Five years past its harvest, this is ready to go, with quickly-maturing, well-rounded red fruits, and a streak of tobacco running through the finish. Drink now.
An off-dry aromatic wine, showing peach and apricot fruits, with stewed pears that give richness. It is balanced, with an attractive crisp acidity sharpening up the soft texture. It's ready to drink now with its forward fruitiness.
Crisp, clean and easy to drink, this Mendocino Chardonnay is all lemon and just-ripe pear, with a smooth texture. Pair with lemon chicken or wintertime crab.
Almost one hundred percent varietal with just a small amount of Malbec (3%) added, it's lightly aromatic with notes of berry, ash and green herbs. The palate is tart with chalky tannins. This wine may improve if the acids come in check over time.
This white from southern Italy offers a delicate fragrance of yellow flowers with a hint of tropical fruit, vanilla and spice. The palate delivers creamy golden apple, citrus and lemon drop along with crisp acidity.
Almost all varietal with just a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) to fill it out, this is an intriguing wine with notes of cherry cordial, chocolate and herbs. With very little new oak influence, the soft, supple fruit flavors are allowed to shine through, giving this wine a real sense of polish.
Floral, reedy aromas of red berry fruits and plum lead to a ripe, saturated palate with earthy, stewed flavors of prune and blackberry. The prune continues on the finish, which brings saltiness and a chocolaty nuance.
This starts off with scents of ripe black cherries and dried herbs, then turns more chocolaty in flavor on the palate. It's full bodied without being particularly textured, and shows some coarse tannins on the finish. Drink now–2015.
Cherry and berry aromas are earthy, ripe and blocky. This feels round, complete and easy to drink. Flavors of loamy berry and black plum finish dusty and earthy, with just enough acidity to create length and modest complexity. This is 60% Garnacha and 40% Tempranillo.
While ebulliently floral and fruity with notes of orange blossom and white peach, a bracing hit of lemon balm and lime zest make this bright, brisk Grüner Veltliner especially refreshing. It lingers long on the palate with a bristling minerality.
There's a wheaty, stalky quality to the nose, then citrus flavors, zesty acidity and finally another wave of stalky character to the palate. Orange and tangerine flavors drive the finish, which has more than enough acidity to not break down.
Lightly smoky, this is an attractive, simple and fruity Chablis. It has apple and pear flavors balanced with soft acidity. Smooth and round, it's a wine for medium-term aging, so drink now–2018.
A forward, fruity red, coming through strongly on black currant, red fruits and soft tannins. It shows its wood aging easily, leaving an aftertaste that has light acidity. Drink now and until 2019.
Arinto is planted widely in the western Portuguese vineyards. It produces crisp, fruity and immediately drinkable wines—bright, breezy and citrus driven. Acidity makes it refreshing, ending with a light, fresh finish.
This wine is already evolved, with aromas of overripe black fruit, raisin, prune, oak and espresso. The dense palate shows blackberry extract layered with chocolate and oak but it lacks freshness.
Resiny oak scents on top of standard apple and pear aromas describe the bouquet on this solid but woody Chardonnay. Oak-dominated flavors of pear and banana finish with medium acidity and lasting flavors of banana and wood resin.
Varietally familiar aromas of petrol and white fruits set up a tight, acidic palate with lemon-lime and nectarine flavors. On the finish, this tastes pithy and loses clarity and zest as it winds down.
This is a fruity, fresh, forward wine that has delicious red berry fruitiness and soft tannins. It's bright and smooth, the structure just lightly supporting the fruit. It's ready to drink.
A very herbaceous, fish-friendly wine that wins with its lemon and pink grapefruit flavors. It's aromatic and light, with the fruitiness right up front. Screwcap.
Red berry and cherry flavors mark this bright, juicy wine. Soft tannins and a firmer extract show on the midpalate, along with vivid acidity on the finish. Drink in six months.
Toasty aromas announce a strong barrel influence, but otherwise there's not much going on. In the mouth, this is plump and soft, with moderate acidity. Flavors of baked apple are heavy, warm and finish resiny, with a leftover note of tropical fruits including melon.
Bright lemon, tangerine and white-floral notes are countered by whiffs of spice and earth on this robust, yet structured, ice wine. The mouthfeel is rich and lush, but brightened by clean, focused acidity and a hint of bitter grape tannin on the finish.
This is a smooth, rich and rounded wine. It is full of blackberry fruits, sweet tannins and spices. Bold flavors are right up front, solid and chunky. Drink now and until 2018. Screwcap.
A fruity, strawberry-flavored wine, with crisp acidity to balance the ripe fruit. It's a clean and refreshing rosé, ready to drink now.
This is an earthy wine that shows a rustic character. Still youthful, its fruit is obscured behind a dry, tannic, burnt-toast character. There is a future for this wine, as it should integrate with age, so don't try to drink until 2016.
A blend of the rare Caladoc, a specialty of DFJ Vinhos, and Tinta Roriz, this is a soft, juicy, fruity and forward wine. It has bright red-berry fruit and light tannins, along with just a hint of wood aging. It's very ready to drink. Screwcap.
This opens with a bouquet that's packed with bold berry fruit aromas, plus a mineral accent. It feels zesty, solid and slightly clampy, with plum and cherry flavors that lead to a tight, juicy finish, with modest length and power
Rubbery dark-berry aromas yield to earth, leather and chocolate scents upon airing. This feels healthy and standard, with full-force flavors of medicinal berry. It's tight, fresh and slightly resiny on the finish, despite having spent only three months in oak. A blend of 80% Garnacha and 20% Carignan.
This is as basic as Albariño gets, with aromas of sweet apple and pear. It feels round and a bit soft, with fleshy peach and dry melon flavors. The finish is pithy, with a white pepper note and an indication that the wine is starting to fade. Drink immediately.
This is floral and candied upfront, with a red licorice note. It feels full and fleshy, with hints of red berry and cassis, with not too much oak on the palate. Ripe, basic, clean and sweet as a whole.
This is a subtle red wine whose tannins gingerly coat the midpalate and linger. Full of red fruit flavors and balanced by an herb note, this is softly textured and round.
Aromatic of sweet cream, ripe apple and buttered popcorn, this luxurious Chardonnay counters richness of flavor with brisk acidity and impeccably balanced alcohol. It's irresistibly luscious but elegant.
Winemaker Greg Graziano's Saint Gregory wines are intended to represent the cool regions of the spread-out Mendocino County, and this Pinot Blanc does it well. With aromatics of honeysuckle and honey, this is medium bodied and balanced, with lingering tastes of pear and mango. Pair it with something spicy.
This blend of five Bordeaux grapes has the style and lightly herbal character of a cru Bordeaux. Notes of brambly red fruit and peppery herb combine in a well-balanced wine of medium length, with restrained, lightly earthy tannins.
Varietally correct on the nose, this has green apple, grapefruit and floral aromas. It feels basic, tangy and linear, with notes of melon, citrus and a dry, crisp finish that's mildly briny and a touch bitter.
American and Hungarian oak barrels were used, adding a rustic, powerful base to this pure Primitivo. Think Zinfandel crossed with Lemberger and you're in the ballpark of its style. Its raw, big-boned flavors of fruit and barrel are ready for a juicy steak.
A tasty, sweet and sour blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier and Pinot Gris, this has bountiful fruit flavors of peach and pear. It's a big, forward, generous, though ultimately simple, white wine, with more than a touch of sweetness.
Beautifully fragrant of sweet black cherry and violet, this intensely fruity yet earthy wine is a standout within the Heart & Hands collection. Richly textured, it finishes with hints of spice, dried leaf and lingering, gentle tannins.
A blend of grapes from three vineyard sites, this is an interesting contrast to its single-vineyard siblings. It's dry in style yet rich on the palate, with a distinctly creamy texture, offsetting a juicy fruit flavor with savory tones of herb, fennel and lanolin.
Textural and leesy, this refreshing Chardonnay also has a pretty, toasty nose. The mouthfeel and barrel notes compensate for the rather light, generic fruit.
This is Riesling done in a forward and fruity style, showing a mix of peach, apple and pear flavors. Broad and accessible, it finishes with a sweet dusting of powdered sugar.
Textbook floral aromas take on both ripe tropical notes and a sharp citrusy-herbal character. This moderately sweet Muscat displays a supple, round feel in the mouth, with melon and orange-lime flavors and a slightly bitter finish.
This is a strong wine, dark and oaky, with rich flavors of licorice, toffee and espresso. The fruit is washed in Bourbon barrel flavor. It's impressively rich, but a bit overpowering.
The Horse Heaven Vineyard adds a welcome touch of minerality to the plain apple fruit flavor of the wine. It is this minerality that elevates it a notch, giving it a textural and refreshing mouthfeel.
Two different Tempranillo clones are aged in 100% American oak. This pure, varietal wine offers warm, light red fruits and flavors of the barrels—hints of pickle barrel spice, along with whiffs of smoke and cured meats.
This is a tangy, berry-powered blend. Hard not to like the fresh, zippy, highly acidic flavors of tart raspberries; flavors that are sharp and almost crunchy, but deliciously vibrant. This is what Dry Creek Zinfandel used to taste like before it turned into rocket fuel.
A young, juicy, assertive Syrah that pits its blackberry and black cherry fruit against a strong streak of smoky licorice. The acids are still a little awkward, but time should help with that. Otherwise, it's got a lot of power and grace, with classic, tangy Washington berry flavors and pleasing hints of earth and leaf in the finish.
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all estate grown. Winemaker Steve Clifton handles the high (over 15%) alcohol well, and the wine feels full and balanced, but not fat or tiring. The fruit is a pleasant mix of raspberry, cherry and currant; with bright acids and firm tannins to back it up.
Nice on the nose, with mineral, crushed herbs and blackberry. The palate is equally good, with rich plum, cassis and blackberry flavors. This wine touches up against the high class with its rich mouthfeel and overall poise. Easy to recommend given its price. Imported by Atlanta Improvement Co.
Lonesome Spring and Clifton fruit goes into this Grenache, which includes 16% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre. Very spicy and pretty aromas invite sipping; the white pepper stands out, along with tart raspberry/cranberry fruit. The wine feels just a little bit chalky in the mouth, but that actually sets it up well for simple smoked or grilled meats.
This is the winery's third vintage, and they continue to make elegant, supple and snappy wines. This is the ripest to date, and has a healthy 14.7% alcohol level, but it retains many of the spice and herbal highlights that keep it interesting. The fruit brings on berries, plums and some of the brambly character of Zinfandel; the barrels add clove and nutskins. Cola and sassafras wrap into the sharp finish.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault is less obviously fruity than many Provençal rosés, but makes up for that in weight and richness. It's a round, full style, with a layered texture, some dark fruit flavors and a minerally finish.
A lovely Côtes-du-Rhône lookalike, this blend of young-vine Syrah and Grenache with old-vine Carignan and Cinsault features plenty of spice to go with ample fruit. Dried cinnamon, clove and a hint of cracked pepper accent black cherry flavors, while a slightly herbal note adds complexity and fine-grained tannins give structure.
This blend of 50% Mourvèdre and 50% Syrah shows some deep, plummy aromas and flavors and blackberries, spice and cola. It's medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a touch of warmth on the finish. Drink now–2014.
Brandborg has established a style that is well-suited to the locale, and their Pinots are perfectly balanced and mix in spices and fresh herbs with the tart, cool climate fruit. This is a crisp, unpretentious style of Oregon Pinot.
For a Coteaux de Varois, this shows a good amount of minerality, usually associated with cool appellations. This medium-bodied rosé features hints of red apples, currants and citrus that finish long and stony.
This is an interesting bottle from sourced fruit (rather than estate-grown). Ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit is matched to ripe tannins; the wine is dark, almost sultry, and the flavors flow seamlessly across the palate. There is a spicy lift and a hint of pickle barrel (American oak?) that concludes the presentation.
This blend of grapes from three different Columbia Gorge vineyards is immediately appealing, with round, smoky, relatively soft and accessible flavors. It's smooth and seductive, offering bright cherry fruit augmented with that smoky streak and a whiff of tobacco in the finish.
This wine comes from grapes grown in Green Valley's Mill Station, Sullivan, Walker Hill and Rued vineyards. High-toned to the last drop, it shows Gravenstein apple and Meyer lemon flourishes, with a subtle backbone of oak.
This is a really rich manifestation of Arinto. Its ripe pear and apricot flavors are laced with wood fermentation and aging toastiness. Its dense texture comes from the grape selection, while its richness comes from the sandy soil of the vineyard. It is a fine wine, likely ready to drink from 2018.
Woody and softly approachable, this dusty, tannic wine offers full-bodied layers of cherry and vanilla that enwrap its richly concentrated backbone.
Hints of savory earth mingle with fresh apple notes. The palate has the bright mellow freshness of ripe oranges and the juiciness of ripe pear. A core of bright lemon acidity makes for a clean, bright and refreshing finish.
A touch of honeysuckle meets ripe, juicy pear on the nose. The palate adds a touch of residual sweetness to boost the fruit flavors, as well as a pithy, slightly bitter texture to provide a frame. Everything is shot through with bright, lively lemon freshness, which is exactly what makes the wine so moreish in its medium-sweet way.
This uniquely styled wine has flinty, earthy aromas that recall forest floor and dried mushrooms and savory beef broth, black pepper and tamarind flavors, backed by olive and plum. It's great to see an interesting wine like this one push the envelope for Rhône varieties in California.
This complex, tightly wound effort from a four-acre block planted to a single clone tastes of luxurious caramel and toasted oak, its flavors superimposed over a backdrop of forest-like scents.
Properly almost black in color (as befits a wine from the red-juiced Alicante Bouschet), this wine reveals an impressive depth of flavor. It is dark and concentrated, powered by still-young tannins. There is an unfortunate edge of extraction that takes away from the ripe black-plum fruit and the acidity. It will be ready from 2019.
Cherry cordial meets an earthy core of compost and pine forest in this wine from the windswept appellation. Its spicy cardamom and clove seasonings provide tension to contrast its medium build and velvety texture.
Bold sun-enriched aromas of olive, spice, tobacco and blackberry are what you'd expect from this warm-climate Carmenère grown on magnesium-infused soils. A full sappy palate is syrupy, while this big boy tastes of blackened toasty blackberry and cassis along with herbs. An easy, almost soft finish isn't demanding.
Perfumed notes of white peach and grapefruit abound on this medium-bodied, off-dry Riesling. It's fresh and fruity, offering juicy green apple and citrus flavors sharpened by edges of lime and lemon. The finish is honeyed and long. Drink now through 2020 to enjoy its vibrant style.
Tightly woven and deeply concentrated, this brawny, full-bodied wine from the mighty mountain site boasts expansive tannins. Firm acidity invigorates its spectrum of flavors that range from cherry, marshmallow and clove to forest and tobacco.
One of the producer's new single-vineyard wines, this shines with savory leather, black pepper and spicy red-fruit flavors. Layered and compact, it has an underlying grip of tannin, ultimately finishing soft and easy on the palate.
This 100% varietal wine from Truchard Vineyard is dark and inky, made in big, bold style. Cedar, pine and tart black-currant notes provide one side of its personality, as more richly concentrated chocolate and blackberry flavors give it oomph.
This beautifully ripe and juicy wine adds a hint of menthol to the ripe black currant and black cherry aromas and delivers round, rich fruit impressions on the palate. It has a lush mouthfeel, mild tannins and a clean, fruity finish. Cabernet Franc makes up 40% of the blend, along with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Syrah.
This is all Pommard clone, with a tart racy mix of cranberry and raspberry fruit. It's juicy and young, with sharp, precise edges. Tannins remain slightly bitter, but a couple more years in bottle should fix that.
Sourced from several sites in Bennett Valley and Russian River Valley, this medium-bodied wine is feral, gamy and velvety thick. Dark cherry, lavender and violet notes accent the palate, finishing with lively freshness.
A good example of the late-harvest approach, this indulgent wine has strawberry syrup aromas, crushed raspberry and blackberry flavors, great concentration and a high level of ripeness. Drink it in lieu of dessert.
The small production of white wine from this estate, owned by the Kressmann family of Latour-Martillac, comes from a deep gravel outcrop. This wine is rich and beautifully ripe. Apricot and juicy pear flavors are backed with the wood aging. It is just ready to drink.
This is a ripe wine, maybe no longer a fresh Muscadet, but certainly a rich one. It has kept some fruitiness while gaining a smooth and creamy character along with intense acidity. It is ready to drink now.
A touch of honeyed richness plays into the pear fruit evident on the nose. The palate has the same honeyed touch, countered by pleasantly bitter pith. This is ripe, full-fruited and warm, fresh and zesty at the same time. The finish is lasting and dry.
This sparkling wine shows the potential richness that can come from the combination of Chenin Blanc and bubbles. It's a nutty, spicy and ripe wine. At the same time, its acidity and tense structure give a cool crisp feel. This balance and tension are just right and the wine is ready to drink.
This wine was made by fermenting the skins and juice of several white Rhône varieties and Rolle, also known as Vermentino, together. It has a brassy color and more textural elements than usual for a white. Orange peel and toasted almond aromas are followed by dry white peach and white pepper flavors and a firm mouthfeel due to some tannin. With time, it opens up and tastes wonderful in an unorthodox way. Best after 2020.
This single clone estate-grown wine was vinified 50-50 in stainless and mainly neutral oak. It's classic, classy and clean, with well-delineated components. Green melon, apple and citrus, along with ample acid and some phenolic bite are in harmonious balance. Another year or two in the bottle could improve it still further.
From a ranch planted many decades ago, this wine includes mixed blacks such as Grand Noir and Carignane, adding juicy red and black fruit to the mix. Smoke, cinnamon and leather highlights are kept firm by an integrated tannic structure.
A touch of passion fruit plays around the peach aromas on the nose. There is a lovely touch of smoke, too. The palate is off dry and the fruit is made richer, riper and more intense by the residual sweetness. Zesty lemony freshness acts as counterpoint. This is lovely, compact and full of fruit.
This wine seems quite reduced out of the gate, delivering aromas that prove distracting. The palate shows more depth with an array of pleasing dark fruit flavors.
Vanilla, coconut and baking spice aromas are at the fore, with the wood primary. The palate is rich and full bodied, with dark fruit and oak spice flavors. There are some good things going on but the oak—half new American and half seasoned French—rides right over them.
This wine's unusual purple fruit, citrus, herb and wood spice aromas waft up from the glass. The palate brings abundant orange peel flavors supported by tannins that are surprisingly firm for the variety. Citrus twist notes linger on the finish.
Faint white flower, orange peel, spice and citrus aromas are followed by broad fruit flavors in this wine, which lacks concentration.
Streaks of anise, vanilla and toast linger from nose to finish in this punchy, fresh wine. Crisp red cherry and raspberry flavors are puckery but pleasant, framed by fine, firm tannins and a lingering kiss of caramel. Drink now through 2020.
A nose with diverse aromas of herbal berry, grilled meat, carob and compost doesn't exhibit clean fruit scents. A grabby palate with rugged tannins hosts hard-edged flavors of plum and leafy berry that dry out on a slightly murky, funky-tasting finish.
Aromas suggesting dark berry, exotic spice and toasted oak come together in this. The tight palate is more subdued than the nose, recalling sour berry and powdered herbs alongside astringent tannins.
A jumbled mix of aromas includes notes of rubber, berry fruits, plum, grass, fennel and oak. In the mouth, this is full and blocky. Rubbery flavors of plum and berry finish salty, savory and spicy, with unintegrated oak that stands out.
This wine is mild in acidity and simple in structure, a light-bodied take on the variety that shows flavors of green apple and green olive tapenade.
Fresh, primary red-cherry and raspberry flavors get a kick of cherry-cola spice and vanilla here. It's an approachably plummy, juicy red with soft, feathery tannins, but puckering cranberry acidity keeps it fresh. Drink now through 2020.
Floral black-fruit aromas share space on the nose with olive and rubber notes. This Tempranillo feels rubbery and a touch collapsed, however its baked plum and jammy berry flavors are pleasing. Drink this easygoing wine now.
Very focused and vibrant, this wine has plenty of good acidity that lends a crisp mouthfeel, along with fresh and buoyant flavors of red cherry and cranberry that are nicely concentrated. Moderate tannins add to the grippy texture, and will make this wine work well with rich foods.
This leads with light baking spice and apple pie aromas. The palate is broad, with abundant vanilla flavors that suggest strong oak influence.
Ripe black plum, toasted oak and menthol aromas lead the way in this wine. The firm palate offers blackberry jam, vanilla and licorice flavors set against grainy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Syrah and 20% Zinfandel is a little simple at first on the nose, with loamy soil and tart elderberry aromas eventually apparent. It's quite dry on the sip, with dried oregano and marjoram, and then come flavors of black fruit, graphite and black pepper.
A toasty but green-smelling bouquet mixes scents of grass with charred oak and berry fruits. A creamy, lactic palate deals flavors of green herbs, mint and milk chocolate, all of which carry over to a minty finish.
This is an attractively crisp, citrus-flavored wine. With lime and ripe apple fruits, the tangy texture bursts with freshness. The wine is ready to drink.
Lightly creamy fruit and vanilla flavors follow melon, apple and baking spice aromas in this wine. It's a pleasant, straightforward easy-drinker.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec offers vanilla, herb and cherry aromas that seem a bit coarse. The palate is full of baking spice flavors—notably vanilla. It's heavy on the oak notes, despite having aged in just 42% new French barrels, the rest older French and American.
Toast and dill accent zesty green apple and lemon flavors in this lithe, sharply composed Chardonnay. Fresh acidity abounds on the palate, leading a moderately long, slightly tart finish. Drink now through 2019.
A full-bodied, spicy style of Grüner that still keeps its sense of minerality and structure. The wine is fruity, its pear flavors dominant at first. But then the concentration and the freshness both deepen the taste and lift it at the same time. An impressive wine, epitomizing both rich Grüner and a taut, cool-climate character.
A truly grassy aroma leads to a fresh, herbaceous and crisp wine. To top its crispness, it also has some weight, wood flavors and a creamy core with a white pear texture. It could benefit from aging, at least three years, to bring out the inherent richness of the wine.
Montes Folly is the benchmark by which all other Chilean Syrahs must measure themselves. Yes, it's entirely New World in its approach, but how can you gripe about such a potent brew of balsam wood, tanned leather, licorice, mineral and monster black fruit? The palate is big but balanced by live-wire acidity, and even at 15% alcohol it's harmonious. A real winner; one of the best Folly wines to date.
Ripe, smooth and pure, with aromas of asphalt, tobacco and cedar-lined cigar box along with dry, elevated fruit. The palate is balanced to a tee, with floral, fresh flavors of berry, cola, herbs and tobacco. Seña has been on a roll lately, and this vintage is entirely inviting, balanced and savory. Drinkable now, but best from 2010 to 2013.
Martin Mittelbach rolls out this intense, concentrated wine, which packs spice, ripe pineapple and apricots and a final floral character that fills the mouth. A wine to age for at least four years. Screwcap.
With its fruit and acidity well in balance, this lively, bright wine shows fresh cherry flavors as well as some firmer tannins. The structure is light with fragrant aromas and a touch of spice. Wait until 2015 for this wine to be its best.
The cherry fruit seems fairly delicate and supple, but it's firmly supported by walls of cedar and vanilla and glides to a silky, mouthwatering finish. If you like your Pinots with a substantial coat of oak, you'll like this even more. Drink now–2018.
This straightforward wine is still rather closed but slowly reveals delicate aromas of violets, wet soil and berries. The palate is on the austere side, offering red cherry, white pepper and clove alongside bracing tannins.
A veritable harvest of sun-kissed peaches and melons, this is an unabashedly forward, fruity dry-style Riesling. Juicy and ripe with soft streaks of acidity, it should be enjoyed now for it's youthful glory.
Mont-Redon's Lirac is a medium-bodied, supple blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Cherry, cinnamon and leather notes all make appearances, backed by nearly creamy-textured tannins. It's a smooth, easy-drinking red for drinking now–2017.
Blue flower, sweet baking spices, ripe cherry and black raspberry sensations come together in this smooth, savory wine. Supple tannins and lively acidity support the juicy fruit palate.
Cranberry and currant dominate this restrained wine, wound up in tannins with a streak of sage accented by black pepper. On the finish expect deeper layers of chocolate and vanilla-caramel.
Toasty oak, wood smoke and baked white-fruit aromas carry the nose. Juicy, cidery acidity bolsters flavors of hickory and bitter peach pit, while apple and woodspice flavors dominate the finish on what amounts to a woody but tangy wine.
Cool, foresty, woodsy aromas of smoky berry fruits are solid and well formed. This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah is chunky, with tannic grab and freshness. Flavors of baked, herbal berry fruits are spicy and earthy, while mint, licorice root and loamy notes define the finish.
Structured and still dense, this will need aging to bring out all the fruit. For now, it has a dark, textured character, full of tannins and minerality. It just hints at the juicy acidity that will follow. Drink from 2015.
Morello cherry, black raspberry, dill, spearmint, underbrush and cinnamon-spice sensations all come together on this round, easy-drinking wine. There's no complexity, but it's soft with attractive fruit and ready to enjoy now.
Here's a casual but extremely enjoyable wine made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts ripe black cherry and red currant flavors accented with notes of mocha, white pepper and clove alongside silky-smooth tannins.
This ripe wine has a full-bodied character that is then cut with acidity. It's juicy and fruity, with a good depth of flavor. The texture is firm, still young and needing until 2015 to age.
Ripe cherries dominate this rounded, full-in-the-mouth wine. An attractive smoky character enhances the red fruits and balanced acidity. The wine is developing, still young and fruity and bright with freshness at the end.
With rich fruits, this is a ripe and full-bodied wine. With ease and concentration, it handles considerable youthful acidity plus berry fruits and structure. It should be fully integrated by the beginning of 2015.
Notes of orange peel lend interest to this copper-glinting, citrussy fizz. The bubbles are fine and persistent, and there is both a yeasty backdrop and some earthiness. An interesting, softly pink number that will come into its own with a selection of canapés.
Lots of fresh apple and tangy white peach flavor make this light-bodied wine attractive and appetizing. The flavors have great focus, the balance is bright and the alcohol is low.
Accented by notes of apple and melon, it's lightly spritzy with a textured feel and a touch of sugar.
Fresh, minerally red-fruit aromas suggest raspberry and plum. This is juicy, crisp and nicely cut for under-$10 wine. A firm grip delivers both tannic bite and finesse, while pure red-fruit flavors suggest freshness.
Stillwater Creek Vineyard was the source for this lightly spicy Sangiovese. Sour cherry candy and cayenne chocolate flavors combine gracefully in a wine that is balanced and crafted for near-term enjoyment.
Modeled on a Right Bank, Bordeaux-style blend, this is 75% Merlot. It's supple and fruity, with ripe, balanced tannins. The wine does not have as much weight and depth as many Red Mountain reds, but it's well-balanced and suitable for drinking over the next few years.
There's a tropical element to this Cab, which otherwise traffics in bright red cassis and cranberry. The tannins are still resolving but tend to the softer side, woven tightly through to the finish.
A lovely sunset blush color, this is 100% estate-grown Syrah. It was picked and pressed specifically for this rosé—not a saignée style. Soft and smooth, it has generous strawberry fruit and touches lightly on tropical notes as well.
Lushly textured, this weaves sophisticated flavors of pear and apple around a creamy center. The finish is light in oak and tropical vanilla, a nice complement to the crisp fruitiness.
Highlighted in cherry-vanilla and toasty oak, this wine is structured and brimming in juicy red fruit.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, this discloses aromas of red berries, wet leaves and balsamic herbs. The smooth palate offers sour cherry and black raspberry accented with notes of white pepper and clove. Enjoy now through 2016.
Dominated by ripe Sémillon, this is a rich wine. It has a touch of herbaceousness, but the yellow fruits, pears and stroke of lemon give a full-bodied, rounded feel. Wood aging adds further to the satisfying flavors.
This Chardonnay already shows quite a bit of age. Hazelnut and chestnut dominate the nose with burnt lemon peel acidity at the edges. The palate picks up roasted marshmallow and roasted nut flavors, followed by a toffee finish. Drink now.
At the suggested retail of $11, this is a super value.* The cherry fruit is modulated by herbal, balsamic elements that bring complexity, while the texture is supple without turning creamy or overly soft. Drink it over the next few years.    The suggested retail price has been updated post-publication to $15. (added by J.C. 11/04/14)
The aromas pop, with notes of sliced green pepper and jalapeño pepper, leaning very hard into the green. The palate brings more of the same, drinking more like a Carmenere than a Cabernet.
This wine is somewhat weedy and herbal, with extracted black fruit displaying prominently on the palate. Oaky and tannic, it overwhelms somewhat, needing time in the glass to settle down.
Sweet and spicy, this medium-bodied Zinfandel-based wine smells like strawberries and tastes like vanilla, nutmeg and cherry syrup. It is soft in texture, low in acidity and characterized by spicy oaky nuances.
This medium-bodied wine has fresh red cherry and strawberry aromas followed by light cherry and plum flavors, very mild tannins and a rather soft texture.
This is a lightly structured wine with a soft juicy black-fruit character. It is smooth, rounded and with a crisp aftertaste from the acidity. It is ready to drink.
Mildly fruity and very smooth in texture, this wine is quietly agreeable. It is medium to full bodied, feels rich on the palate and tastes ripe and subtle like honeydew melon.
Neutral aromas include hints of sea foam and salty brine. This Brazilian brut feels standard and regular. Peachy flavors are mild and a touch grassy, while this feels waxy on the finish.
Dense and dry, this is a tough, extracted wine. It has a hard edge followed by juicy acidity and will probably remain on the dry side.
The spicy wood aroma that shows strongly on the nose of this wine is confirmed on the palate, as it seems to have spent too much time in barrels. The fruit has been neglected and is dry. It will open up with time, although the dryness will probably remain.
Pinched aromas of herbal plum show a hint of ammonia before settling. This feels raw due to high tartaric acidity. Oaky, roasted plum and berry flavors are backed by notes of carob and wood resin on the finish.
Barrel aged for 12 months, this 95% Merlot wine (with a dash of Cabernet Franc) is very dominated by its wood. That gives it a seriously toasty character that dominates the fruit. At five years old, it should be more balanced.
This is an easygoing wine with vanilla and cinnamon flavors, a soft texture and a touch of sweetness coating the fruit flavors contributed by Syrah, Merlot and other blenders.
From a small vineyard near the coast at Hyères, this wine has the freshest red-berry fruits and lively, bright acidity. Its freshness and lightness make it a fine apéritif style, delicious to drink immediately.
This blend of Merlot, Tannat and Syrah comes from the southwest near the Atlantic Ocean. That locale gives the tannins and the juicy red fruits a cool, perfumed and lightly stalky character. The acidity is right there along with the soft berry aftertaste that makes the wine drinkable now.
Hints of lime skin, squeezed pink grapefruit and touches of petrol and quinine hit on the nose of this wine from a newish regional producer. There's a strong pithy character to the palate, where apple skins and a nearly white pepper sensation trend toward a botanical profile. It's intriguingly racy.
Rooty, spicy aromas of cola and herbal plum are slightly smoky and leafy. This is fleshy and open on the palate, with spicy, herbal flavors of tomato, tea and black plum. A similar herbal, meaty quality lasts onto the finish.
An overtly fruity aroma and lightly sweet citrus flavors make this medium-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It tastes fresh and clean, and is rich enough to calm down spicy foods like Thai or Mexican.
A very ripe white Rhone style, this blend of 59% Roussanne, 28% Grenache Blanc and 13% Viognier offers peach custard, browned butter, seared banana and strong white flower aromas, from tuberose and honeysuckle into daffodil. Golden apples, walnut oil and ripe yellow peach and walnut oil flavors combine for a lush, unctuous palate.
Amid a sea of off-dry Kiwi Pinot Gris, this one tastes pretty dry. There's ample melon and pear. with plenty of weight, accented by a lick of dry stoniness on the finish.
Aromas of toasted oak, butterscotch and hazelnut lead the nose on this brawny white. The flamboyant, full-bodied palate offers dried citrus fruit, candied ginger, vanilla, honey and a confectionary note. The rich flavors have a certain appeal but the heat of evident alcohol throws it off balance.
This wine is serious in style, starting with a dark color, then concentrated aromas like pomegranate juice, black olive and blackberry come through. It is full bodied and moderately tannic for the kind of dense texture that's great with meat and cheese.
Slightly stalky aromas of melon and papaya are solid and varietally correct. This Tupungato Chard feels solid, with a mild stony quality. The combination of apple and citrus flavors finishes leesy and a touch flat.
This vineyard-designate pushes the envelope in terms of ripeness, opting to go for a restrained, low-alcohol style. It retains a streak of menthol through a juicy red core of strawberry and oak-toasted tannin, finishing lean.
Produced in the Languedoc, this wine tastes of the warmth and the sun. It has a touch of butter as well as ripe green-plum fruits. Acidity gives an attractive lift to this fruity, soft wine.
Floral tropical-fruit aromas start out strong but break up and turn a bit oily upon airing. Solid on the palate, this tastes of lychee, mango and white pineapple. Good acidity preserves the finish.
This wine opens with a candied, grapy, almost baked plum kind of ripeness that's fruity, approachable and likable. It benefits from a bite of muscled tannin that is tamed on the finish. Oak aging took place for 22 months in French barrels.
Situated between the two mountain ranges of Saint-Baume and Sainte-Victoire, this estate is dry and relatively cool in the summer. That produces this fresh, lightly pink-colored wine that has a smooth caramel flavor and rich strawberry fruits. The aftertaste is soft and ripe.
A small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot don't rein in any of this wine's significant power, highlighted in plummy licorice and inviting aromas of chocolate that mellow on the palate, revealing a thick and rich explosion of ripeness with a concentrated finish.
A bit light in aromas, this appellation blend slowly shows dried cranberry, slight raspberry, juniper and wet earth. The clean but simple flavors surround iron, more dried cranberry and a pinch of dried herbs.
Big, bold and dry in style, this hearty wine with a 1960s-theme label has aromas like ripe black grapes with a slight earthy accent, and tastes opulent, generous and spicy.
Fully oaked, candied aromas of maple, vanilla, wood grain and black fruits dominate the nose. The mouthfeel is ruled by sharp acidity and firm tannins, while flavors of chocolaty oak, herbal red fruits and spice exhibit sour tendencies. A layered but tannic finish suggests campfire. Overall, this is muscled up but low on elegance.
Subdued aromas of black cherry and Asian spice lead the nose while the straightforward palate offers up juicy plum and a hint of cocoa. Round tannins provide the easygoing framework.
This opens with hushed scents of dark berry, baking spice and a whisper of violet while the firm palate offers black cherry, black pepper and a cocoa note. Astringent tannins lead up to the rather abrupt finish.
Aromas espresso, toasted oak and a whiff of exotic spice lead the nose while the evolved palate shows mocha, oak and a note of dried black cherry before a rather abrupt finish. It's shy on freshness and lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the dominant wood sensations.
This spicy rosato opens with aromas of small red berry, blue flower and a whiff of baking spice. The bright, juicy palate offers wild cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and a hint of white pepper alongside fresh acidity.
Based in Burgundy, Tramier should know something about Chardonnay. This wine has some structure that tastes of cool vineyards. It is crisp, with refreshing white fruit and green-plum flavors, and is ready to drink.
Bright, fresh and inviting, with floral and herbal notes upfront, complemented by tart pomegranate and cranberry fruit on the palate. Drink this medium-bodied wine over the next few years.
Aromas of lime and pine give way to a tangy, angular palate. Dry apricot and citrus flavors are lively but very familiar for this variety. A modest, lightly pithy tasting finish feels juicy and fresh.
Soft, sunny acidity and luscious mouthfeel give this Chardonnay an overall plushness. The palate is marked by creamy peach and apple flavors accented by delicate wisps of vanilla and spice. While straightforward in style, it's supple and pleasing.
This is a direct but tasty and well-balanced Pinot, with vibrant aromas and flavors of juicy cherry, blueberry and wild strawberry, all graced by hints of purple flowers and sweet spice. The mouthfeel is soft yet structured, with delicate tannins and a slight lushness that lingers on the finish.
This is the midlevel entry in Yalumba's Shiraz-Viognier range, slotting in above the Y Series but below the Hand Picked. It's a medium-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine, with prominent green olive and peppercorn nuances to its plummy flavors. It fades a little on the finish, so drink now–2013.
Melon and almond skin aromas lead to pithy citrus on what amounts to a pretty good bouquet. Round, citrusy and fresh in the mouth, with orange, passion fruit and tropical leanings. Solid and well shaped for a $7 quaffer. 70% Airen and 30% Macabeo.
Mint and milk chocolate are the lead aromas, followed by cherry and herbal notes. The wine is basic, fresh and fruity, with choppy tannins, heat and lively red berry flavors with citrus undertones. Runs a bit rough and heady.
Berry and rubber band are the lead aromas. The wine has texture and lasting freshness despite being more than a year old already. It's medium in size and body, with red fruit and apple skin flavors. Solid, fruity and just lively enough.
Lemony and strange at first, with gamy notes, leather and incense. The palate feels chunky and medicinal, with herbal, sweet, jumbled flavors of candied blackberry. Finishes flat and quick, leaving medicinal sweetness.
There are some toasty, Graham cracker highlights in the nose, leading into a full, round wine with lemon verbena accents. Fruity, soft and broad, with apple and melon.
Drawn and leathery on the nose, and then as it opens it reveals citrusy red fruit aromas. The palate is lean and tight, with light cherry, raspberry and plum flavors. Toasty, dry and a bit buttery tasting on the finish.
This is a Rhône-style blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah, with smaller amounts of Viognier and Cinsault. The wine opens with appealing spices, but turns tart and stemmy in the mouth. The spiced plum fruit flavors compete somewhat unsuccessfully with bitter tannins. More bottle age should help.
Rich and ripe, with soft tannins and black plum flavors. It is round, while still having a core of attractive tannins. The fruit dominates, giving a friendly, accessible wine.
Fresh, juicy wine, with soft tannins and taut red cherry fruit. The tannins provide a discreet backbone. Age for 2–3 years.
There's a subtle honeyed edge to this otherwise light and easygoing wine, adding heft to the ripe melon and stone fruit notes. The lush fruit flavors pair with the mouthwatering acidity on the finish, balancing everything out in the end. Drink now.
An austere, savory Zin from Amador, one of the smaller-production Zinfandels from Renwood and it shows. Firm tannins, dusty black fruit and spice—a good option for Sierra Foothills Zin fans.
Packed with dry tannins and a dense structure, here is a wine that has weight and potential richness. There is some good weight of blackberry fruits. If drinking now, it needs to open out in a decanter or glass.
Silky in high-toned flavors of red cherry, this is light and enjoyable. A memorable jolt of acidity on the finish nicely ties things up and gives the wine a mouthwatering quality.
Harvested from six different vineyard sites, this wine employed 10% stems and 10% new oak for a brooding sense of blue and red berry, the acidity plenty zesty and tannins softly measured.
Made entirely with Chardonnay, this delivers delicate aromas of stone fruit, citrus and white almond. The bright palate offers up mature yellow apple, vanilla and a hint of lemon pastry alongside a persistent perlage.
A rich, spicy wood-aged wine, this has as much vanilla as fruit. That gives a strongly toasty character to the wine that needs to soften to bring out the green plum and melon flavors and the acidity. It's obviously a ripe wine, leaving a pepper character from the alcohol at the end.
An intriguing wine with notes of dried apricot, lees and honeycomb. The throttle is pulled back in terms of feel while it still possesses a lot of richness to the fruit flavors and an impressively long finish.
Dry, spicy, woody, earthy berry aromas are common for Rioja. This is bouncy and full of tomato-like acidity, while favors of tobacco, reedy berry fruits and spice are a touch green in the middle. On the finish, this is rough but true to the vintage, which was notoriously cold, wet and difficult.
This is a rich style of Vinho Verde, smooth and ripe. Apricots and marmalade oranges dominate the flavor profile, while the citrus character pushes through strongly at the end. It's very fresh and could probably age until mid-2015.
Big, roasted, stalky berry aromas are more saucy than bright and focused. This is a bulky, thick warm-vintage wine without a lot of acidic cut. Flavors of loamy, baked berry and fig finish soft, spicy and baked. Drink now.
Initially this smells horsey and a bit green, but with airing it improves. In the mouth, hard tannins and aggressiveness rule the show. Flavors of baked, meaty, toasty berry fruits finish smoky, chocolaty and savory, with a pinch of green herbs.
Aged in large Slavonian casks, this straightforward but robust wine features aromas of dried blue flowers, black currants, dried cherry and prune that carry over to the palate along with ground white pepper and cedar sensations. The warmth of alcohol appears on the midpalate.
Savory whiffs of ramps and pollen blow off with aeration to reveal fresh scents of tangerine and apple. On the palate, it's off dry with intensely concentrated flavors of pink grapefruit and white peach. Zesty lime acidity lingers on the finish.
A veritable kaleidoscope of scents, this off-dry Riesling transitions frenetically from a range of aromas—grassy and herbal, to stony and mineral, then suddenly ripe with stone fruit and honey. The palate is juicy and quaffable with sweet pink-grapefruit flavor accented by a brisk, lemon-lime finish.
There's a lot of funk and animal hide on the nose of this earthy Toro. The palate is so concentrated it's like syrup, while flavors of leafy, earthy berry fruits are accented by chocolate and pepper. This finishes toasty, oaky and spicy, but also heavy and sticky.
Full and rounded, the wine is rich and smooth, cut with acidity and a steely, mineral texture. With Arinto, Vital and Viosinho in the blend, pineapple and peach flavors are dominant and ripe. It's a full-bodied wine that is ready to drink.
This brings substantial density to the midpalate, mixing fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry cola and malted chocolate. It gains focus and grip as it breathes open. A slim frame of stem and earth sets up the finish.
This frothy wine opens with floral aromas that recall acacia flower, dried chamomile and a whiff of honey. The palate offers yellow apple, peach and a hint of bread crust alongside brisk acidity. It ends on a note of bitter almond.
Fresh and juicy, this is a soft and rounded wine. It has gentle tannins, along with stylish acidity and red fruit flavors. Already, it is becoming drinkable, so don't expect the wine to age over the long term. Drink from 2016.
A 50-50 sparking blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes given more time in bottle, the DVX is light golden in color. Yeasty on the nose and dry on the palate, it offers a flurry of rich, full-bodied apple and wild berry layered atop a thick layer of minerality.
From a limestone-laden vineyard 25 miles east of the cool Monterey Bay comes a solid wine redolent with notes of black cherry, toasted sage, cedar and cinnamon. It's big and tannic on the palate, with flavors of blackberry syrup, black licorice and espresso.
Rose petals and strawberries combine in the floral nose, then are underscored with bracing minerality. There's just a wisp of sweetness to leaven the acids.
A beguiling wine with notes of green apple, slate and botrytis. It drinks off dry with tart, mouthwatering acidity. The concentration isn't all there throughout but there is still much to enjoy.
Pale in color, this wine is aromatically quiet with notes of berry and herb, while the smoke notes emerge over time. The flavors are full and juicy but still bring a sense of delicacy, with a lingering finish. Give it time to open up.
Cool herbal aromas of blackberry and cola are minty. This feels narrow, with hard tannins that aren't ready to reconcile now. Herbal salty flavors of meaty berry fruits are warm, spicy and steadfast with herbal notes through the finish. Drink through 2020.
A pristine core of blackberry and cherry extend from nose to palate here, but there's an ample dose of spice, coconut and toast as well. Full bodied and supple in texture, it's a robust wine with an accessible fruity style.
Juicy intensely ripened black plum and cherry flavors have a fleshy, almost ruddy concentration on the palate of this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. It's neatly balanced though, bolstered by crisp acidity and fine velvety tannins. Judicious oak treatments lend lavish but integrated accents of spice and smoke.
Rustic aromas of crushed rocks and chewing tobacco pair interestingly with more floral elements of rose petal, lilac and wisteria on the nose of this bottling. Coffee and tobacco flavors show on the palate, where muddy tannins present leathery flavors of dark red cherries. It shows its long barrel aging with pride.
This offers a pleasant range of characteristic Pinot Gris aromas and flavors, ranging from pear and melon fruit to gingery spice. It's round in the mouth and offers a faintly silky texture on the mouthwatering finish.
This rich wine smells sweet and tastes jammy, as strawberry and boysenberry flood the palate. Full body and a smoothly dense texture complete the picture.
RPF is regularly one of Uruguay's better Tannats, although this vintage smells a lot like tar. A highly tannic palate is rugged and drying, while gritty roasted berry flavors finish rough and rugged, with spicy afternotes.
This is a doughy, dusty wine, the tannins provocative in length and grip. Blackberry, chocolate and graphite swirl around a ripe center, the texture smooth and firm. On the finish is a steady back beat of oak.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (17%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Malbec. Pleasing aromas of baking spice, cocoa and vanilla lead to a well-proportioned palate, full of dark-fruit flavors that show a reserved styling.
Syrah makes up three-quarters of this wine with Grenache (20%) and Syrah accounting for the rest. It's fragrant with aromas of raspberry, cherry, herb and allspice that lead to plush, downright jammy fruit flavors that still show a deft touch.
Cigar box, café au lait, and dried tobacco aromas are followed by coffee and cherry flavors, with barrel spices lingering on the finish. The wood gets a bit out front but it still delivers enjoyment.
Cigar box, café au lait, and dried tobacco aromas are followed by coffee and cherry flavors, with barrel spices lingering on the finish. The wood gets a bit out front but it still delivers enjoyment.
An attractive floral, appley aroma and generous, ripe apple and herb flavors give this medium-bodied wine plenty of personality.
Produced from 100% Niellucciu (Sangiovese), this wine is packed with intense acidity plus citrus and red-berry fruits. It is tangy and refreshing with its tight, bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a perfumed, citrus and apricot-flavored wine. It is crisp, with a ripe character that fills the mouth with rich fruitiness. It has a light, mineral structure and a long, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
Pale in color, this wine offers attractive strawberry fruit, a good touch of acidity and few tannins. Drink this soft wine now.
Crisp and fruity, this bright wine is full of lively acidity, tangy citrus and apple fruit and refreshing acidity. It is ready to drink.
This substantial wine is full bodied, robust in flavor and firmly textured due to ample fine-grained tannins. The fruit flavors are tempting and ripe, while accents of black pepper and dried herbs add complexity.
This fleshy white has a tropical ripeness that almost appears sweet, set against a prodigious use of caramelized oak. Tart lemon and apple complement in crispness within a boldly textured body.
This wine presents aromas of flowers and purple fruit that are almost animalistic in nature. The palate boasts bright acidity and firm but far from inaccessible tannins. It's the purity, however, that most impresses.
The aromas of coffee, red currant and red plum are bright and effusive, with tar and cough medicine notes in the background. The cherry flavors are plush and full, with coffee notes lingering on the finish.
This is an attractively ripe blend of Niellucciu, Syrah and Grenache. Softly textured with a warm backdrop of blackberry fruit, the wine is spicy and has a distinctly southern-France feel. Its softness means it is ready to drink now.
Oaky aromas like cedar and maple syrup continue into the flavors, meeting jammy strawberry and black cherry. The texture is smooth but firmly tannic, and the finish conveys a touch of sweetness.
Coming from a slightly warmer part of the Central Coast, this bottling plays to the dried fruit and earthy side of the grape, with cranberry, hibiscus, turned loam and pencil shavings on the nose. Dense black-plum flavors show on the palate alongside crushed lava rocks, turned soil, juniper and dried pine needles.
Aromas of green wood, herb and blackberry lead to full-bodied fruit flavors that provide appeal. The tannins bring some astringency.
This blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre offers a wide array of aromas to start, from cocoa and mocha to brown spice, gingerbread, dark purple fruits and potpourri. The palate shows lavender, blueberry-strawberry juice, roasted oregano and thyme.
The aromas are bright, with raspberry, licorice, green pepper and medicinal notes. The flavors are lighter in style and show a distinct green tinge that provides some distraction.
Hot and fiery at first, but then it tames itself while revealing jammy blackberry and roasted plum aromas. Feels extracted and full, with a mix of baked berry, herb and peppery flavors that run deep and delicious. Spicy and chocolaty on the oaky finish, with smooth tannins, sweetness and oaky length. Drink now through 2014.
A blend of 69% Cabernet and 31% Shiraz, Yalumba's 2004 The Reserve is still firm and dusty on the finish, suggesting at least another 2–3 years of cellaring are warranted. Cassis, caramel, earth and vanilla notes are all nicely integrated into a cohesive whole, with the result being a dark, chocolaty wine that's savory as much as it is fruity.
Serious wine for serious Ribera lovers, even if it's from a generally weak vintage. Smells of bacon grease, graphite and dark berry fruits. Feels tight and youthfully tannic, with hickory, smoked meat, clove, toast and blackberry flavors. Clove and spice rest heavily on the woody finish; needs time to evolve and absorb its oak treatment. Best from 2013–2018.
A great wine for a reasonable price, this Chardonnay offers a poised balance of bright fruit and toasty spice on the nose, and on the palate, is both assertive and integrated. A shot of minerality keeps the oaked spice and big fruit in check. The finish has finesse and length.
From its floral, lime-driven aromas to its citrus and baked-apple flavors, this is a textbook Riesling. It's plump and friendly, offering a mouthfilling texture and easy-drinking appeal at a bargain price. Drink now.
For a wine with high-end designs, this has a few issues, namely a pinched, leathery bouquet and then an herbal essence to both the palate and finish. But seeing that it's 55% Carmenère and 45% Syrah, that makes sense. What's best about Vertice is the solid mouthfeel and the way it avoids being jammy or overly sweet and candied.
Aromas of wet clay, spice and soft black fruits carry the bouquet, while the palate is plump and easygoing, with mildly herbal cassis and black-fruit flavors. If you don't mind a little overt, heavy oak then this four-grape blend headed by Cabernet will do the trick.
A plump, medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc with just a touch of residual sugar (3.5 g/l), this wine combines tropical notes of mango with honeyed citrus. It's basically dry, finishing with lingering fruit flavors. Drink now.
A pleasant surprise, this budget-priced Viognier shows plenty of plump fruit without getting overly big or blowsy. Citrus and pineapple flavors reflect the moderate alcohol levels, finishing on a juicy, succulent note. Drink now.
Proudly displays the leafy side of Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas that veer toward tomato and even tobacco, but rounded out by ripe fig and melon flavors. Long and mouthwatering on the finish. Drink now.
A lean, structured wine, with dense tannins, jammy fruit and dark berry flavors. The wood comes through strongly, offering high spice, and giving the wine a dry core.
Smoky plum and red-berry aromas come with a hint of latex. This is full in feel and generally well balanced, with dark plum and berry flavors that are earthy but not overly complex. It delivers a steady finish.
Soft and creamy, this has a smooth texture with vanilla and baked apple flavors cut through with full acidity. It feels rich, full in the mouth, fresh and ripe at the same time. Drink from 2015.
Smoked nuts and dusty minerals accent lemon and pink grapefruit notes in this off-dry, refreshingly brisk Riesling. Tart tangerine and white peach flavors are juicy on the palate, lingering into a finish that's softly astringent in tea-like tannins.
There is a bitter edge to this wine. Spice and tight acidity give a nervy, taut character. At the same time, fresh apple and citrus flavors come through. Give this wine until 2016 to soften.
This is a warm and round wine from Irancy, southwest of Chablis. Red fruits are sustained by some wood aging that smoothes out the stalky texture and spice. It's a wine that could age another couple of years to soften it further.
This pretty expression of Cabernet Franc delivers notes of carob, flowers and maraschino cherry. It's lighter in style with tart flavors and quite chalky tannins.
White-fruit and melon aromas are widespread and mellow. This is chalky feeling, with citric acidity in charge. Flavors of apple, nectarine and lime finish clean and typical of the variety and region.
Bright and light, this offers yellow fruits that are cut with citrus to give a clean character as well as richness. Drink now for its crisp aftertaste and warm texture.
Compact, gritty, stalky aromas are hard and herbal. This feels narrow and short on body, while flavors of generic berry fruits are a bit green and low on richness and depth. Oaky vanilla notes drive the finish.
Earthy plum and berry aromas bring a floral note. This feels firm, rubbery and tight, with raw tannins and bright acidity. Earthy, rubbery blackberry flavors offer hints of chocolate and fig, while the finish is leathery and a touch salty.
Many vineyards were sourced for this dry rosé, made from a selection of Pinot Noir clones. Beautifully pale rose petal color, its aromas and flavors lean herbal before fresh notes of raspberry and strawberry set in. The finish is intense.
White-flower and citrus aromas are mild. In the mouth, this is cutting and acidic. Flavors of lemon and pineapple are tart and come in short blasts, while the finish is cleansing and crisp, with a strong sense of minerality.
Dusty, rubbery cherry aromas are appealing but warm. This hums along on the palate and offers up a welcome fresh side. Plum and mildly medicinal cherry flavors finish solid and sweet like brown sugar.
From vines that are up to 70 years old, this is a single-parcel wine. It is rich, with some good concentration and a mineral edge. Ripe apricot and apple fruits are combined with a tight acidity that suggests the need to age. Drink from late 2015.
Aged in barrels in the cool cellars in Azeitão, this wine combines great freshness with spice, toast and acidity that come together in a sweet, honeyed aftertaste. It won't improve in bottle, so drink now.
This is the annual good-value Pinot Noir from the Talley Vineyards team. It presents tight, slow-emerging aromas of graphite, raspberry and cooked rhubarb. Bitterness is at the core of the palate, bolstered by dark red fruits.
This is a rich, wood-aged wine with spice, apricot and ripe plum fruits and a mineral texture. It is rounded as well as fresh, crisp with acidity while full in fruits. Drink this delicious wine now.
Dusty, rubbery berry aromas are peppery and scratchy. This has a round, bouncy mouthfeel and loamy, lightly baked flavors of blackberry and raisin. An earthy, loamy-tasting finish provides a weighty anchor.
This smells considerably more developed than its age would indicate, with notes of dried cranberries and cherries mixed with barrel spices and game. The palate brings more heft than expected at the labeled alcohol level, with abundant cranberry flavors throughout.
This falls on the light side, with appealing flavors of strawberry and cherry candy. The tannins are just thick enough to give an edge. It's rare to find vineyard-designated Pinots in this price range.
Thick in tannins and smoothly textured, Graziano's old-vine Carignane has a taste of baked plum in cinnamon and nutmeg spice.
From Sardinia, this is a delightful rosé made with native grapes. It offers strawberry, crushed cherry and myrtle berry aromas that carry over to the palate along with a slightly sweet finish.
Sourced from a host of vineyards, many of them in Sonoma County, this is an intensely dark, weighty Chardonnay with a taste of sour lemon and apple, rich in oak with a clean finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is bone dry and scented strongly with dried leaves, earth and herbs. The lightly-ripened fruit suggests pomegranate and rhubarb.
Graphite and vanilla aromas are offset by herbal, stemmy notes of hard spice and mint. The palate shows tomatoey acidity and flavors of pie cherry, tart plum, cherry tomato and vanilla. As might be expected given the precedings, the finish is cleansing and high in acid.
Here's a fun sparkler made from Pinot Grigio that offers a delicate floral fragrance of white spring flowers and hints of tropical fruit. It has a quenching palate , with green apple and tangerine flavors along with a crisp, clean finish.
This is roughly a 50-50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, showing a heavy concentration of vanilla flavor, often the mark of oak alternatives during the fermentation process. Some licorice notes come through, although the fruit is rather thin and herbal—not unexpected at this price.
With an electric pink color and candied aromas of watermelon and cherry, this is a spunky rosé that's juicy, lively and pleasant. Flavors of raspberry and plum come and go quickly, and the finish is just acidic and crisp enough.
This bright, brambly red blend of two Turkish grapes, the Öküzgözü and the Bogazkere, is brisk and bold on the palate with a striking red cherry acidity. It's delicate in fruit profile, but lushly textured with layers of fine, chalky tannins that penetrate deeply on the finish.
This blend of Merlot, Refosco and Cabernet Sauvignon offers dense flavors of plum extract, red currant and bell pepper that are layered with oak, vanilla and chocolate. However, it lacks energy, and you'll notice the warmth of alcohol as well as a bitter, wood finish.
This is a “safe” rosé, with nothing outstanding but nothing out of place. It's medium-bodied and round in texture, with notes of stone fruits and berries balanced by crisper notes of underripe melon and a moderately long finish.
Leesy, dusty aromas are pithy and lose freshness with airing. This feels full and moderately acidic, with tropical flavors of melon, apple and banana. A sweet-tasting finish is mild in feel and meets expectations for everyday Albariño.
Barbera topping 16% abv is a bit surprising, but despite this, the wine does not deliver much fruit power. It's chalky, hot and tannic, with the alcohol overpowering the simple red fruit.
A typical blend from Gascogne, the wine has both acidity and fresh, young fruitiness. Herbaceous and citrus-laced with gooseberries, the wine is bright and light without losing any of its intensity. Drink now and over the next year. Screwcap.
This is a rather big, bulky Vacqueyras, but one that doesn't seem to have the flesh to completely carry its size. The modest cherry flavors blend with dark, earthy notes into a tangle of leather and dried fruit. If it fleshes out in another year or two, this rating may prove conservative. Drink now–2018.
Though no residual sugar is listed, this appears to have a hint of sweetness, along with light fruit flavors of strawberry and candied cherries.
Dark, crusty aromas of spice cherry, mint and black olive lead to a lively, zesty palate with strong acidity and oaky, minty berry flavors mixed with notes of carob and black pepper. Olive, herbs and blackberry flavors work the finish, which brings kick and mild heat.
This new brand from Santa Carolina is improving with each passing vintage. Nimbus SB is true to its Casablanca roots; it shows oily, green aromas, a spot of bell pepper and then prickly lemon-lime flavors. It's a good one for sushi and other seafoods, while the mouthfeel is racy and clean.
Vineyard sources for this 100% varietal Syrah were mostly Yakima Valley growers; the cooperage was all French (22% new) and the alcohol levels were in proportion with the overall balance. It's a good wine, though not up to the standard of the exceptional Trust 2005 Syrah. Here you'll find light flavors of berry and tomato, fresh herbs and a little green edge to the tannins.
A structured wine that gives pleasure from its ripe blackberry fruits as well as from its firm, food-friendly, spicy tannins. It has vibrant, vivid acidity that lifts the dense structure and gives an elegant feel to the close.
Strong aromas of new wood are confirmed by the palate, where wood flavors dominate. This is a structured wine, showing fruit acidity under the wood and sufficient weight of red berry fruits to come through in another six months.
Pacific Rim is a Riesling specialist, but makes a limited amount of Chenin Blanc; clearly a labor of love. Rare attention is given to this sadly degraded tasting room grape; here it has a chance to express more of its thrilling complexity. Bone dry and loaded with lemon, grapefruit and melon fruit, this adds floral hints and sweet hay in the nose, while balancing its young, leesy flavors with bright acids.
The nose on this Sauvignon ranges from tropical fruit to green grass, and on the palate, a classy balance of acid and fruit, with a minerally backbone and a dry, crisp finish. Drink now and enjoy with fresh seafood.
Are fans of this 1970s rock group really big Sauvignon Blanc drinkers? Regardless of the answer to that question, the wine in the bottle is pretty good, offering smoky, slightly fumé-like notes, green hay and citrus aromas, grassy, grapefruity flavors and a moderately long, easy-to-like finish. Drink now; like the group, its best days may be behind it.
This lightly sweet wine offers apples and cream and ripe apricot flavors. It is rich, but not obvious, the acidity and freshness just as important as the sweet fruit. It is clean, with a soft, ripe aftertaste.
An unoaked Chardonnay, Marlargo's Gypsy Spirit shows plenty of fruit, ranging from melon to nectarine and pineapple. It even shows decent texture for an unoaked Chardonnay, something that's not always easy to accomplish. Drink now.
A solid example of dry Riesling from the Ruwer, marrying light body to stony minerality and classic notes of green apple, citrus and petrol. Dry and fresh on the finish.
A little sweet and easy up front, with aromas of air freshener and tropical fruits. The palate is round, lightly spritzy and endowed with flavors of apple, lime and kiwi. Long and quite fresh on the finish, with a hint of lasting sweetness.
Loaded with ripe tropical fruit, this user-friendly, approachable Riesling lacks a bit of minerality but compensates by offering pineapple and mango flavors. It's decently concentrated and long, just a bit one-dimensional.
Rich and rounded, packed with yellow fruits and pineapple flavors, this is a warm, opulent wine, combining toast and fruit. True, there is some minerality, but this Meursault revels in its ripe fruit and generosity.
The artist label Syrah is usually Dunham's best, as this vineyard is well-established as one of the premier sites in Washington for Syrah. Scents of violets and black cherry introduce a dense, hard, tightly wound, muscular effort that needs a generous amount of breathing time. It rolls through the palate on a train of well-defined fruit, spice and chocolate, all nicely integrated. Supple and long.
Duval used to make Grange, so it is no surprise that his current luxury Shiraz is so successful. The 2008 Eligo oozes with oaky sweetness—vanilla, maple syrup and brown sugar notes—but balances that with potent cassis fruit and somehow ends on dry, savory notes of tobacco and spice. Drink now-2018, although it could surprise and go longer.
At this stage, the wine is all dark structure and very firm. It will need time to develop its full potential as an intensely rich wine. Concentrated and firm, it is powered by tannins as well as sweet red fruits. So age for five years at least.
A rich, fruity wine that's ready to drink now, especially with a barbecue. There are swathes of red fruits, light tannins and attractive juicy acidity. Drink this year.
Intensely concentrated red cherry aromas are accented with a delicate leafiness in this rich, robust Cab Franc. It's a powerful, juicy, boldly textured wine with a bit of heat on the finish, but stays fresh on the palate thanks to a vibrant spray of acidity.
Compared to Montecastro's higher-end 2009s, this smells stalky and leathery, with herbal shadings accenting familiar black-fruit aromas. The palate feels grabby, while the flavors suggest charred leather, stalky berry and clove. The lasting impression is of a gamy, slightly hot wine that's good but has its weaknesses.
A very firm wine, this shows fine tannins alongside a cool black-currant fruit character. It's solid but young, with pepper, fresh fruit and a bright aftertaste.
Big plum and berry aromas announce that this has fuel in the tank. It's well balanced in a normal way, with baked plum, red berry and toasty flavors. This is packed with a lot of raw flavor and power. From Rio Negro in Patagonia.
This wine is somewhat green, with upfront tannins. It does have more weight than previous vintages, along with some black plum fruits, but there is still a touch of green that won't disappear.
The velvety mouthfeel provides much of the draw on this Rhône-inspired blend that offers notes of celery salt, orange peel, smoked meat and barnyard. Like many European wines, it doesn't come off as entirely clean, but here it only adds to its appeal.
They grow powerful grapes in parts of Amador County and this one stands out for its elevated alcohol. The mix of 70% Zinfandel and smaller helpings of Mourvèdre, Barbera, Syrah and Touriga combine for a spicy cola taste. Leathery notes and big tannins linger long on the finish.
This blend of Tempranillo and Grenache is gritty up front, with strong black-fruit aromas and lemony oak notes. A palate with minty, dark flavors of licorice, plum, cherry and even citrus is attractive and shows acidic balance. For a big wine with grip, it's more meaty than mean.
This is a full-bodied, solid wine, dominated at this early stage in its development by tannins as well as black currant fruits. The wine is potentially warm, perfumed with truffles and spice. Age for a couple of years.
This is a complex, pale salmon-pink wine, delicious and worth aging. It has the hallmark light touch of Belle Epoque, all fresh and light as well as fruity. A more serious texture brings out tight minerality, some toastiness and delicate acidity. Drink now, but better from 2016.
Very ripe, juicy yellow Comice pear seems to drip from this lip-smacking, charming wine. At the core a vein of wonderful, lively acidity gives acidity and lots of drive. For now this concentrated wine shows zesty fruit but it also has stores of minerality.
The color of this wine is deep, with a bright ruby rim. Effusive and enticing aromas of spicy cinnamon, toasted oak and red cherry notes meld into black cherry and pomegranate flavors. The balance is just right, the texture is snappy, appetizing and rich at the same time and the finish lingers. Best after 2016.
As imposing as the athlete himself, this is an impressive wine from the get-go, high in acidity and the resulting bright cassis and red berry fruit. It's nuanced in pretty ways, with peppercorn, herb and chalky tannins. Lingering on the palate, the structure suggests significant aging potential; enjoy from 2021–2024.
This very substantive wine carries rich and complex flavors on a firm and lively frame. It has an exotic, perfumed aroma, and plenty of fruit flavor and firm tannins. The elements of ripe cherries, suave oak and vibrant acidity all support each other for great balance and a long finish.
Amid the pear and apple fruit plays a more exotic note of something alluring and spicy, perhaps passion fruit. This intense fruitiness plays on, supported equally by bouncy citrus freshness and deep concentration.
Blue flower, truffle, underbrush and perfumed berry aromas lead the nose on this structured but elegant wine. Firm, polished tannins provide the framework for crushed Morello cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and menthol flavors. It delivers an enviable combination of structure and finesse. Drink 2016–2029.
Old vines and low yields have concentrated this wine wonderfully. It is the essence of the stony, chalk and clay soil, powerfully driven by its dark fruits and immense tannins. New wood aging has added spice and has also begun the process of rounding out this impressive wine. It still needs to age and shouldn't be touched before 2018.
Beautifully nuanced notes of white flowers, fern fronds, white peach and tart passion fruit seeds make for an intriguing play on nose and palate. These take turns in highlighting the shimmering acidity of this sleek, beautiful wine with satisfying length. This is both lively and enlivening and so very long.
Still a little closed, this does not yet want to give too much away of its ripe, almost sumptuous flavors. The palate however, signals that all is there: concentration, balance and rich fruit cut through with ample freshness. Yeasty savoriness and white pepper play on the midpalate. This will open up. Drink as of 2017.
This is a full-bodied, creamy-textured Shiraz that manages to retain a sense of poise at the same time. Cedar, vanilla and baking spices frame a lush mix of red and black berry fruit, yet this is no mere fruit bomb, adding hints of roast meat and mocha. Drink this plush, supple wine now–2025.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the vintner's estate, this wine is holding back some of its complexity now in lieu of aging potential. Smoky oak, bay leaf, ripe raspberry, cherry and cedar tones remain elusive and subtle on the palate. This is an elegant wine, vibrant in red fruit and light spice. Cellar it through 2022.
Pure Pinot from the winery's estate O'Connell Vineyard, planted to one clone, this is a tremendous celebration of the grape, fresh in cherry and raspberry and pillowed by gentle wafts of rose petal. Light on the tongue and yet girded by enough structure to age and enjoy over time, this wine is simply delicious.
Vibrantly intoxicating wafts of varietal pepper and violets are complemented by gorgeous layers of blackberry, raspberry and smoky, gamy meat. The acidity marks the palate most, however, lifting the wine's denseness of concentration into a more complex and interesting place. Made in small quantities, this wine is ready to enjoy but will age through 2021, as well.
Almost floral glints appear between citrus zest and green pear. This aromatic charm continues on the palate, which is slender and compact but buffered with yeasty generosity. This is immensely enjoyable and extremely balanced.
Deep and richly layered in red and black berries, this wine offers a mouthwatering, juicy core, supported by layers of firm tannins and full-bodied oak. Concentrated, it retains enough acidity to maintain balance and is drinking lovely now.
Crisp, tight acidity and still-young, fresh fruitiness give this wine its initial brightness. Rich and full in the mouth, it also has a range of complex fruit flavors followed by hints of toastiness that will only continue to develop. It should be aged further, so drink from 2016.
A blend of Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval vineyards aged in 50% new French oak, this wine brings brooding notes of blackberry bramble, blueberry, mineral, herbs and potpourri. The palate-coating blue-fruit flavors are exceptionally dense, rich and sweet and lead to a hyper-extended finish.
Extraordinarily delicious is more like it. This is full bodied, supple and rich, with luscious aromas and flavors of mocha, cassis and vanilla that finish long, with some soft, dusty tannins. With all the plushness and primary fruit, it seems a little young right now; drink 2018–2030.
This superb Carmenère is lusty but intricate on the bouquet, with aromas of baked plum, blackberry, balsam wood, leather and horse hide. The palate shows a complex blend of high-voltage power and density; flavors of roasted blackberry, chocolate, pepper and root beer finish deep and oaky. Drink through 2020.
The highest of the Cahors vineyard's three terraces above the Lot valley has its stony soil with large pebbles. It produces the most structured of the three single-parcel wines from Triguedina. Complex and dark, it is juicy and sumptuous as well as solidly structured. Great acidity cuts through the opulent texture. It's a wine to age; drink from 2019.
This offers brooding, sumptuous, dark cherry fruit tinged with red rose petals. On the palate the core of ripe, intense cherry holds white pepper spice. Everything is still tightly held: wait and this will become even more engrossingly seductive. Drink as of 2017.
Light and floral, this subtle dessert wine is made from Scheurebe grapes, more often found in Austria than California. It provides this wine with fresh apricot and honey on the palate, lingering yet low enough in alcohol and power to be enjoyed as either apéritif or digestif, its sweetness greatly restrained.
The scent of freshly cut, warm hay pervades the yeasty notes of this concentrated, ripe yet fresh and zingy Grüner. On closer acquaintance, riper notes of yellow pear appear, spiced with white pepper and grapefruit zest. The linear, sleek drive and vivacious energy are very satisfying indeed.
Beeswax, yellow pear peel and yeasty notes for now dominate nose and palate while pepper and fruit still slumber. The wonderfully sleek mouthfeel with real phenolic grip and zesty finish also hints at tropical largesse of pineapple and mango. Do not touch before 2017.
Sipping this recalls biting into a ripe, sharp and crisp Cox Orange Pippin apple: juiciness, freshness and crunchy texture. With time, fresh orange peel joins the aromatic fray, while the palate stays exquisitely fresh and totally balanced. This is utterly appetizing and moreish with lots of verve and bouncy joy. A super-clean finish.
This is a big and complex wine by Napa-turned-Paso winemaker David Galzignato. Dense aromas suggest ripe plums, black licorice, vanilla and mint. Flavors are juicy with purple fruits and grounded with herbs and mint, all hanging on an excellent tannic structure that's substantial but not pushy.
This well-balanced blend of 48% Grenache, 32% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre showcases many of the strengths of southern Oregon. Tart and herbal, it mixes mulberry, plum and sour-cherry fruit with a generous dash of pepper. The refreshing minerality and acid base keep it lively through the finish.
From the Thomas LaTour Vineyards on Mount Veeder, this wine is half barrel fermented and half aged in stainless steel, making for a balanced, full-bodied expression of the variety. Apple and stony mineral notes linger, with hints of butterscotch on the finish.
Fluffy, almost cloud-like in mouthfeel, this finely textured late-release Riesling already shows clues of just a few years of bottle-age magic. Savory notes of white mushroom and spice lend umami to slicks of sweet marmalade, grapefruit and honey. It's an enticing wine at a surprisingly gentle price.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Merlot is youthfully exuberant and full of life. Plum aromas lead into pencil and clove, the fruit at first subdued in order to make way for the complexity of savory seasonings. Ready to enjoy, it packs a refined punch of leather on the finish.
What has become Portugal's national red grape shows well here. It has the characteristic violet and hedgerow berry fruit perfumes that go with some firm tannins and black currant fruit flavors. It is a wine that will be ready to drink soon, so just wait until late 2016.
This blend of Pommard, Coury and Dijon 667 clones shows bright cherry fruit, bedecked with lovely spices. It's round and forward, with medium weight and depth.
Reduced and extracted, this old-vine wine is smooth and velvety, powerfully made to reflect rich, ripe red berry and a layering of brown sugar. The finish is lean and reminiscent of black licorice.
Produced by a négociant based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, this is a ripe, Burgundian take on Beaujolais. This creates a full, plum and black cherry flavored wine where the tannins have been cushioned by the generous fruit. It does have the typical acidity and freshness of the year to give a lift. Drink now.
Deemed “The Imaginary One,” this bottling shows a combination of spice and fruit on the nose, with gingersnap, red berry and strawberry aromas. There's woody complexity on the crisp and clean palate, with cedar, incense, sandalwood, star anise and clove set against a red berry and fruit-punch frame.
Crushed stones and citrus blossoms perfume this fresh, primary Pinot Blanc. It's a bit puckery on the palate, but balanced nicely by sweet-tart peach and apple flavors. Ready to drink now, it's a value wine with a refreshing, widely appealing style.
Everything in this full-bodied wine comes in big helpings, from the deep garnet color to aromas of rich oak and ripe fruit, to the mouthfilling black-cherry flavors. Yet it doesn't go over the top and achieves a high-level complexity that's delicious.
The Beckett brothers' 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Zinfandel is one of their top wines, and it lives up to its reputation, with plump black cherry, baked plum and campfire aromas. The palate is softly layered with chalky tannins that carry waves of berry-powered acidity as well as savory notes of teriyaki, chocolate ganache and minty freshness on the finish.
Blackberry candies, purple flowers, black tea and hints of shaved dark chocolate show on the nose of this blend of 65% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. A zesty acidity kicks off the sip, then a tannic structure emerges, with thoroughly integrated flavors of pressed violet, dense blueberry jelly, tart olallieberry and a burned-caramel edge.
Almost Champagne-like aromas of lemon-lime soda, lime marmalade, chalk, crisp apples, night jasmine and a bit of yeast entertain the nose on this bone-dry bottling from the Central Coast's longtime Alsatian-minded producer. The tongue tingles with acidity once sipped, with flavors of apple skin and lime zest growing tart as the wine lingers.
Not a showy wine, but this is well balanced, aromatic, flavorful and feels right on the palate. It smells like red cherries and black plums, and tastes fruity with spicy undertones. A touch of tannin and a dash of good acidity give it poise.
A fine and rich blend of Chardonnay and Arinto, this wine has touches of spice and vanilla as well as crisp, bright fruit tones. Citrus and yellow fruit flavors show strongly through the lacy texture of this wine, which has a cool character from the proximity of the vines to the ocean. Drink now.
The “blanc” in the name refers to the white grapes historically planted in this vineyard. Now the vines are a varied red blend of Syrah, Fer Servadou, Merlot and Duras. Seventh-generation winemaker Jean-Marc Balaran creates a fruity, structured wine that is well-balance. Touches of spice from the wood aging complement the smoothness of the wine with its light, fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a ripe structured wine produced by the Pelvillain family at their 30-acre vineyard in Prayssac, to the west of Cahors. It is a fresh wine with tannins that will soften quickly and easily. Fresh berry fruits and a touch of minerality are combined with acidity to form a fine, ripe and balanced wine. Drink from 2017.
Cool, toasty aromas of minty oak, cigar box, herbs and eucalyptus leave little doubt that this is Chilean. A tight, solid palate offers herbal flavors of plum, tomato and mint. This tastes savory, saucy and a bit like good tomato sauce on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Earthy, ripe cherry and berry aromas come with notes of baking spices and tobacco. This is crisp in feel, albeit a touch jagged. Smoky, toasty plum and cherry flavors lead, while this is long, spicy and a tad bit hot on the finish.
From vineyards on the north bank of the Douro, this is a rounded, smooth wine that has layers of black fruits and finely integrated tannins. It is bold, ripe, full of blackberry fruitiness and a perfume from the Touriga Nacional in the blend. It is drinkable now, but will be better from the end of 2016.
Tart lemon verbena is highlighted in taste and aroma in this structured, elegant and zesty wine. Textured and medium bodied, it finishes with some graceful weight.
From two estate vineyards, this wine is sleepy and subdued at first. Gradually warming in the glass, it becomes velvety and concentrated in black and red fruit, with dashes of clove and oak filling in the full-bodied palate. Structured and approachable, it also has a lengthy finish.
This wine starts out brawny and tannic before finding itself in a more vibrant light of cherry, cinnamon and dried herb. Aromatically, it's a field of violets on a spring day, backed by a complex structure that makes for a food-friendly companion that's fresh from start to finish.
A grippy, powerfully concentrated wine, this is rich and full bodied in every way. It packs dense heaps of tobacco leaf with tar and baked, almost dried plum. A luxurious, decadent quaff from a Calistoga-based producer, it shows the vintage well.
Spicy strawberry and cherry hover over forest floor and a tangle of tangy acidity that keeps this wine fresh and vibrantly compelling. Full bodied and robust, it maintains a balance in the glass, making it both food-friendly and an option on its own.
From one of the older organic properties in the state, this bottling offers blackberries, blueberries and a rocky element on the nose, along with smoked beef, condensed violets and a touch of leathery tobacco. The palate is relatively light in density, but medium in tannins, with complex flavors of pencil lead, purple fruit, roasted coffee and oregano.
Wild berry, moist earth, crushed violet and a whiff of dark baking spice meld together on this. The polished palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, polished tannins.
A wine from the Santos Lima home estate, the wine brings together two noble varieties in a homogenous, smooth blend. The tannins that are part of the DNA of both grapes have been softened by wood aging so that the dominant character of this ripe wine is almost refreshing, juicy acidity. Drink now.
This small appellation is situated on the south and north banks of the Garonne river near Agen. Using grapes from three-year-old vines, this wine is ripe and juicy in red fruit flavors, with layering acidity that gives a fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
There's no shortage of ripeness in this single-vineyard, somewhat hot and wild Toro. The nose is all spice, heat and simmering black fruit, and that's backed by a brooding, heaviy concentrated palate. Teetering on the precipice of overripe, this wine needs all the air and patience you can give it to muster elegance to match its power.
A beautiful, velvet-textured wine, with its dense fruit, enticing and attractive. But the wine, from the 5-acre parcel owned by actor Gérard Depardieu, is balanced, with a good layer of dry tannins, fresh acidity and subtle hints of the new wood used in the aging.
If you like a traditionally styled Rioja then this will be highly appealing. Aromas of dill, tobacco and dried fruits are enticing, while the palate veers toward subtle fruits, more tobacco and finely intertwined acidity. This is a wonderful wine from an excellent vintage, thus there's absolutely no reason why it shouldn't age gracefully for another decade.
The ancient vineyard of Tour Carnet, first planted in the 15th century, is into a renaissance. This wine, which showed too many tannins when in barrel, is now coming to life. The balance, the acidity and the seductive perfumes promise plenty. So does the structure, just hinting at bitterness, a function of its youthfulness. Keep for 5–8 years.
Layers of cherry, currant and herbs give this fresh Cab an elegant but earthy feel. A lovely balance of fruit and acid, topped with supple and structured tannins, add to the success. Very pretty and collectible.
Lucid yellow in the glass, yet lightly oxidized on the nose. A spacy, unique Viura. There's dry apricot and peach pit flavors, and the mouthfeel and acidity are impeccable. A treat for explorers; eschews all blueprints for modern white wine.
As expected, this wine's vines are next to a gravel quarry in Paarl, a region known for producing powerful reds. Big flavors of black currant and berry are balanced by a poised acidity and spicy wood character, and while assertive, the wine maintains an elegant, dry reserve. Drink now or wait 2–3 years.
The assertive elegance of a French Bordeaux is present here, but the Fusion also has a South African edge to it that gives it extra appeal. The nose, a subtle layering of luscious berry, minerality and spice, rolls into a clean, taut but flirty combination of plum and pepper, edged very quietly by tobacco smoke. Serious but with a feminine touch, this wine is made for food pairing.
This Merlot requires some extended breathing time before opening up. The fruit sources include Cold Creek, Canoe Ridge and the Wahluke Slope, bringing lush cherry/berry fruit to the fore, ripened to a level just below jammy. The tannins carry a hint of green, turning a little rough in the finish.
A nose of lemon, tropical fruit and flowers gives this vibrant Chardonnay from Chateau Julia a clean start. Lively with fresh fruit and floral flavors, it's crisp with depth. A great food wine—or one to sip alone.
A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Roditis, this refreshing white starts with aromas of citrus and peach, followed by crisp flavors of lemon backed by a lively acidity. Rich but clean. Pair with shellfish, meaty white fish.
A good, hearty, substantial Lemberger, brimming with plush boysenberry fruit dotted with black pepper. It's broadly tannic, certainly one of the best Lems in Washington.
Snappy lemon, grapefruit and apples aromas lead this fresh white from Bovin. On the palate, grassy flavors with fresh white fruits are backed by a lively minerality. Clean and flavorful—a perky go-to white with food pairing potential.
Made from Xynisteri, a white Cypriot variety, this fresh, fruity wine is both easydrinking and food friendly. The nose offers citrus, flowers and melon, with like flavors that are both light and balanced. A terrific warm weather sip.
Round, melony and pleasant, with tropical/floral aromas. Flavorwise, it's all about medium-intensity melon and lychee, and as Torrontés goes this one is likable and well made. It covers the tropical fruit bases and adds in some peppery dryness on the finish.
This is the second wine of Vieille Cure, one of the leading Fronsac estates. It is aging well, moving from fruit to mature, secondary flavors, softening in the process. Wood aging has balanced the blackberry fruit with spice and made it ready to drink.
From a château that has vineyards in both Blaye and Bourg, this wine is redolent of black currant, both on the nose and on the palate. The wood and tannins lend support, giving plenty of space for the ripe fruitiness and juicy acidity. Drink from 2020.
This second wine from the estate offers spice and mushroom aromas that indicate it's now mature. Ripe and smooth, with attractive secondary flavors, it's spicy, meaty and ready to drink.
Aromas of mint, talcum powder and dried cherry lead you to a delightful palate of red and black plums and black raspberries. Soft tannins and a persistent finish make this a notable Bulgarian Merlot.
An opaque color is appropriate for this fully extracted Tannat. Aromas of blackberry, sandalwood and exotic spices are a strong point, while the palate is primed with grating acidity. Full blackberry, cassis and herbal flavors finish cool and toasty but long due to the wine's full-force acidity.
The wine is soft, smooth and full of rich berry fruits. The blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet gives a warm southern feel: ripe wine, sunshine and soft tannins. Wood aging has smoothed the bold fruits and created a full generous aftertaste. Drink now.
Fully ripe fruit flavors are accented by light toast and spice notes in this full-bodied and extremely smooth-textured wine. Dense ripe blackberry and dark chocolate flavors seem to coat the palate, and moderate tannins provide good grip.
Fresh aromas of dark violets, sweet lavender, elderberry and a light teriyaki glaze show on the nose of this extra barrel-aged bottling. It's medium bodied on the palate, where dark fruits meet with elderflower and more purple flowers. It's still a bit reserved.
This dark-ruby wine offers a bouquet of black cherry and violet. There is a nice balance of bright fruit and silky tannins amid flavors of cherry, cola, cranberry and mocha, with the slightest hint of green pepper. The long-lasting finish is marked by a fruity brightness.
Exuberantly fruity, this full-bodied wine smells and tastes like black-cherry juice, and is nicely dry on the palate. Good fruit acidity and moderate tannins balance all the fruit concentration and high alcohol level.
Produced by the winemaking team of Casa Santos Lima in Lisboa, this wine has rich black fruits and a soft texture. Its depth, concentration and richness are finely integrated—full and fruity with a core of firmer tannins. Drink now.
Briary, minty berry aromas are highly herbal and straight from the traditional Chilean recipe. This is saturated and full-bodied, with scratchy tannins that do nothing to tame the mouthfeel. Heavily blackened and toasted berry flavors are spicy like pepper, while a chocolaty, dry finish is made firm by arid tannins. Drink through 2025.
After a few swirls of the glass, this reveals mouthwatering aromas of wild berry, dark culinary spice and a light balsamic note. It's soft, smooth and totally accessible, with juicy black cherry, licorice and black pepper flavors framed in polished tannins.
A four-way blend creates ripe fruit and generous tannins in an easy smooth wine. Ripe berry fruits are balanced by the acidity with touches of wood and spice giving a complete wine that is ready to drink.
This Tannat (with 15% Viognier) is full and oaky up front, with vanilla notes accenting berry aromas. Astringent tannins make for a rubbery palate. Lightly stewed flavors of plum and mixed spices finish long, with a note of herbal tomato.
Aromas of prune, raisin and baking spice lead the nose. The youthfully austere, primary palate shows raisin and ground pepper alongside bracing tannins that clench the finish. Give the tannins another couple of years then drink to capture the remaining fruit.
Gentle wood aging has given this single-vineyard wine its smooth texture. At three-years-old, it is ripe, balanced and rounded. The juicy red fruits are already delicious, juicy and full of bright flavors. It is ready to drink.
Amber honey and peach jam aromas are in the forefront of this passito-style wine. Marmalade, praline and African honeybush tea fold into button mushroom notes in the background. These translate onto the palate effortlessly. The acidity feels sprightly and lifts this lucious wine. The finish is long and luxurious.
Typical of the variety, this shows upfront aromas of fresh green pepper, eucalyptus, black pepper and blackberry. These notes are amplified on the palate, with cedar and earthiness adding dimension. The tannins are not shy, but are well-integrated and the acidity is zippy and playful, which lends to a long, enticing finish.
White blossoms and wet stone softly caress on the nose. The flavors are layered and compelling, starting on crisp green apple, honeydew melon and peach, folding into complexities of crushed stone, fennel and pollen. Well-balanced, fresh acidity and ample body lend to a long, evolving finish.
Forest and pine give this wine an edgy, earthy and ethereal core that's dotted in notions of baked strawberry. Sizable oak and tannin structure add weight and power from a concentrated year.
Ample helpings of allspice, clove and orange peel add dimensions to the hearty cherry and hibiscus on the nose of this entry-level wine made by the Talley family. Rich red cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and clove show on the sip. While it's not very complex, it is quite tasty for a midweek sipper.
Strong spicy, meaty aromas and equally assertive oak and char flavors threaten to overwhelm the fruity aspects of this dry wine, but it has enough concentrated blackberry and blueberry stuffing to match the firm tannins. Best after 2020.
Aromas suggesting Spanish broom and toasted nut lead the way while the ripe palate shows juicy yellow peach and chamomile. A note of bitter almond wraps up the finish.
Red berry and pastry dough aromas lead the nose on this zesty, refreshing sparkler. On the tangy palate, crisp acidity and a lively perlage back up candied cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of citrus zest.
This wine has overlapping personalities. One drips richly in vanilla and honey, while the other is lemony tart and electric in acidity. They commingle on the finish, and will clearly decide whether to get along or part over time. Give the wine a good swirl.
The lightest of the 2012 single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Giant Steps, this is an almost delicate wine with silky tannins. Notes of smoke, earth and mushroom mark the nose, while hints of pine boughs impart a slightly medicinal edge to the cherry fruit. Drink now.
Herbaceous in flavor and firm in texture, it brings a freshness and tang with plenty of acidity to perk up fish, shellfish or chicken like a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Hailing from Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo, this Croatian white has aromas of lemon preserves and caramelized pineapple. There are flavors of dried apricot and vanilla on the entry, with a burst of green apple in the midpalate.
Varietally correct aromas of white flowers, lychee and tropical fruits feed into a plump, creamy palate that's losing some of the steam it probably had when it was bottled. Melon, banana and lychee flavors finish on the heavy, creamy side. Drink immediately.
This new cuvée brings forward, spicy, peppery fruit centered around cranberry flavors. The back end tannins turn earthy, and take the shine off the finish. Perhaps a bit more bottle age will open it up.
Fermented in stainless steel, this medium-bodied wine is supple in nutty pear and fig, as well as viscous in honey. Serve chilled with chicken-lemongrass banh mi.
A light orange-colored rosé, it's equally light on the palate. It has lost its freshness while broadening out into a softly fruity, orange peel and strawberry flavored wine. It needs food.
Warm and ripe, this is a full-bodied rosé that has the weight and some of the tannins of a red wine. With its vivid pink color and sweet strawberry fruits, it's fruity and ready to drink.
Soft and round, this is a wine that has the warmth of the Alentejo coupled with a tangy, fresh slice of lemon. Blending Antão Vaz, Roupeiro and Perrum, it's a wine to drink now, or just age for a few months.
The wine is soft, showing ripe apple fruits, pears and apricots, with fresh acidity. It's light, but has a strong sense of texture and minerality. It's ready to drink but will be better early in 2015.
Earthy, spicy, concentrated red-berry aromas give way to a full palate with spicy, oaky lead flavors and secondary red-fruit notes. Dry spice and a dusting of chocolate rise up on a simple finish.
Concentrated berry aromas are basic and hint at sugar beets. This feels jammy and a bit syrupy, while robust berry, beet and chocolate flavors finish a touch heavy and sticky. For the money, this is generous and plenty good.
This offers aromas of dill, wet leaves, hay, pickled beets, roasted coffee bean and spearmint. The palate lacks fruit richness, delivering instead espresso and vanilla-sweetened oak. Astringent tannins generate a tongue-drying finish.
Sweet, floral aromas of plum, candied berry and sugar beet are friendlier than the palate, which is a bit piercing and high in acidity. Cherry and tart plum flavors finish with choppy, bright acids and citric flavors.
Grassy, lightly weedy aromas set up a palate with sweet citrus and melony flavors. This is sticky and a touch mealy come finishing time, with a fleshy, unctuous feel and only modest structure and acidity.
This is an appropriately simple Pinot, not particularly varietal, with a good amount of red fruit and oak.
Brambly, lightly herbal aromas of berry fruit, sugar beet and a touch of chemical precede a wiry, narrow palate with briary flavors of herbal berry and cassis. A tannic, crimped finish is rugged and houses cherry flavors and heat.
Ginger, lemongrass and herbaceous aromas precede a zesty, citric palate with sharp acidity. This hints at sour lemon and grapefruit flavors while bringing in sweeter lime and melon notes. A cleansing, citric finish is tart to sour. 85% Torrontés and 15% Riesling.
Fans of sharply scented Sauvignon Blancs will be happy with this bottling, which features a strong nose of green pear skin and freshly cut lawn. It is fairly flat upon sipping, though, with a bit of Granny Smith apple tang and faint lemongrass.
Fresh smells of blue raspberry and black licorice characterize the nose. On the palate, it's heavily tannic, beginning with some cherry before becoming distractingly grippy. Hold until 2017.
Initial aromas are suggestive of turpentine and alcohol, but with time things improve. This is chunky and low on pulse; flavors of tomato, green herbs and red fruits are marginal, while the finish carries some burn and heat.
Bordeaux wine should not have high alcohol; it detracts from the play between fruit and tannins, as in this wine. It is powered by its extracted structure, with flavors of bitter chocolate that leave the fruit behind.
Firm and structured, this wine has strong wood-aging spice and ripe tannins. The fruit is suppressed by the toasty wood flavors, but it holds hints of black currant fruitiness for the future. Drink from 2015.
Rose and violet aromas sit comfortably with tight, gritty cherry and plum scents. A tight medium-to-full palate is the staging ground for fresh plum and berry flavors that are powerful but not heavy. A long, warming finish maintains the wine's core potency. This is not ready to drink; best from 2019–2028.
This blend is part of a new label for Syrah master Joey Tensley, and it's actually far more accessible at this young age than his more expensive bottlings. Fascinating aromas of game, animal hide and tar meet with black currant and elderberry on the nose. There is a strong density and tannic frame to the palate, where flavors of bay leaf, thyme and pepper spice up the undercurrent of elderberry and black plum skins.
This is a very opulent bottling by Steve Martell, who blends 83% Syrah, 16% Grenache and 1% Mourvèdre to deliver aromas of black-plum sauce, hot licorice, hoisin and buttery pie crust. Rounded milk chocolate flavors show on the sip, melted atop the rich and ripe core of black cherry and cassis. It's a tad hot on the tongue.
Classic scents of dark-skinned berry, chopped herb, dark spice and new leather take the lead in this wine. On the firm elegant palate, youthfully assertive, noble tannins support dried Marasca cherry, licorice and clove flavors while bright acidity lends balance.
The wine is dense with fine concentration and a solid dry tannin character at the back. It is full of black fruits and balanced acidity. Its richness reflects the quality of the vintage and its aging potential. Drink from 2022.
Gorgeous, with a golden apple nose, this wine is voluptuously rich, rewarding and full bodied, with creamy waves of vanilla and melon. Big and bold on the midpalate, it finishes in a twist of salty Meyer lemon. 100% Dijon 95 clone.
Well-integrated oak, deliciously ripe fruit flavors and an absolutely luscious texture make a great combination for this very full-bodied wine. The entry is smooth and light, then the flavors of ripe plum and boysenberry build on the palate, very mouth filling and rich, before lingering on a long finish.
Lush cassis aromas are cut by black pepper and charcoal on the nose of this bottling by Las Vegas sommelier-turned-winemaker Paolo Barbieri, who was raised in Rome. It's still young and tightly wound on the palate, but slowly unfurls boisterous blackberry fruit, thyme and pepper, with sticky firm tannins and a strong acidity from front to back.
All five Bordeaux varieties make an appearance in this blend, which offers deep and brooding aromas of black olive, graphite, tobacco, cigar box and elderberry on the nose. There is strong black pepper and charred beef on the sip but also a pleasant purple-fruit jam that arises midpalate, with pencil shavings all around. The tannins are soft and the finish is minty.
Stewed cherry, exotic cardamom and mace spices and hints of juniper and bay leaf bring an earthy component to the nose of this Pinot. Dark cranberry and black-plum-skin flavors meet with earth tones of turned loam, pine needle and menthol on the palate.
From the famed slope of the Côtes de Py, this wine sums up both the great terroir and a great vintage. It has structure, with dry tannins permeating the ripe, rounded fruit. Its potential is considerable, anchored in great fruitiness and finishing acidity. Drink from 2019.
rich, fruity wood-aged wine, this offers ripe white fruits and plenty of smoky toast flavors. Acidity and minerality give the wine its distinctive tangy texture. These elements result in a ripe wine that will age further. Drink from 2020.
A part of this estate's vineyards are in the Sainte-Victoire subappellation close to the landmark mountain of that name. This is a dense wine with serious tannins at this stage. It also has generous potential, along with the tight black-currant and blackberry fruits. Drink this wine from 2020.
This lovely blend of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir is impressive in its doughy, refined sensibilities and in its distinct aromas of apple and orange blossom. Bright strawberry rides atop layered acidity and enviable length, while the palate creamy and refined. This is a vegan wine.
Cooked cherry meets with nutmeg, allspice, white pepper and a strong sandalwood scent on the nose of this red from the south side of the appellation. The woody cedar-driven spice notes show strong on the sip, giving depth to the mulberry and rainbow-peppercorn flavors.
This well-made, crisply styled wine is zesty in lime and stony minerality, with a background grasp of the sea. Briny, it has well-manicured layers of toasty oak, green apple and persistent acidity—a wise choice for the table.
Light and chalky aromas of lemon peel, yeast and white flowers are pure and inviting on the nose of this bottling by regional sparkling pioneer Norm Yost. Clean lines of lime peel and rounded hints of nectarine show on the very pleasing and non-aggressive palate.
This blend of Cabernet Franc (46%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Petit Verdot (9%) starts out brooding, with black cherry, herb, black currant, anise, and spice notes. The palate is rich and structured, loaded with dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. Give it some time to open up.
Dense and structured, this bottling is made from selection of wines aged in large wood barrels for 12 months. Black cherry and plum fruits are balanced by firm tannins and backed by acidity. It is ready to age. Drink from 2019.
This is a ripe wine, soft on the normal tannins of this appellation and big on the black-cherry and berry fruits. It does have a firm core, cushioned by the generous fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2020.
The year 1610 was the year the estate was created, so it does have some history. The wine is smooth, rich and with a dense character that gives it an almost inky black color. Solid and concentrated, it is a powerful wine, with dense berry fruits and acidity. It will be ready from 2019.
Intensely dark aromas of black currant, char, roast beef and a slight bit of gamy funk show on the very masculine nose of this bottling by San Jose-based vintner Adam Comartin. There is bountiful acidity on the sip and thick mouthcoating tannins, allowing the black fruit and caramel flavors to penetrate deep into the finish.
Earthy aromas of crushed rocks and sea shells are backed by scents of garrigue and herbal black plum. This wine feels both lush and racy. Spicy, peppery plum flavors run long on a finish that shows a toasty accent. Drink through 2021.
This wine's ripe, dark-skinned fruit, culinary spice and new leather scents lead the way, along with a menthol note. The firmly structured, chewy palate offers dried Morello cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and espresso flavors alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
A ripe and full wine, packed with fruit. It has a toasty character, spice and bright red-berry fruits that give the wine its crisp acidity and balance the riper smooth texture that is developing. Give this wine until 2022.
From sand and granite soil, this firmly structured wine has dark tannins as well as the more familiar red-cherry flavors of Beaujolais. As it develops, it will become rich and fruity, juicy with good acidity. Drink from 2019.
Gritty white-fruit and green aromas are more neutral than loud. This has a sharp, citric mouthfeel that's all about acidity. Tart flavors of citrus and mixed greens finish salty.
Mango aromas bring out the tropical character of this superripe wine. It is soft and creamy, maybe too much so, since it lacks a crisper edge. It is ready to drink.
A blast of hard spice and herbaceous aromas is the greeting on this blend of Cabernet and Carmenère. A sizable palate is fairly gritty and tough in feel, while oaky flavors of chocolate and pepper shadow fiery, burnt-tasting fruit. This screams herbs and oak on the finish.
A blend with 85% Gamay, this wine comes from the Beaujolais region. It has delicious red-cherry fruit and attractive acidity. The wine with its layer of tannins is ready to drink— fruity and bright.
This 100% varietal wine from the Dineen (66%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards shows garden herb, green pepper, seaweed, cherry and citrus aromas. It's medium bodied, with gritty tannins and somewhat green flavors.
Heavy oak gives off sawmill aromas, with only touches of apple and stone-fruit scents lurking below the surface. This feels creamy, heavy and striving for balance. With a ton of oak flavor leading the charge, it tastes woody, candied and spicy, but also jumbled and unfamiliar.
A heavily oaked nose of berry fruits quickly gets taken over by creamy milk chocolate and clove scents. An overextracted tannic palate holds flavors of burnt wood and blackened spices. On the finish, this wine is so charred and woody that it tastes bitter.
A severe sense of funk and sweat is the aromatic greeting on this Sauvignon Blanc-Semillón blend. A crisp, citric palate tastes green, like lime and tarragon. On the finish, this is tight and stony, with overt citric acidity.
Bright, soft and attractively fruity, this is an easy, open wine. An edge of acidity and minerality give the wine a good, crisp texture. Drink now.
This ripe and creamy wine offers yellow fruits and a soft texture. The acidity is just right for all the rich fruit, giving a lift of citrus to the smooth texture. It is ready to drink.
Earthy aromas of roasted red plum blend with scents of latex and cured meat on a jumbled nose. Like any Rufete, this feels drawing and rubbery, with choppy tannins. Flavors of tomato, currant and red plum are tart and narrow on a drawing finish.
With time, initial smoky and rubbery aromas become more savory and fruity on the palate. This wine has ripe red- and black-cherry flavors, a crisp balance and a smooth texture that's low in tannin.
There is so much wood on the nose of this bottling that it smells like an oak stave mill, with shaved cedar and maduro cigar touches dominating the black-currant and elderberry fruit. That cedar is powerful on the sip too, with a touch of black-cherry fruit managing to pop out along with dried herbs.
From an estate property, this is among the winery's top bottlings every year. In this stellar vintage it shows well in a mix of cranberry and dense earth. Tightly wound and still a touch chewy in tannin weight, the oak is present yet integrated, allowing the ripe fruit to shine.
An impressive and concentrated wine that brings out tannins as well as the fine perfumes that lie at the heart of a Touriga Nacional. It is certainly dense with blackberry and black plum fruits giving a juicy side to the young tannins. As it develops, the wine will show elegance while remaining super-rich and opulent. Drink from 2018.
A mix of clones 115, 177 and Pommard, this tart, tightly wound wine brings cranberry, black cherry and red-licorice flavors together. There's ample acidity, yet it remains in balance, with good focus and length.
Plum and blackberry shout from the glass, wrapping around an oaky, leathery texture and hits of smoky char and vanilla. This full-bodied wine finds a groove of balance as it goes, adding a lengthy streak of pepper on the finish.
As with many of Oregon's 2013 Pinots, this is more refined, more austere, more herbal and lower in alcohol than the fruity, forward 2012s. It's a matter of personal preference which is preferable. The fruit here begins in rhubarb and runs to raspberry, with a stop for citrus peel along the way. Spicy highlights of clove and coriander roll into a bright finish.
This sultry wine is sourced from the producer's Trenton Road vineyard, cooler than where the winery itself sits in Chalk Hill. Planted to six clones, it provides this bottling with a taste of blueberry and raspberry integrated around soft, juicy tannins and a brightness of acidity.
Ripe, velvety notions of juicy pear and pear peel perfume the subtle nose. The palate has the same, bright, friendly but utterly balanced juiciness that is immensely appetizing. The palate is dry and lithe and has a fine acidic backbone of lemony freshness.
This medium-bodied wine comes off as pure and focused. It shows bright and concentrated fruit aromas and delicious red cherry and raspberry flavors. The refreshing texture derives from the firm tannins and energizing acidity.
Notions of ripe fresh pears and pear compote on the nose segue into the more pliable fruitiness of ripe mirabelle plums. This is off-dry but offset by a little phenolic grip and a lively streak of freshness. Nose, palate and finish all speak of golden mirabelles.
Earth and smoke join fruity, fresh apples on the nose. The palate is equally apple-fruited and very appetizing, full of freshness and friendly fruit on a dry, slender body. The juicy, poised cleanliness lingers beautifully.
Each Le Cadeau wine has a different consulting winemaker. Scott Shull (Raptor Ridge) made this generously toasty wine. Bright fruit flavors bring berry and cherry forward, though in this young wine they are not yet completely integrated. Give it some hours of aeration and it pulls together nicely, or cellar it until 2018.
Earthy black-fruit and spice aromas are clean and welcoming, while this is potent and full of life on the palate. Black cherry, coffee and chocolate flavors are intense and finish with a notable amount of minty menthol character. Drink through 2019.
A bouquet of blueberry, pomegranate and juniper berry braces the palate for flavors of blueberry, raspberry, anise, juniper berry and eucalyptus that sit in a plexus of comforting tannins. Fruity and cool flavors battle it out for dominance, with fruit remaining victorious on the bright and juicy finish.
An excellent value, this is a fairly full-bodied, slightly creamy-textured Shiraz that should provide ample pleasure through 2020. Smoky, plummy fruit finishes warm and plush.
The winery lays claim to the first planting of Grenache Blanc in Oregon, and has established a track record for consistent quality. Here is a rich, ripe and generously fruity white wine, substantial enough to pair well even with your creamiest sauces. Fleshy pear, apricot and tropical fruits are set against juicy acidity. This is a winner!
Softly scented notes of apricot compote entice the nose. The palate is honeyed and pliable, with layers of sweetness and richness. Fresh lemon oil acidity holds against that but overall accentuates the honeyed apricot notes that are the chief theme of this luscious wine.
A creamier notion of ripe apples with custard pervades both nose and palate of this soft wine. The acidity is bright and pure but cushioned by creaminess that gives this a very approachable, very friendly and fruity aspect.
Bürklin-Wolf's standard label Wachenheim-dry Riesling has all the vivacious acidity and citrus flavor of its premier cru counterparts but is also starker and leaner in style. Its sharp, angular feel is elegant and penetrating though, finishing with a nuanced dusting of saffron and crushed minerals. Drink now through 2018.
True to label, this dry, invigorating Riesling is a showcase of Mosel-style minerality. Racy lime, pineapple and tangerine flavors are intensified by slatey, salty tangs of minerality that reverberate on the finish.
Creamy and crisp, this lovely wine is delicately scented with yellow apple and mineral. The flavors carry over to the linear, elegant palate along with a note of pear while vibrant acidity lends plenty of verve.
This is a dense wine from the Perescuma estate in the southeast Alentejo. It is going to take a while to mature. At the moment, tannins dominate the potential of the black fruits. Oak aging has given this wine extra depth. It's going to be a fine wine, but needs time. Drink from 2018.
Ripe while still so fresh, this is a tangy, citrus-flavored wine. It has a rich creamy character that fills the mouth with a fine array of fruits, yellow fruits and pink grapefruit. The wine is ready to drink.
All about fruit, this is a ready-to-drink Port, although it could also age. Red fruits and dried raisins are lifted by the intense acidity as well as the tannic structure, producing a wine that is on the dry side for Port. Because it is not filtered, the wine will throw a sediment; however, that also means that the wine could age, although it is delicious, ripe and fruity now.
Lusciously peachy and floral with a deliciously clingy, silken mouthfeel, this dry Riesling offers irresistable quaffability at a seductive price point. It's unabashedly forward yet nuanced. Brisk and cutting on the finish, it's a balanced, refreshing sip. Drink now through 2018.
A thick, rich and balanced expression of great, estate-owned dirt, this wine has well-developed elements of green apple, pear and lemon, with teases of wet stone and gravelly minerality.
Nickolaihof produces intense, full-flavored Rieslings that age more quickly than Wachau Rieslings from further west. This is a silky, creamy wine, full of white fruit flavors, seared through with crisp acidity, enormously concentrated, with a bone-dry finish.
This bold, off-dry Riesling is loaded with flavors of poached pear and baked apple, with a lavish dusting of dried spices adding complexity. Tongue-tingling acidity provides great balance and lengthens the finish.
Smells considerably riper than most Otago Rieslings, with nectarine and apricot aromas giving way to a thickly-textured wine with bold stone-fruit flavors and just enough citrusy acidity on the finish to keep the wine balanced. Most comparable in style to off-dry Alsatian Rieslings, possibly even vendanges tardives wines.
Although the aromas are sweet, oozing with pear nectar, stone fruit, dried spices and apple blossoms, this wine features only 1.5% residual sugar. It's fairly big for a Finger Lakes Riesling, with a slightly oily texture, and comes across as being close to dry thanks to firm acids on the finish. The only problem with this wine is its limited availability.
This is a rich, barrel fermented style that delivers creamy, layered, textured flavors accented with flower, white pepper and mineral notes. A smack of butterscotch finishes it beautifully.
Smells rich and decadent, with aromas of orange marmalade and honey, but still maintains refreshing touches of citrus and pineapple throughout. It's thick and rich in the mouth, and finishes long, with excellent balance. This can easily compete with Canadian ice wines.
Inky and dense, with plum-cake aromas along with nuances of tree bark and nutmeg. The more time you give this ripe, tannic red, the more it'll offer. The fruit is pure and ripe, and the tannins are anything but meek. On the finish, root beer, chocolate and vanilla notes add some complexity and sweetness. The fruit is 61% Columbia Valley (Wash.) and 39% southern Oregon, and the whole is a fine yet brawny offering.
This smells wild, with a jumpy cherry aroma. The palate is huge and tannic in the mouth, and it's blasting with minty oak, marshmallow and black fruit flavors.
This wine looks clear, with aromas of chewing gum, watermelon and cherry. The palate is regular and nebulous in feel, while flavors of melon and peach are slightly oxidized and pithy. A blend of 50% Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha and 20% Viura.
Tropical in scent, almost to the point of air freshener, this also has an oily, bitter hint to the bouquet. It feels choppy and citric, with a nuttiness to the core of tangerine, lemon and melon flavors. Good but fading.
Hard berry and plum aromas turn minty and grassy with airing. It feels tough and tannic, but fresh, with mild herb-tinged flavors of red berry and red plum. Finishes lively but rough, with a mint note and grabby tannins.
This blend of 60% Xarel-lo and 40% Chardonnay deals notes of petrol, yeast and powdered sugar on the bouquet. It's acidic and citric in feel, with lime, tart apple and other green-leaning flavors. Feels watery and tangy on the finish.
A textured wine, this has ripe fruit that still shows a green, herbal character. It has weight and a ripe black-currant flavor, plus juicy acidity and soft tannins. Ready to drink.
Raisiny and jammy on the bouquet, this wine becomes vital in the mouth, with fresh acidity supporting the raspberry and red plum flavors. The raisiny resurfaces on the finish, with acidic bite.
Light, uncommitted aromas of pear and lemon lead to a modest palate that offers fleshy melon and pear flavors. Everything about this wine is mild, including the finish, which offers little besides vanilla and cream flavors.
An oily popcorn aroma mixes with a tropical fruit note on this midlevel Torrontés. It feels round and chunky on the palate, with flavors of pineapple and citrus. The finish deals both sweet banana and lemon notes.
This has a jumpy and piquant bouquet, with notes of plum and raspberry. It feels pinched and narrow but lively, with mild berry, cherry and leather flavors. Holds onto that leathery characteristic on what amounts to a slightly bitter tasting finish.
A very herbaceous character makes this wine seem rather thin. It's soft and lightweight, and the lemon zest character is mildly attractive. Ready to drink.
This exhibits stalky fruit, with some weight behind it. A black currant flavor dominates, with a ripe, jammy feel. For short-term aging.
Tart to the point of being flat-out sour, this might appeal to lovers of rhubarb pie. Rhubarb and sour plum flavors are matched with sharp acidity. The fruit seems underripe.
There is very little to distinguish any of the 2010 Maryhill Cabernets from each other. This shows a dash of cassis, with a big streak of vanilla and just a hint of orange peel.
White fruit and flower aromas are friendly and simple. The palate feels soft and syrupy, and thus it's not surprising that the wine's flavors of sweet apple and pear taste honeyed and candied. Creamy on the finish, lacking the zest and cut that Verdejo should have.
This small-production (200 cases), barrel-aged Xarel-lo is well made but fails to strike a chord. It's yellow in color, with oily aromas of petrol, orange peel and wood resin. It feels sticky despite its supporting acids, and it tastes primarily of wood and white pepper, with a lasting bitterness.
Soft and ripe, this is a broad wine. Its tannins are enveloped by the rich plum and damson fruit flavors. It combines the richness of the vintage with the softness of a Savigny in an already delicious whole.
Attractively balanced wine, with refreshing acidity cutting through the apple and pear flavors. It has some tangy minerality as well as a really fresh but rich aftertaste. Screwcap.
A rich, earthy blend of half Barbera, half Zinfandel that tastes light at first, earthy with raspberry and cherry tones. On the finish, it gets darker, its spicy, dark fruit tones memorably bound in a wall of leather and tobacco.
A miracle for Grateful Dead fans who have matured into wine, there's lots to like in this red blend that's got bright, friendly cherry fruit, a lick of spice and surprising sophistication. It's medium in weight, with a shock of silky berry fruit on the finish. The blend is 60% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah, 11% Barbera and 6% Sangiovese. Pair it with mushroom pizza or burgers. Jerry would approve.
Warm, slightly leathery and earthy on the nose, with a hint of cheese. Feels full, nice and solid, with decent depth. Flavors of black fruits and pastry are friendly, while the finish is pleasant. Delivers all it can for the price.
A big wine that handles its 15.3% abv. Smells of pastry, earth and soft berry fruit. Feels round but reticent, with no fire or heat but plenty of blackberry, molasses and coffee. Mellow, toasty and blackened on the finish, with an earthy feel and a baked aftertaste.
There's a ripe orange-oil streak in the background of the bouquet, boosting rich aromas of tropical fruit and hay. The texture is full but framed by cleansing acidity and a tart, slightly pithy accent on the close.
Pristine on the nose and palate, this dry, full-bodied Chardonnay is a prime example of how thoroughly modern Romanian winemaking can be. Juicy and floral with pretty hints of apple blossoms, it's creamy and rich in texture, yet impeccably refreshing on the finish.
Round and fruity, with a generous mix of berry and cherry, and no discernible oak influence, this pleasing Mourvèdre lets the fruit be the star. Nicely balanced and drinking well already, it carries a hint of mineral/metal in the finish.
A kitchen-sink blend of 60% Shiraz, 20% Cab Sauv, 7% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault and 3% Viognier. Aromas of crushed violet petals are pitted against the intense mulled-raspberry and black-fruit core. Drinkable now, with approachable tannins and a dusty, cocoa-sprinkled finish, but could age until 2014.
At only 7% Merlot, it's unclear why it's even mentioned on the label, especially since it seems to be so obviously Cabernet in style. Cassis and chocolate notes dominate this richly textured, full-bodied red. Drink now.
Sweet oak on the nose results in creamy, chocolaty aromas, along with herbal notes, plum and berry. Feels tight but expansive, with solid tannins, bright acids and solid flavors of herbs, berry fruit, cassis, toast and chocolate. Keeps it together on the finish.
A dark, brooding showcase of many of Shake Ridge Vineyards's finest varieties mixed into one inviting bottle. With 31% Syrah, 28% Primitivo, 18% Petite Sirah, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Malbec and 6% Merlot, this wine has baked plum and dark bright cherry predominantly, followed by a grip of tobacco and cinnamon spice. Have it with roasted meat and potatoes.
Light and balanced, this five grape Bordeaux-style blend does not try to overreach. The fruit is clean and delicate, pale cherry set amidst dried leaves, tobacco, and muted tannins. Plenty of acid keeps it lively, but everything is in focus and proportionate.
Bonterra excels with this leaner, lighter, brighter form of Chardonnay. Made out of organically grown grapes, it's crisp as a green apple, with just a trace of butterscotch on the otherwise lemony finish.
There's a detectible fynbos character to the herbal edge of this wine, mingling with the white peach and gooseberry fruit aromas and flavors. A clementine citrus edge remains through the long finish.
Floral red fruit aromas carry a hint of minerality and garrigue. The palate is lively, with good overall balance. Tastes of ripe red plum, raspberry and vanilla, while the finish is light in weight and quick, but satisfying.
Concentrated black fruit flavors are pleasant but obscured by generous oak treatment and slightly confectionery flavors of cherry vanilla and mocha chocolate. Hints of tree bark and green, vinous flavors peep through cream and vanilla notes on the midpalate.
Smells like generic red fruits with a pinch of green herbs. Feels choppy and astringent, with green-leaning flavors of plum and raspberry. Zesty on the finish but tastes herbal and underdeveloped.
A decent Chardonnay for the price, with pineapple fruit and hints of butter and cream. It's medium in body, with a slightly custardy mouthfeel and a short finish. Drink now.
Simply fruity Bordeaux. It has signs of wood and black currant fruit along with acidity and a light layer of tannin. Drink now.
A soft and fruity wine, with raspberry and caramel flavors. It is attractively lightened by acidity and give a soft, off-dry aftertaste.
This may appeal more to some than others because barrel-fermented Viura is a tough row. Smells a lot like creamed corn or wheat, with apple cider on the side. It's barely acidic enough, thus it's soft in feel and tastes of butterscotch, melon and flabby apple. Seemingly less interesting than in the past.
Low intensity fruit and floral aromas are hidden in the bouquet, with minor suggestions of strawberry hull and crushed carnation to be found only upon deep nosing. Light and easy in the mouth with a short but clean finish.
Mocha chocolate and cherry pie scents linger on the palate of this plush, easy-drinking Cab Franc. Straightforward yet densely fruited with fleshy cherry and strawberry flavors, it finishes on a pleasant caramel note.
Sulfuric at first, then light and leafy on the nose. Smells like a cool-climate wine with jumpy, fresh, tight flavors of raspberry and cherry accented by mild woodspice. Mixes overt sweet and oaky flavors with a lean body.
A curious wine that has little connection with Pinot Noir tastes. It has red fruits, hints of cherry, but for the rest is an attractive red wine and no more.
Peach aromas open a smooth wine. It has acidity certainly but also some good melon and pear ripeness. There is an herbaceous edge that cuts through the finish.
Soft, fruity wine, very smooth, its pear and green plum flavors integrated into acidity along with a light touch of sweetness. Ready to drink.
A restrained but lusciously ripe pear scent emanates from the deep, rounded and nutty core, supported by acidic verve.
The archetypal pear flavors of Grüner Veltliner come to the fore: fresh, flavorsome and crunchy green Conference pear in this case, with zesty acidity in a linear, refreshing and zesty frame. This is concentrated and totally refreshing.
Structured and savory, it offers a floral fragrance of honeysuckle, elderberry and crushed tomato vine. The juicy palate delivers tropical fruit, white peach and pineapple while crisp acidity brightens up the creamy texture.
Alluring aromas suggest hawthorne, stone fruit, dried hay, flint and almond. The savory palate delivers white peach, yellow apple, lemon drop and nectarine accented with sage and mineral notes. The fruit richness is brightened by crisp acidity.
Grown in Santa Barbara County pioneer Rick Longoria's estate vineyard, this grabs attention with tobacco smoke and funky earth aromas. On the palate, the savory smells switch to bright acidity, with cranberry and barely ripe raspberry taking hold and evolving into a lasting finish. Stunning now, but it will emerge through 2019.
Meaty, smoky aromas include whiffs of black coffee, tire rubber and blackberry. A tight, rubbery palate shows full but elastic tannins along with blackberry and oaky flavors of vanilla and wood resin. Ripe and muscular, the blend shows strong barrel influences. Drink through 2019.
Winemaker Michael McCay considers this white a field blend, listing Vermentino, Verdelho, Muscat and an improbable dollop of Pinot Noir as the varieties. Together they equate to deliciousness, a light, stainless-fermented statement of pineapple and guava, the Vermentino's salty head rearing just slightly.
Rich but lively and dry, this wine packs a potpourri of spices and citrus fruits in its aromas and flavors, carrying them through to a lingering finish. Substantial and appetizing as an apéritif and excellent with seafood.
Fans of Sancerre will love this complex, lean and lively Sauvignon. The color is a light straw-yellow and aromas recall grapefruit and lime. Flavors of bright, tangy citrus continue on the palate, with a note of white pepper. The snappy balance and lithe texture keeps everything echoing on the finish.
Borra demonstrates its mastery with whites in this interesting, perfect mélange of sweetness and zip. Made in a dry style, the sweetness is mostly in the aromatics, which imply peach-colored roses, and inviting mouthfeel, which imparts subtle grapefruit and stone fruit amidst all the crispness.
Fragrances recall acacia flower, chamomile, stone fruit and a whiff of dried hay. The savory palate offers intense white peach, Bartlett pear and yellow apple accented with mineral and almond notes alongside crisp acidity. It's well balanced with a long, lingering finish.
As with other wines from Quinta do Cardo, this is packed with minerals and a dark, stony texture. It is concentrated, full of intense acidity and powerful tannins. Rich, it conveys a genuine sense of aging potential. Don't drink before 2018.
Minerally citrus aromas are the greeting on this high-end, pure SB. Stony minerality and citric acidity make for a fresh, polished mouthfeel, while flavors of lime, passion fruit and grapefruit are focused and smooth, and not at all soft. When people talk about fine cool-climate Chilean SB, this is what they should be referencing.
From a 2,500-foot elevation site, this Cab Franc is intriguingly peppery, light in oak and resplendent in raspberry liqueur aromas and a trace of pine forest. Moderate in tannins and silky in texture it's ready to be enjoyed now with cheese and charcuterie.
Floral, lightly herbal red-fruit aromas introduce a concentrated palate with firm but not overpowering tannins and plenty of depth. Flavors of earthy, roasted berry and plum finish spicy, with notes of chocolate and olive. This is a six-grape blend led by Syrah and Carmenère, and it's fully Chilean in its nose and flavor profile. Drink through 2019.
The fragrant freshness of cut Conference pears with grassy undertones promises immediate invigoration. A background of peppery savoriness, spicy length and mouthfeel destine this for food.
This is a lush, rich and toasty Chardonnay, with upfront scents of grilled apple, brioche, orange custard and sweet spice. The medium-weight palate is balanced by ample acidity, lending a freshness to the finish that closes on notes of honeydew melon and toasted hazelnut. Drink now–2018.
Freshly milled white pepper and lemon zest are inviting on the nose. Spice and lemony freshness continue on the palate where they are joined by riper fruit notes of yellow and red apples, always keeping that refreshing and lively zing.
Still young, this wine brings out the ripe and creamy side of Alvarinho. Its citrus character is prominent along with a strong mineral texture. Weight from the skin contact during fermentation has produced a dense structure. Keep this wine until 2015.
Full-bodied and elegant, it discloses aromas of white spring flowers, aromatic herbs and stone fruit. The juicy palate offers tart green apple, yellow peach, ripe cantaloupe, white pepper and mint alongside crisp acidity. The lingering finish closes on an energizing mineral note.
Fragrant and inviting in dark cherry, raspberry and cola spice, this medium-weight Pinot Noir is lush and meaty. Bright flavors veer from dark cherry to raspberry, with a pronounced lift of earth and herb. The wine is layered, beautifully textured and long in the finish.
Classic varietal smells of chalk and golden raisin emerge from this wine. It's lusciously smooth once sipped, with orange, limestone and vanilla pudding leaning up against bitter greens and just-ripe nectarine. Serve with beets and goat cheese or Chinese chicken salad.
This big and bold wine exudes power and fruitiness. It has ripe fruits, sweet tannins and a great mix of spice, toasty wood and acidity. Both juicy and structured, it's likely to develop well. Drink from 2016.
This wine hails from an estate that dates back to 1978, but was more recently purchased by San Luis Obispo developer Rob Rossi and Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson. They assembled a “dream team” of grower Kevin Wilkinson (of Talley Vineyards and Coastal Vineyard Services) and winemakers Mike Sinor and Nathan Carlson. The wine boasts a lifting nose of cream, hazelnut and baked apples, then dances across the palate with lemon-zest and flint flavors.
Zesty lemon and lime aromas add elegance to unctuous white peach and apricot flavors on this delicate, yet remarkably complex wine. Off-dry in style, it balances a youthful fruit profile with nuanced shades of smoke and earth. Nervy citrus acidity drives a long, focused finish.
Distinctive aromatic qualities mark this afforable bottling, an exclusive for Hawaiian supermarket chain Foodland from the team at Terravant Wine Company in Buellton. The aromas recall chaparral scrub, mint tea and black sage. The herbaceousness continues on the palate, with a sticky tannic structure. Not exactly the wine for those seeking a red fruit experience, but good for those seeking the savory side of the grape.
This wine shows the riper, spicier side to German Pinot Noir. Lush black cherry and plum flavors are fleshy and dense on the palate, tinged with notes of cassis and bramble. Crisp acidity adds elegance and structure, along with a penetrating layer of finely textured tannins. Drink now for its bold, decadent style.
Aromas of cooking spice, game and mature black fruit waft out of the glass. The spicy, easy-drinking palate offers dried blackberry, peppercorn and clove alongside velvety tannins.
Blue flower, ripe plum and baking spice aromas lead the nose on this robust wine. The palate lacks fruit richness, offering dried black cherry, licorice, dark spice and searing alcohol alongside assertive, drying tannins.
The wine is textured, tight and with a strongly mineral character. That gives it a food-friendly character, emphasized by the orange zest over the raspberry fruits and the tangy acidity at the end.
Shining bright fruits give this wine a freshly polished character that glows with red berries and acidity. It's a textured wine, full of minerality as well as a steely edge. The aftertaste is lively and bright.
Yeasty notes speak louder than citrus or pear and make for a thoroughly savory, rounded wine that has a light body. There's a lot of Grüner spice here, despite the easy-drinking nature of the wine.
The nose does not give away much, but the palate is a spray of fresh citrus zest. This is light, taut and refreshing. Drink soon.
This explodes aromatically with honey and apricot and is balanced and silky on the palate, with 13.9% residual sugar. Somewhere midway through and on the finish, a hint of jalapeño provides a stark segue, before an appearance of pear and honey saves the day.
Lemony and high-strung, this is a light, bright and low-in-oak wine from an appellation better known for varieties like Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. It works though, providing a tension of acidity with citrusy concentration.
Hinting at oak and steeped in ripe fig, this is a hearty white wine with an herbal edge, fermented in stainless steel and then aged in neutral oak. From prime spots within Dutton Ranch, it provides a layering of tropical pineapple and melon within a suggestion of lemon, finishing dry.
Aromas of espresso, tar, oak extract, grilled red pepper and spiced plum lead the nose. The extracted palate offers dried black cherry, anisette and graphite alongside astringent tannins and the evident warmth of alcohol.
This is one of those wines that seems to get better by the sip. At first glance, the fruit seems a bit cooked or pruny, but within a few minutes it brightens and turns livelier, coming across as cherry. There's a mushroomy or meaty note as well—something akin to venison—and a rich texture on the palate.
This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that's shy on the nose and softly approachable on the palate. Herbal and dry, it is couched in solidly built tannin and weight, with leathery graphite and cedar pronouncing themselves around a full body.
An orangey hue of pink, this wine by Wes Hagen and family gives off aromas of peach brulée, watermelon and yeast. It's more textual than flavorful on the palate, with hints of red apple laced into a very acidic structure.
As pale as a rosé can be, this is a smooth and rounded wine. Ripe, perfumed red fruits offer a tang from a squeeze of lemon. The acidity gives the right amount of freshness to this attractive, drink-it-now wine.
This majority-Syrah was fermented with a tiny handful of Viognier, both grown on a certified-organic estate vineyard. With a touch of licorice and leather in the mix, it offers funk that may or may not be of interest to every palate and should be enjoyed sooner rather than later.
This earthy wine conveys aromas of pipe tobacco, prune, thyme and a funky whiff of barnyard. The palate offers prune, raisin and bitter walnut alongside dusty, drying tannins.
With a typical Coteaux d'Aix blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon, this is fruity while also textured and aromatic. It has a good concentration, minerality and a rich, red-fruited aftertaste.
This fresh wine is all about fruit. Soft tannins and attractive strawberry flavors are lightly cut with acidity. Coming from vines between 50 and 60 years of age, it has some extra concentration. Drink this fragrant wine now.
Made with organically cultivated grapes, this vibrant white offers a refined fragrance of yellow flower, orchard fruit, beeswax and nut. The aromas follow through to the palate, along with mature apple and a a note of clove. Bright acidity balances this out, while bitter almond signals the finish.
Made with organically grown fruit, this structured white has a shy nose at first but aromas of pear, flint and dried herb eventually take shape in the glass. The linear palate offers lemon zest, yellow apple and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.
A dense, tannic and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, this conveys boysenberry and anise among the thick walls of structure and intensity that give this wine full-bodied flavor. Let it open and enjoy with hearty fare.
This blend of Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet holds savory aromas of grilled herb, toast, black fruit, earth and flint. The palate offers dried cherry, toast, mineral and licorice alongside rather drying wood tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture fruit flavors and freshness.
Aromas of green bell pepper, grass, black currant and herbaceous notes open this easy-drinking blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The soft, one-dimensional palate offers cassis, dried cherry, mocha and espresso alongside round tannins. Drink through 2016.
Aromas of vanilla, new oak and coconut lead the nose on this blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. The palate offers dried cherry, vanilla, roasted coffee bean and espresso alongside evolved tannins.
Oak, oak spices and spiced plum aromas lead the nose on this robust red. The palate offers dried red cherry, mature blackberry, vanilla, toast and espresso alongside raspy tannins that leave an abrupt, astringent finish. Showing the heat of the vintage, the fruit is starting to dry up, so drink soon.
Fresh, fragrant honeysuckle and apricots abound in this slightly off-dry Tocai Friulano. It's unabashedly forward, but surprisingly nuanced, accented by shards of minerality. It finishes with a touch of white tea astringency.
Aromas of yellow flower and orchard fruit take center stage in this round, medium-bodied white. The spicy palate offers yellow apple, citrus zest and a note of candied ginger alongside crisp acidity.
Like all of Alta Vista's single-vineyard Malbecs, this is opaque in color and ripe on the nose. Aromas of balsamic-coated raisin, black cherry and chocolate scream ripe and rich. On the palate, this is saturated, with grabby tannins. Toasty blackened flavors of blackberry and pepper narrow down on a tight tannic finish. Drink through 2024.
A forest-like earthiness mingles with yeasty baked bread aromas in this soft, well-built Mourvèdre- and Petite Sirah-dominant field blend. Fig, black pepper and tar flavors show through a tightly knit foundation of powerful tannin and texture, seasoned with Asian spice.
This dark, almost black-colored blend combines Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Syrah. They all come together in a rich, powerful palate full of explosive black fruit and fine, focused acidity. The structure shows that the wine needs to age further. Drink from 2020.
Fresh, alluring aromas of wild berry, pressed violet, dark baking spice and a whiff of new leather all come together in the glass. The firm full-bodied palate offers ripe black cherry, mature plum, cinnamon, licorice and a hint of tobacco. Chewy tannins and bright acidity provide support and balance. Drink 2019–2027.
Montée de Tonnerre is considered one of the richest premier crus in Chablis, and this wine lives up to that reputation. It's ripe and full of yellow fruit, while maintaining its acidity and tight texture. Still young, its intense fruit and crispness will allow it to age for many years. Drink from 2019.
Young vines give this wine a bright, fruity character, while wood aging brings out complexity and ripe yellow and citrus fruits. It's juicy and lively, with just the right minerality and tight texture to allow it to age. Drink from 2021.
Pegau's Cuvée Laurence is aged in wood for longer than the Cuvée Resérvée, but is otherwise nearly identical. The 2012 version is full-bodied, dense and richly textured, redolent of liniment, horse tack and garrigue, yet backed by ample cherry and plum fruit. Drink now–2025.
The wine is rich, honeyed and full of ripe marmalade and apricot jelly flavors. At the same time, it has the fine shot of acidity and crispness that gives Jurançon its elegance and individuality. This is delicious to drink now, although it would be much better to wait and drink it from 2019.
This is an exceptionally priced wine that allows a glimpse into the power and density of Domdechant Werner's 2015 Rieslings. Yellow peach and nectarine flavors are vivaciously fresh, but there's a lot more than fruitiness here. It's forward and yielding, yet weighty, its richness nuanced by hints of smoke, graphite and caramel. Luscious, mouth clinging texture lingers on the finish.
Dark-skinned berry, culinary spice and a balsamic aroma come together on this polished red. The juicy palate gives ripe black cherry, star anise, clove and a hint of espresso alongside firm but refined tannins that lend structure and a smooth texture.
This blend of four red-Bordeaux varieties opens with fresh cassis notes that lead to a juicier core. Structured and robust yet accessible, it features chocolate and blackberry jam flavors.
Sunny whiffs of raspberry, melon and tangerine lend contrast to zippy lime and lemon on the palate of this steely, razor-edged dry wine. Bristling acidity lends lightness on the palate, but a mineral-oil cling amplifies its richness and depth. It's delicious already but should gain density and power over the next decade.
This extended skin contact experiment from winemaker Ed Kurtzman was a success, its chamomile, lime and meringue-like scents framed by chalky minerality on the nose. The palate is tightly wound with saffron, lemon peel and grapefruit touches upheld by a persistent acidity that seemingly crescendoes on the finish.
Made in a powerful and thick Paso Robles style, this unique bottling offers cherry syrup, nutmeg, rhubarb and crushed graphite aromas. Baked blueberry pie flavors show on the palate, loaded with mace and spice cake notes. Its tannic texture builds over time, adding to the depth.
This is a sophisticated blend of Pinot Noir grape flavors complemented by oak spice and a smooth, luxurious texture. Though full-bodied, the wine seems to glide effortlessly from cinnamon and cherry aromas through clove, cardamom and cassis flavors to an extended, hauntingly delicious finish. Best after 2018.
This viscous wine offers an underlay of toasty oak notes that round out its gravelly texture. Light-bodied and filigreed with acidity, its lemon, quince and fig flavors remain fresh and vibrant on the palate.
Produced in one of the great sweet wine regions of France, this rich honeyed wine is intense while always preserving acidity and a crisp apple character. Honey and flavors of botrytis are balanced with the acidity and apricot flavors the give the wine its freshness. Drink this beautiful wine from 2018.
This premier cru, surrounded by grand cru vineyards, has produced a luscious, ripe wine. It's generous in both black fruit flavor and structure, showing great potential for aging. Drink from 2021.
Deep, dusty slate and smoke tones rim the edges of this sleek, laser-edged Kabinett. It's intensely concentrated in lemon and lime flavors, but darkly mineral as well, finishing on sweet-tart hits of citrus and salt. Delicious now, it should only improve over the next decade.
Mature black plum, tobacco, crushed violet, cake spice and toast aromas mingle together in the glass. The taut full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherry, prune, espresso, orange peel and licorice alongside a backbone of close-grained tannins. This is still extremely young and tightly wound, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2019–2029.
While this is immensely oaky on the nose, that wood and char works because it comes with ripe cassis, blackberry and raisin scents. Chewy, ultraripe and tannic on the palate, this tastes of sweet black fruits, chocolaty oak and wood. An oaky reprise is front and center on a grabby stacked finish. Drink through 2023.
This wine is sourced from a unique block in the heart of the appellation and the producer's 165-acre estate, rich in sedimentary rock fragments of quartz and fossils. It's lush and soft on the palate, with leather, ripe red berry and cassis flavors. The tannins are strong and wrapped tenaciously around the fruit, requiring further time in bottle; drink 2020–2028.
My favorite 2014 Cornas from Jean-Luc Colombo, this boasts an intoxicating perfume of peppery spice, anise and blackberry-plum liqueur. It's elegant on the palate despite the ripe fruit, with silky tannins that belie the wine's intensity and length. Drink now–2030.
In this case, Tardieu-Laurent's distinctive oak signature is amply supported by layers of black cherry and raspberry fruit. Hickory smoke and dusty tannins frame the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink 2020–2030.
Full-bodied, velvety and rich, this is a big Hermitage for a big occasion. Espresso and dark chocolate notes lead the way, buoyed by baking spices, vanilla and plum. It's approachable now, but certain to go another decade in a cool cellar.
Aromas of caramelized pineapple, honey and acacia flower prepare your palate for luscious flavors of dried apricot, fresh mango, papaya and just-cut pineapple chunks. It has great acidity and elegant sweetness. Drink now or hold for 10 years.
This is a blend from several vineyard sites, including Banfield, Saitone, Carlisle, Montafi and Papera, each boasting more than 100-year-old vines. A chocolate cordial note dominates the palate, as bold cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon and citrus flavors wander in. It's a steal for the price, too.
Lightly dusty apple and wood spice aromas are highly inviting. A layered full-size palate delivers oaky apple and salted butter-like flavors, while this Viura-Malvasia blend finishes long, smooth and steady. Drink this complex barrel-fermented wine through 2022.
Aromas of baked plum, espresso, dark spice, leather and a balsamic note lead the way. On the chewy full-bodied palate, bracing tannins support juicy cherries marinated in spirits, raspberry, orange zest, licorice and tobacco. Fresh acidity lends balance. It still needs years to come around. Drink 2022–2035.
One of the top wines from Lake County, this is imposing, dense and concentrated, tasting young but very promising. It smells like black cherries and toasted oak and tastes at once rich and restrained. Dark chocolate, blueberry and cardamom flavors are wrapped in a blanket of fine-grained tannins. This is sure to improve with time; best after 2022.
So rich it's almost fat, this unctuous Gewürztraminer mingles massive floral rose petal flavors with a lightly soapy, caramel core. The fruit is soft and round and mixes up a wide variety of tropical flavors, mixed in with the oily, floral flavors of the grape. Creamy and lush, it's like a vendange tardive only dry.
This is a thin, hard and tight version of the estate wine. It shows a bit more depth, but it's compact and slow to unravel. The oak is delivering butterscotch and vanilla, laid on as a buttery finish. This is too young to drink right now.
This Riesling is right on the borderline of dry/off-dry (just under 1% RS). The fruit, from cooler Willamette Valley vineyard sites, has been fermented in stainless steel and aged on its lees, yielding a wine that is thick, almost meaty. It's as sappy as a fresh peach, and finishes with crisp peach-skin phenolics. All-in-all this is a surprising wine, neither simple nor plain, but full-flavored in the comforting style that seems almost to have vanished from the Northwest.
This is finished dry, at 13.3% alcohol, and puts the emphasis on citrus and grass, cracker and grain. There is a smidgeon of varietal perfume—a whiff of rose petal—but overall it's trending more toward Sauvignon Blanc than most Gewürztraminer. Nonetheless there is an impression of sweetness on the palate, from the nicely-ripened fruit.
For full-bodied, true Cabernet at a reasonable price, Santa Alicia's 2003 Gran Reserva is a winner. The plum and berry flavors are clean and supported by proper creamy oak, and the tannins are pliable and add backbone. Drink now.
Fairly woody at first, with cassis, berry and lemon rind on the nose. The palate is chunky and round, with flavors of black currant, blackberry and spice. Toward the end hickory and sap come up, which brings you back to that woodiness of the bouquet. Imported by Atlanta Improvement Co.
The price is right for this lush, immediately attractive Shiraz from Victoria. Smoky, vanilla-scented oak frames black currant and tobacco flavors that finish soft and velvety. Lacks the depth to age past 2010, but very flattering now. Imported by Epic Wines.
This is the first Sauvignon Blanc Santa Rita has done under its higher-end Floresta label. This has its share of qualities, namely lemon-lime and grapefruit aromas, body weight that separates it from the simple-but-zesty category, and depth of fruit. Drink as soon as possible.
Subtle, smooth and elegant on the finish, this is both approachable and distinctive. The wine is balanced with bright fruit and an underpinning of smoke and spice. A very versatile food pairing choice.
Firesteed gives even its modestly-priced mid-tier Pinot extra time in bottle, which smoothes out the leafy flavors and softens up the tannins. It holds onto secondary fruit flavors of cooked rhubarb and strawberry, adding in hints of resin, herb and lemon oil.
A warm, inviting wine, with scents of brown sugar, plum and baking spices. The tannins are creamy-soft, imparting a lush texture, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it from being thick or cloying. Finishes with plenty of fruit, plus a dash of chocolate.
A new addition to the popular Indian Wells line, this consists of 60% Merlot, 28% Syrah and splashes of five other grapes. The Merlot, not surprisingly, dominates. Pretty and round, it has a soft, almost pillowy texture, with an easy, accessible mouthfeel.
A fine, vivid, crystal-clear Pinot Gris, this offers cool cucumber and melon flavors first and foremost. It's a refreshing addition to the white wine lineup at H3.
A fine bottle at a great price, this fresh and clean-tasting Sauvignon Blanc offers a bracing mix of tree fruit, with just a touch of sweet herb. It's clearly varietal: no frills, just straightforward and very nicely made.
This rich, juicy wine is bursting with red fruits that are ready to drink. This is a ripe, full-bodied, friendly wine with just an edge of tannin and acidity to hold it all together.
Exotic aromas of wild berries, cumin and other Middle Eastern spices are interesting and inviting. This feels thick and chewy, bordering on syrupy, with stewed plum and brown sugar flavors. It hits with some burn and heat on the bullish finish.
This is a fun, creamy and rich wine made from a white grape native to Piedmont, Italy. This has intriguing tastes of sweet, tart fresh-squeezed lemonade, with a nutty, apple-driven acidity that lingers through the finish. Barrel-fermented, it would pair nicely with scallops.
Opening with a mouthful of dusty raspberry and cherry flavors, this Bordeaux blend of a little more than half Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot offers much in the way of inviting fruit and spice notes. Its pleasing acidity lasts through the finish.
Another Fenestra-Silvaspoons collaboration, Tourvanillo is a proprietary blend of Iberian grapes, predominantly Touriga, and is marked mostly by its aromatic highlights of spicy cinnamon and vibrant currant. Dense, it is interesting and intense with rounded edges and a leathery, long finish.
Rich in layers of raspberry and bright cherry, this full-bodied Grenache surprises in its depth of structure. The finish dives deep into caramel and oak, rounding it out pleasantly.
A faint yeastiness subsides to expose luxurious aromas of violet, white peach and green herb on this single-vineyard Riesling. Lushly textured with flavors of yellow cherry and stone fruit, it has a steely, minerally tone that persists through the long finish.
Earth, cola, berry, toast and leather aromas share the bouquet. The palate is narrow and pinched by firm tannins, while the flavor profile deals a mix of herb, toast and plum. Warm, earthy and oaky on the finish, the wine carries a lemony accent and satisfying length.
Mineral-driven and hard on the nose, this features toasty, smoky, chocolaty notes in addition to medicinal berry aromas. It feels juicy but also resiny and creamy, with plum and wood flavors that finish long. This is a ripe, fruity wine with plenty of oak, size and body.
This is initially dark and earthy, with brandied cherry, leather and tobacco aromas. It feels complete and offers core acids to keep it feeling fresh. Flavors of black fruit and spice lead to a lasting finish with cola and cherry notes.
Red fruit dominant, this has fine tannins and a juicy berry flavor. It's ripe, soft and open, with a touch of dark chocolate and an herbal finish. Glass stopper.
Made with 100% Grenache, this is fermented in neutral oak before being transferred to tank. It has substantial weight and spiced cherry flavor. Full bodied for a rosé, it can stand up to a variety of cured meats, pasta dishes and even salmon.
Named for winemaker Virginie Bourgue, this entirely stainless-fermented Sauvignon Blanc has a grassy, spicy edge reminiscent of Loire Valley whites. It's also tongue-twistingly tart, a reflection of the vintage, like a lemon explosion in the mouth. In other words, this is a perfect seafood wine.
A well-made, earthy Carignane, this tastes of cinnamon and plum cobbler, with subtle layers of bacon and smoke on the finish. Full-bodied, but also softly round, this is just right for hearty dishes like braised lamb or roasted pork.
A softer than usual style of Sauvignon Blanc, this drinks more like a Chardonnay. It features honeydew melon and kiwi flavors, low acidity and a smooth texture.
Jammy plum and currant flavors turn roasted in the glass. Typical notes of plum and berry support a steady palate.
Compact berry aromas veer toward herbal and minty on the nose. The palate is full, hard and rubbery in feel, with pounding tannins. Flavors of blueberry and mint finish with a hint of herbal berry.
Smoky spice leads to charred tones in the glass. This wood-dominated Pinot is disjointed and clumsy on the palate. Raspberry and plum flavors are crowded by heavy oak spice, while the finish tastes resiny, with forest berry notes.
This simple Chardonnay is tropical fruit driven, with a floral aroma and a twang of resiny oak. The palate seems slightly disjointed in feel, briny in flavor and citric on the finish.
Grassy aromas of green melon and white pepper feed into a plump yet citrusy palate. Slightly pyrazinic and mildly bitter, underripe green melon and grapefruit are the lead flavors.
Match stick, tropical notes and green banana aromas make up the nose. This is dilute in feel, with a hint of generic tropical fruit. Drink now.
Raspberry and cocoa aromas are dusty and subdued. A tight, tannic palate is driving, while flavors of citrus and red plum come with spice and oak notes. A spice component with sharp acidity carry onto a firm, chalky finish.
Tannic and slightly puckering, this blend of 49% Merlot with 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc is inexpensive and generic. Tastes approximate black plum and black tea.
Overripe jammy plum and berry aromas dominate the nose. The palate is almost cloying, and heavy with candied berry flavors on the finish.
Perfumed and rich, this wine gives a ripe fruit feel. Hints of green fruits marry with spice and touches of apricot, even honey. The end is crisp, clean and full.
Definitely wood-aged, this seriously toasty wine seems to have lost its fruit along the way. It gives a hard and tough character that is partly redeemed by juicy acidity at the end.
Lightly spicy, this soft wine has a broad feel, with a rounded texture, ripe apples and attractive, bright acidity. Drink now.
A red wine that relies on its fruitiness to succeed. Red berries and plums show strongly, aided by acidity. The texture has a stalky character with a bitter green herb aftertaste. Drink now.
An opening of smoky tomato sauce, tea and earthy berry fruit turns leathery and more earthy with each passing minute. This has a lean body and sharp acidity, which creates a tangy flavor profile that includes tomato and plum. A light, zesty and earthy finish is par for the course.
Intense aromas of smoke, nuts and dried hay lend a savory note to this, woody Chardonnay. Fresh apple and lemon flavors are bright and brisk on the palate, but compete for spotlight amidst unyielding tones of American oak.
This five-grape blend is heavy, oaky and green at its core. Aromas of cassis and raisin suggest ripe fruit, but the palate is acidic, with shaky balance. Flavors of blueberry and boysenberry are minty, while licorice tones and jammy weight define the finish.
This Cabernet with smaller percentages of Merlot, Petite Sirah and other, unspecified varieties, is slightly overripe in taste, like plums left in the sun. The finish is a bit herbal, verging on green.
Fresh and citrus crisp, this is a Sauvignon-dominated herbaceous wine. It has a light structure and a texture that brings out vivid lemon zest. Not for aging, drink now.
Reductive elements of black coffee and damp mushrooms don't blow off on this wine, which offers plum on the palate, with a touch of mocha and cedar.
The wine is rounded and soft with attractive berry fruits and wood aging. It's fruity with juicy acidity, black currant freshness and a dry core that will allow it to age 2017–2018.
Rustic in character, this wine shows a bit too much alcohol, manifested by burnt and pepper notes. The acidity works hard to bring balance but ultimately is overpowered by the weight of the wine.
Hints of lemon and blossom invigorate earthier, savory tones of nuts and pressed apples in this dry, medium-bodied Pinot Blanc. It's slightly restrained on the palate, finishing briskly on a smoky walnut-skin note.
A quite remarkable mauve-pink in color, this offers faint cherry aromas. It's nearly sweet on the palate, with strawberries and hard red berry candy flavors.
This wine comes from less than an acre in Mâcon's smallest appellation. The result is a tight wine with a steely edge. Strong citrus and crisp apple flavors are lifted by the nervy acidity and finished with a shot of lemon juice. Let this wine calm down and drink from 2017.
This wine comes from the heart of the Dão region. It is firm and dark with tannins and a concentrated texture. Fine acidity cuts through the black-fruit character. The wine is ready to drink.
With its attractive red-fruit flavors, this is a light, perfumed wine. It has spice, fine acidity and a smooth texture that is just lifted by tannins. Drink now.
Fresh and sliced stonefruit aromas meet with the lightest touch of grass, a slightly reductive tar aroma and a bitter kumquat element on the nose of this wine. The palate is very light with lime peel, Gala apple and nectarine flavors.
A blend of Arinto and Antão Vaz, the wine is light, bright and attractively perfumed. It has juicy, tangy character, enhanced by the lemon zest and made richer with the melon fruits. Drink now.
This tight wine has acidity with a crisp texture and hints of the fruit to come. A potential for richness comes from the ripe yellow fruits that are developing. Drink from 2017.
This wine offers an attractive mix of mango and kiwi fruit, with a light structure. A fresh, fruity tang makes it full while also refreshing. Drink now.
This ripe wine comes from the wide range of private collection wines by winemaker Domingos Soares Franco. It has acidity while also showing fine perfumes and a tangy texture. The wine is full in the mouth with a warm, rich aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is well made in the lightly sweet but full-bodied style. It has plenty of ripe fruit flavors, high alcohol and moderate tannins to add texture.
Spicy, anise-like aromas and lightly sweet fruit flavors recalling black cherries and strawberries give a lot of personality to this medium-bodied wine.
Pristine red-plum and berry flavors abound in this fresh easygoing red. Semisweet on the palate and soft in acidity, it's a straightforward, juicy wine for everyday enjoyment.
Tight and structured, this wine has minerality as well as tangy lemon character. It has a crisp side, with citrus fruits and attractive acidity. The aftertaste is bright with freshness.
Medium ruby along the rim, with purple in the core, this Merlot starts off with ripe red cherry and plum on the nose, with fern and warm spice adding nuance. The palate is soft and plush, with grippy black-tea tannins supporting juicy red-fruit flavors.
A rose garden's worth of aromas lift out of the glass in this hearty, full-bodied red, the peppery tannins somewhat grippy on the palate before settling down. Blackberry punches through on the palate, given additional color and lift from the 5% Petit Verdot.
There is much of the perfumed character of Touriga Nacional in this wine that goes with the ripe, juicy black fruits and acidity. At this stage, there is a strong spice from the wood aging and this needs to soften before the wine will be ready to drink. Wait until 2018.
This opens with aromas that recall weedy underbrush, sawdust, toast and oak. The firm palate offers star anise, cured meat and a hint of oregano but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a raspy finish.
This untamed, boisterous wine has aromas like herbs and cola leading to powerful grapy, berrylike flavors and an assertive, grainy texture.
Floral aromas, berry scents, wet cement and saucy notes drive the nose on this viscous, almost sticky Malbec. Baked berry flavors don't show much follow through on the finish, which offers more minty oak than fruit.
You'll find aromas suggesting weedy underbrush, porcini mushroom, raw oak and dried sage on this bracing wine. The medium-bodied palate shows toast, unripe cherry and star anise alongside extremely astringent tannins.
This is a highly fragrant Torrontés with exotic tropical aromas of lychee and bath oil. Light and fresh in body, this tastes of pithy citrus and lychee before hollowing out. A lingering finish with good acidity is the close.
Spicy and ripe, this is a wine that is soft, full in the mouth and with generous tannins. It does have a mineral edge that adds shape to the wine and crispens the black-plum flavor. Drink the wine now.
Aromas of oak, coconut, burned rubber and scorched earth lead the nose. The rather lean palate offers vanilla, licorice and a confectionary note while astringent tannins dry out the finish.
Rubbery, stalky berry aromas rate as earthy. In the mouth, this hammers away with cheek-grabbing tannins. Stewed plum, tomato and herbal flavors carry over onto a chunky finish. This is 50% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Named after the Lyre style of vine training, this wine comes from the far north of Burgundy, close to Chablis. It is soft, smooth and creamy, with a light minerality and perfumed acidity. It is just right to drink now.
Canned peach, banana and lilting white-flower aromas show some good concentration on the nose. The palate is playful and textured, with a pop of tropical fruit on the entry and more florals on the midpalate. A peach-fuzz texture tingles on the close.
Very ripe in aroma, almost thick in texture and syrupy in flavor, this wine is full bodied, super fruity and smooth.
This is a funky, pushy type of wine, with prickly aromas of green herb and berry. For a 2007, it is big and a bit rough, with an herbal, green-leaning berry flavor distinctive of this producer and its Los Lingues Vineyard. It finishes with additional herbal kick and heat.
Pristine flavors of cassis and black cherry give an elegant floral quality to this dry, full-bodied Cabernet. Crisp with acidity, it's balanced and impeccably crafted. It finishes long on a delicious coffee-inflected note.
Here's a fresh and approachable selection, with notes of crisp citrus, green melon and apple. There's a hint of sweet lemon on the palate, followed by a brisk, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
The bouquet is briary, with aromas of clipped berry and herb. It feels sassy, edgy and tannic, with herbal flavors of raspberry and red currant. The finish is a little choppy and tannic, with a subtle green-flavored accent.
A Grenache-based Rhône blend, C'est Si Bon is good and very subtle. Like a Beaujolais, an earthy leather note emerges in between soft violet and raspberry tones. With a line of acidity, it's a fine wine for food.
Waxy notes of white flower and orange peel persist on the nose and palate of this bold, invigorating wine. Dry and full bodied, it's structured and concentrated, but it finishes crisply with hints of tart tangerine and hazelnut skin.
Totally mature, this shows a rustic character and firm, tarry tannins. It is weighty and dense, with a patina of sweet flavors that come with age. Drink it over the next few months.
Soft, warm and lightly tannic, this has an herbaceous character. Its fresh acidity balances its black currant flavor. It is fragrant, fruity and mature; ready to drink.
This smells a bit green, with aromas of herb, juniper, cola and earthy black fruit. It feels tannic, with an herbal core. A minty, briary flavor of herb-scented blackberry leads to the firm, tight finish.
This is unmistakably a mountain-grown Merlot, hefty with dark fruit and layers of baking spice. Concentrated and ready to age another 5–7 years, it has a long and leathery finish.
Rustic and full bodied, this Oregon Primitivo is plenty ripe, yet it retains nuances of olive and herb, along with thick red fruit. A whisper of smoke weaves through the finish.
Oscar Quevedo is one member of a new generation of winemakers bringing a breath of fresh air to the Douro. His everyday wines, like this one, are friendly, fruity and delicious when consumed young. This is a great wine for barbecue.
A rich, earthy mushroom note adds a rustic flair to this dark, ripe, full-bodied red. The palate is a shade sanguine, with hints of game and plum conserve and a ripple of velvety tannins. It's developing beautifully, so drink now–2015.
Brisk minerality and a hint of hazelnut add savory tones to this blend of indigenous Georgian Rkatsiteli and Chardonnay. It's dry and full-bodied, yet surprisingly sprightly, with bright acidity and delicate flavors of stone fruit and citrus rind.
This runs to the tart, lemony style of Pinot Gris, common in cool vintages. Citrus and gooseberry flavors are balanced against refreshing minerality, and the acidity is neither harsh nor simply sour.
This wine's crusty, minerally aromas of black fruit are lightly toasted and earthy. On the palate, it feels tannic and high in acidity, with roasted, earthy flavors of plum and raspberry. Concentrated and grabby on the finish, it has a touch of lemony oak and astringency.
Elegant and well structured, this offers vibrant strawberry fruit wrapped around inviting aromatics of violet and spice. This cool-climate Pinot boasts a silky texture on the palate and finishes with subtle suggestions of wood smoke and cinnamon.
Crushed black raspberry, plum, clove and white pepper are among the inviting aromas of this bold wine. The richly textured palate offers blackberry, mature cherry, black pepper and baking spice. Thanks to smooth, velvety tannins, it seamlessly combines power and grace. Drink 2016–2022.
Long-time admirers of this wine may find the 2011 version a bit thin. It's a more subtle wine than is customary, the expressive funk subsumed below lighter layers of peat moss, sea salt and white chocolate. With decanting, scents of shittake mushroom, duck sauce and even chicken broth swirl up from the glass, with black tea flavors running through the tannins. Quite good, yet somewhat muted.
Just the second vintage for this Cab/Syrah blend, it sets its umami-soaked fruit in a crusty, toasty framework. Adding a splash (here 10%) of Syrah was once known in Bordeaux as to “Hermitager” the wine, bringing color and spice into the mix. This relatively soft Cabernet shows highlights of orange peel, apricot, pepper and cured meat.
Overlooking the Gualala River and Pacific Ocean, the McDougall Vineyard reaches elevations of 1,100 feet, a perfect vantage point from which to breathe in fresh, cooling coastal air. The resulting wine is awash in bright, vibrant acidity, yet offers equal measures of juicy black cherry fruit and dried herb spice.
Opening with a rich, luxurious nose, this wine is delightfully bright on the palate before evolving into brooding notes of black cherry and smoky oak. Hints of dark chocolate and coconut shavings round out the intrigue and complexity. The wine is ready to enjoy now, but worth cellaring through 2020.
Deeply intriguing and funky aromas of sweet tar, charred blueberries and hot rubber emerge from this study of using minimal amounts of new oak on a typically oak-aged variety. Some may find the reductive nose challenging, but the palate is more approachable, with dark chocolate and cassis flavors.
Very impressive color, fruit concentration and tannic structure add up to an outstanding Petite Sirah. What's compelling is that this full-bodied wine seems to get its character purely from the concentrated and tannin-laden grapes rather than from new oak barrels or add-ins. This needs time in a cool cellar to show all its potential complexity. Best from 2016–2022.
Pure berry and plum aromas are nuanced by notes of tobacco, cedar and spice. This wine is tight and rock solid on the palate, with laser-like focus. Flavors of plum, blackberry and toasty oak finish woody, smoky and resiny. Best from 2016 through 2023.
Prevalent black pepper scents swirl alluringly with leather, air-dried meats, tea and blackberry fruit on the nose. It's light, vibrant and peppery on the palate as well, making it a refreshing wine that also delivers a hefty, satisfying flavor profile.
While the nose is subdued, lush honeydew and white peach flavors shine brilliantly on the palate of this taut, nervous wine. Streaks of steely mineral lend a polished feel that lingers on the finish. It's strikingly acidic still, but should meld together beautifully with some cellaring, ideally from 2019 on.
This beautiful, balanced dessert wine opens with heady aromas of acacia flower, honey, alpine herb and dried apricot. The concentrated palate offers mature yellow peach, lemon zest, dried herb and candied ginger alongside bright acidity that makes this so drinkable. It's polished and delicious.
The nose of this dry, richly textured Riesling entices with notes of apples and pears dipped in wildflower honey. Rich and languorous, it's intensely juicy in grapefruit flavor, and finishes long, with a zesty mineral flourish.
With oak-driven aromas of mocha, coffee, cedar and berry fruits, this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot is effusive on the nose. Concentrated and huge, but well balanced, it offers high-volume berry, herb, chocolate and spice flavors—the lynchpins of excellent wines. Spicy, long and elegant on the finish, this is the real deal. Drink through 2021.
A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot, this bold wine conveys earthy aromas of blackberry, leather, tilled soil and a balsamic note. The ripe, creamy palate delivers juicy black plum, cassis, savory herb and baking spice balanced by smooth, velvety tannins. The lingering finish closes on a note of ground black pepper.
Bow Tie is planted to a variety of clones, including Swan and Rochioli. It is one of the winery's newest vineyard sources and this vintage is the first of its vineyard-designated wines from the site. Floral in anise, plum and raspberry, it is medium-bodied with a background of oak that picks up on the finish, offering seasonings of caramel and chocolate.
Winemaker Scott Hawley delivers deep and dark aromas of blueberry and mint against a backdrop of bacon fat and barrel smoke. The mouthfeel is rich and lush, with more blueberry plus anise, black licorice and a canvas of minty herbs that also reveal a touch of bitterness.
Bold, deep cola, lemon peel and exotic spice and herb aromas are a great intro to a well-built, saturated, but fairly tannic Tempranillo, with flavors of plum, blackberry and chocolate. Cedar and spice notes positively influence a layered finish. Overall this captures the essence of Ribera del Duero. Drink through 2022.
Grapy smelling at first, this is made from a vineyard located in a Spanish national park. It is tight, tannic and mildly astringent on the palate, with high-tension structure. Wild berry flavors are gamey in nature, with spice, tobacco and earth notes adding complexity. Drink this old vine wine now through 2022.
Les Cailloux is a traditional-style Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with only the small Syrah component being aged in barrel. The 80% Grenache speaks the loudest, bursting with cherry fruit, dried spice and crushed stone notes that come to a refined, silky finish. Drink now–2025.
The better (by just a whisker) of Huber's 2011 Pinot Noirs, the Bienenberg is distinctly fragrant of cherry blossoms and rose. Tart red cherry and cranberry flavors are streaked with saltwater and stone, finishing on a lingering mineral tone. It's bold, yet elegantly structured.
Bradley Brown's Syrah magic shines again on this wine from a vineyard planted 2,300 feet over the eastside of the Salinas Valley. The wine is redolent on the nose, with black pepper, crushed violet and salted pork. It pulls a tannic punch to the mouth once sipped, with blackberry, leather, heavy-duty tar and persistent pepper. Decant for maximum flavor extraction.
All the Brick House wines are certified organic and Biodynamic. Les Dijonnais spent 15 months in 30% new French oak. The opening aromas lead with fresh, lively, buoyant notes of cherry fruit. With more exposure to air its tannins get a bit chewy, and the wine shows impressive strength through a long finish.
This is turning into an impressive wine as it finds its way between solid tannins and ripe, full black fruits. It is dark and dense at this stage with tannins that dominate. A more juicy character will develop as the wine ages. Drink from 2017.
This solid and powerful wine comes from a chateau right in the walls of Saint-Émilion. A dense texture brings out tannins and the wood-aging flavors. Spice, black currant fruitiness and a dark, dense character all promise aging. Drink from 2018.
Though more focused on Bordeaux varieties, the Daou brothers produce a fantastic Pinot Noir to chew on, with rich aromas of cherry pie set in a anise-flecked crust. The wine is soft and plush once sipped, with black cherries, root beer and strong black licorice elements.
Davies has been making Pinot Noir since 2009. Firm, lively acidity and generous tannins in this complex wine lift up the distinctive cherry and clove flavors. A sharp balance means the fruit flavors and fine structure fill each other out for a harmonious whole.
Monastrell (with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) has rarely smelled this perfumed, rich and inviting. This is an ultraripe Levante bruiser, with a jammy yet defined structure and huge flavors of baked blackberry, exotic spice, dusty mineral and toasty oak. Herbs, espresso and toast flavors propel this rich red to a lush finish. Drink through 2017.
Toasted bread crust, citrus and apple are just some of the aromas that characterize this lovely sparkler. A blanc de noirs made with 100% Pinot Nero, it offers a vibrant palate that delivers nectarine, roasted almond, pastry cream and mineral alongside persistent bubbles and fresh acidity. It also boasts enough structure to age for several years. Drink through 2017.
Billy Wathen and Dick Dore pick this cofermented blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Viognier together on the same day. The result is very savory, with resinous herbs and root beer on the nose. Once sipped, a rainbow of dark flavors emerges: chopped Italian herbs, creosote, black olive, fennel, soy and orange pith, reminiscent of a North African tagine.
A leathery touch of teriyaki and beef char mesh with violet, blueberry and black cassis aromas on the nose of this bottling from deep in the canyons of this appellation. Dark fruits of blueberry and elderberry hang from a strong, cedar-driven tannic structure spiced with vanilla, maple and clove.
This is a curious but successful blend of basically equal parts Zinfandel, Malbec and Tannat. Rich aromas of blackberry and blueberry meet with pine, cigar box and wet rocks on the nose. The berry fruit that shows first on the sip is elevated by a woody backbone and lifted with crushed clove.
An excellent white-wine choice for any occasion, this bottling offers a complex nose, showing Gala apples, tart honeydew, nectarine, red apple, hay and an intriguing touch of celery. It's clean and tight on the palate, which offers a soft and yet grippy texture, and reveals flavors of Granny Smith apple and wild stonefruit.
This is structured young Bourgueil, with its stalky dry fruits and spicy character. The fruit is ripe with good potential for aging as the cedar character subsides and the generous fruit takes over. Drink from 2018.
This winery is adept at crafting unusual blends. In this case, 55% Syrah, 40% Zinfandel and 5% Viognier join forces to offer elderberry, blackberry, pine oil, toasted oak, crushed black pepper and charred meat on the nose. The palate gives chocolate, allspice, baked cherry and blueberry, vanilla and a toasty cedar tone.
Aromas of black currant, blue flower, tilled soil, menthol and cedar take center stage. The dense palate delivers mature black cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha, vanilla, nutmeg and a confectionery note. Velvety tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2022.
Dense blueberry and black-cherry aromas mix with black pepper, lavender and violets on the nose of this blend of 62% Primitivo, 29% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre. The palate is a bit reserved, but offers blackberry, pepper, dried fennel, bay leaf and thyme flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Merlot (29%), Malbec (3%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Aromas of cocoa, vanilla, graphite, and red and black fruit are followed by palate-coating fruit and barrel flavors backed by firm but well-integrated tannins.
This is a rich, smoky red-fruit-flavored wine. One of three wines produced by the estate that was created by the late Anne-Claude Leflaive of Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, it is made from biodynamically grown grapes. Wood aged, it shows spice as well as the cool fruitiness that gives the wine both its crispness and aging potential. Drink from 2018.
A rich nose of blackberry and violet paves the way for opulent flavors of raspberry, chocolate, anise and eucalyptus. This wine is soft on entry, followed by firm tannins that recede as a touch of cranberry punctuates the finish.
From a 30-year-old vineyard planted to historic cuttings of the grape, this wine has an inviting nose that shows fresh strawberry-hibiscus juice mixed with marjoram, mint and light cedar. The palate packs in all that's wondrous about Cab Franc, highlighting oregano, thyme, bay leaf, leather and peppercorn against a backdrop of boysenberry and elderberry fruit.
There's an impressive freshness to this seven-year-old bottling, with both just-picked and baked blackberry aromas alongside pressed violets and dried ginger on the lavish nose. Vibrant olallieberries show on the sip, with violet-flavored cake adding to this study of purple flavors.
This interesting blend pairs 66% Zinfandel from head-trained old vines with 34% Grenache to offer a wine that, though six years old, manages to maintain a youthful freshness. Aromas of pomegranate, underripe strawberry, raspberry and candied rose petals lead into a juicy palate of hibiscus and rose hips. The marjoram spice and slate minerality keep it serious.
Fermented and aged in tank, the wine is nothing but simply attractive pure ripe fruit. It has density and concentration that come from the generous apple and yellow-fruit flavors. At the same time, the wine is cut by delicious acidity and minerality. Drink this wine from 2018.
This is a ripe, smoky and generous wine. It has spice and wood flavors that are balanced with the red berry and cherry fruits and the crisp acidity of the vintage. With its rich character, it will age gently over the next few years and be ready to drink from 2018.
This blend of 26% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Marsanne and 24% Roussanne manages to be both lush and light, showing candied melon, clover honey, pretty green pear and lime-butter on the nose. The palate offers Gala apples and fresh lemon zest, yet retains and intriguingly savory quality throughout the sip.
Impressively delicate but also generous in aromas, this bottling shows lemon curd, caramelized apple and a touch of baby powder on the nose. There's a sharp line of salty acidity on the palate, with flavors of candied apple and Meyer lemon.
This ripe, rich wine is full of fruit. Sweet tannins have merged with the blackberry fruits, making it structured and dense. Spice, balancing acidity and a dark, firm aftertaste all promise further aging. Drink from 2018.
Vivid flavors and an unusually firm texture make this a bold, structured and noteworthy wine with good potential for mid-term aging. It is dry, has pure raspberry and blackberry on the palate, fine-grained tannins for grip and a lingering finish.
Aromas of herb, granite, pomegranate and brooding dark fruit leads to a full-flavored palate, bursting with red fruit and savory accents. The tannins provide some heft but should settle in nicely with additional time in the bottle.
This is a dark, black and brooding wine, full bodied and firmly impacted in tannin. Mountain sage, currant and mocha highlight dense ripe fruit and dustiness that linger with a spiciness of clove on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Cabernet Franc (33%), Merlot (20%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of earth, herb, flowers and red and black fruit are followed by well-proportioned dark-fruit flavors that show a lot of structure. It's a great introduction to the house style.
This wine shows a full-bodied wealth of cassis and black currant within a bold, brooding body. Mild in texture, it allows for robust notes of toasted oak and coffee to form additional complexity.
This wine succeeds in showing ripe, robust and even slightly rustic fruit flavor within a complex, integrated mix of tannin and oak. Dried cherry, chocolate and nutmeg accent a succulent backbone of juicy acidity and likable texture. The vines are 60-plus-years old.
A very pretty pale-copper color with a tinge of pink, this wine offers delicate, nuanced aromas of orange peel and mineral. The palate has a lightly creamy feel, showing a lot of freshness and tension.
This light dry red-fruit dominated offering is 70% Morenillo and the rest Garnacha. With tomatoey and earthy red-fruit aromas and a well-formed juicy palate, this delivers a nice mix of spice, pepper, plum and berry flavors prior to a peppery, fresh, elegant finish. Drink through 2020.
Baked plum, forest floor, dark spice and resin are some of the aromas you'll find on this full-bodied wine. The firmly structured palate offers dried cherry, fig, clove, anisette and tobacco while assertive, close-grained tannins give the finish grip.
Burnished orange in tint, this sweet Moscatel feels round and a bit oily, with good acidity lending balance. Flavors of honey, orange and cinnamon end with more orange action and a hint of apricot.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (35%), along with dollops of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère. The aromas show complexity, with notes of herb, pink peppercorn, dark fruit, coffee and wood spice. The flavors are supple and layered, with bright acidity and firm tannins providing the frame.
The light and fruity flavors of young vines dominate here, tart and sharp in this cool vintage. Raspberry and light herb open into a delicate, short, somewhat attenuated wine.
Perfumed, with a soft, smooth texture, this has flavors of tropical fruit, peach and a hint of lemongrass that make for a rich wine.
Smooth and oily in texture, this is round and full of pear juice flavor. There is just a touch of green legume, adding piquancy to this ripe wine. Screwcap.
This is perfumed, soft, warm and ripe, with smooth peach and mulberry flavors that are offset by a citrusy tang. It's a fine apéritif.
Fruity, juicy and packed with red berry fruit, this is an attractive, easy-drinking wine. It is rich, with good dense flavors that are balanced by raspberry-like acidity on the finish.
Ripe red fruits dominate this warm, round wine. The light touch of acidity makes the fruit seem forward and bright, yet the core remains rich and smooth. Its soft tannins make this ready to drink now.
This full-bodied blend of Viognier, Clairette and Grenache Blanc is a pretty typical white from the Southern Rhône. It's largely neutral in aroma and flavor save for a modest melon note, with a weighty mouthfeel. Drink soon.
A solid, medium-bodied effort, this Saint Gervais boasts fine complexity on the nose, where it mixes berries with smoke and olive before turning darker on the palate, finally ending with hints of bitter chocolate and espresso.
A silky, medium-bodied selection, this features elegant notes of cherries, fine leather and baking spices. It's a soft, easy-to-drink wine for immediate consumption.
Snappy cherry and berry aromas have the slightest accent of mint and grass. It feels fresh, forward and tight, with plum and spicy berry flavors. The finish remains fruity and firm.
Here's a true Sauvignon Blanc with spunky green aromas and plenty of grapefruit. It feels citric and lemony on the tongue, with citrusy flavors of tangerine and lime. It finishes tight and zesty, like a good Sauvignon Blanc should.
Initially a little rustic, the wine does open out. It is smoky, fruity with the acidity of the vintage.
Strawberry fruit flavors dominate this soft wine. It is unfocussed and misses out on clarity and shape.
The wine is dry, firm and with too many tannins for its own good. It does have hints of fruit along with spice and acidity. Shame about the over extraction that gives it a bitter aftertaste.
This is a lean wine, all tannins and missing fruit. It is dry and showing considerable hard extraction. It will soften, but not much.
Raw, gamy aromas of herbal black fruits and wet dog fur set up a bumpy palate that's tough and jagged. Unabsorbed oak sits atop rudimentary berry fruit flavors, while the finish is choppy, oaky and herbal.
Very tart, with barely ripe flavors of rhubarb and wild raspberries, this late release is already showing bricking around the rim. It's high in acid but low in fruit flavor, and from the looks of it, should be consumed immediately.
Funky aromas of wet dog, grapy berry fruits and hickory are sketchy. This feels more baked and flat than lively, while flavors of oaky, creamy berry fruits are mildly green. A thick, oaky finish is more gummy than fresh.
This is a ripe, fruity wine full of wild strawberry fruit. It is soft although with fine acidity and a crisp aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
This is a soft, easy wine with the lightest texture and crisp apple and pear flavors. It is gentle and ready to drink.
This is a dry wine, firm with tannins and perhaps missing the fruit element. It has a dry core along with acidity. The future will leave it still on the dry side.
From a 17-acre Merlot-dominated vineyard, this is a dry wine, where the tannins dominate the fruit. The wine has a bitter edge from too much extraction. The hints of fruit are not quite enough.
This is a soft fruity wine. It has attractive red-fruit flavors, very ripe fruit and light acidity at the end. The wine is ready to drink.
Grapes come from Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys to make this wine, first released in 1997. Oaky and mild-mannered on the palate, it shows touches of clove, black pepper and dried herb, while robust tannins play a supporting role.
Zesty and simple, this has fruity aromas of bright red berry and a floral note. The lean diluted palate offers suggestions of unripened sour cherry and a hint of orange zest. Sharp, bracing acidity dominates.
There is some ripe melon fruitiness that gives the wine richness. By contrast, there is little structure or crisp acidity to give it life.
Stewy aromas of berry fruits and wet dog are barely acceptable. This wine feels plump and round, with reasonable balance. Flavors of black plum, blackberry and mocha end with notes of coffee and soft tannins.
Stainless-steel fermented, this white is grassy and pea-like. A simple thickness on the palate is offset somewhat by a tang of grapefruit.
Shooting for wine that will age for at least 15 years, this has too much wood for its own good. Dark and spicy with tough toast, it will likely remain that way. Somebody tried too hard.
This is a soft wine. It is lightly fruity while tasting dilute and unfocussed. Drink now.
Baked aromas of raisin, prune and black cherry are also oaky. This feels and tastes stewed. Flavors of baked berries and marshmallow finish with a note of chocolate and a grabby, heavy feel.
Heavy, grapy aromas are topped with forceful oak. This wine feels big but mostly fresh, with grapy, oaky flavors that suggest burnt hickory wood. A touch of char rises up on the finish of this Garnacha-Syrah blend.
A deep pink colored wine, this is soft, fruity and ripe. It has just enough acidity while also having an edge of tannins that leave a bitter aftertaste. Drink now.
This medium-bodied wine has modest fruit and herb aromas and similarly subdued flavors. It is clean and straightforward.
The wine has very ripe fruit that leaves a jammy character. Merlot sweetness dominates and the wine seems unbalanced maybe the result of recent bottling.
This Alliance Bourg wine is dry and firm with its concentrated tannins. Too much extraction has left a bitter character. It will remain a wine that is tough.
This Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend is a tight closed wine showing tannins rather than fruit. It will remain this way.
From vines in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, the wine is fresh, fruity and light. It has red-currant flavors that are bright and crisp. It's perfumed by the Cabernet Franc that dominates the blend. Drink from 2018.
This wine is uncomplicated in approach, light bodied enough to be food-friendly and approachable. It has notions of apple and tropical fruit at its core.
Although this wine doesn't fit the Marlborough stereotype, it is pretty, delicate and complex. Hints of decaying leaves add an intriguing layer of interest to the peppery strawberry-rhubarb fruit. The tannins are supple enough to suggest drinking this wine over the next few years.
Ripe yellow-peach and delicate red-berry hints lend a juicy, easygoing fruitiness to this concentrated Riesling. Soft, pink-grapefruit-like acidity and a flash of green herb add freshness to the finish.
Assertive in its earthy, barnyard-like aromas, this biodynamic, Dijon-clone-based wine is light on its feet. It's ripe flavors are still developing, and it has a finish that one wishes would linger longer.
In the past, there was much more red wine than white wine produced in Chassagne-Montrachet. This firm, tannic wine, with its austere fruit, shows a similarity to Pommard. This is a wine that needs to age for over several years in order for it to soften and become round, and for the red berry fruit to surface.
Made from estate fruit, this wine offers tart blueberry and plum flavors along with drying tannins. The nose displays some volatile aromas, which carry onto the palate. Depending upon your particular sensitivity, this may or may not enhance the experience.
This Rhône-style blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre is soft and smooth. The fruity, forward palate shows little influence for having aged for 21 months in barrel, and so the flavors tend to be simple. Notes of red berries, red licorice and a dash of cayenne are all found.
The Cabernet Franc matches well with the Merlot in this blend. Dark fruits and polished tannins elevate this well-defined wine. It has no frills but plenty of flavor.
This is just a bit on the sweet side, but there is plenty of acidity to be found. It's fruity, peachy, succulent and fresh.
This Sauvignon Blanc tastes lightly grassy, with a creamy texture and plenty of bite. The flavors that pop include grapefruit, kiwi, cantaloupe and wet stone.
This has a minerally, tense structure as well as green fruit and citrus flavors. As the texture is quite dominant, let this age for two years to allow  the opulent fruit to surface.
Fresh and versatile, this Cabernet-Merlot blend offers a balanced interplay of spice, pepper and red fruit notes. The cherry, raspberry, leather and cedar flavors will pair well with tomato-based dishes, grilled meats and stews.
A nose of peach, spice and citrus notes leads this light and lively white made from Roditis and Sauvignon Blanc. Lean but likeable, it offers a lemon overtone on the palate and a fresh, spicy finish. Pair it with grilled seafood, Thai dishes or cold chicken salads.
Smooth, luscious, dense and brilliant—the color is saturated and superbright—this silky wine has kept the tannins supple and ripe. It captures the essence of young, fresh, spicy Syrah, unadulterated or modified with other grapes. This is tight, firm, sappy, young and a bit relentless in a tough, confident style. Flavors of cranberry and wild raspberry run rampant, with plenty of acid to keep it clean and penetrating.
The Magnifique is a barrel selection from the French oak-aged side of the winery. It's 100% Syrah and packed with blackberry, black cherry and streaks of citrus. It's very well balanced, complete and firm; the wine should age nicely for another decade at least.
A finely structured, delicate, elegant wine, this has a pure white fruit and mineral character that lies easily on the palate. The aftertaste is soft but there is still a steely edge to the wine, which promises long aging. Give it at least 5 years.
With full ripeness, density and concentration, this keeps its superb balance at just 10.8% alcohol and 5% residual sugar. The dynamic tension plays out beautifully, and doesn't veer into any sort of sugary slackness. This has the sort of weight and complexity you would expect in a $30 wine.
This opulent wine, with its honeyed apricot and resiny flavors, is layered with wood and spice, giving it extra life. It also has a hint of mocha—an earthiness that adds weight but not heaviness to the overall character. Poised and pretty, but also substantial.
This is pure Syrah from a winemaker who makes a number of single-vineyard and blended Syrahs. This dark, sappy, seductive wine has you from the first sniff. Though the fruit is big and briary, winemaker Holly Turner manages to capture the polish and elegance of Washington Syrah in the way the flavors are sculpted together. Veins of tar, chocolate, smoke, black licorice, pepper and tobacco accent the young, tight fruit flavors. This wine definitely needs breathing time to show its stuff.
This wine carries a whiff of honeyed fig, which opens out into a luscious, rich, satisfying, full-bodied Sémillon. It's a complete wine, which seems to run through a lifetime's evolution in the mouth, finishing with a creamy, plush mix of fruit and barrel. Long, seamless and delicious.
Because he blends shortly after fermentation, Matt Loso's wines attain a seamless complexity early on; it's a hallmark of the winery. This beautifully crafted Claret has no rough edges; in fact, no edges at all. It is a supple, elegant wine, loaded with fruit flavors that run from berry to cherry to plum, while the oak gently adds spice and toast.
Quite roasty-toasty, this is heavily scented with coffee and smoke. Smooth tannins surround plummy fruit, and there is enough concentration for a good, long finish. The blend includes 8% Cab Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and a splash of Merlot. Just 150 cases were made.
This is top drawer—elegant, detailed and richly varietal. The fruit is tart and tangy but not sour or thin. Mixed green fruits, apple, citrus, and a lightly toasty nose set up a wine with impressive length. The midpalate richness includes ripe melon, butterscotch and cinnamon spice. It's all barrel-fermented in neutral oak. This is a real strength of the brand.
A year or two ago when Paul Hobbs began consulting for Toso things changed for the better. This is the rare Best Buy that can swim with the big fish and give them a run for the money. Pop the cork and enjoy lusty dark aromas of Turkish tobacco and berry compote. In the mouth, there's a riot of fruit flavors to ponder followed by a smooth, lusty finish.
The aromas feature a subtle interplay between roses, red fruit and earthier elements, with the flavors following along in a similar vein. But where this wine excels is in its texture—supremely silky—and finish, which shows excellent persistence. A complex and elegant expression of North Island Pinot Noir.
This tastes like fruit from a cooler, perhaps higher altitude site. It's got a bracing minerality that runs through the fruit and gives the wine a solid backbone. Rhubarb and cranberry fruit is tightly laced against that rocky core, with plenty of natural acid propping up the finish. Little oak flavor is evident right now, though 38% of the barrels were new. This wine should be decanted, but as it opens it really shines.
Here's a wine that just fills the mouth with good things. This wine revels in its richness, which is balanced by fresh acidity, keeping the wine crisp.
This is an impressively endowed wine, but one that will have to rely on age for its complexity. Right now, its fruit (blackberries and cassis) is a bit simple upfront, then adds crisp acidity and firm tannins on the finish. Try in 2010.
This French-Australian collaboration has turned out a soft, easy-to-drink Merlot with notable complexity. Cassis and black cherry fruit is backed by shadings of cedar and vanilla and eased along by a creamy texture and supple tannins. Without any track record, it's probably prudent to drink this over the next few years.
A fine value in Oregon Pinot Noir, the estate bottling from Apolloni brings typical varietal flavors of sassafras, cherry cola and fresh herb. The fruit is perfectly ripe, yet retains the peppery, herbal, leafy character of northern Willamette Valley sites. Barrel aging adds length, texture and a finishing splash of butterfat.
This is winemaker Rich Cushman's estate vineyard. At 25 years of age, it may well be the oldest Riesling planting in the region. The alcohol is just under 11%, but there is plenty of acid under the fruit, so despite its off-dry designation, this is a wine that would work wonderfully well with a wide variety of cheeses and appetizers. Flavors suggest pears and peaches, detailed with spice and stone.
Big and burly, with highly respectable aromas of ripe blackberry, toast and mint. Attractive plum and blackberry flavors follow, and as it passes from palate to finish the wine shows its depth and structure. A little stiff in terms of oak and tannin and kind of simple overall. Still, it's a wine that indicates that La Mancha could finally be ready for the world stage.
This label has turned a corner from its early days; the 2005 is a very nice wine with smooth, ripe berry aromas backed by black cherry, smoked meat, coffee and other savory, dark flavors. Structured and well put together, with medium-depth flavors and good balance.
This is the first Grüner fruit from Underwood Mountain, and it promises good—maybe great—things to come. Sleek and stony, the wine epitomizes the racy, slightly grassy, slightly peppery quality of classic Austrian Grüner, with a Pacific Northwest twist—a certain brilliant intensity to the fruit that reflects this northern latitude. Clearly the best Grüner from Oregon or Washington to date.
Orange marmalade and sweet acidity mark this as a particularly rich style of Beerenauslese. The botrytis is intense, but even this cannot overwhelm the great sweetness and richness.
There is good depth of flavor in this delicious wine. The creamy apple flavors are crisp alongside pear skin tannins, while the touch of pepper gives some intrigue to the aftertaste. Screwcap.
A fresh and lively style of Rioja, with red-fruit aromas leading straight to a no-issues palate full of ripe plum and cherry flavors. The wine is uncomplicated, smooth and even a little chocolaty.
The blend includes just 14% Mourvèdre, with the balance split evenly between Shiraz and Grenache, and the result is a medium-bodied red with soft tannins and plenty of ripe fruit. Blackberry, plum and spice notes show good concentration and some chocolaty overtones. Drink now and over the next several years.
An impressive effort from this winery located on the cool Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne, Stonier's 2006 Pinot Noir features some slightly herbal and properly earthy notes alongside its cherry fruit and a touch of bacony oak. It's medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, layered finish. Drink now–2012.
Searingly tart, this might be a 2007 Muscadet for its thrilling, stiletto-steel spine and leesy minerality. Simply calling it unoaked does not begin to do justice to the complexity and textural density that this unusual Oregon Chardonnay offers. For acid lovers who don't think that Chardonnay must be slathered in toasty new wood in order to have any flavor, this wine will be a joy.
This Oak Ridge bottling is rich and unctuous. Scents and flavors of rose petals mingle with a lightly soapy, oily, broad midpalate that floats along on a bed of flowers, stone fruits, toast, hazelnuts, caramel and stone. A splash of everything, but it comes together in a seductive, open framework with just enough acid to support it.
The winery releases an extensive lineup of single vineyard Pinots; here is the mix of leftover barrels. Purple fruits, earth, slightly green tannins and a hint of toast come into play.
Made with 100% Pinot Nero, this lively sparkler offers sensations of red berry, tangerine, a hint of pastry dough and a dash of cake spice. Crisp acidity lifts the creamy texture.
Hints of lemon shortbread, fresh apple and white flower unfold on the nose of this delicately honeyed wine. On the palate, sweet white-peach and yellow-cherry flavors run just a shade off dry. Easy going and fresh, it finishes long, with a streak of tangerine acidity.
This proprietary blend combines 52% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, another in its line of Aaron Pott-made wines. It's lovable in its austerity and varietal suggestions of dried herb, cedar and green bean. Dusty, soft tannins support a full-bodied, straightforward structure.
Spicy, toasty black-fruit aromas set up a firm palate with wrenching tannic grip. Spicy flavors of dark plum and blackberry are typical of this type of Monastrell blend. Peppery notes and herbal accents are up front on the finish.
Put this into the budget category (for Oregon Pinot Noir) where it shines. Fruity and forward, there's plenty to like in the mix of orange flesh and rind, and strawberry and cherry hard candy. The fruit is backed with ample tannin, and a warm touch of mocha and toast fills in the finish.
Juicy fruit flavors carry a pleasantly candied character, dappled with hints of cinnamon and pepper flakes. It's broad and appealing, with a touch of mint enlivening the finish.
Rich in body but light in tannins, this warm, generous wine fills the mouth and eases down the throat. It has a good mélange of cherry, strawberry and floral aromas, satisfying fruit flavors and a nicely soft finish.
While the wood flavors are prominent, they don't mask the ripe berry fruits in this Merlot-dominant blend. Blaye sister-brother team of Marie-Pierre et Pierre-Charles Dartier produced a wine with a rich character. It is full of wood spice, hints of mint and acidity. Drink from 2019.
The wine shows the firm tannins of the vintage. They give a dry core that will probably remain. However, there is also a fine layer of fresh black-currant fruit that gives a fine lift to the wine at the end. It will be ready soon, drink from 2017.
All the elements are present in this young wine. It has plenty of red fruit, touches of plum and spice. The tannins are firm while leaving plenty of room for the fruit. A wine that will be comfortably drinkable from 2018.
Full of red fruits as well as spicy wood flavors, this is a rich wine that has a fine concentrated texture. It is firm at the moment, showing layers of toast and wood from a year in oak barrels. Allow the ripe fruit to come through and drink from 2019.
This is a firm wine, dry and with tight tannins. The fruit weight is still developing and the wine needs time to fully realize its potential. Given time, the fruit will become rich and full. Denis Noël and his kids run the estate, which has been in the family since 1800. Drink from 2019.
Full of bright black-currant fruit, this wine shows its young fruitiness, backed by a dry core of tannins and ample acidity. With its structure and spicy wood flavors, it will develop into a complex, dense wine. Drink from 2019.
This AVA-specific cuvée brings a sharp focus to mixed fruit flavors of raspberries laced with citrus highlights. It's a pretty wine, smooth and fresh and forward. Drink over the next three or four years.
Tannat is a rarity anywhere in the USA, but especially in Oregon. Yet it does well at this southern location, producing a full-bodied and forward wine with a potent flavor mix of black fruit and leather, cedar and espresso. The highlights of smoke and charred wood are unrestrained, yet work well with the ample fruit packed into the core. This wine begs for a charcoal-grilled steak.
Perfumed berry, baking spice and violet aromas mingle together on this vibrant red. The linear racy palate is a bit on the lean side, offering tart red cherry, cranberry, clove and mineral alongside tangy acidity and polished tannins.
Toasty, charred, fiery aromas of black fruits are anything but shy. This feels tannic in general, with softness around the edges of the palate. Flavors of prune, spice cake and coffee finish toasty and warm, with lasting, hard tannins. Drink through 2023.
This wine is concentrated with both tannins and fruit. With acidity and a fresh aftertaste the fruit is full of black-currant flavors. At the same time, the tannins assure a fine future. Drink from 2019.
Aromas of oak, stewed prune, raisin and a balsamic note lead the nose. The mature straightforward palate offers raspberry jam, black cherry extract and anise alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Ripe and creamy, this reserve cuvée is 100% varietal. It mixes plump melon and peach fruit with supple acids. There is no indication of having gone through malolactic, but the finish brings a suggestion of ghee. Try putting this in the fridge for about 15 minutes before opening.
This wine has a deep-gold color and aromas like apricots and toasted almonds. Flavors are almost as ripe as pineapple, while a creamy texture helps the fruit complexity linger on the finish.
A big wine for Merlot, this high alcohol (14.6%) effort ramps up its black cherry fruit with volatile acidity and brings in chocolaty barrel flavors under an earthy, tannic finish. Another year or two in the bottle can only help; at this young age it seems a little blowsy and sharp.
The 2003 Cliff Edge Shiraz shows plenty of intensity: bright cranberry-raspberry fruit, bold notes of cured meat and overtones of cedary oak. Tannins are supple, the structural underpinnings reliant on crisp acids instead. Use that tartness to offset some of the richness of stews or roasts.
The elegance of the grape shines through this wine, which wears its alcohol level easily and effortlessly. The richness is transmuted into soft red fruits, spice from wood and a smooth texture. To finish, the wine is fresh, giving a burst of juiciness.
In much the same style as Brandborg's Riesling, this creamy Pinot Gris has a rich, leesy texture, here augmented with streaks of vanilla and toasted almond. The fruit is tangy and refreshing, tasting of ripe lemons and limes, and the balance and full midpalate show a fine winemaker at work.
Perhaps the most forward and appealing wine in the lineup, the Vista Hills Pinot Noir brings round flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, hints at pepper and herb, then finished up with lots more chocolate. Though not as detailed as some of the other Panther Creek single-vineyard offerings, it has pleasure written all over it.
Cherries jump out at you, a dense compendium of fruit set against iron and earth. The wine is a bit austere, tight; it may need decanting. But it's got good concentration and spice, and flavor that keeps on running through a long finish.
Tahbilk, one of Australia's historic wineries, has turned out a velvety-textured Shiraz named for one of the company's long-time winemakers. This is a medium-bodied, yet velvety-soft Shiraz that boasts plenty of intensity. If its blackberry, licorice and vanilla flavors develop more complexity over the next few years, the 89 rating may seem stingy.
The Vidal Gold Icewine starts with an enticing nose of tropical fruit, honey and spice. Mouthfilling, intense flavors of peach, mango and apricot follow, balanced by crisp acidity. Clean but complex, the wine unfolds extravagantly on the palate. The wine can age and will intensify as time passes.
A finely structured wine that brings forward its firm tannins, but also keeps black berry and red plum fruit flavors. It has an edge of leanness, minerality perhaps, its tannins emphasizing dryness. The balance between the structure and the fruit produces a good value wine that is on a knife edge of exciting tension.
An aromatic, low-alcohol Syrah, this opens with spice, pepper and tart cranberry fruit. It layers in flavors of blue plum and a light wreath of smoke. It's an elegant style, miles away from the usual amped-up blockbuster Northwest Syrahs.
This wine is full of rich fruit. With apricots, mangos and a layer of caramel, this is a generous wine with enough acidity to sustain its richness. The aftertaste brings in spice, vanilla and a squeeze of lemon.
This wine is fresh, crisply fruity and toasty without missing the apple and pear flavors that give juiciness behind the texture. It's ripe and is developing well. Drink from 2017.
This wine offers tropical fruit against a background of intense acidity. That makes it fruity, ripe with a tight structure that gives delicious lift and freshness. Drink now.
Aromas of ripe blackberry, anisette, black pepper and scorched earth lead the nose. On the tight palate, notes of licorice, espresso, leather and clove accent a core of dried black cherry and fig.
This is a ripe and warm wine, with generous fruits and a structure that is cushioned by the rich black and red fruit flavors. It has light hints of wood aging, shown in the notes of spice and vanilla that have smoothed the tannins and tamed the acidity. Drink this attractive wine from 2016.
Aromas of prune, red berry, graphite and mint lead the nose. The palate delivers raw red cherry, black pepper, anise and sage alongside bright acidity and compact tannins.
The mineral structure gives this wine an initially austere character. There is a balance between acidity and textured black-plum skin and berry fruit flavors. There are also firm, dry tannins that need to soften. Drink from 2017.
Slightly funky but appealing forest-floor aromas blend with black cherry and graphite on the nose of this Terravant creation. Soft on the palate, it shows raspberry, cherry extract and brown and black spices, with a hint of dragon's blood incense.
Woody, toasty aromas are dominant here giving a full-bodied, spicy character to the wine. It is rich, but with plenty of acidity to give it good freshness. Bright while toasty, it will age. Drink from 2017.
Soft and ripe with an attractive kick of juicy acidity, this is a perfumed wine with yellow and white fruit flavors. It has all the freshness a ripe wine needs, showing a tangy, bitter orange and lime aftertaste.
Round, smooth and rich, this full-bodied wine has ripe fruit and a balanced acidity. It is more about yellow fruits, less about citrus, conveying a generous character. It is likely to age quickly, so drink from late 2015.
In the past we said the enemy of El Enemigo was too much oak; that heavy oak character persists, but it is more integrated than in prior bottlings. Along with woody aromas, look for cidery apple scents in front of a soft, chunky palate. Flavors of popcorn, caramel and baked apple finish weighty and woody. Drink now.
Barrel-fermented in French oak, this wine is high in acidity and subtle in wood flavors, offering a brightness of citrus, pear and peach. Seamless on the palate and steely, it's well balanced and elegant.
This wine has a zesty, effervescent aspect that provides a sense of refreshment, built around subdued oak and ripe lemon and lime. Medium in weight and dry, it finishes with a flair of salty brine, like an olive martini.
There's a stewy rustiness to this wine on the entry, an evocative recall of the old country, when grandfather made wine in his basement. From a high-elevation vineyard site, it takes time to open. Once it does, the full-bodied expression of juicy blackberry and leather combine to nice effect.
Aromas of toasted oak, coffee and red berry lead the nose. The palate delivers dried cherry, vanilla, coconut and a note of powdered sage while bracing tannins give it a drying finish. Drink 2017–2012.
Blossomy perfume wafts throughout this squeaky fresh off-dry Riesling. Tart tangerine and punchy yellow peach and mango flavors are vibrant and crisp, resonating long on the finish. It's a straightforward yet balanced, fruity wine. Drink now.
This is a breadwinner bottling for the otherwise high-end, single-vineyard specialists from Los Gatos. It's a solid deal, offering a tight, slightly sour nose of cranberry juice, graphite and violets. The palate clings to juicy cherries with a sage-like twist.
This reserve-level wine is annotated with interesting highlights of iron, mint and tea leaf, all wrapped around a black-cherry core. There's a streak of cola running through it all, and just a hint of alcohol burn in the finish.
Still holding its deep red color, this is otherwise a wine that is now mature and ready to drink, hailing from the first vintage of the Vadio Project. It has earthy flavors of bramble and undergrowth, and a dry character that will become more pronounced over the next years. Luis Patrão started the organic Vadio Project to preserve the native Baga grape grown nine miles from the Atlantic Ocean in central Portugal.
This wine has simple fruit with fresh acidity, touches of lemon and a crisp, tangy texture. Still young, it offers a flinty edge and a steely aftertaste, both of which will merge into the apple and grapefruit flavors over the next few months. Drink from 2016.
Brilliant gold in color, this wine by Santa Barbara's pioneering Rhône house shows pressed white flowers, bruised apple and a touch of iodine on the nose. It's quite heavy on the viscous palate, with a sense of fish oil as well as caramelized apple, iodine, roasted almonds, singed marshmallow and dried apricot. It's a very meaty white wine.
Aromas of grapefruit, orange peel and freshly starched sheets give way to flavors of lemon curd, grapefruit, hazelnut and rose petal in this wine made of 100% Emir, a native Turkish variety. There is a sense of brightness on the palate, and the soft floral finish features a final spray of citrus.
This ripe and smooth wine is fragrant, spicy and delicious in apricot and peach flavors. There is a crisp texture to the wine, with streaks of freshness and minerality. The finish has refreshing acidity and a salty kick, making this ideal for pairing with food.
Aromas of beeswax and lemon oil, the flavors following along with tangerine, orange and peach. Very dry, with exceptional concentration of fruit, and well-integrated flavors of cracker and grain. This was barrel fermented, and delivers a long, concentrated finish.
Vibrant and juicy with red cherry and blueberry playing well alongside notes of thyme and soft pepper spice. Medium weight in the mouth with soft grain tannins, solid acidity, and a finish that leaves a delicious raspberry syrup flavor lingering until the next sip. Drink now or hold for a year.
Big and concentrated, this is a huge mouthful of really tasty juicy. Peach, pineapple and soft tropical flavors combine in a ripe and luscious wine, which puts the fruit well ahead of the butter and toast.
As with all Dusted Valley wines, the focus is on varietal purity, and the careful blending (an addition of 10% Merlot) enhances it, by expanding the midpalate and adding complexity. Green coffee and oak-driven coconut and vanilla custard flavors dominate, with dark fruits holding down center court.
Though labeled Columbia Valley, this is actually Wahluke Slope fruit, 100% varietal. Licorice, smoke and herbs race up the spine, rounded out with black fruits, fig, tobacco and coffee. Good grip and length.
The Elqui Valley is the new source for this Syrah, and we like its leathery, complex, smoky nose that foretells layered blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors. Fairly thick and modern, but balanced, with a long, lightly minty finish. Interesting and well seasoned with oak.
There is enticing new wood here, a wine that shows richness to boost the ripe, creamy apple and pear fruits. It has a generous character, to contrast with its core of steely acidity. The finish is more earthy, suggesting the wine still needs time in the bottle.
The Cowgirl Cab, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is DaMa's most popular offering. Loaded with bright, brambly berry fruits, licorice and loam, it's notable also for smooth, silky tannins.
From Klipsun and Hedges fruit, this muscular, aromatic Merlot begins with pretty berry scents, then develops flavors of currant and cherry. It's a wine with meat and muscle, still packed tight, but dense with potential. Give it plenty of decanting, or cellar it for five years.
This is a Merlot-dominated Bordeaux blend. Along with pleasant, strawberry fruit you'll find scents of candied roses and hints of fresh herb. The length and detail bespeak a wine with medium-term aging potential. Baking spices dominate the finish, with a burst of heat from the near-15% alcohol.
Purple as can be, with grapey aromas that aren't subtle in the least. Typically thick, with mild tannins and shy, almost reserved berry, cassis and chocolaty oak flavors. Dense wine, but not as expressive and deeply flavored as previous vintages. Drink now through 2011.
Hogue's Genesis bottling is far more limited than the winery's other Rieslings, and offers extra dimensions in terms of concentration and grip. Though just 12.6% alcohol, it tastes dry enough, with juicy acidity and green apple flavors. What elevates it above the less expensive bottling is its length, the minerality and the hints of white flower, Mandarin orange and stone.
A big step up from the first time we tried this wine in 2007. Aromas are pure and fruity, while the palate is ripe and acid-rich, with juicy but tight plum, herb and berry flavors. Shows chocolate on the tail, and overall it is on the money. A blend of five grapes led by Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
The best Hogue Chardonnay in years, this 2007 reserve bottling showcases fully ripened apple, peach and melon fruit flavors in a luscious wrapping of new oak. Butterscotch and a whisp of vanilla carry through the seductive finish.
This wine lives up to its name in the pure, perfumed flavors that are an enticement for sipping. An edge of tannin and lemon zest liven the wine even more. The tight, bright acidity at the end is mouthwatering.
Aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit lead the way on this easygoing but generous white. The round, juicy palate offers mature peach, ripe pear and a white almond note. Fresh acidity balances the creamy flavors.
High in perceptible acidity, this wine leans savory in rhubarb, cranberry and a twist of sour cherry, adding in clove and black pepper behind the scenes. Light-bodied, it's soft and table-ready.
Some yeasty tang swings among the fresh, green pear fruit and makes this even more fluid. There is a savory, core and soft, rounded freshness. Drink soon.
This is a bold but well-balanced wine, with densely fruity aromas, and appealing flavors of pomegranate and blueberry. A layer of fine tannins adds a grippy mouthfeel, making it great with a roast chicken or grilled lamb chop.
This 25-acre, family-owned estate has produced a fruity, lighthearted wine. With crisp red-currant flavors and poised acidity, the wine is lively and bright. A light touch of spice adds a twist to the aftertaste.
Produced in an estate created in the 1980s, this wine is soft, gentle and warm. The 5% of white grapes in the blend adds extra lightness to the wine. A mineral edge along with pepper brings another dimension to the red fruits. Bone-dry, it is more of a food than apéritif wine.
White flower, honeydew melon and lemon aromas meld together on this lively white. The savory, juicy palate doles out green apple, white peach and a white almond note alongside flinty mineral and bright acidity.
This is a smooth and elegant wine with a robust backbone of dark berry and currant, espresso and tea that presents full-bodied ripeness and exuberance on the palate. Minty vanilla closes things out.
Made from 62% Viognier and 38% Roussanne, grown at the proprietor's Stagecoach Vineyard, this is a richly concentrated white, viscous in honey and graham cracker and a full-bodied encasing. Barrel-fermented in 32% new French oak, as well as stainless steel and neutral wood, it's a big expression of baked peach and vanilla.
Plump strawberry, strawberry blossoms, candy licorice and pencil lead aromas show on the nose of this wine from viticultural legend Louis Lucas and retired judge Royce Lewellen. Candied strawberry shows on the sip alongside tart cranberry, red cherry, fennel and thyme notes.
Cherry, raspberry, herb and tomato aromas correctly announce a tightly clamped palate. Herbal plum and raspberry flavors are maintained on a tight, unbreakable finish. This is staunch and tight, with more than enough herbal character.
A year older than the Riboli family's higher-end San Simeon brand, this bargain bottling is a steal for the oft-ridiculed vintage. Dense elderberry fruit, smoked cedar and dried oregano show on the nose, while the palate is complex and herbacesously Bordelaise in style, with oregano, thyme and dill giving nuance to tart blueberries and black plum fruit.
Aromas of white flower, tropical fruit and an herbal note lead the nose on this medium-bodied white. The juicy, generous palate doles out ripe pear, tangerine, mineral and white almond. Soft but fresh enough acidity offsets the creamy flavors.
Strawberry hulls, earth and a touch of bittersweet black tea combine in this full-bodied, expressive wine with a slight, reductive quality and spicy acidity. From a spot on the Santa Rosa Plain, it comes from a mix of clones and is soft on the palate.
Aromas of pressed acacia flower, beeswax and a balsamic note come together on this. On the full-bodied palate, notes of vanilla and honey accent the primary flavors of candied tangerine zest and white peach. A note of toasted almond closes the finish.
Pronounced notes of vanilla, spice and toast extend from nose to finish on this creamy, silk-edged Chardonnay. The palate is marked by soft peach, apple and pear flavors lifted by sunny lemon acidity. It's overtly oaky, but elegantly composed.
Zesty flavours of both yeast and grapefruit dominate the nose, they are joined on the palate by peppery, even more yeasty freshness. This is fresh and zippy, but generous, too, and fizzes ever so slightly.
Easy red fruit, fresh black and red cherry with lots of flow, drive and softness wash over the palate. There is freshness at the core and a certain untroubled ease. This is made for ready drinking and has a pliable, smooth nature.
Bright flavors like citrus and crisp apple light up this medium-bodied wine from Lake County winemaking veteran Jed Steele. It tastes dry and fresh, appetizing and just fruity enough to complete the picture.
Merlot makes up three quarters of this wine with the rest Cabernets Franc (17%) and Sauvignon. The Franc shows itself, with aromas of lightly leafy herbs that are followed by tire rubber, anise, vanilla and cherry. The cranberry and cherry flavors are sweet, with rustic tannins backing them up.
Attractive aromas of rose, plum and blue flower float out of the glass. On the palate, vanilla, espresso and toasted oak overwhelm dried black cherry while astringent tannins leave a mouth-drying finish.
Delicately scented, this opens with aromas of dried black cherry and toasted notes. On the concentrated palate, oak-driven spice takes center stage while mature dark-skinned fruit and dried prune provide the background. Pair it with Gorgonzola at the end of the meal.
Made entirely with Garganega, this offers aromas of maple syrup, pressed white flower and candied orange zest. The round palate doles out dried apricot and tangerine while a hint of orange blossom honey backs up the finish.
Pepper and spice come through strongly in this lemon and red-fruit-flavored wine. It has a creamy texture cut through with tangy orange and red currants. The aftertaste is full while always fruity.
There are edges of cocoa, pepper and curing spice to the dense red plum and cherry core of this attractive Syrah. Just a touch of gamy character throughout adds depth and intrigue. The rich fruit flavors continue on to the palate, with a texture like crushed satin and lingering notes of coffee, bittersweet chocolate and sweet spice.
Aromas of banana, yellow stone fruit and a heady whiff of jasmine jump out of the glass. The rounded palate offers peach, pink grapefruit and an herbal note alongside bright acidity.
Lemon and grapefruit aromas come with minerally notes of granite and crushed vitamin dust. An almost sharp and cutting palate offers generic citrus and green apple flavors in front of a chiseled, high-acid finish.
Four years running this wine has scored 87 and been a Best Buy. The bouquet is scratchy but nicely aromatic, including hints of spice to go with ripe berry scents. The palate is jammy and home to rooty berry, mild spice and very light oak flavors. The finish is a bit hot and fiery, which food will tame.
Ripe, brandied aromas of baked cherry and blackberry are heady and leathery upon airing. This shows raw tannins and scratchy acidity in front of traditional flavors: vanilla, oak, currant and raspberry. An oaky finish comes with vanilla, toast and chocolaty accents.
The bouquet on this blend of Cab, Zin, Merlot and Tempranillo is fairly smooth and complex, with spice and modest heat. The palate, however, seems to be on the roasted and burnt side of the fence, with chocolate notes bringing up the rear. This is tasty but heavy, grabby and hot.
Woodenhead makes a range of Pinot Noirs from both the Russian River and Anderson valleys and this one starts out with an earthy ring of raspberry, a lot of black tea and some herbal undertones. Still impacted from its time in oak, the finish is hard to pinpoint, slightly spicy and unresolved.
A savory, tannic and slightly earthy Cabernet Sauvignon made by winemakers Denis and May-Britt Malbec, who consult on many Napa Valley-based projects. The 2007 and 2009 are more indicative of how silky smooth and refined their Cabernets can be, with this one exhibiting just slightly too much tobacco and smoke on the finish, overpowering the berry fruit.
Celebrating the beaches and waters around Lisbon in name, this ripe and fruity wine is forward with black fruits and soft tannins. It's an easy, rich wine, finishing with bright acidity.
Scratchy, minty aromas are the opening on this rough and rugged blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the mouth, this is hard as nails, with extreme tannic bite. Flavors of blackberry and chocolate are ripe and satisfying, while resiny oak, baking spice notes and rough tannnins define the finish.
Roasted, rubbery aromas come with an herbal offset and mild stalky notes. This is full and rubbery feeling, with baked berry, herb and peppery flavors residing before a dry, tannic, stocky finish that's a fair conclusion to this blend of Garnacha, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Robust and rustic, this is a full-bodied Italian-inspired red blend, indicative of its varieties which range from Carignane and old-vine Zinfandel to old-vine Petite Sirah, Mataro, old-vine Black Malvasia and Alicante Bouschet. It's old-school in every way, with flavors that tend toward dark cherry, licorice and leather.
Basic, minerally aromas of apple and pear are good and suggest iodine. The mouthfeel is a bit foamy, but this is also fresh and vital for a 2007 Cava. Crisp flavors of lime, orange and green herbs end similarly, with linear balance.
Aromas of espresso, Mediterranean scrub and dark-skinned berry lead the nose. The subdued palate is on the lean side, showing dried black cherry and a green note of powdered sage alongside astringent tannins that leave a bitter, tongue-drying finish.
Perfumy on the nose, this is a lavishly oaked, full-bodied mix of caramel and vanilla atop baked apple pie and grilled mango. More tropical than crisp, it speaks to a warm vintage and a stylistic approach to go for the gusto.
Fresh-cut grass and gooseberry dominate on the nose of this wine, a style that's not for everyone. From there, bristling sparks of lemon and lime dominate, giving the wine a refreshing edge. Unoaked, the finish is a tad severe in its austerity.
Delicate flavors of pressed apples, pears and lemon are accented by exotic hints of spice and potpourri in this dry, single-vineyard Riesling. It's not deeply concentrated, but zesty acidity makes it refreshingly crisp. Drink now–2016.
This simple, easygoing red doles out juicy black cherry, fleshy blackberry, vanilla and a confectionary note. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Quite reserved in aromas at first, this starts to show bruised lemon skins, ripe stonefruit and a touch of cream on the nose. A preserved lemon element and sour orange character mark the nose, with touches of marzipan yet lacking the usually associated creaminess.
Aromas of plum, spring flower and a whiff of dark spice lead the nose while the round, juicy palate doles out fleshy blackberry, ripe wild cherry and a light touch of anise. Simple but well made, enjoy this for everyday and informal occasions.
The color is slightly light, the aromas are moderately spicy, and flavors recall baked cherries and plums. This light to medium-bodied wine is also on the delicate side in terms of flavor, but quite enjoyable and affordable, too.
Smoky wood aromas are repeated on the palate. Although prominent, they do not suppress the juicy blackberry flavors and crisp acidity. Already balanced, the wine is likely to mature quickly. Drink from 2017.
This wine is dry, dominated by the new-wood flavors and toasty character that hide any fruit. The lean structure will probably remain. The property is owned by the Kressmann family.
This structured wine also has attractive layers of ripe fruits. Black-currant freshness balances with a dry tannic core and a rich juicy texture. It's going to be ready to drink soon, so only wait until 2017.
Plum, cherry and cassis aromas are lightly charred but not really dark or dense. This shows high-toned, edgy acidity and hard tannins. Punchy, borderline sharp flavors of raspberry and herbal plum finish rough.
Aromas of herbs, spice, tomato and red plum are good but lean. This features a fresh, dry, tomatoey palate and equally dry, peppery flavors of plum and cherry. A lasting finish is bright but light on residual flavors.
Coming in at a strikingly low alcohol for the vintage, the fruit in this blend doesn't seem to have fully ripened, with strong aromas of freshly sliced jalapeño along with leafy herbs. The flavors are tart and elegant, broadening on the finish.
This is a creamy wine that has attractive fresh apple as well as citrus flavors. It has a tang of lemon zest to give a crisper edge. The aftertaste is fruity, ripe and refreshing.
Sweet vanilla oak gives this full-bodied, tropical wine its signature, a luscious taste of fruit-forward approachability that risks becoming overdone. From Vine Hill Ridge Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, it exhibits the power and warmth of the vintage.
Minty sage and cedar dot the aromatic profile of this wine that is holding on to tannin and oak with a fierce stubbornness. Tart cherry, pomegranate and blueberry give it a fruity mélange, accented by subtle rose petal and violet.
Well made, well balanced and rich in flavor, this medium-bodied wine has fruit flavors that are almost sweet but countered by crisp acidity. It tastes spicy like vanilla and nutmeg on the finish.
Herbal raspberry and leather aromas create an obtuse nose. This is round, not overly exact in feel, and mild in acidity. Peppery flavors of raspberry and cherry end in dry, standard fashion.
Savory notes of nuts and grains stand out against a backdrop of fresh white grapefruit, apple and lemon in this semidry Riesling. Crisp lime acidity lends refreshment to the finish. Drink now.
This has a shy nose that doesn't give much away. The straightforward palate is also not very expressive, but eventually reveals candied cherry, raspberry and a hint of dark pepper alongside drying, fleeting tannins.
The aromas on this wine from the Carmel Valley-based producer are relatively light, with hints of honeysuckle, white lily and peach blossom. The palate is quite tart and crisp, with flavors of lime skin and grapefruit pith.
This informal red opens with aromas that suggest dark-skinned fruit and Mediterranean brush. The dense, simple palate offers juicy black cherry and a hint of dark cooking spice. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
A bright pinkish-orange color makes this light-bodied wine stand out from the beginning, Fresh watermelon and cherry flavors carry on the rounded palate, with a slight sweetness giving softness.
While a bit demure in character, this full-bodied, dry Pinot Gris boasts fresh apple, pear and lemon notes. Crisp citrus acidity shines on the finish. Drink now.
Made from fruit that was sourced from Olsen Vineyards, this Syrah's blackberry, cherry and pepper flavors and fine-grained tannins combine to make a wine with good length and a clean finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. It's high-toned, and it comes with a pungency that brightens the highly extracted, sweet-tasting berry fruit. It has lots of appeal, but you must like wines that have a volatile edge.
Savigny-lès-Beaune often shows the softer side of Pinot Noir. This wine has juicy red-cherry and raspberry flavors that balance the gentle, dry tannins. The low-yielding old vines from which the fruit was sourced give this selection extra concentration. This will benefit from medium-term aging.
This is pure Mourvèdre from Heart of the Hill and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. The Red Mountain terroir is on display in the form of a spicy cherry-pie flavor that is set off by minerality and dense, earthy tannins. A kiss of chocolate seals the deal.
Aromatically intense, with notes of dried peach, orange cream and vanilla, this blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Malvasia aims to push the envelope with its rich, almost-fluffy texture, and its penetrating red-berry, stone-fruit and citrus flavors. The grapes were crushed by foot, and skin contact was employed during fermentation. This is a decadent, unusual, oak-aged orange wine.
Part of a Limited Release series, this supple, oaky Malbec includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Made from Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard fruit, this offers compelling blue- and black-fruit flavors that are wrapped in coffee and cream notes. It's a structured wine that can be cellared up to a decade.
With its upfront, ripe apple and pear flavors, this wine is immediately attractive. Behind the fruitiness, there is a firm, structured character of minerality and a steely edge, which makes this a Chardonnay to age for 3–4 years.
This is a smooth and polished wine, with herb and new wood aromas. It has juicy red-berry flavors, and the tannins push forward. Structured, with intense acidity, this is ready to age for at least 5–6 years.
An old-vine wine, this is powerful, concentrated and impressively dense for a Marsannay. It is full of red plum and berry flavors, plus firm tannins that suggest this could age for several years.
The most taut and steely of the wines made by Guillaume Vrignaud from Fourchaume fruit, this offers a tight, minerally texture, lively acidity and an apple- and grapefruit-like crispness. With its structure, this has the potential to age for 4–5 years.
Bright apple, pear and orange notes lead the nose of this well-balanced Chardonnay, with secondary accents of toast, sweet spice and nut. The vibrant mouthfeel is full but not flabby, with an attractive peach-pit flavor that carries through the long finish. Delicious now, but also should age well through 2017.
Craggy's Pinot style has been trending away from overt fruitiness and toward this sort of complex umamifest of meat, parsnip and mushroom, with just enough black cherry fruit to support all of these components. This 2010 has a firmly structured core surrounded by plush tannins and ample length on the finish. Drink now–2023.
Bone dry and hinting at a sweet herb flavor, this wine backs away from the fruitiness found in most domestic Chenin Blanc. It offers complex details of yellow fruit, lemon verbena and beeswax.
Man O' War's 2008 Dreadnought put the winery on the map, and, although not quite as dramatic, the 2009 is a worthy successor. Aromas are lifted, peppery and cherry-filled, while the flavor nuances include smoke and pepper-cured meats. The wine is medium bodied and is marked by silky tannins and crisp acids. Drink now–2018.
Another excellent Idus. The nose is jammed full of big berry, leather and earth aromas. In the mouth, it's pure to the hilt, with jammy depth and delicious flavors of blackberry, chocolate and licorice. Finishes toasty and creamy, with soft tannins and ease. Drink now through 2015.
Hay stack, honey and rich apricot and peach aromas lead to a thick, unctuous palate that's basically viscous as syrup. But wow does it taste good; it's deep and delicious, with honeyed fruit, brown sugar and maple notes to go with lush stonefruit essence. Pour atop vanilla ice cream for an amazing dessert.
Intensely aromatic, with lovely accents of pine needle, grapefruit and mint. An elegant, complex and vividly spicy wine, with all elements proportionate, and showing excellent depth and structure. The flavors of fruit and forest just keep unfolding through a lingering finish.
There is impressive balance here—rich apple and pear flavors with a tang of minerality. It is smooth and concentrated on the one hand and edgy and nervy on the other. Screwcap.
Baked, earthy, minerally berry fruit aromas suggest lead pencil, roasted plum, cassis and raspberry. The palate is lush, pure and balanced, with classic Priorat flavors of mineral-tinged blackberry and plum. Chunky and smooth on the finish, with broad, soft tannins. There's no bite or harshness at all; drink now through 2014.
Deep, dark and oaky smelling, with tons of mocha on top of ripe black fruit aromas. There's both heft and elegance to this wine, that and coffee, spice and exotic black fruit flavors. Finishes toasty and spicy, with a rich, chunky, structured feel. Impressive; drink now through 2013.
This wine benefits from some time in bottle. Wood and fruit are integrated, bringing out the spice in the fruit, while leaving delicious apple and white currant fruits to blossom. Screwcap.
Made from fruit cultivated according to the principles of biodynamic viticulture, this leads with aromas of Spanish broom, yellow apples and light spice notes. The reserved palate offers tart green apple, pear, citrus and a hint of beeswax alongside crisp acidity.
It's certainly tannic and tough at the moment, the wine also has so much fruit. That will allow it to round out, bringing out the black currant fruitiness and resulting in a full, rich and perfumed wine. Wait until 2018.
A ripe, smooth and fruity wine that is already delicious in its ripe berry and plum flavors. Touches of new wood show how it is still developing, a burst of vanilla followed by fruity acidity. It will be a full, ripe wine, but give it until 2016.
Initially rough around the edges, this wine opens up to give warm red berry fruits, firm tannins and a solid structure. Underlying tannins give a dry core. A more juicy, fresh aftertaste means this wine needs some aging. Drink from 2017.
Translucent red in color, this coastal Pinot is light and peppery on the nose, with saline and celery stalk scents along with baked plum and raspberry notes. Oak aging has left a buttery texture that's cut by acidity, while flavors of cherry and plum are supported by barrel notes and acid-based juiciness.
This full-bodied white opens with aromas of dried apricots, ripe pear and a whiff of alcohol. The round, forward palate offers concentrated yellow peach, citrus, lemon drop, ginger and a hint of bread crust.
A zesty wine, its fragrances suggest stone fruit, cut grass, pineapple and a mineral note. The bright, lively palate delivers yellow peach, papaya and citrus alongside a steely mineral note and crisp acidity.
Here's a bright wine that offers sensations of yellow and green apples accented with notes of ginger and citrus alongside lively acidity. The crisp palate ends on a clean, refreshing note. Pair with grilled vegetables or lightly seasoned seafood.
Made from organic grapes, it shows vibrant pear, apple and citrus flavors along with a hint of exotic fruit. With its fine, frothy texture and bone-dry finish, it's a quintessential apéritif.
This concentrated wine opens with aromas of toasted oak, dried flowers and a note of burned rubber. The palate offers lemon zest, dried apricot, golden apple, vanilla, oak, honey and a hint of flint.
Made partly with late-harvested grapes and aged in large casks, this ripe wine leads with aromas of fragrant white flowers, lychee, pear and a delicate note of vanilla. The round palate offers juicy tropical fruit, golden apple and lemon pastry with a flinty, mineral finish.
Heady floral aromas of white spring flowers come with accents of exotic fruit and cut grass. The juicy fruit palate offers pineapple, mango and papaya. Crisp acidity leaves a clean finish.
Delicate fruit fragrances of stone fruit, pineapple, cantaloupe and freshly cut grass take the lead. The palate offers juicy yellow peach, green melon and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.
This is a beautiful, ripe and floral wine. It does have structure although the main focus is on the rich, juicy fruit. Berries and red plums push through the rounded tannins. It will age magnificently, with great richness.
Big, juicy and smoky, this powerful wine comes from vines in the center of the vineyard. Black fruits and firm tannins dominate the richness of the wine with its dark structure and concentration. A touch of chocolate and licorice partners with the generous fruits. Drink from 2024.
While slight in alcohol, there's a profound textural richness to this stunning dry Riesling. Bold yellow-peach and orange flavors command the palate but are shaded by cascades of wet stone, petrol and smoke reminiscent of the wine's volcanic origins. It's a powerful wine calibrated by spry acidity and a deep, persistent finish.
Made with 70% Nerello Mascalese and 30% Nocera, this has enticing scents of mature red berry, pressed blue flower, tilled soil and a whiff of crushed stone. The vibrant palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, orange zest and bitter hazelnut. Bright acidity and well-integrated tannins provide balance while a mineral note gives it depth. Drink 2020–2030.
This wine comes from a vineyard surrounded by Grand Crus. It delivers a huge, smoky palate that is firm with tannins and dense with structure and fruit. The wine is rich, still shot through with the freshness of the vintage. Black fruits are balanced by the dry core of the wine. It will age well, and should not be drunk before 2022.
This wine pulls everything together for great enjoyment: vivid, fresh fruit aromas and a dash of oak spice, deep and layered fruit flavors like ripe but tangy black cherries, and a powerful but soothing texture that carries along all those flavor impressions through a long finish. Best now through 2020.
Sweet and savory go hand-in-hand in this intensely smoky, yet penetratingly fruity wine. It's a deeply mineral Spätlese, marked by dark, dusty streaks of slate, yet brimming with vibrant tangerine and peach flavors. A spike of electric acidity leads a long, long finish.
This vineyard, often featured in the Sineann lineup, moves over to WildAire for this sensational debut. The blend is a two-clone mix of 777 and Pommard, and it captures a range of delicate, well-defined flavors. Raspberry, cherry, light char, smoke, pepper, bitter herb, vanilla and camomile tea come rolling through. The prime location, which borders on Jadot's Résonance vineyard, contributes a great deal, but the winemaking brings it on home.
Sleek and sappy, this was fermented with native yeast and aged nine months in 50% new French oak. There's a spine of iron keeping it a bit stiff and compact, with concentrated fruit flavors of crème de cassis. Still young and slightly grapey, it's best to cellar it a few more years, for a drinking window of 2020 to 2030.
All biodynamically raised estate fruit comprises this marvelous Viognier, which spent four months in 40% new French oak. The full-bodied, perfect ripeness mixes apple, pear and apricot, with a gentle kiss of caramel from the short-term barrel aging. The length and balance set the standard for top-flight domestic Viognier.
This most appealing Chardonnay offers a deluxe display of Meyer lemon, baked pear and toasted marshmallow flavors in a ripe and creamy style. That lush core is focused and framed with ample acidity, and suggests a decade (at least) of life ahead. Drink now through 2026.
Seductive ripe, oaky and almost sweet flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to love. The plump blackberry and boysenberry flavors coat the palate while hints of nutmeg and vanilla spice up the aromas and continue through the finish. Concentration and a sense of layering close the deal.
Quite light in color, there is a red-cherry and strawberry base to the aroma of this bottling, which is laser-focused and redolent with scents of a morning hike through the chaparral, fresh with wild mint and sage. The palate starts round with strawberry, then tightens on cranberry and winds up on tart plum skins, all peppered with a grippy white sage spice and structure.
Extremely delicate on the nose, this wine from the historic vineyard shows bruised yellow grapefruit, sliced nectarine and crushed chalk aromas. The evolving palate starts daintily with cut apple and nectarine, then warms into seared peach, buttered popcorn and ripe pear flavors. A chalky, seashell-like structure and pithy texture ensure a long, interesting life. Drink 2018 through 2034.
Ripe and generous, this floral wine is dense with fruit as much as tannins. It is full of blackberry and plum flavors, ripe while also cut with acidity. The spice that comes from the wood aging shows well, adding a further element. Drink the wine from 2022.
This wine is already well balanced. Ripe strawberries and red cherries are shot through with the acidity of the vintage. The tannins are present, complementing the already attractive fruits. The aftertaste shows the considerable potential with its tannins. Drink from 2020.
Pristine layers of guava, blossom and green plum are etched by crushed stone and acid in this pure, crystalline Auslese. It's ethereally light with a delicate sweetness that meanders long on the finish. Drink now to enjoy its youthful exuberance but hold a few back to savor over the next decade.
This is a powdery, pillowy and richly lush wine that flirts with voluptuous tendencies of soft, juicy red fruit, yet offers pretty floral elements and complex seasonings of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose. At the same time, the underlying grip provides structure and depth. Decant or hold through 2022.
Steely and tight, this is a mineral-driven wine. With its vibrant acidity and tense texture, it is a classic Chardonnay that will fill out slowly and evolve favorably with time. Beneath the tension and forward acidity is a rich wine, though it needs time to show it. Drink from 2020.
This calmly seductive wine has a deep, dark color, absolutely gorgeous fruit, wood smoke and baking spice aromas and a gentle texture that lets all the berry, black-cherry and pomegranate flavors soak into the taste buds. While quite full-bodied, it's easy on the tongue but does have an extra fine-grained wrapping of tannin to keep it firm. Best from 2020 through 2030.
A dark color and lots of fresh-fruit aromas lead to deep, ripe black-cherry and red-cherry flavors that taste clear and delicious. With more sipping, light spicy oak nuances emerge, including a touch of cinnamon and vanilla, but nothing gets in the way of the grapes' expression. Although full bodied, the wine is gentle in texture with just enough crispness and light tannin for good balance.
Great aromatic complexity and richly layered fruit flavors propel this full-bodied, sophisticated and deep wine. An array of cinnamon, clove and cedar notes blend with ripe black cherry and blackberry, while firm, fine-grained tannins seem to lift them up. Best to drink after 2020.
This is a rich wine from several parcels of vines in the Clos de Vougeot. It has great intensity, powered both by tannins and by the dark black fruits. Serious and concentrated, the wine will age magnificently. Drink from 2024.
One-quarter of the Clos des Maréchaudes is classified Grand Cru, as the soil and the slope change. This shows in the power of the wine with its smoky tannins and dark character. Black fruits and a dense texture signify a wine with power and longevity. Drink from 2022.
A note of waxy honeycomb glazes the nose and palate of this lusciously ripe dry Riesling. Its rich almost oily mouthfeel is deeply satisfying, but balanced keenly with spurts of bright white grapefruit and lemon zest. Its finish is long and penetrating, marked by complexities of saffron and pollen.
Balance, depth, detail and elegance are the hallmarks here. Pretty raspberry/cherry fruit comes up quickly, framed in proportionate acids and tannins. Streaks of malt powder, caramel and mocha weave through a long, subtle finish. Drink now through 2025.
A nontraditional blend of 44% Zinfandel, 31% Syrah, 15% Merlot and 10% Petite Sirah, this bottling shows tight blueberry, milk chocolate, river rocks and rose petals on the dynamic nose. The palate is juicy with more blueberry and vanilla, but bound by a plum-skin tartness and a decently strong tannic grip.
A standout among the winery's single-vineyard selections, this big-boned effort brings flavors of chewy cherry alongside a citrus highlight and a definite underpinning of wet stone and clay. Texturally compelling, it should age gracefully through 2024.
This fragrant red offers alluring scents of rose, red berry and cake spice. The radiant, structured palate is endowed with finesse, offering ripe black cherry, raspberry, licorice and flinty mineral. Firm, refined tannins and bright acidity provide the framework. Drink 2020 through 2025.
This blend of 52% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre is quite sultry on the nose, with crushed boysenberry, dried violets, wet clay and the slightest touch of soy. Pepper and moist earth arise on the palate, alongside blackberry and blueberry fruit, a touch of cocoa and concentrated lavender and other purple-flower flavors.
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.
Herbal and scratchy up front, with spice, eucalyptus and raspberry aromas. The palate is concentrated and firm, with baked berry, olive and other warm, earthy flavors. Finishes toasty and tannic, with a chocolaty essence along with brown sugar. Made from Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot and Syrah in descending order.
Solid and full-bodied, almost blocky, this big-boned Chardonnay wraps its banana and light tropical fruit flavors in a generous layer of toasty oak. The acidity keeps it fresh, but it's a drink-soon style.
Lively and tangy, but refreshing as it captures the new Chilean style of racy Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is spritzy, with lime, orange peel and tart apple flavors. Cleansing on the finish. Good value and purity for the money.
Grassy, this opens into pineapple and lemongrass flavors as well as lemon. It's got elysium (code for cat pee), too, but its racing minerality is worth seeking out, the wine simple, clean and balanced.
Fruity and front-loaded, with a tongue-tingling mouthfeel. The tasty black cherry fruit quickly fills the mouth with a burst of fresh fruit. The wine is designed for near-term enjoyment.
Toasty and tart, this lively wine is built upon wild-picked berry flavors. There is a streak of iron or metal running through the center of the palate; a flavor that some tasters will enjoy more than others.
Sweet and tropical on the nose, with lychee and melon aromas that are like a nice air freshener. The palate has a good, clean feel to it and flush, sweet flavors of ripe nectarine, lychee and melon. Tame and not too thick, cloying or grabby on the finish.
Opens like a full-bore barrel buster with heavy char and leather. With time it settles on coffee, toast, chocolate and fig aromas. The palate is big and chewy, with peppery, toasty blackberry fruit and then more toast and coffee on the finish. Seems as much about the barrel as the fruit.
Still young, this round and textured Champagne has great apple and citrus flavors. It is tightly drawn with a great line of acidity, some toast and the purest light final touch of fruit. Age for 4–5 years and more.
This wine has aromas of black berry, dried red raspberry and blueberry. In the mouth there are flavors of blueberry juice and black plum. The finish is slightly jammy yet persistent.
Aromas of green apple and white flowers prepare the palate for a wine that fills the mouth with soft fruit flavors, in particular apple, grapefruit and pineapple. The soft finish is marked by a note of Granny Smith apple.
Big, bold and oaky, this wine smells like buttered toast and wood smoke, tastes rich but dry, and brings out pear, marzipan and pineapple flavors. It's full bodied and has a thick mouthfeel and lingering, smoky finish.
Light, smoky aromas and juicy, fruity flavors make this medium-bodied wine easy to enjoy. From a breezy delta vineyard, it's neither big nor overtly oaky but well-balanced and smooth in texture.
This wine made from an aromatic indigenous Turkish grape offers a pleasing aroma of honeydew melon and freesia. It is soft on entry and remains smooth on the palate, with flavors of guava, pineapple and rose petal that meld into a soft floral finish.
Black plum juice, black pepper, caramel and smoke mark the nose of this bottling, which is fairly light in color. It's thin in body yet offers familiar black cherry and herbal spice flavors.
Smoky toasty scents dominate this 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Grenache. Firm purple fruits offer a taste of Spanish varietal character, with accents of bull's blood. This needs a bit more bottle age, which should continue to flesh out the finish.
Juicy and approachable, this blend of Riesling and Müller-Thurgau offers fleshy stone fruit and tangerine flavors brightened by soft, slightly yielding acidity. It's a pristinely fruity wine with just a touch of minerality on the finish. Drink now.
Nicely lean and not overly fruity, this medium-bodied wine has the typical firm tannins, leathery aromas and herbal flavors of the grape variety and makes a nice change of pace from the usual California menu of full-bodied, oaky concoctions.
Aromas are light, with notes of matchstick, herb and cherry. The cherry and plum flavors are sweet and generous, providing easy-drinking appeal.
Crisp pear, baked orange, sandalwood and smoke show on the nose of this bottling. Sweet ripe peach permeates the palate, but a lemon wedge and savory sea salt sprinkling brings everything into balance.
Aromas of French oak, butter and a whiff of orchard fruit lead the nose. The oak sensations carry over to the palate along with yellow apple skin, lemon zest and a hint of sage. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
Oak-heavy wood spice, plum and leather aromas open this Garnacha. On the palate, it's syrupy and heavy, with sweet cassis and blackberry flavors blanketed with oak, finishing jammy and resiny.
This light, fruity and refreshing wine is made from organic grapes and pairs nicely with linguine and clams or pizza bianca. Although matured in French oak barrels, it's more delicate than usual, tasting of apples, baking spice and fresh lemon.
This Garnacha's leathery, slightly underripe aromas are more savory than bold and fruity. On the palate, it's dry, with tomato-like acidity, fresh and zesty roasted plum flavors and a medicinal note that lingers on the finish.
A deep shade of reddish pink, this rich style of rosé shows red cherry, cola, crushed slate and chalky, orange pith-like aromas on the nose. Ripe plum and strawberry flavors mark the palate, kissed by star anise and plenty of acidic bite.
From estate-grown fruit dotted around the appellation, this wine shines in a fresh approach to tannin and savory-laced black cherry, seasoning it with clove, earth and black tea. Its length impresses, with the finish vibrantly spiked with cardamom and cola spice.
Produced with advice from the late Denis Dubourdieu who was instrumental in revolutionizing Bordeaux white wines, this is impressive. The wood aging is just right, giving toast and allowing the ripe fruits to blossom and smooth out. The wine will age well, so don't drink before 2020.
Aromas of underbrush, rose petal, flint and dark spice waft out of the glass. The structured elegant palate offers red-cherry, raspberry, clove and star anise flavors set against fresh acidity and a firm backbone of refined tannins. Give this time to let the nervous energy calm down and you'll be rewarded with even more complexity. Drink 2020–2035.
This is a gorgeously light coastal offering, a subdued expression of the variety that unravels its layers slowly and methodically. Red cherry, lavender and blueberry are revealed on the palate as perfumed shocks of rose and salty air permeate the nose. Vibrantly crisp, it has a slight grip to the velvety texture.
Unusually graceful and elegant despite full body and dense tannins, this wine has lush, rich fruit flavors like blackberry compote, plus clove and black pepper accents. It's an outstanding example of how attractive the variety can be, and no surprise considering its long history in Mendocino County.
Smoky, dark aromas of minty blackberry, tobacco, black coffee and toast are complex and lead to a tight bullish palate with fierce tannins. Dark, toasty flavors of black fruits and dark chocolate finish grabby but with freshness and a sense of purity. Drink 2018–2034.
Musky, spicy notes of pineapple and clove set the stage, expanding on the palate alongside waves of cinnamon, vanilla and peach. It's relatively full in body, with a silky texture and a long, clean, refreshing finish. Drink now–2025.
Very light in the glass, this bottling is also delicate on the nose in terms of power. But it offers tons of action nonetheless, with fresh and dried herbs, flint and a tiny bit of smoke adding to the red-fruit aromas. The palate is tense with energy, showing thyme, oregano and eucalyptus spice, placing more emphasis on the herbal backbone than the red-fruit ripeness.
Sourced from the Cedar Ranch vineyard in the Illinois Valley, this exquisite Riesling was entirely fermented with native yeast in both concrete egg and neutral wood. Given extended lees contact, it's textural and loaded with dry extract. Flavors highlight citrus rind, grapefruit and wet stone through the long and satisfying finish.
This is the producer's inaugural offering of the variety, made in tiny amounts, but boy oh boy, it's good. Bright blue and black-berry succulence exude vibrancy and freshness on the palate complemented by savory hints of tar, black licorice and char. Velvety soft tannins allow the fruit to speak.
From a site on the edges of Santa Rosa, this vineyard-designate shows a wealth of baked strawberry and is noteworthy for its vibrantly fruity aromatics. Ripe, velvety and lush on the palate, it delivers sensually and deliciously, with a lasting imprint of cola spice on the finish.
Being 100% varietal, the aromas of black currant, boysenberry, graphite and cherry are piercing and pure. The palate puts and emphasis on texture, showing layers of lightly jammy dark fruit flavors that pique the interest, with a long finish only upping the enjoyment.
There's no question about the variety, with its jazzy aromas of raspberries, blackberries and graphite that lead to plump plush layered fruit flavors. It brings an unabashed sense of deliciousness, with a finish that won't quit.
This displays the immaculate freshness of all the Eyrie white wines, with an extra serving of phenolic bite. There's a sense of real depth to the gooseberry, grapefruit and pineapple flavors. Subtle and a bit enigmatic, this compelling effort should be tucked away and tasted again in 2020. Drink 2020–2030.
Cinnamon and clove show alongside hibiscus and mulberry on the distinctive nose of this bottling that also offers hints of maple, juniper, eucalyptus and turned earth. It's soft on the sip with elegant tannins and flavors of black cherry, cherry tomato, anise and camphor on the finish.
This is a ripe Clare Valley Riesling, but it balances its peachy overtones with powerful citrus zest and hints of crushed stone. There's a touch of roundness to the midpalate, then plenty of length on the finish.
Pale to the point of being Pinot-esque, this wine draws you in with its aromas of earth, cigar box, crushed flowers, herb and sour cherry. The palate is ethereally light and elegant, fully of savory flavors and made in a transparent style. It might be too elegant for some tastes but others will swoon.
This wine showcases the producer's historical devotion and prowess with the variety, leaving a light-bodied impression of floral honeysuckle, wet stone and succulent peach. Fleshy and creamy, it works on every level, and offers value at the same time.
A classic Cab in the Santa Cruz Mountains style, this savory bottling shows black pepper, charcoal and grilled blueberries on the nose along with tons of dried herbs. Blackberry, anise, dill, cedar and pencil lead show on the sip, where intriguing depth and a silky texture combine.
The wine comes from the Côte de Py, regarded as the finest site in Morgon. It has produced a rich mineral-textured wine. The structure is balanced by fine acidity and generous fruitiness. Red berries and cherry flavors are sustained by the firm tannins that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2019.
This is a robust, full-bodied wine, balanced and complex, with a lush, plush mouthfeel that's seductive and velvety. Black pepper, clove and characteristics of earthy forest floor define it most, while dark cherry nips at its sides.
Pure but restrained violet, plum and berry aromas are on the money. This feels racy but also saturated, with kick as well as commendable overall balance. Flavors of plum, ripe tomato, schist and spice finish smooth, peppery, herbal and slightly warm, with a note of coffee. Drink through 2022.
Named for the senior partner in the Rex Hill wine group, this single cuvée is always interesting, and never better than in 2014. The lush aromas of new French oak recall young Burgundy, and the tart, tightly wound fruit is clearly built to age. Compact and complex, the balance of ripe berries, crisp acids, sweet toast and polished tannins is spot on.
Iris, rose petal, fresh red berry and chopped mint aromas mingle together on this stunning red. The vibrant palate delivers crushed raspberry, red cherry, baking spice and star anise. Firm polished tannins provide structure and impeccable balance. Drink 2018–2028.
Cool, piercing aromas suggest wood grain and maple alongside blackberry and cassis scents. This massive wine is tannic, but meaty and friendly at its base. Savory, inky flavors of plum and floral-berry fruits finish with strong oak; fortunately this has the structure and fruit to handle it. Drink through 2024.
This wine from a single 25-acre vineyard in the appellation is lushly spicy in red currant, plum and clove, with seasonings of black pepper. Lively in the glass with balanced acidity and sumptuous weight and texture, it's lovely, focused and bold.
Lusciously ripe yet pristine white grapefruits, tangerines and lemons abound from nose to finish in this sleek, stately dry Riesling. It's lithe and lean on the palate yet piercing in concentration. High toned acidity and darker tones of smoke and nuts lend complexity to a long, meandering finish. Beautiful now but sure to meld beautifully through at least 2030.
Hits of salt and crushed earth mingle amidst sweet tangerine and apricot in this revitalizing spätlese. It's intensely mineral yet chock full of summer fruit catapulted by searing lemon-lime acidity. The finish is marked with lingering notes of caramelized sugar and pollen.
As always at Leeuwin Estate, the Art Series Chardonnay is a star. Now incorporating some natural ferments and slightly more solids, the 2013 features some more savory elements than in the past. A hint of pencil shavings highlights the pear and pineapple fruit, which offers plenty of flesh without being overbearing.
This small, estate-grown red from the eastern edge of St. Helena shows meticulous care taken both in the vineyard and cellar, with its remarkably soft, integrated tannin, especially in this warm, ripe vintage. Given just 2% Petit Verdot, it shines in black pepper, black cherry and a tiny suggestion of vanilla.
Brooding on the nose, this bottling by a newer producer shows crushed herbs, slate, leathery blackberry and blueberry fruit, smoked meats and a touch of minty tobacco. There is great structure on the palate, with fine-grained, chalky tannins presenting blackberry fruit, black-pepper spice, oak smoke and touches of crushed oregano.
This is the first vintage of the winery's flagship wine to receive a vineyard designation. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (24%), Merlot and Petit Verdot, it offers brooding aromas of dried herbs and tobacco along with coffee and barrel spice. The style is reserved but it still brings a lot of richness along with lively acidity, exceptional balance, well-integrated tannins and a lengthy finish.
With fine, dusty tannins, this rich and juicy wine wears its fruit on its sleeve, all black plums and blackberry flavors. The acidity of the year is almost sweet with the fresh ripeness of the fruit. It is developing well, showing a medium-term future. Drink from 2018.
Fresh, fruity and fragrant, this wine has a pure line of acidity and crisp citrus alongside its tangy texture. The tightness shows its aging potential; drink from 2020. Founded in the 13th century by Benedictine monks, Château Carbonnieux is one of the oldest estates in the Bordeaux region. In 1956, Marc Perrin purchased the château and began vineyard and winery renovations that were continued by son Antony. The property is now run by grandsons Eric and Philibert.
Lovely verve and liveliness are evident in fresh, bright lemon notes and a clean-cut, light body of great precision. This has real, lasting focus and emphasises lemon juice and zest. The finish is almost cleansing. This provides great and lasting refreshment and has depth despite its lightness.
For now, wood smoke dominates nose and palate, enveloping generous fruit with a mellow, sonorous and even tannic coat. The dense, starched-velvet texture owes as much to ripe but fresh fruit as to new oak. This is big, bold and young. This will become much friendlier with time in bottle. Drink 2018–2025.
This wine is a standout, with seasoned, full-bodied layers of peppercorn, clove, cinnamon and jammy plum, balanced in weight and length, with just a hint of sanguine character. While it plays the savory card successfully, it dabbles judiciously in dark chocolate, too, finishing like a chocolate kiss.
This is a lovely, 100% varietal wine, balanced between savory, almost sanguine meaty notes, and complex layers of cassis, plum and blueberry. Medium bodied with an elegance at its core, it has streaks of subtle cinnamon that give spiciness, and a finish dusted in Mexican chocolate.
Big, robust and powerful, this inky wine has wonderfully complex and assertive flavors, along with a thick, velvety and tannic texture. Flavors of espresso, dark chocolate and blueberries rush across the palate, linger in the chewy texture and last on the long finish. A bit bold to fully enjoy now, this will be best after 2019.
Aromas of baked plum, mature berry, dark kitchen spice, leather and Mediterranean scrub emerge on this elegantly structured red. The round, smooth palate delivers dried black cherry, fleshy raspberry, licorice and a black pepper note while finely textured tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2019.
This tiny-production wine shows an attention to detail in the vineyard and cellar. The clonal selection shines, given partial barrel-fermentation, partial stainless steel, all aged in mostly neutral French oak. Honeysuckle aromas jump from the glass, followed by viscous, juicy tropical elements of mango and lychee. It finishes dry and lemony.
A full-bodied, complex and supple-textured wine, this offers plump, ripe black-cherry aromas shaded by hints of forest floor and sautéed mushrooms, along with mild plum and cherry flavors. While soft and soothing on the palate, a fine layer of tannins wraps it up and keeps it appetizing.
The smokiness which on the nose melds seamlessly with red apple flavors becomes more dominant on the palate, revealing a rounded nuttiness. There is a creamy lemon freshness, too: an internationally recogniable Chardonnay style but with the purity of Austrian fruit and continental freshness.
Aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and a cinnamon spice are laid across a slate-driven minerality on the nose of this bottling. It's plush on the sip, with hibiscus and raspberry notes, lifted by pepper, camphor and white sage elements.
From the mighty Hyde in Carneros, this medium-bodied white blossoms with tropical fruit and briny minerality, a forceful combination that gives this wine both power and elegance. Textured in candied Meyer lemon, it finishes crisply and the right kind of sour.
This is less luxuriantly ripe than some of the other 2013 Hawke's Bay Syrahs, showing some firm, dusty tannins on the finish, but it's still a terrific offering. Cracked black pepper, fresh blueberries and cedar notes come together beautifully on the palate, promising much for the future. Drink 2018–2025.
Boldly structured, this brawny wine opens with aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, exotic spice and a whiff of toasted oak. The generous, chewy palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, licorice, cinnamon and cocoa alongside velvety tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol but the dense fruit richness easily supports it.
Despite 2012 being a hot year with many overripe wines, this Cabernet-Carmenère blend opens with highly Chilean aromas of tobacco, bell pepper and eucalyptus. The palate is plush and saturated, with minty plum, olive and herbal berry flavors. A final wave of mint and herbs is in charge of an otherwise chocolaty finish. Drink through 2024.
Ripe Concord pear informs the nose and palate. This is gentle and smooth, elegant and fine-boned—yet there is a juicy, ripe core brightened by citrus freshness that makes this a real tonic of a wine. Lovely and full of charm, with a masterfully light touch.
Slightly reductive on the nose, this bottling from a very coastal vineyard outside of Cambria shows mossy forest floor, jerked meat, dried cranberries, turned earth, sesame oil and salt on the nose. The palate combines concentrated, lush raspberry with bay leaf, lots of turned earth and chaparral seasonings.
Smooth and sultry purple fruit and flower notes get more specific on the black pepper and blackberry elements in this bottling from the family's original blocks, planted in 1992 and 1993. The palate is both dynamic and straightforward, with nuanced blueberry-blackberry fruits decorated by peppery spice that dances across solid structure into the long finish.
This is the only blend in Washington State where these two varieties play near-equal parts. Coming from a mixture of McKinley Springs and Alder Ridge vineyards, it offers aromas of brambly raspberries and herbs that lead to strikingly pure flavors and a texture that weakens the knees. An extended finish caps it off.
Red cherry, root beer, a touch of sage and bay leaf and an shiitake-powered umami sensation decorate the nose on this wine from one of many single-vineyard expressions in this producer's portfolio. The palate shows cooked cherries and cranberries that float across a Mediterranean elements of olive, fig balsamic and menthol.
Notes of earth and mirabelle combine with lemony zest to make a refreshing, enticing opening. The palate focuses on the citrus hit with just a touch of yeasty savor and pepper around the edges. The finish is wonderfully clean and the lightness of the palate belies its depth.
Ripe dark-skinned berry, underbrush, new oak, vanilla leather, sage and cured meat aromas meld in the glass. The full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, raisin, fig, licorice and exotic spice alongside velvety tannins.
Lifted notes of plump but crunchy red cherries and white pepper create an appetizing nose. The purity of those red cherries shines on the supple but fresh palate while white pepper reaches into every corner. Fine tannins give way to the central structural element of lip-smacking but appetizing freshness. This delivers crunch and juice and a whole lot of spice.
Both fresh and baked apple make an appearance on the nose. Aromatic hints of citrus peel highlight the nuance of apple fruit in this slender but rounded wine. The spicy midpalate anchors this firmly and gives backbone to the beauty.
The aromas of coffee, chocolate and exotic spices are brooding. Flavors are concentrated and layered, showing a good sense of texture and a light grip of tannins. The oak needs time to fully integrate.
Made with dried grapes—95% Malvasia delle Lipari and 5% Corinto Nero—this opens with delicate aromas of dried stone fruit, walnut and a hint of sweet spice. The intense palate shows mature apricot, fig and hazelnut set against a background of acacia honey. Just enough fresh acidity prevents it from being too sweet.
Baking spice and dried cherry and cranberry aromas lead to lighter-styled fruit flavors with a gentle grip of tannins. It trails on the finish.
Aromas of saddle leather and sour cherry are followed by lightly styled tart cherry flavors and gritty tannins.
Reserved aromas of vanilla, pickling spices and cherry are followed by light cranberry flavors with the concentration wanting.
This variety is a relative newcomer to the state. It intrigues with aromas of citrus and flowers that are followed by smoky flavors with a cranberry and flower-filled finish.
Bright aromas of macerated cranberries and maraschino cherries along with vanilla and wood spice accents are followed by tart and appealing fruit flavors. The oak gets a bit too prominent.
Cherry and plum aromas are light, generic and clean. This feels mostly right, with moderate acidity creating a solid mouthfeel. Plum, citrus and herbal flavors finish round and balanced.
Clean, basic apple and pear aromas lead to a high-energy palate with medium weight and freshness. Salty stone-fruit flavors finish with acidic kick and enough body to rank as smooth.
A bit thin in color, this wine shows boisterous red raspberries and a touch of smashed incense on the nose. It's juicy and easy to drink, with red cherry and strawberry fruit spiced by pine needles.
Aromas of cranberries, raspberries and herbs lead to broad rich flavors. The tannins bring a little astringency but it offers enjoyment.
Light aromas of spice, yellow apple and butter are followed by viscous, sweet fruit flavors. It provides easy-drinking appeal.
The wine from Vignobles Chatelier is ripe, smooth and well balanced. With its green fruits balanced by apricot, it is a wine that has both tangy acidity and a soft, rounded texture. It is ready to drink.
A spectacular B&B château is the backdrop for this 100% Sauvignon (Blanc and Gris). The wine has a strongly herbal character with its tense acidity and citrus flavors. It is still developing its even more fruity side, bringing out apple and green-plum flavors. Drink from late 2016. Owned by Groupe Bolian since 2013.
The wine is all green fruit, crisp and with a strong citrus element. Its light tangy texture lifts it easily and gives a bright character to an attractive wine. Drink now. This is one of 15 Bordeaux chateaus by Crus and Domaines de France.
This opens with aromas suggesting hazelnut, toast and a whiff of oak. The palate offers charcuterie, cooking spice and grilled herb but there's not much fruit here.
This opens with aromas of toast, licorice and espresso that follow through to the palate along with a green note of powdered sage. It lacks fruit richness while clenched, abrasive tannins grip the finish.
Oak, vanilla, toast and espresso aromas lead the way and carry over to the palate along with roasted coffee bean, mocha, licorice and a hint of dried cherry. It lacks fruit richness while astringent tannins leave a raspy finish.
The aromas are quite subdued with notes of herbs and red fruit. The flavors are more generous but still come off as quite light.
There's a diluted nature to this wine, from a selection of varietal clones. Dry, it holds back on flavor, delivering a light texture and soft red-fruit flavors.
Tire rubber, currant and spice aromas are followed by pleasing, plentiful dark-fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grit.
This blend of 70% Roussanne, 14% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier and 6% Picpoul Blanc shows potential but is still finding its way. Aromas of Key-lime pith, sea salt, honeydew and walnut oil lead into a slightly bitter palate with tobacco flavors, dried yellow fruit, orange rinds and more nut oils.
A blend created for Schröder & Schÿler, a Bordeaux wine merchant founded in 1739, this is soft, ripe with plenty of red berry fruits. It has some firm tannins still although these are rounded out with the juicy fruits and final acidity. It's an attractive wine to drink now.
Oak smoke, vanilla and an underlying aroma of crisp apple show on the nose of this widely available wine, a reliable choice for all types of parties. Apple and pear lead into white peach on the palate, with a strong oaky seasoning.
This is Chardonnay from the same region as Muscadet giving it a crisp salty character that has been filled out with some oak aging. The wine is ripe, spicy with a mineral character that comes from the granite soil. Drink now.
While quite savory on the nose, wafting of pressed apples and dill, the palate of this semisweet Riesling evokes sweeter tones of honey and grapefruit. It's a bit candied and confectionery in style, but finishes on a bracing citrus note.
Leathery berry and reedy aromas feed into a crisp, pinchy and high-acid palate with verve. Rooty notes blend with snappy cranberry flavors, while this ends with firm, fresh acidity and a smack of tartness.
Earthy cherry aromas are leathery as well. A dry, high-acid palate is grabby and fairly sharp in texture. Raw, salty flavors of plum and wood spice finish with tough, drying tannins.
With crushed strawberry and caramel flavors, this is relatively light wine, though elegant and pierced with acidity. Milk chocolate and soft tannins complete an attractive ensemble.
This lovely blend, inspired by the white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is 55% Roussanne, 27% Grenache Blanc, and 18% Viognier. Round and peachy, it's vividly framed by fresh acidity and citrus rind. Just 20% new French oak adds a kiss of toast to the finish.
A whopping 15.1% abv, this Plavac Mali (an ancestor of Zin) is certainly on the big and brawny side, but also reveals a complexity that evolves dramatically in the glass. Aromas of sun-dried hay and grass are prevalent through the nose and palate, adding a rustic quality to the sweet and spicy red fruit, fig and toast characteristics. The long finish is marked by an assertive show of tannins.
Rather delicate, with 12.6% alcohol yet a distinctly dry mouthfeel, this well-crafted Riesling mingles green apple, pear, lemon zest, grapefruit and melon fruit flavors. Good length and texture, with lemon tea flavors to wrap it up.
At nearly 80% Merlot and the remainder Malbec, this is a medium-bodied red possessed of bright, vibrant cassis fruit with chocolate and herb overtones. It finishes firm without being hard or tough, so it may be consumed now and over the next 5–7 years.
Still very closed up, this austere wine has distinct aging potential, with its taut character, apple skin texture and hints of wood. It will need 3–4 years to show its best.
Light mint and herbal aromas get it going, followed by dry, complex scents of tobacco, licorice, leather and blackberry. This is 80% Cabernet and 20% Merlot, and it's a bit angular on the tongue but the flavors of cassis, black cherry and plum are juicy and bold. Turns more oaky with airing, especially on the long, herbal finish.
Broadly fruity, a wash of berries and spice. The acids are still a little jarring. The vintage is not as deep as the 2007, and the wine shows a little heat in the finish. This tastes more like a press wine than the '07, but it is nonetheless very well made.
Wisps of cocoa powder and cinnamon lend a warm, spicy tone to this rich, berry-toned wine. Ripe black plum and blackberry flavors are lipsmackingly fruity but calibrated neatly by crisp acidity and fine, chalky tannins. The finish is long and lingering.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) and Merlot (34%) along with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. A blend of Royal Slope and Seven Hills Vineyard fruit, it opens with aromas of black cherry, cigar box, green herbs, dried mint and potpourri. The herb and dark-fruit flavors are ripe and expressive, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
Crisp green pear and a razor-thin sharpness cut into more lush kiwi and honeysuckle notes on the nose of this bottling. A steely line of Key lime slices through the white peach flavors once sipped, and the palate cleans up with a tense, chalky grip.
A rich nose of vanilla-bean ice cream, Marcona almond, buttered cornbread and pan-seared pear makes for a very inviting entry to this bottling. The vanilla and caramel flavors extend to the palate, but in a judiciously light way, with candied pecans, baked fruit and honeysuckle flavors, altogether quite delicious.
A greeting of caramel and honey reveals a touch of barrel reduction in this medium-bodied, generously layered wine. It imparts a ripeness of melon and apple, finishing in a sprinkling of nutmeg.
Dusty cedar and a faintness of rose open this wine, like walking into a lovely forest at the edge of a garden. Along with a delicate supporting role of oak and tannin, it offers black cherry, graphite and dried herb to enjoy, as well as a powerful hit of concentration on the finish.
The aromas bring notes of herbs, green olive, flowers and blue and black fruit. The blue fruit flavors are ripe and full bodied, with spice flavors lingering on the finish.
This medium-bodied, small-production red was given a light touch of oak, only 25% of it new and French, allowing the other characteristics to speak louder than the wood. Compact tannins support a juicy, youthfully grippy frame of pomegranate and orange that opens further in the glass.
Made from very ripe grapes harvested as late as November, this Grüner shows us depth despite its light, fresh palate. Creamy notes of yellow plum have the softest touch of vanilla. This has a pliable, sinuous body and is a more thoughtful, rounded but still very fresh rendition of this enduring Austrian favorite.
Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, both grown at the terrific Kick Ranch hillside site, this wine has a robustness of dark cherry and a red-brick color, soft, smooth and youthful in its seamless tannin and oak. Juicy dark blueberry and a touch of meaty spice form an enviable combination just ready for meaty dishes.
This is a lovely, while bombastically full-bodied, 100% varietal wine, brooding in blackberry jam, peppery cinnamon and an inviting floral nose of cherry blossom. The body drinks lean despite its power and underlying ripeness, remaining lengthy and complex through the finish. Drink now through 2021.
Juicy like a cherry cordial, this medium-bodied vineyard-designate drinks lean and gracefully, showing a spunky side seasoned in cinnamon and clove.
From a parcel of vines at Château de l'Aulnaye in the Château-Thébaud area, this is now a mature, ripe and smooth wine, It has a flinty edge along with richer yellow fruits and mint. This concentrated wine is ready to drink.
This long-aged (42 months) vintage Cava opens with a whiff of exotic bath soap along with more familiar apple and pear scents. There's yeasty, creamy weight to the palate and flavors of fresh-baked bread, spent yeast and papaya. Mild lees and cream notes grace the finish.
Full of black currant and perfumed apple fruits, this is a wine that has filled out as it has matured while not losing its tight mineral character. It is a complex wine, tasting of the terroir, structured and fruity at the same time. Drink this impressive wine now.
At 81%, this could be a varietally labeled Merlot, with the rest Cabernet Franc (15%) and Petit Verdot. It appeals with pretty aromas of cocoa, wood spice and jammy red fruit that are followed by full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors that pack a wallop while staying in balance.
Slight yeasty notes still cling to the nose but the palate opens up to peach and Mirabelle, to lemon zest and the freshest, crunchiest apples imaginable. This is pure, linear, ripe and poised. Aromatic citrus zest swirls above everything and leaves you refreshed and entranced.
Aromas of toast, roasted herb, dark-skinned berry, mint and a balsamic note lead the way. The young, firm palate offers dark cherry, black raspberry and white pepper framed in austere tannins and bright acidity. It's still young and needs to unwind. Drink 2020–2028.
Unlike many vintages of Coudoulet, this one is medium-bodied and fruit-forward, offering hints of cherries, mulberries and wild Provençal herbs. Those garrigue notes linger on the softly dusty finish. Drink now–2023.
This is an impressively rich and ripe within the light, poised character of classic Muscadet. It balances floral apple and pear fruit with a tight, mineral texture that gives the wine a young character. The extended lees aging has added notes of almonds and spice to this ripe wine. Drink from 2017.
Minerally aromas of crushed stone, schist and red-berry fruits feed into a tight palate with an iron grip. Plum, raspberry, cherry and cassis flavors cover the full spectrum of red fruits, while a chalky, minerally finish confirms the wine's intensity and structure. Drink through 2022.
A reticent nose merely signals zesty freshness and some spicy herbal hints. The palate fleshes this out with light-footed citrus freshness that has an appetizing tinge of soy-savoriness and a zesty yet spicy finish. This is light in body but heavy on flavor.
Winemaker Molly Lyman takes a delicate approach to this 100% varietal estate wine, from a longstanding vineyard in the Chiles Valley. From a block named for a farming family linked to the site, Las Flores is sanguine in cranberry and graphite, food-friendly, with a lightness despite its pronounced plum, cassis and oak.
Aromas of spice, red fruit and milk chocolate are followed by an opulent palate of fruit and barrel flavors. It appeals on every level.
This is a rare, 100% varietal, single-vineyard Malbec. It downright dazzles with notes of dark plum and spice that are followed by seamless, pure, elegant fruit flavors.
Hailing from some of the oldest blocks at this esteemed vineyard, this standout wine opens with aromas of toasty spices, herbs, coffee, dark cherry and earth. The palate is reserved with tightly wound fruit flavors and tannins that need some time to unfurl.
Syrah-based, this is the Amoureuses cuvée most likely to be found on store shelves. It's full bodied and supple, with ample black cherry fruit and a savory side of cola and coffee. Long and smoothly textured on the finish, it's ready to drink now–2023.
Perhaps less intense than some wines from this appellation, this is still a sweet, honeyed wine that is shot through with lemon acidity. It is poised and very stylish with yellow fruits and orange marmalade that are caught in a web of botrytis. Drink this wine from 2020.
From an 850-foot-elevation site four miles from the ocean, this offers a depth of dark cherry and Asian spice, lightly bodied and textured. It delivers a hit of bittersweet chocolate on the tangy finish, with an intriguing streak of charcuterie that's hard to shake.
Freshly cut Conference pear peel notes abound. The palate has a slightly phenolic, pleasantly bitter edge that will come into its own with food. The beautiful pear and aloe vera notes last long after the last sip. This deserves a whole evening of your attention—the flavors here unfold slowly.
This 100% Cabernet, from the iconic Klipsun vineyard, has been sourced from the original 1989 planting since the first crop, making Seven Hills Klipsun's longest standing customer. This offers deep cassis, mineral, and earth flavors, powerful and dense. The Seven Hills style, ordinarily restrained and elegant, suits this vineyard especially well, as it reins in the tendency of Klipsun fruit to go over the top, and become too tannic. This is muscular and deep, but proportionate and detailed.
You have to love the '07 vintage. This is drinking beautifully right now, though official release (September) is still a ways off. Rich and delicious, full-bodied and aromatic, with exotic barrel scents and a lovely mélange of chocolate, mocha, caramel and spice. But the fruit is the main story, and it's full, ripe and substantial—cherry and cassis, licorice and just a hint of leaf.
Plummy and dark, with accents of cedar, dark chocolate and hints of coffee. This is always the most robust of the Felton Road Pinots, and really deserves a few years in the cellar; although it's approachable now, expect the already soft tannins to turn silkier in time.
This single-vineyard blend's flavors run through all the berries right into dense cassis. It gathers more strength as it rolls through the midpalate, layering in earth and black cherries, with char and toast more noticeable than in the other Tamarack reds.
Dark, bold, and full-bodied, this is the perfect embodiment of power and breed in a full-on (five grape) Bordeaux blend. Boysenberry, cassis, plenty of acidity—the nose promises a great deal, though it is reticent in the mouth, and fairly acidic. This is a wine to lay down and enjoy in a decade.
Supple and layered, this nicely captures the scope and scale of this superb vintage. It's still young, tight and quite compact, but shows threads of tobacco, anise, stone and pencil lead, along with full, fleshy, plum and cassis fruit. Great structure and dense, ripe tannins. This is a perfect illustration of why Washington Merlot can claim to be the best in the world outside of Pomerol.
Outstanding as always. Right from the first take it has an elevated sense of being. The nose is rich, warm and deeply fruited, with balsam wood and lemony notes. It's deep as a coal mine on the palate, with herbal, tobacco and leather accents sprucing up serious berry fruit flavors. Minty and sly on the finish, and lovely overall. Drink now through 2016.
The relatively unknown Pezerolles Vineyard is at the far northern end of Pommard, touching Beaune above Les Epenots. It produces wine that seems softer than many Pommards, with rich fruit, the tannins firm but definitely playing second fiddle. It is the smoky plum fruit with just a dash of acidity that makes this immensely pleasing.
This is always a topflight bottling, and winemaker Ron Bunnell gets the same rows and uses the same barrel regimen and winemaking methods. So what is different? Vintage variation. In 2006 the wines are tighter and slower to open, perhaps longer lived, and show less of the immediately seductive fruit flavors of 2005. Boushey-McPherson is naturally sharp and edgy when young anyway, and those characteristics are much in evidence here, so this is a wine to decant if you plan to drink it anytime soon.
Dark, thick and aromatic, this blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah can stand alongside others selling for two or three times the price. It's a supple mix of dark fruits and spicy herb; it almost bristles with sharp hints of nettle, pepper and green tea. The tannins are supple and smooth, and there is a polish to the wine that extends into a smooth, seamless and very satisfying finish.
With its sweet wood, dense fruit and jammy character, this is a rich wine. It has some solid tannins, but they are almost lost in the welter of soft strawberry, nutmeg and juicy red berries. Typically with 2005, this is a wine whose opulence appeals now, but those tannins do suggest some good aging.
Light in color, this rejoices in its perfumed character as much as its fruit. There is a heady smoky aroma, while the palate shows a leaner character. The fruit flavors of red berries are given an extra dimension by the smoky wood and the meaty edge.
Reasonably priced for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2005 Vieux Lazaret displays lovely kirsch aromas balanced by subtle spice, remarkably pure fruit flavors and a rich, creamy texture. This full-bodied effort is drinking well now, and should continue to do so for at least 10 years.
Spicy, minty and sharp, this has a Sancerre-like edge, but with an extra weight to the fruit that is more reminiscent of like a South African Sauvignon Blanc. It's packed with green pea, herb, lemon and lots of citrusy flavors, all set against very sharp, bright but delicious natural acids.
Howard Park's single-vineyard Cabernet and Shiraz bottlings offer consistently good value for the money. The 2005 Scotsdale Shiraz delivers layers of mixed berries, baking spices and hints of dried fruit and toasty oak. It's full-bodied, lush and creamy-textured in the mouth, with a long finish powered by fruit and shaped by dusty tannins. Drink now-2020.
The blend is 37% Marsanne, 33% Grenache Blanc, 20% Picpoul and 10% Roussanne. Among McCrea's Rhône-inspired white wines, this is the most complete and complex. The stony, textural underpinning adds a lot of depth while the fruit mixes citrus and melon with hints of just-ripe green banana and papaya. It's a juicy yet subtle wine, with aging potential over the next half decade or so.
Aromas of cocoa, cassis and marshmallow are sweet and attractive, while the palate feels just right and tastes of cassis, plum, caramel and pepper. While it is powerful, it's not a runaway tank. Thus expect a sly finish that's toasty, dark and polite. Drink now and over the next couple of years. Very good Cab from one of Chile's top producers.
A pure Syrah from estate fruit, this dark, peppery, earthy wine is saturated with color and ripe fruit flavor. From the Yakima Valley estate, it buttresses the currant and cherry fruit with polished tannins that add many layers of depth and nuances of earth and smoke. The extra bottle time (this is the current release) has also helped to smooth out the rough edges. As the estate vineyard ages and the vines mature, these wines are gaining in both strength and detail.
This is definitely one of Washington's best Sangioveses, capturing the astringency and natural acidity of the grape, but filling in the mid-palate with chewy fruit flavors of berry and spicy cranberry. The light herbal characteristics of the vineyard come through, adding details of leaf and herb. Since this is a 2004, it is already showing some development in the bottle and is drinking very well right now.
This was picked at the same time as the regular Viognier, but fermentation was stopped, leaving it as a sweet wine (about 4.8% r.s.). The fruit is laced with honey, lime and apricot; it's delicious without being cloying.
Soft, sensuous, this is a wine that appeals straight away to the senses. The red fruits float over a soft texture of sweet tannins, leaving a juicy, succulent texture. While it is not a powerful wine, it offers all the delicious characters of Pinot Noir.
Mostly a blend of Merlot (30%), Syrah (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (24%), this wine offers appealing, downright fruity aromas of red currant and raspberry jam. The lightly sweet cranberry and cherry flavors provide a lot of easy-drinking enjoyment.
Blueberry, wet tobacco, charred beef, cedar and a touch of dried herbs show on the nose of this bottling. There is tons of acidity on the palate, where dense and dark purple fruits meet with cocoa dust, incense and woody spice, culiminating in a long finish.
Fruity, floral and honeylike flavors give a lot of oomph to this wonderfully expressive, medium-bodied wine. It's as if honeysuckle and orange blossoms were soaked in fresh pear juice.
Generously filling and satisfying, this Bordeaux-styled blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It's medium in oak and tannin, with a toasty character underlying red cherry, currant and cassis, the ending marked by cedar and clove.
The nose on this semi-dry Riesling is a touch savory, brimming with green herb, pressed apple and pear aromas. The palate, however, turns fresher, floral and fruity, filling the mouth with sweet-tart grapefruit and peach flavors. Nervy acidity extends a moderately long finish.
Subtle but friendly hints of yellow plum and lemon are very appetizing on this unusual blend of Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. There is satisfying midpalate texture and a lovely fruit expression that combines tart and ripe pear with Mirabelle plum and fresh citrus. All is packaged in a light, easy-drinking, dry body. An ideal summer wine.
Sour citrus aromas meet with dried honeysuckle and tuberose scents on the nose of this bottling. The palate is peppery and zesty with lime and lemon peel, plus touches of lemograss and white pepper, traversing the greener side of the Chardonnay spectrum.
Decadent chocolate and coconut macaroon accent sweet tannin and generous oak in this softly textured wine, made in small amounts. The finish is powerful and ripe.
Candied cherries, black plums, dried sage scrub and turned earth show on the nose of this bottling, which offers more rustic flair than other Zins. Once sipped, waves of crushed oregano, marjoram and dill take over, followed by red plum and touches of baked raspberry and boysenberry fruit.
Rich notions of ripe Comice pear and yellow apple govern nose and palate. The Pinot Gris roundness is well balanced by ripe, fresh acidity on a medium body with lots of mouthfeel. An almost weighty wine.
The aromas are light, with notes of yellow apple and spice. The palate is rounded in feel, showing a lovely sense of texture.
Six months in French oak lend a rounded feel and delicate spice to pressed apple and lemon flavors in this wine. While less forward and fruity in style than most New York Sauvignon Blanc, its richer body and slightly salty, saline palate are enticing.
The vines around the showpiece castle of Cléray have produced a crisp, lemon-scented wine that has a tight mineral edge to point up the ripe apple and lime fruitiness. Drink now.
Aromas of plum, blue fruit, cocoa and herbs lead to lead to palate-coating, textured fruit flavors supported by grainy tannins. It doesn't always seem entirely varietal but still delivers a lot of enjoyment.
A rather neutral but fresh nose leads onto a palate where freshness, texture and alcoholic warmth unite into a punchy, fluid and substantial body. There is real alcoholic power, countered by very fresh, luminous acidity, framed by green and red apple fruit. This definitely needs food to come into its own.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak, grilled herb and a hint of iris. The palate offers coffee, marinated cherry, licorice and a saline note alongside close-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Light and simplistic compared to other bottlings from the winery, this is still quite tasty, with aromas of lemon curd, sliced green apple and tangerine blossom. The palate shows stone fruit, vanilla cream and lemon wedges, with a decently grippy tension.
Angels is made from a majority of Merlot, the balance nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Black pepper, clove and a whiff of Dr Pepper give it a spiciness that's also fruity, while a softness of texture and medium body maintain approachability.
Chunky stone-fruit aromas are ripe, mature and indicative that this Chardonnay is about to start fading. Heavy, honeyed flavors of nectarine and apple finish with a note of oxidation, mild barrel spice and just enough acidity to maintain balance. Drink now.
Jammy blueberry aromas are grapy, with ample char and grit coming from background oak. This feels firm, wiry, grabby and drying. Jammy, herbal flavors of cassis and blueberry finish with big, rubbery, elastic tannins.
The aromas bring appeal, with notes of sour cherry, herbs and spice. The palate is light bodied, tart and elegant, with a coffee-filled finish. It's a pretty expression of the variety.
Dating back to the 16th century, this estate's 52-acre vineyard faces the Gironde estuary. The wine is dark, firm and concentrated. The tannins are firm, and hard edged. The acidity and the smoky character of the wine make a fine balance with its tough, young side. Drink from 2019.
The wine has ripe Merlot with red-berry fruit flavors and balanced tannins. It's fresh with the acidity of the year. Here it is contrasted with spice, a smooth surface texture and a ripe cherry aftertaste. This is an attractive wine to drink from 2017.
Beguiling aromas of corn silk, vanilla, barrel spice and malolactic notes lead to a palate that is elegant in style. It dances lightly.
This is a perfumed, refreshing wine. It has abundant apple and citrus fruits, crisp acidity and a light, bright character. The wine has some weight from the lees aging. It is ready to drink.
Dourthe's 100% Sauvignon Blanc is lively and crisp—a light, bright wine. With its strong citrus flavors, lemon and tangerine, touched by spice, it is balanced and fruity. The texture gives a herbal edge that is attractive and refreshing.
A pale red of exquisite slenderness and easy, totally charming red-cherry fruit. Use this almost as you would a rosé and chill it a little: the result will be the most charming, easy, cherry-ish and refreshing red ever. Drink soon.
Pear freshness, yeasty savor and citrus zip combine on the palate of this easy-drinking, fresh and enlivening Grüner. There is an earthy, sonorous note at the core that balances the airy freshness.
From a newer vineyard located up Gypsy Canyon off of Highway 246, this wine shows light apple aromas along with lemon blossoms. Ripe yellow pears and apples show through a stony tightness that frames the midpalate, offering a Key-lime pith element and good saline quality.
Pear and savory soy notes take turns to shine. The palate is invigorated by a zesty lime freshness and has a slight touch of fizz. The herbal soy spice adds even more interest to this refreshing, clean-cut wine.
Defined by its voluptuous body, this wine is also elegantly accented in salted honey and lemon peel, complex and savory on the palate. The finish is marked by ripe apple and juicy acidity.
Tight, citrusy aromas suggest mostly orange and tangerine. This is fresh and clean in an appealing but easy way. Peach and melon flavors are friendly, while the finish is crisp, stony and maintains the wine's tasty core flavors.
Equal parts power and grace, this wine appeals widely with its forward, concentrated apple and lemon flavors. Oak tones of caramel, spice and smoke show prominently on the nose, but integrate neatly on the palate. It's lusciously mouthfilling, finishing with a kiss of butterscotch and spice.
From old vines and only produced in the best years, this is a wine that is mature while preserving a crisp, tight character. It has some toastiness as well as melon and apple fruits. Concentrated and with fine acidity, it is ready to drink.
Aromas of coffee, toast, licorice and a slight whiff of cellar floor lead the way. On the ripe, dense palate, anise and baking spice accent black raspberry and wild cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework while a hint of orange zest signals the close. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2017–2022.
A 100% varietal wine from near the town of Glen Ellen, this is a healthy marriage of power and grace. The wine is fiery in leathery tannin and full-bodied blackberry ripeness laced in cinnamon and black pepper. Aged in new French oak, it's structured and age-worthy, though quite enjoyable now.
This is a relatively light-bodied and elegant version of the variety, softly approachable and enjoyable even in its youth. Leathery pepper sits atop nuanced layers of chocolate and blueberry, with a tang of sour cherry and a leanness to the finish.
Both yeast and yellow Mirabelle plum notes rise from the glass. The palate is more streamlined with its slender structure framed by mint and zest. Tart green apple notes add an extra dollop of appetizing freshness and compel you to take the next sip.
A whiff of reduction still hangs over this wine. After a few vigorous swirls, smoky blueberries and peppery plums are revealed on a slender, elegant and unforced palate. This is gentle and lithe, but aromatically beguiling. A true reflection of the vintage with overtones of white pepper and all the more beautiful for it.
Toasted oak, pressed flower, exotic spice and aromatic herb aromas emerge on this firmly structured wine. The mature palate doles out dried black cherry, iron, coffee, sage and anise accompanied by close grained tannins that give the finish grip. A hint of graphite announces the close.
Cabernet Franc has become a signature variety for this winery, and this wine shows why. It's direct and appealing with lush aromas and flavors of milk chocolate, cherry, barrel spices and flowers, with an herb-filled finish that hangs as long as you care to count.
This is an appropriately dark and leathery wine, saddle-like in aroma, with firm traces of black pepper. Blueberry tart and violet provide further complexity and invitation.
Steve Clifton takes this common grape on an uncommonly tasty spin, starting with taut and fresh aromas of green-apple flesh, grapefruit pith and light white flowers. The earthy palate shows river-stone and wet-cement minerality but also Key lime and Gravenstein apple warmth, all wrapped up in a compelling texture.
Fuzzy peach with a companionable co-host of Meyer lemon star in this medium-bodied, voluptuously appealing wine. It's balanced and easy to enjoy, its finish taking on added volume and likability.
Blended with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this mountain-grown wine offers bold black plum and berry around a compacted, extracted fullness of tannin and French oak. Dried herb, clove and vanilla accent the fruit, while the finish lingers gingerly.
The pure and evocative scent of wild huckleberries leads onto a concentrated but still medium palate that is light and sprightly on its feet—a reflection of the 2014 vintage. There is freshness but also some silky grip. The aftertaste presents a lovely dollop of white pepper.
Some grass and Elderflower foliage give a little aromatic lift. The palate is deliciously zesty and slender, lightweight, dry and refreshing, always with a slight grassy citrus perfume. It's hard to stop sipping when a wine has such feather-weight lightness.
Appley aromas and peachy flavors make this medium-bodied wine taste bright but dry, while the generous texture gives it some nice heft on the palate. Good acidity comes through, too, for a clean and refreshing finish.
Made by longtime Domaine Chandon still-wine Winemaker Joel Burt, this red offers delicious value, sourcing from sites within the Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros AVAs. Coolness and restraint are the guides, the wine light in color and texture, with just touches of spice, strawberry and tea. It finishes juicy, with a citrus flair.
Ripe and juicy, this opens with aromas of dark berry, leather, underbrush and a whiff of game. The round, chewy palate doles out black cherry extract, clove, tobacco and star anise while meaty tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2023.
Gentle Mirabelle plum fruit charms on this clean, delicately balanced Pinot Blanc. Slight texture adds extra interest alongside ripe lemon freshness. Subtle, understated but very good.
A touch of flinty smoke hovers above the glass and clouds other varietal aromas of citrus and fern that find ready expression on the dry, fresh palate. The slender body still has some smoky edges, defined freshness and a clean-cut finish.
From a cool site overlooking the ocean in Occidental, this is a feral, earthy wine, with a nose of garden patch, black tea and orange. Juicy at its core, it's structured in smooth tannin. Hints of new oak provide pleasant accents without overburdening the herbal and fruity core.
This is an attractive, fruity, concentrated wine. It has a salty, mineral character that adds a tang to the ripe apple and lime fruits. With its lift of acidity, it is crisp and refreshing at the end.
This wine opens with aromas of apricot and pear. The flavors coat the palate while showing a lot of restraint and exquisite balance.
Lifted pear-drop aromas are accompanied by the peppery green of watercress and arugula. The concentrated palate is grounded by earthy, savory yeast notes and framed by fresh lime peel. There is a dollop of riper pear fruit at the core, shining and shimmering with added charm.
This premier cru is on the cooler left bank of the Serein river, making this vintage a crisply mineral wine that's tight with zesty lemon and fine crisp acidity. The hints of yellow fruits are still to develop. The wine is structured and needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Redolent with ripeness and lavish caramel-vanilla tones throughout, this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah is very much an Austin Hope wine, alluring in aromas of lush blackcurrant, kirsch and melted chocolate on the nose. The palate is rich with espresso, German chocolate cake and crème de cassis, surrounded by flavors of molasses, brown sugar, coffee candy and even Scotch on the finish.
Forest floor, resin, spiced plum and incense aromas lead the nose on this robust red. The chewy brawny palate delivers black cherry marinated in spirits, licorice, nutmeg and pipe tobacco while firm, velvety tannins provide the framework. Drink 2017 through 2026.
Marzipan, marshmallow, cotton candy, churned butter and pie crust show on the very buttery but fascinating nose of this bottling, made by a winery that likes lots of bottle age. Broad, hearty, ripe and delicious flavors of butter, meringue and vanilla are leveled by sour yellow apple touches and an intriguing chive and Maui onion element.
This is a very full and deep wine, with aromas of black plum, mulberry, Dr Pepper, mint-chocolate chip and purple flowers. It's hearty on the palate as well, with black tea and rose petals showing alongside thick, rich mulberry, clove and baking spice galore. It's not dainty at all.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Alder Ridge and Olsen Vineyards. Aged in older barrels, it displays mesmerizingly pure aromas of raspberry, mortared dried herbs and pot roast. The flavors are elegant, textured and detailed, displaying a fine sense of balance along with plenty of length. It takes some time to get going but once it does it sails.
The oak is quite apparent on this bottling, and that's the point. Red apple, ripe pear, pomelo pith and sweetgrass meet with a touch of honey on the nose. The palate shows the oak more prominently, with light honey butter, sweet almond and vanilla, yet fresh, grassy notes shine through on the finish.
This wine is named for the four Sullivan brothers, one of whom makes the Benovia wines and another who makes this wine, among others. A clear labor of love, this small-production Chardonnay is well tended to. A sweetness of honeysuckle opens on the nose, followed by a depth of vanilla oak and stony minerality, the acidity fresh and bright.
Tons of spice notes entertain the nose on this bottling, from white pepper and dill to sandalwood and incense, all against a cranberry-fruit backdrop. The palate, framed by an impressive though not oppressive structure, shows a touch of pasilla chile and black pepper before riper boysenberry and cranberry arise in the midpalate. Rose petals, pencil lead, thyme and oregano add nuance.
This comes from one of the Premier Crus that line the lower slopes of the hill of Corton. It has weight, richness and a densely tannic character that promises aging. Its packed red fruits are cut with juicy acidity as well as a firmer structure and dark-berry flavors. This finely perfumed wine needs to age, so drink from 2018.
The aromas of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and black cherry are still locked up but provide appeal. The flavors are textured and full, showing layers of dark fruit that undulate into the distance and display a fine sense of balance.
Grapy, jammy boysenberry and blueberry aromas are exotic, with integrated barrel and spice notes. This feels weighty but balanced; flavors of blueberry, currant and chocolate finish with plum-like juiciness and length. Drink through 2021.
A vineyard-designate since 2007, this wine shows vigor and volatility in the glass, a mix of white pepper, heightened acidity and an underlay of black tea and forest floor. Brooding in dark berry, it never lets the fruit become entirely ripe, opting instead for savory complexity.
Light hay in color and with a creamy, near-perfect foam, this sparkler shows fresh Asian pear, light plumeria, wet river stone and rain-on-sidewalk aromas, altogether quite minerally on the nose. Impressively textural, it's cleansing on the palate, a bit like licking chalk, with flavors of lemon skin, tart yellow-apple rind and crisp pear flesh.
Aromas of resin, spiced plum, blue flower and a whiff of pipe tobacco float out of the glass. The smooth brawny palate presents dried black cherry, prune, vanilla, mocha and cinnamon framed in firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2016.
Almost three-quarters of this blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) and Malbec (30%), with smaller additions of Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Syrah and Merlot. Together they sing, loudly, in a lush, structured explosion of plummy blackberry, boysenberry, leather and espresso. A bright current of acidity throughout keeps it fresh in the glass.
This wine comes from the historic walled vineyard around the Château des Bachelards in Fleurie. It is floral, dense and spicy, rich with pepper, concentrated spice and tannins. With its dark character and still-firm tannins, the wine needs more time, so drink from 2017.
Attractive, spicy oak perfume and plush, concentrated fruit flavors rest on a luxurious and velvety texture in which fine tannins seem to melt into the ripe blackberry and cassis flavors. The wine is full bodied, layered, very broad and mouthfilling, with a long finish.
Firmer and more tannic than many Hawke's Bay Syrahs, this is nonetheless classy, with gentle cracked-pepper notes and ripe blueberries upfront, followed by layers of blackberries, black olives and spice. The lingering finish features bright berries underscored by coffee grounds. Drink 2018–2025.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), with the rest equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried herb, black cherry, licorice, cocoa and barrel spice give way to plentiful tart-cherry flavors backed by bright acidity and lightly chewy tannins. It stretches out on the finish.
Something different and almost irrestible, this red dessert wine is high in alcohol but still comes off as a table wine in flavor, but with obvious, tasty sweetness. Beyond that the flavors and slight grip of tannins seem like those of a big red wine.
This medium-bodied and complex wine keeps a nice balance between ripe pear and buttered-toast flavors and some good, mouth-cleansing fruit acidity. It has richness, layers of interest and a measure of restraint, too.
This wine is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot, coming from Seven Hills, Loess and Mill Creek Upland vineyards. Light aromas of toast, barrel tones, flowers, licorice and dark fruit are followed by earth and other savory flavors that are light but still show weight and density.
This brooding, dark Syrah is medium to full in body, built upon layers of of firm, dusty tannins. Intense blackberry and hickory smoke notes fill out the flavor profile. The chewy tannins come close to being overdone, but mouthwatering stone fruits save the day on the lingering finish. Drink 2018–2028.
Fresh and inviting on the nose, this wine is redolent with strawberries and hibiscus as well as cinnamon candy, fennel and chaparral. A sip grips the palate with polished tannins, offering baked black cherries in licorice sauce, rhubarb, smoke and earthy flavors.
Freshly buttered toast with a thin coating of marmalade comes to mind when sniffing this wine that also shows a touch of cinnamon and Meyer-lemon juice on the nose. The riper, rounded palate offers yellow apples dipped in caramel, sea salt and cinnamon, which pops again on the back end.
This wine has peppery, meaty aromas, good flavors that meld beef with berry, and a rich, mouthcoating texture. It's full bodied, very ripe but not sweet, and it encourages one sip after another.
A silky ripe wine that has great yellow and white stone fruits. That is contrasted with a strongly mineral character, touches of honey and intense acidity. The wine is still young but it has a delicious future. Drink starting from 2019.
Alluring aromas of mature dark berry, leather, Asian spice and a whiff of fragrant purple flower slowly take shape in the glass. The palate has weight and precision, doling out dried cherry, prune, espresso, anise and pipe tobacco. Firm, fine-grained provide polished support.
This is one of the coolest premier crus, meaning that the wine can often age well. In the warm 2015 vintage, the wine shows both beautifully ripe fruit and a tight mineral streak that will keep it on the straight and narrow. It does need to age and the wine will be best from 2018.
This wine is soft, with attractive, aromatic red fruits. It has the round, ripe feel typical of the village, with just a tannic touch to keep it together. At the moment, the wine is all fruit and acidity, and it needs to develop further to bring out its secondary flavors. Drink from 2017.
Crisp and fruity, this bright, textured wine has a tangy character that is juicy and refreshing. Lively and rich, it is ready to drink although it will be better from 2017.
From the coolest of the Premier Cru vineyards, this is a crisp wine, packed with minerality as well as tight green fruits. The aftertaste with its flinty edge is spicy as well as deliciously fruity. Drink from 2018.
This warm, rounded and ripe wine offers balanced fruit and acidity. A crisp edge to the rich pear and spicy flavor is lifted by an attractive touch of cinnamon. The final acidity is steely, bringing in a mineral element. Drink now.
This wine balances intense fruit with a steely core of minerality. It is packed with apple, crisp pear and kiwi fruits, contrasted with this tight texture and hints of wood aging. Well balanced, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
This structured, tight wine has complex almond and spice flavors that partner with crisp acidity and tangy lemon zest and grapefruit accents. The texture with its minerality and tight aftertaste promises aging. Drink from 2019.
In contrast to a nose that's more mineral than fruit, the intensity of this wine's voluptuous nectarine and yellow peach flavors surprise. It's dry in style but with a succulent fruitiness that clings delectably to the palate. Finishes long and lean with a tang of steely minerality. Drink now through 2019.
Blackberry and prune aromas show herbal notes and a hint of dried leaf. Medium-full in size and friendly in feel, this has moderate acidity that lends freshness. Gritty, peppery black-fruit flavors finish with an echo of licorice and dark spice. Drink through 2021.
This opens with a pleasing toasty aroma, following through on the palate. That deft touch of French oak (33% new) frames a solid core of strawberry preserves and Bing cherry fruit. It resonates on through a stylish, textural finish. Enjoy this immediately, and tuck away a few bottles to drink in five years.
Cured meat, leather, underbrush, blue flower and toast aromas lead the nose while the tight palate offers tart red cherry, baking spice and dried herb. Firm, close-grained tannins provide structure while a hint of star anise closes it down.
This opens with pretty aromas suggesting perfumed berry, leather, violet and menthol. The soft, accessible palate offers crushed black cherry and licorice framed in supple tannins. It isn't complex, but it is delicious and already approachable.
Colored like dark rubies, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, anise and eucalyptus. A satiny network of tannins provides a backdrop to flavors of black cherry, blackberry, eucalyptus, anise and white pepper. A nice sense of coolness persists through the mellow finish.
Always aromatic, here the scents of jasmine and honeysuckle are prelude to a dry, yeasty, lightly honeyed wine with lime, orange and golden delicious apple fruit. The penetrating finish carries notes of beeswax and fruit leather.
Rather lean and austere, this is a tight, structured wine. Its future lies in the firm tannins and the juicy red-currant fruit. Wait for this wine and don't drink before 2020.
The last vintage from vines planted in 1936, this offers aromas suggesting toast, oak, vanilla, forest floor, graphite and a whiff of eucalyptus. The firm, concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, cranberry, game, and a note of exotic spice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend is colored like inky violet and has matching aromas of black plums, cassis and violet. It offers a nice interplay of firm tannins and zesty acidity among flavors of blackberry, black cherry, violet, anise and toffee. The finish is characterized by an impressive burst of brightness and a lingering caramel note.
This opens with aromas of camphor, dried herb and red berry while the firm palate shows black licorice, peppercorn, sour cherry and a hint of tobacco. A backbone of assertive tannins provides structure. Drink after 2020.
If you've ever had a Momtazi wine, you know that there is a strong earthy aspect to the flavors that sets the vineyard apart from most others. In the scents and tastes here you'll find composted earth, chalk, dried leaves and black tea ahead of black cherry fruit, but those funk-soaked flavors add up to a complex and intriguing wine.
Produced from young vines, this attractive, ready-to-drink wine is soft and ripe. There are just enough tannins to give this fruity wine its shape. The acidity and the spice add another element to this rich wine.
This is a bold, ripe wine, full of fruit and equally full of dense tannins. A blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon, it is solid, powerful and spicy from wood aging. The structure is still young in this impressive wine. Drink from 2019.
From an estate in the far west of the Cima Corgo region, close to Regua, this wine is structured and deliciously ripe in black fruits. It has a solid base of tannins that is allied to perfumed acidity and a hint of wood aging. Drink from 2017.
Asphalt, licorice and espresso mark the nose of this medium-bodied, juicy Shiraz. The flavors are brighter, hinting at rhubarb, yet still retaining a dark, tarry edge. Drink this mouthwatering wine over the next few years.
Different parcels of old vines in the south of the appellation produce a smooth and well-balanced wine. With touches of toast as well as crisp lemon and ripe melon fruits, it is rich and intense with lively, juicy acidity. A generous wine, it is ready to drink.
Aromas of earthy, raisiny berry fruits, graphite, coffee grinds and wood smoke set up a jammy, plump palate with wavering focus. Spicy prune, berry and cassis flavors are rooty, while coffee, mocha and oak flavors dominate the finish. Drink through 2019.
This is an uncommon grape for Virginia, yet nonetheless an interesting showing. Dark, ripe and brooding, this carries blackberry, black-cherry, dried savory herbs and violet aromas and flavors. The palate is dense and concentrated in fruit tones yet a hint of levity appears midway in the form of perfumed violet. Structured, grippy tannins give ample support and depth while streaks of fresh acidity keep everything alive.
This Bulgarian Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, red raspberry and cinnamon. In the mouth, there are flavors of dried black cherry, fresh cherry juice and brown baking spices before the pleasant, persistent finish.
With just the right black currant character, this is a rich, structured wine. It has weight and richness of course, but it is the solid tannins and tight texture that distinguish it. The wine is not quite ready to drink, so wait until 2017.
The producer concocts this fun blend every year from different varieties, this vintage a combination of 58% Syrah, 32% Zinfandel and 10% Grenache. Funky earth and mushroom meet thick, full-bodied waves of blueberry and blackberry bramble, riding smooth, textured waves of big, lengthy flavor.
Inky purple, as you might expect after 23 days on the skins, this hits the palate forcefully with flavors of blueberry, black cherry, mown grass and mulch. Tannins are thick and chewy, and the finish turns a bit chalky.
Aromas of black plum, black berries, underbrush and hints of espresso and chocolate all carry over to the palate. It's friendly but evolved, and you'll notice the warmth of alcohol although the official level is moderate.
Redcurrant and tart blackberry set the tone, a slender and taut body follows with supple, barely-there tannin and wonderfully refreshing acidity. As a lighter red, this is great for lunch or to go with charcuterie.
This intensely aromatic, off-dry Riesling jumps from the glass with a heady bouquet of flowers and tropical fruit. On the palate, flavors of peach and blossom are highlighted with brisk lemon-lime acidity. Pretty and pleasing, it finishes with a lacy sweetness and just a hint of fresh herbs.
Toasted aromas come along with fragrances of espresso, forest floor and woodland berries. The palate delivers raw red cherry layered with mocha and coffee bean alongside astringent wood tannins that generate a drying, bitter finish.
Young and still coming out of its cocoon, this Home Ranch Cab is a wall of tannins waiting to break free into nuances of cassis, cherry, mint and dark chocolate. Plenty structured, it's made in small quantities and is worth aging until 2024–2034 for those tannins to soften around their edges.
This wine opens with aromas of blue flower, mature black fruit, vanilla, cake spices and toasted sensations. The dense palate delivers ripe red cherry, vanilla, plum, oak and bracing tannins. It lacks freshness and essential energy, so enjoy over the next few years.
Opening aromas include exotic incense, oak, baking spices and baked black plum. The palate reveals restrained black cherry and espresso flavors but the fruit is already fading and can't support the bitter, drying tannins.
A light wine with a hit of oak midpalate, this offers bright red cherry and black currant fruit with a suggestion of thyme and toffee on the finish. Smooth to drink, it's a fine choice for red-meat dishes like beef lasagne.
This Cab has a prominent streak of eucalyptus-like menthol on the nose as well as cranberry. This continues on the palate, which is fairly juicy and soft. With dry tannins the finish is on the dusty side, a pairing quandary solved most likely by juicy red meat.
Whiffs of ripe black cherries, vanilla and spice, along with delicate hints of soil and barnyard, mark this unusual blend of Saperavi and Sereksiya grapes. Tart black-fruit flavors accented with swathes of fresh herbs are a bit lean on the palate, but the acidity is gentle. It's dry and easy drinking in style with smooth, gentle tannins.
Darkly seductive in cinnamon and blackberry, this wine is hugely mouth-filling and a tad chewy, ready for a gigantic steak off the grill, preferably while out on the range. Coffee and pepper figure prominently in this wine, especially on the finish.
Big black-fruit aromas of plum and wild berry get this young Tempranillo off to a good start. This feels juicy and as fresh as basic Spanish red wine gets; flavors of blackberry, dark plum and a hint of chocolate are rolled into one and finish clean.
The wine leads off with aromas of mint, spearmint, espresso, oak and red berries. The palate shows cherry, coffee, cooking spices and espresso alongside drying wood tannins. It lacks the fruit richness and structure that one expects from Brunello.
This wine is rather inexpressive and already evolved. The nose reveals red and black berries accented with notes of black pepper that carry over to the palate. It's one dimensional and tightly tannic.
Stewed black fruit, prune, raisin, espresso and exotic spice aromas lead the nose on this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. The densely concentrated palate is dominated by toasted oak, grilled bell peppers and notes of black plum, all sweetened up with coffee, dark chocolate and sugary vanilla extract. It closes on a note of bitter wood tannins.
Made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this dense wine features aromas of black plum, bell pepper, cedar, mocha and toasted oak. The palate is driven by very evident oak, chocolate, vanilla and concentrated, almost sugary, blackberry. The sweetness is broken up by an astringent, drying note of wood tannins.
This is a dry, structured wine, with dry tannins and stalky fruit characteristics. However, it will develop into a fruity wine without great depth but with attractive berry flavors and acidity. Drink from 2016.
A rich style of rosé that has some wood aging and a full-bodied texture. Strawberry fruit flavors dominate. Drink now.
Big, bold and very fruity, this is a black-currant-dominated wine. It's full of broad brush strokes of acidity and spice from wood aging. Still young, it needs to be aged. Drink from 2016.
Richness and breadth are the strong suits of this full-bodied, deep-colored and ripe-tasting wine. Showing little oak character, it smells like blackberries and tastes like black cherries and clove. Moderate tannins balance against the fruitiness.
Soft in tannin and oak, this wine shows a cool-climate profile, its grapes sourced largely from Mount Veeder's mountainous terrain. Blackberry pie, cedar and crushed herb combine nicely alongside integrated power and full-bodied concentration.
Veteran winemaker John Abbott (Chalone, Canoe Ridge, Abeja) jumps back on the Pinot Noir wagon with this new project. This is the second vintage for his Freedom Hill designate, a vintage that was notoriously difficult due to monsoon-like rains mid-harvest. Abbott cajoles the grapes into an elegant, refined expression of high-acid Pinot Noir. Slightly saline, with mountain strawberry fruit and autumnal (forest floor) accents, this is lean but polished, and should cellar well now through 2022.
From vineyards in the upper Douro Superior, this single estate Vintage Port is dense and richly sweet. It has the right tannic structure, perfumed black fruits as well as a dense, concentrated character. It is just setting out on its aging, and will be best from 2025.
Rich berry and graham-cracker aromas announce a ripe, easygoing Monastrell-Syrah blend. Chewy and slightly sinewy in feel, this offers heaps of tasty but creamy oak and vanilla to go with spicy, herbal berry fruit. A creamy, thick finish is fitting for a warm-climate wine like this.
This complex, already ready Pinot melds flavors of fruit, root, spice and earth in a bold, almost over-the-top style. Blueberry, root beer, cola and soft leather components come into play, with a dried-cracker character as it resolves in the back of the palate. Best for near term enjoyment.
A quick impression of vitamin pill gives way to highlights of lemon oil and caramel apples. The flavors continue in a fruit-forward vein, with a mix of ripe peaches and cantaloupe. This is a wine to enjoy while in the first blush of its youth.
Aromas of fresh citrus fruits, crushed vitamins and nectarine are pleasant and welcoming. This offers good acidic cut and overall balance. Flavors of stone fruits focus on apricot and nectarine, while the finish is elegant.
Made with 100% Pinot Nero, this lively sparkler offers sensations of red berry, tangerine, a hint of pastry dough and a dash of cake spice. Crisp acidity lifts the creamy texture.
Hints of lemon shortbread, fresh apple and white flower unfold on the nose of this delicately honeyed wine. On the palate, sweet white-peach and yellow-cherry flavors run just a shade off dry. Easy going and fresh, it finishes long, with a streak of tangerine acidity.
This proprietary blend combines 52% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, another in its line of Aaron Pott-made wines. It's lovable in its austerity and varietal suggestions of dried herb, cedar and green bean. Dusty, soft tannins support a full-bodied, straightforward structure.
Spicy, toasty black-fruit aromas set up a firm palate with wrenching tannic grip. Spicy flavors of dark plum and blackberry are typical of this type of Monastrell blend. Peppery notes and herbal accents are up front on the finish.
Put this into the budget category (for Oregon Pinot Noir) where it shines. Fruity and forward, there's plenty to like in the mix of orange flesh and rind, and strawberry and cherry hard candy. The fruit is backed with ample tannin, and a warm touch of mocha and toast fills in the finish.
Juicy fruit flavors carry a pleasantly candied character, dappled with hints of cinnamon and pepper flakes. It's broad and appealing, with a touch of mint enlivening the finish.
Rich in body but light in tannins, this warm, generous wine fills the mouth and eases down the throat. It has a good mélange of cherry, strawberry and floral aromas, satisfying fruit flavors and a nicely soft finish.
While the wood flavors are prominent, they don't mask the ripe berry fruits in this Merlot-dominant blend. Blaye sister-brother team of Marie-Pierre et Pierre-Charles Dartier produced a wine with a rich character. It is full of wood spice, hints of mint and acidity. Drink from 2019.
The wine shows the firm tannins of the vintage. They give a dry core that will probably remain. However, there is also a fine layer of fresh black-currant fruit that gives a fine lift to the wine at the end. It will be ready soon, drink from 2017.
All the elements are present in this young wine. It has plenty of red fruit, touches of plum and spice. The tannins are firm while leaving plenty of room for the fruit. A wine that will be comfortably drinkable from 2018.
Full of red fruits as well as spicy wood flavors, this is a rich wine that has a fine concentrated texture. It is firm at the moment, showing layers of toast and wood from a year in oak barrels. Allow the ripe fruit to come through and drink from 2019.
Dilute and slightly bitter, this does not reflect the warm near-perfect 2014 vintage. Thin generic red fruit comes and goes quickly, with earthy, stemmy tannins left to finish.
This pure varietal bottling spent two years in barrel. It's extremely leathery, dried out, and smells and tastes of the tack room. This is not terroir. It's most likely barrel-related.
This wine starts off with great aromas of baking spice, plum and vanillin. The palate has some nice fig and prune flavors, but there is also a charred oak note that is bitter. Disjointed in body, it has austere acidity, an opulent body and rough tannins. It finishes long, dry and bitter.
Overt can't-miss aromas of mustard and sauerkraut would be fine if this were a hot dog, but it's not. In the mouth, this feels strained and wiry. Sour pickled flavors of cabbage and plum finish raw. This is loaded with challenges and flaws.
This is sour, bitter and just all-around dull tasting. A charmless wine.
The leathery aromas and flavors all but obliterate the fruit, and turn the tannins chewy and bitter. There's a bare hint of cassis—that's about it.
The nose on this wine is quite interesting, with a ripe cranberry scent and a prominent note of marijuana. That herbal, grassy note is also the main player on the palate, as there's not much fruit or other components to go with it. It's light in body and tannin, with ample acidity.
There isn't much to love about this weedy abrasive high-acid Tempranillo. Green and grassy in flavor, with a minty acidic finish, this is barely cutting it as a whole.
Red berry, cedar and light spice aromas lead the way on this dazzling red. The vibrant palate is loaded with finesse, delivering bright red currant, red raspberry, white pepper and chopped herb alongside bright acidity and firm, polished tannins. Impeccably balanced, it's loaded with elegance, energy and intensity but it's still young, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2038.
This is an incredibly beautiful and yes, joyful, sparkler, made from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This particular offering was disgorged in July 2016. It positively impresses in minerality, complemented by a more fulsome sense of lemon, apple and hazelnut on the creamy palate, leaving a rich trail of silk on the finish.
This is a beautiful, complex and complete wine, from the delicate, spiced raspberry aroma through the creamy, nuanced finish. Subtle but well-defined fruit flavors like white cherry and raspberry pulse across the palate, buoyed by an ultrafine effervescence and lively acidity. But the texture is smooth around the edges, lending a sense of extra depth and layering to this extraordinary bottle. Just coming into its own now, it will improve through at least 2020.
An offering meant to toast all manner of celebrations, this wine wows, blending 78% Pinot Noir with 22% Chardonnay in a near-perfect union. Dry and beautifully floral, it opens in a bouquet of marzipan, peach and honey. The mousse is fine, while supporting acidity lends a lemon peel and grapefruit lift. The memory imprinted on the palate will linger long after all the toasts to the happy couple—or whatever else you're celebrating—have been made.
Earthy aromas of tilled soil, underbrush, leather, purple flower, cedar and ripe black-skinned berry lead the way on this delicious blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. The smooth full-bodied palate doles out juicy blackberry, red currant, licorice, exotic spice, mocha and a hint of game while tightly knit but velvety tannins lend both structure and finesse. It's already compelling but give it time to fully develop. Drink 2018–2027.
Clouds of aromatic flower play along with zesty orange flavors. Grapefruit provides spice and drive. The palate shows that counterpoint of ripeness and tartness that makes this so very moreish. This is juicy and powerful, yet precise and toned despite all its generosity. This is a light, tightrope walk between two thrilling worlds. It's full of life and joy with an endless finish.
Wonderfully concentrated notes of ripe mirabelle plums open up on the nose. There also is a heady lemon note. The palate is rich with the same fleshy ripe fruit but has a fault line of zesty orange at its core that provides focus and seems to illuminate clouds of ripe aromatic citrus at every turn. This shimmers with tangerine and clementine. The body is immensely concentrated but has total direction and drive. Enjoy 2020–2040.
A designation used only when a vintage deserves, this reserve is definitely worthy. Almost a decade after bottling, it offers an intensity of chocolate, cinnamon and clove against soft, mellowed and structured tannin. Dusty sage and a bramble of blackberry complete the picture. It may have another five to seven years of beauty left within, but why wait?
The La Jota and W.S. Keyes vineyards are the sources for this classically styled wine that is intense and alive in minerality. Clove, black pepper and mountains of dried herb are front and center between firm, dusty tannin and oak. The texture is plush and velvety on the palate, with plenty of length on the finish.
The new oak is dialed down a bit to 33% in this memorable red from the producer's estate Quail Hill Vineyard. Lovely in every way, it opens in rose petals and a subtlety of Asian five-spice, before a succulence of cranberry, rhubarb and orange unleash a fullness of fruit and lush texture on the palate.
Along with a fascinating nose, this bottling from the appellation's westernmost vineyard offers the rounded ripeness of cherimoya, nectarine and white peach but with a laser-sharp line of crushed sea shell and flint minerality alongside scratched lemon skin. The palate rides that chalky line the whole way, offering hints of lime pith, tangerine, sea salt and just enough almond warmth.
The merest touch of tropicality, of ripe passion fruit, hovers on the nose before lemon and orange kick in. The palate still has an edge of reduction but that is a good and reassuring sign. There is a rich core of ripe poised fruit: tangerine and aromatic oranges are firmly held with grapefruit freshness. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of generosity and tangy freshness. The finish is lip-smacking and utterly fresh—that rich core of fruit invites you to sip and explore again and again.
Very savory aromas of roasted lamb, bacon fat, teriyaki and crushed pepper meet with light blueberry and a touch of mint on the nose of this delicious, well-rounded bottling by winemaker Sashi Moorman from the vineyard's oldest blocks. The palate kicks off with a zesty acidity, then come waves of black pepper-crusted beef roast, oregano, bay leaf, dark plum fruit and lavender. The solid structure ensures cellar potential but it's ready to drink today.
This lush, concentrated Viognier combines cool-weather weight with summertime echoes of apricots and honey. Hints of toasty oak provide an ample frame for this full-bodied wine that avoids any sense of oiliness or heaviness while remaining bold, rich and long. Drink now–2020.
The most gentle strawberry fruit appears unobtrusively on the nose. The palate reveals incredibly pure and honest wild strawberry fruit. The palate is slender but totally concentrated—there is depth to the wine and something ethereal and utterly seductive. This is not about power but about arresting allure. The true nature of Pinot Noir has been captured here, without force, without guile. This is honest and all the more disarming for that.
Allen Vineyard grapes have the maturity and complexity to impart a boldly balanced roundness of lemon curd, fig and apple, plus a searing undercurrent of salty minerality. With substantial weight, and texture for miles, it remains bright and fresh in the glass, with a lingering impression of cinnamon toast.
The merest hint of reduction reminds you of how young this wine actually is. On the palate, a very generous full-fruited picture unfolds: there is very ripe juicy yellow pear and countless juicy citrus notions of clementine, tangerine, satsuma and orange. All of this is cut with precise, tart and ripe lemon freshness. This interplay of tart and ripe creates tension and drive. This is lovely now but is a powerhouse of potent long-lasting fruit. Drink 2017–2040.
Delicious notions of ripe greengages haunt the nose, alongside fragrant orange peel. The palate is still taut and tight, sprightly and streamlined, as if powered and propelled forward by invisible citrus force. There is such drive and precision here, you almost feel movement and speed. The finish is clean but clearly this is for the longer run. It will take bottle age for this to reveal its scented, fruit-laden core. Drink 2022–2040.
The gentlest hint of the purest ripe apricot aroma rises from the glass. There is the merest touch of blossom honey before the palate opens up into a nirvana of apricot and rounded aromatic orange and mandarin flavors. This is clean, precise and impressive—a picture postcard of the sunny 2015 vintage. This may be charming now but, wait a few years and it will be lethal. Drink now–2030.
A prime example of why Pinot Noir is great to release later in its life, this six-year-old wine is signing with concentrated strawberry, iron, dried rose petals, stewed black cherry and raw beef. The palate is quite earthy but also packs black plum, vanilla, pepper, thyme and marjoram into a wondrous and complete package.
High toned and sharp edged, this should probably be consumed quickly. Scents of petrol run into a barely-ripe flavor of rhubarb.
Thick and heavy, this is Port-like in its toffee and raisin aromas, with a trace of licorice in the background. Its syrupy consistency almost expresses an air of oxidation.
Pinched and sharp on the nose, this has nettle and citrus aromas that are more typical of Sauvignon Blanc than of Chardonnay. It feels juicy and acidic, with passion fruit, grapefruit and lasting citrus flavors. It's fresh and racy, but it's varietally confusing.
This old-vine Zinfandel with a dusting of Petite Sirah and Tannat in the blend is stewy, soft and fairly simple.
Soapy on the nose, this feels soft, melony and low in acid, while the flavors suggest banana and mango. It's flabby on the finish.
This wine's cola, forest floor, cherry and cassis aromas are promising, but on the palate it's a tannic crusher, with mouth-blasting acids. It feels abrasive and tastes of rubbery black fruits.
The nose introduces aromas of vanilla wafer and vegetable. This wine feels flabby and uncommitted, with bitter flavors of white fruit, green banana and white pepper. It is neither interesting nor exciting.
Pinched cherry and berry aromas are lean and leathery. It feels tight and scouring, with oaky, green flavors of berry and cherry. It tastes dried out and herbal on the finish.
Earthy, leathery aromas are hot and end up smelling like a field in summertime. It feels hard on the palate, with a buttery oak note that sets up flavors of plum and raspberry mixed with green herb.
The opening is oaky, thus cedar and balsamic aromas run roughshod over the cherry, roast plum and vanilla scents. The palate is wiry and acidic, with flavors of herbal plum and cherry that lead to a driving, acid-rich finish, with an earthy, baked flavor and a herbal overtone.
A ripe red-fruit note offers a perfumed character to this fruity wine. A touch of banana is the only quibble with what is otherwise a bright selection.
Direct and easygoing, this Zinfandel tastes of blackberry, bacon, clove and pepper. The oak is tame, and the wine is ready to drink.
Packed with red fruits and herbal tannins, this is a juicy, fruity wine, with a texture that's soft and ripe. Acidity gives the wine lift and freshness. Drink now.
A soft and leathery Pinot Meunier, this grape is not something seen alone very often in California, as it's mostly blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in sparkling wines. Straightforward in its dried cherry taste, but interesting and worth a try.
Add Tannat to the long list of innovative efforts by this pioneering southern Oregon winery. Grapy and fruity, with chewy, substantial tannins for which this grape is known, this is a steak-ready wine, with upfront flavor.
This Barbera has muscular, robust and tangy flavors of dark plum and blackberry, with a finish that's distinctly smoky, akin to pipe tobacco. Enjoy this with a host of hearty foods, ranging from pasta to smoked meats.
Marcillac is one of the more remote French regions located in the hills of the Massif Central. Mansois is the local red grape, and here it has produced a perfumed wine, with red berry fruit that's lined with herb and lavender notes. It has a tense streak of acidity that cuts through the palate, leaving a balance of fruit and dry tannin.
Delicate and pretty, this has a pale cherry flavor, with light but proportionate tannins. It fades a bit quickly, offering a final hint of milk chocolate.
A blend of Syrah and Braucol from the slopes above Gaillac, this fruity, friendly wine has notes of spice and red berry. It's attractively juicy, with soft tannins, and it's ready to drink now.
From a demanding vintage, this offers tart cranberry and rhubarb flavors, with a forceful herbal component. It's well-structured, offering citrusy acids and good length to the finish.
A balanced, well-structured wine, and a superb value. Cassis, black plum guts and anise are supported by soft sweet spice and leather fleshing out the nose and mouth, with lingering dusty tannins leaving you begging for more. Ready to drink now; pair with flank steak fajitas.
Bright, crisp and fresh, as a 2009 Clare Riesling should be, this is a pretty wine, blooming on the nose with floral notes, apples and citrus fruit. The lime and green apple flavors are zesty on the finish, but not that long or intense. Probably best from now–2014, but could develop interesting nuances beyond that.
This is on the ripe side of the Sauvignon spectrum, with scents of honey and marmalade on the nose and flavors of ripe citrus, touches of stone fruit and hints of currant on the palate. It's simply fruit-driven, but satisfying nonetheless. Drink now.
One of NZ's first Sauvignon producers has turned out a commendable wine in 2009, offering classic grassy-herbal aromas and expressive pineapple and herb flavors. It's crisply focused and tight, just falling off a little on the finish. Drink now.
This is almost entirely Syrah, done in a high-acid, citrusy style. Flavors are sharply etched and tight—pomegranate, raspberry, baking chocolate and espresso. Straightforward and well-balanced despite its 15% alcohol.
Black cherry and cassis aromas mix with some heat, rubber and harshness on the bouquet. With time it settles into better form, showing rich, bold berry and plum flavors, spice and some heat and scour. Roasted and dark on the finish, and rugged overall.
The 18 months' barrel aging has given a strong toasty wood taste that smothers the black plum fruits. Six months could see better integration, but the juiciness is missing in the bone-dry tannins.
On the nose it's sweet, smooth and seductive, but that's where the sweet nothings end. The palate is super concentrated and intense, with almost overpowering blackberry and boysenberry fruit. A high-octane red if there ever was one, and that's all hammered home on the warm, menthol-laden finish.
Slightly leafy and damp on the nose, but dense. The palate is solid, with dark cherry and raspberry flavors along with herbal, drying notes and a touch of late bitterness. Spicy late, with coffee on the finish. Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Shiraz is the blend.
This is yet another wine from the Santa Carolina portfolio that shows vast improvement over previous vintages. The nose offers perfectly nice and easy raspberry and cherry aromas, and there's nothing off about the palate, which gives warm black cherry, plum and buttery flavors that morph into cocoa on the finish.
Starts out with proprietary aromas of clove, spice and cinnamon, and in the mouth it's a tannic grabber with forcefulness as well as ripe, sweet, menthol-infused berry flavors. Falls off somewhat on the finish, where butter and candy come in. Heavy and dark but still good for a New World Syrah.
Long a strong suit at Snoqualmie, this new vintage does not disappoint. It's light and lively, with dusky flavors of plum and sweet tomato. Highlights of chocolate and cinnamon are delicately in focus, and it's hard to find a better price for such a nice Syrah in Washington.
This opens with an alluring floral fragrance of yellow rose, acacia and beeswax. The linear palate offers lemon, apple and pear flavors, along with Verdicchio's hallmark of bright acidity.
This vintage of Svelte is still rough around the edges, with chalky, slightly green tannins sticking out. The fruit seems to be hiding behind the earthy components, and some unusual flavors of bread dough and biscuit are also in the mix. This is a wine that's tough to sort out.
Leafy, dry, earthy aromas come in front of a bouncy, fresh palate. Plum, cherry and pomegranate flavors drive this in the direction of red fruits, while the finish is a little woody, dry and peppery.
Black cherry, dark-fleshed plums and black pepper hints are mellowed by the rich overtones of new oak, while a seam of acidity keeps everything trim and fresh. This medium-bodied wine is approachable with a tangy black olive edge and medium length.
Off-dry and slightly sugary, this fruity, candied sipper mixes orange blossom, orange candy and baby aspirin flavors into a concentrated midpalate. Moscato is on fire these days, and this wine will surely please those who love the style.
This opens with a floral fragrance that recalls yellow spring flowers and exotic fruit. The linear palate offers restrained Golden Delicious apple and lemon zest notes, along with a mineral accent.
Lightly fined and unfiltered, it's slightly cloudy in appearance with notes of mineral, citrus, herbs and spice. Aged partly in neutral oak, with the rest in stainless steel, the flavors are light, with a creamy midpalate and tart, electric acids, that verge on sour. Pair this with shellfish to see it at its best.
Lifted by notes of pear, petroleum jelly and apricot, it's medium bodied and drinks off dry (6 g/L residual sugar) with a tart, lingering finish.
The 14 Hands Cabernet has more grip and authority than the Hot To Trot Red, but perhaps less immediate appeal. Black cherry and fig fruit are swathed in chocolate malt flavors, with a wash of mocha setting up the finish. Take your pick; either of these reds is sure to please.
Lovely and fresh, this piles on flavors of Bosc pear, with the texture to match. It's a wonderful expression of the grape coming from the eastern Washington region, accented with lovely, delicate baking spices.
No information was given as far as whether this was entirely stainless fermented, but that is the clear impression. Light fruit flavors of apple, pear, and green banana combine in a crisp wine that is modest in scale, balanced and fresh.
The Cabernet in this blend is Cabernet Franc, making it a Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, at an astonishingly low price. Tart berry fruit and some stiff tannins suggest that a bit more bottle age may help to soften it; there are already some pleasing suggestions of barrel toast that run through the aromas and on into the finish.
Pure purple in color, this is a chunky, extracted blend of Syrah and Cabernet with plum and berry aromas along with hints of mint and olive. A full, tannic, somewhat raw palate houses earthy flavors of molasses and herbal black fruits, while the finish is heady and a touch green.
Hints of sage and thyme lend a distinctly herbal, savory tone to fresh apple notes on this lemony-tart, but refreshingly easy-drinking Riesling. It's off dry in style with a delicate honey flavor that lingers on the finish.
This new wine from Efeste is a Right bank, Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tight and unyielding, even after many hours of breathing time, it's difficult to assess at this stage. Moderately ripe fruit remains closed down, showing gentle hints of sweet tomato, pomegranate and dried herbs.
A fine-boned, graceful structure currently takes the limelight, with extracted but ripe tannins. With time, blackberry fruit and some undergrowth flavors come to the forefront. There are layers of iron-oxide, white pepper and subtle cinnamon.
This is a tasty and fruity wine. It's front loaded with a juicy mix of apple and fresh sliced pear. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, it fills the mouth with flavor and a pleasing, textural grip.
Blackberry, rose petal and espresso combine for a relatively light aromatic profile in this blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. A cedar flavor dominates the palate, lending structure and depth to blackberry fruit and black pepper spice.
This wine opens with toasted nut, dried herb and citrus zest aromas. On the linear, lean palate, thyme and mineral notes back up yellow apple flavors, with lively acidity. It closes on a bitter almond note.
This light-footed Riesling is restrained in fruit, offering subtle hints of lemon and pear, but its slightly chalky, dusty mineral tone is exhilarating. Its delicately semisweet, with a fresh tangerine finish.
Aacacia flower, dried herb, nut and honey aromas carry over to the rounded palate, along with yellow apple skin and toasted almond notes. Tangy acidity brightens the finish.
This appellation blend from Bryan Babcock is flamboyant on the nose, showing lime blossom, honeysuckle, wet cement and peach aromas. There's a great sizzle of acidity and pithy grip to the palate, supporting its strong stone fruit flavors.
This blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah to create a juicy expression of both varieties. Cassis, vanilla and blackberry notes show both aromatically and in flavor, as the wine builds in depth and concentration.
Though not treating the grape with quite the same reverence as other varieties, Central Coast vintners are having fun with Merlot, making quaffable, easygoing bottlings like this one. It shows caramelized blueberry, black currant and asphalt touches on the nose. The graphite minerality also pops on the palate, giving a tension to the cassis flavors.
Delicate yellow wildflower and yellow stone fruit scents combine. The palate is bright and tangy, with ripe peach and citrus flavors that taper into a delicate hint of almond on the finish.
This linear, mineral-driven white opens with intriguing sea breeze, herb and field flower scents. The elegant palate offers citrus zest, yellow stone fruit and toasted almond flavors, alongside fresh acidity.
The wine is ripe with its stalky black-currant fruit filled out and given a rich character by the warm red-plum juiciness. It is still young and its youthful tannins still prominent. Give this until 2019 before drinking.
This wine comes from the Madiran vineyard of the Lesgourgues family, who are also producers of Armagnac and Bordeaux. It is just beginning to mature, with the rich tannins integrating with the powerful structure and intense black-plum and currant fruits. The dry edge gives the wine concentration, while the finish brings out black-currant acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
Tropical fruit, citrus and white almond scents lead the nose. On the tangy palate, oak hints underscore grapefruit, juicy yellow peach and dried herb flavors, with a candied note of lemon drop.
The aromas show notes of herb, jalapeño pepper, dark fruit, and barrel spice, with the alcohol poking through a touch. The flavors are medium bodied, brightened by tart acidity. Grainy tannins back it all up.
This wine is 100% varietal coming from one of the top vineyards in the state. Reserved aromas of spice box, blackberry, barrel tones and gun smoke lead to elegantly styled fruit flavors. There are some interesting thing going on but they don't all come together at present.
Proving one of the more reliable affordably priced brands from the region, this bottling offers fresh jasmine, tangerine pith, crushed chalk and pineapple aromas. The palate is a bit more tropical, delivering coconut and mango flavors with enough restraint to please many.
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.
Concentrated cherry and plum aromas meet with iron, cinnamon and gingersnap on the nose of this single-vineyard wine. The flavors surpass the aromas in succulence—star anise, nutmeg and bay leaf seemingly wrapped in buttered pastry.
Velvety and plush on the palate, this classic Cabernet offers firm, youthful tannins and full-bodied concentration of dense black fruit. Cedar, dried herb and tobacco scents frame its core, broadcasting a burning intensity and sanguine chewiness. Cellar and enjoy best 2023–2033.
Winemaker Trey Fletcher is creating texturally tantalizing wines that are exciting to sip now but built to last for years in the cellar. This shows lemon blossom, lemon skin, almond and macadamia scents, with a chalky minerality that's evident even on the nose. Racy, laser-focused acidity frames the palate, where lime, grapefruit and apple flavors unfold. Drink now through 2024.
The flagship wine of the São Miguel estate, this impresses with its dense tannins and opulent black fruits. It's fermented in open lagares and aged 18 months in wood. While its concentration and power are obvious, its elegance is surprising. Structured to age, this will be best from 2020.
The nose of this bottling from actress Challen Cates impresses with its spicy cherry, mulberry, juniper and mace notes. The palate is silky in texture and extremely well integrated, long-lasting and layered, with shiitake mushroom, forest floor, red cherry and earthy loam flavors.
Viscous and dark in the glass, this can be none other than a Daou wine. The telltale crème de cassis, black cherry, mocha and espresso aromas lead to a palate of exotic black spice and concentrated fruit, its blackberry and blueberry flavors accented with hoisin notes. It has enough structure to age but is also accessible now.
Fifty-year-old vines on the two opposing slopes of this Grand Cru vineyard come together in this balanced wine. It has a cool mineral character that contrasts with its ripe yellow and pear fruit. Acidity and a tight texture hold the wine together beautifully. Drink from 2020.
A dense and seriously concentrated wine, this comes from a small parcel of vines that are densely planted with 6,666 vines per hectare (2,600 per acre). Black fruits dominate the powerful dusty tannins while licorice and dark chocolate flavors come from behind. It is a wine to age for many years. Drink from 2022.
Ripe tangerine and green melon aromas take a zesty, herbal turn on the palate in this beautifully transparent dry Riesling. Its brisk acidity and cutting minerality lend a nervous edge that should ease with time, amplifying complexity and weight. Hold until 2020, but it should drink well for at least another decade beyond that.
Ripe and chewy, this savory wine opens with aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, underbrush, new leather and a whiff of exotic spice. The smooth juicy palate combines fleshy morello cherry, raspberry compote, vanilla and chopped mint while velvety tannins lend structure and finesse. A burst of orange zest lifts the finish. Drink 2018–2028.
Ripe black-fruit aromas are loaded with fine oak and notes of licorice and sandalwood. A solid mile-deep palate is intense, layered and balanced. Creamy oak, aged cheese, black fruits and an exotic accent create an impressive combination of flavors, while this is muscular, warming and tastes dark and minty on the finish. Only 200 cases produced. Drink through 2022.
Baked plum, exotic spice, forest floor, pressed violet and balsamic aromas lead the way. The big juicy palate offers fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha and vanilla while velvety tannins provide both support and finesse. Thanks to the succulent fruit, you won't detect the hefty alcohol. Drink 2018–2026.
This vineyard is at the southern end of Meursault next to Puligny-Montrachet, lending the wine Puligny-like structure and texture and beautiful Meursault-like fruit. Yellow fruit flavors, layers of wood spice and juicy acidity all contribute to this very fine wine. Drink from 2020.
Unctuously ripe melon and tangerine aromas turn flintier and earthier on the palate in this full-bodied Riesling. It's dry and densely textured, heaving with silken layers of lime and lemon, but vivaciously brisk. The finish is long and nuanced, amplified by subtle cardamom and sweet spice hints. It's beautiful now but should improve further through at least 2025.
Lilac, crème de cassis and grape Jolly Rancher scents are layered with anise and lavender touches on the nose of this bottling from one of the winery's favorite vineyards. The palate dives into deep fruit flavors, like concentrated boysenberry and olallieberry, enlivened by Christmas spice, juniper and pine. It's all framed by an intense and unwavering tannic structure. Drink now–2028.
From a cool and fog-steeped pocket of the appellation, this wine is defined by its vibrant acidity and grippy structure. The densely packed palate features dried apricot, lime peel and nutmeg spice within a medium-bodied frame, those flavors lingering long into the finish.
Elegant and tightly wound kirsch, crème de cassis, charred beef and toffee aromas show on the nose of this blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its toffee flavor is laced with chocolate and charcoal on the palate, and its sticky tannins need time to smooth out. Drink 2019–2029.
Roasted meat, rosemary, peppercorn, dried flower and blackberry notes show on the wondrously gamy nose of this wine. The palate echos that savory style, with generous lamb, char, dark berry and peppercorn flavors.
Dark and thick in the glass, this blend of 82% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre leads with black cherry syrup, smoked beef and dark chocolate aromas, which blossom as the wine opens. Rich and lavish on the palate, it has fine tannins that frame its blueberry, cassis and mocha flavors. It's firmly structured, with a lingering acidity.
This vineyard is widely regarded for its quality worthy of grand cru status, and this wine, from vines owned by Louis Jadot, is a fine example. It is both structured and richly fruity—dense with ripe red fruit flavors cut with acidity. A dry core of tannins will allow this impressive wine to age. Drink from 2024.
This power-packed blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec offers superripe cassis, fudge, vanilla bean and burnt coffee aromas. That coffee element carries over to the lush and softly structured palate, melding with blueberry, caramel and pork fat flavors, a meaty spice note adding to the deliciousness.
ONX's current releases are quite delicious and complex. This rich, multi-layered blend of 63% Syrah, 21% Malbec, 11% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah shows blackened plum, blueberry, soy, porcini mushroom and pepper notes on the nose. On the palate, blackberry, charred lamb and rosemary flavors are the story, framed by upright structure and powerful acidity.
Lush strokes of honey and caramel intensify ripe peach and melon flavors in this fruity but light-footed wine. It's luscious, delicately sweet and calibrated with electric acidity and lime pith astringency on the finish. Irresistibly forward yet featherlight in demeanor.
Ethereal aromas of wild berry, rose petal, dark spice and a light balsamic note swirl around the glass. The juicy elegantly structured palate delivers black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and a hint of cinnamon framed in bright acidity and tightly knit but refined tannins. It's already approachable but will be even better in 2019.
Darkly rich, this is a smooth, sophisticated wine that packs a punch of tannin under all its opulent black fruit. From a single parcel of the La Rosa vineyard named for the intense heat there in summer, it's concentrated and dense, with a great future ahead of it. Drink from 2022.
Cutting streaks of lime and lemon intensify the earthy, wet river-rock notes in this complex dry Riesling. There's plenty of pristine peach, yellow cherry and green apple fruitiness on the palate, but it's more about the rippling textures and mineral tones that take center stage. It's beautiful now, but concentrated enough to improve further with age. Drink from 2021.
Tightly wound and sharply focused, this bottling mixes white-fleshed fruit and lime zest scents with herb and mineral touches of chive, clay and wet slate. Its acidity stays zippy into its second day open, while sesame, sake and more mineral flavors emerge. Drink now–2024.
Nearly colorless as well as crisp and racy, this SB from northerly Limarí starts with snappy lime, white grapefruit and orange aromas. Reflecting its cooler origin, it is sharp as far as acidity goes, with a short, flashy finish. A little scouring but still good. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
A cooperative effort of six growers in the Hunter Valley, this is in the region's traditional savory, meaty-leathery style. Cola, earth and spice flavors are accented by hints of mint, while the mouthfeeel is full and slightly creamy. Pretty good, but could use more length on the finish. Imported by America Uncorked.
Standard plum and berry aromas provide a nice opening to this dark, solid Malbec that's a little zingy and racy at its core. Flavors of plum and berry are typical for a wine of this class, which finishes with burnt flavors and a final resting place of grainy oak.
If you are a fan of Rosenblum Zins, you might want to try this Washington Zin, styled in the same 16.4% alcohol mode. It's got plenty of syrupy berry fruit, and some very chocolaty streaks as well, but the tannins are earthy and still have a bitter finish to them. The winery's regular Zin is far better.
Hickory and other resiny aromas dominate the nose, and oak is the major player from start to finish. If you like a thick Chardonnay weighted down with cinnamon, resin and extract, then this is it. But to us it's overoaked and borderline cloying. It just doesn't have that natural fresh-fruit touch; seems overmanipulated. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA.
Fiery and crisp, with decent berry and cherry aromas giving it character. The palate is medium to racy, with zesty raspberry, cherry and rhubarb flavors. Finishes short and a little prickly, with heat and a hint of chocolate. Very basic, but by no means a bad wine.
Hints of melon and talcum powder suggest sweetness, and the palate is ripe, a little soft and dominated by pear and even some lychee flavors. Maybe there's a hint of residual sugar, but if so, it's minor. Mild bitterness doesn't really help the finish, but overall this is a flavorful and competent value wine.
This is a tough wine to evaluate. On the one hand, there's plenty of concentration and ripeness, reflected in the wine's high-toned raspberry fruit, ample weight and rich, creamy texture. On the other hand, the alcohol is a bit elevated (16%) and there's almost 1.5% residual sugar, so it's sweet on the finish.
Slightly funky and pickled, but also dusty and endowed with raspberry and plum aromas. The palate rests on tangy rhubarb and nectarine, while the bouncy mouthfeel has spritz and kick. If not for the pickled rhubarb character, it would be more strongly recommended.
Puckering in tannins with a rubbery imprint around blackberry and black tar, this is a huge wine that may need a bit of decanting to enjoy.
So light, it's almost intangible, this fresh, crisp wine has little character. Drink now.
The tawny color and slightly oxidized aromas suggest that this is a wine to be consumed as soon as possible. Though the alcohol is listed at a modest 12%, the fruit seems ripe enough. This was a difficult, wet vintage, and there are hints of spoilage in the finish.
Tropical fruit and powdered sugar aromas are imprecise This blend is round and chunky in the mouth, with underripe nectarine and orange flavors. A pithy, briny finish shows a touch of peach flavor.
Rusty in color and murky on the palate, this earthy, mature wine smells a bit too much like a mud puddle, with herbal, green notes mixed in. Tannic, drying and austere, this Cabernet tastes leafy, with a salty, earthy, stewy finish.
This wine has some pleasant layers of black cherry and tea yet is marred by its unresolve between being thin and overly oaked. The earthiness on display is on the funky side of things.
Almost woody in character, this wine has not succeeded in aging gracefully. It is beginning to dry out and lose its fruit. The wine is interesting, not more.
There's a shrillness to this wine, rich in overripe, preserved lemon and a daunting taste and aroma of oak. The body and weight of the wine don't overpower, but the fruit and oak don't seem in balance.
Stalky, herbal, earthy aromas are flat, while the palate on this rusty-looking Tannat feels citric and raw. Earthy, leafy flavors are sharp but also low on fruit and depth, and the wine finishes similarly.
Chalky and thin, this shows no particular varietal character. It looks as if it's already fading, and flavors taste woody and dull. Two bottles tasted; same notes.
Grassy aromas are suggestive of a cow pasture. This is hard and tannic in feel, with flavors that match the nose: green bean, green pepper and animal. This runs green and almost weedy on the finish.
Dusty cherry and raspberry aromas are broken down and dull. Pinchy and not real smooth on the palate, this has flavors of rubbery raspberry and other red fruits that finish weakly.
Minty eucalyptus takes hold of this wine and never lets go, contributing in not favorable ways with an otherwise sour and tannic experience of overripe proportion.
Dusty, slightly skunky aromas of citrus fruits are basic at best. This feels chunky and zesty, while the flavors run yeasty, funky, briny and citric. It finishes acidic and herbaceous.
There's a rubbery denseness to this wine, a curious, not entirely pleasant mix of red currant and burnt leather that may or may not integrate over time.
This caramel-flavored wine has a light red fruit character. It is off dry and needs to be severely chilled.
The wine is structured, flavored with the wood aging as much as the fruit. It has a spicy burnt character that contrasts with the more juicy black currant flavors. Drink from 2017.
Normally found in the Dão region further north, the Alfrocheiro in Alentejo produces a soft wine with light tannins and juicy acidity. Flavors of cherries and red plums give it a fruity aspect. It is warm, rich and ready to drink.
Iron, pomegranate and dust aromas show on the nose of this entry-level bottling from the Los Gatos producer. Bright red fruits and solid brown spice show on the palate that proves light, airy and easy as it dances across the tongue with energy.
Full bodied and brimming in vanilla and ripe peach, this white also offers big flavors of grass and lime zest, coming down in the middle in terms of acidity. Fermented in stainless steel, it's fresh and fruity, with a creaminess to the finish.
Apple blossoms perfume pristine lemon, lime and tangerine in this invigorating off-dry Riesling. Vivacious and brisk, it's uncomplicated yet refreshingly thirst quenching. Drink now.
Cedar and vanilla notes mark the nose of this wine, which boasts ample weight, modest fruit and a soft, open-knit texture. It's appealing for its oaky charm.
Medium bodied and firm textured, this has smoke and white pepper aromas, rich tomato and plum flavors, and light herbal accents. It offers moderate tannins and a smooth mouthfeel, with a bit of tannic bite.
This smells rubbery, with oaky spice, but airing allows it to expand across a lively palate. Herbal, spicy red-berry flavors are strongest in the midpalate, while peppery flavors, rubbery tannins and scratchiness define the finish.
This slowly reveals aromas of pressed rose, star anise, ripe berry and a menthol note. On the firm, straightforward palate, hints of licorice and clove add interest to dried black cherry. Give the bracing tannins a few more years to unclench and then drink up to capture the remaining fruit.
Pie cherry and rhubarb notes make a bright impression on the nose, followed by tart flavors bundled in a mocha-tinged wrapper. The texture is almost syrupy on the midpalate, but turns dry and dusty on the finish. This is a bit disjointed at this stage, so perhaps it will improve with cellaring. Try after 2018.
This is a well-balanced wine with honeyed ripeness contrasted with attractive, crisp acidity. Pineapple and baked-apple flavors are given a texture by the zing of the honey. It is ready to drink.
A blossomy, perfumed edge lends lift and vibe to earthier notes of pressed apple and pear in this light-footed medium-sweet Riesling. It's racy and sharp in mouthfeel with a finish that's brisk and bright.
Pressed apple and pears are dusted in pollen and saffron in this earth-toned Spätlese. Delicately sweet honey tones brighten the midpalate, accompanied by bracing lemonade acidity. The finish is moderately long, marked by a lingering touch of dried herbs.
Aromas of oak, toast, coconut and dark berry lead the nose and carry over to the bracing palate along with white pepper and oak-driven spice. Firm, extremely astringent tannins give this a bracing finish. Drink after 2018.
Jammy muscled-up aromas of blackberry show hints of spice, especially red chili flake. This feels full, round and comfortable, with moderate tannic clamp. Herbal black-fruit flavors finish bold, with a touch of dry bitter oak.
This opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, mature berry, menthol and anise. The palate offers dried blackberry, raisin and licorice alongside close-grained tannins and brisk acidity.
Bramble and herb notes are prominent on the nose, but subside into succulent white grapefruit and tangerine on the palate of this cheerful off-dry Riesling. Sunny acidity adds to its approachable, easygoing feel. Drink now.
Green-apple and honeyed aromas are more simple and anonymous than special. This varietal white Grenache has a shearing linear acidic palate that fosters tart flavors of tangerine and lemon peel. A stony drawn finish is crisp and zesty.
Why, at the northern limits of Burgundy, there should be a small village producing Sauvignon Blanc is a curiosity, as the name of the wine suggests. This ripe, tropical fruit and crisp green plum-flavored wine is tightly textured and ready to drink.
This is a soft and creamy wine, ripe with baked apple and crisp pear flavors. Balanced and full in the mouth, it attractive and ready to drink.
This simple, fruity and rounded wine has light acidity, apricot and pear flavors and a tang of orange zest. It is full, fruity and ready to drink.
Given four years in 100% new French oak and another year in bottle, this is a blockbuster of a wine. It's huge in every way, from its intensity of coconut, vanilla and milk chocolate to its dense, chalky tannins. It may need time to come around, its sheer weight impressively wrapped in blackberry and blueberry jam.
Grassy aromas of red currant suggest cowhide. This has a grabby narrow palate with green-leaning raspberry flavors. Overall, this is fresh and wiry in style, with a choppy, mildly tannic finish.
Floral, grapefruity aromas and sweet honey and peach flavors make this a very effusive and fruity wine. Though rich with flavor it's not cloying and is light bodied.
Aromas of berry, toast and espresso lead the nose while the tight palate offers dried cherry and a hint of ground pepper. Firm, grippy tannins give it a mouth-drying finish.
This is a severely oaked wine that sizzles and smokes with aromas of campfire, creosote, road tar and coconut. On the palate, it's concentrated but also brutish. Roasted oaky black-fruit flavors echo the nose, while mint and chocolate dominate the finish. Time can only help this come around.
A blend of Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Grenache, all in even proportion, this is a lush and dense selection that offers upfront notes of wild blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and sweet spice. The palate is lush and the texture creamy, with medium tannins and lovely chocolate and toasted-oak accents that linger long on the finish.
The wine has weight, and dense tannins at this stage. What does give it a hint of Volnay's generosity is the warm, full fruit that is behind the structure. It's obviously going to need at least three years to soften out into a more rounded wine.
A fine vintage of this always delicious Chablis. The wine has weight, a sense of warmth from its yellow fruits and depth of flavor. Full and ripe in the mouth, it will age for a year, although it is drinkable already.
The best of a lineup of single varietal red wines, this melds raspberry and cassis fruit flavors into a wrapping of earth and licorice. The dark and roasted accents continue through the finish with earthy tannins and a hint of stem.
A blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Carignan, this opens with skin-driven, black-fruit aromas and accents of savory herbs and forest floor. The medium-weight mouth offers gripping yet fine tannins and a decadent richness to the black cherry core.
Here's a lovely wine that has structure, finesse and character. It's loaded with dark cherry, pepper, tobacco and spice sensations that are balanced by fresh acidity and supple tannins.
Most Airfield Estate wines are single variety; this is their Bordeaux-style blend, made from five Bordeaux grape varieties. More than 50% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from young vines, it's bright with fresh red berry and pomegranate fruit, set amidst a generous splash of brown spices. The wines spent two years in 50% new French oak, and should continue to improve over the next five years.
It's the extra weight that gives this wine its Réserve title. With ripe white fruits, rich acidity and just a touch of spiciness, this is a full-bodied wine, its creamed pear bringing an extra full character.
This Amarone boasts black cherry and plum flavors layered with notes of toasted oak, black pepper and chocolate. The alcohol is noticeable on the palate, with a warmth to the finish. It's not overly complex, but the fruit is delicious.
Given the limited sampling of what I've tried from Casa l'Angel, this is a winery to watch. This blend of Syrah and Tempranillo is fully ripe and clean, with blackberry, toast and minerally aromas. It's solidly built, ready to drink and offers satisfying flavors of cherry and blackberry in front of a warm, medicinal finish.
This rich Sauvignon Blanc shows classic aromas of crushed tomato vine, cantaloup and a hint of bell pepper. The palate shows succulent green melon and apple flavors, with a hint of smoke and a freshly acidic backbone. This will pair well with asparagus dishes or pasta topped with pesto.
This medium-bodied white is made from the Trebbiano grape in a small area between Veneto and Lombardy. It has lovely fragrances of peach blossom and Spanish broom, while the palate delivers white peach and lemon pastry flavors. It finishes crisp and clean.
An aggressive bouquet of raw wood, rubber, coconut, licorice and blackberry introduces a driving palate with powerful berry, plum and cassis flavors. This features bright acidity, plenty of weight and a lightly oaked finish with residual flavors of tomato, licorice and cassis.
This has subtle aromas of blackberry, pepper and tilled earth. The palate delivers a core of plum, blackcherry and licorice, uplifted with white pepper and orange zest accents. Its refreshing acidity makes it enjoyable now, but will also allow it to age modestly. Drink after 2016.
This straightforward Amarone offers aromas of tobacco leaf and raisin. The palate presents prune and plum flavors accented by a hint of chocolate. It also shows the heat of the vintage and is evolving fast, so enjoy this soon.
This Amarone shows dominant oak and vanilla on the nose, along with prune and licorice notes. The palate is also dominated by oak, vanilla and toasted notes, along with black fruit and alcoholic warmth. Overall, it's a bit dense, and while it lacks finesse, it is rich and does have its own charm.
Mouthfuls of black cherry, raspberry, nutmeg and cinnamon abound in this wine. It boasts a beautiful structure coupled with elegant freshness. Drink now through the next few years.
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.
This brings a tight but well-balanced blend of cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors, with snappy acidity. The fruit is bolstered with firm, lightly earthy tannins. It was aged in a mix of half American, half French, all-neutral oak.
This is mostly Syrah, with 17% Mourvèdre and 5% co-fermented Viognier as well. Dark, sappy and substantial, it's a pleasing mix of black fruits, juicy in the mouth, and with a finishing streak of coffee liqueur.
This is a Bordeaux-style blend with 60% Cabernet Franc as its anchor. Brambly berry flavors of strawberry and raspberry meld into a plummy middle, with the concentration of fruit preserves. The acidity is sufficient to keep it from becoming too soft, and the tannins are pleasant but subdued. This is a tasty bottle ready to enjoy immediately.
This is a lovely bottle from this Idaho producer with notes of hay, butter, spice and melon. It has a broad, creamy feel that lingers on the finish.
A lightly wood aged wine, deliciously fresh and creamy, hinting at smooth Chardonnay-like textures. A light perfume from Malvasia adds piquancy to this attractive, textured wine.
Malbec is probably the most under-rated Washington red, but a wine such as this may change that. It's beautifully styled, tight in the midpalate, but with a broadly fruity entry that mixes berry and plum, cassis and chocolate, with a vein of mint. Winemaker Chuck Reininger has a masterful touch with tannins, and as with the rest of his reds, this is smooth and seductive, without harsh edges but with firmness and flesh. Young and primary, it looks to be a wine that can age for up to a decade.
Grassy aromas along with capsicum, nettle and green fruit aromas are pungent and exciting. The palate is spritzy and lively, while the flavor profile balances sweet, candied green fruit flavors with more driving, intense tastes of lime and green melon. Forward, fun and elevated; drink now for ultimate freshness.
Wood-aged wine, smooth and rich. Spice and toast combine with elegant soft tannins, sweet stone fruits and tight acidity. It feels rich, not heavy, its velvet texture gliding over the palate.
Well structured wine with plenty of ripe fruit. The freshness of fruit is replaced by spice and peach flavors.
This Mourvèdre/Syrah blend has loads of wild berry and black cherry, spiced up with tarragon and other herbs. The Syrah fills in the middle with juicy berry and peppery spice. The tannins are balanced and firm, barky but not overpowering.
A terrific value if you like the style, this is an impressively concentrated, slightly syrupy Shiraz imbued with potent cassis fruit and framed with vanilla oak. Surprisingly long on the finish. Drink now.
There's a dark and moody feel to this wine, with moderately intense aromas of black plum, blackberry, violet and black licorice. The mouth is robust and fairly full with a creamy texture and concentrated black fruit flavors accented by notes of pepper and tea leaves. The tannins are firmly structured yet approachable, with the impression of roasted cocoa nibs lingering on the finish. Drink now–2012.
This 16–acre estate is run biodynamically, producing intensely flavored, honeyed, ripe wines. This is succulent from ripe fruit, with the acidity bright and vivid, finishing with sweet pineapple and apricot flavors.
Well-balanced wine, ripe fruit, touches of wood, light spice, ginger and sweet apples. Structured, held well together by wood.
Here's an intense and brooding Shiraz with fantastic depth and character. Aromas of whole bacon slab, kirsch, black berry and cigar tobacco prime the palate for the full flavor experience. The creamy mouthfeel is loaded with black fruit flavors integrated with sweet woody spice throughout. The finish is long and the impression strong. Pair with an equally flavorful dish to avoid the wine being overwhelming.
This wine is soft, with a light fruitiness and earthy flavors typical of some Pinot Noir. The tannic element gives a dry core to this simple, fruity wine. Drink now.
This opens like an exploding hand grenade filled with pyrazines and jalapeño extract. The narrow, acidic palate is lacking in depth, but at least it's fresh. Briny, green flavors of jalapeño and bell peppers never let go, while the finish is tart and green, with a lasting note of bell pepper.
There's a reduced quality to this wine and much ado about oak, in which it spent time (30% new French). Founder and winemaker Mark Lyon owns the 122-acre site where the Sauvignon Blanc blocks date back to 1973. A hit of jalapeño dominates on the finish.
Aromas of orange and tangerine are oily on the nose. Melon, papaya and almond-skin flavors end with creamy lees notes that give way to bitterness on a dilute finish.
Despite ruddy, ripe raspberry and strawberry flavors, there's a leanness to this tart, savory dry rosé. Savory layers of bramble and herb are prominent on the midpalate.
Rather lean aromas and spare fruit flavors meet more lavishly rich flavors for dual personalities in this medium-bodied, soft-textured and slightly sweet wine.
Yeasty aromas are suggestive of vanilla wafer and corn cakes, with apple and melon scents lurking. A plump, low-acid palate delivers pithy, lightly bitter citrus and stone-fruit flavors, while notes of melon and honey fail to make much noise on the finish.
This wine starts out quite reductive which provides distraction. Aromas of flowers and ripe pear lead to broad flavors that seem to fall a bit flat.
Made from Norton, this Port-style wine is dark and brooding, with cooked-down blackberries, tar and sanguine tones on the nose and palate. Thick, tannic and astringent, this might be best alongside an equally rich fillet with blue cheese crumbles.
A citrus-rind aroma takes on an earthy bee-pollen tone on the nose. A streamlined and citric palate shows a mild tropical fruit flavor, while racing towards an off-dry finish.
Sweet but thin fruit flavors follow floral, spicy aromas in this light-bodied wine. The texture is smooth and the finish short and lean.
Mild, melony aromas are tropical in nature and show an oily note of lanolin. This feels heavy, while pithy flavors of melon are full of skin-based pyrazines. Green, bitter flavors taste more of grape skins than fruit.
Yellow in color and heavy on the nose, this smells mostly of match stick and sulfur. On the palate, this is scattered, with no point of reference. Heavy, chunky flavors of nectarine, citrus pith and almond skin finish oily and bitter.
Stalky, jumbled, saucy aromas of jammy red fruits are all over the map. This Elqui Valley blend feels creamy and jammy, while syrupy, herbal-tasting raspberry and stewed cherry flavors finish with oaky notes of vanilla and heat.
While its forward, fruity aromas are inviting, intensely candied notes of cherry cough syrup and strawberry jello lend a confected feel to this Syrah. The palate is sharp and thin, with a modest finish.
Quite watery, the nose shows just a touch of gunmetal, pear flesh and apple blossom. The palate is a bit flat, with steel and apple elements.
The aromas of tropical fruit and herbs seem light and muddled, with some reduction providing distraction. It's easy drinking but seems thin.
Red currant and cherry aromas meet an odd tone of coconut sunscreen on the nose. Tart red berries mark the medium-bodied palate, with mild tannins and acidity leading to a short toasted-vanilla finish.
Heavy aromas of vanilla rooibos, maple syrup and cooked cherries foreshadow what's to come on the palate. Thick in texture, jammy cherry flavors carry burnt sugar and toasted vanilla tones.
This opens with raw, charred, chemical aromas along with black-fruit notes. Resiny and chewy on the palate, with blackened flavors of plum and raw wood grain, this remains burnt tasting and severely woody to the end.
The aromas and flavors of this wine are ripe to overripe, like dried plums and raisins. An earthy vein runs through them, too. It is full bodied and rather soft in texture.
This waxy, stalky Pinot Grigio comes with a can't-miss whiff of corn chips prior to a fleshy, flat palate of bland banana flavors. The dull, chunky finish is on its last legs.
This one-note Cabernet is overoaked and weakly constituted. A balsam wood note drives the notes and palate, start to finish.
Flat, fruitless aromas are suggestive of green herbs and vegetables. This feels big, sticky and cloying, with almost no acidity. Melony flavors are heavy and sweet, and there's a wheaty, oxidized flavor to the finish.
Bland, midland aromas of dusty apple land on vegetal after this airs out. A flat, no-spine palate and green flavors of tropical fruits and vegetables end with green-herb notes of thyme and tarragon.
While this wine is rich, its tight texture brings out the minerality. Yellow fruits and toast are balanced with zingy acidity for a wine that will need time to broaden out. Drink from 2021.
Not your average white, this white Rhône-style blend looks, tastes and feels almost like a late-harvest wine but it's dry. A deep gold color leads to an aroma of salted peanuts and a flavor that's buttery, toasty and nutty. The texture is quite thick and helps the flavors cling to the palate on the finish.
Attractive aromas of floral berry fruits and sandalwood set up a pointy, fresh, clipped palate with raw acidity. Spicy plum and currant flavors finish dry and raw, with hard leftover tannins. Drink this staunch Cabernet from 2019–2025.
Ripe, slightly sunbaked aromas of berry fruits, plum and raisin include notes of vanilla and oak grain. A medium-bodied palate is agile, fresh and juicy. Oak-aided flavors of coffee, mocha and chocolate accent plum and berry fruit. Despite a drawing, dense finish, this high-elevation Garnacha remains upright in stature. Drink through 2023.
Full of yellow fruits, this is a ripe and lightly wood-aged wine. Great acidity and plenty of rich but lively fruitiness play well together, leading into a crisp aftertaste. It needs to age a bit more, so drink from 2018.
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.
Light, fresh and direct describes the white-fruit aromas this brut nature is exuding. In the mouth, this is just round enough but mostly linear in plane. Flavors of dry lime, apple and fresh-baked white bread finish mild yet agile. This is affordable brut nature taken to a high level.
Golden in the glass, this bottling shows intriguing aromas of dried lemon peels, scratched grapefruit, blood orange rinds, crushed chalk, sea salt and a touch of peach custard. The palate offers a touch of limestone minerality with seared orange, warm chamomile and vanilla toward the finish.
Lavender and violet notes accent ripe, fresh raspberry in this ripe but crisply structured red blend. The palate is juicy and velevety, showcasing bright acidity and a lingering granite finish. It's full bodied and robust in tannins yet maintains a taut, spry elegance.
This wine combines fruit from Ciel du Cheval, Obelisco, and Shaw vineyards. The aromas suggest fresh plum, gun smoke, herb, flower, vanilla, cinnamon and spice. The flavors are soft and supple, with tannins combed to a fine sheen.
This ripe, wood-aged wine is generous and smooth. Spice and toastiness are balanced by the apricot and citrus fruits. One gives richness, the other crispness. It is a wine with a future. Drink from 2020.
This crisp wine is packed with delicious fruit and balanced acidity. It shows some of the richness of the vintage, but goes more in a tangy, mineral direction. With lively acidity, it is refreshing and ready to drink.
Richness in the texture and a buttery vanilla-like flavor make this wine easy to dive into. It has lots of ripe apple, peach and white cherry flavor and an energetic complexity due to those pastry spices, plus a lingering, creamy finish.
Initial murky aromas clear up while remaining a bit gritty and stalky. This crianza has a raw, choppy feel. Gritty, earthy flavors of leathery plum and berry fruits finish peppery and spicy. Drink through 2022.
From 30-year-old vines, this is one of the finest examples of this variety to come out of the state in recent vintages. It delivers citrus, candlewax, lees, apple and pear aromas, the palate sleekly styled with a blast of acidity that makes it a versatile pour for the dinner table.
The wine has a good structure with sophisticated tannins and perfumed acidity. Black cherry and spice from the wood are balanced by the freshness of the acidity and the rounded aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
With its spice and wood flavors, this wine is rich and deliciously concentrated. It has a bold yellow fruit and spice character that is warm and rounded. The wine is ready to drink.
There's plenty of peppy, primary raspberry and cherry flavors here, but they're layered amindst hints of bramble, earth, mushroom and beets. This is an elegant, intensely Old-World Pinot but with New-World ripeness to boot. Spry and vibrantly acidic, it finishes with a fringe of fine-grained, firm tannins.
This wine's wild berry, violet, porcini, forest floor and crushed herb aromas leap out of the glass. The vibrant, focused palate evokes wild cherry, cranberry, star anise and orange zest. It's a classic Barbera framed by firm acidity and refined tannins that shows its Nizza origins.
Ripe berry aromas teeter on the precipice of overripe, with raisin and cassis the dominant scents. A flush palate is bumpy and hard, while this Grenache-led blend tastes of black currant, grapy berry fruits and chocolate. Solidity and straightforwardness are virtues throughout. Drink through 2023.
Snappy aromas of black raspberry leap out of the glass along with white pepper and bay leaf in this layered red by David Potter. There is solid ripeness to the sip in the form of tangy plums, pomegranate and cranberry, dusted by dried herbs and pepper. It's very fresh and energetic in style.
Attractive roasted, smoky aromas join ripe plum and blackberry flavors in this full-bodied, broadly textured wine. It's a great value and packs plenty of fruitiness into a rather big, moderately tannic frame.
A fascinating blend of five varieties, this solid, black wine shows structure, dense tannins, an enticing perfume and big, ripe fruits. The finish has acidity, but also those powerful tannins. Age for 4–5 years.
Like other wines in the Fronteira range, this is certainly powerful. It is also ripely smooth, its dark tannins wrapped in a velvet, dusty texture and ripe plum juice fruits. Important, complex wine.
Dominated by Touriga Nacional, this impressive and concentrated wine has a powerful structure, dark tannins, black stone fruit and layered wood. With its dense character, it is made for aging, and should be cellared for 4–5 years.
A little bit hickory-dominated on the bouquet, but also giving balsamic notes, blackberry and chocolate mint. The palate is linear due to a streak of cutting acidity, while the palate is also snappy with wild raspberry and bright plum flavors and plenty of wood tannin. A toasty finish with espresso and chocolate is fine and long. Drink now through 2017.
Selected fruit and longer barrel aging are the hallmarks of this Reserva. With its bright mint flavors, well integrated into the firm tannins and plum skin fruits, this is a wine ready to age.
Textured, dry rosé that reveals its rich character slowly. The Sumeire family, making wine at Coussin for 200 years, has mastered the production of a serious, food-friendly style of rosé.
Appealing from the start, with minerality, crustiness and tight dark berry aromas. The palate is saturated and layered, with flavors of blackberry, coffee and chocolate. Offers grip and structure due to fine tannins, and it's ready to drink now.
An elegant, compelling Chardonnay, its fruit accented with lemon, honey and lime. Low cropping of Dijon clone 76 has concentrated the flavors (and the alcohol—a surprising 15.7%) without turning the wine into an overblown fat boy. Nuanced and long, it is one of the most satisfying Chardonnays to come out of Oregon in recent memory.
Biodynamically farmed, this young vineyard seems to improve with each new vintage. More and more you find an expression of soil details—delicate streaks of dried leaf, moist loam, a flavor of clay. The fruit is refined and perfectly ripe, without being fleshy. An elegant style, cellar-worthy but delicious already.
Another small-production stunner from Terre Rouge, this Syrah is still young and tight but potentially potent. The wine opens with notes of white pepper and mushroom, dirt and earth, delving from there into herbs and plenty of berries. Very savory it will pair deliciously with Gruyère, bacon and mushroom, preferably all together in a quiche or tart.
Mining a rich vein of sweet black plum fruits, this is big and powerful while held together with firm tannins, very ripe fruit, a smoky wood character and a ripe, juicy finish. Age for 4–5 years.
Want dense tannins? Then this your wine. Of course, it has much more than that. It has mineral-driven stone fruit flavors, a sense of terroir, of restrained power. It also has a serious side, and definite aging potential.
Named after family members called Maria, this is a limited-edition wine, very smooth and rich, offering its character slowly. It has complex acidity, smoky tannins and a hugely dense extracted texture. It needs aging over 5–6 years.
Very limited, this is a relatively new project from second generation winemaker Jason Lett. It is sourced from “the oldest vines in the Willamette Valley”—presumably Eyrie vines planted in 1965, and finds similar territory as the Eyrie reserve, with a bit more richness through the midpalate, partly from more expressive barrel flavors.
Deep, black-colored wine, firm, serious and still young. It has power and concentration, dark berry fruits, herbal and spice flavors and a core of wood. This is a wine for long-term aging to soften the tannins.
Standard berry aromas come with notes of leather and animal. This is firm, clacky and shows biting tannins, while the flavor profile revolves around herbal blackberry with a pinch of salt. Chocolaty oak and herbal influences guide the finish on this firm, slightly abrasive wine.
Soft and lightly fruity, it has flavors of bitter almonds as well as red fruits. This gives the wine a firm character with some tannins and a mineral texture. Wait until late 2014 before drinking.
Although the wine has some richness and yellow fruits, the crisp acidity and lemon zest dominate. Fragrant and very fruity, it has some extra structure to allow it to age. Drink from the end of 2014.
A mélange of aromas, including walnut, pineapple, peach and citrus, takes center stage. The vibrant palate is restrained and linear, offering pink grapefruit and mineral with a succulent, refreshing finish.
There is plenty of fruit here, but there is also some richness, caramel flavors and a rounded texture that gives a sense of weight. Acidity at the end adds freshness.
From Bandol producer Sorin, this is a rich wine with just a light saltiness from the vineyard's proximity to the sea. It has pure fruit, an attractive citrus tang and lively line of final acidity.
Hints of cut grass and passion fruit on the nose are followed by attractive tropical fruit and fresh herbs on the palate. This medium-bodied wine boasts a soft, rounded feel that turns slightly chalky on the finish.
Despite its low alcohol level, this is an attractively plump, medium-bodied wine, marked by a harmonious kaleidoscope of fruit. Passion fruit, nectarine and pink grapefruit all make appearances before vanishing a bit quickly on the finish.
From the large Beaulieu estate near Aix-en-Provence, this wine shows great fruitiness as well as a mineral texture and good depth. Ripe raspberry and red currant fruits are laced with acidity. It's very much a food rosé.
Wiry, scratchy raspberry aromas are a touch herbal but stop short of veering toward green. This blend is full, rubbery and a touch sticky in feel. Flavors of blackberry, oak and mint finish with heavy tannins and a resiny, grabby feel.
Jammy but generic berry fruit aromas are crowded by lactic, pasty oak scents and vanilla. The wine is hard as cement in the mouth, with jagged tannins. Flavors of sun-baked raisin and plum fold in chocolate and rubbery notes on a grabby finish that includes residual resiny oak. This could use more time; try after 2016.
Tarry upfront aromas of berry fruits, pencil lead and shoe polish announce plenty of oak. The mouthfeel on this young Toro is full and grabby, while flavors of blackberry, oak and related mint finish peppery and blackened, with residual minty oak.
Elegant and structured, it's made from Campania's native Pallagrello Bianco, a rare grape that's almost unknown outside of the region. It has citrus, peach and chalky mineral sensations accented with a thyme note.
Aromas of cherry cola, brown baking spices, and cinnamon lead to flavors of black cherry, black plum conserves, and dried mission figs. There's a nice level of acidity and a persistent tannic finish.
This is a bit more punchy and pungent than Zeal's Reserve bottling, but it still offers considerable value. There's ample weight and just enough citrusy fruit to support the sweaty, nettle-y aromatics and herbal flavors. Try it with fresh herb-laden dishes like ceviches or steamed mussels.
Peach, melon, citrus and yeasty notes define the nose on this dry brut nature. This offers good texture, fluffy carbonation and citrusy acidity in front of papaya, dry mango, nectarine and peach flavors. The finish is fruity in flavor and citrusy in feel.
Heavy char and cedar aromas sit atop green-leaning black-fruit scents. This is tight, juicy, acidic and woody on the palate, with shallow black-fruit flavors that are largely covered by charred oak. A zesty, toasted and tangy finish is full of life but falls short on complexity and depth.
A rich and smoky Viognier, this opens with aromas of grilled yellow peach, melon and orange oil. The palate offers flavors of toasted brioche and almond to complement the ripe fruit core. Drink now.
Medium salmon-colored in the glass, this rosé has a nose of tangerine and toffee. Flavors of tangerine, butterscotch and clove maintain a nice balance between spice and fruit flavors. The mellow finish features a dash of zesty acidity and a final wash of butterscotch.
Dust, lime, lychee, thyme and oregano aromas create a complex bouquet. It is round in texture but also juicy due to core acidity. Flavors of lychee, melon and spiced apple rest on a full body. Finishing notes of herbs and tropical fruits are fresh and appealing.
Well balanced, ripe and fresh, it reveals raspberry fruits, an attractive mineral texture and citrus acidity. The style, definitely dry, needs food.
This structured wine offers toasted oak, yellow apple, spice, citrus and mineral aromas that carry over to the palate. It's balanced by fresh acidity and ends on a walnut note.
Fresh apple and pear aromas are lifted with hints of white flowers and honeydew on this full-bodied, elegantly balanced wine. The palate is slick with a drizzle of cream adding richness to flavors of apple and lemon, but balanced with bright acidity and a brisk saline finish.
Rubber, cured meat and herbal berry aromas feed into a tomatoey palate with raw acidity and rough tannins. This features gritty flavors of berry and raisin, while the finish is a bit flat in feel and tastes of prune and stalky, roasted berries. Unlike many Ribera wines, this is earthy and not overly ripe. Drink through 2017.
This full-bodied white leads with typical varietal aromas that recall white roses, lychee and spice. The round, low-acid palate delivers creamy exotic fruit layered with notes of clove and nutmeg. A soft, lingering finish closes on a sweet note punctuated with the warmth of evident alcohol.
This full-bodied white leads with delicate aromas of lychee, Spanish broom and golden apples. The juicy, round palate delivers pear, apple and hints of baking spice brightened by fresh acidity that gives a clean, persistent finish.
A classic vinification in tank and barrel has produced a ripe, full-bodied wine. It has ripe cherry and dark plum fruits; layers of wood-aging flavors give a complete, dense and concentrated wine. It will age, drink until 2020.
This new offering is light and elegant, with tart fruit flavors of rhubarb and pomegranate. There's an herbal edge to the wine, all in proportion, with generous acidity that could reward a few more years in the bottle.
Aromas of freshly cut flowers, green apple, lime and white peach leap from the glass. The creamy texture is brightened by lively acidity. It's simple but well executed.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, it conveys aromas of red and black currants, black pepper and cedar. The straightforward palate delivers juicy blackberry accented with notes of white pepper, mocha and graphite alongside round tannins. It's ready so enjoy soon.
Ripe bramble notes accent pristine raspberry and cherry notes in this bright, remarkably juicy Spätburgunder. It's zippy and fresh on the palate, with a spray of cranberry flavor that wraps up nicely in a coat of velvet tannins on the finish.
Close to Gaillac, this vineyard has a Mediterranean feel to it, making it good for Syrah. The wine is rich, softly textured, aromatic and smooth. Wood aging gives a rich texture that partners the full black fruits. It will age relatively quickly, so drink from 2016.
Dark and brooding in savory mushroom yumminess, Paul Hobbs' more affordable Pinot Noir offers dark cherry and spice in good proportion. Concentrated, lush and perfumed it'll accompany a range of foods enjoyably.
A structured wine, it has the weight and the firm tannins to give it aging potential. Black cherries, dark fruits and juicy acidity are paired with the drier tannic structure, amking for a smooth and rich wine. Drink from 2016.
This structured wine opens with aromas of green apple, pear, clove and a hint of nutmeg that all carry over to the palate along with a mineral note. The creamy texture has nice weight and is brightened by vibrant acidity. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.
Another fine example of Bechthold's dry-farmed, old, gnarled-vine beauty in a glass, this wine is light in color and high-toned in cherry and rhubarb fruit. Buoyed by acidity, the finish offers just a light seasoning of pepper.
A supple, medium-bodied white, it conveys aromas of stone fruit, pine apple and banana. The juicy, round palate offers sweet peach, green apple, zesty citrus and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.
The hallmark of Angela Soleno's wines is a sweet, spicy and earthy tobacco note, and this blend of 33% Merlot, 33% Petit Verdot and 33% Sangiovese offers it in droves. Combine that with rich black plum, fresh-picked lilac and rose scents, cinnamon and red currant flavors and soft, creamy tannins, and it's a stunning wine.
Delicate, compelling aromas of ripe pear, lily of the valley and pressed acacia flower mingle with a whiff of aromatic herbs. The smooth, silky palate delivers yellow apple and white peach alongside a creamy mousse and fresh acidity. A lovely sparker of pedigree and finesse.
With almost five years of aging on its lees, this is now a rich mature wine. It has a toasty, spicy character to balance the still-vibrant white-fruit flavors. The acidity is a foil to the richness of the wine, cutting through and giving a crisp, always mature aftertaste.
This is a fabulous example of a light, balanced wine from the Santa Lucia Highlands, which is perhaps better known for richness. It shows savory aromas of smoked cherries, nose-tickling sage, juniper-laced sausage and cayenne pepper. The palate is energetic, with a pleasant viscosity that carries its cranberry, cherry, thyme, oregano and sandalwood flavors into the finish.
Equal parts earth and fruit, this full-bodied Riesling offers loads of penetrating melon, citrus and honey flavors offset by delicate tones of saffron and dusty mineral. Dry in style and struck by exhilarating acidity, it offers exceptional balance and complexity.
It is lemon that constitutes the beginning, middle and end of this alluring wine. The first bright freshness flashes on the nose. The absolutely dry palate then becomes enveloped in the incisive, bright and invigorating fruit and zest of ripe lemon, providing direction and litheness. The finish is moreish and lip-smacking with the zesty freshness. You simply want more. Drink 2017–2027.
The scent of fresh fragrant orange peel has a totally honeyed edge on the nose. The palate, however, has a wonderfully clear and clean-cut green pear and lemon note that simply sings. There is concentration and poise but also a feeling that this might be far better with a few years of cellar age. The beautifully dry palate is concentrated and has impact but is not heavy; the finish is lip-smacking and vivid. It's lovely now but better later. Drink 2017–2030.
The latest vintage release from this producer based in Châlons-en-Champagne is very much in the house style with its crisp acidity and tight texture. It is towards the dry end of Brut with apple and citrus flavors and little sign yet of aging. Although this textured wine is ready to drink, it will be better from 2018.
This wine is beautifully floral, with a honeyed touch of apple blossom on the nose. Stony mineral and sea breeze accents add to its complexity, as seductive, smooth layers of creme brûlée and preserved lemon flavor provide oomph and grace.
A shy nose with a hint of citrus leads onto a palate with equally restrained flavors. This wine is all about texture and dryness. The superfine mousse is exquisitely creamy, playing off ripe lemon freshness against a softly autolytic background suggesting oatmeal with hints of white pepper. This is unshowy but conveys understated elegance. It finishes beautifully dry and fresh.
This smooth, velvety powerhouse is a rich, rewarding mix of dark chocolate and raspberry compote flavors, with integrated oak. With its succulent, full-bodied layers of ripe fruit, it pleases the palate in lavish luxury.
The nose already promises both texture and ripeness with its combined aroma of russet pear peel and juicy pear flesh. The palate only adds to the juicy richness with a good dollop of residual sweetness, boosting all of the pear fruit. This is countered by wonderful lemon drop freshness. The plump but shapely palate is utterly concentrated and aromas of candle wax and honeycomb show that this has just begun to evolve. While the finish has distinct sweetness, it is balanced by 2010's glorious freshness. Lovely now, especially alongside cheese or hot Asian spice, but sure to develop further. Drink 2017–2030.
Ripe pear is bathed in honey on the nose and palate of this wine. There is a touch of pleasant bitterness reminiscent of fir honey. All this is countered by lemon zest freshness that brightens and lightens and brings beautiful balance and poise. The finish is moreish and refreshing. Drink 2017–2030.
These biodynamic grapes, fermented with native yeasts, spent three months in 40% new French oak. It's built like a precision watch, ticking off complete and balanced varietal flavors of citrus rind and juice, with light touches of fresh herb, lemon verbena and a delicate hint of vanilla.
The nose of this bottling from winemaker Tyler Thomas is simultaneously delicate and voluptuous, with strawberry, plump plum, crushed slate and pepper seasonings. The palate is focused, with fresh red fruit, a rocky structure and strong thyme, marjoram and sage characteristics. Soft and delicious, it finishes with a dried strawberry kick.
There is something sonorous but restrained about the pure ripe pear notes on the nose of this wine. The palate falls into step: Lovely, pure and resonant pear fruit gently fills nose, mouth and mind. The finish is medium sweet and sustained—a very grown up wine that treads a very fine line between Pinot Gris' inherent generosity and freshness. Totally moreish. Drink 2017–2030.
This classic-style wine has cedar, tobacco and dark fruit aromas, bold and ripe flavors and a structure that's very firm yet not harsh. Cinnamon, clove and allspice accents complement its black cherry and dark chocolate notes, while a thick blanket of tannin wraps it all up.
Freshly cut peel of tart but ripe red apple entices on the nose. The palate embraces all this with the subtle, creamy richness of autolysis: Think shortcake and soft sponge. A luminous core of fresh, brisk acidity brightens everything, lifting up flavors of red apple, strawberry and tart red currant on the palate. This harmonious rosé leaves a lasting impression and is appetizing with its lightning streak of freshness.
A strong chaparral spice note marks the nose of this bottling, with background aromas of roast pork, sage, blueberry syrup and Dr. Pepper. Framed by firm but forgiving tannins, the palate offers cracked pepper, blackened lamb, pine forest and rosemary flavors.
Impressively dark and dense in the glass, this bottling from Edgar Torres from a coastal site offers pungent black currant, leather, wet asphalt and black pepper aromas. The palate's charred black plum flavors are wrapped in serious tannins and bolstered by bright acidity. This will evolve into a stellar wine with patience. Drink 2020–2034.
This succulent wine's brawny earth is steadied by fresh acidity, adding tart flavors of tangy rhubarb, cranberry and rose. Crushed rock and dried herb notes add savory complexity and texture, but it's the pretty aromas that ultimately seize the day.
White peach aromas and powerful fruitiness give this wine great intensity. It is bone dry while rich, full of quince, pear and peach fruits. There is an extra richness from the edge of wood aging. The wine is still young and should not be drunk before 2020.
Gorges is one of the recently created village crus or village appellations in Muscadet. The wine has richness and a dense character not always found in Muscadets. While it has some age, which has softened the intense fruit, it is still crisp, fruity and ripe with apple, lime and spice. Drink now.
Hints of tart redcurrant have a softenting creamy edge. The palate fizzes with tiny bubbles that disperse the red-fruited, creamy tartness across the palate. A lovely touch of white pepper and enduring, beautiful briskness brightens everything from the first sip to the last echo of flavor on the lip-smacking finish. It's fresh, mouthfilling and exuberant.
Granular, raisiny and heavy on the nose, with jammy blackberry aromas. The palate then hits with a thud; it's chunky and low in acidity, which yields a thick flavor set of prune and coffee. Better once it breathes, but it's still a bit too sticky and syrupy for our liking.
For Argentine PG it's attractive. The nose is clean but simple, while the palate is fresh and easy, with driving pineapple and lemon flavors being pushed along by good acidity. Juicy and wet on the finish, and overall it ranks as a nice, fruity wash.
A pretty good Tempranillo-Garnacha blend with simple but fresh berry and plum aromas. The palate has snap but no overt acidic bite, while flavors of cherry and berry are slightly herbal and end with a mild buttery accent. A touch flimsy but keeps it together.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are followed by juicy raspberries and cherries and a spin of spice. The mouthfeel is crisp but the texture lush and velvety. Overall not terribly complex, but a fun summer wine with an extravagant edge.
Red Mountain is not especially known for its Gewürztraminer other than the late harvest wines from Kiona. Here it has been blended with 12% Marsanne, resulting in a spicy, off-dry (1.4 residual sugar), rather yeasty wine.
Earthy up front, with a heavy, mildly herbal set of berry aromas. The palate is juicy and fairly solid, with fresh red-berry flavors accented by a dose of creamy vanilla. Long on the finish for basic Merlot, with an herbal lasting impression.
Strawberry, cherry and generic red-fruit aromas lead a standard, healthy feeling palate. This wet, fresh but simple rosé offers peach, raspberry and slightly bitter finishing flavors.
A simple, rounded wine, soft and fruity. Pear and apricot flavors dominate along with a crisper, grapefruit edge. The wine is aging quickly, and will be ready in a few months.
This is a bright and approachable wine, with forward notes of blueberry, plum and wild strawberry accented by hints of garrigue and vanilla. Swaths of mocha and sweet spice add richness to the palate and linger on the medium-length finish.
Gritty aromas of saddle leather, horse hide and pickled berries filter into a choppy feeling palate with briny and herbal flavors. There's also notes of berries and salt. A chewy finish has weight, structure and saucy, pickled flavors of savory berry fruits.
Cline's Oakley is more than halfway made up of Syrah, with smaller smatterings of Petite Sirah, Barbera and Cabernet Franc. The tinkering in the cellar works, the wine refreshing in strawberry jam, soft and rich with an herbal presence and kiss of vanilla on the finish.
This is an extracted wine that has very ripe aromas of prune and raisin, along with a hint of burned rubber. The palate shows blackberry, fig, spice and licorice flavors, along with a hint of orange peel and a warm midpalate. A bit one-dimensional, but enjoyable.
A rounded, smooth and fruity wine, the latest addition to the range from Vigouroux's Château Pech de Jammes. It is an easy drinking wine, plenty of black fruits, soft tannins and light acidity at the end.
Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture. Drink this still young wine from 2014.
This has initial aromas of raisin and underbrush, followed by hints of toasted oak and espresso. The palate shows evident alcohol sensations, with black cherry, fig and coffee flavors relegated to the background.
Medium sweet (listed at 24g/L residual sugar), this includes 7% Gewürztraminer in the blend. Lime and lime skin are the first sniff responders, with more citrus and wet stone flavors following. Despite the sugar, it's a rather tart tasting wine, suitable for a wide variety of spicy Asian fare.
Coming from the newly minted Ancient Lakes appellation, it's a jumble of apple and tropical notes. It leans toward medium sweet with tart acids pulling it back on the finish.
Kana's Workingman's Red has turned into a southern Rhône style blend of six grapes, the only outlier being a splash of Tempranillo. Toasty, round and easy-drinking, it's a good, all-purpose barbecue red, with a smoky, espresso-scented finish.
This is called a “white from Malbec” because it spends little time on its skins during maceration. The color is translucent pink, and the nose is pure wood smoke and minerals due to six months of barrel fermentation and aging. As a result of this unusual methodology, wood resin, sawdust, vanilla and creaminess cover the nose, mouth and finish, while fruit characteristics are hard to locate.
An enjoyable, easy drinker with notes of ripe red apple, apricot and granulated sugar. It's broad in feel, drinking a touch off dry.
Estate-grown in the San Juan islands, this did well in 2012, a relatively warm year in western Washington. Ripe grapefruit, mint jelly and a bit of cotton candy combine to craft a pleasant quaffing wine.
A soft, nicely oaked Merlot with flavors of baked plum and ripe blackberry. Full-bodied in every sense of the word, with just a sprinkling of spice on the finish.
A fruity wine, made to be drunk young, ripe and forward. It has bold tannins as well as ripe berry fruits and soft acidity. Certainly drink now, but better age for 2–3 years.
This Sauvignon offers subdued aromas of cantaloup and tomato vine while the palate shows melon, mineral and citrus notes. It's linear and lean, with a clean finish.
This is toasty, full and cidery on the nose, with matchstick harshness in the background. The mouth is full and round, while flavors of apple and spice carry a yeasty heaviness. On the finish, things taste dry and don't evolve.
Gorgeous aromas of peach, pear, flower and spice highlight this wine right from the start. There is an exotic, floral flavor running alongside the tree fruits, and suggestions of mint and rosewater. Excellent length and balance, with just a hint of sweetness.
Tulpen's 2009 Cabernet moves the fruit sources to a trio of Walla Walla vineyards, notably Tokar and Heather Hill, to good effect. It's pure varietal, and the excellent fruit sources yield a muscular, aromatic, dense wine. Floral top notes lead into spicy, brambly black fruits. The tannins are firm and astringent, leaving just a bare suggestion of ripe raisins in the finish.
This is three fifths Merlot, the rest spread among the other four Bordeaux grapes. It's very well crafted, showing a bit of herb along with berries and spice. What most impresses is the overall structure, and the impression of ageworthy muscle in the finish.
Savory, meaty notes marry nicely with plummy fruit and clove spice in this wonderfully supple example of Yarra Valley Shiraz. With extended aeration, this wine develops lots of smoky, ashy notes—a possible side effect of nearby bush fires—so I'd opt for drinking it over the next couple of years.
A signature wine for this winery, it's elegant in style with notes of cocoa, cherry, herbs and nut oil. The palate is light, soft and silky in feel with tart acids bringing the fruit flavors into vivid focus.
An aromatically brooding wine with notes of cherry, black pepper and barrel spices. It's full bodied with rich flavors and a cranberry lick on the finish.
This Barolo's lovely Nebbiolo fragrance shows violet and earthy notes of forest floor with hints of mushroom and truffle. The palate is not fully open, but shows bright cherry, menthol and white pepper notes, as well as bracing but elegant tannins.
This shows an intriguing bouquet of violet and truffle, with hints of meat juices thrown in for good measure. The palate is long and linear, delivering ripe berry, mint and peppery notes. The tannins are still tight and need a few more years to soften.
BIg, bold and ripe, this wine has juicy blackberry flavors, sweet tannins and layers of refreshing acidity. With everything so vivid at the moment, it's obvious it needs time. You could give it 4–5 years in the cellar, although if fruitiness is your pleasure, then drink this wine sooner.
This is a very rich wine that's smooth and concentrated. The slopes of Leithaberg on the west shore of Lake Neusiedl have great sun exposure, making this wine full in style. It has minerality as well, giving a steely edge to this impressively ripe wine with its pear and apricot fruits and spice notes.
This single-vineyard Barolo shows ripe berry aromas and whiffs of incense and espresso. The palate shows almost overripe cherry fruit, layered with herbs, coffee and underbrush notes. It has big but ripe tannins and is fast approaching optimum drinkability. Enjoy it over the next few years.
Whiffs of crushed slate and smoke add earthy complexity to sweet yellow-peach and pink-grapefruit flavors in this delicate but composed Auslese. Intensely minerally on the palate, it finishes with a fresh, green, floral flair and piercing citrus acidity.
Darker, sterner and less accessible than Plantagenet's Omrah bottling, the winery's flagship Shiraz offers substantial dark fruit flavors reminiscent of espresso, plum and cracked pepper. The tannins are firm, suggesting at least 2–3 years of cellaring. (The 2007 is drinking well now.)
This is a bit rounder and richer than many Australian Rieslings, with pronounced weight and rich texture on the palate. Instead of lime, it delivers orange blossom and orange sherbet notes that linger elegantly on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 16% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It shows a nice interplay of fruit and barrel with notes of cocoa, cherry, dry chocolate and toast supported by well-integrated tannins. The mid-palate still needs some time to fully come together but when it does, it will be a beauty.
This opens with some funky, earthy aromas that soon blow off to reveal scents of leather, truffle, eucalyptus, berry and meat juices. The palate shows dark cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco and balsamic notes and big, ripe tannins. This reflects the forward vintage, so drink now.
This Barolo boasts an intense fragrance of orange peel, Alpine forest and berry. The palate has ample intensity and shows ripe cherry, mint, cinnamon and espresso notes. The wine is well balanced, with big but smooth tannins.
Ripe fruit, new wood flavors and a rounded character give this structured and textured wine a fine sense of shape. It has weight, richness and a well balanced texture. Age it for four years.
Mint aromas and new wood flavors mark this smoothly ripe, polished wine. It has a good amount of black fruit, a dry but open texture and a rich, smoky character. The tannins and generous fruit power the wine forward.
Dry and serious, this firm wine is classic Bordeaux. It has weight, a core of tannins and black currant fruitiness that needs time to fully integrate with the dense structure. Give this exemplary wine another five years.
This shows lovely floral aromas and hints of chocolate and berry. The palate offers ripe black cherry, spice and coffee, and while this is still tannic, the tannins are ripe and composed. This is already drinking well, so enjoy it soon.
A super-dark, well integrated, gamy, ripe and tannic Malbec that opens well and dives straight into savory and peppery characteristics. The wine is an interesting, fruit-forward version of California Malbec from a vineyard more known for Cabernet Sauvignon. Big (15% alcohol) but age-worthy.
A big, ripe wine that also keeps an edgy character, typical of the year. It has a fine contrast between full apple and pear fruits and a zesty tang of acidity and texture. It does need a few months' aging.
A rich, buttery wine, with classic mineral and citrus characters. Very taut and tight, while layering fresh fruit flavors. Crisp and rounded at the same time.
Off dry it is, with flavors of Meyer lemon and black tea and plenty of acid. It is a fine value for the price, with density, concentration, purity of fruit and grip. Fruit runs through citrus into light tropical; the sugar falls out in the very finish but is balanced nicely against the acids.
Sweet and smoky on the nose, with prune, hickory and spice aromas that come together well. The palate on this four-grape blend is saturated and meaty, while the flavors of blackberry, coffee and dark plum are lush and finish with toast and spice. Always one of Chile's best values; an overperformer year after year.
Like taking in a fresh bouquet of flowers just in bloom, this deliciously crafted Moscato Frivolo, slightly fizzy and superlatively refreshing, is a lovely surprise at just 7% alcohol and $16. Start your night off with a glass or let it guide you through a meal, serve cold and take in its candied orange and jasmine amidst the bubbles.
A nicely structured Merlot from the Wahluke Slope, with aromas of sandalwood and blueberries. The mixed berry flavors run into tart pie cherries, sprinkled with a little pepper (from a small amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend). Well crafted and balanced.
Finely textured, with great minerality as well as ripe fruit. Flavors range from peach to lime, a reflection of the warm vintage and the chalk soil. Acidity is important, giving a contrast to the richness.
A deep mauve in color, so much it could be mistaken for a light red wine, this wine offers baked cherry, warm plum fruit and a touch of iron on the nose. Cherry and plum skins mesh with ripe raspberries on the palate, which tastes good but is fairly heavy in style for a pink wine.
This is a dark and tarry wine, perhaps a tad early for release, showing condensed purple flowers, beef jerky, charcoal and plum peels on the nose. The palate is tart and chewy, with asphalt, sour black fruit and tobacco notes. Wait a year and this may sing much more strongly.
Grapy aromas are candied and suggestive of a powdered fruit drink. This feels plump and pulpy, with plum flavors that carry a skin-related astringency. Herbal, rooty notes come up on the finish.
Chewing gum and light berry aromas come with a floral note. Crystal clear and lean on the palate, this tastes of mild citrus fruits and peach pit. Dry on the finish, with a nip of grapefruit.
This wine is full of red-berry flavors, fresh with acidity and a juicy texture. Lively and bright with a dancing, crisp character, it's a great apéritif-style wine.
The classic skittle bottle shape, familiar from restaurant tables throughout Provence, reflects this wine's character. Lightly peppery and spicy, it has attractive and perfumed acidity.
From century-old vines, this is a high-octane, smooth, juicy and soft wine, medium- to full-bodied with flavors of dark cherry-berry baked pie and cola spice.
A mellow, slightly herbal character pervades this plush-feeling and generous-tasting wine. Smelling ripe and fruity it is accented by savory spice aromas, and delivers warm plum and berry flavors.
More of a mauve color than pink, this wine shows strong cherry notes on the nose as well as seared orange rinds and a slightly boozy rum and coconut element. Mashed cherry pulp and grilled red fruit show on the nose.
This grapy, fruity Malbec is quite enjoyable. Aromas of boysenberry and blueberry are solid despite some reduction. Plum, boysenberry and creamy oak flavors finish on a note of clove.
Sharp acidity leads to defined flavors of green apple and lemon, maybe even as tart as grapefruit, within this medium-bodied wine with a richness of texture.
The Négrette wines come mainly from a small area northwest of Toulouse although they are also found in pockets elsewhere in the southwest. This is a light and deliciously fruity wine, full of rosewater aromas and a bright aftertaste.
Produced in vineyards close to Mont Saint-Victoire in the west of the Provence vineyards, this perfumed, floral wine has crisp acidity along with orange and citrus flavors. The wine is light, very fruity and bright at the end.
With a caramel character and light, bright acidity, this is a soft, not-quite-dry wine. It has a warm, open and accessible feel to it, light and fruity on the finish.
You'll find aromas of black locust flower and a whiff of beeswax on this. The beeswax note carries over to the straightforward palate together with pear and a hint of bitter nut alongside soft acidity.
Dry, fresh aromas of red fruits set up a tight, sinewy palate with little to no fat. Direct, hard-hitting flavors of cherry and berry fruits are what they are. Overall, this is a forward wine with low amounts of spice and complexity.
Odd and unfamiliar aromas of citrus peel, soapy cleanser and reedy red-berry fruits elicit contemplation, not sensory pleasure. This feels narrow, with astringent tannins. Flavors of herbal tea, red berries and spice are almost like Pinot Noir, while this finishes raw, rubbery and tannic, with herbal notes.
Aromas of toasted nut, smoke, dried wild flower and mature orchard fruit lead the nose. The medium-bodied, rather evolved palate shows notes of honey, yellow apple skin and a hint of hazelnut. Drink soon to capture the remaining freshness.
Mild white-fruit aromas come with notes of white pepper. This has a chunky, oily feel and pithy, lightly vegetal flavors of lime, peach and melon. A salty flavor rises up on the finish.
Subtle peach, apricot and yellow melon dance in the bouquet of this medium-bodied wine. The palate is pithy and tart, leaner than the nose suggests, with nice vibrancy and a subtle spicy accent on the close. Enjoy now.
Lightly-scented with hints of black locust flower and citrus blossom, this easygoing, straightforward white offers flavors that suggest Bartlett pear and green apple. A note of white almond closes the finish.
Big, hearty fruit flavors and full body without a lot of tannin make this wine appealing and a good match for meaty dishes from carne asada burritos to pot roast. It's probably no coincidence considering the brand name that it has lots of oak flavor, adding vanilla and other spices.
The lees and peach aromas are quite light considering the variety. The stone-fruit flavors are reserved and pleasant, but the variety seems to get lost.
This is a soft, nondescript wine at first, with mild notes of black cherry, plum and black olive, that's likable and rounded on the palate.
Anyone with a yen for the flappers of the 1920s should get this wine, with its label showing a vision of the French Riviera in that era. The wine itself is modern, clean and crisp with an attractive lightness. Ripe strawberries come through strongly in the aftertaste.
The medium-intense nose of this solid and easy-to-like Cab offers scents of blackberry, cassis and plum, all laced by hints of cocoa and cigar box. The medium-weight mouth offers a pleasant texture, thanks to moderate tannins and ample acidity, with solid black-fruit flavors at the core.
This dry wine has a light salmon color, aromas like melon and prosciutto and flavors that are light and slightly meaty or herbal. Guess what we would serve it with?
Shy aromas of green banana, lime and lychee set up a pleasant, lifted palate. Flavors of lime, lychee, honeydew and mango precede a mild, refreshing finish. Drink now.
Perfumed in white flowers and apple blossom, this dark golden wine, aged in neutral oak, is soft and relatively light, a mix of ripe pear and vanilla.
Piercing woody aromas are about all you get on the nose of this barrel-fermented blend of Viura and Tempranillo Blanco. The palate is crisp, tight and resiny, while overtly woody flavors outweigh background white-fruit notes. A resiny flavor is front and center on a barrel-driven finish.
Abundant cherry notes show on the nose and palate of this wine—red, black and very ripe. It's juicy, fresh and straight-forward, with lovely, peppery spice. A picnic wine par excellence.
This full-bodied Barbera's especially dark, opaque color is difficult to miss, and its aromas are equally intense. It smells like a late harvest wine, and its blackberry jam and cherry compote flavors seem to coat the palate. Although dry, it's ripe to the extreme and structured with moderate tannins.
Winemaker Neil Collins spends his time diving into the region's little known, dry-farmed old vines to deliver distinctive and delicate Zinfandels. This one shows wet riverstone scents, with smashed blackberry and lavender. The palate offers tart black plum, peppercorn and tar touches.
Streaks of honey and bee pollen extend from nose to finish in this deft off-dry Riesling. Tart tangerine and grapefruit flavors are vital and crisp, but also spicy, earthy and a bit rustic. The finish is long and intensely citrusy.
Merlot makes up just over half of this wine, with Cabernet Sauvignon (39%) playing second fiddle and Cabernet Franc and Malbec rounding it out. It's expressive, with aromas of fig, golden raisins, eucalyptus and red fruit, with the aromas seeming slightly dried out. The palate is fruit forward and textured, while still showing restraint and length.
Bright and refreshing, this opens with white spring flower and yellow stone fruit aromas. The linear palate evokes yellow peach, mature apple and juicy nectarine, brightened with tangy acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
High-toned acidity lends verve to delicate raspberry and white grapefruit flavors here. It's not deeply concentrated but lavishly textured with a cutting, mineral finish. Drink now.
The Dubard family has produced a fine and ripe wine. Perfumed and with tropical fruit flavors it is a rich wine, packed with fruit and also finely textured. It has weight, yellow fruits and fine acidity. Drink from late 2017.
This savory white opens with toasted nut, mature apple and citrus zest aromas. Mirroring the nose, the round, juicy palate doles out ripe apple, peach and candied tangerine flavors with moderate freshness. A bitter almond note graces the finish.
Toasted oak and maple syrup aromas meet indulgent brown sugar and blackberry jam flavors in this very ripe-tasting, full-bodied wine. It's easy to gulp and enjoy, not being especially brawny or tannic, and should be great with pulled pork or Mexican molé.
Apple, peach and yeast aromas are welcoming but a little wayward. This brut nature shows roundness on the palate and no coarseness. Briny apple and dried-apricot flavors are calm on the finish.
This elegant nectarine-scented Riesling is a notable solo project by Hazlitt winemaker Michael Reidy. It's deft on the palate, but offers plenty of ripe quince and tangerine flavors accentuated by zesty lime acidity. It finishes moderately long.
Immaculate freshness abounds in this zesty Chardonnay. While supple and quite creamy on the palate, pristine lemon and pear flavors and a vibrant backdrop of lemony acidity invigorate. Elegantly meshed vanilla and spice tones linger on the finish.
A chalky, mineral aroma leads to lively green apple and dried herb flavors. This wine is light-bodied and subdued but has enjoyable, savory flavors to complement its moderate fruitiness and an easy elegance that separates it from the pack.
Name and reputation get you only so far, as this underwhelming offering from a poor vintage proves. Compact stewy aromas of baked berry fruits and asphalt are the appetizer. A main course of chunky jammy stewy berry and prune flavors finishes with a desiccated essence. Unico is known to age for decades, but not this vintage. Drink now for what it's worth.
A smooth, velvety textured wine, full of slightly overripe dark cherry, raspberry and plum with accents of cassis, tea and spice that thrill the palate. Closing with a clean and silky finish, this wine is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It's 60% Cab, 30% Merlot and 10% Shiraz.
Classic old-school Gran Reserva. The nose is full of barbecue, molasses and dried plum, while the palate has complexities in the form of tobacco, tire rubber and earth. It goes somewhat citrusy and quick on the finish, ending in a wash of orange-infused leather and chocolate. Drink now or hold for another 5 years.
There's no denying the wine's raisiny ripeness; it's confirmed via Sherry/Port aromas and black plum/baked fruit flavors. But it's not simply a heavyweight on its last legs. To the contrary, the wine delivers a jolt of core intensity and finishing notes of spicy black pepper and licorice. Drink right away.
The essence of 2005 is captured in this creamy, rich offering that touches up against overripe but pulls back into balance at the last moment. Expect soft tannins, lots of coconutty oak and molasses notes along with a limited but easygoing finish. Drink soon.
A firm, ripe wine, with great red fruit flavors, dark tannins and an edge of coffee. There is some toast element here in this still young wine. Hopefully the just overripe fruit edge will disappear as it develops.
Spindrift's reserve bottling does not seem substantially different from its regular 2005 Pinot, except that it extends its flavors through a much longer and smoother finish. Bright red fruit flavors mix raspberry and blueberry with milk chocolate. An impression of spun sugar wraps up the finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell made in a ripe, high-alcohol style results in monster aromas of shoe polish and black licorice. The palate is a wave of chocolate and candied black fruits that crashes into a heavy, ultraripe finish of prune and pepper. A lunker wine with a sweet smile and a big handshake.
Strongly petrolly and slaty, with those powerful elements backed by apple and pineapple notes. It's plump for a kabinett, weighing in at 10.5% alcohol, but balanced and easy to drink now.
This medium-bodied kabinett features an appealing lushness to its texture—it's not a slim, racy wine but instead offers hints of honey and diesel oil balanced by ripe apples and citrus. Drink now.
This wine is flavorful, with plenty of blackberry fruit, as well as a dense, tannic heart. The fruit's edges are smoothed by the wood aging, but it is still fruit that dominates, ripe, hearty and packed with acidity to finish.
A juicy, spicy wine, packed with open, generous black fruits. The blend of Castelão and Trincadeira gives blackberries, some raisins and a smooth chocolate underlay.
Consistency is apparently not Fransola's calling card. One year it's pungent and green, and then in a warm year like 2006 it's fruity, ripe and sweet, with green apple, pear and tropical fruit flavors making their mark. Seems like Sauvignon Blanc in Catalonia needs ample heat to show the ginger, lime and apple characteristics that make it a likable. In this case, that's mostly what's on display.
Tart and racy, this sets up the palate for spicy fare with bracing acids and scents of citrus skins. It is the first-ever Riesling for A to Z, a nod perhaps to the growing demand for these wines, especially on the West Coast. Flavors mix citrus, white flowers, strawberries and spice, with a finishing lick of minerality.
This lighter, fruit-forward Syrah from Abacela showcases the spicy, peppery side of the grape. These may be younger vines, or simply less ripe than the fruit that went into the other Syrah, but it is still a very attractive wine, with sweet raspberries, black pepper and rock. A fine balance of acid and tannin provides the right structure for near-term drinking.
Abelis Carthago's top wine, Fighting Bulls, is also its toughest to enjoy. There's overripeness and barnyard on the nose, and thus the prune, black plum and jammy berry flavors that control the palate are not surprising. Big and forceful for sure, but also choppy and incongruent across the palate.
Ripe and honeyed, but also nicely balanced by flower blossom aromas and acidic zest on the palate. For straightforward apricot and peach flavors, this wine serves its purpose. It's smooth, sweet and easygoing, and overall it's just elegant and lively enough to jostle your palate.
Just a bit mulchy on the nose, which signals that is a wine from the hot 2003 vintage. The palate sits on raisin and mocha, and there's even a creamy, thick feel to it. If you like rich, Porty flavors that border on dessert, it's likable. But be prepared for it to hit with a thud.
Clean and focused up front, with appealing cola, cherry and plum aromas. If you like wild berry flavors and juicy, borderline aggressive acidity, then Deyo fits your request. It's a fairly rough, spunky wine with finishing notes of espresso and bitter chocolate. Should match well with salty, robust foods.
Inky dark, with deep berry, sandalwood and sawmill aromas. Color and potency are not lacking in this modern-styled Tempranillo, which hits like a hammer. Feelwise, this is a tough, angular wine that will benefit from another year or two of aging. Now it's very tight and tannic, with piercing acidity.
Superripe, such that it's medicinal and pruny. The nose reeks of reduced blueberry and cassis, while the palate is soft, low in acidity and full of ripe, dark raisin, prune and spice cake flavors. If you like a dense wine, this is it. But expect it to be Port-like and on the liqueur-ish side. Drink now.
Fresh and perfumed, this wine offers great citric flavors, a lively crispness rare in white wines from central Portugal. Pear and some yellow fruits give roundness.
Lightly scented with melon, white peach and nectarines, this elegant Pinot Blanc has retained its bright acidity, wrapping it around the fresh, tangy fruit flavors. It is perfectly balanced and just slightly sweet, from fruit more than sugar. A lovely apéritif, it finishes lightly spicy with flavors of fresh cut pear.
Ripe grapefruit aromas take care of the nose, while the palate shows smooth-edged citrus and grapefruit flavors. For a warm-vintage wine, this one is holding in pretty well; it has a plump body but enough liveliness to do what it should with food. Drink now; it's not getting any better.
The merest hint of lemon oil appears on the nose. The palate is present with concentration and poise: all that is to be had for now is zesty ripe lemon and stone. This will take time to unfold as it holds generous fruit at its presently tight, taut core. It is the midpalate concentration and zestiness that promise so much. Drink from 2020 through 2040.
This is a finely structured wine that will age well. With black-plum fruits, layers of dark young tannins and balanced acidity, it is both juicy and full of great ripe swathes of fruit. From the cru estate that is owned by Louis Jadot in Beaune, it is impressive and worth aging. Drink from 2018.
Beautifully pure notions of sun-ripened mirabelle plum appear on the nose, edged with aromatic hints of ivy and herb. The palate makes the fine ripe fruit even more distinct, presenting it on a concentrated body made taut by clearly delineated, lively citrus freshness. This is pristine and beautiful, lasting and impressive. The finish shines with the expressive purity.
Intriguing layers of fruit and herbs interplay on the delicious nose of this bottling, showing bay leaf, thyme, oregano, pepper, hibiscus and cherry. The palate is rich and savory, with more of the same roasting herbs as well as fig, black olive, black pepper, fennel and purple-flower flavors. It's quite rich and delicious.
Stone flint and smoke join a lovely combination of superripe orange and juicy mandarin. The palate focuses even more on these luscious juicy citrus flavors. It gets direction from gentle but definite lemon freshness. With a little air, an earthier aspect grounds this beautifully and gives a three-dimensional picture of aroma, flavor and texture with immense and intense length.
The generous appetizing aromas of very ripe yellow plums and apricots play on the nose. The palate shows equal generosity and ripeness. It is cut by totally focused lemon-zest freshness that just tingles all the senses. This has tension and excitement and lots of concentration that make this long lived and impressive. The finish is supremely aromatic. Drink now–2035.
There's a lot to love in this bottling for those who enjoy cooler-climate Syrah. But the tons of cracked black pepper, asphalt and gamy funk meet with enough elderberry and lavender to appeal to others as well. The palate packs a wide array of flavors, from anise to lavender to cracked peppercorn, with savory tar, dried elderberry and even some elderflower showing as well.
English breakfast tea, light plum, dark strawberry, rhubarb, thyme and lavender swirl in the heady nose of this bottling. It's elegant and floral on the palate, with more lavender and lots of bergamot and Earl Grey flavors that linger long through the finish.
Smoke and vanilla spice hover above appetizing notions of tart red-berry fruit. The body is light and spicy and has a touch of fragrant conifer and an abundance of lovely unforced cranberry and red cherry. There is a pervasive freshness and elegance to this wine, which lifts it well above the ordinary. Pinot lovers will rejoice in the spice and light-footedness, but there is a serious beautiful core of fruit and a lasting peppery finish.
Portfolio is a full-on, five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend—half Merlot. Dark, dense and textural, it's loaded with blackberry and black cherry fruit, swathed in baking spices, cinnamon and mocha. The tannins are beautifully managed, and it should drink magnificently through the mid-2020s.
A wonderfully funky notion of yeast precedes the full ripe yellow plum fruit on the nose and segues into a salty, spicy and peppery palate. Concentration and flavor reverberate with a lemony citrus zing. A great varietal expression of Grüner's dual spice and fruit nature in an elegant package with lots of drive.
The spicy nose already signals joy: Bosc pear is edged with mandarin and white-pepper spice. The concentrated palate flows with ripe juicy white-fleshed pear fruit but is given direction by gentle ripe citrus freshness and sheer bundling of flavor. There is welcome texture to the midpalate and beautifully penetrating zestiness. The finish is long and very moreish.
The most easily accessible of J. Lohr's Bordeaux series, this Cabernet Franc-led ode to Saint-Émilion opens with caramel, vanilla and crème de cassis on the lavish nose. There is ample structure on the palate, with medium tannins, but it's soft enough to enjoy now, with rich fudge, clove and chai flavors laid across tasty black fruits.
Elegant aromas of gingerbread spice, baked blueberry, blackberry and vanilla show on the nose of this layered bottling. Flavors are well integrated and presented atop a soft but noticeable structure, thick with lavender, beef, black currant and allspice on the finish.
The essence of the appellation smokes out from the glass, offering hints of cracked pepper, bacon, clove and leather. It's reasonably full-bodied for Côte Rôtie, with feral, smoked-meat flavors, ample spice and plenty of the concentrated plummy fruit. Tannins are silky, making this approachable now, but likely capable of aging well for at least 10–15 years.
Beautiful savoriness rises from the glass—pepper and yeast, but also something of pine and watercress. The palate swings with all of these flavors and embeds them on a rich cushion of gentle fruit: ripe yellow pear and juicy yellow plum. The white pepper always edges its way in and tempers the generosity of the fruit. This simply is gorgeous and very moreish.
Initially closed, this elegant vibrant red slowly reveals alluring aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, French oak, violet and a whiff of new leather. The full-bodied polished palate delivers ripe black cherry, chopped mint, star anise and pipe tobacco alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and velvety tannins. It's still young and will be even better after a few more years in the cellar. Drink 2020–2033.
Ruben “The Grape Whisperer” Solorzano leaves the vineyard to try his hand in the cellar, and the results are magical. Deep rose and fresh lilac aromas make for an extreme florality, followed by blackberry and black-plum scents. Purple flowers also show on the palate, where a nice sizzle of acidity unleashes candied grape flavors and a spicy pepper element.
The perfumed, otherworldly scent of blood orange works its charm on the nose of this lovely wine. The palate is equally juicy and aromatic: tart and soft, edgy and pliant, plump and lip-smacking, juicy and bracing. The palate is streamlined and fresh, hinting constantly at this world of flavor, if you only give in to it—so moreish, so long.
This is an extracted and dark style of Cab, showing tar, black pepper, espresso, deep purple fruit and loam on the nose. Baked black plum, elderberry and blackberry fruits show strongly on the palate, which is made deliciously complex by mocha, coffee syrup and cracked pepper accents. Mouthcoating tannins ensure a long cellar life; it should cellar well through 2034.
This small-production wine is dense in currant and licorice tones, both generous and lengthy on the palate. Firm tannins lend solid structure, with ample acidity to balance. A clove flavor adds depth to the fruit and lingers on the enduiring finish.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc opens with intense aromas of black-skinned fruit, purple flower, oak and exotic spice. The taut, elegant palate offers black currant, black cherry, chopped mint and white pepper alongside bright acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins. It's still youthfully austere, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2033.
The gentlest fruit, the ripest notions, the freshest palate: there is something about the Traisental wines that strikes you as more filigree than the rest of Austria. This Riesling is a case in point with very fine-boned, clearly delineated citrus fruit. Seville orange peel and ripe tangerine makes this a subtle joy.
Lovely white-flower aromas of lily, tuberose and plumeria are elegant and engaging without being overpowering. These pair nicely with the light mango, crushed sea shell and petrol touch of the nose. Coconut, both dried flakes and milk, shows strongly on the creamy sip, along with honeysuckle, pineapple and fragrant white fruit.
From a site that reaches up to 1,800 feet and dates back grape-growing wise to before the Civil War, this wine is bold and beautiful. It's a study in dusty leather, black pepper and cigar, allowing sauvage, savory aspects to speak louder than fruit. Full bodied and robustly structured, it offers a memorable Tahitian-vanilla note on the finish.
Perfumed in a wildness of violet and lavender, this beautiful wine is rich and smooth on the palate, both textured and layered. Seductive in its hint of leathery white pepper, it develops brambly blackberry-compote flavors as it opens in the glass.
Very smoky notes of oak become apparent first. This needs some air to open more, when the initial smoke is followed by dark sumptuous floral-tinged berries. The peony-scented blueberry and bramble note is highlighted on the palate by fine freshness. The tannins are ultrafine and gentle, while the wine is full bodied but still taut. This is for the longer run. Drink 2020–2030.
The sun-ripened skin of yellow mirabelle plums and their ripe flesh suggest both texture and fruitiness. This burgeons with gloriously ripe fruit, which attains an apricot touch on the palate, but is held firmly and with beautiful poise by lemon zestiness and citrus freshness. A wonderful combination of generosity and tang with lovely concentration, brilliant fruit and a long finish.
This site continues to wow, especially when featured by this grower-producer. Light, bright and lemony in initial aroma and flavor, it develops additional complexity and nuance in the glass, alighting in apple crumble, anise and mouthfilling succulence, the minerality well defined and vibrantly fresh.
This wine is both incredibly pretty and wild, a tenacious quality of feral forest and ocean at its core. Honeysuckle and rose provide the beauty first, followed by a depth of gorgeous cherry, strawberry and rhubarb, the fruit alive and fresh atop a gravelly texture of complexity.
Chemical-leaning aromas jump out on a last-legs nose. This feels dull and low on pulse, with only a hint of acidity. Mealy bitter apricot flavors finish pithy.
Two samples of this Cabernet were tasted and both are reduced and smell like spray paint. A clampy tannic palate offers stewy black-fruit flavors in front of an overoaked finish. This lacks flow and doesn't seem entirely natural.
This is a rustic red that smells dusty and sun-baked, tastes earthy, well-aged and dry, and has moderate tannins and acidity.
Scattershot aromas of generic berry and cinnamon smell forced and fake. This has a tannic scrubbing mouthfeel and artificial flavors of chocolate and cheap oak. A green note and burn on the finish do nothing to help this along.
This fruitless Garnacha Blanca smells a bit too much like rotting compost. A plump palate holds bitter flavors in front of a pithy finish. Overall, there's very little that's good about this.
The offbeat, savory nose is certainly complex, and the flavors follow in a similar vein, showing hints of onion and soft-ripened cheese. It's light in body, with a touch of residual sugar and a short finish.
Smoky and confected, with candied apple and sugared peach notes that come across as cloying.
Chemicalized aromas of lemon peel and turpentine are offputting. This feels bland and tastes oxidized and bitter.
Muddled candied aromas smell uniquely unnatural and forced. This is choppy and jagged in the mouth, while a strange set of fake-oak and murky berry flavors are prominently on display.
This is a major wine from a great white wine vintage that's naturally impressive and intense. Ripe white and yellow fruit dominates the palate, sustained by wood aging flavors and tight, nervy texture. Bâtard-Montrachet is largest of the five white Grand Crus in Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet. Drink from 2024.
The highly sought-after, perennially beautiful and brawny Hillside Select is 100% estate grown and 100% varietal. It wows after three years in barrel, painting a lush picture of tobacco, tea and firm, integrated tannin dusted in smoky clove scents. Intensely peppery, its youthful blackberry and cherry flavors shine through but will benefit from even more time in bottle, through 2032.
This is a powerhouse of a wine—structured and dense yet still developing and closed at this young stage. There's already a sense of both fruit richness and mineral texture, underpinned by oak spice, yet it will grow more powerful with time. Drink from 2023.
The largest of the four grands crus in Morey-Saint-Denis, this vineyard gives the most structured wines. This bottling, with its tannins and power, is no exception. While it shows plenty of rich black, perfumed fruit, it also has an immense structure of tight tannins are balanced by juicy acidity. Drink from 2027.
This wine produced from vines on the Corton hill is dense and dark, with great power and concentration. Its rich, dark fruit is paired with intense, juicy acidity, ensuring slow development over many years. Drink from 2025.
Although there is some Trincadeira in the blend, this legendary wine is really a paean to Alicante Bouschet. Produced in traditional open stone fermenters, it exudes power and density. Black plum and berry fruit contends with concentrated tannins that are still very much in evidence. Determinedly old style in approach, it will age for many years. Drink from 2021.
From vines inside the Les Clos Grand Cru purchased in 1904 from the Hospices de Chablis, this is a richly structured wine. It's dense with layers of flavor and great aging potential. Wood and smoky flavors are still calming down to give a wine that will be impressive and long-lived. Drink from 2023.
This high-toned, lovely wine is a best-of blend from several vineyards—primarily Ritchie and Banfield. Sugar pie apple and fig flavors form a robustly concentrated fruitiness that's ribbed with vibrant minerality. A clarified butter-like creaminess comes through on the finish.
From one of the larger of the great grands crus of Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echézeaux, this is a dark, structured wine. It has power and juicy acidity that drive its black plum and berry fruit flavors. A dry core of tannins promises many years of maturing. Drink from 2026.
Red berry, wild mint, crushed rose, forest floor and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant delicious red. Seamlessly boasting structure and finesse, the full-bodied palate displays layers of succulent morello cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and cinnamon while firm velvety tannins lend support and a polished texture. A savory saline note wraps up the lingering finish. Drink 2018–2026.
Beautifully balanced, this opens with alluring scents of wild berry, rose, baking spice and whiffs of chopped herb. Seamlessly combining ripe fruit and the firm's trademark finesse, the bright elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of black tea framed in polished tannins and fresh acidity. It's already tempting but the best is yet to come. Drink 2021–2031.
Next door to the top grand cru of Chambertin, this vineyard, with its east-facing exposure, is one of the stars of Gevrey-Chambertin. This vintage is hugely rich—ripe with voluminous fruit and smoky hints from the wood aging. It has density and the potential for long aging. Drink from 2025.
A testament to the power of Paso Robles' wines, this blend of 37% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 29% Syrah is dense, dark and viscous, showing candied blackberry, crème de cassis and pressed violet aromas, accented with cola and mocha notes. Soft, lush tannins massage the palate, growing grippier with time, while boisterous acidity releases blackberry, espresso and crushed slate flavors. Immensely likable now, it will also last for years.
Truffle, forest floor, baked plum and cake spice aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather and pipe tobacco on this bold full-bodied red. The enveloping palate seamlessly combines concentration and finesse, doling out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and mocha alongside big velvety tannins that give the finish nice grip and a polished texture. This will give decades of enjoyment. Drink 2020–2037.
This grand cru bottling comes from vines owned by Louis Jadot. It's firmly structured, as befits a wine from this village, and shows a predominance of red fruit and acidity. However, with its dry core and concentration, it will need to age. Drink from 2025.
This is made in tiny amounts, which is heartbreakingly sad given its deliciousness and provenance, the grapes hailing from the Rochioli Sweetwater site on Westside Road. Spice box and sweet black-cherry flavors are lightly oaked and layered with velvety texture, the wine full-bodied and totally balanced.
Electric acidity and pure, pristine fruit collide in this full-bodied Riesling. Dry in style, it offers layers of crisp green melon, apple and lime flavors, with a textural density that's profoundly majestic. While beautiful already, its mineral richness should only intensify over the next decade.
You'll need to swirl the glass a few times to release the enticing scents of yellow stone fruit, Alpine herb and an intriguing smoky note. The savory vibrant palate is more expressive, delivering layers of crunchy green apple, zesty tangerine and juicy yellow peach set against crisp acidity. A flinty mineral note graces the lingering finish, lending even more depth. Drink through 2020.
Sweet, spicy fruit, with nicely matched toasty oak framing it. Everything balances out; this actually has the best balance and most seductive fruit of the three Lolonis bottlings, and certainly represents the best value.
Wow, is this sweet—tooth-achingly sweet. The aromas and flavors are relatively pure and free of botrytis; instead you get boatloads of ripe pear and melon flavors, huge thickness and weight, and decent acidity. Almost too rich and sweet for its own good.
Big, ripe, chocolaty wine, with lots of forward, smooth, oaky flavors. Easy to like, with a plush, creamy mouthfeel, and tons of new oak flavor.
A delightful blend of cracked black pepper, blackberries and hung game aromas lead into a surprisingly plush mouthfeel that's laden with cherry and berry fruit. The finish blends in some dark coffee flavors for extra complexity.
Lovely attack, plummy and evolved, with no rough edges. The fruit is soft and sweet, layered and full, and the overall palate impression is of elegance and balance. This is a terrific drink-me-now bottle with nicely aged flavors.
The dark color tells you right away this is no ordinary vin de pays. Then you sniff it and get cedar, black currants and blackberries. The finish has juicy acidity and dusty tannins, suggesting a couple years' cellaring may be warranted. Impressive.
Sure it's oaky, but it tastes good, with the subtle menthol and bold vanilla flavors serving to highlight bright cherries. The silky texture is a highlight, then the finish shows off juicy fruit and fine tannins.
Spicy, ripe fruit, with an edge to it. Well-defined wine, which shows briar, toast, berry and coffee flavors sprinkled throughout. Well-built, sturdy, a little hot, but balanced and long.
Vidal has a peculiar bouquet that I have a hard time describing. This one boasts muskmelon, litchi and kumquat aromas, backed by a honeyed sweetness and grapefruit-like acids. Intense—verging on overblown—this is a fine example of what this French-American hybrid is capable of producing.
Old vines from Russian River and Alexander valleys go into this spicy, briary, gamy Zin. There's a dark undercurrent of tar, pipe tobacco and smoke that runs through the finish. The fruit is subsumed to clove and tobacco flavors; best with strongly spiced grilled foods.
Cocoa and cedar aromas dominate the bouquet, but then some dark fruit emerges on the palate. It's dense, rich and flavorful, but lacks the elegance and finesse to score higher.
Lots of sharp-edged oak around a soft, plummy, chocolate-covered cherry of a wine. Smooth and easy-drinking, up to a fairly tannic finish. The acids keep everything in balance.
Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries, with smooth coffee and cream flavors streaking through the finish. Nicely made in a clean, classic Napa Zin style.
Good, thick, black cherry fruit, dense tannins, with a dark, dense, chalky finish. This is manly Zin—muscular, balanced and heavy. Great for outdoor grilling.
This is bright and smooth, with forward berry fruit and just the right amount of chocolaty oak. Supple and tangy, with a lip-smacking finish.
Some of Seghesio's plantings are over a century old, and the wine has a classic, briary quality to it. Supple and inviting, it drinks well now but has the balance and structure to age for a few years.
High toned, alcoholic nose, with cherry nail-polish scents. Cherries and plums fill the mouth, along with tongue-lashing tannins. The blend includes 6% Grenache and 4% Mourvèdre, which gives it a nice, peppery edge. Lots of flavor for this price.
Opulent richness combines with an aromatic delicacy, with honey, orange and acacia. The freshness and acid-sweetness balance of Castelnau are already accessible.
There's no denying the wine's core strengths, which start with the bouquet's campfire and prune qualities and extend onto the palate, where peppy raspberry and plum flavors take over. This is a complete, stylish Rioja that's about halfway through the aging process. It's still juicy and agile, with licorice and raisin notes adding some sweetness. Drink now–2016.
Richly tropical in nature, with ripe flavors suggesting peaches and mangoes framed by lingering hints of butter and toast. It's a plump, amply endowed version of this wine, but may not be as long lived as some other vintages. Drink now–2010.
Only the second garrafeira (the name means special selection) made by the Borba cooperative, this is a serious, complex wine that wears its tannins and rich fruits lightly. The dried fruits, chocolate and edge of bitterness all promise aging potential. There's a fresh, juicy feel to the aftertaste, before the spice from wood aging kicks back in.
A firm wine with fine structure and balance. The nose is fiery and rustic early on, then seductive as it opens up. The palate exhibits currents of raspberry, cherry and plum, and below the surface there's vanilla and brown sugar. A smooth operator that shows the Campo Viejo brand in its best light.
This is close to dry in style, with its baked apple and spice flavors supported by stony, mineral notes and ample (12.5%) alcohol. It's fairly full-bodied for a German Riesling, finishing with hints of mineral oil that cling to the palate. Drink now.
With a gold glint and put-together aromas of peach, candle wax, mineral and citrus, this is very nice Albariño that's now fully ripe, mature and drinking at its best. The palate pits juicy melon against dry papaya; it's big, ripe, full and the perfect foil for all sorts of white-friendly foods. Only 1,000 cases made of this reserve-style wine.
Pleasantly plump and custardy in texture, this complex, mouthfilling wine offers a whirl of aromas and flavors, ranging from fresh asphalt to lime custard and green apple. By the finish, any objectionable notes have vanished, leaving a clean, lingering finish beaming with elegance. Consider decanting if drinking in the near future, or simply hold 3–5 years before sampling.
Earthy and leathery on the bouquet, with a cooked, charred element. Feels drawing but solid, with choppy tannins and flavors of baked berries, herbs and charred oak. Finishes warm and meaty, with an herbal note.
Rooty and mildly sweet on the nose, then tight and zesty in the mouth, with crisp red-fruit flavors and citrusy snap. Feels entirely lean and crisp, even a bit tangy. But sometimes fresh, basic Rioja has its place.
A good value selection, with green notes of bell pepper, asparagus and lime on the nose and in the mouth. Lightweight, with good lift and a herbal character that lingers on the finish.
Mocha notes are upfront on the nose, with supporting fruit elements of raspberry and cherry flesh. Medium weight with a touch of bitter fruit-skin flavors in the mouth, and a short but clean finish. Easy and straightforward; drink now.
Hannah Nicole's Merlot is one of its better wines, tasting of red plum and vanilla-laced toasted oak, its tannins grippy, with plenty of dried herb flavors in the background. Smooth and big.
Red plum and small berries lead the nose of this Merlot, with hints of dusty dried blackberry in the back. The palate offers similar flavors, with a touch of sweet spice hanging on to the short but clean finish.
A simple, straightforward Cab. It shows herb and green pepper amid clove and currant and it's low enough in alcohol not to mess you up. A perfectly fine everyday wine.
An inexpensive Merlot that's herbal. It also shows cranberry and menthol amid a light toasting of oak.
Mild and powdery smelling, with inviting tropical undertones. The palate mixes flesh with freshness, and the flavors of lychee, green melon and white pepper are straight from the textbook. Finishes mildly bitter, which is natural for Mendoza Torrontés.
Granular and punchy upfront, with heat and animal fur aromas on the nose. Settles with airing, revealing a heavy but solid palate with plenty of oak and candied red-fruit flavors. Falls off on the finish, with mint, resin and herbal notes.
Another faintly copper-hued Pinot Grigio from the Oatley family, this one offers modest apple, melon and citrus notes, medium body and a slightly tannic edge to the tart, lemony finish. Drink now.
Skin-driven red fruit characteristics abound on the nose, alongside soft vanilla and purple floral accents. Cherry and mulberry flavors dominate in the lightly-structured mouth, and the wine closes with a mouthwatering freshness.
Charred wood notes on the nose and palate lend a smoky, slightly herbal tone to dense, richly concentrated black-cherry flavors. The char subsides substantially with aeration, revealing a well-composed wine that balances power with elegance.
An interesting grape typically produced in South Africa, this Pinotage is a pleasant alternative to more typical Israeli Kosher offerings. Menthol dominates the bouquet, with background notes of dark fruit and purple florals. Black berry, anise and coffee appear in the dark, velvety-textured mouth and linger through the long finish. Definitely worth a try, and will probably surprise you.
This wine costs a lot for what it's giving. The nose starts out hard and fruitless, and while the aromas come around, the wine always holds onto its corn and haystack character. Zippy acidity gives the mouth zest, and it also livens up papaya, banana and apricot flavors. Complex and different, but does it taste good enough to justify a $78 price tag?
Starts out stewy, with exotic spice aromas that are uncommon but not unpleasant. That unusual spicy character persists throughout, and the feel is chewy and meaty while the fruit veers toward stewed blackberry, nutmeg and anise. A different breed of cat but a good one nonetheless. Drink now.
A very easy-drinking white from Newsome Harlow that's mostly Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains (75%) with 15% Viognier and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel. Fermented dry, though the finish definitely veers a tad sweet, the wine is full of aromatic apricot and peach with spice notes throughout, a full body and plenty of acidity.
Nicely complex for a wine in this price range, with slightly stemmy notes, tea leaves and berries. This medium-bodied wine is nicely silky in texture, with flavors of berry zinger tea and citrus zest finishing crisp and lingering. Drink now.
Paritua's high-end blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc is sweetly scented, with notes of mocha, cassis and tobacco, and velvety in texture, with a long, supple finish. The issue is that the flavors veer close to vegetal, and while some folks like a bit of capsicum in their red wines, this has a rather large dose.
Starts off with hints of cedar and brown sugar, but also notions of decaying leaves, ripe cherries and cremini mushrooms. The tannins are silky, while the acids stick out a tiny bit on the finish. Drink this already maturing Central Otago Pinot over the next year or two.
There are a number of lovely Cab Francs coming from the Finger Lakes, but the smell of ripe red cherries accented with rich mocha, vanilla and smoke make Atwater's especially enticing. Lusciously fruity on the palate with intense blackberry and raspberry flavors, it's balanced with rustic notes of bramble, herbs, earth and violets. Soft tannins and smoke carry through to a long finish.
Marked by a touch of struck flint on the nose, this wine delivers Sherwood's customary fresh nettle-like aromas and flavors. It's grassy and pungent yet light and zesty in style, with enough citrus fruit to help the greens go down easily. Drink now.
Sweet and oaky, and a little bit forced, but even so this is a natural, full-bodied Chardonnay with a chunky palate and tropical, sweet flavors. As it opens it goes more into the banana, vanilla and papaya field of play, and it finishes decidedly creamy and round. Very good stuff from Tamaya.
Lean and angular on the nose, with crisp cherry and rhubarb aromas. Surprisingly elegant in the mouth, with citrus notes, zesty raspberry, clean cherry and a lightness of being. Nice in an unassuming way, with a touch of complexity.
Full, solid and dishing pretty aromas of blackberry, dark plum and mild spice. Sturdy in the mouth, with nice balance and above-average mouthfeel. Tastes ripe, lightly toasted and it finishes smooth if a bit short. Textbook value Malbec; easy to like.
Ladoix is a forgotten Burgundy village that can offer good value. This wine with its strawberry fruits and gentle tannins fits the bill. There is a fine, ripe feel to it, and a dry edge that sets off the fruitiness.
This Napa producer based in the Chiles Valley has made a big style of Cab here, with plenty of tannins and black currant aromas and flavor but the wine's acidity tastes a touch out of balance and could improve with time. Producer recommends waiting to open until 2013.
Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.
Densely fruited and full in body, this Pinot offers a whopping mouthful of rich, preserved plum flavor flecked with hints of burnt sugar and dried herbs. Bright acidity and soft, smooth tannins add finesse and elegance.
There is some weight on this young tasting wine. The tannins are beginning to allow the red berry and damson fruits to open up. Touches of wood round it out for aging.
Woody on the nose, with aromas of tree bark, pepper, cola and black fruit. The palate is tight but under control, with spiced black plum and herbal berry flavors. Toasty and healthy on the finish, but also slightly bitter tasting, with zesty lasting acidity.
Dark and heavy from the beginning, with thick berry, smoked meat, olive and earthy aromas. Concentrated and stout in the mouth, with blackberry, blueberry and chocolate flavors mixed with herbs and big tannins. Sweet berry and mocha flavors control the finish.
Rich, ripe blackberry preserves, vanilla and toasted coconut flavors make this full bodied Cab Franc feel deliciously warm and generous in style. A sharp whiff of graphite and lean acidity on the midpalate add structure and balance on the finish.
This vintage's blend is 50% Syrah, 25% Cinsault and smaller percentages of other varieties. It's an oaky, cedar-tinged, gamy red that's big in the mouth, dense and tannic with Michael David's smoky signature.
While soft on the nose with a generous dose of cooked black fruit, Jamesport's Bloc E is surprisingly crisp and lean on the palate. Pristine red fruit shines amidst layers of mocha, spice and forest floor, finishing on a grippy, darkly toasted wood note.
This is a moderately aromatic Viognier, with notes of white peach, yellow apple, and flowers. It's medium bodied and clean, with a textured feel but doesn't quite have the fruit concentration to match.
The nose on this choppy Cabernet deals red-fruit, tomato and pepperoni-like aromas. The palate is full of life and tight acidity, while the flavor profile is gritty and includes baked plum and saltiness. A BBQ'd, oaky finish carries plenty of the wine's racy acidity, leaving mild tartness.
The aromas are light and elusive, with the palate bringing broad, medium-bodied, fresh cranberry flavors. It's cleanly made, if a bit innocuous.
Aragonez, aka Tempranillo, here produces a ripe, juicy, red-fruit laden wine. Hedgerow fruits add a more stalky character to the palate. The whole wine is generously suffused with fresh acidity. Screwcap.
Black-fruit aromas are ripe and a little earthy. This is a thick yet jumpy wine with some aggression to the palate. Flavors of sweet, ripe berry fruits are basic and finish hot and toasty, with a coffee note.
One of the most popular Vinho Verdes, this is in a light, medium-sweet style. Very fresh and crisp, with some attractive citrus acidity, and ready to drink now. Screwcap.
Blending Castelão and Arinto from the high elevation Quinta dos Loridos, this is a tight, bright wine, with an edge of almond bitterness, as well as citrus fruits. It's a crisp, bone-dry wine with no dosage.
This is a very perfumed wine, with the addition of Moscatel in the blend, adding the lychee flavor. It's textured with a crisp edge that allows the wine to retain its fresh character. This is a wine to be drunk young.
After nothing but busts in the past, this Sémillon is in good shape but won't stay fresh for long. Aromas of hay and stalky fruits are a bit strained. In the mouth, it's got good feel and flavors of nectarine and grapefruit. Bitter almond skin flavors control the finish on this textured, warm wine.
Pure blackberry aromas are friendly, however the palate is scratchy and sharp, with acidity that creates angularity and tartness. That's offset by generic black-fruit flavors and a touch of mocha. This is good Monastrell although the acidity is piercing.
Bical produces delicious pear and apple flavored wines. This bright, fruity wine is a fine example of this creamy freshness. It is a wine for drinking now, while fresh and crisp at the end.
There is a roasted, slightly burnt scent to this wine, leading into smoky flavors of ground coffee and tar, wrapped around light red fruit.
Whispers of smoke and flint on the nose of this intensely minerally Sauvignon Blanc blow off to reveal a bright, elegantly balanced wine with hints of fresh green grass and stems. It's brisk and refreshing, with an easy drinking feel.
For a basic Chardonnay, this fits the bill. Citrus and peach aromas are standard and clean. The palate is tight and juicy, with no overt oak feel. Flavors of melon and pear have light spice and vanilla accents, while the finish is crisp.
This is a bright, fruity wine, full of acidity and generous red fruit flavors with a soft texture. This will be ready to drink in a year.
A lightly perfumed wine, this is soft with warm strawberry flavors. The acidity and texture play a supporting role in this ripe, light-bodied wine.
This is a huge Pinot Noir—big-boned all around—tasting of warm climate fruit, with bulky tannins and a heavy oak presence. Let it open a bit to let out the dark plum and earthy spice flavors.
Minty green aromas blend with leathery red-fruit scents on what amounts to a gritty bouquet. The mouthfeel on this single-vineyard Malbec is rubbery, rugged and tannic, with a beam of tangy acidity keeping it moving. Flavors of rubber, salty berry and spice are sharp, and the finish is tannic.
Sharp scents of saddle leather lead into a tannic, earthy wine that remains stubbornly closed even after some hours.
Big, broad and ripe, with an opulent texture, flavors of black plums. along with soft tannins and a smooth surface. The wine is developing well, offering rich fruit that will deepen in a couple of years.
A smooth-textured wine that shows some ripe Merlot, firm fruit tannins and soft spice. There is an edge of wood, but the fruit is bright enough to cope. It should develop well into a rich wine.
This biodynamic Rhône blend is equal parts of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, co-fermented with native yeast. It's a splendid example of the non-interventionist style, rich, and textural. The yeasty flavors are refreshing—pear and apple and cucumber fruit holding down the center—clean and solid. The wine gains power and brings in some toasty barrel flavors as it rolls into the finish.
There's a delicate lemon scent, leading into a mix of citrus, grapefruit peel and honeysuckle. The wine gains weight in the mouth, showing ripe fruit (yellow apples) and a soft, lightly oxidized finish with toasted coconut and cracker. Quite delicious, distinctive and rich.
A zesty, lemon wine, with an intriguing series of herbal and animal flavors, this is not a wine to go unnoticed. It has weight, with spice and nut flavors adding to the fruit. Drink with shellfish or sharp cheese.
Vista Hills is in a sweet spot in the Dundee Hills, with neighbors including DDO and Domaine Serene. This puts the fruit front and center, a panoply of berries and melon, lightly edged with toast. Warm, forward and palate-friendly, it rolls into a finish with a hint of sassafras.
From its bright floral nose to its soft, sweet finish, there's a gorgeous femininity to this outstanding Riesling. Dry in style but accented by notes of pink grapefruit and lychee, Magdalena's daintiness is kept in check with a bracing acidity and elegant white tea astringency.
Nice black cherry and black currant fruit flavors are wrapped in a casing of stone and earth. This wine seems to be holding itself back, perhaps just in need of further cellaring, certainly requiring decanting. It's compact, elegant and well balanced, but shy. A pleasing streak of truffle elevates the finish.
Fragrant with cranberry and strawberry fruit, this forward and appealing wine looks and drinks like a cru Beaujolais. The tasty fruit is delineated with a chocolate lining, and the tannins carry a whiff of fresh earth.
Soft-textured wine, with an edge of minerality, this is deliciously rich, while presenting plenty of fresh acidity. It is ripe, full in the mouth, an explosion of white and yellow fruits, with a great burst of acidity.
Light and aromatic, this delicate and poised wine seduces with lush aromas of cherries and baking spices. It has the elegance that only fine Pinot Noir can express. Here the subtleties have been coaxed into rich expression, with details of spice and incense and chocolate truffles adding to the lingering finish.
From selected parcels of Château Bélingard, this is a great success for the cool 2007 vintage. There is black berry richness to balance the severe tannins, while the element of freshness is well integrated into the final stalky acidity. Age for 3–4 years.
A big, fruity bold wine, packed with the ripest fruit, concentrated and complex, with room for tight acidity. It has citrus and green plum crispness, and needs time to fully integrate with the wood and ripe yellow fruits.
Very dark-purple fruit meet with crushed black rocks, dense purple flowers and roasted beef on the nose of this lush and delicious bottling, which is bolstered by bits of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Soft black cherry, caramel and vanilla flavors coat the palate, with slate, cocoa, espresso bean and graham cracker touches.
Blue and red fruit wrap around ample, tangy acidity in this medium-bodied, velvety textured wine, so classically styled for the appellation. Pomegranate, rhubarb and floral rose are all highlighted along its gradual evolution in the glass.
This rich and generous Grand Cru Classé is full of dark fruit and tannins and is ready to drink. It has weight, juicy acidity and black plum and berry flavors. Ripe, with the perfume of Cabernet Franc, it's entering maturity now and should very drinkable until at least 2025.
Fresh raspberry sorbet aromas meet with an herbal edge of pine oil, eucalyptus leaf, green peppercorn and dark sandalwood on the very compelling nose of this bottling by Edgar Torres. It's extremely lively on the palate, light in body but heavy in acid and tannic structure, with wild thyme, mint and sage decorating the mellow red-fruit flavors.
Ian Brand is a student of old vines, and it shows in this bottling from a century-old vineyard about 20 minutes south of San Jose. Rose petals, potpourri, dried strawberry and hibiscus-laced rooibos tea aromas transport one back to an old perfumery shop. Then the palate combines the woody tea spices with tart red berries, tarragon and dewy herbs. Fascinating stuff.
Blackberry syrup, vanilla, mocha and a flash of mint are cut by a rocky edge on the nose of this blend of 58% Tempranillo, 21% Grenache and 21% Malbec. Extremely soft and welcoming tannins meet with solid acidity on the palate, where rich black fruit, hoisin sauce and Chinese five-spice flavors arise.
Headlining a most impressive debut lineup from this new boutique is this two-barrel reserve. Sourced from the Two Blondes (Andrew Will) vineyard, it's a thick and dense and delicious wine, packed with black cherry, chocolate and espresso. It belongs in the top ranks of all Washington Cab Francs. Yes, the alcohol is up there, but the smooth power of this wine more than justifies it.
Deep blackberry fruit and salt-and-pepper spice is brushed with warm washes of clove, cardamom and dried ginger on the savory nose of this bottling named after Ruben “The Grape Whisperer” Solorzano. The palate starts with a burnt coffee touch, set against fine-grained tannins that are structural but soft, and then come cassis, cola spice and black-cherry-liqueur flavors.
Spectacular aromas of sea salt, dried lemon peels, seared mandarins, chamomile, lemongrass, kaffir lime and plumeria make the mouth water simply upon smelling this savory wine. The sip is loaded with tension and judicious acidity, and yet the flavors are soft, from lemon meringue to crisp pluot and vanilla dust.
Tart cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon stick, rose petals and mulling spices show on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard by longtime regional winemaker Jeff Fink. It's invigorating on the palate, where ripe strawberry meets with rose hips and eucalyptus oil, proving mellow and subtle in structure yet engaging on all flavor fronts.
This is a very strong showing for a brand new brand, thanks, no doubt, to veteran winemaker Jeff Fink's involvement. Tight on the nose with Meyer lemon pith, savory salts and a waft of oak smoke, the palate explodes with chalky tension and rich yet bright complexity. Flavors of white lily, peach and sea salt ride atop melted butter, leading into a caramelized finish.
From a Barsac-based producer who prefers to use the Sauternes appellation, this rich, intense wine has weight, opulence and layers of honey and botrytis flavors. While still young, it shows impressive apricot and liquorous flavors. Drink from 2022.
Organically grown grapes go into this very fine wine. Its structure and balance confirm that it's still young, bursting with juicy ripe berry fruit and with firm background tannins. Its great fruitiness is contrasted with the strength of those tannins and with its concentration. Drink from 2020.
Iris, pressed rose, pine forest, woodland berry and a balsamic note are just some of the inviting aromas you'll find on this delicious wine. The smooth concentrated palate doles out layers of raspberry compote, juicy Marasca cherry, cinnamon and clove framed in velvety tannins. A salty mineral note lingers on the finish. Drink through 2027.
This blend of 44% Malbec, 33% Petit Verdot and 23% Cabernet Franc shows lots of meaty notes on the nose, including both the charred edges and raw center of a prime rib slice, alongside blueberry and cedar oil. The blueberry core holds strong into the sip, where finely chiseled tannins provide a chalky mouthfeel and carry more flavors of black olive and charred wood.
Soft and layered, this perennially impressive vineyard-designate speaks highly of the variety, showing balanced offerings of plum, dark cherry, leather and spice. A smoky oak  character lies beneath the fruit, complementing it well, while an expansive tannic presence supports the wine's overall breadth and depth. Big boned, this is built to age yet entirely enjoyable now.
Quite dark and viscous in the glass, this bottling shows very concentrated, deep and intense aromas of black currant, charred rosemary, roasted meat and a hint of incense. There's a coffee and chai spice component to the sip alongside the persistent dark fruit, charcoal, black pepper and uplifting flavors of violet and lilac. Strong tannins ensure a long lie. Drink now through 2030.
Enticing scents of iris, violet, menthol and exotic spice emerge in the glass. Elegant and fresh, the polished, delicious palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and a potpourri of baking spices. It's beautifully balanced, with bright acidity and silky smooth tannins. While it's already accessible, it will also age for years. Drink 2018–2028.
Romaneira's position on the north bank of the Douro above Pinhao always delivers rich, smooth and powerful wine. Its tannins, beautifully integrated into the ripe black fruits, are rounded, offering a dry core and a rich future. The wine, the top offering from this estate, is almost ready to drink. Just wait until at least 2018.
This red comes from one of the appellation's most important vineyards. Immense amounts of black peppercorn and raw beef show on the nose of this awesome bottling, which also offers soy-crusted meats that are gamy but not harsh. Rosemary oil, pine needle and peppercorns decorate the palate. It has a meaty lamb-roast richness at its core.
Pungent aromas of tight-grained oak meet with almonds, pecans and lemon sorbet on the opulent attention-grabbing nose. Woody flavors of sandalwood and cedar continue to the palate, which is crisp, clean and salty but not unctuous at all, with tangy citrus on the finish.
Fermented in all new French oak, this wine opens with an enchanting nose of floral beauty and freshness. Its sophistication follows through on the rich, balanced palate of caramel, papaya and crème brûlée, the lushness countered by a stony grit.
Exuberant in mousse, this wine is luxurious and rich, the perfect quaff for any occasion. Made from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, and aged for three years, it's bright in bolts of green apple and strawberry.
This varietal wine is toasty in caramelized oak and richly interwoven with flavors and aromas of pencil shavings, plum and black currant. Grippy, with a velvety texture, it provides structure and power in equal parts.
From older vines planted on the producer's estate Quail Hill Vineyard, this wine is thickly concentrated, with a generosity of oak. Creamy, intense and well made, it features complex layers of golden apple, butter and lemon bar.
This is a highly perfumed and floral wine from the famous site, which is tangy and slightly tart within a medium-bodied frame. Lemon and baked apple play off each other with ease, as a metallic edge of stony minerality persists and expands.
Enticing and earthy, this opens with compelling aromas of truffle, tobacco, black-skinned fruit, menthol and a whiff of blue flower. The palate is both structured and elegant, delivering dried morello cherry, prune and pipe tobacco framed in taut fine-grained tannins that give it a firm velvety texture. It's still tightly wound and needs time. Drink 2022–2032.
Sharp Concord grape ripeness meets with a touch of chile pepper and dark tobacco on the nose of this bottling. The palate is redolent with aromatic woods, from cedar to sandalwood, as well as blueberries and dried herbs, but it's a tad thin.
Made with 40% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 30% Syrah, this informal red has subdued aromas of strawberry and orange peel. The easygoing palate offers red plum and a hint of brown spice alongside soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made with 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Syrah, this has subdued aromas of black-skinned fruit and dark baking spice. The simple palate shows black cherry and a hint of cedar alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This is a reasonably rich, concentrated example of Pinot Gris, but one that seems a bit repressed aromatically. It hints rather than suggests at fig, pear and melon, before ending on a weighty note.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, this medium- to full-bodied red features bright aromas of cherry, herb, chocolate and espresso, but turns dry and dusty-textured on the finish. Drink now.
Campfire, animal, horseradish and berry aromas make for a slightly difficult nose. This Malbec feels pinched, with tannic pull. Salty black-fruit flavors finish similar, with popping acidity that keeps this lively.
Clean pear and apple aromas come in front of a citrusy palate with just enough shearing acidity to keep things balanced. Ringing, lasting lime and orange flavors are slightly briny, while this finishes solid and zesty.
Subtle notes of bramble, smoke and raspberry entice on the nose of this dry rosé. While delicate in concentration, its supple silken mouthfeel and yielding acidity are approachable and comforting. The finish is bright and clean. Drink now.
This wine brings aromas and flavors of pear along with light tropical accents. The concentration dips toward the finish.
Spicy grassy aromas of catmint are matched by unusual clove scents. A tough rubbery palate is where you'll find spicy blackberry and green-herb flavors. Pulling tannins are the driving force on this wine's choppy clipped finish.
Produced from Henry Fessy's own cru vineyards, the wine is fruity and very accessible to drink young. Generous berry fruits and soft tannins make this an attractive wine. The aftertaste brings in light acidity. Drink now.
A shiny magenta color is pretty. This blend of Carmenère, Carignan and País smells of cherry and raspberry along with latex and iodine. A medium-bodied palate is home to foxy oaky herbal raspberry flavors, while medicinal berry notes steer the finish.
This is an estate-grown wine from a vineyard planted to three clones. It has an air of forested truffle, pine and cinnamon within a stemmy and somewhat unresolved body of medium weight.
This high-end bottling features fruit from 90+-year-old vines, aged for 12 months in oak. It's medium to full in body, with supple tannins and crisp acids. Notes of barrel char and cherries finish dry, with a rustic edge.
Grassy, slightly green aromas are fresh and suggest cactus pad. This is easy on the palate, with flavors of citrus fruits and green herbs, such as tarragon and rosemary. A crisp finish is just solid enough to maintain integrity.
Generic cherry and berry aromas are lightly herbal, jammy and medicinal. This mid-tier Cabernet is fresh and fair, nothing more. Everyday red-plum and cherry flavors end with a touch of leafy greenness.
As Marlborough becomes increasingly planted-out and pricy, expect to see more wine from Waipara, a region along the South Island's eastern coast. This light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc is somewhat neutral, but does show some attractive lime zest and grapefruit shadings. Drink now.
Bright but basic plum, spice and leather aromas are uncomplicated. This feels grabby and rugged, with chewy tannins. Leafy red-fruit flavors offer a jammy side note, while this finishes with dry, scouring tannins.
Made with 100% Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and French oak. The firm palate displays dried red cherry, tobacco and toasted oak but it doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to balance the evident wood sensations.
Savory, smoky tones lend a shadowy feel to fresh apple and pear flavors in this dry medium-bodied Pinot Gris. It's not deeply concentrated in fruit but refreshing and easy going. Drink now through 2018.
Angular plum and berry aromas are rubbery. This Syrah feels wide and blocky, but solid. Black-fruit flavors finish with drawing tannins and a shot of black coffee.
Fairly simple blackberry, olallieberry and strawberry fruits meet with just a touch of dried herbs and black spice on the nose of this bottling. It's very juicy on the sip, with more ollalieberry fruit.
Crisp and clean lines of tart apricot, nectarine, Gala apple and honeysuckle ride a steely frame that characterizes the nose of this wine. Minerality shows first on the sip, but then the wine becomes ripe with apple, pear and peach flavors. A green-apple-rind tartness arises on the finish.
Honeydew melon, just-sliced Gala apple and wet-cement aromas show on the nose of this bottling that starts to take on Jolly Rancher sour-apple scents. The simple palate is round and easy to enjoy, with ripe, slightly sweet green-apple flavors.
Oak, honey, toasted nut and lime aromas carry over to the firm palate along with mature yellow-apple skin. Lacking fruit richness, you'll detect evident alcohol while a note of bitter walnut closes the finish.
This bright wine has red fruit and just the hint of structure. It is still young, still bursting with energy. The tannins will develop quickly to give a crisp, fruity wine. Drink from mid-2017.
Steve Clifton captures freshness and vibrancy like few winemakers. This bottling shows deep and inviting tones of olallieberry, dill, anise, lavender and lilac on the nose. Powerful boysenberry fruit is lifted by spicy black pepper and even a chile zest on the palate, where strong acidity and firm tannins ensure long aging potential. It still needs a little time.
Tart strawberries and cream are spelled out joyously on the nose, some ripe apple comes into play as well. There is a rich well of generously creamy autolysis at the core, rounding out and buttressing those tender strawberry notes. Structure and poise are inherent. This is utterly appealing and very, very moreish—despite all its seriousness.
Tons of sagebrush, dried thyme and chaparral scrub enliven the dark mulberry fruit on the earthy nose of this bottling. It's a hearty mouthful of wine once sipped, with more sagebrush, clove and garrigue elements adding complexity to the juicy black fruits. There's quite an aromatic mintiness to the palate.
Lighter in color than many wines from the same appellation, this still packs a complex punch on the nose, with snappy cranberry, crushed slate and peppercorn aromas. The zesty palate conveys baked strawberry, clove and pine forest underbrush flavors.
This wine comes from a select lot from Boushey Vineyard. Reserved aromas of mineral, funk and dark fruit are followed by taught, layered cranberry and cherry that show precision and deftness.
Although Petite Sirah can be a very difficult grape for the average wine lover to enjoy, this bottling is extremely accessible for all types of palates. The nose shows fresh-pressed olallieberry alongside dark strawberry fruit, leather, dried sage, dark chocolate and pepper. The palate's deep-purple fruit is lifted by crushed white and black pepper. The robust alcohol is well integrated.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, scorched earth, dark cherry, toast and coffee are followed by dark fruit flavors backed by firm but well-integrated tannins. Just a baby now, this wine should have a long life ahead of it. Best after 2022.
Gentle, restrained notes of blossom and peach on the nose lead to a medium-sweet palate flavored with the gentle roundness of clear blossom honey. Grapefruit pithiness balances that slight sweetness, leaving a harmonious, restrained and very elegant wine. The finish echoes with honeysuckle.
Relatively light tones of vanilla, cranberry, tart plum skin and dried fennel combine for a nicely tight nose on this clonal study. The palate is also quite tart and focused on cranberry and pomegranate, with underlying vanilla richness.
Crisp black-plum aromas are lifted by lavender, lilac and potpourri scents on the nose of this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah. Lavish flavors of boysenberry pie, vanilla, nutmeg and pastry dough show on the layered palate. It furnishes another strong case for why these two grapes work well together.
This mix of mostly Zin with 14% Petite Sirah from a longtime source for this producer shows plenty of minerality around flavors of cinnamon stick, dark cherry and leather. Soft tannins give it approachability and juiciness that are buoyed by length.
Aged for a year in wood, this concentrated, structured wine is seriously rich and concentrated. It has a dark texture and smoky flavors of licorice as well as black plum fruit. It is complex and powerful and would benefit from more aging. Drink from 2018.
This bold and flavorful wine has a strong black-tea element in the complex flavors, full body and a smooth, mouthcoating texture. It tastes riper and more roasted or beefy than many of its peers and is compelling for its concentration on the palate and length on the finish.
Still young, this is a structured wine with the dark botrytis flavors giving as much richness as sweetness at this stage. Yellow fruits are integrated into a tight, mineral texture that will open up over the next few months. Drink from 2019.
Named after the grandfather (Aïeul in the local patois) of the current owner, the wine is concentrated and powerful. It is rich wine with a smooth character that belies the dense tannins behind it. Blackberry fruit and tight acidity give this wine aging potential. Drink from 2020.
With brick-colored edges and gritty aromas of turned earth, raw oak, asphalt and berry fruits, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot feels tight, with rubbery tannins. Oak-infused flavors of herbal blackberry, mint and anise finish with notes of licorice and chocolate as well as a touch of heat. Drink through 2021.
The slightest notes of vanilla accent the pear-fruited nose that also carries hints of saffron. The palate is defined but balanced. Fruit concentration partners with gentle richness and spice, with the necessary counterbalance of citrus pith and zest. Lovely now, this elegant wine will develop. Drink 2016–2024.
This full-bodied wine packs a lot of punch in terms of mouthfeel and flavor. The color is extremely dark, and the flavors resemble dark chocolate, black cherries and baking spices. It is dry in style, with lip-smacking, nicely astringent tannins that counterbalance all that richness.
An austere nose gives way in time to smoky tobacco, red currant and minerally acidity, the wine intense on the palate without being over the top. Along the way, hits of cedar and milk chocolate complement the proceedings.
Blackberries, anise, violets, lilacs, plum skin and vanilla show on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows lots of crushed peppercorns, tart elderberry and boysenberry fruit, and then a complex herbal array of tarragon, dried mint and bay leaf.
This 100% varietal wine opens with aromas of minced cherries, black fruit, barrel spices, anise and high toned herbs. The flavors are pitch black showing density and depth, with a tight core of tannins providing the frame. Coffee flavors persist on the finish.
Flavors of pear peel and tart citrus zest on the nose lead to a slightly spicy palate. Floral notes hover above everything, and mouthwatering freshness and appetizing bitterness around the edges gets all juices flowing. While there is texture there is no heaviness. It's a very appetizing, just off-dry wine with gentle subtlety.
Mineral and citrus aromas are on the money. Peach and citrus flavors are clean and snappy on the palate, finishing with fresh acidity and a reprise of lime and minerally notes.
This captures attention with piercing cherry and cranberry aromas and with herb and orange-peel grace notes. The palate is soft, polished and layered, with a mouthfeel that dazzles and the flavors to back it up. The finish lingers.
Lively, crisp apple notes on the nose immediately signal freshness. The palate follows with equally brisk green apple and citrus notes, mellowed fittingly with a very fine, soft and creamy mousse. This is lithe, dew-fresh and of great purity. It conjures up visions of clear brooks, green meadows and budding elderflower. The crisp green-apple notes echo long and make for a totally refreshing, brisk finish.
A blend of Syrah (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Mourvèdre, this opens with aromas of wet gravel, herb, smoke, funk, nori and black olive that are followed by plentiful, soft, generous savory flavors that bring a lot of intensity and appeal. The finish lingers.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Syrah (23%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, black licorice, dried blackberries and dark fruit are followed by ripe, full-bodied dark fruit and baking-spice flavors. The tannins pack a hefty but still well-balanced punch.
This youthfully full-bodied, grippy wine has juicy cassis and a leathery texture at its core, with dried herb and cedar playing at its edges, a fine representation of a tannic vintage that offers structure in spades. Densely concentrated, it has ages to go in the bottle; drink now through 2023.
This is a distinctive white with a combination of spice, tropical fruit and a chalky backbone. The wine is elegant and ageable and will appeal to fans of classic French whites like Chablis. Pair with grilled octopus or oysters for added appeal.
Young and yeasty, this seemingly off-dry Viognier rounds out in the mouth with appealing scents and flavors of lemon, lime, jasmine and honey.
This is a ripe, spicy and pepper-flavored wine. It has pear and green plum notes that give a crisp edge to the rich texture. There is a mineral touch that brings out the acidity to balance the opulence. Age for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
Rich and full bodied, despite the relatively low alcohol, this supertart and luscious Riesling is loaded with sour candy flavors of lemon and lime. Quite refreshing, pure and dry.
This has a scent of baked apple, and in the mouth, it seems just as much a still white wine as a Cava, with a soft bead that indicates that it's starting to lose steam. Flavors of melon, citrus and pineapple finish with vanilla and chunky weight.
Notes of burnt caramel, dried date, mocha and fresh savory herb like thyme and bay leaf complement the umami and rancio accents of mushroom and nut, creating a fantastic complexity to the nose and mouth of this aged Rivesaltes. Thick and viscous, it has a heavy character that's marked by prune, caramel sauce and roasted spice on the close.
Black and thick, this Petite Sirah delivers on all the variety's attributes in warm-climate California. It's blisteringly gregarious yet rounded, with smoky dark-fruit flavors that are initially hard to capture and tannins that verge on puckering. But time rewards—this wine hits its stride after being allowed to open and swirled around a few times. Enjoy it with a rich risotto or rack of ribs.
A gorgeously perfumed, dry and lean white, this is light, crisp and bright, with just the right level of viscosity to pair with cheese, charcuterie or spicy chicken. Like those foods, it has a jolt of spice between its layers of lychee and clove flavors.
Zinfandel has been a Forgeron specialty for the past decade. Done in a ripe, though not too Porty style, it's more like a Dry Creek wine. Flavors of red and blue berries are annotated with a note of sweet grain, giving it a California twist, with Washington verve and acidity.
Scents of waxy lemon peel, lanolin, fresh herb and fennel entice on this wonderfully dry Riesling, with penetrating lemon and white peach flavors. Brisk and vibrant, it has a refreshing crushed-stone minerality.
A similar but bigger version of the Whistle Stop Red, this is made of all Cabernet, bearing rather hard tannins and flavors of coffee and clean earth. It's a good choice to pair with grilled cuts of beef.
Aromas of cedar cigar box, subtle flower, spice and dry berry form a good bouquet. Searing acidity creates some sharpness, while the primary flavors of berry and plum are offset by red tomato and dry spice. Roasted, dry, spicy and slightly bitter on the finish.
Chunky, jammy and full of blackberry and boysenberry aromas, this is lively but limited in mouthfeel, with wild berry and savory flavors. It feels pointed and short on the finish, but overall it's dark, full and well made.
Active on the bouquet, this features mint, baking spice, clove and ripe berry aromas. It feels plump and round, with a mildly candied flavor profile that includes blackberry, herb, and nutmeg. It turns a little rooty on the finish, suggesting licorice nibs. A blend of 65% Garnacha and 35% Tempranillo.
Blueberry and other sweet berry aromas are flowery but not very staunch or dark. The palate has a high acidity level and a scouring feel to go with tart, driving cherry and red plum flavors. Scratchy, zesty and crisp on the finish, with tight tannins that draw down.
Confected on the nose, with red licorice candy and red apple skins. It's forward and juicy in the mouth, but a little cloying if not served really cold. Tastes of candied berry and watermelon; good in a regular way.
Almost black in color, this is a blend of 85% Petite Sirah, 15% Petit Verdot with a pronounced smell and taste of smoked bacon, even smoked gouda, a huge-in-the-mouth wine that's got nothing petite (or petit) about it. Its lingering tannic smokiness begs for barbecue, smoked trout or such. The label is awesome.
Forward on the nose, with standard apple and white peach aromas. The palate is a bit clipped and short, with green-leaning flavors of scallion matched with grapefruit. Finishes citrusy.
All white fruit, lemon and grapefruit, soft and with a hint of softness. It's a fine apéritif wine, right up front and friendly. Screwcap.
Earthy wine that has rich, chewy fruit, its tannins a serious element. There is weight as well, the wine ripe, full, with juicy plum flavors.
An easy-to-drink, burger and pizza sort of Shiraz, with slightly uneven notes of ripe and raisined fruit and soft acids and tannins.
Pretty dark, almost plum-like in color, this is a blend of 76% Grenache and 25% Syrah from an estate-grown vineyard in the Foothills. Lots of watermelon in aroma and flavor, the wine finishes slightly sweet, reminiscent of a Shirley Temple.
This estate-grown inland Mendocino Zin has an inviting spiciness and is plenty briary with a full body of flavor but its high-alcohol level masks any other nuances.
Generic red berry aromas show a stalky element as well. The palate is juicy and acidic, with a pointed quality that makes the feel a little hard. Flavors of standard red berry are sweet but undistinguished. Good but regular.
Soft, open wine, with some attractive perfumed character as well as light acidity. It is somewhat unfocused, missing structure. Screwcap.
After a slightly murky start the nose settles on basic apple and sweet oak. The palate is full, with citrusy acidity and chunky flavors of melon and orange. Maintains focus on the finish, with lychee and lime flavors pushing it towards tropical. Drink now.
A Livermore Valley sourcing a Portuguese red grape variety from a Lodi vineyard. Does it work? The wine's dark purple yet subdued at first in flavor, opening slightly into tones of blueberry, raspberry and sour cherry, a smidgen of spice on the finish. Worth trying.
Fine acidity on this crisp, raspberry-flavored wine. With an extra year aging it demands to be drunk, offering a pleasurable food-friendly style.
This five grape Bordeaux-style blend has a sharp, spicy aroma, a strong suggestion of clove. The fruit is quite light and tastes of strawberries, but quickly is overtaken by the tannins and the barrel flavors. Drink soon.
A sweetly ripe amalgam of cassis, vanilla and cedar, this medium-bodied Cabernet is pleasant enough, if a little lacking in distinctiveness. It turns faintly dusty on the finish, making it suited to pair with burgers or steak.
Smells like hickory-smoked barbecue with earthy berry and dill. The palate is rubbery in feel, with drying tannins and savory tasting red fruit flavors that are a touch resiny. Spice and berry notes work the finish.
This wine offers a pleasing mixture of aromas and flavors of baking spices, pear and apple. Viscosity and weight gives it a sense of gravitas but never gets bogged down.
Cold Creek Vineyard provides the majority of the fruit for this wine, with the rest coming from the Wahluke Slope. It's immediate in its appeal with aromas of cocoa, dark chocolate and black fruit. The coffee flavors show a mixture of fruit and barrel, with some graininess to the tannins.
Coming all from the winery's young estate vineyard, this wine displays aromas of dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, barrel spices and dried cherries. The black-fruit flavors are sweet and rich, backed by a firm scaffolding of tannins.
Initially tight in the nose with lemon blossoms, Japanese pear and an intriguing vinaigrette character, this is an expertly restrained wine from a longtime growing family. It's crisp and clean at first sip, then opens toward apple blossoms, lime, tangerine juice and a sea -salt warmth.
Fresh and approachable but lean and focused on the nose, this wine shows chalk, wet slate, iodine and mandarin orange oil aromas. It's extremely limey and quinine-driven on the tangy palate, with the judicious acidity of squeezed lime and tangerine juice.
Very high-toned for a relatively affordable wine, this shows Key lime pith, Greek yogurt, scratched pink grapefruit skin and a fresh 7-Up soda liveliness on the nose. Anjou peas, seared green apples, lime zest and nectarine power the pleasant energy on the palate, which wipes up clean with a vanilla finish.
A bright, floral violet bouquet invites in this blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah that follows through with earthy cherry and strawberry highlights. Softly textured, the wine is deeply structured and in balance, a delicious offering of several varieties married well.
A fascinating wine from one of the oldest wineries in the Sierra Foothills, this has deep boysenberry and blackberry aromas. Flavors include allspice, cardamom and black cherries, with a meaty nuance. Medium to full bodied, it's not a monster Zin but distinctive and clearly delicious.
This signature blend combines a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It takes a classical approach to the Bordeaux-inspired blend, capturing dried herb and peppercorn in abundance. The wild bouquet delves into floral, feral elements of forest and concentrated cassis, finishing lean.
This wine is polished in texture, sophisticated in flavor and a pleasure to sip. It exudes plum and blackberry aromas, adds rich plummy flavors and almost coats the mouth with richness. While full bodied, it has enough complexity and finesse for special occasions.
Nicely layered, this offers an intensity of black plum and chocolate around a soft core of approachable, rounded tannins. Medium bodied, it has a mix of elegance and decadence that makes it drinkable now and impressive from start to finish.
Pear laced with subtle notes of smoke hints at a taut palate. The dryness and discipline of the poised flavors nonetheless allow the ripe, luscious pear fruit to glow and shine. Mouthfeel and texture are reminiscent of pear peel and bitter almond, and echo long after the last sip.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up just over two-thirds of this wine with the balance Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Dried herb, black cherry, licorice and spice aromas lead to full-feeling dark fruit flavors that show intensity and persistence.
Coming from the relatively new but priming Kimsey Vineyard, this shows intoxicatingly rich yet never treacly aromas of ripe cantaloupe, ambrosia melon and peach-apple syrup. Glazed apples, walnut oil and orange bitters decorate the heavily layered and dense palate. Serve it with many varieties of cheese.
Complemented by 9% Sémillon, this concentrated, creamy young wine is generous in pear, peach and subtle pineapple. Tart, it remains fresh and focused in the glass, with a lushness that's memorable and compelling. An impactful finish wraps things up nicely.
Still firm, this wine is dominated by tannin and dark fruit, with a dry core typical of this Pommard vineyard. The red and dark plum-fruit flavors are developing slowly and the wine needs time to balance. Drink from 2019.
Cherry and plum aromas are pure and appealing as peppery accents pop up. This is flush and a bit lush, with spiced red plum and oaky chocolate flavors that end dry, elegant and focused. Valle Secreto makes consistently good Syrah; this is one of the winery's best to date. Drink through 2018.
Rich and ripe, this has a plushness of red currant and cassis counterbalanced by blackberry on the underbelly. A well-hewn texture leans leathery, with seasonings of black pepper giving it a piquant and lengthy finish.
Stemmy in earthy pine and clove-like spice, this is a powerfully dense and delicious wine. It's on the higher side in terms of alcohol, though doesn't reflect it in bouquet or taste. Savory dark berry wraps itself around mushroomy truffles and black tea to linger on the tongue through a lengthy, weighty finish.
There's an intriguing herbaceous character of juniper and chaparral scrub on this appellation-blend bottling, along with red currant fruit and iron minerality. The palate shows complex flavors of pine sap and eucalyptus oil, orange rinds and rosemary against a backdrop of blackberry fruit.
The producer's most popular and widely made Zin has a loyal following, and this vintage merits further admiration, offering soft, plummy juiciness on the palate. Not over-oaked, it sparks with black pepper, finishing with elegance.
From an historic site replanted and restored to new heights, this wine has good grip and high-octane fruit that plays on the palate, veering from jammy to juicy and back again. Anise and black pepper linger on the lengthy finish, with a touch of smoky oak and toffee.
Warm aromas of lemon preserves, smoked honeysuckle and lightly honeyed Marcona almonds are cut with a citrus freshness on the nose of this estate-grown wine. A citrus-blossom character starts the sip followed by rounded saltiness and apple-flesh flavor in the midpalate. It's altogether very luscious and yet enlivening to the mouth.
Chocolaty, this fun blend of 56% Zinfandel, 31% Petite Sirah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot hails from estate, dry-farmed vineyards. Big, mountainous tannins soften in the glass to reveal juicy notes of dark and red cherry.
Bold and brawny, this opens with aromas of pressed violet, dried plum and a whiff of cake spice. The full-bodied palate doles out brandied black cherry, licorice, black pepper and nutmeg alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of raspberry, black licorice, woodspice, toast and cherry are followed by abundant red- and black-fruit flavors. There's plenty of richness and a finish that won't quit.
Rose petals, red currants, red licorice and a bit of snapped sage stick entertain the nose on this bottling, which can be sampled at the producer's downtown Paso tasting room. Earl Grey tea, dried orange rind and dried violets play on the palate, which cuts the elderberry fruit with sharp, slightly bitter cherry pits.
The distinctive aroma resembles tamarind, cranberries and new oak barrels. Flavors are bright and pure, and the mouthfeel is firm with tannins while staying smooth and velvety. This is very tasty and unique, made in a full-bodied style. Zinfandel and Primitivo make up 77% of it, along with Barbera and Petite Sirah.
Rock Angel is the new name for the estate wine of Château d'Esclans. It is a ripe and full wine, yet so well balanced that it seems light and refreshing. A crisp element balances the full red fruits and offers elegance and poise. This is a style of rosé that could age, although it is delicious now.
The caramel oakiness of this wine is offset by austere structure and a focused midpalate, the flavors leaning toward cool-climate green apple and kumquat. It returns to richness and intensity on the finish.
This bottling is ripe and tropical but approachable on the nose, with honeydew melon, banana and nectarine aromas. There is a decent punch of acidity and noticeable texture upon first sip, veering toward sweet apple and bubblegum flavors on the finish.
Floral white-fruit aromas are yeasty and lack intensity. This feels mildly citric, with basic lime and green-apple flavors. A tangy easy simple finish sends this quaffable SB on its way.
This straightforward, affordable dry wine is good and fruity, with medium body, moderate tannins and plenty of red cherry and blackberry flavors.
There's a touch of barnyard on the nose of this bottling, which also shows a soy and sweet black cherry scents. The palate is marked by beef char and cooked black fruit flavors, with a twist of funkiness, lending intrigue.
Brambly and herbal, this wine shows bright acidity underlying a full-bodied, incoherently ripe palate of tar, toffee and rich cola notes.
Smoky, toasted walnut aromas and oaky flavors make this full-bodied wine taste like the volume is turned up loud. It feels firmly tannic and broad on the palate, its toasted oak qualities coating the mouth and lingering on the finish.
Dried apple and caramel scents lead the nose of this wine, building toward a bigger presence of tannin and oak and meeting a stony acidity and sour lemon tartness along the way.
Aromas of green wood, herb and cherry lead to ripe but chalky feeling fruit flavors. There's some interesting things going on but a sense of astringency and bitterness proves distracting.
Strong aromas and flavors of vanilla and dill overwhelm the variety's cherry and green herb. There are some good things going on but the wood gets in the way.
Young Touriga Nacional vines produced this crisp, refreshing wine. With red currant flavor and a light touch of caramel, it's both fruity and full in the mouth. Drink now.
Produced by two members of one of Burgundy's grand families, this wine is fruity and soft. With a lightly toasty flavors, it's smooth and creamy, lit by lime-like acidity. Although young, it's likely to develop quickly. Drink from mid 2017.
Sometimes it seems the Portuguese winemakers make random blends. This 50-50 blend of Pinot Noir and Touriga Nacional is a case in point. Yet, the first grape softens the second to make a wine that is easy, ripe and ready to drink. The finish, with its touches of toast, is well balanced by acidity. So the random works. Drink from 2018.
This family-owned estate has produced an immediately attractive entry-level wine. Lightly spiced with wood, it blends Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca to show black fruit, ripe tannins and bright acidity. Drink now.
This is a soft, simple white marked by green olive and vanilla bean flavors that feel concentrated and full on the finish.
This 100% varietal wine is aged in American oak, offering an approachable, rounded, full-bodied impression of pencil shavings, cherry, leather and tobacco bound by firm tannins.
This wine offers nice balance between the ripe-fruit tones of pear and green-apple and the green, stemmy herb and grass notes. There are subtle smoke and spice accents that unfold on the finish, following a plush mouthfeel that's enlivened by bright citrus tones. Drink now.
This mountain-grown wine is hugely tannic and oaky, hard to penetrate in its full-bodied ripeness. Smoky oak and currant flavors vie for attention against a backdrop of concentration and power.
This smooth and creamy wine has ripe fruit and only light acidity. It's full-bodied and on the heavy side, showing its weight. Drink from 2018.
Extremely buttery in both aroma and flavor, this wine feels smooth and creamy on the palate due to its full body and soft acidity.
Made with no added sulfites, this has aromas suggesting resin and balsamic notes. The palate is almost overripe and rather evolved, offering dried apricot and crystallized ginger while a note of candied nectarine zest marks the close.
This is a grassy, herbal wine with attractive acidity and the crispest hint of apricots and some distinctive spice. It is fruity, ready to drink now.
Pleasant scents of fresh herbs and white flowers lend depth and character to ripe fruit tones of green melon and guava. The lightweight palate is direct and refreshing, with lively acidity and bright citrus flavors that clip the short and clean close. Drink now.
Jammy blueberry aromas come with overt oakiness. This feels dense but on the flat side. Baked berry flavors and herbal plum notes sprinkle in a mild sweet and green accent, while this feels full and a bit syrupy on the finish.
Fans of stickies may find pleasure in this bottling, but it is tremendously sweet and oily. Candied honeydew and kiwi scents meet with sweet juniper and pine on the nose. On the palate, it tastes squarely of golden honey. It's soft, unctuous and thick in consistency.
With its ripe tannins and soft, juicy black fruit, this is an immediately drinkable wine. It has a crisp layer of acidity, giving it a light touch. Drink now.
This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc lacks the depth and concetration of top examples, but remains a tasy glass of crushed tomato leaf and white grapefruit. Gentle greens and modest citrus flavors end clean and refreshing.
Aromas of underbrush, Mediterranean scrub and moist earth lead the nose. The lean palate offers unripe sour cherry, dried sage and a hint of orange peel alongside bracing acidity and tightly wound tannins.
Aromas of brown baking spices and black cherry open the bouquet of this wine. There are soft tannins with flavors of red cherry, black cherry and cherry cola in the smooth and round finish.
Made from free-run juice, this offers aromas of dried cherries, dessicated watermelon and clove. Plummy fruits and sour cherry show on the palate.
Dried plum, dried strawberry and dried raspberry meet with cola spice on the fresh if thin nose of this bottling. The palate offers sour plums, peppercorns, damp compost and smoke flavors.
Powerful, dark syrupy flavors and strong salt and pepper spices vie for attention in this full-bodied wine. It has heady fruit aromas, savory, spicy accents and a lingering finish.
Aromas of blackberry and prune are earthy, warm and cheesy. This feels heavy and syrupy but not out of whack. Roasted, blackened flavors of grapy berry fruits finish with mint, clove and peppery notes.
Smoky, toasty oak forms an obvious part of this full-bodied wine's personality, from the first whiff to the spicy, cedary flavors and on to the finish. Moderate tannins add texture.
Light and mostly fresh up front, this is a wine to drink now. Regular apple and citrus flavors are simple and easy, with zero complexity. This is an average everyday white with no clear faults but not much character either.
This big, bold wine offers lots of fruit flavor, firm tannins and a full body. Ripe berries flood the palate, while a gripping texture makes it feel tight on the finish.
The aromas of herb, kiwi and citrus are quite light. The tropical flavors are elegant and spritely, tingling the palate with a light effervescence.
Produced from Niellucciu, this wine is ripe, perfumed and also packed with crisp acidity. Fresh raspberry, citrus and a touch of caramel are brought comfortably together by the acidity and zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
Dusty crushed mineral and pressed apple notes lend a rustic tone to this softly effervescent sparkling blend. Stark lemon-lime acidity frazzles the midpalate but leads a brisk, refreshing finish. Drink now through 2018.
Aged in new French oak for 17 months, this wine tilts heavily toward wood flavors. It has toasted oak aromas plus rich and almost sweet fruit and chocolate flavors accented by black pepper and smoked bacon. Very oaky, it has a tannic texture and smoky finish.
Aromas of cured meat, violet and grilled herb waft out of the glass. The rather diluted palate offers wild cherry, game and a salty note alongside fleeting tannins and zesty acidity.
Hot saucy plum and berry aromas set up an abrasive tannic palate that's choppy and short. Dark plum and berry aromas finish with jagged, hard tannins and bright acidity.
Blended with 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Petite Sirah, this velvety and dense wine conveys a pronounced element of charred oak. A reduced note from the barrel permeates at first before allowing aromas and flavors of baked plum to show.
While the nose suggests intensely ripe, almost ruddy black plums and cherries, the palate of this full-bodied blend is surprisingly lean. Black fruit flavors, accented by swathes of sage and thyme, are surprisingly crisp and tart. It's a delicately concentrated wine finishing on a meandering fade of soft tannins.
Simple but well made, this medium-bodied, supple wine features plenty of tart cherry fruit and a crisp finish.
Plusher and rounder than the Special Reserve bottling, Millbrook's standard label Merlot suggests soft red-cherry flavor accented with cocoa powder, savory mushroom and beetroot. Gentle acidity and fine-grained tannins accentuate its plump juicy feel. Drink now through 2019.
There's a bittersweet tartness to the tannin profile within this wine that is otherwise dusted in cedar, dried herb and black currant. With a big, full-bodied presence of oak, it shows ripe and robust fruit character and plenty of bite.
Bramble and dusty mineral notes extend from nose to finish in this dry Riesling, lending a savory tone to freshly pressed apple and dried orange peel flavors. Its voluminous, mouth-filling texture is pleasant, balanced neatly by a strike of lemonade acidity.
Meant to reflect the three elements of terroir, nature and man, this small-production wine is well represented in compost, dried herb, mild tannin and oak. The acidity is moderate and in some ways disjointed, while the finish features highlights of vanilla and currant.
There's a slight note of oxidation in the bouquet that leads to aromas of pineapple upside down cake, apple and Meyer lemon. Flavors of apple pie and canned peaches precede a dry, crisp finish.
This wine is made from 50% Sémillon, 29% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué clone, the fruit sourced from both the Monte Rosso and Leveroni vineyards. It's fleshy and full of fig flavor, laced in mild lemon, quince and oaky vanilla.
This is a blend of local grapes including Jacquère and Altesse. It is a ripe style of wine that is full of pear, melon and sweet orange fruit. It is ready to drink, fruity and deliciously bright.
This easy-drinking red opens with pretty aromas of purple wild flower and red berry. The slim, simple palate offers tart sour cherry and orange zest alongside brisk acidity and angular, somewhat fleeting tannins.
Aromas of violet, cured meat, sage and a whiff of underbrush lead the nose. The light simple palate offers up cranberry, sour cherry and a hint of orange zest alongside both firm acidity and relaxed tannins.
Hints of pine needle and sage lend a refreshingly herbaceous note to this crisp, dry Riesling. The mousse is delicately structured, with a creamy mouthfeel cut by a strike of lemon acidity.
Selección is proving itself to be a consistent modern Malbec (the last four vintages have rated 89 or 90 points). This rendition shows graphite, inky berry notes and savory spice aromas such as cumin and cardamom. It's rich and full bodied, with tobacco, coconut and baked plum and berry flavors. A smooth finish is neither tannic nor overpowering.
While herbaceous and green on the nose, this almost-dry kabinett is luscious and fruity on the palate, with bursts of white grapefruit and tangerine. It's bold and expansive in mouthfeel, with a brace of citrus pith on the finish.
While intensely ripe on the nose, with scents of white peach, tangerine and quince, this is a dry, remarkably savory wine. It's dense and bold in body, but brightened by fresh herbal tones and a zesty lemon-pith finish.
This wine has just enough residual sugar to take it to the upper threshhold of dry. It's quite full flavored with a thirst quenching mix of citrus, apple and pineapple. Crisp acidity enhances the freshness and contributes a tangy, lemony kick to the finish.
Here's a hearty blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Merlot that opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, truffle, tobacco and meat juice. The lush palate delivers juicy black cherry, blackberry, spearmint and thyme alongside rippling but refined tannins.
This is a superb value. The nose on this Syrah-Monastrell blend revolves around dusty berry and plum, while the palate is juicy, ripe, smooth and shows herb, spice and pulsing blackberry flavors. Doses of mint and hard spices carry a long finish to a warm resting point.
Herbaceous, lemony tones reverberate from start to finish on this elegant off-dry Riesling, accenting sweet, juicy peach and tangerine flavors. Hints of smoke and tea leaf add some complexity, along with a lime-pith astringency on the finish.
This is surprisingly plump and accessible, featuring scents of lime rind upfront, then flavors of apple, nectarine and citrus. A medium-bodied wine with a long, mouthwatering finish, it's a tasty near-term drinker but should develop well for up to 10 years.
This is a wine with potential. It has weight and ripe berry fruits balanced with solid tannins and a dense texture. Behind the structure, the fruit and acidity promise good things. Drink from 2016.
Swathes of botrytis reveal themselves seductively on this sweet wine. It is rich in flavors, but still vibrant with acidity. Fine balance and intense flavors of apricots, honey and spice give it potential to age well. Drink from 2015.
Solid and dense, this is a concentrated wine. It has black plum flavors and a feeling of ripeness and ease. Sweet acidity shows strongly on the finish. Drink from 2015.
With a medicinal hint, this is a wine that is all potential. At the moment, it is firm, dry and darkly tannic. The weight gives the promise, offering rich fruitiness in the future. Drink this impressive, concentrated wine from 2016.
This is a dense and rich wine full of black plum fruits, rich tannins and a dark structure. It has great potential. Drink from 2016.
Smooth and spicy, this is an attractive, rounded and ripe wine. It has weight and richness from wood and black plum and currant fruits. The acidity is a fine counterpoint. Drink from 2016.
Clos de los Siete is a perennial leader among under-$20 wines from Argentina. Blueberry and graham cracker aromas are ripe and a touch reduced. The palate is saturated yet juicy, while blackberry, boysenberry, cardamom and nutmeg flavors feed into a dark tasting, compact finish. For a 50,000-case wine, this is a prize to behold.
Due to 2009 being a warm vintage, this is earthy, ripe and bold, with creamy berry and chocolate aromas. The palate is more crisp and bumpy, with acidity offering teeth and bite. Flavors of raspberry, cassis and cocoa are authentic for Ribera del Duero but a little rough and scratchy. Drink through 2018.
Good structured fruit, with ripe sweet cherry flavors, appears alongside hints of raspberries. Fresh, but with some weight and solidity.
An intense, rounded wine, with fresh pear and apple flavors that offer freshness but also richness. Dry, but gives a softer side of Chenin, attractive now, but worth aging for 2–3 years.
This nicely balanced, medium-bodied white offers a tasty array of peach, pear and melon aromas and flavors. It's pure and fruity, finishing clean and crisp, a satisfying addition to the range of apéritif wines.
This grouping of top growers makes some of the best value wines from the Douro. Tres Bagos is their introductory bottling, a ripe, tarry firmly structured wine that is ready to drink, the juicy, black currant fruit delicious now.
Cassis, black cherry and other solid dark-fruit aromas seem solid and inviting. The palate is saturated but shows good texture and flow, while the flavors and essence of cassis, raspberry and eucaplytus are ingrained all the way to the finish. Springy, tasty and attractive, but not complicated.
Waipara is becoming better known for its Rieslings, thanks to wines like this one. Bold pineapple and kumquat aromas and flavors come across as broad and off-dry without being flabby or fat, then end with a flourish of baking spices and a hint of cracked pepper. Drink now–2015.
Sweet, ripe and healthy, with a slight touch of fresh herbs accenting the nose. The palate shows a roundness and good balance, and the flavors of cola and blackberry are simple to understand and enjoy. Smooth, easy stuff, with a kiss of oak and light but present tannins.
Oriel tapped Ant MacKenzie to be winemaker for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and the result is a wine that marries ripe nectarines with more grassy, herbal, tomato-leaf notes. It's medium in body, finishing crisp and refreshing.
A bold, fruit-driven style of Sauvignon Blanc, with ripe flavors of passion fruit and nectarine. Shows plenty of weight and length, yet remains dry and easy to drink.
One of Chile's best Malbecs. This vintage is very rich and compact, with blackberry, marzipan and cola aromas. The palate is firm and sturdy, but more like a bench than a plush chair. Superripe and a little clumsy, with really intense cassis and cherry flavors. Fruity almost to the point of being over the top.
This is a wine with presence, from its meaty, spicy nose to its big, full-flavored fruit and spice character. Many layers of spice, smoke and berry unfold on the palate and the overall impression is delicious and serious. It lacks a touch of refinement, but is still a very good, ageable selection.
The Grand Reserve blend, which is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and lesser parts Carmenère and Petit Verdot, is clearly Simone's best wine. With the '06 vintage, plum and cassis aromas pick up purity with airing, and the palate shows nice raspberry, cassis and plum flavors. A focused wine that makes its mark.
From Tasmania, this is a fine example of that island's aromatic whites. Crisp acidity imparts a tense, mineral-like quality to the melon and fennel aromas, and while there's enough flesh in the mouth to satisfy, there's also mouthwatering focus and purity. Drink now–2010.
Soft, integrated but structured flavors of pepper, red fruit and spice come together on this simple Shiraz. A minerally backbone offers poise, while fresh, friendly fruit flavors suggest a great wine to sip solo or pair with grilled meat.
This demi-sec (off dry) means there is some initial roundness that makes it more attractive young. But the underlying acidity and the green plum flavor, along with an edge of tannin, all suggest some aging ability. Drink now–2012.
Toast, coconut and pineapple all work the bouquet. It's zesty and healthy on the palate, with pear, coconut and baked apple flavors. Much less oaky than in the past, yet still endowed with a lot of coconut and vanilla. A very nice wine that runs ripe and sweet, as evidenced by the 14.5% alcohol.
This wine delivers in flavor and aroma, a refined layering of cherry and strawberry that celebrates what this aromatic clone can do in Russian River Valley. Orange peel and tart, tight acidity combine around a silky texture, with a ginger-spice finish and lingering hint of rose petal.
The producer has chosen to highlight the Petaluma Gap region within the larger Sonoma Coast appellation on this wine, a nod to its recent purchase of the well-regarded Sun Chase Vineyard as well as an endorsement of the Gap becoming an appellation of its own one day. This Pinot might help matters, a beautifully floral mix of rose petal and violet on the nose followed intricately by juicy, subtle red fruit and buoyant acidity.
Now firmly in its new cellars, Clerc-Milon's wine is performing at the top of its form. This is a dense wine with juicy acidity as well as sweet tannins and ripe blackberry fruits. They give a ripe wine that is finely structured. The juicy aftertaste, typical of this vintage, is appealing although it does not detract from its power and longevity. Drink from 2022.
Lovely Sangiovese aromas of pressed blue flower, mint, leather, berry and a balsamic note mingle in the glass. The juicy palate doles out ripe wild cherry, black plum, cinnamon, licorice and mocha alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink after 2018.
This is ripe and pure on the nose, with aromas of raisin, cherry and earth. The palate is full but not heavy, while flavors of cherry and blackberry run deep in front of a second wave of pepper and spice. Only on the finish does overt oak show up, so give this a few years and drink from 2016 through 2022.
Aromas suggest blackberry, cedar and Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, notes of tobacco, licorice, exotic spice and cranberry accent the juicy black-cherry core. It's well balanced and elegant, with silky tannins. Drink 2016–2026.
This traditionally crafted Brunello offers aromas of wild berry, violet, Mediterranean scrub and a whiff of new leather. There's lots of juicy Morello cherry and crushed raspberry on the palate, while notes of vanilla, savory herb, tobacco, licorice and a hint of salinity add depth. It's well balanced with velvety tannins and bright acidity that give it both power and finesse. Drink 2018–2030.
Interplanted to Carignane, Alicante Bouschet and Grand Noir, this Zin vineyard hails back to 1895, a grande dame in the region, and is farmed by Ulises Valdez. The meticulous farming and winemaking are in full view, the wine velvety in blueberry and boysenberry fruit, while well-honed tannins and a full body announce its presence. On the finish is a satisfying streak of black licorice and pepper. Cellar through 2022.
This phenomenal bottling from the winemaking team of Mike Sinor and Nathan Carlson hits the nose with a judicious touch of vanilla-laced buttercream as well as scorched lemon slices and orange peels. It's playfully lithe on the palate, with just a touch of oak warmth, racy acidity, chalky grip and a faint hint of dill. It's great for now, but will age with nutty style thanks to the balancing tensions.
This marks an impressive step forward for this wine that's so often been in the shadows of other wines in the Lafite-Rothschild stable. It's dense and structured as well as deliciously fruity. The wine is straight down the line, starting with perfumed acidity and finishing with blackberry fruit. Intense and tannic, it's likely to age. Drink from 2020.
Loaded with finesse, this opens with aromas of pressed violet, perfumed berry, orange zest and whiff of forest floor. The vibrant palate delivers wild red cherry, tangy cranberry, baking spice, grilled herb and anise alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. It's already tempting but give it time to develop fully. Drink 2018–2028.
There's a velvety silkiness to this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a lushness to the palate that will please aficionados of both Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Refined tannins stand out in subtle ways, as do high-toned cassis and blackberry. Though the wine displays a richness of oak and chocolate, the minerality truly shines here. This will cellar well through 2025.
Sumptuous, ripe and very full on the palate, this wine is dense and packed with notes of botrytis that give a strong sense of structure. This well-balanced wine shows potential to age, offering rich acacia honey and beautiful final acidity. Drink from 2020.
Aromas of leather, forest floor, tobacco, mature berry and a balsamic note open this structured, elegant wine. The palate delivers crushed black cherry, cinnamon, licorice and savory herb alongside firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2026.
This is the top cuvée from Pouilly-Fuissé's most famous estate. It is a big, round wine, its curves opulent and generous. There are yellow fruits, particularly apricots, and the wine is given some sinew by its acidity and by the light spice aftertaste.
With its knockout nose of blackberries and baking spices, this is an instant stunner. It follows that overture with complex flavors in a similar theme. It's full bodied and mouthcoating in intensity. The only question mark is whether the firm tannins will help it mature gracefully or leave it with a persistent drying quality on the finish. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
From the Kellerberg vineyard, this is a powerfully rich wine, with its cream and nutmeg flavors complemented by creamed baked apples. There is strong pepper and spice character here.
Sweet blueberry and floral/lilac aromas give this a more elegant, fragrant opening than many of the oak-ladened blockbusters it competes with. The palate is ripe and mixes in flavors of blackberry, cappuccino and bitter herbs. Feelwise, all is calm and lush. And best of all there's continuity from front to back. Only 1,000 cases made.
In 2007 the excellent Celilo vineyard serves up a stunning Gewürztraminer. The brilliantly displayed floral, citrus and mineral scents lead into a soft, rich and thoroughly delicious wine with layers of green berry, citrus, melon and mineral, along with refreshing acids and a streak of toasty hazelnut.
Still spritzy, very tart and tangy, with orange peel and lemon drop flavors. Perhaps showing just a bit more intensity than the 2006, this is a terrific follow-up with the same mix of delicacy and power that suggests that the Columbia Gorge AVA may well be the best site in the Pacific Northwest to grow Riesling.
Ripe black cherry and cedary aromas can't hide the touch of alcohol that seems to emanate from the glass. But the wine is balanced on the palate, not showing any excessive warmth, framing its black cherry and chocolate flavors with bright acidity. The crisp acids on the finish accentuate the tannins, making this an uncommonly structured Grenache. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
Very crisp and fresh, this is a product of the relatively cool conditions of 2007. It is a lively, green and white fruit-flavored wine, all tense structure and perfumed acidity with a layer of concentration.
A full-bodied, mouthfilling wine, Giaconda's 2005 Aeolia Roussanne showcases aromas of toasted cashews, then balances them against bold peach and citrus fruit. The oak lends a slightly charred quality to the wine, which comes through on the finish as a hint of espresso. Drink now and over the next few years.
This 60-40 blend provides excellent value at this price. It's full-bodied but silky-soft in texture, with aromas and flavors that range from plum to earth and cola to dried spices. The tannins melt away on the palate, leaving behind a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
This wine nicely captures Pinot Noir's elusive silky texture and weight without heaviness, then combines those attributes with complex earthy flavors and touches of sassafras and cola. Finishes long, with hints of maraschino cherries and caramel. Drink now–2014.
This single vineyard in the Dundee Hills recalls Oregon Pinots from days gone by. It's not too big, not too oaky, plenty ripe and delivers spicy berry fruit along with earthier streaks of leaf, herb, baking spices and a whiff of cinnamon. Stiff acids and earthy tannins betray its youth, but though still a little rough around the edges, this could be cellared for a decade or more.
This blend mixes the estate fruit with several different vineyards, making a more fruit-forward, accessible wine than the single-vineyard offerings. Flavors show bright raspberry and tart cranberry, leading to some tangy acids, backed with earth, rock and hints of caramel. The new oak is gently applied, adding to the finish without taking away the wine's naturally juicy fruit.
This blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Shiraz and 5% Mourvèdre features surprisingly dark fruit flavors akin to blackberries and cola. A hint of mint or eucalyptus enlivens the bouquet and helps to lighten this otherwise rather full-bodied, brooding wine. Finishes long, with enough dusty tannins to warrant cellaring through 2015.
A lovely counterpoint to Phelps Creek's estate reserve Chardonnay, this comes from just across the river, sourced from a vineyard on the Washington side of this two-state AVA. It got the full malolactic, fermented in French oak treatment, and shows plenty of pleasing barrel toast and spice. The fruit mixes hints of peach and melon with a lemon drop core, and finishes with a lick of butterscotch.
Peachy and spicy, floral yet mineral, this clean, pure expression of Viognier fruit and Condrieu terroir is a delicious marriage. Drink now.
Spicy and dark smelling, with aromas of tar, blackberry and earth. The palate has fine feel and flow to it, while the flavors are interesting and juicy, with an emphasis on spiced berry fruit and nutmeg. Long and graceful on the finish. Drink now; it's ready.
The blended white from Beaucastel is every bit as enjoyable right now as the more expensive Vieilles Vignes bottling, offering more generous notes of honeyed oranges, a rich, weighty mouthfeel and a long, harmonious finish. Drink now.
Fresh and satisfying, with flavors of apples and pears, brioche and vanilla cream. What stands out is the full, round midpalate, and the way the wine keeps resonating through an extended finish.
A smooth, rounded wine, with depth of black berry, dark plum and licorice flavors. It is solid, chunky, powerfully ripe, full of pepper, spice as well as sweet acidity. Very enticing and rich.
Dark fruit, rubber band, bacon and floral aromas give this go-to Rioja a modern outlook and a convincing bouquet. Solid, juicy and tight in the mouth, with flavors of lifted black cherry, cassis, plum, mocha and vanilla. A healthy wine that just makes the level of excellence. Drink now through 2013.
A smooth wine, rich for the vintage, with black currant and bright fruits and a strong underlay of wood. The acidity, though, is quite striking, with the freshest fruit and tight tannins.
Succulent in red cherry and cassis, this wine has a surprising level of depth and grip. It finds its way with integrated tannins, soft layers of caramelized oak and a brightness of fruit and acidity.
From a fourth-generation farming family, this wine is sourced from the Niebaum-Tonella and Morisoli-Borges vineyards along the Rutherford Bench. It opens with a bouquet of sweetly ripened mango, peach and pear, which continue on the palate. Fierce acidity and a drop of anise form the backdrop of the wine, which finishes somewhat tropical.
Mouthcoating, this is a full-bodied wine with small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Tar, leather, cedar and black cherry stand out as characteristics, with added weight from the heavier, darker elements of chocolate and oak. Drink now through 2022.
Wild berries, from elderberry to salmonberry to mountain strawberries, are in play in this wine. The underpinning scents suggest earth and wet cement, while in the finish a strong flavor of breakfast tea lingers. This is an interesting addition to the Sineann lineup.
This bright and spicy wine refreshes with palate-cleansing minerality. The crisp, fresh-cut pear and apple fruit carries hints of orange liqueur. Drink this while it's in the bloom of youth.
Enticing aromas of red rose, wild red berry and aromatic herb lead the way. The palate offers dried berry, grilled herb, mocha and toast alongside assertive tannins and nervous acidity. Give this a few years for the tannins to unfold. Drink after 2020.
Ripe borderline raisiny aromas include earth, cedar and graphite scents. This is concentrated, grabby and fully extracted. Flavors of jammy black fruits blend with spicy saucy notes prior to a finish with flavors of tomato, herbs, salt and gamy meat. Firm acidity guarantees this will last at least another five years before falling off.
A nose of wild blackberry and brambles lays the groundwork for a tender dance of fruit and herbal flavors, especially blackberry, pomegranate, eucalyptus and fennel bulb. Mouth-coating tannins dissipate on the finish, joined by a burst of tart pomegranate.
This opens with aromas of ripe berry, aromatic herb, pressed rose petal and a balsamic note. The rather lean palate offers sour cherry, crushed strawberry, sage and star anise alongside nervous acidity and tightly wound, astringent tannins that leave a rather raspy finish. Give this a few more years to unclench. Drink after 2019.
Firm and full-bodied, this opens with aromas of mature plum, underbrush, baked earth, vanilla and exotic spice. The high-toned, chewy palate doles out ripe black cherry, raspberry jam, vanilla, mocha, white pepper and mint alongside polished tannins.
This dense and dark wine offers spice and toast flavors. It has a big, generous feel, leaving room both for the dry, still-young tannins and for aromatic blackberry fruits. It does need to age, so drink from 2017.
Aromas of toasted oak, mocha and a whiff of coconut oak lead the nose while the firm palate offers dark cherry, espresso, dried sage and a hint of anise. The tightly wound tannins still pack youthful sharpness and need a few more years to soften up. Drink after 2021.
Complexity and varietal character come through in this concentrated, well-balanced and smoothly polished wine. It is full bodied and lightly tannic, but so oozing with flavors that it's still easy to sip. The array of black plum, light sage, and black olive flavors is accented with very light oak.
Made in a relatively restrained style, this is a dark, juicy and smoky wine from Dry Creek and Alexander Valley area vineyard sites. Lengthy and smooth, it takes a decidedly medium-bodied route, with traces of leather pouch on the nose and a soft layering of milk chocolate on the finish.
This blend of Bordeaux grapes with Syrah is rich and spicy. It is made to be drunk young, with touches of toast and a dense texture that brings out the perfumed character of Syrah balanced with Bordeaux structure. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from late 2016.
This wine offers aromas of raspberry and toffee. There is a nice interplay of fruit, floral, and minty flavors, notably raspberry, cherry, toffee, rose petal and eucalyptus. Mildly gripping tannins make themselves evident, and fruit flavors remain prominent through the smooth finish.
Layers of pollen, dusty mineral and spice lend complexity to this concentrated wine full of yellow peach and fresh apple flavors. It's delicate and lithe in texture, yet punchy and penetrating.
This falls sbetween a rosé and an orange wine in its appearance, a pale salmon/copper shade that results from 36 hours of skin contact before pressing. Scents of hibiscus tea and rosewater put a delicate top note ahead of rich, ripe, round and spicy citrus fruit. A strong impression of cinnamon marks the finish.
Clean, crisp and bright, this was fermented in stainless (with just 10% in neutral wood), and not put through malolactic. The blend is 60/40 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, yielding fresh fruit flavors of apple and melon that are focused and precise. A streak of ginger runs through racy acidity.
Stainless-steel fermented, this wine remains pungently aromatic in woody, earthy tones, with accents of fragrant orange blossom and pear, while staying crisp and light on the palate. Honey and lemon combine on the complex finish.
Aromas of red berry, sage, cinnamon and a whisper of menthol lead the nose and carry over to the solid palate together with juicy sour cherry, black raspberry, licorice and tobacco. It's a classic Barolo, straightforward and delicious, with ripe, integrated tannins and fresh acidity.
Named after the winemaker, Amélie Couillard, this soft, rounded wine is smooth with creamed apple flavors while also having a proper tangy of acidity. That tight and tangy edge makes the wine refreshing now while also allowing it to age for a few more months. Drink now or from late 2016.
Root beer, cola nut, black cherry, black raspberry and anise seed combine for an exciting nose on this bottling from a winery near Morgan Hill. The mouthfeel is full, with graphite and lively fennel-bulb spice mixing with blackberry fruit and an earthy elegance on the pleasing palate.
This is a floral blend of 48% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne and 17% Viognier. The Roussanne speaks loudest, while the whole offers a mix of dried and fresh apricot and creamy vanilla wafer that's light bodied and fresh with acidity.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot, this was built to be approachable young. Grapes are sourced from an estate, organically farmed vineyard as well as two neighboring properties, Pickberry and Murray Ranch. Tobacco forms around a juiciness of blackberry and raspberry, giving it a sultry edge, while maintaing soft tannins throughout.
This wine is dense, ripe and full of rich apricot and peach flavors, with a line of crisp lemon and a background of toast. Full in the mouth, this generous wine will be ready to drink from 2017. It comes Louis Max domaine vineyards in and around Mercurey.
Aromas of pressed rose, dried berry, leather, chopped herb, cinnamon and a balsamic note emerge in the glass. The subtle palate delivers dried black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and a hint of tobacco alongside firm, ripe tannins. Enjoy sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit richness.
Earthy aromas of leather, game, sunbaked earth and mature dark-skinned berry take center stage. The tense palate offers dried black cherry, mocha, espresso licorice and tobacco alongside fresh acidity and close-grained tannins.
Winemaker Tim Stevens' dark, subtle, beautifully proportioned wines glide across the palate like Apollo Ono dancing with the stars. The cool site brings out some of the floral and citrus accents often missing from Merlot, and the darker cherry and plum fruit flavors fill in right behind. Supple and sensuous, this is a wine to savor and, if possible, cellar for another decade.
Smoky and meaty, this is aggressively savory in style, but really evolves with air to show a gentler, raspberry-fruited side accented by dried spices. It's medium- to full- bodied, with a slightly creamy texture and silky, mouthwatering finish. Terrific cool-climate Shiraz.
Consistency in the wine world is a virtue, and Cheval covers the consistency issue with ease. Aromas of earth, mushroom, leather and so forth add an Old World touch to this New World Malbec-Cabernet blend. It's healthy and even juicy on the palate, with blackberry, dark plum and tobacco flavors. An interesting wine that grabs and holds your attention. Drink now through 2012.
A ripe, soft wine that still does manage to preserve the Ayala lightness of touch. The fruit is green apple and pink grapefruit, with great freshness. The structure, though, is open and hints of yeast show through the fruit. The aftertaste is deliciously fresh.
Cab Franc is often chewy, tannic, herbal, but rarely luscious, as it is here. The addition of 12% Merlot softens up the middle, but the Franc is the show, with a dazzling display of blueberry, boysenberry, raspberry, coffee, tobacco leaf, lead pencil and more.
It's pure Cabernet Sauvignon, dense, dark and what might be called brooding. Despite the massive fruit, the darker notes of black olive and earth are not submerged in sweetness. In fact, there are Stag's Leap-like flavors of rock and mineral. Along with the sleek cassis and black cherry, come highlights of bitter chocolate.
The wine is still showing a lot of rich new oak flavors: toast, coconut and vanilla crème. Sur lie aging (in 100% French oak) adds plenty of texture and the impression of minerality. Behind the oak is a lush mix of fruits, from tangerine and pineapple through papaya and ripe banana.
This vineyard-designated Sauv Blanc is half fermented in stainless steel, 40% in concrete eggs and the rest in French oak. It is completely different from the winery's Columbia Valley bottling, with much riper and rounder fruit flavors showing off stone fruits, such as peaches and apricots, along with tropical hints of papaya. There's plenty of stuffing and spice, and a perfect mix of the grape's innate herbaceous and grassy qualities, ramped up with riper, sweeter fruit.
The Claret is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the other four Bordeaux grapes filling in the other half, and is quite firm, sappy and muscular. It is tightly structured with cassis, black cherry and plenty of dark, tarry undertones. The herbal aspects show in some black olive and black tea flavors; the tannins are strong and supple, and the wine has a sinuous finish suggesting both strength and length. An exceptional value, this wine should age very nicely.
Consistent with previous releases, this Michel Rolland effort is a soft, silky, smoky wine that introduces itself with round cherry fruit and then charges ahead with layers of licorice, citrus, coffee and rock that enliven the finish. There is plenty of tart raspberry fruit to open, and the balancing acids to give the wine a tight core. It's a very polished and appealing balance of forward, approachable fruit married to more elegant, ageworthy tannins and acids.
A zesty, lean-boned wine, but give it credit for offering classic pepper and raspberry aromas mixed with a touch of pickle and green. The palate is properly sized and balanced, with tart plum flavors that are satisfying enough. Not a deep or sophisticated wine, but it's clean and pretty good for Argentine Pinot.
A neutral nose is the result of oak and mild apple and banana aromas offsetting each other. The palate is fairly forward, with apple, pear and banana flavors. Balance is achieved courtesy of healthy fruit, light oak and good acidity. Don't expect miracles and it should do the trick.
Bone dry, earthy and leathery, this Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon seems a bit tired. The fruit is showing early signs of fading, and the tannins—earthy, green and a bit rough—may already be taking over. Some earthy, organic, almost biodynamic flavors come out in the finish.
The Naked Riesling is organically farmed and produced. This new vintage already seems a bit tired and has an unusually deep (oxidized?) golden color. It's drinking well enough, like a somewhat aged apple cider, but does not have the sort of freshness that one would hope for in a just-released 2007 wine.
Occupying the bottom rung (in terms of cost) of the Columbia Crest ladder, Two Vines wines are generally light, quite clean and simple, with a minimum exposure to oak. This fits the mold, with flavors of strawberry chews and cotton candy. The tannins are also light and herbal, with an earthy, pleasantly leafy finish.
A soft wine with flavors of red berries, canned strawberries and a structure that seems more red wine than Champagne. It's a curious hybrid, starting with too much tannin and leaving some astringency. Maybe bottle age will help.
This wine is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's aromatic and fruit-forward, offering red plum, herbs, milk chocolate and floral accents. The fruit flavors are rich and focused, showing great depth and intensity with a palate-coating feel.
This inaugural release from former NFL quarterbacks Dan Marino and Damon Huard is a blend of 86% Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Klipsun Merlot and 5% Champoux Cabernet Franc. It's aromatically brooding at kickoff, with notes of dark coffee, dusty earth and cherry. The soft, smooth cherry and coffee flavors will benefit from additional time in the bottle, as this wine is more about elegance than sheer power. Give it until 2025–2030 to see it at its best; it has the stuffing to get there.
From 41-year-old vines on just over five estate acres, this is resiny and briny on the nose. A honey-laced creaminess at the core is tensely accentuated by vibrant acidity. Balanced and elegant, with a sunny bite of ripeness, it revels in nuances of fresh and dried apricot while lighter notes of lemon, lime and grapefruit play backup.
Consistency of richness and caramel toastiness characterizes this wine year in and year out. This vintage exudes both the full-bodied style embraced by the producer as well as the voluptuously ripe and wholesome fruit that comes off of the vineyard in a year like 2012. Dark gold in color, it offers salty, savory accents around a core of lemon-specked minerality. Surreal and effete, it finishes with flair.
Enticing aromas of woodland berry, violet, savory herb and a whiff of game lead the nose. The palate offers red berry, crushed raspberry, clove and grilled herb alongside firm but polished tannins. An anise note marks the finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This inaugural release is 100% varietal that's aged in neutral French puncheons. The panoply of notes includes raspberry seed, dark plum, green olive and nori. The mouthfeel is the true star with a rich, pillowy-soft, palate-coating texture showing exceptional purity and an extended finish.
This vital, athletic wine is tempting now but will be best to drink after 2018. It has a dark color with a red-brick rim and opulent fruit aromas. Tangy, mouth-filling cherry and raspberry flavors come with a vibrant, tannic, lively texture. It's a bit tight to enjoy now, but will mellow and mature in the cellar.
With its strong initial impression of dryness, this is obviously a structured wine. It is dense, rich and concentrated with fine tannins, spice and a strong orange-zest character. Refreshing acidity gives a lift to this ripe, full wine. Drink from 2019.
Intense berry, violet, menthol and white-spice aromas lead the nose, with a whiff of new leather The vibrant palate delivers crunchy red cherry, fleshy raspberry, baking spice and savory herb alongside assertive but refined tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2018–2018.
This wine needs some coaxing at first to come out of its shell. Once settled, it entices in warming cardamom, clove and damp earth, taking on savory airs. Exuberant as it develops, it offers high-toned cherry and tangerine that surround a silky, subtle body. Hints of spicy cinnamon and white pepper mark the finish.
Aromas suggest underbrush, crushed berry and moist soil. The palate offers wild cherry, licorice, tobacco, rosemary and sage alongside firm tannins. It still needs to open up and fully develop. Drink 2018–2028.
An intense portrait of Napa Cabernet, bursting in red cassis, plum and herbes de Provence, this is a balanced, softly layered wine with well-managed tannins. The time in French oak has provided structure as well as power. Toying for more time in bottle, it should be enjoyed through 2022–2027.
From Montalcino's most famous vineyard site, this opens with aromas of cured meat, grilled herb and a whiff of mature olive. The palate offers red cherry, licorice, savory herb and a mineral note alongside youthfully assertive but fine-grained tannins that need time to unwind. Drink after 2018.
This standout wine is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc mostly from old blocks at Dionysus, Red Willow and Bacchus vineyards. It's youthful with aromas of toasty barrel spices, dark roasted coffee and high-toned savory herbs. Flavors are light and restrained while still showing a lot of richness, with the dark fruit notes backed by mouthwatering acids. Just a baby now, this is a 20-year wine that should start to strut its stuff after 2024. Give it a 24-hour decant if opening it in the near term.
The Sonoma Zinfandel house pursues a rich, opulent Rhône style in this bottling, with aromas of dark red fruit, purple florals, game and wet asphalt. It hits the palate with a Sichuan pepper-like buzz that enlivens the mouth far into the finish, with well-seasoned flavors of dried cherries, fennel and crushed Italian herbs.
Owned by the Cuveliers who also own Léoville Poyferré in Saint-Julien, Le Crock in 2012 is a powerhouse of ripe tannins and juicy acidity. It's a wine that demands aging with its tannins and still-youthful fruitiness. Drink from 2019.
An immediately delicious wine, perfumed with fruit blossoms and laden with ripe citrus fruits and pears. With its cutting acidity, it will age, but it is so delicious now. Screwcap.
The briary, red fruit aromas are slightly prickly slightly, becoming fuller and deeper with time in glass. This feels solid and fairly dense for the price, with berry, peppery spice and light herb flavors. Fruity and friendly on the finish.
This is fresh and vibrant, with aromas and flavors of apple, melon and orange citrus. Medium weight, with a mouthwatering zip to the finish, pair this with grilled fish, chicken or summer salads. Drink now.
This opens softly, with murky aromas of tomato and prune. It feels heavy and dense, with big tannins and mild acidity. The flavors of prune, mocha, fudge and stewed berry are rich and weighty. This is dense and ripe, a touch flat.
There's an assertive oaky presence to this wine, with forward aromas and flavors of vanilla bean, honeyed peach and spiced guava. The round and mouthfilling texture complements the rich fruit flavors, and the finish is long and sweet-spice driven.
Red berry and mild matchstick aromas augment the resiny oak scents from being barrel fermentation. It's juicy, fresh and healthy in the mouth, with a mix of red fruit and stone fruit flavors and a finish that's mild, consistent and long.
A project of Charles Smith and Charles Bieler, this easy-drinking, approachable red is a low-budget expression of a popular blend. The sweet cherry fruit is lightly candied, and it bears a strong scent of toast. The flavors are simple, juicy and quite pretty, with a streak of fresh cut tobacco.
Full bodied and richly tannic, this heavily extracted wine seems almost like too much of a good thing. Leather and cedar aromas give way to flavors of roasted meat, tapenade and asphalt and finish slightly warm. Maybe some time in the cellar will help dial this wine down.
Domaine Fond Croze's entry-level cuvée is a bit coarsely textured, but otherwise offers ample spice-driven flavors and a subtle layer of cherry fruit. Clove and pepper notes linger on the finish. Drink now–2015.
Apple skin, orange rind and clove spice lead on the bouquet, while opulent flavors of popcorn and baked apple fill the medium-weight palate. Despite the rich notes throughout, there's a nice freshness, with a clean, softly spiced finish. Drink now.
Séguret wines often have a firmness to their tannins, and this is no exception. Attractive notes of red cherries, dusty earth and garrigue are framed by starching tannins, which leave the finish spicy and drying. Drink it now with fatty red meats, or give it a couple of years in the cellar to mellow.
Spunky and clean as a whistle, with pointed cherry aromas leading to a zesty, juicy palate with red plum and red berry flavors. It remains dry and poised on the finish.
This is a perfumed wine, with white fruit flavors and and citrus zest acidity. It is still young, tense and tangy, needing several months to balance out.
Smooth and caramel-flavored, this has a feeling of weight and richness. Its texture is soft, with a tang of spice and peppered lemon zest. The name of the wine refers to the old trunk road that ran from Paris to Provence.
Here's a vibrant and easy-drinking selection that's loaded with cherry and black pepper sensations. It's fresh, bright and crisp, and is perfect to pair with pasta e fagioli or white-meat dishes.
Rubbery, woodsy aromas of wild berries and balsamic vinegar are spicy and suggestive of Bordeaux. Leafy flavors of plum, pie cherry and spice are herbal but not green, while this value blend's peppery, dry finish is juicy and composed.
A grassy, green wine, although with some weight and richness filling out the fresh fruitiness. It's soft, showing lemon and red apple fruits but with a crisp final taste. Screwcap.
Fragrant wine, ripely perfumed, its tannins bringing out red berry fruits and a shapely structure. It also has a fresh feel to it from the intense acidity at the end. Age for a year, but drink now.
This selection opens with aromas of blackberry and black pepper, along with whiffs of oak and vanilla. It has a chewy palate, with well-integreated oak and a black-cherry core accented by a hint of chocolate. The finish is somewhat abrupt.
Strawberry, cherry and generic red-fruit aromas lead a standard, healthy feeling palate. This wet, fresh but simple rosé offers peach, raspberry and slightly bitter finishing flavors.
A simple, rounded wine, soft and fruity. Pear and apricot flavors dominate along with a crisper, grapefruit edge. The wine is aging quickly, and will be ready in a few months.
This is a bright and approachable wine, with forward notes of blueberry, plum and wild strawberry accented by hints of garrigue and vanilla. Swaths of mocha and sweet spice add richness to the palate and linger on the medium-length finish.
Gritty aromas of saddle leather, horse hide and pickled berries filter into a choppy feeling palate with briny and herbal flavors. There's also notes of berries and salt. A chewy finish has weight, structure and saucy, pickled flavors of savory berry fruits.
Medium sweet (listed at 24g/L residual sugar), this includes 7% Gewürztraminer in the blend. Lime and lime skin are the first sniff responders, with more citrus and wet stone flavors following. Despite the sugar, it's a rather tart tasting wine, suitable for a wide variety of spicy Asian fare.
Coming from the newly minted Ancient Lakes appellation, it's a jumble of apple and tropical notes. It leans toward medium sweet with tart acids pulling it back on the finish.
Kana's Workingman's Red has turned into a southern Rhône style blend of six grapes, the only outlier being a splash of Tempranillo. Toasty, round and easy-drinking, it's a good, all-purpose barbecue red, with a smoky, espresso-scented finish.
This has initial aromas of raisin and underbrush, followed by hints of toasted oak and espresso. The palate shows evident alcohol sensations, with black cherry, fig and coffee flavors relegated to the background.
This well-aged Cab Franc opens with raw, scratchy aromas that can best be described as abrasive and herbal. The palate brings a hard, acidic feel and high-toned, herbal flavors of cherry, plum and rhubarb. A lactic oak flavor meshes with green bean notes on the finish.
This wine has a restrained, elegant character that offers minerality and deep Chardonnay fruit on the palate. Aromas of lemon and spice on the nose are followed by full-bodied flavors and a toasted nut finish. Poised and pretty, it will pair well with most dishes.
The bouquet smells like spiked fruit cocktail, and in the long run what's wrong with that? The palate is open and fairly easy, with a touch of kick pushing citrus, tropical fruit and even some mineral notes. A more citrusy and fresh style of Viognier, with 15% Chardonnay.
A bright cherry-red color, this lively, sweet-scented wine proves that Oregon can still make a Pinot Noir in a lighter style without having it turn vegetal. Despite a citrusy snap to the palate, it feels smooth and even a bit satiny, and the pretty cranberry/cherry fruit is annotated with cinnamon and light toast. A superb value.
Next time you drop a six-stroke lead on the last day of the country club tournament, head for the dining room and order a bottle of this mainstream Shiraz. It goes down easy, thanks to its roundness and supple tannins, yet still offers enough complexity and tannin to stand up to simply grilled steaks.
This is a crisp, serviceable Pinot Gris, with sharp green-apple and cut pear fruit dominating. It's got plenty of acid underscoring the fruit, and should work well as an all-purpose wine.
This 100% Mavroudi, a regional red wine of Thrace, has an expressive, red-fruit nose with warm hints of vanilla and smoky spice. Grown in northeastern Greece on an ancient site overlooking the Aegean Sea, this is smooth and velvety with rich, spicy flavors and a lingering finish. Its texture and complexity lends it to pairings with more opulent dishes like rack of lamb and beef stew, but alternately, consider its Mediterranean roots and sip alongside a plate of spicy black olives or a Greek salad.
It opens with sweet/tart raspberry fruit, a streamlined, well-defined wine underscored by tart, citrusy acids. It does not show the harmonious complexity of the blends, but it is a very pleasant wine, soft and approachable, sweet and smooth. A bit one-dimensional; it begins with fresh berry fruit, tosses in a hint of cherry tobacco, and leaves a slightly earthy impression in the finish, but fails to move in the mouth.
Dense and blackberryish on the nose, this medium- to full-bodied Shiraz offers plenty of fruit in soft, easy-to-drink package. Hints of dried spices give it more interest than your average $12 Shiraz.
Among Chilean Chardonnays, this one gets it more right than wrong. The nose deals apple pie and mineral, while the palate shows mostly apple, pear and butterscotch flavors. Not complex or stately, but round, fresh and generally on target.
Comes out of the chute showing a funky, rubbery edge, but that blows off with a little time to reveal dark, somewhat earthy notes of cola and blackberry. It's medium-bodied, with good length to the finish, where it picks up enough dusty tannins to give it backbone.
There's no escaping the asparagus and canned bean aromas that consume the bouquet, but those scents do fade after a while and the nose eventually leads to flavors of lime, white peach and citrus. The zest and balance are good, and the vegetal character becomes less austere with time; but all along the way the wine carries that love-it-or-hate-it snap of green.
Now part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio, this pioneering Oregon winery seems to be holding firm to a clean, simple style of winemaking, as exemplified by this fresh and lightly fruity Pinot Gris. Lemony and tart, it's the sort of pleasantly generic white wine that one might expect to find from Italy.
This is for real Pinotage lovers, so bashful drinkers, beware. The nose bursts with ripe red fruit and spice—Pinotage hallmarks—and on the palate, lively, spicy and smoky flavors of berry and savory spice abound. It's a wine full of personality and is best enjoyed with a dish of grilled spicy ribs or ethnic food that can tame its wildness.
Malbec from Chile may not seem as natural as from Argentina, but you will not go wrong with this stocky, soft, lightly baked offering. The palate has a touch of herbal lift to accent the black fruit, while the finish is firm, comfortable and consistent.
In contrast to Knyphausen's 2006 Riesling, the 2006 kabinett is restrained and minerally, offering crisp pineapple and green apple flavors underscored by mouthwatering acidity. It's slightly lighter in body as well, with a raciness that would work well served alongside sautéed trout.
A hint of dried apricot underscores the ripe apple aromas in this fresh and appealing auslese. It's sweet but not overly so, with apple and melon flavors that are plesantly round without becoming soft.
This plump, succulent Riesling offers up scents of honey, ripe pears and even some slate-driven minerality, then follows through on the palate with crisp pear and citrus flavors, underscored by wet stones. Fresh and clean, it's an ideal apéritif, but would also work well with various Asian dishes.
This second wine of Labégorce Margaux is named after the former neighboring estate Labégorce Zédé that was amalgamated after the 2009 vintage. This is a ripe wine, full of the fruit of the vintage as well as having a firm dry tannic structure that will allow it to age. With juicy blackberry fruits still so youthful, it is going to be ready drink from 2019.
Produced from a 17-acre vineyard, dominated by Merlot, this is the top wine of Château Renard. It is structured and firm with tannins and dense concentration that will probably remain with this rich wine as it matures. Drink from 2018.
Coming from a site best known for its Syrah, this wine brings high-toned aromas of violets, herb and dark fruit. The black-fruit flavors are rich yet supple, with fine-grained but occasionally toothy tannins providing support. Mocha flavors linger on the finish. It's a bit oak heavy but by and large carries it.
This tart, sleek, pretty wine shows bright strawberry and raspberry fruit. Quite young and fresh, it's still rather tight and stubbornly closed, even after breathing for a full 24 hours.
Vines on the slope of the Brouilly hill give a firmly structured wine. It is has a fine sense of balance between the tannins and the bright black-cherry fruits. Rich and crisp with acidity, it is going to be a wine that brings out so much fruitiness as it matures. Drink from late 2017.
The Sullivan designate mixes Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 777 clones, which were aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. It's similar to the winery's Dardis bottling in terms of the balance between fruit and herbs, though here there is a bit of a hole in the midpalate. Otherwise, it's a friendly mix of black cherry, cola and chocolate: forward and open.
Made in a big, bold, full-bodied style, this blend is showy in juicy blackberry, cedar and currant, flavors that are surrounded by firm, integrated tannin. A taste of cigar and chocolate gives the end note a nightcap kind of feel.
Roasted gamy berry and spice aromas are vintage Salta. This feels potent and grabby, but well balanced. Roasted berry flavors match the nose, while this offers notes of chocolate, mint and herbs. The finish is strong, a bit hot and demanding, but overall this full-force Malbec is on the money.
Tannic and extracted, with gritty tannins and dark, almost dried fruit. This is powerful stuff, framed by hints of brown sugar and baking spices. Try pairing it against char-grilled steak or lamb.
A haze of smoked nut and toasted cedar envelop ripe, fleshy black cherry and raspberry in this rich, but elegantly balanced, Spätburgunder. Crisp, tart cranberry and cassis notes brighten the midpalate easing into a finish marked b fine but slightly bitter tannins. Drinks well now but should meld nicely from 2020.
This affordable wine is smooth and deeply fruity, rather full bodied, and quite enjoyable for the ripe blackberry and boysenberry flavors. Not as tannic as some, it still has a moderately gripping texture that will be perfect with grilled meat.
Ripe, jammy, grapy aromas and flavors and a lush but firm texture make this medium-bodied wine instantly appealing and enjoyable to drink. It has nicely concentrated fruit flavors, a sense of depth and a beautiful, velvety texture.
Ripe black-plum and spice aromas are dense and blocky. This is 85% Syrah and 15% Monastrell, with a jammy palate and a touch of heat and flab. Flavors of raisin, blackberry and prune finish earthy, with an echo of prune and moderately scratchy tannins.
Stone-fruit and melon aromas are minerally. This feels linear and tight due to racy acidity. Flavors of white fruits, lime and stones are slightly tart, while this is short but firm on the finish. For barrel-fermented Viura, this is not oaky in any overt way.
Yellow in color, with subdued aromas of apple and squash, this feels creamy and a touch flat. Baked and buttered apple flavors finish dry and salty. For oak-aged Albariño, this is well done. Drink now.
With a yellowish color and round melony aromas that are suggestive of candle wax, this feels oily and a touch viscous, but not fat or out of shape. Dry, slightly salty melon flavors finish strong.
An impressive value, this is a rather full and weighty Pinot that stays supple through the finish. Dusty earth and cherry notes marry nicely on the nose, followed by flavors reminiscent of cola, cherry and raspberry. Drink now–2019.
Whiffs of savory herb and smoke fade into buoyant fruit on the palate of this juicy, tangerine-kissed Riesling. Off-dry in style, it's easygoing and fruit forward, with a finish marked by sweet apricot and citrus flavors. Drink now through 2020.
Aromas of steeped berry, baking spice, Alpine herb and crushed stone emerge in the glass. The structured palate offers dried cherry, fig, licorice and powdered herb framed in assertive tannins that leave a firm, astringent finish. Give the tannins another year or two then drink to capture the remaining fruit.
Dry grainy, full-force oak aromas are front and center, with spiced apple notes playing in the backdrop. This is scorchingly oaky, with about as much toasty new oak as any Chardonnay can handle. Flavors of burnt wood and resiny apple finish extremely woody.
This wine is like an adventurous trek through the mountains, with wild, smoky, forest aromas, gamy, black-peppery flavors and a rugged texture that's inviting. Flavor nuances come out with each sip, yielding blackberry, blueberry and grilled steak.
Citrus, mineral and honey aromas are good but not all that complex. This feels full and weighty, with nectarine and orange flavors. On the finish, dry citrus flavors are round and lasting but low on elegance. Drink now.
Dark berry, resin, brown baking spice and menthol aromas lead the way. The firm tightly knit palate offers black cherry, licorice, sage and espresso alongside assertive grainy tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2018–2023.
Medium bodied, quite ripe and fruity, and broad in texture, this pleasant wine fills the mouth with ripe cherry and tamarind flavors.
Oak-based savory spicy aromas start out raw and rustic but find their way in front of a tight palate with hard tannins. Plum and currant flavors get a big boost from the barrel, while this tastes of tomato, plum and hickory on a tannic drying finish.
This is a ripe Malbec with aromas of pipe tobacco, raisin and blackberry. The palate is rich and saturated, but a bit raisiny. Borderline overripe flavors of blackberry and cassis come with savory notes, while this is jammy, heavy and tastes of mint, spice and chocolate on the finish. Drink through 2021.
The nose is a bit quiet, but the palate of this off-dry Gewürztraminer is lusciously fruity, full of clingy peach, nectarine and citrus flavors. Bright acidity and a bristling lime-pith finish add depth and structure.
Deep olallieberry-pie aromas meet with lilac, vanilla and brown sugar on the very accessible nose of this bottling. It's somewhat thin on the palate, but quite grippy and refreshing, with flavors of dried plums, marjoram and lavender.
The tannins of this firm wine are softening well to give richness as well as structure. With juicy black currants, it is going to be a solid, dense wine. This is the second wine of the family-owned Grand Pontent which is managed by a member of the Bécot family of classed growth Beauséjour-Bécot. Drink from 2018.
Limarí is proving itself to be the right region for floral, cool-climate Syrah. This one from Tamaya is minerally and flowery smelling, with bright flavors of black cherry, plum and boysenberry. It's structured and zesty, with good tannic grip and a full finish of kirsch, pepper and coffee. Not outrageous but still one of the best wines we've tried from this producer. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
Light, fresh crisp wine, showing a lively series of green fruits, bright acidity and a texture of tight apple skins. A deliciously light, vivid wine. Screwcap.
Delicate and poised, this unusual Pinot Gris was fermented half in stainless and half in neutral oak, then kept on the lees for an extended period before bottling. The wine reveals itself gracefully with mixed green apple and white peach; hints of baking spice and a wash of vanilla wafer appear right at the finish line.
This wine offers citrus—orange, grapefruit—and spice on the nose. On the palate, a sweeter array of apricot, tropical fruit and some lemon is buoyed by its minerality. A lusher style of Gewürtz that will pair well with spicy cuisine—think Indian curries.
The Cazes family, which owns the Michel Lynch brand (as well as Château Lynch-Bages), also has vineyards in the Graves, and this well-rounded, spice- and pear-flavored wine draws on good vineyard contacts in that region. There is toast, along with citrus acidity and a fine, fruity finish.
This wine moves quickly past its tight red currant fruit into flavors of red licorice, hints of caramel and a rather light, almost airy finish. Crisp and well-made, but a bit ambiguous.
Erath's Juliard bottling has a bit more stiffness and muscle than the wide-open Hyland, but tails off too quickly to be considered as a cellar candidate. The soft strawberry fruit flavors are wrapped in pleasing chocolate, and lightly spicy, toasty details pop up throughout. It just lacks grips and length.
From a biodynamic vineyard, this vivid wine reveals great character. The fruit is ripe, smooth, soft, illuminated by flashes of currants, green plums, a wonderful swathe of creaminess. It feels very complete, not intense, but open and ready to drink.
Perfectly good for the price, with a dark, smoky outlook and masculine aromas of mocha, roasted berry and violet. Like you'd expect for New World Syrah, it's intense but not aggressive, and the mix of plum, berry, cocoa and toast flavors give it amplitude and attitude. Well-made for a large-production wine (140,000 cases).
Like biting right into a crisp Asian pear, this clean and brightly fruity wine accents the fresh flavors with just a hint of nutmeg and sweet spice.
Bright, concentrated pineapple, lemon and tangerine flavors take center stage in this cutting, unoaked Chardonnay. It's sunny with fruit yet keenly balanced by puckery lime acidity and a dusting of minerality. Drink now through 2019.
This pale Saint Tropez rosé is ripe and fruity, with attractive red-berry flavors and a warm texture. The rich fruits and smooth structure of the Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache blend make it full enough go with food.
Ripe blackberry, smoke and dark cooking spice aromas emerge on this savory red. On the easy-drinking, medium-bodied palate, round tannins support juicy plum, black cherry and a note of ground pepper. Enjoy soon.
This is a lovely example of Grüner's potential in New Zealand. Varietally distinctive celery leaf and stalk aromas and flavors are rounded out by hints of melon. There's a bit of creaminess on the midpalate, and while the finish is spicy, it's not quite white pepper. Still, a solid effort.
This is a hearty wine on the nose, with sarsaparilla, red plum, rustic leather, dried strawberry and clove, showing a touch of age. A wide array of allspice, star anise and chicory spice pops on the palate, surrounded by dried red cherry, leather, iced coffee and turned-earth flavors. The acidity remains vibrant, but drink now.
Fleshy strawberry notes vie with Golden Delicious apple flavors. The palate continues with this competition and throws in lemon freshness. This is easy, dry, fleshy and joyful. Drink soon.
Bold blueberry notes are bolstered by aromatic hints of cinnamon and make for a juicy, fleshy nose and palate. It seems like this wine has juicy, berry-ish fun written all over its smooth, easy body. Drink now.
Summer where art thou? This zippy, simple but ultrarefreshing and light-bodied Grüner, with green pear crispness, is just the thing for hot days. Drink soon.
Faint notes of white pepper and bay leaf create an aromatic introduction to this delicate rosé. The slender palate delivers red apple and a pleasant hit of citrus which lingers beautifully.
Aged in barriques, this deeply hued yellow-gold wine opens with aromas of toasted oak, dried citrus and aromatic herb. The lean, somewhat evolved palate offers pink grapefruit, mineral, almond and oak-driven spice. Drink soon.
Black pepper, lightly toasted oak, blue flower and black currant aromas lead the nose and carry over to the palate along with black cherry and licorice notes. This is already approachable, with chewy but fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2017.
This is a lush, seductive Carignan, offering initial notes of pepper, licorice and baking spice that harmonize into the dense black-fruit core. The palate is round and mouthfilling, with ample acidity and medium tannins that lend a pleasant structure. Rich blackberry and black-cherry flavors are infused with wood and sweet spice tones, finishing long.
Beatrice Cointreau is a 20th generation winemaker who moved to Malibu, where she makes this blend of 98% Viognier and 2% Chardonnay. It shows delicate lemon wedges, ripe nectarine and melon, lime zest and tangerine juice on the nose. The palate combines lime peels with riper peach and pineapple notes in the midpalate.
Blackberry and cassis aromas are ripe and floral like violets. The palate is more tannic than fully built. Berry and plum flavors show tea and light herbal notes, while flavors of coffee, thyme and plum share space on a bright finish.
A powerful waft of red fruit and tannin combine for an agreeable wine that'll do well across palates, appealing to those who like some weight and body to their wine and to others who like a wine priced under $30. Either way, give it some time to air in the glass: it's still very much a baby.
Big, rowdy flavors like rhubarb and black cherries seem to fill this medium-bodied wine to the rim. Made from an unusual clone smuggled into the U.S. and whole cluster fermentation, it has richness, moderate tannins, and a broad mouthfeel, with little oak flavor showing through.
A fairly rich take on this grape, which many wineries use from this particular vineyard, this bottling is flush with white peach and white melon aromas, cut by lime and dried lemon blossoms, and layered with intriguing kiwi and exotic citrus notes. The palate is more simple, with apple and lemon flavors and chalky texture.
The nose is rather subdued but this eventually reveals hints of pressed acacia flower and nut. On the palate, flinty mineral, almond and a hint of honey accent citrus zest while fresh acidity gives lifts the finish.
Blueberry paste, chocolate cake and a touch of tar show on the nose of this wine, which clings to its aromas and doesn't let them escape easily. The palate is more showy, with purple flowers and grape candy flavors, framed by rather strong tannins. This will improve with a bit more time.
Equal parts Wallula and Canoe Ridge vineyard fruit, the aromas offer expressive notes of melon, flowers, jasmine and peach. The palate is textured and full, but the flavors at times seem a bit diluted. It shows some heat on the back end.
Citrus, apple and a hint of fresh bell pepper make for a good nose. This feels medium in body, with juicy acidity. Salty flavors of lime and green apple are lasting across the finish.
Pressed olallieberries, lilacs, a touch of pine smoke and fairly grapy aromas show on this easy-drinking bottling. The palate is straightforward with quaffable grape and olallieberry flavors, with a judicious amount of tannins and acidity to keep it exciting.
Dark hay in color with a concentration of oak on the nose, the palate retains that richness of nutty almond and apple pie, finding a balance that betrays the heavier implications of the initial aromas. On the finish it offers a lightness of being, as well as a touch of perfume.
This is a tasty and interesting medium-bodied wine made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of the white grape Viognier. It doesn't overpower with ripeness or tannins, but has a smoky, spicy aroma, meaty flavors and a lively, slightly gripping texture.
A 100% varietal wine from one vineyard, this wine opens in cinnamon stick and blackberry jam, leading the way to chocolatey leather on the palate offset by tingling acidity. Currant, blueberry and cedar also make appearances atop a full-body and lengthy, concentrated finish.
Delicate scents of white flower and apricot lead the nose. The bright, round palate doles out ripe peach, pear and a hint of hazelnut that lead to a fresh finish.
Suave aromas of pepper, elderberry, lavender and a touch of snapped sagebrush show on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers slightly sour black fruits of tart plum skin and boysenberry, rounded by a savory soy component.
Dark alpine strawberry and black plum notes converge on the nose of this wine, which also offers a tart element. Vivacious black raspberry, pencil lead, crushed vanilla, clove and a slight herbal edge show on the palate, proving to be a more savory rather than fruity take on Zin.
This wine smells and tastes clean and fresh, like green apples and chopped celery, then gains a little more heft and ripeness on the tongue to complete a good profile. It has crisp acidity and great balance, and will be very versatile with food.
Purple and tannic, with a grapey aroma and a suggestion of dusty earth. The most interesting of RiverAerie's pure varietals, perhaps because of its high-toned, slightly volatile mouthfeel. Berry/cherry fruit comes through sharply, then quickly fades into herbal tannins.
Melon and green apple aromas are solid and clean. The melony palate offers a plump feel and bright, sweet flavors of mango, pineapple and apple. This wine delivers a lot of fruit and liveliness on a regular frame.
A fruity wine, with tangy cranberry and raspberry flavors. Sharply acidic, with fairly strong tannins, it seems a little tight and thin, but does have the pure fruit and some length in the finish to recommend it.
A solidly made, easy-tasting Merlot made from organic Mendocino grapes that tastes of cherry and cranberry and is smooth in texture. The wine includes 13% Syrah as well as smatterings of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Carignane.
Scents of moist earth and coffee grounds wrap around sharply defined berry fruit flavors. This is just on the edge of volatile, buoyed by firm acidity, and showing a sharp streak of burnt toast running through the tannins.
Spicy on the nose, with dry, woody aromas and berry notes. The wine has a full, soft body and deep, basic flavors of black plum, baked berry and spice. Things darken on the finish, leaving chocolate and grapey thickness.
While floral and fruity on the nose with juicy white peach, lemon and orange blossom notes, the palate is all Sauvignon Blanc, full of ripe gooseberries and a green, grassy backdrop. Refreshingly high in acid, yet ends on a soft peach candy note. Pretty remarkable for $7.
Essentially a second label for Vavasour, the 2010 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc displays restrained gooseberry aromas that turn tropical and citrusy on the palate. Turns a bit chalky or metallic on the finish, but it's still a solid wine, and some may like the edge that sharp note provides.
Dark chocolate notes join acidity and ripe black fruit flavors. The wood is dominant in this relatively soft wine, although the fruit juiciness comes through well to finish.
A warm, generous wine, full of ripe fruits. There is weight, richness and generosity here, although not a great depth of flavor.
Thick tannins take the fruit out fairly quickly, though the alcohol, just under 15%, suggests plenty of ripeness in the grapes. Dark flavors prevail––black cherry, cola, toast and bitter chocolate.
This Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier blend is named for a cousin gifted in the art of matchmaking. It's a touch sweet, a little closed still, with notes of tar and caramel and the promise of lightly flavored apples and honeysuckle in the body of the wine.
Ebulliently perfumed with heady white florals that blow off to reveal a luscious, white peach nose, this dry, full-bodied Traminer is a bit high in alcohol, but plush and pleasant on the palate with yellow peach, tangerine and waxy lanolin notes.
Pure Merlot, with muscle and sharp tannins. The scent suggests butter and caramel, but the wine itself has more herb and earth flavor than barrel or grape.
Half Malbec, half Petit Verdot (hence Petit Bec), this rough and tumble red has plenty of earthy tannic power. Rustic and sharp, with barely ripe fruit, it is similar to a cru Bordeaux, but with a little more meat on its bones.
Richer than previous releases, this Sauvignon Blanc goes for a more tropical view of the grape, very ripe and perfumed.
This shows the herbal, somewhat stemmy character of Yakima Valley fruit in a cool vintage. It's well made, with good balance, but not quite ripe enough. Leaf and stem and herb dominate, with just a suggestion of tart berry.
Waxy, peachy aromas are less than fresh, and the palate follows that lead via soft, pithy flavors of orange and melon. Shows little grip or structure for Godello and the finish fails to bring it home with kick or pop. Already past its prime. Tasted twice.
Smells earthy, murky and a little raisiny, and then in the mouth it scratches with grating tannins in support of floral cherry and tart red fruit flavors. Finishes sort of hollow and sour; standard issue at best.
Deep golden straw in color, with modest aromas of struck flint and pear. The flavors are reminiscent of buttery, honeyed pears, yet stay tart from start to finish. Perplexing.
A strawberry-flavored, medium-sweet wine, with lightness, freshness and a crisp, clean character.
Quite strange and funky smelling, with uncommon grass, floral, hickory and blueberry aromas. The palate feels fine but has a sweet, faux-weedy core flavor that's offset by candied berry flavors. Tastes of licorice and lactic creaminess on the finish.
There's a lightly spritzy tickle in the mouth, and a metallic undertaste to this Chardonnay. The blend includes 5% each Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, all done in stainless steel. Thin and a bit green, it does not quite come together.
There's a distinct grassy note of hay and alfalfa on the nose of this Croatian red wine. On the palate, there are pleasant notes of ripe red fruit and chocolate, but coarse grape tannins and a bold 15.5% alcohol content contribute to a rather harsh, disjointed mouthfeel.
Rubbery and gaseous, and frankly it's just not very fresh or inviting. The mouthfeel suggests astringency, while the flavors are salty and earthy but not very fruity. Finishes with a leathery feel and tannic grab.
A soft, open wine that tastes dilute but at least finishes cleanly. There are many better, more characterful, basic white Burgundies on the market.
Green and herbal, with a mix of jammy raspberry and weediness to the nose. The palate feels heavy and grabby, while the flavor profile holds onto the bouquet's herbal, tomatoey quality. Overly peppery and green throughout.
Cheesy and way too earthy and murky to be rewarded with anything higher than an acceptable rating. The feel is scratchy and raw, while the flavors seem roasted, overly earthy and dry.
Gaseous and rubbery, with leafy compost aromas. Flat, chunky and murky in the mouth, with soft, muddled fruit flavors and a finish of syrup and leftover sweetness. Comes up short on character, quality and clarity.
Smells a bit acrid, with aromas of peach pit and chemical. The palate is short on structure and offers punch-like sweetness in the mango/papaya field of play. Very juicy but not tasting or smelling very defined.
This winery makes just a single, estate-grown Pinot Noir each year. Pomegranate and red plum fruit flavors are gracefully showcased in this elegant vintage. Silky and smooth, it retains focus through a medium-weight, impeccably clean finish.
Pure Malbec from the new estate vineyard, this is forward with sweetly grapy fruit flavors. Aging in 80% new oak adds a streak of espresso and pretty baking spices.
Lifted lemony freshness greets the nose, while savoriness dominates the palate. It offers pear and citrus, as well as riper stone-fruit, earthy hints and pungent watercress and white pepper—all packaged in a ripe but streamlined body.
Still closed, this only begins to show its fresh, rounded passion fruit and mango-cocktail flavors after it has had some air. The palate is concentrated and precise. This will come into its own by 2015.
Intense but refined flavors include exotic fruit, juicy white peach, Bartlett pear and citrus accented with nutmeg and mineral notes. It's balanced with crisp acidity that generates a clean, refreshing finish.
Ripe strawberry compote typifies this appealing wine. The nicely ripened fruit is set in a mineral-driven, high acid frame, and shows both texture and length as it develops in the mouth. It's especially noteworthy given the moderate alcohol.
Another Fiddletown beauty, this one is pungent in blackberry and exhilarating pepper and clove. Aromatic, structured and electric with equal parts acidity and stony minerality, this wine has a long-lingering finish of gorgeous brambly fruit.
A robust Zin, this wine's lusty, cinnamon-spice aromas carry through on the tongue, while the texture is refined and rich. With balanced alcohol and acidity, its full-figured body is still juicy and bright. Cellar it for a few more years or let it breathe before serving.
Hints of ripe apricot and ethereal notes of crushed boxwood add interest to the more usual aromatic spectrum of green pear and white pepper. A lovely phenolic grip provides extra dimension and calls for food. Rounded, intriguing but still very refreshing.
Fragrantly floral, it offers ripe red fruit in delicate balance, its tannins softened and the oak imprint kept at a minimum. The vines are thought to be more than 25 years old, the clone and rootstock unknown. An elegant, tightly woven Syrah.
Firmly tannic, it's based entirely on the rich structure of Alicante Bouschet. It has an interplay of dark fruits, spicy wood-aging and acidity. They are combining well to give a well-structured wine that's ripe and juicy. Drink from 2017.
A rewarding deal from the ocean-influenced vineyards of Edna Valley, this project by Nathan Carlson (general manager of the much higher-priced Center of Effort winery) delivers honey, salted nuts, tangerine zest and crushed limestone on the nose. Salinity is present on the palate, along with a lemon zing that lingers.
Within a statement-sized bottle, this heavy, lush and aromatic Pinot Noir from a great vineyard could ignite debates about California Pinot styles. Aged about a year in all French oak, 65% of it new, it reveals an expanse of dark cherry fruit, velvety texture and plenty of structure amidst a leathery core and lengthy finish.
Floral hints of acacia blossom play with ripe pear notes on the nose. The palate offers pleasant spritz and a real twist of that white pepper desired in Grüner Veltliner—ideal for summer days and immediate drinking.
Just-ripe strawberries rule nose and palate, where they are joined by citrus freshness and the tart but rounded richness of rosehip tisane. Fresh and dry, this pretty, pale-pink wine is made for the table.
Firm and ripe, this is a richly juicy wine full of berries. Sweet tannins dominate the firmer structure at the back. There is some concentration and the wine is still young, so it's best to drink from 2016.
Restrained notes of ripe pear gain savory interest from herbal notes reminiscent of curry leaf and lovage. There's also ample spice in this eminently gastronomic wine with a refreshing, super-clean finish.
Streaks of lanolin and honeycomb lend a waxy richness to stark lime and lemon flavors in this dry, medium-bodied wine. While slightly austere in style, intense minerality and sharp acidity create stately elegance.
Initially this is simply clean as a whistle and smells almost like water, but give it time to breathe and out come minerally citrus and cactus-like aromas. In the mouth, this is stony and well structured; flavors of citrus and nopal are slightly briny and salty, while the finish has a cutting but fine feel.
Opening with a fragrance of Spanish broom and peach blossom, this sleek but structured wine is all about finesse and balance. The linear, subtle palate delivers juicy citrus, red apple and mineral alongside lively acidity. It closes on an almond note.
From old head-trained vines, Contention is McCay's top-of-the-line Westside Lodi Zin, a study in tight, dusty tannins and earthy acidity backed by a substantial layering of baking spices. Let this wine open a while to express itself fully.
Distinctive citrus and wild sage aromas and a dazzlingly crisp balance characterize this wine. Clean, bracing fruit flavors linger on the lively finish. Grown in a small organic vineyard, this brings authenticity at a very reasonable price.
Just a hint of sweetness—mostly from ripe fruit rather than residual sugar—livens up this fresh and fruity Riesling. It's a mouthful of lemon, lime and peach fruit flavors, supple and fleshy. A streak of English breakfast tea adds interest through the finish.
Structured and refined, it discloses restrained aromas of white rose and exotic fruit. The rich but lively palate delivers mango, apricot, white peach and grapefruit. It's more polished and less flamboyant than many of its peers.
A spicy wine, it opens with aromas of white fragrant flowers, white peach, nutmeg and flint. The fresh, linear palate offers apricot, green apple, hazelnut and mineral alongside crisp acidity that leaves a clean, quenching finish.
A rich, viscous combination of 55% Roussanne, 35% Grenache Blanc and 10% Viognier, this offers a bite of creamy vanilla amidst layered, hearty and concentrated flavors of lemon chiffon. Fermented in oak and stainless steel, it aged for 11 months in French oak, only 28% of it new.
Freshly cut green pear aromatically leads on to that white pepper spice so often looked for in Grüner. Here it shows in abundance, in duet with ripe but refreshing lemon acidity.
Winemaker Markus Niggli is making remarkable whites from unusual, hard-to-find grapes, in this case a blend of 50% Kerner, 25% Riesling and 25% Bacchus. This slight, seductive white dances in acidity that's got an electric mouthfeel, with a bouquet of citrus and herbs that you'll be thinking about a long time.
Ripe Meyer lemon hovers just beneath the surface of this wine, filling its core with generous, refreshing but never sharp acidity. It fizzes ever so slightly, following through with appetizing zestiness and fruity freshness only to leave a long, citrus-scented aftertaste.
This substantial dry rosé, mostly made from Carignane grapes, is extremely rich in color. Likewise, the flavors have plenty of juicy red wine notes like cherry, raspberry and earthy spices, and it balances well between good acidity and creamy viscosity. It can almost substitute for a red wine, and will add depth to occasions with equally flavorful food.
Aromas of black raspberry, blue flowers and a note of baking spice lead the nose of this fruity, savory wine. The round, ripe palate doles out black cherry, ripe plum and mocha alongside dusty tannins. Drink now.
Black cherry, plum and mint aromas lead the nose and carry over to the juicy palate. It's round, smooth and accessible thanks to soft tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy soon.
A blend of Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino, this opens with subtle aromas of red currant, brown cooking spice and a whiff of sun-baked earth. The straightforward, accessible palate offers wild cherry, coffee, toasted oak and black pepper. Drink through 2018.
Sanguine in black olive tapenade, this is a soft, smooth, 100% varietal wine that's full-bodied and expressive in black cherry and dark plum. It finishes in tight, chewy tannins.
This opens with aromas of blue iris, plum and menthol. On the palate, subtle notes of sage, toast and coffee accent a core of fleshy black cherry. It still has tightly wound, drying tannins that need to unwind but it's rather shy on fresh acidity so best to enjoy soon.
Wild berry, savory herb and balsamic aromas take center stage in this medium-bodied red. The round palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of orange zest. Modest acidity and soft tannins make it extremely accessible.
Made from Syrah, this is a zesty, dry and medium-bodied wine, soft and thirst-quenching in waves of strawberry and raspberry. Undertones of dried herb and citrus mark the finish.
This charming red opens with aromas of woodland berry and violet. The savory, easy-drinking palate offers plum, black cherry, a hint of spice and a smoky note alongside soft, polished tannins. Enjoy soon.
Fruity aromas of red berry and a whiff of forest floor lead the nose of this medium-bodied red. The lively palate doles out tart red cherry, crushed strawberry and orange zest alongside racy acidity and polished tannins.
A direct-pressed wine, this has a pretty copper-pink color. It is intense in cranberry and subtle herbes de Provence, with notions of fresh-cut grass and tart Meyer lemon. Young, it needs time in the glass to reveal its complexity and range of flavor. The finish is dry and succulent on the palate.
Lighter in color, this blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Syrah has aromas and flavors of mesquite smoke, strawberry and cherry, with the Pinot seemingly in the lead. The smoky flavors are medium bodied, with a light grip of chalky tannins.
Aromas of coffee, cocoa, green wood and fresh herbs lead to pleasing cherry, cola and chocolate flavors with abundant vanilla and wood accents, with tannins lending some grip.
Aromas of green, leafy herbs, plummy blue fruit and woodspices are followed by moderate flavors that show a mix of fruit and barrel. It's a pleasingly varietal wine at the right price.
A blend of organically farmed Sangiovese and 5% Malvasia Nera, this opens with aromas of scorched earth, underbrush and roasted coffee bean. Reflecting the hot vintage, the palate is evolved, offering raisin and dark spice alongside firm tannins. The fruit richness is already drying up so drink sooner rather than later.
Cabernet Sauvignon (66%) takes the lead on this Bordeaux-style blend, followed by Cabernet Franc (16%), Merlot (12%) and Malbec. Aromas of anise, dried herbs, dried cherries and tomato leaf are followed by lighter-styled medicinal flavors that linger.
Grapefruit, lime and leesy aromas feed into a healthy palate with adequate acidity and raciness. Pithy, briny citrus flavors of lime and orange finish with notes of grapefruit and scallion. Drink now.
Aromas of stalky blackberry and earthy, mulched leaves are a bit strained. This feels tight and narrow, with saucy black plum, black cherry and raspberry flavors. This shows modest depth but is overall appealing.
This opens with aromas of ripe plum, coffee, Mediterranean brush and a whiff of exotic spice. The palate offers dried cherry, anise, oak and black pepper alongside drying, woody tannins, yet it lacks fruit richness.
Aromas of hazelnut, mineral and pear lead to off-dry, full-feeling fruit flavors that are stitched up with citric acidity on the finish. It doesn't entirely come together but there's plenty to enjoy.
This robust wine opens with aromas of spiced plum, iris and grilled herb. The warm palate offers raisin, licorice, game, black pepper and the heat of evident alcohol. Reflecting the torrid vintage, this is evolving quickly and the fruit richness is already drying up, so drink sooner rather than later.
The nose presents a mélange of pear, yeast and peppery herbs. On the palate, the fruit is almost completely subdued and dominated by strident yeastiness. This unusual wine would work well with soft, washed-rind cheeses or miso-flavored dishes.
Aromas of menthol, pressed violet, espresso and a whiff of cellar floor lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, ripe plum, roasted coffee bean and vanilla. Assertive, drying tannins provide the framework. Drink soon before the fruit dries up further.
This opens with pretty floral aromas that recall violet and iris together with a whiff of dark berry. The bright palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed cranberry, clove and dried anise. Smooth tannins and zesty acidity give it an easy-drinking quality so enjoy soon.
Lots and lots of pear upfront on this simple, refreshing, easy-drinking summer wine. The light body and uncomplicated style make this a good party quaffer.
While elegant and a bit restrained, this dry, mineral-laden Sauvignon Blanc boasts crisp white grapefruit and lemon flavors. It's refreshing and brisk, finishing on a delicate green, herbaceous tone.
This informal, off-dry red opens with primary aromas of just-fermented wine, blue flower and black plum. The lively, frothy palate offers sweet black cherry and blackberry with a hint of mocha alongside brisk acidity. Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, Estelle Imports.
In this soft, easy style of rosé, red fruits mingle with a caramel and spice backdrop. Refreshing acidity cuts through the ripe fruitiness, giving a rounded wine that works both as an apéritif and with food.
Aromas suggest leafy underbrush, espresso and toasted oak. The evolved palate offers coffee, roasted hazelnut and dried red berry alongside fleeting tannins.
Initial floral and berry aromas turn toward tar and burnt meat upon airing. Flavors of herbal berry, olive and pepper are welcoming to a palate driven by hard tannins. Lively acidity keeps things cranking along.
The wine's color has already passed the young and fruity stage, hinting at the aging that's apparent on the palate. So the bright fruits have diminished, leaving a wine that is round and hinting at the wood aging. It can be drunk now.
Lightly stalky aromas with red currant and dried red plum feed into a tangy, one-dimensional palate boasting racy, citric flavors of raspberry, herb and tomato. This basic Pinot finishes fresh, minty and herbal.
This cuvée honors a sailor who, in 1919, docked his boat, La Favorite, at Blaye in the Gironde estuary and bought the property. It is still owned by the l'Amouller family. Juicy and fruity, this wine is immediately attractive and accessible. Red fruits, soft tannins and a bite of acidity all contribute to the ready-to-drink taste.
Aromas of mocha and chocolate waft sweetly from this ripe, easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavors of fleshy black plum and cherry are soft and plump, but refreshing acidity kicks on the midpalate. The finish is swift, with soft, wispy tannins.
This delivers aromas of oak, espresso and roasted coffee bean that carry over to the palate along with notes of dill and parsley. It lacks fruit richness and has astringent wood tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
Deep purple in color, spicy berry aromas open on the nose of this mint-laden Merlot. Lush, core flavors of blackberry and plum show a saucy green pepper quality on the finish.
The wine is crisp, lightly fruity with good acidity and a bright, tight texture. Apple and lime juice fruit flavors give a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2015.
Restrained on the nose at first, this opens to a mix of mint and red berry aromas. The mouthfeel is plump and fresh, with berry flavors that hang on the finish.
A dark, smoky wine generous in both tannins and ripe, concentrated fruit. Small percentages of Petite Sirah and Merlot were blended in, the Petite Sirah perhaps for color and structure; the Merlot to soften things down a touch.
Soft, creamy and fruity, this is instantly attractive. Apples and bright acidity work well together to give a lively wine that's fresh and a great apéritif style.
Firmly tannic, this wine is solid, firm and traditional in its dry structure. Black currant fruitiness shows briefly before the tannins and dark extract take over. It's a tough wine at this stage and could well remain hard. Try drinking from 2017.
Ripe, rich notes of blueberry and grape jelly lend a slightly confected tone to pristine cherry and berry flavors. It's lush and soft on the palate, with dense, grippy tannins that add structure to the finish.
From a single vineyard in Estremoz, this structured and dense wine houses notes of bitter chocolate and tart berry. It's full of tannins and needs time to soften. Drink from 2016.
Ruddy, primary red cherry and berry notes persist from nose to finish on this blend of Baco Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Ripe black-fruit flavors are fleshy and ripe on the palate, but demure in concentration and length.
Shades of lanolin, blossom and white peach are fragrant on the nose of this dry, delicately structured Riesling. White grapefruit flavors are thin in concentration, but it's brisk and refreshing with a crisp, easy finish.
This is all about classic spicy Gewurztraminer. It's full and rounded, with candied flavors, great spice and a medium-sweet character. It's not subtle, but it is all there.
A curious streak of sarsaparilla marks this wine aromatically, followed by sparse, soft layers of black fruit and hidden black pepper.
This wine shows juicy, ripe fruit without much structure. Full of red fruit, smoke tones and considerable acidity, this is a drink-now sipper.
This wine shows shows characters of berry fruits and soft tannins, matched by juicy acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives the structure while Trincadeira and Aragonez provide the smooth fruits. Drink now.
Red berry aromas with touches of earth and cola form the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend. The linear, chalky palate is textured, while flavors of berry fruit, coffee and cola lead to a short finish.
Lively and crisp, this is a bright style of Pinot Blanc, fruity with apples and melon and shot through with acidity. It's already delicious to drink.
This lime-flavored wine has a hint of steeliness to emphasize the structure. It's crisp and fruity, racy and edgy at the end with a dry, tight finish.
Ripe sweet tropical pineapple and guava mark this wine as does a sway of wild grass, the wine otherwise perfectly crisp and clean.
Black currant fruits dominate this ripe, stalky wine that has young tannins and a smoky cedar character that comes from light wood aging. It's dry, firm and ready to drink.
This Cabernet Franc has a slightly watery, sweet fruit element that lacks the cheerful vibrancy and pluckiness of the variety. On the nose, it offers soft red fruit and some spice, but the flavors feel weak. Not a bad wine overall, but needs some muscle.
A lesson in contrasts: the nose is both weedy and sweet, with green strawberry aromas mixing with caramel. The palate is also green and slightly bitter, but that's offset by some jammy berry sweetness. Medium in terms of weight, but with burdensome sugars and a clumsy finish.
This innovative blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Marsanne doesn't show the hoped-for synergies. Hints of tar and rubber refuse to blow off completely, and the modest green apple and citrus flavors come across as lean and emaciated on the palate.
A spicy, candied fruitcake nose leads into slightly tart cherry flavors in this New Mexico Cab. The structure is good but the wine needs a bit more balance and depth. Still, it has potential.
Rooty on the nose, with green herb, tea and raspberry aromas. Patience and airing only brings it to the acceptable level, which means the wine's reasonably good prune and dark-fruit flavors are scuttled by a disjointed, overly acidic mouthfeel.
This is mucky and sweet. Its best foot is not put forward via the compost-like nose, and from then on there's little more than prune, leather and a sticky mouthfeel.
Eight grapes comprise this weird, peanutty, almost dirty red blend. The nose is like a salad of bitter greens and peanut vinaigrette, and the palate shows big fruit, bigger tannins and then a finish of asparagus and green beans. Imported by USA Wines Inc.
Astralis has become one of Australia's top collectibles, and Roman Bratasiuk's 2005 version is once again top-shelf stuff. It's full-bodied and rich without being over the top, balancing dark-chocolate-covered blackberries and blueberries with more complex savory notes (spice, grilled meat). While it's a big, hulking wine at first, the finish shows great elegance and finesse, ending with silky tannins. Best from 2014. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
Supersweet, but never cloying, with acidity, pear skin tannins and delicate sweet brown sugar and honey flavors. It is a great example of how Loire Chenin manages to keep its balance and freshness while still offering long-aging botrytis character. Keep for at least 10 years.
Overdone aromas of candle wax, incense and air freshener show the musky side of the grape, while the palate is heavy with nectarine and citrus flavors. Finishes a little pithy and mealy, with a final wave of muskiness.
Starts out short and dry on the nose, with little fruit character. The palate is also on the hard and lean side, with tart strawberry and raspberry flavors. Short but mild on the finish; fades away fast.
Wayward and slightly weedy on the nose, with candied fruit notes that help it along. The palate is more acidic and rhubarby than ideal, although the tartness is offset by a creamy flavor of carob bean. Short and hot on the finish; acceptable but not well executed.
Black fruit, pepper and spice lead this likeable sip from Kentucky. Red berry, cranberry and plum fruit mixed with pepper and vanilla gives it dimension, and the finish is both tart and spicy. A nice everyday red perfect for winter cuisine.
Firm raspberry and cherry aromas, but nothing more, and then a tight, tough palate with syrupy, baked berry flavors and molasses. Turns mildly buttery on the finish, and always does it seem on the sweet and sticky side.
Spiced meats, cherry and pepper give this plucky red a food-friendly edge. On the palate, it's spicy and slightly tart, with cranberry, blueberry and crushed herbs. Earthy and dry, the wine will pair well with spiced meat and pastas.
Mildly pickled red-fruit aromas fail to convey freshness or ripeness, and so it's no surprise that the core flavors are a bit herbal and briney. Decent mouthfeel helps it along, while the finish is short and borders on medicinal.
Opens with gravelly raspberry aromas and sour citrus notes. The palate is high in acidity, while the main flavors are black fruit, licorice and rubber. Licorice reappears on the finish, which is sweet but hard.
A foursquare wine, all angles and edges, that still needs time to soften and open. It is going to be rich and delicious, hinting at white currants, pears and green plum skins. The minerality and vegetal edge is there as well. An impressive wine from this ancient property.
A lightly pétillant ice wine. Harvested at almost 38 brix, it is not as dense and racy as the ice wines of British Columbia or eastern Canada, but it offers its own pleasures. Here are details of sweet straw, rice cracker, caramel and honey, nicely interwoven and persistent, and never turning cloying or sugary.
Terrunyo is arguably Chile's best SB. This vintage gets going with a touch of green bean but also plenty of passion fruit and pink grapefruit. The palate is ripe, crystal-clear and tangy, and the passion fruit and citrus flavors really drive it home. Expect a racy wine with dynamic pineapple and grapefruit as its cornerstones.
This is pure Merlot from 10-year-old vines. Lush and chocolaty, it offers a broad, ripe and appealing set of seamless black fruit flavors. Powerful and high-toned, this adds licorice and mocha to the expansive finish.
A fresh, yeasty nose suggests a young wine. On the palate the white currants and fresh fruit are youthful and juicy, the mineral character only just showing through at the end. The wine needs at least 3–4 years to develop.
An oaky, complex wine based on Malbec, Cabernet and Merlot, The Blend shows floral notes unmatched by almost all other Mendoza/Tupungato wines. Violets and rose petals interact with earthy fruit on both the nose and palate. And unlike the masses, this wine doesn't make its point by pounding away with overextracted fruit. A different breed but well worth it. Only 40 cases made.
Calling this big-boned brew potent may be understating things. This is brawny Tupungato Malbec in full armor. Early oak-driven aromas of hard cheese and char support muscular black fruit scents, while the palate is ripe and sweet as it offers blackberry and cassis flavors. Comfortable on the palate and well balanced overall.
There's good concentration in this ripe, rounded Sauvignon style wine, with white fruit flavors just touched by the crispness of green skins. The wine revels in the density of texture, while keeping a deft touch of freshness. Age for 2–3 years to be at its best.
Full and ripe, certainly as befits Meursault from a great year, but this wine also has deliciously crisp acidity which adds an element of minerality, of poise, to the smooth toast and cream texture. An enticing, structured wine.
Roasted cashew or almond butter elements give richness to the aromas, while the medium-bodied palate features crisp flavors of apple, pear and lime, framed by subtle nut and spice shadings. Focused and citrusy on the finish. Certified organic; 56 cases imported.
Deliciously fresh, this is almost delicate, certainly elegant. There is great balance here, the wood just lightly toasty over the smooth, creamy white fruit flavors. For a wine from a lesser Burgundy appellation, this is impressive.
The steeply terraced vineyard that produces Pluris has a single row of vines on each terrace to get maximum exposure. The resulting wine is intensely peppery, with flavors of white figs and spice and a long, soft aftertaste.
Fresh, green fruit is topped by a creamy texture. It is apples and cream, with a touch of cinnamon—just like mom used to bake. And at the same time, there is minerality and lively acidity.
One of Chile's most honest producers of varietally correct Pinot is Kingston Family. This lovely, balanced example shows tea, red berry and floral aromas in front of a ripe, clean, racy palate. And finally a light dusting of chocolate and vanilla grace the finish. Ready to drink now.
Minty, creamy and as oaky as can be. Coconut, sawdust, carob and other barrel-based aromas steal the nose, with secondary black fruit and thick tannins composing the palate. This is a ripped, high-alcohol, almost soupy Syrah that in some people's eye may seem overdone and too woody. But the fruit is of unquestionable high quality, and if you give it time to air out you'll get the best results.
Smooth and supple, Amavi's 2005 Cabernet includes a healthy bit of Syrah, which adds details of spice and pepper to the smooth and supple cassis and black cherry fruit. Tannins are ripe and well-defined, and the wine carries subtle suggestions of olive and tea. It's focused and bright, polished and immediately delicious, though it could certainly cellar for a few years.
Part of a new line of single-vineyard wines from New Zealand's largest winery, this Rapaura-grown Sauvignon Blanc is herbal upfront, verging on peppery, but balances that component with flavors of underripe stone fruit and white grapefruit. It's full-bodied and creamy without being heavy, finishing long and fresh despite the weight.
This 58% Cab-42% Syrah blend is almost jet black, bursting with floral aromas, meaty and just slightly pruney, almost like a super Tuscan. Baking spices (brown sugar, allspice) and pepper add still more flavor interest, along with some lightly herbal influence. It's a distinctive, deep and seemingly quick-maturing wine that should be enjoyed now.
Bland and oily on the nose, with a mushy palate that's pickled and isn't bringing much to the table. The wine is lemony and green, with a tangle of briney citrus flavors and low acidity. Proves that no oak does not mean no faults.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay displays some vegetal notes of canned corn and a slightly oily texture on the finish.
Murky and pickled on the nose, with dull fruit aromas. The palate is sheer and grating in feel, with snappy acidity, lean fruit and herbal flavors of tart raspberry. Scratchy and drying on the finish.
This wine's modest strawberry and sous-bois notes are pretty unremarkable. It's light in body and short of finish.
Strange spice and ground cinnamon aromas shadow the fruit, which may be a good thing because the palate is flat and murky, with jammy, sweet flavors and not much follow up on the backside. Finishes creamy but bitter tasting.
A low-price, high-production Merlot from Mendocino County grapes that smells musky and tastes a bit bland.
The new release from this old (1972) vineyard boosts the alcohol to 13.9%, dropping the residual sugar to just over 1%. Deep, concentrated, and driven by a dense minerality, this exceptional single-vineyard Riesling has raw fruit flavors of green apple, white peach and citrus rind. Sure to evolve, perhaps over decades, it has the vivid acidity and penetrating finish to improve significantly.
Wonderfully balanced and structured, this is a wine that gives a complete series of flavors from chocolate, black stone fruits, layers of wood and finally the essential acidity. Its texture is grainy, dusty, firm and ready to age for several years.
The Eyrie reserve is a single vineyard selection from the estate's oldest vines, planted between 1967 and 1973. The longevity of these wines is a proven fact; they evolve (and generally improve) for decades. This is already delicious, smoky, almost ethereal, with truly Burgundian finesse and depth. This wine, as much or more than any other, expresses the potential of Oregon Pinot Noir to approach the majesty of fine Burgundy.
Old-vine Oregon Zinfandel is not common; in fact, this is all of them. From the Pines Vineyard, planted around a century ago, revived in the 1980s, these wines have a power and unique presence that sets them apart from Zin from anywhere else. Ultraripe fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry jam, alcohol above 15%, amazing density and beautifully managed tannins, with some sweet grain flavors that say “old vines.”
Flat, earthy raisin and prune aromas in this Garnacha indicate very ripe, almost desiccated fruit. The palate is much like the nose: flat and low on vitality. Jammy blueberry and herbal flavors finish chunky, without lift or nuance.
Generic berry, cherry and plum aromas are saucy and earthy. This everyday Cabernet feels rubbery and grabby. Slightly stewed berry, spice and herbal flavors finish bumpy, with hard tannins.
Smoke and baked plum notes provide flavor within this wine's easygoing structure and approachability.
Deep, dark espresso bean, loam and graphite aromas hide any sense of fruit on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers more ripeness, in the form of black cherry, with an added kick of graphite, but the overall impression is quite simple.
The wine, named after a typical mustache from the 19th century, is all fruit: ripe blackberries with balancing acidity. This is an easy ripe wine that will be great with barbecues this summer thanks to its soft tannins and drinkability.
This is a serviceable, if nondescript Chardonnay. In a highly competitive category it doesn't stand out in any way. It's just a light expression of apple flavors, with a quick finish that leaves a slight impression of glue.
Barrel aromas are in the lead here, with notes of sawdust and cedar, along with Band Aid and gamy notes. Dark fruit aromas are in the background. The full-bodied flavors reveal more of the same, showing a lot of heat.
A tidal wave of oak-derived aromas, mostly maple and milk chocolate, engulfs the nose of this Monastrell. On the palate, it's creamy yet wiry, its oaky mint and vanilla flavors blending with acidic tastes of currant and red plum before settling into an oaky, scouring finish.
Briary berry and cassis aromas are spicy and solid. In the mouth, this Carmenère is raw and tartaric in feel. Salty plum, coffee and herbal green flavors finish about the same, with a note of cured meat and residual acidic tang.
Inkblot is Lodi winery Michael David's first Cabernet Franc, a relatively small production wine with MD's signature smoky, toasty coconut aromas, thick and raspberry jammy. Aged 15 months in French oak, it would be a hit with big wine lovers but doesn't exhibit Cab Franc's herbaceousness, which some people will be happy about, others will not. Includes small amounts of Cab Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.
Weil's Estate Dry Riesling is lighter in weight than one might expect, with hints of pineapple and passion fruit on the nose and tightly focused apple and citrus notes on the palate. Crisp lemon and green apple emerge on the finish.
Fresh apple and white floral notes meld effortlessly into an elegant vanilla note on the nose and palate of this dry, full-bodied Chard. Nicely concentrated, yet brisk with acidity, it's an excellent food pairing companion.
Pretty standard stuff, making it something of a disappointment in an Erste Gewächs context. Petrol notes upfront, followed by honey, pear and citrus fruit and a long, mineral-inflected finish. It's good, but this sample didn't sparkle.
Starts off slowly, with slightly odd, machine-oil aromas, then turns into a rather angular, high-acid Riesling for a 2009, with pear and citrus flavors that finish crisp.
Smoke and dark char notes permeate the nose and palate of this Long Island Cab, but a fairly concentrated core of black fruit hides within, marked by rustic notes of earth and moss. Lean in body with soft, finely knit tannins.
A bit warm, leathery and muddled on the bouquet, but perky and solid in the mouth, with herbal red cherry and currant flavors. Earthy and slightly herbal on the finish. Good for $15 Pinot Noir.
Simple, attractive wine, with confected spice, lychee and rounded, warm flavors. Honey and rosehip add interest, with a hint of final pepper.
Creamy plum and raspberry aromas are a touch medicinal and herbal. Full and thick in the mouth, with a creamy texture, meatiness and sizable strawberry, black cherry and plum flavors. Tastes a bit herbal and minty on the finish.
Flinty and sweaty upfront, with even a hint of onion or garlic. Once past that, things smooth out, with a light to medium weight on the palate and some pleasant melon and citrus notes that linger on the finish.
Sweet pea blossoms and fresh apples make this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay quite floral on the nose, but the palate is decidedly savory with a pleasantly creamy palate marked by brisk apple flavors, bright acidity and a smoked nut finish.
Subtle aromas of acacia flower and a whiff of almond lead the way. The round, easygoing palate offers pear, citrus peel and a hint of hazelnut alongside soft acidity.
Almost deep enough in color to be a red, this pleasantly dry wine made from Barbera and Mourvèdre grapes smells and tastes like raspberries, and is on the light side in terms of body. Drink it up before the next vintage comes out.
Tight purple fruit smells of black raspberry meet with violets, crushed slate, dried rose petals, raw beef and black peppercorns on the focused nose. The palate is very slate-driven and rocky, offering turned earth, juniper and more dark raspberry flavors. It is still very tightly wound, and needs more time to unfurl.
Aromas of oak, dill and citrus lead the way. On the medium-bodied palate, butterscotch and other oak-driven spice sensations dominate candied nectarine zest and yellow apple.
Delicate scents of beeswax and white spring flower lift out of the glass. The round, juicy palate offers mature pear, white almond and a hint of citrus alongside soft acidity.
Pale in color, this is a light, bright style of rosé. It is clean and crisp, with touches of red fruit that float through the attractive fresh acidity. The aftertaste is fleeting and refreshing.
From a small parcel of vines, this wine is rich, peppery and weighty. With its tannic edge and tight texture, it needs some aging. Give this structured wine until late 2016.
This lively, lightly herbal blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon and white Vermentino. It pivots deftly on a texture that is mineral, crisp, and contrasting with the red fruits. It is ready to drink.
In place of freshness this pale-colored wine is ripe and has weight, which brings out rounded red fruits with a touch of spice and pepper. The acidity comes through slowly at the end.
Fresh apricot and peach juxtapose more savory tones of bramble and hay in this light-bodied dry Riesling. The palate is briskly concentrated, finishing on a bright streak of sunny tangerine acidity.
Ripe, rich apricot and peach flavors are accented by touches of bramble and earth in this slightly rustic yet elegant Chardonnay. Tangerine acidity jolts the midpalate, leading a fresh, crisp finish.
Citrus and green-herb aromas are as they should be for Verdejo. A chunky, slightly oily mouthfeel and pithy, salty flavors of citrus and stone fruits finish round in feel and briny in taste.
This unusual, deeply golden colored wine doesn't have a very expressive nose but the round, full-bodied palate offers candied lemon drop and white peach. An almond note closes the finish.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with this very affordable, concentrated and trimly built wine. Earth and sage aromas lead to bright black cherry and plum flavors, with a typically firm texture for the varietal.
Aromas of orange blossoms, scratched apple skins, lemon-lime soda and jasmine waft off of this bottling. The texture is quite grippy, with tactile acidity and a dynamic mouthfeel presenting lime sorbet and sugared apple flavors.
A slip of sour cherry gives zing to this medium-acidity, fruit-forward wine that's both earthy and pinched in toasted oak.
This zesty, straightforward white offers aromas of Spanish broom and acacia flower while the bright palate offers golden delicious apple and citrus. A pleasant note of bitter almond backs up the finish.
This is a smooth, soft wine with tasty, mellow fruit flavors, full body and light acidity. It's well-aged and ready to drink.
Here's an earthy red that opens with aromas suggesting smoke, tilled soil and leather. The solid, straightforward palate offers mature plum and a hint of almond alongside rather grainy, astringent tannins. Drink through 2017.
This is a juicy, fruit-forward selection, boasting vibrant notes of red cherry, raspberry and strawberry on the nose and mouth. A hint of vanilla adds a sweetness to the finish, which otherwise ends clean and mouthwatering. Drink now.
Cotton candy and apple cider aromas give way to a mild palate with soft acidity but a sense of complexity. Plump red-fruit flavors are not specific, and overall this blend of Tempranillo, Syrah and Garnacha is appealing but slightly vacuous.
While red apple, raspberry and bramble aromas on this rosé are restrained, ruddy, slightly overripe cherry and strawberry flavors build on the palate. Dry and full-bodied in style, it finishes with a touch of exotic spice.
This opens with subdued aromas of orchard fruit and a whiff of hazelnut. The racy palate is a bit lean but still offers Bosc pear, lime, bitter almond and a trace of mineral. Drink soon.
This has subtle aromas suggesting beeswax, green pear and a whiff of nut. The lean, racy palate offers lemon zest, crisp Granny Smith apple and bitter almond alongside brisk acidity.
Lots of ripe berry and pomegranate notes give a fruity profile to this dry, medium-bodied, fresh and lightly tannic wine. It will be a good quaffing wine for lunch or dinner with mushroom pizza or grilled chicken.
The tannins are still intense in this dark, structured wine. It does have red fruits although there are also hints of green and stalky flavors that are less attractive. The wine will always be dry although the red fruits could push further forward. Try waiting until 2017.
This is a fine wine, reflective of the vintage's generosity and approachable nature, giving off flavors of vanilla, cherry and currant alongside a sanguine, gamey character and smoky full-bodied ripeness.
The oak is far out in front, with the aromas of vanilla, dill and freshly hewn wood making it difficult to find the fruit. Cranberry flavors struggle to get to the surface. It's technically well made but the barrel treatment completely overrides any sense of the variety.
Chardonnay offers the roundness while Fernão Pires offers perfume in this attractive, ready-to-drink wine. It has bright, crisp lemon and green-apple acidity that is immediately appealing. Screwcap.
A distinctly sweet-smelling wine, with notes of stewed black cherry, oak spices, and citrus. The tannins are firm and the alcohol shows prominently.
On the lean side, this is a dry, tannic wine with more structure than flesh. It's firm, with a strong sense of wood aging followed by some acidity. It could soften in 3–4 years.
This warm-weather Viognier is fleshy and chunky on the bouquet, with generic white-fruit aromas that suggest gardenias. A plump palate is low on acid and heavy in weight; flavors of melon and green herbs finish soft and could turn flabby in a short time.
Half Sangiovese and one-quarter each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot all coming from the cool 2011 vintage, this is lightly flavored with notes of dried cranberry and sour cherry, backed by firm tannins.
Gritty aromas of grilled meat, rubber and baked plum lead to a candied tasting, syrupy feeling palate that's sweet in flavor and mildly oaky. This results in a rich finish that's sticky, a bit hot and ripe.
This wine is hard, piercing and pushy on the nose, with a chemical note. A rubbery, soft palate carries little to no edge, while flavors of cooked berry and carob finish with notes of raisin and rubber. This bullish wine has its good points but it's tough and challenging.
Pale in color, this wine brings notes of char, sawdust, red fruit and pencil eraser. Plump, juicy flavors play off a soft structure and abundant oak flavors.
A rich, oaky style of Chardonnay that spent five months sur lie in neutral French oak. The wine has a soft, mildly sour taste and lurking wet stone notes.
This lovely wine has a great depth of decadent, succulent aromas of citrus and apple blossom, that explode around tangy acidity. Pear, quince and lemongrass-ginger spice dot the palate in measured, beautiful ways, finishing balanced and crisp.
A buttery style, this bottling offers popcorn, sea salt caramel and vanilla cookies on the nose alongside tropical coconut, ripe peach and banana fruit, all judiciously presented. There's an immediate sizzle of acidity to cut through the butter on the palate, where pan-fried apples, squeezed lemons and almonds make for an excellent California Chardonnay.
This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (14%) and Cabernet Franc. Complex aromas of toast, green herbs, fig, citrus, flowers and clove lead to rich but reserved flavors, with the tannins seeming bunched up. Give them time to stretch out. Best after 2020.
Soft scents of leafy ferns and freshly cut Conference pears are subtly inviting. The palate then trumps with a textured dryness and that softly spiced pepperiness that is Grüner's hallmark. This is classy and grown-up, with lots of zesty, fresh citrus notes thrown in.
Lemon and pear take center stage on the nose while the palate presents zesty freshness and wonderful texture. While these Viennese field blends are wonderfully varied, they always are fresh and textured, joyful and food friendly. This wine will lend energy to any repast with its clarion calls of freshness and verve.
Aromas of oak, toast, espresso, peppermint and a whiff of blue flower lead the nose. The firm palate offers dark cherry, cake spice, grilled herb and anise alongside tightly wound, assertive tannins and bright acidity.
Quite dense and slow to release aromas at first, this bottling, which includes 14% Tempranillo and 6% Tannat, eventually gives scarlet red rose petals, lavender, elderberry and a rich touch of maple-laced bacon fat on the nose. It's much more dynamic and delicious once sipped, with blueberry and blackberry jam, smoked lamb, rosemary and more lavender, bound together by grippy tannins.
Tart apples and green pears create a refreshing opening. The palate fizzes with uncannily truthful yellow grapefruit peel and white pepper. This is fresh but also holds generous, delicious fruit flavours at its concentrated core. An ultraclean finish makes you crave more.
Very tasty and well-balanced, this wine is fresh, smooth and easy to enjoy, and it stayed that way for two days after tasting. It has delicious red cherry and cranberry flavors that blend nicely with the lively texture and medium body. Just the thing when a slightly lighter, more refreshing red is called for.
Plum, berry, rubber and herbal aromas are earthy and solid as a whole. This Garnacha is dry and complex across the palate, with peppery, herbal flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry. Cocoa and spice notes drive a finish with medium intensity and an overriding sense of freshness. Drink through 2020.
A wonderfully subtle but aromatic nose combines appetizing notes of red apple, dried orange peel and a hint of yeast. These flavors combine into the most charming, easy-drinking but textured white wine. This strikes a wonderful balance between an aromatic, almost plump richness of aroma and a sprightly, fresh but concentrated palate. The edges show appetizing white pepper and orange zest. This is highly unusual (this grape represents just 0.4% of Austria's vineyards) but all the more joyous for it.
From high-elevation vineyards in both Knights Valley and Sonoma Mountain, this is a well-crafted, integrated and deal of a wine, the grapes grown in volcanic, rocky soils. Crisp red currant confronts a tension of firm tannin and medium-body, remaining bright and seamless on the palate. Stock up for regular consumption.
Nicely integrated plum, cassis, cinnamon and mineral aromas come across with purpose. This feels healthy, lively and firm. Flavors of baked berry fruits, spice, pepper and a sauvage wildness finish steady and with warmth in layers. Drink through 2022.
This is singer/songwriter John Legend's inaugural wine project in conjunction with Raymond Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Combining 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Petit Verdot, it tells a powerful story in thick layers of blackberry cobbler, chocolate and coffee, the tannin and oak integrated and silky smooth. This is a wine of great presence.
Green pear peel, some yeasty spice and a bit of lemon zest make for an invigorating nose. The palate comes with apt concentration and provides proper midpalate interest with zest and herbal notes. Lovely grippiness calls for food, but this slips down easily enough by itself.
A small project by Carr Winery cellarmaster Chris Wright, this 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah is vivacious on the nose with bright pomegranate, nearly effervescent black cherry, iced coffee and inviting fruit punch aromas. There's a sliver of tar to the sip, but mostly suave black and red plum fruit, exotic bergamot tang and Chinese five spice complexity.
The smell of new leather and cigar box continues right into the flavors of this deep-colored, densely textured, quite tannic and full-bodied wine. That funky vein meets deep fruit flavors like black currants, so those who like a little adventure in their wine will love it.
From a high-elevation site farmed by the producer, Goat Trek is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Zinfandel, an unusual comingling of different personalities that manage to get along. A succulence of red currant, raspberry and dried herb complements a crispness of acidity that surprises. Big-bodied, it's also refined and graceful.
Hailing principally from Two Blondes Vineyard, the aromas of cocoa, savory herbs, pencil shavings, anise and spice are followed by fruit flavors so soft and plush you just want to sink into them. The finish lingers. It explores the variety's more savory side.
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.
Melon, sea salt and white peach aromatics lean into a pomelo pith and wet concrete backbone on this crisp, nearly austere and completely impressive bottling. There is great lime peel and yellow grapefruit tension to the palate, which is linear and acid-driven, and possesses a chalky texture as well as warmer yellow pear flavors.
From a site planted in 2002, 100% varietal and given time in 50% new French oak, this steal of a deal offers dusty minerality around a thickness of vanilla and cherry pie, finding a way to rein in its concentrated richness before going too far. This is a likable and impressive wine well worth seeking.
This luxurious wine from a rising star winery is saturated with ripe fruit flavors and accented with spices and dark chocolate, verging on sweetness. It's not an oak bomb, but has dark, melting blackberry and chocolate-covered cherry flavors supported by fine tannins and full body.
An expressive nose offers alluring scents reminiscent of blackberry, black currant, violet and graphite. On the savory palate, notes of vanilla and clove lightly brush over fresh plum and juicy black cherry. It's balanced, with fresh acidity and chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.
Blackberry, violets, gingerbread, cola and cedar show on the great nose of this blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah from the Fallbrook area north of San Diego. Complex flavors of incense and juniper spice up the backbone of blueberry and black plum, with a beef char component adding to the savory side.
Apple strudel and lime sorbet met with crisp pear, tart lemon peels and a touch of quinine on the edges of this wine's nose. The palate is incredibly chalky and mineral-driven, with flavors of yellow apple peels and lime skins vying for attention amidst the grippy texture.
This blend is mostly Merlot (86%) along with Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from two of the state's top sites, Boushey and Champoux. Initially brooding raspberry compote, graphite and dried herb aromas are followed by supple, tart fruit and coffee flavors that sail on the finish. The balance is impeccable. It charms with its subtleties rather than its power, but make no mistake, it charms.
A little floral and a lot of fruity and spicy elements make this full-bodied wine delicious and nicely complex. The grape flavors are fully ripe, like blackberry and black cherry, and the texture is broad and juicy without being too soft. It blends grapes from Angel Camp Vineyard with Balo-grown grapes.
This wine is ripe and balanced, with a tension between the fresh acidity and mineral texture. The red fruits, stylish and attractively bright, bring out the warmth of the south-facing vineyard. Drink now.
This shows ample mushroomy complexity without showing any evidence of tiring. Hints of shiitakes add richness and depth to the black cherry flavors, while a dried-mushroom dustiness adds length and interest to the finish. Drink now–2020.
A shower of minerals highlights this brisk, breezy kabinett. Sweet, musky canteloupe sweetens the palate, energized by a shock of lime and lemon. It's effortlessly, perhaps dangerously, quaffable.
This cuvée saw 20% new oak and is the little sibling to the winery's Barrel Select. It offers the same hint of funk, slightly murky color, and rich, textural makeup. Black cherry, cola, chocolate, bramble and spice are all in play, making for a complex wine that captures your attention.
This opens with earthy aromas of game, underbrush and leather. The ripe palate offers dried cherry, fleshy raspberry, grilled sage, licorice and baking spice alongside bracing tannins.
Dusty apple and melon aromas are pure and good. An even-keeled palate is moderately citrusy and a touch pulpy, with melon, peach and nectarine flavors. A mild dose of bitterness and pith on the finish is normal for the variety.
The size of this wine distracts slightly from its thick, concentrated dark plum and blackberry brambly quality, the tannins soft and the oak able to stand behind the fruit. A syrupy, leathery and mocha finish seals the deal.
In need of a heaping plate of smokey, grilled meat, this Zin is generous in terms of ripeness, with 14% Petite Sirah adding color and depth. Stewy plum and a taste of raisin bread come to the fore amidst a background of leather and soft, robust blackberry.
This pale, copper-colored rosato opens with delicate aromas of berry, crushed flower and mineral. The linear palate offers strawberry, flint, nectarine zest and grapefruit alongside crisp acidity. Enjoy soon.
Pretty floral aromas with whiffs of red berry and savory herb take shape in the glass. Flinty mineral, pink grapefruit and a hint of baking spice back up the red cherry core.
Quince, lime and white peach fruit flavors suggest that this was sourced from relatively cool sites. Some skin flavors are in evidence, providing extra length and definition. The finish is balanced, with a touch of heat.
While this wine is rich and spicy, it also has a strong mineral element that cuts into the honeyed, ripe character. It's a smooth wine with potential. Drink from 2017.
This black grape dessert wine is relatively light in color and transparent, offering aromas of dried violet, raspberry concentrate and light clove. The flavors prove bright and memorable, with raspberry and pomegranate juice most apparent. This is a great conversation starter at the end of a meal.
Welcoming but brisk peach aromas meet with some lemon peel sharpness on the nose of this blend of grapes from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco. It's quite juicy on the palate, with apple blossoms, nectarines and pungently fragrant white flowers. Good acidity that keeps the mouth singing for a while.
Briny citrus, saline and lees aromas drive the nose on this minerally Albariño that also offers mild oak notes. Flavors of green banana, peach, apple and woodspice finish crisp and with a touch of elegance.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak, this wine has a brambly quality. Otherwise it's dusty and intense, offering high-impact swirls of cassis, pomegranate and dusty cocoa powder. From start to finish the wine is ripe yet juicy.
Made with organically farmed fruit, this opens with aromas of ripe berry, baking spice and a violet note. The palate offers red cherry, strawberry and ground white pepper alongside fresh acidity and silky tannins.
This is a perfumed wine, spicy and textured. It is off-dry which gives it a warm character, apples and white fruits over a rounded texture. It could age another few months and will be more balanced from 2016.
Made with Nero d'Avola and other grapes, all bush-trained, this opens with subdued aromas of dark berry and toast. The dense palate offers dried blackberry, oak-driven spice and a chocolate note alongside firm tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the fruit flavors.
A bold red, this offers aromas of ripe plum, crushed blueberry, espresso and vanilla. The brawny, one-dimensional palate doles out mature blackberry, white chocolate and a hint of mocha.
Made with native grape Catarratto, this sleek white offers aromas of chamomile, lemon drop, herbaceous notes and a whiff of cake spice. The firm palate doles out nectarine, lemon zest, sage and hint of mineral alongside bright acidity.
Thomas Fogarty's Bordeaux project unleashes aromas of black pepper, Bing cherry and cedar in this wine that proves light, airy and vivacious. Flavors of black and sour cherry dominate the acid-driven palate, which picks up more pepper and is quite easy going down.
Powerfully brambly this gigantic wine hails from a monumental vineyard that consistently delivers fine-tuned tension between structure and intensity. Sizable tannins surround a soft mouthfeel of plum, leather and black pepper, the concentration suggesting aging through 2020.
Perfumey violet and leather mingle on the nose before a taste of softened cedar, leather pouch and tobacco hit the palate. Robust tannins and oak follow, mellowing over time with air and a swirl or two. Cigar-tinged tobacco revisits on the finish.
This structured, bright 100% Zinfandel features heaps of high-toned red berry and baking cinnamon. Medium in weight, it's a food-friendly wine that offers the variety's classic juiciness without its sometimes overbearing hits of smoky oak.
This single-vineyard wine is ripe and rich, with structure and plenty of dense fruitiness. Pears and a touch of lychee give a round texture that is smooth and soft. It's ready to drink, although it will develop well through 2017–2018.
This structured wine conveys aromas of dark berry, cooking spice and whiffs of Mediterranean herb and leather. The palate offers blackberry, blueberry, clove and licorice alongside firm acidity and round tannins.
Grassy and tropical in papaya and melon, this SB has a creaminess that gives it substance, surrounded by fig and apricot flavors that finish crisply in lemon zest. Made from half Sauvignon Musque and half Sauvignon Blanc, the wine was mostly stainless-steel fermented.
Barrel-fermented and aged in 15% new French oak, this is Pinot Blanc done in a Chardonnay style. Buttery and toasty, with light Asian pear and green apple fruit, it's balanced and drinking nicely, best for near-term consumption.
A waxy texture wraps around tropical fruit, cantaloupe and lemongrass in this simple quaff of refreshing juice.
Aromas are wintery in baking spices and cinnamon stick. Flavors follow suit, awash in rich vanilla and butterscotch with a layering of ripe tropical fruit and apple.
Lively and crisp, this is a bright style of Pinot Blanc, fruity with apples and melon and shot through with acidity. It's already delicious to drink.
This lime-flavored wine has a hint of steeliness to emphasize the structure. It's crisp and fruity, racy and edgy at the end with a dry, tight finish.
Ripe sweet tropical pineapple and guava mark this wine as does a sway of wild grass, the wine otherwise perfectly crisp and clean.
Black currant fruits dominate this ripe, stalky wine that has young tannins and a smoky cedar character that comes from light wood aging. It's dry, firm and ready to drink.
Fresh and floral, this is a soft and ripe wine. With lemon and lime flavors tempered by apricots and pears, it offers a delicious fruit salad of flavors. The aftertaste is rich and juicy.
Honey and tuberose contribute to a powerful Orange Crush aroma on this Rhône white blend of 48% Marsanne, 40% Rousanne and 12% Viognier. Potpourri and flower water carry the palate, with a little slate and slight bitterness on the finish. Serve with a strawberry-spinach salad.
This is a smooth, light and fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has red berry fruit tones, with a sweet, lightly tannic character and a juicy, mature aftertaste. It's soft and fruity, with bright acidity at the end.
The wine is ripe and very full in the mouth. With tannins that are enveloped by rich black fruit, it is already drinkable. Dense plum and strawberry flavors are generous, with a touch of pepper. It is ready to drink.
This feral, smoky Merlot-based Bordeaux blend relies on a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Red and black berry fruit intermingle amidst robust, dry tannins to make a statement of size and power.
Dried savory herbs, stems and smoke are prominent on the nose of this dry Riesling aged three months in neutral French oak. It's an unusually earthy profile, but lends savoriness to flavors of pressed apple and pear on the palate.
A brown sugar element, reminiscent of mincemeat pie, leads the nose on this wine, with a bit of Dr Pepper playing backup. The flavors are lean and easy, with roasted fennel and some elderberry fruit.
The deep gold-brown color hints that this will be something unusual. Made in an overtly oaky style, this smells toasty and buttery and tastes like that too. Some will love it but more fruit flavor would balance out the apparently heavy winemaking inputs.
Delicate notes of bramble and stem waft from nose to finish on this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. Tart lemon and crunchy pear keep the palate quaffable and crisp.
Nearly opaque in color, the wine offers slight blackberry on the nose with a touch of pie crust. Despite some berry persistence, the flavors lean toward the savory side of Cab, with violet, tobacco and wild game.
This is a 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot and a smidgen of Malbec, given almost two years to mellow in 30% new French oak. There's a soft structure at the core of this wine and an overwhelming taste of leathery tannins overshadowing black cherry fruit, the finish slightly bitter.
Not quite dry, this is packed with red fruits. An attractive crisp acidity balances the ripe, creamed strawberry flavor. Drink now.
Green notes of jalapeño pepper blend with passion fruit on an extreme nose. The high-acid palate is bracing, with flavors of sour apple and citrus.
This 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon wine is soft and juicy but without much character. Red fruits and acidity leave little more room for development. Aged 12 months in older oak barrels.
With too much smoky toast, this gives a hard, extracted feel with licorice rather than fruit. Tannins are dense and hints of juicy fruitiness only appear in the background.
While pressed apple notes seem savory on the nose, the palate of this dry Seyval Blanc is surprisingly fresh boasting a delicate honeydew flavor. There's not a lot of concentration or power, but it's pleasant and crisp, with lingering lemon-lime acidity.
This is a single-vineyard wine from Pfaffenheim. Giving a touch of spice as well as delicate acidity, it's light, bright and fruity. Crisp right through and attractively perfumed, it is ready to drink now.
Raspberry and currant aromas are restrained on the nose. The round palate boasts creamy oak riding on top of mild berry flavors. Oak-influenced nutmeg and clove flavors mingle on a hot finish.
Spicy plum aromas are oaky but fail to hold firm as the nose becomes more earthy as it opens. The palate has a creamy, forced-oak feel. Flavors of wood grain, plastic and black fruit finish sweet and minty in flavor, but also lactic in feel.
This blend of 70% Ciliegiolo and 30% Canaiolo opens with muddled aromas that includes chalk, black berries, antiseptic and barnyard. The simple palate delivers overripe blackberry and a hint of black pepper along with a meaty rusticity. It ends on a bitter, medicinal note.
Green apple and tangerine figure into this thin-layered wine that's sourced from estate vineyards as well as purchased Russian River Valley fruit. Straightforward and unfussy, the wine is ready to enjoy now.
The wine is lean, with more acidity than fruit. It does have a tannin edge that gives it structure but the fact the wine wasn't aged in wood means it lacks any depth. Drink now.
The nose doesn't give much away while the no-frills palate offers dried black cherry, a hint of spice and a slightly green note of powdered sage. Loose knit tannins provide the easy-drinking framework.
There's a mildness to this wine that most tastes of dried cherry and cranberry, with a medium-bodied structure of moderate acidity. Forest floor and earthy compost dominate.
Chalky tannin surrounds succulent baked plum and dark cherry, with chocolate and black licorice riding along in the back seat. This is a full-bodied, ripe wine.
Light aromas of apple, pear and petroleum jelly are followed by crisp acid-driven flavors. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Smashed black rocks and turned earth meet with black plum and pasilla chile on the nose of this bottling. The palate is relatively thin in body but full of blueberry and pepper-spice flavors.
Ripe bold Merlot creates a wine that has spice, juicy black-plum flavors and a core of tannin. It is a young wine, full of fruit, with a soft aftertaste. It was made to be drunk from early 2017.
You'll find aromas of raisin, wet underbrush, anise, oak and dried herb on this. The firm palate is robust but lacks fruit richness, offering licorice, the heat of evident alcohol, roasted coffee bean and a suggestion of dried-up black cherry. It also has a green note of powdered sage while raspy tannins leave an astringent, mouth-puckering finish.
Fruity and juicy, this wine has light tannins and red-berry flavors. It is an accessible wine, softly textured, ripe and ready to drink.
Aromas of red fruit and chopped thyme lead the way on this simple wine. The bright easygoing palate offer cherry and a hint of ground pepper while a bitter almond note closes the finish.
A spare hint of varietal character suggests moderately ripe blue and purple fruits. Those flavors are mostly buried in green tannins, despite the listed alcohol of 15%. The finish is streaked with tobacco and charred wood.
This attractive, fruity blend includes perfumed Syrah and juicy Alicante Bouschet. Touches of wood aging add spice and light tannins to this wine that is young but ready to drink.
Aromas of French oak, vanilla and a whiff of Asian spice lead the nose. The lean palate offers raw cherry, espresso and oak-driven spice alongside zesty acidity and close-grained, fleeting tannins. Drink through 2017.
A very pretty pale salmon color, cherry and spice aromas are followed by light, tart, dry, mouthwatering fruit flavors. The concentration seems light but there's still much to enjoy.
As is often true of Southern Oregon Pinot Noir, this has a rather chunky fruit character, showing a cherry candy flavor. Aged in 30% new French oak, the wine is very lightly toasty, with a touch of heat in the finish.
Sweet aromas of orange blossoms and honey emerge from this bottling, along with a more nuanced sense of quinine and botanicals. The sip is drier than expected yet still a tad sweet, with rounded orange cream, lemon peel and dried white-peach flavors.
A year after harvest, this ripe wine is showing the creamy side of Alvarinho. It hasn't lost its bright fruit, giving lemon as well as light toast from wood aging. Drink this wine now.
Owned by Xavier Chassagnoux, who also has vineyards in Fronsac, this estate has produced a rich wine. It has the typical fruity character of the vintage with its soft tannins and juicy acidity. Red berries are lightly supported by the open structure. Drink the wine now.
As with so many wines from Blaye, this is dominated by Merlot. That gives a ripe full wine that is spicy and full of black-plum fruits. Firm tannins still show through the fruits that are balanced by acidity. The wine still needs to age, so drink from 2018.
There are still some rough edges here: hints of volatility, burnt wood notes and unintegrated barrel flavors. But there is substantial red fruit at the core, and it's got plenty of punch and power to stand up to a smoky barbequed meal.
Cherry, tea, spice and citrus peel aromas lead to a balanced palate. This tastes of citrus, raspberry, spiced plum and lightly buttered oak. A creamy sense carries over to the finish, but mostly this is lively and solid.
This wine has tart acidity that jumps from the glass, a taste of wet stone and lemon zest that's persistent through the midpalate. Along the way, a hint of grass, gooseberry and peach fuzz ride the waves of textured crispness.
Barrel aromas are at the fore, with notes of vanilla and wood spice along with herb. The palate brings tart cherry flavors that taper toward the finish. The variety seems to get lost.
This fruity wine is made to be drunk young. It has soft tannins, perfumed blackberry fruit and just enough acidity. Smoothly textured, it's a great barbecue-style of red. The wine is named after the vineyard rather than after the literal Portuguese meaning of “scantily dressed.” Drink now.
Sweet-seeming oak aromas and flavors mingle with ripe fruit notes in this full-bodied, soft-textured and well-priced wine.
Minty oaky aromas include a strong whiff of clove and white gumdrop. A widegrabby chewy palate is a bit hot, while flavors of carob, mint and clove outweigh dark-fruit notes prior to a thick toasty heavily oaked finish.
Violet, dark-skinned berry and chopped herb aromas lift out of the glass. The lean firm palate offers dried sour cherry and a hint of spice but not much fruit richness while bracing, drying tannins leave an astringent finish.
This sparkler from Piedmont opens with aromas of toasted oak, walnut and mature yellow apple that carry over to the palate along with a confectionery note. The flavors seem a bit tired so drink soon.
Plum and raspberry aromas are clean and fresh. This feels solid and tastes of bright yet medicinal plum and cherry. A balanced finish with bolstering acidity and reasonably good berry flavors makes this worth a go.
Plum, blue flower and chopped mint aromas lift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers blackberry, dried sour cherry and a hint of anise. This is for informal, everyday occasions. Drink soon.
Dry woody herbal berry aromas are leafy and a bit murky. This Cab Franc is fiercely tannic and drying, while oaky flavors of wood spice dominate generic berry fruit. Flavors of mint and pepper lead a rough and tannic finish.
A blend of Riesling, Muscat and Viognier, this wine offers aromas of white flowers, orange peel and citrus. It drinks off dry, with abundant mandarin flavors that linger.
Aromas of dry underbrush, toast, oak and eucalyptus lead the nose. The palate is already quite evolved, offering dried red cherry, espresso and a hint of anise alongside close-grained tannins that dry out the rather abrupt finish. Drink sooner rather than later.
Masses of black cherries and blackberries ultimately come across as a bit simple, but satisfying. There's plenty of flavor in this medium-bodied red, and the fruit is fresh rather than confected, with a hint of cocoa on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Light aromas of herb, toasted grapenuts, peach and orange peel lead to off-dry stone-fruit flavors. It shows a touch of reduction but otherwise goes down easy.
Fresh lemon perfume juxtaposes delicate toast and spice notes on this briskly balanced yet full-bodied Chardonnay. It's not deeply penetrating, but crisp apple and pear flavors brighten the palate. The finish lingers on a silken vanilla tone. Drink now through 2021.
Made with 60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with delicate aromas of black-skinned fruit and a whiff of baking spice. The no-frills palate shows mature red plum, toast and a hint of bell pepper alongside rather astringent tannins.
Ripe yellow apples and touches of banana and pineapple show on the nose of this bottling. It also has a restrained, steely frame to the aromas, along with some flint. Honeysuckle, jasmine and apple-blossom flavors show on the sip, which is quite floral, and also offers white peach and salt.
Aromas of orange peel and citrus pulp are oily but not oaky. This is chunky and seems to be starting to fade. Salty citrus flavors are mild, while controlled saltiness persists on the finish. Drink now.
Made entirely with Merlot, this opens with aromas of black cherry and caramel that follow through to the dense palate along with a hint of cedar. Clenching tannins leave a mouth-puckering finish.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Ciliegiolo, this opens with blackberry and Mediterranean brush aromas. The easygoing palate delivers red cherry and clove alongside chewy tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with black plum and clove aromas that carry over to the palate together with notes of toast and smoke. Gripping tannins leave a mouth-drying finish.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this hearty red opens with aromas of ripe berry and toasted oak. The dense solid palate delivers black cherry, French oak and white pepper alongside chewy tannins but the heat of evident alcohol dominates the finish.
Aromas recalling Mediterranean brush, fresh violet, moist soil and a toasted note lead the way. The straightforward palate offers juicy wild cherry, dried sage, espresso and a hint of anise alongside lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, the nose reveals red berry and French oak aromas, while the palate offers unripe strawberry, clove and cedar. Rather astringent tannins leave a mouth-puckering finish.
Vines over 50-years-old give a concentrated cru wine. It is ripe with berry fruits topped by spice. Fruity and likely to develop quickly, it is an attractive wine to drink young from mid-2017.
While it misses out on the firmer side of the Morgon cru, this is a robust ripe wine. It has attractive red-cherry fruit and juicy acidity. The structure will allow it to age for a few more months, so drink from late 2017.
A structured cru wine, full of firm tannins. It is a bold ripe wine with black-cherry fruit, a hint of banana and juicy acidity. The wine comes from a single 30-acre vineyard. Drink from late 2017.
Red cherry, ripe cranberry, clove, star anise, dried plum skins and slate converge on the fairly complex nose of this bottling, with a label that features a whimsical map of Santa Barbara County. Light cranberry fruit meets with bay leaf on the sip that offers decent grip.
The aromas of tilled soil, white pepper, lemon grass and citrus provide intrigue. The palate brings a big squeeze of dry tannins along with tart acids.
This bold, leathery red includes sizable additions of Petite Sirah, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. These wrap layers of reduced oak, cedar, dried herb and pepper around a relatively light but round body, with a distinct taste of blackberry.
Delicate but savory apple and pear aromas extend to the palate of this big-bodied Grüner Veltliner. While texturally bold, dense even, the palate is anchored neatly by brisk acidity. Fruit flavors are not deeply concentrated but it's a satisfyingly rich wine to enjoy now through 2018.
Floral and brimming in baked-bread aromas, this full-bodied, full-flavored wine is simply layered, with muted characteristics of brambly berry, sage and leather.
Made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of purple flower and red berry while the simple palate doles out dried cherry, cranberry and a confectionery note. A bitter almond note marks the close.
Structured and dense, the wine is dominated by its tannins. With a dry core and only the hints of real fruitiness, it is likely to take a while to develop. Final acidity provides hints of a fruitier future. Drink from 2018.
Savory tones of dusty mineral and smoked nuts persist from nose to finish on this slightly off-dry Riesling. Pressed apple and pear flavors on the palate are crisp, finishing with lingering earthiness. Drink now through 2019.
Made with 100% Merlot, this has subdued aromas suggesting ripe red berry and dark spice. The one-dimensional palate isn't very expressive, offering hints of dried plum and clove alongside rather evolved tannins.
Dried black cherries, dried herbs, pencil shavings and touches of roasted meat and balsamic vinegar show on the nose of this bottling. The sip conveys smoked berries, dried strawberry, red plum and touches of oregano, marjoram and black pepper.
Edgy aromas of citrus peel, green bean and green tobacco fail to register. The palate feels both flabby and high in acidity, as if it were worked on to not much avail. Tastes herbal and green, with a minty finish.
Chunky and loud on the nose, with olive, oak resin and candied black fruit aromas. Feels astringent and drawing, with herbal plum and roasted berry flavors that are tart in the middle. Staunch, grabby and tight on the finish.
Floral and a tad vegetative, this Cab is decent at first, but quickly turns disjointed and donut-y.
Smells dusty and peppery at first, and then milk chocolate and herbal aromas take over. Feels grabby, with bland, average blackberry flavors that are covered by faux oak, vanilla and milk chocolate. Hollow and confected as a whole.
Roasted black olive and rubber aromas set up a tannic and heavy palate with a lot of oak but not much fruit to back it up. Tastes like cinnamon and spice, with middling blackberry and bitterness on the finish.
Smells oceanic, like sea foam, field greens and flowers. Feels lean, quick and tart, with fresh red fruit flavors followed by acidity and dry, peppery spice. Lightly oaky and tangy on the finish.
Rusty in color, then briney and leafy on the nose, with rooty, nutty, murky plum and earth aromas. Feels clipped and jagged, with tart cherry, citrus and leafy flavors. Dry and hollow on the finish.
Leafy and burnt smelling, with muddled fruit aromas that don't offer much. Feels grabby and tastes mostly of baked berry fruit and bitter spice. Shows some heat and burn on the finish, which is herbal in flavor.
A very herbal wine, with vegetal flavors of celery and asparagus. Citrusy acidity comes through at the end.
Kool-aid character, light raspberry fruit, slightly candied, with an artificial tang to the finish.
Dainty lemon and lime flavors brighten rustic notes of golden hay and grass on this light-bodied Seyval Blanc. There's not a lot of concentration or length, but it's a refreshing, easy sip.
Gold in color and lightly oxidized on the nose, and it's still young. Smells heavy and creamy, like hay. Feels flat, with pickled flavors and mealy apple on the finish. Runs plump, sweet and seems like an imposter for Chardonnay.
Herbal and briary on the nose, with green aromas of oregano and sage. Feels rather lean and abrasive, with high acidity and minty flavors of herbal plum and pie cherry. Tight, hot and spicy on the finish.
Reduced and green on the nose, with an overriding aroma of beet juice. Thick and almost cloying, with a jammy, stewy, stemmy set of flavors that finish herbal and green. Has darkness and weight but little more; 50% Tempranillo and 50% Garnacha.
Earthy berry and raisin aromas announce a warm, ripe wine. This feels plump, grapy and chunky, with moderate acidity. Grapy, bold flavors of raspberry, prune and cherry are earthy and loamy, while ripeness and a raisiny element carry onto the finish. Drink through 2019.
White summer blossoms and ripe green pears make for a fresh scent. The palate lifts these notions with bright lemon acidity. All is buoyed by some residual carbon dioxide. Drink soon while this is at its aromatic height.
Apple, pear and stone-fruit flavors are vibrant and fresh from nose to finish of this delicately sweet Kabinett. It offers uncomplicated refreshment, but is anchored with taut acidity and honed, steely minerality. The finish is long and persistent.
This is a sophisticated blend of tart yellow fruits with hints of cucumber, salad greens and lemon oil. Though 80% stainless steel fermented, the rest spent time in new oak. The mineral rich acids provide extra grip.
Red-cherry and strawberry aromas meld with rich fruit and warm baking-spice flavors to make this full-bodied wine hard to resist. The style is in the ripe, pastry shop mode, and soft tannins and acidity complete the picture.
This is a beautiful, fresh, relatively light and nicely balanced wine with a gorgeous array of vibrant fruit in both the aromas and the flavors. It pours on red and black cherry and raspberry while backing them up with good, taut acidity and light tannins.
This full-bodied and densely textured wine has a deep color, aromas like wood smoke and blackberries, and flavors that saturate the palate with berries, clove and dark chocolate notes. It's bold in body, has plenty of tannins for grip, and a lingering, rich finish.
Aromas like mint, dried cherry and new oak complement bright, ripe fruit flavors in this full-bodied, densely textured wine. It has a lip-smacking freshness, lively tannins, a lot of complexity and a lingering finish.
From a valley-floor site, this blend of 70% Zinfandel and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon delights in a depth of blackberry and cedar, reflecting well on both varieties. Firm tannin and restrained oak provide room for a touch of gun smoke and pencil lead, with a lengthy finish.
Intriguing aromas of wilting rose petals, turned earth, wild mint and a lamb-like gamey character entertain the nose on this very special bottling. The palate is quite tart with cranberries, pomegranates and strawberries, with the fruits' bright acidity carrying deep into the finish.
A nose of sour cherry and cranberry meshes with sandalwood and savory herbs on this single-site study by the longtime Paso producer. The palate is overflowing with oregano and other dried garden herbs, laid against a juicy red and purple-fruit frame.
From Old Wente clones grown on the famous vineyard, this full-bodied, textured wine shows ripe elements of golden honey, Gravenstein apple and toasted vanilla oak. Along the way, it flirts nicely with pear and marzipan, finishing in balanced minerality.
This new sister label from Elk Cove offers 100% Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at an everyday price. Fresh cranberry and raspberry fruit is framed by herb-tinged tannins. The immaculate craftsmanship and clean direct flavors are light years beyond budget Pinot Noir from most other regions. This is your perfect salmon wine.
Here's a lively Moscato made in a dry style that opens with heady scents of jasmine, citrus blossom and yellow stone fruit aromas. The vibrant palate tastes of apricot, tangerine zest and a note of botanical herb alongside fresh acidity.
Red berry, rose and clove are some of the aromas you'll find on this bright, supple red. The smooth palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed strawberry and white pepper alongside fresh acidity. A mineral vein underscores the savory flavors and energizes the finish. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon. Drink through 2018.
A deep color and oodles of blackberry and boysenberry flavors lend a lot of impact to this full-bodied, ripe and almost jammy-tasting wine. It is generous, layered and concentrated but not overly serious in terms of tannins. Call it big but friendly.
Aromas of plum, wild herbs and tobacco are mature and suggest that this is ready to drink. In the mouth, this is medium-bodied, with clarity and a sense of freshness. Plum, berry and cherry flavors finish in harmony. Drink through 2020.
This wine brings spicy cranberry and strawberry, underscored with a whiff of leather. Flavors punch down and finish strong, with a leathery note that does not preclude the solid fruit.
Delicate yet well-integrated, this emphasizes flavors high in tongue-tickling acidity. Lemon, lime and orange fruit, along with a touch of leather, runs into a finish hinting at wild cherry, cola and molasses. It's subtle, but convincing.
Grated lime zest on the nose leads to an uncompromisingly but refreshingly brisk palate. This has freshness and a stony, almost chalky depth and wonderful concentration and freshness. It's dry, brisk and invigorating.
Much like its companion from the Revelation & Sorek Bloc, this offers well-endowed flavors of melon and white peach, along with a touch of citrus. There is a sense of higher acidity, along with lower listed alcohol, rather counter-intuitive as this is the reserve. Pick either one and you'll be pleased.
White blossoms and summer peaches persist from nose to finish here. The palate is lusciously sweet, dripping with ripe, rich apricot and tangerine flavors, but a backdrop of lime acidity makes it refreshing too. Drink now through 2021.
A certain faint spiciness hovers over everything, recalling honeysuckle. The textured palate is fresh and equally pepper-spiced. This has freshness and verve, a certain ease and tons of lemony crispness. If you wanted to hold a party to welcome summer, this would be the perfect wine.
Kirsten's Feinherb, or gently sweet bottling, maintains a firm foundation of stoniness, but also embraces softer, less angular dimensions of spring blossom and peach. High-toned acidity brighten and lifts the palate through a long finish. Drink now through 2021.
A bit lighter in color than other Rhône blends, certainly due to the 40% Counoise (and bolstered by 36% Mourvèdre and 24% Grenache), this offers a punchy red-currant, orange-rind and chaparral-scrub nose. Fresh cracked black pepper, cranberry-orange-plum juice and a rich earthy tone show on the palate.
This is the producer's inaugural foray into the variety, sourced from the Oak Knoll area. The wine is inspired by the Loire Valley and its well-known Cabernet Franc. Coopered in French oak and stainless steel, it retains a subtle crispness and light body, the acidity supporting highlights of floral white fig, pear and honey.
Blistered red plum, savory herbs, black olive and a touch of green peppercorn show on the nose of this blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Pencil lead and black peppercorns come through on the palate, spicing up the black-cherry, clay-earth and roasted-coffee flavors. It goes down easy.
For basic Chardonnay, this fits the bill as a good quaffer. Pithy citrus aromas lead to a zesty, citrusy palate with flavors of green fruits, lemongrass and green herbs. It's lasting on the finish and a touch ripe.
This Tempranillo is rubbery and leathery smelling, with roasted berry overtones. The palate has a round mouthfeel, with lightly burnt and bitter flavors riding atop chunky plum notes. This feels healthy, with blueberry and herbal notes on the finish.
A darkly tannic wine, this is very firm and dense. Its red-berry fruit palate shows some of the perfume of Touriga Nacional, and its a concentrated wine that needs at least three-years aging.
Standard for the variety, orange and honeyed aromas rest in front of a wide but tangy feeling palate with orange, nectarine and passion fruit controlling the flavor profile. On the finish, there's just enough acidic cut and weight for things to end nicely.
This Malbec is black as night, with shoe polish, charred oak and black-fruit aromas. The palate is borderline syrupy, with ripe, heavily charred flavors of blackened berry, vanilla and mint. On the finish, it's weighty and peppery tasting, with heat.
For a lighter-bodied Cabernet, this is good for its fresh, clean outlook and mild oak. Cherry and berry aromas set the stage for a juicy wine with mild cherry and raspberry flavors that come before a spunky, quick finish.
Lemon, apple and cleanliness define the nose on this everyday white that's priced to sell. The mouth is racy and fresh, with peach, apple and citrus flavors that lead to a fairly long, clean and flavorful finish. Drink now.
Fruity wine from one of the best produces of Gamay in the Loire. Cherry flavors, bright acidity and just a touch of tannin on this youthful wine.
With straw and white-fruit aromas, this tropical-leaning Chardonnay is ripe on the nose. In the mouth, it's dense and tropical in nature, with melon, mango, papaya and green herb flavors. It's chunky on the finish, so drink now.
A fruit cake and smoky fruit flavored wine with intense youthful acidity. The flavors all come from the fruit rather than from any wood, giving a bright, accessible wine that is ready to drink now.
This blend of Cabernet France, Malbec and Pinot Noir shows the eclectic range of red grapes at the disposal of a Touraine vigneron. It has also produced a soft, gently tannic wine with perfumed fruits, bitter cherry and a herbal aftertaste.
Bright onion skin pink wild strawberry flavored wine, with fine crisp acidity and a touch of caramel. The wine is light, fresh, fragrant, ready to drink.
White-fruit aromas are generic up front and a bit stalky if examined more closely. The palate feels good but typical, while flavors of peach and apricot are chunky and turn a touch bitter on the finish. Drink now.
This soft, round wine is warm and full in the mouth, with only a hint of herbal character. Green fruits are filled out with ripe apricot and pear flavors. Drink this fruity, perfumed wine from 2016.
Dark red in color, there's an intense—for lack of a better word—grapy quality to this rustic wine. Kirsch and orange highlight the experience, before a faint structure falls short on the finish.
Harsh, sulfuric aromas of matchstick and nettle are funky. On the palate, bright acidity provides pulse to an otherwise acceptable palate. Flavors of grass, tropical fruits and sulfur finish grassy.
Light and bright with plenty of fruit and a lsoft texture, this lemon-flavored wine has crisp acidity and a ready-to-drink freshness. Drink now.
A mild streak of vanilla in both the aroma and flavor provides most of the taste and a smooth texture. Modest apple and honey flavors turn up on the finish. It's medium-bodied and soft in balance.
This wine is all crisp red currants and acidity. Fresh, fruity and lightly textured, it is a wine to drink young, from 2016.
Crisp raspberry flavors give this Barthe family wine an attractive fruitiness and acidity. It is light on the palate, still tight and needs a few more months. Drink from 2016.
This wine has attractive fruit, crisp acidity and a good balance with the light tannic structure. Bright and fresh wine, it is ready to drink. This is one of the Ducourt family properties on the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
This is a fruity wine with red berry flavors and fresh acidity. It is crisp, light and ready to drink, with an attractive smoky aftertaste.
This wine is full of acidity as much as red fruits. Crisp, tight and with freshness from the red currant fruits, it is ready to drink. This is one of the Vignobles Jean Queyrens et Fils wineries.
This wine is fruity, with only a light texture of acidity and stalky black currant fruit flavors. From the difficult 2013 vintage, it is lit with acidity and fresh fruit at the end. Drink now. The d'Arfeuille family is in its fifth century on Bordeaux's Right Bank.
Barrel aromas take the lead with notes of vanilla, dill and coconut followed by cherry, herbs and mesquite. Flavors are tart and medium bodied, with the fruit outpaced by the wood.
A blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Viognier, this is lightly reductive out of the gate, along with aromas of Band Aid and apple. It drinks a hair off dry, with melon and apple flavors.
There's an impact of treacly grenadine-strawberry on the nose of this wine that suggests full-bodied ripeness, but on the palate it underwhelms in light, diluted flavor and texture. The finish is short.
Thick and chocolaty, this wine is medium in weight, oak and texture, and struggles to show its fruit.
Muted in somewhat floral sensibilities, this wine features a low dose of oak behind its blend of Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Despite the preponderance of grapes, it somehow lacks fruit and manages to hit but one note, making for a soft, approachable and straightforward wine.
Briny, rubbery aromas of asphalt and blackberry set up a fat, wide palate. Herbal, green-infused berry flavors finish with notes of carob, herbs and field greens. The round mouthfeel and textural balance are this wine's strong points.
Round, yeasty aromas of vanilla cookie overshadow mild melon notes. This is chunky on the palate, with low acidity. Bland apple and white grapefruit flavors finish without much acidic push.
Funky, oaky aromas are low on fruit and fail to strike the high notes. Racy but heavy on the palate, this tastes oaky, earthy and lightly fruity.
This stalky, smoky wine has red currant fruits and a tight texture. The fruit is just ripe, light in character with very fresh acidity. Some more depth would have been good. Drink now.
Barnyard and gamy aromas are out in front on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Franc. The cherry flavors are reserved in style with a lightly chalky feel.
Whiffs of dark-skinned fruit, blue flowers and game take shape in the glass. The palate is rather diluted and not very expressive, offering subdued hints of black cherry and a note of pepper alongside fleeting tannins.
Caramel flavor and ripe red fruits give this organic Malbec (60%) and Merlot (40%) blend some weight. Pink in color, it has ripe crushed strawberry flavors and light acidity at the end. Drink now.
This is a juicy wine with fresh acidity and red berry flavors. It is bright with fruits although also with a dry core. The juiciness should develop, so drink from 2017. Vincent and Ludivine l'Amouller, the estate's fourth generation, began converting the vineyard to certified organic in 2010.
Jammy fruits conflict with a firm tannic structure. This wine is not yet balanced and needs a lighter touch. Producer is Jean Paul Barre.
This wine is a field blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache from Bishop's vineyard. Aromas of herbs, berry, cumin and wet copper penny are followed by smooth-feeling dark berry flavors with a tart, mesquite-filled finish.
Lemon and spice make this a fruity while textured wine. It tastes like the chalk soil from which it comes, very mineral and flinty. This wine is all fruit now and will broaden out from 2016.
Almost fat in the mouth—at least for a Grüner—this has round fruit flavors of apple and pear, finished with a lick of baking spice.
The spectrum of varietal aromas is here: saline, olive, forest floor, tea and red and black fruits. Weighty and round in the mouth, with good feel and full blackberry flavors supported by creamy oak and vanilla. Juicy and red enough on the finish, where a pop of acidity registers.
Topaz Imperial is Sparkling Pointe's first nonvintage blend of the three traditional Champagne grape varieties. While intensely aromatic of ripe red berries and plums, it maintains an elegant dryness throughout. Rich on the palate with a soft, delicate mousse, it lingers long on an earthy, mushroom-scented finish.
Loosen's Grosses Gewächs bottling from old vines is plump, custardy and slightly sweet-tasting, buoyed by ample ripe apple and peach flavors and tinged with hints of lime, fern fronds and crushed stone. It might well have been more impressive served in a different (sweeter) flight; in this context it seemed slightly soft.
The 2009 Abtsberg Superior is inferior to its Herrenberg counterpart, but remains a very good wine. Hints of sweat and wet stones mark the nose, while the fruit is more expressive on the palate, coming across as greengage plum and bright citrus. Medium bodied; crisp on the finish.
Full bodied with a generously ripe black cherry and crème de cassis profile, this Petit Verdot (with just a hint of Merlot and Cab thrown in) is beautifully structured with a sturdy frame of tannins and minerality with shining tones of graphite and pencil lead.
For a 2008, this seems to be developing rather quickly, showing toasty notes that emerge on the nose, expand on the palate and jump out on the finish, largely overshadowing the admirable citrus and crushed-stone elements. Drink now.
A spray of lime pith mingles with white florals on the nose and palate of Prejean's Dry Riesling. It's dry on the palate, but softened considerably by a gorgeously concentrated apricot and white peach fruit profile.
This wine makes an interesting contrast to the estate's GG from the Wallhausen Johannisberg—it's seemingly much tighter. There's passion fruit and fern fronds, wrapped in crisp acids that leave the wine finishing long, but tart and scoury.
This great-value SB from Lake County hits it out of the park on all sorts of fronts, including price. It's got subtle aromatics of pear and lemon, and is a little generic and simple, but at $10 it's so perfectly drinkable who cares? All in a colorful package. Best Buy.
Leathery, dried cherry fruit flavors are set against streaks of earth, herb and a hint of barnyard. It's soft and eminently accessible, the tannins smooth and supple, with a hint of vanilla.
This is fruity, balanced and full of blackberry flavor, with juicy acidity and an attractive perfumed character. Drinkable now, it should also mature well over 2–3 years.
Powerful, pure aromas of cherry, cassis and leather stay focused as the wine unwinds. The wine's body, tannins and acids are in harmony, supporting intense flavors of cherry, berry, roasted meat and chocolate. Chewy on the finish, with sweet pastry accents. Drink now–2015.
Scents of jammy black plum and cherry lead the nose of this blend, with exotic notes of crushed violet and iris petal adding depth to the fruit core. Great flavors of peppery spice and dense blackberry fruit fill the velvet-textured palate. Medium acidity keeps the palate fresh and balanced, while a decadent, fudgy brownie note carries through the long finish.
Dense layers of dark fruits—black plum, cassis and cherry—integrate with complex accents of black tea leaves, tanned hide and woody spice. Supporting tannins provide the palate a firm structure, framing the lush, concentrated black-fruit-driven flavor. Drinkable now, but it should age nicely though 2016.
This smells like fortified wine and licorice at first, then more like earth and smoked meat. High acidity gives this blend a racy quality but also astringency, while the flavors of blackberry, prune and licorice are very nice. It's tannic and strong but not quite punishing on the finish.
Aged eight years prior to disgorgement, then again in the bottle, the Brut Séduction is a testament to how utterly delicious aged sparkling wine can be. Creamy in texture, with baby-soft bubbles and a rich, umami-laden warmth, it's brightened by lemon-lime acidity and hints of orange blossom and citrus rind that linger.
This is a well-made, delicately floral style of Pinot Grigio, with notes of apple blossoms, crisp tree fruits and bracing minerals that add length and texture.
This well-made, pure Sauvignon Blanc seems to have a noticeable amount of residual sugar—not surprising in a high acid vintage such as 2011. Zesty, lightly grassy, spicy and stylish, it's fresh and rich on the palate, with a finishing streak of minerality.
An excellent follow up to the winery's 2008 Malbec, this well-made wine includes 5% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—all from the Two Coyote Vineyard. Cherries and plums are lightly dusted with an accent of cocoa from having spent 21 months in 30% new oak. The finish is clean as a whistle.
Whole clusters of Syrah are co-fermented with Viognier to create this tight, concisely crafted wine. This is a firm expression of field and grape, with bright berry fruit and chocolaty tannins. The slightly chalky finish may smooth out with a bit more bottle age.
Another successful vintage for this wine, it maintains a clean, well-defined mouthfeel that barely registers the 1.3% residual sugar. The aromas of pear, melon and citrus rind introduce similar flavors, along with a suggestion of sweet orange candy.
Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola and spice flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.
Heavy and dense up front, with dark, forceful aromas. The palate is crisp and tight, with firm plum and berry fruit in front of a short, basic finish. A good, standard wine with good depth and character; 100% Tempranillo.
Tones of black cherry and cassis are pure and pristine on this fresh, herb-infused Cabernet. Vibrant acidity and soft, furry tannins on the midpalate give way to a finish that's flecked with spice and menthol.
Opens with a warm, baked nose of raisin, roasted plum and tobacco. The palate is scouring and crisp due to sharp acids, and thus the flavors follow suit in that they're lean and tart and focus on pie cherry and red plum. Lean, zesty and lively Rioja to drink now.
Cherry and leather aromas show a stemmy, brambly element. The mouthfeel is sharp and scratchy, while the flavors are a mix of reedy tobacco, raspberry and cherry. Choppy but juicy and lively on the finish. A blend of Mazuelo, Syrah and Garnacha.
Warm, plummy and inviting, with plum and black cherry fruit framed by crisp acidity. The combination makes for a juicy, mouthwatering finish in this fine everyday red.
Aromas of sweet black cherry and dark plum form a good bouquet. The palate has smack and acidic bite, but the flavors are forward and clean, with a focus on plum and black cherry. Finishes full and long, with licorice as well as leftover acidity.
Reddish in color and big on the bouquet, with sweet berry and cherry aromas. The palate is full and fun, with acidity and heavier, sweeter flavors of strawberry, raspberry and sweet plum. Handles its size well. Made from 80% Garnacha and 20% Graciano (for acidity).
Standard-issue berry and plum aromas turn warm and leathery with airing. The palate on this Malbec-Bonarda-Syrah blend is juicy, but it comes with a choppy feel. Tastes brambly and wild, with red berry fruit and a briary, leathery finish.
Chunky and oily on the nose, with basic white fruit aromas of peach and apple. The palate is full and balanced, with nectarine, pineapple and lychee flavors. Pithy and citrusy on the finish. Ripe and good in a regular way.
A veritable bouquet of jasmine and orange blossoms, this off-dry Gewürztraminer hits the tongue with a delightful prickle of effervescence. Soft and rich with juicy melon and peach flavors, it finishes on a sweet, spicy iced tea note.
Light for a Cabernet, but forward with appealing fruit flavors of raspberry and black currant nicely melded. The fruit forward style runs smack into some slightly green, herbal, earthy tannins as it winds through the finish.
Located between the city of Bordeaux and Margaux, this estate regularly produces good quality. In 2013, the producers have managed to highlight good fruit and dry tannins that also sustain the juiciness. The wine is still firm and will take a while to develop, so wait until 2018.
From vines in the eastern section of Saint-Émilion, the Beaumartin family has produced a firmly structured wine that has both fruit and firm tannins. At this stage, the tannins dominate, giving the wine a dry character, but the juicy black-currant fruit is all there. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of cedar, vanilla, raspberry, coffee, herbs and barrel spice are followed by concentrated fruit flavors backed by firm tannins. It's a delicious example of the variety.
From one of the fine estates on the Pez plateau at the heart of Saint-Estèphe, this firm and structured wine seems at this stage to have absorbed too much wood flavor, which gives toughness. However, plenty of fruit is currently being masked, so the wine should develop well. Drink from 2018.
Nose and palate are a fortuitous blend of lemon freshness and mirabelle ripeness. This is slender and fresh, fragrant and fruity with a whistle-clean finish and a real power to refresh and revive.
A hint of pine fronds lends a cool, alpine touch to tart white peach and pineapple flavors in this vivacious dry Riesling. Zesty acidity enlivens the midpalate and extends out the finish. Drink now–2017.
Spice and saltiness are corralled into a tight frame of citrus freshness. The palate is zesty while the varietal white pepper and herb notes of Grüner shimmer here and there. Very slender with a refreshing, lively palate.
While the nose is restrained, the palate of this off-dry Riesling bursts with sweet, luscious pink grapefruit, guava and peach flavors. It's refreshingly crisp, yet deeply concentrated with a lingering, almost berried touch of sweetness on the finish. Drink now–2016.
This Australian (Yarra Valley-based) brand has bottled an excellent Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It's plump and ample in the mouth, while the aromas are laced with hints of struck flint, snow pea, celery leaf and gooseberry, all woven into fine balance and possessing a long, mouthwatering finish.
Copper-pink hues shade the experience of this vintage sparkling wine, a dry expression of a warm year. It's dotted in crisp, refreshing flavors of watermelon, grapefruit and lemon zest.
There's a steely polish to this laser-focused dry Riesling. Crisp apple, lemon and grapefruit flavors are refreshing, but serve more as a backdrop to intense minerality. It's a brisk yet penetrating wine with a long, linear finish. Drink now–2017.
Lime zest and grassy herb notes infuse freshness into this dry, light-footed Riesling. It's particularly sprightly in feel, a crush of tart white grapefruit and pineapple flavors, but it penetrates long on the finish, accented by a kiss of citrus blossoms. Drink now–2017.
Black tar hovers over blueberry and black cherry fruit. The palate reveals ripe, intensely aromatic blueberry notes and firm freshness. Tannins have a smooth grip. What could be more juicy or berry-tastic?
The full tilt of freshly ground white pepper fills the nose, edged with hints of yeast and peppery greenery like watercress and arugula. The palate continues in the same peppery, spicy fashion. This has immense verve and freshness and a splendidly light body.
There is a smoky edge to the grassy notes on this slightly aromatic white. Underneath there is some appealing, creamy citrus that puts the palate on a different, more serious footing. This is very fresh and very light, but it has character.
The mocha, spice and dark raspberry aromas seem quite locked-up at present. The red and black fruit flavors meanwhile show subtlety and depth.
This bottling, an ode to Bill Foley's Texas roots, is reserved on the nose with hints of yellow melon, peach blossom and a kiss of vanilla. The palate is straightforward and very drinkable, with seared brown pear and sea-salt flavors cruising across lemon-pith texture and a chalky grip.
This négociant-style wine offers immediate appeal. Aromas of lemon, candle wax, mineral, lees and toast are followed by lively, sleek citrus flavors. This was a banner vintage for Washington whites and this wine is batting cleanup.
Champoux and Ciel du Cheval vineyards each make up 40% of this wine, with the balance coming from Gamache. It's locked-up tightly at present with earth, tar, cherry, high-toned herb and barrel-spice aromas leading to focused black-fruit flavors that display elegance and persistence. Give it time to open up.
The pencil lead, herb and vanilla aromas start out light and elusive. The black-cherry flavors, in contrast, are expressive, showing a good sense of balance and length.
Smoke, yeast, earth and peppery herbs unite to make an almost archetypal Grüner. The palate has the same savory core but also introduces green and yellow pear to create a very harmonious, textured palate that just sings with spice and pepper.
Soft pear notes on the nose follow through on the slender palate which is suffused with a yeasty, almost salty spiciness. This is wiry and fresh and shows real tension with glints of lime peel, green pear and fresh yeast.
An unusual blend of Primitivo, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine displays light aromas of raspberries, cherries and herbs that take some time to tease out. The fruit flavors are ripe and ample, with bright, tart acidity providing the frame. Pair it with food to see it at its best.
Currant aromas blend with notes of tomato, herbs and brick dust on this tight, grabbing Cabernet. Currant and red plum flavors meet herbal notes of mint and carob, with an oak character rising up on a gritty finish. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of coffee, toast, vanilla spice and dark fruit offer immediate appeal. The black-fruit flavors are ripe and generous, sticking around on the tart finish.
Once initial notes of tropical passion fruit blow off, the palate shows a spectrum of citrus: from sharp lemon to aromatic mandarin, helped along by a little residual sugar. This is as refreshing and light as a cool breeze. Finishes dry.
This is a heavily oaked Carmenère, so aromas of caramel, vanilla and licorice share space on the bouquet with stewed, foresty notes. Plump and saturated in feel, this is more mellow and soft than tough or tannic. Roasted blackberry, toast and spicy oak flavors end big and heavily, with leftover oak and herbal notes. Drink through 2018.
Yeasty notes of white pepper and herbal savoriness create a fine-boned, nuanced picture on a slender and light body with great freshness. This is pure and elegant.
Medium-crisp, this wine delights in stone fruit and lime zest, with a taste of fuzzy apricot dominant on the palate. Showing a balance of body and weight, it wraps things up with a layer of acidity.
Friendly familiar aromas of lees, seashell, lemon, melon and apple set up a shearing pointed palate. Flavors of lemon-lime, green apple and gooseberry are propelled by minerally acidity, while the finish is fresh and well cut.
Hints of bramble and earth lend savory nuances to sunny yellow peach and melon flavors in this bright vivaciously crisp Kabinett. Off-dry in style, it's balanced by a stream of focused tangerine acidity leading from midpalate through a moderately long finish. Start drinking now.
This offer aromas of plum jam, Oriental spice, underbrush and a whiff of blue flower. The lively, approachable palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, white pepper and clove alongside vibrant acidity.
Enticing spicy, toasty aromas and robust, dry fruit flavors are matched by very firm, fine-grained tannins in this full-bodied wine. Based on 65% Zinfandel, it has lots to offer, but at this stage an oaky sensation and the astringent mouthfeel indicate that it needs to mellow. Best to drink after 2018.
Aromas of baked plum, mocha, toast and sweet pipe tobacco drive the nose while the palate offers palate offers dried black cherry marinated in spirits, vanilla, nutmeg and leather. A note of dried sage closes the finish while austere tannins provide bracing support. Drink 2019–2029.
Aromas of wild berry, menthol, baking spice and a balsamic note lead the nose. On the tightly wound palate, bracing tannins support raw cherry, anise, tobacco and a hint of coffee alongside firm acidity.
Delicate aromas of crisp green apples, pear and white peach abound on this lean but concentrated Pinot Gris. Dry and spry, the palate is honed on minerality and refreshment. Enjoy now for its vitality and youth.
While bright cherry and berry aromatics take a bit of aeration and coaxing to flourish, this four-square wine calibrates juicy primary red fruit with cool touches of menthol and cranberry acidity. It's approachably fruity and framed in soft delicate tannins. Drink now.
Lychee and honeysuckle notes are concentrated and pure in this bright off-dry Gewürztraminer. It's elegantly structured, lifted by zesty tangerine acidity and hints of dusty pollen and mineral that linger on the finish. Drink now.
This is a fine rich balanced wine. It has ripe fruits that suggest black currants, blackberries and a tight, stalky, mineral element. At the same time, it's generous, full of juicy acidity to contrast with the dusty tannin layer that keeps it all together. Drink now.
Aromas of pressed violet, ripe berry, menthol and a touch of exotic spice emerge on this full-bodied red. Showing its hot-vintage origins, the firm palate doesn't boast a lot of fruit richness but offers licorice, espresso, powdered sage and dried cherry accompanied by bracing, grainy tannins.
A light mauve in color, this Pinot Noir-based wine shows boisterous plum fruit, macerated strawberries and a hint of clove on the ripe nose, making it more entrée-ready than apéritif-aimed. The palate offers strawberry and bubble-gum notes deftly hidden behind a veil of sour cherry and plum-skin tartness.
This offers a classic Nebbiolo nose of rose petal, dark berry, tilled earth and a balsamic note. The lean palate shows sour red berry, grilled herb, clove and a hint of mocha on the finish. Tightly compacted tannins and brisk acidity need time to unwind. Drink after 2019.
Aromas of mature berry, aromatic herb and fragrant iris lead the nose while the ripe palate offers mature black cherry, licorice and pipe tobacco. Firm, velvety tannins provide the framework. Showing the heat of the vintage, the fruit is already evolved so drink this sooner rather than later.
Woody blackberries meet with freshly plucked violets and lilacs on the snappy nose of this wine. The palate shows very tart berry fruit, but is driven more so by the asphalt and peppercorn elements.
Dark berry, tilled earth and gamey aromas lift out of the glass. The firm palate offers black cherry, chocolate, peppermint and oak alongside tightly packed tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink after 2018.
Fresh scents of rose petal, iris, aromatic herb and woodland berry float out of the glass. The palate offers raw red cherry, anise and dried sage alongside bracing tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2018–2028.
Deep ruby in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of black currant, flint and bell pepper. A restrained tannic structure supports flavors of blackberry, damson plum, elderberry, violet and espresso with an added touch of bramble. The finish is marked by a note of fresh summer plum.
Initially, this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat smells murky, leathery and nutty, but with airing it settles and cleans up. Chunky and close to being oversaturated, this full-bodied red tastes of loamy berry and raisin, while the finish is weighty.
Fresh cherry and plum aromas are a bit scratchy but alert. This feels firm, with bright acidity creating a raw sense on the palate. Plum, berry and a pinch of saltiness make for an authentic flavor profile, while this finishes long and steady. Drink through 2018.
Vibrant yellow peach, apricot and blossom notes permeate deeply through this light-footed dry Riesling. It's exuberantly primary, yet not at all cloying. Enjoy now for it's youthful vitality.
Cutting and crisp, this wine is a showcase for the complexities that exist beneath its austere mineral style. On the palate, fresh apple and pear notes are glazed by a crush of wet mineral stones. It's a refreshingly, mouth quenching wine that finishes taut and pristine.
Proudly boasting that there were no added sulphites in the winemaking process, this is a structured wine, firm with tannins that are backed with some juicy berry fruits. It is made to be drunk young although, in fact, it will be better with another six months of bottle aging, so wait until mid- 2016.
Fresh pineapple, peach and blossom notes contrast spicy dashes of saffron, fennel and pollen throughout this Grauburgunder, or Pinot Gris. Cutting lemon-lime notes lend a razor's edge to palate that's supple and rich. It's an elegantly composed wine with a curious, yet intriguing personality.
Made with Moscato, this sparkling dessert wine opens with aromas of fragrant white flower, apricot and a note of chopped herb. The foaming palate offers dried apricot, yellow peach and candied nectarine zest while a lemon drop note signals the close.
Sandalwood, hibiscus and grapeseed aromas converge on the nose of this wine that comes from a vineyard just west of the Sta. Rita Hills. The palate shows barely ripe raspberry fruit, a touch of grassiness and a spicing of anise seed, proving quite light and vibrant even at four years old.
While the texture is light, the fruit and the wood flavors give this wine richness and a ripe, toast and apricot character. It has balanced acidity that allows a fresher edge to develop. The aftertaste, hinting at a steely edge, suggests the wine will age. Drink from 2017.
Concentrated rose petals, hibiscus and purple fruits meld with lava-rock aromas, all boosted by a touch of cola and smoke. Tart plum skins and Montgomery cherries play into the complex palate, which also shows turned earth and beef-jerky flavors.
The Sangiovese comes from Red Willow Vineyard, and it would be hard to find a more lovely, elegant rosé from this side of the Atlantic. Light strawberry and melon aromas continue onto the palate, with pinpoint detail and precision.
This has ripe red fruits and soft, integrated tannins, with concentration and a voluptuous exterior. This will be ready to drink soon.
Structured and fruity, this has plenty of minerality to pair with the crisp citrus flavor. The wood influence gives it extra depth, while the crispness is preserved by a final steely thrust. This structured wine should age for four years or more
Still very firm and closed, this is textured and rich, with intense mineral and wood flavors that balance the steeliness. It's full bodied, taut and nervy, with a concentrated core. Age for at least four years.
Opulent and very minerally, this is deeply flavored and concentrated, with a lively, crisp edge. It's fruity while also having a textured finish that shows a structured, age-worthy side.
While wood aromas are prominent now, this ultimately showcase the ripe red fruits that lie underneath. It has a solid core of tannins, which is balanced by the juicy fruit. Age for 6–7 years.
Opaque to the eye, this has a bouquet that's tightly sealed with aromas of oak, tobacco and cola, and a baked, minty note. Saturated but not syrupy, this has roasted, savory flavors of clove, nutmeg, hickory and baked blackberry. It remains roasted, deep and delicious on the finish. This is entirely modern, full bodied and excellent as a whole.
This opens with pure, attractive nectarine and apricot aromas, along with hints of mineral and petrol. It feels pure and racy, with delicious, clean flavors of pineapple, honey and mango. It's delicate and fresh on the finish, with just enough weight to be taken seriously.
Put this into a blind flight of French rosé, and it will seem like one of the crowd. Crafted from 65% Grenache, 29% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is bone dry, dusty and detailed, showing a gorgeous onion-skin hue. The elegance and length are exceptional.
This is rich, complex and full of ripe fruit. A firm structure underlies the richness, lending concentration and density. The fruit is still reticent and will show more generously in another year. Age for five years.
Suma Kaw has been a vaunted vineyard source for some of the best Syrah in the Foothills. Opening with a gust of peppercorn and an herbal thread of pine, this Syrah dances on the edge of being overwhelming, with intense tannins weaving between the flavors of bright red fruit and smoky meat. It's enjoyable now, and will drink well in several years, too.
Solid and powerful, with a very firm character, this shows the structured, concentrated side of the vineyard, with complex acidity cutting through the dark tannins. The wine is condensed and solidly based around a firm, dry core.
An excellent follow-up to the luscious 2010, this features a generous array of melon, citrus and light tropical fruits. There is noticeable residual sugar—much in the style of the Sancerres from French producer Cotat—but at one-third the cost.
This gets going with apple, peach and mineral aromas that are pure and alluring. It feels lifted but a little creamy, with green banana, lime, orange and kiwi flavors. Solid and long on the finish; this is exemplary unoaked Verdejo.
This is gorgeous on the bouquet, with earth, flower blossom, licorice and sandalwood aromas. It feels lush and layered, with ripe, happy flavors of sultry black fruit and cassis. Fruity, long and delicious on the finish, this is a very easy Malbec to dig into now and until 2015.
This is the inaugural release for Browne Family Chardonnay. Crisp and leesy, it has a smooth, creamy midpalate, with a buttered toast highlight. Refreshing acidity and excellent length keep it fresh and lively.
This is a dark, sauvage, Cote-Rotie style of Syrah. It's full bodied, with tannins that have been tamed from the mountain fruit. Slightly warmer than some of Terre Rouge's others, the finish is lusty and packed with peppery spice. It would pair well with an equally gamy stew.
This blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot is sourced from the excellent DuBrul Vineyard. The fruit is magnificent, smoothly presented in a flow of cherry, plum and prune flavors. It seems soaked in chocolate, with a Bourbon-barrel highlight. The tannins are fine-grained and contribute to the overall length.
Palisade remains principally Merlot, with a little Cabernet Sauvignon also in the blend. Smoky and focused, it's a riot of loganberry, blueberry and other blue and purple fruits. The tangy mouthfeel brings in streaks of coffee and mineral, with a tart, elegant finish.
No one does a better job with the Syrah from this vineyard than Mark Ryan McNeilly. Here, the peppery, just-ripe fruit is washed in a caramel bath. The flavors are long, and despite all of the barrel influence, the grapes have the muscle and texture to stand out equally.
This is concentrated and complex, with hints of flower, citrus flesh and rind, gooseberry and chamomile. It's labeled Columbia Valley but the Evergreen Vineyard, from where the grapes are sourced, sits in the heart of Washington's next likely American Viticultural Area—Ancient Lakes.
A soft, mid-range, medium-bodied Pinot Noir from areas including the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, it imparts aromas of rosemary and herbes de Provence before delving into a world of tart cherry and cranberry. The finish is smoky.
This is soft and lightly scented with citrus. Aromas of lemon peel precede light flavors of citrus and green apple. It's a simple, quaffable white wine, with a bit of Riesling and Viognier in the blend.
This wine opens with funky aromas of tire rubber and nail polish remover that carry over to the palate along with toast and expresso notes. It lacks fruit richness and has a green, bitter finish.
This starts with concentrated boysenberry and raspberry fruit, but in the mouth some off-flavors intrude. The fruit is close to raisined, and the finish carries a hint of plastic. Two bottles tasted, consistent results.
This smells and tastes ripe and rustic. Earthy, mulchy aromas of leathery berry fruits are telling. The palate weighs in heavy and syrupy in feel, while flavors of stalky blackberry and plum come with coffee, bitter chocolate and earthy, herbal notes.
Creamy and nutty, this wine offers ample herbaceous qualities around muted melon and citrus, finishing with ample lift and refreshment.
Black cherry, cooked fig and prune fruit flavors are set in thick tannins. There's a bitter character similar to dark roasted espresso.
Very tangy in texture, it has spice from wood aging and a crisply fresh character. It is bright and light, and very lemony at the end.
Freshness and a bit of tannic bite lend some character to this well-behaved, attractively fruity red wine. That touch of tannin—very typical and welcome in Cabernet Sauvignon—lends some grip in the texture to help this wine wash down your food. The wine conveys a balanced taste impression overall.
While crisp and bright on the nose with aromas of red cherries swathed with green herbs, this full-bodied Meritage is quite dense and rich on the palate. Green, tomato-leaf notes linger on the palate as well, accenting lush black cherry and berry flavors. It's softly tannic with a tart cranberry note that lingers on the finish.
The weak nose offers a bit of sour cherry, raspberry and menthol, but just barely. On the palate, there are rounded red fruit flavors and a light earthiness, but again just faint. That said, it does pair nicely with meatloaf or, assuredly, the Hitching Post restaurant's grilled artichoke.
Already dense, this wine seems to lack fruit. The tannins dominate at the moment along with acidity. It's likely to remain quite a tight.
Rusticity goes a smidge too far here, without fruit that can handle the harsh tannins. It opens nicely, with pretty berry and cherry highlights, but in the mouth it gets chewy and finishes rough.
This wine is dull, soft with some redeeming acidity. It has weight and hints of a fresher character that might emerge by 2015.
Light to the point of being watery, it has dilute red berry flavors. A toasty edge, perhaps from new oak, is not fully integrated.
This is a bit rustic, with dry oak scents and cheesy aromas that fade with airing. Choppy in the mouth, this Tempranillo shows bright acidity and leanness. Flavors of red berries and plum finish with a touch of roughness and bitterness.
This wine opens with funky aromas of earth, wet leaf, black raspberry, vanilla and hints of farmyard and tire rubber. The tight palate offers tart cherry, cocoa, vanilla, espresso and oak alongside drying tannins.
Soft and fruity, it is already fully developed. Crisp apple flavors accompany bright acidity and a touch of minerality. Drink now.
Big and fruity, this wine is broad but without great definition. It offers weight, soft apple fruits and light acidity. Drink now.
This Riesling is blended with both Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer. The residual sugar is not listed, but the flavors are definitely sweet, without  much acidity to cut through the sugary finish.
Floral aromas and tropical scents are a touch heavy and oily. This blend of Viura and Chardonnay is citrusy in the mouth, with little variation on that theme. Tangerine, orange and tart nectarine flavors finish bright and juicy.
Here's a simple and fruity Nero d'Avola that offers fleeting blackberry and tart red-cherry flavors alongside fresh acidity. Pair this with pizza or with other everyday, informal meals.
Here's an informal sparkler made with the Aglianico grape. The simple, fresh palate offers crunchy cherry, strawberry and pink grapefruit alongside bright acidity and vigorous, aggressive bubbles.
Sour red-cherry and tart cassis notes abound on this brisk, slightly puckery Bordeaux blend. Medium bodied in style, it's refreshing on the palate with a cool mineral tone, but could benefit from a boost of concentration.
It's well-suited for supplying a big party where there are lots of different tastes to please. A soft texture and almost sweet butter and apple flavors make this a light confection.
Price aside, this is a fine, ready to drink, full-bodied Carmenère with earth, cola, tree bark, cherry and cassis aromas. It's full and a touch soft in the mouth, with easy tannins and bold flavors of blackberry, herbs, bitter chocolate and leather. On the finish, it's peppery tasting and mildly herbal. Drink now through 2016.
Wallywood is a Rhône-style red, with two thirds Syrah, while Grenache, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah fill in the rest. It surprises with its elegance, despite hefty alcohol and tannic components. It's a very well-done blend, melding together flavors of plum, berry, herb, stem, earth and iron.
This is a rich, ripe Syrah with chunky aromas of baked black fruits, forest floor, chocolate and berry syrup. It's soft, lush and syrupy feeling, with jammy, ultraripe flavors of baked blackberry, tobacco, coffee and herbs. This finishes chewy, dense and without much spine or kick. Drink now through 2015.
This rich, dark and earthy wine is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, done well and designed to appeal to those who favor dark barrel flavors along with their ripe fruit. Here, the flavors begins at licorice and runs through espresso, cacao and a finish of lightly charred tannins.
Neither oak aging nor malolactic fermentation was used here, hence the name. But far from madness, this wine is sleek, sensual, skillful and seductive. Crisp acidity, lemony minerality, an overriding freshness and excellent depth of flavor all combine to create a wine that seems to be more than the sum of its parts. Shellfish, light seafood, poultry and even pork dishes would be fine matches.
A single vineyard wine with the typical spice and richness of Rotgipfler, a rare grape found only in Thermenregion, south of Vienna. Just off dry, so soft and warm in character, it has ripe pear, lychee and kiwi fruit flavors. Ready to drink, or age another year or two.
Freedom Hill is one of the most-admired vineyards in the Willamette Valley, and this elegant wine does it full justice. A beguiling mix of roses, chocolate, berry and sandalwood, it tickles the nose and tongue with its precision and deceptive depth of flavor.
The village of Gamlitz is dominated by the Kranachberg vineyard. The example from Sattlerhof shows the natural tropical richness from the warm soils. There is a herbal character to go with the more spicy, fruity. A mineral texture at the end gives bite. Glass stopper.
Dark, robust and earthy, with  a pronounced smell and taste of caramel, this Tempranillo develops in lovely ways in the glass, so let it breathe. Its earthy character hints at dust, and the wine is soft, light and smooth. Enjoy with paella or grilled seafood.
Dusty spice and red-berry aromas are a fine opening to this blend of Garnacha, Carignan, Cab Sauvignon and Syrah. It's fairly full bodied but not heavy, with fine balance and bright flavors of cherry and berry that come in layered waves. A toasty, dry finish with spice and good acidity closes out this easy-to-like Spanish red. Drink through 2017.
This delightful bottle opens gracefully with lush aromatics, showing snap and complexity. The palate mixes red fruits with hints of seed, grain, pepper and pretty herbs. It's long and seamless, with a coffee streak across the finish.
Semi-sweet in style with a ripe, intensely fruity palate, this delicate little Riesling is surprisingly complex with layers of wax, honey and lemon-pith that reverberate on a brisk, minerally palate.
Notes of hay, pollen and beeswax add a savory, honeyed tone to this exquisitely dainty Riesling. The palate is intensely packed with sweet citrus fruit, but it's balanced with striking acidity and a shower of minerality on the finish.
Hints of spice and pollen add dimension to ripe peach, apple and honey notes on this decadent but composed Riesling. It's lip-smackingly sweet on the attack, but sharp, steely acidity and hints of tea leaf extend long on the finish.
Dark colored wine, revealing wood aging both aromatically and to taste. That said, it also has great weight, a powerful and complex wine with its coffee, dried fruit and black plum flavors. It's an impressive, solid wine that deserves at least seven years' aging.
A powerful, firm wine, very solid and rich. With red plum and blackberry fruits, dense tannins and a touch of wood aging, the wine shows considerable potential. It is already balanced but will benefit from at least six years' aging.
Big, rich, dense wine, packed with dark tannins and blackberry fruits. The wine has concentration, layering wood aging with youthful acidity that shines through the structure. An impressive wine that needs aging for at least five years.
Earthy dark-berry and leathery aromas are nice and convincing. The palate on this single-vineyard Tempranillo is big but balanced, with layering and firm tannins. Flavors of black fruits, creamy oak and earth finish with grabby tannins and sincerity. Drink this full-bodied wine now through 2018.
Scents of tangerine peel and lanolin add a spicy complexity to intensely fruity, sweet peach and nectarine flavors on this gorgeously honeyed, yet easy-drinking Riesling. Striking lemon acidity and crushed stone notes add delicacy and nuance to the finish.
This dry, remarkably minerally Riesling highlights tones of granite and wet slate against a backdrop of fresh apple, lemon and tangerine. It's broad and textural on the palate, with sharp lime juice acidity and a hint of lemon pith and herb on the finish.
This is a cool-climate Chardonnay that's dark gold in color and tastes of ripe apple. From both the Ferrington and Savoy Vineyards, two of Anderson Valley's finest, it shows the greatness of the vintage in coastal Mendocino. Fragrant and rich in honey and toasty notes, it finishes crisp. Crab cakes with it would be ideal.
The extra year gives this wine quite different flavors from the forward fruitiness of Provence rosé. It now has a richer, more complex character and weight of ripe fruit, caramel and vanilla flavors. This is a serious, food friendly rosé.
This cool-climate wine conveys a super-strong sense of gamy meat, like just-roasted lamb with mint jelly, along with boysenberry, bacon fat, Sichuan pepper and, with patience, prettier violet aromas too. The palate, which walks the balance beam between tannins and acidity, shows bloody meats along with black pepper, boysenberry and earth.
One of the closest things there is to a can't-miss wine, Leeuwin's Chardonnay is always on form. The 2011 Art Series is flamboyantly oaked, with smoky, toasty, nutty notes layered over hints of white peach and grilled pineapple. It's less rich than some vintages have been, but still appealingly mealy in texture. Drink now–2020.
This is remarkably lush and full-bodied, yet remains lively and mouthwatering. Toasted nuts frame ample flavors of grilled pineapple and melon. Drink now–2017. The success of this wine should be a good indicator that, when released, the 2012 Art Series will be something spectacular.
Whole-cluster fermented, this wine offers complexities of baked plum, raspberry and truffled earth. Generous in oak and structure, it also flashes lavender, rose and black licorice around a core of meaty game. Smooth on the palate, enjoy this wine through 2027.
Earthy and filled with baking spice, this wine offers floral aromas, bright acidity and flavors of baked strawberry compote steeped in cinnamon. Lush on the palate, as so many of the producer's wines are, it is quite mouthfilling and will take on more nuance with time, through 2022.
This is a powerful, dense and richly fruity wine, a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. With spice, sumptuous blackberry fruits and generous tannins, it's just reaching maturity. Offering great structure and immediate appeal, it is juicy, ripe and ready to drink.
This is the reserve wine from Chocapalha, a powerful expression of mainly Douro grapes in the Lisbon region. It has dense tannins at this young stage, with layers of firm plums and a solid texture. For balance, refreshing acidity lightens up the whole edifice. It does need to age however, so drink from 2018.
One of the two estates in the Douro still in the hands of descendants of Dona Antonia Ferreira, who created so many Douro quintas, Vallado is able to produce great white wines as well as reds and Ports. This wood-aged Reserva is smooth, lightly toasty with freshness and citrus as well as pineapple and spice. It will age for several years and will be best from 2016.
From a steeply sloped site also planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this thick, leathery wine shows undeniable power and intensity although it is still tannic and young. Heady bouts of lavender, red cherry and black licorice compete for attention on the palate amid intriguing floral, rose-like aromatics.
Coming from a block of Clone 15 grapes that overlooks the historic San Ramon Chapel, this offers approachable, inviting aromas of sea salt, lemon-butter cookies and peach brûlée. An line of oyster shell minerality runs down the center of the palate but it is surrounded by warm oak and ripe flesh of apples, pears, white peach and pineapple.
This wine has a dry, firm and dark character. It also offers acidity to go with the tannins, ripe black fruits and a dense, concentrated structure. The wine should be aged longer, so drink from 2016.
This barrel-fermented, estate-grown wine matches its luscious citrus and pineapple fruit to veins of butter, caramel and toast. It's perfectly balanced, lively and fresh, even after being open for a full 24 hours. The style, now becoming particular to many Oregon Chardonnays, sits squarely on the fence between the hyper-lushness of California and the minerality of northern Burgundies.
Mainly Touriga Nacional with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a structured wine. The perfumes of the Touriga are balanced by the tannins of the Cabernet to give a wine that's dense and firmly full in the mouth. Wood-aged, it has stylishness and a good promise for aging. Drink from 2018.
Complex aromas of coffee, black pepper and wild herbs like rosemary and thyme get this five-grape blend off to a fine start. A flush, lush yet balanced palate continues the momentum, while excellent flavors of ripe blackberry, meaty plum and savory spices finish with interesting notes of salty leather and licorice. Drink through 2020.
Still tightly wound, this brings cranberry and raspberry fruit front and center. There's a hint of yeasty bread dough also, and the wine seems to still be emerging from its raw youth. Let it breathe, and a nice streak of deep, dark chocolate fills in the finish.
A whiff of barrel smoke flows throughout aromas of fresh cut apple, pineapple and guava on the tropical-leaning nose. The palate is is fresh and light, the steely character giving way to a blend of tropical ripeness and lean cut-grass flavors on the finish.
Smoky, fiery initial aromas of cinnamon, baking spices, schist and red-berry fruits echo with licorice and minerality. This is a big boy with 15.5% abv and a layered, rich, heady palate. Deep, dark, lusty plum and blackberry flavors run long on the finish, with notes of leather and wild herbs. Drink from 2017 through 2025.
This shows the floral, red-fruit side of Priorato. Violet, berry and plum aromas are schisty and almost delicate. A restrained but tannic palate features cherry compote, cassis and mild toast flavors. On the finish, this mellows out and hums smoothly. Drink through 2020.
Full bodied but elegant, this opens with aromas of crushed tomato vine, exotic fruit and a whiff of bell pepper. The ripe, round palate doles out creamy white peach, juicy nectarine, pink grapefruit, celery and mineral alongside soft but refreshing acidity.
In the world of rare, single-vineyard Oregon Pinots, this is a relative bargain. The vineyard adjoins the St. Innocent winery, in a prime Eola-Amity location. The fruit delivers the subtle complexity and detail you hope for but don't always find in single-vineyard bottles. Brambly and floral with subtle notes of violets, rose petals, cured meat, orange rind and more, it's a dense and thought-provoking wine that rewards close attention.
This blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo opens with leathery, earthy aromas that suggest coffee grinds, black olive and stalky berry fruits. In the mouth, it comes through with a dense, layered feel and spicy flavors of baked berry fruits and black cherry. Overall this is a ripe, chewy, spicy wine with some rusticity. Drink through 2022.
A tribute to a famous gypsy jazz tune, the name means “clouds” in French. It's an elegant wine with ample acidity and sleek fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry. A dusting of pumice coats the fruit, giving it grip and texture. The balance to age gracefully is immediately evident. Drink 2017–2025 for maximum enjoyment.
The proprietary name indicates that this is the winemaker's reserve cuvée, a three-barrel selection mixing equal proportions of grapes from the Eola Hills, Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge AVAs. It's austere, tight and yet authoritative, showing compact wild berry fruit, Mediterranean herbs and a slight saltiness. It's best to cellar it until 2020, or give it a good long decant.
This fresh, enticing wine is crisp and well-structured, with lemon, grapefruit and tangerine rind and flesh. The expansive palate has resonant minerality and excellent length, with ripe apple and pear fruit, plus highlights of toasted cashews and butter brickle from limited exposure in wood and partial malolactic.
This opens with intriguing aromas of dried tree fruit, smoke, brimstone and acacia. The palate delivers lemon zest, honey, mineral and toasted almond alongside bright acidity.
Jasmine, honeysuckle and tropical fruit aromas lead the nose. The round palate doles out juicy peach, mature pear and green apple. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors while a mineral vein and an herbal note add depth.
This Barolo shows the forwardness of the vintage—it's delicious now. The fragrance shows ripe plum, balsamic herbs and a whiff of leather. The palate offers lush black cherry and plum flavors layered with coffee and chocolate notes and big but ripe tannins. Imported by Superior Wines and Specialty Cellars.
A blend of Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer, it's vibrantly aromatic with notes of spice, white grapefruit, and lychee. The concrete tank aging provides a sense of freshness while Celilo Vineyard's electric acidity beautifully balances out the residual sugar (16.3 g/L).
Castel's Grand Vin is a consistent Bordeaux-style blend that shows good depth and concentration, as well as the promise to age gracefully. Forward oaky notes of vanilla, toast and sweet spice dominate the nose, but the black-fruit core keeps it grounded. Flavors of cassis and black plum flesh out the palate, and a peppery note lingers long on the finish.
La Clarine Farm's rosé is slightly cloudy, sourced mostly from Syrah grapes, with unusual additions of Mourvèdre, Sémillon and Viognier. Winemaker Hank Beckmeyer says the Syrah grapes barely ripen and that's why he likes them for this wine. Light at 12.8% alcohol, it's an intriguing melange of earthy dark strawberry and mint, crisp in acidity.
Oak, resin, vanilla and creamy aromas run side by side with cherry, cassis and berry scents on this blend of Cabernet, Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The palate is tight, juicy and textured, with good density. Flavors of creamy oak, mocha, raspberry and plum set up a medium-length, strong finish. Drink through 2017.
Tantalizing spice notes mix with aromas of quince and lanolin on this fabulous bargain Riesling. While intensely tropical on the palate, it's remarkably nuanced with hints of potpourri, white flowers, and a sharp, steely acidity. Perfect as an aperitif, or paired with spicy, herbaceous Asian cuisine.
This single-vineyard Barolo is fragrant, with violet, leather and underbrush aromas. The palate shows bright red-cherry flavors and layers of cinnamon and other spices. Despite the forward nature of the vintage, this actually needs a few more years to open up.
Like many wines from the cool 2010 vintage in Washington, this one takes a considerable amount of time to get going. Once it does, you'll know it was worth the wait. The first release from this winery, it boasts a complex medley of herbs, cherries, olives and dusty earth. It's rounded and supple, with tart acidity. The oak (35% new French) is dialed back, to allow the fruit to shine through.
As Washington-grown Syrah takes the national spotlight, this entry from Gamache should be on everyone's radar. It's a very well-made example of  the classic Washington style, with a bright mix of berry, composted earth, licorice and black tea, backed with citrusy acids. Moderate in density, despite relatively high alcohol, it's good for drinking over the next five years.
Crafted by one of Barolo's finest producers, this Arneis rocks. It's loaded with creamy Granny Smith and mineral sensations, accompanied by hints of Alpine herbs. The palate is structured but restrained, with a long, quenching finish. Imported by Masciarelli Wine Co, Moonlight Wine Co.
Still youthful and showing a fair amount of barrel in the nose, this unfined and unfiltered single-vineyard Chardonnay will benefit from another few years of cellaring. Fresh apple and peach flavors anchor a solid mid palate.
Though labeled simply Columbia Valley, this is a classic example of Wahluke Slope Syrah. Well-integrated layers of citrus, berry, roasted coffee beans, vanilla cookie and Graham cracker combine into a most accessible, yet complex wine. It's ready to drink, and should be consumed over the next 3–4 years.
Thick, heavy, potent and mouth-coating, this is a liquorous, almost syrupy wine, sure to please those who like big fruit, big tannins, and big barrel flavors. Chocolate, espresso, tar and bourbon barrel flavors dominate, in keeping with the house style.
With 12% Sémillon in the blend, this is a lovely, fresh, almost exuberant Sauvignon Blanc. Bracing and textural, with good varietal character but no excessive herbaceousness, it's loaded with fruit flavors of melon, grapefruit, kiwi and apple. A fine mix of precision and length.
This big, spicy wine is very smooth and rich now, but also has the potential to age. Dusty tannins, perfumed fruits and a rich dense character offer the potential to drink in a year. This is a great expression of Cahors.
Certainly among the most unusual wines from this vineyard, here is a Pinot Gris with 30 g/L residual sugar and alcohol under 11%. There is sufficient acidity—along with the minerality that the vineyard is known for—to keep the flavors of citrus rind and flesh well rounded and buoyant. Sweet enough to pair with a fruity dessert.
Despite its relatively low alcohol level, this comes across as reasonably mouthfilling and rich. Smoky notes from barrel fermentation emerge with air, accenting white nectarine and citrus fruit. It's one of the few blends of this type to show the textural interest of a good white Graves.
A tinge of white flower mingles with notes of honeycomb and lemon rind on this beautifully complex semi-dry Riesling. The palate is rich with sweet yellow peach and honey flavors balanced by citrus acidity and a bristle of black-tea astringency.
Notes of lemon and cherry blossom brighten tones of crushed stone and slate on this semi-dry Riesling. Juicy and ripe with flavors of melon and white peach, it's intensely fruity and floral but honed with reverberating minerality on the finish.
Hints of crushed slate lend a smoky, flinty character to concentrated flavors of tangerine and quince preserve in this beautiful off-dry Riesling. It's intensely fruity, but anchored in minerality from start to finish.
The blackberry jam, green olive, smoked meat, dried herb, gravel, flower and orange peel aromas provide plenty of interest and intrigue, though a tire rubber note distracts. The black fruit and savory flavors coat the palate with a supple feel that brings depth.
This Cabernet Franc from Hungary has aromas of tart cherry, black plum and purple flowers. It is a medium- to full-bodied wine with flavors of tart cherry, pomegranate and cranberry juice. The tannins are soft and the finish is persistent.
A blend of 60% Prokupac and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon this Serbian wine smells of red cherry and blackberry. It is full bodied, while tasting of black cherry and blackberry. The finish is fruit filled with a touch of leather.
Leafy underbrush, scorched earth, baked plum and a whiff of vanilla unfold on this ripe, brawny red. The densely concentrated palate shows dried berry, oak, vanilla and the heat of evident alcohol while close-grained tannins grip the finish. Give the tannins a few years to loosen up then drink sooner rather than later.
Big and chewy, this starts with aromas of grilled porcini, underbrush, ripe dark fruit, dried herb and clove. Tightly packed tannins frame dried black cherry, prune steeped in spirits, ground pepper and licorice. You'll also feel the heat of evident alcohol on the midpalate that throws it somewhat off-balance.
A stalwart, sturdy rendering, this smells like ripe plums and dark spices. It tastes full of fruit but is shaded nicely by slightly smoky, peppery notes. The body is full and the texture firm with tannins and acidity. Best drink this after 2018.
The aromas of lemon, soil and flowers are quite subdued. The flavors are restrained with impressive balance and the variety's often burly tannins well tamed.
Dried apricot, citrus and brown sugar aromas provide allure. The flavors are sweet but never over the top, showing good balance except for the alcohol, which pokes through on the finish.
This is an attractive, floral and fragrant wine. Good acidity is well integrated into the fresh citrus and apple flavors. With poise and balance, the wine is fresh, ready as an apéritif.
Aromas of roasted coffee bean, ripe plum and dark kitchen spice waft out of the glass. The forward palate offers mature wild cherry, licorice, sage and espresso that carry through to the firm finish. Drink through 2019.
This provides a very good example of the varietal in a velvety-smooth style. It tastes dry but generous, nicely balanced and just tannic enough to be appetizing. Flavors are a warm combination of berries, light spices and a touch of oak.
Dusty, melony aromas hint at the tropical end of the aromatic spectrum. This is predominantly austere in feel, with a touch of leesy weight. Lemon, pineapple and mango flavors end with general softness propped up acidic cut. Drink immediately.
Heady potpourri notes of rose petal and spice, lychee and melon abound on this high-impact but refined Gewürztraminer. Off dry and delicately framed, it's a refreshing sip marked by sunny squirts of tangerine acidity. Drink now through 2017.
This accessibly priced wine shows soy, black tea, boysenberry, black pepper, baked plums and lavender notes on the nose. The palate offers lilacs, rose petals and more lavender, alongside olallieberry, pencil lead and a peppery spice.
Made from the local grapes Bogazkere and Öküzgözü, this wine features aromas of black cherry, white chocolate and orange peel. A bright cherry flavor with notes of orange zest is set against a more complex backdrop of cooked cherries with touches of mocha and eucalyptus. Smooth, long-lasting tannins linger on the palate, joined by a final burst of pomegranate.
Blue fruit stars in this juicily exuberant wine that shows upfront citrus, red cherry and a spark of campfire-like smoke. Its bristling acidity is balanced in a core of backbone-building tannin that gives it weight and depth.
Made from a majority of Cabernet Franc, this wine is blended with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Syrah. The fruit comes from the winery's estate vineyard in Rutherford as well as from Stagecoach Vineyard in Atlas Peak. Initially smoky, it reveals pockets of cedar and herb before unleashing juicy black cherry, chocolate and dusty, big tannins.
Soy, black fruit and asphalt aromas are strong on the nose of this wine by the Four Sisters project. The palate is varietally pure, with black pepper, tar and boysenberry. It dives a bit deeper as well, showing coffee and dark chocolate character.
A nose of cut herbs and just-mown grass backed by notes of white peach barely prepares the taste buds for full-on citrus flavors of lemon, grapefruit and orange peel. It is bright and zesty on the palate, and the finish offers an unexpected but pleasant jolt of eucalyptus.
A tribute to the art of blending, this wine is a mix of 10 different varieties with none making up even a third of the blend. It leads with aromas of plummy blue fruit, smoke, vanilla and herbs followed by plump fruit flavors and lightly grippy tannins.
Tan in color and in the early stages of fading, this smells reserved, with aromas of turpentine, popcorn and bread. Rubbery and slightly pinched in feel, this tastes briny, nutty and melony, with plenty of oak in support. A lighlty oaked finish is short in length and complexity. Drink now.
Plum, violet and menthol aromas unfold on this medium-bodied red. The round palate offers black cherry accented with notes of ground pepper and star anise while ripe, close-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2020.
Dark coffee, dried herb and whole green-pepper aromas mix with notes of cherry, black plum and vanilla. The black-fruit flavors are rich but still show a sense of elegance.
Produced on clay and chalk soil, this wine is soft, with a plump texture that is ripe but has refreshing fruitiness. Very aromatic and with a rounded apple flavor, it is ready to drink.
Although best known for its base in Menetou-Salon, Pellé also has 12 acres of vines in Sancerre. This wine is fresh and crisp, with a strongly herbal element that gives a textured character as well as tight acidity. It is ready to drink.
This is a round style of wine, with its ripe apple fruits and soft texture set against a fresh, tangy backdrop. Although it is young, the wine is very drinkable now, but the fresh acidity will allow it to mature further. Best drink it from 2017.
Made with 100% Sangiovese, this savory red delivers aromas of black cherry, scorched earth and chopped herb. The palate offers crushed blackberry, juicy cherry and black pepper. Fine-grained tannins provide support.
Extremely ripe and concentrated, this opens with aromas that suggest charred earth, toast, cured meat and roasted coffee bean. The accessible, monolithic palate offers raspberry jam, chocolate-covered cherry and a hint of vanilla alongside mature tannins, with the warmth of evident alcohol.
This crisp white is inviting and dry, with aromas of citrus, fig and fennel. Reminiscent of a fine Sancerre, it's finely structured, steely and still lushly textured and full enough in the mouth to enjoy with seafood, a creamy goat cheese salad or entirely on its own.
An impressive wood-aged wine that offers a rich, complex series of ripe yellow-fruit flavors, a steely texture and layers of wood toast. It is finely balanced, a wine with great style, spice and final acidity.
A gorgeous effort, awash in high-toned floral aromatics, sharply penetrating, and leading to a densely-packed palate of waxy fruit, honeyed spice, Meyer lemon, citrus and stone fruit. Rich, lush, concentrated and long—what more can you ask from a Viognier?
Maturing well, this wine shows 2005's combination of richness and structure. It is built around firm, dusty tannins and big black-currant flavors, with a fine perfumed character from the wood aging. Ready to drink in a year, but it should age for several more.
This is a lovely wine, dark golden in color yet fresh on the palate, with piercing flavors of green apple, apricot and flowers, its long finish laced with honey. A wine of noticeable depth and balance that gets better in the glass and would make for an unexpected apéritif.
Part of the musical note series from Lannac Saint-Jean, this is the top of the wines. The color is so dark and so are the dense black fruit flavors. Wood accents dominate at this stage, but the weight of its fruit promises fine aging, ultimately yielding a rich and sumptuous wine.
A terrific vintage for the Freedom Hill bottling, the 2008 displays a firm, concentrated core of cranberry, raspberry and pie-cherry fruit flavors. Wrapped in plenty of toasty new oak, the wine is powerful and mouth-coating, balanced with juicy acidity, and rolls on through a lengthy, satisfying finish.
A serious, dense wine that impresses with its elegant structure and rich fruit. The wine has an austere mineral feel that contrasts with its black-currant flavors, and its ripe, juicy character.
Perfumed aromas give this wine a smooth, polished feel. Hints of mint go with the well integrated tannins that firm up the sweet blackberry flavors. A great ripe swathe of fruit is laced with acidity on the finish.
This begins as a hard, tight wine with hints of rose petal around a core of blackberry hard candy. The balance is superb, and the wine is lively with nuanced, dark notes blending smoke, espresso and bitter chocolate. An intriguing animal scent surfaces after some hours of breathing.
This could be the best Pinot Blanc in Oregon right now, with lushness from barrel fermentation offset by the delicate balance throughout. Despite its modest 12.5% alcohol, this is a wine of considerable depth, with a mix of ripe yellow fruits and persistent, toasty highlights.
Once again the Jerome Reserve delivers the goods—a fine core of ripe cherry fruit, wrapped in pretty new oak. It's full-bodied, round and textural, while retaining a crisp, well-defined focus. Barrel aging adds complexity, with streaks of coffee, licorice and dark chocolate.
There is a racy, spicy, biting edge to this young Pinot that nicely expresses the Chehalem Mountains AVA terroir, authoritative and unapologetic for the herbal side of the grape. It lingers and opens into a mélange of red fruits, forest, leaf and loam, still stiff and compact after hours of breathing.
There is a delicious, citrusy kick to this wine, lifting the bright berry fruit flavors. The flavors pile on, with peppery spice and chocolate, and a complex midpalate that tastes like cherry cola.
This delicately sparkling dessert wine opens with scents of yellow stone fruit, citrus and white wild flower. On the softly foaming palate, notes of candied lemon drop, grapefruit and an herbal note accent yellow peach.
Cherry cough drop and cassis aromas are red in nature. Dense and compact on the palate, with plum and currant flavors, this finishes with residual tannic rub and increasingly intense berry fruit. Elegance and charm are fleeting.
A pretty pale peach color, the strawberry aromas are quite light while the flavors are tart and spritely. It piques the interest.
The wine has tannins and a stalky black-cherry character. With a firm texture and balanced acidity, the wine is developing although it is not yet ready to drink. Wait until 2017.
Fresh and easygoing, this fruity red has juicy raspberry and black cherry flavors. Hints of clove and pepper add interest while round tannins and bright acidity give it an easy-drinking character.
Produced from vines aged between 25 and 30 years old, this is a ripe yellow and citrus-flavored wine. It has a strongly mineral edge as well as crisp, tight fruitiness. With its structure and tension, it is likely to age further. Drink from late 2017.
With some fermentation in barrel, this wood-touched wine is rounded as well as fruity. Citrus and pineapple flavors give liveliness, with acidity cutting through the spice. Drink now.
This brut Cava is made entirely from the Xarello grape. It's bready, leesy and yeasty on the nose, with touches of apple and nectarine. A low-verve palate tastes briny, with a hint of lime. On the finish, this tastes like the dust of vitamins.
This simple, fruity, red-berry-flavored wine has bright acidity along with soft tannins. It's a great barbecue style of wine, fruity and ready to go with grilled meat.
This wine is spicy with ripe tannins and juicy berry fruits. It is soft and ready to drink with its balanced fruitiness and acidity.
This is a dry, crisp, forward, well-aged wine that blends five aromatic white grapes, principally Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Gris. Already showing signs of oxidation, it's a pleasant, though nondescript white wine that should be consumed by 2018.
A fruity, tank-aged wine that has spice, stalky black-currant fruit and some dry tannins. It is juicy and lightly perfumed with plenty of acidity to keep it crisp. It takes its name from the beehive shaped wells (puit) typical of the north of the Gironde. Drink from 2018.
This is a fresh and fruity wine with lively acidity and spice from wood aging. Dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, it is herbal and still young, needing time to develop. Drink this crisp wine from late 2017.
The wine is still firmly structured and dark. Tannins dominate what will become attractive red-berry fruits. With the acidity and concentration, this will be a fine wine. Drink from 2018.
This Sauvignon Blanc-dominated wine has light wood aging to smooth out its herbal character and bring out the richer Sémillon. Spice, toast and crisp acidity are filled out with the ripeness of the vintage. Drink this from early 2017.
The aromas of apricot and other stone fruit are light but pleasing. The palate shows elegance and detail, with ale notes on the finish.
Sturdy and tannic, this offers subtle suggestions of rosewater and cocoa powder around pleasant plum fruit. Drink it over the next two or three years; decanting will help to smooth it out.
Ripe apricot and pear flavors give this wine a rich character. It is packed with fruits with a creamy texture and balanced acidity at the end. This crisp wine is ready to drink.
Aromas of mango and scented potpourri set up a dry solid palate. This blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay is not something you see a lot of. Flavors of white pepper and nectarine finish juicy, with notes of peach pit and orange peel.
An edgy nose with cassis, plum and cherry aromas is upright and fresh. This is lively and a bit jagged in feel, with cassis, cherry and chocolaty oak flavors. A firm finish with rubbery grabby tannins closes this out.
This tangy, light-bodied wine wakes up the nose with a vivid herb and citrus aroma, and livens up the palate with fresh lemon and green-apple flavors. The texture melts slightly around the edges to keep it smooth on the finish.
Full-bodied and forward, this offers fruit flavors of spiced cherry, along with a broad streak of vanilla. The tannins hit hard and carry a slightly charred, slightly bitter aftertaste.
Very dry and not overly fruity, this medium-bodied wine brings subtle earthy, savory flavors and a firm, straightforward mouthfeel, with a touch of astringency on the finish.
Blending 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 10% Sémillon, this white is perfumed in jasmine and apricot honey. On the palate it becomes somewhat fleshier and less expressive, allowing for just a hint of peach.
This wine is relatively full bodied and ripe tasting, while also backed up by enough acidity to keep it refreshing. It tastes like crisp green apples with a hint of fresh herbs.
Caramelized blackberry, beef jerky and sweet tar arise on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows vanilla, blackberry, blueberry and a touch of asphalt. The tannins are a bit scattered, but the pepper spice is nice.
This wine has attractive butter, ripe apple and pear aromas, and is nice and fruity in style. An almost-sweet sensation rounds out the texture, and tasty accents of baking spices and vanilla keep coming with each sip.
Klopp is a mix of California and Burgundy clones, one of the producer's finest offerings every year, made in an opulent, balanced style. Lush layers of strawberry and cherry are surrounded by truffle-like dirt. The wine is concentrated in tannin and subtle oak, while anise marks the measured finish. The wine will benefit from time in the cellar through 2020.
The nose on this Ethan Lindquist-made wine from the cool-climate vineyard his parents planted shows a fabulous but not overripe cornucopia of espresso, tobacco leaf, oregano and lava rocks. The flavors are quite savory, with dried blueberries, teriyaki, beef jerky, roasted meat, lavender, rosemary and a citrus-like acidity framing the edges.
From old vines within the Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this is a rare bottling of a variety more commonly found in the Jura, but acquiring new fans in California, especially made at this high level. Creamy and round, it remains fresh on the palate in a lemon-swirled minerality that provides a savory edge of ginger.
Structured and elegant, this opens with aromas of blue flower, tilled earth, leather and a balsamic note. The multifaceted palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, orange peel, menthol and cinnamon, while youthfully austere but fine tannins provide support. It already shows nice depth but hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2025.
Savory notes of herb and pine join the scent of ripe yellow plum with the faintest echo of passion fruit. The palate is full of juicy yellow plum toned by lemony freshness. Rounded, fruitful, spicy yet streamlined, this is utterly drinkable, so lay on more than one bottle!
Beautifully pure apple fruit plays on nose and palate. Citrus juice frames the fruit and heightens the freshness even more. If you like a slender, supercrisp style of Riesling, the purity of this will have you hooked.
You can tell this is a prestige cuvée by the weight and shape of the bottle. The wine does justify its packaging, a rich and smooth offering that's structured and textured without losing sight of generous fruitiness. Orange peel combines with red berries to give a full while fresh wine. Try aging it for a few more months and drink at the end of 2015.
Crushed apricot flesh framed by mandarin and lemon freshness sets the tone. Where the nose is full of charm, the palate is full of verve. Exciting, almost electric freshness flashes on the palate and makes for a dynamic, streamlined but structured drink. Somewhere in the background, notes of honey lurk deliciously.
Fragrances of moist earth, blue flowers, black plum and spice lead the nose of this structured wine. The palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, espresso, mocha, white pepper, grilled herb and anise alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for additional complexity; drink 2016–2022.
This is a limited-production offering from a tiny appellation, blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Crème de cassis and Bing cherry give it an unexpected expansiveness of juicy texture, with jolts of tobacco and dried herb playing on the palate before a balanced finish wraps it up in a dry, resolved bow.
Full-bodied and refined, this opens with aromas of mature, spiced plum, violet, tilled soil and truffle. The firm palate offers up crushed black cherry, raspberry, ground black pepper and anise alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and firm tannins. A note of Mediterranean herb signals the close. It already has nice depth but hold for more complexity. Drink 2017–2025.
Norm Yost named this wine after his wife. It shows rich, deep and mysterious aromas, from dried rose petals and cherries to funky mushrooms, fresh-cut sagebrush, maple and damp wood. It's very full once sipped, with a mushroom ragu element cut by red cherries, orange peels, cranberries and a forest floor finish. This Pinot could handle a big steak.
This is an outrageously appealing wine with aromas of smoke, dried herbs and abundant peppery spices. It's sensuous and layered in feel, with generous dark fruit and black pepper flavors. It shows a profound sense of elegance, purity and detail with a finish that seems unending—a complete knee buckler.
This offers reserved notes of cherry and raspberry compote, cranberry, earth and assorted dried herbs. With the oak pleasantly dialed back, the focus remains on the fruit. The palate displays exquisite purity, elegance and detail, with a light grip of tannins pulling it all together. It's drinking beautifully now, but you could open it up in 2025 or 2030 and it wouldn't bat an eye.
The nose on this wine is both subtle and deep, showing dried rose petals, cherry kirsch, black currants and a hint of elderberry. It's silky once sipped, with licorice, mocha and dark raspberry all set against tart cherry-skin tannins that give plenty of structure for aging. Drink 2018–2028.
Winemaker Carl Bowker delivers a great-smelling wine on this blend of 64% Tempranillo and 36% Grenache, with aromas of purple fruit, violets and a pepper-crusted bacon. The palate suggests a very flavorful pork roast in plum sauce, showing hoisin, ripe blackberries and grape candy, proving simultaneously playful and elegant.
Lovely, dense aromas of dried flowers, herbs, cherries and chocolate immediately capture attention. This is a superbly elegant wine, with both precision and power. Orange-peel flavors highlight deep cherry compote, with tension, balance and length in abundance.
This is a terrific representation of all that is spectacularly specific about Keefer Ranch, a relatively cool site for grapes in Green Valley. Earthy and spicy in clove and nutmeg, the wine is layered in cranberry and crisp cherry. It's supple and silky on the palate, with an earthy oomph to the finish.
Decadent aromas of golden pear and Tahitian vanilla rise to the top of this incredibly well-crafted wine, a blend of multiple vineyard sources, most of them single-vineyard designated in other wines. Steely minerality buoys the overall experience, with a touch of vanilla custard. The wine is rich on the aroma yet balanced in taste, with a finishing accent of orange blossom.
Farmhouse just-churned butter is most prominent on the nose, opening up a world that then flowers into layers of ripe, rich apple and pear. Balanced and textured, the wine reflects its near-ideal vintage, marked by a pronouncement of structure and power. Finishing with a zing, it will stand up to time in the cellar, through 2020.
Dried apple peels, squeezed nectarines, creamy cherimoya and quinine combine on this fresh and salty nose from winemaker Steve Fennell. A pine nut warmth opens the palate, followed by an array of exotic flavors like lychee, lemongrass and kiwi, plus some citrusy cider and salt. It's broad enough to appeal to the masses, but retains enough acidity for refined palates.
Winemaker Adam Lee goes big on this bottling from the vineyard planted by the two Garys (Pisoni and Franscioni), showing bacon fat, blackberries and graphite on the nose. Once sipped, it veers more tart, with cranberry and just-ripe raspberry picking up some complexity from thyme herbs.
This powerful Pinot is not for the meek or easily afraid. It's a heavyweight in its prime, stemmy and unabashedly full-throttled in juicy Bing cherry, blackberry and raspberry. Though generous in style, it remains coiled in acidity, with springtime aromas of just-picked rose, proving beauty can come in a substantial package.
Brian Loring makes this spicy wine from a vineyard in the hills overlooking Highway 101 east of Nipomo. Cinnamon powder pumps up aromas of pomegranate, saddle leather and raspberry. It's lively with chai spices and typical cranberry juice at first, then the acidic structure reveals a more savory side, with cherry tomato, tapenade and dried meats on the finish.
The nose on this well-priced appellation blend by Brian Loring has it all: golden honey, caramel apple, supple peach flesh, pressed white flowers, fresh yellow flowers and even quinine. The apple-flesh flavors show oak influence in hints of butterscotch and pineapple, yet the mouthwatering acidity keeps it all in balance.
The fruit is sourced from multiple vineyards across the appellation, including Eastside Estate, a vineyard formerly known as 3 Starrs recently purchased by the producer. Aromas of exotic plumeria provide an inviting entry, followed by a subtle, yet lightly rich expression of yellow apple and ample minerality. Everything combines for a balanced wine that's not overly heavy or overripe.
Made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot from Stillwater Creek and Conner Lee vineyards, this standout wine beautifully displays the strength of the 2012 vintage. Aromas of dark roasted coffee beans, café au lait, graphite and dark cherry lead to sweet, layered, persistent fruit flavors with a lingering, open finish. It's near-irresistible now but will peak from 2021 to 2025.
Hailing from Elephant Mountain Vineyard, this new offering—blended with 15% Merlot—brings aromas of fresh and dried herbs, pencil lead, mocha, potting soil and flowers. It's rich and flavorful with coffee and cherry notes backed by exceptionally integrated tannins, all leading to a lingering finish.
Alluringly seductive aromas of black cherry syrup, blueberry pie, blackberry preserves and fresh-cracked black pepper draw the nose into this blend of Lone Oak and Valley View vineyards, located 800 to 1,000 feet in elevation. Flavors of blackberry-chocolate liqueur, plums and black cherries are elevated by pine sap, rosemary and strong tannins that maintain perfect grip. Serve with lamb.
From a half-acre parcel, this is a delicately structured wine. Delicious, forward red-cherry fruits are juicy and provide lift to the the firm tannins. The combination and balance of the fruit and the texture result in a wine that will age well. Drink from 2018.
This richer, rounder version of dry rosé is pale salmon in color, smells lightly fruity and has a savory white-pepper touch in the flavor. The texture is more mouthcoating and smooth than many.
Made entirely with Chardonnay, this is lightly scented with whiffs of citrus and a yeasty hint of bread dough. The bright, soft palate offers yellow apple, lemon zest and bitter almond alongside firm acidity.
With a mildness to the body and texture, this is big, burly red wine at its most bombastic, an explosion of berry pie and vanilla ice cream that lingers in spicy cinnamon. Ripe and robust, it delivers plenty of flavor and smoothness.
This wine offers soft, malleable red berry, vanilla and marshmallow flavors, making for a ripe, perceptibly sweet experience. Full bodied and densely packed in mellow tannin and oak, it includes a notable hint of peppercorn, and will go well with something similarly appointed, like pepper steak.
Light fig and pear flavors on a rich texture make this wine a sleeper. Quiet on the first sip it gains ripeness and interest with subsequent tastes. It's very smooth and full in the mouth.
Red berry, citrus, hazelnut and a hint of Alpine herb lead the nose on this vibrant sparkler. A blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, the racy palate doles out strawberry, cherry, nectarine zest and a hint of crystallized ginger alongside a vibrant persistent perlage.
Mild leather and horse aromas blend with blackberry and cassis notes to form a familiar RDD nose. This feels grabby and tannic, but fair. Flavors of baked plum and cassis are a touch salty. It finishes with mostly ripe berry, tobacco, oak and vanilla flavors.
Despite the late harvest label, this is not a dessert wine. It's been fermented to near-dryness, and the late-picked fruit has resulted in quite high alcohol. It's an odd duck, but tasty with an appealing lemon-drop candy flavor.
This opens with aromas suggesting toasted nut, oak and bread crust. The soft palate offers mature yellow apple skin, toast, citrus zest and a confectionary note alongside a creamy perlage. Bitter almond marks the finish.
Aromas of French oak, roasted coffee bean, dark berry and menthol lead the nose. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and a toasted note alongside assertive, close-grained tannins. You'll also notice the heat of evident alcohol that throws the finish off balance.
Aromas of citrus blossom, white stone fruit and sage lead the nose on this bright, frothy dessert wine. The rich palate doles out lemon, tangerine zest and apricot offset by fresh acidity and a soft mousse.
Earthy, woody, spicy berry aromas suggest briar patch and sandalwood. This is quite clampy and tannic, and thus the mouthfeel is rough. Gritty, herbal plum and berry flavors finish with a strong sense of oak and abrasive tannins. Drink through 2021.
This is a supremely earthy and highly tannic wine, leathery and smoky in oak and texture. Grown in the foothills of Diamond Mountain, as well as pockets of Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder, the variety is unusual for the Napa Valley. This one is worthwhile, showing subtle cassis, cranberry and vanilla.
A charred, peppery aroma and a stiff, tannic mouthfeel go along with dark-fruit flavors in this full-bodied blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
Juicy red fruit dominates this wine. It has some firm tannins underneath—just enough to support the delicious raspberry and red-currant flavors. It is maturing well and will be ready to drink from 2017.
This is a ripe and juicy wine that has fine red fruits and some firm tannins. It is spicy, concentrated and fully fruited, with well-balanced tannins. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
A ripe and spicy wine, this is structured with black-currant fruits and lively acidity. It is still very young: its exuberant fruitiness likely to calm as it matures. Give this ripe wine until 2019.
This is a spicy wine, with toasty wood flavors. Happily the fruit is also there, spreading its juicy acidity over the tannins. Let this wine fill out over the next few months and it will be ready to drink from 2017.
This is an attractively perfumed wine. It has fine acidity, ripe wood flavors and spice. The weight of the fruit is enough to balance with the wood. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
This 60-40 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris is a tightly textured wine with hints of minerality as well as citrus and grapefruit. The wine is crisp, bright in the mouth and packed with attractive final acidity. This estate is the home of Bordeaux producer Nicolas Thienpont.
The wine is soft, ripe and fruity with fine tannins and plenty of red-berry fruit flavors. Structured and spicy, it will develop well into a concentrated ripe wine. Jean-Michel Baudet's Blaye estate vineyards were the first to be certified sustainable by Terra Vitis. Drink from 2018.
Crisp and fresh, this is a light wine that is dominated by red-currant fruits. It has considerable acidity as well as tannins. Fruity while lightly perfumed, it will be ready from 2018.
This is a tasty, juicy, easy-drinking wine with good fruit flavors. Well balanced and medium bodied, it offers some of the density and texture expected, but without going over the top in tannins.
This is a dry wine meant for the dinner table. It has blackberry and raspberry aromas, concentrated fruit flavors, firm tannins and a taut finish. It will be best to drink after 2018.
This medium-bodied wine has a slightly dusty mouthfeel, which gives its palate just enough shape to highlight the flavors of dried dark-skinned fruit. It's a little pruney, but would probably work fine with stews or hard cheeses.
Light tomato and earth scents accent berry fruit aromas. The palate has a snappy, healthy feel, while flavors of tomato sauce, stewed plum and herbs finish with rooty spice notes.
Here's an unusual white from Sicily made with red Nero d'Avola grapes. It has a subdued floral fragrance and a linear palate showing citrus notes, white pepper and bracing acidity.
Made from the native Refosco grape, this opens with scents of blueberry, kitchen spice and herbs. The palate is not very expressive but reveals raspberry, red currant and spice tones along with astringent tannins.
This Vermentino from Sardegna doesn't have a very expressive nose, but eventually reveals hints of white flowers and thyme. The palate is linear and somewhat subdued, with nuances of apple and rosemary.
There's a faint coppery tinge to this wine's rosy pink hue, and the fruit is somewhat muted, but this remains an enjoyable drink. Leather and scorched cherry flavors are carried by a supple, rounded mouthfeel, finishing with moderate length and intensity. Easy to drink, but not one to hold more than another few months. Certified biodynamic.
This Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of burned rubber and ripe black fruit. The palate shows dense blackberry extract along with espresso, toasted flavors and very evident alcohol. It finishes on an astringent, drying note of wood.
This is quickly maturing, with strong flavors of vanilla rather than fruit. Tannins are stiff and strong. Drink now.
Get passed the name and label and this is a typical fresh and fruity wine from Gascogne. It is light, herbaceous and immediately drinkable with its lemon and green fruits. Screwcap.
Mild plum and berry aromas are smell a bit like aromatized soap. With cherry, raspberry and brown sugar flavors, this is a friendly wine without much Pinot character.
With hints of barnyard and graphite accenting lush notes of blackberries, cassis and ceder, this distinctly Old World-style Cabernet is fascinatingly complex, yet undeniably simple in style. It's austere on the palate with layers of fine, yet penetrating tannins and a finish that's just a tad astringent.
Only mildly herbaceous, this is a soft, gentle wine. It has ripe apple and peach fruits, juicy acidity and an attractive perfumed character. The wine is still young, so give it a few months.
Basic but in the best possible way. The nose is familiar, clean and inviting due to licorice, sweet black fruit and smoky aromas. Fresh in the mouth, with bright acidity pumping up berry, cassis and herbal flavors. Composed on the finish, with a high level of competence.
Fruity and full-flavored, this quaffable Riesling brings a full share of peachy fruit, honeysuckle and English breakfast tea. The residual sugar is just over 1%, and the acids compensate, giving it good balance.
Nice aromas of cherry fruit and sweetness are perfectly clean, while the palate is slightly spunky and high in acid, with wild-berry flavors running side by side with red cherry and citrus. Has a tart, blazing side but also very good fruit character and purity
This wine has muscle and grip; it's a densely layered Cabernet, based upon cassis and loam, with firm, muscular tannins. At the moment it does not extend its power into the finish, but rather it seems to stop short. Try giving it extra breathing time.
Consistent with the Lake Chelan winery's lineup of red wines, this young Syrah brings a lot of generous, berry-flavored primary fruits, softened tannins and a deep purple color. The opening cherry and berry fruit, turning a little pruney and limned by citrusy acids, leads into a tart midpalate with some earth and granite underlying the fruit.
Powerful, driving Merlot with spice, cherry, herbal olive notes and some meatiness to the bouquet. The palate is racy and forward, with cherry-berry flavors, cola, mocha and oak notes on the finish. A solid, strong-boned wine.
A tasty, juicy wine with ripe red cherry fruit and lively acidity. Soft, beautifully ripe, ready to drink.
An aggressive, forward, high-acid wine with a lot of quality as well. The nose mixes dried cheese, leather, heat and savory red fruit aromas, while the palate rides a tight line of acidity toward angular raspberry and cherry flavors. Very zesty, tart and lively, but also deep in terms of minerality, freshness and potency. Drink now through 2012.
With no oak influence, this Cabernet Franc is chock full of pristine raspberry and cherry notes. It's quite concentrated on the palate with deep, ripe red-fruit flavor, but marked by tart cranberry acidity and a long, lingering finish and just a hint of leafy green notes.
Roasted black fruits, animal notes and a strong whiff of black olive make for a wild and wooly bouquet. The palate on this Carignan is direct and firm, with exotic berry flavors, herbal hints and well-applied oak. Blueberry notes and bold acidity push the finish. Drink through 2017.
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.
Fresh, clean and elegant aromas of citrus and flowers start this classic Assyrtiko. On the palate, balanced flavors of lemon, sea salt and white fruits offer food-friendly, quaffable character. A fantastic house wine.
Floral and honey aromas are touched with earthy hints of saffron and pollen on this bold, lushly textured Riesling. The palate is quite full bodied, with intense flavors of stone fruits, poached pears and spice, but finishes long and elegant.
Bright, fresh apple and lime notes are accented with an earthy, minerally complexity on this multifaceted Riesling. It's semi-dry in style with forward, juicy apple and nectarine flavors brightened with notes of lime zest and a distinctly herbaceous finish.
Pure crushed blackberry exudes great charm on the nose and plays alongside toasty oak notes on the palate. Neither ripeness, nor juiciness, nor muscle allow for even one ounce of fat here. Toned and concentrated fruitiness, with soft tannins and bright acidity, result in an enticing wine.
A solid, well-made example of Columbia Valley Syrah, this shows mixed boysenberry and raspberry fruit flavors that are accented lightly with peppery spice. It's a modest wine in terms of volume and density, but proportionate and true to variety.
Here's a lovely Verdicchio with an alluring floral fragrance of acacia and hints of Spanish broom and sea breeze. The palate shows peach, citrus and pineapple flavors, along with notes of dried Mediterranean herbs and brine. Hold for 2–3 years to develop complexity.
Meaty, dry, lightly herbal berry aromas are reserved and not too pushy. This is choppy feeling on the palate, with pointed acids. Flavors of herbal berry, dark plum, coconut, chocolate and oak finish fresh, long, juicy and oaky.
Ripe, sweet blueberries, black pepper and refreshing acidity make this an incredibly appetizing wine. In sheer, unadulterated drinkability, this scores so well: It's fresh-faced and uncomplicated but very moreish.
Notes of dark, luscious cherry dominates the nose and mouth of this wine, with an enlivening freshness and vibrancy. The palate is textured with fine, ripe tannins, followed by an elegant, silky aftertaste.
Winemaker Kim Engle's wines always stand out in a flight, and this curiously spicy, sepia-toned Gewürztraminer is no exception. Aromatic, with notes of orange rind, rose petal and potpourri, it's also intensely flavored with black tea and spice that are pleasantly astringent. Not a classic Gewürztraminer by any means, but uniquely delicious.
This opens with intense fragrances of peach and apricot that carry over to the palate alongside a juicy lemon flavor. It also boasts mouthwatering salinity and mineral sensations and, while it's delicious now, hold for 2–3 years to develop additional dimensions of flavor.
This is a rich, full wine that is spiced but retains remarkable freshness. Crisp citrus and acidity gives it a fine sweet-and-sour character that mingles with flavors of warm apricot and lychee fruits. Drink now.
Spicy, earthy cherry and cassis aromas are true to the variety. This is juicy, bright and substantive in feel, with red berry, oak spice and herbal flavors. A minty, chocolaty finish full of herbs and spices provides for a good ending.
Here's a delicious Pecorino that opens with appealing if unusual aromas of tilled soil alongside more classic floral notes of Spanish broom and acacia. It boasts ripe white peach, juicy pineapple and lemon custard flavors, along with almond and mineral notes.
This is a European-style Syrah, cofermented with 2% Viognier. It's soft and round, medium in body, and has a savory midpalate with flavors of cranberry, plum and pepper. On the finish is a hint of smoky oak. Profits from sales of the wine go to the American River Conservancy Wakamatsu Colony Preservation and Restoration project.
Three excellent vineyards—Stonetree, Bacchus and Minnick Hills—contribute to this firmly-built Cabernet Franc. Fine tannins, a light touch of barrel toast and a hint of dark chocolate surround tart blackberry and cassis fruit. A lick of caramel comes out in the finish. Not a big wine, but exceptionally well-balanced.
Aged in 20% new French oak with half of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation, it's direct and appealing with peach, melon and buttery spices that lead to a warm finish.
Intensely fruity, almost tropical, on the nose and palate, this concentrated, juicy Gewürztraminer balances rich melon and lychee flavors with delicate notes of tea and spice. Just a hint off-dry in style.
Narrow berry aromas are angular and punchy. This feels high in acidity, with hard tannins. That sharp acidity makes for tart unyielding black plum flavors.
A mix of blueberry, plum and animal aromas leads to a wiry, clipped palate fueled by tartaric acid. Lightly salted plum flavors are slightly jammy, while a blueberry note is brought back on the finish.
Dusty, generic plum and berry aromas are highly regular. This Malbec is chunky in feel, without much precision. Oaky buttery slightly greasy berry flavors finish hot and creamy, with little to no elegance or cut.
The aromas of vanilla, herb and cherry show some volatility. The cherry flavors are light, finishing tart.
Pine notes and an aroma akin to floor polish make for an iffy start. This carries a slight chemical flavor as it moves along, while honey and brown-sugar notes sweeten things up. A chunky, obtuse finish feels sticky due to mild acidity.
This opens with subdued aromas of espresso, grilled herb, scorched underbrush and French oak. The lean evolved palate shows roasted coffee bean, a hint of oak-driven spice and a salty note but the fruit has already dried up, leaving an abrupt, astringent finish.
This is a plump, broad southern Rhône white, offering subtle notes of melon, pear and wet stones. Drink it before the end of 2017 while it still retains some freshness.
This informal red has a shy nose that eventually reveals whiffs of black-skinned fruit and a suggestion of cooking spice. The simple palate delivers black cherry and vanilla alongside laid-back tannins. Drink soon.
This straw-colored Chardonnay has aromas of apple and citrus blossom with flavors of creamy apple, vanilla and citrus pith. It has nice weight on the palate with a clean acidic finish.
A lightweight and easygoing white, this offers soft aromas and flavors of green apple, melon rind and citrus, all framed by bright acidity. The finish is short, but mouthwatering. Drink now.
A blend of grapes mainly from the Beaujolais region, this is soft, with cherry fruit and bright acidity. It has an attractive, easy character that makes it ready to drink now.
This is an attractive, warm, rounded wine. Yellow fruit flavors are cut with white fruit and acidity. It has a smooth, creamy texture that gives it extra richness. Drink now.
This soft fruity wine has a candied character. It is light, crisp and ready to drink. Produced from Malbec, it just hints at the tannins natural to the grape, preferring fruitiness and acidity. Drink now.
Produced in eastern Alentejo, near Spain, this light and soft wine is easy and drinkable. It has a smooth texture, just hinting at lemony acidity. Drink now.
This wine is floral and spicy on the nose, but lacks the richness on the midpalate to fully support those ambitions. The result is a highly perfumed but modestly flavored wine with medium body and a dusty finish. Drink now.
Aromas of roasted but slightly weedy berry fruits, road tar and latex precede a raw shallow pulling palate. This Malbec tastes of salty and savory black plums, tomatoes and herbs. On the finish, this delivers mostly spaghetti-sauce flavors.
Off the bat, this smells a bit like fruit punch, although with time it stiffens. A chunky heavy somewhat flat palate tastes of clove, chocolate and berry and plum.
This light-colored wine is attractively perfumed but with a grassy edge that suggests the fruit was underripe. Built for the short term, it will be ready from late 2017.
Aromas of buttered noodles and honey fail to hold up in the glass. This sweet Macabeo feels a bit watery, with no complexity to the palate structure. Flavors of honey and vanilla are slightly bitter.
The volatiles are amped up here, providing distraction from the cherry and spice aromas. It's a shame as the palate delivers plenty of plump lightly sweet cherry flavors.
A light wine with attractive berry flavors, this has a touch of caramel to go with its fruitiness and crisp acidity. Drink now.
This light-bodied wine from a cool vintage wine shows jammy raspberry with hints of leather on the nose. It may have already peaked.
This blend of Bical and Cercial is toasty and dominated by its wood aging. Wood-derived spice notes cover its crisper green fruits.
This medium-sweet rosé is a familiar style of local Portuguese wine. Fruity with raspberry flavor, it gives a slight a prickle on the tongue and has lively acidity. Drink now.
This dry, tart wine smells like sliced apples and has lemon pastry-like flavors without the sweetness. The palate is full-bodied but cut with a zing of lemon and green apple.
The volatiles are quite amped on this wine. It makes it a struggle to get at the tart black cherry flavors.
Aged in buried clay vessels in accordance with ancient Georgian winemaking techniques, then transferred to new oak, there's a core of bright cherry fruit, coffee grinds and vanilla on the nose and palate of this unique Saperavi. It's a good wine, but charred wood, jagged tannins and hints of barnyard tend to obscure all the lovely fruit.
Very floral, citrusy and perfumed upfront, retaining that lemony edge to help the retained carbon dioxide balance the inherent sweetness. Clean and refreshing on the finish.
The aromas and flavors of this wine are not too intense, with soft suggestions of strawberry hull and ripe banana. Surprisingly weighty and round in the mouth.
With some weight, this has raspberry flavor to go with its sweetness. Berry fruits dominate in a wine that is full in the mouth.
An attractively simple, fruity Pinot Noir. It has ripe wild strawberry and red plum flavors, spiced with a gamy edge. The wine has a light structure, and is not for aging.
Crimson in color but also translucent, with a candied, slightly green nose. Overall this is a simple quaffer with no excess weight and reasonably good flavors of berry and plum. Bland on the finish, but for $4 who's caring about finish?
This is a full-bodied rosé with soft red berry and tart cherry flavors intertwined with notes of white chocolate. The finish could last a bit longer. Drink up.
Smells sweet and artificial, with chemical notes and overwrought vanilla. Juicy in the mouth, with flesh and freshness. But the flavors are oaky, so much so that the wine's citrus and apple quality is masked. Finishes with grapefruit and bitterness. Weird and all over the map.
A winemaking history in a bottle, this Georgian wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes is an unusual peek into techniques tracing back 8,000 years. Deep gold in color due to an extended maceration on grape skins, this wine was aged in buried clay vessels, then oak, giving it a smoky, earthy profile with notes of butterscotch and roasted nut skins. There's not a lot of acidity, but it's refreshing with pretty orange peel notes and a grape tannin astringency on the finish.
Light Pinot Noir, with crisp raspberry flavors. The very fruity wine has an edge of bitterness to go with the acidity.
Pungent and grassy on the nose, with a strong nettle and green herb character. The palate is soft and playful, with pithy white fruit flavors and then a soda-like dry finish. Plump, wayward and a bit green overall.
A bit murky, the herbal and spicy flavors of Malbec are softened into a smooth but diffuse wine, with a plastic note in the finish.
Lemony, fruit-driven wine, very crisp in character, with lightness and delicacy. Acidity and a touch of pear flavor offer balance.
Fairly light and innocuous; you really have to make an effort to draw anything from the nose. The palate is sweet and sugary, especially for Pinot Gris, which should be more dry and snappy. And that sweetness carries onto the finish and all the way out the back door. Not offensive, but overly sweet and thick given the grape and origin.
Grainy, unfocused aromas start it off, and the wine just never gets back on track after that. The palate is bulky and overdone with plum and prune flavors, while the finish seems sweet and raisiny, and without a lot of harmony. As a whole it's chewy yet neither here nor there.
Borderline translucent in color, and equally light in the nose. The aromas are of cranberry and chlorine. The palate is all strawberry and some bitter oak, and while it picks up steam and fills out with time, the initial impression is hard to overcome.
A bit weedy in the nose, with notes of pepper and salsa. The flavor profile runs sour, with rhubarb and pie cherries sticking out. The mouthfeel is where the wine suffers most; it's hard and aggressive, with piercing tannins and acids that combine forces to starch out your palate and cheeks.
While not smelling much like typical Viognier, this southern Oregon offering is round, sweet and ripe, with honey and apple flavors. The finish is sweet and honeyed, and also quite short. A chunky, full-bodied mouthfeel is the most typical characteristic of the wine.
Flat but clean, with very light and distant apricot and celery aromas. The flavors veer toward green apple and lemon, while the finish is bland. From a texture standpoint, it's watery, with only modest fruit quality.
This is a wine the winery has lavished some extra care on:  barrel fermentation, 50% new oak, extra time in barrel. But the results are disappointing. A thin, sour wine, it has a bitter edge to it and a finish that suggests that something went wrong in the barrel.
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Aromas of jalapeno peppers, thistle and pine needles raise questions about ripeness while not exactly rolling out the welcome mat. That said, the wine is surprisingly sweet, with orange and lemon flavors. Finally, a thick texture runs in contrast to the lean nose, ultimately leaving one confused and asking: Is this really Sauvignon Blanc?
Barrel fermentation helps round out the flavors here, and the wine is drinking quite nicely at this young age. Apple and cinnamon notes combine gracefully, finishing on a touch of fresh pastry.
Named after the family that owns Rocim, this wine is ripe with soft tannins and juicy black-currant fruits. A core of dryness is surrounded by the attractive acidity. Drink now.
The wine is rich, accenting tropical-fruit flavors as well as concentrated acidity. Its spice and tangy character are part of the wine's intensity. This superripe wine is still on the young side and will be better from 2018.
Cedar and cigar box are most prominent on the nose, followed by hints of blackberry and currant. The palate boasts cigar box, leather and raw oak with more currant and pomegranate offering levity. Medium tannins lend structure and carry through to the cedar flecked finish.
Minty, roasted berry aromas open this well-built Cabernet that's packed with plum, raspberry and wood-spice flavors. There's nothing complicated about this lively, oaky wine that runs long on the finish.
This wine's underbrush, toasted oak, coconut and exotic spice aromas rise from the glass. The firm palate offers dried cherry, cranberry, clove and sage notes while assertive tannins clench the finish.
This is a ripe, generous wine. The structure typical of Touriga Nacional is submerged in the perfumed blackberry and ripe plum flavors. It's a big wine, with tannins softly cushioned in the rich fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
This super-ripe wine is laced with powerful black fruits and spice from wood aging. It is forward and bold, not holding back in flavors and richness. Drink now.
Equal parts Malbec and Merlot add to the whole of this wine, which is thick and extracted in black fruit and firm tannins. With a floral undercurrent and spicy rocky tones, it combines blackberry and currant with a rich addition of caramel.
This is a ripe, juicy and accessible wine. Full of blackberries, soft tannins and with balanced acidity, the wine is more about fruit than structure. It is ready to drink.
Made entirely from Nero d'Avola, this opens with ripe black-skinned fruit, cooking spice and Mediterranean scrub aromas. Dense blackberry jam, carob and anise flavors mark the palate, where they're underscored by supple tannins. Drink through 2020.
A 100% varietal wine from the producer's estate, the grapes planted in rocky volcanic soils, this wine showcases a thicket of blueberry and smoky meat, with a high-toned backbone of acidity helping to keep it from becoming overbearing. Ripe, the tannins are soft and chewy.
The limestone soil gives this juicy fruity wine a fine tight line of minerality. That contrasts with the apricot and lemon flavors that shine out from this generous wine. It is ready to drink now.
The aromas in this juicy Dolcetto suggest black cherry, violet and toasted almond while the palate offers ripe blackberry, white pepper and clove flavors. Rounded tannins provide support. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to show its age, with light prune, dried cherry-tobacco and clove aromas. Dried strawberry, star anise and baking spice arise on the palate, which is full of flavor but should be enjoyed soon.
This is a soft rounded wine. With a generous texture and warm white stone-fruit flavors, it is smooth with only a mild tang of clementine peel. The wine is delicious, ripe and ready to drink.
This dry Hungarian wine is made from Muscat Lunel. It has sweet tart candy, dried basil, rosemary and lemon blossom aromas. On the palate, expect dried Mediterranean herb, lemon zest and white peach flavors.
Partially aged in oak, this wine is crisp, juicy and bright with citrus and acidity. Apples and pears come through strongly in this attractive wine that is ready to drink.
This ripe, spicy wine offers strong wood flavors as well as bold red fruits, accompanied by acidity and rich tannins. Drink now.
This is the second wine from this showpiece quinta. The wine is a classic Douro blend dominated by Touriga Franca, giving a rich, soft and juicy character that is ready to drink. It has great fruit, spice and integrated tannins.
This is one in a series of wines that blends Syrah with a major Douro grape, The wine has a severe, austere character, as much structure as fruit. Wood aging has helped to soften the wine and give density. It needs more time, so drink from 2019.
With 7% Malbec, this hearty red is tightly wound in youthful tannins and a smoky cloud of complex flavor. Leathery and earthy, it traffics in plum, blackberry and chocolate, intertwining the rich ripe fruit into a harmonious whole that pleases the palate.
Blueberry, plum and cardamom aromas include a whiff of wood smoke. A balanced palate has energy along with brambly berry and chocolate flavors. A chewy, solid finish is good but less lively than the palate.
Aydie's easy drinking wine, showing off the fruity side of Tannat. It has ripe fruits, light acidity and tannins and a hint of spice. This is a great wine for barbecues with its easy quaffing character right at the fore. Drink now. Screwcap.
A purple tint and aromas of black fruits, graphite, toast and minerally crispness set the bar high, but in the mouth and on the palate things are less impressive. There's a raw, acidic bite despite oaky creaminess, while flavors of wild berry and herbs finish a bit green.
This is a fruit-forward, almost-Beaujolais-like wine, with bouncy cherry and raspberry fruit, medium weight in the mouth and a simple but satisfying finish. Drink it over the next several months.
Ripe bramble, black cherry and berry notes are enticingly fragrant on this Merlot-based Bordeaux-blend. The palate is concentrated with cherry and berry flavors too, but more tart and crisp in profile, with a nervy cranberry acidity that reverberates on the finish.
Given that Albariño doesn't age that well, this 2010 version is in pretty good shape. Aromas of stone fruits and wet stones lead to a plump, fleshy palate with chunky flavors of melon and lees. On the finish is where this shows its age; there's mild oxidation and bitterness along with a soft, fading feel.
There's some nice weight and spice here in this mild-mannered Graciano, adept in its baked plum and strawberry flavor, spicy leather throughout the soft textures with a pronounced savory hit on the finish. Pair with grilled meats or paella.
Here's a simple Pinot Grigio from Abruzzo with pretty aromas of white flowers. The palate offers bright green apple and pear flavors with a crisp and refreshing finish. Pair this with light pasta salads.
On first take, the bouquet is hampered by reduced aromas of iodine and the palate feels hard, tight and racy. With airing, this shows better. Flavors of blackberry and plum come to life and finish well, and as a whole, this is good in a pedestrian, regular way.
A spicy blend of 44% Grenache, 32% Syrah and 24% Tempranillo, all grown in Fair Play, an increasingly interesting place for Rhône varieties. With soft swirls of fruity plum amid masculine tobacco and leather, there's a lusciousness to the finish that's appealing but could use a bit more of a kick.
Charred on top and showing roasted berry aromas underneath. This wine sizes up as a plump, round berry ball with low-to-medium acidity and soft tannins. It's just mildly herbal and rooty, with a soft finish. It flows smoothly and won't cause any eyebrows to be raised. Drink now.
After an initial blast of raw oak this Ribera settles nicely to show appealing leather and berry aromas along with savory blackberry and molasses flavors. There's also ample spice, chocolate and toast to give it a dark personality. Nice for a young wine; it's flush, lush and quite dense.
This sharp, spicy, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc showcases the flavors of the Columbia Gorge AVA. It's a pungent wine, with sweet grassy flavors and a hint of toast, despite fermentation in stainless steel. Unusual but interesting.
This full-throttle blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre comes across as almost Zinfandel-like, with bold, briary fruit and hints of damp earth. Shows a bit of warmth on the finish, but also a flourish of bright berry fruit. Drink now and over the next several years.
Erath makes a solid, reliable, all-purpose but somewhat generic Oregon Pinot Noir. This blended wine fills a desperate need for something that can represent good old basic Oregon Pinot Noir. It's accessible and spicy, with clean and tangy red fruits. A bit sharp and acidic, it should improve over the next couple of years as it softens out.
Roasted and dark, with full blackberry and smoked-meat aromas. Organic Tempranillo, Syrah, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon comprise this tight, dark, rugged wine with forward tannins and acidity bolstering cherry, cassis and   cola flavors. Made in the modern, ripe style. Drink now–2010.
Compared to this estate's Rosé de 1ère Taille, there's not that much to distinguish it. It may be a little rounder and fuller, a little more fruit-forward and less elegant, but it shares the primary notes of crushed stone, citrus and a refreshing brine-like minerality.
Pinot Noir from Washington? Yes, it's possible, and in this case, exceptional. Don't look for California sweetness and extract here, but you'll find genuine varietal character and perfect ripeness, without the leafy, tomato flavors that can plague parts of Oregon. This is gentle, elegant, light and captivating, like a perfectly made Bourgogne rouge from a great vintage.
This medium- to full-bodied rosé features bold aromas of lime, mineral and ripe cherries, while the flavors run toward white chocolate, citrus and red fruits. There's a satisfyingly fatty character to this wine's flavors and texture, persisting through the long finish.
A very nice and approachable wine from a tough year, so congratulations to Conde de Valdemar for putting out this smooth, layered reserva that delivers basic, no-nonsense raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors. Finishes airy, with mocha and pepper notes. Drink now.
Baked but not cooked, with leather and blackberry aromas making for an inviting Monastrell. The wine is decidedly plump and smooth, with cola, burnt toast and baked berry flavors. Some oak and savory elements grace the fleshy finish. If you like good but affordable Argentine Malbec, this is in the same vein.
Every year this wine seems to get better. This vintage deals notes of lemon pie, melon and lychee on the bouquet, which is followed by a palate that's oily yet racy. Flavors of lychee and pineapple are true to Torrontés, while green herb and lime notes stir things up.
Combine prune, leather and spice notes with firm tannins and the result is a slightly rustic, old-school expression of Vacqueyras. It's concentrated and characterful, with up to a decade of aging potential.
This négociant bottling delivers reasonably fresh fruit and plenty of ripe raspberry flavor. It's medium to full in body, with supple tannins that make it easy to drink now.
Light, fruity and clean, this was aged in all stainless steel, showing delicious tones of tangerine and lemon peel and a crisp, long finish, with a soft touch all around.
This is a benchmark rendition of Pinot Gris. The flavors are fruit driven, with lime, apple and pear notes combining on the smooth, relatively soft midpalate. This is a consistent wine, even with its production level of 100,000 cases.
Fresh and spicy, this tart young Chard has a streak of wintergreen mint. Aged in a mix of stainless steel and neutral French oak, it's an excellent seafood wine.
A fresh, appealing example of Gigondas, with mouth-watering cherry fruit that's blissfully uncomplicated yet satisfying for its verve and intensity. A hint of cocoa sneaks in on the finish. Drink it over the next few years.
A fortified blend of Tannat and Malbec, this is a ripe and sweet, styled like a vintage Port. It has a powerful structure from the two tannic grapes in the blend, along with ripe damson fruit and spice, with acidity on the finish.
Made from 100% Barbera, this has perfumed aromatics and flavors of raspberry and peach. It's sweetness is in check—ideal for food with some heat, like Thai or Mexican.
This rich wine is full of berry fruits that are smoothed out by wood aging. It is still young, with a structure of tannins that gives a dry edge. That will soften to reveal the fruitiness of the Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend with its fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2017. The d'Arfeuille family is now in its fifth century on Bordeaux's Right Bank.
Lemon curd, papaya and vanilla custard combine on the nose and palate for a fragrantly rich experience, full-bodied and generous in fruit. The wine lightens up midway, minerality shining on the finish.
This is a crisp and deliciously tangy wine from a single parcel. Full of lemon and fresh apple flavors, it is bright with acidity. Produced from vines over 35 years old, it has a good concentration of fruit and ripeness. Drink from 2016.
Cigar-box aromas are followed on the palate by a wine with a young, tight, firm structure. The tannins are up front, keeping the red fruits behind and still needing to develop. That should not take long, giving a wine full of red plum and berry flavors with a dry core of tannins. Drink from late 2016.
This offers red cherry and black cherry aromas with a touch of earthiness. Vivid cherry and blackberry flavors partner with a tart, lively texture buoyed by crisp acidity. The wine is light bodied, moderately tannic and leanly appetizing.
Quite a steal for lovers of this variety, this wine shows green apple, kiwi, chalk and a sharp lime-peel edge on the nose. The palate offers flavors of grapefruit and Key lime wedges, but the real winning aspects are the white pepper spice and the rain-on-cement minerality.
An easy-drinking blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Sangiovese, this doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, white pepper and a hint of licorice. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide the easygoing framework.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (26%), Petit Verdot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Tempranillo. Aromas of red fruit, herbs, pencil eraser and tobacco are followed by full-feeling red and black fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins.
The Perrin family continues to turn out remarkable wines at every price level, including this $10 white blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. Rather than favoring bold, distinctive fruit, it's more understated, with hints of marshmallow and melon that should prove versatile at the table. It's substantial and weighty without being fat or rich—just a nice drink.
The Chasselas, once the dominant grape of Pouilly-sur-Loire, is now rarely found, losing out to Sauvignon Blanc and Pouilly-Fumé. This wine, fresh and a deliciously light, shows the grape's attractive crisp character. It is young, fruity and ready to drink.
Cranberry, blueberry, vanilla and milk chocolate aromas are at the fore. It's silky in feel with a reserved styling.
Aromas of toast and hazelnut lead the way on this lively wine, following through to the palate along with yellow apple skin and a hint of mineral. Vigorous bubbles give it a bright mouthfeel.
Grass and bell pepper aromas define the nose on this lithe white. Following the nose, the palate is tangy, angular and sharp. Lively flavors of lemon, scallion and tarragon finish long, with hard-driving acidity.
Soft and fruity in black cherry and plum, this wine offers a solid foundation of cinnamon spice atop a mountain of blackberry. The acidity is well measured and the finish medium in length and breadth.
This opens with aromas of blackberry, leather, coffee and scorched earth. On the palate, licorice, clove and a balsamic note add depth to the core of dried black cherry while fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink it sooner rather later to capture the fruit richness.
Aromas of coffee grinds, olives, green herbs and oak lead to a lean but fresh palate. Herbal and oaky flavors accent sweet plum notes, and then vanilla pours in to soften an herbaceous finish.
This Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) opens with earthy, ripe red-berry aromas. The palate is fleshy and plush, with baked, earthy flavors of blackberry and raisin. Baked notes persist on a solid, minty, slightly hot finish.
This broad, fragrant wine has both great acidity and delicious ripe green plum and gooseberry fruits. Tangy and bright, it is going to fill out as it ages. Drink now or from 2016.
While fresh and fruity in aroma, this feels full bodied, tastes rich but not sweet, and has a smooth texture. Aromas like apples and bananas tone down to milder spicy, baked-apple flavors that stay through the finish.
Pretty white blossom and fresh apple notes are cast in a veil of crushed minerals in this deft, delicate Riesling. Lacy sweetness and sunny tangerine acidity brighten the midpalate. This is a lovely off-dry wine that's delicious now for it's fresh, fragrant youth.
Steely and polished, this dry, intensely mineral Riesling calibrates savory apple and pear flavors against tart lemon, tangerine and pineapple acidity. The moderately long finish reverberates with a zesty bite of bitter lime skin.
The aromas on this wine lean into the green, with notes of herbs, cedar and woodspice that seem somewhat at odds with the variety. The supple flavors show a mixture of intensity and restraint.
Lots of fruit flavors and lots of tannin make this both generous and a bit tight at the same time. While the ripe black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors are tempting, the texture is firm and may need until 2018 to smooth for best drinking.
This 75% Cabernet with 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot opens with spicy black pepper and smoky leather, showing full-bodied tannin and texture. Varietal characteristics of cedar play in the shadows, while the overall experience takes its time to wind down on the finish.
Here's a firm red that opens with aromas of coffee, toast and black plum. On the dense palate, notes of roasted coffee bean and ground black pepper add interest to the core of dried blackberry. It's tightly wound, with bracing tannins.
Aromas of chopped herbs, toasted oak and incense lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, pomegranate, exotic spice, coconut and new oak but it lacks fruit richness and freshness. Drink now.
This wine is rich, full of berry fruits and spice. The appealing juicy quality is crisp while also showing a balanced character. With a perfumed aftertaste, this attractive wine will be even better from 2016.
Forward and fruity, this bold, mouth-filling sparkling wine bursts of fleshy red cherries and raspberries. It's a cheerful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir showcasing a blossomy, perfumed style and vibrant structure.
This medium-weight wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, and the resulting wine admirably reflects elements of each variety. Treebark notes on the nose from the Mourvèdre, boysenberries from the Grenache and black olives from the Syrah. With its mild tannins, it's drinkable now through 2020.
This straightforward white offers subdued aromas of banana, orchard fruit and wildflower while the slender palate shows tangerine zest, rennet apple and a mineral note. Brisk acidity gives it a crisp close.
Oak aging in large barrels has served to give this wine an immediate appeal. It's balanced, lightly structured and full of juicy fruits. Black currants, spice and red berry flavors enhance the fruitiness of the wine. Drink from mid-2016.
The nose is mildly expressive, with zesty lemon in the forefront. The palate is a shows more intensity, offering juicy peach notes supported by a silky texture. Having spent eight months in 35% new oak, this trends toward a fruitier-style Chardonnay, with oak lending textural support.
From another section of the Los Chamizal Vineyard, Morning Sun is taut in red cherry and raspberry, a citrusy component giving it lightness and zest. Leather and black pepper come to life on the finish.
Grapefruit and other citrus aromas are zesty but standard. That's also how the palate comes across: citric and juicy, but average. Flavors of orange and tangerine finish fresh but continue the one-note theme.
A bouquet with tomato leaf, spice, dust and saucy berry aromas sets the stage for a basic feeling palate. Saucy red plum flavors are offset by sweet, oaky molasses notes, while a touch of nutmeg and oak character rise up late.
From great farmers and a great site, this wine somehow never comes fully to life, offering a muted taste of cherry and strawberry around minty dollops of earth and dried herb.
Subtle red fruit aromas show a flash of lemon peel. This medium-bodied Malbec is regular in every way—the flavors are a touch earthy, with spice and plum notes. The finish hums along while offering nothing new.
This rather deeply hued, yellow-gold wine offers aromas suggesting orchard fruit, toasted almond and crushed rock. The palate shows tart apple and green pear accompanied by vibrant acidity.
Initial notes of yeasty citrus are lifted by pear and white blossom on the nose. The citrus-driven palate brings additional blossomy tones alongside Gala apple, with a slight undercurrent of bitter grapefruit pith. Light, fresh and clean, this sparkling Grüner is an attractive option as an apéritif.
Peach and a hint of fresh lettuce are the key aromas to a basic bouquet. This feels solid but pithy, while orange and other generic citrus flavors turn slightly bitter on the finish.
The delicate opening scents are broom, beeswax and pear. The thin palate is made up of yellow apple skin, dried herb and a hint of almond alongside nervous acidity.
Jammy plum and raspberry aromas are meaty and hint at being plush. A flush, fairly full mouthfeel packs power, while flavors of plum and prune fade toward herbal, with residual weight to the finish.
Catty and grassy this is a very Sauvignon style of Sauvignon. It is tight, herbal and intense with a cool climate character that comes from the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean to the vineyards. Drink now.
A straightforward, medium-bodied wine that's not fussy, this offers generously expansive flavors of apple skin and pear, veering toward the tropical end of the fruit spectrum on the finish.
Appealing aromas of beeswax, citrus blossom, orchard fruit and crushed stone lead the nose while the zesty palate offers lemon rind, tangerine and mineral. Racy acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
Fresh-squeezed olallieberries, concentrated lilacs, plum skin and a light pepper aroma show on this wine's dense nose. The palate is lighter in flavor yet dense in texture, with strong tannins framing the fresh boysenberry fruit.
Moving into maturity, this late release has softened tannins, secondary fruit flavors, and accents of leather and wet hay. Drink up.
Fresh and fruity, the wine is ripe, soft and with attractive red berry fruits over acidity. Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon make a happy blend of fruit and gentle structure. Drink now.
Gritty aromas of asphalt, herbs, tomato and plum make for a tough opening. This is syrupy and grabby on the palate, with creamy berry and cooked brown-sugar flavors. A sinewy finish tastes medicinal and a touch weedy.
Slightly volatile aromas suggest bubble gum, and the fruit flavors continue in that vein. It does a quick fade into a dry, lightly mineral finish.
Tight and tannic, this single-vineyard offering emphasizes flavors of herb, grass and green leaf. There's a hint of pale, generic red fruit, but it's more in the veggie camp—think rhubarb rather than raspberry. A hint of brown sugar rounds out the finish.
Pert and juicy in feel, overripe lemon and peach tones mark the nose and palate. This is enjoyable but not overly engaging or long lasting on the palate.
Principally Tempranillo, this blended red shows light berry fruit and stiff, earthy tannins. Aged 17 months in 17% new French oak, it doesn't quite come into balance, and finishes with chalky acids.
The ripest and strongest of the Lodi Native wines this year, this has raspberry and black pepper aromas tinged with dusty, earthy accents, and heavy flavors like stewed plums.
Pungent, feline aromas of sweat and cactus set up a sharp, citric palate that's loaded to the brim with acidity. Austere flavors of passion fruit and lime end with a note of mango along with a wave of citric burn.
This is a half-and-half blend of Touriga Nacional from northern Portugal and Castelão from the south. It's a wine that has plenty of fruit although the two grapes lie uneasily together. The juicy flavors and red berries are contrasted with a metallic acidity that isn't pleasant. Hopefully, the wine will fill out.
The aromas are a little sweaty and the wine has not entirely knit together, even after four years. Fruit flavors are raisined, the acids feel chalky, and the finish resolves into some bitter phenolics.
This wine is comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Dusty earthiness frames its green, vegetal flavors, wrapped in ripe, sturdy tannins and bitter leather and clove notes.
Funky aromas are sweaty, foxy and feline in nature. This doesn't have a lot of feel or texture, while the flavors on this brut nature are a bit weedy and grassy. The fruit character is quite short on the finish.
This organically farmed field blend includes some Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. It has soft acidity and a simple structure, the flavors a mix of red and black cherry and berry.
There are odd hints of plastic in the nose and in the flavor, along with black-cherry fruit. In the mouth this wine feels disjointed, with a chalky, short finish and a hint of coconut.
This wine offers earthy funkiness and simple coconut and red currant notes, its structure somewhat muted and one-dimensional.
A sweaty nose obscures light strawberry flavors. Yeasty and thin, it's best used as a mixer.
A dull, unformed nose gives way to sweet dried prune notes in this highly ripe, earthy wine.
Honeyed aromas of orange marmalade lead to a flat palate. Bitter flavors of melon and almond skins confirm that this oddball blend of Moscatel, Doradilla and PX from the mountains outside Málaga is lackluster.
This wine smells and tastes quite mature but is still interesting to drink. It has sun-baked earth aromas, raspberry and Madeira flavors and a soft texture.
With its reliance on old-vines vineyards, Renacer often comes out with great wines. This is one of them. Smoky, leathery berry aromas are inviting, while the mouthfeel is silky and plush. Oaky flavors of chocolate, smoked meat and vanilla accent ripe berry flavors, then clove and baking spices pour onto the finish.
Rose, violet, iris and red berry aromas lead the nose on this delicious wine made entirely with Sangiovese. The smooth palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry and crunchy strawberry, while notes of nutmeg, black pepper and cinnamon add depth. It's polished and already enjoyable but hold a few years for complexity.
This impressive operation covers much of eastern Waiheke, although only a small portion of the property is planted to vines. The 2010 vintage was especially good on the island, and this wine is crammed with ripe, peachy fruit, framed by smoky oak and roasted nuts. Despite being weighty and round in the mouth, it finishes well, on a lingering citrusy note. Drink it over the next couple of years.
Jammy, ripe and loaded with inky, sweet black-fruit aromas, the bouquet on this modern Cab Franc draws you in. Once there, look for a big but balanced palate with blackberry, roasted notes, loam and chocolate flavors. The satisfying finish is pure and long, with toasty blackness.
Clearview's Chardonnays are always opulent and textural, and this ultra-luxe offering exemplifies the house style. Aromas of grilled fruit mesh beautifully with toasted whole grain on the nose, while similar flavors swirl endlessly in the mouth. Yet despite being warm and welcoming, full bodied and broad on the palate, it's refreshingly firm on the lengthy finish. Drink now–2016.
Endowed with plenty of fruit, this wine swirls together notes of raspberry and vanilla, then tops off that delicious blend with hints of mint and other herbs. The lovely creamy texture turns silky and fresh on the finish. Drink now–2020.
From selected grapes, this is a powerful, complex wine. It has huge richness, tasting of the Alentejo sun. At the same time, the fruit is firm and structured, slowly revealing its fresher berry character to balance the density. The delicious juicy aftertaste promises a fine future for this wine. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of black cherry, brambly berry, violet and oregano give way to sophisticated flavors of dark fruit, spice and leather. This nicely balanced Syrah offers harmonious tannins, with just a touch of grippiness, leading to a smooth, somewhat savory finish.
This wine, with its black color, barely escapes being too much. Initially, it seems too rich, too concentrated. But slowly its more elegant character, ripe and smooth, comes through. The acidity gives surprising freshness considering the weight and density. It does need time, so drink from 2017.
Bin 389 is always a Cab-Shiraz, although the 2009 is only just, at 51% Cabernet and 49% Shiraz. This year's version is chocolaty and ripe, with plenty of weight and a slightly creamy feel. Cassis and vanilla notes fill out the palate, which finishes long, with an elegant texture akin to fine suede. Drink now–2025.
A blend of blocks and clones from this impressive property, this Pinot delivers pretty raspberry and cherry fruit, dusted with baking spices. From the opening aromas of fruit and flower, on through to the bigger barrel flavors of clove and cinnamon, this is a lovely wine, drinking well, but certainly fit for cellaring through 2020–2022.
Barrel fermented and put through full malolactic with regular batonnage, this superbly balanced, graceful Chardonnay is orchestrated around a complex mix of pear, tropical fruit, biscuit, cream soda and light baking spices. The acidity carries a hint of mineral, and the palate impression is lively and smooth.
Big, ripe and bold, this powerful wine is dense with acidity and black fruits in equal measure. With its dark, tannic aftertaste, it's a wine to age further. Drink from 2015.
This young, high-density vineyard delivers the goods, with purple, plummy, spicy fruit and excellent concentration and texture. There is a pleasing graininess to the mouthfeel, and layers of complexity that are just beginning to open.
Zesty aromas of lemon and tangerine are accented by musky, exotic notes of saffron and pollen on this beautifully multifaceted spätlese. Brisk, citrusy acidity adds zip to honeyed orange and tea notes on the palate, lingering long on with hints of blossom and herb.
Hints of honey lend warmth to zesty aromas of lemon, lime and tangerine on this dry, steely wine. The palate is delicate, with tart notes of yellow peach and quince, but textured with streaks of mineral. Honed lemon-lime acidity leads a long, bracing finish.
Classic Cabernet, from its mint and cassis aromas to its ample weight and long, plush finish. This is full and velvety, with hints of cedar and vanilla blending easily into the whole. Approachable now, it should age well through at least 2025.
Made in open lagars, this is a full, ripe and very fruity wine. To balance this opulence, there is a strong element of wood aging, spice, dark tannins and a dense texture. This impressive wine has weight, concentration and aging potential. Drink from 2016.
Already impressive, this wine shows great fruit for the vintage as well as structure. Ripe with black cherries and berries, it has all of Pinot Noir's rich juiciness, but hints of smoke add complexity as well. Structured and a shade dark, it needs time to mature. Drink from 2017.
The 2002 vintage Champagnes showcase a truly great year. This wine is no exception. It's very dry, but rich in character, with pristine citrus, apple and plum flavors balanced by hints of toast and maturity. It could improve with age, but it's good to drink now.
Still young and fruity, this is a wine with impressive potential. For now, enjoy the palest of rosé colors, bright red fruits, and crisp and lively acidity. In the next several years, this will deepen and mellow, so keep and don't drink until 2017.
This is a quintessential Franciacorta, featuring lovely aromas of pressed white flowers and citrus. The round, creamy palate boasts flavors of ripe pear and apple with hints of walnut. The nervous acidity will keep this youthful and fresh for several more years.
The Ribbon Ridge estate delivers beautifully ripened fruit—so ripe, in fact, that the first impression is of sweet tree fruits, although the wine is actually quite dry. Peaches, citrus and nectarines are in the mix, and when the tangy acidity kicks in, a long, mineral-driven ride across the palate ensues. Luscious, long and detailed, this is a spectacular Riesling.
This is a very fine, full and ripe wine. It's full of pure, dark red cherries touched with chocolate, but also quite structured. The palate is laced with acidity and a refreshing minerality. This is an impressive wine that needs aging. Drink from 2018.
Made from 50-year-old vines, this is a fine wine with a steely minerality. Partial fermentation in oak gives it complexity without detracting from it's elegant fruitiness. Floral notes and white and yellow fruits are balanced by a hint of toast. It's ready to drink now, but will improve over the next few years.
A superbly ripe wine that is selected from old vines, this is very rich and solidly structured. It has weight and ripe black-fruit notes that are laced with fresh acidity and a jammy plum flavor. It's dark, dense, full of great depth of flavor and worthy of serious aging. Drink from 2017.
Dried orange zest and lanolin lend a spicy earthen tone to lush pink-grapefruit flavor in this powerfully structured dry Riesling. It's unabashedly bold on the palate, with a delicious sleek minerality that's cut with intense lemon-lime acidity.
Perhaps a bit more time in barrel differentiates this from the equally-good Reserve. This is a smooth, supple, deeply-fruited wine, loaded with layers of black cherry, cola and sandalwood. Milk chocolatey tannins roll through the finish, smooth as silk, lingering and luscious.
This block selection really works, showing more muscle and meat on its bones than the excellent vineyard-designated bottling. Black fruits, cassis and clean earth are flecked with cinnamon. The wine has authority and power, yet retains a sculpted, fine-tuned precision.
Disgorged only in 2012, this is an astonishingly fresh wine. Crisp apple skin flavors dominate with only a hint of toast to suggest age. It's a delicious, bright and fruity wine that's full and ripe on the palate.
This is a seriously structured, impressive wine that comes from a parcel in the center of the Clos de Vougeot. It is firm and solid—a powerhouse of richness and density—with dark tannins, ripe black fruits and tight acidity. With this kind of structure, the wine certainly needs to age, so don't drink before 2017.
Firmly tannic still, this wine is fully ripe, rich and structured. Considerably powerful, it's full of red fruits and dark plums cut with a fine line of acidity. Finishes fresh, with sweet tannins that linger. Drink this fine wine from 2017.
While soft and opulent initially, this wine reveals a structured, mineral character on the palate. Ripe red cherry and black plum flavors pair well with firm, dry tannins and hints of wood aging. This is an elegant wine that needs aging. Don't drink before 2017.
This is an opulent, rich wine that is full of black plums, powerful tannins and spice. Mourvèdre dominates the palate with its power and exotic aroma, but bright acidity guides a long finish. Still young, it needs several years to develop, so drink from 2016.
Light and lean on entry, this wine builds up steam and power as it develops in the glass, becoming a robust exploration of rhubarb and cranberry. The texture on the palate is velvety and moderately rich, dotted in sultry spice.
Dominated by red-currant fruits, this is a soft wine with tannins in the background. It has a toasty edge from the wood aging while leaving most of the singing to the fruit. Drink from 2021.
From a reliable, established winery in the Sierra region, this wine was made from Syrah Barbera, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Smoky, peppery aromas lead to ripe spicy fruit flavors and a firm but polished mouthfeel. The wine is moderately tannic and nicely dry.
Sweeter notes of honeysuckle and peach meet with dried lime peel on the nose of this widely available bottling by the Niven family. Rounded honeydew and key lime flavors ride a steely structure on the tongue, making for a solid weeknight sipper.
Full, round aromas of berry fruits are oaky and appealing. In the mouth, this wine is ultradry, tannic and raw. Flavors of blackberry, plum and coffee finish hard and abrasive due to scraping tannins.
Ripe aromas of baked berry and plum offer a window into this slightly jumpy, acidic Tempranillo. Roasted, blackened berry flavors show the “roble,” meaning this is a bit oaky. On the finish, this is short but solid and fruity.
This Colchagua Petit Verdot, something you don't see much of, is huge and saturated. Woody, spicy aromas include scents of chocolate but also pinched rubber and olive. Black-fruit flavors are herbal and give way to char, toast and chocolate notes, while heavy tannins take over on the finish.
Vanilla, baking spice, herb, plum and cherry aromas are followed by supersmooth, creamy feeling plum and barrel flavors in this Cabernet. Caramel and vanilla notes linger on the finish, and while the oak influence is heavy, it largely works.
This is a smooth-textured and well-balanced wine. It smells a little smoky, but tastes moderately crisp and tannic, with ripe fruit favors to balance out the tartness.
Light herb, green olive and earth aromas are followed by broad cranberry, cherry and orange peel flavors in this wine. It doesn't quite stand up on its own but should fit well at the dinner table.
This clean if somewhat simple bottling starts with an extremely light and delicate nose of red cherry, rust, sagebrush, thyme and anise. The texture is light on the sip but the tannins prove somewhat grippy, with flavors of pomegranate and cracked pepper.
Light dried orange peel, herb and candlewax aromas lead to broad, medium-bodied fruit flavors in this white. It's enjoyable despite the muted aromatic expression.
This has subdued aromas of baking spice and black-skinned fruit. The smooth, rounded palate delivers clove, black cherry and licorice flavors alongside polished tannins. It's already rather evolved so drink soon.
Dark spice, camphor, menthol and crushed herb aromas take center stage in this wine. The palate offers dried black cherry, mocha and licorice flavors alongside assertive, close-grained tannins. A hint of candied orange zest signals the close.
Spice, vanilla and oak abound in this barrel-aged Chardonnay, but it's a neatly balanced wine with crisp-tart apple and pear flavors. Brisk acidity off sets a palate that's rich and substantial in texture.
This shows vanilla, clove, barrel spice and dark fruit aromas. Its fruit flavors are full and laced with upfront barrel notes. It seems a little boozy.
This leads with aromatic herb, wild berry and oak-driven spice notes. The tight, taut palate offers licorice, clove, baking spice, crushed sage and dried black cherry flavors but lacks fruit richness. It's framed by firm, close-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
Vanilla, cocoa, barrel spice and herb aromas are followed by creamy fruit and barrel flavors. The vanilla notes overwhelm the nose and palate, however, distracting from the fruit.
Ripe, lifted blackberry and plum notes are tinged with game and garrigue in this luscious, full-bodied Meritage. An unusual dose of Carmenère lends an earthy, savory character that balances an otherwise plush, fruity palate. The finish is framed with fine, soft tannins and a lingering spice note.
The perfume develops slowly before blossoming into an enticingly exotic, bergamot-flavored wine. Acidity keeps it fresh but it does end up with a slighty confectionery finish. Glass stopper.
This straight Barolo shows delicate floral and cherry aromas and a hint of underbrush. The linear palate shows restrained red fruit and hints of spice, but it lacks the richness to balance the aggressive and rather drying tannins.
From one of Steven Kent's favorite Livermore Valley vineyards, Ghielmetti, this vintage of Lola is 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, the SB picked first off the vineyard; the Sémillon last of the whites. Whole-cluster pressed, it is briny, with a marine-like influence of savory and steely characteristics. Rich, but not too rich, it's freshened by notes of lemon and lime.
This lovely expression of Arneis has an enticing floral and fruit fragrance. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with creamy green-apple and exotic fruit sensations. This is perfect with insalata Caprese or fish dishes.
Pointed, powerful aromas of herbs, olive and tobacco scream Chile. The palate on this blend of Syrah and Cabernet is moderately complex, albeit a bit clipped. Cassis, red plum, herbs and tobacco dominate the flavor profile, while the finish is smooth, with zero heat or bite. Drink through 2015.
This medium-bodied Shiraz is supple, immediately drinkable and complex—what more could one want for under $15? Find plummy fruit, meaty elements, cracked pepper and hints of mocha and a long, savory finish here.
Boysenberry, cassis and baked plum aromas give this a berry driven outlook. The palate is thick and saturated but well balanced, with blackberry, cassis, tea and herbal flavors. On the finish, plum, prune and baked flavors blend with spice to create a nice ending. Drink through 2016.
Marked by potent aromas of green apple and lime sherbet, this is an intense, flavorful Riesling that just lacks that little bit of finesse. It's dry and medium-bodied, with a slightly oily, slightly coarse texture. Drink it young.
Intensely crisp and mineral, this wine puts forth bright citrus flavors for its refreshing fruitiness. It is a light, lively and immediately drinkable wine, with brisk texture and acidity. Worth aging, but very drinkable now. Screwcap.
A rich, sweetly fruity wine, its ripe black plum fruit balanced by fine acidity and layered with wood. It is a solid and dense wine, firm and with great juiciness. Likely to age well for 4–5 years.
Fragrant and floral, this Riesling shines with lively notes of honeydew melon, peach flesh, clementine oil and a hint of petrol. Light weight and well balanced, with brisk acidity that lends a juicy, mouthwatering nature to the close.
Hints of graphite and dried herbs add complexity to bright cherry and plum flavors on this elegant showcase for German Pinot Noir. The palate is concentrated with ripe fruit, brisk acidity and a focused minerality, with a hint of saline on the finish.
Dusty earth and smoke notes lend a mysteriously dark tone to delicate berry and dried apricot notes in this dry yet rich Riesling. It's savory and earthy, with a creamy, textured mouthfeel balanced by brisk lime acidity.
This interesting Barolo is loaded with espresso sensations as well as black fruit and spice flavors. It's not very complex, but is attractive and well balanced, with big, round tannins and fresh acidity.
Spicy and floral, with super concentration, this fruit bomb of a wine is 100% Riesling, though the aromatics have the rose petal, soapy character of some Washington Gewürztraminers. The depth and intensity of the fruit are remarkable, but may make this a challenge to match with food, even spicy Asian noodle dishes.
Dark, rubbery, full-force aromas of toast and minerally black fruits lead to a round, loamy, not too concentrated palate with loamy, toasty flavors of chunky blackberry and dark plum. A lasting, herbal finish makes this good and easy to like. Drink now.
Skuttlebutt is a second tier in Stella Bella's range that can represent excellent value. This blend shows some of Cabernet's pungent leafiness, but also plenty of Shiraz's fruity volume to balance things out. At four years of age, the tannins are nicely supple and silky, with the wine's various components in elegant harmony. It's ready to drink now.
This medium-bodied Shiraz is almost Saint Joseph-like in its charming cherry and cracked pepper flavors. It's not overly rich or complex, just an easy-drinking wine that should offer plenty of appeal over the next few years.
For now, very restrained oak dominates the nose. Wafts of soft smokiness create the impression of a cloud within which red fruit slumbers. This is youthful and comes with a smoky backbone of a structure—a beautiful faultline of fresh acidity. To appropriate a well-used metaphor, this is like a firm handshake from a hand gloved in vermilion velvet. With some time, tender notes of morello cherry tantalizingly appear. This should come with an addiction warning for lovers of elegant Pinots. Drink 2017–2025.
Intriguing notes of blackcurrant surface at first, displaying both the full and juicy ripeness of dark berry fruit and a lifted leafiness. Hints of tar and slight notes of iron oxide create a haunting picture of a potent wine made from dense, ripe but fresh fruit. With more air, the characteristic red and black cherry fruit shines through. This is complex and rewarding, even luscious in its brooding, mysterious dark reaches to which the fine tannins stretch. Drink 2017–2025.
Plum, cherry and blueberry appear in concert and ease into a dense but very pliable, supple body that seductively winds itself around tongue and palate. This is serious stuff, yet there is a playful elegance inherent in the dense but sinous curls of fruit that stretch and swirl their cherry-ish tentacles everywhere. This is a whole lot of power in a most elegant package.
Rich but balanced aromas of caramel, vanilla, blueberry pie with buttery crust, allspice, clove and mace whirl into an amazingly seductive nose on this wine by former NFL star Terry Hoage. It's luscious on the palate, with Vietnamese coffee, burnt caramel, black cherries, blueberry paste and smoked oak, yet balanced and tingling with acidity throughout.
Smoke and dark earth, soft red berry fruit tip-toe onto the nose. Insinuations of wild and garden strawberries tumble forth on the palate as they are framed by the softest hints of vanilla and aromatic clove. This echoes long and draws you in. There is very distinct fruit at the core, alternating from ripe cherry at one moment to smoky plum the other. It scintillates. Drink 2018–2025.
The Paso pioneer's annual bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc does not disappoint, offering aromas of plump, dark blueberry, tart Bing cherry and bay leaf. The palate offers crushed herbs—from oregano and thyme to rosemary and dill—alongside more blueberry fruit and a solid yet smooth tannic structure.
Initially closed, this wine just hints at its richness and perfumed character. As it opens it shows still-young tannins and intense black plums and blueberries that will develop as the wine ages. It is likely to mature well over the medium to long term, and will not be ready to drink before 2022.
Thick, rich and tightly wound, this cool-climate wine from near the town of the same name is brightly acidic and floral. A mix of rose petal, violet and dried herbes de Provence on the nose echoes on the palate. Bing and dark cherry provide a sultry fruitiness that never dominates over the piquant cardamom spice. Drink now through 2023.
This wine comes from the coolest pocket of the producer's estate, the last part typically picked. It offers a study in savory tannin development and thickness, the skins unable to soften gently in the cold. Earthy clove defines the flavor, along with a leathery meatiness and firm structure. A suggestion of black cherry tries to muddle through. Drink now through 2023.
From the steepest, east-facing block of the estate vineyard, given 15% whole-cluster fermentation, this is a dense, brooding wine, spicy and concentrated in blueberry and black cherry. It has a tenacity of earthiness that never lets go, lingering on the full-bodied palate for days. Drink now through 2023.
Lifted, notes of pure lemon zest fill the nose while the palate follows up and throws in some riper notions akin to plump, little, yellow mirabelle plums. There is a wonderfully textured midpalate that lends more body to this slender figure. The purity of the fruit expressed here is thrilling, as is the lemony freshness that pervades everything.
On the nose, aromas of russet apple and pear skin mingle with fresh citrus zest and a hint of ripe pear. The palate underlines the ripe fruit which is bedded in a soft but very fresh and concentrated core of savory yeast. Each layer shimmers with fruit, freshness and spice. The palate has a real dynamic energy and is lovely now but will be even lovelier in two or three years' time.
Gentle perfume of citrus with just a hint of yeast sets the scene. The palate is concentrated, a lot more yeasty and very citric. There is ample depth and a core of white pepper and fruit that yet has to open up properly. This is one for the long run—but with ample refreshment and elegant poise. The finish just lasts and lasts.
Barrel notes of vanilla and spice take the lead in this aromatically brooding wine, followed by dried herbs and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black, coating the palate from end to end with layers of fruit, tannins that go the distance and a graphite-filled finish that lingers. It will drink best from 2020–2027.
Fresh, crunchy black and red cherries and aromatic blueberries seem to be dusted with white pepper and cinnamon: how very appetizing. The same freshness appears on the palate where the fruit is subsumed into a textured core. Oak just lends a little spice and structure but lets the fruit and its very own freshness pervade everything. At every turn, more cherry breaks through the supple tannic frame. Joyful , refreshing and balanced abundance sets the tone while spicy pepper echoes all the way.
The nose is almost completely closed: the palate slowly opens up into full-fruited, velvet-textured density that speaks of juicy black and red cherries. There are edges of peppery spice, hints of tar and iron oxide, tinting the fruit with mineral interest. The tannins are firm but ripe: they stand upright and proud. The palate is rich, dense and taut and clearly made to last. Drink 2018–2028.
Flinty notions of (good) reduction still grace the closed nose and bring memories of Burgundian cellars. The palate has a masterfully light touch. The fruit is tart and red, hinting at red currant and crushed cranberries with a pleasant, inviting tartness that exudes aroma and focuses the palate with its preserving freshness. Yet there are notions of fragrant and ripe raspberries. This is a silky babe in arms, so wait for the wine to unfold fully from 2017 to 2020.
What a beautiful combination of grapefruit and mandarin peel on the nose: one part zesty freshness, the other plump and juicy promise. The palate does not disappoint and throws in notions of bergamot, as well as a citric thrill of exquisite lightness.
Sophisticated and full of fruit, this wine combines the freshness of the year with great tension and structure. The juicy underlay will develop well over the next few years. It's complex and worth aging. Drink from 2024.
This blend is near-equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot (18%). It shows a mix of fruit and savory elements, with notes of potting soil, green coffee bean, mocha, fresh herbs, licorice, generous barrel spices and red and black fruit—showing more with each swirl. The fruit and chocolate flavors are dense and rich, with bright acids and a firm core of tannins. The balance is spot-on and the finish lingers. It drinks beautifully now but you can expect it to age for another 20 years.
This wine has a lot of class and elegance, along with firm tannins that show how well it will age. It is dark and concentrated, the black fruits still developing under the solid structure. This wine will age slowly, so wait until 2022.
Earthy and delicious, this soulful red opens with aromas of sun-baked soil, leather, ripe black fruit, dark spice and a funky but pleasant whiff of game. The round, smooth tastes of juicy blackberry, wild cherry, cinnamon, black olive, cured meat and mineral framed in silky tannins. It's already enjoyable, with depth and balance but it will age well for another decade or more. Drink through 2026.
Scents of ripe dark-skinned fruit, leather, carob, black culinary spice and Mediterranean herbs meld in the glass. The polished, structured palate includes juicy blackberry, ripe black cherry, ground pepper, licorice and exotic spice alongside velvety tannins that lend a smooth, almost creamy texture. This seamlessly combines full flavor, power and elegance.
Powered by its structure and texture, this complex wine is dense, structured and firm. Plenty of dry and taut tannins dominate at this stage, but it is also full of fruit. The wine will age over many years while not being one of those vintages that will mature forever: the fruitiness will see to that. Drink this impressive wine from 2025.
Former L.A. Laker Sasha Vujacic presents aromas of cooked black plums, mission figs, black currants, uncrushed peppercorns and leather on this reserve bottling. It spent 30 months in the barrel, six more than the estate bottling. The palate offers more plums and tarter plum skin along with bay leaf, oregano and thyme.
Smoky oak frames red and black cherry and offers hints of intense fruitiness, almost of Kirsch. There's an undertow of wet earth and leaves, of finely ground white pepper, presented with pliable, velvety softness. Yet there is freshness and precision and the well-fused harmoniousness of all these elements that makes Pinot such a compelling, haunting proposition.
Brooding notes of black, crunchy cherry along with wood smoke and fir rise from the glass. On the palate there is a vein of tart, lively freshness that draws earthy smoke and full fruit notes towards the core, leaving shadows of smoke and fir, cherry, blueberry and white pepper around the fringes. Freshness is far more of a defining factor than silky tannins. This is authentic, unforced and very fresh.
This wine is firm although with plenty of attractive red fruits. It is perfumed with structure and tight tannins along with a streak of minerality. The wine should be ready to drink soon.
While this wine shows plenty of wood at this young stage, it also has good fruit and tannins. It needs some time to develop and to integrate the wood. Drink from 2020.
Mature plum and a whiff of cake spice lead the nose on this straightforward wine. The ripe easygoing palate doles out black cherry extract and a hint of cinnamon accompanied by dusty tannins.
Here's an easygoing rosato that offers aromas of red berry and a hint of Mediterranean herb that carry over to the simple palate. A touch of white pepper marks the finish.
Though the flavors are one dimensional, they are substantial, with a mix of plum and black-cherry fruit at the center. There are strong streaks of citrus and soil, with astringent tannins and acids that stick out with a somewhat chalky, citrus character.
Tarry and gritty smelling up front, this offers herbal black-plum notes on second and third takes. This is a wide load on the palate, with huge, pounding tannins. Peppery berry flavors finish dry and abrasive.
With strong fruity aromas like lemon and lime, this wine starts off bold and then turns more mellow and smooth on the palate. It has light vanilla accents and a creamy texture.
Sweet and light bodied, this wine has plenty of jasmine aromas, peach and pistachio flavors, and a rich, soft texture.
Aromas of resin, dark spice and black-skinned berry lead the nose. The lively straightforward palate shows espresso and dried black cherry alongside vigorous acidity.
With 60% Merlot in the blend, this wine is packed with red fruits and crisp acidity as well as richer fruitcake flavors. It has some structure as well as its red-berry flavors. It is ready to drink.
Underbrush, toast, oak-driven spice and balsamic aromas lead the nose. The lean bracing palate offers dried cranberry, roasted coffee bean, bitter almond and oak but not much fruit richness. Austere tannins give it an astringent finish.
A strong whiff of gasoline and/or diesel is pure petrol. Tight and oily in feel, this mature white tastes pithy, yeasty, waxy and low on fruit character. A dry finish with flavors of papaya and white pepper is short on freshness.
Earthy, oaky and ripe on the nose, this Tempranillo feels taut and drying due to heavy pulling tannins. Flavors of wood grain, raisin and toasty black fruits finish with a lasting sense of forced oak.
Piled with tannins, this is still a dry wine. The weight of ripe black fruit gives it potential. Wait to drink this concentrated wine until 2019.
Dark in color, this hearty, full-bodied red unveils aromas of vanilla and marshmallow in a rich, concentrated opening that veers confectionary. Grippy tannin and leather provide a grit to the texture amid tart black cherry and tobacco.
Dusty apple aromas are plain and simple. This has a heavy disposition on the palate despite spritz. Flavors of mango, nectarine and green herbs come with a touch of bell pepper prior to a bulky finish with apple notes.
A heavy blast of oaky char is the dominant force on the nose. This blend of Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon feels cloying. Candied berry and cherry flavors are sugary, baked and oaky, while this finishes with sticky flavors of raisin and sweet milk chocolate.
A fruit-forward nose with earthy plum and berry aromas leads to a sharp, lively palate with high acidity. Plum and berry flavors are rendered angular by said acidity, while mild salty notes rise up on the finish.
Almost neutral in flavor, this light and smooth wine is innocuous, crisp and refreshing.
The aromas are surprisingly light for the variety, with notes of rose water and flowers. It drinks off dry, with lightly styled fruit flavors, with the concentration wanting.
Light aromas of tropical fruit, apple, melon and spice lead to lightly styled fruit flavors. The concentration doesn't seem to be all there.
Lightly wood aged, this wine is soft and creamy. It has a touch of spice as well as lively lemon and orange-zest flavors, with a crisp tang of acidity at the end. Drink now.
This fruity wine brings a mix of strawberry and watermelon, in a smooth and simple format. There's a suggestion of some over-ripe fruit in the mix, so best to drink this chilled down.
Ripe with red-berry flavors, this wine is fresh and crisp with acidity. Drink from 2019.
This is a somewhat dull red, leathery in texture and simple in approach, offering a mix of black cherry and licorice.
A blend of Aragonez and Syrah, this ripe wine offers red fruits and a soft texture, with just enough acidity to keep it crisp at the end. It is ready to drink.
Foxy aromas of wet dog and plum and berry feed into a raw tannic palate. This tastes herbal, with a green note added to its core red-fruit flavors. A choppy, hard-tannin finish is rugged and abrasive.
Orange peel, nutmeg and burnt brown-sugar aromas set this sweet Moscatel apart from the masses. Round and creamy but still elegant on the palate, this blends flavors of honey, cinnamon, orange and apricot into a fine whole. A long, integrated finish with honey and caramel flavors is ideal. Drink through 2023.
Chalky, stony notes come to the forefront on this austere, restrained, non-dosed vintage crémant. The taut texture carries green apple and citrus tones, with a satisfying, savory soy sauce backdrop. This is poised and precise, fresh and refreshing, clean and structured—a testament to the nobility of Chardonnay.
Elegant and detailed, this is a dry, racy wine with well-balanced flavors of lemon, lime, citrus and mineral. It's quite fresh and perfectly proportioned, with exceptional length. Delicious already, it can easily age until 2025 and probably well beyond.
From a vineyard within the Oak Knoll District, this Bluetooth is musky and chewy in all the right ways, complex and feral in crisp red fruit and red licorice. The majority Cabernet Sauvignon is softened somewhat by the addition of 5% Merlot, providing a juicy undercurrent beneath firm, generous tannins. Cellar through 2022.
This bottling includes 14% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Sharp blackberry, smoky cedar and slightly green tomato-leaf aromas give way to a medium-bodied palate that's complex, with flavors of crushed oregano, dill, thyme and marjoram, all surrounding a smoky, juicy blackberry core.
From one of the best-known sites for the variety in the Napa Valley, this wine shows classic Merlot-structure, with an almost dusty quality to the well-integrated and resolved tannins. It discloses a density of red fruit that remains in balance with its more rugged minerality, remaining soft on the palate throughout. Drink now through 2025.
Generous, abundant, ripe fruit flavors and a tasty touch of spicy oak make a fine combo in this medium-bodied, plush-textured wine. With repeated sips the fruit flavors taste even more intricate and interesting. The texture firms up nicely due to fine tannins and welcome acidity. While tempting to drink now, this will be best after 2018.
Grapefruit blossoms, Meyer lemon skin and faints hint of tropical, white peach-flavored crème brûlée unite for a sleek and dynamic nose on this bottling of four grape clones. Vanilla, lemon zest and flavors of limes cooked in butter show on the delicious palate.
Burnt toast, hickory smoke, barrel char and baking-spice aromas are woody and a bit cheesy. This is an intense old-vines wine with a deep palate and bulky tannins. Flavors of charred oak, savory spices and black fruits end with lushness, toasty notes, black-pepper spice and heady weight. Drink through 2024.
This is a pale-colored wine with a finely wrought texture and great fruit. It is tight and mineral on the one hand, but balanced with the crispest red-currant flavors that offer a bright line in acidity. Delicious hints of age round out the final fresh aftertaste.
This wine is rich and dense, with dusty tannins suspended in the powerful texture. Firm at the core, this is a black-plum driven wine that has fine acidity and a juicy aftertaste. It is concentrated and likely to remain so with its dark, brooding finish. Drink from 2017.
Touriga Nacional's home is believed to be the Dão and this 100% variety wine gives a very fine, ripe and textured red. Still young with dense tannins and a rich and concentrated structure, it is powerful and needs several years to reveal its real, rich self. Drink from 2018.
This is superb Cava, no ifs, ands or buts. Soft, yeasty, complex aromas of bready apple and spice feed into a round, yeasty palate. Bready flavors of pear, papaya and mango end with stony minerality and a closing note of lime.
Harmony and balance are the hallmarks of this full-bodied and vibrant wine in which everything seems well woven together. It smells like bright cherry, cinnamon and cloves, and tastes brisk and tangy like red cherries. A velvety texture complements the brightness of the fruit flavors.
Wet, hot concrete, blueberry paste, olallieberry jelly and black-fig aromas swirl on the nose of this delicious boutique bottling by Jeremy Weintraub, also winemaker at Adelaida. The palate is evenly measured, showing a solid structure with grippy black fruits, espresso, cola and Dr Pepper flavors.
This wine is concentrated, deep and tannic, yet nicely polished around the edges. It shows harmony between the vivid cranberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and smoky oak flavors and the layered, fine tannins that give it a velvety texture. Drink now through 2022.
This dazzling sparkler opens with enticing aromas of wisteria, spring wild flowers, vineyard dust and freshly picked orchard fruit. The crisp, linear palate doles out green apple, nectarine, pear and energizing mineral notes alongside a creamy perlage and vibrant acidity. It's perfectly balanced and refreshing.
Entirely estate-grown, this is a gorgeous wine—crisp in red cherry, pomegranate and floral tones, with a fleshy, textured and juicy palate. Richly layered, the chalky tannins are fine-grained, underpinning a flavor structure of dried herb. Dark chocolate lingers on the finish. It has plenty of years to go; cellar through 2022.
Toasty graham crackers and nutmeg make for a compelling entry into this wine, a blend of Petite Sirah, Merlot, Carignan, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The disparate elements come together in a bold, concentrated way, the tannins integrated around dark, black fruit and leathery black pepper.
Rich and structured, this complex wine comes from grand cru vines on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. It is tense as well as packed with ripe apple and pineapple fruit flavors. The tension develops from a fine vintage that will allow it to age. Drink until 2022.
Mandarin orange Creamsicle, Cool Whip with vanilla bean and lemon-butter aromas show on the nose of this richer bottling from a winery that overlooks both Silicon Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Vanilla and butter also entertain the palate, but not in an overpowering way, boosted by cotton candy and a touch of dill-like herbs.
Sourced from the Glenrose Vineyard and aged for three years in 132-gallon puncheons before extended bottle time, this memorable wine offers leather, red cherry, rust, pencil lead and vanilla bean on the sanguine nose. Fine-grained tannins carry elegant, leathery flavors of smoked berries, with tense pencil shavings that will firmly structure the juice for years. Drink 2017–2030.
This delicious wine, on the dry side of brut, is fresh and fruity while also finely textured. Initially, it seems light and then more complex minerality and steely acidity come through to give a structure that promises aging. Drink this impressive wine from 2017.
Biodynamically farmed Momtazi Vineyard is a favorite of several high-end Willamette Valley producers. Fresh cranberry and raspberry scents introduce a young wine still showing a blue shade around the rim. It's silky and sensuous, with blue plum, black cherry, dark chocolate and notes of earth and iron.
Intensely dark in color, this syrupy rich, extracted Malbec pushes the envelope of max ripeness via heady balsamic aromas of leather, blackberry and cassis. The palate couldn't be much riper, while heavy oak means flavors of chocolate, vanilla and wood grain are as prominent as the wine's massive berry fruit components. Drink through 2020.
Veteran vintner Bryan Babcock offers a ripe style in this bottling, with showy aromas of strawberry, blackberry, graphite, pipe smoke and roasted meats. It's big and dense on the palate, with dried strawberry and squeezed pomegranate fruits, brown spice of cloves, allspice, nutmeg and gingerbread, and the tart cut of orange juice.
A big, dry wine rich in red fruit and sizable tannins, this 100% varietal, single-vineyard designated offering is buoyed by silky, fine-grained tannins that support its voluptuous nature. More savory than sweet in terms of ripeness, its flavors lean toward tobacco and black tea. Drink now through 2022.
Aromas of nettle, gooseberry, grapefruit and mineral are sharp, distinct and varietally appropriate, while the wet, short palate is hollow but edged by green apple, gooseberry and other green fruit flavors. Zesty on the finish, but a little pithy. Drink right away.
Green aromas blend with coastal-influenced passion fruit, while the palate is driven by citrus, pineapple, passion fruit and some unfortunate canned vegetable flavors. Acidic and racy, but not much nuance or character. Shows the Leyda style of SB but not in blow-out form.
Quite oaky and soft, with minty, shoe polish and lemony aromas on top of big, ripe, sweet fruit scents. The palate is sticky and leans up against medicinal, while the flavors of blackberry and plum have a mild candied, baked note to them. Just doesn't have the balance and touch of a fine Cabernet.
Relatively lightweight, showing freshness rather than density, this is a fruity, red currant- and red plum-flavored wine that is lifted by a good use of wood aging, spice, and enclosed by vibrant acidity.
Black cherry and leather aromas aren't complex but they're sturdy and true to the variety. So is the palate, which hits with chewy, semi-rich flavors of baked plum, cola and cocoa. Figgy but flat and short on the finish. Good value wine.
A fresh, crisp wine, full of raspberry and red currant fruits, benefiting from a firm presence of acidity, a light touch of caramel and spice. A proper summer rosé.
Aromas of minerals, citrus and tropical fruit are followed by a combination of fresh fruit, minerals and spice in this Cretan indigenous white. Unique and food friendly.
A waxy vein of petroleum cuts enticingly through juicy-sweet pink grapefruit and peach flavors in this dainty semisweet Riesling. It's vivaciously spry yet finishes long on a lingering lacy veil of sweetness. Drink now through 2022.
Loads of purple fruit and baked goods show on the nose of this 36% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache and 30% Syrah blend, reminiscent of blueberry pie and olallieberry-vanilla muffins. Flavors are plump and ripe, like blackberry cookie dipped in caramel-milk chocolate sauce. Fans of big Paso reds, rejoice.
Drenched with dark and rich fruit flavors as well as velvety and thick tannins, this is a bold and mouth-coating wine that still carries off a bit of polish. A hint of sweetness helps the immense structure soften around the edges and lets dark chocolate and cassis liqueur flavors come through. Drink now through 2020.
This is an inaugural release of this variety from the Mount George Vineyard in cool Coombsville, granted AVA status in 2011. Juicy and soft in blackberry and stone fruit, the wine is cradled by generous tannins and herbal tones. Full bodied, its sinewy structure suggests it would benefit from more time in bottle; cellar through 2022.
A faint but enticing notion of pink grapefruit plays on the nose, and there are floral nuances too. The palate is fruity and fresh and has an appealing, concentrated core of textured citrus zest, followed by a wonderfully clean finish.
Lightly herbal aromas of black currant, tobacco, minerals and latent char provide for a fine opening. Given that this is now 14+ years old, its core structure and acidity level are excellent. Rooty flavors of licorice and black currant show toast and chocolate accents, while the finish is dry, spicy and whole. This is living proof that top Chilean Cabernets from exceptional vintages can age for up to two decades; drink through 2020.
Very concentrated purple flowers aromas of violet and lavender are tough to crack at this early age, with pressed olallieberry, menthol and a forest floor tartness on the nose as well. The palate is quite tight, with espresso, underripe elderberry and plum-skin flavors, but the incredible energy and slight gamy character keeps it quite intriguing.
This is a blend of two-thirds Merlot topped off with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Mocha, raspberry and high-toned herb and spice aromas lead to elegant yet rich and well-balanced fruit flavors. It's a delight.
This winery has made its mark over the years exclusively with blended wines, yet here is a single-varietal, single-vineyard offering. The aromas are expressive with notes of black cherry and high-toned herbs along with spice accents. The dark fruit and licorice flavors are tightly wound with a core of firm tannins and lively acids.
The second wine of Château du Tertre, this is produced by the winemaking team of the associated Château Giscours. It delivers the same elegance and sophistication with a more approachable fruitiness. Generous red and blackberry fruits are accompanied by concentration and some firm, smoky tannins. Drink this wine from 2017.
Named Espérance (hope) by the South African owner, the château has produced a firm, structured wine from this exceptional vintage. It is still young, full of black-currant fruit and fresh acidity that contrast with the dark tannins that extend throughout the wine. Drink from 2018.
Rich and ripe, this wine full of blackberry fruits and balanced tannins has improved since it was reviewed from barrel. It has good concentration for the vintage, dominated by black fruit that offers good acidity at the end. Drink from 2022. Olivier is a large medieval hunting estate that has belonged to the Bethmann family since the 19th century.
An earthiness permeates this wine, from a wild site near the Pacific Ocean. Black tea, olive and crushed rock-influenced minerality keep it interesting as it goes, the tannins velvety though pronounced, especially on the finish.
Soft, silky and made in a delicate style, Horseshoe is all about forested earth, black tea and truffle, a delicate lining of orange peel accented in the background. The tannins are well managed and subtle, with the right amount of oak letting the minerality of the wine speak softly but surely.
This polished wine is accented with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Juicy, spicy and leathery, it has a smoothness to the texture, the tannins well integrated and permissive of the plummy fruit. The finish has a smoky, mocha tinge.
This is a medium-bodied Pinot with a lacy, delicate texture, ideal for drinking over the next eight years or so. Briary, herbal notes accent bright cherry flavors that finish long and tangy, framed by supple tannins and a bit of vanilla.
This is a nicely made, full-bodied wine, richly layered in vanilla, cassis and cedar, a mix of savory and fruity. Dried herb, tobacco and oak provide a succulent backbone while the acidity stays firm and fresh in the glass.
The first Zin reviewed from Naggiar, this is a beauty. Power and grace combine in this concentrated and well-structured wine. It smells and tastes like black cherries and blackberries with hints of cocoa and black pepper. The velvety texture delivers smoothness with a nice grip from tannins, and conveys a wonderful sense of depth.
A blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Nocera from the extreme tip of northeastern Sicily, this offers enticing scents of violet, red berry and Mediterranean brush. The bright, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, chopped herb and a note of ground pepper alongside fresh acidity and round, polished tannins. Drink through 2019.
Subdued aromas of dark-skinned berry, baking spice, truffle and leather slowly emerge in the glass. The chewy, delicious palate is more expressive, delivering juicy black cherry, raspberry jam, white pepper and a mineral note while firm, refined tannins provide youthful tension. Enjoy through 2020.
The aromas of lees, citrus, almond, melon, apple, spice and butter draw you into the glass. This wine brings a dazzling sense of texture, with fruit and spice flavors dappled throughout.
With a rare if tiny showing for the Blaufränkisch grape (3%), which this estate grows on their Los Olives property, this is a tangy, tart and lean Syrah, with bright cherry fruit, coffee, light menthol, tobacco and cedar on the nose. Aromatic wood flavors of pipe smoke and cigar box show on the palate, along with red cherry fruit, vanilla and sagebrush elements.
Hailing from one of the state's most esteemed vineyards, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc. Jammy aromas of red and black fruit and licorice lead to plush but well-balanced flavors that linger.
Hailing from Slide Mountain and Dineen vineyards, this wine charms with aromas of flowers, toast, clove, cardamom and anise. The pillowy-feeling flavors show richness, depth and detail.
Aromas of mature black-skinned berry, wild mint, dill, coffee and tobacco emerge on this full-bodied red. The round palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, chopped herb and a hint of black pepper framed in velvety tannins while a licorice note closes the finish. Drink through 2023.
This single-vineyard red, made only in top vintages, opens with aromas of steeped prune, anise, Mediterranean herbs, leather, camphor and tobacco. The polished palate offers dried black cherry, fig, licorice, and black pepper. Fine-grained tannins give the finish grip. Drink 2017–2027.
Total fruity freshness emanates from the glass: fresh Conference pear, lemon zest and a riper notion of yellow mirabelle plum. This is utterly appetizing. The palate adds a dimension of pepper and a broader notion of yeast in the texture. This blooms with fruit and finishes on clean lemon zest and white pepper.
Fruit and wood combine for a seductive intro: the sonorous, soothing notes of vanilla unite ripe, aromatic blueberry fruit, floral overtones and rounded spice. This is smooth and pliant with an all-velvet core on a fullish body. Blueberry echoes long after the last sip.
Idaho-raised twentysomething Bret Urness is turning heads thanks to blends like this 64% Roussanne and 26% Viognier, named after hooch. It's boisterous on the nose with honeysuckle, papaya, honey and banana. These tighten on the palate to offer passion-orange-guava juice flavors that surround a tense core of herb-laced lemonade.
From the home of Touriga Nacional, this is a seriously structured wine. Packed with tannins as well as initially austere fruit, it is still young. It will develop its perfumed black fruits and acidity as it ages to fill out the dense texture. Drink from 2018.
This polished Nebbiolo opens with aromas of perfumed berry, violet, tilled soil and grilled herb. The bright, elegant palate doles out sour cherry, star anise and cinnamon framed in sleek tannins and bright acidity. A mineral note energizes the finish. Drink through 2018.
This wine is both fruity and creamy, with a profile that's heavy in tropical peach and vanilla. Medium-bodied and bold, it has a softness to the palate buoyed by natural structure and length.
Here's a young, bracing Barbaresco that opens with scents of perfumed berry, rose, iris and a whiff of vanilla. The youthfully austere palate delivers ripe black cherry, raspberry, sage and a note of white pepper while bracing tannins give it structure. Drink 2018–2024.
Honeysuckle, jasmine and orchard fruit aromas take center stage on this fresh, elegant wine. The savory palate delivers white peach, ripe apple, rosemary and a mouthwatering saline note. Fresh acidity brightens the finish.
In this ripe wine, yellow fruits, cinnamon and ripe herbs are melded into a harmonious whole. Great acidity offers a juicy core to this well-balanced wine. Drink now for its great refreshing character.
It would be all too easy to write this off as minimally ripe and sharply herbal, as it first appears. But with extensive aeration it blossoms into a wealth of detailed flavors—bright raspberry, tart citrus and fresh herb, all with impressive length.
Crisp, textured and with great acidity, this wine is still developing. It is packed with fresh citrus and apple fruits cut with strong minerality. Drink this structured wine from 2017.
This wine is full in the mouth, with swathes of ripe apricot and mango fruit flavors. It has weight, a touch of spice and great acidity that emphasizes the general richness. Drink now.
Succulent blackberry, spiced blueberry, licorice, ground white pepper and carob all come together on this full-bodied, chewy red. Ripe, round tannins support the juicy flavors.
Black olive tapenade, cedar and tobacco combine for a memorable effect in this largely structured wine, its tannins and oaks still resolving on the palate. From historic family-farmed vineyard, it's a powerful wine that will benefit with time; cellar through 2020.
Made only in the best years, this wine is a full and generous expression of Alicante Bouschet. It is structured while also ripe in blackberry fruit and dark plum-skin tannins. Rich and juicy, this is an opulent wine that can be drunk from 2016.
Sourced from vines that date back more than 100 years on the Beatty Ranch, this wine is appropriately robust, a big, syrupy concentration of baked blackberry and plum. Soft in tannins and structured, it finishes with a complexity of vanilla and black cherry.
Aromas of black cherry, iodine and saline open on the palate to flavors of black cherry, toffee, white chocolate, orange zest and apple peel. Velvety tannins and a sense of salinity continue on the palate, finishing with mint and a burst of brightness.
Smooth and seductively intense, this wine offers rich layers of black cherry and blackberry that lengthen on the palate, buoyed by soft tannins. An earthy sublayer keeps it complex and compelling.
Aromas of blackberry, ripe cherry, black pepper and espresso bean delight the nose. Deep ruby red, this wine has flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon and nutmeg that are supported by a soft grid of velvety tannins.
Spicy and refined in black and white pepper, this memorable red traffics in all the classic characteristics of leather and tobacco with dark, brooding red and black fruit. Medium in body and length, it finishes with a refreshing element of black cherry and cola, calling out for barbecued meat treated with the same care.
Aromas of tree bark, baked sugar beet, herbs and licorice blend with earthy black-fruit scents on this ripe, jammy, generous Cabernet. Baked blackberry, licorice, rooty spice and cassis flavors finish with herbal notes, a spicy black peppercorn flavor, a licorice hint and smooth tannins.
This smells mildly reduced and candied at first, with notes of blackberry, horse hide and licorice. Firm, chewy and lush on the palate, this full-force Malbec delivers ripe blackberry, boysenberry, spice and rooty licorice flavors prior to a spicy, dark finish that's bolstered by firm acidity. Drink through 2019.
Aromas of Spanish broom, ripe apricot and yellow peach lead the nose and carry over to the round palate. Fresh acidity accompanies the juicy fruit flavors while an almond note closes the finish.
This opens with earthy aromas of underbrush, game, scorched earth, sweat and ripe dark fruit. The chewy palate delivers juicy wild cherry, star anise and grilled herb framed in solid tannins.
Garnet to the eye, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 15% Malbec has aromas of blueberry and fig jam with highlights of vanilla. Flavors of blueberry and dried plum remain on the palate for a satisfying interval beyond the sustained finish.
Don't be fooled by the low alcohol, this little Pistoleta packs a high caliber punch. It's a full throttle blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, bursting with ripe flavors of apples, peaches and pears. It's nicely rounded out with a finishing flavor of butter cookie.
Bottled in 2015, this ripe LBV from the great 2011 vintage achieves a fine balance between firm, dry tannins that promise some aging and sweet black-cherry fruits that are attractive now. Just a touch of pepper gives a bite to the wine, although with the finish there is a fresher feel of acidity. Drink now or age until 2018.
The second label of Quinta de la Rosa is a ripe and smoothly fruity wine. Soft tannins and ample acidity harmonize well with the exuberant black fruits. It is big, rich and not needing aging; drink this rounded wine from 2016.
This is tastes stalky, with a red fruit flavor. It has acidity along with a vegetal, herbal character. With taut acidity and a dry, tannic finish, this is a real barbecue wine.
At first the nose is high toned and jumpy, but with time it falls into a good place with a medicinal berry note at the fore. Solid, tannic and nervy, it has plum and noticeable young-oak flavors. This turns herbal tasting and choppy on the finish.
This is clean on the nose, with blackberry and plum aromas. It feels full and solid, bearing flavors of black cherry and dark plum, with a meaty undertone. Mint, spice and black fruit notes carry the finish.
This is a pleasantly quaffable Viognier, with restrained apricot and melon aromas and flavors. It's medium bodied, without much texture, but a clean, refreshing finish.
Bright and fruity, with a tannic edge, this is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. This is food friendly, with a rich red-fruit flavor that's cut with a caramel note and strawberry acidity.
This is rich and dry yet also fruity. Perfumed in character, it is full, soft and smooth, allowing the acidity a place on the finish.
Fresh and fruity with creamy green and white fruits, this is a soft, ready to drink Chardonnay. Attractively fruity, the acidity finely cuts through the wine.
Baked and heavy, this has prune, raisin and jammy berry aromas. The weightiness carries onto the palate, which is chewy and smooth. Flavors of blackberry, spice and jammy syrup lead to a finish with a chocolaty tone. Tasted twice, with consistent results.
The nose is big and rubbery, with aromas of bacon, tar and black plum. It feels young and choppy, with a lightly herbal berry flavor that turns more roasted in character as the wine opens. This gets the job done despite showing a roasted flavor throughout.
The tea and raspberry aromas are easygoing, and that best describes this organic Cabernet Sauvignon. It's powerful enough on the palate, with a good berry flavor that tilts towards raspberry. The finish is herbal and peppery.
Opening with a bouquet of dried apricot and almond paste, this is a full style of Sauvignon Blanc, with tons of lemon on the finish. Pair this with seafood.
Dusty apple and white peach aromas are basic and clean. The palate offers bright acids, citrus-driven fruit and whacks of oak-based cinnamon and resin, along with laser-like lemon notes. Mild on the finish, with flavors of vanilla and oak spice.
While lithe on the nose, with understated red-fruit aromas, this shows a palate that's nicely concentrated with crisp red-cherry and plum flavors, laced with an invigorating shower of minerality and acidity.
The Boomtown Syrah offers plenty of clear, varietally correct fruit flavor. Citrus highlights underscore deep boysenberry fruit. The wine is forward and just right for drinking while young.
For such a young wine, this is surprisingly mature. Its tannins have softened and rounded, becoming well integrated with the black currant flavor and bright acidity. It's an attractive choice to drink now or over the next few years, but not for long-term aging.
Crisp, clean and fruity, this refreshing wine has an herb note that's restrained by ripe orange and green apple flavors. Bright and ready to drink.
Powerful and rich, this wine tastes of black and red berries. The ripeness of the vintage is evident, with a dense character that lends weight and concentration, while adding fresh black-currant-like acidity.
This mineral-driven and white-currant-flavored wine shows as much texture as fruitiness. In the future, it will show ripe yellow and pear notes, so age for a year.
Dark and brooding, this is characterized by a plum skin note, plus firm tannins and a solid structure. It's concentrated and dense, a wine that is serious and needs to age for 4–5 years. The finish has a firm feel.
Rich and fruity, this wine is balanced, with tannins and red fruits in harmony. It has weight and richness without being overpowerful. Ready to drink in six months.
In this warm and ripe effort, the flavors of red currants and plums work with the underlying tannins and acidity. This has just the right weight, making for a wine that has attractive fruitiness and light tannins.
A blend of two-thirds Grenache, the rest a mix of Mourvèdre and Syrah, this demonstrates the spicy cherry appeal of the main grape. Apple and plum flavors come into play as well, keeping the wine fruity, forward, spicy and flavorful.
Designed as a forward, easy-drinking blend, this youthful and spicy wine offers plenty of tart, brambly fruit and a peppery herb note in the background. Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are all in the mix, and the once-used French and American oak barrels add some further flavor interest.
An apple cider aroma comes across dusty, slightly maderized and heavy. This is a plump, wide Albariño with pithy citrus and white nectarine flavors. The finish features pithy, fleshy accents. Drink now.
A Cinsault-Counoise blend, this is grapey, tasting of just-ripe berries. The flavors turn a little slender on the midpalate, but it's a pleasant quaffer with balanced tannins.
The excellent Les Collines Vineyard usually delivers more depth of flavor than this, but a cool vintage may be the culprit. Very light berry flavors, a wash of cement-like mineral and earthy tannins with an herbal edge sum up the flavor profile.
This is a medium-bodied Merlot, with dark fruit flavors that are cloaked in chewy, chalky, earthy and herbal tannins.
A dark, jammy explosion of baked red fruit and blackberry, this is marked by its toasty oak and its subtle hint of bacon, benefitting from breathing for 10–20 minutes before drinking. Full in body and tannin, it has a vanilla-infused finish.
This diluted wine opens with aromas suggesting old cut flowers and wet soil. The thin watery palate has just a hint of unripe sour cherry.
Funky, heavily pickled aromas lack clarity, charm and cleanliness. This feels flat as a board, with bitter sour nutty flavors of spoiled citrus fruits. A sour, murky finish fails to help it along.
The mighty Insignia shows a vibrancy of purpose and craft in this, its 40th vintage, combining 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Together they find a higher calling of perfumed violet, dark plum and berry along with graphite and an edginess of dried herb. Firm, structured tannins show tremendous potential for aging and decanting. This is a near-perfect effort from a blockbuster vintage.
This wine comes from the vineyard that sits at the pinnacle of Chardonnay in Burgundy. It is majestic and opulent, a powerful wine full of deeply concentrated fruit as well as the ineffable acidity of the vintage. It is structured, tensely mineral and demands long aging. Drink this beautiful wine from 2023.
It's hard to overstate how deliciously irresistible this wine is, a celebration of the variety that makes a statement of greatness from the first sip to the last. Golden-hued minerality is the star and pillar of support, a worthy dance partner to the twirls of lacy lemon pith, fully expressive tangerine, grapefruit and stone. Lively and complex, it showcases beauty in a glass.
This wine is aromatically brooding but precise, with notes of umami, black olive, smoked ham, crushed violets, funk and peat. The flavors are hefty and concentrated—with notes of fire pit and wet stone—while showing earth-shaking depth and intensity. The finish stretches out as long as you care to count. This is a complete knee buckler.
Produced from a parcel of less than a third of an acre, this wine comes from 30-year-old vines. It is properly dark and dense, with great tannins and rich black fruits. The 18 months in wood show in the spice and the complex texture. This serious wine will age for many years. Drink from 2024.
The match for the red wine under the same name, this wine comes from organically grown vines in the village of Champtin. It is rich, full of white currant as well as crisp apple. The tight texture and intense minerality mark it out as a wine to age, while its elegance underlines its fine future. Drink from 2018.
While the color of this wine is light, the intensity and the structure are not. It comes from 30-year-old vines, planted densely that gives the wine huge concentration. It is firm full of tannins that lie over the ripe fruit. As it develops, this wine will be sumptuous, ripe and impressive. Wait until 2023.
Fresh and tart wild cherry and crushed cranberry meet with intriguing touches of fennel frond, mustard, rose hips, potpourri and tons of garrigue on the nose of this bottling. The palate packs vibrancy into each sip, redolent with flavors of tomato leaf, cherry tomato, kalamata olive, underripe raspberry, anise, bay leaf and even earthy mugwort. It conveys an extreme sense of place.
This wine opens with aromas of earthy funk, steak tartare, potpourri, pepper and earth, showing outrageously minerality. The flavors are dense and textured, leaning hard into the savory with abundant flower and fire pit notes that linger effortlessly. It's a very cerebral wine but with no shortage of hedonism.
Hearty plum, deep rose petal, earthy juniper, a touch of charcoal and crushed graphite aromas show strongly on the nose of this bottling from a tiny block in this historic vineyard. The palate packs an awesome combination of tension, energy and power, like a clenched fist in a silk glove, with tangy olallieberry fruit and a menthol character that carries deep into the finish.
While this wine's Mount Eden sister bottling may better stand the test of time, the Domaine Eden is what most people will most like to drink right now, and it's cheaper too. Aromas of dried violets, uncrushed boysenberries and pencil lead make for an ethereal nose that seems to hold secrets one must uncover. Precise tannins on the palate offer floral yet savory flavors of black sesame, nori, violet and mulberry. It's mellow yet mysterious.
Named after the ruined abbey which the vineyard surrounds, this is a smooth, generous and beautifully opulent wine. The vines, owned by the Leflaive family, give a bold, spicy wine, rich in white stone fruits, intense acidity and a firm mineral texture. There is just enough toasty flavor to give the wine extra complexity. Drink this impressive wine from 2021.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes (as are all the Olivier Leflaive family grand and premier crus), this is a gorgeous, opulent wine. It has richness and great intensity as well as fine acidity and crisp apple fruits. Toast and vanilla come from the wood aging. The wine is so generous and packed with fruit as well as a strong mineral texture. Drink from 2022.
Produced from less than half an acre of the Grand Cru vineyard, the wine has power and dark concentration. It is a rich wine with black fruit and solid tannins that promise long-term aging. The wood aging has given the wine an even richer character, bringing out spice and licorice flavors. The wine should not be drunk before 2023.
The aromas are perfumed and expressive, with notes of crushed flowers, brown stems, black olive, sea salt, smoked meat and funk. The flavors are dense and intense, but still with a silky feel. It's a classic example of this producer, with a finish that just won't quit.
This Grand Cru is the smallest in the village of Morey Saint-Denis, located north of the village. This wine, produced from a tiny parcel, is immensely concentrated while also having the generous fruits that are typical of the village. It is full of juicy black fruits, fine tannins and a dark, firm aftertaste. Drink from 2023.
This is a decidedly beautiful wine, a carefully crafted offering of Tahitian vanilla bean, caramelized apple and juicy peach that is integrated and buoyant in acidity. It continues to open and shine in the glass, getting better as it travels along the palate, with a lush finish of preserved lemon that just sings.
Properly rich and majestic, this wine also has impressive amounts of crisp acidity to balance its concentration. The wine has layers of peach and apricot along with beautiful acidity and a taut texture that will allow it to age. It is generous and will become opulent and full bodied as it develops. Drink this powerful wine from 2022.
Produced from two parcels totaling 2.8 acres, this is a properly powerful wine. It has a concentrated texture and firm tannins. They are balanced with the black fruits and strongly mineral texture of this impressive wine. Like any wine of this quality, this needs to age for a considerable period. Drink from 2024.
What a powerfully lovely, lilting and blockbuster of a wine this is. Seamless in baked rhubarb and a velvety texture it never stops impressing, allowing for nuanced explosions of black cherry and Asian spice to coat the palate and become more complex the longer each sip lingers. Deliciously drinkable now, the wine will take on additional wow factor over time.
Out of the gate this wine reveals quite savory aromas of stems, fire pit, soot, black olive and light flowers. The flavors are intense and tightly wound, showing a lot of structure along with elegance. It's a flat out stunner, showing grace and power as well as a hyper-extended finish.
A compelling wine, this begins as a journey into salted country butter, lemongrass and a hint of sea-spray-like brine. Lengthy and spicy, it possesses a great deal of stony minerality that gives it length, breadth and brightness, a vinous come-on to have more.
The wine comes from a small strip of a half acre in the center of this famed grand cru, part of the Olivier Leflaive family domaine. It is laden with toast flavors from the wood fermentation as well as intense fruit, green plums and crisp apples which are given extra richness by apricots. Concentrated and densely textured the wine will develop so well. Drink from 2022.
Coming from arguably the grandest of the Chablis Grand Crus, this is an impressive, rich and structured wine. It is concentrated, intense with minerality, pure acidity and great fruitiness. The wine has depth and power, a ripe wine that captures the full strength of the fine vineyard. Drink from 2020.
A blend of wines from different vineyards in Pouilly, this powerful wine is concentrated, with tight minerality that demands further aging. Rich and packed with apples and green plums, it is a beautiful wine that will age well. Drink from 2018 at the earliest.
From an extreme coastal vineyard three miles north of Cambria, this bottling kicks off with peppery spice on the nose along with strong black olive, bay leaf, dill and a black-raspberry element on the edges. Lively underripe fruit tones power the palate, as does Kalamata olive, North African spice, coriander and tomato leaf.
Stark minerality, from hot gravel to chipped slate, meets with garrigue elements of lavender and thyme on the nose of this strong bottling that gains a savory quality thanks to roasted-pork aromas. The requisite fruit arrives on the sip, where smashed cranberry meets with pepper spice and dried herbs. The structure is grippy and affords great length in the finish.
Underbrush, dried plum, resin, leather and a whiff of baking spice aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The big chewy palate shows juicy blackberry, ripe black cherry, tobacco and clove set against a backbone of firm velvety tannins. Despite its heft, it also boasts surprising finesse. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2017–2025.
The nose is subdued, with aromas of crisp red plum, herb and bramble; but the palate is lush, with loads of ripe strawberry, peach and cherry flavors. This is dry in style but soft and juicy on the palate.
A firm and focused Cabernet Franc, with just 5% Merlot in the blend, this spent 18 months in 50% new American oak. It's a straight-ahead style, with a red berry flavor and polished, proportionate tannins.
Thick and rich, this is a very concentrated Cabernet that can use more time in the cellar. For now, it has tannins that overwhelm the blueberry fruit and traces of cedar and cocoa.
Alluring aromas of tropical fruit, flower and a spin of citrus are followed by soft flavors of pineapple and tropical fruit. Less bounce and brace than typical, which means it's a great choice for fans of rounder whites.
This is a full-bodied, creamy and voluptuous Chardonnay, bearing notes of wet stone and ripe yellow apple, with a tinge of vanilla on the finish.
Scents of freshly cut herbs add a verdant quality to the yellow plum and white flower notes on this brisk, minerally blend comprised of the traditional Champagne grape varieties. Dry and tonic in style, it finishes clean and crisp, with just a hint of sugar-cookie-crumb sweetness.
A rich berry aroma and a touch of leafy tomato mark the bouquet. Healthy in feel, this has perky acidity and flavors of red plums, mixed herbs, earth and cola. Dry, juicy and solid on the finish.
Although the alcohol is relatively high, it's balanced by the wine's rich and ripe fruit core and soft tannic structure. The nose needs time to fully open up, revealing intense black-plum and cherry aromas. Jammy and full on the palate, this has a hint of black pepper on the close.
This is a textbook Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, with red fruit and rubber aromas in front of flavors of herb, peppery spice and berry fruit. It finishes quickly.
With soft tannins, this wine has a full, fleshy character that's laced with acidity. Black currant fruits and only hints of dryness suggest it is ready to drink.
Structured and firm with balancing red berry fruit, this is a solid, chunky wine that reflects the concentration of the vintage. It has weight, solid tannins and hints of pepper and spice. Age for 2–3 years.
The fruit flavors here are very good but simple: a wash of blackberry slathered in coffee, vanilla and sweet spice.
The old vines do their work and produce a highly concentrated wine. It has a dusty tannic structure, the tannins held in suspension surrounded by ripe black plum flavors. The oak aging adds to the richness of this fine, balanced wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.
The Pommard clone gives a distinctive taste of breakfast tea to the wine, with fresh raspberry fruit and a lick of lemon. It's nicely astringent but smooth and well structured, with light touches of frangipane.
A small, husband-and-wife project inspired by the late Greg Brown of T-Vine Cellars, who made some mighty fine wines in his day, this wine is waxy in plum and blackberry, fruity yet possessed of equal parts cedar and herb. Full bodied, it retains plenty of acidity, balanced in approach and price.
Compact, minerally aromas include notes of leather and licorice. Round and generous across the palate, this ripe, rooty tasting Malbec features flavors of blackberry and chocolate in front of a mildly raisiny finish. Drink this warm-vintage Malbec through 2019.
Pretty notes of black-cherry blossom and fruit are bolstered by black pepper, dried violets, deep red roses and a touch of cinnamon on the nose of this wine from the region's most famous vineyard. It presents a hearty, earthy style on the palate, with anise, bay leaf, black tea and coffee flavors that spice up the dense elderberry and strawberry fruit.
This is a powerful and concentrated wine. It is full of dusty, dark tannins that are still masking the rich blackberry and black currant fruits. There is a dry core here that will fill out as the wine matures. It's a serious, long-lasting wine that needs aging. Drink from 2018.
Thick, concentrated, almost syrupy aromas of blueberry, fudge, espresso and a splash of crème de menthe show on this attention-grabbing bottling of 61% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot. The palate is happily not as thick as expected, offering dark chocolate, minty licorice and espresso flavors, leaving a menthol zing on the tongue into the finish.
A suggestion of minty eucalyptus makes itself quietly known on the entry of this wine, followed by soft, seamless layers of rich red cherry. Floral and bursting in elegance, it's a vibrant, worthy representation of the vineyard. Sadly, this is the last vintage from this producer from this site. Drink now through 2020.
Concentrated and woody smelling, this ripe Cabernet is cut from the modern mold, meaning it's weighty and fully oaked. As for mouthfeel, expect severe tannins but also cuddly depth. Flavors of roasted, earthy berry fruits and cassis finish with oaky flavors of cocoa and mocha as well as herbal notes. Drink this integrated Cab through 2021.
This wine is dark and inky in color. Nearly impenetrable at first on the nose, this reluctantly giving up hints of plum, cocoa and earth. The plum-pudding palate is dense and weighty, with savory overtones. Give it until 2018 or 2020 to unclench and brighten up.
Of the winery's two reserves, this is the darker in terms of both fruit and barrel flavors. Well-ripened cherry fruit fills the mouth, and leads into a full-bodied, resonant finish with highlights of toasted coconut. This delicious, well-balanced wine spent 10 months in new French oak.
The vineyard is on typical steep slopes on the north bank of the Douro River with cooler corners for white wine. This wood-aged wine is in a bottle more suited to a liqueur and is impressively rich while preserving its cool feel. The mouthfeel has toastiness and ripe yellow fruits which are cut with a steely texture and pink grapefruit acidity. It's a wine to age, so drink from 2017.
Zesty lime cuts razor-sharp edges into this buoyant, fruity Riesling full of white peach, apple and honeysuckle notes. Delicately honeyed, it's piercing yet lip-smackingly juicy, finishing on a lingering spray of green florals. It's an elegant, tightly structured wine that's stunning now but will hold nicely through 2020.
Supple and silky, this expressive, seductive wine offers ripe plum and cherry fruit matched to polished tannins. It's finished with tasty barrel flavors of coconut, butter pecan and toast, and it is thoroughly, irresistibly delicious.
This perfectly embodies the fruit-forward, irresistibly delicious wines of the 2012 vintage in the Willamette Valley. Along with lively aromas of pepper and spice come brambly fruit flavors of just-picked raspberries and black cherries. It rolls into a lush finish with a streak of espresso.
Concentrated blackberry and prune aromas are wrapped in a blanket of chocolaty oak. Side-to-side jamminess and beefy tannins make for a full-force mouthfeel, while minty blackberry flavors end plush but with focus. Herbal notes of rosemary, thyme and mint add complexity. Drink through 2024.
Cheesy oak is the greeting on the nose of this older Malbec from a notoriously tough vintage. After that, earthy, stewed blackberry and meaty aromas come up. This is saturated and a touch stewy, with baked black-fruit flavors as well as gamy animal notes. A dense finish tastes soupy and savory. Drink through 2018.
This radiant wine opens with heady aromas of white flower, honey, beeswax and citrus zest. The elegant palate shows class and pedigree, offering nectarine, aromatic herb and white stone fruit alongside lively acidity. An energizing mineral note closes the lingering finish.
Elegant and complex, this conjures up scents and accents of breakfast tea, black cherry, cassis and cut tobacco. It's tart and sappy, with youthful verve and refreshing acidity. Drink now through 2025.
Lush, aromatic and focused, this was barrel-fermented in 25% new French oak. It's balanced and built to age, with flavors of apples, roasted hazelnuts and a touch of buttered popcorn. It finishes with energizing minerality.
Trisagio is a Malbec-led blend with Cab Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It's a dense wine offering the full allotment of berry, earth and meaty aromas. Plump and layered across the palate, this tastes of chocolaty oak, baking spices, herbs, cassis and a pinch of salt. A long, pure finish is a nice topping; drink through 2021.
Beeswax, acacia and yellow stone fruit aromas mingle in the glass. The structured, delicious palate doles out tangerine, lime, yellow peach, lemon drop and a hint of almond. An energizing mineral note closes the tangy finish.
Cut hay, tomato vine, elder flower and a whiff of yellow stone fruit mingle in the glass. The elegantly structured palate delivers grapefruit, peach and papaya alongside racy acidity. A mineral vein adds depth to the lingering finish. It's racy and loaded with finesse.
This is a seriously dense wine—very structured and also with swathes of generous black plum and berry fruits. It is mineral in character, dark with firm tannins and still showing intense acidity that will need to soften. Drink this concentrated wine from 2018.
Produced from the Boavista vineyard, the base of Casa Santos Lima, this wine comes from old vines. It is a serious, complex and structured wine that will develop well over many years. Dark fruits, dense tannins and really fresh acidity are integrated into a fine wine. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Herbal notes of pine and eucalyptus rest on top of a bedding of spiced cherry and cassis aromas. This Malbec blend is firm and structured, with no weaknesses around the edges or in the middle. Ripe blackberry, spice, mocha and molasses flavors finish toasty but alive. Drink through 2021.
This Pinot is from the winery's only Eola-Amity Hills AVA vineyard. The palate brings distinctive herbal accents around brambly berry-fruit flavors. Rich seams of caramel and chocolate smooth the finish.
Piercing aromas of grapy blackberry are full-on and a touch hot. This ripe bruiser is plump and chunky in feel, with hard tannins. Luscious flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and herbs end with oaky fanfare, length and clarity. Drink through 2023.
A little earthiness on the nose blows off to reveal a very concentrated and sweepingly apple-flavored palate which pitches generous, ripe fruit against welcome, tart freshness. This is open and and very joyous, fresh and utterly fruit-driven with a lasting, very moreish finish.
The fine qualities of Alicante Bouschet shine in this dense, darkly colored wine. With firm tannins and intense fruitiness combined, the wine has black plum, red currant and prominent acidity to balance the mineral texture. From an old single vineyard, the wine will need to age. Drink from 2018.
Intensely aromatic with scents of ripe stone fruit and exotic mango, this delicately structured Riesling reverberates with acidity and fine, focused minerality. Semidry in style, it finishes long with lip-smacking fruitiness.
A wisp of a wine, bright in lime, nutmeg and honeysuckle, with balanced acidity and mouthwatering texture and concentration. Handley's Gewürztraminer is always the right call when Thai or Chinese is on the menu. A nice introduction or re-introduction to Anderson Valley whites.
Brambly berries, plum and sweet-spice aromas lead on the bouquet of this wine, with secondary hints of tree bark and licorice root. The palate turns to dark fruit notes of black cherry and boysenberry, accented by glimmers of sweet smoke and cocoa. Creamy and lush in the mouth with a texture like crushed velvet and an enduring finish. Drink now–2015.
Argentine Nebbiolo is a rarity, and for one to be this good is a blessing. Leather, dark berry, earth and citrus aromas are mellow and subdued, but the palate is full and forward, with baked berry, molasses and espresso flavors. This is tannic and chocolaty on the finish, with lasting sweetness.
This classic Pinotage starts off somewhat tight and closed, but the layers of ripe, dark fruit and sweet spice unfold with time spent in the glass. A hint of barnyard adds depth to the black plum and cherry fruit core, spiced with notes of fynbos and sweet smoke. Medium weight, with gripping tannins and concentrated fruit flavors that suggest this is one for the cellar; try after 2015.
Created jointly by a chef, a sommelier and a wine critic along with winemaker Jarrod Boyle, this appealing blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Counoise is loaded with rich, sweet cherry, blackberry and cola notes with a full-bodied, satiny mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
A packed wine, its ripe fruits are a warm pleasure. It has all the structure of the year but in fine measure, lending density and richness to the palate. It's a wine for aging; give it at least five years.
There is tough concentration here that suggests a wine that needs aging; there's also fruit that hints at richness to come. A wine that has a good future.
Ripe, smooth and satiny, this wine has all the right stuff for pleasurable drinking now. Earthy spice and cocoa-nib accents add depth to the dense raspberry and cherry fruit core, while the finish expresses a tree bark and whole peppercorn flavor that lingers.
Aged in stainless steel, this single-vineyard Viognier is aromatic and appealing, with notes of fresh flowers, peach and lees. It's off-dry, medium bodied, with a textured feel and light fruit flavors.
Fragrant on the nose, with delicate violet notes accenting black cherry and savory herbs, this is a ripe, densely structured Cabernet Franc that's easy to enjoy now. The palate is intensely juicy, with tart red-cherry flavor and soft, feathery tannins that extend through the finish.
Cascabel means “rattlesnake,” and this one bites with rich, heady, raisiny aromas that suggest a slightly cooked, hot wine. Raspberry, plum, spice and salty notes define the flavor profile, while licorice, dry spice and heat show up on the racy finish of this full-bodied striker.
This Navarran blend opens with spicy raspberry and red currant aromas. The palate is sharp, prickly and edgy in feel, with flavors of cherry tomato, herbs and racy red fruits. The hot, scratchy finish can probably best be tamed with food.
This simple, ripe and fruity wine is destined for early drinking. It has rich dark plum fruits, a sprinkling of tannins and a fine juicy character. Very ready to drink now.
A soft, gentle wine, this is clean and purely fruity. With ripe pear and apple flavors, it gets a tang of lemon acidity. It's already drinkable, but could age for several more months.
A firmly tannic wine, bringing out its cool climate origin. But the wine does have weight and the potential for showing black fruits and dark-plum skins, as well as a dry character. Keep for another year.
A bold, candy cherry pink shade, this carries crisp apple flavors into a bone dry, rather tart middle. It's young and still pulling itself together, but chill it down and it should liven up a mid-summer deck party.
This pleasant Pinot Gris has melon fruit flavors with a hint of kiwi. Fresh, and ready for near-term enjoyment.
A Viognier vibrant in pear with a suggestion of coconut flake that's medium in weight and not overly wrought, Sobon's version is a good value at $16, fine, simple and fragrant in melon and orange rind, a taste of oak on the finish.
Intensely ripe, almost pulpy black fruit lends a soft, easy feel to this richly textured Cabernet Franc. It's a tad clunky on the palate, but bright acidity and savory herbaceousness add elegance to the finish.
A very herbaceous Sauvignon aroma, crisp and fresh with pink grapefruit and lemon grass flavors on top of a bright squeeze of lime. There is a final touch of pear juice acidity.
This boasts some rather prominent herbal (dill, perhaps?) notes, but this is an otherwise creamy-textured, soft Cabernet meant for immediate consumption. Vanilla and black cherry notes start upfront and persist through the slightly warm finish.
Surprisingly, this blend of 65% Chenin Blanc and 35% Sémillon is quite rich and oaky with prominent aromas of butter, wood-grilled red apple and walnut skin. The mouth offers more creamy nutty flavors of buttered popcorn and peach pit, but a bit lacking in the fruit department.
A good, basic table wine with spice, berry syrup, flower notes and char on the nose. The palate is a bit sharp and tangy, but the herbal berry and pepper flavors are pleasing. Shows a clean outlook and a dry coffee-tinged finish.
A touch sharp with prominent acidity and soft tannins in the mouth. Tart dried cherry, raspberry and plum fill palate, with a clean, medium-length finish sealing the experience. Drink now.
Herbal berry aromas are solid enough but less than impressive, while the palate is soft, full, round and regular. Full across the palate, with mildly green cassis and berry flavors, then soft, chunky and slightly herbal on the finish.
Black plum skins, green pepper, cassis and coffee provide the core character of this wine, with accents of tobacco and wood adding complexity. The medium-weight mouthfeel is balanced and easygoing with soft tannins and a clean finish.
A very different composition from the 2007 Les Chevaux, this year's blend is 34% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. It's a tannic wine, and seems to put a lot of emphasis on the vanilla/tobacco flavors that characterize so many blended reds these days. Fair value, but somewhat generic.
Fixin, the northernmost red wines on the Côte de Nuits, generally produces light wines. This is no exception; the wine is bright, very fresh, with hints of berry fruits.
Packed with juicy red cherries, this is a fresh, fruity Beaujolais to drink this winter. There is just a touch of tannin as well as refreshing acidity.
Solid to start out, with mostly clean, fresh berry aromas and some medicinality. The palate is snappy, juicy and clean, with black cherry, plum and berry flavors. Forward on the finish, and composed for what is essentially a standard Malbec.
A creamy wine, its apple fruit flavors smoothed by touches of butter and spice. There is a fine citrus aftertaste that gives the rich wine a delicious, refreshing lift.
Soft and rounded wine, with rich peach and pineapple flavors. The wine is smooth, the wood aging adding a subtle touch of spice. The long, creamy aftertaste suggests a wine that is ready to drink.
A solid, ripe wine, very much a nouveau for food, with some rich cherry fruit and an underlying smoky tannin layer. The fruit is ripe and full.
Brambly blackberry and cassis fruit dominates the overall character of this wine, with additional hints of cedary spice and black tea leaves unfolding in the background. A touch of cocoa flavor dusts the medium-length finish, while soft tannins and medium acidity make this an easy drinker now.
Slightly herbal in style, with hints of tomato leaf accenting black cherry fruit. This is a crisp, fresh—even tangy—red that perhaps needs a few months to settle down and smooth out. Try it later this year; it should cellar well through 2018.
Starts out somewhat fiery, with a dose of aromatic horseradish. After airing out, this varietal Tempranillo is fresh, juicy and crisp on the tongue, with flavors of baking spices, tomato, roasted plum and earth. Feels juicy on the finish, maybe a bit lean, and overall it's cut from the classic cloth.
Yorkville has been making this blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc (for this vintage it's 60% the first and 40% the latter), for many of its 25 years, and it achieves a nice balance, the Sémillon there for richness, texture and color, the SB for acidity and the wine's citrus and herb finish. Made from organic grapes.
This is made from declassified barrels originally intended for Stevens 424. It's sharp-edged and spicy, not yet wellintegrated, but substantial, with wild berry flavors and slightly green tannins. A good quaffer, or pair it with a flank steak.
Klipsun vineyard grapes are fermented in stainless steel to produce this crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. In 2010, a cool vintage even at this Red Mountain site, the grassy side of the grape is in the spotlight. A little sweatiness blows off with airing, then the lemongrass and light melon flavors come through, with plenty of acid backing.
About as typical and pleasant as you'll find in this price range. The nose is snappy, with aromas of fresh peas, bell pepper, citrus and wild herbs. Feels light and fresh, with flavors of lime and apple alongside tangerine.
This delicious, fruity wine is full of acidity and crisp fruit. Light, bright and dominated by green and citrus fruits, it is ready to drink now.
This well-made wine in a rich style smells like ripe pears and melted butter, and tastes soft and almost sweet, resembling pear and peach juice. The texture is smooth and soft and the body is medium, so it's easy to enjoy.
This ripe, easygoing red offers fruity yet fleeting aromas and flavors of fleshy black cherry and baked plum. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy now.
In this straightforward quaffer, aromas of pear, melon and apple lead to off-dry fruit flavors with a full feel. The flavor concentration is light but it still provides easy drinking enjoyment.
Aromas of ripe apple and poached pear are accented by spice. It drinks medium sweet with mandarin-orange flavors that linger.
This blend of two-thirds Syrah and one-third Mourvèdre is fresh and aromatic, showing some peppery-gingery spice to go with watermelon and strawberry notes. It's medium in body, with an abbreviated finish.
Bright copper in color, this substantial wine offers light strawberry and plum aromas, ripe plum and pear flavors and a creamy texture. Fruit flavors come out and linger on the taste buds with the help of the soft texture and somewhat sweet finish.
Light aromas of ripe pear and jasmine precede medium-sweet, somewhat oily-feeling flavors. It doesn't all come together but still provides enjoyment.
This informal red opens with aromas of red berry and a whiff of cellar floor. The simple palate offers black cherry and orange peel alongside zesty acidity and dusty tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
This opens with an aromatic note of wet dog along with wild berry and plum. The palate is spunky, jumpy and lively, while flavors of plum, raspberry and berry skins finish short and simple.
Simple aromas of apple cider come with a hint of match stick and brine. This feels round and fleshy, like an unfiltered apple cider. Flavors of generic citrus and apple juice finish pulpy and round. Drink now.
Mild peachy aromas are friendly but nothing serious or intense. This varietal Macabeo feels citrusy, while lightly bitter flavors of almond skins, citrus pith and green melon finish with simplicity and a note of nectarine.
Cherry and berry aromas are earthy, leathery and a touch stalky, with a note of compost. A round, fairly full mouthfeel and lightly oaked, medicinal flavors of black plum and berry fruits finish short.
This opens with aromas of dark berry, violet, toast, menthol and a whiff of cellar floor. The one-dimensional palate offers crushed plum, blackberry, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside drying, astringent tannins.
Bright, lightly-smoked red currant and berry fruits dominate this juicy, fresh wine. A plum-skin texture leads on to some firm tannins. The aftertaste is fruity and light.
This soft, ripe wine by the Blaye sister-brother team of Marie-Pierre et Pierre-Charles Dartier has caramel flavors integrated into the red fruits. A crisp side comes from red currant flavors, while a smooth aftertaste keeps it rich while not losing the acidity.
With a sense of tannic structure and a dry background, this is a firm wine. It has some weight, although the texture and the black currant fruits are light and stylish rather than dense. Drink from 2016.
Pear, dried flower and ripe green apple aromas lead to lighter-styled, dry, mouthwatering stone-fruit flavors. This brings interest but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
Chunky aromas of apple cider, pineapple, pine and juniper are challenging. This feels juicy, with sharp acidity. Nectarine is the lead flavor, while apple and pithy bitterness push the finish.
Dried herb, tobacco, plum and woodspice aromas are followed by tart cranberry and cherry flavors that have a lick of dry tannins behind them. There's plenty of interest but this wine needs food to combat the tannins.
With no oak aging, this wine offers black currants and stalky tannins. Juicy fruitiness and a ripe character reflect the vintage. The aftertaste, with acidity, is fresh and always fruity. Drink from 2016.
This is a heavily wood-aged wine with a bitter character redeemed by the ripe blackberry fruits from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. It is structured, with firm tannins over the fresh and juicy fruitiness. Give the wine another year and the two will come into balance. Drink from 2016.
Firmly tannic, this is still a young wine. It has a dry structure with a black currant-skin stalkiness. Acidity and structure are still developing, so wait until 2016.
This is a crisp, intensely fruity wine. Full of red berries and fresh acidity, it is dry with a tangy orange-peel character, light minerality and a touch of caramel. It is ready to drink.
A ripe, red-fruited wine with a rich character, this offers vanilla as well as citrus and berry fruit flavors. It is just off dry, fresh and brightly fruity. It makes for a delicious, crisp summer rosé.
Very fresh and crisp, this is a wine to drink soon. It has great acidity, bright and lively with green fruit flavors and some mandarin zest to give softness at the end.
The oak (40% new Hungarian and American) brings a sense of spiciness to the aromas, which also display notes of dill and plum. Flavors show weight and intensity, with citric acidity drawing out the finish.
Touched with spicy wood, this is a classic smoky wine from Cabernet Franc, ripe while still held in tension by the acidity and dry tannins. It's dry with red plum and black currant freshness. Drink from 2016.
A blend of Mauzac and Loin de l'Oeil, commonly found in Gaillac, this bright, fruity and herbaceous wine is crisp and citrus-driven. A strong mineral edge to the texture adds bite to the aftertaste. Drink from 2015.
Dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has a still young, crisp, tight character. As it ages, the yellow fruits and ripe plum flavors will come through, balancing the acidity and giving a ripe, full and generous wine. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of underbrush, baked earth, oak, coffee, mature dark-skinned berry and a whiff of eucalyptus lead the nose. The firm, straightforward palate offers tart cherry, espresso, toast and menthol alongside fine-grained tannins.
This soft, jammy wine from a good vintage is medium bodied and not overly oaken, offering black cherry and vanilla in equal measure. On the finish is a note of pomegranate puree.
A great swathe of red fruits gives this wine a full while fresh character. It has totally refreshing acidity, a burst of life and crispness. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine is produced from the best parcels of the estate, located an hour east of the Atlantic Ocean. The result gives an intense, concentrated character with crisp, tight lemon and pink grapefruit flavors. Still developing, the texture is mineral and nervy. The wine will benefit from a bit more time in the bottle so drink from 2016.
With dusty white flower aromas, this is a perfumed wine with a tight texture and fruit. Still too young to drink, it does have a lively, fresh character that comes from the bright green fruits. As it softens, it will be better balanced, so drink from 2016.
Half Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot along with just a smidgeon (6%) of Syrah, this wine provides aromas of smoke, plum, herbs and black currant. The flavors are broad and generous, with an appealing texture and a finish that lingers.
High-toned and 100% varietal, this ephemeral Pinot Gris was aged in stainless steel and is dry and waxy on the palate. Crisp green apple and lemon flavors are complemented by a mineral underbelly that makes this a food-friendly wine.
Smooth and textured, this wine is rich, floral, perfumed and full of ripe yellow and crisper green fruits. With a fine tang and shot of acidity, it is developing well, but needs more time. Drink from 2017.
All the essential elements of a mainstream California Chardonnay come together in this medium-bodied wine, from a buttery and vanilla-like aroma to ripe pear flavors and accents of nutmeg. The texture is smooth and lingering, with an almost sweet finish.
Rubber, olive, leather and inky aromas feed into a solid, steady palate. Bold, bulky flavors of black cherry, dark plum and brown sugar finish with moderate depth and structure as well as chocolaty oak. Drink now.
Aromas of black-skinned fruit, espresso, dried herbs and toasted oak lead the nose. The one-dimensional palate offers dried black cherry, coffee and ground pepper while firm, fine-grained tannins give it a polished feel.
You'll find aromas of ripe plum, underbrush, Porcini mushroom, earth and a floral note on this polished red. The bright, accessible palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry and a hint of cooking spice alongside fresh acidity and supple tannins.
This saignée blend of Grenache and Syrah offers buttered strawberries and cherry juice on the playful and fun nose. There's a touch of effervescence on the lively, acidic palate, with flavors of berry-spiked lemonade and watermelon bubble gum.
Coming from vineyards scattered across the Wahluke Slope, this immediately charming wine has aromas of mocha, coffee, plum, herbs and assorted barrel spices. The sweet blue fruit flavors are soft and bring plenty of appeal.
Aromas of mint, dark-skinned berry and roasted coffee beans lead the nose. The concentrated palate delivers baked plum, mocha, blackberry, chopped herbs and a confectionary note alongside fine-grained tannins.
Raspberry, cherry and spice aromas suggest earth and cinnamon. This is full, smooth and layered in feel, with earthy, meaty, slightly stewed blueberry flavors. Menthol notes rise up on a chunky, beefy finish.
A unique blend of Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling and Gewürztraminer, it is—as its name suggests—quite floral, along with notes of lychee and white grapefruit. It drinks off dry, with a medium-bodied feel. Citrus and spice flavors carry through the finish.
Smooth and oaky, this value-minded wine offers varietal notes of cassis and cranberry, with traces of dried herb, cedar and pencil lead. A heftier midpalate strengthens in the glass before a long, clove-infused finish.
Aromas of coffee bean, mocha, plum and damp soil lead the nose. The palate offers toast, espresso, licorice, dried black cherry and tart red currant alongside a backbone of zesty acidity and dusty tannins.
Subtle hints of vanilla, lavender and spice lend depth to pristine peach and pear flavors in this judiciously balanced Chardonnay. It's fleshy and plump in mouthfeel but zesty lime notes keep the finish vibrant. Drink now through 2020.
This blend contains five Bordeaux varieties with Cabernet Sauvingon (54%) and Merlot (28%) taking the lead. Cocoa, herb and plum aromas are followed by sweet cherry and cranberry flavors backed by chalky tannins.
This tart, lean wine from an Amador County winery is very dry, very tangy and very herbaceous in aroma and flavor. It will be a great choice at lunch or before dinner for people who appreciate aromatic expression and an austere texture.
The aromas of citrus peel, herb and mineral are light and elusive. The palate offers medium-bodied tropical fruit flavors that stretch out on the finish.
Rosés are unusual coming out of the valley and single-varietal, vineyard-designated ones an extreme rarity. This one is pale cherry in color with aromas of spice and herb. The palate is broad and textured in feel with abundant spice and mineral flavors and a lingering finish.
In its first couple of vintages, Le Sol was almost Australian in character, but it is now taking a more perfumed and elegant tack, with this '07 featuring hints of rhubarb and cracked pepper on the nose, and dark berry fruit matched by savory notes of coffee and black olives on the palate. It's creamy in texture, yet without excess weight, and finishes long. Drink now–2020.
For a Gevrey, this wine emphasizes softness rather than structure. It does have good depth of flavor and is full of acidity and red berry fruits. The wine offers pleasure now, while having medium-term aging potential.
Exceptional concentration, structure and balance mark this 11-year old blend of Cab, Cinsault and Carignan that's ripe with cassis and plums and a plume of smoke, earth and barnyard funk. Tannins subdued into a powdery softness, it's elegantly textured yet full and forward with a rich, layered complexity.
Sweet barrel flavors set off pretty fruit, a generous mix of cherries and berries, with juicy underlying acidity. This wine needs quite a bit more time to unfold. For the moment, all the components are right but the integration is not complete.
Pure, generous, red cherry fruit scintillates over a structured wine that has dense tannins and texture. The whole is pierced with the dominant acidity of 2008.
Made from organic grapes, Horse & Plow's Pinot Gris is earthy and austere, with finely honed acidity and lovely hints of apricot. Very balanced, dry, a tremendous version of this white wine.
Young and still a bit yeasty, with the flavors still integrating. The toasty barrel and bourbon flavors are matched to medium acids and stone fruits. This needs more time in the bottle to show all its strengths.
Smooth and chocolaty, this blend of grapes from Columbia Valley vineyards is drinking at its peak. The mix of black fruits, coffee grounds, toast and chocolate is balanced, with no sharp edges. The barrel flavors are delicious, though ultimately they may overwhelm the fruit. Seductive and delicious.
Pure Cabernet, ageworthy wine. Right now it is quite tight, somewhat herbal and compact. The fruit is layered, a range from strawberry through cherry and into cassis, and it leads sharply into spicy tannins with a clear edge. This cellarworthy wine will need considerable breathing time; or pop it in the cellar for up to a decade.
Smoky aromas introduce a wine that is structured and concentrated, with intense fruit and acidity. Firm tannins, a subtle touch of wood and fine richness all combine mellifluously.
Honeysuckle scents and ripe, fresh fruit flavors run from grapefruit on into tropical. This was fermented in Hungarian puncheons, picking up just a hint of toast along the way. Clean and quite delicious.
It took this Concha y Toro specialty label a few years to find its footing with Sauvignon Blanc, but in 2010 they found it. This is a subtle but chiseled wine with structure, juicy acidity and pure apple, lime and tarragon flavors. It's consistent from nose to tail, and it's deep and layered, too.
Winemaker Clive Jones has been steadily improving the wines at Nautilus, and the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc may be his best yet. Leafy, capsicum notes arise on the nose and persist through the finish, backed with just enough grapefruit to see them through. Lithe and refreshing.
Loamy, wide and jammy on the nose, with a note of raisin, this smells very ripe. In the mouth, it's more wiry and tartaric, but with an oaky creaminess that softens things up. Typical Chilean Cab flavors of berry, cassis and herbs finish chunky and full.
A blend of almost equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by smaller percentages of Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a sizable wine. A tight fist of dry wood tannins and tobacco carries a gamy, leathery touch to the finish.
Spine-tingling and brash, this zesty grapefruit-streaked Chardonnay bursts with citrus and gooseberry flavors. Dry and delicate in body, it's refreshingly gulpable with a brisk, pert finish.
A lush and ripe smelling selection, this leads with upfront aromas of vanilla, raspberry sauce, macerated cherries, Dr. Pepper and cola spice. The palate shows more skin-driven flavors, resulting in an astringency to the texture that lingers sharply on the finish before turning back to its oaky roots. Drink now.
Aromas suggest tilled earth, black-skinned fruit, spice and game. The easygoing palate offers dried plum, blackberry and black pepper alongside hearty tannins.  Drink through 2016.
Aromas of ripe dark berry, allspice and a hint of moist soil lead the nose on this informal red. The easy-drinking, savory palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry and clove alongside bright acidity and polished tannins. Drink through 2016.
Aromas of tilled earth, leather, game and spicy plum carry over to the palate with dried blueberry, ground pepper and a hint of licorice. Round but fleeting tannins provide easygoing support.
Blackberry, olive and a touch of juniper rank as herbal but solid. In the mouth, this is round and thick, with good structure. Oak and spice flavors accent blackberry fruit, while the finish deals baked plum, fig and herbal notes.
Dusty earth tones persist amidst flavors of cream, caramel and poached pears. It's an interesting counterplay of savory, sweet and spicy, lifted by a shock of citrus acidity.
There's a subtle high-toned red-fruit aroma to this blend of 31% Merlot, 31% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and 2% Shiraz. Flavors of red cherry, strawberry and licorice flesh out the medium-weight palate, framed by soft tannins that fade quickly on the finish.
A fragrant wine with notes of lavender, pear and peach, this drinks medium-sweet, with a spritzy feel and peach flavors throughout.
Lime, green bean and asparagus notes vie for leadership on the nose. The palate is plump, round and a touch creamy, then coastal flavors of green bean, green apple and raw asparagus take over and finish with an oily texture and mildly bitter flavors.
Shy on the nose, this 100% Chardonnay from the winery's Vineburg and Firetree vineyards is entirely barrel-fermented and the oak shows mostly on the finish. On the palate, expect ripe pear, Good & Plenty licorice and a slight zippiness.
Named after the grapes in the blend (Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon), this easygoing, savory wine doles out juicy blackberry, black currant, black cherry and a hint of licorice. Soft, round tannins provide the framework.
A blend of Negroamaro and 15% Malvasia Nera, this opens with aromas of dark berry and toast. The palate offers ripe blackberry, black cherry, mocha and allspice alongside firm tannins. It ends on a note of bitter almond.
Earthy aromas of baked fruits and crushed leaves filter onto a full-bodied palate with depth and balance. Roasted, leathery plum and saucy berry flavors are indicative of a hot vintage, while briny saline and tea notes drive a chewy finish.
This white blend offers tropical guava and fig amid thick, creamy layers and floral aromas.
Aromas suggest toasted oak, espresso, roasted coffee bean and mocha. The warm, concentrated palate offers prune, cherry steeped in spirits, allspice and oak extract alongside assertive tannins, with the heat of alcohol on the midpalate. The fruit richness is drying up fast so drink soon.
An oaky, earthy aroma and lots of deep, jammy fruit flavors define this full-bodied but very smooth Zinfandel and Barbera blend. While fairly big in impact, the tannins are not very prominent so the mouthfeel and finish are gentle.
The nose on this appellation blend from a newer producer takes a bit of coaxing to come out, but eventually offers berry, mint and dark cola. The flavors are a combination of red fruit, oregano and licorice.
Aromas of crushed tomato vine and stone fruit lead the nose. The palate offers dried apricot, white peach and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
From the southern end of the Napa Valley, where temperatures tend to be cool, this wine is surprisingly intense in tannin and a deep taste of coffee, rounded out by spicy red plum and strawberry. The acidity holds tight through the finish, making this a friendly food wine.
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.
Subtle floral notes of violet and carnation introduce the bouquet of this wine, supported by scents of blackberry, blueberry and cherry. The medium-weight palate offers fine but spicy tannins that frame the juicy black plum and berry flavors. Drink now.
Pretty grippy stuff, with astringent tannins accentuated by tart acids. Mint, cassis and cigar box elements pick up mocha notes on the finish.
This is flavorful, well-built and robust with an exotic twist to its flavors. There's a hint of mint or menthol in the aroma, lots of black cherry and dark plum flavors and a firm, tannic texture. It's deeply colored and full bodied.
Woodsy, balsamic aromas of plum and wild berry set up a juicy, tightly wound palate with fair tannins. Racy black cherry and dark plum flavors offer a hint of chocolaty oak along with a fresh, cleansing finish.
This starts off with aromas of mature black fruit, allspice and toast. The full-bodied palate offers prune, mature blackberry, toasted oak and ground black pepper alongside hearty tannins.
This is a lightly aromatic wine with notes of peach, pear and apricot along with a floral top note. It's pleasant and easy-drinking, with sweet fruit flavors softening its descent.
Strong yeasty notes emanate, reminiscent of earth and soy, with a slight, barely perceptible mentholic lift. The palate mirrors these flavors but is focused around a central ray of bright acidity.
This perfumed, juicy wine is bright with red berries and acidity, while a core of firmer tannins gives structure. Even with this, the wine is forward, ready to drink with its long-drawn fruitiness and acidity.
Half-and-half Arinto and Fernão Pires, this ripe wine has lemon and pineapple fruits, along with tangy acidity. A strong herbal character gives lift as well as crispness. Drink the wine from mid-2017.
This is a balanced wine from an estate owned by Herdade do Esporão based in the Alentejo. With ripe tannins and juicy fruit, it has some structure as well as blackberry fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2020.
Bottled unfiltered, this wine shows some carbonic tendencies, a wildness of strawberry punch and sharp acidity. Light bodied and restrained, it is softly layered and subtle in oak.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine has firm tannins as well as ripe fruits. A tough edge needs to soften as the wine matures. Drink from 2019
Jammy aromas of berry fruits and cardamom struggle to hold up. A smacking acidic palate lacks body and depth, while this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec tastes of plum and cranberry in front of a jammy tasting finish that feels raw.
This easygoing red offers subdued scents of woodland berry, blue flower and a whiff of moist earth. The straightforward, enjoyable palate doles out tart cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside soft flexible tannins and bright acidity. Drink soon.
Delicate aromas of orchard fruit and citrus lead to a medium-bodied palate showing ripe yellow peach and green apple. A blast of candied tangerine closes the finish.
This has aromas recalling chopped herb, red berry, dill, espresso and camphor. The lean vigorous palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, licorice and roasted coffee bean along with a green note of powdered sage. Grainy tannins grip the finish.
Stalky underbrush, raspberry jam and dried aromatic herb aromas lead the way. Light bodied and straightforward by Barbaresco standards, the palate shows dried sour cherry, coffee, and a hint of licorice alongside loose knit, rather short-lived tannins. A salty hint of cured meat marks the close.
This wine is full and richly fruity. It has a cool feel to it from the proximity of the vines to the ocean, which gives a mineral, crisp character that adds tang to the texture. Acidity lifts the ripe fruit, allowing it to age a few more months. Drink from late 2017.
While this wine is dry and firm, it is also full of ripe black-plum-skin flavors and juicy acidity. The two together have produced a wine that should be ready to drink from 2018.
You'll find aromas of French oak, grilled herb and exotic spices on this. The palate offers dried black currant, sour cherry, coconut and oak-driven spice alongside close-grained tannins that leave a firm finish.
Soothing, flavorful and easy to drink, this medium- to full-bodied wine offers measured and ripe plum and berry notes, a velvety texture and lingering finish.
Light fruit flavors combine watermelon and strawberry, accented with charred, astringent tannins. A tobacco flavor threads on through the finish, with a slightly chalky mouthfeel.
This medium-bodied, well-priced wine from a consistent brand has traditional touches like a lightly smoky, spicy cherry aroma, a gently tannic texture and satisfying ripe cherry and plum flavors.
This wine already has delicious red fruits. It is soft, made to be drunk young with attractive fruitiness and light tannins. Drink this wine from 2019.
This is described as a natural wine with zero sulphite. It has a perfumed character with an earthy edge that comes from the carbonic maceration (whole bunch fermentation). With cherry fruits and bright acidity, the wine is ready to drink.
This pure varietal wine exhibits good Viognier character, with plenty of interesting botanical highlights in nose and mouth. Citrus flavors dominate, with a medium-weight midpalate and moderately long finish.
This young, ripely fruity wine is made to be drunk quickly and easily. It has light tannins, plenty of red fruits and acidity. It is smoothly textured, with a crisp aftertaste.
Oaky and buttery all the way, this unabashedly old-fashioned Chardonnay will certainly appeal to those who love that style. It's a big chunky blocky wine, with simple, generic fruit awash in oak.
This wine has a creamy texture on the palate, but the flavors don't match that level of ripeness. Pink grapefruit, nettles and cut grass are more Sauvignon Blanc-like than Viognier. There's even a hint of garden pea on the warm finish.
Heady aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom and yellow stone fruit lead the nose on this lightly sparkling dessert wine. The bright palate offers yellow peach, apricot and candied citrus zest alongside a foaming mousse.
Whiffs of freshly pressed apple cider and honey lend a rustic, homey appeal to this brisk off-dry Riesling. It's juicy and thirst quenching with a revitalizing lemonade finish. Drink now through 2019.
Glaring oak on the nose results in notes of clove, chocolate and spice to go with generic but ripe black-fruit scents. This blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot feels heavy and syrupy, while flavors of maple, toasted oak, chocolate and clove finish ripe, but also sweet and candied.
Plum, blue flower and chopped mint aromas lift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers blackberry, dried sour cherry and a hint of anise. This is for informal, everyday occasions. Drink soon.
Red berry, cherry and pepper on the nose and pepper, red berry and smoke on the palate offer simple, easygoing flavors in an affordable package. A straightforward red.
The 2005 Pinot Noir from Honeywood is a dead ringer for—guess what!—the 2004 Pinot Noir from the same winery. Soft entry, herbal and somewhat stemmy mid-palate, tannic, slightly hot finish.
Produced from grapes from the island of Corsica, this soft, open Pinot Noir has some pleasing fresh berry fruits, hints of strawberries and soft tannins. Ready to drink now.
Minty and lean on the nose, with tangy, borderline sour red-fruit flavors. There's a little toast, licorice and bitterness to darken things up, but by then the game is pretty much lost. Finishes sharp as well.
Spicy and minty on the nose, with hard primary aromas and lots of cinnamon. There isn't much fruit or body to this youngster, which seems wood-infused and short on substance. 45,000 cases made.
Subtle aromas of red fruit and pepper lead on this easygoing red. The palate ffers a good balance of red fruit, spice, medium tannins and a zesty finish. An interesting alternative that will pair well with BBQ, grilled ribs. Imported by Racke USA.
Black pepper, smoke, grilled bread and other robust flavors come to mind when sipping this big, distinctive and well-made wine. While ripe and full bodied, it's not overly fruity or jammy, and retains a sense of reserve and strength along with a very firm backbone of tannin. Best to drink after 2020.
This big wine, now almost mature, shows dark plum and dense fruits that are pushed into shape by the firm tannins and wood aging flavors. The wine is dense and concentrated, with a fine juicy aftertaste that also promises further aging. Drink until 2020.
A blend of 58% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, this harmonious and well-balanced wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Dark, lush fruit tones of blackberry, boysenberry and plum are laced with enticing hints of licorice, menthol and cocoa, while notes of cigar box and leather hang on through the long finish.
From a 2,100-foot-elevation site, this wine is given 18 months in French oak. Earthy and wooded, it's a sizable mountain of a wine, reflective of its provenance, with big, dry tannins and a taste of tobacco. Age through 2020.
Nicely balanced and full of satisfying cherry flavors, this full-bodied wine has a top note like slices of grilled baguette. Bright cranberry and hints of baking spices round out its personality. Best cellar it until at least 2017.
This lightly sparkling, low-alcohol wine is off dry but with bracing acidity. It features a refreshing mix of apple, peach and citrus fruit, making it perfect as a chilled apéritif, or as a mixer for a wine punch or cocktail.
The white grapevines at Carvalhas are located at the top of the hills that faces the Douro River, which helps retain acidity. This mineral and floral wine is textured,with a crisp citrus and ripe apricot flavor. It is still young and will be better from late 2016.
This dark-colored wine is herbal in character, showing spicy red berries and soft tannins. Wood aging has rounded out the structure, giving it some depth of flavor from fermentation in traditional open fermenters. Drink from 2017.
Jasmine, wisteria and dried herbs aromas mingle in the glass while the creamy palate offers ripe white peach, yellow apple, pear and a note of candied nectarine zest. Bright acidity and a frothy mousse offset the rich flavors and carry through to the white almond finish.
Hard-packed, concentrated black-fruit aromas are a signal of this rugged Malbec's character. It's blasting with toasty blackberry and pepper flavors, which are backed by spice, heat and a general sense of full but proper ripeness and high quality. Drink through 2019.
This Jadot is a combo of long-term contract vineyards and its Régnié Cru, demonstrating that knowing the terroir makes a difference. The blend shows well in this rich, full wine. It reveals ripeness—round and full of strawberry flavors from the 100% Gamay, with a tight layer of mineral acidity at the end.
This complex, light and floral estate wine is subtle in lemon and green apple, tart without being sour. It has low to no oak imprint interfering with the freshness of the fruit and texture, the minerality lasting a long time on the finish.
Refermented in the bottle, this slightly cloudy sparkler is delicately scented and loaded with finesse. It offers aromas of chamomile, orchard fruit and citrus while the vibrant palate doles out pear, apple and an energizing mineral vein. A soft mousse adds elegance while racy acidity gives it a crisp quality.
Delicately scented, this refined wine offers aromas of white and yellow spring flowers with a whiff of white stone fruit. The foaming palate offers pear, peach and crisp green apple alongside vibrant acidity and a frothy mousse.
Lightly briny aromas of sea foam blend nicely with crisp apple and mineral scents. This is focused on the palate, with a core of acidity and minerality that are the wine's foundation. Apple, orange, mango and melon flavors end clean and minerally.
Juicy black berry and boysenberry fruits are upfront on the nose of this Bordeaux-style blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 9% Petit Verdot. Glimmers of licorice, black pepper and cigar box add depth to the medium-weight palate, while fine yet structured tannins lend length and texture to the ripe-fruited finish. Drink now–2019.
Sea salt and dried honey dust season the cement and chalky minerality on the nose of this always-reliable bottling from the longtime downtown Santa Barbara producer. A nice zestiness of lime peels marks the tip of the palate, followed by a lemon-candy warmth in the midpalate, with the saltiness prevalent throughout.
This delicate wine exudes swathes of lemon chiffon and white flowers, offering similar experiences on the palate. Staying light in oak, it has texture and body to spare, without ever overpowering, making for a food-friendly, versatile wine.
This delicious Dolcetto d'Alba has ripe berry and spice aromas. The palate delivers strawberry black pepper and licorice with a hint of almond. Soft and fresh with a silky texture, this is perfect to pair with cured meats or savory pasta dishes.
Scavino, one of Barolo's top producers, makes this refined fined Nebbiolo from two of his Barolo vineyards in La Morra. It's fresh, floral and loaded with finesse and, thanks to six months barrel aging, also has structure.
This delicious Ripasso has a spicy fragrance of black pepper and tobacco leaf layered with black fruit aromas. The rich and concentrated palate delivers dense plum and black cherry along with cinnamon, clove and white pepper notes. Pair this with aged cheeses or cured meats.
This is a delicious wine, where the richness of Chardonnay dominates the fresher character of Arinto, resulting in a creamy, full-textured wine with touches of vanilla and ripe yellow fruits. It's well balanced, with the ripe acidity showing well at the end.
This is a bullish blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with Carmenère and Cab Franc. Aromas of horse hide, mint, baked berries and vanilla lead to a live-wire palate with scratchy tannins and staunch acidity. Flavors of baked berry, cassis, vanilla and herbs finish peppery and lightly herbal. Drink through 2018.
Graphite, molasses, foresty notes and briny leather are the prime aromas on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenère and Petit Verdot. The mouthfeel is layered and fairly deep, with a firm structure and strong tannins. Roasted black-fruit flavors come with pepper and toast, while the finish offers even more pepper, olive and tobacco notes.
Here is a solid, while also elegant, wine. It has rich berry and plum flavors, dark tannins and ample acidity. Already well integrated, these form a full, stylish wine that shows good potential. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
Whiffs of petrol, herb and spice lend savory tones to a palate that's chock full of pristinely ripe grapefruit, peach and nectarine flavors. It's dry in style, but richly textured on the palate, with generous acidity that reverberates on the finish.
White floral and peach notes bound from the glass of this gorgeously feminine Riesling. It's intensely ripe, with peach and melon flavors, but dry and mineral laden on the palate. Finishes long, with a kiss of spring blossoms and a shock of lemon-lime acidity.
Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this sparkling wine has a fragrance of apple and almond, with a whiff of bread crust. The creamy palate delivers yellow apple and toasted walnut flavors, a refined bead and crisp acidity.
Honeyed, tropical fruit aromas are showing strongly in this smooth, lightly toasty dry wine. Rich and rounded, it shows both the fresh fruit of the vintage and also the concentration of the white wines. It should be aged, but can be drunk now. Drink until 2020.
Initially austere in the mouth, this is a serious and complex wine. It has firm tannins, layers of blackberry fruits and acidity along with a strong feeling of wood aging. Powerful and with good depth, it's a wine that needs age. Drink from 2017.
A special cuvée of Château Siaurac, this is dark, dense, seriously young at this stage, but destined for a powerful, rich, black fruit and tannin future. It has weight and concentration, layered with new wood and acidity. Drink from 2017.
The Douro version of Paxis is a blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. It is a rounded, smooth and spicy wine, with weight and richness. Packed with red berries and plums, it is fruity and structured, with tannins providing a strong base of support. Drink from 2014.
Pretty violet and bright green-herb notes add freshness to rich black-cherry and plum flavors in this boldly concentrated yet softly framed wine. It's delicately oaked, with brisk acidity that counters a lusciously full-bodied palate, and a flurry of soft tannins lingers on the finish.
This vintage marks a big step forward for this Oregon Sauvignon Blanc. As fresh and racy as a bright young Quincy from the Loire, this sappy Sauvignon has the snap of natural acidity and a tongue-tingling mix of melon, lime and grapefruit on the palate. It's drinking beautifully right now while at its most fresh.
From the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the Dry Creek Valley, winemaker Leo Hansen crafts a dry, floral white with textured character and nuanced acidity that's garnished with layers of apple, herb and pear, and just a suggestion of tropical flourish on the finish.
This sparkling wine has a fragrance of honey, almond and banana peel. The palate is a bit evolved, but shows ripe yellow apple, white chocolate, flint and pastry notes. It has an elegant perlage and closes on an almond note.
This rich sparkling wine from northern Italy offers a layered fragrance of apple, nut and just-baked bread. The palate is smooth and creamy but weightless, with delicate and crisp bubbles.
Despite a tropical nose, reminiscent of sun-ripened pineapple, this off-dry Riesling is cutting and crisp, full of tart nectarine and apricot flavors. It's not a richly concentrated wine, but elegant and brisk. The finish is moderately long, ending on delicate blossom tone.
Forward, fruity aromas of black cherry, raspberry and cassis set up a high-acid palate that's energetic. Lightly herbal, rooty flavors of black cherry and blackberry linger on a juicy, clean finish.
No doubt the screw cap closure has contributed to this wine's longevity. Even more than 18 months after bottling, it still comes across as crisp and refreshing. Notes of tangerine, melon rind and strawberry offer plenty of appeal. Still, I wouldn't wait any longer.
Aromas of white wild flower, white stone fruit, lemon zest and Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this vibrant white. The juicy palate offers succulent peach, pear and nectarine while crisp acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish. It closes on an almond note.
Dense and extracted, this opens with aromas that recall resin, prune, nutmeg and oak. On the palate, licorice, toast, espresso and tobacco accent black cherry extract. Firm but not overly persistent tannins offer support.
Cherry red in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of cherry cola and vanilla. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and a final burst of cranberry.
Pineapple and peach rise to the fore in this wine, a suggestion of waxy caramel apple lurking. High-toned acidity keeps it structured and clean on the palate, a zesty mix of orange and lemon weaving throughout the soft layers. A richer bite of graham cracker finishes things off.
Fresh and easy drinking, this opens with aromas of Spanish broom, exotic fruit and a heady whiff of Mediterranean brush. The sunny palate doles out green apple, aromatic herb, nectarine and a mineral note alongside tangy acidity.
This is a ripe, structured wine. It has complex black fruits and layers of spice from wood aging. Dominated by Alicante Bouschet, it is dark in color, packed with dense tannins and needing to age. Drink from 2017.
This opens with aromas of red rose, wild berry, scorched earth, leather and a whiff of toast. On the palate, notes of coconut and grilled herb accent a core of raw red berry while tightly packed tannins offer support.
This blend of best barrels from Terravant shows rhubarb, turned earth, chaparral funk and black cherry at the deepest core of the nose. The mouthfeel is broad and welcoming, with steady flavors of blackberry, olallieberry, licorice and a touch of citrus tartness.
Sweet, delicious aromas of boysenberry and maple syrup, flavors like blackberry jam and a broad, generous texture turn this into a blockbuster wine. A touch of sweetness would make it great with something spicy and sweet like pork ribs.
Citrus and ripe yellow fruits weave harmoniously throughout this warm, rich wine. There is no wood, just generous fruitiness and acidity in a creamy texture. It is approachable now, although it will be better from 2016.
This wine is ripe, textured with an attractive touch of oxidation giving richness and concentration. Good acidity at the same time is balanced with quince and a touch of spice.
Fresh and refined, this offers aromas of tropical fruit and white spring flower. The round palate boasts juicy yellow peach, pineapple, apricot and a hint of almond.
Aromas of yellow apple, tropical fruit and a whiff of dried herb emerge and follow through to the linear palate. Fresh acidity provides the framework while a thyme note provides backup.
This earthy expression of Cannonau opens with aromas of charred topsoil, baked plum, ground pepper and a whiff of wild game. The palate offers ripe black cherry, fig, clove, leather and licorice alongside firm tannins.
Rooty, spicy aromas of black plum are more complex than those of your average Malbec. In the mouth, this shows a heavy, almost reduced mouthfeel that could use more spring. Dark, heavily toasted baked-plum flavors finish peppery and brooding, but without much texture or presence. Drink soon.
Blueberry studded with white pepper meets gamy cured meat on the nose. The flavors are cracked pepper-driven bringing dark berries with a sanguine edge to a medium-to-full bodied palate. Textured tannins are held at bay by balanced acidity and carry to a dried meat finish.
In color and mouthfeel, this resembles Pinot Noir. It's moving quickly toward maturity, with soft, round flavors of strawberry pastry. The concentration and lingering finish are a plus. Drink up now through 2017.
Here's a spicy, brambly Oregon Zin, with forward fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry. There's some tang to the acids, and the wine has a sharp edge that additional bottle-age should soften.
This is a new wine from these enterprising négociants. Fruity, crisp and light, it has a tangy orange zest texture that gives extra brightness. Very fresh and ready to drink.
The Stillwater Creek vineyard bottling of Novelty Hill Syrah shows a bit more concentration than its sibling in 2011, with whiffs of pepper, earth, soy and umami. There's a saline character as well, reflective of the mineral-rich soil, and a pleasant taste of toast in the tannins.
Attractive hints of struck flint give this medium-bodied wine a fumé-like character that nicely accents ripe melon and fig flavors. It's fleshy on the palate, finishing with mouthwatering acids and plenty of length.
Leathery aromas blend well with concentrated black-fruit scents. In the mouth, this value-priced Malbec offers juicy purity and plenty of spunk. Flavors of black fruits, licorice and chocolate maintain a sense of freshness, while the finish offers residual blackberry and cassis flavors.
Ripe, luscious raspberries lend a brambly tone to this dry, invigorating Pinot Noir rosé. The palate is concentrated with summer berry flavors pierced with a stream of tart lemonade acidity.
Spicy, dry aromas of earth, red currant and black olive offer some complexity and style. This is full bodied, racy and loaded with black cherry, cassis and peppery spice flavors. A touch of heat and menthol adds jolt to the finish.
Aromas of rich, concentrated blackberry preserves are accented with spice and char on this medium-bodied wine. Soft acidity adds refreshment to the midpalate, guiding a moderately long finish tinged with granite and fine-grained tannins.
Wiry, scratchy raspberry aromas are a touch herbal but stop short of veering toward green. This blend is full, rubbery and a touch sticky in feel. Flavors of blackberry, oak and mint finish with heavy tannins and a resiny, grabby feel.
Jammy but generic berry fruit aromas are crowded by lactic, pasty oak scents and vanilla. The wine is hard as cement in the mouth, with jagged tannins. Flavors of sun-baked raisin and plum fold in chocolate and rubbery notes on a grabby finish that includes residual resiny oak. This could use more time; try after 2016.
Tarry upfront aromas of berry fruits, pencil lead and shoe polish announce plenty of oak. The mouthfeel on this young Toro is full and grabby, while flavors of blackberry, oak and related mint finish peppery and blackened, with residual minty oak.
Ripe plum and berry aromas come with spice notes before a supremely generous palate that's loud and flavorful in blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruit. On the finish, chocolate and oak influences roll in as the tannins subside. For power, flavor and clarity, this is a sure bet.
Heavy char and cedar aromas sit atop green-leaning black-fruit scents. This is tight, juicy, acidic and woody on the palate, with shallow black-fruit flavors that are largely covered by charred oak. A zesty, toasted and tangy finish is full of life but falls short on complexity and depth.
A rich and smoky Viognier, this opens with aromas of grilled yellow peach, melon and orange oil. The palate offers flavors of toasted brioche and almond to complement the ripe fruit core. Drink now.
Although the wine has some richness and yellow fruits, the crisp acidity and lemon zest dominate. Fragrant and very fruity, it has some extra structure to allow it to age. Drink from the end of 2014.
A mélange of aromas, including walnut, pineapple, peach and citrus, takes center stage. The vibrant palate is restrained and linear, offering pink grapefruit and mineral with a succulent, refreshing finish.
There is plenty of fruit here, but there is also some richness, caramel flavors and a rounded texture that gives a sense of weight. Acidity at the end adds freshness.
From Bandol producer Sorin, this is a rich wine with just a light saltiness from the vineyard's proximity to the sea. It has pure fruit, an attractive citrus tang and lively line of final acidity.
Hints of cut grass and passion fruit on the nose are followed by attractive tropical fruit and fresh herbs on the palate. This medium-bodied wine boasts a soft, rounded feel that turns slightly chalky on the finish.
Despite its low alcohol level, this is an attractively plump, medium-bodied wine, marked by a harmonious kaleidoscope of fruit. Passion fruit, nectarine and pink grapefruit all make appearances before vanishing a bit quickly on the finish.
From the large Beaulieu estate near Aix-en-Provence, this wine shows great fruitiness as well as a mineral texture and good depth. Ripe raspberry and red currant fruits are laced with acidity. It's very much a food rosé.
Cava from Rioja may not compute but it's definitely an approved category of sparkling wine. This is minerally and smells a lot like vitamins. The palate is round, moderately foamy and wide. Flavors of passion fruit, papaya and nectarine finish smooth, with an easy bubble bead.
Tart and sharply-defined, this single-vineyard effort offers edgy flavors of melon, apple, pineapple and jicama. The vineyard's signature minerality is evident as well.
Initially restrained, this opens into whirls of lemon, lime and pink grapefruit peel with an almost fizzy zestiness. Refreshment travels along the palate in total precision and linearity, with a rush of citrusy excitement.
The wine reveals savory depth that is almost soy-sauce-like, along with hints of nutmeg, white pepper and some arugula. They harmonize with ripe green pear fruit in this typically spicy white that finishes with lip-smacking and clean zest.
Lime-zesty purity couples with an earthy, almost spicy edge. Pleasantly grippy phenolics speak of ripeness and plentitude while remaining streamlined, straight and long. This has yet to blossom but will be lovely. Drink as of 2017.
For the first time this reserve-level Gamache Cabernet includes grapes from the Ciel du Cheval vineyard as well as both the Champoux and estate vineyards. It's 100% varietal, drawing upon equal portions of fruit from all three, and it's a magnificent combination. Powerful, sleek, dense and textural, the wine explodes from the glass, muscular and thick with black fruits and ripe tannins. Highlights of black tea, espresso and smoke add layers of interest to a lengthy finish.
Grapefruit zest dominates this wine right now, but ripe honeydew melon also is shining though. As the wine opens up, it also reveals peppery, tangy spice and a refreshingly clean finish.
Dried fruit flavors and the bitter tang of dark fir honey are spiked by concentrated lemony acidity. The nose and palate are round and rich, but tamed by acidity that runs through like an electric current. This rich, dry but distinctly late-harvest style wine, with just a touch of residual sugar, finishes with triumphant apple fruit and lemon zest.
Rounded, plump little apricots are suggested in this clean-cut but ripe and dry Riesling with its straight, mineral backbone and impressive balance. A deep and rich core of fruit will unveil layers of fruit and complexity over years to come. Drink as of 2017.
A restrained nose just hints at ripeness: Comice pear perhaps? The palate is full-bodied but sinewy and one feels that the wine will open up in years to come, power is evident, so is deep fruit that still needs to blossom. The muscular structure is full of promise. Drink as of 2017.
A soft impression of ripe peach mellows the zesty concentration. The wine is still enigmatic at this point, but will open and reveal more fruit, more ripeness and even more citrus flavors. Enjoy as of 2017.
A hint of smoke plays about the nose; likewise, the palate is restrained. This tight, closed wine requires time to let ripe and concentrated pear fruit and lime appear. This long zesty grapefruit finish promises future pleasure. Drink as of 2016.
Subdued pear fruit is tightly coiled inside this rich and promising white. For now it has phenolic richness and wonderfully tangy acidity. In time the wine will show the luscious ripeness of this harvest. Drink as of 2016.
With the appetizing scent of lemon-spiked pear sorbet, it delivers breezy refreshment. A tight, linear body is displayed against a mineral backdrop. The finish is softer than expected, like a caress.
Subtlety on the nose hides the hazelnutty softness of this pliable, pleasing and gentle wine that has a balm-like structure which almost comes across as soothing. With echoing nuttiness and an apricot core, this does not fit any particular mold, but is intriguing, authentic and totally convincing.
Just-ripe green pears and scented spring flowers make this a charming proposition. Underneath, a firm and concentrated body unfolds into a refreshing and long finish.
Clean-cut and zesty with the tang of grapefruit peel, a concentrated midpalate and a refreshing dryness, this Riesling shows elegance, power and lip-smacking lemon finish. Shy now, it will reveal more power with bottle age. Drink as of 2017.
Spiced cherry, plum and dry oak aromas drive the nose. The palate is plump, fruity and creamy feeling, with woody, resiny flavors of plum and raspberry. The finish is oaky and a bit hot, with mint and pepper notes.
Structured and balanced, this wine has great fruits that go with the tannins and rich texture. There is an unusually low amount of Merlot (60%) with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc for the area, yet there is a strongly juicy feel to the wine that gives a generous side. It is developing well; drink from 2016.
Spicy wood gives this wine a smooth character. It also adds lift, allowing the rich black fruits to speak out. Acidity is well integrated into the tannins and balanced character of the wine. It's one of seven Bordeaux properties in the Yung family since 1962. Drink from 2016.
The wine is all fruit initially and then the firmer tannins kick in. It has a strongly tannic core that leaves the wine dry and tough after 12 months in barrel. The fruit weight should broaden the wine out, giving black fruitiness in the future. Drink from 2017.
The Black Eyed Peas' singer Fergie and renowned winemaker Joey Tensley present an in-your-face Viognier, deeply yellow, nearing brown in color, with aromas of dried apricot, honey-roasted nuts and smoky mezcal with lime. Lush flavors of burnt orange peel, smoke and Scotch whisky make for an intriguing drink, certainly not for those seeking a dainty white wine.
Light in oak and mid-weight all in all, this Chardonnay from a cooler sub-section of the Napa Valley is replete with baked apple veering into dried fruit character and a touch of vanilla.
Grenache's essential fruity character is well-preserved thanks to the use of a whole berry press. Popcorn pink in color, it offers sweetly peachy flavors adorned by wild strawberry and tangerine. The wine light and minerally.
This soft, ripe Pinot Noir manages to balance the fragrant red fruits with a gentle massage of wood aging. A firm layer of tannins gives structure and it is ready to drink.
Aromas of oak, toast, mature plum, blue flower and spice lead the nose. The palate offers black cherry, vanilla, toasted oak and mocha alongside extremely astringent tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish.
Aromas of lemon zest and freshly cut grass abound on the nose. Flavors of lemon curd and lemon pith bring nuance to the palate.
This vineyard-designate Barbaresco features aromas of espresso, toasted oak and baked black fruit. The palate offers roasted coffee bean, vanilla and dried cherry alongside drying wood tannins.
Aromas of mature plum, blackberry, toasted oak and vanilla carry over to the palate along with coffee and espresso. Raspy wood tannins give an astringent finish.
Ripe in strawberry and pineapple and dark pinkish-orange in color, this is straightforward and dry. Smooth and tangy to drink, it's accented in a citrus finish akin to fresh-pressed juice.
Mildly grassy, barnyard aromas are balanced by ripe berry and cassis tones. This shows a playful palate of jammy blackberry flavors tinged with gravel. On the finish, it's earthy but a bit flat, with a heavy weight. Drink through 2016.
This is a crisp and inviting sparkling wine, with bright notes of citrus and apple that are accented by hints of toast. An approachable and wallet-friendly quaff, perfect for holiday entertaining.
Pretty aromas recall Golden Delicious apples and white peach. The bright palate delivers apricot, pear and lemon zest accented with a ginger note, while crisp acidity leaves the mouth feeling clean and refreshed.
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.
This rich and rounded wine comes from the flat lands of Saint-Émilion, giving it a soft and gentle feel. Acidity and ripe black fruits dominate the light structure. It's a wine for medium-term aging, ripe and ready to drink from 2016.
A year's barrel aging has given this firm and very rich wine a spicy character. That marries with the licorice and bitter chocolate to give a ripe, extracted and dense wine. It needs a few years to bring out more of the juicy plum fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Produced from young vines at Château Phélan-Ségur, this is a rich, spicy and open wine. It is bursting with fruitiness, packed with blackberries and with a rounded texture. Drink from 2016.
Fermented in both tank and new acacia barrels, there's definitely a depth of woodiness on the opening aromas. This is followed by a creaminess of texture on the palate, the taste leaning toward pear, vanilla and fresh melon. The finish is first creamy, then crisp, veering on spritzy.
Brisk nectarine and just a touch of apple frame the nose, and warmer, expressive flavors of peach make for a perfect poolside beverage.
The bouquet is fairly neutral, but the palate is tangy and citrusy, with cutting acidity. A mix of tart citrus and mild green flavors set up the finish that's laced with hints of bell pepper and green bean. Drink immediately.
The opening is a touch scratchy and herbal, but there are also nice berry fruit aromas. The palate is ripe and substantial in feel. Flavors of sweet black plum and spice come with a touch of wood, while the finish is spicy like a licorice gumdrop.
A medium-bodied, easy-drinking Côtes du Rhône, with modestly concentrated cherry fruit and some earthy elements. Drink now.
Faint suggestions of sweet smoke and beeswax mingle with the red apple and melon flavors, adding interest to this otherwise straightforward and easy drinking wine. Drink now.
Made solely from old-vine Grenache, this stands out as a horse of a different color in a flight of traditional Châteauneuf-du-Papes. It does boast a lovely suppleness and silky texture, but the aromas and flavors are strange—a sort of medicinal cherry meets boiled vegetables.
A bit heavy and jammy on the nose. The palate is more pointed and acidic, with flavors of roasted berry, herbal plum and spice. Turns more juicy and acid-driven as it opens, and then finishes herbal, spicy and grabby.
A bit stalky on the nose, with tropical aromas and lychee. The palate is a little broken down and heavy, with flat citrus and lychee flavors. Finishes wan, with dried apricot notes.
Light mouthfeel to this cinnamon- and herb-flavored wine. The fruit shows through with a black jelly character. Soft, rounded, ready for drinking.
Medicinal black cherry aromas turn heavier and more prune-like with air. The palate is reasonably solid and healthy in feel, but monotonous and devoid of layering. Tastes tangy, zesty and mostly clean, with slightly baked flavors and a spot of heat.
Earthy aromas suggest red cabbage and olive more than bright, ripe berry. The palate is chunky and clampy, with jammy, overly broad black fruit flavors that finish on the stewed and herbal side. Concentrated, massive and clumsy.
Tightly wound and a little muted, without much fruit on the nose or palate until the finish, which ends sweet. The Cab spent 26 months in barrel and is blended with 1% Petit Verdot.
You want rich fruit, here it is. The wine is soft, with dense, sweet plum flavors followed by milk chocolate smoothness. Drink now. Screwcap.
Opens with heat and brambly, scratchy aromas of black cherry. The palate is round if a bit sticky, with sweet, candied berry flavors. Round, sticky and sweet as well on the finish, with vanilla notes.
Though the alcohol lists at 14.3%, this seems thin and flat. There's little depth to the one-dimensional, green fruit flavors, a hint of plastic and some burn in the finish.
Vanilla, tobacco and anise flavors quickly overwhelm the fruit; perhaps the wine just needs to breathe longer. At first taste, it quickly turns tannic and very drying; the fruit is buried and the oak flavors are still a bit jarring and disjointed.
A big and heavy style of Cabernet, with earth, leather, oak, raisin and blackberry aromas. The palate is a touch flat and reduced, but the flavors are sweet and suggest black currant, black cherry, spice and herbs. No shortage of ripeness here; if anything, it's a bit overripe.
Spicy and bright, this blend of Cabernet and five other black grapes is a bit diffuse. A mix of berries and astringent tannins dominate, with black tea in the finish. Will show best with grilled meats.
A simple, fruity Chardonnay, ripe with pear flavors and a lacing of lime. It is round, warm, soft, ready to drink in a few months.
Veteran winemaker Nick Goldschmidt has crafted a simple, appealing Marlborough Pinot Noir featuring bright cranberry and pie-cherry fruit, some slightly mossy or herbal elements, medium body and supple tannins. Drink now.
Fresh lemon and banana aromas lead this curvy white from Greece. Pineapple and citrus flavors are balanced by a touch of spice. Overall the wine is a commercial, friendly-style Chardonnay for fans of easy-drinking whites.
Stiff and steely, this herbal and tannic Cabernet has an interesting dusty component like a simpler version of a Rutherford (Napa) red. But rather than developing further complexity, it quickly fades away.
This Cypriot white has a rich, lemony nose and on the palate, a delicate array of white and yellow fruit. The finish is crisp and clean, but overall, the wine has some weight. A good everyday white made from an ancient grape.
Rich, sweet and soft, with a strawberry jam character, and just the right balance of acidity.
Typical passion fruit and gooseberry aromas turn tropical and almost rich on the palate. This is weightier than many Sauvignons, lushly ripe and maybe even a touch sweet—serve it well chilled for best effect.
This is old vine Lemberger, one of the first red grapes to be widely planted in eastern Washington. It comes from a 1979 planting at the Red Willow vineyard. Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors dominate, pretty and pure, but lacking in depth. Some Lemberger can approach the style of Dry Creek Zinfandel; this is more of a simple red quaffer.
Wood-laden, spicy wine with some ripe black currant fruit and soft tannins. This is a warm, open wine that is likely to age over the next year.
Young, herbaceous wine, very fruity and lightly perfumed. It is crisp and delicate, with its citrus and pineapple fruits already lively and fresh.
The aromas are of wood as much as fruit. While the palate also shows plenty of wood aging flavors, there is also a more floral, red berry fruit character that's already attractive. The acidity at the end gives intense freshness.
The nose on this average SB is bland and neutral, but inoffensive. A fleshy, normal feeling palate leads to slightly dilute flavors of scallion, mustard green and apple. This finishes mellow and slightly pithy, with nothing in particular standing out.
This sports a smoky aroma, wrapped into tight, tart red fruits. There is an ashy undertone, and somewhat granular tannins.
Green, herbal notes are prominent on this brisk, savory Riesling. Lemony acidity and hints of bitter lime pith add a stark, refreshing quality that would accompany rich goat cheese or cured meats quite well.
Yeasty, dusty aromas of apple and melon lead to a plump, almost flat feeling palate with generic flavors of peach, apple and melon. The finish has a soft, mealy, slightly creamy and flat feel along with modest flavors of white fruits.
Soft citrus with exotic spice notes make for a good but flabby bouquet. Things follow suit in the mouth, which is chunky and heavy. Flavors of mild citrus and lychee are oily and lightly spiced, while the finish flattens up and turns bitter. Drink now.
After an herbal, lightly leafy aromatic opening, this rings around in the mouth before settling on racy red plum, raspberry and controlled herbal flavors. It's solid and varietally correct, but it finishes short and a bit acidic.
This 100% varietal wine is lightly aromatic with notes of fig and fresh spun cotton. It's medium bodied in feel with lemony acids but wants a bit more concentration to keep it together.
This wine is slightly spritzy and sugary, with simple yet clean apple flavors. The finish is sweet, quick and pleasantly quaffable. Best to chill it down before drinking.
This has a strong start with aromas of black fruits and licorice. It's rather light in color, with fruit flavors of ripe raspberry and a little funk in the finish.
Slightly soapy in the nose, this enters softly, then turns sharp and slightly bitter. Hints of melon and butter emerge, but the mouthfeel is somewhat disjointed and the flavors not yet fully integrated.
The overriding character of this basic Rioja is raisiny, ripe berry fruit; it's on the nose, palate and finish. Alongside these notes are mild tannins, some rubbery weight and chunky friendliness.
A waxy nose with aromas of dried pit fruits including apricot is more stalky smelling than overtly fruity. A grabby mouthfeel shows weight and waxiness, while stalky, baked flavors of squash, pumpkin and papaya finish with a touch of oxidation. Drink now before this loses its vitality.
The blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 24% Syrah and 5% Sangio. It's a sturdy, all-purpose red, diffuse but with simple raspberry and cherry fruit as the focus of a somewhat grapey, slightly sweet core.
Raspberry, chocolate and plum aromas form a basic bouquet. This shows tight grip along with flavors of baked berry fruits, leather and earth. The finish tastes a bit rubbery, and then heat and dry, peppery notes take over.
Gold in color, this high-end Viura is cheesy, cidery and dense on the nose. Plump and resiny in feel, it offers woody flavors of baked white fruits. Hailing from a warm vintage, this goes back and forth between ripe, mealy and oaky and tense and nervy. If drinking now, expect more oak than fruit.
Still young and lightly spritzy, this fruity and well-rounded take on Pinot Gris seems to have more than a subtle hint of sweetness. The pretty pear and apple fruit is lightly spicy and spent four months sur lie, all stainless.
Retaining a good sense of structure, this is also a relatively light and fresh Gevrey-Chambertin. It has plenty of raspberry and red plum flavors and lively acidity at the end. Drink from 2015.
A ripe and full-bodied wine, this has good depth of flavor from its lees and wood aging. A creamy texture comes along with a tangy cool fruitiness that has lemon and bitter orange flavors. It could be drunk now, but with its still crisp acidity, it will be better from the end of 2015.
A ripe wine, this is full in the mouth and full of fruit. Apricots and lemons go well together for a rich while crisp mouthful. The wood aging over 18 months only shows fleetingly, leaving fruit as the main thrust. It finishes with plenty of fresh acidity. Drink from 2016.
This saignée-style rosé is 100% Pinot Noir; a small percentage was fermented in neutral oak. Light and pretty, it offers tart raspberry fruit with a bit of pie cherry also. Generously acidic, it's an excellent meal-starter or accompaniment to light poultry dishes.
Baked, earthy aromas of raisin, fruitcake, ink and oak require plenty of air to show their best. A jammy, creamy, oaky palate is home to resiny flavors of vanilla, spice and berry fruits. The finish is woody, resiny and pasty, with ripe yet generic flavors in reserve.
Aromas suggest prunes, black cherries, resin and a whiff of exotic spices. The straightforward palate delivers raisins, dried cherries marinated in spirits and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive tannins.
Wisps of smoke offer a savory introduction to this semi-sweet Riesling full of honey and yellow peach flavors. It's straightforward in style, yet unabashedly tasty with ripe, lush fruit countered by a shock of tangerine acidity. Finishes moderately long with lingering hints of pollen and honeysuckle.
This opens with aromas of raisin, tobacco leaf, underbrush, grilled porcini mushroom and leather. The extracted palate delivers black pepper, clove, dried sage, prune and licorice supported by teeth-coating tannins. The heat of searing alcohol on the finish throws the wine off balance.
Ripe, woody, heady aromas of balsam wood and cedar cigar box set up a pushy, thick, syrupy palate that delivers a mix of raisin, berry, stewed plum and licorice flavors. A chewy feeling, stewy-tasting finish is full and blocky.
Toasted oak integrates nicely with fresh fruit aromas. The flavors are more hidden, with subtle strawberry, black tea tannins and just enough acidity making for an even, well-priced wine.
Melon, peach and vanilla aromas don't display much oak while coming across clean and ripe. This feels juicy, with orange, tangerine and nectarine flavors. The finish is spunky and acidic but not overly deep or complex. This is 95% Viura and 5% Malvasia.
Very light wood aging gives a complex dimension without losing the ripe yellow fruits that give the wine its rich character. Fresher acidity is integrating well with the spice and vanilla. Drink in 2016.
A blend of two local grapes, Maria Gomes and Bical, this soft, resiny wine has an intensely dry character. Apples as well as raisins give an intriguing set of flavors. Drink from 2015.
Planting Alvarinho in the Lisboa region, many miles south of its native Minho, could be risky. But winemaker José Neiva Correia took a chance on the ocean-climate similarities and the result is a wine that's as fresh and crisp as possible. Citrus, green plums and lively acidity all come together in a wine that has a bright, spicy aftertaste.
An aromatic, fruit-forward wine with notes of black cherry cola and brambly berries. It's soft and sumptuous in feel, full of fruit flavors and loaded with appeal.
There's an intense minerality that reverberates from nose to finish on this off-dry Riesling. On the palate, sunny lemon and honey notes are accented by a steely streak of lime and steel that linger on the finish.
Aromas of lemon peel, acacia, pear and minerals amount to a light but fresh nose. Citric acidity drives this light-bodied Godello toward melon, nectarine and green-apple flavors. A pithy tasting, somewhat flowery finish is modest, fresh and pleasant.
Roasted, leathery berry aromas carry a cheesy, gritty, piercing element. In the mouth, this is solid but slightly syrupy. Flavors of rooty berry, licorice and chocolate finish with plenty of oak, spice notes and heat.
The rubbery plum aromas are sweet and medicinal, and the palate feels creamy, thick and chewy. This tastes sweet and lightly herbal, with baking spice and jammy black-fruit flavors and a mild green element. The finish is a touch chunky.
The dark and penetrating aromas of violets, shoe polish, blackberry and road tar are solid. This feels a bit tough on the palate, with narrow tannins and flavors of rubber and black plum.
Blocky and tart, this shows little of the flower or delicate citrus notes that many Oregon Rieslings convey. The clean apple flavor makes it good for summer picnics.
A spritzy, frizzante style, this is sweet and simple, with a clean flavor of orange.
Mild, clean and peachy on the nose, with a pinch of sweet banana. It feels chunky but honest, with apple, sweet citrus and peach flavors. The finish is solid; a good wine for under $10.
A lightweight wine seemingly made for poolside sipping, with herbal-grassy tones accenting citrus notes. It's clean on the finish and as refreshing as a cool breeze.
This medium-bodied Pinot Gris is nearly dry in style, with crisp acids that give it a somewhat angular feel. Melon and citrus notes finish with a slightly bitter hint of orange pith. Drink now.
A ripe, raisiny wine—it starts out with aromas of raisin, milk chocolate and candied berry. The palate is saturated, with prune and baked-plum flavors and a chunky finish. Drink now.
Dark and concentrated, this has jammy, raisiny aromas that are marked with a strong current of green. It feels full but a touch flat, with sweet berry flavors and a core of mint. The finish ends abruptly.
Light, bright and fruity, this has soft tannins, plenty of red fruits and balancing acidity. Just dry to finish, it is ready to drink now.
Concentrated, ripe and full with aromas and flavors of raspberry, kirsch, mocha and soft pepper. Round in the mouth with a solid, lingering finish loaded with spice. Drink now.
Ripe cherry, cedar, vanilla and spice aromas are followed by soft red berries, cinnamon and vanilla flavors in this appealing Cabernet/Agiorgitiko blend. Overall soft and rich, the wine has a chalky, clean finish and a spin of spice.
While Colombo's Les Abeilles is a more traditional Rhône blend, this offering marries 70% Viognier with 30% Roussanne. The result is a medium-bodied wine hinting at honeyed peaches and tinged with anise that seems to be on a fast-developing course. Drink it over the next several months.
Gaseous, earthy, mossy aromas are not entirely inviting, and the palate is immensely thick and round, with big, grating tannins. But the plum, berry and meaty elements are good, and the finish of chewy tannins goes on for quite some time. An extracted wine with minor balance and aromatic issues.
This fun, fruity white starts with aromas of pear, melon and flowers and leads into an easy-drinking array of refreshing white fruits and spice. A great go-to white that's not overly fussy and will pair well with spicy ethnic cuisine and poultry.
This is a fresh, medium-bodied white with a touch of honeysuckle on the nose and straightforward flavors that hints of orange and peach. A touch of spice adds interest to the modest finish. Drink now.
Olive and espresso notes are backed by bright cherry fruit in this medium-bodied Syrah. It's a pleasant quaff that turns slightly dry on the finish; try it after 2011.
Juicy, sweet fruited wine, with a ripe, jammy character allied to fresh acidity and soft tannins. With enticing raspberry flavors, the wine is for easy and early drinking.
A light, modern, just off-dry and fruity wine, freshened by bright lime and apricots, with a tang of orange zest. This is crisp, very clean, a good apéritif drink.
Jammy preserve notes of blueberry and ripe strawberry on the nose, with more plum and deep cherry notes fleshing out the medium-weight mouth. Delicate fine-grain tannins provide good structure, and linger throughout the milk chocolate-infused finish.
Refreshing, sultry aromas of honey, lemon and rich spice lead this sweet Muscat from Samos. On the palate, unfolding layers of honey, nuts and citrus are kept aloft by a touch of acidity. A pretty, approachable sip with an exotic flair.
Solid Mencía, but a little on the generic, bland side. The body is medium, the tannins mellow, and the flavors are your standard dark berry. The finish is easygoing but doesn't offer much pizzazz or lasting impressions. Fresh, no-nonsense Bierzo for everyday drinking.
An unusual blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Bourboulenc, this medium-bodied wine is crisp and citrusy, marked by pineapple and hints of underripe peach and pear. It's light enough to be paired with more delicate seafood dishes over the summer months.
Iron oxide, white pepper and blueberry are an enticing, aromatic trio but there's more to come. The palate is slender and pure fruit shines through. This has been handled with a light, knowing touch, creating an elegant, subtle wine that's not showy but all the more impressive for it.
Having spent only 12 months in barrel, this vintage of the producer's Claret is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 34% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It opens in exotic floral and spice, with a juicy midpalate around soft, rounded tannins and smoothly integrated oak. It provides extraordinary value for the quality.
This concentrated Pinot Noir calibrates power with finesse, juxtaposing rippling black cherry and berry flavors against complex mineral and earth tones. It's luscious and layered in mouthfeel, enriched over four years of extended lees contact. While decadently delicious now, it has enough structure to age elegantly through 2019–2021.
This wine, from veteran winemaker Steve Dooley, shows an herbal side on the nose, with charred pine prominent, alongside licorice and dried strawberries. The palate combines cranberry and pomegranate with healthy amounts of sage.
Made with 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Syrah, this wine offers notes of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate, barrel spices and cherry. It's supple in feel, dense yet reserved, showing a lot of elegance and restraint to the coffee flavors along with a very pretty sense of balance. Its best years are in front of it. Drink from 2022 to 2030.
An intriguing nose of Comice pear, menthol and lemon oil creates a delicious aromatic hit. The palate is supertight and zesty. Citrus is the main focus along the linear palate that is fringed by the same aromatic top-notes as the nose. Beautiful now the wine has the verve and stuffing to mature beautifully. Drink now through 2020.
Textured vanilla-cream and green apple appear initially in this wine, which offers plenty of weight and structure around a core of balanced acidity and fresh lemon zest. Cardamom and vanilla play at the edges alongside elements of savory brine and white flowers. The oak presence is subtle.
Juicy yellow pear, fresh red apple and apple compote make for a very appetizing, refreshing nose. On the palate a spritz of lemon juice provides further freshness and zesty spiciness, accentuating the gorgeous apple fruit. Slender but fruity this will be a joy on a sunny day.
Blueberries and purple fruits get distinct seasoning from maple syrup, licorice, crushed Italian herbs and minerality in this wine from the underappreciated Cuyama Valley. The palate is quite wound up, with blueberry, black lava rocks and unrelenting herb flavors just poking out. This will unwind very nicely, so drink 2018–2028.
This wine brings aromas of bright flowers, fresh green herbs, green olive and lemony citrus. There is an exquisite sense of weight, balance and deftness to the palate that carries through the extended finish, with expertly managed tannins that back it all up. The green edges may turn off some, but others will look beyond it and find much to enjoy.
Enticing aromas of fragrant blue flowers, forest floor and perfumed berry lead the nose on this structured wine. The vibrant palate doles out juicy black cherry and crushed raspberry, while accents of vanilla, mocha and licorice add depth. It's nicely balanced, with fresh acidity and firm yet velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2022.
Aromas of crushed violet, iris, baking spice, leather and vineyard dust take center stage. The vibrant palate offers layers of crunchy red cherry, juicy raspberry, licorice and thyme alongside a firm backbone of noble tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2025.
An intriguing mix of pepper, rose petals, stone fruit and zesty lime creates a heady aroma. The palate is more toned down but all the more appealing for it. Rounded and concentrated, this is full of textural and aromatic interest. Ripe, washed-rind cheeses or spicy pan-Asian combinations would do this rich, layered wine real justice.
Perhaps Temecula's future is in Super Tuscans. This balanced blend of 50% Sangiovese, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc offers a complex nose of cranberry, pomegranate, pencil lead and chocolate sauce. Flavors of hot brick, white pepper, raspberry and stewed mushrooms rock the palate.
Only faint glimpses of ripe red plum with aromatic spice reminiscent of clove and cinnamon reveal themselves. With more air, the characteristic pepper appears, as does dark, ripe fruit. The palate is concentrated and structured but remains fresh and slender. This is elegant wine for an elegant occasion.
Just smelling this wine—a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah and 4% Malbec—it's clear that someone gave it a lot of love and care. It offers nuanced aromas of dark coffee, dark chocolate, toasty spices and cherry. The flavors are sweet and ripe yet also well balanced, leading to a stretched-out finish.
Luscious stone fruit streams into the nose, while the palate reins this richness in with straight-laced citrus. Lime and grapefruit zest make for a linear, refreshing and streamlined Federspiel with the typical freshness of the 2014 vintage. This will age beautifully even through it already provides great enjoyment for lovers of brisk, fresh, dry Rieslings.
With the right intensity for a premier cru, this is a rich, lightly toasty wine. It has layers of chalky, mineral texture along with dense fruits and a sense of structure and potential. Drink from 2017.
Drouhin has significant holdings in a number of top Chambolle vineyards. This wine is a blend from other Premier Crus in the same village. It has the typical generous character along with a more serious structured backbone that gives a dry and solid density that's worth aging. Drink from 2017.
This is a rich, aromatic and deliciously herbal wine full of structured black fruits and dense tannins that promise aging. Blackberry and plum flavors dominate, giving freshness and ripeness to this full wine. Drink from 2017.
Regional pioneer Rick Longoria delivers a savory, earthy wine from the vineyard he planted, with meaty aromas of shiitake and porcini mushrooms, black slate, cedar and fresh pomegranate. The palate is more reliant on peppery spice, rose-petal florals and dried herbs than fruit, though dried cherries make an appearance, especially on the lasting finish. It's great now, but will thrive for at least a decade. Drink 2018–2028.
Dense packed earth and a wild edge make for a complex experience in this vineyard-designate, from a hilltop site tended by fellow vintner and grape grower, Steve MacRostie. Blackberry, plum and herb flirt around light-bodied layers of black tea, with a finish of high-strung black cherry.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and wildflower lead the nose on this concentrated but refined wine. The intense palate offers layers of ripe black cherry, juicy raspberry, licorice, clove and tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. It's a compelling expression of Chianti Rùfina. Drink 2016–2021.
This wine, from a label named after one of the state's wine pioneers, is Chardonnay in the traditional California style—done exceedingly well. Aromas of caramelized apples and butterscotch lead into a palate full of apple flesh, vanilla custard and sea salt, yet with enough pithy acidity to keep the mouth watering.
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc from a sweet vineyard spot near Dalle Valle, this is a lovely, softly textured wine. Shy on the nose yet powerful on the palate, it offers a burst of tightly wound tannin and leather at the fore. Chocolate and dried herb with a layering of black licorice give it a dark complexion and build. Be sure to mellow it in the cellar, through 2022.
Cherry granita, black slate, rose petals and a tinge of sagey herbs combine on this single-clone study by winemaker Clarissa Nagy. The flavors are high toned, tight and quite elegant, with shaved tobacco, black pepper, and clingy acidity, before unleashing an energetic wave of espresso and orange rinds.
Salted lemon rinds, ice-cold apple, fresh-squeezed lime and white rocks show on this wine by the team of Mikey Giugni (Jack Creek Cellars) and Michael Brughelli (Bien Nacido). It's tight and bitter-leaning on the palate, with grapefruit pith and Brie cheese rind, but not overly sour, with some butter emergent on the finish. It makes for a complete experience.
Adam Lee takes hold of one of the appellation's iconic vineyards and delivers clean, fresh aromas of mushrooms, raspberries, mocha and graphite. The palate shows soy, shiitake and more raspberry, an excellent study of the grape done in the Siduri style.
The new French oak (60%) and rich fruit aromas and flavors play perfectly off each other. Notes of dark roasted coffee beans and bittersweet chocolate meld with fresh herbs and dark cherries. It's rich and layered with abundant fruit and barrel flavors capped off by a tart, lingering finish. Best after 2020.
This wine is soft and juicy, with ripe red fruits balanced by acidity. A firmer backdrop offers serious tannins and dark-coffee flavors. The wine needs a few more months, so wait until 2018.
Familiar Cab Franc aromas of dry spice, green herbs, fennel and pepperoni feed into a narrow palate that's high in acidity and drawing. Spiky tomato, plum, herb and pepper flavors finish dry and pulling, with a saucy aftertaste.
Initial aromas of desert herbs and blackberries lose steam with airing. A flush palate delivers candied cherry and chocolate flavors that carry over to the solid finish.
A mix of spice, oak, tomato, plum and rubbery aromas announce a palate that blends plump ripeness with pulling tannins. Dry, spicy plum and berry flavors are steady on the finish.
This wine offers simple richness around a full-bodied frame, dotted in well-defined flavors of golden apple and white flower. Honey and toasted oak provide added concentration and texture in this tiny production wine from a small producer.
This opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, crushed herb and blue flower. The palate is tightly wound and rather closed, showing hints of orange zest and raw cranberry. Racy acidity and austere tannins clench the finish.
This combines all five red Bordeaux varieties, with half of the wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Juicy black cherry, cedar and integrated oak make for a straightforward, light-bodied and high-toned experience in the glass.
An intriguing nose of lemon, pineapple, vanilla and banana candies are encased in a waft of warm yeast. Flavors of honeydew, more pineapple and oak spice are folded into a saline and nutty component. The weight is plush and feels silky on the tongue.
This light-fruited wine is the most widely available of the winery's Pinots. Its cherry and orange candy flavors give it a pleasant, albeit superficial, entry. Don't expect complexity, but for a light and accessible taste of the Willamette Valley, it's a fair value.
Spicy aromas of cedar and pepper are joined by warm notes of black currant and blackberry. Velvet tannins are well integrated on the palate, with flavors of baking spice, pepper and cedar alongside fruit notes of black currant and black cherry. The tannins linger on the finish, with more baking spice and cherry balanced by ample acidity.
This wine is all fruit. Its black-currant flavors and attractive acidity come from a blend that is dominated by Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca. It has minerality and a dry edge, although its fruitiness means it is ready to drink.
The nose shows black cherry, cherry cola, eucalyptus and toasty cedar. Brambly and leafy flavors open themselves to more cherry and eucalyptus on the palate and an enjoyably long and smokey finish.
This light ruby-colored wine is made from Kadarka grapes. It has cherry and Mediterranean herb aromas and raspberry, baking spice and dried cherry flavors. It's balanced, with soft tannins and a fruity finish.
Peach and cantaloupe aromas are friendly and easy. A creamy palate with modest acidity offers slightly sweet flavors of dulce de leche and melon. A modest finish with spice and sugary notes closes this out.
This is made from a majority of Sangiovese, with smaller amounts of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Juicy, it's soft in cinnamon, plum and dark cherry, with an oaky finish.
Stone fruit-fuzz and sugar apple combine along a freeway of thick texture and voluptuous flavor in this full-bodied white, aged in both new and neutral French barrels. Creamy vanilla adds additional richness and texture as it finishes strong and ripe.
The wine is stalky with tight tannins and just a touch of spicy wood. It has acidity, bitter cherry fruits and structure. Drink now.
This wine is produced from organically grown grapes. It is aged in tank, giving a wine that is all blackberry fruit with a crisp texture as well as generous tannins. With touches of Dão minerality, the wine is ready to drink.
Ripe and juicy, and overall quite tasty. It begins with a lot of red fruit, and in the mouth it's more of the same with no rough edges. It's a seamless Chianti, a sure hit in the trattorias. And there's nothing wrong with the smooth raspberry finish that features some creamy vanilla oak.
This seems a bit overripe in the nose; definitely an ultraripe style, with flavors of peach, apricot and mango. Real tropical, still has decent acids, but the fruit went a bit too far, and there is a definite sweetness too, along with some breakfast toast oak.
This is a reserve style wine that is made in non-reserve years. A step up from their “Umpqua” bottling, with more texture, firm fruit and it moves past light cherry flavors into some tart berry.
The winery feels that this is their best Pinot Noir, and prices it accordingly. Concentrated and balanced, it shows some grassy flavors along with the sweet fruit. Very tannic. Just one barrel—20 cases—was made.
Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, Nemo is hard to analyze. It has typical Cabernet plum and cassis aromas, but also the scent of pickles. The palate is very soft, especially compared to the estate's Chianti. Flavorsof soy sauce, licorice and green pepper make for a confusing palate. It has its virtues, but also some faults. Hence the rating.
This shows excellent focus and spice in the nose, with scents of cardamom and clove reminiscent of a good Mendocino Pinot. Plenty of flavor up front, but the wine loses it in the middle palate. It finishes with a soft, spicy, slightly banana flavor, a bit out of balance.
A really nice wine, refreshing and light, with delicate lemon-grapefruit flavors complexed with creamy lees. The acidity is very crisp and assertive. No discernible oak at all, and with this pretty fruit and structure, it doesn't need any.
Sweet, grapey fruit, plum and cherry, enhanced with peppery spice. The tannins are a bit ashy, but well integrated; with not too much oak. Overall, a balanced and elegant approach.
This little brother to vino Nobile embodies the essence of ripe, lip-smacking country wine. But it's no piece of candy; quite the contrary, it's full, rustic and fruit-forward. If elegance isn't the game here, then the big plum flavor and meaty, berry-loaded finish is.
Tight and closed right now, with a touch of sulfur and scrambled eggs on the nose. It's classic Chianti, meaning it's hard in its youth, with racy tannins and not much overt richness. Some caramel appears on the finish, courtesy of the oak. If given time, this wine will certainly open up more than it does currently.
This is a big-flavored wine, aged sur lie, and about 30% was barreled in new French oak. There are pleasant vanilla, lime andapricot flavors, a creamy mouthfeel and a toasty edge to the finish.
The treatment here is fermentation in stainless steel, and the wine shows ripe, tart, tangy fruit. Mostly melon and kiwi flavors, good weight on the palate, and little if any oak.
From Bolgheri, what's fast becoming the Tuscan Gold Coast, this Cabernet Sauvignon (with 15% Sangiovese) offers complex aromas of bacon, rose hip and vanilla. The palate is more basic than one might expect, given the exclusive neighborhood it comes from. There's round plummy fruit and creamy oak. The chewy, weighty finish is filled with residual plum and cherry flavors.
Strong scents of hay and grass; it's a bit like old-vine Zin but with more grapey fruit flavors. Grapey, slightly foxy, there is also some loganberry fruit, lots of acid and a good long finish.
Ripe tropical fruit and toasty American oak are a traditional match in Gisborne, and the Ormond bottling from Brancott is a fine example. Sweet caramel, toast with honey and mixed tropical fruit aromas and flavors are rich and full but not heavy.
Melini's Riserva, from a 98 acre vineyard in Radda in Chianti, is still firmly traditional in character. With its firm, dry bitter cherry fruit flavors and just a light touch of wood, it shows how classic Chianti winemaking still has a place, provided it is used in the right way.
A big step down from the past two vintages. This Verdejo lacks fortitude and clarity; it's grassy and flat on the nose, then cloying on the palate. Flavors of bland citrus are disjointed and underwhelming. Finishes grassy and green.
Oxidized citrus aromas are flabby, as is the palate. Flavors of apple and peach are basic, while the finish feels dull and dried out, with no kick or lasting flavor other than mild bitterness.
The nose is minty, herbal and strangely exotic, while the palate falls flat in delivering strongly herbal, tomato-based flavors.
This is one unusual wine. It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Tempranillo and Garnacha, but it smells like a root-based perfume mixed with herbs and tobacco. It's over the hill in feel and green and herbal in flavor, with a raisiny aftertaste.
This is cloudy to the eye, with a mix of vinegar, briny plum and milk chocolate on the nose. The mouthfeel is blowsy, while the flavors are briny and pickled.
This wine is raisiny on the front end, heavy and prune-driven in the middle, and even more raisiny on the finish. Overripe in style with 60% Garnacha and 40% Tempranillo.
Pazo Señorans generally makes great wine, but this aged Albariño is past its prime. The nose is soft and smells mostly of toffee and vanilla, while the wine has a maderized tint and stalky, geriatric flavors of bland apple and oxidized citrus. This wine should have been drunk five years ago.
Juniper and onion aromas are not inviting, and there's little fruit to back them up. The mouthfeel is oily, while flavors of briny citrus lead to a pickled-tasting finish. Tasted twice, with consistent results.
Gritty, piercing aromas of herbal, leafy red fruits do little to set this wine on course. In the mouth, it's high-toned and acidic, and thus the flavors are tart, choppy and short.
Overall this is a weak wine with resiny aromas of varnish followed by woody flavors of banana and vanilla. The finish is more or less the same, only less potent.
A Mendocino Sangiovese with odd vanilla notes that's stingy in fruit and tannin.
The nose deals a mix of exotic aromas along with offputting sweat, compost and funky cheese. The palate is pasty feeling and tannic, with lactic flavors of oak, licorice and medicinal berry. On the finish, clove and spice notes dominate.
Tropical fruit aromas are the lead-in, but upon airing the wine's pineapple and mango scents turn austere and prickly. The mouthfeel here is astringent and acidic, and the flavors are briny, even pickled.
This basic wine opens with earthy red-berry aromas. The palate offers choppiness and green-leaning flavors of berry and tea. The finish is scratchy and hollow. An OK Garnacha on its best day.
Maderized aromas of applesauce and dust are not terribly welcoming. Meanwhile, the palate is mild and tastes nutty, like soft apples and spice. This is acceptable barrel-fermented Viura but it lacks freshness and character.
Peach and melon aromas come with accents of vanilla and honey. The palate on this Garancha Blanca is chunky, without much acidic cut. Flavors of grapefruit and orange are flabby, pithy and dull, while bitterness controls the finish.
There may be an interesting wine lurking in the dark shadows here, but the oak and alcohol are overpowering in ways that mask the plummy cinnamon within.
A lean wine with some austerity. It has a firmly tannic character while missing the fruit for the future.
This savory blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo leads with earthy aromas of freshly tilled soil, underbrush, black berries and plum. The vibrant, structured palate offers sour cherry layered with white pepper, thyme and sage balanced by fresh acidity and a solidly tannic backbone. Hold to develop complexity. Drink 2015–2020.
Earthy aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, truffle and red berries take center stage in this intense blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo/Colorino. The palate delivers succulent black cherry, mint and menthol sprinkled with toasted notes and espresso. It has structure and finesse alongside gripping, tongue-drying tannins. Give this a few more years. Drink 2016–2024.
This vibrant blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Merlot opens with an intense fragrance of violet, lilac and raspberries accented with whiffs of orange peel and sandalwood. Juicy black cherry, black plum, white pepper and cinnamon-spice take center stage on the palate alongside a firm, tannic backbone. Already delicious, hold for complexity. Drink through 2018.
Orange blossom and berry aromas are accented by hints of spice and smoke on this powerful but elegantly finessed Riesling. It's dry in style, but builds in heft and richness on the palate, amassing flavors of tangerines, peach and honey. A line of steely lime acidity adds balance and cut.
Ample vanilla notes from oak aging mark the nose and palate of this savory Shiraz. It's on the full side for the Hunter, with a rich texture and a long, velvety finish. Drink 2015–2025.
The Clare Valley is an underappreciated source of fine Cabernet Sauvignon, and this is one of the region's standard bearers. Minty notes add a dose of Australia to this slightly austere wine, which also boasts dark chocolate, cassis and tobacco. Drink 2015–2025.
Dark in color, this powerful and concentrated wine is still very young. There is possibly too much extraction here that shows in bitterness, but the wine also has the potential for aging with its rich underlying fruitiness. Don't drink before 2015.
Full and ripe, the wine has smooth flavors of apricots, ripe apples and pears and a structure that includes wood tastes. It's a rich wine, hinting at spice and showing fresh, juicy acidity at the end. Drink until 2019.
The second wine of the Prats and Symington partnership is rich and powerful in its own right. It is packed with blackberry, ripe tannins and a solid, dense structure. Acidity cuts through this dark wine that still needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Young, tart and tannic, this offers primary fruit flavors of cranberry and pie cherry. A hint of smoked meat wafts across the palate and through the finish.
Intense whiffs of tangerine and lemon zest perfume this aromatic Riesling. It's dry on the palate but ripe and expansive in feel, with juicy, concentrated white grapefruit and pear flavors. It finishes long and lean with a distinctly mineral tone.
Saffron and orange rind lend spicy zest to honey and floral tones on this gorgeously rich auslese. It's luscious, with sweet yellow peach and caramel flavors, but struck with a clean line of tangerine acidity. Bold and powerful in concentration, it finishes with just a hint of tea-leaf astringency.
A rich and luscious wine that has sweet tannins, blackberry fruits and ripe tannins. It's a complex wine, elegant with full fruits, juicy acidity and a strong, firm textured core. Big and full-bodied, this is a wine that can age. It is drinkable now and until 2020.
Fragrances of cherry cola and mocha yield to flavors of eucalyptus, mocha, black cherry and strawberry. This wine is bright on entry before being joined by strong tannins. Acidity ultimately wins out, leading to a smooth, lasting finish.
This starts out tarry, but airing reveals aromas of tobacco, asphalt and oaky berry fruits. The mouthfeel is flush and extracted, but not overly heavy. Flavors of black fruits are more generic than specific, while the finish is tannic, with lively acidity. The blend is Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda.
The instantly recognizable label, sporting a bright green praying mantis on a plain brown background, is a quirky choice for a fine, estate-grown reserve. The fruit reaches blackberry concentration, with stiff, ripe tannins swathed in dark chocolate. Hints of earth and stem fade out through a lingering finish. It's already drinking well but could be cellared until 2019.
Earthy, subtle aromas of cured meats, licorice and baked plum are smooth and sly. This feels firm, structured and staunch in the mouth, while flavors of earthy plum, berry, carob, tea and spice finish dry and elegant. This mature Rioja is ready to drink now.
Whiffs of smoke and mineral lends complexity to pretty white peach and floral tones on this dainty off-dry Riesling. It's juicy with stone fruit, but maintains that streak of minerality and a clean, focused acidity that leads to a long, dry finish.
All of the Brajkovitch family's 2010 Chardonnays are top-notch, so choices become more a question of preference than of absolute quality. The Hunting Hill is medium bodied and silky in texture, with hints of grilled pineapple and bold, assertive fruit flavors. It should drink well for at least four more years.
This outstanding Chardonnay is made from 100% Dijon clones, sourced from Lange Estate, Freedom Hill and Durant vineyards. Tasty, toasty, creamy and fresh, this is a rich, palate-coating wine with a mix of crisp apple, pear and melon fruit. The texture and depth are lovely.
Unctuous mango and peach flavors are accented by hints of candle wax and dried herbs on this delicate but intensely concentrated Riesling. Silky and sweet in texture, it's brightened by streaks of orange acidity and touches of saffron and lemon peel that linger on the finish.
Stark has nailed the essence of Barbera in this wine—it's juicy, textured, balanced, fruity and yes, delicious. Awash in bright blackberry and red cherry fruit, it'll go down easy with food or without, a delightful addition to the bounty of Sierra Foothills Barbera from a Healdsburg-based producer.
Minerally, earthy aromas of plum and blackberry are oaky and attractive. This is round and well balanced, with cassis, blackberry, spice and herbal flavors settling on a spicy finish led by cardamom and clove notes as well as a smooth feel. Drink through 2017.
Sweet cherry-vanilla rolls off the palate in this concentrated, lush and velvety Pinot Noir that offers all the aspects of classic Russian River Valley fruit. The texture is seamlessly integrated around firm, supple tannins and bright, earthy red fruit.
Deeply flavored, dense and toasty, this full-throttle bottle punches up flavors of cherries and roasted walnuts. Tannins are thick and have a hint of char, and the big flavors are all in proportion.
Quince, orange, pink grapefruit and other citrus fruits are rounded off with a slight suggestion of residual sugar. There's a touch of almond in the finish, which lingers gracefully.
Lush mango and guava notes lend a sunny, tropical feel to this Riesling. Dry and lavishly textured, it's concentrated in fruit, yet maintains a mineral-edged vitality that's quite refreshing. It offers remarkable quality and consistency at a bargain price.
Spiced cherry, brandied plum and overt but high-quality buttery oak aromas open this red-fruit-driven Malbec from the heart of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. Flavors of toasted, creamy oak rest easily on top of kirsch and red plum flavors, while chocolaty, toasty, spicy flavors direct the finish. Drink this well-oaked, expressive heavyweight now through 2020.
Intense aromas of Spanish broom, lychee, beeswax, pear and a hint of petrol lead the nose. The multifaceted palate delivers citrus, green apple, stone fruit, mineral and dried herb alongside firm acidity. This compelling wine continuously evolves in the glass.
This blend of 43% Merlot, 28% Malbec, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc is the winery's star bottling of the vintage, offering aromas of plum, leather, sage, chocolate syrup and crushed breathmints. The palate is excitingly dynamic, ranging from mocha-blackberry reduction sauce to tobacco, coffee and cassis. The tannins could use a touch more mellowing.
Now at its peak, this rich, rounded wine is full of spice and tropical fruits, and is full in the mouth. The explosion of ripe fruits is only lightly restrained by some final acidity. This joyous wine is ready to drink.
It's rare to find this variety in Pinot-heavy Russian River Valley, but this producer treats it with respect, crafting a minuscule amount of worthy flavor, the 100% Petite Sirah awash in velvety tannins that tease in coconut and vanilla. Soft oak is supported by smoky leather, chocolate and blackberry, a dustiness completing the picture.
Fresh, simple, apple-flavored wine, with an edge of citrus and soft vanilla flavors. The wine is attractive and clean with elegance coupled to ripe fruit.
There's a wild, natural streak to this wine of garrigue herbs and game matched with fruit notes of dark cherry and plum guts. The medium-weight mouth is juicy but offers nice structre with dusty tannins and a fudgy finish. Drink now.
Attractively colored wine with red berry fruits and an edge of bitter cherries, almonds and perfumed acidity. The wine is structured, spicy, full-bodied in character.
Opens with tire rubber, char and minty, smoky black fruit. Feels mostly fresh and bold, with blackberry, blueberry and coffee flavors. Just dense, sweet and spicy enough, with espresso bitterness to the finish. Composed and competent value red wine.
A blend of 55% Chenin Blanc and 45% Viognier, with the Chenin strongly represented. This wine unveils caramel popcorn and oak-influenced pear-vanilla, its layers of texture workable with a wide range of food.
Floral and different than most, with an earthy calm to the nose. Seems wide and grapey in the mouth, with thick black fruit flavors, sweetness and chocolate. Softens and turns chunky on the finish, where there's oak and some heat. Full-bodied and weighty.
Crisp and clean like a watermelon agua fresca, this dry yet juicy rosé is full of ripe strawberry and cherry flavors. Bright acidity and a subtle trace of tannins make it a wonderfully food-friendly pick anytime of the year.
Lightly herbal on the nose, but overall there's more ripe berry and toasty chocolate aromas than green. Full, meaty and deep for a value-priced wine, with blackberry and black plum flavors along with a pinch of oregano and basil. Shows good weight and balance throughout. Impressive for a 50,000-case product.
Concentrated and lush, livelier and better than the producer's 2007 which still needs time to develop, this reserve-level Cab with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmènere and Cabernet Franc is ready to drink now, its cassis and cranberry fruit showing well.
A Viognier full of peach, honey and grapefruit sweetness that finishes dry. The wine is easygoing, pleasant and eye-poppingly low in alcohol, an intriguing combination of factors from this Temecula Valley-based producer.
While certainly present, apple and stone fruit take a back seat to layers of flint and smoke on this uniquely savory, dry Riesling. Slightly viscous on the palate with a rich, minerally slick, there's a hint of sea salt on the finish making this wine the perfect accompaniment to oysters on the half shell.
Despite some almost citrusy and asparagus-like aromas, this well-built Cabernet compensates by offering a creamy, supple texture and moderately rich coffee flavors. Finishes a bit astringent and hard, but should soften in a year or two.
Starts with aromas of clove, Band-Aid and other spicy aromas. It has a minor herbal essence both on the nose and palate, which is typical of Spanish Cabernet. But the feel is good and chewy, while the oak is moderate as it supports raspberry and dry cherry flavors. Features 15% Tempranillo; drink now.
Consulting winemaker Ben Glaetzer has fashioned a reasonably full-bodied Cab for the Mitolo family, one that combines some superripe, verging on raisined, elements with hints of tobacco and herbs. Mint, cassis and chocolate round out the palate, finishing softly tannic. Drink now–2010.
This estate reserve wine has more texture and length than their regular estate Pinot Noir, and displays varietal flavors mixing rubarb, strawberry and raspberry preserves.  Some spicy herb adds life to the mid-palate, finishing with a bit of mint.
More syrupy and chunky than ideal, but still a good wine with grilled meat, root beer and berry extract on the bouquet. The body seems a little baked and heavy, with molasses and raisin flavors mixing with blackberry. Finishes with melted brown sugar and soft tannins. A full, deep wine that shows a few signs of being overripe.
An intriguing wine, this boasts herbal-, tobacco- and truffle-laced aromatics backed by a modicum of cassis fruit and a wonderfully soft, creamy, supple texture. The flavors also veer dangerously close to vegetal, so if you insist on no green notes in your Cab, search somewhere else.
This is a pleasant bottle, with pretty varietal scents of berry, flower and light spice. The tannins are light and rather soft, and winemaker Laurent Montalieu has kept the wine in perfect balance for its modest scale.
Named after the river that flows past Chablis, this is a ripe, fruity wine, with yellow fruit flavors and good ripeness. Unoaked, it has good concentration as well as richness.
Schild Estate is turning out an array of fairly priced, consumer-friendly wines from its extensive Barossa acreage. This is a typical example, showing good varietal character in its flavors of cassis, tobacco and chocolate, softly dusty tannins and a silky finish. Drink now.
Perhaps this wine just needs some additional cellaring, as the finish is long enough to suggest promise, but this particular bottle was in a cranky stage, showing lots of toasted oak and coffee-like aromas and tart acidity. The tannins seem ripe, so it's worth trying again in a year or two.
The Red Hills Estate bottling sends a spicy note sailing out of the glass, with a pleasing follow-up of red currant, cherry, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium-bodied and displaying a core of tart fruit, this tails off into a tannic finish that needs a bit more polish.
Borderline exotic on the nose, with aromas of black cherry, violet and a touch of earthy leather. The palate has some prickle and snap to it, but it settles into lively black plum and boysenberry. Finishes smooth, ripe and big, with medium length. The coupage is 80% Syrah and 20% Monastrell.
Scents of leather, cola and brown sugar give way to cleaner, fruitier notes of blackberry on the palate, marked by ample vanilla oak. A blend of 78% Cab Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc, it's medium-bodied and fresh, with a slightly minty finish framed by soft tannins.
There's a sweet center to the bouquet, but surrounding it are more complex notes of mushroom, rubber and roast meat. The palate features ripe, clean blackberry and cassis flavors, while the finish shows piercing tannins. Shows some weight and tannic build-up at this point; drink now and into '09.
The Stoller bottling from Chehalem shows some dark, musky flavors, with black cherry fruit wrapped around whiffs of smoke and the commonly found Oregon notes of tomato leaf and bud. Despite its immediate impact, it falls a bit light in the back end, and does not have quite enough weight to support the thick tannins.
Boasts tremendously ripe fruit—the stated alcohol level is 15.5%—yet doesn't seem overly hot or bulky. As you might expect, the tannins are soft, while the flavors of cassis pick up hints of cola, earth and tobacco. Despite the ripeness, there's a streak of tangy acidity that holds everything together. Drink now.
Named after the sea just across the hills from Chocapalha, this is a forward, attractively fruity wine. It is all about red fruits, light tannins, refreshing acidity and immediate drinkability.
Named after a local landmark, this is rich for a Vinho Verde, a soft blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura that brings out white fruits as well as a more citrus character. It's very aromatic, fruity and worth keeping a few months.
Dominated by its tannins and woody characteristics, this is a tough, chunky wine. It has weight and potential depth of black fruit, needing at least four years to soften out.
A very bright, citrusy Sierra Foothills Sauvignon Blanc, very fairly priced, that tastes of cool lemonade on a summer's day.
The first white wine from this winery, there's a lot of intrigue here: notes of mandarin orange, lime, and dried herbs. It's medium bodied and drinks just a hair off-dry, with tart fruit flavors.
Sixty percent Cabernet Franc with the balance made up of Merlot, this wine saw 20 months in oak and another 12 in bottle prior to release. The notes of dark flowers, cherry, and herbs are light, with chewy, slightly dry tannins and tart acidity.
A robust blend of 38% Zinfandel, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petite Sirah, 11% Barbera and 11% Syrah, all grown in Lake County, this rightly named Non Typical red is rich in strawberry and raspberry flavors with dusty overtones. Structured, but soft in the mouth, with a caramel finish.
Fragrant on the nose, with hints of black cherry and graham cracker, this is a ripe, rich, velvety Cabernet Franc with cassis flavor marked with just a hint of green stem. Velvety tannins and bright, brisk acidity extend long on the finish.
This is dark, oaky and minty on the nose, with inky aromas and scents of fresh-cut wood. A saturated, tight-feeling palate has oak as the pack leader, while mint and berry aromas float about. A jammy, woody, creamy finish is bullish but slightly hot.
The cedar, cherry and mocha aromas and flavors are light and there's not a lot of structure to this silky soft wine, but it still flies straight down the fairway and brings much to enjoy.
This cuvée is comprised of 43% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 17% Petite Sirah. It exudes black tar and leather, but it's more savory than fruity. Tannic still, showing off the Petite, its finish is long and lingering. This is a good pasta wine.
This soft, ripe wine is still developing its rich white fruitiness. For now, it's poised between acidity and a mineral structure. The creamier aspect of this wine is still to come, so keep until 2016.
Clean lemon and wet stone aromas are restrained on the nose. Pear, melon and pressed apple flavors ride around the lively lemon core of this medium-bodied wine.
Aromas of rose and orange oil dominate the nose, while the palate brings more tart nectarine and blossom notes. Medium bodied, with balanced acidity, this wine finishes with a slightly fuzzy texture.
A blend of Petit Manseng and Muscat, this wine is overtly floral and fruity. Sweet lily and white rose aromas pervade an exotic palate of lychee and orange oil. While easy to enjoy on its own, this would make a fun pairing with Thai curries.
The aromas on this wine are muddled, with notes of cocoa, vanilla, black pepper, tire rubber and cherry. The cranberry and cherry flavors are medium bodied backed by dry tannins.
Zesty lemon accents toast and grilled peach aromas, leading to a lithe and zippy, citrus-driven palate. It's a great sipper to accompany barbecued chicken on warm summer nights.
This pleasant, medium-bodied wine stays 11 months in French oak (30% new), so there's plenty of barrel influence. The cherry and herb notes manage to stand up to the wood treatment, which adds a layer of mocha flavor and a touch of bitterness. Drink now–2017.
Cool weather in 2012 kept acid levels high, something that comes across clearly in this wine. The fruit is bright and crisp—more like pie cherry than Bing or Rainier—and turns tart on the finish. Because of this, it could be one of those Pinot Noirs that pairs well with salmon.
Boasting aromas of sous bois, damp moss and mocha, this medium-bodied wine presents a pleasant blend of savory flavors, heavily underscored by tart, lemony acids. It's very crisp, which slightly limits its pleasure.