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55,877 | italy | Here's a modern, mature wine with baked blackberry notes at the beginning that are followed by white pepper and exotic spice. There's an attractively spicy quality to this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese that gives the wine a sharp, focused feel despite the ripeness of the fruit. Great price too. | Non Confunditur | 89 | 25 |
9,066 | us | The gold color and buttery flavors give this wine a rich personality for such a low-alcohol level and for a varietal that is often crisp and light. Almost mainstream in style compared to most D&G offerings, it has vanilla, pear and almond to add complexity and a smooth broad texture that soothes the palate. | Clair + Ette Barsotti Vineyard | 89 | 30 |
125,441 | australia | Dense and fudge-like in consistency, with aromas and flavors of mocha, molasses and marinated beef. It's as if the fruit has been cooked down into an intense reduction, with even the acids magnified into tartness on the finish. At 16.4% alcohol, this is probably a better match with the cheese course than with a main. | Sophie's Garden | 89 | 60 |
105,865 | us | Very hard in tannins, with a real lockdown astringency in the mouth, this is one for the cellar, and it's a slam dunk that age will reward it. Drily balanced and elegantly constructed, it brims with rich blackberry and black currant flavors, with a fine coating of spicy oak. Best 2012–2018. | Rainin Vineyard | 92 | 75 |
106,191 | us | This is the biggest, most tannic and closed of the winery's three new 2007 Syrahs, and also the one most likely to improve in the cellar. It's intense and concentrated in pure blackberry and black cherry fruit, with the pepper, bacon, earth and smoky oak notes you want in a good 100% Syrah. But then, there are those big tannins. Give it a good 4–6 years. | Unti Vineyard | 93 | 38 |
42,981 | us | Chalky tannins and subdued fruit and tannin weight make this an inviting, food-friendly wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Made from estate vineyards, it's rich in black cherry and dark chocolate, concentrated and layered. It ends in a spicy back note of pepper. Cellar through 2022. | Trilogy | 93 | 75 |
39,322 | us | Principally Syrah, this includes 15% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre. Rich and complex, supple and subtle, the mix of red, blue and purple fruits is potent, but also brings a welcome wash of wet stone and a dash of pepper. The focus and intensity are exemplary. | En Hommage | 94 | 28 |
23,569 | france | A great wine, much more than only a Champagne, this is impressively rich and ripe, with crisp yellow fruits, spices and layers of toast. It's in an opulent style that is round but also very focused on tight layers of fruit, minerality and final vivid acidity. | Brut Réserve | 93 | 55 |
68,512 | us | With a very pretty nose of perfumed pear, green apple and lime, this unoaked Chardonnay is nicely soft and easy to drink. Made from organic Chardonnay and a touch of Viognier, this smells and tastes of summer. Even without a hint of oak this retains plenty of richness and a fresh vibrancy on the finish. | Unoaked | 91 | 18 |
97,413 | us | Purple flowers, black cherries, licorice, black sesame, beef char and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling by David Parrish and family. The palate combines clean flavors of milk chocolate and espresso bean with tart boysenberry and more of a tarry tension. | Reserve | 92 | 50 |
19,713 | argentina | This wine needs air in order to get at its dark-fruit aromas. In the mouth, this blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc is ripe but smacks down hard with tannins. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and herbs end with complex notes of graphite and chalk. This gets better the more time you spend with it. Drink through 2024. | Legado IV Siglos | 92 | 39 |
54,942 | chile | As per usual, Don Melchor is singing a pretty tune. Deep, dense aromas of floral berry fruits and tarry darkness are solid and complete. Pure, elegant and confident across the palate, this delivers firm cassis, plum and cherry flavors backed by a toasty finish accented by licorice. This is rich and brawny but not heavy; drink through 2023. | Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard | 93 | 125 |
99,875 | france | Gentil is used in Alsace to describe a blended wine. This is soft and smooth, making a great apéritif, with just an edge of crispness to go over the rich pear and green plum flavors. Finishes with a burst of pineapple. | Gentil Réserve | 86 | 12 |
4,076 | us | Herb, dark raspberry and flower aromas take the lead on this young wine that saw just five months on neutral French oak. The cherry flavors are plush in feel, lingering on the finish. It's a very understated wine that appeals to the senses. | Copeland Vineayard | 90 | 26 |
68,904 | us | Almost the color of water in the glass, this offers notes of lemonade, freshly-cut kiwi, honeydew, white peach, Japanese pear and white peach on the fruit-forward nose. A sip offers intense white flowers flavors and a guava-led tropicality, perhaps a tad too showy for sensitive palates but well priced for quaffable bubbles. | Spritz and Giggles Brand Cuvée | 86 | 15 |
54,531 | portugal | The cooperative of Reguengos is now a major force in the region. This wine, named after the hilltop town of Reguengos, is a powerful, condensed wine. It has dark black fruits, solid tannins and a smooth texture. Full-bodied and worth aging. Drink from 2015. | Reguengos | 90 | 10 |
79,263 | portugal | This is a generous blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro and Perrum (aka Pedro Ximenez). It is finely perfumed, full of juicy white fruits that are shot through with lemon juice. This is a wine to drink young and now. | Monte Velho Branco | 86 | 12 |
19,277 | us | With buttered popcorn scents and flavors, underscored with pretty, toasty oak, this marries those flavors to a more restrained body, balanced with good acidity and showing fruit flavors of green apple and banana cream pie. Not a complex wine, but forward and flavorful. | Reserve | 88 | 20 |
32,073 | us | Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is dark reddish-pink and unusual in its unadulterated cassis flavor and suggestion of charcuterie. Intense and slightly smoky, it's an interesting example of how Cabernet can be tamed to a rosé. It would pair interestingly with a cold steak salad. | Sonatina Vineyard | 88 | 24 |
75,700 | italy | Aromas of ripe Granny Smith apple and exotic fruit lead to creamy flavors of apricot, beeswax and a hint of pineapple on this delicious white. Just enough fresh acidity balances the rich flavors. | Monte de Toni | 90 | 18 |
53,101 | new zealand | A solid two years after the vintage, this shows the concentration of 2015. Fig, melon and nectarine notes mingle easily on the nose and palate, where a touch of creaminess adds an extra dimension. | Reserve | 88 | 15 |
41,935 | us | Waxy lanolin, lime zest and savory nuts waft solemnly from this distinctly earthy dry Riesling. It's a showcase of minerality—shades of clay, dust, smoke and rock—but fascinatingly so, bolstered by a shock of lemon-lime acidity. | Tanzen Dame Auten Vineyard 2nd Clone 10 Dry | 87 | 40 |
23,665 | austria | Subtle Amarena cherry flavors play on nose and palate, where bitter chocolate, cinnamon and blackberry join in. Ripe tannins provide structure while fresh, tart-fruit flavors fill the medium-weight mouth. This is an accessible food wine that finishes with peppery spice. | Gradenthal | 89 | 37 |
51,422 | us | Cherry, cassis and a yeasty celebration of grapes mark this wine, which is a majority varietal with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, it's softly approachable and priced to serve for a crowd. | Andriana's Cuvee | 88 | 20 |
50,638 | us | This blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 9% Cinsault and 3% Counoise offers boysenberry, hot bricks and condensed violets on the nose. The palate is quite pleasant with olallieberry jam flavors alongside sanguine elements and dark slate on the edges, altogether quite light and easy to drink. | Version | 90 | 36 |
24,246 | us | Tastes like a rustic Zinfandel, with spicy, briary flavors of cherries, blackberries, currants and dark chocolate. The tannins are somewhat green and angular. | Farneta | 85 | 35 |
109,074 | us | Claret is the old-fashioned word for Bordeaux, but it has no legal meaning in the U.S. This Cabernet-based wine contains some Syrah, which gives a smoked meat or bacon note to the blackberries and black currants. It's delicious, if a little sweet. | Claret | 87 | 35 |
84,855 | austria | A nose of redcurrant signals tart freshness. The palate has this in spades but seems tinged with bitter earthiness that detracts from the berry charm. This light, fresh wine would benefit from chilling. Drink soon. | Zum Martin Sepp | 86 | 15 |
19,562 | spain | In general O. Fournier gets it right, be it in Spain or Argentina. But this Ribera del Duero struggles from the outset. It's rubbery, damp and lacks clarity of fruit. And the feel is sharp and lemony, seemingly a combo of excessive oak and raw fruit. Imported by Fine Wines from Spain. | Spiga | 80 | 29 |
72,556 | bulgaria | This garnet colored Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of dark cherry and mocha with flavors of cherry cola, black raspberry and black cherry with a smooth silky tannic finish. | Tradition Since 1875 | 89 | 17 |
21,136 | us | Sultry vanilla, smoke and bergamot notes thread languorously on the nose of this intensely perfumed Chardonnay. The palate is more subdued, showing zesty red apple and lemon anchored by a crisp acidic backbone. It's a touch woody now but could balance out with a few more years of bottle aging. | Reserve | 88 | 18 |
119,803 | hungary | This dry Furmint has aromas of caramelized pineapple, citrus blossom and peach with flavors of apricot, grapefruit and lemon lime. There is pleasant brightness in the crisp finish. | Estate Tokaji | 90 | 22 |
82,599 | us | Soft waves of plum meet a tightly gripped midpalate of power and concentration in this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Merlot. Along the way, blackberry and blueberry meet graphite and tobacco, finishing with economy. | The Sheriff | 88 | 40 |
8,751 | france | Fortified Tannat certainly has tannins, but it lends itself well to this sweet style. It's rich, obviously ageworthy with ripe black fruits and concentrated sweetness that's balanced by acidity. It should be aged until 2018. | Maydie Vintage | 89 | 28 |
69,135 | chile | Raspberry and cherry aromas come with touch of floral perfume and smoke. This feels tight, juicy and slightly tannic. Flavors of black plum and wild berries are matched by chocolaty oak, while the finish is sweet in flavor, with ripe, mellow tannins. | Single Vineyard | 88 | 17 |
115,928 | us | The winery's regular Pinot Gris approaches 15% alcohol, and this takes it a step farther. Not overly sweet, but identifiably late harvest, the fermentation has been stopped at 60g/L residual sugar, and fortified with some neutral spirit. White Port may have been the concept, but it hasn't really come together in the bottle. | Indulgence | 85 | 12 |
62,940 | us | A nice, Beaune-style Pinot, rich in cherry and spice fruit, with good oak and medium-bodied. It's balanced in acids and tannins, with a smooth mouth feel, a good food wine. | Flood Family Vineyards | 87 | 30 |
40,023 | chile | This reddish-pink rosé of Syrah is clean up front, with touches of yeast, chewing gum and red fruits on the nose. Fairly full-bodied as rosé goes, this tastes fruity but nondescript, while the finish is similar before showing some sweetness. | Cefiro Reserva Syrah | 87 | 12 |
78,529 | us | A savory, mineral aspect makes this dry wine especially interesting. It has slightly herbal aromas, white peach flavors, rather full body that adds lushness, and a lingering finish. | McFadden Farm Made From Organically Grown Grapes | 89 | 22 |
92,641 | us | Delicious and wonderful to drink now. Too bad more Syrahs aren't this good. The wine is dry and smoothly tannic, with deep, long flavors of blackberries, currants, smoked meat, pepper and sandalwood and a medium-bodied fullness. | Ballard Canyon Estate | 91 | 25 |
62,949 | france | This is a ripe wine, full of rich tropical fruits as well as the more typical Chablis acidity and steel. It feels broad, layering the crispness and citrus with a tangy texture. Keep this wine for at least a year. | Fourchaume Premier Cru | 88 | 37 |
35,665 | us | The distinct black and white pepper nose on this wine by Siduri's Adam Lee evolves into gingerbread and cinnamon, all backed up by riper scents of blackberry extract. It's light in density, but pops with black cherry and more berry flavors, all carrying a citrus-like tannic grip. | Sierra Mar | 92 | 34 |
114,596 | us | Here's a simple but likeable blend of mainly Cabernet, with some Merlot and Petite Sirah. It's enormously ripe in blackberry jam, currant and spicy licorice flavors. Drink now. | The Mutt | 86 | 33 |
31,640 | us | Pink grapefruit and blossomy floral aromas are exuberant and perfumy on this dry, slightly demure wine. Tart with lime acidity, it's quaffable and unusually brisk on the palate, but lacks the variety's characteristic volume and drama. | Dry | 85 | 14 |
105,041 | australia | Prickly refers to the wine's texture, which is definitely lightly frizzante (spritzy). That helps boost the wine's aromas, making it perfumed and floral, even Muscat-like. It's light in body and slightly off dry, with notes of apricot, apple blossom and gingery spice. Drink now. | Prickly | 87 | 11 |
73,654 | italy | Leafy underbrush, wet soil, prune and spicy plum cake aromas lead the nose on this robust wine. The palate delivers ripe black plum, blueberry extract, black pepper and bitter dark chocolate alongside chewy tannins. It finishes with a graphite note. | Le Quare | 89 | 50 |
77,781 | france | Mellow notes of ripe apples pervade nose and palate with their subtle, tart but full-fruited flavors. The entire wine is marked by exquisite lightness of body and a weightless, fine-boned elegance with a delicate mousse which accentuates the purity of the apple fruit and the very mature dry finish. Simply delicious and long. | Emotion Brut | 91 | 30 |
72,935 | italy | Full-bodied and elegant, this opens with aromas of mature orchard fruit, crushed stone and nut. The linear, structured palate boasts more complexity than most Pinot Grigios, offering ripe pear, toasted almond, mineral and dollop of acacia honey. Drink through 2020. | Passion | 91 | 40 |
5,179 | us | Still young, hard and sharp-edged, the wine reveals dark flavors of charred toast and espresso, set around a core of tight cranberry and raspberry fruit. It's built to age, and has some pleasing mocha and spice notes rounding out the finish. | Jacob-Hart Vineyard | 90 | 65 |
106,973 | us | This isn't a long-term ager, but do give it about a year in the bottle to let all of its parts meld together. Right now, it's tight and oaky. It features intense, bright pineapple, green apple and orange flavors, with sweet barrel influences and a tenuous streak of acidity. | Estate Grown | 92 | 46 |
96,472 | portugal | Spicy wine from the wood and from the ripe berry fruits. The acidity is light, a sideshow to the juicy fruit, flavors of nutmeg and red cherries and a fine kick of dry tannin. | Monte Altentejano Tinto | 86 | 8 |
95,413 | chile | Opens with honey, orange and a bit of harsh matchstick. The palate is sticky and comes up just short of cloying, with candied melon, citrus and mango flavors. Finishes sweet and sugary, with caramel and toffee notes. Tasty but unctuous. | Late Harvest Special Selection | 86 | 15 |
63,493 | italy | This Barolo is tightly wound, with aggressive tannins and nervous acidity. It lacks complexity and richness despite its core of black cherry fruit. It also shows evident alcoholic warmth and finishes on a green, astringent note. | Leonardo | 85 | 60 |
9,282 | us | Pear blossom, baked lemons, packed lemon flowers, apple juice, walnut and a touch of quinine pop on the nose of this wine from a challenging grape. The palate is rich but zesty with walnut oil, chamomile, lime, apple and pear notes, offering lots of textural intrigue. | Camp Four Vineyard | 86 | 25 |
96,530 | italy | Here's a well-priced wine that offers drying tones of crushed stone and flint, with background notes of green apple and citrus. The wine is tonic and crisp overall. | Enrico Brut | 85 | 11 |
37,556 | us | Fresh red cherry and plump red currants are spiced up by Dr Pepper, cola, rose petals, mace and dried fennel on the nose of this bottling by Sabrine Rodems. Tea and Asian five-spice notes arise once sipped, backed by raspberries and pink peppercorns, altogether fairly light and lithe in body. | Alta Loma Vineyard | 89 | 35 |
4,495 | us | Coming from one of the state's premier Syrah vineyards, this wine brings aromas of iron and huckleberry pie. The blueberry and earth flavors are quite ripe, lingering on the finish. | Boushey Vineyard | 91 | 48 |
12,775 | italy | Ferrari's rosé sparkler offers distinctive aromas of freshly baked bread and yeast followed by wild berries, stone fruit and citrus. The mouthfeel is intense and generous and this wine boasts a particularly creamy, full and satisfying mouthfeel. | Rosé | 90 | 30 |
36,818 | italy | Pressed white flowers and white orchard fruit aromas emerge on this racy sparkler. The palate offers white peach, kiwi, pear and apple alongside bright acidity and a vibrant perlage. An energizing saline note closes the finish. | Brut | 89 | 20 |
72,723 | south africa | Soft oak and sweet-spice aromas add interest to the rich berry core of this red blend. Notes of raspberry and strawberry fill the medium-weight mouth, framed by soft yet present tannins and spicy hints of licorice and black pepper that linger through the finish. Harmonious and attractive, this is ready to drink now. | The Left Bank | 90 | 15 |
59,385 | austria | Fleshy red cherry notes dominate this wine's nose and palate. An edge of smoke adds aroamtic complexity to the fluid and fresh flavors. It's juicy and generous with a welcome counterpoint of supple tannins that lend structure to all the cherry fruit. | Reserve | 91 | 28 |
108,735 | france | Wild aromas abound on the nose of this wine, but are balanced with expressive garrigue (primarily rosemary and thyme) and ripe red cherry, bramble and blueberry notes. The medium-weight mouth shows great richness and concentration of flavors, all framed by silky tannins and moderate acidity. | Rubellis | 89 | 16 |
106,835 | france | From right at the northern end of the sweep of Corton Grand Cru vineyards, this rich and complex wine is dense with smoky flavors as well as ripe blackberry fruit. It is solid, densely structured and powered minerality from the chalk in the soil. This is going to be a fine wine, so drink from 2019. | Les Grandes Lolières | 94 | 99 |
84,245 | us | This wine is all Dijon clone, aged in two- to four-year-old puncheons. Bright and aromatic, it opens with a toasty scent and a mix of lemony citrus, pineapple and banana fruit. It's smooth and delicious and nicely layered, with an enduring finish. | Three Hills Cuvée | 93 | 40 |
120,700 | us | Spicy and still tight, this shows a big-boned style. Penetrating pear fruit flavors are dotted with white pepper, and finished with a hint of water cracker. | Logsdon Ridge Vineyard Rudolfo | 89 | 18 |
41,689 | bulgaria | Comprised of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Rubin, and 5% Mavrud, it offers aromas of blackberry, cherry vanilla and cinnamon. In the mouth are generous flavors of black cherry, black plum and tart cranberry. Saddle leather and tobacco leaf linger in the persistent finish. | Imperial | 89 | 14 |
119,054 | italy | Here's an easy, straightforward dessert wine from Montalcino, Tuscany that shows bright aromas of stone fruit, honey and white almond. The wine is silky smooth and nicely sweet on the close without being too heavy or cloying. | Aurico 375 ml | 88 | 30 |
104,431 | us | Light cranberry aromas meet turned loam, cinnamon and porcini mushroom-like umami touches in this bottling from a famed vineyard in the region. The mouthfeel is full and broad, but it's also lively with tart cranberry and raspberry fruit, earthy spice and a touch of raw beef rusticity | La Encantada Vineyard | 91 | 45 |
20,307 | us | The fruit is light and a touch sour, with suggestions of watermelon and berry. It fades into a short finish with a citrusy frame. | Rosé of | 86 | 25 |
116,194 | us | This Chardonnay is mostly about oak. It's strong in buttered toast and butterscotch flavors, with suggestions of pineapples, green apples and pears. Shows good acidity, but is just too oaky to earn a higher score. | Ceja Vineyard | 84 | 40 |
105,961 | italy | Il Frappato delivers loads of zest and bright aromas of berry, chopped mint, cola and ginger. There's a note of black pepper on the palate, followed by some almond bitterness. | Il | 88 | 20 |
46,731 | spain | Briary berry, leather and animal aromas comprise the bouquet on this full-forced effort. Astringent and jumpy in feel, it has piercing acidity, propelling the tangy flavors of berry, currant and plum. It's toasty, offering a pinch of tobacco on the finish. Drink 2013–2017. | Elite | 90 | 40 |
80,891 | australia | A harmonious, balanced wine, with bright citrus and white stone fruit aromas, and vanilla and cream nicely balancing yellow fruit on the palate. At this price, it's a no-brainer. Drink now. | Nottage Hill | 87 | 8 |
112,624 | us | Even nearing the age of four, this wine can't quite overcome its rustic tannins and sharp finish, and never will. With rich blackberry and cassis flavors, it will wash down a nice steak. | Valley View Vineyard | 85 | 32 |
113,828 | us | Here's a supple, delicious Pinot Noir. The wine is elegantly silky, with satisfying flavors of cherries, currants, Dr. Pepper, smoky vanilla and fresh Provençal herbs. It has a good edge of tannins. | Bien Nacido Vineyard Block N | 90 | 35 |
75,589 | us | This has a dry finish with modest alcohol, and its emphasis is on phenolic flavors rather than the usual floral-perfumed aromas that characterize most versions of the grape. Here you'll find lemon rind, pineapple and tart, mineral-soaked acids. It's a fine match for white fish, shellfish, scallops or oysters. | Gloria Anne | 88 | 15 |
26,460 | chile | Blackberry and cola aromas are cool and collected. The palate has weight and texture to accompany berry, mint, herb and peppery flavors. Turns more herbal and roasted as it unwinds. Pepper and spice lead the finish. | Alpha | 88 | 24 |
17,682 | spain | Dusty white fruit aromas come with a hint of matchstick on the nose. The palate is disjointed, with melon and palaya flavors which turn pulpy and bitter on the finish. | Estylo Puro | 85 | 15 |
51,308 | us | This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Nebbiolo and 22% Sangiovese. The volatiles are amped up, bringing distraction from the aromas of cranberry, cherry and vanilla. The fruit flavors are broad and drink quite sweet. | Method | 85 | 25 |
68,683 | us | From the Alban “Powerblock” clone, this estate bottling shows elegant if still somewhat restrained aromas of black currant and violet on the nose. The palate is extremely well integrated and seamless, with dense black fruits lifted by kicks of purple flowers. Quite beautiful but nothing too flashy in any one direction. | Old Corral | 92 | 55 |
71,065 | italy | There's a very likable quality to this Syrah that is made in Puglia by a Tuscan producer. It comes off as forest berry, Asian spice and dried raspberry. The wine has a light consistency and some green, almost bramble-like flavors that are peppered by spicy accents. | Suhaili | 86 | 11 |
30,410 | us | Combining rich cinnamon and clove aromas with ripe blackberry and nutmeg flavors and very firm tannins, this is a full-throttle red. A sense of concentration and focus marks the fruit notes, and all is framed by astringency that cleanses the palate. It will be best after 2016. | Reserve | 87 | 20 |
113,902 | croatia | Notes of sweet blueberry and blackberry jam entice on the nose and palate of this light to medium-bodied blend of Cab and Blaufränkisch. Soft on the palate with a core of sweet black fruit, it's balanced by smooth tannins, bright acidity and just a hint of bramble and wood. Surprisingly long on the finish. | Cabernet Sauvignon Blaufränkisch | 85 | 13 |
56,420 | argentina | A ripe, raisiny nose with a black-fruit essence and mild warmth leads to a tight and tannic palate. Toasty blackberry and cassis flavors are powerful and include a note of oaky graphite. A dark, spicy finish with full-blast intensity ends the ride. Drink through 2022. | Single Vineyard Reserva | 91 | 50 |
31,856 | portugal | A warm, southern feeling wine, it has herbs, spice and rich tannins as well as a crisper feel of acidity. Fruity, full of black currant and red berry fruits, forward and ripe. It's not for aging. | F'oz | 86 | 21 |
16,430 | austria | The flavor expression is neutral on nose and palate—there is however a seam of fresh, lemony acidity at the core and some of that lovely midpalate texture of Chardonnay. This is fresh and has backbone, drink soon. | Gamlitzberg | 89 | 20 |
109,843 | us | The aromas pop, with notes of stargazer lilies, brown stems, green olive and smoked meat, revealing more on each swirl. The fruit and savory flavors are rich and layered, earthshaking in their intensity, with a lengthy finish that only heightens the interest. It's a complete showstopper. | Royal City Northridge Vineyard | 96 | 140 |
51,156 | italy | Initially rather shy, this eventually reveals delicate scents of fragrant yellow flower, orchard fruit and a whiff of citrus. The linear palate is a bit austere, offering yellow apple skin, lime and a mineral note alongside firm acidity. | Bianco | 87 | 24 |
43,502 | us | This wine highlights heady new-oak tones of spice, vanilla and cedar, yet maintains elegance from nose to finish. Ripe black cherry and plum flavors penetrate on the palate, with a framing of soft tannins and bright cranberry acidity. The finish is long and a touch mineral. | Reserve | 90 | 30 |
85,640 | germany | This is a blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Lemberger—and yet the Lemberger is the dominant grape. The color is dark, the aromas and flavors are chunky and less nuanced than pure Pinot Noir, and the tannins are ripe but lack the silky character of Pinot. It's a solid, robust red that would make a nice match for burgers and the like. | Noir Dry | 88 | 19 |
17,305 | austria | Freshly cut green pear mingles with ripe white currant in a restrained but fresh and focused body that also reveals numerous shades of pear fruit. In Styria, the local name for Chardonnay is Morillon. | Steirische Klassik | 89 | 24 |
77,185 | us | This blend of 50% Grenache, 42% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre shows broad aromas of strawberries, baked red plums and sagebrush, proving quite inviting and playful despite the dramatic and intense label. That playfulness arises on the sip too, where wild berry and red-currant flavors pair with garrigue touches of dried sage and pepper. | El Sabio Freston | 90 | 70 |
94,435 | italy | This Tuscan white offers very mature notes of apricot, peach, honeydew and orange marmalade. The wine is structured, sophisticated and creamy with tart citrus notes on the close. | Pietravalle | 88 | 23 |
23,965 | us | An astonishing Pinot Gris, certainly among the best ever made in Oregon, this rich, luscious, mouthcoating wine is totally irresistible. Chardonnay-like unctuousness, ripe pear and apple fruit, plus hints of honey, butter and spice make it practically a meal in itself. | Jacob-Hart Vineyard | 94 | 30 |
89,735 | france | Whiffs of red-cheeked mirabelle plum, tart red apple, a touch of earth and vivid tangerine immediately signal pleasure. The absolutely straightlaced, concentrated and dry palate adds hints of quince and blood orange. This is dry, even lean but absolutely powerful with bundled flavor. You can feel heat and energy at the core of this, there is real ripeness and force here, played against absolute, vivid and cleansing freshness. High drama indeed. Let it age a while before playing it out. It will be worth the wait. Drink 2022–2037. | Zinnkoepfle Grand Cru | 96 | 65 |
90,143 | portugal | This is a beautifully ripe, tangy wine with fine acidity and hints of spice. Lemon and crisp green apple notes shine through the still tight, mineral texture. The concentration of the fruit suggests it will age well. Drink from 2018. | Reserva Branco | 89 | 50 |
40,629 | spain | Ripe berry aromas are a bit raisiny, with vanilla and balsam wood notes. This Tempranillo feels blocky, saturated and tannic. Flavors of raisin, prune, blackberry and wood spice are full and bullish, while a boundary-pushing finish maintains a palpable raisiny quality. Drink through 2020. | Reserva | 89 | 20 |
123,882 | us | Subtle but complex aromas, quietly seductive flavors and a svelte texture characterize this medium-bodied, elegant wine. Everything seems to be in place, with no elbows sticking out, and just enough tannic grip to keep it lively. | Hillside | 91 | 29 |
37,200 | us | Aromas of ripe red apple and pencil lead are followed by tart cherry and cranberry flavors. It's a unique interpretation of the variety. | Estate Rocky Mother | 88 | 45 |
81,522 | spain | Foresty, smoky, rooty berry aromas lead to a hard-driving, somewhat lean palate. Flavors of plum and currant are moderately oaky and spicy, while this is similarly spicy on the finish, which shows a dry red-fruit aftertaste. | Crianza | 87 | 15 |