with inspiring acidity. The texture shows minerality and a taut and nervy character that will allow this fine wine to age very well. Drink from 2020.

Les Pucelles Premier Cru

94

193

75,165

us

Toasted hazelnut and apple flavors infuse this wine's light- to medium-bodied frame, which comes with a coarse, foamy bead.

Brut

84

30

23,630

us

This wine certainly packs in the flavor. It has lots of jammy, grapy aromas, and flavors that drip boysenberry and blackberry, followed by baking-spice accents. It has a full body, an almost thick texture and mild acidity and tannins.

Old Ghost

89

37

35,549

us

Rounded aromas of baked strawberry, red plum and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this always-solid offering for everyday sipping. Black raspberry and dried sagebrush make for a compelling palate that finishes on a touch of caramel.

Falcon's Perch

87

17

27,240

us

With its dried herb, parsley, cherry and spice aromas, this could only be Cabernet Sauvignon. Its cherry and raspberry flavors are bright yet subtle, carrying long into the finish.

Sagemoor Vineyard

90

50

117,780

us

This delivers berry flavors, with a touch of white pepper and citrus. There's a hint of balsa wood on the nose and an intriguing tart mineral note on the palate. It spent 10 months in 27% new French oak barrels.

Boulder Bluff Vineyard

92

68

94,714

us

Dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, Key lime pith and a petrol character. The palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.

Lafond Vineyard Late Harvest

91

32

42,733

us

This wine is half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (31%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec. It draws you into the glass with high-toned aromas of dried herbs, espresso, red and black fruit, along with floral notes. The palate is poised and polished, showing depth, texture and layering well beyond its weight class. It appeals on every level.

Interlude

92

28

69,245

france

This is a young wine with some bitter almond flavors and a taut, nervy character. The wine is tight with green apple acidity showing through. Give it four years and it will be a rich, fruit-and-spice flavored wine.

Clos le Vigneau

88

18

80,305

us

This is a soft, soothing and light-bodied wine with fresh fruit and herb aromas. Mild but bright flavors recall apple and lemon, and a touch of sweetness rounds off any edges.

Willow Springs

85

7

8,539

italy

This blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with delicate aromas of violet, berry and baking spices. The palate delivers black cherry, toast and clove alongside close-grained tannins that grip the finish.

Crognolo

87

35

40,609

australia

This seems a bit oaky on the nose, where scents of baking spices and cedar dominate, but those elements are balanced out on the palate, where blackberries, plums and black currants comes to the fore. This is a full-bodied, ripe-textured wine worth a look. Drink now–2025.

Three Blocks

90

30

5,765

france

Flinty reduction still dominates the nose but this is only a sign of youth in this nuanced wine. It discloses tentative pear blossom and fruit, plus notions of wet earth and candied lime. Above all, a zesty spine of acidity and freshness directs all the attention to a profound, stony core. There is life force here and you know this will continue to evolve.

Calcaire

92

55

5,704

italy

From one of the best vintages in the last 15 years, this classic Barolo needs to be opened a couple of hours ahead of time to breathe. It's a bit shy on aromas but the palate delivers dried cherry, fig, tobacco, white pepper and black tea flavors. Youthful acidity accompanies silky tannins in this wine that is just starting to develop complexity. Drink through 2024.

Riserva

91

50

100,462

us

Pretty generic-tasting but basically good, a dry red wine with considerable tannins and acids that frame herbal cherry flavors.

Vintner's Selection

84

10

58,578

france

Some foliage aromas are echoed in the mouth along with dark fruit and banana. Medium weight and structured tannins provide a full body, leading into a strong but somewhat waxy finish.

Pic Saint-Loup Vieilles Vignes

85

20

123,971

us

Pungent and assertively herbal, this blend of Chehalem's three estate vineyards has aromatics to spare, along with an earthy mix of root, stem and brambly fruit. There's a streak of cola also, and it delivers plenty of power for a cool vintage wine that clocks in at 12.7% alcohol.

Three Vineyard

89

29

67,731

us

Lemon shave ice and hints of white peach make for crisp, clean, and pinpoint precision on the nose, which trends toward ripe with a butter element in the background. The palate shows citrus energy, from salty lemons to lime zest, with a touch of browned butter and cream throughout the sip.

Baja-Ha

89

30

11,757

spain

Toasty right away, with lightly baked apple aromas. The palate has a fine feel and good overall intensity, while the flavors of lemon, white grapefruit and apple are subtle and clean. Long and persistent, and showing quite a bit for a standard nonvintage Cava.

Petit Albet Brut Cava

89

19

88,049

chile

Not unlike this producer's 1999 Chardonnay Selection, this Gran Reserva's delivery is all at the beginning. Apple and toasted oak start things off and are followed by crisp acidity and a smooth mouthfeel, However, the finish is short and the oak somewhat overbearing.

Gran Reserva

84

15

56,380

us

Ortman reaches into this Central Coast county to produce this slightly awkward wine. It's dry and rich in cherry pie filling, mocha and spice flavors, but has too much acidity, giving it a chile pepper burn.

Salisbury Vineyard

86

36

101,261

us

Bold, meaty and softly simple, this robustly full-bodied wine is redolent of mocha and brown sugar. Its ripely sweet blackberry fruit is cut with savory black-olive notes.

Heartland

86

32

44,474

chile

Jammy, candied berry and prune aromas are reduced. That theme continues onto the palate, which feels compacted. Flavors of black grapes, prune, blueberry and black pepper finish with a meaty note of beef jerky, raw tannins and a shortage of body. Very good but with flaws.

Gran Toqui

89

30

81,975

italy

This is a little less fragrant than usual but still offers aromas of tropical fruit, cut grass and white spring flower. The palate is more exuberant than the nose, doling out juicy pineapple, white grapefruit and sage alongside fresh acidity.

Lahn

89

26

104,368

france

Almost white in color, this is a rich wine with intense red-currant and raspberry fruits. It is a dry wine, destined to partner food, with fine acidity as well as a herbal edge. It is a concentrated wine, ready to drink from the end of 2017.

Excellence des Muraires

92

59

101,840

us

This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (73%) and Sémillon. Aromas of tropical fruit (that include kiwi and pineapple, along with toast and herb) lead to sleek spicy fruit flavors, with generous tropical flavors on the finish. It needs some time to settle in but shows a lovely sense of balance.

Chaleur Estate Blanc White Wine

89

39

70,713

us

Smooth and lightly buttery, this enjoyable single vineyard wine offers appealing flavors of apple and caramel. The finish is creamy and generous, with just a touch of heat.

Gold Vineyard

87

30