Leafy, dry and earthy on the nose, with a hint of flowery red fruit. The palate rings with sharp acidity, which livens up blackberry, herb, black tea and carob flavors. Shows a lot of wayward, unintegrated oak on the finish but stays bright due to juicy acidity.
Fleshy, melony scents kick it off. That set of aromas is followed by an acidic, lively palate with generic, slightly mealy flavors of peach, citrus and light oak. Long but a little bitter on the finish, but with good acid-driven zest.
A light, perfectly quaffable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the 2009 Sea Breeze displays classic grapefruit and gooseberry notes, accented by hints of tomato leaf. Finishes a bit short, but provides decent value.
Black cherry and cinnamon on the nose lead into spicy red berry and coca flavors. This is a clean, easy-drinking red that will pair well with lighter dishes like poultry and ham.
Fresh, zesty and on the dry side, with notes of wet stone and citrus and a finish hinting at green apples. Shows some heft, weighing in at 13% abv.
Influenced by the herbal, savory side of Marlborough Pinot Noir, with touches of mushrooms and parsnips alongside attractive wisps of cherry fruit. Fades quickly on the finish; drink now.
A soft, drinkable red with hints of sweet smoke and cured meat adding character to the mulberry and blackberry fruit flavors. Medium weight with low tannins and an easy finish. Drink now.
Composed of 40% Viognier, 39% Chenin Blanc and 21% Grenache Blanc, there's an attractive round richness to this wine. A toasty character spices up the fresh pear, melon and orange rind flavors, with a nutty accent lingering on the finish.
Round on the palate for a Riesling, with plumpness and sweetness to the midpalate that's balanced by hints of pink grapefruit and passion fruit and a fresh, clean finish. Patio wine.
Crisp and brisk on the palate, with hints of grapefruit, melon and fig accented by herbal, leafy notes. The flavors fade quickly on the finish, but the wine makes for a pleasant apéritif.
With 11,000 cases imported, this crisp, clean Steen should be easy to find and well worth the price. Light weight but filled with ripe pineapple and Key lime flavors accented by crushed white flowers. Drink now.
Ripe botrytis, honey and peaches make for an attractive, open, ready-to-drink sweet wine. The acidity keeps the richness in check.
Slightly sweet and confected with raspberry fruit roll-up and berry preserve aromas. A glimmer of crushed carnation flavors switch things up in the lightweight but round and soft mouth.
Black cherry, pepper and smoked meat on the nose are followed by flavors of smoked cherry, vanilla and pepper on the palate. Focused, with a spin of minerality on the finish, this is a versatile food wine.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache has minty, wet-plaster aromas, but also some pure Grenache notes. The palate runs tart, with cranberry and cherry. And the finish is tight and bitter, with more acids than tannin. A viable bistro wine but go no further.
Berry aromas come in front of a tart pie cherry and rhubarb palate. The feel is tight and acidic, so it lacks for mouthfeel and cries out for food. As a bistro or supermarket buy it offers the most potential.
Michel Laroche has been branching out of Chablis in recent years and his southern French effort has some chlorine notes along with aromas of mint and sweet wood. The power is up there, but there isn't suppleness to match. The palate pulsates while the finish is dark and sharp, with a burnt flavor.
Light in body, with pineapple and mint aromas and tart, citrusy and green flavors. Metallic on the finish.
Nice wine—if you're a beaver. Dry cedar and toast overwhelms the modest fruit.
Cherry, plum and earth aromas lead into a tart, lean palate that struggles to offer more than a modicum of cherry and cassis flavors. The finish is sweet and spicy, which makes for an odd, not terribly appealing combination.
Sweet aromas of leather and caramel seem murky and tired. The palate comes without snap, and that's despite some plum and raspberry flavors. The finish is lean and basic, and overall it's a simple wine that doesn't really taste much like Syrah.
Green pepper and tobacco aromas signal some of the sour fruit that appears on the palate. Tastes of beets and pie cherries and an oaky, disparate finish doesn't do much to shape things up. Too sour and scattered.
Sweet, light and floral, but not fruity. Lemon and orange flavors yield to a zesty finish. Simple and very high in acidity.
Rubbery and spicy in the nose, with a hint of orange peel. In the mouth, a heavy flatness sets in fast. The wine seems old, and for a rosé, it is. It just sits on your palate, tasting o.k. but needing a poke in the ribs.
Grassy to the point of excess, this wine's lean, herbal flavors and lemony acids are tart and mouthpuckering.
Light and oaky at first, with earth notes. But then it goes awkward, showing imbalanced berry and plum fruit and overt oak. The wine shows some complexity and style, but at the same time it's all over the place, with hard tannins that subtract from the final tally.
Melon and peach aromas start out fine but lose clarity. Citrus flavors that aren't quite full precede mild lemon and banana on the tail end. Nondescript and turns hot at the end. Kosher.
Almost tan in color, with neutral aromas and a dull, almondy flavor profile. Round and smooth. but all in all it's boring and fading fast.
Light in color, in fact almost transparent. The nose is full of tomato, brier and dried herbs. In a word: it's weak. The palate is equally lean and spicy, while the finish seems starched out and on its final legs. On the plus side is a leathery feel and some dried-herb nuances that mingle below the surface.
Peppery and green in the nose, with black olive aromas and little ripe fruit. That green quality carries onto the palate, where things are thin and vegetal, with just a hint of sour raspberry to keep it afloat.
Big but murky; there just isn't much focus to this leathery, full-fruit bruiser that seems to draw its energy from a powerful beam of acidity that runs through the center of things. Short on balance and charm, but big on extract and tannins.
Dull, waxy and smelling of overcooked vegetables, this admirably full-bodied effort is just too green to be considered good.
Textbook fruchtig Riesling—but with the volume turned up to 11. The flavors of honeyed apple, nectarine and lime are sweet and the wine round and plump in the mouth, but then electric acids kick in, providing great balance through the long finish. Exciting to try now, but this wine should age 10-plus years without any trouble at all.
At first stark and steely, this is the earthiest of Bergström's 2009 Pinots, with a streak of beetroot, tightly wound and substantial red fruits, and an earthy base behind well-delineated tannins. Give it time to breathe, and some lovely cinnamon highlights emerge.
The top wine from Château Chambert is huge and densely concentrated. It has a solid, black fruited feel to it along its immense tannins. It's richness has given its structure a sweeter almost jammy finish. The wine will certainly age many years.
A very earthy Pinot Noir from the gorgeous Oppenlander Vineyard. The wine—from mostly Pommard clones—is a heady mix of aromatic mushrooms growing in dirt and bright cherry-strawberry notes, finished by a lilting lift of rose petal and supple spice. An elegant wine that would be tempting to drink early and often.
Absolutely bursting with scents and flavors of ripe cherries, this delicious wine has amazing intensity. The fruit is as fresh as any wine can be, pure and focused, sweet and still deep, with a tight intensity that suggests good things to come. You have to love its purity.
Raspberry and cherry fruit, pure and concentrated, introduces the wine aromatically and glides smoothly into the midpalate. It tightens its focus and lingers gracefully, a mouthful of tart, primary, ripe and deliciously fresh fruit.
Bottled in June 2009, nearly four years after harvest, this is a limited production wine. It has great structure, tannin and beautiful ripe fruits. With a perfumed black-currant character, it is ready to drink now, but its tannins suggest aging potential.
Strikingly pungent on first take, with crackling aromas of cactus, nettle, lime and grapefruit. Feels zesty, deep and layered, with an even mix of tropical fruit flavors, stone fruits and green notes. About as right as it gets for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.
From its youth, this is obviously an ageworthy wine. The tannins, firm black-fruit flavors and intense acidity all point to this wine's longevity. It shows great balance, with its fruit melding into its dry structure. A beautifully polished wine.
Delicate, but nicely concentrated, with flower and fruit nicely integrated. Meyer lemon, tangerine, pear and even a hint of candied papaya mingle beautifully, set in a fine-tuned frame of acid and mineral.
The fruit from this well-located vineyard shines in this new vintage. Cherries and berries are set in a composty, moist, loamy framework. Hints of barnyard are subtle enough to add texture and depth. Lovely complexity.
Finely structured, this full-bodied wine is packed with black-fruit and plum flavors, with intense notes of spice and toast. With its solid foundation of powerful tannins, this is a wine for aging over 3–4 years.
Smooth, soft and plummy, this wine slips in on cat's feet and spreads gracefully across the palate. A sexy mix of blue and purple fruits, cocoa, coffee, red licorice and sandalwood.
Planted in 1998, this vineyard is relatively new to Soléna's lineup. Plenty of toast and Bourbon-barrel scents lift the open, with a hint of sharpness from the alcohol. Though only a quarter of the barrels were new, the spice and coffee accents are in full display, wrapped around tart red fruits. An earthy bottom, hinting at forest and mushroom, completes the experience.
This is a balanced and stylish wine, with a solid base of solid tannins and a dry core that gives strength to the blackberry fruit and acidity. There is minerality as well as a firm, austere finish. Age for 4–5 years.
Apricot and lemon marmalade aromas open up on this smooth, unctuous wine. It has concentrated honey and rich botrytis flavors, with an intense texture and fruit quality. Ready to drink now.
While it is structured and solid, the wine also has rich black fruits that are surrounded by the firm, dry tannins. There is a base of dark chocolate, wood spice and a brooding final quality to the weighty finish.
Fresh and fruity, this wine has a crisp, mineral character that gives an intense texture. It is balanced, ripe while still taut and crisp. The background to this is riper yellow fruits and a full, generous aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
This nose from the actor-turned-vintner's family vineyard shows tight aromas of chalk, rain on cement and lime pith and blossoms. The laser-focused palate holds to the lime-pith lead, also showing ruby-red grapefruit juice, but exercising a lot of clean restraint.
Opulent white blossom and tropical fruit flavors abound in this superripe, concentrated Riesling. Dry in style, it's plump and round in mouthfeel, yet reined in by bristling lime acidity and a rippling vein of minerality. It's a powerful, composed and complex wine.
This is a savory, meaty rendering of Cabernet Sauvignon, boasting aromas of cedar, smoke and soy-marinated grilled beef. Those peppered beef notes carry onto the palate, joined by hints of brown sugar. Full bodied and creamy, it finishes long, framed by supple tannins. Drink now–2020.
The blend is Malbec with Syrah and Merlot, and the nose is earthy, with heat and grainy oak along with blackberry notes. A lush, rich, supple palate features earthy, leathery blackberry flavors with coffee and bacon notes coming from the barrel. Smooth and long on the finish; drink through 2021.
This is a ripe, wood aged wine that has great structure as well as ample fruit flavor. It has a touch of toastiness—50% is aged in oak—although it is sophisticated and subtle. Apple, fresh apricot and green plum flavors show through the still young texture. All native grapes—35% Viosinho, 35% Rabigato and other locals from the estate—are the same used for Port blends. To bring out the richer, more rounded side of this wine, wait until 2017 to enjoy.
Dazzling acidity and crisp red cherry and plum flavors collide in this vibrant, nimble-footed Spätburgunder. Subtle spice, floral tones and chiffon-like tannins add softness on the finish. It's delicate and spry, yet finishes with length and power.
This shows tremendous color and a luxurious mouthful of blueberry and cinnamon, with a twinge of tree-tapped molasses. There's plenty of power yet also restraint in this well-structured wine that's built to cellar, through 2020, a finish of mocha set aside for the future.
This starts with toasty, spicy oak aromas, then deep fruit flavors emerge on layers of fine-grained tannins and last through the finish. While bold-tasting and full bodied, it's not overdone. The ripe black cherry notes are balanced by crisp raspberry and cranberry, and an underlying bright acidity keeps it zooming.
La Arena (sand) is one of four soil-based 2012 Altamira Malbecs made by TintoNegro, and the similarities among the wines far outweigh the differences. This is ripe and oaky on the nose, but clean and approachable. The palate is medium-to-full in feel, while flavors of black cherry, cassis and vanilla end with mild heat and baking spice notes. Drink through 2020.
La Grava (gravel) shows only modest differences from the silt, stone and sand wines in TintoNegro's soil-based series of 2012 Malbecs. Black-fruit aromas, herbal notes and solidity define the nose, while the palate is tight, juicy and racy, with red-fruit acidity. Nervy plum and raspberry flavors come with chocolaty oak and an agile, spicy finish. Drink through 2021.
La Piedra (stone) opens with the same ripe berry, plum, licorice and oaky aromas as La Arena, La Grava and El Limo (the other wines in this series). The palate is bright and fairly juicy, with black cherry, dark plum, baking spice and peppery flavors. A firm, lightly toasted, racy finish seems right for this wine. Drink through 2020.
Delicate mango and papaya sweetness accent this pristine, lip-smacking Riesling. While rich and round on the palate, it maintains a sunny, bright composure. A lavishly floral, perfumed wine from nose to extra-long finish.
A voluptuous white wine with a bite of acidity to keep it buoyant and vibrant on the palate, this sings in lemon zest, orange blossom and ripe yellow apple. Lushly layered, it threads a needle of stony, salty complexity, finishing with full-flavored flair.
This is a ripe and spicy wine that is full of dense black fruits. Tannins and spice from wood aging merge with the rich fruit, giving a dry core to the plump, generous wine. It can be drunk now, although the wine will be better from 2017.
This full-bodied white opens with aromas of ripe yellow peach, Spanish broom, chamomile and Mediterranean brush. The round, creamy palate doles out juicy pineapple, baked yellow apple, saline, mineral and candied nectarine zest alongside soft acidity.
Made with the native Nasco grape, which is usually reserved to make sweet dessert wines, this dry, full-bodied white opens with an attractive floral fragrance of Spanish broom, chamomile and a whiff of tropical fruit. The rich, creamy palate delivers ripe yellow apple, apricot and candied ginger while a note of toasted almond closes the finish.
From a beloved vineyard source in the heart of the appellation, this classic Zin-Petite Sirah is perfumed from the start, aromatically memorable in dried cranberry and ripe plum. Elegant in style, it offers soft, integrated tannins around a juicy core of brambly blackberry and brown sugar.
Balanced for dinner time, and sophisticated in aromas and flavors, this wine stands apart from the pack. The boysenberry and cedar aromas are tempting, and the vivid cherry and berry flavors are satisfying. Enough tannins and acid are woven in to keep the wine refreshing.
Absolutely fresh and pleasantly floral in both aroma and flavor, this dry wine will be a treat to drink before the meal or with seafood as delicate as sauteed trout or rich as bouillabaise. Melon and apple-peel flavors and good, crisp acidity give it a surprisingly assertive texture for something so natural and fruity.
Caramel aromas lead to a wine that is rich and full bodied. It has weight and concentration, along with fresh acidity that cuts through at the end. A good sense of minerality gives this wine extra texture. Drink from 2017.
Dusty pollen and mineral tones lend austerity and elegance to zesty orange peel and lemon flavors in this dry, bracing Riesling. While light bodied and spry, it's surprisingly persistent on the finish. Ends on a delicate floral note.
Black cherry and medicinal aromas dominate an earthy, dense nose. A ton of energy is unloaded on a grabby, aggressive palate that's packed with cherry, plum and cough drop flavors. This is ripe, forward and fresh, with brown-sugar sweetness to the finish. Drink through 2024.
Made with old vines, this soulful red opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, game, baked earth, wild herb and a smoky note. The ripe, round palate doles out ripe black plum, black cherry, grilled rosemary and wild fennel alongside solid, velvety tannins. Concentrated and accessible, it will offer several more years of sheer drinking pleasure. Drink through 2021.
This light but vibrant and dry wine smells like fresh peaches, tastes like white raspberries and wakes up the mouth with crisp acidity. A floral character comes out with the second sip, and the mouthfeel seems to broaden and smooth on the finish.
With a buoyant percentage of Sonoma Coast fruit added to that of Napa Valley, this is a minerality-driven wine, vibrant in the glass from start to finish, softly layered and generously expressive. Amid the suggestion of ocean salt, it offers a mix of lemon citrus and chiffon, teetering between bright and ripe.
Lovely aromas meld rose petals and raspberries, while flavors convey sweet cherries with a dash of chocolate. Light hints of leaf and stem add complexity to the midpalate, and a hint of bacon surprises and delights in the finish.
The most robust of the producer's elegant Syrahs, this wine hails from a warm, rocky site atop Atlas Peak. It offers a taste of baked blackberry and plum tart, with a subtle touch of leather and game. Plush, it remains fresh on the palate, finishing in a velvety jolt of chocolate and white pepper.
This has been a steady source over the years for reasonably rich, satisfying wines from the Languedoc. The 2004 Réserve has a velvety feel to its tannins, giving it a touch more polish than usual, plus dark flavors of leather, cola and earth--even a hint of bacon on the finish. Drink it over the next few years.
Piercing aromas announce that this is no basic quaffer. The palate shows blazing acids that narrow everything down to citrus, lemon, underripe pineapple and Granny Smith apple flavors. While almost sour, it's not, with briney green fruit on a long, scouring finish.
Washington Roussanne, which is two thirds of the blend here, has sharp edges and some phenolic bite – it's not a round, fruity style. Take that into account, but pair this firm, woodsy, slightly bitter wine with pork roast or grilled chops and you'll have a match made in heaven.
This brings a boatload of flavor for the price. It's packed with fruit;  citrus, pineapple, apple, and peach, round and succulent, with just the right amount of sharp acidity to give it some verve.
This is a pretty, nicely balanced Rhône for immediate consumption. Attractive aromas of cherries, with hints of cocoa and cinnamon, give way to similar flavors couched in supple tannins. It's not a rustic powerhouse, but a surprisingly silky blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre.
Petrol leads the nose, which also deals pear and melon in a solid facsimile of Alsace. The palate is lemony and cut by streaking acidity, while the flavors of citrus run tart and monotone. Finishes zesty, with green apple and lemon.
This medium-bodied blend of 70% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot offers mature berry and baking spice aromas. On the palate, round tannins temper the ripe black cherry, vanilla and coffee flavors. Drink through 2018.
Initially, this smells horsey, minty and not entirely clean or clear. A full chunky but clumsy palate is home to dark toasty flavors of clove and spice, while fruit notes are secondary. Barrel-driven mint, spice and clove flavors dominate the finish.
Made in a ready-to-drink style, this is a slightly creamy-textured Cabernet that hits the right notes: cassis, vanilla, black olive and a hint of menthol. It's a fruit-driven wine that lacks a bit structure, but will please most palates through 2020.
This wine blends 6% co-fermented Syrah from a single lot, the fruit celebrated in all its ripe, full-bodied glory. Cherry, chocolate and barbecue flavors commingle on the soft, round palate that develops further richness in the glass. The tannic profile is strong and thick.
This shy, robust red reveals faint whiffs of underbrush, leather and Mediterranean brush. The subdued, one-dimensional palate offers raisin and licorice flavors, an alcoholic warmth and brawny tannins.
The nose does not give a lot away and is very neutral—just a mere hint of freshness. The palate provides gentle fresh fruit and is rounded. Drink soon while aromas are at their peak.
Red berry, underbrush and coffee bean aromas lift out of the glass. The medium-bodied palate delivers red cherry, clove and tobacco notes, with firm tannins that grip the finish.
The nose of this bottling from one of Temecula's most reliable producers is pretty but not terribly complex, with crushed purple flower, blackberry jelly, coffee and elderflower aromas. The palate shows Concord grape fruit flavors and a gravel-driven minerality.
This grape is still finding its way to consistency in California, and this bottling combines interesting black raspberry and reductive tar notes. It's light in body, with red raspberry fruit flavors and pencil shaving accents. Best served with food, since it doesn't offer a lot of compelling character on its own.
Bright red berry, blue flower and baking spice notes lift out of the glass. Light-bodied and accessible, the palate offers red cherry and star anise flavors held together with pliant tannins. Drink through 2021.
This 100% Sangiovese offers red-skinned berry and cooking spice aromas. The straightforward palate offers tart red cherry and wild strawberry fruit with a hint of underbrush and loose-knit tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with plum and violet aromas. Mellow tannins frame a palate of red cherry and baking spice flavors. Enjoy soon.
This wine opens with stewed plum, used leather, vanilla and coconut aromas. The palate is evolved, offering prune, espresso and sage flavors, with close-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this medium-weight effort carries scents of tomato leaf and Mediterranean herbs. Those highlights continue into the palate, with pomegranate fruit and a dry pleasant lightly herbal character.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Malvasia Bianca, this opens with red-skinned fruit and an earthy underbrush aromas. The fresh, straightforward palate evokes red cherry and chopped herb, framed by smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Barrel fermented and aged for 14 months in French oak, this enters with a nutty, toasty flavor around lighter fruit. Jicama, apple and white peach combine in the midpalate, then thin out quickly, with some bite to the finish.
Temperance Hill grapes are sourced for this Pinot Noir project. Barrel spices dominate, with tart berry fruit in the background. It's a solid effort, though it thins out and feels a bit stripped in the finish.
Pungent grassy notes lead the nose of this bottling from Vina Robles, with rounder passionfruit scents as well. The palate combines flinty minerality with lime zest, kumquat and herbal flavors, recalling its initial grassiness.
Dark-skinned berry and baking spice aromas lead the nose. The easygoing palate offers juicy black cherry and mocha flavors with a touch of white pepper. Dusty tannins leave a drying finish. Drink through 2021.
This opens with subdued black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The palate is straightforward and easygoing, with black cherry, tilled soil and leather alongside flavors supported by firm tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
The winery notes that these vines were planted in 1983, and the wine offers generous dry extract along with dried apple fruit. It's lightly tawny in color, with sappy acids. Best to drink up in 2017.
Fresh blueberry, burned caramel, black licorice and sage scents show on the nose of this bottling of a variety that doesn't often get its own stage. The tannins are light but ever-present, framing black plum, elderberry, thyme and peppercorn flavors. It's not as rich or dense as similar wines but is nevertheless a nice sipper.
Made of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Mammolo, this opens with French oak, coconut, espresso and prune aromas. The palate is lean, offering star anise, dried sage, raisin and orange zest notes rather than juicy fruit. Grainy tannins give it a bracing finish.
This Riserva's shy nose eventually reveals black-skinned fruit and a whiff of baking spice, while the palate offers straightforward plum and clove flavors. It's easy-drinking and has mellow tannins.
Melon and a green note of pole beans and lettuce set up a high-acid citric palate. Grassy notes of clover and lettuce infiltrate core citrus flavors, while this shows lemony punch and an herbal note on a juicy tangy finish.
This is a pleasant bottle, with delicate fruit flavors that suggest watermelon and strawberry—nothing riper. There's a distinct impression of white balsamic vinegar, adding a high-toned lift that's just on the edge of too much, at least for some tasters.
There is plenty of Merlot in this ripe wine which is produced in the Listrac cooperative. Spice and attractive tannins give the wine structure and perfume. They contrast with the juicy blackberry fruits and fine crisp acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from 2021.
This is a soft ripe wine. It has already delicious red fruits and gentle tannins. With a generous rich palate, it is full bodied and packed with jammy Merlot flavors. The wine will be ready to drink soon, certainly by late 2017.
The wine is fruity and also textured. The acidity and dry tannin and wood flavors reveal a wine that will need to develop. It has weight and potential richness that will come out over the next couple of years. Drink this wine from 2018.
Fresh and juicy, this full-bodied while structured wine comes from the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers region, which gives the fruitiness and blackberry fruit flavors. It will develop quickly and can be drunk from 2016.
Coming from the warm 2013 vintage, this easy-drinking wine offers notes of sweet corn, pear and peach with light barrel accents. The fruit flavors are elegant with a lightly creamy feel.
This is an aromatic wine with notes of rose water, pear and white flowers. It drinks medium sweet with abundant spice flavors throughout. Pair with spicy Thai dishes.
This concentrated, structured wine has an earthy quality, typical of some Listracs, along with a more juicy, fruity character that's boosted by acidity. Balanced, it will age over the medium-term. Drink from 2017.
Menthol, scorched soil, toasted oak and plum aromas lead the nose on this blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. On the palate, licorice, dried sage and espresso add interest to the black cherry flavors while firm, slightly astringent tannins provide support.
Aromas of bath oil and exotic fruits like lychee and mango come in front of a short, simple palate that's fresh. Lychee and mango flavors finish in tropical style, with a mild soapy note. The wine is varietally correct and well done.
Tech sheets hint at Stagecoach Vineyard being involved somehow in this Syrah, a chewy expression of coconut, smoke and game around a dense, concentrated body and well-integrated tannins. The finish is all about mocha.
Aromas of toast, espresso and mature plum lead to a tightly wound palate that offers roasted coffee bean, licorice and walnut alongside tough, astringent tannins.
This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time develop, although it will provide density and ripe berry fruits in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s, is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.
Powerful and structured, this has dense tannins that will always be an important part of the wine. The juicy, fresh fruit gives a perfumed character to the wine and brings out acidity as well as the dry texture. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Ripe and perfumed, this is packed with the richness of 2010 along with its structure. It has weight, juicy black and red berry fruits and a tense structure that still needs time. Acidity at the end provides a fresh lift to the essentially firm wine.
Coming from the cool 2011 vintage this wine offers a blue-fruit profile seldom seen in the state for this variety along with notes of chocolate and coffee. It's elegantly styled with a soft feel, trailing toward the finish.
This wine offers aromatic notes of blueberry and barrel spices. It's smooth and easy-drinking, not offering much complexity but bringing plenty of appeal.
Earthy aromas include new leather, scorched soil, wild berry and a touch of funky game. On the robust palate, grilled sage, tobacco and licorice add depth to a core of fleshy wild cherry along a backbone of raspy tannins and searing alcohol. Drink after 2018.
This conveys aromas of mature dark fruit and leafy underbrush. The firm palate displays stewed plum, ground pepper and a hint of dried sage alongside extremely astringent tannins that cut short the finish. Tried twice with the same notes.
Coffee grinds, raisin and baked aromas suggest overripeness. This is heavy, broad and a bit clumsy on the palate. Berry and prune flavors are solid but not overly fresh, while the finish is full and raisiny as it improves over time.
This is still closed and extremely tannic but opens with aromas of underbrush, mature berry, tilled soil and game. The palate offers dried cherry, grilled sage and a leathery note alongside dry, raspy tannins.
This is well-balanced and ripe, with plenty of room for both the attractive black fruits and the firm tannic structure. Wood aging shows, although it will integrate well. The wine is fruity, likely to be ready to drink from 2016.
This offers appealing notes of cranberry, cherry and orange peel along with a kiss of vanilla. It's tart and fresh in style with puckering fruit flavors—perfect for the dinner table.
Hailing from 1970s plantings, this wine is directly appealing with aromas of corn silk, candy corn, caramel and spice. The palate is sleek in style with plump peach flavors. Try it with crab.
Sanguine in cassis, cranberry and wild strawberry, this relatively inexpensive Napa Cab has an herbal edge that suggests elegance and balance. The finish is stamped in oak that lingers on the palate without overwhelming.
Crisp lemon, fennel and Bosc pear come into play in this medium-bodied Chardonnay, accented by a taste of fig. Taking on depth and breadth as it develops in the glass and on the palate, the wine finishes long and lean.
Underbrush, tobacco and spiced plum aromas lead the nose. On the straightforward palate, notes of anise and clove add depth to the black cherry core. It's easy drinking, with lithe tannins.
Aromas of cooked fruit, stewed plum, toast, coffee and vanilla lead the nose. The warm palate offers up fleshy black cherry, mocha and a licorice note, with the warmth of alcohol on the midpalate. It's already accessible so drink soon.
This lovely sparkling wine is made with no dosage or added sugar. It offers scents of warm, just baked bread, citrus and roasted almond. The palate offers peach, apple, citrus and a hint of walnut along with crisp, clean acidity. It's smooth, with fine bubbles and a creamy texture.
A limited edition of selected wines from São Miguel, this is a powerful statement of the rich and dense Alentejano wines. It is complex as well, its solid tannins supporting huge black-fruit flavors, balanced acidity and a final juicy, very ripe finish. Drink from 2017.
A full five years old but still with a long life ahead of it, this wine is in full blossom with notes of petrol, slate and white flowers. Harvested at 38.3 Brix and retaining 222 g/L of residual sugar, it's full of concentrated, rich apricot flavors that linger after each sip for close to a minute.
Beautifully Burgundian, this soft, elegant and refined reserve bottling captures pretty black cherry fruit, wraps it in a wreath of sandalwood and sassafras, and lingers temptingly through an extended finish. Delicious already, it has the structure to age for a decade or longer.
Exotic aromas of tropical fruit and honey tangerines introduce this intensely fruity yet elegantly structured spätlese. The palate is powerfully concentrated, all the while, being lifted by a spray of citrus acidity and crushed minerals. It's unabashedly sweet with fruit, yet finishes remarkably dry.
Lovely honeysuckle and apple blossoms lead into lush flavors of gooseberry jam, lemon curd and apple butter; the mind reels at the complexity. It's all in perfect balance, the fruit set against bracing acidity, the hint of sweetness rounding out the mouthfeel, and the whole flavor circus rolling merrily along through an extended finish.
This is an impressive wine, full of rich fruits and a dense and firm structure. The wine, with its black berry and plum flavors, is dry and concentrated, with a powerful and complex texture that suggests a fine minerality. It definitely needs aging, so drink from 2016.
Richly aromatic, with notes of orange marmalade, apricot, honey and crème fraîche. It's thick and creamy in feel while still displaying exceptional balance, length and intensity.
This is an impressively powerful, concentrated wine. It shows its wood aging now, but those notes should integrate soon into all the ripe apricot and greengage flavors. Richly textured, this is a wine that needs aging, so don't drink before 2016.
One of the most familiar of Puligny's Premier Crus has produced a ripe, yet very structured wine. It has intense minerality and a nervy, tight texture balanced with acidity, crisp apple and attractive wood spice. Everything is in harmony on this complex wine, promising a smooth aging . Drink from 2016.
Heady aromas of rose petal, red berry and tropical fruit lend an unusual expressiveness to this delicately framed kabinett. Dainty and dancing, the texture is almost ethereal, finishing long, with a lacy swath of berries and blossoms.
This is a rich, full-bodied Champagne, with hints of toast and wood flavors, balanced with a citrus acidity. There's a warm feel to this complex wine that will certainly age well.
Unlike the Colheita version, this can sustain high alcohol easily. That's because the black fruit is rich enough, there is a fine freshness from juicy acidity and the tannins are well managed. This is a wine to age and drink from 2017.
This dark-hued wine is still very closed and firm. Dark chocolate and licorice flavors are prominent against a backdrop of black fruit, hinting at the wine's considerable wood aging. It does have great weight and richness, so let it develop and drink from 2017.
Now ripe and mature, this is a full-bodied, rich and toasty wine. It is complex with flavors of white fruits, citrus and vanilla, along with a tight, mineral-laced texture. Crisp in the Lanson style and full of impressive flavors, this is a wine that is ready to drink now.
Apart from its quite heavy bottle, this is a fine wine. It has great black plum and berry aromas that are balanced by wood aging. The tannins, direct, firm and dense, bring out the best in the juicy fruitiness and give shape. At the end, this structure, combined with acidity, promise good aging. Drink from 2016.
Brilliant and vibrant yet concentrated, with tangerine, yellow peach and honey flavors, this wine is a roller coaster of flavors and textures on the palate. Luscious sweetness is balanced by bracing acidity and a lingering saffron-kissed finish. Drinks beautifully now, but will deepen in intensity for decades to come.
This is a beautiful wine showing remarkable richness and maturity. Hints of toast and bright fruits combine seamlessly to yield a full, ripe wine marked with with intense acidity. With concentration from old vines showing strongly, it's a wine that's ready to drink now.
This is a smooth but heavily wood-influenced wine with light blackberry fruits, a layer of firm tannins, and very fresh acidity. Not for aging, but enjoyable for its fruity, lightweight character.
DiamAndes continues to put out clunky Viogniers from the Uco Valley. This is bland and waxy on the nose, with notes of green melon and nectarine. The palate is round and full but lacks personality, while flavors of papaya and melon are heavy and finish yeasty.
Wispy hints of stonefruit and clementine mingle with savory notes of nettle and dried herb on this characteristically grassy, brisk Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is delicately flavored, with a dusty mineral note that lingers.
Earthy, rustic aromas give this wine an all-too-natural feel. It has firm tannins alongside juicy black fruits that bring out a dense texture. As the wine ages, maybe the barnyard character will go.
Half Viognier with the rest equal parts Marsanne and Roussanne, this is aromatic with notes of pear, apples and apricot with surprisingly tart fruit flavors. The warmth of the vintage shows with the alcohol bleeding through, especially on the finish.
A widely available offering from Concannon, this Cab is rich in jammy cherry and vanilla, with a backbone of oak, a nice choice for midweek dinners of rib roast and steak.
Hard, rubbery, leathery aromas are balanced off by black-fruit scents. This is tight on the palate, with condensed flavors of berry, plum and minty herbs. The finish holds onto that herbal character while showing solidity and adequate structure.
Rather stalky, this dry wine has a sense of extraction in the form of bitterness. The wine's red fruits are behind this dryness, demanding at least another 2–3 years.
A hearty, bombastically high-in-alcohol wine, this offers a combination of grape, plum and leather flavors around a syrupy sweetness of chocolate.
This wine is closed, tight and possibly still developing, with some acidity and hints of citrus flavors. There's also a cheesy character that is less attractive.
This lean wine focuses more on its stalky texture rather than fruit. It has some attractive perfumes and hints of red fruits that are subdued by the austere structure. Drink from 2017.
A sweet smell like raisins and very ripe, grapy flavors ride a soft, broad texture and medium body. It's not too dry and it's not at all tannic. It's easy and gentle to drink.
While the wine is ripe, it does have a barnyard aroma that needs to blow away before it is ready to drink. The aroma comes with firm, dry tannins and a ripe berry fruits that are just beginning to develop. Drink from 2017.
This is a fresh wine with caramel as well as ripe red-berry flavors. With its textured acidity and crisp, clean aftertaste, it's a wine to drink as an apéritif.
This varietal Garnacha is chunky and heavily oaked on the nose, with woody aromas of vanilla and plastic. An overtly oaky, awkward feeling palate tastes of resin on top of plum and blackberry, while the finish shows more resin mixed with mint.
Coarse raspberry and plum aromas are backed by a narrow palate with limited flavors of cherry chewing gum and cough drop. This stays consistent by finishing with a wiry, raw feel.
A pale rosé from Pinot Noir, this is light and fresh, with an intense acidity that cuts through the fruitiness. It's a fine apéritif style with its crisp texture and lively aftertaste.
This is a smooth, approachable and straightforward wine, unfussy in its offerings of buttery toast and oak, the fruitiness derived entirely from the tropics.
This brand plays at the lower end of the Côtes du Rhône price spectrum, sometimes successfully. This wine has a subdued nose, then combines cherry, leather and earth notes on the palate. It's a bit astringent for the modest level of fruit, but still solid.
Aromatically, this varietal Prieto Picudo from Asturias shows graphite, wood resin, vanilla and spiced plum. In the mouth, however, it's devoid of structure and thus comes across jammy and flabby. Flavors of baked berry fruits are oaky and rooty, while this is massive on the finish but lacks foundation and framing.
Light, fruity and fresh, this has crisp acidity within a strongly herbal context. Citrus and sliced apples give the wine its refreshing fruitiness. Drink now.
Nearly 25% of Petit Verdot is in play in this wine, along with a handful of Malbec. Altogether, it's an herbal, cedar-driven and grippy wine, dry on the palate with a hazelnut finish.
Nearing brown in color, this blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Chardonnay is reminiscent of a Old Fashioned cocktail, with orange rind and bourbon notes as well as walnut oil and quinine aromas. A strong hazelnut-oil character shows on the rougher palate, which is thick and oily with dried apricot and more orange peel.
Briary, herbal berry aromas precede a simple, inoffensive palate. Generic, slightly candied and herbal berry flavors end with notes of pepper and mild bitterness. This is 60% Bobal and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
There's a feral quality to the nose of this wine, with wet hay and grapeseed aromas alongside black-cherry fruit. A punchy plum flavor shows on the palate, as does dried oregano and more barnyard qualities.
Dark black and purple in hue, this wine has a dullness and dilution to the palate, which is dense in blueberry and leather, lacking grip on a quick finish.
This is a soft, approachable juicy and unfussy wine, wrapped in sturdy stalks of oak and showy tannin. It offers a value-minded taste of blackberry jam and leather.
Tropical in style and approach, this rich wine dotted in pineapple and papaya drinks bigger than it is, veering into very ripe flavor and texture.
In the pale style made fashionable by Provence, this rosé is fruity, crisp and lightly textured. It's an attractive wine, fresh and ready to drink.
Distinct aromas of Graham Cracker, coffee and stewed berries precede a tannic, rock-hard palate. Chunky, wayward flavors of blackberry and stalky black plum are earthy and finish with severe tannic grab.
With a dark oak profile, this wine blends Merlot with Malbec, the two combining to offer cinnamon, clove, cedar and herb. The fruit tends more red than black, and is friendly but a touch puckering and dry.
From the Cognac region, this fresh and fruity wine is light and bright with herbal flavors, crisp citrus and intense acidity. It's ready to drink.
This is a diluted, straightforward wine dotted in pleasing layers of pear and papaya. It finishes clean and quick.
This blend of Bobal and Garnacha is clean and neutral up front. A healthy feeling palate is highly regular but solid. Standard citrus and currant flavors end with moderate length.
The aromas of herbs are surprisingly light. The stone fruit flavors are broad, with tart, lemony acids. The variety seems impossible for find.
Fleshy, powdery aromas of melon and raspberry are not really crisp. This feels basic, with wiry acidity. Briny citrus flavors carry onto a finish that's highly regular but gets the job done.
Kumeu River is one of New Zealand's most consistent producers of Chardonnay. This bottling boasts slightly austere aromas of wet stone, struck flint and woodsmoke, then delivers white peach and pineapple flavors on the palate. It's medium in body, with a slightly creamy texture and a moderately long finish.
Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, pear, Spanish broom and brimstone lead the nose on this vibrant white. The bright palate offers citrus, apple and mineral along with a touch of light oak that adds depth, while crisp acidity imparts energy.
Aromas recall rose petal, dark berry and orange zest. The palate delivers mature blackberry, cocoa, mocha and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
The Momtazi vineyard supplies these grapes. The wine has a sharp edge to it, a sense of raw wood that pushes against tart, stiff red fruits. Whiffs of smoke and salted chocolate add welcome nuances. The winery's AVA series provides interesting, nicely differentiated wines at somewhat moderate (for Oregon Pinot) prices.
Tight and bright, this tasty wine hits the mineral button under tangy lemon flesh and rind. The tart fruit is refreshing, clear and clean through a driving finish.
Sourced from some of the oldest and best blocks, dating back to 1983, this brings whiffs of saddle leather across supple, savory fruit. Taut and tannic, it needs plenty of breathing time, which brings in black cherry and dark chocolate.
Exotic aromas of cardamom, blueberry and spiced currant filter onto a fresh but wide-bodied palate with raspberry, blueberry, herb and spice flavors. The finish is intriguing due to a reprise of notes like anise, mint and herbal berry flavors.
Bright, clean, crisply rendered raspberry fruit—nicely spiced—really shines here. This relatively modestly priced cuvée carries itself with style and elegance, still young, tight and tart, with plenty of medium-term aging potential.
Slightly leesy, oily aromas are mature, with notes of salami, apple and melon popping up. The palate is lush and round, with good acidity keeping things vertical. Leesy flavors of melon, vanilla, spiced apple and brine finish chunky, with moderate complexity.
Made from 47% Primitivo, 29% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah and 8% Petite Sirah, this offers a complex nose that mixes sanguine elements of iron, tar and black rocks with smoked meats. The palate is plush and smoky with decent grip, culminating with a bit of creosote funk on the finish.
This explodes in sizable red cassis and berry fruit along with darker shades of blackberry and espresso. With leathery tannins that remain puckeringly huge, it can stand some time in the cellar mellowing out, through 2026.
Meaty, gritty aromas of earth, animal hide and horseradish introduce an intense, chewy, saturated but slightly clumsy palate with blackened berry, plum, carob and vanilla flavors. An oaky, medicinal tasting finish is potent but not very complex.
This is a real apéritif wine, full of approachable fruit and ripe lychee and spice flavors. It's a generous wine that's cut with some acidity from the vintage. The aftertaste brings out a stylish, balanced character.
Longtime Souverain winemaker Ed Killian's personal project, this 100% Chardonnay was given 20% new French oak, allowing the fruit to speak for itself in this wine. Pear and fig converge in balanced, voluptuous layers. Just a touch of ripe caramel-honey on the finish makes the wine seem heady and risqué.
Delicious and wood-aged , this is a cool wine from a hot place. With as much citrus as tropical fruits, it is crisp, fresh, cut with refreshing acidity that contrasts with the toast and minerality. The wine could be drunk now, although it will be better from 2016.
Citrus, green herb and tolerable sweaty aromas suggest Sauvignon Blanc, but this is 100% Verdejo with a snappy, pure, citric palate and flavors of green apple, lime and grapefruit. It's juicy on the back end, with depth and persistence. Drink now.
Yeasty apple and melon aromas are offset by stony mineral notes. This feels fresh and just a touch leesy/creamy, with an overriding sense of quality to the palate. Peach, melon and minerally flavors finish clean and pure. Drink right away.
Made with Frappato, this lively sparkler conveys a refined fragrance of rose and red berry. The bright, savory palate offers red cherry, strawberry, a hint of pink grapefruit and a cinnamon note alongside crisp acidity and elegant effervescence.
Zesty lemon and lime skins perfume this dry, steely Riesling. It's bold in body yet edged with razor-sharp acidity. The midpalate yields slowly with touches of quince and tangerine that linger nicely through the finish.
This producer always does a nice job with Zinfandel and this is no exception, a fairly-priced offering of fresh-picked blackberry, red berry and blueberry. Sanguine and leathery in the background, it's balanced, too, with a finish of black pepper.
This is in the big red category without being overwhelming. Rich, firm and concentrated, it smells like blackberries and vanilla, tastes layered and textural, and has enough tannin and acidity for great balance despite a hint of sweetness.
Intensely mineral, this dry, laser-focused Riesling expresses the stark purity of Mosel's 2013 vintage. Shimmering acidity bristles the palate, accentuating fresh apple and pear flavors. The finish is cool, steely and long.
Made from a blend of various aromatic grapes, this smooth dessert wine delivers dry apricot, candied tangerine, hazelnut and Mediterranean herb flavors. It has a lingering, polished finish.
It is a dark and earthy Pinot, with notes of clean compost, root beer and faint hints of campfire. This medium- to full-bodied wine boasts supple tannins that coast easily through a long, silky finish. Tasted from a 3L bottle in Central Otago (nonblind), the wine seemed much fresher, with more cherry fruit.
This 15-year-old opens with earthy aromas of game, leather and leafy underbrush. The palate offers grilled mushroom, flint, dried cherry, powdered sage and stewed prune. The tannins still have some kick but it's best to drink this now before the mature fruit dries up.
The grape candy and cherry kirsch aromas that emerge pick up more serious notes of freshly tanned leather and smoldering tobacco. The palate recalls charred meats in a sautéed cherry sauce, with a touch of pepper to keep it spicy.
Delicate but inviting aromas suggest Spanish broom, stone fruit and lychee. The palate is round but vibrant, boasting juicy white peach, creamy green apple, energizing mineral and a citrus note.
Blackberry and cassis aromas are a touch balsamic but mostly clean. This feels solid and hefty, with slightly overripe black-fruit flavors. A low-acid finish results in flatness.
Aromas of peach, herb and flowers are followed by off-dry lightly spritzy lime and stone-fruit flavors. It lacks a sense of cohesion.
This opens with aromas suggesting fragrant purple flower, blackberry, damp soil and a whiff of used leather. The simple palate isn't as expressive as the nose, offering raw red berry and a hint of white pepper set against brisk acidity and drying, rather fleeting tannins.
Merlot makes up just over three-quarters of this wine. Unusual aromas of brown stems, flowers and blue fruit lead to lightly sweet fruit flavors supported by dry puckering tannins. Overall, the concentration seems lacking.
Cool rooty grassy aromas are up front. This feels wiry and tannic. Herbal green-leaning plum and currant flavors finish with a distinct flavor of minty green along with rough tannins.
Reedy plum and raspberry aromas are a touch floral. This feels highly regular, while medicinal berry flavors carry a mild green and weedy side note. A finish with modest raspberry and cherry notes is par for the course.
Basic berry and plum aromas are a bit foxy and herbal. This feels choppy and scratchy due to raw tannins. Generic black-fruit flavors are short and salty, while this ends with a clipped feel and medicinal berry flavors.
Clean but modest raspberry aromas set up a wiry palate. This tastes of tart plum, tomato and herbs. A minty green note rises up on a snappy palate that includes a touch of oak.
Raspberry and strawberry aromas suggest fruit punch. This feels stocky and sticky due to low acidity. Flavors of plum and berry come with buttery oak notes, while this is short and hollow on the finish.
This wine's alcohol is apparent from the start, as is a huge oak component and jammy, confected fruit. It's cedary, minty and grapy, with a warm, woody finish.
Albariño is not known for its aging potential, and this fairly stale offering from 2010 is proof that the textbook is correct. Aromas of white fruits, corn and hay set up a chunky palate with flavors of melon and mango that are yeasty and slightly oxidized.
This wine starts out a bit reduced before it opens to display aromas of kiwi, pineapple and pink grapefruit. The flavors drink dry and seem quite dilute.
Mild flowery aromas suggest lilac and bath soap. This feels plump and chunky, with no distinct center point. Salty, yeasty but bland flavors lead to an oily feeling finish with early onset oxidation.
Rubbery blackberry aromas are dense and horsey. This feel wide and chunky but loose at the seams. Oaky flavors of generic black fruits finish medicinal and a touch candied.
Toast, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and barrel spice flavors are followed by a palate that mixes equal part fruit and barrel. It goes down easy.
This estate wine is puckering in dry, lengthy tannins and extracted fruit, a leathery texture in the way of further exploration. Mint and cedar season the power and concentration.
Attractive, full-force plum and berry aromas with a fruity, rich, concentrated palate of black fruit and plum. Smooth, nothing fancy, and always solid for those looking for a big, full-bodied wine at an affordable price. Luzon is the definition of a go-to producer.
A soft juicy wine, with mid-weight. The berry fruits, the black currant juice and the fresh acidity are enjoyable. It's developing fast, and not likely to age.
Dusty tannins gives the wine some weight and richness. Juicy blackberry flavors combine with the fresh acidity of the vintage, but with an extra burst of power. There is a fine, crisply acidic aftertaste.
A sophisticated, delicate nose of fresh flowers, peach, lemon and spice leads this attractive wine from Greece. On the palate, crisp flavors of lemon, minerals and spice dominate. Refreshing and clean, it will pair well with Asian food, seafood, salads.
Robust aromas of ripe berry fruit and bacon give this a full and lusty starting point, while the textured body is rich, with sturdy tannins. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry are sweet, and the wine has good character and bounce. A wine you want to drink on a regular basis.
This blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino offers slightly floral aromas that hint at apricot or peach, then follows those up with similar flavors and just a touch of spice on the finish. Marrenon is emerging as a dependable source for value wines from the Luberon.
This budget Pinot is light but honest—meaning it has not been blended with Petite Sirah to make it seem darker and more tannic than it actually is. Sour cherry and cranberry fruit, with sharp acids and a hint of ground coffee threaded through the finish.
While this wine has pleasant fruit, there are also some dark edges of black berries and rough tannins. The focus is shaded, still developing.
Very toasty wood aromas, the wine itself packed with new wood, fresh spice, the fruit lost somewhere at this stage. But it does have some weight and underlying hints of concentration.
Made in a fruit-driven style with an undercurrent of stony minerality, this medium-bodied blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne hints at pear and citrus. Drink now.
This offers appealing notes of cranberry, cherry and orange peel along with a kiss of vanilla. It's tart and fresh in style with puckering fruit flavors—perfect for the dinner table.
Hailing from 1970s plantings, this wine is directly appealing with aromas of corn silk, candy corn, caramel and spice. The palate is sleek in style with plump peach flavors. Try it with crab.
Sanguine in cassis, cranberry and wild strawberry, this relatively inexpensive Napa Cab has an herbal edge that suggests elegance and balance. The finish is stamped in oak that lingers on the palate without overwhelming.
Crisp lemon, fennel and Bosc pear come into play in this medium-bodied Chardonnay, accented by a taste of fig. Taking on depth and breadth as it develops in the glass and on the palate, the wine finishes long and lean.
Underbrush, tobacco and spiced plum aromas lead the nose. On the straightforward palate, notes of anise and clove add depth to the black cherry core. It's easy drinking, with lithe tannins.
Aromas of cooked fruit, stewed plum, toast, coffee and vanilla lead the nose. The warm palate offers up fleshy black cherry, mocha and a licorice note, with the warmth of alcohol on the midpalate. It's already accessible so drink soon.
Raspberry, red currant and a pinch of oaky maple make up the nose on this Tinto Fino that sports a medium-weight body with medium-level intensity. Red-berry flavors follow the nose, while a crisp finish with red plum and raspberry flavors wraps things up.
Barrel tones of coconut and woodspice take the lead in front of cranberry and blackberry, with the fruit seeming a bit dried out. It's reserved in style but still fully flavored with sour cherries accented by licorice.
This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time develop, although it will provide density and ripe berry fruits in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s, is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.
Powerful and structured, this has dense tannins that will always be an important part of the wine. The juicy, fresh fruit gives a perfumed character to the wine and brings out acidity as well as the dry texture. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Ripe and perfumed, this is packed with the richness of 2010 along with its structure. It has weight, juicy black and red berry fruits and a tense structure that still needs time. Acidity at the end provides a fresh lift to the essentially firm wine.
Coming from the cool 2011 vintage this wine offers a blue-fruit profile seldom seen in the state for this variety along with notes of chocolate and coffee. It's elegantly styled with a soft feel, trailing toward the finish.
This wine offers aromatic notes of blueberry and barrel spices. It's smooth and easy-drinking, not offering much complexity but bringing plenty of appeal.
Earthy aromas include new leather, scorched soil, wild berry and a touch of funky game. On the robust palate, grilled sage, tobacco and licorice add depth to a core of fleshy wild cherry along a backbone of raspy tannins and searing alcohol. Drink after 2018.
This conveys aromas of mature dark fruit and leafy underbrush. The firm palate displays stewed plum, ground pepper and a hint of dried sage alongside extremely astringent tannins that cut short the finish. Tried twice with the same notes.
The film director's sparkling ode to his director daughter delivers aromas of apple blossoms, pear cider and chalk. An apparent sweetness on the palate is cut with a pithy grip, the apple-juice base leveled with ample lime elements.
Predominantly Syrah (80%) with Petite Sirah and Viognier, this wine conveys raspberries, cherries, flowers, black pepper and dark coffee. It's lighter in style with lip-smacking fruit and barrel flavors.
Coffee grinds, raisin and baked aromas suggest overripeness. This is heavy, broad and a bit clumsy on the palate. Berry and prune flavors are solid but not overly fresh, while the finish is full and raisiny as it improves over time.
This offers notes of grapefruit rind, lemon pith and mineral. It drinks a hair off dry with a medium-bodied feel to the citrus flavors.
Strongly woody at this stage, this wine does have the potential to reveal ripe fruits and a generous structure. Smoky flavors are beginning to balance with broad red fruits and acidity. Drink from 2018.
A first release, this wine offers light suggestions of red apple, herbs and tropical fruit. It's medium bodied yet leaner in style with tart acids but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
Lighter in style, this offers notes of brambly blackberries, whole green pepper and dark coffee, with tart acids and dry, gritty tannins.
While subdued on the nose, this offers tart red cherry and currant flavors that are refreshing and crisp on the palate. The wine is not deeply concentrated or complex, but its elegant frame and vitality are attractive.
Violet florals and ripe blackberry perfume are alluring on this Merlot-Cabernet blend. The palate is particularly plump with luscious, slightly confected, black-cherry preserve flavor, but tightened on the finish by a ruffle of grippy tannins.
This tastes and feels mellow and approachable, with gentle aromas of plums, dried herbs and tomato, and medium body with moderate tannins. It is supple and easy to drink.
Calling a wine romantic is perhaps a new approach for Bordeaux. The wine itself is ripe and jammy, with wood tannins that will be softer in a year. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of woodshop, coconut and oak extract lead the nose. The warm palate offers up prune, toasted oak and a confectionary note but no fruit richness. Mouth-puckering tannins and evident alcohol provide the framework.
This wine from Klipsun and Alder Ridge vineyards—aged in 100% new French oak—offers notes of coffee, herbs, jammy fruit and green wood. Flavors are full, plummy and sugary-sweet backed by firm tannins and sharp-edged acids.
Haras is the base-level label for Haras de Pirque, and frankly this Chardonnay tastes, smells and feels like a base-level wine. There's a damp lack of clarity on the nose as well as sweet apple, cinnamon and spice flavors. Finishes fleshy and bland.
If it weren't for a pretty well-balanced mouthfeel, this would be pushing daisies. It smells like green beans and a used ashtray, with murky green fruit and milk chocolate flavors backing that up. As we said, mouthfeel is good; aromas and flavors not so much.
Harsh and gaseous on the nose, with rustic aromas and no sense of polish. Tastes like burnt sugar and melted candy, with a soupy finish.
This is two consecutive vintages of sketchy to poor rosé from this label. This one smells a bit like a swimming pool, while the flavors are of tart nectarine and pickle. Doesn't much cut it.
Curiously dusty wine, tasting of under-ripe cranberry with a coating of sweetness. While it is identifiably Sauvignon Blanc, it does seem to have missed out on the region's signature minerality. Screwcap.
The 2005 Leonetti Reserve is all estate vineyard fruit—63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot. It is saturated and dense. The fruit is dark, smoky, herbal, tight and loaded with licorice, tea leaf, black olive, hints of tar and graphite. Tannins are in perfect proportion, polished and ripe, with extra texture and weight. The finish is granular and detailed, but delicious accent flavors of almond candy and nougat keep piling into the extraordinary finish.
Fruity is the best way to describe this young wine that shows touches of weight and darkness but mostly simple, fresh, lightly candied berry aromas and flavors. There's crispness and intensity to the palate, while the finish is clean.
This deeply colored Tuscan rosato, made entirely from Syrah, opens with a lovely fragrance of blue flower, red berry and spice. The vibrant palate delivers crisp acidity and flavors of raspberry, blueberry and white pepper.
The name comes from a Django tune, and also means “clouds” in French. Nothing cloudy here though—it's a pretty, lively, fruit-driven blend with cherry candy flavors. Crisp and fresh, a streak of cola runs comet-like through the tail, along with a hint of mint.
This wine shows strong extraction with hints of bitter chocolate as well as licorice flavors. The fruit is still compressed at this stage, with acidity showing through most prominently. The wine is solid, though, and could yield some more fruity pleasure in the future.
Full bodied with a creamy texture, this is a ripe, pear-flavored wine. It has weight, richness and warmth that contrasts a crisp edge of citrus acidity. With just a touch of spice, it's made to be enjoyed with Asian food. Screwcap.
Full in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich wine. It has both delicious acidity and a smooth, creamy texture that suggests generosity. The acidity at the end gives great crispness, citrus flavors and a fine bite. Screwcap.
Bright, polished and fleshy pear flavors hold center court here, supported with a light sprinkling of peppery herb. Proportionate acids keep the wine crisp and clean through the finish.
Baked berry, savory bacon and coconut aromas give this Cab a modern, sweet outlook. In the mouth, it's more raw and abrasive, with firm tannins and lemony acids. Flavors of baked berry fruits and resiny oak finish chewy and tannic, with a touch of heat.
Hints of spice and a spritz of effervescence lend vibrance to this brisk, tangerine-­scented Riesling. It's just a shade off dry, with striking lemon-lime acidity that highlights delicate flavors of peach and apricot. Effortlessly quaffable.
This is a fairly neutral yet clean Albariño. The nose offers mild peach and citrus aromas, while the palate is very citrusy, but not overbearing. Flavors of orange and nectarine finish zesty, with a hint of minerality.
Attractive and fruity, this wine is full of fresh red fruits as well as balanced wood flavors. The tannins are soft, already integrated, and have a warm feel to them. The wine will age, intensifying in fruitiness over the next two years.
This 100% Chardonnay, from Antinori's Castello della Sala estate, opens with aromas of Golden Delicious apples, vanilla and a whiff of oak. The palate delivers creamy apple and juicy lemon flavors, with notes of well-integrated oak. Despite the richness, it's also elegant and fresh.
This 100% estate-grown Merlot opens with meaty aromas of plum and black cherry. There is a pleasant, roasted character to the flavors, with nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Still youthful and tight, this breathes open into a supple wine with a finishing streak of pencil lead.
Each of Channing Daughter's eight 2011 vintage rosato express a distinct personality, but the Mudd Vineyard Merlot stands out with its seamless integration of ripe, supple fruit with intense minerality and a dewy, floral flair that's irresistible, sip after sip. This is bone dry and begs to be opened as soon as possible.
The wine comes from a small, seven-acre property. This 2010 is structured with a mineral character and chewy tannins. It is well balanced; the blackberry fruit synchronizes well with the dry texture and fresh acidity. Age for 4–5 years.
The dusty tannins dominate this firm and dry wine. With its new wood aging and its concentration, it is complex and dense. The ripe black fruit offers power and sweetness. The wine is likely to age well over five years or more.
Unfiltered and broad shouldered, this is a fine expression of pure Merlot from the Walla Walla Valley. Though plenty ripe, the sweet fruit flavors have a pillowy elegance—the wine feels light but the flavors run deep.
This blend from Matthews is 47% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It's thoroughly New World in style: thick, smoky, tannic and concentrated, with notes of black cherry and cassis at the core.
Showing a lot of new, not-yet-integrated new oak in the nose, this juicy Sangiovese is loaded with aging potential. The bright acidity and hints of herb buttress the generous flavors of strawberry, raspberry, boysenberry and plum. It has excellent concentration and length.
Definitely one of the better Dolcettos to emerge from Washington State, this includes both Barbera and Tempranillo in the blend. Rich, ripe aromas and flavors mix pie cherry and fresh-cut tobacco, with added layers of coffee, licorice and dark chocolate. A feast for the senses.
A super value, the 2009 Planing Mill Red is an eight-grape blend that nonetheless shows lovely integration of fruit, subtle aromatics, and a seamless progression of well-balanced flavors. Notes of cherry, chocolate and buttered toast come into play, all done in an elegant and most appealing fashion.
Ripe malty berry aromas blend seamlessly with darker notes of toasty oak and asphalt. This Cab Franc (with 15% Malbec) feels big and pulpy, but also healthy and juicy. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and mixed herbs finish with oaky notes of mocha, coffee and toasty berry. Drink through 2024.
There's a lovely vibrancy to the nose of this wine, as initial aromas of green melon and lime peel are laced with attractive herbal hits of fynbos and white flowers. The medium-weight palate offers a plush yet balanced feel, with ample acidity to counter the notes of toasted red apple, honeydew and honeycomb. Spicy wood tones dance on the lingering finish. It's delicious now, but should age well through 2021.
Dark and dense in the glass, this blend of 65% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre by winemaker Steve Martell shows deep but fresh blueberry fruit with an herbal edge of oregano and marjoram, plus touches of crushed asphalt, milk chocolate and smoke. Thyme and fennel fronds show on the dry and structure sip, with blackcurrant, tobacco, elderberry and leather flavors as well.
Vibrant aromas of violet, herb, orange peel, smoked meat and plum lead to dense fruit flavors brightened by snappy acidity. It shows uncommon purity and depth that kicks it up a notch, along with enough tannic heft that cellaring will be rewarded. The balance is impeccable.
Hearty black-cherry notes meet with leather, black spice and loam on this powerful bottling from a longtime winery that's seeing new life thanks to winemaker Colin Murphy. Concurrent waves of fruit and spice splash through the palate, with black plum, gingerbread, clove and allspice flavors.
Suave and interesting on the nose, this bottling packs in a lot of magic. Pepper, blueberry, violet cake, dust, Sichuan peppercorn and chipped slate show on the nose. Finely grained tannins provide a chalky texture, while a rising acidity presents flavors of elderberry, underripe blueberry, tobacco and powerful florality in this great varietal expression.
With its honeyed character, this wine seems initially sweet. Then the crisp acidity and mineral texture come to the fore to give a well-balanced wine. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is deliciously crisp, with apple fruitiness and a flinty structure. Drink now, although the wine will age well until 2023.
An absolutely stunning selection, this opens with herbal tones of verbena, lime leaf and fynbos that sit atop a core of honeydew rind, apple and white peach. The medium-weight palate is sleek and smooth, but not flat, enlivened by bright acidity and a stony minerality. The just-ripe flavors of pear, citrus and melon carry through to the long finish. It's delicious now, but should age well through 2022.
Like this one, many of the 2014 Hawke's Bay Syrahs are flashier than their 2013 counterparts. This wine features meaty, bacony elements that highlight plummy fruit, wonderfully silky, supple tannins, and a long finish. Drink now–2025.
Aromas of mature black-skinned berry, leather, pressed violet, baking spice and a balsamic note slowly emerge on this full-bodied red. The firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, fig, mocha, tobacco and licorice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish. Drink through 2022.
Impressively rich, velvety and long, this appears to have all the ingredients for cellaring. Ample oak supports and elevates the fruit-derived notes of cherry preserves, dark chocolate and black olives, while lending hints of cedar, vanilla and mocha. Drink this remarkable effort 2020–2030.
This is a ripe wine, packing tannins as well as black fruits into a rich package. Black cherries and black plums are paired with a core of dry tannins. The acidity comes right through to give the wine its potential. The wine comes from a very stony vineyard and this shows in its tight mineral aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
Crushed iris, baked plum, cedar, tobacco and new leather aromas seamlessly come together on this bold full-bodied red. Smooth and ripe, the full-bodied palate doles out mature black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and mocha framed in well-knit, velvety tannins. Drink 2018 through 2026.
Aromas of scorched earth, leather, underbrush and cherries marinated in spirits emerge on this full-bodied red, along with a whiff of menthol. The firm chewy palate shows both opulence and freshness offering blackberry jam, baked plum, pipe tobacco and licorice alongside a backbone of velvety tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
Crossing borders and grapes to make a compelling wine, this blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon from Dr. Crane Vineyard and Kenefick Ranch, and 30% Syrah from Kick Ranch in Sonoma County. Intensely ripe, it allows for a softly sculpted structure adorned in coffee bean, black licorice, black pepper and currant, enticing the best of all worlds.
This wine is perfumed with notes of potpourri, red fruit, funk, crushed gravel, ash, olive, orange peel and peat. The palate explodes with fruit and savory flavors that bring a sense of depth but also a sense of elegance and weightlessness. A hyper-extended savory finish kicks it up a notch.
Aromas of underbrush, baked plum, pipe tobacco and dark cooking spice emerge on this concentrated red. The dense and structured palate displays dried black cherry, ripe blackberry, raisin, licorice and cinnamon alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2024.
This impressive wine is exuberant in juicy, varietal integrity. Rocky minerality meets a brightness of pomegranate, cassis and richly brooding blackberry, finding the right hints of clove and tobacco along the way.
Hefty, spicy aromas like black pepper, cardamom and wood smoke are followed by ripe, almost thick sensations of blackberry, blueberry and dried black fig. The mouthfeel of this wine is broad and soothing, the body extra full, and the finish lingers nicely.
Grenache takes the lead, making up 60% of this wine, which was co-fermented with Cabernet. Generous aromas of earth, white pepper, herbs, flowers, funk, smoked salt and crushed strawberry lead to a palate chock-full of smoked meat and savory flavors. It shows a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that belies the richness and length of the fruit and savory flavors.
Cooked cranberry scents are enlivened by turned earth, dewy sage and a touch of wildfire smoke in this bottling from the Los Gatos-based winery. Baked red-cherry flavors meet with a savory pork-au-jus-like element on the palate, redolent with roasted thyme and oregano. A licorice element rises toward the finish. It's mellow in intensity but with lots of depth.
The wine is rich and full in the mouth with ripe fruit from the deep clay soil of this premier cru. It is beautifully concentrated and ripe. The fruit is so crisp and juicy that this yellow and white-fruit flavored wine could be drunk now. That would be a shame, because it will be even better from 2018.
A tight, crisp wine from vineyards that face across the river to the town of Chablis. The wine has delicious yellow fruits, intense acidity and an opulent character. The vines of the vineyard face east giving warmth while keeping a strong mineral texture. Drink this wine from 2019.
Cedar, ground pepper, cassis, scorched earth and tobacco aromas lead the way on this powerfully structured red. The chewy full-bodied palate doles out dried black cherry, black currant, fig, licorice and dark bitter chocolate set against a backbone of ripe and solid tannins.
It is rare to find mature red Burgundy being sold directly from the producer's cellar. This 2008 from an above-average vintage is certainly showing signs of rich maturity. It has developed the undergrowth aromas and spice flavors of ready-to-drink Pinot Noir. It has also retained plenty of acidity. It is a lightly tannic wine that is ready to drink.
There is plenty of the power and structure of a Vosne-Romanée in this single parcel wine. It has density and concentration over a rich full black-fruit character. There are still signs of the wood aging and some high toast flavors that need to integrate, so wait until 2020.
The parcel called La Mission in the heart of the Mercurey vineyards is wholly owned by the Devillard family, so they call it a monopoly. It is a wine that effortlessly balances tangerine and lemon flavors with ripe spiced peaches and a tight mineral texture. The wine is still young, still developing, so wait until 2018.
There's a heady mix of smoke and bacon fat on this bottling from one of the appellation's top vineyards, along with baked red cherry and dried fennel, all swirling together in a very appealing manner. The hickory-smoke touches are more reserved on the sip, where tart strawberry mixes with licorice, marjoram and thyme.
The newest release of Bellissima Rossa—a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc—is just a bit brighter, more spicy and peppery than the previous vintage. It's built upon bright, racy fruit, and uses the barrels moderately. The length seems a bit better than the 2005, but mostly it's the butterscotchy barrel flavors that linger sensuously in the back of the throat.
Young and tight, this was fermented almost entirely in stainless, with a small percentage in neutral oak. Acids are true and bright, and the fruit a mix of apple, pear and white peach. There's a little heat in the finish; an indication that this is a substantial wine that can stand up to spicier dishes—something like tandoori chicken might be just the ticket.
This wine is made in a more complex, earthier style than many Marlborough Pinots, blending hints of beet, mushroom and tea with black cherries. If it seems a little chunky in texture right now, give it another 6–12 months in the bottle, then drink it over the next 4–5 years.
Spice, especially nutmeg, is a distinctive character in this soft, ripe wine. It lacks some definition, but is attractively round. Fruit flavors tend toward white pears, edged with toast, while the texture is fat, full.
Needs time to soften up its somewhat aggressive tannins, but it has structure in spades. The aromas are pure varietal—violets and red fruits—and the fruit flavors are young and tart, suggesting watermelon, strawberry and wild raspberry. The tannins are ripe but still a bit sharp, and there is a classic finish of roasted coffee that seems more from the grape than the barrels. The purest possible expression of Cabernet Franc from an exceptional site.
Quite delicious, and loaded with wild berry flavors and herbal highlights, this impressive wine is almost pure Mourvèdre—just 4% Syrah was blended in. Twenty months in a mix of Hungarian, French and American oak has begun to soften its rather hard and slightly stemmy tannins. Further aging—up to five years—is recommended.
Carves a path right down the center of Marlborough's stylistic fairway, featuring hints of bell pepper, stone fruit and wet-stone minerality. It's medium in body, with flavors of nectarine, herbal flourishes and a dry, stony finish. Drink now.
This is pungent stuff—redolent of sweaty socks and nettles—but it's also concentrated and intense, balancing out those strident aromas with round, ample flavors of melon and green tomato. It's leafy, fresh and assertive on the finish. Drink now.
An enticing Meritage, with aromas of violet, anise, crushed herbs and red berry fruit followed by deep, savory spice flavors of cinnamon, pepper and cedar. Balanced but full of character, this wine will pair well with meats and poultry dishes.
Mossy and quite woody, and maybe even bretty, but also rich and stout, with concentration. Aromas of cheesey black fruit are staunch, while the round palate has richness, thickness and flavors of molasses, baked berries and licorice. Finishes surprisingly quick.
Bursts with bright, linear cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors, but it's not caustic, sharp or grating. Acidity at peak power yields a zesty, racy personality while a blanket of vanilla flavor softens the cherry and raspberry fruit. Crisp and a good food wine.
A gritty but well-made wine with aromas of crushed brick, red pepper flake, earth and sandalwood. The palate is tightly wound and mildly tannic, with semisweet flavors of black plum, fig, black cherry and chocolate. Shows a medicinal edge on the finsih, but nothing too drastic.
Nice from the get-go, with lime, citrus and fresh herb aromas. The palate is round and whole, with easygoing flavors of lemon, mango, papaya and melon. Fresh and pleasant on the finish, and perfect for aperitifs.
This Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah blend starts with a sultry wave of juicy plum, smoke, pepper and cherry. On the palate, it's full-bodied with flavors of cherry, currant, plum and clove. A brooding, unfolding wine perfect for a fireside sip.
A rounded wine, offering pear flavors brightened by soft acidity. The wine has an attractive edge of toast to fill out the fruit.
Part of a Limited Release series, this Syrah is made from fruit that was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, and it's co-fermented with 5% Viognier. Solid and substantial, it offers clear flavors of coffee, licorice, herb and earth, plus a deep, saturated note of blackberry syrup. A touch of dark chocolate infuses the finish.
A single-vineyard wine, this is firmly structured and full of perfumed fruit. New wood aging gives the red berry fruit a smoky, toasty character. It's a rich, concentrated selection to age for five years or more.
Santenay, which is located toward the south of the Côte de Beaune, is known for its wines that are accessible and early maturing. This ripe selection bursts with flavors of yellow fruit and citrus, touched by wood influence. Drink it over the next year, or age it for 3–4.
With 18 months spent in oak, the wood influence is certainly apparent, but it's balanced by the deep black plum and cherry notes. The mouthfeel is lush but lifted, with dense black-fruit flavors on the palate that persist through the close. Vanilla and sweet smoke flavors lend a decadent feel to the finish.
The Helix Chardonnay is a lush offering of pineapple flavor, plus a leesy, mineral-soaked midpalate that is supremely refreshing. It has terrific acidity and persistence on the palate.
High-toned aromas of dried peach, apple, spice and sandalwood in this qvevri-aged wine give way to a rich, almost silky palate that bursts with notes of yellow flowers and honey-tinged oolong tea. Bright, citrusy acids and bracing, tea-like tannins extend on the long finish.
Soft and ripe, this wine has juicy pineapple and pear flavors. And with its tension between richness and steeliness, this could certainly age.
This pure Merlot is made from fruit that was sourced from Bacchus, Conner Lee, Dionysus and Klipsun vineyards. Sappy, spicy and loaded with black fruits, this delivers plenty of flavor across the rich midpalate. Notes of black cherries, coffee grounds, licorice and smoke all come into play.
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.
At first this shows some earthy, volatile aromas. The mineral-driven palate has tart, slightly bitter fruit flavors, suggesting crabapple and wild berry.
Spice and cream dominate this attractive wine. With its full flavors of spice and pear, there is a also a hint of flower. An attractive wine that is developing quickly.
Orange and mandarin flavors mark this warm, full-bodied wine. It's forward and fruity, showing a sweeter character, with vanilla and spice tones. Drink soon.
A strong herbal scent kicks things off, with a whiff of volatility. Tight and herbal, this has a core of black cherry flavor.
This has a unique nose, including notes of clover and pine. The palate has a dark, hard, tannic core, with hints of black cherry and bitter chocolate peeing through. It may need several more years to open up completely.
This is a solid, well made Pinot Noir, just one that shows more oak than fruit at this stage of its evolution. Vanilla and coffee flavors overshadow pleasant cherry and herb notes in this medium-bodied, slightly chewy wine.
This wine is bright, fragrant and fruity, with a clean green-fruit and citrus character that's lively and attractive.
Thin but elegant, with a hint of truffle on the nose. It's stylish in a tart, understated style, with a modest raspberry flavor.
Pulsing and lively, the nose bears aromas of red plum and dark berry. The palate feels jumpy and rubbery, with black fruit and sweet cherry flavors. A big, fruity and flavorful wine.
Solid on the bouquet, this has notes of dark fruit and smoke, with an almond-like sweetness. Big, bulky and bullish in the mouth, it has roasted, meaty flavors that include campfire smoke, flamed meat and black fruit. The finish tastes charred but feels healthy and lively.
This opens bearing scents suggesting banana and tropical fruit, with an oily character. On the palate, the flavor veers toward sour apple, with tart acids. The finish brings in a lick of butter, but at the moment it doesn't quite come together. This may benefit from more bottle age.
Tannins and a red berry flavor combine in this soft wine. It has the structure of the vintage, with a firm core; the fruit and acidity developing slowly. Keep for 2–3 years.
Surprisingly mature in both color and flavor development, this mixes a flavor of rhubarb pie with brown sugar accents. Soft and approachable in style this should be consumed soon.
Blueberry and raspberry aromas are front and center along with a hint of animal hide. In the mouth, this is bullish, ripe and generous, with oak-rich flavors of vanilla, baked berry fruit and spice. Licorice, latent oak and heat work the finish on this ripe specimen. Among Chilean Syrahs, this is a perennial pack leader.
This is a nicely put together Chardonnay, offering enough creamy richness to balance the wine's crisp acids. Pineapple and tangerine flavors dominate, lingering elegantly on the finish without revealing obvious oak flavors.
This is a terrific Merlot, offering structure and balance (hallmarks of all Seven Hills wines) along with rich fruits, accented with earth and herb. There is lovely density and texture at work here, plenty of black cherry fruit, and a gentle hint of composted earth.
This wine blends the rich qualities of Malbec with proper acidity and tannic bite, and the result is excellent. Chocolaty aromas of berry fruits and leather set up a bouncy palate with oaky flavors of mocha, plum, herbs and spice. On the finish, it's long and a touch minty. Drink now–2018.
A beautifully perfumed wine with red berries and a ripe and rich texture. Its fruitiness is a part of a complex structure of dusty tannins, layers of wood and intense acidity. The combination of the elements offers a wine that will age for several years.
An elegant, perfumed wine, showing great structured behind the rich mint and juicy black currant flavors. The wine has fine concentration, aging potential. It is accessible now, as with many Chinons, but equally this is a serious, dense wine for aging.
It is rare to find pure Cabernet Sauvignon in the Loire, but 2009 was the year when it worked with ripe black currant and berry fruits. The wine has a dark, dense concentration while retaining elegance and a light touch. Age for several years.
A concentrated wine, showing minerality as well as rich and solid tannins. The red cherry and strawberry fruits are already well integrated into the structure of this dark-hued wine. The name refers to the tufa (limestone and chalk) soil that is typical of much of the central Loire.
This Pinot Noir opens with a soft intensity of raspberry liqueur and cherry tart with a sprinkling of orange peel. Unfined and unfiltered, it's subdued and structured, an intriguing example of the dual power and finesse behind Morning Dew Ranch, Burt Williams's vineyard in Philo.
If you like big Malbecs, this blend of grapes from three elevations is up your alley. Graphite, blackberry, mocha and vanilla aromas are inviting, while the rich, sappy palate houses coffee, cooked berry and coconut flavors. It's oaky, ripe, heavy and full of power. Drink now–2016.
This is pure Syrah from Ciel du Cheval, and is head and shoulders above the winery's Columbia Valley bottling. The sleek, detailed, steely spine that is a vineyard characteristic gives this wine both power and suppleness. The fruit is perfectly ripened and nicely set in firm, ripe, polished tannins.
Inky black wine, very dense and packed with new wood. It's young and the tannins are still very forward. But it has the weight of delicious black fruits and tense acidity to promise good aging. Give this fine wine at least 4–5 years.
Left for 30 months on its lees before bottling, this is serious Muscadet. It has weight and richness, round and smooth with a creamy texture brightened by flashes of citrus acidity. Impressively rich wine, now ready to drink.
An obviously wood aged wine, giving more toast than fruit at this stage. It does have the weight to promise aging and the fruit to give a succulent feel. But with the heavy toast flavors, this potentially impressive wine will need several years to fill and round out.
Youthful, bright red color on this full-bodied, potentially rich wine. With its balance between acidity, black fruits and edgy tannins, the wine from the plateau close to Saumur has all the smoky, tobacco leaf and fragrance of cool climate Cabernet Franc.
This is a rich, green-plum and yellow-fruit flavored wine. Toast gives an extra roundness to a palate that is full, fragrant and ripe with fruit. It's delicious now, but could age for 2–3 years more.
This is a really nice and easy to enjoy Priorat with pure strawberry and plum aromas, mild toast accents, bacon and vanilla on the nose. The mouthfeel is tight and right, with good structure and ripe flavors of plum, cassis, herbs, spice and vanilla. It's flavor-packed and just complex enough. Drink now–2017. Only 250 cases made.
Latex and medicinal berry aromascome with cinnamon and savory spice notes in this sinewy, full-bodied wine. Its grippy tannins and prodding acidity frame slightly exotic and savory blueberry, oak and graphite flavors, finishing snappy, with a note of cured meat.
Bright lemon cream flavors follow buttery aromas in this bold, expressive wine. It's showy yet maintains good acidity, its fresh apple notes balancing the butter, vanilla and cream sweetness.
Acacia, Spanish broom and ripe orchard-fruit aromas emerge in the glass. The medium-bodied palate offers yellow apple and mature pear while a pleasantly bitter almond note wraps up the finish.
Aromas of toasted oak, pressed yellow flower and ripe orchard fruit carry over to the palate along with toasted nut, yellow apple and a hint of vanilla. Enjoy soon to capture the remaining fruit and freshness.
Nuanced aromas of red fruit, herb, smoked meat and spice are followed by a full-flavored palate that seems tart, almost sour at times. Some rough edges still need to be rounded out but this wine has good stuffing.
A peanut- and butter candy-like aroma leads to a buttery, salty flavor and a texture rich enough to leave an almost-sweet glaze on the palate. The is an extreme style of Chardonnay that emphasizes concentration and richness in an unusual but delicious way.
This opens with aromas of sunbaked earth, warm hay and crushed stone. The ripe round palate shows mature golden apple, ripe Bartlett pear and a hint of saline while a note of white almond marks the close.
Aromas of smoke, herb, barrel spice and dark fruit lead to medium-bodied, supple fruit flavors. It doesn't all seem to come together at present, with the wood seeming primary.
The nose boasts the pure perfume of Damask rose which runs right through with floral intensity on the off-dry palate. Some peach and lychee join but the rose florals are the chief aromatic. The palate is fresh and balanced, leaving a very perfumed aftertaste.
Light amber in the glass, this wine offers a bouquet of stone fruit and white flowers. It is round on the palate with flavors of apricot, peach, flint and white chocolate. Tannins that enter softly stiffen up just before the smooth, bright finish.
Linear and bright, this has aromas suggesting yellow flower, citrus zest and a smoky whiff of flint. On the palate, hints dried herb accent pineapple and lemon alongside a mineral vein.
This wine's ripe, raisiny aromas include vanilla and a hint of animal hide. Its dense, oaky palate is generally in balance, with plum, tomato, spice and vanilla flavors typical of Rioja. It flattens out on the finish, tasting slightly baked.
The variety is unmistakable here, with aromas of savory herb mixed with cherry and accented by sweet barrel spices. Flavors are light, dry and reserved in style, with abundant barrel accents that prove a bit distracting.
Tender notes of freshly cut juicy pear appear on the nose. The palate portrays the same appetizing fruit on a taut easy palate. The slight residual sweetness just boosts fruit flavors but still finishes dry.
From a block planted in 1890 interspersed with dozens of field blend varieties, this wine is ripely sweet with baked cherry fruit, a smoky undercurrent and a soft, moderately balanced structure. Coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg power the finish.
This wine from a Loire Valley clone is light in the glass and reductive at first, showing dried grass and sour green apple skin scents on the nose. That grassiness comes through on the palate too, until more rounded stonefruit pops on the midpalate. Prominent acidity carries those flavors into the finish.
This Cab/Merlot/Syrah blend is very much in a Washington style, with crisp acids and tart berry and currant flavors, wrapped in chocolate and showing a few specks of pepper, presumably from the Syrah. It's solid and well-made and a good example of how Oregon vintners are breaking out of the Pinot box.
A blend of 70% Clairette, 15% Sémillon and 15% Rolle, this is a slightly nutty, almondy white with touches of honeyed richness and apricot. Turns a bit astringent on the finish.
Plump and ready to drink, this is big and meaty stuff, and in the end it's like so many ultraripe, fat Chardonnays from Chile. This doesn't mean that there isn't citrus on parade, all ending in a finish on tangerine alley. If it lacks nuance it makes up for it in ripeness of fruit.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, this unwooded red features warm, spicy aromas and flavors of dark fruit, cinnamon, clove and hints of black pepper. Dry and savory on the finish.
Spice and pepper aromas act as a welcoming party, with cherry and raspberry scents sitting in reserve. The palate is herbal but fairly fruity, with fresh acidity and a solid, if not the most deep and lasting, finish. Despite showing some typical leafy qualities, this is good, young Carmenère.
This is a light, slightly herbal blend of one-third each Rolle, Sémillon and Ugni Blanc. Very fresh and minerally, it would make a refreshing summer apéritif.
Starts with a clean cherry and berry nose, which sets up the fresh, well-layered palate. Flavors of red fruits are ripe and medium sweet, while touches of oak, butter and pepper emerge on the finish. A tasty everyday wine.
Sweet scents of cherry and cola lead into a juicy, fruit-forward Pinot that mixes strawberry jam and raspberry pie. It sags a bit in the midpalate, then regroups and lays on some chewy tannins. The (apparent) acidification feels chalky and not quite resolved, but overall it's a tasty bottle of wine.
Benton Lane's reliable, stainless-steel fermented Pinot Gris does not go through malolactic fermentation. The wine is fresh and scented with citrus, grapefruit and wintergreen. Crisp acids lift the palate and add hints of spicy pear. Refreshing and elegant.
A selection of wines from 30 different parcels, this rich, smooth, open wine wears its toast well, the caramel and vanilla flavors melding easily with apricots, melon and finishing with acidity. The aftertaste continues this marriage of flavors.
Made in a rich, opulent style for near-term consumption, Yangarra's Roussanne features exotic notes of toasted hazelnuts, bananas Foster and ripe pineapple. It's full-bodied without being overly heavy, with a long finish redolent of tropical fruit and citrus.
This wine is gorgeous from the moment the cork is pulled. Sweet fruit—berries, currants and jam—is perfectly matched to more subtle scents of sassafras and tobacco. Nicely woven together, this youthful wine coasts along on a magic carpet of seamless flavors, gently sliding into a lightly toasty finish with a lick of bacon fat. Though fairly soft, it seems like a good candidate to improve for 5 or 6 years.
Right out of the chute this toasty, dark, dense, sexy wine says, “Drink me!” But some further time in bottle seems like the better plan. It's quite young, tight, still a bit awkward in the mouth, with the barrel and fruit flavors not quite integrated. All the right pieces are here—ripe black berries, cassis and cherries along with spicy herbal streaks and a whiff of coffee. Just let it all settle down before you pop the (glass) cork.
Despite this wine's 16% alcohol, it does an excellent job carrying it. There's a superripe lift to the aromas of black cherry and a hint of sur-maturité in the notes of apricot preserves, but this is a big, lush, creamy-textured wine with a wonderfully rich mouthfeel and layers of fruit on the finish. Drink now–2012.
Warm, rich, with a southern Chardonnay ripeness, this shows high toast, but also ripe tropical fruit. The acidity is light, with a creamy texture, and added spice and richness. It's a harmonious style that needs 3–4 years.
A rich, lush, well-structured and seamless Pinot Noir, the 2006 Lenné brings brambly cherry fruit with streaks of herb, leaf and spice. The alcohol, pushing close to 15%, shows up as a slight burn in the finish, but the wine brings in interesting notes of mint and chervil in the aromatic finish.
At 1,200 feet, the Underwood Mountain vineyard brings a certain illumination and transparency to the Riesling grape. It's a style both elegant and intense, and nowhere else in Washington state except the Columbia Gorge does Riesling achieve this sort of delicate power. Scents and flavors of blossom, citrus and stone fruits combine in a gorgeous display. It's bright, lip-smacking and beautifully balanced.
In some ways this is the most classically built 2005 Clarendon Hills Cabernet. There's a hint of greeness to the aromas and flavors that are not found in the other offerings, which may make it more or less appealing, depending on your tastes. Mint, cassis and vanilla mingle easily on the palate, which is lush and creamy but shows hints of Cabernet austerity at the same time. Drink now–2020. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
A terrific expression of its appellation, the 2007 La Dame Rousse from Domaine de la Mordorée starts off a bit tight and minerally on the nose, then explodes on the palate with layers of cherries, peaches, warm stones and dried spices. It's full-bodied and rich, with a long, spice-driven finish. Treat it like a light red, serving it with charcuterie or simple grilled meats, and drink it over the next year or so.
Bright and fresh wine, but with delicious depth of apricot and green plum flavors. It's full with outstanding richness, while the fruit flavors have a great lift. Part of Schloss Gobelsburg's Tradition series, in which wines are aged longer before release.
Made in a balanced, light-bodied style, this wine is rustic in its earthiness, with aromas of compost and a forest full of mushrooms. Subtle black pepper, mint and cinnamon season mild layers of cherry, raspberry and strawberry.
Old vines lend a fine structure and density to this wine. It's not for longterm aging, with its ripe red plum fruit and generous texture, but is delicious now. Drink from early 2018.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has aromas of blackberry, tilled earth and dark spice. The firm palate delivers cassis, cedar and tobacco alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2020.
This deeply colored wine opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, cedar and vanilla. On the dense palate, notes of toast and tobacco underscore mature black plum. Assertive tannins leave a mouthcoating finish. Drink through 2020.
Sagebrush and forest floor are met by strong flavors of cola and cardamom in this somewhat flat, forcefully ripe and full-bodied wine. Asian spice continues to ride a layer of black cherry and berry through the moderate finish.
Delicate scents of ripe orchard fruit, acacia and a whiff of honey guide the nose while the round palate offers apricot, yellow pear and a hint of pineapple. A light almond note closes the finish.
Plump and mouthfilling, this easy, peachy Pinot Grigio offers forward fruit in a bold yet balanced package. It's a bit dense in body, but crisp acidity refreshes the midpalate. The finish is bright with tangerine notes. Drink now through 2019.
Smoky and soft, this boldly made wine is medium-bodied but burly in char, baked blackberry and cocoa powder, a hint of tobacco never far.
This robustly ripe wine opens in a landscape of rustic earthiness before unleashing thick wallops of black licorice, leather and smoky oak. The tannins are grippy in a positive way, rising to meet the ripeness halfway.
While earthy mineral and fennel pollen notes abound, there's plenty of plump yellow plum, peach and lemon flavor in this luscious Riesling. Full bodied yet crisply balanced, it's a straightforward dry white with wide appeal. Drink now through 2019.
Chunky and fruity, this offers broad flavors of black cherry cola, with a dark, toasty edge. It's open and bold, Pinot done in a rustic yet quite flavorful style.
As its name suggests, this is a selection of barrels of Syrah and Touriga Nacional. The wine does have tannins although its main character is attractive juicy red fruits and balanced acidity. It will be ready from 2018.
Big, ripe and perfumed, this is a solid and tannic wine. The perfumes give the wine its immediate attractiveness but the firm tannins and the generous black fruits fill the wine and give it some potential. Drink from 2019.
This is a wood-aged blend of Alicante Bouschet, Syrah and Touriga Nacional, producing a wine that is both structured and ripe with black fruits. It has considerable acidity, spice along with some aging potential. Drink from 2018.
Dense and dusty, this is a hugely built, ripely round wine, muscular and robust in leather, tobacco and black currant. It offers an additional tease of chocolate and cigar as it opens in the glass.
Made entirely with Grechetto, this opens with scents of acacia flower, citrus and hay. The savory palate offers yellow peach, cantaloupe and an almond note while crisp acidity gives it a clean finish.
An inaugural release, this is made from specific blocks grown in Knights Valley and Alexander Valley as well as from the high-elevation Cooley Ranch. Leathery and tannic, it coils in youthful aggression, just barely allowing for a taste of blackberry jam and chocolate.
Rounded aromas of nectarine, lemon blossoms and chalk are fresh and inviting, and there's the slightest hint of sweetness on the nose. The palate is wound up tightly on the sip, offering flashes of green pear, lime rind and a wet riverstone quality, extending a sour element deep into the finish.
This wine is sourced from a handful of sites in the appellation, combining tropical, fleshy pineapple and vanilla with a lush texture and body. As it develops in the glass, its concentration is further accented in a taste of baked pear.
A relatively light color and aromas like cherry jam give this medium-bodied wine an easy appeal. It has fruit flavors that dig deeper than the aromas, and moderate tannins for a good, gripping mouthfeel.
A smooth, toasty wine that has rich black fruits and generous tannins. Broad and ripe, it shows all the warmth of the Alentejo—a full-bodied wine that is ready to drink.
This is clearly aimed at consumers who seek maximum power, aggressive tannins and the dark end of the flavor spectrum. Though down a bit from the 15.5% alcohol in 2012, it's still substantial. Dry roasted dark fruits are covered in brawnier flavors of coffee grounds, chocolate and graphite. Tannins are granular and carry some heat through the finish.
This wine is equal parts Dineen (Yakima) and Patina (Walla Walla) vineyard fruit. Aromas of blue plum, savory herb and peppery spices lead to light elegant flavors that provide enjoyment.
Reflecting the warm 2015 vintage, this is smooth and creamy. It has great fruitiness, recalling yellow fruit cut with a strong citrus streak. It's a wine to drink young, from late 2017.
Gritty aromas of charred beef and tar lead to a tight, drawing palate with hard tannins. Balsamic flavors of roasted plum, blackberry and green herbs finish tight, grating and with residual tannic bite. If you know Chilean Carmenère, this fits the mold.
This fruit-driven, medium-bodied rosé is a perennially worthy addition to the cooler of poolside staples. Hints of peach and raspberry are ripe but restrained, with just enough thirst-quenching acidity on the finish.
Crisp and lightly mineral, this is a fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has lively acidity and a lemon-zest tang that gives the wine a lift and a prickle of freshness. Drink now.
This wine has a bright, lively texture and tasty, ripe fruit flavors that don't overdo it. A sense of crispness and tanginess will make it versatile for food pairing.
Citrus aromas, mostly lemon, veer towards dish soap. A spunky, citric mouthfeel is tight and exact. Nothing beyond citrus flavors are present on a cutting palate. Echoes of lime propel the finish.
A pretty shade of pink bordering on mauve, this bottling shows bright watermelon, fresh strawberry and even red-plum aromas on the nose. The palate is zesty, almost effervescent, with baking-soda texture and lots of energy on the sip but not tons of flavor, with light red-berry elements.
This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Aromas of barrel spice, herb and coffee lead to easy-going vanilla and coffee flavors. Barrel notes are dominant but it brings appeal.
Cherry and berry aromas are touched up by oak-based vanilla, coconut and spice accents. While this is a bit choppy in feel, with citric-leaning acidity, flavors of red-berry fruits, smoky oak and coffee are nice despite a hint of heat and scour.
This opens with subdued aromas of citrus blossom and yellow stone fruit while the weighty palate doles out unripe apricot, yellow peach and bitter almond. Showing the heat of the vintage, this shows less overt freshness than it does in cooler vintages. You'll also notice a hint of evident alcohol on the close.
Subdued notions of fresh white grapes on the nose get a lemony, fresh boost on the fruity palate. The body is light. An easy, fun wine for weightless drinking. Drink as soon as possible.
There's no mistaking the variety, with aromas of sarsaparilla, underbrush and cherry, though a rubber-tire note provides some distraction. The cherry, strawberry and cranberry flavors show good concentration, though they seem a bit clunky at times.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Summit View, Klipsun and Doval vineyards. Aromas of wood spice, purple fruit, vanilla and exotic spice are followed by tart cranberry and cherry flavors, with the midpalate dipping in concentration. The tannins bring quite a bit of grip.
A wine that suffers somewhat from an abundance of ripe, jammy flavors, this is round and rowdy, completely rich and full, with highlights of coconut, leather and black pepper that persists with power.
This Cabernet Sauvingon, Syrah and Merlot dominant blend offers aromas of wet copper, zesty spice and herb that are followed by a silky soft, flavorful palate. It brings a lot of easy-drinking pleasure.
Apple blossoms and lemon-lime sorbet aromas characterize this easy and relatively simple bottling. Lime pith and crisp apple-juice flavors mark the palate, where a zesty, even juicy acidity lingers long into the finish.
Hints of honey, caramel and spice lend extra richness to tropical citrus and mango flavors in this bold, barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It's a plush, sunny wine with forward, fruity appeal and an orange-rind finish.
This brand new, crisp and fresh wine is so young. Even a rosé can benefit from a few months aging, and this wine with its tight red fruits and lightly tannic texture will be better being drunk after the summer when its fruitiness will explode in the mouth. It is ripe, light and packed with acidity at the end.
Herb, dried leaf, green pepper, tobacco and spice aromas are followed by plump yet elegant cherry and tobacco flavors. Smoke and savory notes linger on the finish.
Pinot Noir is relatively rare in the state. This one offers aromas of strawberry, cherry and peppermint candy that are followed by broad fruit flavors that show the warmth of the region. The tannins provide a touch of astringency.
The wine has plenty of black-currant fruit. At the moment, the fruit is developing while still dominated by lean dry tannins. The two will balance out, giving a structured wine that will need to age. Drink from 2018.
Now fully integrated, this is a firm black-fruit flavored wine. It has dark tannins that are dry and solid, contrasted with blackberry fruit flavors and fresh acidity. There is a touch of spice giving a peppery edge to the wine. It will age further, so drink from 2017.
This is a bold, fruity wine with ripe tannins and a touch of toast. This toastiness needs to soften to fill out the palate with the red-berry fruits and acidity. The tannic core is dry, firm and solid, offering aging potential. Drink from 2018.
Hugely dense and dark, the wine is over the top in all respects. From the heavy bottle to the much too concentrated fruit and wood flavors, it is a statement wine. Its saving grace is the quality of the vintage that inevitably has produced a wine that will balance out the tannins as it matures. Drink from 2019.
Produced from 40-year-old vines with Merlot dominant in the blend, this is a dark wine showing tight black-currant fruits and crisp acidity. With its texture and dry tannins still prominent in its youth, the wine needs to age so drink from 2018.
There are attractive, herbal flavors in this wine. It has a fresh, fruity character that is bright and crisp. Lemon zest flavors cut through the warmer apricot and apple. It is an attractive wine that is ready to drink.
This wine, produced by négociant Rivière in Saint-Émilion, is a fruity, red-berry and black-currant flavored wine. It has tannins as well as a good structure that points up the fruitiness. The wine is ripe, smooth and ready to drink.
Lighter in color than other Zins, this juicy and easy-to-drink wine would pair with many everyday dinners. Aromas of red plum and strawberry meet with dried spearmint on the nose, while the dainty palate shows soft cherries and clove spice.
Light aromas of baking spice, vanilla and red fruit lead to well-balanced red-fruit and barrel flavors that taper toward the finish, with coffee flavors lingering.
Pale in color, this is a drier than usual Rosé d'Anjou. It is fresh, soft with attractive wild strawberry fruits and a touch of orange peel. The wine has a tangy texture that makes it extra refreshing. Drink now.
Fairly sweet and lush—typical of the Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler house style—but the crisp acids of 2010 raise this bottling a notch above where it typically falls. Apple and lime aromas and flavors are impeccably clean, ending on a honeyed citrus note. Drink now.
Green gooseberry, underripe mango and pineapple core notes abound on the nose and continue on into the palate of this easy-drinking white. The mouth is a bit rounder than expected, but brilliant acidity keeps things balanced and lifts the close. Drink now.
Nicely done in an Alsatian style, this Pinot Gris has subtle aromatics that blossom in due time into lemon, pear and tart apple, the whole richly layered and ideal for pairing with rich wintertime foods.
Fully oaked, and you can tell via the aromas of coconut, resin, vanilla and latex that sit on top of tobacco and floral berry scents. Feels tight and high in acid, with herbal-leaning red berry flavors. Fresh and basic on the finish, with lasting acidity.
Golden honey in color, the Ramspeck Sassolini is lush with lemon flavor and high acidity that lingers on the palate, crisp and tart. Sourced from Lake County fruit, a fine place for crisp whites, this wine is balanced in alcohol and richness too.
With ripe aromas of cough syrup, baked berry, cherry and smoke, this Malbec offers a bit of everything. The palate is full but has energy, and the flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and chocolate come in a big, pounding wave. Finishes chunky and jammy, with adequate freshness.
White melon rind and key lime citrus abound in the bouquet of this intricate white blend made from 40% Rhine Riesling, 33% Viognier, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Chenin Blanc and 3% Chardonnay. The mouth is ripe and full of tropical fruit flavors, with sweet but zippy pineapple acidity lingering after swallow.
This is a light, well-balanced Yakima Valley take on Merlot, with fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors lightly dusted with chocolate. A pleasant quaffing wine for sure, but nothing substantial about it.
Quite piercing and fiery at first, which announces that it is fully oaked. Along the way there's savory notes, saucy leather and flashes of dark fruit. This would be a better wine with more fruit and flesh, and less barrel. The dill, vanilla and spice flavors are a bit too dominant.
This Bordeaux blend has a different artist's label every year but otherwise has no identity of its own. This new release is tight, hot and shows signs of reduction; it's got a burnt rubber scent underlying the ultraripe, almost pruny fruit. It's just not a compelling wine; it hasn't jelled and it doesn't seem as if it will. There is concentration and power to be sure, but pleasure is in short supply.
Lightly perfumed, this white Bordeaux shows the fresh character of the 2006 vintage. The acidity is poised, lifted and goes well with the pink grapefruit flavors. Drink this summer.
A savory style, one that focuses on woodsy, mushroomy, meaty complexity. If most New World Pinot Noirs are too fruity for your tastes, try this, as the the tannins are soft, the flavors complex. Drink now.
This attractively colored sparkler is a light peachy-pink hue, with fragrant aromas of oranges, lemons and tropical fruit. It's light in weight (only 5.5% alcohol) but also rather sweet, and could use just a little zip to help balance out the sugar.
Competent winemaking has delivered a pleasant, simple red, which has a little bit of a spicy kick from the Syrah. It could be simply labeled Merlot, and as such it is a straightforward effort, with moderately ripe fruit and a little bit of heat in the finish.
Citrus and herb aromas set the mouth watering, anticipating a crisp, bracing wine. But this one's surprisingly soft in the mouth, filling out with tropical fruit flavors that could use a bit more zest.
Scented white Muscat grapes are undeniably present, but come to the fore in an elegant, subdued way. They play on a slender, citrus-focused and pleasantly light body, like a fragrant veil of silk.
While the nose has savory hints of walnut and dried herb amid pressed apple and mineral tones, the palate is lavishly floral and peachy. Intense streaks of honey are offset by bracing lemon-lime acidity and a long mineral finish. Refreshing and lively.
Whiffs of spice accent aromas of orange blossom and fresh pears on this dry, richly textured wine. Ripe pineapple and tangerine flavors are unabashedly mouthwatering, but elevated by a piercing mineral focus that drives the finish. Effortless yet elegant in style.
Initial impressions are smoky and savory, but the nose opens to reveal aromas of freshly pressed apple, lemon and crushed minerals. The palate is ripe with sunny tangerine and yellow peach flavors, but moderated with piercingly tart lemon-lime acidity. Finishes moderately long on a sumptuous honey-tangerine note.
Known more for Zinfandel and Rhône blends, Bill Easton has quietly been making Cabernet as well for many years. This vintage is earthy and leathery, reminiscent of his Syrah-based wines, yet rich in savory black cherry, cedar and black olive. Built to age, put it away until 2019–2024 and the savory, herbal elements are sure to develop further.
Expressive notes of white pepper, watercress and citrus make this a quintessential and zippy Weinviertel Grüner, where the variety is known in the local dialect as “Pfefferl”, i.e. little pepper.
Light in color and soft in the glass, this well-built wine is bursting in red berry and cherry, with aromas of violet and oak and a finish laced in cherry-vanilla. Structured and finessed, it's impressive for hearty pairings like pork or game,
Sleek and polished, it opens with classic varietal aromas of ripe pear and almond. The crisp, linear palate delivers green apple, Bartlett pear and lime zest lightly accented with sage. It's balanced by fresh acidity and closes on a pleasant note of bitter almond.
The faintest touch of vanilla and cream barely manages to contain the fragrance of white summer blossom. The palate offers a return to classically restrained, creamy but well-integrated oaked Chardonnay with light-footed balance.
It has fragrant, lifted freshness and a seam of lemony acidity that focuses the textured palate. Slender and refreshing, with long, lemony finish.
What a mouthful of flavor! You don't know Muscat or Moscato until you've enjoyed this rare dry interpretation. It is aromatic and exotic, lively with fresh acidity yet full of ripe apple and peach flavors that linger on the finish. Great with salty appetizers like prosciutto or nuggets of Parmigiana.
A winner from a consistently excellent winery. A distinctive tropical fruit aroma leads to lively apple and lemon flavors. It's balanced, complex, and lingering on the finish. Try with soft cheeses or shellfish.
Creamy yellow plum fruit and a flinty edge lead onto a full-fruited, brightly lit palate where all the fruit is pulled into zesty orange and lemon focus. Concentration and friendliness prove great assets here.
This polished blend of 80% Pinot Bianco and 20% Chardonnay features aromas of Golden Delicious apple, peach, passion fruit and vanilla that carry over to the palate along with lemon drop. Aging partly in barrels gives it structure, while fresh acidity generates a crisp, clean finish.
Savory herbs like lovage and arugula play the starring role; underneath lies fresh citrus and some wonderful spritz. This longs for food and will be heaven with cheese.
A touch of wood goes well with the ripe fruit. It is full in the mouth, rich and needing to age another few months. Yellow fruits and a ripe texture give an imposing presence. Drink from the end of 2014.
Ripe yellow pear fruit is shot through with lemony freshness, a counterpoint between ripeness and acidity. Concentrated and streamlined, it offers a very moreish body with a lip-smacking finish.
Shyly aromatic at first, this beautiful Primitivo blended with 8% Barbera offers smooth layers of raspberry and just-ripe cherry, a seasoning of kitchen herbs and spice sprinkled in between. Not aged in barrels, it's all about the fruit and spice and the interplay in between, with no oak to interfere.
This rich, spicy wine holds beautiful lemon fruit flavors that cut the natural ripeness. A tangy texture gains extra dimension from the wood aging. Drink now, but the wine will age well to 2015.
Dark and brooding this balanced wine has a firm structure and juicy black plum juice flavors. A strong line of fragrant acidity brings a fresher character at the end.
Inviting in honeysuckle and tingling acidity, this wine is crisp, medium-bodied and complex, tasting lighter than it is. Silky in texture, it's one to enjoy on its own or with something buttery and creamy, like lobster or crab.
A wonderful mix of white pepper, fresh lemon zest, herbal pungency and green pear flavors makes Grüner Veltliner such a success. Here it all comes in one focused, friendly and easy package, with peppery length.
Although this Syrah-led blend is earthy, roasted and slightly rustic-smelling with dried berry aromas, it is lively in the mouth, with good acidity. Flavors of cherry, cassis and plum finish round and healthy, with weight and concentration but also lift. Drink through 2020.
From a vineyard planted ni 1909, this is a soft, dusty Carignane swirling in acidity, bright red fruit and spice, among McCay Cellars' first forays into Rhône-inspired wines. Lightly textured and restrained in alcohol, it's wonderfully elegant.
This is an aromatic, balanced and smooth wine. With its poise between acidity, fragrant white fruits and touch of toast, it has concentration and richness. On the dry side of brut, it's crisp and delicate on the one hand and intense on the other. Drink now.
Winemaker Lane Tanner and proprietor Will Henry are conquering this grape with more finesse each vintage. Light pink grapefruit, Asian pear and fragrant lime blossoms are inviting on the nose, with crisp yet chalky aromas. The palate presents light stone-fruit flavors held together by a pomelo-led acidity and grippy mouthfeel.
Linear and fresh, this delivers aromas and flavors of ripe pear, golden apple, tangerine and aromatic herb. Bright acidity offsets the creamy flavors while an elegant mousse provides the backdrop.
This impressive bottling is brightly substantial and tensely textured, lively in acidity and yet brimming with complexity. Stony lemon and peach ride a fruitful wave of flavor and find balance between sweet ripeness and memorable crispness.
Key-lime pith, light jasmine, lemongrass, kiwi and a touch of lemon brioche aromas show on the nose of this energetic and tasty wine by the Duckhorn crew. The palate is commanded by a great textural grip offering flavors of Gravenstein apple, sea salt and saltine cracker.
Delicious and deep, this full-bodied wine is comfortable in its own skin, showing spice and pencil-shaving aromas, rich black-cherry flavors, a broad texture and firm but polished tannins. It seems to gain power with each sip, and will be best after 2020.
The nose isn't very expressive but the firm palate delivers red berry, menthol and baking spice. Assertive refined tannins provide the backbone. Give this time to fully develop.
This is wildly aromatic, with floral hints of cracked pepper and apricot lending nuance to the dark berry fruit. The palate is richly textured, leading into a slightly warm, supple finish accented by licorice.
In this much-celebrated well-ripened vintage, the Shea designate has a pleasingly soft entry. The lush persistent flavors of black-cherry and blackberry fruit are streaked with vanilla, tobacco and cola highlights. Drink now and over the next four to five years.
Coming from the great 2011 vintage, this is an impressive wine. It is rich, smooth and generous in the mouth. Dark dried fruits and acidity create a wine that is on the dry side of Ports. The tannins and acidity and the fact the wine is unfiltered mean it could age although ready now. Drink until 2030.
Intensely aromatic, this opens with tantalizing scents of citrus blossom, yellow peach and aromatic herb. The creamy, foaming palate offers apricot, candied tangerine zest, lemon drop and a note of crystallized ginger. Bright acidity and a hint of thyme lift the rich flavors.
Named after the daughter of owner Alain Thiénot, this Champagne comes from the Montagne de Reims. Full and rich, it is mature with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. The vanilla flavor is balanced by the acidity and tight, zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
Limestone Coast encompasses the Padthaway, Coonawarra and Wrattonbully regions (and the undemarcated bits in between), so it's a larger region, but one still focused on quality. This wine combines notes of eucalyptus and red fruit with toasted coconut-like oak. It's got a silky texture and a long finish. Drink now through 2025.
This dazzling expression of Nebbiolo opens with classic varietal scents of red berry, rose, tilled earth, baking spice, truffle and a whiff of tar. The luminous, racy palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and energizing mineral framed in firm, refined tannins.
Fresh and fragrant, this foaming dessert wine opens with aromas of orange blossom, chopped herb and ripe orchard fruit. The bright, generous palate doles out juicy yellow peach, apricot, Bartlett pear and lemon drop alongside fresh acidity and a hint of mineral. A sage note closes the finish.
The Santar estate is in the heart of the Dão region. This wine, with its blend of ripe local grapes, is structured with blackberry fruit over firm but ripe tannins. It is a powerful wine, rich and generous. Acidity at the end and the tannins suggest further aging, so wait until 2017.
Generous and layered, this wine smells like blackberries and tastes equally fruity until spicy cinnamon, clove and cedar nuances add complexity and depth. The texture is velvety and mouthcoating, helping all that flavor linger though the finish.
Extra ripeness and an extra-plush texture elevate this full-bodied wine to a high level of enjoyment. Aromas suggest fresh-baked bread, nutmeg and wood smoke, while flavors convey black cherry and cranberry. A sense of depth and layering adds special appeal. Best after 2020.
Intensely fragrant, this opens with aromas of chopped mint, baking spice, pressed violet and cedar. The linear, elegant palate delivers tart red cherry, crushed red raspberry, clove, star anise and mineral alongside assertive, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. It's still youthfully austere so give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2021–2031.
The Tyrrell family was excited about its 2014s when I visited there earlier this year, and this suggests their ebullience is well founded. The aromas are fresh and floral, loaded with cherry-berry fruit and a hint of cracked pepper, while on the palate, the wine is medium bodied and supple, with a long, peppery, silky finish.
This is a blend of three vineyard sites important in other designated bottlings: Cider Ridge, Burnside and Sexton. Floral, with a pretty nose, it opens in spicy clove with a meaty texture, ultimately showing as dark, brooding and savory, as spicy in white pepper as driven by acidity. It has tannin and weight, yet remains fresh and lively in the glass.
Deep, attractive aromas of blackberry, cassis, prune and toast are what Toro is known for. This is intense on the palate but in good balance, with strong but tolerable tannins. Blackberry, cassis, black cherry and toasty flavors finish with an iron grip. Drink from 2018–2028.
This wine has the complete butter and baking-spice treatment from barrel fermentation to make it rich in aromatics and full and creamy in texture. It has a light tangerine and cream aroma, rich fruit and baking-spice flavors and a lingering finish.
This nicely restrained wine tastes fresh and focused like the grapes rather than oak, with a lively, balanced feel in the mouth. Full of raspberry and black cherry, it keeps inspiring another sip. Time in the cellar will bring out more complexity, so drink after 2019.
Reflecting the cool 2013 harvest, this top Chardonnay is sophisticated and subtle, without the over-the-top power of the previous vintage. Toasty and tightly wound fruit flavors spotlight apple, pear and citrus, all polished and well-integrated. Barrel fermentation and oak aging add highlights of vanilla and toasted coconut. Delicious already, it will likely improve through 2021.
Dark, concentrated and practically dripping with ripe berry flavors, this wine shows the benefit of extra aging. It is unusually focused and delicious. Hints of cocoa and coffee join the dark blueberry and blackberry-syrup flavors, with very little evidence of oak.
Built for the long haul, this full-bodied and very firmly textured wine is impressive to taste now but will drink best after 2023. Beguiling aromas touch on sweet spices, grilled meat, black pepper, blackberries and wood smoke. Concentrated, layered fruit flavors seem to coat the palate and linger on the finish.
Raspberry liqueur and orange-cranberry flavors combine effortlessly in this beautifully made, refined wine. It's bright in acidity while offering a dense body and youthful oak tones. Black tea, cola, plum and streaks of freshly tilled earth make it memorable on the palate, accented by rose petals and cranberry.
Leafy, fennel-like aromas top this fresh, grapy and well-balanced wine. It tastes lively and tangy but also brings good ripeness and richness to the palate. Made from vines as old as 130 years, it's a wonderful break from the ordinary.
For a wine made from young-vine fruit, this is reasonably concentrated and structured. Ample tannins support black-cherry and mocha flavors, then finish long and dusty in texture.
Slightly yeasty notes of brioche and sugar cookie entice on the nose of this full-bodied lavishly foamy sparkling. It's weighty and expansive on the palate but balanced by high-toned acidity and fresh apple and pear flavors.
Ripe, cinnamon-tinged blueberry fruit streams from the glass. The palate reiterates and reinforces that berry-spice combination, giving us a lusciously ripe but very agile wine. The cinnamon note lingers.
This blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla has oak, butterscotch and pressed acacia flower aromas. They carry over to the tangy, linear palate, along with pineapple and citrus zest flavors. A toasted almond note leaves a lingering, rather bitter finish.
Fermented in oak casks, this opens with tropical fruit, graphite and white pepper aromas. On the lively, medium-bodied palate, candied nectarine and vanilla notes back up ripe pear fruit while a flinty mineral hint marks the close.
This wine is half Funk Estate Vineyard Syrah, with the rest McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The two varieties somewhat seem to cancel each other out initially, with aromas of smoked meat, cherry, herb and earth that don't seem fully resolved. The palate brings a smooth, elegant styling to the red and blue-fruit flavors. There's plenty of interest, but it doesn't all entirely come together at present.
A rich plummy shade carries you into an aromatic fruity wine with a tart mix of plums and cherries. It's just this side of candied, and there's an intriguing suggestion of peppermint. All in all it's quite tasty, clean and ready for immediate enjoyment.
Dusty berry, resin and bell-pepper aromas suggest a marginally ripe wine with plenty of oak. A raw punchy choppy mouth feel and woody spicy plum and berry flavors are good but not very deep or evolved. A finish with hard tannins is par for the course.
Black-fruit aromas are spicy, with a note of cinnamon sticking out. This blend of Monastrell and Petit Verdot displays high acidity and related scratchiness on the palate. Tartness blends with plum and berry flavors, while this runs quick and tight on the finish.
Rich almost to the point of oiliness, this is a fuller-than-typical vintage for this wine. Honey adds a sense of sweetness to the ripe lychee flavors, but there's still sufficient peppery-gingery spice for balance. Drink now.
This medium-bodied, silky-textured wine lacks some of the positive green notes typical of Marlborough, but makes up for it with ample stone fruit, gooseberry and red currant aromas and flavors.
A savory touch of soy colors the nose of this wine. It boasts underlying fleshy, black cherry notes that are edged with peppery spice and enough freshness to feel lively, honest and appetizing. The finish is fresh and juicy.
Made entirely from Nero d'Avola, this opens with black-skinned berry, freshly turned soil and cooking spice aromas. The soft, juicy palate offers blackberry, carob and clove flavors while rounded tannins lend a smooth texture. Enjoy through 2019.
Rkatsiteli is hard to pronounce and harder yet to spell, but it's an invitingly zippy thirst-quencher here. Tart white melon and grapefruit flavors are exhilarating and fresh from nose to finish. The finish is dry and zesty.
Fleshy red cherry fruit bursts from the glass. The palate has corralled the abundant fruit into an easy, fresh and appetizing package, with a medium body and smooth texture.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Quintessence, Red Heaven, Fidelitas Estate and Shaw vineyards. The aromas are wound up tightly at present but with coaxing reveal notes of French oak spices, black cherry and black currant. The flavors show a surprising amount of restraint, with a pleasing cranberry tartness and a lick of tannins.
Barrel aromas are out front on this 100% varietal wine, with notes of wood spice, vanilla, pencil lead and baking spice followed by dark plum. The flavors are dense, dark and palate coating. The wood shows quite prominently on the palate as well but if you can get beyond it, there are good things happening.
This wine is 100% varietal. The aromas are locked up at present, with notes of luxurious French oak treatment and cherry. The flavors are dense and concentrated, but the tannins show a fair amount of grip, providing some distraction. There are good things going on but the oak is intense at present.
Ripe, black cherry scents pervade the nose of this wine. The palate is full of that same generous fruit, but balances it well thanks to ample freshness. This will be delicious slightly chilled.
I continue to be impressed by how well even entry-level 2015 Sauvignons are developing. This one is understated and grapefruity, with hints of pea shoots and a silky feel. Drink now.
Earthy and leathery, this medium-bodied, ripe varietal wine dabbles in vanilla, blueberry and coffee cake aromas and flavors, finishing with a welcome softness.
This is a rich, soft, decadent red, with flavors of dark chocolate, juicy red fruit and a hint of leather. Made from Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah and a few other red varieties, this is a wine that will delight many. Stock up.
Lemon zest, lime and melon aromas lead this elegant white blend. Zesty citrus and lush melon on the palate offers a refined character that is nonetheless fine for everyday enjoyment. The finish is expressive and slightly floral.
Scents of apple blossom, pear and honeycomb waft from this aromatic Pinot Blanc. Medium bodied in style, it's refreshingly tart with tangerine acidity balanced by fresh apple and pear flavors. Effortlessly quaffable.
Made from 100% Pecorino, this offers floral aromas of acacia and jasmine. On the palate, it shows tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and banana, accented by notes of thyme, mint and a hint of vanilla.
Muscular, rubbery aromas of black fruits are minty and tough. On the palate, this is rough as nails, with pounding tannins. Lead flavors of coconut, vanilla and chocolate are oak based, while the finish keeps that profile going. This is a big, dark, oaky wine with generic black-fruit character.
Here's a pretty Verdicchio with the grape's classic fragrance of white flowers and stone fruit. The linear palate offers lemon, apple, white peach and mineral flavors alongside bright acidity that leaves a clean, refreshing finish.
This new Cabernet Sauvignon has the raisined fruit flavors of an older, or quickly aging wine. Barrel aging contributes additional elements of soy and maple syrup, eventually thinning out through the finish. Drink soon.
This wine opens with sensations of yellow spring flowers and a whiff of citrus. The linear palate offers lemon zest and tart apple flavors, framed by racy acidity. Siena Imports, L'Amore di Vino.
This lovely wine offers a bouquet of jasmine and acacia flowers that are typical of the Pecorino grape. The fresh palate offers juicy apricot, pear and nutty flavors accompanied by crisp, clean acidity.
An aromatic offering with notes of peach, honeysuckle and a whiff of lime leaf. It drinks almost dry, with tart fruit flavors that seem a bit diluted.
This BSH is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Ripe to the point of showing some scents of raisin and prune, this is most expressive of baking spice highlights, clove and licorice. It turns a bit volatile and the tannins seem to be quickly drying out. Drink up.
This is a red that shows some richness— ripe cherry flavor, as well as good layer of tannins. There is a juicy character to the wine that is balanced by the smoky flavors from wood aging. Drink now and until 2018.
This is a ripe, sweet wine that has all the exotic flavors of rich Gewurztraminer. It's rounded, smooth and spicy with flavors of tropical fruits and apricots and only a hint of acidity. Drink now.
Apple and pear fruit is set in a frame of citrus, grapefruit flesh and rind. Skin flavors are well modulated, with a hint of minerality, as well. This is wine is drinking nicely—clean and persistent.
This cool climate Roussanne shows more of a steely side of the grape, rather than ripe, round and fleshy. Citrus skin and peach pit flavors combine with a slight suggestion of chalk and mineral.
Aged 18 months in French oak, this 100% varietal wine has notes of chocolate, leather, herbs and spice. The fruit flavors are sweet and luscious with very tightly wound, dry tannins.
This is a lush, opulent and oaky Pinotage, with assertive aromas of mocha, raspberry cream and chocolate-covered cherry. The texture is satiny and smooth, with medium yet fine tannins and a richness to the palate thanks to flavors of raspberry coulis, mocha sauce, sweet spice and just a hint of pepper.
A wisp of smoke accents bright apple and pear notes on this off-dry Riesling. It's zippy and fresh, with loads of sweet fresh apple flavor, but piercing acidity lends a long, linear feel that remains focused through the finish.
Here's a fresh, easygoing and accessible white, with bright aromas and flavors of green plum, orange, peach and pineapple. The palate is light and breezy, with bright acidity that carries the mouthwatering finish.
Juicy black cherry and black berry take center stage in this blend of Montelpulciano and Sangiovese. There's a hint of white pepper and mint on the close, along with just enough freshness to lift this up. Not for cellaring, so enjoy soon. Worldwide Cellars, Sussex Wine Merchants.
A solid and well-made selection, this offers a wide array of characteristics, ranging from ripe fruit tones of strawberry, plum and wild berry to earthy accents of forest floor, menthol and Thin Mint. Juicy berry flavors unfold in the medium-weight mouth, framed by medium tannins that provide a crushed-satin texture. Hints of milk chocolate and toasted oak dust the lingering close.
This purple-tinted Carignan is a concentrated number with familiar varietal and regional aromas of latex, graphite, schist, tire rubber and black fruits. In the mouth, this is chewy and full bodied, but not heavy. Oaky spicy blackberry and nutmeg flavors linger on a mildly woody, extracted and gritty finish. Best to give this a few more years so drink through 2022.
Richly textured and generously flavored, this wine shows how good Livermore Cabernet can be. Aged in new Hungarian barrels, it has cedar and spice aromas, seductive ripe fruit flavors and a mouth-filling, palate-soothing viscosity bolstered by loads of fine-grained tannins. Best from 2018.
From a vineyard site long tapped by both this producer and others, this beautifully crafted white is rich in a swirl of apple pie, fig and anise aromas and offers a voluptuous texture and mouthfeel. That concentration is complemented by crisp acidity, allowing for both balance and complexity.
This is an exceptionally concentrated, smooth and delicious wine. It has ripe blueberry, blackberry and raspberry flavors, and its texture strikes the right balance between supple and tannic. A Coro Mendocino blend, it's made from a base of Zinfandel, with Petite Sirah, Syrah and a dash of Grenache. Delicious now, it also has the stuffing to age. Best from 2018.
Damask rose and honeysuckle on the nose almost have a cotton-candy tang to them. The palate is medium sweet and adds peach compote to the floral notes and a dollop of plump luscious sweetness. There is huge concentration and big aromatic intensity on the midpalate with a lovely bitter edge that lasts long. There is a medium-sweet finish.
With a touch of reduction from its 18-month maturation in new French oak, this wine is concentrated and youthful, still unwinding. Tangerine and peach flavors contrast with the more expected bite of apple, while moderate acidity brings freshness to the full-bodied nature of this rich, rewarding white.
Tart Mandarin orange rind is woven into riper aromas of Anjou pear and honey butter on the nose of this wine. Its palate is Chablis-like, with lime, lemon and kumquat flavors, strung from a nervy, chalky spine, finishing with limestone and gravel touches.
The nose is a very enticing mix of rose petal and peach, grapefruit zest and musky spice. The palate echoes the same flavors and is both intense and concentrated. There is residual sweetness making all the fruit flavors luscious and plump, countered by sprightly fresh acidity that results in an over all medium-sweet wine. The flavors are precise and clean and so is the finish.
Chopped herb, wild berry, spice and truffle aromas slowly take shape in the glass. The palate shows both concentration and elegance, offering fleshy raspberry, crushed cherry, licorice and crushed mint flavors, bolstered by firm but refined tannins. Drink 2019–2027.
Enticing pressed rose, iris, woodland berry, Mediterranean brush and game aromas emerge from this succulent red. The palate is savory, doling out ripe wild cherry, black raspberry, grilled herb, white pepper flavors with a hint of sea salt. Firm but refined tannins and tangy acidity provide polished support. Drink 2020–2028.
Made from 100% Merlot grapes, this boasts ripe red berry, cassis, espresso, vanilla and chopped mint aromas. The densely concentrated palate doles out ripe cassis, licorice, tobacco and sage flavors, blanketed in velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
Named for a small volcanic outcrop on the Niven family's sprawling property, this bottling from winemaker Christian Roguenant shows hearty black cherry, vanilla and star anise spice on the nose. The palate is extremely floral, with lavender, violet and elderflower scents, along with plum skin and crushed-slate flavors.
Very earthy notes precede a subdued nose of citrus zest. These tart but expressive notes open up a little more on the palate where they are joined by a rounded, if crunchy structure. There is ample freshness here but also an earthy and (for now) citrus-fruited generosity. The finish reverts to stony, earthy cleanness. This is intriguing and needs time to unfold its fruit and unusual texture. Drink 2020–2030
Great fruit concentration and grace make this wine a winner. It feels medium-bodied despite its high degree of ripeness, showing that balance is attainable with significant power. It has ripe, plummy aromas, fresh red cherry and cranberry flavors, supportive tannins and excellent acidity.
Subtle hints of tart apples appear first, then there is the merest touch of quince, even a touch of lemon balm. The palate pans out aromatically, always in that apple and quince spectrum, and has a brightening crisp edge of freshness and absolute concentration and dryness. With more air, the aromatic lemon balm note adds its special perfume to this wine. This is invigorating and enlivening.
Honey, white peach and vanilla cream show on the nose of this bottling from winemaker Sabrine Rodem, with a kick of hazelnut as well. The palate is all about restrained richness, its buttery lemon curd and cinnamon flavors cut by bright acidity and a lemon-peel tang.
Ripe black-fruit aromas are cuddly and reflect the warm conditions of 2012. Tight and ribbed on the palate, this has the structure to handle blackberry, chocolate and peppery spice flavors without seeming overripe or jammy. A saturated finish benefits from the right amount of acidity. Drink through 2023.
Ripe plum, tobacco, dark spice and balsamic aromas adorn this invigorating red. Firm and full-bodied, the palate delivers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and grilled herb flavors with a backbone of youthful, bracing tannins. It's already tempting but give it time to fully come around. Drink 2020–2032.
Forest floor, truffle, new leather, ripe berry and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find in this delicious red. The fresh, chewy palate doles out fleshy black cherry, chopped mint and white pepper notes, while big, round tannins provide structure. It's already enjoyable but will offer years of fine drinking. Enjoy 2018–2024.
Apricot compote and candied peach shine on nose and palate with great intensity. The overtly floral notes of rose have given way to a more subtle perfume that highlights the aromas of peach above all. This is very concentrated, very rich, but also precise and fresh. It is citrus tanginess that allows this to be sweet yet still refreshing. Medium to sweet finish.
In the village of Soussans, and in the north of the Margaux appellation, this estate has a fine reputation for its wines. This vintage, with its great balance between fruit and tannins, shows why. It is a ripe wine full of black fruit and with the bright acidity of the vintage. Drink the wine from 2021.
Owned by the Cuvelier family of Léoville Poyferré in Saint-Julien and with Michel Rolland as consultant, this is a fine estate with an equally fine chateau. It is dense and richly endowed with black fruits and spice. At the same time, it has style and a way with its fruit and acidity that give it a lift. Drink this very ageworthy wine from 2023.
New leather, truffle, sun-baked soil, menthol and grilled herb aromas practically jump out of the glass. The big, chewy palate delivers mature wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice and tobacco notes, set against a backdrop of firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2027.
The nose is like a veil of Golden Delicious apple scent. The palate follows with soft apple freshness that is pervaded by a deeper lemony streak. But it is apple charm that stays on the surface. There are hints of wax and stone too. The dry intense palate is concentrated and clean. Apple and lemon notes linger and leave the palate utterly clean.
Brilliant golden color promises richness. The nose obliges with a seamless scent of apples: fresh and ripe, baked and mellow. The palate shows soaring freshness, but countless notions swirl on the dry palate of this traditional field blend: citrus and apple, pear and blossom. There is so much fruit, so much expression, this is pure exuberance, but in a rather grown-up way. A very apt expression of both the freshness and the richness of Alsace.
The intense aroma of very ripe peach rises from the glass. There are nuances of orange peel, too. These become aromatically amplified on the rich, dense and almost grippy palate. There is great concentration and residual sweetness, countered by bitter pith and texture. This is mature and totally fluid, ample and generous but its maturity adds subtle tone to the eloquent aromas. The finish is medium dry and very, very long.
A lovely mix of gentle rose petal, sandalwood and honeysuckle perfumes the nose. The palate has an earthy element, grounding these flavors and a texture of silky peach skin, along with soft peachy fruit. The body is light and lifted—an almost weightless pleasure—but with concentration and lasting flavors. This is a compact bundle of aromatic joy.
A very pure but subtle note of Golden Delicious apple hits the nose. The palate rounds out this ripe but tart flavor but also brightens it with lovely apple crispness and freshness. The body is dry and totally fresh with wonderful concentration, aromatic length and purity. This simply leaves you wanting more.
Cedar dust, dried herb, currant and graphite combine effortlessly in this restrained wine, subtle in buried tannin. It shows voluptuous body with moderate acidity and a ripeness on the finish.
This wine provides plenty of aromatic intrigue, with notes of wet stone, black pepper and umami. The savory and citrus flavors are quite restrained, showing a lot of elegance.
The nose gives little away but the palate comes in with the fruity pleasant ease of ripe pear and gentle citrus freshness. This is rounded and ripe, fresh and bouncy, with a clean-cut finish.
Tight and minerally aromas of grapefruit pith, crushed white rocks, lemon zest and the slightest hint of petrol make for a tense and fresh nose on this bottling. That textural tension shows brightly on the palate, along with nicely rounded flavors of melon and mango, leveled by a touch of tonic water.
Full bodied and with good, gripping tannins to make the texture appetizing, this wine is very dry and nicely complex. Moderate cranberry and dark chocolate flavors are accented by hints of sage and black olive—classic Cabernet traits.
Bold and substantial, this full-bodied and firmly tannic wine has a good core of ripe black berry and black cherry trimmed with lighter cinnamon and vanilla notes from oak. It's very attractive in a firm, palate-gripping way.
Intensely fruity notes of red currant and raspberry abound on this fragrant full-bodied rosé. It's boldly concentrated on the palate as well, bursting of fresh berry and plum flavors. Primary and juicy in style, yet elegant and penetrating, it's an excellent rosé for year-round consumption—if you can still find a bottle.
This wine is pretty retrained on the nose for Condrieu, but still offers aromas of spring blossoms and white pepper. Fruit takes hold on the palate, suggesting apricot, peach and pineapple. Those flavors continue through the finish, which is silky in texture but only medium in length.
Aromas of black cherry, tilled soil and a hint of dark spice lift out of the glass. The palate offers juicy wild cherry, cinnamon and white pepper while smooth tannins lend a polished texture.
Earthy aromas of underbrush, sunbaked soil, pressed violet and dried rosemary meld together with whiffs of espresso. The firm palate offers dried Marasca cherry, cranberry, star anise and a gamy note alongside close-grained tannins.
Made with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, this opens with aromas of ripe black currant, cedar and white pepper. The robust palate doles out blackberry, licorice and a note of exotic spice alongside smooth tannins.
Made with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this has aromas of black-skinned berry, violet, toasted oak and a whiff of dark baking spice. The soft palate offers black currant, espresso, French oak and a hint of dried sage alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Made with Tempranillo, this opens with aromas of black-skinned berries, cured meats and herbaceous notes. The fresh medium-bodied palate offers blackberries, currants and a hint of sage alongside close-grained tannins that leave a firm finish.
A light garnet color along with lightly earthy and spicy flavors fit this wine into the old school, where it offers nice balance, elegant texture and complex nuances of tea, cherry and raspberry. There is no heavy, overripe fruit or extreme oakiness to get in the way of pure enjoyment.
Lime, slate and floral aromas lead to an off-dry palate, with generous amounts of stone-fruit flavors. Floral notes persist on the finish.
This wine opens with notes of cedar, toast, black olive and smoke, with the Syrah showing prominently. The palate is quite restrained in style, with tart acids framing the fruit and savory flavors nicely. Floral and orange peel flavors round out the finish.
While light coral in color, this unusually rich and mouth-filling wine is flavorful, dry and smooth-textured. It smells like watermelon and tastes like ruby grapefruit with just a hint of maple syrup. It is hefty in flavor while light in body, and will be perfect with ham or prosciutto.
Aromas of clove, blackberry and dried fig lead to palate-staining cherry flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support, with the fruit seeming a bit dried out.
Though quite light in the glass, this bottling shows dark Indian spices and cinnamon as well as strawberry and candied cherry on the nose. Those same red fruits arise on the palate, lifted by thyme, more cinnamon and a peppery spice.
A blend of Merlot and Sangiovese, this offers aromas of black plum, dried herb, violet and a whiff of baking spice. The vibrant palate doles out juicy black cherry, licorice and a hint of espresso alongside fine-grained, polished tannins and zesty acidity. Drink through 2019.
Meyer-lemon curd, melted butter and salted peach show on the nose of this bottling from the Hahn family team. Sour lemon, tangerine skins and sharp green-apple flavors show on the sip, as does a savory salty element.
Made with Sangiovese and small amounts of Malvasia Nera, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of dark-skinned fruit, fragrant purple flower and dark culinary spice. Bright and juicy, the easygoing palate doles out succulent wild cherry, cinnamon and clove set against supple tannins. Drink through 2019.
Zinfandel makes up 58% of this blend, followed by 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Sangiovese plus smaller doses of Syrah, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. It presents as oaky and dusty in plum, with a full-bodied, fruity profile that's soft and lush on the palate, finishing with bittersweet tobacco.
Made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Alicante, this opens with aromas of plum, black cherry and baking spice that follow through to the medium-bodied palate along with a hint of clove. It's easy drinking with firm but fine-grained tannins.
Fresh white grapefruit and peach flavors abound from nose to finish in this elegantly balanced Chardonnay. It's juicy and quaffable with a rich, expansive mouthfeel, yet nuanced by subtle hints of mineral and toast. Enjoy now through 2020.
A Southern Rhône-influenced blend of 51% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre, with a splash each of Counoise and Cinsault. Slightly high-toned, bright cherry flavors, pencil lead, earth, asphalt and grippy tannins. This will need decanting in order to open it up from its tightly wound entrance.
Dusty scents of cocoa, coconut and sandalwood speak to the barrel aging. The toast and coffee notes overshadow the tart cassis fruit flavor, leading into drying tannins sharpened with firm acidity and a high-toned finish.
Reduced on the nose, with blueberry, boysenberry and syrupy aromas that reflect the 55% Malbec in this Malbec-CS-Syrah blend. The palate is rich but flat, with dark flavors of black fruits, blueberrry and black licorice. Chunky and a little off the grid, but still good for a bulky wine.
Lean, dry and crisply focused, with a cutting edge of lime juice and green apple bolstered by hints of crushed stone. Refreshing and clean on the finish.
Earth, olive, blackberry and licorice are the key aromas on this Merlot-led blend that includes Cab Sauvignon, Syrah and Carmenère. The palate is a bit heavy and heady, and the tannins bite. But the roasted blackberry and herbal flavors work well, and you can't complain about the wine's density.
Crisp and fruity though a little woody and austere on the nose, too, this Lodi Pinot Grigio is unoaked and not for everyone, but well made.
While just a touch ripe on the nose, this rosé is wonderfully dry with a bright red plum and cherry compote palate accented by deep, stony minerality. Full bodied, yet pleasantly astringent on the finish, it's the perfect accompaniment to seafood.
Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there's freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple. Zesty and citrusy on the finish, with a dash of vanilla.
Except for a splash of Syrah, this qualifies as a Cabernet-centric Bordeaux-style blend. Hard to find a better bottle of blended red wine at the price. This has grip and breed, with tart red fruits, ripe tannins, a wash of herb and tart acidity. Put it up against anything you grill.
More fruit forward than most Washington Cabs, it nonetheless has the structure and depth of pricier wines. Blackberry, black cherry, cassis and coffee swirl into a substantial finish. Tannins are tight and add just enough depth, while the riveting acidity and moderate alcohol make this more of a Bordeaux than a California style.
Slightly eccentric but overall appealing, this bohemian wine offers blackberry, forest fruit and pepper character and a clean, fresh finish. It's an elegant, food-friendly red with a distinctive, expressive flair.
A decently made old-vine Lodi Zinfandel that's smooth and soft, with enough clove, cinnamon and brambly character to stand out   and be paired with a range of smoked, grilled and marinated meats and other full-flavored food.
A nice, lower-alcohol (14.1%) alternative to the world of big California Barbera. This one, from Lodi's Sorelle, has aromas reminiscent of sweet flowers. The wine is juicy and bright, packaged well but suffers from a touch of bitterness on its finish.
Still youthful, showing hints of toast and vanilla on the nose, this full-bodied yet elegant offering features flavors of tart cherries balanced by brown sugar. Give this velvety-textured Pinot Noir another year or two to settle down and integrate, then drink it over the next 4–6 years.
A top-flight Cab-Merlot from Hawkes Bay, Te Awa's 2007 is loaded with plum and cassis, dressed up by elegant oak-derived notes of vanilla and baking spices. It's full-bodied, lush and layered in texture, with a long velvety finish. So good now, the only question is how long it will last. Drink now–2015.
With serious structure and a firm grip, this 100% Cabernet from Livermore's vaulty Concannon is a very impressive effort from a strong vintage that's easy drinking and well integrated, tasting great right now with plenty of rich tannins, pleasing blueberry and cassis with a shot of chocolate on the finish for good measure.
The best blend from JM Cellars is Tre Fanciulli, here composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 14% Syrah. You'll find pleasing strawberry and Bing cherry fruit, along with claret-like structure and nicely applied cinnamon and baking spice accents. It could almost fool you into thinking you were drinking an excellent Dry Creek Zinfandel.
Soft, silky wine, very opulent and ripe. It shows big berry jam fruits, while never losing its tannins and acidity. As always with a wine from this legendary quinta, this has power and great richness.
A solidly structured wine that has big spice and ripe, dark fruits. On the dry side, with an attractive balance between the fruit and the acidity. Definitely for aging
Undergrowth, truffle, black-skinned berry and exotic spice aromas meld with balsamic notes. Rounded and chewy, the palate doles out fleshy black cherry, blackberry extract, cinnamon, licorice and chopped mint flavors, enveloped in velvety tannins. A hint of carob closes the finish. Drink through 2024.
Dark smoky, stout aromas of licorice, molasses and blackberry feed into a jammy palate with rock-hard, clamping tannins. Plum, blackberry and blueberry flavors are loud and intense, while this finishes with density, complexity, chewy tannins and a jammy essence. Drink through 2028.
Aromas of crushed violets, dried herb, smoked meat and plum lead to focused, pure marionberry flavors. The concentration and texture are impressive, as is the balance.
This new offering, made by Ross Cobb and Katy Wilson, is intended as a “best of the west.” Sourced from several vineyards, it reveals true coastal qualities, with ethereal earthiness and an Old World sensibility. Cloudy in the glass, it shows cranberry, orange, bay leaf and tea flavors as it unwinds.
Wonderfully floral, brooding oak notes frame this inviting Sankt Laurent's red cherry fruit. On the palate, the oak comes across as vanilla, enwrapping the cherry fruit with richness. This is light on its feet but ripe and elegant with wonderful, lasting freshness.
This bottling from McMurray Vineyard at Rancho Sisquoc packs all of the beloved Syrah characteristics: ripe plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit, a vanilla-laced oaky frame and underlying hints of lavender and pepper. The palate offers herb and pepper touches, underscoring its black fruit and caramel flavors.
This is tight, toasty and focused upon opening, with highlights of green olive and a core of mixed tree fruits. Excellent concentration, vivid acidity and a suggestion of wet rock contribute to a well-balanced wine with structure and length. The framing here is just right, with 30% new oak adding subtle threads of light wood flavors. Decant or cellar till 2020 before drinking.
Made from the native Sirica grape, this young red opens with wild berry and black pepper aromas. The smooth, vibrant palate offers a great combination of fruit and spice, doling out juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry and clove flavors, bolstered by polished tannins. Drink through 2020.
Malbec makes up just under two-thirds of this wine, with the balance Syrah. Quite pure fruit-forward aromas of blue fruit, herb and clove lead to a sweet plush rich palate that shows good midpalate density. The finish lingers.
Foley's Chardonnays always manage to be both extremely tense yet flavorful—a combination that will please many palates. This bottling recalls grapefruit, mandarin pith and Asian pear on the nose, its nervy, mineral-driven palate awash with chalk and wet slate notes. It all finishes on a pleasing twist of lime.
The blend of old-vine Cinsault with Mourvèdre has produced a dense wonderfully perfumed wine. Rich in tannins, it also shows great black fruits and equally great concentration. This is a powerful wine that will be ready from 2018.
This supple, seductive and sublime white is tart with acidity and bolstered by supportive oak. Pear, quince and an underlying hint of apple blossom combine in a lovely and focused expression on the palate that feels at once classic and balanced.
This wine is 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pleasing aromas of spices, herb, moist earth, cedar and cherry lead to a dazzling mouthful of cherry and strawberry flavors that show distinctive purity. It's a heart-stopper and an outrageous value.
This is the reserve-level Pinot Gris, comprised of lots from five different vineyards. Juicy, succulent and quite tart fruit flavors emphasize fresh apples and pears, lightly dusted with cinnamon spice. The concentration and lingering finish prove it worthy of its reserve status.
Plump and succulent, the 2015 Hunting Hill displays attractive notes of hickory smoke and white peach, underscored by the suggestion of citrus custard. Like all of the 2015 Chardonnays from Kumeu River, it shows great length and intensity.
Lovely cinnamon-tinged blueberry and plum notes rise enticingly from the glass. The palate is firm and fresh, cracking with taut, ripe plum and cherry fruit. This is fresh-faced and honest red with just the right amount of grip and structure. The finish is beautifully clean.
This is a hearty version of a grape frequently made in a simpler, fresh style, showing roasted red berry, charcoal and mocha aromas on the nose. A deep cassis flavor permeates the palate, with beef char and black pepper accents that make for a compelling, rather lavish sip.
Though labeled Willamette Valley, this is single vineyard Chehalem Mountains AVA fruit. Smooth, ripe and buttery, from sniff to swallow, it's loaded with Satsuma orange, Meyer lemon and pink-grapefruit flavors. The acids snap and the finish lingers, with a streak of vanilla and a slight sensation of heat.
Earth, leather and strong but quality oak notes accent berry-fruit aromas. Cheek-sucking tannins make for a rugged mouthfeel. Spicy, peppery berry flavors are fully oaked and toasty, while this tastes dry and minty on the finish. Grilled meat and/or a few years on its side is what this needs. Drink through 2025.
From the property of a longtime vineyard manager for the winery, this bottling is deliciously unique. The nose abounds with earth, dried cherry, anise, roasted meat and herb aromas. The structure is solid and somewhat gripping, presenting deep red-fruit flavors with dried herb accents, driven by balanced acidity.
Mike Sinor ekes out every last ounce of richness from his extreme coastal vineyard for this bottling, which shows mulberry and dark plum aromas along with loamy soil and dried rose petal. The flavors are equally hearty, evoking mulberry and black plum, but underlying black pepper, olive and herbal notes keep that ripeness in check. Its tannins are dense and the finish minty.
This cool site, set on sedimentary and volcanic soils, brings a blend of five clones into focus. Dark and juicy, muscular and complex, it weaves together plum and cherry fruit, a whiff of truffle, and finishes with a touch of coffee from the barrel aging.
Silky and plush, this medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir features a delicate interplay of cinnamon and clove with cherry and pomegranate. It glides easily to a long finish, picking up a hint of bacon or wood smoke along the way. Drink now–2023.
Slightly baked aromas of raisin, blackberry and caramel are deep and dense more than bright. This Malbec blend is well built, with spicy flavors of berry fruits and cocoa. The oak on the finish is toasty and leads to dryness and a sense of fineness. Drink through 2023.
This is a structured wine with layers of tannins as well as ripe red plum skin fruit flavors. It is a wine for aging, which would bring out a rich texture as well as intense acidity. It should not be drunk before 2017.
This wine, from a prime block of a famous vineyard, shows nectarine flesh, lime and lemon peel, salted butter and green herbs on the nose. The palate is still wound a little tight, but reveals green pear, citrus pith, lime juice, cheese rind and a touch of sour grass. Hold until 2016.
Honey and saffron mingle with blossomy perfume in this lavish semidry Riesling. A streak of lemon-lime acidity adds zip to sweet, concentrated white peach and tangerine flavors. It's irresistibly juicy with a lingering finish.
This wine was sourced from three vineyards along the West Sonoma Coast, from as far north as Annapolis and as far south as Sebastopol. Cranberry, raspberry and dark earth are on offer around a lilting, soft texture and medium-toned body. On the finish, expect black tea and minty herb, the acidity providing crispness.
Classic Carmenère aromas of spiced blackberry, olive, herbs and cola hint at green, but in the mouth this warm-vintage wine is ripe, lush and layered, with resiny oak. Flavors of cola, vanilla, blackberry and black cherry are nicely herbal, while a spicy finish brings char and coffee notes along with plush weight. Drink through 2018.
Rusty in color but deep and complex in nature, this varietal Tannat dessert wine is jammy-smelling but tight and piercing on the nose. A thick, chewy palate is braced by good acidity, while flavors of licorice, kirsch, blackberry and burnt caramel finish long and intense, with additional notes of chocolate and raisin.
Beeswax and lanolin aromas are textbook Garnacha Blanca. This also feels waxy and grabby, with friction on the palate. Nutty, oaky, toasted white-fruit flavors suggest peach and papaya, while the finish is long, nutty and complex.
Dark and dense in chocolate and coconut macaroon, this soft, approachable wine is made to serve as the winery's flagship offering. Layered in dark, ripe plum and cherry, as well as flecks of sweet tobacco, it reflects the region well, offering subtle power and finesse.
This is powerful stuff, packed tightly with tannins, juicy black fruits and a solid, concentrated structure. The wine is ripe and spicy, with a touch of pepper from the alcohol. It is also dense, still firm and needs further time to develop. Drink from 2016.
A blend of local Alentejo grapes has produced a structured while also opulent wine. Layers of dark fruits and solid tannins give dense character. Red fruits burst out of the structure, adding acidity and a perfumed aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Leather pouch and earthy cedar and forest floor make for an intriguing wine, powerful in big, dry tannins, especially on the finish. The strength of the wine, and the balance of citrus-like acidity, suggest cellaring, through 2020.
From a vineyard block planted in 1990, this wine is distinguished by an earthy forest-floor characteristic, along with smoky oak and bacon, especially on the entry. Ripe dark cherry and spice entice on the finish, which is tingling in acidity and firm tannins.
Aromas of white flower, citrus, pear and light notes of oak-driven spice lead the nose. The palate offers a nice depth of flavor, including citrus zest, exotic fruit, yellow peach and candied lemon drop. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity.
The estate is in the hills above the Douro valley, giving wines that are perfumed, ripe and with a cool tannic structure. This wine is rich from a warm vintage, full of dark plums, but with an elegant tannic element that cuts through the fruit. Freshness and a juicy aftertaste complete a stylish wine for aging. Drink from 2018.
This latest vintage of Falcoaria red is smooth and ripe while also structured. It has great tannins, a dense texture and layers of rich red fruits and acidity. The wood aging gives extra richness as well as spicing up the fruitiness. Drink from 2016.
From old vines planted on the sandy soils of Tejo, this is a fresh, while also concentrated wine. It has a sense of structure, with a nutmeg character along with the fresh yellow fruits. Touches of the wood-aging give an extra richness. Drink from 2016.
Obviously rich and dense, this wine is also smooth and elegant thanks to its soft tannic character, never too dry and even now drinkable. Berry fruits and a generous structure allow the wine to be approachable. Drink from 2016.
Persistent lines of smoke, petrol and crushed slate hint to the maturity of this dry, elegantly framed Riesling. The palate is racy and tart, balancing crisp white peach and lemon notes with a mineral-oil slick that elongates and intensifies the finish.
Intensely ripe black cherries and plums lend heft to this rich, boldly textured Pinot Noir. It's a nuanced wine, accented by hints of dried herbs, violets and a crush of mineral tones that elongate the finish.
A 100% Zin from a warm site planted in 1893 and currently owned by the folks behind nearby Bella Winery, this is a broad, bombastic expression of the variety. Near-syrupy in plum and dusty blackberry, it has wafts of rose and anise that give a floral edge, keeping it from going too far. Soft and linear, it'a a wine to be enjoyed slowly, with meaty, hearty food.
This richly concentrated Riesling calibrates juicy sweet peach and honey flavors with an invigorating crush of lemon-lime acidity. It's an irresistibly fruity yet refreshing wine at an exceptional value price.
Dark roasted espresso beans and tobacco leaf imprint this estate-grown offering, which has a big, brawny presence of ripe blackberry and plum around a soft, approachable midpalate and mellow finish. The wine is given a floral lift on the aroma, akin to rose and violet.
A rare wine for Portugal, a 100% Merlot, this is dense, very rich and spicy. Plenty of juicy black fruits are still developing along with the concentrated tannins. It's a wine that is close to being too concentrated, saved by the fresher fruity end. Drink from 2018.
A blend of Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, this delineated white delivers tangerine zest, yellow peach, green pear and ginger drop sensations. Lively acidity gives it a crisp, refreshing finish.
Aromas of jasmine, acacia flower, ripe stone fruit and honey lead the nose on this fragrant white. The savory palate offers mature green apple, white peach, menthol and mineral alongside zesty acidity.
Plum, prune, oak and vanilla aromas combine to form a welcoming, solid bouquet. This feels snappy, fresh and firm, with no weaknesses. Toasty, earthy plum and cherry flavors finish lively, zesty and spicy, with mild tartness. Drink through 2018.
All estate-grown, single-clone fruit creates a wine with a citrus streak down its core. Think cherries and oranges, fresh and light with a delicate touch. The balance and length are outstanding.
This is the workhorse grape of Champagne and some domestic sparklers. Very little is bottled as still wine in Oregon. It has Pinot Noir color with some similar aromas of cola and sassafras, but veers off into an earthier, almost musky direction all its own. The pretty cherry fruit calls out for duck or salmon.
This strikes a resonant chord with notes of mineral-driven cool climate Chardonnay, matched to a well-oaked, toasty frame. Somehow it straddles the line, delivering forward, open fruit flavors of apple and pear, with generous streaks of buttery toast. Drink now through 2020.
Upfront scents of blackberry and plum lead the nose of this wine, while denser notes of muddled berries, chocolate raspberry and tree bark unfold on the medium-weight palate. Hints of earth and pepper lend depth to the finish. Drink now.
Bright aromas of rose petal, lychee and peach are upfront on the pretty bouquet of this easy-drinking white, followed by secondary floral hints of sweet pea and orange blossom. The light and approachable palate offers ample acidity and a pleasant ginger kiss that hangs on through the finish. Drink now.
Medicine cabinet, coconut, woodspice and red apple aromas lead to simultaneously sweet and tart cherry and cranberry flavors supported by drying tannins. It doesn't all come together, with the wood showing prominently throughout.
Dating to 1740, this classed-growth estate has vines in the heartland of Côtes de Provence. This wine is lightly herbal, with crisp acidity. Apricot and green herb flavors give a lively character and bring out the crisp, tight texture at the end.
Tradition indeed with the traditional skittle bottle. The wine inside is structured with concentration as well as plenty of fruity acidity. It is crisp with red-currant flavors and a bright aftertaste.
Organic grapes go into this fresh, crisp and fruity wine. With raspberry flavors, it is bone-dry and full of acidity. The wine is refreshing—light and bright.
The nose is subdued but eventually reveals whiffs of pressed white flower and dried herb. The rather lean palate offers hints of green pear, citrus, mineral and a note of bitter almond.
Dark berry fruit, a touch of cocoa and a dusty quality show on the nose of this twist-top bottling. There is lots of tannic structure on the sip, with mouthfuls of black and purple fruit, some black pepper and a touch of bitter coffee.
Standard cherry and raspberry aromas are simple and pleasant. This feels fresh and bright, with a moderate mouthfeel. Flavors of red-berry fruits and dry spice finish steady, with balancing acidity.
Named after the district of Paris where the food and wine markets were located, this is an attractive, fruity wine. It has apricot, banana and spice flavors, lifted by some perfumed acidity. It is a warm style of Chardonnay that is ready to drink.
Dominated by Syrah in the blend, this wine is full of red fruits. It comes from vineyards set at up to 1,200 feet, giving a cool edge to the acidity even though the wine is ripe. The aftertaste is full, packed with intense fruitiness.
Overt butter in the aroma and flavor give this medium-bodied wine a lavish personality, while light fruit nuances take a back seat. The texture is smooth, almost thick; and buttery, vanillin notes keep going on the finish.
Red currant, grapeseed, smoked meat and cracked concrete show on the nose of this blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Tart red plum skins, darker boysenberries and coffee elements arise on the palate, where sticky tannins and a very powerful acidity frame the sip.
This is an orange citrus-tinged wine, fully layered and weighty in apple and pear. Popcorn, corn nuts and toasted oak provide the warmth and breadth of aroma and flavor. This wine is ready for crab cakes.
A fruity, lightweight wine made from Grenache, this is crisp and bright. With red-currant flavors, some pepper and an edgy tang of bitter oranges, it's totally refreshing. The wine comes from the same stable as the more expensive Château d'Esclans rosés.
White flower, citrus and beeswax aromas open. The enjoyable, easy drinking palate offers Anjou pear, lime and a hint of bitter almond alongside zesty acidity. It's simple but well made.
Made from a 50-50 combination of old vine Gamay and Charbono, both grown in Calistoga, this wine opens in a nondescript way and offers a thick texture of tannin and density, becoming shyly fruity in the glass, a mix of cherry and strawberry.
This full-flavored and full-bodied wine is certainly a change of pace. It smells almost like eucalyptus, tastes powerfully fruity and floral, has a slight sweetness balanced by good acidity, and finishes with an intriguing mineral quality.
A soft, almost sweet version of a typically more crisp varietal, this is fruity, smooth in texture and uncomplicated. It has fresh citrus and apple flavors.
Made from Grenache, this fresh and deliciously fruity wine has a soft side from its ripe berry fruits and warm acidity. Produced in Languedoc, the wine has a sunny character, full of life and lightness.
Made from organically grown grapes, this is crisp and clean. A straight line of bright red and citrus fruits is sharpened by acidity. It has a refreshing aftertaste.
Passionfruit, lemongrass, exuberant lemon-lime soda and squeezed orange juice aromas show on the fresh, exotic nose of this botttling. The palate is driven by citrus, simple yet tasty, with fresh limes, kumquat and light guava, proving both tropical and racy.
This is a pocket-size blend of 57% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah and 1% Cabernet Franc. It's soft and drinkable, marrying red currant and cherry with softened tannins and an easy approachability.
Offered in a 100ml travel size, with fruit sourced from both the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley, this is a worthy companion when pocket size is important. Light citrus and green apple show on the nose before an oaky palate of buttered toast enters the fray.
This wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Gros Manning, forms a pair with a Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat blend from the same producer. Here, the style hails from the cooler southwest of France. Bright and crisp, it offers a hint of honey as well as good acidity cutting through to give a refreshing, lively aftertaste.
Since this wine comes from a big Rhône producer, it's no surprise the blend is 50% Grenache Blanc. The other 50% is Sauvignon Blanc. It is an effective, balanced medley, with the fat Grenache given a burst of freshness by the Sauvignon. The wine is light, lively and fruity. Drink now.
Aromas of honeysuckle and a whiff of passion fruit lead the way. The round, simple palate offers yellow peach, tangerine and a note of bitter almond alongside fresh acidity.
Aromas of jasmine and citrus blossom lead the nose. The soft, bright palate offers yellow peach, Bartlett pear and a hint of candied lemon rind. A note of white almond closes the finish.
Fruity in flavor, fresh and elegant in texture, this wine tastes pure and unmanipulated. The berry and candied-cherry flavors are delicious, and the mouthfeel is smooth. It finishes with a touch of black pepper.
This linear white opens with aromas suggesting gooseberry elderflower, Alpine herb and citrus. The tangy palate offers grapefruit, honeydew melon and white stone fruit while a mineral note adds depth.
Aromas of candle wax, nectarine and lees carry the bouquet on this well-aged Albariño that's round and full in body. Flavors of baked apple, citrus, almond skins and vanilla are briny, while the finish feels and tastes creamy and leesy. Drink now.
The red wine is rich, dense and packed with fruit and tannins. It comes from the heart of the Lisboa region, giving plenty of structure from the cool-climate vineyards. There are fine red-fruit flavors shot through by juicy acidity. The wine has a drier, still developing tannic aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
A blend of Baga and Touriga Nacional produces a wine that certainly has structure and the possibility of aging. It also has fresh, crisp red currant and blackberry fruits that refresh the tannins. There is a cool, tight feel to it from the proximity of the ocean that will let it age well for several years. Drink from 2017.
It's rare to find a Douro white made from Rabigato, which is normally found in a regional blend. It produces a crisp, apple and green pear flavored wine that is attractive, drawing much of its character from the fact the vines are 40-years-old. The wine is fresh, tangy and ready to drink.
Tempting spicy aromas like cedar and clove lead to rich but bright fruit flavors shaded by smoke and black pepper. This wine has commendable complexity without going over the top, and a nice, firm texture of fine tannins and good acidity for balance.
This deeply hued wine opens with aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean and butterscotch. The palate delivers lemon drop, baked Golden Delicious apple, custard, tangerine zest and vanilla while a walnut note closes the finish. Drink sooner rather than later.
Rajat Parr is one of the partners in this new venture. This Gamay offers chunky cherry fruit with a pleasing peppery bite. Tannins are firm and proportionate, and the lively mouthfeel derives from fermentation via carbonic maceration.
Fresh-pressed wild berries, cedar, purple flowers, and Jolly Rancher grape candy notes show on the nose of this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane and Counoise. More grape candy shows on the palate, along with vibrant lilacs, black pepper, rose petals and a touch of espresso.
Mocha, caramel and nutmeg lend complexity to a nose driven by blackberry and blueberry notes. The soft and dense palate shows lots of serious flavors, from fennel and asphalt to thick blueberry juice, with solid tannins that are chunky in a good way.
Notes of peel and flesh of Bosc pear pervade nose and palate, there is a core of earthy ripeness but the palate gives the impression of ginger-spiced freshness, tempered by earth. Rounded and beautiful.
Aromas of pressed wildflower, orchard fruit, citrus and a whiff of nut lead the nose. The luminous palate delivers yellow apple, Kaiser pear, nectarine and bitter almond accompanied by tangy acidity.
This bottling comes from a vineyard belonging to winemaker Bill Brousseau's parents on the Salinas Valley's eastern slopes. The nose intrigues with iron-laced purple fruits and a touch of feral beef jerky. Blackberry and black pepper show on the palate, as does shaved nutmeg, dark chocolate shavings, bay leaf and a tart coffee element.
Mushroom and kirsch show through a wall of oak and thick tannin. This wine is still compressed and concentrated in flavor, with tea and tobacco providing a bittersweet end.
One of the more structured Pinot Grigios, this opens with aromas that recall white flower, orchard fruit, a whiff of oak and chopped herb. The bright palate offers Kaiser pear, yellow apple, vanilla, candied citrus zest and a ginger note alongside crisp acidity.
Aromas of chamomile flower, cut grass, tomato leaf and citrus fruit lead the nose on this crisp white. The vibrant palate presents unripe yellow peach, grapefruit, chopped herb and mineral alongside racy acidity.
Bright cherry and blueberry notes combine with hints of leather, earth, crushed pepper and grapeseed on the nose of this bottling. It's relatively light in body, showing peppery verve on the palate plus blueberry-elderberry fruit and bay-leaf herbals.
Aromas of elderflower, sage, a whiff of oak and oak-driven spice emerge in the glass. The linear palate shows grapefruit, sage mineral and lively acidity that generates a clean crisp finish. Drink after 2018.
Subtle touches of mineral oil lend richness and depth to spry white floral, lemon and lime notes in this light-footed dry Riesling. Bursts of white grapefruit flavor dominate the midpalate, marking a brisk, clean finish. Drink now through 2017.
Chalk and slate meld into blossomy floral tones in this fragrant off-dry Riesling. Zesty and spry, the palate is marked by flavors of freshly pressed apple, pear and lemon. Drink now through 2020.
The Sullivan designate complements the Dardis, with a different mix of clones. Here it's Pommard and Dijon 777, and the wine is robust and textural. Aging in 28% new French oak brings up highlights of baking spices around fruit that runs from rhubarb to strawberry to cherry pie. It's balanced and light, and should drink well through 2022.
This blend of 50% Friulano, 25% Sauvignon and 25% Malvasia opens with aromas of apple, crushed rock, chamomile flower and a whiff of tomato vine. The tense, tangy palate offers white peach, citrus zest, fennel and mineral. An almond note accents the finish.
Tomato vine, gooseberry, crushed stone and cut grass set the racy tone. The aromas follow through to the vibrant palate, along with grapefruit, chopped herb and mineral. Lively acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish.
Herbal, jammy aromas of raspberry and plum are spicy but reedy. This feels a bit heavy and out of shape. Stewy, baked blackberry flavors are interwoven with herb and spice notes, while this Malbec-Cabernet blend tastes mostly of chocolate, prune and herbs on a chunky finish.
Initially tight and closed on the nose, displaying orange oil and anise notes, give this some time in the glass to blossom. With 22 months in French oak, the palate is smooth and silky, displaying juicy red plum and racy currant speckled with pepper and licorice.
This simple offering opens with aromas of stone fruit and toasted almond. The palate offers yellow peach, apricot and citrus, with a hint of flint on the close.
Peppery plum and raspberry aromas lead to a crisp, snappy, juicy palate with apple skin and raspberry flavors enhanced by a splash of minty oak. With modest length and power through to the finish, this is a good and approachable everyday wine.
This wine is concentrated and shows hints of bitter extraction as well as ripe fruit. There is a tough dryness that will soften given time, yielding a palate that's rich and fulfilling. Wait until 2016.
This wine is bready and yeasty with notes of vanilla and spice from wood. Big and bold on the palate, it could intensify in fruitiness in the future.
This blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla and chocolate. The palate offers sweet plum, black cherry, bell pepper and mint in a one dimensional, friendly style.
Balsamic aromas are matched by high-toned blueberry and cherry scents as well as vanilla and brandy. This feels wiry and bouncy, which is normal for acid-driven Graciano. Flavors of oak, toast and wild berry are so juicy and acidic that the finish is tangy.
Full in the mouth, this is a ripe, currant- and gooseberry-flavored wine. It has a bright, forward, fruity feel that makes it delicious to drink. Very refreshing in character. Screwcap.
This Zin is rich with flavors of liqueur and spice with a suggestion of Dr. Pepper. Let this Zin open a bit in the glass. It's softly textured on the finish with a taste of raspberry and vanilla.
While the nose seems a bit savory, with muted apple and honeycomb notes, this dry, full-bodied Riesling is quite fruity on the palate, with pleasant peach and nectarine flavors. It's brisk, with lemon-lime acidity and just a hint of astringency on the finish.
This feels lifted and spritzy, with friendly, soft apple aromas and flavors of lime, apple and pineapple that are almost juice-like. The finish mirrors the palate, tasting ripe yet feeling zesty, with faint hints of chalky mineral.
Intense smoke and crushed-stone notes linger from start to finish on this distinctly mineral beerenauslese, adding a savory tone to luscious honey and lemon flavors. Zesty lime and lemon notes offset sweetness on the palate, finishing with a touch of puckering astringency.
Field notes of clover and herbs lend spice and roughness to the bouquet. This is strong on the palate, with herbal-leaning plum and berry flavors. Hard, peppery spice notes ride high on an herbal tasting and juicy feeling finish.
This wine is quite closed at this stage with dark tannins and a firm texture. The dry edge obscures attractive fruitiness, finishing with acidity and freshness.
This is an attractively fruity wine that has just the right tannic structure, solid berry fruits and good acidity. It's a wine that is developing well and is ready to drink now.
This wine is very juicy with fruit, but also exhibits a strong mineral element that adds texture and tightness. With acidity prominent, it seems to be a wine that will always be taut and firm.
This wine is firm, solid and strongly tannic in nature. Juiciness is there, along with wood aging, spice and some concentration. The acidity is very present and needs to soften over the next year. Drink from 2015.
This blend of Incrocio Manzoni, Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto opens with tutti frutti aromas of ripe banana, pineapple and pear that carry over to the palate, along with mango. The savory palate also has a certain salinity that restrains the exuberant fruit.
Fresh and crisp, this is a blend of perfumed Musaketeller, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and spicy Welschriesling. It is light, very fruity and has an attractive lemon-zest character. Screwcap.
A blend of 80% Verdicchio, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc, this has a delicate floral fragrance of white flowers and beeswax. The palate offers lemon-lime, pear and citrus flavors, along with sharp acidity.
This is an attractively perfumed wine that's refreshing with lemon and apricot flavors. It has a zesty character with the crisp texture of apple skins. It's ready to drink now, but could also improve with age for three years. Screwcap.
This opens with pretty aromas of wild white flowers and pear. The palate is light and fresh, with a core of yellow apple, Williams pear and tropical fruit, with a crisp, quenching finish. Pair it with mild seafood dishes or light pastas.
Here's a delightful and straightforward wine that opens with a delicate fragrance of white spring flowers. The palate offers notes of tropical fruit, lemon zest and a hint of clove. It has a clean, quenching finish.
Bold and densely concentrated, this fantastic single-vineyard Cabernet Franc is laden with ripe black fruit, yet it's balanced by hints of cracked pepper, fresh herb and a gorgeous note of violet- and rose-petal spray. Persistent on the palate, it finishes strong with a murmur of velvety tannins and an umami-laden hoisin note.
A deep raspberry flavor is set in a vivid frame of spicy herb and toasty barrel accents. The finish is crisply defined, with slightly peppery tannins.
Tight at first, this has a fine tannin structure that wraps around the wine like a scarf. The aromatics come with force, with intoxicating wafts of violet, pepper and herb.
This blends fruit from Red Mountain's Force Majeure Vineyard and Boushey Vineyard. Fermented using native yeast, it shows black cherry, cola and earth, with a drying finish that's redolent of wet cement. This is complex and even delicate.
This is yeasty, bearing crisp flavors of pear and green apple, with a taut lemon-zest texture and a firm edge of minerality. It needs at least three years in bottle.
A fragrant apple-skin aroma sets the scene for this wine that is warm and ripe. A touch of nutmeg adds an extra dimension to its yellow fruits. It's rich while still remaining true to its minerally, terroir-based origins. Age for two years.
This shows Savigny's softness and approachability, along with tannins and acids. It is firmly concentrated, creating a wine that feels complete, juicy and rich.
This is a firm wine with great fruit density, with a round, generous and velvety texture. It has a touch of wood that needs to integrate with the flavor of red plum skin. The dark tannins create a wine that will age for several years.
This is a tightly textured wine that has plenty of green stone fruit as well as a bitter almond edge. It is taut, and the fruit has not completely surfaced yet. Age for three years.
With its ripe strawberry-jam flavor, this demonstrates classic Pinot Noir juiciness. It has dry tannins as well, yielding a ripe, concentrated wine that needs five years of aging.
Clos des Myglands is a vineyard wholly owned by Faiveley. In 2010, it has produced a richly structured wine, full of ripe plum and sweet acidity that dominates the firm tannins. The finish is juicy, balanced by a jammy character.
Made from grapes sourced from Domaines Devillard's 12 acres of premier cru Mercurey vineyards, this rich, weighty wine has ripe red fruits that are layered with new wood and tannins. A structured effort that's meant to age for five years and more.
This is ultraripe and a bit raisiny on the nose, but there are encouraging flashes of schisty minerality and freshness. It feels jammy, full bodied and thick, with a baked black-fruit flavor and notes of licorice and tobacco. Smooth and earthy on the finish, with power to spare. Drink now–2014.
This is pretty much the same blend as Zachary's Ladder, but with higher alcohol and all new French oak. Perhaps the wine is not yet fully resolved, as the gamy Syrah and grippy, tannic Cabernet seem to be butting heads. The broadly displayed red fruits leave a chalky finish.
This smells of baked black fruit, coconut, vanilla and char, with a palate that's ultrasaturated and almost cloying. The compact flavors are of concentrated blackberry liqueur and cassis, which narrow to berry and oak notes on the finish.
This red blend of 59% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 14% Syrah and 7% Malbec has depth and concentration, as well as length. It has flavors of black and red berries, accented by cinnamon.
Made in a super Tuscan style, this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is lush and lovely. Lightly floral aromatics introduce notes of berry, plum and a whiff of leather. It xcellent balance and structure, with soft, yielding tannins. It was finished in 20% new oak.
This is rich, full-bodied Chardonnay, rounded out with peaches and spiced apricots. The wood is evident here, giving an extra softness as well as bringing out rich honey. A wine that opens beautifully in the mouth, ready to drink but also ageworthy.
This Loess is definitely more—more concentration, more ripeness, more Côte Rôtie character than the 2005, but already showing dramatic flavor development. Cofermented with 3% Viognier, it's a silky wine with flavors of blood, meat and earth dominating. Tannins are ripe, and it was barreled in second-fill oak, preserving the natural flavors of the vineyard. Clearly the best so far from Waters.
An initially wood-laden wine that only slowly reveals the rich fruit character. There is wood certainly, but the spice integrates well with the green fruits and the intense minerality. The great steely backbone on this wine indicates it will age.
In the three vintages we've tasted this blend of Cabernet Franc, Cab Sauvignon and Carmenère, it has never slipped below 90 points. This 2005 version is the best yet; it has fine oak up front, with fresh berry aromas lurking below. The palate is sly, sexy and whole, with flavors of plum, cassis and leather. Secure on the finish, and overall there are no faults to be found. Drink now or hold for another couple of years.
Is this the best Cabernet that Viu Manent has ever bottled? We think it very well might be; the wine is midnight madness, meaning it's dark as night and richly draped with blackberry, cassis, black plum and overall lushness. It's a hulk of a wine, with jammy fruit, fine tannic structure and handsome shadings. Drinkable now and probably better over the next two or three years.
For a Grenache-dominated (70%) blend, this shows outstanding structure. the firm tannins are slightly drying right now, but should smooth out nicely by 2012 and the wine should continue to drink well through at least 2020. Ripe cherry and cassis notes are framed by subtle cedary oak, imparting a sophisticated elegance to the long finish.
This is one of the most popular Chablis premier crus, and this soft wine shows why. It hints at minerality, but the main flavors are a great burst of apple and citrus. It has just the right vivid green character, the vanilla from the wood a very subtle afterthought.
Soft and ripe, this is Chardonnay at its simplest. It has melon and pear flavors, light acidity and a rounded texture. Drink this easy wine now.
Very little stands out on the bouquet other than a whiff of oak and applesauce. This feels juicy and acidic, thus fresh, while flavors of apple and citrus feed into a citrusy finish with a touch of oak.
This wine has aromas of oak, red currants and roasted coffee bean. Oak dominates the palate, with toasted sensations and espresso taking center stage over the subdued red fruit sensation. Overall, this is dried up and tannic, closing on an astringent note of wood tannins. Veritas Imports, Tanaro River Imports, Crown.
Hard candy and berry-extract aromas form the nose. This is slick in feel, with mulberry, raspberry, lollipop and olive flavors, a true mish-mash of tastes. A jammy sweetness drives the finish, which is short on structure.
This aged blend of 70% Bobal with 15% each of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon smells cheesy, with hints of mature black fruits and tobacco. The palate lacks structure, while the flavor profile is earthy and revolves around stewed berry and cassis. A short finish evaporates in a snap.
Very herbaceous, this is a light and simple wine. It has attractive green fruits, citrus and fresh acidity. Crisp and clean, it is ready to drink.
Thin and smoky, this Zin has a pronounced barrel presence amid layers of black licorice, leather and blackberry.
A lemon-scented wine, light and fresh, it has an attractive crispness and lively fruitiness. It's best drunk now.
Roasted coffee beans, espresso and rubber aromas alongside a whiff of farmyard lead the nose. The palate is bit muddled, with rustic hints of animal alongside overripe plum and black cherry that lead to sweet, almost sugary sensations. Woodsy tannins mark the bitter close.
Horsey smelling and muddled on the nose, this Malbec offers a mix of many things, but true harmony isn't one of them. The palate is lactic in feel, while roasted flavors of black fruits and bacon finish with candied sweetness.
This Meritage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers a taste of blackberry jam and heady tannins, a bit much for the table but appropriate as a cocktail wine dense in fruit.
Gooseberry and feline aromas are true to the variety but a bit austere and sharp. The palate is plump like you'd expect from warm-climate SB, while flavors of nectarine, citrus and melon finish full, tangy and a bit heavy.
From vineyards owned by Paul Buisse, this is a ripe, tropical-fruited wine. It is light in texture, with herbal and grassy flavors on the finish. Drink now.
Lemon, lime and straw aromas are fresh but also a little stalky. Spritz and then an oily afternote define the feel, while flavors of white fruits taste pithy and a touch green and herbaceous.
Aromas of fragrant blue flowers and red berry come together with a hard-to-define sensation that recalls diesel fuel. The palate feels lean, with restrained black cherry and suggestion of prune. Shy on freshness, it is already starting to fade.
This Tuscan blend of 85% Sangiovese, 7% Ciliegiolo, 5% Canailo and 3% Malvasia opens with aromas of underbrush, oak and a whiff of farmyard. The palate is tired. While you can detect black cherry, plum, black pepper and espresso, the fruit is starting to fade, leaving astringent tannins unsustained by fruit richness.
High acidity gives this wine freshness, while the fruitiness is somewhat more distant. It could age, but the bitter edge and the acidity are difficult to get past.
This is a sharp, grassy Pinot Gris, which does more than a gentle bow in the direction of Sauvignon Blanc. Herbaceous, peppery and penetrating, it's green and acidic, yet flavorful and a resonant food wine also.
This starts off with bell pepper aromas and hints of espresso, oak, vanilla, plum and soy sauce. It's direct and straightforward, with an international profile and easy personality.
Ripe and creamy wine, with some herbaceousness and yellow fruits. Layering citrus and a tangy texture, it's fruity, full of lively acidity and ready to drink this year. Screwcap.
A simple, fruity wine, there is a fine line of acidity that shoots right through to give a bright and breezy character. It is light, very fresh with an attractive lemon zest at the end.
There is just pure fruitiness here, a Chardonnay that is light and fresh although with some creamy richness behind it. It's softly textured, a warm wine with a vanilla hint at the end.
Earthy plum and berry aromas dominate a fruit-forward bouquet. A layered, proper feeling palate delivers lightly buttered flavors of dark plum, creamy oak and spice. On the finish, this tastes a little toasty and peppery, while the feel is comported.
Scratchy, herbal aromas settle on tar, asphalt, tart red fruits and leather. The palate on this cutting Rioja is pushy and full of bold acidity, while oak and herbal berry flavors finish minty and spicy, with a ringing, acid-driven feel.
After this medium-bodied, fresh-styled Rioja opens with scratchy plum and berry aromas, hints of chocolate and light oak step in. The mouthfeel is wiry and fresh, with vibrant acidity creating high-toned, red-fruit flavors that finish with ringing zest.
This inky and opaque Chianti Classico is made in an international style, offering intense oak and vanilla aromas. The palate shows overripe plum, espresso and green bell pepper flavors. While it starts off plush, it has short length with a drying, tannic finish.
An intensely fruity rosé, the palate is full with red berries and spirited acidity. It's very fruity, fresh and crisp with a cool-climate feel of bright, light texture. Screwcap.
This is a light and fruity wine that's forward on the palate, with red berries and hints of orange peel. It leaves a tart, citrusy aftertaste.
The nose of this wine is brimming with dark fruit, spice and toasted-oak fragrances. The palate shows oaky notes of coffee and toast, with soft plum and pepper undertones. It's straightforward, with a drying, tannic finish.
A warm, southern feeling wine, it has herbs, spice and rich tannins as well as a crisper feel of acidity. Fruity, full of black currant and red berry fruits, forward and ripe. It's not for aging.
This spicy rosso has plum and pepper aromas that carry over onto the palate, along with a hint of licorice. It's linear, lively and fresh. Pair it with pasta topped with spicy tomato sauces or not too seasoned cheeses.
This light, easygoing Pinot Blanc is fruity with apples and white fruits, while gently creamy and balanced with some spice. The soft fruit and the bite of spice give some complexity at the end.
Blueberry and cassis aromas are jammy and suggest graham crackers. This feels tight and narrow, with strict tannins. As for flavors, look for baked berry, herb and earth notes the finish shows berry,  leather and carob notes.
While this is aged in barrel, the wood influence doesn't quite work for Arinto, which is a lively, fruity varietal. The result is a wine that is laden with toast and textured with vanilla, and it comes with an edge of bitter lemon. The wood will soften, but it will always be present.
A structured wine, this reflects the granite soil of the Dão. Fruit from seven vineyards is blended to make this firm, tannin- and black-currant-driven selection. Perfumes from the Touriga Nacional lend lift to the finish.
While dainty in structure, this light-footed Riesling is intense and concentrated, with ripe stone-fruit and tangerine flavors. Nervy lemon-lime--like acidity and shades of slate and steel add depth and balance.
This wine is solid, concentrated and tannic, and it has a dark chocolate flavor from having aged in wood. It's likely to develop into a chunky wine over the next few years.
This is a lightweight Chambolle that's dominated by red fruit and acidity. There is a bitter edge that comes from the wood and the firm structure of the vintage. However, with its attractive, juicy finish, it is already soft enough to drink.
Round and soft, this warm wine from the southern end of the Côte de Beaune feels rich and generous. It has caramel and yellow fruit flavors, and its crisp acidity will ensure that it will remain fresh and fruity.
Broad and a bit flat on the palate, this wine has flavors of lemon and grapefruit rind, light stone fruit and a dash of mineral.
Clean, tart and herbal, this Sauvignon Blanc has front-and-center flavors of bright citrus and green apple. A slight hint of baking spice comes through on the finish.
A firmly structured wine, this has a dry character that's underscored by red fruit and balancing acidity. It needs to age for a few years to be at its best.
This curious Chardonnay transforms rather dramatically in the glass. It's initially savory, with notes of dried herbs and leaves, but gradually it reveals touches of fresh lemon, apple and vanilla, accompanied by dashes of dusty minerals that linger on the finish. Full bodied and dry.
A light yet concentrated Pinot Noir, this has a cherry flavor and a spicy texture. Give it some air to allow the better side of its earthy aromas time to unravel.
A cool-climate Pinot Gris, this is a finely tuned citrusy white, with crisp notes of peach and apricot. This is the winery's first release that's made from Marguerite Vineyard fruit. It spent no time in oak and malolactic fermentation was blocked, which helped to preserve an impressive amount of acidity.
This wine begins with rustic charm, and it features notes of olive, cigar box and cedar, followed by equally earthy flavors of spicebox, tomato, vanilla and pepper. The sturdy tannins and texture are softened by a wave of red fruit. Pair this with grilled lamb or burgers.
This is a fruity wine, with upfront peach and apricot flavors. It has bright acidity and just a hint of wood. Produced for the first time by Ferret, this selection is rich, open and generous, although the acidity is never left behind.
A blend of Fernão Pires and Moscatel, this is fresh, crisp and perfumed. It's an apéritif-like wine, with light acidity and a creamy, smooth texture.
With fine tannins, ripe berry fruits and a good cut of acidity, this is an attractive wine that deserves some aging. It has weight along with its strawberry and red currant flavors. Drink from 2016. Made by UNIVITIS Producers.
There is a ripe and smoky character to this wine aged 12 months in French oak. A rich background of plums and berry fruits steadies the tannins. The wine is balanced and will be ready to drink from 2017. The Gonfrier brothers' 94 acres are certified “Haute Valeur Environmentale” (High Environmental Value).
There is a mineral texture to this wine with its blend of almost equal Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. It is tight, structured and needs to age with its crisp acidity and warmer tropical fruits. Drink from 2016.
This white blend—an assemblage of Clairette (40%), Bourboulenc (30%), Grenache Blanc (20%) and Ugni Blanc (10%)—is geared toward maximum freshness. It's flinty up front, with fruity notes reminiscent of citrus and fennel fronds that are bright, clean and zippy on the finish.
The wood aging shows in this wine, giving a smoky, spicy character. It has softened the crisp fruits and allowed the wine to broaden out with ripe berry fruits. Solid and dense, it will need to age so drink from 2017.
With ripe berry fruits, this smooth wine has a layer of balanced tannins. It is structured, jammy in character, full of black currant flavors and final acidity. Drink from 2016. The château's history goes back to the 14th century and became a ruin after the 1789 Revolution. It was completely restored after World War II.
This ripe, wood-aged wine has fragrant red-cherry flavors and good acidity. It's still young, so it does have some bitterness, although the rich fruits and structure all point to a good future. Drink from 2017.
Powerful in black pepper, smoked oak and leathery tannins, this is a substantial wine, its fruit concentrated and dense. Integrated oak and tannins give it a softness to cushion its sizable strength, finishing dry.
Candied berry and cotton candy aromas include creamy notes of oak and vanilla. A beefy, muscular palate gives dark flavors of blackberry and chocolate, while peppery spice and burnt notes rise up on a spunky finish.
Aromas of smoke, sawdust and herbs are followed by lighter-styled cherry and cranberry flavors with spice accents.
Light and fresh, this is an apple-crisp wine with delicious acidity and a refreshing lemon tang. A finely textured character gives shape to the wine and supports the crunchy fruit. Drink this wine now.
A pretty shallot-skin pink, this fruity, crisp wine has red cherry freshness and a bright level of acidity. With its light mineral texture, it is obviously a food rosé.
Light and crisp, this offers aromas like peach skin and grapefruit, and flavors like crisp green apple and white peach. A lean, tangy texture make this very refreshing and versatile with food.
Aromas of peach, mineral, candle wax and fennel lead to medium-bodied, textured flavors. There's a pleasing sense of tension between the fruit and acid.
Smoky char surrounds this juicy crowd-pleaser, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah-based blend with approachable tannins and meaty undertones. Blackberry and plum form a bite of power and heat on the finish.
This wine is ripe, full in the mouth and rich. With grapefruit tanginess and crisp apple richness, it is generous with its fruits and texture. Like many wines from this appellation, it needs to age, so drink from 2016.
This wine is a kitchen-sink-style blend with Merlot and Syrah in the lead. It has aromas of herb, tire rubber, vanilla and dark fruit. The fruit flavors are tart and supple in feel with a lingering finish.
While aged eight months in oak, this elegantly integrated Chardonnay reveals only the faintest whispers of toast and spice. Thirst quenching and quaffable, the palate highlights crisp peach and apricot against a taut backbone of lemon-line acidity. Enjoy now for it's fresh, youthful flair.
This opens with aromas of dried black currant, roasted coffee beans, oak and aniseed. The warm, low-acid palate offers dried black fruit, licorice, dark chocolate and vanilla, but not much fruit richness. The smooth texture is cut short by wood tannins that impart an astringent finish.
For the vintage, which generally provided rather ripe fruit, this is a bit tight and stiffly tannic. The cherry cobbler aromas and flavors are certainly pleasurable, but finish crisp and firm. Give it a few years in the cellar, and drink 2017–2023.
There's a strong sense of aromatic wood on the nose of this wine, with chaparral scrub and fennel stalks giving character to the raspberry, hibiscus and pomegranate fruit. The cooked herbs extend to the palate, where woody sage and pencil shavings spice up dark purple fruit.
Generous and very flavorful, this full-bodied wine resembles honey and pear in the aroma, and pear syrup in the flavor. While sweet-seeming, it has a dash of apple-like acidity to keep it lively.
Fresh floral and stone-fruit aromas take a swirl into butter and crème brûlée on the nose of this elegant Chardonnay. It's a straightforward wine, yet delectably composed with rich, silky texture and a zippy, fresh finish.
Tight grass aromas give way to passionfruit, lemongrass and nectarine, with a touch of sweetness on the nose of this wine. That sweetness vanishes when sipped, yielding a bone-dry, tightly wound wine offering more grass flavors and a steely acidity.
The name is a nod to the use of all five Bordeaux red grapes. The result is familiar, with aromas of dried herbs laced across blackberry fruit. Relatively light and herb-driven, the palate discloses elderberry flavors and lots of woodiness.
Young and fruity, this is fresh, with some tangy lemon flavors from aging on the lees. It has a good depth of apple and green plum flavors. This is a delicious wine to drink now.
This offers aromas of baked earth, pressed rose, dark cooking spice and mature plum. The bright palate offers black cherry, raspberry, clove and anise accompanied by vibrant acidity. Enjoy through 2016.
Aromas of herbs, tar and plum lead to sweet, plush blue fruit flavors. It's not a particularly serious wine but brings plenty of appeal.
Very focused Key-lime aromas meet with strongly earthy, wet-clay scents on the nose of this wine that also offers a subtle minty kick. The palate is citrus-driven, with kumquat and tangerine flavors that give way to a warmer cream element before settling on a tense pink-grapefruit pith element.
There's no mistaking that this wine comes from The Rocks District, with its perfumed aromas of grilled asparagus, peat, dried herb and minerally, earthy funk. Ripe fruit, earth, gravel and savory flavors meld on the palate, which shows impressive concentration and depth as well as outrageous length on the close.
This is a great way to experience big Paso power and lushness in a relatively affordable way. The wine's nose kicks off with rich and delicious blackberry pie and hot vanilla-crust aromas, enhanced by black-cherry pastry, baking spice and dill. Cassis and kirsch notes show on the palate, as does milk chocolate and caramelized fruit.
This blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Grenache is a very pretty pale peach color. Aged in a mixture of concrete, stainless steel and neutral French oak, it suggests aromas of citrus, strawberry, herb and spice. It tingles the palate with fresh, lively flavors, showing poise and presence with a citrus-filled finish that lingers.
This dry-farmed property produces concentrated grapes. Particularly in this vintage, it offers burly, tannin-laced fruit with a tendency to brood. Soft and velvety on the palate, it veers into tangy, oaky and spicy finishing touches.
This wine is all varietal, coming from one of the state's top sites. Despite the warm vintage and site, it opens with aromas of herbs along with barrel spice and tightly wound dark fruit. The black fruit flavors are fresh and lively, showing elegance and persistence with a tight core of fine grained tannins.
Another tiny cuvée from Amoureuses (80 cases produced), this one blends 40% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 25% Merlot. Toasted-coconut oak scents lead the way, followed by oodles of black plums and cherries, a splash of vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon. It's full bodied and velvety textured; rich, like dessert without sugar. Drink now–2025.
Grilled aromas of fresh asphalt and slightly murky berry fruits improve with airing, as does a full-bodied palate with big tannins. Toasty, spicy flavors of herbal berry and cassis show good complexity but are far from tame. Finishing flavors of chocolate and pepper are dry and woody. Drink through 2027.
Seeming delicate at first, barely-there whiffs of lemon peel and green herb turn riper and sunnier on this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. The palate is quite unctuous, dripping with white peach and grapefruit nectar. A cool strike of steel extends from midpalate to finish, lending mineral elegance to this ripe, rich wine.
While the nose gives little away apart from a yeasty roundness, the palate shines with crisp, pure Conference pear fruit and a herbal tinge of watercress and arugula with the merest notes of salty soy. Slender, poised and very enjoyable.
Aged in neutral French oak, this wine opens with appealing aromas of black pepper, dried herbs and citrus peel. The palate is fresh and strikingly pure, with plenty of tart ground-meat and pepper flavors that hang on the finish. The texture is mesmerizing.
This beautiful, aromatic wine smells like orange blossoms, tastes rich and fruity, and feels luxuriously smooth and layered. It has a winning combination of ripeness and depth but still has good acidity for balance.
This is a structured wine that shows class and finesse. It has rich juicy blackberry flavors that are supported by some firm tannins and a dense texture. The wine is ready to drink for its fruitiness, although it will be better from 2019.
Fragrant and refined, this opens with aromas of rose, violet, dark berry, cake spice and a balsamic whiff of menthol. The full-bodied, approachable palate delivers crushed Morello cherry, cinnamon, star anise and clove alongside velvety tannins that give it polish and structure. Drink 2017–2022.
Aromas of underbrush, sea breeze, crushed herb, toast and leather lead the way on this earthy, refined red. On the palate, star anise, clove, grilled sage and a hint of game add depth to the black cherry core. Polished, silky tannins provide the framework while a saline note closes the finish. Drink through 2021.
A brilliantly complex but rarely done blend, this mix of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Petite Sirah shows blueberry donuts, vanilla ice cream, licorice, stewed strawberries and the lightest touch of dill and herbal aromatics on the nose. Gravel, asphalt and elderberry come through on the sip, elevated by white and black pepper. It's still a tad wound up.
Juicy notes of grass and passion fruit make for a very forward, aromatic and intensely appetizing Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is taut, very dry and slender but chock-full of fragrant fruit. The finish is enlivening and resoundingly aromatic.
A touch of butter warmth opens the nose to more dynamic and fresh aromas of sliced lemongrass and a wet stone, cement and slate minerality. Flavors of seared white peach and lemon curd arise on the palate, touching intriguingly on sweet Maui onion and finishing with light vanilla-custard flavor. It's a very lively sip.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) along with 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, with most of the fruit coming from top sites of Cold Creek Vineyard and Stone Tree vineyards. Tightly wound up right now, it offers aromas of high-toned herbs, vanilla, spice and dark fruit. The palate is soft and flavorful, with plush yet delicate cherry flavors and fine-grained tannins that lead to an extended, fruit-filled finish. It's a very sophisticated wine with a long life in front of it. Best from 2021 to 2030.
This highly concentrated, black-as-night RDD is inky, volatile and cheesy smelling, but also loaded with massive black-fruit scents. Saturated to the max, this is tannic as nails. Huge blackberry, chocolate and fig flavors end with prodding, rock-hard tannins and flavors of blackened toast, chocolate and cassis extract. This is intense enough to age for a lifetime. Drink 2020 through to 2035.
From a mountainous vineyard known for its grit and brawn, this wine presents exactly that—a powerful, grippy experience of generous fruit and tannin that's nonetheless complex in a mix of leather, chocolate and coffee. The acidity provides a high-toned undercurrent that makes it enjoyable and ponderous.
Classic aromas truffle, dark-skinned berry, tilled soil and dark baking spice lift out of the glass along with a whiff of menthol. The juicy palate boasts mature Marasca cherry, cinnamon, clove, anise and chopped mint alongside tightly wound tannins and fresh acidity. A hint of tobacco signals the close. Drink 2020–2026.
Aromas of exotic spice, iris, oak, coffee bean and wild berry come together on this structured, glossy red along with a note of grilled herb. The chewy palate boasts raspberry confiture, red cherry, espresso, dark chocolate, orange peel and tobacco while tightly knit, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. A licorice note closes the lingering finish. It's youthfully assertive and needs to fully develop. Drink 2020–2030.
Each sip of this graceful wine brings a little more depth and flavor. The aromas at first are quiet with just a hint of butter and toasted baguette, but on the palate it's easy to enjoy the pear-tart flavors and creamy texture. Everything seems to build toward the finish, which is long and luxurious.
One of the producer's signature wines, in a region becoming well-known for the variety, this elegant, herbal-tinged wine does not part with the Napa Valley's imprint of boldness in its length and breadth of rich red fruit, clove, vanilla and toasted oak.
Beautiful and enticing notes of Morello cherry pervade nose and light body of this elegant Viennese Pinot Noir. There is power and depth as well as some alcoholic heat, but everything is presented honestly and with grace. On the palate the fruit gains the darker aspect of black cherry which swirls seductively around everything. A joy.
One of the producer's lighter-styled wines, delicately delicious, this shows forest floor, orange and lemon in a brightly crisp, high-toned package of polish and grace. A touch of rhubarb--strawberry compote lurks on the finish.
Fino Sherry rarely has this kind of weight and complexity. It's full of spunk, grab and length, and that's probably due to the fact that it's made from Pedro Ximenez grapes and not the more common Palomino. Likely marvelous with garlic shrimp or langostinos.
A big, smooth, ripe wine, with rich raspberry-jam flavors and just gently dry tannins. This blend of Merlot with some Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vineyards 1,500 feet in the Limoux hills, yet it has the richness of a wine from warmer climate. Wood and spices add interest and richness.
On the cusp of unbridled excellence, but since it's Cims' second wine it has its limitations. It's a bit woody and needs to broaden out with time in bottle, but even now the licorice, mineral and ripe plum/prune flavors are delightful. And the oak-driven finish of mocha and coffee seals the package.
With its addition of 10% Syrah, this is a deliciously rounded wine, the Cabernet firmness mellowed into mature, ripe fruit. The acidity gives it shape, the tannins act as a focus for the rich fruit.
Sweet and lithe, this is a wonderfully clean and pure expression of Riesling eiswein. There's no botrytis, only sweet pineapple, apple and citrus flavors that finish on lingering notes of orange and lemon. This should last a while in the cellar, but there's really no reason to delay gratification.
The most satisfying of recent offerings from this Lafite-managed estate. It is certainly tough and young, but with its great black berry fruits and ripe plum flavors, it also shows elegant tannins and balanced acidity. Excellent aging potential.
Very New World in its ripe, tropical fruit flavors, rounded toasty element, and impressive concentration. Yet the elegance also remains, finishing with spice and light acidity, adding shape to this rich wine.
Really good and interesting Syrah, with chocolate, campfire, menthol and prune on the nose. With airing the wine quickly settles into a deep, smooth berry and chocolate groove, while the finish deals pure tannins and comfort. Ripe but not raisiny; a really nice example of Jumilla Syrah, with 4% Viognier blended in for lightness (and it still weighs in at 14.9%).
That the Syrah performs well in the Alentejo is proved by producer after producer. Here it has produced a big, beefy wine, full of black, silky fruits, concentrated ripe fruits and floating perfumes.
The production of Long Haul has doubled in 2010, and vineyard sources have changed, though most remain on Red Mountain despite the Columbia Valley appellation. The Bordeaux-style blend is 61% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It has drying tannins that somewhat mask the tart berry fruit. There's more stem and earth apparent in the palate, perhaps due to the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. It's quite Bordeaux-like, in style and finish.
The small quantities of St Laurent produced in Austria show the grape's great potential. This is a very fruity wine with a dry core and fine sense of structure. Full of red fruits, spice and tannin, it's likely to age for 2–4 years.
A complex blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Weissburgunder, this is a rich, spicy wine, dry in style and with some tannins. It has weight and density, but doesn't lose its creamy, fresh texture and acidity. It should age another year in bottle to get the best out of this serious wine.
Wieninger's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a finely structured wine. It has black currant flavor, firm tannins, and a dark core of dryness. Wood aging has lifted the fruits and acidity and added a sense of elegance. It's for aging over 4–6 years. Screwcap.
It's been a while since Torres Chile has made a Chardonnay this good. Minerally and toasty is the best way to describe this structured white. Good acidity keeps it upright, while plenty of barrel, cinnamon, apple and lemon character give it a Burgundian leaning. This is woody, racy and very lively now. Drink in 2014–15.
Earthy shades of struck flint and petrol add focus to lusciously ripe stonefruit and white-floral notes on this intensely concentrated, yet delicate Riesling. Zippy with fruit and acid, it's delicious to the long, steely finish.
This Barolo has an intense fragrance of rose petal, berry, incense and spice. The palate is still a bit closed and very youthful, revealing black cherry, herbs and aggressive tannins. This needs more time to develop complexity and soften up. Drink after 2016.
This wine's subtle underpinnings of smoke, toasted hazelnuts and baking spices add layers of interest to the melon and citrus fruit. This is medium to full bodied and just a bit creamy on the palate, making it a nicely balanced, all-around solid Chardonnay for drinking over the next few years.
Smoky, flinty crushed-stone notes are kissed with a blossomy perfume on this delicately structured, off-dry Riesling. The palate is concentrated with sweet, sunny peach and apricot flavors, but piercing acidity bristles on the tongue through the finish.
This estate-bottling shows single vineyard focus, and a more herbal profile than the winery's Columbia Valley Merlot. Accents of clean earth and dark, cassis fruit suggest a wine with Bordeaux-like strengths and the possibility of cellaring for a decade or longer.
An intensely fruity wine with refreshing swathes of bright white fruits, this is fragrant and textured with lively acidity cutting through the creaminess. Very pure tasting with great depths. Age for 3–4 years. Screwcap.
This single-vineyard wine from Dogliani, the spiritual home of Dolcetto, is made with wild yeasts. It's fragrant and structured, concluding with restrained wild-cherry, spice and mineral notes that come together with flair and finesse.
This shows ripe cherry aromas and hints of roasted coffee bean and underbrush. The palate is still a bit closed, but offers ripe cherry flavors, hints of orange peel, anisette and a coffee note. This is still young and tightly tannic, but should evolve nicely.
Fresh and fruity, Saracina's offers tart citrus, white peach and a long-lasting, oaky backbone, with textured mouthfeel and a level of concentration that calls out for food.
A full-bodied, very ripe rendering of Shiraz, Mitolo's 2009 G.A.M. offers hints of raisined fruit to go with its notes of coffee, smoke, roasted meat and baking spices. The creamy midpalate and velvety finish make it drinkable already, although it should hold up well for another few years.
There's an attractive minty note to this wine that some may find too prominent, but the underlying cassis fruit is strong and the wine's structure is firm. The tannins are even a bit chewy at this stage, so either give it a year or two to mellow or pair it with some rare beef or lamb.
A perennial best-of-show winner, this lush take on rosé bursts with pretty cherry fruit, light touches of brioche and fresh-baked rolls. It finishes with a kiss of spice.
Campovida continues to impress with its newly released white wines, producing this crisp, sharp and lemon-y Chardonnay from the beautiful Oppenlander Vineyard, settled in the tiny coastal-kissed town of Comptche. The lemon hits first, followed by a distinct layer of green apple and even a hint of floral fig. With graceful acidity, this is a perfect white for the dinner table, not too high in alcohol at 13.1%, too.
Big, dense and complex, this is still young. It has the weight of tannin as well as dark fruits offering a rich and ageworthy structure. As it opens, the wine is packed with dried fruits, licorice and dark coffee. This is a wine for keeping at least four more years.
This is an excellent Harvest Select bottling, with bright, sappy flavors that seem not all that sweet. The residual sugar, listed at 47 g/L, is an asset, but doesn't dominate. Flavors remain as crisp as a fresh Macintosh apple, juicy, forward and delicious.
The sister wine to the Squall Line Red, this is another Bordeaux-style blend, with Merlot in the central role. It's sleek and well-crafted, with purple fruits, delicate toast and a creamy, latté-like finish.
While sprightly and sweet on the attack, this deeply fruity Riesling deepens on the palate with layers of earth and smoky mineral tones. Juicy apricot and pink-grapefruit notes linger on the finish with an astringent touch of lemon rind.
Merlot remains a solid strength at Dumas Station, thanks to the Minnick Hills and Birch Creek Vineyard fruit. Half the barrels were new, an equal percentage of French and American oak, lending a strong bourbon aroma, along with tobacco and vanilla components. The fruit remains a bit constrained, with black fruits leading into a core of cassis. Give this one a good decanting.
This wine shows extraction, new wood and firm tannins. What it also has is the fruit weight to sustain all this. Given 4–5 years, the wine's richness and smoky flavors will come together with the black currant fruit.
Mint flavors reflect the new wood aging in this smooth, ripe wine. It has a fine structure, ample acidity and blackberry fruit. This textured, structured wine is ready for 4–6 years of aging.
From the Lonesome Spring Ranch Vineyard, in the eastern Yakima valley, this pure varietal offering starts sharp and then quickly softens up, with creamy apple and peach fruit flavors. It turns a little hot on the finish, but overall it's a smooth, easy-drinking style.
With soft tannins and sweet red-berry fruits, this is a wine that is made for early drinking. It does have a firm core serving to give shape to this otherwise smooth, juicy, fruity wine.
This attractive, soft and fresh wine is fruity, with red berry flavors, balanced acidity and warm tannins. With its light touch of spice, it is ready to drink.
Juicy on the nose and palate, with loads of sweet peach and melon, this semidry Riesling is balanced by brisk lime-tinged acidity and crisp starfruit flavors that shine on the midpalate. Finishes on a pleasantly drying jasmine-tea note.
Neutral aromas suggest peach, apple and minerality. Solid, compact and healthy on the palate, with peach and white pepper flavors. Good on the finish but starting to show some maturity; at peak level now so drink immediately or wait for the 2011.
A blend from Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, this is a soft rounded wine with white fruit acidity, almond flavors and a gentle lemon zest texture. Drink in the next two years.
Sweet and fruity, this is a balanced, ripe wine. It brings blackberry fruit right up front, the tannins soft and warm. With its attractive edge of acidity there is just the right amount of freshness as a contrast.
Quinta do Pégo produces a light, fast maturing style of vintage Port. This 2009 has the bonus of great richness, although its fruity character and soft tannins suggest it will mature rapidly.
This popular blend, now up to nine grapes sourced from across the Columbia Valley, spends time in 40% new oak. This 2009 lives up to past vintages, though perhaps falling on the lighter end of the scale, with pleasant fruit flavors and a hint of toast.
Only one barrel was made with fruit from the Doc Stewart vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. The saturated color and a nose redolent of forest floor and dried leaves are attractive, but the fruit falls rather lightly on the palate, delivering strawberry-candy flavors. Balanced and a bit earthy.
Bright and concentrated raspberry fruit is the hallmark of this Washington Zinfandel, with the acidity it needs to support almost 16% alcohol. High-toned and juicy, the fruit shines, though the finish turns chalky.
Named after the crows that fly on the Campolargo estate, this is a warm, ripely fruity wine with sweet flavors and soft tannins. It is ready to drink, a delicious winter warmer.
A plump, amply concentrated Riesling, with plenty of pineapple fruit to balance the hints of kerosene, slate and lime. Finishes crisp and clean, with a dry quality that invites another sip. Drink now.
This dry Vinho Verde shows great crisp, green apple and grapefruit flavors, a deliciously fresh wine, with green edges and lively flavors. Great summer drink.
Quite ripe for a traditional crianza. The bouquet starts out on the stewy side but soon sheds its weight to reveal flavors of blackberry, black cherry and earth. The mouthfeel is a bit creamy due to the wine's mild oak and overall ripeness. Drink now through 2010.
The 2006 is a richer vintage than this winery's 2005, showing more heat, more density and more of the milk chocolate in the finish. What it gains in weight it loses in elegance; it's a stand-off really. Winemaker Scott Shull does his usual careful job with the fruit, getting the most from the particulars of the vintage.
Finesse is a wine created to exhibit elegance, showing restrained fruits, poised tannins and plenty of the trademark 2004 fresh acidity.
Unusually lean and precise for a 2006, this shows some very floral, perfumed notes on the nose, and then delivers crisp green apple and underripe melon flavors.
Poised and poetic, this wine starts with a lovely floral nose of violet and unfolds in the mouth with smooth but structured elegance. Overall spiced wood and pepper flavors are meaty but soft.
This is an elegant, restrained blend of Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, giving ripe fruit to go with the firm, dry tannins and a touch of wood. It could age another 2–3 years.
From the Del Rio and Abacela Vineyards, A to Z's 2004 Night & Day is mostly Merlot, Cabs Franc and Sauvignon, with smaller percentages of Syrah, Dolcetto, Petit Verdot, Nebbiolo and Tempranillo. Unlike many such mutt wines, this has a definite structure, a focused mix of black fruits annotated with pepper, slate, iron, cocoa and pencil shavings. It was 100% barrel-aged with a small percentage of new wood.
A solid wine with mineral, white pepper and waxy fruit aromas. The palate is ripe and bulky, but also acidic enough to be balanced and stylish. Pineapple is the forceful flavor, while the finish is full and slightly oily. Drink this fruity, bigger-framed Albariño now.
A freshly herbaceous wine, a reminder of how crisp, grassy and refreshing white Bordeaux can be. This has a lively green and white fruit character, all vibrant acidity. Drink now.
Spicy wood notes and black fruit vie for center stage on the ripe, semimature bouquet. This is more of a traditional Ribera wine, meaning it has textured tannins, notes of tobacco and dill, and leathery, earthy berry fruit flavors. Not at all rough and ready to drink now, but still it should hold into 2009.
Frank rarely misses a mark and this wine is another example of the poised flavors one expects from this winery. The aromas are fresh but subtle, with a delicate spin of toasted oak. The wine offers a restrained and sophisticated profile that balances depth with a clean, measured use of oak.
Nice aromas of smoked meat, coconut, dried berry fruit and pepper set up a nice palate of concentrated, snappy raspberry and plum flavors. Clean, mildly herbal, nicely spiced and with good mouthfeel and follow through. Shows the mildest touch of creamy oak flavor.
Lemon, pineapple and spice aromas, followed by flavors of crisp citrus and rounded gooseberry mean this wine can pair with myriad dishes. A deft, elegant touch—with the trademark Elgin freshness and minerality—keeps the fruit from heaviness. A fun, clean wine with food pairing character.
Made in a mild ripasso style, this wine is miserly on the nose and hot on the finish, but what comes in between is very nice. Sweet flavors of brandied cherries, plum and chocolate blend with spice and pepper accents as it rolls forcefully across the palate. As said, it burns late, something that may resolve with bottle age. Drink now through 2011.
A fresh, green nose of grass, herbs and asparagus leads on this mouthfilling white. Flavors of citrus, tropical fruit and melon are punctuated by earthy spice and herbs. A lengthy aftertaste adds to the appeal. An interesting, distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.
A bright, fruity, cherry-flavored wine. The varietal character—juicy and with a light barnyard edge—is unmistakeable in this thoroughly delicious wine. Screwcap.
Tamaya seems to have turned the corner with its 2008 Cabs (the reserva is also very good). This wine is condensed and concentrated, with blackberry jam and other sweet berry aromas. The palate is pure and tastes of cassis and black fruit, while the finish has cola notes and a slight tannic bite. Generous for the price. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
Tart, juic, and peppery, with blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Though rather herbal and tannic, it displays good balance and moderate concentration.
This pretty white start with aromas of fragrant flowers, spice and vanilla, leading into creamy layers of citrus and fruit. A richer style of Chardonnay, but balanced with acidity and minerals. Pair with steak, lamb, richer seafood dishes.
Tight, angular aromas of cranberry, red plum, crushed mineral and dried leaves lead to a tough palate with black fruit flavors led by prune. A very concentrated, powerful wine based on Carignan and Syrah, with lemony oak and pounding tannins. Should be more tame by now; hold another year or two, and keep your fingers crossed.
Rich and fruity, with open black fruits and soft tannins. The wine has jelly and sweet fruits, while the spirit is not yet fully integrated.
Crisp and dry, this mixes green apple, fennel root and Asian pear with a hint of minerality. The flavors are nicely integrated, and the wines continues into a clean, lingering finish.
This is a steely, herbal, high-acid Merlot, with pale red fruit flavors of cranberry and currant. Accents of clove and iron are wrapped into stiff, but ripe tannins. Nice structure, ready for steak.
Made with organically grown grapes, and harvested rather late (end of October) from vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills, this is a surprisingly substantial, earthy offering. Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors are laced with graphite and iron ore, and some black olive herbal character adds interest to the finish.
Made with organically grown grapes, this tawny-colored Chardonnay is ready to go. It shows well-evolved flavors of ripe apple and pear, with a cidery finish. Despite the Columbia Valley labeling, it is from Horse Heaven Hills.
When people talk about good value Cabs from Chile, this is what they should be referring to. The nose is balanced and offers plenty of clean berry aromas, while the palate is fresh, light in weight and mildly citrusy, with flavors of cassis, plum and raspberry. More snappy and fresh than weighty.
Dry, with acidity, black currant flavors and tight tannins. The wine is freshened with spice and acidity, only just showing its sweetness with black jelly flavor at the end.
A nose of herbs, kiwi, smoke and minerals gives this white an intriguing start. On the palate, it's crisp and clean, with flavors of tropical fruit, herbs and spice unfolding over a minerally backbone. Ageable and terroir driven.
The Jim Clendenen project focuses on wines the winemaker makes to please his palate more so than the bottom line. This one discloses aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, applewood and a slight nuttiness. The palate shows smoked apple, chalk and lime zest.
This is a rich blend of spicy, perfumed Shiraz and Touriga Nacional. Together they make a firm and dense wine. With rich black-plum fruit and a solidly structured character, it's ready to drink now.
Pierres Blanches (white stones) constitute the soil of this parcel. That gives a strongly textured, mineral character, as well as allowing room for the ripe apple and citrus flavors. The wine is rich, rounded and will age. Drink from 2016.
Dense, cedary, rubbery aromas of blackberry and turned earth set up a lush, clean, chewy palate full of ripe flavors of blueberry, prune, raisin and fig. Throw in a chocolaty aftertaste and a borderline syrupy finish and this full-bodied, grabby Tannat is impressive. Drink through 2018.
Oaky, deep berry aromas are slightly citric and stalky. In the mouth, huge tannins create a grating but mouthfilling sensation. Herbal, lightly green flavors of cassis, boysenberry, carob and salted beef finish strong and solid. Drink through 2019.
Still young and showing fresh fruitiness, this wine needs time to calm down and broaden out. Made of four classic varieties in the Esporão vineyard, it's dense, stalky and still full of tannins. Give this wine until 2016.
Juicy and ripe, this bursts open with a flavorful mix of brambly berry, cherry compote and red licorice. It's full and broad, ready for near-term drinking, and yet has the acid backing to age 2019–2021.
Named for the Entav clone, this is an earthy, herbal and dense 100% Cabernet Franc, hard to find in the Napa Valley and a special calling of this producer. Black plum, currant and a sense of restraint rise above the fray in this wine, which remains sizable in tannins and tight on the finish, suggesting time in the cellar, through 2021.
Made with native grape Magliocco, this structured wine conveys aromas of scorched earth, spiced plum and vanilla. On the palate, touches of white pepper, tobacco, toast and licorice accent the core of juicy black cherry, while racy acidity and assertive tannins provide the framework. The finish lingers, closing on a coffee note.
Temperance Hill manager Dai Crisp and his crew make the wine they want to drink themselves. A bit of earthy rusticity informs the fruit-forward flavors. Tart and juicy black cherries are at the core, with a burst of citrus in the finish.
Steely and intense in baked pear and pineapple, this white from a well-known vineyard more often associated with Pinot Noir offers contrast in a quality package. On the one hand, it's bright and vibrant, and on the other, there's a richness of caramel and oak, the wine coming in like a lion, out like a lamb. Cellaring might equalize the sides; hold through 2020.
A heap of powerful black fruit, from blackberry to black plum, provide a ripeness and suppleness to this wine, its tannins soft and approachable. On the back end are hints of dill and dried herb and an earthy component that's hard to let go.
Intense aromas of beeswax, stone fruit and a hint of honey jump from the glass. The bright palate offers juicy apricot, nectarine and crisp green apple alongside vibrant acidity. A mineral note marks the finish.
For this classic, restrained Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Petit Verdot, the grapes were grown in Rutherford, Yountville and St. Helena. The wine is juicy in soft red cherry and cassis. Seamless on the palate, it offers a nice progression from explosive fruit to measured acidity and low oak, the finish balanced between all three.
The name of this wine refers to the blend of Portuguese grapes with French. Together they give a ripe, now mature and juicy wine. With sweet tannins and black cherry acidity, the wine is smooth, rich with a structure that's well integrated into the fruit. Drink now.
This blend encourages the richness of the Chardonnay and the crispness of the Arinto. Wood-aging smoothes things out and brings a touch of ginger as well as toast. The wine is full on the mouth and still young. Drink from 2017.
Oddly packed in what could be a gin bottle, the wine inside is anything but peculiar. It's a serious wine with firm tannins and a dense structure. Black plum and berry fruits are powered by minerality and a solid structure. This is a wine to age for a few more years; drink from 2017.
Normally used to provide dark color to blended wines, 100% Sousão rarely appears outside its home in Vinho Verde. This example from Vallado, almost black in color, shows the high acidity of the grape. It also shows an unexpectedly richly tannic character that gives structure and releases black plum flavors. It needs to age until 2017.
Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, as is typical in all of this producer's Syrahs, this wine offers a wild, feral intensity on the nose of black pepper, cigar box and leather. From there, it softens with well-defined layers of blueberry and blackberry, the tannins settled and structured, the wine finishing in dusty oak.
This is a familiar and tasty take on the grape, with aromas of caramel, buttercream, vanilla smoke, brown spices and squeezed lemons. There's sea salt and lemon-lime on the palate, which is straightforward but quite clean and crisp.
Dense and concentrated, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a far northern section of the Alexander Valley is huge and juicy. It offers black cherry and cassis around cigar box and tobacco, with a lengthy, smoky finish. Still young, it needs time for the tannins to settle.
Spicy, dusty and juicy, this wine is a mix of black plum and black cherry, supported by whips of anise and bay leaf that give it an herbal element, possibly reflective of the cooler vintage. Medium acidity and firm tannins round out the experience.
Succulent scents of pink grapefruit and raspberries waft from this gorgeously composed wine. Just a shade off-dry, it's delectably juicy, but racy and on edge, with an acidic backbone that's taut and steely.
A Cab lover's Merlot, this wine is massively constructed, a behemoth of tobacco-laced blue fruit and smoke, nearing pie-like proportion. With time and/or a decant, it'll reveal pretty violet on the nose, and take on a sultry juiciness to overcome its weight. Lay this baby down through 2022.
Elegantly structured, this offers fragrances of wild berry and pencil shavings. On the palate, notes of oregano, green tea and a hint of cinnamon add depth to the wild strawberry and crushed raspberry core. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide support and texture.
Pure, deep berry aromas are accented by quality oak and a hint of earthy prune. Chewy, dense and concentrated on the palate, this tastes ripe, chocolaty and earthy, with blackberry and pepper flavors that stay the course and finish peppery and dark, with a mild note of rubber. Drink through 2019.
Stone fruit, mature yellow apple, toasted oak and honey aromas come together in the glass. The round palate offers juicy pineapple, baked peach, lemon pastry and a mineral note alongside fresh acidity. It closes on a note of toasted almond.
Earth, leather and tarry berry aromas yield to a fresh, forceful palate with power and balance. Spicy plum and berry flavors are a touch herbal and pointed, while a peppery, woody, spicy finish is leathery, hot and scratchy. Drink through 2018.
Deep, woody, leathery aromas of blackberry and baked plum set up a dense palate that's a touch heavy, with buttery oak notes. Herbal berry, pepper and graphite flavors are woody and finish with notes of green herbs, mint leaf and chocolate.
Apple blossom, pear, honeysuckle and gin botanical aromas show on the nose of this bottling from eastern Paso Robles. The flavors are very floral and ripe, evoking honeydew melon, candied pear and vanilla.
Coming from Two Blondes Vineyard, aromas of baking spice, barrel spice, herb, mesquite and cherry are followed by elegant smooth-feeling fruit flavors. Light bacon notes provide unusual accents. It's intriguing, though the variety is hard to find.
Spanish broom, acacia and nut aromas lead the nose. They follow through to the straightforward, enjoyable palate, along with peach and tangy tangerine notes.
No two ways about it, this hot-vintage Gran Reserva is a plush wine. It starts with baked cooked stewed aromas that render the nose asleep. A soupy stewy palate tastes of baked berry fruits, prune and chocolate. Consistent with the rest of the wine, this finishes soft. Drink now.
Yellow flower, ripe orchard fruit and aromatic herb aromas take center stage while the ripe, round palate offers mature yellow apple and candied lemon notes. A hint of bitter almond finish marks the close.
Crushed slate minerality drives the nose of this bottling, with boysenberry and dried beef touches. That meaty character carries into the palate as well, rich with iron and a tad bitter, accenting dried blueberry, thyme and oregano flavors.
Toasted nut, pressed chamomile and citrus aromas follow through to the palate, joining apple skin and yellow pear notes. A saline hint marks the finish.
With a dark enough color to be a red wine and ample cherry and plum flavors, this Grenache bottling is not simply an apéritif. It's full-bodied, rather rich in texture and will pair nicely with meats and cheeses.
The aromas seem quite dried out, with notes of fruit leather, medicine cabinet and green herbs. The palate brings more of the same, seeming more advanced than its age might indicate.
Delicate toasted hazelnut, honey and pressed yellow flower aromas fill the glass. On the linear palate, a light nutty note accents lemon zest and stony mineral flavors.
Most Vista Hills Pinots see only neutral oak, as is the case here. The emphasis is on high acid and clean red-fruit flavors. It's simple and fresh, but it seems as if a touch of new oak wouldn't hurt a bit.
This new entry into the burgeoning ranks of white Pinot Noir is a real acid bomb. Apart from the searingly tart lemon flavors, only a slight hint of roundness in the finish differentiates this from an especially tart Sauvignon Blanc.
An underlying smoky oak impression complements the succulently ripe, soft blue fruit in this medium-bodied wine. The finish is powerfully rich.
Crushed stone and dried clay notes lend a distinctly earthen character to this dry light-bodied Riesling. Pressed apple and pear flavors on the palate are freshened by squirts of lime, lemon and a tart green-plum finish. The finish is long and lingering.
Here is an unabashedly earthy, old-school Oregon style. The fruit suggests wild raspberries, with a dash of cola. The flavors are a bit dilute, and that earthy character dominates.
Intensely ripe, almost raisinated in tone, this full-bodied Merlot offers loads of fleshy black-cherry and berry flavors. Yielding acidity accentuates its round lush mouthfeel but fine grippy tannins lend upright structure to the finish.
This lightly ripe wine shows slight reduction on the nose, which presents as toasted oak and salty brine. It's fresher on the palate, recalling green apple and melon.
Flowery aromas suggest air freshener. This feels plump, round and oily. Salty orange flavors are just ripe enough to be good, while this pushes the limits of brininess on a finish that offers a taste of the ocean.
Ripe forward notes of apricot, tangerine and berry on the nose gain restraint on the palate of this dry Riesling. Tart lemon-lime acidity and earthier notes of dust and pollen add to its subdued style. The crisp tangerine finish is long and refreshing.
Finely balanced, this has plenty of weight, which shines with the fresh lemon, pear and sweet grapefruit flavors. There is some wood there, but just a hint to give texture. A big success from a fine white wine vintage, and worth aging for 3–4 years.
This is rich, but the balance of the wine is excellent, the wood very much underneath the smooth, opulent apricot and pear fruits. There is spice, which adds a fine piquancy to the texture. The finish is vivid, still young, needing at least five years to age.
An impressive wine that manages to bring out both richness and a wonderful shower of fresh flavors. So the ripe pineapple and pear fruits combine with an edge of spice. Then they are lifted to a great height by the acidity, the fruit skin texture and a final burst of floral intensity. Screwcap.
Rich and creamy, this wine has weight as well as the hallmark freshness of 2007. The yellow fruits and spicy pear flavors are smoothed out with spice, with some herbaceous elements and a fine waft of apple skin structure. Worth aging for 3–4 years. Screwcap.
One of Chile's best red blends is back with a vengeance. The nose is a wonderful mix of almond candy, fine leather, baked pastry, prune and licorice all bundled up in a comfortable blanket, while the palate is mouthfilling and loaded with cassis, coffee, herbs and pepper flavors. Excellent structure and depth, with power and balance. Drinkable now but ageable through 2014.
From a small family-run operation that is 100% estate, this Cab is thick in blueberry and blackberry, almost syrupy rich. With a big juicy backbone, it offers a full-figured body and leathery texture, ending explosively with notes of black licorice and toffee. Cellar through 2020.
This elegant wine smells subtly like blackberries, lilac and plum skin. It tastes very firm with tannins and acidity, well balanced and medium to full bodied. Built to age, the rather subdued but complex fruit and spice flavors will come out more fully with time, and will be best after 2018.
Coming largely from Canoe Ridge and Cold Creek vineyards, this wine leads with barrel aromas of toast and char out in front of peach. It's rich and full bodied, showing a sense of texture and gravitas. The oak is not shy the but the fruit stands up to it.
Aromas of vanilla, cocoa and dark berries lead to full-bodied and velvety coffee, cherry and dark fruit flavors. The oak plays prominently but this wine is still pretty hard to resist.
Made from Syrah grapes with purpose, not as a saignée, this is an alluring wine, its aromatics exuberant in wild strawberry and rhubarb, with a pithy, textured vibe. With just the right amount of power and body, it's vibrant and yet has body and weight, retaining substance through the long finish.
All five Bordeaux varieties are blended into this wine that offers boysenberries, violets, black pepper and sweet tar on the nose. The palate is decorated with a complex mix of blackberry, purple florals, dark chocolate and espresso bean, proving meaty and well spiced.
This wine pops with aromas of blue and black fruit, vanilla, orange peel and cocoa. The palate is full of restrained, supple-feeling cranberry and cherry flavors that draw out on the finish.
A whiff of smoky campfire opens this wine, followed by an unlikely counterpoint of lavender. Notes of black cherry and strawberry then unfurl, along with plenty of earthy mushroom and forest floor. The wine reveals a tension of weight and body as it evolves in the glass, with a bite of tannin on the finish. Let it open a bit.
Rooty aromas of baking spices and black fruits are restrained and delicate on the nose. This is full, round and mildly tannic, with baked plum, berry, spice and peppery flavors. Toast, nutmeg and bright acidity carry the finish on this blend of 71% Carmenère, with additions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink through 2017.
Lighter in color, this has aromas of char, coffee and vanilla that lead to varietal flavors of raspberry and chocolate, showing an interplay of fruit and barrel. It displays intensity and richness, still needing time to stretch its legs. Drink after 2018.
The nose is still a bit closed but eventually reveals aromas of dark berry, leafy underbrush, baked earth and tobacco. On the firm palate, notes of licorice, grilled herbs and black pepper add depth to the black cherry core. Bracing but refined tannins hold it all together.
Classically structured, this still needs to open up but already offers aromas of dark berry, menthol, toast, dried herbs and a whiff of cocoa. The firm palate delivers red cherry, raspberry, mocha, tobacco and licorice accompanied by bracing tannins and fresh acidity.
Chalky minerality meshes with soft, clean and crisp pink grapefruit flesh and blossom on the nose of this wine by Norm Yost, one of the first to make sparklers annually in Santa Barbara. More grapefruit flavors consume the palate alongside cut pears, sliced apples and wet cement, offering a texture that's both crisp and rich.
Punchy black-cherry and plum aromas are dry, earthy and toasty, with stony minerality and crispness. This is a full, lively, generous Monastrell offering blackberry, spiced cake and chocolate flavors over a dark, coffee-laden finish that goes the distance. Drink through 2018.
Subtle, spicy oak influences mingle beautifully with tasty Bing cherry and persimmon flavors in this medium to full bodied wine that has a silky texture, crisp balance and fine-grained tannins. Good balance and interesting complexity propel it more than fruit intensity.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot, this is soft and sublime. The Cab and Syrah influences charge through the dense, substantial tannins and meatier notes of leather, cigar box and oak.
All varietal, this wine delivers with aromas and flavors of plum, Asian spices, coffee and fresh herbs. Flavors are plump in feel with the oak (51% new French) providing accents.
Inky, rubbery scents rest on top of raspberry and plum aromas on this fruity, full-bodied Monastrell from one of Valencia's top producers. This shows depth along with rubbery, lightly stewed flavors of raspberry and plum. Leathery notes and wiry acidity push the finish, which brings hints of leather and animal. Drink through 2018.
Crisp and clear, this reserve-level white is sweet and salty in equal measure, offering a smooth taste of melon and peach. With a bite of oaky vanilla and a build-up of body, it finishes with a richness of more fruit.
A deep gold color says that something will be different about this wine. And yes, it shows ripeness and an almost dessert-wine quality in the honeylike aromas, rather unctuous texture and late-harvest flavors. The full body and soft, thick mouthfeel make it luxurious. Blue cheese might be a magnificent match for it.
There's wet river-stone freshness to this bright white wine by Rick Longoria, which also shows grapefruit blossoms, lemon balm and a touch of grassiness on the nose. There's verve on the sip, with lemongrass, kiwi and lime-skin flavors making for a very tight and green-leaning palate.
Rich, thick and velvety, this has a wealth of heightened acidity to buoy the more intense aspects. The wine hails from the mighty vineyard overlooking Sonoma Valley, which will, going forward, be within the new Moon Mountain AVA. Coconut macaroon and dark chocolate mark it from start to full-bodied finish.
There's an intensely rustic earthiness to this wine, complemented by white pepper and nutmeg. Medium bodied, it also offers sizzling acidity and tart red cherry. Lithe, it builds toward a robust, ripe end. Cellar through 2017–2020 or give it a few swirls before enjoying.
A pretty pale-salmon color, this wine offers appealing aromas of orange peel, strawberry and wet stone. The palate is dry, crisp and clean with mouthwatering acids, a beautiful sense of texture and a lingering finish. It's thoroughly delicious.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, chocolate, cake spice and a whiff of saline take center stage on this concentrated wine. The densely packed palate offers mature blackberry, black cherry, cracked peppercorn and dried herbs alongside a backbone of chewy tannins. A nutty note signals the close.
From an exceptional vintage, this white is deeply floral, with a burst of honeysuckle and honeycomb that is entirely inviting on the nose. From there, lemon, mango and peach are playful on the palate, creating a wine that's big in flavor but measured in oak, with a candied peach finish.
This wine intrigues with its aromas of flowers, blue fruit, pepper and toffee. It's pleasantly sleek in style, well balanced and approachable now, with a finish that lingers.
A combination of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and a dollop of other grapes, this concentrated wine offers aromas of dark berry, cedar, espresso and kitchen spice. The dense palate doles out blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, dried herbs and tobacco alongside ample, velvety tannins. Drink through 2018.
Showing good balance, this wine tastes focused, bright and lively. Firm acidity and tannins back up generous, ripe cherry and black plum flavors. It feels ultrasmooth on the palate and is a pleasure to sip.
For what's supposed to be an upper-level wine, this is prickly and clipped. The nose is herbal and spicy, with limited red-fruit notes. The palate is driven by racy acids and peppery, herbal flavors on top of tart red plum. Overall there's not much fruit to this crisp sizzler.
The bouquet on this Cab is pretty good, with red-fruit aromas suggestive of plums. The palate is basic, with semisweet red-berry flavors that support the wine's “medium dry” designation. Things run mellow but steady on what amounts to a short, simple finish.
Spicy plum and cherry pie aromas offer a note of vanilla before falling off. In the mouth, this is wiry and drawing, with citric acids pushing raspberry and herbal plum flavors toward rawness. The finish is snappy on the surface but hollow beyond that.
Light, fruity and sweet, this is classic Rosé d'Anjou. Bright strawberry fruits are softly linked with a crisp texture and acidity to finish.
Classic, medium sweet rosé from Anjou, bottled cherry flavors and lemon acidity. Screwcap.
Juicy, jammy, tasting of red licorice and bright blackberry fruit, with dusty undertones and a bite of coffee on the finish, this is a good-value Zinfandel from old Lodi vines.
The natural honeyed character of Chenin Blanc shines through this simple, fruity wine. It has bright acidity and a creamed pear character that finishes with lime acidity. Screwcap.
This hard, snappy Cab is granular and tough on the nose, an indicator of what's to come. The palate is edgy and tight as nails, with herbal plum flavors that land on a spicy, lightly green finish. 2011 was a very cool vintage in Chile and this reflects that.
A wine called Earthquake is never going to be shy and retiring, especially from Lodi-grown fruit, so consider this truth in advertising. Big and unquestionably bold, this is a smoky, oaky, huge hit-you-in-the-face-with-fruit wine, full of blackberry and tobacco flavor.
Rather grapy, thin fruit, shows little complexity other than very assertive tannins.
Heavy white-fruit aromas manage to stay fresh, while in the mouth this is ripe and chunky. Flavors suggest melon, creamy oak and banana. The finish is warm and sticky.
This smells mulchy at first, then more like tomato and earthy leather. The palate is big and blocky, with herbal, mildly stewed flavors of tomato, berry and spiced plum. It's earthy on the finish, with a clove accent.
This wine calls itself “a bit slutty” in its marketing materials and yes, like a high-priced call girl, it's long on perfume and smoke. From there, this gigantic, mind-stopping wine is mouth-filling in vanilla, blackberry, oak and chocolate. You'll need a cigarette after you're done.
One hundred percent varietal, this vineyard designated Merlot seems a casualty of the cool 2010 growing season with prominent herbal notes, tart plum flavors, and astringent tannins.
Maderized and stalky smelling, with a scratchy palate and grassy, pickled flavors that lean toward strawberry and raspberry.
Best on the nose, where apple and lemony aromas are true. In the mouth, it's foamy and crude, with crushing citrus and cidery flavors. Rough, bubbly and massive; tough stuff to swallow.
Hits with barrel resin and not much else. Feels screechy and shrill, with a swath of wood tannin. Acidity pushes it along in the mouth, but this is really all about resiny wood.
Clumsy and a bit chemical smelling, with a sticky, thick, candied palate housing bug juice berry flavors in front of a medicinal finish. Bulky, sweet and grabby red wine.
A small plot of old Pinot Noir produces this superb wine. It has all the richness of wines from Aÿ, with its red fruits and hint of sweetness. But it is the structure, the complexity that sets it apart, the grapes ripe and concentrated from a great year. Age for at least another five years.
From one of the few Chardonnay vineyards in Dizy, this is a tight wine, with a steely character, very crisp and citric. Even at nine years age, it tastes young, structured, demanding aging.
Very pure Chardonnay from the heart of the Côte de Blancs. It has all the minerality of the vintage while also boasting tropical fruit flavors. It's already a delicious wine, with its tight edge of acidity, but could certainly age.
Hints of smokiness combine with a perfumed character in this wonderful wine. It has richness, with lychee and spice flavors, while adding the extra complexity of a touch of toast and green tea. Wonderful now, but will age for five years and more.
This ultrarich, opulent wine has such purity of fruit. With its pepper and spice flavors layered over mango and ripe nectarine, it is a straight line of pure flavor, rich and complex.
This is an intense rosé, pushing forward the pink fruit flavors, the rich texture and red berry fruits. Dry, still youthful, it has considerable acidity and a complex and concentrated mélange of flavors. Age for 3–5 years.
A beautifully crisp wine, very mineral, with its citrus and green apple flavors given a fine texture of bright acidity. It is still so young, with just a hint of toast to show some maturity. The finish is shockingly fresh.
In the Chatter Creek style, this is solid, well-made and varietal. Tart fruit flavors of boysenberry and pomegranate are set against firm tannins. Green tea, herb and peppery bark flavors take over the finish. The wine persists nicely in the finish.
This is the winery's first Merlot. It's a simple, pleasant effort, fruit forward and lightly oaky. The usual flavors of berry are there, and the balance is fine; it just could use more concentration through the finish.
Warming spices of cinnamon and clove with a touch of orange give this Chardonnay a unique appeal. Full of depth and dimension, the wine still has a light, deft touch. Pair with earthier, more complex dishes or enjoy alone.
Mineral and slaty, this Riesling isn't particularly aromatic, but it does offer weight and breadth on the palate alongside flavors of pear and dried spices. Falls off a bit on the finish.
Atypically plump and creamy in the mouth, with modest pear and pineapple fruit. A slightly funky, old-shoe scent marks the nose, but expect that to dissipate over time or with decanting, while the wine finishes clean and citrusy, giving almost the impression of dryness.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Garnacha Blanc is a good-to-go white with fruity, spicy aromas and creamy flavors of pineapple, pear and tropical fruit. A friendly midpalate and spicy finish give it dimension. Its versatile character is good for myriad foods—from creamy cheeses to fresh seafood. Or, sip it alone—it has enough going for it on it own.
Berry fruit flavors give this ripe, still-young wine plenty of fresh fruitiness. The dryness, which should be at the core of a good Blaufränkisch, is still there, but it is overlaid by the delicious fruit and light acidity.
Like several other producers of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Jackson Estate is trying to make a cuvée that offers something more than stereotypical tropical fruit and fresh herbs. This is a partially barrel-fermented effort that boasts brown sugar and cinnamon aromas, and flavors that mix coffee with lime and passion fruit. It's not entirely harmonious, but offers concentration and innovation, something that should be applauded.
An elegant nose of strawberry, raspberry and lemon is the start of this poised rosé. Unfolding fruit and citrus flavors keep the wine balanced and clean, but the overall character is feminine and soft. A very pretty wine with a classic touch.
This small-production wine has an oaky, earthy complexity from the aroma through the finish. It is full bodied, ripe and rich, leading with toasted oak and a flinty quality. The fruit flavors are muted at first but develop nicely with each sip.
Damp earth, forest floor and huckleberry pie combine for a complex take on the variety, building texture and body on the palate as it goes. Relatively full bodied, it comes off as lighter and smoother than perhaps it is, revealing denser, more structured heft on the finish.
This is a restrained and structured wine, light in tart cranberry, rhubarb and an overwhelming attraction of baked plum. Lush and plush on the palate without ever pushing too far, it lingers in cardamom.
This is an impressive undertaking, made from estate vineyards across the region, all certified sustainable. Medium in build and intensity, it allows acidity to balance out the strong, interwoven tannin and power to remain buoyant in high-toned cherry and currant. It finishes with a flourish of cinnamon spice.
Broad and warm notes of light butter, baked yellow apples, cracked apricot and sliced nectarine are lifted by lime-peel tension on the fresh nose of this bottling. Preserved lemon and toasted almond flavors show once sipped, framed by a creamy mouthfeel and tartness provided by orange bitters.
A more modest varietal wine than some of the producer's block-specific bottlings, it nonetheless stuns in its combination of blackberry crumble, dark chocolate and sanguine meatiness. The texture is luxuriously smooth and lasting.
This generously fruited but slender Riesling is a study in subtlety: everything is there: ripe Mirabelle plums, zesty lemon peel and a wonderful interplay of the two on the concentrated palate. Yet nothing is big or bold. Listen and you will be rewarded.
Tempting vanilla and nutmeg aromas and ripe pear and pineapple flavors animate this full-bodied, smooth and delicious wine made with 75% Chardonnay plus Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The generous fruit and oak components are layered and creamy in texture.
Smoked meats, concentrated blackberrry and blueberry and a heavily peppered spice character shows on the nose of this bottling, with some dark chocolate for good measure. The tasty smoke invades the palate too, but there's also gingerbread cake, baked black plum, cocoa and baking spices. It offers solid acidity and decent structure too.
Light in color for a Syrah, this bottling shows smoky aromas along with crushed violets, rose hips, black tea, elderberries, hibiscus and a light dusting of white pepper. The lighter palate is a welcome shift from this grape's usual density, offering cranberry and smoked-pork flavors. It's lithe in texture and very quaffable.
Aromatic notes of crushed citrus foliage promise freshness. The palate does not disappoint: there is the pure, taut linearity of lemon and lime zest, gilded with some rounder notes of mandarin. A sleek, statuesque and above all refreshing beauty.
Concentrated black plum and violet notes mesh with potting soil, cola and a candied black-raspberry character on the nose of this bottling. The palate combines boysenberry with woody elderberry fruit as well as a warmer red cherry and red-plum core, edged by pine needles, juniper and tart pomegranate complexity.
Made entirely with Chardonnay, this opens with enticing scents of ripe orchard fruit, yellow flower and a whiff of dried herb. The elegantly structured palate delivers Golden Delicious apple, tropical fruit and citrus zest while a hint of ginger adds depth. Fresh acidity gives it balance and lifts the lingering finish.
Heady aromas of citrus blossom, tropical fruit and yellow stone fruit lead the way. The fresh, enjoyable palate doles out apricot, pineapple, nectarine and a hint of chopped herb alongside lively acidity.
Produced on a small family-run estate that is surrounded by Bordeaux first growths, this wine is structured and firm. It has dark tannins and black currant fruit, together giving a ripe, smoky wine. The 40-year-old vines add to the concentration of this wine. Drink from 2019.
Red berry, rose and a sprinkling of baking spice aromas unfold in the glass while the firm, youthful palate offers tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and white pepper. It's young but balanced, with bright acidity and assertive but refined tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink 2019–2024.
Produced from 40-year-old vines on a 15-acre vineyard, the wine is almost entirely Merlot. It has dense, dark tannins and signs of wood aging that will integrate with time. It is a very fine, rich wine with black-plum fruit flavors. The aftertaste brings out the acidity and black currant fruits.
This is a strong wine for the price, unfolding with caramelized berries, kirsch, black cassis, wet river stone and tight plum skins on the dense nose. Cooked blackberries and black-cherry jam show on the palate, where elegant graphite tannins make for a very silky, earthy wine.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers subtle, beguiling aromas of coffee, herbs, barrel spice, pencil lead and cherry. The cranberry and cherry flavors are tart and focused, putting a focus on elegance.
The price makes this a relative bargain for a cuvée sourced from 100-year-old vines within Le Crau, one of the appellation's most renowned lieux-dits. Notions of leather, cedar and cocoa accent bright red-plum fruit in this full-bodied wine, adding a hint of cracked pepper on the richly textured finish.
Leathery plum and raspberry aromas are earthy and emphasize red-fruit qualities over black ones. A hard, tannic mouthfeel is drubbing, while a fully oaked flavor profile includes vanilla, butter and other oak-based notes in addition to raspberry and plum. A creamy, oaky flavor leads the way on a woody finish. Drink through 2030.
Made from a third each of co-fermented Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, all from the family estate, this is a dense, lovely wine, rich in red fruit, chocolate, clove and cedar, with a generosity of tannin that suggests aging. Drink now through 2020.
This is the first release from this particular vineyard for the Syrah-focused winery. Its aromas, which pop with notes of strawberry and spice, have both herbal and copper-penny undertones. The fruit and savory flavors play well off of each other, showing a sense of elegance and deftness, with a touch of new wood that contributes to the flavor and feel. The finish stretches out. It still drinks quite young and if the aromas meld together could move up a notch or two.
The fulsome, ripe flavor of yellow Mirabelle plums beckons and is joined by peppery watercress notes and the zest of freshly grated lemon peel. Despite its slender, taut palate this has generous, joyful and appetizing fruit and an ultraclean finish. So moreish.
Two-thirds Merlot with the rest made up of near equal parts of the other four Bordeaux varieties, this wine opens with aromas of toast, spice, plum, licorice, herbs and red and black fruit. The black-fruit flavors are fresh and exquisitely balanced, with a finish that persists.
Fresh, savory herb and barrel-spice aromas intertwine, with dark fruit lurking in the background. The black-fruit flavors are supple and show a sense of polish.
Restrained hints of freshly cut red-apple peel tease you throughout. They mingle with fresh citrus on a streamlined palate which has defined freshness and a zesty reserve of acidity. Wonderfully balanced and bright, this finishes long and clean.
Ripe notions of Mirabelle and Reine Claude plums exude their fresh, fruity flavors. On the palate they gain focus with lemon and lime zest. A wonderfully light-footed, balanced and zippy Riesling with a spicy edge of conifer and citrus foliage. The aftertaste is astonishingly lasting. A beauty.
This is a spectacular effort. Cascading flavors of black cherry, plum and cassis are drenched in caramel, mocha and buttery barrel flavors. Although the wine lists at a hefty 14.9% alcohol, it does not sacrifice elegance, nor does it substitute power for polish. The rush of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry and currant fruit, the layers of smoke and graphite, and the immense barrel flavors just keep on rolling through the palate. It will probably age quite well, but why wait?
Jamek's flagship wine is as fine as ever. There is some botrytis here, but this is not a sweet wine, rather one that shows vibrant fruit, great minerality and structure. It walks a tightrope between superripeness and freshness. With its structure, it should age for 10 years or more.
Structured and mineral, this is great Wachau Riesling. There is a core of steel that powers through, giving concentration and intensity to the perfumed fruit. On the finish there is some softness and roundness, but the wine needs time.
The Steinriegl vineyard fruit results in a tight, structured Riesling. The fruit is taut and very crisp, with acidity and flavors of green apples and citrus. At the moment, it is showing fresh fruit, but the potential is considerable, a wine that will age over 10 years at least.
The intensity of this wine is almost overwhelming, with its crisp minerality, apple skin and green plum flavors and white stone fruits. The concentration is impressive for a wine that looks likely to need at least five years before drinking.
The Sorella is deep and dense with thick textures and tannins. The typical black currant and black cherry fruit character is here in spades, and yet at 14.4% alcohol the wine avoids any fatiguing jamminess or heat in the finish. It leaves a slightly chalky, chocolatey impression as it exits the throat, and promises a long life ahead.
Structured with green plums and currants, this delicious, limpid wine envelops the palate with citrus and pure, crisp fruit flavors. A great expression of terroir-driven Riesling, with a mineral and steely structure to support the fruit.
Pepper and power mark this impressively rich wine. Tropical fruits, mangos and lychees are layered with minerality and acidity. A wine that needs some aging in order to release the full potential of its structure and fruit weight.
A terroir-driven wine from poor soil in one of the great Wachau vineyards. It's possible to taste the stone and the steely character from the green fruit. This is a wine that needs aging; don't drink before 2013.
This wine is only made in exceptional years from the green grapes in botrytised bunches. There is certainly some sweetness, but the wine is dominated by acidity and apples and cream flavors. The aftertaste, however, is soft.
With its label depicting the Queen of the Night in Mozart's Magic Flute opera, this is a huge and dry wine, despite its 20% botrytis. A wine to admire for its concentration, it demands attention as well as aging.
A pleasant and cleanly made quaffing wine with plenty of berry and black-cherry fruit and a strong menthol streak running right through to the finish. A bit rough around the edges; might show better with a country-style dish of stewed chicken.
Offers varietally correct flavors of black currants and hints of tobacco, but where's the structure and depth? A simple, fruity red for early drinking that would make a decent picnic wine or bar pour.
It's nice to see an ever-increasing number of serviceable kosher wines like this one being made available to consumers from around the world. That said, this one isn't much more than adequate. There's a modest amount of cassis fruit dressed up with earthy chocolate and vaguely minty aromas, but it lacks depth. Still, it's better than the kosher stuff I remember from my friends' bar mitzvahs.
Strawberry and pink grapefruit aromas mingle enticingly on the nose. But on the palate it seems a bit syrupy and heavy, finishing with a touch of cola.
A light and tart wine, with a bouquet of berry, tea and a touch of barnyard. On the palate, there's more cherry, tea and oak. The fundamental Pinot characteristics are here, but it turns drying and a bit sour on the finish.
With 30% Grenache Gris, 40% Bourboulenc and 30% Rolle (or Vermentino), here's a ripe, lush white blend from the South of France. Aromas of peach, roasted red apple, jasmine and a kiss of honey fill the bouquet, while the round, full mouthfeel shows more toasty cedar notes. A big, developed wine that has lots to offer.
Initial aromas of corn chips and banana mix in toast and vanilla. The palate is more direct and fruity, with baked apple and lemony flavors sharing time with sweet, resiny oak. Vanilla and later bitterness carry the finish. A wine that shows better in the mouth than on the nose.
Salinic and pungent, with celery, green citrus and nettle aromas. This is pure SB, although it's not 100% SB because Secreto always has a little something else in the blend. Fresh, acidic and alive, with lime and slightly pickled accents to the finish.
The crispest Aligoté, all grapefruit and bright green fruits. The wine is fresh, clean and lively. There is a final light element of wood.
Fresh asparagus, green bean, lime and mineral make for a textbook coastal Chilean SB nose. The palate is fresh, crisp, clear and lean, with zesty lemon-lime, lettuce, asparagus and tangerine flavors. Long and lasting on the finish, with a spot of sweetness at the end.
Competent from the start, with well-formed fruity aromas of raspberry and plum. There's even some leather and dried cheese to the nose. In the mouth, it's all about earthy, intense berry fruit and juicy freshness. Finishes a little tart but lively, with good form and feel.
A surprisingly nonperfumed Traminer that moves much more into the realm of sweetness, ripe yellow fruits and balancing acidity. The light and delicious character creates a great apéritif.
Despite its Kabinett (off dry) designation, this tastes bone dry, allowing all the crispness of the fruit to shine. It is full of white fruit, lemon and grapefruit flavors, a great burst of freshness. Screwcap.
A natural wine made from four grapes. The nose has an abundance of black fruit along with leather and dried herb notes, while the palate, although a bit hard and acidic, is also pretty well saturated. Grapey, generous and flavorful, but a little rough in the mouth.
A soft, firm wine with a nice touch of citrus. The character is fresh, light, with a fine burst of final acidity to mark an easy, bright wine.
Made with 70% Piedirosso and 30% Aglianico, this has aromas of red currant, ground pepper, cedar and a balsamic note. The palate shows blackberry jam, toasted oak and roasted coffee bean but it lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the overwhelming oak-driven sensations.
A fresh, friendly and fruity apple scent on the nose is far more subdued on the fresh, clean palate. This is dry, lively and refreshing.
Made in large quantities from estate vineyards as well as one sourced site in Rutherford, this wine shows a richness of red fruit and a kick of heat around prominent notes of oak.
This is sharply herbal, with peppery bitter greens framing tart berry fruit. It's 100% Pommard from 20-year-old vines, but in this chancy vintage the fruit flavors did not get quite fully ripe.
This is a very friendly wine that is medium bodied, has a brownish tint to the color, slightly earthy aromas, warm fruit flavors like cooked cherries and a touch of brown sugar, plus a mellow lightly tannic texture.
This is a fruit-driven wine showing lots of apple and melon aromas, broad peach and apple flavors and a generous texture. It's very tasty and refreshing and has touch of sweetness.
Aromas of toasted nut, brimstone, citrus and a balsam open. The palate offers yellow apple, medicinal herb and nectarine while a saline note marks the close.
This opens with delicate aromas that recall orchard fruit and yellow wild flower. The juicy, easygoing palate shows ripe pear, white peach and citrus alongside bright acidity.
Refreshing and straightforward, this presents delicate aromas suggesting exotic fruit and a whiff of spring blossom. The bright palate offers banana, green apple, juicy citrus and a light mineral note alongside fresh acidity.
On first take, this smells a bit vegetal and chemical, but time and air clean it up. Racy, tight and lean on the palate, this tastes of tart green fruits, lime and green apple in particular. A slightly broken, yeasty finish suggests early-stage oxidation.
Because of a short vintage, this Clare Valley-based winery reached down into Padthaway for fruit. The result is a broad, slightly warm wine, marked by melon, peach and apricot flavors. Drink now.
Intensely floral aromatics distinguish this pure varietal wine. Those body powder scents linger in a soft, lightly floral palate, along with flavors of citrus flesh and rind.
This is an elegantly subdued white, at an attractive price, from a part of the valley that does well growing this variety. A sweetness of pear and vanilla interweave across crisp acidity, without intrusion or confusion from oak.
Try this rare wine from a vineyard planted in the 1880s. Aromas like maple syrup and vanilla, and flavors like raspberry and cherry jam make this wine seem sweet and feel soft as a pillow, but understand that the alcohol level is almost high enough for a Port.
Woody aromas of oak grain blend with scented candle wax and briny stone-fruit notes. This feels chunky yet high in malic acid. Salty flavors of popcorn and apple cider carry a strong barrel influence, while this finishes with resiny oak and briny white-fruit flavors.
Though single vineyard wines can be impressive, there are times when they'd be better as components in a blend. This is the case here. Just on the edge of sour, the very tart grapey flavors seem overtaken by acidity, without compensating depth or complexity.
A generous helping of spicy new oak aromas and flavors dominates the taste of this full-bodied, broadly textured wine. Beyond the baking spices, more subtle meaty flavors come out with a second sip.
Quite light in color, this bargain bottling shows Anjou pear, apple blossoms and fragrant Pink Lady apple flesh on the nose. It's dainty on the palate, with touches of lime juice, chalk and citrus pith.
Enticing aromas of pear, white flower, exotic fruit and a whiff of Mediterranean herb lift out of the glass. On the bright palate, a light mineral vein underscores green apple, pineapple and banana while fresh acidity adds zest.
This is an attractive fruity wine with citrus fruits and a tangy, zesty texture. The lightest hint of wood gives the wine extra richness. It is already drinkable.
Earthy notes of pear peel promise texture and the very crisp, bright palate delivers, but with edges of bitterness. The finish is wonderfully brisk. This wine will do so much better with food.
Light and fruity, the wine comes from the sandy soils of the Camargue Rhône-delta region, known for its rugged, indigenous horses. The wine is crisp with acidity and has a bright touch of red currants. The wine is dry, refreshing for an apéritif.
Green pear and soft citrus are the chief charms of this wine. The palate is clean, dry and easy to drink. It's a good all-rounder for a party.
Brisk red-apple flavors govern nose and the crisp palate. A lemon backbone of freshness brightens everything. The finish is clean and appetizing.
This opens with strong scents and flavors of stem and herb, and shows some potent tannins as well. Then along comes chewy cherry fruit, substantial and somewhat in hiding. Green tea, earth and a hint of baking spices suggest that further aging will help to pull it all together.
A great price for a great wine, this Bea's Knees offers soft raspberry and leathery plum. Likewise it's soft, though not shy, in tannins. With savory cedar and espresso going on aside a long finish, it's ready to enjoy right now—thanks to the winery's holding back on release—and could further mellow into an even more savory self in time.
Pretty aromas of blue flower and forest floor take center stage in this straightforward blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Alicante. The fresh, juicy palate is dominated by wild cherry, while black pepper notes add interest. Soft and round, this isn't complex but it is extremely friendly and delicious. Enjoy soon. Guido & Son Italian Imports, Old Bridge Cellars.
For Central Otago Chardonnay, this is rather rich and chunky on the palate, delivering hints of grilled sweet corn and ripe melon. It falls off a bit on the finish, so drink up over the next several months.
Fresh orange peel and mineral aromas mark this dry, zesty Pinot Blanc. It's deeply concentrated, with juicy orange and lemon flavors and a lingering mineral, blossomy finish.
Young and yeasty, this attractive Pinot Gris is beautifully textured and deliciously flavored. Scents of lemon verbena, a wisp of honey, and ripe fruit flavors of apple and pear combine in a fully satisfying, fruit-driven, ready-to-drink wine.
Cherries and chocolate highlight this medium-weight wine. The fruit is framed tightly with herbal tannins, and the balance is good throughout. The finish turns astringent and slightly chalky.
Clean berry and cherry aromas come with a minerally, floral leaning. This is fresh, clean and juicy on the palate, with flavors of earthy plum and berry mixed with a fair amount of resiny oak. Overall this is a nice, bright, focused Rioja.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this displays a floral fragrance that recalls violet and iris accompanied by notes of crushed red berries. The straightforward palate offers juicy black cherry and chocolate notes alongside firm tannins. The Marchetto Company, Imports Inc., Pio Imports.
This rare, single vineyard (McClellan Estate) Petit Verdot takes some of the toughness out of the grape. It shows floral scents and accents, bright berry fruit, and finishing flavors of cracker and nougat. It's nicely balanced, with fine tannins and no bitterness.
Enticing, with notes of candle wax, spice and zesty lemon, this off-dry blend of Müller-Thurgau and Riesling is deeply concentrated with white peach and apricot flavors. It's weighty and rich in feel, with streaks of mineral that add delicate complexity to the finish.
This pleasant, easy-to-drink Chardonnay features subtle oak notes framing white peach and sweet-corn flavors. It's medium bodied, with a tender texture and ample pineapple and pear on the finish. Drink now.
Floral plum and berry aromas mingle with a sweet rubber note. In the mouth, this is crisp, staunch and a touch choppy, with flavors of oak, vanilla and berry fruits. A firm finish is earthy and slightly muddled in flavor.
Surprisingly tropical, with concentrated notes of pineapple and guava, this dry, fruity Silvaner is elegantly structured, with zesty lime acidity. It's brisk and delicate on the palate, making it an excellent choice to pair with salads or vegetarian entrees.
A full-bodied white blend composed largely of Chardonnay with smaller percentages of Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Sémillon and Muscat Canelli. The aromas and flavors lean tropical, ensconced in crisp vanilla and lemon-lime. A versatile wine for a myriad of foods. Rich seafood dishes will work particularly well.
This Verdejo is fruity and tropical on the bouquet. In the mouth, it's plump and smooth, with just enough acidic bite to keep things zesty. Flavors of melon, peach and pear finish solid and fairly long.
Aromas of peach, green apple and freesia yield to flavors of apricot, peach, orange zest and rose petal. Light in the mouth, with touches of smooth viscosity, the finish is bright but pleasantly subdued.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, easily recognizable for its fun label showing antique cars and cyprus trees, has earthy aromas that suggest leafy underbrush, wet soil, woodland berries and plum. The palate delivers black cherry accented with black pepper, espresso and menthol. Tightly woven and tannic, it will benefit with a few more years aging. Drink 2015–2019.
This earthy Tuscan offers aromas that recall underbrush, berries, violet and spice. The juicy palate delivers ripened dark cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and cinnamon-spice alongside chewy tannins and fresh acidity.
This wine veers between richness and austerity. Ripe berry fruits contrast with a tough core and dry tannins. It comes from the mountain region in northeast of Portugal, which explains the structured aftertaste.
Dark in color, with aromas of road tar, blackberry and burnt toast. The palate has good life and snap to it, with flavors of black cherry, plum, chocolaty oak and a dash of cough medicine. Solid and scouring on the finish, with vanilla to soften things up. Regular but good value.
A rich, pineapple-flavored wine with a touch of smoke and roasted almonds, very citrusy at the finish. It's crisp, perfumed and fresh. Screwcap.
Youthful raspberry and strawberry aromas bring a little cotton candy as well, while the palate is round, a touch soft and shows bouncy berry and citrus flavors. Solid and tastes just about right, but a bit cloying toward the end.
Sort of prickly, wild, rubbery and inconsistent, but it's also endowed with interesting olive, cracked pepper, herb and briney notes to go along with intense, dark berry core flavors. Finishes mildly burnt and bitter, which Bonarda is prone to do.
Despite a persistent front-to-back sweetness, this is a nice little Chardonnay for those fastened to the grape. It starts with ripe pineapple and apple aromas, and next you get tropical fruit, citrus and banana flavors. Medium in size and good for what it strives to be.
The red wine companion to the excellent Two Vines Vineyard 10 White has got some stuffing, tannins and chewy, herbal flavors, but the fruit holds its own with flavors of wild plum and rhubarb.
Dark, mossy and rich on the nose, with dried cheese, leather, baked character and heat that pretty much comes with the territory. The palate is smooth but not flabby, with blackberry, dark plum and chocolate flavors. Mildly herbal and long on the finish, with balance. An impressive example of blended Malbec and Syrah.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this Red Mountain Syrah remains a bit tight and tannic, with hints of green tea in the finish. The fruit is tart and compact, with a nose of blueberry and brown sugar. Tannins are quite hard and slightly bitter; this will require some further cellaring.
This blended trocken offers plenty of Pfalz character at a reasonable price. Brined peaches and honey show the warmth and minerality of the region in a flattering light, carried by a rich texture and a long finish.
Fine and fresh, brightened by grapefruit, lemon zest and bright acidity, this is a delicious wine, ready for seafood, finishing so clean and crisp.
This blend, from several estate vineyards, is slightly off-dry, with a power and thickness to it in the mouth that belies its modest 12.5% alcohol. Honeyed pear and briny gravel notes are complex and satisfying, while reflecting the limestone marl soils of the region.
A solid, earthy, dusty, lightly leathery Cabernet Sauvignon. Though perhaps not technically perfect, it captures the palate imagination with texture and detail, and a light touch which keeps the alcohol around 14% and the tannins proportionate. No massive new oak here either, though the (virtually impossible to read) back label notes that it was made in 100% French oak, half of it new.
From vines in the Douro Superior, a soft, rich wine, polished with black cherry and wood. It is finely concentrated, flavored with spice, tarragon and a final solid, chunky structure.
Rich, smooth, ripe flavors of wood with some pear and peach juice. Soft, but with good depth of flavor.
A gorgeous and decadent Syrah with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, fudge brownie and coffee ice cream. The lush and creamy mouth is full but not overdone, with a fantastic evolution on the palate from fresh dark fruit to sweet chocolaty flavors and finally pepper-flecked spice on the long finish. Balanced and read to drink now, though you could hold for another couple of years to mellow.
A smoothly textured wine, full and ripe, with great pear flavors, giving rich acidity as well as a texture that shows apricot skins and green plums.
Rich wine, full in the mouth, bringing wood and ripe apple flavors well together. Delicious.
Saturated, inky Malbec with plenty of sweet mocha, chocolate and vanilla to go with black fruit aromas. The palate is big and bold but controlled, with compact, intense flavors of berry, leather and black tea. Smooth on the finish, with soft, integrated tannins and just enough acidity to maintain freshness. Drink this year.
A broad, spicy wine, ripe with plenty of sweet mango and peach fruits to go with the green fruit acidity. It is already delicious but will develop further over the next 2–3 years.
Fruit dominates this bright, ripe wine. Cherries, red berries and a sprig of rosemary give freshness and fruitiness. The structure comes through with firm tannins that lie behind all this deliciousness.
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, this approachable blend shows pretty cherry, strawberry, a touch of earth and barnyard, and a gently fading finish. Drink young for its freshness.
This dark-hued Cab is piquant and herbal on the nose, with power, eucalyptus aromas and a spot of cheesy oak. The mouthfeel is good, while flavors of oak, herbs and plum set up a lightly green finish. This tastes and smells like a good Cab from a chilly year.
This SB opens with melony aromas along with green, spunky notes. At first it's chunky and grabby feeling, and then it flattens out a bit. Flavors of scallion, bell pepper and citrus end mildly bitter, with some heat and burn.
A mineral-driven wine with typical herbaceous flavors, some pineapple and peach fruit and a tangy, lemon-zest aftertaste. It's crisp and fresh, ready to drink now and over the next 2–3 years.
Creamy and confected on the nose, which is proof of the “roble” designation. The palate is rather narrow and acidic, with semi-sour flavors of berry and cherry. Cleansing and tart; decent but doesn't go beyond that.
Smells like bath soap, then turns grassy and burnt. Tannic and medicinal in the mouth, although better as it airs out. Tastes and feels overdone and super sweet.
Austere, green aromas are about as much as one can pull from the nose, while the palate is fresh and acidic, but lean. Flavors of lime, citrus and pith are zesty at first but pithy later on. Dull and strained, but not bad for Chardonnay from central Spain.
A curious mix of aromas mix herb, brown sugar and hints of barnyard and leather. The flavors combine all three elements into a wine that may show its best with food.
Thin, sour and hard, this has simple cranberry fruit, with stem and earth flavors.
Decent mass-produced Ribera del Duero. Strawberry and raspberry aromas lean you in the red fruit direction, and the palate is scouring, acidic and full of cherry fruit. Fresh on the finish and hard, but at least it doesn't have off flavors.
Cinnamon, pepper and spice lead this fun red from Greece. Flavors of cedar, pepper, tobacco and coffee give it a plucky edge. Savory notes round it out. Pair with grilled lamb, steak.
Thin tasting, like apple cider, with high acidity and a slight scent of animal.
Pear drop aromas lead into a wine with less-than-optimal fruit. There is a suggestion of pear, but also overripe orange juice and cardboard. It doesn't quite come together.
Matchstick sulfur and background red-fruit aromas lead into a simple palate that's wet and lively but doesn't offer a lot to latch onto. Generic citrus and cherry Lifesaver flavors finish with a note of briny salt.
Very crisp and packed with fruit, this is an attractive, lightly mineral wine. It is fresh, full of green apples and lime, with a juicy apricot aftertaste. Drink now.
Rich, thick, smoky and soft, this wine conjures all the adjectives that add up to brawny and big. This tastes akin to a Port with chocolate melted in.
Produced from Pinot Gris, this is so crisp and fresh. It has light red currant flavors that give an intensely fruity character to this attractive wine that is ready to drink now.
This crisp wine has a creamy background that presents an attractive blend of fresh apples with honey and lemon. It's a light, perfumed wine that is ready to drink now.
Herbal and excessive in wood tannins, this has strong elements of jalapeño and pepper amidst a full-bodied expression of black plum and chocolate.
This three-grape blend includes Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Merseguera. It's gold in color, while heavy and cidery on the nose. A chunky, citrusy palate is globular and tastes of grapefruit, tangerine and salt, while an oily feeling, round finish lacks complexity.
This jazzed-up wine has a slightly smoky, sawdust-like aroma and ripe, spicy oak flavors that taste almost sweet.
Light and bright, this slightly textured wine is full of crisp green and citrus fruits. A great tang of acidity and freshness flows through this attractive wine. Drink now.
The nose isn't very expressive but eventually reveals aromas of wet, weedy underbrush, eucalyptus and a whiff of spice. The palate is extremely evolved, showing dried fruit, evidence of alcohol and a hint of anise. This has seen better days.
This blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot offers purple and black fruit on the nose, with a touch of black pepper. The flavors are also quite dark, with dried mint, thyme, cigar leaf and blackberry fruit.
The nose on this wine is fairly shy with pencil shavings, danker herbs and a plum-fruit backbone, which predicts a very dry palate. However, the flavors are extremely ripe and sweet, with strawberry, black plum, mission fig and vanilla flavors.
Aromas of wet rock, chewing gum and mild citrus fruits are straight down the middle. This feels modest, while cottony flavors of citrus and watermelon finish short and easy.
This creative blend of 74% Viognier, 19% Chardonnay, 4% Grenache Blanc and 3% Albariño delivers a juicy nose of squeezed orange and peach with tangerine-rind edge and yellow-cake warmth. There's a flash of acidity at first sip, then the flavors dive toward green apples, guava and banana, altogether both ripe and sour.
Flowers, tangerine peel, peach and herb aromas are followed by medium-sweet blood orange flavors. It provides interest but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
This easygoing red offers aromas of ripe raspberry, coffee and a whiff of herb. The simple, rather diluted palate offers wild cherry and a hint of clove alongside fleeting tannins.
Created in 1819, this vineyard surrounds a Victorian château overlooking the Loire. This wine is fruity, fresh and soft. It has attractive acidity, a light texture and perfumed acidity set in the context of apple and lime fruits. Drink now.
A whiff of red-apple skins, red plum and spice make for a reasonably clean and fresh nose. This feels plump but still vital. Pithy flavors of citrus and cantaloupe turn more pithy on the finish.
Reuilly has the peculiarity of having rosés from Pinot Gris, even though its reds are from Pinot Noir. This perfumed wine with its pale color brings out the slightly dusty character of the grape. That's contrasted with the intense acidity and black currant fruit flavors. Drink now.
Plump yellow peach and blossom notes are contrasted by dusty herbal and bramble notes on this slightly savory Pinot Blanc. It's a quiet wine, delicately acidic and featherlight in texture intended for youthful consumption.
Whiffs of blossom and preserved red cherry lend delicate perfume to this exceptionally light-footed Pinot Noir. Tart cranberry and raspberry flavors are refreshing and crisp, but almost ephemeral in concentration. The finish is swift. Drink now.
This opens with funky aromas of barnyard, scorched earth and a whiff of decaying flower. The short, bitter palate is already evolved, offering raisin, game and a hint of cured meat alongside worn, fleeting tannins.
Blended with 12% Petite Sirah, this is a hearty, ripe and stewy wine, baked in plum and blackberry. A puckering girth of tannin unwraps itself in the glass as it goes. Cinnamon and black pepper play on the finish, along with a hint of dried herb.
While this foamy rosé is not elevated, it should appeal to those who like sweet Moscato bubblies. Candied flavors of raspberry, lychee and dried mango finish with a note of pineapple syrup.
Gravel and red fruit show on the nose of this widely available wine. The body is thinner than some contemporaries, but offers brown spice and dark-red plum fruit. The tannins are quite sticky.
Restrained notes of pressed blueberry, condensed rose petals, rose hips and a touch of asphalt show on this delicate though rustic take on the grape. The palate shows a hint of tar but is driven by bright red fruit, proving light and easy to drink.
Common cherry and berry aromas lead to a fruit-punch palate with some stickiness. This tastes ripe, with nothing distinguished beyond basic berry flavors. Sweet plum and berry notes steer the finish.
Wiry, withdrawn plum aromas are a touch floral. A jagged palate feel with high acidity and hard tannins frames plum flavors. This is bullish overall and a bit fiery and hot on the finish.
An earthy, raisiny opening comes around a bit but never suggests freshness. Similarly, this feels blocky, chunky and tannic. Baked flavors of raisin and plum conclude with sticky tannins and grab.
The wine is soft and gentle, with hints of strawberry fruits and freshness. It's light, but has a crisp and spicy aftertaste.
A slightly confusing array of scents emerges off of this bottling, with sour cherries, toasted oak, raspberry syrup and pungent pine needles tripping over each other. The palate is more approachable, with mocha, espresso, dark red fruits and licorice flavors.
Exuberantly fruity and floral, this is an easy drinking semidry wine made from the hybrid Cayuga grape. Slightly candied tones of peach and melon are unabashedly forward, but not cloying.
A Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon (49%) taking the lead, this wine opens with aromas of sugared plum, mesquite and herbs. It's soft in feel with a smoky finish.
This light- to medium-bodied wine has a pleasantly silky texture. The fruit is tart and red, like cranberry or pomegranate, accented by hints of charred root veggies or wood. Drink now–2017.
Medium-intense aromas and flavors of black berry and cherry are graced with hints of licorice and black pepper, lending depth and interest to the nose and palate. The mouthfeel is easy and vibrant, with ample acidity and approachable tannins. Drink now.
Lively fresh-cut grass and gooseberry notes pervade on the nose and carry to the light-bodied, citrus-driven palate. A clean, flinty note offers some nuance on the brisk finish.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, dried hay and prune lead the nose. The evolved palate offers dried date, raisin, licorice and evident alcohol alongside raspy tannins. The fruit has dried up.
This wine offers fruit-forward aromas of raspberries, plum and cranberry. It drinks off dry (10g/L residual sugar) with abundant red fruit flavors and a light squeeze of tannins leading to herb flavors on the finish.
A reluctant nose slowly offers hard-to-tease aromas of blueberry, dark chocolate and loam. The palate also works to show its stuff, offering dried cherries and cedar. It's straight ahead and very drinkable, yet neither flashy nor complex.
This is soft, gentle, ripely fruity and immediately drinkable. Fresh raspberry flavors are cut with acidity and lemon zest. It is fresh, balanced and full of flavor.
Creamy vanilla and fig combine around a thick texture complemented by bright, consistent waves of ripe tangerine. The finish is short, filled in by more citrus.
Notes of canned peach, guava and a slight banana kick are restrained on the nose. The lithe palate is citrus-driven, with tart nectarine adding a bit of additional fruit.
Floral and butter-candy aromas and flavors make this not exactly sweet but rather light, soft and airy. A dreamy confection, it feels light to medium bodied and smooth in texture.
This light- to medium-bodied wine features slightly vegetative notes of cherry tomato and tomato leaf, kept focused by tart acids. That crispness could serve it well as a foil to rich salmon dishes.
Intense acidity combines with spice and just the right amount of fresh fruitiness to give this lively wine that's full in the mouth. It's ripe and ready to drink.
Subdued aromas of stone fruit and yellow flower lead the nose on this informal white. The palate opens with yellow apple and citrus framed in zesty acidity but the finish is lean and abrupt.
A straightforward, easy drinker, this wine starts out a bit reductive before opening to show aromas of herbs, tire rubber, woodspice and blue fruit. It's medium bodied in style with a touch of sugar pulling it all together.
Citrus zest and toast aromas carry through to a palate of underripe melon and lemon custard. This is appealing and enjoyable, although it lacks weight and structure.
Zesty and spry, this acid-focused dry Riesling is refreshing and lemony. Light bodied and stark in character, it's not deeply concentrated or complex, but accented with interesting touches of pollen and mineral dust.
This is rather shy on the nose while the racy palate offers juicy lemon, unripe stone fruit and bitter almond. The bracing acidity calls out for vegetarian appetizers or light first courses.
Honeysuckle and stone fruit aromas take center stage on this breezy white. The lively palate accents unripe peach, crisp green apple and a hint of bitter almond alongside racy acidity.
There's a slight spritziness and ripe fruit sweetness at the core of this appealing wine. The mix of mango and papaya on the palate will show well with spicier foods or at casual get-togethers. Unfussy and well-priced, it's layered and creamy with a crisp finish.
Shadings of menthol and anise add a spicy character to the fruit-forward notes of strawberry, rhubarb and currant on the nose and palate. The tannins are soft and approachable, with clean yet fleeting flavors of red-fruit skins. Drink now.
Here is a rich and decadent style of Pinotage that boasts assertive characteristics of mocha, raspberry sauce and berry preserves. The palate offers ample acidity to keep the ripe fruit flavors in balance, with soft tannins and a clean, easy finish. Enjoy now.
This is pleasant but on the light side, with hints of tomato and herb accenting cherry fruit. Slightly smoky notes add nuance to the aromas, but accentuate some coarseness on the finish.
Aromas of cherry Lifesaver and red currant are medicinal. This has a thick, sticky, cough-syrup mouthfeel and dark, medicinal flavors of stewed plum, burnt brown sugar and crème de cassis. Heat and sticky grab define the finish on this sweet Malbec.
On the mineral side of Meursault, the has a very textured feel, with acidity to go with the honey note. Finely balanced, warm and ripe, this has a crisp, tight finish.
With 7% residual sugar and 11% alcohol, this is a Riesling to enjoy with spicy noodle dishes. Sweetness notwithstanding, it's a substantial wine with grip and definition. Melon and peach flavors roll smoothly into notes of caramel and honey. This is rich and delicious.
A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre, this is an invitingly juicy and spicy rosé, packed with strawberry-mint and pomegranate flavors and a long, savory finish. It's a great introduction to this winery and its talent for creating Rhône-inspired wines.
The blackberry, boysenberry and cinnamon aromas are exotic and attractive. It offers a ton of body in support of concentrated flavors of black fruit, fudge and spice. The finish is long, with notes of chocolate, pepper and some elegance.
Notes of sweet quince preserves, lilac and lavender gently perfume this aromatic late-harvest Riesling. Quite voluptuous in body, with rich fruit flavor and a lush, creamy texture, it finishes long, with a hint of sweetness that's balanced by brisk white-tea astringency.
Smooth and instantly appealing, this estate-grown Merlot has a broad, chocolaty palate that's loaded with cherry fruit. There are peppery, herbal highlights, and plenty of lingering, polished tannins.
Light colored and fruity, this is all about red fruit—its structure and firm tannins coming out slowly. This village wine demonstrates the richness of the appellation, showing a fine balance between its ripe fruit and its smoky, dry, tannic core.
Bright, fresh and fruity, this is loaded with citrus—especially grapefruit—goodness. There are layers of pears and peaches, making this a big, fruity, mouth-filling wine.
Good juice anchors this Cabernet blend, with the 13% Malbec and 10% Merlot filling in the flavors. Cassis and pomegranate notes hit first, followed by darker notes of cacao and coffee, dotted with black pepper.
Just a touch of dried herb adds a surprising element to the intense honey, white flower and sweet tangerine flavors on this beautiful late-harvest Riesling. Striking lemon-lime acidity and a shower of crushed stones on the finish add elegance and balance.
Tannins and severe fruit flavors are the initial impressions of this wine. Behind the mineral, austere exterior, there is a richer, fatter core—its ripe red fruits waiting to surface. Keep for at least three years.
Swathes of green herbs add a blast of freshness to ripe, rich stone-fruit and quince notes on this bone-dry, single-vineyard Riesling. It's remarkably complex, with layers of crushed-stone minerality, lime and lime-pith notes that reverberate on the finish.
Half of this Bordeaux-style blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, the other half a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Pretty cherry fruit and sweet oak flavors are the two main threads here, but they have yet to meld together into a seamless whole. The wine opens with plenty of black cherry flavor, then hits a wall of tannin and astringent dried wood.
A fresh and easy-drinking white made from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, the Blanc boasts scents of soft talcum powder, pink peony and orange blossom against a gooseberry and white strawberry fruit backbone. Zippy and prickly in the mouth with a mouthwatering, grassy finish.
While redolent of jasmine blossoms and sweet orange marmalade, Hosmer's dry Riesling is surprisingly austere on the palate with hints of fresh fennel fronds and a gripping lemon acidity. A good match for heavier, savory fare like braised pork belly, it finishes on a pleasantly bitter citrus-pith note.
Let this heavyweight open; its tannins are tight at first, a showcase of its mountain heritage and more savory personality. Clove and ripe fruit battle against dark coffee and chocolate and those scrappy tannins, which don't ever relent.
Mysteriously smoky on the nose, with an earthy sheen of crushed stones and steel. Just off-dry and fairly lean in style, it's surprisingly penetrating on the palate, with crisp lime and white peach flavors that linger.
Shows a slightly evolved color for a wine this young, with hints of brick already creeping in at the rim, but it also delivers elegant sous bois aromas, bright cherry and cranberry fruit and notes of scorched wood and leather that turn more mocha-like on the finish. Drink now.
Herbal and tight, with a whiff of burnt rubber in front of some tart fruit. There is some concentration, and with more bottle age the wine may yet flesh out a bit.
Abundant tropical fruit and honeysuckle aromas get a fine zesting of lime skin on this surprising bang-for-your-buck Riesling. Semisweet in style, almost with a deeply concentrated fruit palate, it finishes quite dry on a supple, waxy lanolin note.
Light and a little scratchy on the bouquet, with leathery notes. Feels fresh and kind of light in weight, with basic but clean red-fruit flavors and a dash of peppery spice. Flows easily on the finish, with a bit of fire and heat.
Scents of smoke and sweet roasted chestnuts add a warm, rustic tone to this medium-dry Riesling. Deeply concentrated, with ripe yellow peach and apricot flavors, it's brightened by a shower of lemonade acidity and a snappy lemon-rind finish.
Sweet on the nose, with scents of pink grapefruit skin, rose petals and lychee fruit, Glenora's bottling screams classic Gewürztraminer. Waxy lanolin notes and black tea notes on the finish add a touch of complexity to this slightly off-dry sip.
Waxy fruit flavors of peach, melon and banana, all a bit understated, lead through a light and pleasant quaffer with a hint of toast on the finish.
Opaque in color, with blackberry and licorice aromas but also a distinct streak of brambly herbs and green. Later on, pine needle and tartness enter the fray. This is a commendable modern Rioja but it does have a few issues, namely a green herbal component.
Possibly just in a sullen phase, this reserve bottling from Craggy's home vineyard is dominated for the moment by smoke and cedar on the nose, and while there is some cherry fruit apparent in the mouth, it doesn't appear to be fully expressing itself. The impression is of a wine that's tightly coiled and may yet improve with another year or two of aging.
An opening of apricot and peach aromas is proper, while the palate delivers a jolt of zest and acidity to more pineapple, lime and punchy green-apple flavors. Tangy later on, with more than a drop of lemon and lime to the finish. Also slightly pithy and bitter, which is natural for Godello.
The 2008 Crannell leans to the herbaceous side of Oregon Pinot Noir, relatively low in listed alcohol (13%). Cranberry is the dominant fruit flavor, along with fresh herbs and whiffs of tomato leaf.
From the estate vineyard, this delicate effort offers tart, racy, pie cherry fruit flavor, wrapped in substantial acids. There's a kiss of light chocolate, and the overall balance is just right.
This single vineyard Vinho Verde is complex and powerful. The texture is creamy, rich, with hints of pineapple as well as grapefruit. There is an edgy texture, balanced with the crispest final acidity.
Pretty and pale, this wine is already showing some sunset shades around the rim, and drinking like a wine with more than just a couple of years under its belt. That works in its favor, as it offers cherry-pie fruit, cut tobacco, some minerality and a chocolate/coffee kiss in the finish.
Sparkling Shiraz is an acquired taste, but this is a good introduction to the genre. Simply put, it's a big, oaky Shiraz with bubbles, bursting with vanilla, blackberry, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. Enjoy it over the next few years for its youthful exuberance.
Spicy scents introduce a fresh and fleshy pear-flavored Pinot Gris, with a crisp underpinning of wet stone and medium acids. Citrus peel, light orange and pineapple weave into the midpalate, and the wine fills the mouth without being heavy.
Released almost a full year ago, this wine has had a chance to settle into a groove in the bottle. It is a medium plum color, lightly scented with herb, green and black tea, and Bing cherry. The flavors are astringent and compact, with a pretty burst of cherry in the core.
A powerful blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Aragonez, rich and mellow, sweet fruits tempered by tight tannins and spice. The wine has a fine, juicy aftertaste to enhance the freshness.
Rich, yet always elegant, this has a raspberry flavor and terrific acidity that creates tension, contrasting with the opulent fruit. While it's structured, it will soften and round out over the next five years.
Powerful and concentrated, this has an intense expression of ripe tropical fruits. The wood shows strongly at this stage, although with this amount of richness, it has the weight and the power to develop well over many years.
Pure, dense and deep, this captures the pure essence of Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Berry and cherry flavors surface in equal proportion, with more rock than barrel adding complexity throughout the finish. Excellent depth and structure suggest that this is one to put down for a decade or more.
This is taut and mineral, with hidden power. It's very closed at this stage. It's a wine with acidity and notes of green fruits and crisp apples, with just a touch of wood. This will age for many years.
This is a deeply rich, very impressive wine from a great white-wine vintage. It's concentrated with the essence of pure Chardonnay. It has tension along with a full texture. Age it for at least 10 years.
This is mostly Syrah, with 10% each Grenache and Mourvèdre. Fat and beefy, it starts with a scent of fresh carpaccio around dense black cherry fruit. Lush and generous, with notes of both fruit and barrel, it adds streaks of coffee and cacao that wind through a long and beautifully defined finish.
This is a Merlot-dominant blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot in supporting roles. The voluptuous nose introduces a riot of blue and purple fruit flavors—a comingling of berries and plums. Streaks of fresh herb, mocha and cacao enter gracefully, leading onto the rich, deep and lusciously long finish.
Big and showy, with an ripe, opulent feel, this is all about dark fruits and firm tannins. Flavors of black cherries and plums are balanced by the acidity, all rolled together into a structure that's powerful and seriously age-worthy.
This is a ripe Pinot Noir, with a firm and solid structure and a very dense character. It has concentration and a great depth of flavor; the blacks fruits and tannins cut into the heart of the wine. Age for at least seven years.
Structured and minerally, this has citrus fruits that sit prominently over the tight acidity. A vanilla note is there to round the wine out. The crisp fruits and steely acids are intense and impressively balanced. Age for at least 5 years. Screwcap.
Christophe Perrot-Minot makes this wine from a parcel of the vineyard that is declassified grand cru. It's opulent and generous, yet it's also minerally and fresh. The sumptuous Chambolle feel is still to come as the wine rounds out and loses its youthful tannins. Age for at least seven years.
Made from grapes sourced from vines planted in 1902, this is a huge, powerful, minerally wine. It's currently tight as a drum, with solid tannins and great density that pair with ripe plum and wood flavors. The acidity that appears on the finish promises long-term aging.
Big, rich and powerful, this uses grapes sourced from a small section of the Corton hill that's close to Charlemagne. It has the ripe pineapple and apricot flavors to go with the acidity. With its enormous concentration, this is ready to age over at least 10 years.
A consistent winner, this single-vineyard Chardonnay is barrel fermented in 100% new French oak, using wild yeast. The scents and flavors are exceptionally detailed, running from fresh clover into tree fruit, yeast and lots of toast. It has structure, grip and length.
Richly structured, this wine is all texture at this stage—although the rich fruit lingers underneath. Apple, pear and citrus fruits give this opulent, powerful wine its freshness. This has a great future ahead.
Using grapes sourced from the greatest white-wine vineyard in Burgundy, this is huge, dense, very rich and complex. The balance already shows in the wine's acidity, ripe yellow fruit and round texture. Wood aging brings notes of spice and toast. This will age for many years.
The epitome of Grand Cru Chablis, this is mineral and fruit driven—impressive both from its richness and its tense structure. The power comes from the depth of flavor that brings the texture right through the wine. Age for 5–7 years.
Longtime San Francisco Giant Rich Aurilia teams with fellow baseballer Dave Roberts to produce a wine with restrained, focused aromas of black cherry, pencil shavings, sarsaparilla and hints of allspice. The palate is all about black gravel and turned loam, with tiny bits of black cherry and noticeably firm tannins.
From a cool spot planted within classic Goldridge soils, this wine opens with smoky graham cracker and soft red and blue berry fruit. Black tea and clove speak to its site, providing intriguingly exotic and savory undertones that meld well with the fruit and oak. Still young, the wine needs to open for full effect.
This wine is 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. It brings a whole lot of appeal with its aromas of coffee, woodspice, blackberries and dark cherries. The palate shows a mixture of grace and power and the finish won't quit.
This is the inaugural release from this winery that focuses on the expression of Cabernet in a different site each year. It's dazzling, rich with blackberry, black currant, herb, dark chocolate and barrel spices. The full-bodied flavors are candy-bar sweet with some chewy tannic heft that bodes well for its potential in the cellar.
Funky notes of yeast still dominate the nose, but there is an abundance of yellow, juicy pear and Russet apple once they blow off, framed by citrus freshness and underlined with a yeasty savoriness that recalls slightly pungent herbs like watercress and arugula. The finish is ultraclean.
Sexy, luscious aromas of buttered plums and seared beef fat invite the nose on this blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvèdre, which proves more delicate than brawny. Beef char and blackberry paste power the palate, but it coalesces around a focused line of licorice and graphite.
A co-fermented blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, chocolate covered espresso bean and rose petal. It is a nicely crafted wine that offers flavors of blackberry, cranberry, sambuca and sage. Velvety tannins persist through a long lasting finish that is punctuated by bursts of fresh fruit.
This wine is pulled from vineyards across the Columbia Valley, including Heather Hill, Bacchus, Dionysus, Ciel du Cheval and Destiny Ridge. A nuanced wine, it shows winemaker John Abbott in top form with its rich, layered fruit flavors, dazzling sense of texture and lengthy finish. It's drinking beautifully but promises to have a long life in front of it in the cellar.
A deep, dense bouquet with blackberry, root beer, tree bark and tarry aromas properly announces a lush, full-bodied, tannic palate with toasty oak, menthol, licorice and blackberry flavors. Pepper and dark chocolate notes control the finish on this lush, modern, toasty wine. 100 cases made; drink from 2017 through 2028.
Inky aromas of ripe blackberry, black currant, lemon peel and graphite set up a chewy, concentrated, intense palate with blackened flavors of licorice, chocolate, peppercorn and blackberry. A charred, tannic, mouthfilling finish says this should spend more time on its side before opening. Hold until 2017, then drink through 2025.
Made with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of toasted oak, cedar, mocha and plum. The fresh palate delivers juicy blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. A licorice note tops off the lingering finish.
This full-bodied blend of Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo opens with heady scents of iris, violet, dark berry and a note of pipe tobacco. The firm, savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, ground black pepper and clove while assertive but well-integrated tannins provide support. Drink 2016–2021.
There's no other area this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) and Merlot could come from than The Rocks. Wafting aromas of earth, mineral, green leaves and funk accent the variety's dried herb. It's soft in feel with elegant tannins and abundant savory flavors, simultaneously distinctive and delicious.
Subtle fruit and baking spice aromas lead to expansive peach, pear and fig flavors riding on a wave of fresh, crisp acidity that keeps this lively through the finish, even though the texture is quite lush and creamy. The wine is almost a meal in itself, but will make a grand pairing with rich seafood dishes or even a cheese course. Delicious now through at least 2018.
This upper-end bottling from the metalworks-minded winery shows black plum, black loam and charred pasilla chile on the nose. The palate is soft and lush, with a proper tannic presentation for the grape, showing more black cherry and a pinch of dill flavors.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the heart of the appellation, this wine expands on the palate, and is an all-around rich, round and ripe expression of health and vigor. Dried cherry and chalky, dusty tannins form the core of the palate, before a satisfying finish of dark, deep chocolate. Cellar through 2020.
Coming from some of the oldest vines in the state, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot is all about elegance of expression and nuance. Lighter in color, it offers aromas of raspberry, cherry, herb and graphite that lead to focused coffee, cranberry and earth flavors. The restraint and balance are pitch perfect. It will be best 2019–2026.
There are regular, small explosions of citrus on the slender, taut palate of this exciting Wachau Riesling. This is so lively and energetic that you just want to keep sipping. It is slender, brisk and crisp and leaves the mouth feeling totally clean and invigorated. Not for the faint-hearted but thrilling for true acidhounds.
Blue flower, plum, leather and underbrush aromas come together in the glass. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, tobacco and aniseed alongside velvety tannins. A black pepper note signals the close. Drink through 2018.
With grapes coming from Weinbau, Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, among others, this wine offers brooding aromas of dark raspberries and bittersweet chocolate. The oak (half new French) provides a perfect complement, with flavors of coffee and spice mixing with dark fruit. It's hard to put the glass down.
Deep ruby in color, this wine has a nose of black cherry and green bell pepper. The well-balanced flavor profile features notes of cherry, strawberry, smoked meat, Mediterranean herbs and eucalyptus. A network of generous tannins supports a persistent sensation of brightness on the side palate and smoky notes across the center of the tongue.
Beautifully fragrant and rounded Sauvignon Blanc flavors of cut grass and green banana are tempered by richer yeast notes. The palate shows a similar balance but crisp citrus flavors and tingling freshness give extra tone. This is elegant and made for the table.
Aromas of raspberry jam, pencil lead and barrel spices are followed by rich, full-bodied fruit flavors that pack a hefty punch. Not for the faint of heart, it shows the power this growing region can bring.
This is the second vintage of this wine from the winery's young estate property. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it's locked up at present with aromas of coffee, graphite, cherry, barrel spices and licorice. The dark chocolate and cherry flavors are tightly coiled and the lightly grippy tannins are wound up. There's lot of promise there but it needs time to be realized. It will be best after 2021.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this brings out the best of each of them with beguiling aromas of barrel spice, cranberry, raspberry and herb. The fruit flavors are rich and full bodied.
This blend of DuBrul and Meek vineyard fruit broods with aromas of dark raspberries and licorice. Ripe fruit flavors accompany exquisitely balanced tannins and acidity. It's drinking well now but should have a long life in front of it.
This perfumed wine offers aromas of plum, flowers, orange peel, smoked meat and coffee. The blue fruit flavors are soft, focused and rich, lingering on the finish.
From a winery named after a summit train stop between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz comes aromas of red cherry, rhubarb and clove spice. Flavors of vanilla cookies, dried strawberries, black cherries and a spicy dollop of licorice power the tasty palate.
Yeasty notes mingle among the rose petal scents of this red and green Traminer blend. With a little air, notions of orange peel appear and display the textured, structured but pliably soft core of this appetizing and unusual wine. Lemony freshness provides poise for the toned aromatics. The more you linger, the more facets you discover, including the long finish.
Surprisingly, in this excellent vintage where the Pinot ripened quite nicely, this is a strongly herbal wine with a grassy aroma as well. Black cherry fruit is grounded in a chalky, earthy finish.
This pleasant Gavi has a delicate fragrance of white spring flowers and flavors that recall pear, green apple and citrus. Its crisp acidity leaves the palate feeling clean and refreshed, making it an ideal apéritif.
This is a soft, fruity wine that shows sweet berry aromas and gentle tannins to taste. The Trincadeira gives delicious juiciness and ripe, generous flavors. The wine is ready to drink now.
Meaty, tarry aromas get reduced to simple darkness and shoe polish as this Merlot opens. A full-bodied palate is home to oaky, minty, chocolaty flavors of generic berry and herbal flavors. A crisp finish is nothing but ordinary.
A tight, stalky wine, showing black currant and dark plum fruits, intense acidity and a dry, tannic character. It feels light, without great density, very up front and fruity.
From the far east of the Bordeaux vineyards, this is a soft wine that is already drinkable. It has red berry fruits, fresh acidity and a lightly tannic structure. Drink now and until 2016.
There seems to be too much wood here which is smothering the fruit. Given that, the wine does have weight and as the wood softens, the juicy fruit flavors should come through. Wait to drink until 2016. But it will always be austere.
This California Vermentino starts on a sour tone, its acidity turned way up, before veering into a more comfortable world of lemon, lime and herbal grapefruit. Drink young and fresh.
Herbal aromas of olive and sweaty leather require patience. In the mouth, this is firm and acidic, with a spiky feel and peppery flavors of mint and spice that outmuscle the wine's fruit component. A dry, acid-driven finish is the close.
On the nose, this is rough and rustic. If the palate is less obviously barnyard, it still carries something of that character, with blackberry and wood flavors along with spicy accents. The wine is still young, so the rough edges could smooth out. Drink from 2015.
This is an intensely fruity wine that is lemon scented, crisp and very fresh. It has a strong citrus flavor, with touches of orange zest and red apples. Not for aging, this light, bright wine is ready to drink now.
This is a light, fresh and crisply fruity wine. It is dominated by lime and ripe lemon flavors that come from the bright blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto. Not a wine for aging, so drink now.
An open-book Cabernet medium in tannin structure and expressive in plum, blackberry and tobacco. Juicy with a rustic edge.
The light amber color already promises concentration. What follows is the complex and almost mystical sweetness of candied citrus—sweet orange and tart grapefruit are recognizable, as is candied whole mandarine, all in a linear, tight but lucsious package, cut by a streak of racy, wonderfully piercing acidity.
Ripe yellow plum and plump, red-cheeked apricot lead a merry dance. Light, clear honey fills any gaps while notions of passion fruit and lemony acid temper the richness. A very, very fresh-fruited TBA with immense liveliness.
At the hands of Pierre Laplace, Tannat becomes smooth, rounded and shapely. It of course has tannins, but these are at the service of the rich fruit and the balanced acidity. The wine is full of character, a medley of fruit along with an elegant structure. It's going to develop well, so drink from 2018.
A parcel of old vines has yielded this concentrated wine that has great depth of flavor, very ripe berry fruits and juicy acidity. It's smoky with fresh ground coffee flavors, and a touch of licorice. Still young, it's a wine for aging, so don't drink before 2019.
A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, this is a full-bodied, plush example of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cracked pepper, licorice and crushed stone fold gently into layers of plummy fruit, then finish with a lingering note of mocha. Drink now–2020 or so.
The top of the range from Château Ponzac, this is, as its alcohol suggests, pretty powerful. Almost black in color, it's a solid, chunky wine that still has its youthful tannins. Black fruits, berries and damsons are layered with wood and fruit tannins, giving a dense and concentrated character. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
This is a dark, plush Saint-Joseph, not an edgy, wiry, herb-scented version. Superripe plum and licorice notes are framed by soft tannins and hints of baking spices, but the wine' essential Syrah nature comes through on the dusty pepper-and-anise finish. Drink now–2020.
Deep, inviting aromas of cherry, strawberry and cranberry mesh with red licorice, violet and nutmeg on this superbly priced wine. It's a fleshy Pinot, named after a falcon that perches in the vineyard's lone pine tree, with pretty, punch-like flavors of violet, rose and more red fruit.
Rich, musky honey and dark molasses lifted by orange freshness combine to make a sumptuous palate pervaded by fresh, pungent and welcome acidity. A play of dark and light, of dried and fresh fruit, with a wonderfully sonorous, musky finish. Lovely now but will cellar for years.
Old vines give a solid structure for this firm wine that is concentrated and dense. With wood aging and rich berry fruits, it's a complex wine with a good future. The black currant and berry fruits have a fresh character as well as great acidity. Drink from 2017.
Earthy, tarry, gritty aromas come with generous black-fruit scents. This is bold, bright and lively in character, with juicy acidity creating a racy pulse. Spice, licorice, plum and tomato flavors finish fresh and elegant, with clarity and length. Drink through 2017.
Pure apple fruit emerges above the wonderfully biscuity autolysis notes and a touch of oak lends generosity and body, but nothing ever subdues the genuine fruit here, which expresses itself as the poised scent of ripe yellow and red apples. The acidity is exemplary, tight and focused, while the bready yeast notes add extra dimensions of body and texture. The length and persistence are a marvel. A total class act that is delicious now and will become honeyed with age.
Powerfully built with nice depth, this is loaded with succulent black cherry sensations layered with underbrush, tobacco, licorice, black pepper, clove and mocha accents. The palate is balanced by firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2026.
In this big proprietary blend, winemaker Kirk Venge pits 70% Zinfandel and 14% Petite Sirah against 11% Charbono, a rare find in the Napa Valley, and 5% Syrah. The results are complex in deep cherry and milk chocolate, with plenty of grip and drinkable tannins, the finish soft and rich. This wine delivers a great value for the quality.
A rich wine in which the firm Tannat character dominates, giving great character, black plum flavors, a dense structure and generous tannins. All these join in a wine that's as much about elegance as power. Drink from 2017.
Bold and powerful, marked by assertive toasty, cedary aromas from oak, it has a deep color, tight tannins and full body. It shows smoky oak character and almost drying tannins, but the dark cherry and blackberry flavors lie just under the surface, forming the density of an outstanding wine. Drink after 2016.
This is an extreme example of an extreme varietal. The color is black except for a thin purple rim. The aromas are like dark chocolate and subdued blueberry. Flavors convey a deep profusion of blackberry and boysenberry with hints of sweet oak. Very full-bodied, full-flavored and mouthfilling, it delivers power with polish.
Can you guess what the S stands for? The nose is tarry and intense, full of black olives, plum and espresso. Yup, it's Syrah. Full-bodied and velvety, but with a firm core and a rich, layered finish. It's fine now, but try to hold some until 2016 and possibly as late as 2020.
Graciano is just getting started in Washington but this bottle shows much promise. It's aromatically generous, with notes of coffee and heaping amounts of black pepper along with citrus twist. The palate is silky soft in feel and shows elegance and restraint that keep you coming back for more.
A true Sangiovese with texture, structure and tannin. Ample fruit and savory components begin in the aroma and spread out on the palate. It tastes dry, medium-bodied and mouthwatering in a way that is flavorful yet holds a bit of itself in reserve. Made from 77% Amador County grapes, with the rest from Yolo and Lake. Enjoy through 2017.
Made from grapes grown in the top vineyard site in Roero, this elegant wine entices with aromas of violets, perfumed berries and sweet cake spices. The juicy palate doles out lip-smacking cherry-berry fruit accented by mint, clove, and orange peel, accompanied by lithe tannins and bright acidity. Drink now through 2018.
Lush and tasty, this is strikingly affordable for the alluring layers of aromas and flavors present. It begins with cherry pie on the nose alongside black licorice, bay leaf, roasting meats and mushrooms, and continues on the palate with soft and jammy berries. Yet it has a serious side too, with flavors of menthol and stewed tomatoes delivering the umami factor.
This isn't as big and ripe as some earlier vintages, but it's still a bold expression of Gimblett Gravels Syrah. Blueberry and blackberry fruit is framed by cedar and vanilla, but beyond the fruit lies considerable structure and aging potential. The tannins are ripe yet firm on the long finish. Drink 2015–2022.
In the oxidative style that is so special to the Jura, this blend of Chardonnay and Savagnin is distinctive. With almond, apricot and yeast flavors, it is dry, a food wine although also, like a fino Sherry, good as an apéritif.
From the Stoney Vine (estate) vineyard, this has a fair share of the aromatic funk for which the Rocks section of Walla Walla is famous. It's a nose-teasing, mouthwatering mix of composted grass cuttings, soy sauce, bacon and berry, showing a touch of new oak as well.
Leesy and creamy, this lightly nutty wine carries highlights of toasted coconut, lemon meringue and candied orange peel. Fermented with wild yeast, it's then aged in 20% new French barrels and puncheons. Drink now–2019.
Production has zoomed to almost 11,000 cases, but the quality remains. Deep, delicious flavors of melon, grapefruit and kiwi anchor the wine. The sensation of wet rocks and bracing minerality runs alongside the lip-smacking fruit. Perfectly ripe, dense and wonderfully sappy, this is a real gem.
Blended from several amazing vineyard sites, including Ritchie and Hawk Hill, this Chardonnay from Old Wente clones has spent time aging in a modest 10% new oak. It shines in exotic florals and a creamy mouthfeel followed by a dry, bright finish of fresh-squeezed grapefruit and tangerine. This is one to enjoy entirely on its own or with a myriad of appetizers.
A bucket of buttery popcorn gets treated to sharp, rosemary-like aroma on the nose of this intriguing and tasty wine. It's heaver on the palate than other wines of the same vintage, with flavors of butter-crusted apple pie. The deep finish lasts for minutes.
Quilceda's single-vineyard Bordeaux-style blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. This has fine grained tannins—not soft, but polished, ripe, and rich. Tasted prior to its official release, the wine was still pulling together all of the complex barrel-influenced flavors; it tasted delicious, with notes of bourbon-soaked cherries, along with veins of espresso, cacao, dusty baking spice, and a liquorous finish.
A top-notch vintage for this bottling, it's a blend of 39% Merlot (from the original 1976 block), 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Roses, blackberries, cassis and baking spices are beautifully rendered in a wine rich in depth and detail. More bottle age will surely bring greater complexity and soften the astringent tannins.
An impeccable wine, this is so finely balanced between its rich fruits and structure. With its seamless character, it offers both fine acidity, green and white fruit and an undertow of wood aging. This is a wine for long-term aging.
This is a generous mouthful of Cabernet, with just small amounts of Merlot and Carmenère in the blend. Chewy, dusty, grainy, tannic and thoroughly delicious, it has the deeply flavored berry and cassis fruit to more than match the French oak. The fruit is wreathed in layers of smoke, charcoal and ash—all in proportion.
There is nothing shy about this wine, but the ripeness and high alcohol are beautifully handled. It remains precise and focused, with deep black-cherry, cola and coffee flavors. The tannins are fine grained, and the acids are sufficient enough to give it a frame and the prospect of aging for up to a decade.
Sourced entirely from Pepper Bridge Vineyard, this chewy, substantial Cabernet has deep and delicious cassis and berry flavors that are accented with sweet, toasty oak. It spent three years in tight-grain French barrels, bearing the espresso-laden depths to show for it. This is thoroughly delicious and ageworthy.
Leonetti's 2009 Reserve—92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot—is a simpler blend than in past vintages, and it seems to mark a return to the style of wine that built the winery's reputation initially. Powerfully, lavishly oaky, with a ripe, chewy black-fruit flavor, it is bursting with notes of black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate and a hint of butter. Though not quite as graceful or detailed as the regular Cabernet, this is the more potently expressive of the two flagship Leonetti reds.
This is a Bordeaux-style blend, principally Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's stylish and firm, based upon a solid cassis note. The extended barrel aging—32 months in French oak—brings on seductive flavors of brown sugar, molasses and maple syrup, with touches of espresso and dark chocolate. The structure remains tight and polished, with excellent balance.
Lemony and citrusy from the get-go, with floral notes to the nose. The palate is sheering and tart, with edgy tannins. As a whole, it's angular, with tomato and red-fruit flavors. A natural, jacked-up example of Prieto Picudo that's a bit underwhelming.
Smells clipped, tough and oily, with a hardness to the bouquet. The palate is fleshy and wet, with reasonably fresh melon and papaya flavors. Finishes pithy and slightly bitter, and overall it's barely a good wine on its best day.
Neutral on the nose to the point of dull and mute. The palate is more wet than complex, and the flavors of apple, candy and toffee are basic at best. For a half-bottle priced at $25, this is underwhelming and far too simple in all facets.
Quiet and shy on the nose, with generic white-fruit notes. For a medium-dry white, it offers requisite sweetness along with soft fruit notes, candied flavors and a green, lightly vegetal accent. A bit spritzy but not that lively or precise.
Here's a find for lovers of big, buttery wine. Dripping with cream and butter, Tarara's darkly toasted, full-bodied Chardonnay screams new French oak. Rich and viscous, there's just a hint of fresh lemon and apple flavors hiding behind all of the oak.
On the nose, there's lots of warm, toasted wood and vanilla spice notes on this, cheerful, cherry-laden Colorado Syrah. There's a slight green, stalky vein that runs throughout, but overall, it's an easy drinking, fruit forward wine sprinkled with mocha and chocolate.
Neutral on the nose, and then crisp but bland tasting. There's apple and green hints of fresh bell pepper and lettuce, while the finish shows lime, citrus pith and mild bitterness. Light and basic; made from 50% each of Airen and Macabeo (Viura).
A blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional , this has a vivid pink color, and a soft, aromatic character. It is ripe and crisp, packed with strawberry juice fruit.
Brambly with a mild vineagary sourness to the nose. The palate is tart, crisp and scratchy, with sweet-and-sour flavors of plum, herbs and even grass. Finishes green and challenged. Kind of weak for $17.
Although the nose offers darker notes of petrol, bruised apples and cooked green peppers, the palate on this semisweet wine is prettier with hints of sugar-laced oolong tea and white florals.
Hard, acrid and sweaty smelling, with a plump but dilute-feeling palate that shows flavors of bitter peach pit, white grapefruit and citrus. Hard and bitter on the finish. Harmony is questionable; overall quality is sketchy.
Rather lean, with high acidity, the wine has red currant fruits, a taut texture and a light spice character.
The nose on this bright red blend from Sanders Ridge is spicy and smoky with abundant red fruit, leather and tobacco. The cheery red fruits carry through on the palate as well with a plush, but pleasant demeanor. There's not a lot of structure or depth, but it's an easy, fun wine.
Short on aromatics, with only a whiff of pear and corn. The palate is soft and fleshy, with dry, limited papaya and melony flavors. Lettuce and other green notes carry the finish, which is bland and dilute. Will have a very short lifespan.
Vegetal on first blush, with aromas of green bean and asparagus. The green character becomes less obvious with time, but there's still a bell pepper element to the palate, which offers mildly stewy flavors. Finishes bland, and as a whole it's not exactly cutting the mustard.
Fruity and juicy, this is an immediately attractive cru wine. With its ripe berry fruits and soft tannins, it has a good depth of flavor that gives it richness. The wine, with its crisp fruitiness, is ready to drink.
From the south facing Côte du Py, this oak-aged wine is full of ripe fruit that is given a crisp edge by the acidity. Lightly textured, the wine is tight, mineral and likely to age. Jean-Ludovic Loron is the cru property's fifth generation. Drink from 2018.
Made with 60% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, this opens with delicate aromas of black currant, leather and toast. The accessible palate doles out mature black cherry, vanilla and tobacco alongside chewy tannins and modest acidity.
Made entirely with Cabernet Franc, this displays subtle aromas of cassis and baking spice that carry over to the juicy palate together with bell pepper and vanilla. Round tannins provide the approachable framework. Drink through 2020.
Made with 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, this opens with subtle aromas of black currant and baking spice. The palate offers red plum and vanilla alongside grainy tannins.
This blends 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 18% Petit Verdot. Spicy and lean, it was aged in all-new French oak that provides a nice background of structure and strength.
From one of the many cru estates that are run by Beaujolais merchant Georges Duboeuf, this wine is smooth, generous and juicy. It has red-cherry fruit that is surrounded by some firm tannins as well as juicy acidity. Drink from late 2017.
Here is a fruity little number with oodles of juicy ripe pear. This is fresh and upfront, animating and appetizing. Easy drinking but totally crowd-pleasing, this will be fabulous for a party.
The aromas are light, with notes of baking spice and black and blue fruit. Tart cherry flavors linger on the finish.
Made with 70% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah and 15% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black currant, freshly cut grass and a whiff of thyme. The easygoing palates doles out juicy black cherry, clove and a hint of smoke set against smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This opens with subdued aromas suggesting sour berry, clove and a touch of leather. The accessible, straightforward palate offers morello cherry and a hint of star anise alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2019.
Despite its robust body, there's a delicacy to pristine red cherry and cassis in this pretty Pinot Noir. It's not a richly concentrated wine, but nuanced elegantly by touches of crushed mineral, licorice and cocoa. Soft, feathery tannins guide a moderately long finish. Drink now through 2020.
Light and reserved on the nose, this bottling by regional legend Adam LaZarre shows chipped slate, lemon rinds and apple flesh on the nose. The palate picks up a touch of petrol on the edges, but centers on more familiar notes of lemon rind, dried apples, honeysuckle and slight hazelnut.
At first whiff, there's a slightly odd funkiness to this co-fermented blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, but that blows off with time. Aromas of dill, green peppercorns, wet cedar and forest underbrush lead into flavors of freshly sliced rare beef, dried mulberry, fresh elderberry and slightly sour tar.
Dark hibiscus, deep red cherry and rare roast beef show on the nose of this wine from Malibu that is fragrant but fairly light in aromas. Pencil shavings, baked blackberry and a touch of clove show on the sip, which is juicy and interesting.
A powerful aroma of incense arises on the nose of this bottling, along with thyme, rosemary and a pomegranate touch. That herbal presence is strong on the sip as well, with more thyme and oregano as well as juniper and forest floor. Dark-red fruit gives it a base, and the finish shows off a menthol element.
Gritty minerally aromas of vitamins and medicinal plum and cranberry set up a full-bodied palate with creamy oak. Herbal spicy black-plum flavors finish oaky and a bit sticky and heavy.
With 11% Petit Verdot, this hearty, full-bodied red shows crunchy, high-toned cranberry and elements of black pepper, pencil shavings and dried herb. A toughness of leather dives into the tobacco-laden finish.
This lightly crafted, affordable red blends in smaller percentages of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. It works as a soft, approachable and rounded experience of moderately tannic black cherry and cola, with a streak of black pepper, graphite and cedar mixed within.
The aromas are light, with notes of spice, apricot and lime zest. The peach flavors feel broad while still retaining a sense of balance.
Crushed black currant meets with turned earth and black pepper on this interesting blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot. The palate is well integrated with flavors of sour cherry and black plum, proving quite tangy and tart, although wrapped up in silky tannins.
Made with 85% Vermentino, 10% Viognier and 5% Sauvignon, this has aromas of Mediterranean scrub and yellow peach that carry on to the round fresh palate. It closes with white almond.
While the nose is intensely oaky, wafting of dark toast, smoked nuts and spice, the palate of this Chardonnay is surprisingly fresh with crisp apple and pear flavors. It's a rounded, voluptuous wine that neatly balances the richness and complexity of oak against fruit. Drink now through 2021.
Vibrant aromas of pear and apple lead to a creamy, full-feeling palate. It's a strong example of the variety and style.
Made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon, this mature wine opens with subtle aromas of black currant and ginger. The palate has reached its ideal drinking window, doling out black cherry, cedar and vanilla alongside smooth tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining freshness.
Dark in color and meaty on the palate, this perfumed wine offers developed characteristics of toasty oak, vanilla and apple pie, complemented by a high-toned twist of tangerine.
Made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a subdued nose, eventually revealing aromas of black-skinned fruit and baking spice. The robust palate offers French oak, vanilla and a hint of cedar alongside rounded tannins.
A tropically oriented Chardonnay, this has aromatic hints of corn nuts and apricot fuzz, finishing with a taste of sour lemon.
A light lime flavor comes with a pleasing hint of tangerine in this wine. It becomes quite slender as it rapidly runs into a slightly metallic finish.
Petrol, motor oil and peach aromas, along with a whiff of cheese, entice the nose. The wine feels chunky and tastes of tarragon, thyme, grapefruit and green apple. Overall, it's a basic wine, and it doesn't improve on the finish.
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Aragonez, this is open, generous and easy. It has attractive red fruits that are balanced by acidity and a soft tannic backbone. Ready to drink. Screwcap.
This is already drying out, its fruit fading and its mouthfeel turning a bit woody. There's a trace of of tart berry fruit, with plenty of drying tannins. Drink now.
Using grapes sourced primarily from Lodi, this Merlot is oaky and smoky, expressing an aroma of cooked black olive. It also features a subtle and toasty berry cobbler flavor, and the finish is all cedar and caramel.
Difficult to categorize, although the winery calls it a ”rosato,” this wine contains 86% white Moscato, but gets its red color from the addition of 14% Cabernet Franc. Light and bright, with a touch of sweetness (2.89% residual sugar), its flavors veer toward ripe strawberry purée and dark plum. It retains enough acidity to not taste cloying, though, and it is light in alcohol.
A soft earthy character adds depth to the strawberry and rhubarb fruit aromas and flavors. The palate is clean and bright, with a cocoa-dusted red-berry fruit finish.
This features plum, berry and leather aromas that are accented by a hint of lemon. It feels narrow and drawing, with black fruit, herb and carob flavors. The finish, which doesn't taste green or herbal, is better and wider.
Popcorn, sweet melon and pear aromas dominate the nose. This feels pure and chunky, with honeyed melon, apple and spiced peach flavors. Fruity, thick and tropical in style, this is not too serious but not bad either.
This is mild and lightly citric smelling, with an ocean spray note on the bouquet. On the palate, it is fresh and deep, with a note of nectarine. The finish is solid, but loses some fruit and gains some bitterness.
This has a lightly funky nose that leads into a rather flat midpalate, with barrel toast and simple red fruit. It all resolves quickly into a one-dimensional finish.
Grapey berry aromas come with sweet, reedy notes and a brandied cherry component. It feels condensed but lively, with a mix of sweet, almost tropical flavors that hint at pineapple, wild berry and herb. Tasted twice; this score and note reflects both tastings.
Medicinal cherry and plum scents come with a grassy, minty persistence. This feels tannic and syrupy, with some heft, accompanying sweet black-fruit flavors that are green and herbal at the core. It finishes chunky, with a minty aftertaste.
Right on the border of being a dessert wine, this unusual Pinot Gris has 2.8% residual sugar. It's betwixt and between—not really sweet enough for dessert, but too sweet for most other food. A simple sipping wine, perhaps?
Initally it smells rubbery and nutty, with a baked, earthy personality. With airing, it opens somewhat but remains leathery and cheesy. This feels fairly full, with baked, toasty flavors of herb, berry and plum. It is moderately long on the finish.
"Chremisa," the ancient name of Krems, is commemorated in this wine that comes from Krems vineyards. It has tight, tangy apple-driven acidity, with a bright, light, citrusy character. Not for aging.
Plum and cola aromas set up a spunky, rubbery Merlot that features a mix of roasted berry and chocolaty oak flavors. It is mild on the finish.
This is ripe, young and fruity, with plenty of acidity to accompany the tangy raspberry flavor. For early drinking. Screwcap.
This is quite a change from the winery's previous vintage, with the alcohol reaching a hefty 15% and the new oak aging now at 50% new for 21 months. The result is astringent and earthy, a little sweaty and leathery, with drying tannins.
The low-yield old vines of the quinta have produced a dense wine with firm tannins. Young and with good potential, the wine is a blend of four Douro grapes, dominated by Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. Unoaked, it is rich and firm, all ripe blackberry fruits with a cut of acidity. Drink from 2018.
This is a serious, dry and well-structured wine with lots of dark-fruit flavors and firm tannins. It has tempting black cherry aromas and black-currant flavors, a full body and a mouth-filling lightly astringent texture that will pair well with rich food. Best after 2019.
This is a wood-aged wine, with a spicy character, that's rich with both generous tannins and black fruits. It has a ripe fruity character with plenty of balancing acidity and a warm full-bodied aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
While the bulk of this estate's wines are in prestigious Saint-Julien, this comes from a parcel in the Haut-Médoc. It's a rich and structured wine, full of black fruit and acidity. Although developing well, it still needs time. Drink from 2019.
Generous tannins and blackberry fruit, along with a smooth texture all contribute to the richness of this broad, ripe wine. The 79% Merlot in the blend lends a generous character and the likelihood it will age quickly. Drink from 2018.
With Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominating the blend, this wine is as perfumed as it is structured. It shows elegance through its rich blackberry fruit and firm tannins. Concentrated and ready to drink from 2021.
Château de Cérons, which also produces sweet wines, uses the same grape varieties for this dry white. It has an almost honeyed character that fills out its crisp acidity and citrusy orange flavors. Drink from late 2018.
This generously structured wine is rich in tannins and fine, ripe black fruit. Its structure and juicy acidity will allow it to age well. Drink from 2020.
This serious, solid wine has plenty of smoky flavors, juicy black fruit and a firm background of tannins. Ripe, full of fruit and with fine acidity at the end, it will be ready from 2019.
This smooth and ripe wine is full of dark berry fruit and layered with tannins that will allow it to age. Although rich with black plum flavors, it's balanced with acidity. Fine and ageworthy, it will be ready to drink from 2021.
Wood aging gives this wine's aroma its eucalyptus character. That perfume follows through to the finely structured palate, where oak flavors balance its delicious black plum fruit. It's warm, ripe and stylish. Drink from 2020.
This ripe, smoky wine is structured, full of new oak flavors and dense with both fruit and tannins. Its concentrated, bold blackberry flavors and firm tannins mix with smoky wood notes and acidity. Drink from 2020.
Strongly herbal while also rich, this tangy, zesty wine shows no concessions in its expression of Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe and full of green plum and gooseberry flavors, it's smooth and ready to drink now.
Within an intense cradling of oak, this wine offers big flavors of green apple and toasted vanilla. Full bodied and richly concentrated, it settles into a balanced mineral-laden place of gravelly texture.
The winery's more accessible offering, this hearty full-bodied red is impressive in its smoky char and herbal kick—elements that ride along a thickness of tannin and black-fruit concentration.
This wine is a light red, but packaged like a rosé, and shows rich aromas of ripe black plum and red cherries, mouth-filling body and generous plummy, meaty flavors. It's very enjoyable to start an evening with and is full bodied enough to pair with big proteins.
Lush and thickly concentrated, this crowd-friendly wine offers a brightness of cassis that complements its darker, richer tones of chocolate mocha and clove. Medium in build, it uses its oak well, integrating it into the whole.
High-pitched acidity keeps fresh a bold full-bodied exploration of dark cherry, cassis and mountain blackberry. Still evolving, the wine is nuanced and quiet at first, taking time to coax out. Leather, sage and a hit of citrus add complexity and intrigue.
The fifth generation certainly got it right. This wine is more savory than fruity, as earth and oak flavors highlight the aromas while baking spices and almond flavors soothe the palate. It's smooth and lush in texture and not too heavy in body. Drink now.
Aromas of violet, black-skinned berry and a touch of fresh mint lead the nose on this juicy red. The savory palate delivers ripe blackberry, nutmeg and licorice while fresh acidity and silky tannins provide balance. Enjoy through 2022.
Made with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black currant, cedar and a whiff of bell pepper. The firm palate delivers black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
This plushly textured and luxuriously ripe wine has soothing baking spice aromas, soft plum and blackberry syrup flavors and a medium body. Moderate tannins boosted by 11% Petite Sirah are well integrated and make for a velvety mouthfeel.
This wine comes from the state's oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, planted in 1957. Light in color, the aromas draw you into the glass with notes of earth, cassis, dried herb and cherry. The cranberry flavors are light and elegant, with a zing of acidity that keeps the interest high. It's a very pretty expression of the variety, best suited for the dinner table.
Made predominantly from the winery's best barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also contains Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Game, cinnamon, burly, brambly blackberry and tar are robustly wound around a big-boned structure, with hints of vanilla and smoke.
Tightly wound on the nose at first, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 13% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot opens slowly to show blackberry, anise and baking spice on the nose. The palate offers boysenberry, slate, oregano and bay leaf, wrapped in decent tannins and acidity. Patience will allow this wine to come into its own.
Candied but also peppery and herbal, and without much depth or complexity. The palate is tight, acidic, sheering and tastes of snappy, edgy cherry and raspberry fruit. Then an oaky, vanilla dryness sets in. Solid and fresh, but hardly a head-turner.
A little flat, but the nose is adequately melony, so give it points for that. The palate is on the plump, lower-acid side, so the green fruit and lychee flavors are fleshy. Finishes solid but soft. Drink this year.
A great value and a good choice for barbecue or summer seafood dishes. Moderate notes of small red berries, wild strawberry and raspberry dominate the creamy mouth along with a hint of soft garrigue herbs on the finish.
Simple, attractive, light Chardonnay. Green fruits and pear juice layer with acidity and a soft texture. With its lively, crisp finish, the wine is ready to drink.
Silly name and label, but not a bad wine. The nose is meaty, medicinal and fails to hold its form over extended airing, but early on it's good and honest, as is the palate of herbal tomato and cassis flavors. A little bit scrappy, but for $10 it's better than most.
Chitry lies just outside the Chablis appellation area, giving a wine that has some of the classic steely character but is more rounded and less focused. Pleasing Chardonnay, finishes with an attractive vanilla touch.
This medium-bodied wine features classic apple-and-citrus Chardonnay aromas and flavors, just tinged with floral notes and a touch of spice. It's fresh and clean, good as a predinner drink or with simply grilled fish or chicken.
Fresh and green-fruited, with mildly sweet, talcum powder aromas. Turns more stark in the mouth, and toward sour apple and grapefruit. Fairly acidic, and thus more zesty than substantive. Lemony and sharp on the finish.
Roasted, leafy aromas greet you, followed by familiar scents of cherry and plum. The body is light to medium, with citric acidity turning the raspberry and pie cherry palate in the direction of snappy. Lithe on the finish, with a quick fade-away.
A bit of a letdown coming from this producer, the Kidnapper's Vineyard Chardonnay seems to lack some richness and flesh in the midpalate. It's otherwise appealing for its pear, melon and graphite notes and crisp finish.
Tropical in style, which for Los Vascos is as expected. Year after year, this Casablanca Chardonnay tastes, smells and seems more like Sauvignon Blanc than Chardonnay. As per usual, it's spunky, citric, green and grapefruity. A breed unto itself, with a zesty, green character.
Opens with aromas of black cherry, pepper, herbs and rubber. The palate is sort of flat and low in intensity, with smooth but basic flavors of vanilla and berry compote. Tastes sort of roasted and minty on the finish, but also full and sweet.
Pungent and a little pickled on the nose, with oak and cream coming on a second wave. The palate is composed, normal in feel and shows slightly choppy cherry and berry flavors. Regular but short on the finish. Good wine; nothing more than that.
A dark, chunky wine with cola, cassis and beet-like aromas. The palate is extracted but gritty, with big blackberry fruit that doesn't change or improve in the mouth. Deep as night but dull-edged; it flat-lines on the finish.
This medium-bodied wine is a stylistic departure from the stereotypical Aussie stainless-steel Sauvignon Blanc, being fermented and aged in old French oak barrels for eight months. The result is a citrusy wine with greater depth and richer texture, even some leesy, slightly toasty notes that complement rather than overwhelm the fruit. Drink now–2010, but it could surprise and develop even more interest over time.
Plum-jam-flavored wine, this is very sweet, rich and very direct. The freshness is here, but this is more about the dense, superripe fruits.
Deep, dusty wine, tannins dominating the fruit, giving a tough feel. There are some black currant flavors, but only just a hint. This definitely needs time to soften and broaden; give it 4–5 years.
From biodynamic producer Marcel Lapierre, this is probably as good as it got in 2007. It's a rich wine, concentrated, although the crisp fruits of the year tend to dominate. There are raspberry flavors, very pure, very fresh, but with some good depth of flavor.
A light, sophisticated nose of white flowers and citrus is followed by balanced fresh fruit and acid. The wine has a light touch but impresses with its elegant overall character. Pair with grilled fish or salads. A wine with poise and class.
A lovely nose of violets and soft berries leads on this stylish Shiraz. On the palate, luscious berry, pepper and minerals mingle together with elegance. The finish is long and clean.
This is a classic red blend, with its lovely nose of pepper, spice and dark berry, and its clean, integrated spice and fruit character. Restrained but flavorful, it's a great go-to red for any meal.
With 75,000 cases of this wine now coming to the U.S., it has to be one of the more ubiquitous New Zealand offerings. Thankfully, the quality is very good, with ripe nectarine aromas and flavors touched by just a slight varietally correct grassiness. Long and mouthwatering on the finish.
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.
From selected, sunny parcels of vines, it's powered by its citrus and pear fruits along with an intensely mineral texture and supreme concentration. It's a Sancerre to keep, still young and gawky, best drunk from 2016.
Full-bodied and generously flavorful, this is shaped and accented by oak influences, but still governed by rich, enticing flavors of ripe plum, dark cherry, blackberry and cinnamon. It features great depth of flavor, breadth in the silky texture and length on the finish. Best now through 2020.
This structured Barolo is still closed but already displays its impressive Serralunga d'Alba pedigree. It delivers crushed black cherry flavors layered with licorice, black pepper, clove, alpine herbs and balsamic notes alongside assertive but noble tannins and brisk acidity. It's well balanced but needs time to develop complexity. Drink 2025–2045.
Underbrush, intense rose petal, rosemary, grilled herbs and red berry scents leap from the glass. Polished and almost pulsating with energy, the palate displays succulent red cherry, sage, leather, cinnamon and white pepper alongside supple tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink after 2020 for more complexity.
This exquisitely crafted model of balance offers lemon-bar meringue and baked pear on the nose before revealing a tightrope of minerality and lush concentration on the palate, weighted perfectly against each other. Fleshy and delicious, the wine has so much fine fruit to offer now it'd be shame to wait, yet it will clearly hold onto its beauty with age.
Rose, violet, red berry, mint, menthol and eucalyptus scents lead the nose. Even at this young stage the vibrant palate seamlessly weaves together juicy Morello cherry, wild strawberry, spice and balsamic sensations supported by firm, polished tannins. It already shows breeding and class, but give it time to develop fully. Drink after 2020.
This elegant wine is all about silky texture and balance. It delivers crushed flower, sour cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon and balsamic sensations alongside supple tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already accessible but is still young and promises to blossom into a Barolo with complexity and depth. Drink 2020–2040.
Cogno helped put the Novello village on the Barolo-lovers' map. This wine opens with fragrances of red and black berries, rose, baking spice and leather. The vibrant palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, mint, sage, thyme and cocoa accents alongside bracing tannins and nervous acidity. Drink after 2020.
A dense, wood-aged wine, it brings richness, intense fruit and acidity together. It's complex and concentrated, powerfully structured and full of yellow fruits as well as lemon juice, edged with toast. It's a wine for aging, so drink from 2018.
A richly rounded wine, impressively dense and powerful. Its ripe tropical and green fruits are integrating well with the toast from wood aging to give great swathes of complex fruit and structure. This is a wine for the long haul. Drink from 2017.
Juicy black cherry, tobacco, leather, underbrush, licorice, menthol, mint and balsamic notes all come together on this powerfully structured wine. The succulent, ripe fruit is supported by a solid tannic backbone. It's already delicious but it's still compact and brooding so give it time to unwind. Drink after 2020–2040.
Tart cherry flavor meets firm tannins and chalky texture in this robust, ripe and brawny red. Full bodied and richly concentrated, it holds its ripeness in check.
A somewhat flat baked jammy nose offers up a helping dose of oak spice. This feels chunky but largely healthy, while oaky minty flavors of berry fruits and plum show a tomato-like quality on a blocky finish.
This producer, based in the Tarn valley east of Cahors, has created a rounded, ripe and fruity wine. With some young tannins still in evidence, it is all about berry fruits and balanced acidity. The structure will soften over the next few months, so drink this attractively fruity wine from late 2017.
The name of the wine comes from the red rocks that make up the vineyard. It is fruity with ripe red-plum fruit and a generous tannic structure. With its youthful vigor, the wine is likely to develop further, although it is bright and fruity now.
Gritty tomatoey aromas suggest rustic but underripe fruit. On the palate, this delivers a mix of freshness combined with a medium-full body. A mix of herbal berries and wood-based spice notes finish grabby and warm.
This bottling from neutral barrels is reserved on the nose, showing dust, light red fruit and earth aromas. The flavors are equally light, evoking red mulberry fruit and turned earth. Clean and quaffable, but not very exciting.
Made from 100% Nero d'Avola, this offers ripe red berry and Mediterranean herb aromas. It's straightforward, with red cherry, raspberry and baking spice flavors, framed by smooth tannins. Drink soon.
Wiry, slightly grassy aromas of raspberry and plum come with a touch of oaky vanilla. This Malbec feels downright hard and choppy due to tough gritty tannins. Plum and berry flavors come in blips rather than a harmonious whole, and this tastes of lactic oak and rubber on the finish.
The plum, herb and spice aromas are followed by ever so slightly dried-out-seeming cherry flavors. There's enjoyment to be had, but it seems slightly more evolved than its age indicates.
Green and invigorating peppery tones accent this lemony Sauvignon Blanc. It's not a deeply complex penetrating wine but is vivaciously fresh through the finish.
Light aromas of mango, melon and lime are quiet but clean. This is a simple but fresh white with a crisp stony mouthfeel. Easygoing flavors of melon and apple finish with a note of lime as well as a hint of wheaty yeast.
Plump soft aromas of berry fruits, raisin and prune hint at ripeness. This feels dense and chewy, with integrated tannins. Saucy savory berry and plum flavors suggest tomato sauce, while this tastes lightly oaky and minty on the finish.
This offers Bartlett pear, citrus and of spring flower scents. The tangy palate shows yellow apple and lemon drop notes, with bright acidity that refreshes the ripe flavors.
This mature block-designated wine shows round blackberry flavors offset by leather and smoke. Full bodied, it's densely built and powerfully ripe.
Another impressive bargain-priced 2015 Sauvignon Blanc. Consumers looking for summer 2017 refreshment should grab some of this for its crisp flavors of pineapple, passion fruit and grapefruit. Drink now.
There's just not much here. The strawberry fruit is wispy thin, the acids tart, the tannins light, and the whole shebang shows only modest depth and grip.
Syrah makes up 39% of this wine, with the balance Mourvèdre (36%) and Grenache. Vanilla, dill and coconut aromas are followed by elegant dark-fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grit. There are some good things going on, but the oak is overwhelming.
Pressed apples and honey scent this slightly musky spicy off-dry Riesling. Delicate body and brisk acidity lends freshness on the midpalate, accentuating lingering notes of potpourri, tea leaves and dried orange peel. Drink now.
This Garnacha-Tempranillo blend opens with candied plum and berry aromas. On the palate, this feels sticky, jammy and a touch gummy. Plum and candied-berry flavors are ripe and fun, but rudimentary. A mild finish confirms that this is good but basic stuff.
Green pear and flinty smoke announce a clean, mineral and linear palate. Slender and poised, it wins you over with a softer, textural core. It refreshes and soothes in equal measure and echoes with satisfying length.
Aging in large casks gives this wine structure without adding invasive wood sensations. It's loaded with white flower, mature Bartlett pear, tart green apple, mineral and finesse. The creamy palate is energized by crisp acidity.
Green pear peel and citrus zest promise refreshment, framed on a linear, focused palate with lots of citrus precision. Invigorating and clean-cut, this will shine on a hot day.
The wine is closed and dense, with dark tannins as well as smooth caramel flavors from wood aging. It reveals concentration, black fruits and rich, exuberant potential. Drink from 2016.
An opulently ripe, wood-aged wine that's both fruity and textured. It has weight, richness, a lightly mineral texture with crisp apple and green plum flavors. Give this attractive while serious wine until the end of 2014.
Very fresh green pear notes are joined by riper notions of passion fruit. These linger on the palate where peppery phenolics add structure and depth.
Slender zippiness supports fresh lemon and white pepper notes on this tight, light-footed and linear white.
A subtle mix of pear and pepper plays on the nose. A seam of clean, fresh acidity leads to a concentrated, peppery palate where zestiness reigns, made more interesting by the aromatic pungence of lovage and arugula.
There are powerful tannins at work here. The wine has structure, a solid and firm texture and strong black currant flavors. It's still young, showing a dry, mineral edge that will need to warm up before it's ready. Drink from 2017.
Definitely dry, this wine conveys precise rose petal, lychee fruit and Gravenstein apple aromas and flavors and a lively texture. Because it's rich in body, flavors linger on the finish. It will make a great apéritif with such appetizers as goat cheese toasts and roasted almonds.
Petite Sirah has a long history in Livermore Valley and the Del Arroyo Vineyard from which this wine hails is planted to the heritage Concannon clone. Restrained and spicy, it offers velvety blackberry and raspberry fruit and a lingering tropical aroma, encased with a morsel of dark chocolate. With well-managed tannins, the wine begs to be set on the table alongside peppery steaks.
This vibrant Pinot Grigio opens with aromas of white flowers and white tree fruit. The round palate offers mature pear and green apple alongside bright acidity but the structure doesn't fully support the evident alcohol.
Funky flowers and dandelion fringe the citrus core of this rounded but precise Riesling. They hint at a ripe core of stone fruit that vies for attention with zesty acidity.
Anderson Valley has always been a hospitable home to Pinot Gris and this 100% tank-fermented, no-malolactic-fermentation beauty is fragrant in orange blossom and honeysuckle, a tangible streak of wet stone zipping throughout. Steely, it settles into apricot and guava before ending with another bite of acidity. A perfect sipping wine, it's also ready for oysters.
A whiff of orange blossoms accents bright Meyer lemon and quince flavors on this zesty, invigorating wine. Off-dry in style, it's unabashedly fruity yet wraps up elegantly with a murmur of lime-skin astringency.
Very little of this reserve was produced in 2011. A blend from five vineyards, it spent 10 months in 43% new oak. Firm and a bit steely, it has tight dark fruits anchored in a streak of earth and iron. Give it a few more years in the bottle, or decant if drinking it soon.
Bright in cherry and cranberry, this classically styled Nebbiolo is light red in color and buoyant in acidity. A sanguine back layer brings the earthier elements of the wine to life. With not much Nebbiolo to try in California, this one is worth a taste to savor the possibilities.
Green pear peel and flesh dominate nose and palate and make for a fruit-driven, slender but concentrated white. The melting texture is an added bonus.
This is a toasty, tasty, forward and easy-drinking Pinot Noir. Flavors of black cherry soda, cola and light toast are front and center, and the finish comes on clean and refreshing.
Intense aromas of white and yellow roses and tropical fruit dominate the nose on this full-bodied wine. The rich, round palate is loaded with ripe tropical fruit, apricot, yellow peach, honey and candied ginger alongside the warmth of alcohol.
Juicy and soft, this Zin is all about exuberant red fruit and restrained tannins. Full-bodied it also offers elegance with complex highlights of leather, cedar and peppery spice. Enjoy with plenty of pizza and pasta on hand.
This creamy and delicious blend of 80% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre truly outperforms all its parts. It offers high tones of red fruit, earthy licorice and tamed tobacco. Medium in body with well-behaved tannins, it has a dusty finish that's very appealing.
The best red Fusion in memory, this wine combines 60% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel and 3% Alicante Bouschet into a leathery, brambly package of big-boned intensity rich in blue and black fruit. Cherry and chocolate intermingle in pleasing ways, a hearty wine for the table, especially alongside Liberty duck.
This smooth, rich and ripe wine conveys a strong feeling of power. Weight and concentration from black plum fruit and dark tannins are freshened by acidity. Solidly textured, this big, beefy number will be ready to drink by the end of 2015.
Packaged in a sexy, Champagne-style bottle, this 100% Grenache is firm and substantial. It underscores fruit flavors of peach, apricot and melon with appealing minerality.
Concentrated black cherry, exotic incense, blue flower, vanilla and white pepper jump out of the glass after pouring this structured wine. The delicious palate is balanced by fresh acidity and silky tannins. Drink now through 2021.
This elegant expression of the Nerello Mascalese grape grown on the slopes of Mount Etna has a lovely fragrance of blue flower, berry and spice. The polished palate offers flavors of wild cherry, crushed strawberry, mint, cinnamon and vanilla alongside fresh acidity. Energizing mineral signals the close.
Less flamboyant than the 2010, this is still an excellent wine. It's full bodied, rich and broad on the palate, delivering layers of honeyed apricot and citrus that finish warm, with a hint of caramel. Drink it over the next couple of years.
Crisp acidity and citrus fruitiness combine with a riper, textured character. The wine shows the strong minerality inherent in whites from Pernand-Vergelesses, as well as a richer streak. Because of its structure, it should age. Drink from 2016.
Here's an excellent example of a dry Zinfandel that doesn't need to drink like a Port in terms of its balance. The aromas are subtle, suggesting blackberries, but the flavors go deep into more blackberries, ripe red cherries and Santa Rosa plums accented with just a dash of cinnamon-like oak. This is full-bodied yet deceptively smooth and elegant in texture.
Lemon butter, apple pie crust and hazelnut are first to the aroma party on this carefully crafted Jackson family offering from a vineyard about 400 feet up in limestone-dotted soils. On the palate, strong but integrated acidity carries the myriad citrus, apple and spice flavors to completion.
Previously from all Seven Hills vineyard grapes, this estate bottling now sources almost half its grapes from the high-altitude, mineral-driven Ferguson vineyard. Peppery spices elevate the nose, leading into a young, tight wine with compact cranberry and strawberry fruit. The depth and minerality are exceptional.
Fruity and ripe, it also presents a fresh feel that cuts through the jammy red fruits and gives an edge to the weight and velvet texture. It's almost ready to drink but will be better from 2015.
Lightly roasted and stalky on the nose, this shows dry aromas of cherry and raspberry along with earthy spice notes. The palate offers proper balance and nothing complicated. Flavors of oak-driven spice, cinnamon and pepper accent earthy plum and berry, while the finish is smooth but a touch hot. Drink through 2017.
This bold Aglianico opens with earthy sensations of tilled soil, leather, mature black plum and vanilla. The dense palate is loaded with blueberry extract, fig and ripe blackberry flavors that are layered with mocha, chocolate and vanilla. Drink now through 2022.
This was the first vineyard bought by the Bouchard family, purchased in 1791. More than 220 years later, this 2011 has a delicate touch of wood nestled in the heart of creamy fruit flavors. Crisp lemon and tight acidity give a bright, fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
Kathie Lee Gifford teams with Monterey County's Scheid Vineyards for this wine, which features 42% Merlot, 25% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot. There's a mix of iron, coffee and crushed, dried violet on the Old World-leaning nose. The herbal elegance continues on the palate, with dried oregano seasoning the dark black and blue fruit elements.
From granite soil, this rounded wine has a firm core of structure. Pineapple and peach fruit flavors surround this center, making it full in the mouth, rich and charming. Acidity at the end and the firm texture promise some aging. Drink from 2015.
This big-boned Cabernet tastes rich, complex and inviting. It combines cinnamon and cedar aromas, ripe blackberry and cherry flavors and a firm, tannic texture that will love a grilled lamb chop or similar flavorful fare. Concannon ages the reserve lots for at least 18 months in French oak barrels. Best from 2015–2020.
The chalky soil conveys a cool feeling to this wine. Tight and mineral, it has yellow fruits that show good acidity. Toasty wood gives a juicy aftertaste. It's already delicious, but the wine's cool character will develop further, so drink from 2016.
This well-proportioned wine has ripe fruits along with generous texture and acidity. A touch of wood gives extra weight. It's ready to drink, but will be even better by the end of 2014.
Full bodied yet still fresh and vibrant, this is a blend of 30% each Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Viognier, plus 10% Clairette. Hints of lemon curd impart a lovely texture, while the aromas and flavors lean toward pineapple, melon and citrus. Drink now.
Here's a poised and structured wine that offers fragrances of jasmine, acacia, Spanish broom and flint. Creamy peach, citrus and honeydew carry the palate, along with energizing mineral notes. It's fresh and well-balanced, with crisp acidity.
This tiny Oregon winery sourced Yakima Valley fruit for this wine. Though many West Coast producers take a stab at this Italian grape, most settle for a faux “Super Tuscan,” highly oaked style. This is closer to Chianti Classico, with strawberry and cherry fruit, good acidity and light herbal highlights.
Scents of peach and melon are layered with deep mineral tones on this gorgeously aromatic Riesling. The palate is lavish, with stone fruit and blossom flavors, yet it's steely and dry, with a waxy richness that lends volume and power to the finish. This is elegance epitomized.
Toast, espresso, mocha, plum and leather aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The palate offers bracing tannins and succulent Morello cherry and cassis layered with notes of chocolate, licorice, mint and vanilla. Drink after 2018.
This bottling, sourced from the popular Tondre's Grapefield, is imbued with the scents and tastes of passionfruit. Fleeting spearmint and picked pear characters also arise on the nose, while apple tart flavors emerge midpalate. But passionfruit rules the day, and that's not a bad thing at all.
From a group of estates that has properties in the Douro, Lisboa and Beira, this wine is finely structured and richly textured. It has layers of tannins supporting its dense berry fruit. With its juicy acidity and black currant flavor, it's likely to age further. Drink from 2018.
This blend of 44% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc makes a strong case for growing Bordeaux varieties in Malibu. Deep and round black currant, Concord grape and wisteria aromas lead into a palate of similar flavors laced with chalky tannins and a buoyant acidity.
Wet river rock and struck flint notes accentuate the sharp, tangy vitality of this razor-edged Kabinett. Zesty white grapefruit, lime and tangerine flavors penetrate deeply on the midpalate, finishing long but lean. It drinks beautifully already but should hold well through 2022.
Aromas suggesting truffle, crushed herb, prune and pressed blue flower slowly take shape on this elegantly structured red. The bright palate is firm and linear, offering Marasca cherry, cocoa and clove set against fine-grained, polished tannins and fresh acidity.
Delicious peach and pear flavors light up this full-bodied, soft and well-rounded wine. It has fresh floral aromas and nicely ripe fruit notes on the palate, with a smooth, graceful texture and beautiful, lingering finish.
Black plum, mulberry and dark clove spice show on the nose of this blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. On the palate, star anise, marjoram and gingerbread spice notes lend depth to the dark red fruit base.
Beautifully oaked, this youthful, robustly expressive wine is lemony and salty, offering a high-toned minerality that plays out as stony texture. Pear and marzipan flavors dominate, accented by vanilla and nutmeg.
Caramel apple and toffee tones introduce this wine's inherent luxuriousness and richness, its intensity particularly pronounced on the nose. Vanilla crème brûlée flavors are layered with anise as the finish finds its balance.
This under-$30 wine is perfect for either a weeknight dinner or special event. Round blackberry and black currant fruit pairs with fresh floral and forest floor notes on the nose. Dried black fruit shows on the palate, where concentrated coffee, dill, tar and crushed slate flavors cut through plum skin tang.
Sourced from the lieu dits of Le Méal and Les Greffieux, this is a sturdy, tannic rendering of Hermitage. It's smoky, meaty and cedary upfront, with blackberry fruit and plenty of savory notes that linger through the drying finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This superrich and toasty Chard abounds in aromas of wood-grilled apple, toasted oak, lemon curd, hazelnut and sweet spice. The medium-weight palate follow through with more of the same—loads of oaky, toasty goodness and a vibrant baking-spice character. Drink now–2019.
Full bodied and rich, this is a big, toasty example of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grilled mango notes lead the way, with vanilla and toast framing tropical and stone fruit on the long, oak-lined finish.
The Grand Veneur white relies on a somewhat unusual blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Clairette to yield a svelte, medium-bodied wine. Delicate aromas of pencil shavings and pear lead into a palate boasting pear, melon and tangerine flavors. There's just enough citrusy zest to prolong the finish. Drink now–2020.
This sparkling Pinot Noir is a surprisingly sophisticated find for its reasonable price tag. It's perfumed and fresh, offering delicate cherry blossom and red apple notes, intensified by a dusty mineral complexity. Zesty acidity and fine, persistent bubbles linger through a long, floral finish. Drink now through 2021.
Bright and fresh, this offers upfront lemongrass, fynbos and fresh herb notes that are supported by a core of gooseberry, white peach and apple. The lightweight body is crisp and refreshing, with a finish that evolves from tart citrus flavors to notes of hay and subtle stony nuance. It's enjoyable now, but should show best from 2018–2021.
Slightly grassy herbal-leaning plum and berry aromas include a note of pencil shavings. This feels solid and not too heavy. Roasted berry and cassis flavors don't vary or evolve in front of a slightly reedy tasting finish. Drink this maturing, middle-aged Malbec through 2019.
Bright tangerine and honey notes intensify from nose to palate on this zesty dry Riesling. While light-footed and spry, it's a racy citrusy wine with persistence and presence. It's dry through the finish, but marked by a lingering kiss of honey.
With 18 months in French and American oak, this wine is structured with concentrated tannins under its bright, juicy blackberry fruit. Still young and brightly acidic, it's drinkable now but will be better from 2019.
This limited edition wine from Passarella's original vineyard is wood-fermented, bringing out a creamy texture and the natural richness of the fruit. It's deliciously rich, laced with spiced apple and white stone fruit flavors, and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Aromas of toasted oak, espresso, underbrush and a balsamic note take shape in the glass. The fresh firm palate shows dried sour cherry, cranberry, roasted coffee bean and a hint of star anise set against close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
The aromas bring notes of milk chocolate, spice and red fruit, along with high-toned vanilla accents. The fruit and barrel flavors are plush and full, while still showing a lovely sense of balance.
You'll find aromas suggesting underbrush, scorched earth, truffle, grilled herb and a balsamic note on this robust red. The brawny palate evokes dried black cherry, prune, licorice and tobacco alongside chewy tannins and the heat of evident alcohol. Let the muscular tannins unwind for a few more years then drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.
This vineyard designate offers mountain-grown characteristics like sage, dried herb and graphite. Full-bodied and built to age, it also shows earthy mushroom underpinnings that recall its forest-like aromas.
A fine blend with 60% Tannat that has been softened and filled out by Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon. It still does have a firm tannic core although this is surrounded by ripe black fruits and acidity. It has all its bright fruit and so could age further, although it is now ready to drink.
Aromas of black cherry and white chocolate lead the way for flavors of raspberry, vanilla, espresso and sage. This well-constructed wine offers silky tannins and a soft pleasing finish.
While this wine does not age in wood, it does age on its lees, giving it a rich, creamy texture. It's smooth, full and soft, its apricot and peach flavors showing ripeness and openness. Drink from 2018.
Made predominantly with Chardonnay, this opens with aromas of lemon zest, acacia honey and a toasted note. The lively elegant palate offers yellow apple, apricot, vanilla and a touch of baking spice. It's well balanced, with bright acidity.
Aromas of apple and hay are slightly oily but nice. Bright acidity renders this fresh and not too chunky, while flavors of dry oak, melon and salted apple finish steady, with a hint of lemon. If you are interested in barrel-fermented Verdejo, this is a good place to start.
An earthy heavily oaked nose includes jammy notes of spiced black plum. A thick beefy chewy palate delivers savory herbal black-fruit flavors. A blocky finish is tannic, and overall the sum is about equal to its parts. Drink through 2021.
Dry spice and wild herb aromas are prickly and blend into larger plum notes. The palate is snappy and choppy, with oaky cream, berry and spice flavors. Finishes dry and woody, with mild tannic bite. Good but regular.
This mature example of Costières de Nîmes should be consumed over the next six months or so for its appealing savory characters of leather and dried fruit. It's medium bodied, with a silky finish that should make it easy to pair with anything from chicken to lamb.
Rubber and leather aromas create a slightly mulchy bouquet. The palate is snappy and acidic, with earthy, leafy red-fruit flavors. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a touch of oak-related vanilla. Standard fare.
Prune and metallic aromas are not fully integrated and fresh but improve with airing. The palate is heavy and tannic, a touch abrasive in feel, with big berry flavors that hammer away due to fierce tannins. Comes on big with berry fruit but always feels rough.
Light fruit flavors of watermelon and strawberry, along with some thin black cherry and cola flavors are what you'll find here. This is pleasant and drinkable, but not a wine to cellar or match with any really spicy foods. A good quaffer.
Sharp, tannic, and showing some burn in the finish, this brings mixed berry fruit with a wash of mocha. The tannins are astringent and seem to cut the fruit short.
Crisp, clean and fruit-driven, with apple and citrus notes. It's middle-of-the-road as far as weight. The pineapple-like flavors are simple but refreshing. A blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Clairette.
An ordinary effort, with tart fruit just approaching ripeness. Sour cherries fade quickly into a thin finish.
This opens green and herbal, with a disconnected mix of unripe and grapy fruit flavors. The new barrel aging brings toast and butter, but behind that the wine is still disjointed and the fruit flavors all up front.
Although dense on the palate with concentrated black fruit flavors and a touch of mocha, there's a green streak to the nose of this Cab. The mouth is round and fleshy with a short but clean finish.
A touch stemmy on the nose, with herbal aromas and a hint of brine. Round on the palate, with a good mouthfeel and herbal berry flavors. Shows bounce and heat on the finish, but also a final note of green.
The first aromas suggest tomato leaf and tobacco, which are followed by richer, more syrupy raisin and cassis. The palate holds onto that heavy character, giving raisin, prune and tobacco flavors. Stewy and sweet as a whole.
Tropical fruit, air freshener and bath soap aromas lead to a candied, sticky palate with a mix of sweet flavors that include papaya, powdered sugar and mango. The finish is confected and soft.
Shy and neutral on the nose except for a touch of apple. The palate is hollow and citric, with racy lime flavors that end tangy. This is short on substance and offers minimal character.
Marginally better than the regular Chardonnay, this offers thin flavors of sour apple in a wash of acidity.
This is flat, oily and waxy on the nose, which indicates that this 2010 offering is past its prime. Melony flavors are soft and bready, and the feel is flabby and on its way to expiring.
Any aroma is virtually undetectable. The palate is thin and sour, with little in the way of fruit.
This is minty and light, with a soft texture and red cherry tones. The finish turns overtly earthy, even barnyard-like.
From every angle this wine is sharp, raspy and brambly. The mouthfeel is scratchy, while the flavors waver between being burnt and stalky to being shrill and sour. Char and compost elements bring down the finish.
The nose is bland, becoming vegetal and dull on the palate, with green bean and bell pepper flavors that are more normal for underripe Sauvignon Blanc than Chardonnay. This finishes pithy and green.
This wine is made from fruit that was sourced from very close to the Pacific Ocean. As a result, it's ultragreen and vegetal on the nose, with a palate that bears high acid and a flavor of citrus extract, plus touches of beans and peas.
This Lodi wine has a whirl of smoky, oaky flavors, plus a not entirely pleasant green tinge to its finish.
This is raw, sour, tangy and loaded with juniper and pine notes.
Very fresh and very fruity, this wine gushes blueberry aromas and dark cherry flavors in a fun way that makes it easy to sip or even gulp. It's light on tannins and acidity, so it feels smooth but has a slightly gripping texture.
This rounded, likable wine is integrated in oak and offers aromas of clarified butter, its fruitiness more tropical and stone fruit-driven than anything else. Concentrated, it finishes with simplicity.
Made with 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 10% Merlot and 5% Colorino, this has subdued aromas suggesting black-skinned fruit and a hint of cinnamon. The straightforward palate offers ripe black plum, clove and a touch of vanilla alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This opens with aromas of underbrush and black-skinned fruit while the straightforward palate delivers prune and cooking spice notes. Chewy tannins provide support. Drink soon.
This wine is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aromas of blue fruit, plum and green herb lead to dry, slightly astringent fruit flavors, with lemon twist notes on the finish.
Jammy berry aromas are woody and horsey. This feels extracted and full, while dark, roasted berry flavors finish long and toasty but with a resiny oak flavor that suggests plastic. This has its good elements but it's overoaked.
Buttercup and white-flower aromas are true to Viognier. This feels a bit thick and viscous, while ripe melony flavors come with powdered sugar and pastry notes. This is plump, easygoing and tastes tropical and sweet on the finish.
Block 8 is pure Wädenswil clone. This is exceptionally aromatic, with bramble and underbrush prominent. Light strawberry fruit comes up with hints of sassafras and drying tannins. It's an interesting component but would be even better in a blend.
All stainless steel fermented, and showing a bit more alcohol than the companion reserve, this carries similar flavors of cantaloupe, pear and peach. The core is smooth and rounded off, with just a hint of flesh and herb.
New leather, moist soil, tobacco, coconut and balsamic aromas emerge on this medium-bodied red. The palate is rather lean, evoking prune, dried cherry and a hint of star anise alongside bright acidity and fleeting tannins.
This opens with aromas of red plum and baking spice while the straightforward palate delivers black cherry, clove and a tobacco note. Firm tannins give the finish grip.
Clean Slate offers forward, fresh grapefruit and lemon flavors with just a hint of smoke in this off-dry Riesling. It's a straightforward yet consistently elegant wine for everyday enjoyment.
Single-vineyard Rieslings are rare in the state, especially dry ones. This one offers aromas of green apple and lime zest that lead to dry citrus filled flavors.
Flat and mildly spicy, this is a light-bodied, fleshy red that offers moderately ripe layers of cherry, raspberry and vanilla.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, baking spice and tilled soil lead the nose on this straightforward wine. The juicy palate delivers red plum, clove and a touch of cinnamon alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit and a whiff of baking spice while the round palate shows black plum, clove and a hint of sage. Pliant tannins provide easygoing support. Enjoy soon.
This opens with delicate aromas of black-skinned berry, dark spice and cinnamon. The straightforward palate offers juicy black cherry, clove and a hint of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This simple wine has juicy blueberry and baked cherry flavors at its core, a lushness on the palate that is supported by firm tannins and oak.
A bit obviously pungent and sweaty, this passion fruit-scented wine is direct and to the point, marrying medium body with a tangy, mouthwatering finish. If you enjoy slightly feral citrus notes, you may rate it higher.
Sweet cantaloupe and yellow apple flavors lend a plump, voluptuous feel to this sweet Riesling. Soft acidity accentuates its broadness on the palate. The finish lingers on a sunny tropical note. Drink now.
Blueberry tops a hefty and robust foundation of vanilla syrup in this ripe wine, dusty in tannin and weighty on the long, oaky finish.
This Sauvignon Blanc looks only slightly more colorful than a glass of water. On the nose, it's crisp and green, while sharp acidity matched against a light body makes for a lean palate. Crisp salty citric flavors finish tight and linear.
Hints of caramelized sugar and dried raspberries abound from nose to finish in this Pinot Noir vinified like a white wine. Dry on the palate, its rounded texture is augmented by soft, yielding acidity. Drink now.
Aromas of fresh herbs, kiwi and pineapple are followed by off-dry tropical-fruit flavors that trail toward the finish.
Cheesy aromas of leather, licorice and black fruits filter into a jagged, fiercely tannic palate. Flavors of tea, black plum, stewed berry and herbs finish with a big residual tannic bite.
This is an orange wine, fermented in open tanks. Flavors of oranges and dried fruits are shot through with acidity. The wine has a tight texture as well as spice and hints of its wood aging. Drink from 2017.
Pickled, briny aromas of canned vegetables are common for this wine and Casa Marin. On the palate, high acidity sticks out and lends an iron grip to this original coastal SB. A mix of citrus and vegetal flavors include notes of pumpkin and pickled beans.
Aged for four months in wood, this is a spicy wine that has ripe red berry fruits and dark color from the Alicante Bouschet in the blend. Rich and full, it is a warm wine, ready for winter drinking.
A fierce nose displays strong notes of pyrazines, making this more love-it-or-leave-it than mainstream. Chunky on the palate, with a bit of flabby weight, it tastes of briny citrus, jalapeño and bell pepper. This is within the norms for Chilean SB, but it might be too green and bitter for some palates.
The wine has a tannic edge that suggests it is still young. Underneath there is some attractive red-berry fruit and acidity. It just needs a few more months to fill out, so drink from 2017.
This is a bright, lively blend of Ugni Blanc and Colombard. It has tangy acidity and a refreshing lemon-peel texture. With its herbal green-fruit character and refreshing aftertaste it is ready to drink now.
There is no hint of wood in this fruity, lightly tannic wine. It has black-currant fruit, just a touch of dryness and juicy acidity. It's a simple, delicious wine that is ready to drink now.
This is a rich style of rosé with caramel as well as red-fruit flavors. It has enough acidity to carry its ripe character, giving the wine a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Although labeled as Viognier, the wine also has a small amount of Chardonnay. But it is the perfumed Viognier, with its yellow-fruit flavor, that dominates and gives a rich, spicy and generous texture. Drink now.
Black cherry, crushed rocks and light tarragon aromas hit the nose on this bottling that is perfect for everyday sipping. Tingling acidity unveils black cherry roll-up flavors and a touch of mocha foam.
Freshly-pressed apples and pears are accented by hints of bramble and earth in this slightly savory dry Riesling. Zesty lemon-lime acidity adds brightness to a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2019.
Pineapple and sugar-cookie notes waft sweetly from the nose of this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Dense and mouth-filling, it's a bit brawny in structure, but refreshing grapefruit acidity and subtly sweet honey tones lend brightness. A hint of bramble lingers on the finish.
This is an aromatic blend of Colombard, Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh, crisp and fruity, it is the ideal apéritif wine with its mineral texture and bright acidity. It is a lively wine, with just a hint of yellow fruit to go with the intense citrus. Drink now.
Tart citrus fruit and earthy aspects unite in a taut, bright clean palate with a very clean-cut, dry finish.
Tar, baked blackberry and dusty, smoked oak define this full-bodied, 100% varietal wine that was aged in French oak, 85% of it new. The wood provides depth and breadth around velvety layers of juicy black-cherry pie and vanilla.
The scent of fresh, bruised and baked apples makes for an enticing nose on this wine. Fresh and lively with lemon, the palate has a broader aspect than expected, with some graininess on the midpalate. It finishes dry and fresh.
Dry peppery currant and red-plum aromas are light and nothing you haven't come across before. Plum flavors are a touch baked, with a chocolaty backdrop. A solid finish with savory, spicy plum notes is satisfying.
Generic but solid aromas of cassis and rubber lead to a basic palate with plum, currant, spice and herbal flavors. Drying tannins, a touch of toast and good overall balance define the finish.
Pretty whiffs of tangerine and blossom are accented by savory notes of bramble and dust on this late-harvest wine. It's a quiet, light-footed wine but piercing shards of sweet-tart orange and pineapple brighten the midpalate. It finishes crisp and brisk.
Dry, earthy, spicy aromas of currant and red plum lead to a palate that's high in acidity and almost scouring. Tart, borderline sour plum and currant flavors finish crisp but stripped.
Delicate scents of iris, wild berry and a whiff of menthol lead the nose. The lean, rather diluted palate offers suggestions of sour cherry, chopped sage and a light peppery note alongside zesty acidity.
There's menthol on the nose of this light-bodied, unfussy red, memorable for its big, drying tannin and oak. Savory fruit is accompanied by a taste of soy.
An attractively perfumed wine, it is lively with bright acidity, yello fruits and crisp citrus. Drink now.
A warm, sunny blend of local grapes, this is ripe while still having a fresh, fruity character. The acidity at the end reinforces this contrast between richness and crispness. Drink now.
A blend of Austrian red varieties, this is soft, light and fruity. It has flavors of red fruit and spice from wood aging. With its attractive acidity, this is ready to drink. Screwcap.
A candied nose introduces light fruit and there's and impression of some residual sugar on the finish. With extra breathing time tobacco and vanilla notes emerge, but the fruit is ephemeral.
Round and soft, this is immediately drinkable. Its acidity and green fruit flavors are well balanced; the wine dances easily on the palate. Screwcap.
A soft wine, with just a touch of sweetness. The ripe fruit lends a gentle, smooth texture, and it's balanced with attractive red-currant acidity.
This is bulky on the nose, with meaty, rubbery aromas. It feels more snappy and acidic on the tongue, with zesty acids pushing tomato, red plum and herb flavors. Long and steady on the finish, with additional tomato-based tang.
Hickory smoke and rubber band aromas control the nose. It feels stretched and acidic, with zesty plum and raspberry flavors. Oaky vanilla and creamy flavors surface, which lead to a long but undistinguished finish.
Subtle and sweet on the nose, it has aromas of honey, peach and melon. Standard nettle, gooseberry and slightly-mealy citrus flavors mark the palate. This finishes chunky yet easygoing. Drink immediately.
Very sweet on the nose, this has aromas of prune, raisin and nutmeg. It feels surprisingly acidic given the sweet-leaning aromas, with full tannins and berry and smoky oak flavors. The finish is tasty and long.
Savory on the nose and palate, with a slightly dusty apple note that lingers amidst whiffs of vanilla, spice, potpourri and sweet cream. Big in body and alcohol.
Red in color, with sweet aromas of sugar beet, Red Delicious apple and cherry. It feels zesty, with simple flavors of red fruit and red apple. The finish is dry and a touch peppery. Drink immediately while it's fresh.
Stretched and woody on the nose, with not much fruit. It feels wide, grabby and tannic, with leathery, herbal berry flavors. Grabby on the finish, this is still quite tannic and a bit tough on the palate.
A Riesling that's quite sweet, its best feature is its perfumed, flowery nose. It's tropical flavors come off as slightly too sweet, so try pairing it with a simple pear tart.
Flavors of cracker and toast accompany light raspberry fruit. The wine is a bit unbalanced, and it falls a little flat on the finish.
Simple and fruity, this has tangy a tangy raspberry flavor. It's light and zesty, with a fine, fresh aftertaste.
Soft and lightly fruity, this has an underlying chalkiness. That chalky sensation runs across the palate and seems to mute the other flavors, such as herb, which are on the light side.
This is tightly crisp, with plenty of acidity to give it a mouthwatering character. It is balanced, with orange and caramel flavors. Great with food. Screwcap.
Savory on the nose and palate, with persistent dill, coconut and vanilla notes, there's an abundance of American oak on this wine. Medium bodied, this is creamy and oaky on the palate, with a slightly-bitter herb finish.
This is soft and rich, with a light and smooth textured. It has red fruit, light acidity and a rounded aftertaste.
A ripe style of wine, typified by its caramel element and full, spicy fruit. With its weight, it should pair well with food.
In perfect proportion, this estate-grown, biodynamically farmed wine brings a sweet-tart fruit intensity to bear. Citrusy flavors of pith and skin are skillfully wedded to ripe, substantial apricot and melon fruit, with none of the bitterness this grape can sometimes display. The purity is impressive.
Mistral is 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, aged two years in 20% new French oak. A pleasing hint of funk envelops the ripe purple berry and cassis fruit. Savory herb and pepper highlights come into play, and the long, smooth finish shows clean earth and a pat of butter.
Add Jaxon to the growing list of Southern Oregon wineries making exceptional Tempranillo. Plump and polished fruit flavors emphasize huckleberry, plum and black cherry. The aging for 21 months in French oak (one new barrel out of six) adds nuances of toasted walnuts, smoke and butterscotch. This is one of those surprising bottles that you just can't stop hitting on.
Some whole-bunch fermentation is reflected in a vegetal hint on the nose, but otherwise this is a fruit-driven youngster, bursting with lively red berries. Hints of toasted coconut, vanilla and mocha from French oak add complexity to this medium-bodied, supple wine. The tannins firm up on the finish, suggesting mid-term cellaring; drink 2017–2023.
Though not indicated on the label, this is sourced from a single vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Cool-site flavors abound, from the lemony fruit to the snappy acidity. The wine did not go through secondary malolactic fermentation, yet shows a tasty streak of butterscotch running through its core.
Dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, Key lime pith and a petrol character. The palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.
Impressive and dense, this wine has a dark structure, firm tannins as well as fruit. Flavors of spice and smokiness are lifted by the red-berry flavors and acidity. The wine is still young, needing more time, so drink from 2016.
Floral strawberry notes subtly perfume the nose on this taut and creamily fizzy sparkling brut. The slender, light-footed palate is enriched with some of that broader Pinot-structure and slips down rather easily. This makes for a classy, grown-up apéritif—its dryness lets the fruit and structure speak, offering an echo of beautiful floral overtones.
As the producer's first 100% Syrah, this impressive wine shows the vibrancy of cool-climate influence in distinct notes of saddle leather and white pepper on the nose. Integrated in oak and smooth on the palate, it takes time to come around in floral raspberry.
Reddish-pink and orange in color, this wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes works on every level, offering a taste of pomegranate and fresh-squeeed orange that keeps it dry and refreshing as it goes down. Given no time in new oak, it exhibits watermelon and cherry on the finish.
Earthy and ripe, this midnight-black Cab opens with ripe aromas of prune, tobacco and oak-related coconut. A tannic, resiny palate deals rich, heady flavors of mocha, blackberry and coconut, while an oak-dominated finish heaps on a final dose of coconut along with hard tannins. Drink through 2021.
This smooth, tasty, very well-balanced wine glides over the palate and tastes like Bing cherry spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fresh acidity and fine, firm tannins support the flavors well and keep the wine appetizing and mouthwatering, even in the aftertaste.
Black cherry, clove, allspice and fresh hibiscus make for an enticing nose on this wine by the longtime Russian River Valley producer. Rose petals, cranberry juice, dried oregano and more hibiscus together for a bountiful palate.
Named after the street where the winery stands, this is jammy and ripe while also structured with some firm tannins. Rich and juicy red-berry fruits have both crisp acidity and a dense texture. It should be drunk from 2017.
Butter, sea salt, hard caramel candy, pan-seared white peach and poached apple aromas show on the nose on this wine by veteran Bryan Babcock. Once sipped, the wine tightens around a citrus pith, showing yogurt, iodine and lots of acidic energy, as well as more seared pome fruit on the finish.
With only 50 cases made, this offering is completely stainless-steel fermented, providing a wealth of acidity and clarity. From Rued clone vines planted more than 40 years ago, it's twined in white flower and lemon rind, finishing with a slight suggestion of tarte Tatin.
Made from a majority of Roussanne, the remainder 15% Viognier, this is a savory and herbal white, aromatic in lemon and honey. Dry, with medium-bodied weight, it veers into almond and chamomile flavors, blending seamlessly on the palate before finishing smooth and fresh.
The texture of this wine is dense and concentrated while keeping the fresh fruit and acidity well in balance. It has ripe blackberry flavors that offer great fruitiness. The firm background of tannin structure is balanced by a juicy, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
Heady scents of jasmine, wisteria, white peach and mountain herbs come together on this rich but racy wine. The aromas carry over to the palate of green apple, lime and a note of candied ginger offset by racy acidity and a refined mousse. The finish is clean and refreshing, and drier than one would expect from the Extra Dry category.
Horsey berry aromas join forces with molasses, vanilla and graphite. Ripped with power, this Malbec's tartaric acidity is amplified and scratchy. Baked plum, blackberry and vanilla flavors end with abrasive residual acidity that creates length but also edginess. Drink through 2021.
Lots of dynamics play on the nose of this wine, from chamomile flowers and daffodils to chalk, pink lemonade, cotton candy and tropical fruits. The palate is framed by a tense minerality, seasoned with flavors of lemonade, browned butter and guava.
Punchy yet secure aromas of apple, pear, grass and green herbs are expansive. A forward, layered, sensuous palate delivers yeasty, toasty apple and pear flavors. On the finish, softness, depth and richness share space alongside acidity and length. Drink through 2019.
Light, airy and leesy on the nose, this is more complex than most everyday Albariños. Additional aromas of vanilla wafer, acacia, honeydew and minerals lead to a clean-flowing palate. Minerally peach and nectarine flavors show a touch of almond-skin bitterness on the finish.
Ripe, fleshy black-fruit aromas suggest prune and raisin, while the palate is jammy and full, albeit one notch below precise and exact. Baked, oaky, charred flavors of meaty plum and blackberry finish with toasty overtones and modest heat. Drink through 2019.
A hulking, concentrated and full-bodied wine, given plenty of time in new French oak, it has a power and intensity that's hard to decipher at first sip. That suggests it needs time in the cellar to coax out its tightly wound layers of blackberry, black plum and leathery tannins. Cellar through 2020.
This is a muscular, full-bodied wine showing a nice mix of savory and fruity flavors. A fantastic lively texture of firm acidity and fine tannins come with a lip-smacking freshness that's hard to ignore. The balance and complexity are very attractive and promise versatility with a wide variety of foods.
Cabernet Franc (84%) takes the lead with the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. It offers a complex assortment of herbs, including thyme and sage, along with floral notes, blackberry and anise. It's restrained yet fully flavored with a captivating feel and firm, fine-grained tannins. A complete dazzler that will only improve with some additional time in the cellar. Best from 2014 on.
This blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc and 18% Merlot offers complex, alluring aromas of dried herbs, flowers, dry chocolate and black currant along with a prominent mineral streak. The fruit flavors are elegant and supple in feel. A pleasing interplay between the structured tannins and acid creates a sense of tension through the lingering finish.
This nervy, tangy, tantalizing wine smells like rhubarb-strawberry pie, tastes lively and fresh, and has a firm texture due to a healthy mix of tannins and acidity. This wine shows how appealing and distinctive a full-bodied but balanced Pinot can be.
A blend of top vineyards Ciel du Cheval (28%), Upchurch (26%), Grand Ciel (25%) and Klipsun, this 100% varietal wine is aromatically reserved with notes of café au lait, black currant, dusty chocolate and fresh herbs. Fruit flavors are concentrated and rich with firm tannins that will benefit from additional time in the bottle. Best after 2017.
There's a chocolaty nose to this wine, a blend of 33% Malbec, 33% Petit Verdot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot. It offers structured waves of cedar, cassis and pencil shavings, with soft tannins.
Subtle lemon hints and zesty freshness mellow a little on the creamy but nonetheless very slender, graceful palate. Elegance and purity are hallmarks here and it is depth rather than power that convinces. Very clean finish.
Yellow plum and mineral hints of wet pebble with an almost salty draw demand attention. The palate is fresh and full of appetizing, lemony zing and concentration. This is fun and satisfying, not to say completely delicious.
Named after the Roman emperor who allowed vines to be planted in Cahors, this richly perfumed wine has huge tannins that are still controlled by the equally powerful black fruits and acidity. Wood aging is still prominent along with the dry structure. Drink from 2018.
Hailing from Ciel du Cheval and Force Majeure vineyards, this aromatic wine offers pomegranate, dried leaves, mocha and crushed flowers. It's luxuriously creamy in feel with abundant red fruit flavors.
Fragrant citrus zest sets the tone: lemon and grapefruit govern nose and delicious, refreshing and zippy palate. Exquisite freshness and very ripe lemon make for streamlined lightness that leaves a very mineral and long impression. Riper fruit, like Mirabelle plum, hides underneath and is poised to come to the fore any moment.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon impresses with its accents of dried herbs, cherry and bittersweet chocolate. It's palate-coating in feel, with a dazzling sense of texture backed by fine-grained tannins.
This and the other Icône wine from Georges Vigouroux are massive. Despite its high alcohol, this is more restrained, derived from the high elevation of Haute-Serre. Intense black fruits and powerful tannins are well integrated and give a rich rather than out-of-control character. This would be worth aging, so wait until 2018.
Situated high on a rock overlooking the river Lot, Château de Mercuès, now a luxury hotel, dates from the 13th century. The wine is as ripe and luxurious as the hotel. It is a dense, solid and structured Malbec, with its powerful tannins balanced by big, bold black fruits. It's a classic wine for serious aging, so wait until 2018.
The intriguing nose highlights smoke, charred earth, black spice, blackberry and grilled herb. These carry over to the structured but elegant palate along with black cherry and an intense licorice note. Firm but polished tannins give support and generate a smooth texture. It's already delicious but will gain complexity. Drink 2016–2022.
Ripe apple fruit is tempered by citrus freshness tinged with herbal spice suggesting sage and fennel seed. In the end, citric purity wins and carries this streamlined, concentrated wine into a long, spicy finish.
Complex and tantalizing aromas of mint and cinnamon carry over to the palate, where bright plum, red cherry and floral tones linger through the finish. The texture is very smooth since the tannins and acidity are mild and well integrated.
This suggests freshly baked pear tart with baked Bramley apple and cushioned overtones of lemon-streaked pastry. Soft vanilla rings in the background but the twin pleasures of apple and pear take center stage. Earthiness provides grounding and more interest.
Made from the clone that UC Davis extracted from Australian Shiraz, this is all about intense fruit. Aromas of licorice and blackberries give way to a palate lush with smoked blueberry, mocha, chocolate pudding, black rocks and a minty midpalate. The tannins will last awhile but this is ready now.
Despite coming from declassified barrels from the winery's other programs, the quality still hits a very high mark on this blend of Cabernet Franc (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (29%), Merlot (29%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas of cranberry, herbs, plum and mineral are generous followed by good depth to the fruit flavors and bitters on the finish. As always with this winery, it's the balance of acid and tannins that most impresses. Give a one hour decant.
Savory, earthy aromas of mushrooms, black pepper, iron and cranberry arise from this blend of nine vineyards, many of which are usually featured in single-vineyard selections. Umami rules the palate, and it's quite full for a lighter-colored wine, with brown spice, light red fruit flavors and expertly balanced acidity.
Plum, blackberry and boysenberry aromas show nuances of citrus peel and rubber band. On the palate, this is tight, mildly tannic and slightly astringent due to firm tannins. A mix of ripe blackberry and cassis flavors come with chocolaty oak in front of a hard-pushing, lightly herbal finish. Drink through 2018.
Aromas suggest ripe blackberry, baking spice, mocha and a balsamic note of menthol. The brooding palate opens with mature black cherry, savory herb and black pepper alongside tightly knit but velvety tannins that still need to unwind. Drink 2016–2021.
Very soft notions of ripe, yellow pear with floral overtones create a softer, luscious but completely dry palate. An ideal wine for those who like structure but mellow flavors. The savory edge of Grüner makes itself felt around the edges but never dominates and provides spicy length.
Michael Gill goes for broke booze-wise on this hot number, but the rewards are worth the risk. Aromas of blueberry, mint, graphite, dried cherry, lilac and graphite get a sagebrush lift. On the palate, distinct black licorice accompany blackberry syrup and white pepper. There's a slight bit of alcoholic burn on the finish, but it doesn't drink as hot as you'd guess.
Classic varietal aromas of fragrant purple flower, wild berry and baking spice jump out of the glass. A blend of Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, the juicy palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, herb and mocha alongside velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It's already delicious and well balanced. Drink through 2020.
Mainly Pinot Noir with a shot of Chardonnay, this is developing into an impressive wine. It has ripe fruit with hints of tropicality as well tighter lemon zest. The toastiness is just beginning to develop and the wine will be at its peak from 2016.
This is a compelling wine with aromas of coffee, dried herbs, cherry and barrel spices. It wins over on finesse rather than power but shows more than ample amounts of both. There's enough structure that it will benefit from some time in the cellar. It will be best from 2019–2027.
Apart from fresh citrus peel and yeasty savoriness, this Grüner delivers a full herbal repertoire of chervil and rocket, watercress and lemon balm. The spine is of lemony acidity, painting a picture of thrilling, concentrated freshness, interspersed with peppery layers of interest and a nearly endless herbal finish.
Norm Yost presents luscious and broad aromas of black currant candies, black slate and well-integrated clove and allspice aromas on this wine from an extreme coastal slice of the Central Coast. It's quite boisterous for the restrained vintage, with blood, iodine, black cherry juice and black pepper flavors.
Holding 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this wine leads with inviting aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and tar, showing a fresh, fruit-forward profile. The dense fruit flavors deliver on all of this promise with layers of complexity, spot-on balance and good length.
Red berry, pressed violet, tilled soil and a whiff of tobacco lead the nose. Firm and refined, the delicious palate doles out wild cherry, crushed black raspberry, mint, white pepper and menthol. Tightly knit but polished tannins and fresh acidity provide structure.
This sophisticated wood-aged wine comes from a fine year for whites in Pessac-Léognan. Subtle wood supports the rich tropical and yellow fruits as well as the crisper acidity. The texture, with its minerality, is still developing, with good potential. Drink from 2017.
There's no mistaking the variety with this wine's aromas of herbs, dried tobacco, coffee, flowers and cherry. It dazzles with its supple feel and exquisitely balanced cherry flavors that carry off into the distance.
Lilac and violet hang with blackberries, black plums and sweet mocha on this purple chiffon-cake scented wine  from winemaker Ryan Pease. The blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah and and 3% Counoise is full and silky on the palate, with olallieberry fruits, proving juicy but not jammy or overpowering.
With 20% Malbec, this wine is layered in refined complexity, swaying from juicy blueberry to herbaceous cherry and currant. Restrained in oak, with the slightest notion of vanilla on the palate, it finishes in mouthwatering dark chocolate—the tannins firm and structured.
So rich it tastes like chocolate, this ambitious and lavishly oak-influenced wine pulls out all the stops to achieve maximum flavor impact. It smells full of baking spices and savory herbs, tastes very ripe, concentrated and feels lush and creamy in texture. While full bodied, it has plenty of firm acidity and lots of fine tannins to stand up to all that flavor. It's ready to enjoy now through 2020.
Fragrant purple flowers, iris, dark berry and tilled soil aromas come together in the glass along with a balsamic note. The elegantly structured palate offers wild cherry, aniseed, white pepper and aromatic herb. It's nicely balanced, with fresh acidity and still austere but refined tannins that need to loosen up. Drink 2017–2025.
Black raspberry and wet black slate are most prevalent on the nose of this wine from one of the appellation's most reliable vineyards, but it also shows an ample amount of black spices, from cardamom to star anise. The palate is also gravelly with earth, enhanced by purple berries, Earl Grey tea and lavender flavors.
Violet-red in the glass, this wine has a nose of blackberries and gingerbread spice. It is well balanced, with equal amounts of velvety tannins and refreshing brightness cavorting on the palate. Pronounced flavors of blackberry, aniseed, smoke, flint and thyme are accentuated by notes of mint tea.
Closed up tightly, this wine is not yet entirely ready to reveal its charms. Over time it offers aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, bittersweet chocolate, barrel spices and mineral. True to the house style, it pulls no punches with creamy feeling, rich black and blue fruit flavors that sail into the distance. Give it time to open up.
This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot saw 31 months in French oak and another two years in bottle prior to release. There's plenty of detail to the concentrated coffee, cherry, graphite and blackberry aromas and flavors that reflect perfect balance. It's drinking exquisitely now but has a long life in front of it. It will be best from 2020–2026.
Flinty notes of reduction are top aromas, then citrus-fuelled pepperiness ensues. This is lively, lithe and brisk with lip-smacking freshness and a total refreshment factor. It has the tension of a high-wire. These are Riesling acrobatics in a glass. Bravo.
This irrepressible wine has aromas and flavors of coffee, mineral, barrel spice, chocolate and dark raspberries. There's a lot of richness to the flavors but also an impeccable sense of balance, along with some grip to the tannins.
This spicy wine from grapes grown above the coastal hamlet of Cambria offers expertly integrated aromas of black cardamom, chai spice, root beer, black raspberry and roasted game. There are dense fruits on the palate, nearing boysenberry and blackberry, along with a plum-skin sourness and a black-sage spice
There is something eternally invigorating in this citrus-pure Riesling that smacks of grapefruit and lemon zest. There is a softer apple aspect too, uniting all in a fresh, pure fruitiness. There is something simply authentic at its very heart that keeps you sipping. And with such a light-bodied wine, you can (almost) do so with impunity.
Ripe aromas of cola nut, burnt brown sugar, cedar and blackberry feed into a giant palate with killer tannins. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and burnt toast end in a tarry pool of black-fruit flavors and monster tannins. This is rewarding now but also punishing; hold until 2017, then drink through 2025.
There's a complex blend of oak, citrus and butter on the nose of this wine, like a sourdough roll cooked over a campfire and then topped with lemon marmalade. The well-balanced palate further blends the experience, with smoke and vanilla coalescing around Mexican lime and yellow apple, culminating in a finish redolent with hard butterscotch candies.
Produced entirely with organically farmed Sangiovese, this earthy, structured red opens with classic aromas of ripe berry, fragrant blue flowers, leather and a whiff of forest floor. The savory palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, ground pepper and tobacco alongside big, velvety tannins.
Spicy oak flavors dominate the nose and marry beautifully with the red berry, cherry and forest floor notes. This is Pinot made in an international style that nonetheless keeps its Austrian backbone of fresh acidity and lovely, tingling pepper spice. The fact that this is from 2010 and has just began to show its colors signals its seriousness. It is ready now but will also reward further cellaring. Such depth and length at 12.5% are a real achievement—in its own wonderful way, Pinot is never about power.
Peg Bay is the flagship winery of Waipara, yet the wines remain realistically priced. Plum, cola and cherry notes are accompanied by strongly umami sensations akin to mushroom and roasted beef, giving this wine ample complexity. While the wine is concentrated, it has an airy, graceful feel to it. Drink 2016–2024.
A 100% varietal wine, grown in an area called the Lower Mountaintop, this offers a compelling candied cherry and raspberry element, supported by complex accents of vanilla and cured meat. With plenty of body to stay fresh and vibrant on the palate, it never gets bogged down, finishing in richer components of dark chocolate and oak.
Jammed with ripe plum, cherry and blackberry flavors, this is a big-boned yet soft, nicely spiced wine made from Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.
With a sweet, flowery nose, this blend of Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Malvasia and Gewürztraminer has plenty of acidity to balance out its subtle sweetness.
Concentrated, dark and distinct, the bouquet expresses notes of cumin and flower. It's round, grabby and a bit gummy feeling, with oaky, dark flavors of blackberry, resin and spices. The finish tastes mildly woody, with espresso accents.
Made from grapes sourced from an inland Mendocino County appellation, this is at first forceful, tannic and dusty, with strong red-berry and blueberry flavors. A tad decadent, it settles down nicely in the glass.
While ripe, this also has a firm structure, with a mix of rich yellow-fruit flavors and austere minerality. With the acidity just beginning to soften, it will turn into a full and more rounded wine.
Showing fine acidity, this has a creamy texture and a rich, rounded feel. Full of pear and creamed-apple flavors, it has some weight and a full-bodied character without losing the crisp acidity.
Fresh, soft and fruity, this is brightened by a jammy red-fruit flavor and light acidity. It has a juicy character, with underlying attractive, gentle tannins.
Very pure, this has a clean strawberry flavor, with exhilarating acidity. The wine has some structure and firm tannins, although its fruitiness is the dominant factor.
Thick and syrupy, this Syrah is not for everyone, but it will certainly stand apart from the crowd. Flavors of black cherry compote and maple syrup soak into the earthy, tannic base, with just a hint of volatility.
Tight and earthy, this spent 18 months in French oak—30% new. Flavors of wild berry and light chocolate are set in a tightly wound wine, with a strong mineral accent and drying tannins.
A dark, savory style of Pinot Noir, with intense aromas and flavors of cedar, coffee and cola that turn a bit dry and astringent on the finish. It's fairly big in the mouth, yet not particularly rich or textured. Drink it over the next few years.
An easy, fruity wine, this is full of blackberry and red currant flavors. Its fruitiness is tempered with a firm tannic core that gives a light structure.
This light and herbal reserve has scents of pine needles and tart cherry. It spent 10 months in 25% new French oak, adding just a delicate hint of chocolate to the finish.
Savory, with a bite on the finish, this proprietary blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Mourvedre is lush and well integrated. It's complex enough to match with a range of hearty foods—especially red meat.
The voluble, opinionated Jean-Luc Colombo has crafted a Cairanne that shows a lot of ripe Grenache character, offering scents akin to cherries, almond butter and almost peach or apricot. It's on the chunky side, with some dusty tannins on the finish, so you could drink it now or save it for a few years.
Sharp, spicy and crisply defined with citrus fruits and skins. The skin flavors really punch through and add power to the midpalate. May have some Picpoul in the blend (to cut the alcohol?).
When people ask us, “What's your favorite value wine from Argentina,” the pet answer is this one, Pascual Toso. A former Best Buy of the year, the '07 keeps the streak of great values alive. It's round, balanced and loaded with holes-free berry and cassis aromas and flavors. It is also layered, long and composed.
This firm's top Crozes-Hermitage cuvée is the Domaine Raymond Roure, which sees plenty of new wood in its upbringing, to judge from its somewhat coarse vanilla and cedar notes. There is plenty of blackberry fruit lurking beneath, so hopefully this will come together in time. Try after 2010.
After spending 18 months in oak, this is an unusually cedary Châteauneuf-du-Pape, its stewed fruit, plum pudding and spice flavors covered by a veneer of toast and vanilla. It's full bodied, plushly textured and undeniably appealing in a rather obvious, modern style. Imported by New Castle Imports, Inc.
An iconic wine for Barnard Griffin, this is blended with 16% Sémillon. Spicy, searingly tart (below 13% alcohol, high acid) and annotated with beeswax, lemon oil, hints of honey and tea. Fragrant and palate cleansing; this is a particularly fine oyster wine.
Perfumed and floral on the nose, but also spicy and slightly foresty, which is apropos for Syrah. Flavors of black olive, brandied cherry and blackberry are perfectly nice, and the feel is mildly creamy and rich but still pointed. Finishes with toasty notes of pepper, brown sugar and woodspice.
Surprisingly firmly built, with crisp acids and firm tannins framing plummy, blackberry fruit and vanilla, cinnamon and clove notes. Good now with rare meats, or cellar through 2010 to round off today's rough edges.
Weinert has always pushed the more traditional, less extracted style. And this Bordeaux blend shows a nose of light spice, cinnamon, wet clay and subdued berry fruit. The palate is earthy, with hints of tomato, herbs, raspberry and cocoa. It's a drying wine, with grabby tannins, but it should age well for another few years. Drink now or hold through 2011.
Not that much Hunter Shiraz makes it to the U.S. these days, but this bottling from Wyndham Estate is a nice example. It shows rather clean winemaking, with strong vanilla and cedar notes from barrel aging to go alongside blueberry and blackberry fruit. Only mildly tannic, so it's approachable now, but should age through at least 2012.
A little rubbery at first, but then it unfolds with floral, blackberry and tar aromas. Fairly dynamic in terms of feel, with elevated red-fruit flavors balanced by oak and chocolate. Firm and peppery on the back end, with lasting notes of cassis. For $15 this is pretty fine Cabernet. Imported by Republic National Distributors.
Maison Bouachon is an old négociant house based in Gigondas. It's now owned by the Skalli family who is trying to raise the level of the wines. This Côtes-du-Rhône cuvée is a promising effort, boasting plenty of black cherry fruit to go with hints of leather and game. The fruit shows a hint of sur-maturité, yet remains fresh, while the mouthfeel is round yet not unstructured. Drink now–2010, possibly longer.
Importer and Master Sommelier Fran Kysela uses the Maison du Midi label for lots of Rhône wines he selects to bring into the U.S. This effort, from Plan de Dieu, is seriously intense, full-bodied and firmly tannic, showing the character of the vintage. The plummy fruit is powerful, fighting through the tannins on the finish. Try it young with rare beef, or put it away for a few years and see if the tannins soften over time.
Alkoomi's Shiraz-Viognier features mildly herbal, peppery qualities to go with fresh, red-berried fruit and a touch of coffee. It's very supple in texture, but does have enough acidity to maintain its shape, making it easy to drink young.
A rounded, mouthfilling wine. At the beginning, it seems very soft, but then it is possible to discern rich tannins through the concentrated red fruits and black plums. The acidity is there all the time, a fine counterpoint to the seductive, rich fruits and dry tannins.
This fine offering from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula nails Pinot Noir's elusive texture, gliding across the palate in a silky veil. Cherry-berry fruit is framed by hints of brown sugar, coffee and vanilla, but the oak should integrate with a few more months' aging.
A big wine, but some persistent sulphur and earthiness on the nose results in aromas of leather, scrambled eggs and tobacco. Rugged on the palate, but that's to be expected for a big-boned Malbec like this. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry are supported by powerful oak, leather and an infusion of herbs. Drinkable now and best through 2010.
An intriguing wine, that offers ripe sweetness followed by an edgy rustic acidity. Is this a stage in its evolution? Probably, because the tannins promise aging and the intensely aromatic nature of the fruit points to a potentially fine wine. Just don't drink it yet.
Young, tight and sharp, showing lots of black currant, along with pepper and spice. Maybe just a notch below the excellent 2004 L'Etalon Red. Tasted twice over a six month period, the wine remains stubbornly tough and chewy, despite appealing chocolaty spice and penetrating raspberry and currant fruit.
From a hot, sandy site in the heart of the Wahluke Slope, this was barrel fermented in neutral oak. The aromas are an inviting mélange of spice, clove, lime and light tropical fruits, and the wine has natural poise and balance. Green apple, lime and peach come into play, along with streaks of butterscotch.
This eight-year old wine, based on Touriga Nacional, is ripe, now mature with the tannins fully integrated into the rich black fruit. It is firm with a structure that gives concentration and perfumed acidity. The wine is still dark and dense although ready to drink.
This comes on tight and tart, with substantial flavors of apple, pear and peach. The depth and juicy acids suggest you'll want to put this on the dinner table alongside grilled halibut or swordfish, lightly spiced with lemon pepper and a splash of olive oil.
With a touch of spice from the wood, this wine is full of yellow and apple fruits yet with a cool thread of acidity. It is a lively, bright wine, filled out with fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Opulent and ripe, this wine has fine tannins that support the rich red fruit and smoky acidity. The weight and concentration of the wine make it so attractive and indicate it will develop well. Drink from 2019.
With 50% new oak aging, this is a rich and spicy wine that also has layers of dense toastiness. Black currants and blackberries come together with the structure and fine acidity to give a rich, concentrated wine that should still age further. Drink from 2018.
Imagine a dark, smoky espresso bar, lined with leather banquettes. Mouthwatering scents of grilled meat waft in from a back garden. This is a full-bodied, plush rendering of Mourvèdre that doesn't show much freshness or fruit yet still caresses the palate.
Woody berry and cassis aromas are inviting and strong. This feels high in acidity and maybe more racy than you'd expect for Luján. Dry, spicy red-fruit flavors flow on a stream of potent acidity, while this finishes tangy, herbal and spicy, with a zesty note of pie cherry. Drink through 2022.
Inky garnet to the eye, this wine offers aromas of cherry, black currant and orange peel. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, white chocolate, bell pepper and violet come alive on the palate amid mouth-coating tannins and nice savory notes. The finish is characterized by a lingering touch of orange zest.
From the producer's Annapolis vineyard, planted at 700 to 900 feet, this is a floral, spicy and high-toned wine. It shows pomegranate, plum and a noticeable streak of forest among its highlights, the tannins integrated and kept fresh and structured by the acidity.
Delicate notes of white grapefruit and crushed minerals on the nose of this sprightly spätlese intensify on the palate, amassing layers of sweet peach, tangerine and caramel flavors. It's an richly concentrated wine calibrated by zesty acidity and a delicately astringent finish.
With six months of oak aging, this wine has both richness and spicy concentration. It is densely structured and solid with tannins. The black fruits are spreading through the wine, giving another element of richness. Dark and dense, the wine needs to age further. Drink from 2018.
Not as deeply purple as other Syrahs, this bottling shows more broad red-fruit aromas of caramelized cherry along with lilacs, violets, crushed black rocks and vanilla cola. Mulberry, dark strawberry and plum elements bring intrigue to the palate, which also offers savory black sesame and hoisin notes.
There is a lot of herbal and woody nuance to the nose of this blend of 72% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignane and 3% Counoise. Thyme, dried fennel and Earl Grey tea aromas lift the dark strawberry fruit. Shaved cedar flavors frame the palate, where lavender and other purple flowers integrate seamlessly into the soft red fruit.
Grown in Green Valley, this medium-bodied wine offers heady Asian spices seasoned over tart, tangy orange and cherry. Pretty aromatics ride shotgun over a depth of earth and soft tannin and smoky oak, the wine ultimately plush and lush.
Smoke and dusty mineral notes juxtapose ripe, sweet peach and apricot flavors in this fruity but complex wine. It's as savory as it is sweet, accented by spicy notes of saffron and bee pollen. The finish is long, pristine and refreshing.
This is a blend of the three of the producer's single-vineyards, 42% from Atoosa, 29% Samantha and 29% Moaveni. The whole is greater than its parts in its complementary marriage of floral violet and lavender with black pepper and meat, the texture soft and plush.
Lush, jammy, soft aromas of black plum and cassis are full but a touch lazy. On first take, this feels saturated but deeper examination reveals zesty tartaric acidity. Flavors of jammy black fruits are a touch citric, while this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend is plump on the finish. Drink through 2020.
For a wine from a sometimes rough-edged variety, this is especially smooth, sculpted and drinkable. That's not to deny that it's intense in color, full bodied and firm textured. But the tannins feel polished so the texture is smooth, letting ripe blackberry and boysenberry flavors come out.
Alluring scents of rose, clove, exotic spice and a balsamic note of menthol take shape in the glass. The savory, structured palate doles out raspberry compote, black cherry, licorice and an espresso note alongside a backbone of firm but refined tannins. Don't even attempt this before 2020.
Although the domaine is mainly centered on Chassagne-Montrachet, neighboring Saint-Aubin is hardly far. This ripe, yellow and citrus-fruit-flavored wine is already delicious. Touches of toast from wood aging along with balanced acidity give it both crispness and richness. Drink now.
This is a stunner because it shows such minerally depth, which many strive for but few achieve on a pink wine. The classic shade of pink gives way to bubblegum, lime juice, orange rind and smashed raspberry aromas. The zesty, vibrant lime juice acidity cuts right through plum fruit, but it's the graphite and chalky tension that wins the palate.
Eighteen months in wood plus long bottle aging have produced a serious, dense and rich wine. It is perfumed and dark, certainly ready to drink, full of black fruits and hints of wood. There is a dark core of solid tannins surrounded by the generous fruits. Drink now.
Earthy dried herb and truffle provide a rough-and-tumble point of view in this wine, a mix of complexity and contoured acidity. The shy, juicy red fruit is cradled in integrated oak.
Deep red-violet in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, smoked meat and a hint of green pepper. It is a well-balanced wine with sturdy tannins and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, anisette, violet and ground black pepper. The finish is characterized by a touch of orange peel and a sense of salinity.
Complex aromas like cedar, pipe tobacco and pencil lead light up this inky dark wine as concentrated black cherry and blackberry flavors kick in. It's extremely full bodied and the texture is plush, almost thick, coating the mouth with fruit and fine tannins that linger nicely on the finish.
Scents of violet, iris and a balsamic whiff of menthol mingle together. The succulent palate doles out juicy raspberry, black cherry, clove and licorice alongside a backbone of firm, polished tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Blackberry, earth and spice aromas prove that a bouquet can be complete with only a few ingredients. This feels rugged and tannic. Flavors of coconut, buttery oak and toast support berries fruit. This is choppy and pounds its way through the finish. Drink through 2021.
Theoretically a very light rosé, the “Eye of the Partridge” is really a Pinot Noir blanc in this vintage, and joins a growing cohort of such wines from Oregon. Strong acids compete with some residual sugar, in a tart and sappy wine chock full of yellow plum, white raspberries and citrus fruit. It's rich and delicious, with impressive length and concentration.
Small amounts of Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot punctuate this well-made wine, layered in red currant and cassis, with classic highlights of cedar and graphite. Softly integrated tannin and oak provide approachability, before a powerful, lingering finish.
Fresh strawberry, raspberry, sweet pea, orange blossom and honeysuckle abound in the bouquet of this pretty, pale rosé. It has a bright and clean but not overly simple character, with hints of garrigue and peach pit that add interest to the palate. Enjoy this refreshing sip now.
The blend of Chardonnay and Fernão Pires gives this wine an attractive, textured character. It is full of ripe and creamy yellow fruit and citrus, with a streak of crisp acidity. Drink now.
The aroma is a bit buttery and nutty, and the flavors are similar, with good depth and generosity. Although the mouthfeel is crisp enough, it strives more for richness than refreshment. Consider this wine serious enough for indulgent plates of seafood, pasta and chicken.
Soft and ripe, with the warmth of a full, fruity Alentejano wine, this is generous and ready to drink. Red fruits are lifted by acidity, while flavors of wood aging and spice add an extra dimension. Drink now and until 2019.
Encruzado produces ripe yellow-fruit and spice flavored wines of great quality. This is a soft, generous example, warm in its round texture and rich in apricot and toast flavors. It should be aged another few months and enjoyed from 2016.
This fresh wine also offers plenty of ripe fruit and exotic flavors. Crisp, juicy and rich, it's just lightly touched by honey and is a refreshing wine to drink now.
Full of the fresh acidity of the 2014 vintage, this light, bright wine has refreshing lemon and crisp apple flavors that are given richness by the lively acidity. Bursting with fruit, it is ready to drink now.
This rosé, made from Cinsault and Syrah, offers assertive aromas of garrigue herbs—think rosemary and thyme—alongside fruity tones of minty cherry, strawberry and raspberry. The mouthfeel is light and fresh, with the mentholated character dominating the red berry core. Drink now.
Strawberry and graphite meet with a rusty element on the nose of this easy-to-quaff and yet intriguing and well-priced wine. A nice ripe pomegranate element on the palate leads to licorice and a gunmetal minerality.
This easygoing expression of Cannonau offers cherry, raspberry, ground pepper, anise and a note of toasted almond. It's already accessible thanks to lithe tannins. Drink through 2016.
Pure varietal, solid and earthy, this dark and substantial wine blends flavors of black cherry, coffee grounds and dark chocolate. It's more herbal than fruity, and thins out through the finish.
Dark bramble berry notes are focused on the nose, with sweet tones of anise adding nuance. The round, medium-bodied palate follows suit, offering a line of cranberry acidity supported by grippy tannins. Crushed stone minerality lingers on the finish.
This opens with aromas of oak, toast, sawdust, fennel and espresso. The palate is on the raw side, showing oak extract, anise and powdered sage but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a mouth-drying finish.
This is a flavorful, easy-drinking wine with plenty of fruit aromas, a soft texture, ripeness on the palate, and medium body. It has the pastry shop suite of flavors, like vanilla, cream and even coconut, and seems a bit sweet on the finish.
Quite dark, smoky and well along the path to full maturity, the fruit in this single-vineyard Cab is initially overshadowed completely by scents of charred wood. The soft cherry fruit seems wrapped—indeed soaked—in barrel flavors. With substantial breathing time, the fruit comes up and the tannins subside, at least enough to accompany a grilled steak or burger.
This offers light, brambly strawberry and cherry fruit, along with hints of fresh herb, Dr Pepper and licorice. It's pleasant but somewhat insubstantial.
Young, tart and tight, this displays primary fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry, with sharp, lemony acids. Bottle aging through 2017 may help smooth it out further, but it's perfectly drinkable already.
Sporting scents a flavors of root beer, beet root and cola, this lighthearted effort seems built for immediate consumption. The black cherry fruit carries a medicinal streak, the length is modest and the mouthfeel just a bit dilute.
A cocktail of fresh strawberry, dried basil and thyme leads the aromas of this intriguing Cabernet Franc. While light in body and tannin, there's an attractive roundness to a palate of juicy red berries and pink peppercorns. Drink now.
There is a touch of floral aroma in this vivid and fruity-tasting wine. Aromas and flavors of fresh-cut apple and honeydew melon round it out, while lively acidity makes it appetizing and fresh.
This organic rosé leads with mineral aromas that are framed by fruity notes of yellow peach, melon and green mango. The palate is clean and direct, with attractive vibrancy and freshness that carries through to the softly herbal finish. Drink now.
A big-production, medium-bodied effort, this has noticeable sweetness that softens the acidity. Sweet apple and pear fruit dominate an easy-drinking, approachable, simple but enjoyable Pinot Gris.
Thick in black peppery cinnamon, this wine offers a zig-zag of fruit and power without falling over the edge of extremity. The mix includes 5% Petite Sirah. Full bodied and big, it finishes in a taste of sweet vanilla.
Pure, focused fruit flavors like raspberry and red cherry light up this medium-bodied wine. A lively texture of crisp acidity and light tannins adds great balance to the effusive fruitiness. For such a friendly price, what else could one ask for?
This wine is crisp in lemon acidity while also having a strong, tight mineral texture. Produced from Arinto and Antão Vaz, it has bright grapefruit and apple flavors, with hints of exotic apricot and pineapple. Drink now.
The fruit in this soft wine is ripe and creamy. Green and white fruits give a balanced blend of fresh acidity and smooth texture. It is rich, generous and will be ready to drink from 2016.
Disappointing after the success of last year's version, Kato's 2009 is a lightweight Sauvignon Blanc with herbal, bell-peppery component. There's a tart stridency on the finish that will serve it well with some dishes, less so with others.
Hot earth, baked cherry and mild vanilla aromas come in front of a snappy, angular palate with tangy pie-cherry and red-plum flavors. Sheer and basic Rioja with high acidity, lean fruit, a cleansing finish and a light body.
This is a tight, sharp, pungent Viognier, with penetrating scents of lemon oil and pine. In the mouth it is grapefruity and slightly bitter, with a perception of almond skin as it fades away.
A lightly botrytised wine, with sweet raisins and orange zest. The wine is soft, missing acidity, but the freshness is just right.
This wine is very pale in color, but the aromas are anything but understated, zooming out in full floral, orangy Muscat character. It's soft and sweet, balanced a bit by citrusy acids on the finish.
Ripe Sauvignon Blanc, bringing out pear and apple flavors, topped with cream. There is a bite from an apple skin texture, along with bright, delicate acidity.
Dark and scented with clove, licorice and bitter herb, this is a hard-edged Cabernet with a soft center of barely-ripe fruit. Some plum and prune notes are here, and the tannins have been softened, but the stemmy, herbal character dominates.
Light in body and pungent almost to the point of sweatiness, with leafy, herbal flavors that soften on the finish.
Literally friends and neighbors (the guys on the label dancing and playing an accordion), this wine is a light, soft blend of Groslot and Cabernet Franc from Anjou. It is light, strawberry-juice flavored, with green acidity. Ready to drink now.
Weedy, herbal and strong-willed, this is a warm concentrated wine that's softly textured and moderate in structure. Extracted flavors of red cherry and vanilla accentuate the wine's succulent nature.
Driven by 72% Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, this affordable offering is brawny and tightly wound in woody tannin, with a thickness to the texture. Big oak cradles bold flavors of black coffee and tobacco.
Aromas of tobacco, scorched earth and grilled herb lead the nose. Smooth and juicy, the palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, cassis and cracked pepper alongside polished tannins. It closes on a smoky note.
This orange wine made from the Georgian grape Rkatsiteli starts off on nutty aromas, with a fresh scent of marmalade and yellow peach. On the palate, it feels creamy alongside a tannic impression from skin contact. Flavors of tangerine and almond unfold on the palate and are enjoyed throughout the long, dry finish.
This wine is quite light in color, with delicate aromas of cigar box, herb and spice. The cherry flavors are full and tart, with spice notes on the finish.
Aged for six months in wood, this juicy wine with its red-berry fruits is stylish and full bodied. It has tannins that act as a support to the bold fruits and firm structure. That suggests the wine, although ready to drink now, will also age. Drink now or keep until 2018.
Deep dark black fruit is seasoned in big bold flavors of graphite, dried herb and chocolate. Full bodied and robustly ripe, this wine has a touch of heat to it, finishing in a smack of leather and tar.
Densely packed aromas of purple flowers, game and tar show on the nose of this entry-level Syrah from the region's Rhône pioneers. Lavender and violet appear on the palate as well, where an impressive density conveys peppery spices yet remains soft in structure.
This is a rich oak-aged wine. Its black-fruit flavors are surrounded by firm still-young tannins. It has weight, richness from ripe black plum and berry fruits. It could do with some further aging and will be better from 2019.
Open-grained oak aromas sit on top of dark-berry scents. This blend of Tannat, Merlot and Zinfandel is ripe and beefy on the palate, with jammy weight. Toasty black-fruit flavors are peppery and spicy, while this displays a firm grip on a dark, smoky finish.
Smoky char, dried herb, cedar and cherry with plum adorn this full-figured concentrated wine, which shows a touch of heat on the palate. From a site at 1,500-feet in elevation, and blended with 5% Petite Sirah, it mellows well in the glass.
Aromas suggesting tilled soil, sage and black-skinned fruit come together in the glass. On the firm palate, close-grained tannins support mature black plum, clove and a touch of star anise. Drink through 2020.
Solid tannins mark this out as a wine that will need to age. Its structure dominates its black fruit, hiding it beneath a smoky, spicy character. Give it until 2020 before opening.
This soft, fruity wine delivers honey and apricot aromas. With touches of botrytis, it has a dry, spicy edge. At the same time, it's full of bitter orange and yellow fruit. Drink from 2018.
This big and ripe wine with dense blackberry fruit is concentrated and still young. The firm tannins under its bold fruitiness still need to soften to give a rich and fruity wine. Drink from 2019.
This perfumed wine is ripe with exuberant black fruit and hints of wood aging. It's juicy with spice and pepper notes as well as bold red fruit. Drink from 2020.
This is a soft and juicy wine with black currant fruitiness. Its wood aging is nicely judged, allowing its ripe character, acidity and black fruit to show through. The wine will be ready to drink from 2019.
This wine is firm, with dry, smoky tannins that underscore its rich black fruit, promising good aging potential. It will develop slowly and be ready to drink from 2021.
This fine, perfumed wine is richly endowed with tannins and black fruit. It has good concentration as well: ripe and juicy, with its acidity and crisp texture in place. Drink from 2019.
This soft wine is full of red fruit. It has a fine balance of acidity and gentle tannins. From the fruity 2012 vintage, it's now ready to drink.
This is a ripe wine, full of cherry fruit and bright acidity. It has a dry edge that gives the wine a structure to balance the crisp, perfumed fruitiness. Drink now.
Muddled strawberry and watermelon aromas and flavors are partnered with an earthy streak reminiscent of wet leaves. The palate is similarly fruit forward, with ample acidity that lifts the fruity richness and results in a short but clean finish.
Band-Aid and baked red-fruit aromas set up a plump palate with creaminess. Candied smoky-berry flavors finish oaky and toasty, with enough true PN character to make this worthwhile.
Made from 40% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah and 20% Cinsault, this coppery rosé is freshly fruited and quite floral, with aromas of ripe stone fruit, strawberry and orange blossom. The palate is approachable and balanced, with ample acidity and a short but clean finish.
Light and fruity, the wine has a smooth edge that is cut with acidity. It is an immediately accessible wine with a lzesty lemon finish.
Green herb, flower, citrus and pencil lead aromas are followed by sweet plum flavors with lemony accents. Lightly grainy tannins round it out.
Lively, fruity and made to be drunk young, this is a crisp red-fruit-flavored wine. It has acidity and a tangy orange peel character. Drink now.
The herbal aromas leap from the glass in this crisp, green-fruit and citrus-flavored wine. It is tangy, herbal and grassy in character with a zesty texture and a tight mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
A blend that includes Gros Manseng along with Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is light as a feather—crisp and with just an edge of honey. It is lively with a herbal character that is refreshing and lightly perfumed.
Light tannins give this wine an attractive texture. It has bright cherry fruits along with glittering acidity. It's a fruity, fresh wine that is ready to drink.
The wine has a rustic character that contrasts with the ripe tannins and red berry fruits. At three years, the wine is ready to drink with structure and fruitiness shadowed by the earthy aftertaste.
This is another take-it-or-leave-it version of Lot 5. As per usual, it's an intense example of Leyda Valley Chardonnay, which means it's super briny and barely ripe. Blazing acidity creates a sense of sharpness, while saline-rich flavors of citrus and oak finish racy in that patented Chilean coastal way.
Briny aromas of citrus and chlorinated pool water dominate the nose. Flavors of corn and briny stone fruits are pushed by strong acidity on the finish. Otherwise, there's little else on offer.
A soft banana and cherry-flavored wine that has attractive acidity and only the lightest of tannins. It is bright, fruity and ready to drink.
Refreshing acidity brightens this lean, light-bodied Chardonnay. Fresh tangerine and lemon notes are pleasant but demure, shaded by more savory, rustic tones. Finishes briskly.
Produced from vines around the grand chateau, this is a crisp wine that has banana flavors and tight red-currant acidity that is crisp and lightly perfumed. It will probably be softer from early 2017.
This wine offers attractive vanilla and red-cherry aromas plus bright cherry flavors. It has a tangy texture due to crisp acidity and moderate tannins.
This new brand belongs to Santa Ema, and its Leyda SB straddles the line between vegetal and green fruits, with a canned-bean scent rising to the top. Briny citrus and lightly vegetal flavors finish briny and salty.
Basic plum and black cherry aromas come with hints of baking spices and cinnamon. This feels a bit high in acidity and pinchy. While a quick wash of grapy, black-fruit flavors finishes without much noise.
Stalky, gritty, earthy plum aromas are minimally ripe. This feels firm, grabby, chunky and rough all in one. Gritty, unusually-bready berry flavors finish herbal and dry.
Light on the nose, then fresh but a bit watery on the palate, this simple SB delivers undefined citrus flavors that lose steam in front of a quiet finish.
High-toned cherry and floral notes blend with scents of plum and raspberry. This is narrow and jammy in feel, such that it collapses a bit. The preserved-berry flavors are more generic than specific.
This wine is ripe, full of black fruits and with hints of licorice and dark chocolate. The spice from the wood aging still shows strongly although that will integrate over the next few months. Drink this ripe wine from 2017.
Aromas of stalky underbrush, wet earth and a whiff of truffle lift out of the glass. The simple, vivacious palate offers small red berries and a hint of mocha alongside vigorous acidity and frail tannins.
The land of wolves, Terra de Lobos, is a dense, balanced wine that brings together acidity and fresh red berry fruits. The tannins are not aggressive, but are just enough to give the wine shape. Drink now.
Although this is herbal on the nose, there are solid berry aromas to go with a strong whiff of black olive. A friendly, mediumbodied palate and lightly herbal berry and plum flavors end with minty notes and a good mouthfeel.
From a 50-year-old vineyard, this blend of mostly Douro white grapes has serious wood-aged aromas, layers of toast and spice along with lightly oxidized white-stone fruits. The wine is ripe, full in the mouth and ready to drink.
A brawny, super-sized blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Petit Verdot and 25% Cabernet Franc, this comes from Atlas Peak's Stagecoach Vineyard. Dense black fruit, tar, brick and bacon define this wine, which is full bodied and leathery on the palate.
From two vineyards on the eastern side of the valley, including one on Howell Mountain, this small-production wine offers whiffs of leather saddle and black currant around softened tannins and crème-de-cassis-like sweetness, especially on the nose.
Dark cherry and vanilla aromas swirl around crisper flavors of rhubarb in this tight, leathery wine made in a restrained, savory style. Made for the table, it'll suit many meals with versatile aplomb.
Crisp green apple, herb and sour-plum notes juxtapose richer, ruddier flavors of ripe peach and apricot in this delicate off-dry Scheurebe. Slightly waxy honey notes lend silkiness to the midpalate. It's structured enough to hold, but will show best young.
This fine wine is made in larger quantities than many of the producer's other offerings, affording a chance to be introduced to a lovely white characteristic of the vintage and region in its friendly waves of pineapple, lemon and Gravenstein apple. Chalky on the palate at first, it provides a medium body and length with a back note of herb and anise.
This big, jammy Syrah is packed with spice, baked plum and blackberry aromas. In the mouth, it's wide and voluminous. Flavors of blackberry are fully ripe, while blueberry and pepper flavors are long and lasting on the finish.
This is a ripe, spicy wine that has dense tannins and dark fruits. Now mature, it is full bodied, packed with black fruit flavors and a concentrated structure. The Alicante Bouschet in the blend gives the wine its dark color and also its intense fruits. Drink now.
Dense in waves of dark chocolate and tar, this balanced, concentrated wine has the requisite elements of dried herb and clove, with a deep plummy finish.
Vanilla, clove, allspice, dried ginger and soy are laced into black-plum sauce on the nose of this densely layered wine. The palate is even-handed, with tight boysenberry spiced up by caramel and bitter espresso notes.
Musky floral perfume accents fresher tones of crisp green melon and lime on the palate of this zippy Pinot Blanc. Dry in style with a delicacy of texture, it finishes brisk and spry. Drink now through 2018.
This majority varietal wine contains 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, which doesn't help to soften its powerful grip of sturdy tannin and sideshow of oak. Blueberry and chocolate come to the fore slowly between meaty leather and a dusty aroma.
Perfumed berry, fragrant purple flower, menthol and tilled soil aromas lead the nose. The taut, rather lean palate offers dried black cherry, white pepper, leather and grilled sage accompanied by assertive, angular tannins that grip the finish.
This easygoing wine offers aromas of red and dark-skinned berry and a whiff of moist soil. The soft, round palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry and notes of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and silky, smooth tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Made with 24% Petite Sirah, this dusty, bold and highly structured wine from an historic vineyard site is intensely concentrated and extracted, exuding rich red berry. Cinnamon and black pepper dot the lengthy finish.
Clay and minty cola aromas give nuance to the soft, dark, perfectly ripe blueberry fruit on the nose of this wine. Fine-grained but sticky tannins and a pinch of acidity frame the sip, where dark-roast espresso, beef char and cigar smoke flavors reign.
This has a solidly built, almost chunky style, with generous fruit flavors of melon and pear. A light wash of toast comes from aging in 20% new French oak.
Spice, leather, pepper and plum mingle in this medium-weight effort. Purple fruits and intimations of ginger cookie are in play, with pretty baking spices on the finish.
Quite a bit of power comes with this densely flavored, quite tannic and full-bodied wine. It smells almost roasted, but it offers nice, ripe berry, black cherry and dark chocolate flavors, a thick and astringent texture and lingering finish.
Heavy oak flavors and a massive mouthfeel make this wine a little intimidating for the uninitiated, but those who enjoy spicy oak flavors like vanilla and nutmeg—as well as the smoky overtones that come from toasted oak—will enjoy it. Thick layers of drying tannins almost overwhelm the palate, but then the ripe fruit kicks back in to keep it controlled.
Here's a second-label, inexpensive Pinot Noir with genuine character and style. Full flavored, it offers clean and substantial fruit—ripe plum and cherry—along with a dash of sweet spice and mocha.
Very light in color, this bottling is one of the first submitted in the vintage. It offers fresh lemon-lime soda, tangerine skin, lime zest and pear-blossom aromas. There's a touch of sweet to the palate, with poached apple, pear cider, tangerine juice and orange-skin flavors. The honeyed element grows quickly as the wine sits open.
There's a bit of brown to the edges of this 100% new French-oak-aged wine, which shows kirsch, sasparilla, smoked pork and an almost cognac-like element on the aged nose. The flavors are rich and caramelized with seared cherries, woody oak and brown-fruit flavors.
Delicate and retrained in aroma, this wine hails from an extreme coastal vineyard between Pismo Beach and the Edna Valley. With patience, Meyer lemon curd and scratched-lime elements emerge, and the flavors are also light, with more lemon and lime as well as Gala apple and Anjou pear flesh.
Move past the initial, yeasty simplicity of this wine. It's unusual, to say the least, a white wine made exclusively from this dark Bordeaux red. Skin flavors and light, lemony fruit are in play, with hints of cucumber, white peach and melon.
Roughly two-thirds Cabernet Franc and the rest Gamay, this is a peppery, tartly acidic red wine. Its sharp-edged berry fruit is braced with lemony scents and acids. Tannins are drying and a bit edgy.
Half tank fermented, half barrel fermented, this full-bodied and spicy effort marries apple and banana fruit flavors to a dash of piney herb. It strikes a different chord than most Willamette Valley Chardonnays, but has the suppleness and body to match most poultry dishes.
The high elevation appellation of Chiroubles produces structured wine like this. It's a cool, tannin and crisp fruit flavored wine. Red currants are cut with acidity and a juicy, really fruity aftertaste. The structure will allow the wine to age a few months, so drink from the end of 2016.
This Malbec is soft in style, with plenty of black currant tones balanced by vibrant acidity and ripe tannins. The black fruit flavors have a succulent character that makes the wine now ready to drink.
Crisp and refreshing, this opens with aromas of white spring flower and pear. Made with native grape Turbiana, the vibrant palate offers green apple, lime and bitter almond. Racy acidity lifts the finish.
Bright flavors of fresh-cut Bartlett pears dominate this wine. It's just slightly high-toned, clean and crisply defined. The fruit is the star here, and it's best to consume this lightly chilled and over the next couple of years. As in previous vintages, this was vinted and bottled by Lujon.
Delicate notes of lemon, lime and sugar cookie on the nose of this off-dry Riesling intensify on the palate, melding into flavors of juicy honey tangerine, peach and cantaloupe. It's an easy, approachable quaffer, but spine-tingling acidity and a hint of bitter lime pith lend structure and elegance. Drink now through 2020.
This Tempranillo-Graciano blend opens with rugged aromas of cherry and currant. The palate follows that lead, with choppy, bumpy tannins. Flavors of cherry and berry fruits come with a coating of crusty, blackened oak, holding onto coarseness across the finish. Drink through 2022.
There's a full-bodied character to this wine evidenced most by its sizable tannin presence and thick concentration. In the end it becomes quite approachable, spicy and savory in black pepper, currant and leather.
A richness of brown sugar and cinnamon lies at the heart of this soft, supple wine, accented in bold shakes of cinnamon toast. Hints of rustic leather beat softly beneath its full-bodied core.
Aromas of chopped herb, ground peppercorn, exotic spice and a balsamic note lift out of the glass. The taut palate offers dark cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside austere, fine-grained tannins.
Minerally, slightly dusty apple aromas lead into a well-balanced palate with body and zesty acidity. Peach, green melon and white-pepper flavors fade out on a pulpy finish with good acidic cut.
Ripe berry and oaky vanilla aromas lead to a tight, tannic palate with some scrape to it. Dark, toasty, oak-based flavors of coffee rest on top of plum and currant. It's full on the finish, with a lasting note of toasty oak.
Despite cool conditions in 2013, this wine is sufficiently dense, ripe and strapping, with full berry and cassis aromas along with grit and animal notes. The palate is rugged, high in acidity and a touch hollow in the middle. Rattling flavors of blackberry and cassis finish edgy and gripping. Best from 2018–2025.
This opens with alluring scents of woodland berry, menthol, chopped mint, vanilla and a whiff of oak. The palate is still austere and needs to fully develop, but offers raw red cherry and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink after 2020.
At first high-toned with sharp edges, this rewards decanting with an expansive core of purple plum, bramble, tobacco and licorice flavors. It's open and accessible, with some chalkiness as it finishes.
Dusty mineral and slate notes juxtapose ripe pineapple, honey and yellow cherry flavors in this zingy-fresh Riesling. Harmoniously off-dry in style, it's approachable yet finessed.
Waxy lemon-rind and orange blossom notes waft from the nose of this fresh, easy-drinking Riesling. Sumptuous grapefruit and tangerine flavors are cut by a rejuvenating bite of lime acidity on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
This is a pretty white wine, light and easy to love, with medium-bodied weight and mouthfeel. Highlights include apricot, vanilla and a touch of grass, with no one element overpowering the other. It's a highly quaffable experience.
Subtle notes of crushed mineral and lime on the nose contrast the lush tangerine and orange flavors in this off-dry, concentrated wine. It's harmoniously sweet, balanced neatly by strikes of steel and acid that tighten the finish. Drink now through 2019.
Assembled from the best barrels of the vintage, this low-alcohol wine is chewy and forward, with strawberry fruit, cola and a whiff of the chicken yard. It all comes together seamlessly and is immediately drinkable. Best enjoyed now through 2019.
A lightly wood-aged wine, this is floral and spicy. With its pear and citrus flavors, soft texture and fine mature fruit, it is nicely balanced and ready to drink.
Brambly berry fruit is dotted with highlights of black pepper and tart tangy herbs. The acids are way out in front of the fruit, delivering a citrusy, lightly toasty kick to the finish.
This reserve-level wine shows extra concentration, though it comes with a slightly chalky mouthfeel. Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors are set against stiff, drying acids, and seem a bit blocky. Think of it as a chunky style of Pinot Noir, and pair it with a fat-inflected filet of wild caught salmon.
Aromas of French oak, espresso dried herb and a floral note lead the nose on this structured red. The palate is still quite primary and tight, showing cranberry, tart cherry, star anise and oak-driven spice alongside firm acidity and assertive, rather grainy tannins that leave a mouth puckering finish. Drink after 2021.
The wine is ripe and perfumed. Mint and sweet eucalyptus aromas are followed on the palate by ripe tannins and strawberry fruits. This is an attractive wine that will be ready to drink from 2018.
Hints of moss, yeast and freshly zested orange peel edged with pine honey initially suggest a dry wine. It is only on the palate that the richer and sweeter Auslese character comes to bear—again in the guise of dark, aromatic pine honey. The concentrated, deliciously bitter zestiness of the acidity, paired with the aromatically dark and equally bitter edge of the resinous honey provide a wonderful structure. While sweetness peaks up, it never gains the upper hand. This is a tight-rope walker of a wine with immense balance and poise. Glints of vanilla pod, candied peel and white pepper open up, vista after vista. If you are new to Grüner Auslese, this is the one to get you hooked.
Beautifully pale in color, this is the latest release of Cristal Rosé. It is ripe and full in the mouth, packed with fruit and also with intense acidity that cuts through the soft texture. There is a hint of bottle age, giving the wine a toasty complexity that brings a balance to this great wine. Drink now, although this vintage will certainly last to 2020 and beyond.
This wine hits the mark for spicy aromas, rich flavors and a velvety yet vibrant texture. The complex aromas resemble pencil shavings and baking spices, with flavors of bright red cherry, ripe plum and clove. While absolutely delicious to drink now, this will improve through at least 2019.
Hailing from the vineyard that surrounds the historic Mt. Carmel monastery and vineyard, this weaves together aromas of buttered black cherries, Dr Pepper, black slate and the slightest tinge of dried herbs. From that hedonistic nose, the blackberry-laced palate tightens around pencil shavings, black-tea leaves, graphite, eucalyptus and sagebrush—an utterly balanced experience between savory and sweet.
This mature wine shows its toasty side. A mineral texture is now integrated with the almond, yeast and bread flavors to give a wine that's crisp while no longer bringing out its fruit. This wine is elegant with poise and great style. Drink now.
In this vintage, the producer's beloved blend is a commingling of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Two years in new French oak give it a youthful, tannic nature around smoky black cherry, burly leather and full-bodied richness and concentration. Further time in the bottle should coax out the blackberry and cherry; cellar through 2027.
This is a very fine wine with considerable bottle age. From its orange-pink color to its mature toast and almond flavors, this complex wine is much more than the fruit that has merged with the secondary flavors. Light tannins and a crisp texture are balanced by the softness that comes from the relatively high dosage. The wine, beautifully mature, is ready to drink.
When a winery this good puts their name on a particular, prized vineyard, it pretty much guarantees you a great flavor ride. It pays off here, with this sophisticated Pinot Noir that carries itself with seamless authority. Red plum, black cherry and a dusting of baking spices all converge in a complex and delicious wine that pins the hedonism meter.
This gorgeously crafted, full-bodied Tempranillo is a modern beauty. Marzipan, wood grain, baking spice and black-fruit aromas make for a spectacular bouquet, while a ripped, strapping palate is raring to go. Flavors of blackened toast, fine wood, black plum and blackberry finish with gusto and notes of licorice, baking spices and cracked black peppercorn linger on the finish. Hold until 2017, then drink through 2026.
Beautifully crisp and fresh, this is a young, tightly textured wine that is already so refreshing. Its red fruit character is just a part of the mineral and tannin texture and the pure line of fragrant acidity. Very pale in color, this sophisticated wine could do with some aging. Drink from 2018.
This 100% varietal wine from the cooler outpost of Freestone is so deliciously crisp, bright in minerally lemon and fresh pear. It lingers on the palate in complex ways, elusive one moment, then exuberant the next—a celebration of ideal vintage and place.
The term “heady” surely was coined just for a wine like this—immensely rich but traveling on very light feet, concentrating the perfumed aromatics of Scheurebe on the palate while exuberantly vaporizing them on the nose. The honeyed blossoms of nettle come to mind as well as summer sprays of honeysuckle. The palate is ultrasweet, evoking tropical largesse of pineapple and passion fruit, always luminous, always bright. This is dessert in itself and shines with immense purity.
The great 2002 vintage has produced some remarkable wines and this falls into that category. Still so fresh, with swathes of mineral texture and tight acidity, it is still developing. Hints of toast point to a future where the wine will be rounder and with even more complexity. For now, the crisp apple, pear and softer yellow fruits dominate. Drink from 2017.
The finely tuned sweetness of this Auslese brings out the muskier notes of apple: a mix of fresh and baked fruit, with peeled skin and compote flesh. Initially, there still is the spectre of yeast but with some time there are hints of burnt sugar and apricot compote, too. A lovely, engulfing apple tartness makes this as suited to baked fruit desserts and fruit tarts as to creamy, ripe cheeses. Full marks for poise and freshness. This is a baby still and will need time to come into its own and unfold even more layers. Drink from 2018.
One large (500 liter) barrel was set aside with wine from a single acre of four interplanted and ungrafted Chardonnay clones. This is truly a natural wine, fermented with no additives, aged on the lees for 18 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deeply rich flavors of apple pastry, buttery barrel and sweet spice are ineffably long and seductive. This rare and exceptional wine should be consumed in its youth.
There's tremendous tension on the nose of this wine, with the slightest hints of yogurt and crushed ant mixing with a pink limeade aroma. The palate is extremely energized, with lime chiffon and tangerine-skin flavors proving simultaneously rich and zesty. It's superb now but has the bones for extended aging.
An intensity of petrol-like oakiness on the nose of this wine suggests a youthful coiling that's yet to unravel. Still, plenty of promise is revealed, from robust yet floral elements of golden apple and honey to the effusive back notes of peach. Medium bodied, it finishes crisp and creamy, an expert combination of strength and elegance. Drink now through 2020.
Taittinger's prestige cuvée epitomizes the Chardonnay predilection of this producer. This now-mature bottling is elegant and very stylish. Toast and a soft texture combine with great complexity to reveal a wine that is poised and ready to drink. But with the acidity in the background, it could still age, so drink now and until 2022.
With some age, this is a gloriously ripe and toasty wine. It has a rich character emphasized by the round texture and the creamy mousse. It also has great concentration, bringing together acidity as well as dense secondary flavors. With its rich, mature character, it is best suited for food. It is ready to drink, but will hold well through 2025.
Sanguine, dense and thick, this offers an intriguing nose of black pepper and garrigue that conveys a sense of adventure and romance. Its leathery texture never becomes overly weighty, though the fruit and oak are plenty generous. An ideal partner for an equally beautiful steak, its structure suggests time in the cellar will only add to the experience; drink through 2022.
Intensely fragrant from the moment the cork is pulled, this exceptional wine (formerly bottled as de Lancellotti vineyard) bursts out of the glass with sweet baking spices, sandalwood and tart red fruits. The structure and balance, along with its impressive concentration and length, mark this as a wine to cellar. Drink now through 2030.
Among the most iconic Champagnes, this wine always reflects its vintage. In this 2007, coming from a good, not great year, the wine is developing more quickly than is sometimes the case. It is now showing as a beautiful, balanced wine ripe with apples while also hinting at almonds and a yeasty character. The wine has such style, elegant with its fragrant acidity and complex structure.
Lush and velvety, this wine offers big, dark cherry flavor around a tangy minerality. From three vineyard blocks planted to Pommard and Swan clones, it balances opposites in the way full-bodied luxuriousness meets acidity-driven juiciness, creating a desire for more. Let this wine open in the glass or cellar through 2023.
Inky berry and smoky, minerally aromas of charcoal properly introduce a saturated palate with tons of oak but even more fruit at its base. This supercharged Malbec is almost over the top, with massive blackberry, chocolate and molasses flavors. Burnt toast and chocolate mint-chip flavors on the finish confirm that this is a monster red. Drink through 2023.
For Perrier-Jouët the symbols of the Belle Epoque are the house calling card. This prestige cuvée, in its stylish flowered bottle, has been released with good maturity, offering toast as well as fruit and a crisp, tight and mineral backdrop. There is an elegant style to the wine, fresh and with poise. Drink now.
It is the balance that stars with this wine. The fruit, acidity and mineral texture are held together in maturing harmony. Still young, the wine is still in the fruity spectrum and yet is very ready to drink now. The acidity and the link between the soft dosage and freshness are all in place. Drink now and until 2026.
A blend of Zweigelt and the more tannic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wine is powerful, darkly tannic with solid chocolate and black berry fruit characters. The acidity is layered into the sweet flavors, adding to the complex texture.
An interesting blend, which includes 14% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec. High acids and polished tannins set up a muscular, spicy wine with a beautiful mix of cassis, sweet plum and green olive flavors. The wine needs a good hour or more to breathe into life.
From selected parcels of the Bélingard vineyard, this is a firm and rich wine, with excellent concentration. The tannins are firm, dusty, broken by ripe plums and sweet acidity. The 18 months of wood aging shows in the polish of the wine. Age for another year.
Formerly the popular Three Vineyards bottling, this has been re-named, but remains the same friendly Merlot-dominated Bordeaux blend, with just a bit of Syrah adding spice. Smooth and silky in the mouth, it mixes red and blue fruits, with a ripe, round midpalate and light chocolate and toasted nuts to finish.
A full-bodied wine, showing the richness and super-ripe grapes of 2003. It is soft, with dusty tannins showing through the ripe damsons and almost jammy character. It's all well in balance.
A solid, chunky wine, its tannins giving a tight edge of dryness. Acidity and really juicy fruit make the wine accessible, with great dried raisins coming through strongly and deliciously.
Reilly's 2007 Dry Land Shiraz is full bodied and velvety textured without being overbearing—trademark attributes of Clare Valley Shiraz. It delivers superripe cherries but wraps them in a cocoon of spicy, savory complexity and soft tannins. Drink now-2017.
The nose on this red is soft and full of rounded spice and red berry fruit. Rich, balanced flavors of plum, black fruit and pepper are poised and backed by a good acidity. A classy Shiraz that will pair well with meat dishes and aged cheeses.
Thurston Wolfe pioneered Zinfandel in Washington. This is the seventh vintage from the Zephyr Ridge vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, vinified to California-style alcohol levels of 15.5%. A fruit bomb to be sure, but along with jammy raspberries and strawberries you'll find interesting nuances of pencil lead, oak and chocolate.
The concentration that Christian Roche produces here is immense, a wine that has dark tannins, the most bitter of chocolate flavors and peppered cherry fruits. Even after four years, this is nowhere open yet, the tannins and the heavy toast wood still dark and dry. Age for 3–4 years more.
Elderton is making classically styled Barossa Shiraz, marrying raspberry fruit with rich chocolaty overtones and wrapping them in a soft cocoon of supple tannins and balanced acidity. Drink now–2014.
Typical mineral notes shine through this impressive wine. It has plenty of acidity, berry fruits and vivid acidity, the whole structure held together by dark tannins.
Named The Teacher to honor the late Stan Clarke—a viticulturalist, winemaker and mentor to many in the Washington wine business—this is pure Cabernet. Astringent and tannic when first opened, it expands with air to reveal good varietal flavors of cassis and black cherry, with light herb and a streak of licorice. Slightly volatile and leathery, with good concentration.
This wine's underbrush, French oak, espresso, coconut and spiced plum aromas carry over to round, concentrated palate, along with licorice, clove, raisin and dried cherry notes. Fine-grained tannins provide polished support, but drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Delicate whiffs of black cherry and berry intensify on the palate of this vibrant, delicately concentrated Pinot Noir. It's fresh and fruity yet elegantly structured offering fine lingering tannins and bright cranberry acidity. Extensive aging in new French oak lends a lavish spicy character that reverberates through the finish.
Blended from several Central Otago subregions, this is a supple, immediately drinkable wine. Oak spice and vanilla notes mark the nose, while the midpalate fills in with crisp red fruit reminiscent of cranberries. It's medium bodied, with a silky texture that lingers on the finish. Drink now–2022.
This is not a cookie-cutter Cava. It opens with apple juice aromas along with yeast and white-bread scents. In the mouth, this feels a bit bready and soft. Yeasty flavors of papaya, green banana and melon see a white-bread note return on the finish. This is 100% Xarello (Pansa Blanca).
Herb, plum, spice and black-currant aromas are followed by well-balanced fruit flavors. The tannins bring some dryness, needing time to stretch their legs. Give it a short decant.
The aromas offer notes of cocoa, herb, cedar, cherry and barrel spice. The palate is somewhat barrel-forward but otherwise shows a pleasing sense of balance along with a lingering finish.
Zesty lime-pith perfume introduces this squarely balanced off-dry Riesling. Concentrated flavors of pressed apples and pears are dusted in slightly savory tones of saffron and smoked nuts. The finish is invigoratingly crisp but meandering.
Plum, tomato and spice aromas turn more floral with airing. This is a dry pinching tannic Malbec with herbal plum and cherry flavors that are also peculiarly salty. A tannic dry sturdy finish offers plenty to chew on. Drink through 2022.
This opens with tilled soil, dried black cherry and licorice aromas while the accessible, savory palate delivers blackberry jam, clove and white pepper flavors. Polished tannins offer smooth support. Drink through 2020.
Mild peach skin and apricot aromas precede fresh and vivid white peach flavors in this dry, refreshing wine. It's well balanced, has enough concentration to keep it interesting and will be very versatile with food.
Made entirely from Nero d'Avola, this opens with ripe red plum, blue flower and baking spice aromas. The juicy palate delivers ripe blackberry, star anise and white pepper notes, alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy soon.
Coming from one of the state's premier vineyards, barrel-spice aromas are at the fore on first pour, with black-fruit and herb notes far in the background. The dark-fruit flavors are concentrated initially, tapering slightly toward the finish.
A blend of Scooteney Flats and Kiona vineyards, this 100% varietal wine initially brings barrel-forward aromas of vanillin, clove and spice. This evolves over time to reveal dark plum and pepper. The fruit flavors are fleshy yet still show restraint. If the barrel notes integrate, it could move up a notch.
This is one of the entry-level wines from this producer. It shows the ripe, soft side of Malbec without compromising on the firm structure and mineral edge that is natural to the grape and the appellation. The wine is developing easily and quickly, with bold black fruits and acidity. Drink now.
Blended with 20% Grenache, this wine displays somewhat reticent aromas of cranberry, baking spice, raspberry and plum. The cherry flavors are rich with the tannins initially showing a touch of astringency that softens over time.
Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, scorched earth and a whiff of exotic spice unfold in the glass. The round, chewy palate doles out juicy blackberry, fleshy black cherry, cinnamon and a hint of cocoa while velvety tannins provide a smooth framework.
Aromas of green pepper, blackcurrant and toasted oak abound on this Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d'Avola blend. The polished, full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry, licorice and espresso alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Red rose, woodland berry and ground spice aromas lead the way on this expressive, delightful red. The vibrant palate offers juicy morello cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper framed in zesty acidity and silky, smooth tannins. It's incredibly easy to drink.
From a high perch on Howell Mountain, this producer has blended 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Petit Verdot—making for a darkly colored, robust wine. Thick, chalky tannins envelop plum, cassis and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2020.
Struck flint and tomato leaf notes add welcome complexity to this wine's grapefruit aromas and flavors. For a wild-ferment Sauvignon Blanc, it's reasonably clean, with moderate body and a long, dry finish.
Big, bold fruit and penetrating tannins mark this lush, powerful Cabernet Franc. Rich black cherry and berry flavors penetrate the palate, layered in streaks of smoke, spice and cranberry acidity. It's a potent wine to mature till at least 2018.
Zestiness on nose and palate is reminiscent of freshly peeled lemon. There is a slender linearity that spells summer and joy, refreshment and verve. This is as clear and limpid as a mountain stream—and as deliciously bracing.
Intense and concentrated blackberry flavors rise above thick tannins in this full-bodied wine. Aromas suggest boysenberry, smoke and clove, while the flavors taste more like blackberry jam. Although the texture is dense and tannic, it stays velvety rather than drying. This will be great now with ribs or roast venison, but will easily age through 2020.
A blend of Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Cabernet Franc, this wine brings aromas of dried leaves, coffee, green pepper and black cherry. The blackberry and licorice flavors are full bodied, showing depth and lingering on the warm finish.
The Malbec (17%) and Syrah (6%) in the blend make themselves known, with aromas of dark plum and peppery spices plus a toasty top note. Plump in feel, the flavors trail slightly toward the finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 95% of this wine, with the balance Syrah. It seems reductive out of the gate, making it a challenge to get at the black-cherry aromas. The dark fruit, fig and herb flavors are full in feel, seeming slightly dried out and backed by surprisingly soft tannins for the variety.
A smoky note of flint signals youth, while a pliable, light and fresh body of grapefruit zest and yeasty brings a slender but juicy feel. A slim but impressive package of lively, taut fruit.
A lovely Sauvignon Blanc at a lovely price, this shows characteristic notes of snow pea, cut grass and tropical fruit upfront, followed by hints of pink grapefruit and nectarine. It's medium in weight, with a long, stony finish.
Savory, earthy notes similar to soy precede plump and fleshy notes of almost overripe black cherry and plum. The palate is light and fresh but bouncy with full fruitiness and the slightest tannic texture and a lip-smacking finish. A summer red of sorts that could even be chilled.
Soft apple notes play on the subdued palate which holds more fruit than the nose promises. The varietal notes of Sauvignon Blanc are hidden in the predominance of zesty citrus, but they are there. There is pleasing length and steadfast character on this light-bodied wine.
Even big brands like Oyster Bay benefitted from the excellent vintage conditions in 2015, so consumers shouldn't be shy about trying some of them. This medium-bodied wine has a pleasant, silky texture, understated graphite and citrus aromas and flavors, and a long, mouthwatering finish.
The slight cloudiness signals a 'natural' wine, smelling fresh and phenolic, with hints of apple cider and yeast. The palate is bracing and dry, zesty and compelling with a really salty, moreish core. A great sense of purity pervades the palate that astonishes with a fluid, pliable and rather smooth palate. This is definitely off-piste but has bags of character.
Sunbaked earth, mature black-skinned fruit, blue flower, tobacco and new leather aromas waft out of the glass. The juicy, chewy palate doles out fleshy black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, white pepper and a hint of game accompanied by ripe, solid tannins. Drink 2017–2027.
Swirls of honey melt into ripe, rich pink grapefruit and peach in this decadently fruity Riesling. Off dry in style, it's lip smackingly sweet-tart, anchored by a zesty streak of tangerine acidity. Drink now–2016.
Tropical mango and melon mingle elegantly into swathes of blossom and peach in this lush, juicy Gewürztraminer. It's lusciously textured, a bit brawny even, boasting creamy swirls of fruit that linger long and heavy through the finish. Drink now through 2016.
Mostly Merlot with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (11%), this wine hails from Bacchus, Ciel du Cheval and Elephant Mountain vineyards. It's immediately appealing, with aromas of toasty spices, herbs and red fruit followed by plump but well-balanced fruit flavors.
Aromas of peppery spices, hay and apple lead to dry, sleek flavors, high-wire acid and a citrus-rind-filled finish. Try it with shellfish.
With a dry and full-bodied approach, this wine combines good fruit flavors, intriguing oak spiciness and appetizing acidity. The crisp character and high alcohol combine with fine-grained tannins for a liveliness that keeps the cherry and raspberry flavors dancing through the finish.
On the nose, this Carmenère is integrated and earthy, with cedar, black cherry, baked plum and spice aromas. The palate is a touch abrasive and edgy, while core blackberry flavors are surrounded by oak, chocolate and earth notes. A long, woody, persistent finish is mildly complex. Drink through 2019.
This is a lovely, lighthearted vineyard-designated wine. Soft, layered and decadent on the palate, it offers a mix of green apple, Meyer lemon, ginger and marshmallow. Intense on the finish in savory, briny fennel, it sees only 20% new oak and is structured enough to hang out in bottle a few years more.
A crowd-pleasing quaffer of a wine, this is tart, with a fresh-squeezed lemon palate that also offers anise, caramel apple and pear. Crisp and dry, it indeed sees no oak—it's pure, with a lasting finish.
The aromas explore Cabernet's greener side, with overt notes of bell pepper along with vanilla and other barrel spices. The black-fruit flavors show richness, with grainy tannins backing them up. This wine is best for those who enjoy the variety's savory aspects.
Bolder and bigger than most, this wine combines generous fruit flavors with great acidity and structured tannins for a lip-smacking texture. The red cherry and raspberry aromas are intriguing, while the flavors deliver the goods and the finish is firm.
A dark-colored wine, this is full of tannins as well as ripe blackberry fruits. The acidity and fruitiness give it a very fresh character, while the underlying tannins will let it age. Drink from 2018.
Old Merlot vines from a five-acre parcel have given this powerful and dense wine. Solid with dark-plum fruits and still-dry tannins, it also has a fine texture and freshness to balance. It is juicy while also young. Drink from 2018.
This wine is packed with cheerful red fruits that are given a more serious edge by the tannic structure and acidity,. With its touch of pepper and minerality, it will age well over the next two years. The cru wine comes from a family-owned property on steep slopes.
The antithesis of a squeaky-clean commercial wine, this funky but compelling and complex bottling is an adventure to drink. Brownish in color, it conveys strong earth, spice and new-leather notes in the aroma, followed by flavors like black tea, rhubarb and cedar. While it was aged for an unusually long time in 70% new French oak, it comes off as layered and spicy but not at all overoaked.
Aromas of cocoa, milk chocolate, spice and red berries are followed by tart luscious red-cherry and chocolate flavors. It shows a pleasing sense of balance.
Lavish violet perfume introduces this demure yet luminous Pinot Noir. Crisp black cherry and berry flavors are full of tartness and vibe, yet edged by soft tones of toast and earth, along with a fine frame of tannins. The finish meanders beautifully. It's ready to drink now but should continue to drink well until at least 2023.
An intensely concentrated white from the famous historic vineyard, this youthful wine shows toasted oak around a palate-coating flirtation with tropical flavor, finding a supportive streak of minerality as it develops in the glass.
This 100% Cabernet has scents of ripe black-skinned fruit, aromatic herb, new leather, baking spice and a balsamic note. The round savory palate offers black currant, stewed prune, herb, clove and a hint of star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink over the next several years.
Quite light and restrained on the nose, this bottling from Richard and Thekla Sanford shows pithy Key lime and scratched grapefruit-skin aromas. There is a decent sizzle of acidity to the palate, with lime rinds, pith and juice playing together. Touches of almond and flint add interest.
From estate-grown grapes, this impressive bottling is moderately spicy, showing a floral flair on the nose. Medium bodied and soft on the palate, it shines in a depth of plum, leather and black pepper.
The sonorous smoke and cinnamon-tinged tone of oak surrounds this wine. On the palate, there is a sumptuousness that marries well with the full red-cherry fruit of Zweigelt. Beautifully edged with pepper, this is fresh but full bodied. Crunchy now but it will relax and mellow with time. Drink 2018–2022.
Pronounced like “Cyrano,” this blend of 63% Petite Sirah, 28% Pinot Noir and 9% Syrah successfully mingles these distinct varieties. Crushed mulberry, strawberry and black plum meet with thyme and mint-chocolate-chip aromas on the nose. The palate shows similar flavors, yet is more subtle than a typical Petite Sirah, with a plush mouthfeel.
Rich and creamy, this barrel-fermented (in neutral oak) wine has appealing flavors of pear tart, grapefruit and coconut cream pie. The bracing acids compensate for all the lush creamy flavor, and the result is darn near irresistible.
Violet, scorched earth, dried herb and dark spice aromas take shape in the glass. The full-bodied palate offers wild cherry, raspberry, star anise, ground pepper a hint of orange rind alongside firm fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Named for the producer's French grandfather, Pépé is peppery in clove and Mexican cinnamon, with an abundance of black cherry. Made in small amounts, it shows a softness around its rounded edges of structure and moderate body of acidity, finishing with length and grace.
From one of the few producers to grow and make this variety in the appellation, this was fermented in both neutral oak and stainless steel. It's focused and viscous, with a tropical opening of Tahitian vanilla built around white peach, lemony acidity and a fresh, crisp texture.
This is a rich, unctuous, yet refreshing example of Condrieu. Apricot and melon notes pick up hints of honey, then end with a pop of wood spice and a balanced tannic feel. Drink now.
This wine from a small, high-elevation district in Lake County adds fresh cherry and raspberry aromas to rich, softly spicy fruit and oak flavors. Smooth and easy in texture, it's supported by good acidity and moderate tannnis in a style for which Barbera is well known in Italy.
Nineteen months in 40% new French oak has left a strong mark on this wine, imparting it with notes of cedar, graham crackers, baking spices, toast and some drying, woody tannins. Cassis fruit backs up all those oaky sensations, but will likely remain a background player, so drink it while it retains a sense of freshness, now through 2025.
This is a spicy wine, finely fruity with black-currant fruits and with some firm structured tannins. It is a concentrated wine that is likely to mature slowly. There is a sense of power behind this fine cru wine. Drink from 2018.
An initially funky hint on the nose soon turns into exotically spicy notions of lime zest and grapefruit foliage with riper notions of peach shimmering through. This dances on tiptoe, it speaks of ease and joy, is lively and refreshing with a lovely lemony finish.
Warm aromas of yellow peach, baked-apple croissant, vanilla and marzipan show on the nose of this bottling from the longtime family-run winery near the town of Santa Ynez. It's soft and lush on the palate, with baked nectarine and poached pear. It's familiar for those who enjoy the ripe California style, but chiseled enough to appeal to others as well.
Some struck-match aromas bring pleasant complexity to the aromas of vanilla and tangerine, then ripe citrus, smoke and vanilla take over on the palate. This is a full-bodied, fully ripe wine, without that intense pungency that marks many Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs.
Honey and the perfumed notes of quince are immediately apparent on this Spätlese Riesling. The sweetness is carried beautifully by ripe notions of peach, additional quince and apricot coulis, balanced and countered by the fresh, ripe and pliable acidity of oranges and tangerines. This is slightly decadent and very harmonious. Perhaps sweet enough for an apricot tart but certainly a killer with salty blue cheeses. No other grape can perform the same tightrope walk as Riesling. Enjoy.
This is a handsome wine all the way, from the lightly spicy aromas through the layered fruit, chocolate and cinnamon flavors, to the moderately tannic and lingering finish. With its great balance and mouthwatering flavors, it will be a tasty addition to almost any meal.
Aromatic hints of tomato leaf and pea shoots make for a highly appetizing nose. The concentrated body adds lovely notions of ripe mirabelle plums and combines fulsome fruit with ample zest. The midpalate maximizes these flavors and leaves you with a very refreshing finish.
Dried sage and a hint of saddle leather highlight this dry, dusty wine noteworthy for its bright, buoyant acidity and layering of red currant. It delivers plenty of full-bodied flavor within a complex, approachable experience.
Yellow apple, pineapple and pear play off streaky minerality in this rich, robust wine, heartily defined by additional layers of lemon chiffon and butterscotch. The density and concentration work in its favor, complemented by a comforting tease of tangerine.
This wine is subtle in aroma but extremely generous in texture. It seems to start out slow and then floods the palate with very ripe but not sweet flavors like kiwi, pear and honeydew melon on a nicely viscous, pillowy texture.
A lofty violet perfume meets bold black pepper in this lively, fresh and memorable wine, which blends smaller amounts of Syrah, Grenache and other Rhône varieties. Blackberry, blueberry and leather form a reel of highlights that is soft enough to enjoy now.
Adastra is an organically farmed vineyard and the wine shows an earthy profile that's substantial and defining. Full bodied and ripe, it rides a tension of acidity that provides freshness, seasoned in tart cherry and pomegranate.
This wine is made with wild yeasts and is unfiltered. It has an earthy bouquet of plum, truffle, black currant and spice. The palate delivers a delicious blackberry core, layered with cinnamon, white pepper and nutmeg accents. This is well balanced, with velvety tannins and fresh acidity.
Dark and roasted scents introduce this firm, tannic, rather muscular Syrah. There is a citrusy acidity underscoring the mix of mineral, earth and brambly berry, along with a slight suggestion of bacon fat. This has the fine-tuned structure to age for another half decade or longer.
Travis Scarborough has produced an outstanding Riesling, with a light coating of honey over rich and tart lemon and pineapple fruit. The concentration and length are admirable; this wine is delicious now but could be cellared for a decade or longer.
Deep, dense, compact aromas of black fruits, marzipan and sandalwood are exotic and inviting. This blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc feels flush and layered, while integrated flavors of chocolate, blackberry, spice and oak finish long and woody, but not overly oaky. Drink through 2017.
Though Andrew Will has been known more recently for its vineyard-designated blends, this is a return to a 100% varietal offering. Coming from five year-old vines, it shows grace and texture with high toned leafy notes, herbs, bittersweet chocolate and plum. There's a wonderful sense of tension between the lively acidity and the chewy tannins as the wine continues to open and evolve.
Here's a sumptuous Amarone, with scents of blackberry, graphite and licorice. The palate is densely concentrated, with ripe black fruit flavors and intense peppery notes. This is powerfully structured, with brooding tannins and practically blazing alcohol that takes over on the close. Drink after 2016.
This is a big, rich wine, with swathes of black currant fruit and ripe spice. The tannins are there too, a wall of solid texture and dark structure. With this weight and density, it's obvious that this wine needs some serious aging, so don't drink before 2018.
This is the first release from the newly-planted estate vineyard, located further up Red Mountain on rock-strewn soil. Resulting in juice remarkable for such young vines that's showing tight wild berry flavors and a firm base of mineral and chalk.
The new vintage of Ambiance is again a blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, from a trio of excellent vineyards. At first firm and phenolic, it opens up gracefully, with vivid flavors of candied orange peel, honeydew melon and apricot jam. Aging in neutral French oak helps to round out the animated flavors. Drink now and over the next two years.
This is an immediately attractive and approachable wine, with direct and intense aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum and boysenberry accented by notes of sweet smoke, mocha and pepper. Firm yet approachable, this is well-balanced with structured tannins and ample acidity. Drink from 2015-2018.
Sourced from the Stillwater Creek vineyard this wine spent 20 months in 75% new French oak. Immediately appealing, it opens into a mix of cranberry, pomegranate and cherry fruit, annotated with light hints of sandalwood, cocoa and black tea.
La Dama Amarone has an intense fragrance of plum, raisin and white chocolate, with whiffs of oak. The rich, round palate shows ripe black fruit, chocolate and well-integrated toasted notes of oak and espresso. This shows the warmth of the vintage and is approaching its optimum drinking window, so enjoy soon over the next few years.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) comes from vines at Champoux Vineyard that average 34 years of age. It's soft and seductive with notes of coffee bean, chocolate, and olive backed by slightly gritty tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It's a sophisticated blend that retains its youthful freshness. Deep flavors run from black cherry through cassis, adding streaks of licorice, baking chocolate and a hint of bark and herb. Supple, graceful and polished, this wine would seem to have another decade of life ahead.
This is Brian Carter's Southern Rhône-influenced blend. The 2009 is 53% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault and 2% Counoise, sourced from seven different vineyards. It all comes into focus somehow, yielding a seductive wine with a gentle intensity. Tart red currant, pomegranate and raspberry flavors are lightly spicy and dusted with pretty herbs. Châteauneuf-du-Woodinville?
This is 58% Grenache, 39% Syrah, and 3% Tempranillo. It's a real fruit salad of a wine—fresh and loaded with strawberries, cherry candy, cola and cream. Forward and fruit-driven, it's enormously appealing and ready to drink right now.
Full, fat, ripe, perfumed wine that is full of rich red fruits, plums and strawberries. It also has a stylish structured with refined tannins as well as a dense texture. It's a wine for aging over at least 5–7 years.
Château de Rully is managed by Rodet. It has produced a firm, dark and smoky wine in 2010. It's firm, solid, with an earthy, undergrowth edge. At the same time, its weight and density promise some good aging over at least five years.
Despite showing rusticity and leather on the bouquet, this smells encouraging and improves with airing as spice and subtle berry aromas take over. A creamy, layered palate is home to cinnamon, dry spice, earth and leathery flavors in addition to tobacco and dried cherry. Residual oak and spice are driving the finish on this mature wine. Drink now through 2015.
There is a bounty of herbally inflected red fruit on the nose of this bottling, with hints of tea, mushroom and pepper, which make for an intriguing but somewhat odd expression. The herbal flavors on the palate are reminiscent of chewing on bay leaves.
Harsh, rubbery black-fruit aromas include notes of mushroom and horseradish. A shallow palate with hard tannins doesn't offer much space for a soft landing. It tastes largely of hickory on a choppy finish.
This bottling offers a tarry backbone on the nose with a hint of crushed elderberry. The palate is a bit bitter, with Concord grape flavors cut by tar and bittersweet dark chocolate shavings.
Very treacly aromas of overripe strawberry, brown sugar and maple syrup show on this dessert-like wine. It's very sweet on the palate, with sweet tea, prune and raisin flavors.
Sweet caramelized flavors of crème brûlée dominate in this wine that is showy in oak with sharp layers of green apple, melon and lime.
This wine has easy flavors that are bursting with red cherry. A shot of tannin gives this open, fruity wine shape. It is ready to drink.
Vegetal aromas of canned peas are also oddly powdery. This feels racy and healthy, but flavors of canned veggies echo the nose. A salty, green-tasting, peppery finish yields little to no fruit.
Dark aromas of tire rubber, forest and juniper are lead elements on the nose. This Syrah is astringent, with rawness to the palate. There's a sense of grape skins to the black-fruit flavor profile, and the tone just seems a little off.
This wine is soft and very rich. That takes away from the fruit and leaves a broad wine, smooth and with a touch of pepper from alcohol. It is too big.
Black cherry, currant and plum swirl in the bouquet, with hints of baking spice and bittersweet chocolate in the background. It's promising, but the palate comes across a bit flat, with soft tannins and a fleeting finish.
Accents of cola spice and cardamom lend a spicy overlay to the black plum and berry core of this wine. It's surprisingly light in weight, with soft tannins and plush, sweet oak-spice tones that dominate the finish.
Saucy tomato and herbal berry aromas are a bit green. This feels creamy and thick, but also bumpy. Oaky, herbal black-fruit flavors are a touch stewy. It tastes green, minty and herbal on the finish.
Light in color, this sparkling wine is somewhat diluted in flavor, coming off as slightly sweet, with a nutty metallic edge to it.
This amounts to a flabby, basic SB from a hot vintage. The nose is dull and lacks spunk. The palate is soft and fleshy, with bitter-leaning, bland flavors of melon, mild citrus and white pepper.
A very simple Chardonnay with sour apple flavor.
Very young, fruity wine. The tannins are already soft and there is stalky black currant acidity that gives the wine a bright freshness. It has no wood and will develop fast.
Lapostolle makes many excellent wines and quite a few good values; this Sauvignon Blanc from the warm Rapel Valley is not one of them. Like in prior years, this is bland and fleshy, with soft, wide, dull flavors of melon and sweet apple. And it's weak on acidity. 60,000 cases made.
Medicinal cherry and plum aromas are smothered in milk chocolate scents that turn more animal and leathery with airing. The palate is chunky but dull in feel, with generic red-berry flavors covered with candied oak and herbal notes.
Prune and raisin aromas pour off the bouquet, providing more than a clue that this wine is on the overripe side. That's confirmed in the mouth, where things feel tannic and over the top; flavors of raisin, sugar beet and chocolate finish with heat and hardness.
There's no shortage of funky wildness to the nose: leather, juniper and rubbery berry scents are all accounted for. The palate carries minimal tannic grip, while flavors of herbal berry fruits rekindle the juniper from the nose, leaving an herbal aftertaste.
Pink in color, this is a full wine that misses out on freshness. It is clean with ripe strawberry fruits, but it feels fat and heavy. Screwcap.
Caramel and soft fruits in a wine that seems to be missing the zesty, crisp element. The wine feels flat.
Not sure what's going on at StoneCap, but after a couple of outstanding Merlot vintages, it seems to have lost its way in 2011. Spritzy, bitter and herbal, there's a big splash of vanilla, as if intended to cover the vegetal flavors of unripe grapes.
This weakly constituted Cabernet opens with raisiny aromas. Those are backed by a chunky, low-acid palate with raisin and baked plum flavors. The finish tastes baked and feels rubbery.
This creamy, candied Viognier comes across hot and high in alcohol, with banana and vanilla aromas that are not very encouraging. Flavors of Animal Cracker cookies, vanilla and canned fruits end in a sweet, soft, cloying finish.
The wine seems flat. It has the red fruits and acidity, but they seem flabby and dull.
Clunky aromas of raisin and compost lack vitality and suggest overripeness. The mouthfeel is dense and tannic, while flavors of prune and overripe blueberry dominate.
Oxidized peach and apple aromas are neither here nor there. The mouthfeel on this Godello is surprisingly soft, while oxidized flavors of citrus and melon lack kick. From start to middle to finish, this is low on pulse.
This wine's light, rusty color and herbal, dilute nose tell you most of what you need to know about this weakly constituted Monastrell-led blend. Tea, leafy fruit flavors, pepper and rooty flavors are what it's about.
While this smells plump, mealy and soft, it's decidedly acidic and citrusy in the mouth. In terms of feel, it's limited and monotone, while the flavors run toward vanilla, orange and oak. The finish is fleeting finish and light on flavor.
Scratchy rhubarb aromas run tart and weedy. The palate on this basic Merlot is high in acid and thus shrill, with sharp raspberry and cherry flavors. A short, choppy finish with sour plum flavors closes out this marginal, crisp wine.
Done half in stainless and half in barrel, this soft and supple wine boasts grapefruity acids and lightly buttery pear-flavored fruit. Medium long, fresh and complex, with a parting kiss of cinnamon spice.
Floral red-fruit aromas get heavier with airing. Feels thick and full, with soft tannins and mild acidity. Tastes oaky but not overoaked, with caramel, vanilla and standard red-berry and plum flavors. A touch stewy on the finish, with a resiny oak flavor hanging in there.
Big, bold and bulky on the bouquet, with a truck load of ripe blackberry and boysenberry aromas that rightly announce that a fruit bomb is coming. Feels plump, round and structured, with soft tannins and compact flavors of berries, black plums and herbs. Finishes full, with a mild herbal accent.
Stark's Viognier is liltingly ripe, enveloped by lemon and kumquat and a circle of spice. Light and crisp upon opening it develops a depth of textures and layered flavors over time and is very pretty, retaining plenty of acidity amidst its alcohol and neutral oak. Pair it with Thai food or creamy lobster rolls.
A big, savory Syrah from Mendocino's well-known Eaglepoint Ranch that's been aged in neutral oak but retains layers of tar and caramel on the finish. Let this wine open before pairing it with rich, meaty fare.
A Côtes du Rhône-style blend meant to be drunk early and around a weekday meal, among Terre Rouge's easiest to drink and find wines. There's lots to like, from the wine's high-toned cherry and boysenberry aromas and flavors to its traces of black olive and jaunty, gamy pepper.
An intensely fruity Petite full of plum and aromas of strawberries dipped in chocolate. Blended with 10% Mourvèdre, the wine is soft and round, with tame tannins. It finishes long, with a taste of char and Sweet Tarts, in a good way.
Aromas of cinnamon and spice decorate the nose, leading into a wine whose mouthfeel suggests just a hint of pétillance. Light, juicy raspberry fruit is pleasant and fresh, but this does not have the density of the other 2010 Pinots from Ken Wright.
Clean and varietal, this firm and juicy Pinot Noir offers light, forward raspberry and plum fruit, dusted with cinnamon and cocoa. Medium concentration and length.
While it's firmly tannic, the fruit still shows through the structure. It has taut flavors of black plum and currant; angular now, but has some good aging potential.
The Mark series from Anam Cara represents a sort of mini-reserve, all estate-grown, with a selection of what the winemaker considers to be the “boldest” clones. It has full-bodied flavors of cherry and sassafras, accented with cinnamon and cocoa. The barrel spices outlast the fruit—perhaps just an indication of youth. There is potential for considerable improvement with bottle age.
Leafy and loaded with sweet tobacco and earth aromas. Concentrated and lively in the mouth, with cherry, brown sugar and cocoa flavors leading to a layered, sweet-tasting, long finish. Offers a good mix of character, poise and power.
Ripe and jammy, with black-fruit, herb and licorice flavors, this wood-aged wine is superrich. It's heavy and full bodied, with dark tannins and a juicy fruit element.
Intense and black up front, with coconut, tobacco and blackberry aromas. Feels round and plump, with dark, toasty flavors of mildly herbal berry and cassis. Finishes warm, spicy, a little heavy and with tannic grip. A fun wine that's big boned and concentrated.
Initially tannic, this concentrated wine shows itself to be young, with its structure still waiting to open. A dry texture lies over the big berry flavors that will develop over the next year.
Black tea leaves and sweet spices season the fresh black-cherry and cassis spine of this attractive red blend. A good grip in the mouth lends structure to the fruit-forward palate and gives longevity to the dry finish.
A big blast of roasted berry, herb and spice hits hard on the composed bouquet. Feels stocky and lush, with full tannins, good extract and flavors of herb, black olive, earth, cola and toasty blackberry. Toasted on the finish, with bitter chocolate notes.
Just two barrels were made of this wine, a new release based upon a vineyard selection and a decision to use no new oak. Admirable in concept, but not quite there in execution, this wine is soft and earthy, with plum and a whiff of cocoa. The midpalate seems to have a slight dip in it, not a hole, but not a smooth ride either.
This is a classic Barbaresco, offering a quintessential Nebbiolo fragrance of rose, tobacco and Alpine herbs. The palate delivers wild cherry and raspberry flavors, with notes of white pepper, mint and mineral. It boasts structure, elegance and depth.
A uniquely styled wine with notes of apple cider and caramel. It's rich and creamy with a panoply of fruit flavors that come in waves and linger long after the last sip. Offers as much in feel as it does in flavor.
Fermented in 225-liter barrels, this is a rich, full-flavored wine touched with hints of toast and brisk acidity. The palate is weighty, but there's a crisp, dry fruit quality on the palate. Still youthful, it's not quite integrated yet, so keep until 2016.
Sweet lemon-curd aromas are laced with hints of petroleum and smoke on the nose of this brisk, sprightly spätlese. Intensely ripe stone fruit flavors dance delicately on the palate, laced with white blossoms and lemony acidity.
Bright citrus-fruit flavors are rounded with warm apple and pear notes on this densely textured, fruity wine. It shows no sign of aging, with a palate that's still fresh and bright, and revealing its minerality and tight acidity slowly. Drink through 2020.
Wood-aged Arinto in the right hands, as here, gives an opulently ripe wine that hints at the richness of Chardonnay. Yellow fruit, pear skin and a touch of toast are beautifully combined to give a full and complex wine that can age. Drink from 2014.
Rarely used on its own, Alicante Bouschet from the cooler Lisboa region can obviously produce an impressively structured wine. Naturally juicy, the wine also has firmer tannins, damson fruit flavors and balancing acidity. Drink now, or keep until 2015.
This outstanding Morellino di Scansano has a lovely fragrance of violet, berry and spice. The bright and delicious palate delivers a tight core of black cherry along with white pepper notes and hints of white chocolate and coffee. It has impeccable balance and finesse.
This is a youthful, fruity wine with crisp yellow-fruit and citrus flavors, with a toastiness from wood aging. Sourced from Saint-Aubin, it has a cool, fresh feel that complements its pristine fruitiness. It's for drinking soon, but will also improve with age through 2021.
This delicious and spicy dessert wine from Montepulciano offers a fragrance of dried apricots, honey, spice and walnut. The palate delivers orange peel, ripe peach, walnut, cinnamon and maple syrup notes with a hint of lemon drop. This isn't sticky sweet, and has a fresh quality that gives it great energy.
Here's an inviting Chianti Classico riserva, with an enticing fragrance of violet, rose and berry with whiffs of spice. The palate delivers a core of ripe wild cherry layered with white pepper, cinnamon and pipe tobacco. It has elegant tannins and while it's drinking nicely now, hold another few years for more complexity.
This amber-colored nectar is a quintessential dessert wine. It has heady aromas of maple syrup and dried orange slices. The palate is exceptionally smooth, with flavors of dried apricot, hazelnut and walnut, with a cinnamon accent. It's a perfect meditation wine or to pair with fruit tarts or baked peaches.
Big, dusty tannins dominate this rich and opulent wine. With black plum and juicy red berries, it is well balanced, the acidity cutting through to point up the richness. Very ready to drink, but it will age. Drink now and until 2020.
This wine shows mint aromas and big black-fruit flavors. With high toast wood aging, it feels extracted, with bitter chocolate paralleling the blackberry fruits. It has considerable power and density and needs aging. Drink from 2017.
Chehalem makes four different Rieslings, and this is often the best of them. Rich and complex, it's dense with grapefruit, lemon, lime, apple and flavors of wet stone. Lovely in the mouth, it lingers gracefully through the finish.
A direct and appealing wine, with notes of wild strawberry, wet stone, cherry and cranberry. It's fruity and concentrated while still retaining lightness of expression. Drawn out fruit flavors linger on the finish.
Beautifully ripe, almost luscious notes of yellow plum complement leafy varietal notes. The palate has that same juxtaposition of ripe generosity and focused freshness but remains toned, slender and superclean throughout. Lip smacking and very refreshing.
Very inviting and familiar aromas of sea salt, squeezed citrus, baked lemons Gravenstein apple and a touch of slate show on this crowd-pleaser from Bill Brousseau and Rob Jensen in Los Gatos. The palate is framed by slightly sour kumquat, tart apple and lime-powered acidity, with a cementy grip that makes the sip as much about texture as flavor.
All of the fruit for this wine comes from Stonetree Vineyard. Bright flower, fresh raspberry, huckleberry and potpourri aromas are followed by full-bodied, layered fruit flavors. Floral notes persist on the finish.
Very fresh, fruity and appetizing notes of juicy pear make this very easy to like and sip. The palate is fresh and made light and zingy by lovely zesty lime and lemon notes. A vein of white pepper is fizzing away at the core. It's a perfect summer wine with the slightest spritz.
The ripe, appetizing zestiness of Amalfi lemon peel, paired with a green streak of lime and herb conquers nose and palate immediately. The palate brings out more lime freshness on a very linear, concentrated and taut palate. Both deliciously bracing and wonderfully refreshing.
Gentle notes of red apples play above a balanced, concentrated but sprightly palate: zesty acidity brightens everything and counters the textured weight. Despite being rich, this is very appetizing and makes you long for more.
Blended with 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, this aromatically generous wine offers notes of clove, purple fruit, coffee, black pepper and spice. It's ripe but in balance, with palate-coating, velvety fruit flavors that linger.
Luscious red cherries and raspberries abound from nose to finish in this buoyantly fruity yet dry, elegantly structured rosé. Made from Cabernet Franc and Lemberger, it's nuanced by faint whiffs of blossom and bramble. Revitalizing acidity makes it temptingly quaffable.
This is a delicious expression of the genre, medium bodied and forcefully crisp, with delicate lacings of cherry, apricot and peach. The underlying hint of vanilla gives it a welcome succulence and touch of sweetness though the wine otherwise presents dry.
For a lower-priced bottling, this is a fantastic wine, showing elderberry, black peppercorns and incense on a classic nose. Touches of asphalt, lavender, thyme and sagebrush show on the palate, spicing a core of elderberry and black cassis. Hints of white pepper complete the experience.
The nose reveals nothing but the slightest creaminess. The palate adds lovely greenish notes of lime and mandarin that pervade every last corner of the mouth with their insistent lively freshness. A lovely brisk little number that is sure to wow lovers of clean Riesling.
This opens with aromas of underbrush, scorched soil, leather, iris and a balsamic note. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers juicy raspberry, licorice, mature black cherry and a hint of tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2027.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) with the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It beguiles, with penetrating aromas of black currant, red and black fruit, barrel spice and herbs. The flavors are pitch black with a firm scaffolding of tannins supporting them.
Rich, ripe pear and peach flavors light up this full-bodied and creamy-textured wine. The fruit flavors are gorgeous and expressive, and they come with an appetizing layer of subtle acidity to balance out the full mouthfeel.
Wet stone and lime blossoms kick off the pretty nose on this bottling, bolstered by nectarine, white peach and a mango tropicality. There are lemon and sea-salt touches once sipped, with baked-apple fruit on a tightly wound palate.
There is no mistaking the strong influence of new oak on this very deeply colored, full-bodied and flavor-saturated wine. It smells like toasted baguette slices and wood smoke and tastes almost like blackberry jam laced with cloves and black pepper. It's terrific fun to drink.
Aromas suggesting ripe berry, exotic spice, Alpine herb and a whiff of blue flower come together in the glass. The dense, round palate offers black raspberry, fleshy cherry, licorice and espresso alongside velvety tannins. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink through 2022.
Black plum, deep strawberry, raw beef, smoke and graphite show on the nose of this bottling by Mike Mooney. Rich and dark flavors of cooked cherry are bolstered by a prominent chaparral-scrub spice, with wild mint, thyme and bay leaf elements, ending on a eucalyptus-oil note.
This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Brooding aromas of wood spice and red and black fruit lead to sultry, well-balanced dark-fruit flavors with a persistently long finish.
Light and delicate aromas of Gravenstein-apple custard and lemon curd grow a tad stronger with patience, delving into white peach, vanilla cream and a touch of bubblegum. There is solid textural tension on the palate, where Meyer lemon pith meets with cashew and browned butter flavors.
Rust, black plum, blueberry and leather combine on the nose of this bottling by one of the few producers to do multiple Mourvèdres. The palate shows tons of chipped slate and dried blueberries, striking a balance between earth and fruit, bolstered by ample acidity.
A sizable percentage of Merlot is blended in here, as well as much smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Zinfandel and Malbec. Together, they work, offering a lushness of blackberry jam and chocolate in a medium-bodied package that's smooth, with just the slightest tension of tannin and tobacco.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc (22% each), topped off by Petit Verdot. The aromas of fresh herbs, flowers and blue fruit are still wound up. The palate shows more tannic heft than this vineyard is often known for, needing some time in the cellar to soften. Best after 2020.
Made in a style that will appeal to fans of both creamy, fruity richness and more austere notes of fresh grass, this wine is dry, herbal and juicy. It offers accents of vanilla and white plum, as well as the aforementioned fruitiness of peach and pear.
This excellent regional wine opens with aromas of black raspberry and iron. The palate shows sour pomegranate as well as thyme, bay leaf and dried oregano, framed by an earthy though relatively light structure.
Steve Dooley has championed this region since 1994, and this appellation blend is another strong argument. Aromas of sour tangerines, tangy pear, sea salt and hints of quinine are leveled by the slightest touch of brown sugar on the nose. The palate is dusted lightly with vanilla and offers ripe cherimoya and pear-custard flavors, bound together by steely, crisp minerality.
Friendly, pure notes of freshly cut yellow apples have a minty, fresh aspect that enlivens nose and palate. This is fresh but comes with softened, slightly rounded, creamy edges. A very friendly, clean-cut light-footed but full-fruited Chardonnay showing some lovely midpalate texture and lots of freshness.
High-toned aromas of blueberry, bramble and wood spice are followed by supple fruit flavors that show purity and detail. It has a lovely sense of texture and purity.
Peachy, floral aromas are friendly and clean. This blend of mostly Albariño and some Caiño Blanco and Loureira is round on the palate, with ample volume. Appealing flavors of melon, peach and apple finish dry and with a hint of white pepper. Wines like this are why almost everyone loves Albariño from Rías Baixas.
Soft, lush and round, this wine has a dense backbone of oak and tannin and moderate acidity. Cherry cola and vanilla flavors ride along seamlessly to a toasty finish.
Extremely light, clean and pure aromas of tart grapefruit rind and citrus blossoms show on the nose of this bottling from the Jurassic Park Vineyard. There's bountiful energy to the palate, where the citrusy freshness of lemon rinds meets brisk, sea breeze-like salinity and the lightest hint of melon and Pink Lady apple. Serve with shellfish.
Smoothly round and rich, this blends Cabernet Sauvignon from three sites, including Vineyard Georges III in the heart of Rutherford. Vanilla-tinged oak meets cherry cola flavor and juicy, fresh acidity. It's moderately structured and full-bodied.
This full-bodied wine is packed with fruit and spice notes and is especially broad and mouth-filling. Made from mostly Grenache and Mourvèdre, with a dash of Syrah, it has generous ripe plum, macerated cherry and black pepper flavors that spread across the palate and linger on the finish.
If you like full-flavored, lusty Tempranillos, Viñas del Cenit in western Zamora is a reliable source. This has floral berry aromas, a saturated palate with wall to wall tannins, and baked black-fruit flavors that push up towards maximum ripeness. A staunch, jammy, tannic red made to with meat off the grill.
This blend of 79% Grenache, 13% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre starts with a mellow nose of black cherry, vanilla and dried ginger scents. The palate's powerful acidity carries black currant and licorice flavors, making for a rich albeit slightly boozy expression.
Baked pineapple and heady creme brûlée scents follow through to the palate of this wine in rich, concentrated waves of flavor. Textured and lush through the midpalate, it finishes with bright, refreshing acidity.
Thick tannins gird the powerful fruit in this wine—a mix of red cherry and strawberry that mellows with time in the glass. Toasted oak and baking spice touches provide additional context and pleasure.
Generous tannins give this wine power and weight, as bright bursts of red cherry and inviting vanilla notes give it a counterpoint of focus. Softly textured, it's an exploration of brambly blackberry flavors, baking in the summer sun.
Rooty aromas of sarsparilla mix with red-fruit tones on the subtle nose. This aged Rioja is showing hard tannins and choppy acidity in support of herbal, leafy plum and red currant flavors. Tomato, herb and plum flavors stick out on a traditional, high-acid finish.
Richer and oakier than the regular Argyle Chardonnay, this conveys flavors of Honey Crisp apple, framed with a palate-pleasing toastiness. It's balanced and already drinking in a prime window. Enjoy it now through 2020.
Tea and root beer aromas carry a slight rubber slant. A choppy, angular palate is home to savory oak, berry and plum flavors. On the finish, olive and herbal fruit flavors are propped up by live-wire acidity. Drink this long-laster through 2024.
A rich, bready nose smells of fresh-baked croissants. Flavors of tropical fruit and peach are slightly bitter and carry a saline note, while the finish ends taut and dry. Drink through 2020.
There's a distinct suggestion of citrus pith on the nose of this bottling, along with tight almond and sea salt aromas. The palate leads with a touch of ripeness, but finds a firm structure and chalky backbone, proving rather racy, albeit with hazelnut-like richness. A well polished wine.
Fresh in style, especially for the hot, dry 2007 vintage, reflecting the slightly higher elevation of the Massif d'Uchaux, this medium-bodied wine offers oodles of cherry-berry fruit. It's nothing too serious or complex, just good, quaffable pleasure to consume over the next 2–3 years.
On the lean, citrusy side, but the flavors of pineapple and lemon are married to hints of vanilla and smoke for added complexity. Could use a touch more flesh, but some will enjoy the crispness.
Slightly rubbery on first impression, but cleaner and better as it opens up. Zesty and full of acidic punch, with juicy black cherry and plum flavors. Registers as healthy and ripe, with a spot of medicinality. Quite good for the price.
Sweet on the nose, with a lot of mocha, vanilla and candied fruit. The palate is tannic and very oaky for a wine of this level. Flavors of toffee, cocoa, mocha and generic berry fruit show more oak than purity. A good wine but heavy handed with the oak. Contains 15% Syrah.
On the dusty, earthy side of the Rhône spectrum, with hints of cordite accenting cherry fruit. It's undeniably fresh and vibrant, just lacks some of the richness characteristic of the 2007 vintage.
Initially, sweet, feminine violet notes and juicy, ripe blueberries on the nose and palate make this seem innocent and coquettish. But full body, big, chunky tannins and a vibrant acidity against a backdrop of smoke and char make this wine a compelling pick, and potentially one that could benefit from a few years in the cellar.
A typical southern Rhône blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre mixed up behind a modern label, this is creamy and supple in texture, with colluding notes of cherry and black olive. Drink now.
Pungent aromas of asparagus, sea grass and lime are pure Leyda, and while the wine seems to be softening with age, it does offer enough acids to keep it moving. Flavors of lime and green bean are green in nature, and there's seltzer and more lime on the finish. May already be past its sell date.
Ceylon tea, fresh pineapple and tangerines perfume this off-dry blend of predominantly Vidal, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier grapes. Simple yet fresh, with pretty white floral and peach notes, this wine would be a lovely companion to lemongrass accented Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
Aromas of tobacco, mild raisin, dry oak and berries are simple and pleasant, while the palate is light in weight, a touch dilute but very fresh and easy, with cherry, plum and even some citrus for flavor. Light and transparent on the finish, with barely any excess.
Surprisingly lean and light bodied, this doesn't show typical characteristics of a late harvest wine, but its a clean, refreshing dessert wine evocative of dewy, fresh wildflowers, melon and lemons with just a hint of petrol. Bitter lime pith and pleasant notes of slate and stone add some complexity as well.
Spiced berry aromas are dense and suggest raisin, but overall this is a clean, inexpensive blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo that is satisfying and highly competent. Flavors run smoky, rubbery and dark, but not baked or too heavy. Toasty and roasty on the finish, too.
Opens with honey, orange and a bit of harsh matchstick. The palate is sticky and comes up just short of cloying, with candied melon, citrus and mango flavors. Finishes sweet and sugary, with caramel and toffee notes. Tasty but unctuous.
This is an appealing Cabernet with spicy cola and plum notes and a consistent flavor through the midpalate. It finishes with a hint of toasty oak.
Offering uncomplicated, easy drinking, this Grenache-Syrah blend is lush and immediately accessible, displaying the charm of the 2011 vintage. Drink it over the next year or two for its gulpable cherry and chocolate flavors.
Tropical aromas of lychee and green banana are clean and inviting. The palate feels lifted, fresh and easygoing, with lychee, banana and pear flavors. It finishes pure and fairly long.
The nectarine and mild vanilla aromas are subdued yet solid. On the palate, it's all about stone fruit flavors, such as peach and nectarine, with apple and cider notes on the balanced and healthy finish.
The peach, pear and apple aromas get no interference from oak. The mouthfeel is friendly, while flavors of green melon, pear and spice work well together. It finishes sweet but with a touch of spice and vanilla.
This smells rubbery, like a tire, before the berry and plum aromas settle in—although it remains a bit like pastic in scent. It feels tight and balanced, with acidity pushing flavors of plum, strawberry and mineral. This is crisp, juicy and more acidic than weighty on the finish.
Straightforward aromas of black currant and dark plum help create a rich style of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a syrupy palate that's made firmer by driving tannins. It features a lot of chocolate, baked black-plum and mild herbal flavors. It's ultraconcentrated, and more driving than discerning.
This structured, elegant wine opens with aromas of violet, berry, tilled soil and a whiff of leather. The palate has nice depth, offering layers of black cherry, cinnamon, savory herb and tobacco. It's impeccably balanced with firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Already delicious, it will develop more complexity. Drink 2015–2025.
This perfumed, smoky wine is gently wood aged and offers layers of tannin and black cherry fruits. It is still young and dense, dark and dry, with piercing acidity. It is concentrated, firm and needs time. Drink from 2019.
The bouquet of this earthy, aromatic vineyard-designate wine is bursting with freshly picked wildflowers and earth. The palate is mouthwatering in blueberry, strawberry and a bite of sour cherry. Lively acidity keeps the proceedings on a hair-raising ride, before diving headfirst into a long finish of bacon and dark chocolate.
Suave aromas of browned butter, preserved lemons and seared nectarine surround alkalinity on this purely-for-the-love side project of Jim Clendenen. The edges of the palate are lush and rich with vanilla cream, roasted nuts and butter, but the center holds laser-tight to singed lemon acidity before a finish that shows some marshmallow and nutmeg spice. The wine seems to be peaking now.
This full-bodied blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero and 10% Colorino opens with aromas of plum, ripe berry, smoke, leather and a hint of baking spice. The smooth, savory palate delivers layers of dark cherry, black raspberry, clove and cinnamon alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2021.
A wine that begs for time in the bottle, it stubbornly reveals bold, brawny and rich notes of black cherry, coffee and black pepper, girded by a strong presence of dark chocolate. Amid the black cherry are accompanying flavors of brambly blackberry and a suggestion of savory cranberry, all integrating with the tannins. Cellar through 2022.
Densely delicious, this is earthy in a forest floor kind of way—it's explosive in black cherry, plum and compelling, exotic spice. Medium bodied and lushly layered, it's persistent on the palate, brooding in ripe fruit yet buoyed by ample acidity.
Made with Sangiovese and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon—all organically farmed—this opens with aromas of violet, perfumed berry, cake spice and a hint of leather. The rich, concentrated palate doles out crushed black cherry, ripe raspberry, clove, white pepper and savory herb alongside firm, velvety tannins. It closes on a licorice note. Drink 2016–2026.
This exotic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is aged entirely in new French oak, needs time to develop. A savory edge of forest floor and cranberry drive the palate, while notes of pencil shavings, cedar and garrigue add depth. The palate is lifted in acidity, with tightly gripped tannins on the finish. Cellar through 2019.
This is an intriguingly light, lean and savory wine, true to its extreme Sonoma Coast provenance. The color and texture tip one off to its ethereal nature, a blend of shy cranberry, rhubarb and exotic spice. The long finish highlights the flavors and freshness.
Delicious aromas of ripe cherry pie and black cardamom are quite sexy. The palate is far more complicated and layered, with the tartness of plum skins, richness of strawberry, balsamic reduction and spiciness of black sage.
This wine is a blend of four distinctive sites—Minick and Olsen in the Yakima Valley, and SJR and Stoney Vine in the Walla Walla Valley. It pulls together the best of all of them, with brooding notes of mineral, wet stone, earthy funk, coffee, smoked meat and black and green olive. The palate steals the show, with hypnotic savory flavors that coalesce around a vibrant, extended finish. It's a textural marvel that is simply impossible to put down.
Power and grace combine in this tour de force from Helen Masters, Ata Rangi's winemaker. Toasty oak frames intense black cherry fruit, with hints of herbs adding a savory element. Firm tannins provide ample structure, while the lengthy finish prolongs the pleasure. Drink 2018–2025.
Lifted notes of wild, aromatic raspberry hover above a far earthier base of chestnut. But this wine is mutable: sniffed at another moment its red cherry and peony petal flavors come to the fore. The palate is light bodied and has a firm acidic backbone, destining it for the table. There are mystical edges of woodsmoke and pepper but what remains and lingers is pure cherry and raspberry fruit.
Plummy aromas with vanilla, blue flower and a touch of exotic spice lead the nose on this firmly structured, elegant wine. On the palate, notes of cinnamon, tobacco and licorice accent the vibrant, black cherry core while fine-grained tannins provide a linear, age-worthy structure. Drink 2016–2025.
This is a refined and restrained Pinot from a reputable grape grower who has successfully made the transition to winemaker. Raspberry, cherry-vanilla and rhubarb interplay seamlessly, teasing with a taste of decadence and silky tannins. The finish offers highlights of orange zest and clove.
Seductive perfume suggest fronds of jasmine, ivy, mandarin and perhaps an edge of pink grapefruit. The playfulness of this citrus feast fizzes away and excites both nose and palate. It has all the effortlessness that comes with years of practice.
Crushed black cherry, leather, tobacco, anise, underbrush and grilled herb are just some of the aromas and flavors offered by this concentrated, vibrant wine. Firm acidity and chewy tannins provide the structure, while a licorice note marks the lingering finish.
This small, Sonoma County-focused producer headed south to make a rich, attention-grabbing wine, with aromas of dark raspberries, blackberries, pulverized cloves, black sage and tobacco leaf. The palate shows smoked beef with cherry syrup, lifted by juniper and pine sap on the midpalate and boisterous acidity. It's distinctive yet not showy.
Made from Sangiovese grown in high-altitude vineyards, this earthy wine features aromas of perfumed berry, leather, cake spice, blue flower and herb. The palate delivers juicy sour cherry, wild strawberry, white pepper, game, mint and orange peel alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. A licorice note closes the lingering finish. It's still youthfully austere and needs time. Drink 2018–2030.
In this silky and seductive wine, integrated oak and tannin wrap around lilting waves of earth and rose petal, providing plenty of sensory intrigue. From several vineyards, including Wohler, it shines a light on the subtleties that can be coaxed from the appellation, along with a spectacular exuberance.
Continuing to preserve this historic vineyard, a rare planting of the variety within the appellation, this is an elegant yet explosive bottling. Blackberry and stone fruit tones are framed by soft, gentle tannins, sprinkled liberally with cardamom. A floral aroma permeates gently refreshing acidity and a finish of dark chocolate.
Made from both grapes directly pressed into wine as well as bled off, this crisply complex offering is springtime in a glass, a soft and supple evoking of fresh-cut pineapple that remains dry and delicious without ever overreaching. Medium in body, with a hint of dried herb on the back palate, it offers structure and just the right amount of weight.
Herbal mint and strawberry counterbalance the density of oak and tannin that is the foundation of this wine. It hails from a handful of marquee vineyard sites, including Mardikian Estate, one of the producer's vineyard-designates. Right out the gate, it's a well-integrated tightrope of spicy fruit and acidity, with a tease of blueberry and cedar.
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.
A blend of 60% Trebbiano Toscano and 40% Malvasia del Chianti, this opulent dessert wine opens with intense aromas of dry almond biscuit, dried apricot and a whiff of maple syrup that carry over to the rich palate along with cream caramel and candied nectarine. The intense flavors are balanced by fresh acidity and lingering finish.
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.
Violet, leather, dark berry, clove, menthol and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The vibrant palate offers crunchy cherry, raspberry jelly, cinnamon and licorice alongside bright acidity. A backbone of assertive but noble tannins provides support. Drink 2018–2030.
With its tight acidity and crisp texture, this young wine needs a little time to develop. Citrus and spice are coming together with the richer pear and apricot fruits. A refreshing wine, it will be good to drink from 2017.
Garnet in the glass, this Hungarian Syrah has aromas of black plum, black raspberry, and black cherry and flavors of black plum, cherry and a whiff of menthol. The finish is bright and fruit filled.
Tart red cherries and plum skins are spiced by nutmeg, pepper and turned earth on this widely available bottling that packs decent Pinot punch for the price. The mix of ripe and tart plays hard on the palate, where red cherry pie toys with cranberry skins, and a dollop of vanilla carries the midpalate.
Waxy lemon peel aromas on the nose are amplified on the palate of this delicate auslese, exposing riper, sweeter shades of yellow peach and cherry. Nervy acidity jolts the midpalate, finishing brisk and clean. Drink now through 2020.
Aromas of camphor, chopped mint, leather and wild berry lead the nose. The palate offers tart red cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and an earthy hint of game alongside austere tannins that clench the finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unwind then drink up.
The wine is still young. Made from old vines and produced in a traditional way with indigenous yeasts, it is a wine that needs to age. It has a rich, concentrated fruitiness along with intense acidity and lemon flavor. The wine is ripe and full. Drink from 2017.
This inky-violet wine has a nose of raspberry, violet and herbes du Provence. It is soft in the mouth, with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, mountainside herbs and smoke, and a bright splash of cranberry on the finish.
A sustainably minded, fairly priced bottling from veteran producers in the appellation, this vintage works well. Black cherry and smoked pork mark a very oak-driven nose that's prominent but not overdone. The smoked-fruit aspect carries to the palate, where cola, pomegranate and bramble are quite flavorful and dusted by crushed fennel seed.
This light refreshing wine spent 16 months in 20% new French oak. The pretty berry fruit is elegantly set in complementary acids, with a streak of blond tea threading through the finish.
Strawberry, leather, menthol, truffle and tilled soil aromas emerge in the glass along with whiffs of blue flower and thyme. The approachable palate offers mature red cherry, licorice and a marked medicinal note while firm, refined tannins provide support. It's a bit shy on freshness so enjoy soon.
Ripe berry, milk chocolate and menthol aromas take shape in the glass. The straightforward palate offers juicy black cherry marinated in spirits and licorice alongside firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity.
Vibrant, dense purple in color, this is ultraconcentrated on the nose, offering kirsch, blueberry reduction and dusty-earth aromas. The palate is heavy, rich and laden with dark fruit, yet there's a balance of grainy tannins and snappy acidity to keep the weight in check.
The fruit and juicy acidity are the focus here, supported by smoky tannins. The wine will develop relatively quickly, full of fruit. Drink from 2018.
This gold-colored Furmint has aromas of lemon grass, pink grapefruit juice and quince. In the mouth there are flavors of peach, violet, vanilla and toasted almond.
This is a spicy wine, with balanced wood, yellow-fruit flavors and acidity that cuts through the spice and ripeness. A zing of citrus finishes this attractive wine in style.
Earthy aromas of scorched soil, dried herb, leather and underbrush come together in the glass. The straightforward, solid palate offers dried cherry, grilled herb and star anise while fine-grained tannins leave a firm finish.
This opens with aromas suggesting toast, menthol, mature berry, coffee and a balsamic note. On the full-bodied palate, notes of white pepper, cinnamon and powdered sage accent dried black cherry while firm, close-grained tannins provide the framework.
You'll find earthy aromas of leather, truffle, violet, ripe black cherry and a funky whiff of game on this. The approachable palate offers fleshy dark cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice alongside firm but not very persistent tannins.
Pure varietal, this was fermented in oak uprights and aged for two years in one-third new French and Hungarian oak. The oak accents complement tart flavors of raspberry and pomegranate. Give this another year or two of bottle age, and drink with pleasure from 2018 to 2025.
Despite the low abv, this is a dry rosé, made from 100% Sangiovese that was picked at 20.5 brix. It's delicate and satisfying—a pretty pale copper/rose color, with flavors of strawberry hinting at peach. There's a dusting of baking spices and cocoa, adding welcome highlights to the finish.
Initially a bit shy, this slowly opens in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe berry, leather, baking spice and a hint of scorched earth. The palate offers suggestions of raspberry compote, dried black cherry, vanilla and licorice alongside tightly wound tannins. A marked espresso note closes the finish. Drink after 2019.
Quady's Right Bank blend is three-quarters Cabernet Franc and one-quarter Merlot. Smoky and showing a lightly funky scent when opened, it develops into a leathery and tannic red wine, checkered with red and black fruits, hints of tobacco and a vein of graphite.
Dominated by Alvarinho, this is a spicy, fruity and tangy wine. It is still young with a tight mineral edge that will soften to bring out a more creamy character. The after-taste, with its fresh citrus, should remain. Drink from 2017.
Mature berry, blue flower, toasted oak and a whiff of cake spice lead the nose. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers stewed cherry, raspberry jam, vanilla, espresso and a licorice note alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a drying finish. It closes on a raisin note.
This Bulgarian Syrah has aromas of black raspberry and black cherry with tastes of cherry vanilla and cherry cola in the mouth. The finish is smooth with velvety tannins.
This pure Grenache is an elegant wine, one that might be mistaken for Pinot Meunier, given its light hue and stiff tannins. Pretty raspberry and cherry fruit comes up slowly—give it plenty of aeration—and the more it breathes, the less those tannins take away from the fruit.
Lively acidity defined by a taste of lemon peel meets heftier overtones of fresh pear, providing a medium-bodied texture that should work well at the table. The finish highlights the lemony aspects of the wine.
Ripe with tropical-fruit flavors, this wine has good acidity layered with spice and toastiness. A crisper structure behind this generous fruit will allow the wine to age, although it is drinkable now.
This perfumed wine features ripe tannins and strawberry flavors. It is structured, with good concentration and acidity. The wine is developing well with the richness as well as line of fresher acidity. Drink from 2019.
Fiery at first, this also has mint and toast notes to the otherwise black-fruit-scented nose. It feels tannic and drawing, but strong boned. Flavors of roasted black fruit are bolstered by olive, chocolate and spicy toast accents. Finishes savory and firm.
Pencil lead and rubbery, mature berry aromas open this wine. The palate is driven by energetic, pounding tannins and flavors of black cherry and tomato, which become more prominent as the tannins and acid rebound. This is an indication of how Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon ages.
Rusty and light in color, this has earth, compost and root notes, with dry leather aromas. It feels good, with an easy, mature flow and light flavors of dried fruit, spice, pepper and vanilla. Lengthy, it features tobacco and toast flavors on the finish. Drink now.
The name is a clever pun on the two vineyard sources—Dineen and Meek. Smooth and supple, this varietal wine has a round, pleasing, full-flavored and full-bodied quality that keeps the fruit front and center, while bringing in plenty of coffee and chocolate highlights.
Cassis and black-cherry flavors are at the core of this pure Cabernet. It's tight and tannic, with accents of earth and ground coffee. It's definitely a wine that should be decanted well ahead of consuming.
While sultry and rich with ripe black-fruit flavors, this concentrated Pinot Noir is surprisingly multidimensional on the nose and palate. Green herb and brisk acidity add freshness. Hints of mushroom and wet soil, along with penetrating, chewy tannins, add depth and balance.
This ripe Cabernet has an expressive roasted aroma, and the sweet black-cherry and kirsch liqueur flavors are wrapped in thick, toasty tannins. Earthy and smoky through the finish, and tannins ultimately turn a bit rough and drying.
Tobacco and clove aromas ride high on the mildly leafy bouquet. It feels round, juicy, tannic and tight, with mature berry, spice, earth and leather flavors. It remains earthy and mature on the finish, which fades to a blackened, spicy expression with notes of tomato and spice.
This opens with big aromas of black fruit compote, molasses and maple. It feels tannic and grabby, with notes of black cherry, dark plum and vanilla controlling the flavor profile. It finishes big, tight and chalky, due to tannic residue. Powerful and composed, drink now–2016.
Familar aromas of cherry, plum and berry are on the money. This is tight as nails on the palate, this and nevertheless thrusts with boysenberry, blackberry and a hint of amaro. A wall of finishing tannin carries flavors of chocolate and black spice. Big, ripe and serious.
Well balanced and 100% varietal, this is a mix of berry, plum and cassis flavors that are annotated with notes of licorice, tar and coffee. Moderate in length and clean, this has polished tannins to keep it all in balance.
A mix of Cabernet and Merlot, with small amounts of four other grapes, this is a soft red, with red and black fruit flavors. It's smooth and accessible, offering plenty of cocoa and sweet baking spice notes.
Apple and other white fruit aromas come with hints of sea foam and clam shell. The palate is tight, mineral-driven and citric, with some spritz. Flavors of apple and pithy citrus lead to a long, speedy finish, with generous acidity.
This Zweigelt is soft and fruity, showing the delicious cherry flavor of the grape along with perfectly textured tannins. It is full, fruity and delicious now.
Ripe and creamy, this is an apple- and pear-flavored wine that's rounded and rich. It's fresh and full bodied, while preserving attractive acidity. The finish has a touch of spice. Screwcap.
Dark fruits like blackberry, raspberry and black plum lead the bouquet, with supporting aromas of milk chocolate and purple flower. Balanced and approachable, it has a crushed velvet texture that's complemented by the skin-driven fruit and dusty cocoa flavors on the palate.
Wound up aromas of blackberry, roasted beef, damp forest floor and balsamic reduction show on the muggy damp nose of this bottling by Ruben Solorzano. The palate is redolent with eucalyptus, pine, tarragon and fresh rosemary, proving herbal without being vegetal, thanks to a core of elderberry and polished tannins.
Dedicated to the current owner's late grandfather who founded the estate, this elegant red opens with alluring aromas of blue flower, dark spice, herbs and new leather. The savory palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, clove and licorice framed by polished tannins. It's already approachable, but will offer fantastic imbibing for another decade. Drink through 2027.
What a fabulous vintage for this fragrant, radiant wine. Opening with alluring scents of iris, rose, culinary spice and perfumed berry, the focused palate delivers crushed strawberry, red cherry, cinnamon and star anise. It's loaded with finesse, thanks to firm ultrarefined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2022–2033.
Plump aromas of lemon mousse, meringue, wet limestone, white flowers and ripe key lime show on the nose of this excellent bottling. The palate bursts with flavors of cool cream, sea salt and lemon pith, set against a chalky texture. A mysteriously compelling experience.
Aromas of red berry, blue flower, menthol, exotic spice and a whiff of French oak take shape on this impeccably balanced radiant red. The palate is vibrant and focused—almost ethereal—delivering raspberry compote, Marasca cherry, star anise and cinnamon framed in elegant tannins. Weightless and loaded with finesse, it's an incredible result for what was a cool wet vintage in most of Italy. Drink through 2024.
The vineyards of this producer in the heart of Dão, close to Viseu, the capital of the region. This generous wine with its powerful structure and rich texture from the fermentation in stone lagars, is shot through with ripe black plum and damson fruits as well as acidity. It should age further, so drink from 2019.
A scent of French butter offers an immediate invitation to this excellent wine. Austerity on the palate gives way to a juicy core of invigorating tangerine and white peach flavors. The gravelly minerality on the midpalate finishes softly and with ease.
Combining 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay, this wine has a depth of richness and focused, supportive acidity that work well to complement each other. Stone fruit, vanilla biscuit, cherry kirsch and green apple are all within the spectrum of flavors here, finishing with grace and a hint of spice.
This wine is undeniably floral and voluptuous and hard to resist on the nose alone. Honeysuckle, lemon peel and flint tease and please around a focused core of oak and gritty texture of stone. Full bodied, it's lush and slightly reduced—a compelling statement on power and grace.
Fragrant blue flower, woodland berry, dark spice and pine forest aromas lead the way. It's racy, focused and loaded with chiseled finesse, delivering juicy red cherry, crushed cranberry, cinnamon and star anise. Tightly knit, refined tannins and firm acidity provide the backbone. Drink 2023–2033.
The top wine from Romaneira shows the power and the richness that can come from this property. Aging for 14 months in wood has just enhanced the opulent black fruits, ripe tannins and acidity. It is an impressive wine, made for aging and not likely to be ready until 2020.
Pôpa was the family's nickname for grandpa. The winery, run by grandson Stéphane Ferreira, is the grandkids' tribute. This richly perfumed wine, by consultant Luis Pato, comes from a field blend of 21 grape varieties. Old vines with an average age of 82-years-old in a single parcel have given the wine huge concentration and rich swathes of tannins and black plum and damson fruit. The wine has power while also retaining plenty of elegance. It is an impressive wine, just approaching its peak and ready from 2018.
Beautiful in peach color, this blends 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir. Dry and crisp, it tangles together vibrant flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and cherry, as aromas of rose petal whisper by. A stony mineral component adds complexity and invitation to the texture.
Classic Nebbiolo aromas of wild berry, rose petal, baking spice and an earthy whiff of truffle emerge in the glass. The elegant vibrant palate mirrors the nose, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, pipe tobacco and cinnamon alongside firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity. It's a textbook Barolo that will benefit from a few more years in the cellar. Drink 2023–2033.
This remarkable wine offers soft luxury between its balance of fresh red cherry and cassis and the velvety grip of tannic concentration. Spiky persistent acidity guides a freshness of forest floor, sage and tobacco, the power entirely graceful in the glass.
Though still exploring the zesty acid-driven side of Pinot Noir, Marc Piro adds depth and richness to this bottling. Red cherry compote and cordial meet fennel, dill, tarragon and tapenade on the nose. The extremely lively and fresh palate unleashes an array of flower petals, just-pressed tart berries and Kalamata olives. A deep structure and thorough acidity complete the picture.
Despite amazingly luscious aromas of star anise, stewed black cherry, black currant pie and coffee cake, this bottling still offers a prominent line of wet gravel and river stone minerality on the nose. Exotic mulberry and black cherry flavors ride atop the soft tannins and an underlying acidity, while white pepper dust and menthol unfold on the finish.
Classic Sangiovese aromas of new leather, wild berry, baking spice and a whiff of menthol lead the way on this full-bodied red. It's juicy and delicious, delivering crushed raspberry, fleshy black cherry, cinnamon and pipe tobacco framed in polished and velvety tannins. Drink now through 2027.
Originating from a small, new producer based in the Napa Valley, this shows crushed stone and golden oak. Its essential succulence is that of high-toned citrus and apple kissed in caramel. A tease of lingering acidity makes it undeniably fresh and deliciously crisp.
Gorgeous and smooth, this elegant, 10-year-old red boasts aromas of new leather, tilled soil and pipe tobacco. The polished and structured palate delivers creamy black cherry, star anise and clove framed in refined tannins. It's a remarkable performance for what was an extremely hot vintage. Best through 2023.
This is a stunning Pinot Noir, especially from a Syrah-focused winery. Beautiful aromas of lavender, thyme, wild mint and dewy spring sage meet with crushed graphite and fresh raspberries on the nose. The palate coalesces those elements expertly, with red cherry and strawberry syrup dusted by herbs and finished by licorice, all presented on a soft yet engaging texture.
From the producer's Yountville estate, this blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc offers thyme, stone and black pepper flavors within a leathery texture. Concentrated and structured, it further shines with black currant and tobacco notes that give it a distinct herbal edge.
A fine complement to Balboa's Merlot, the Cabernet shows a bit more muscle and concentration. Your enjoyment of the wine will depend upon your tolerance for flavors of stem and leaf, which run through the steely fruit and give it a Bordeaux-like sensibility. A fine steak wine, it finishes up with black olive and bitter chocolate.
Supple and balanced, this 100% Merlot brings ripe berries and cherries  matched to moderate acids and silky tannins. It's a ready-to-go, pleasant-drinking young wine, with a whiff of Earl Grey tea and light loam in the tannins.
An intensely perfumed wine that smells of a candy shop. It has tight acidity, but that is lost in the welter of white fruit flavors, allied with sweet wood. It seems at first too sweet, but then toast and acidity come in to give the wine an edgy finale.
The H3 Cab comes across as a more tightly defined, sharp-edged version of the Merlot. Same berry flavors, a bit more acid, and a sense that the wine goes deeper into the palate, though with less breadth. It feels taut in the middle, as if needing more bottle age and/or breathing time to flesh out, but the structure is sound and the flavors clean and varietal.
This Syrah, blended with 9% Cabernet, tastes of dark fruit, tobacco and leather. But there's an odd aroma lurking in the wine's background that's hard to pinpoint and not entirely pleasant.
This is a simple rosé that could withstand some concentration. It was crafted from barrel-fermented Pinot Noir, and it shows very light flavors of watermelon and strawberry.
This is an honest wine, with an herbal aroma and notes of tomato and red plum. It feels zingy due to tomato-like acidity, with red fruit flavors followed by a lean finish.
This jammy, fruity offering tastes as though it were made from overripe fruit. Its light structure offers acidity and a Port-like character. Not for aging.
Dry berry aromas feature a minty, spicy side. The palate feels drying, with a raspberry flavor and a green herb note. It's medium-bodied, with a hint of plum in addition to resiny wood and green flavors on the finish.
Earthy on the nose and palate, with prominent mushroom and smoke notes, this is a massively tannic wine, with a hefty serving of pulpy black-fruit flavor. It is full-bodied, with a bit of heat on the finish.
This starts out stalky and sharp smelling, although airing brings about more round, herbal notes that are common for wines from the Elqui region. It feels grabby and sticky, with minty, green, almost weedy flavors that blend into dark berry and chocolate notes.
There's an overall dustiness to this wine, almost like a combination of talcum powder and dried, crushed plums and berries. Lean and slightly tart on the palate, it has a taut structure and a clean but short finish. Drink now.
Innocuous on the nose, with hints of mild oak and white fruit, this feels zesty and lean, with citrus and melon flavors. It's mellow, sweet and easy.
The standard Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lime and mineral define the nose of this wine. It tastes juicy to an extreme, with fruit flavors of nectarine and apple that don't rise to a high level. It's tangy, candied and bright on the finish.
This pretty, warm wine is touched with caramel and yellow fruit flavors. It gets a kick from crisp lemon zest. Drink in the coming months.
This smells dry and leafy, with a bacon note. It feels lively and edgy, with berry, currant and oak spice in its flavor profile. It finishes fairly tannic and warm, with a rubbery strength.
This wine all comes from Watermill Vineyard down in the Rocks District. Seeing only 27% new French oak, it rises up from the glass with appealing aromas of orange peel, moist earth, ember, herb and smoked meat, along with wisps of black olive. The palate is supersmooth and silky, showing a beguiling sense of texture. The concentration seems a bit light at times, but overall it delivers.
A nice array of mild toast, earth and new leather aromas lead to vivid black cherry and pomegranate flavors, a firm texture bolstered by fine-grained tannins and good underlying acidity. It's a well-balanced, smooth and complete wine.
Persistent bubbles deliver lively aromas of kumquat, yeast, sharp lemon and wet slate on the tight, never opulent nose of this bottling. The palate's creamy bubbles are very pleasant in texture, delivering sharp, acid-driven flavors of citrus and a touch of brioche.
Charred, toasty oak aromas lend a note of maple to the nose of this pulling, tannic, high-acid Tinto Fino. Lemony oak, plum, wild berry and savory, saucy flavors finish with scraping tannins. Drink this single-vineyard ball of power 2019–2030.
Lighter in color, the aromas from this Rocks District wine are delicate, with notes of raspberry, kirsch, herb, rose petal and smoke. The flavors meanwhile are plump and generous, bringing a real sense of purity and restraint due to the neutral French oak aging. The extended finish shows a touch of warmth.
Subdued aromas of moist soil, funk, ember and smoke are followed by supersmooth cranberry, cherry and savory flavors, along with abundant earth accents. It brings an appealing sense of texture, although it's quite reserved in style for a Rocks wine.
This opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, chopped sage, wild berry and a whiff of leather. On the full-bodied palate, notes of cinnamon and licorice add depth to dark cherry and raspberry compote while a tannic backbone lends structure. Drink 2021–2028.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%) and Syrah. Aromas of bittersweet chocolate, herb, pencil lead, smoke, cranberry and dark fruit lead to palate-coating black-fruit flavors that display depth and density. It shows a lovely sense of balance and detail.
This wine is 100% varietal. Pungent aromas of blue fruit, high-toned herb, pencil lead and plentiful barrel spice lead to exceptionally well-balanced polished fruit flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support. The balance is exquisite as is the lengthy finish.
Merlot (56%) and Cabernet Franc (38%) make up the majority of this wine, with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. The aromas are all high toned and somewhat locked up, with notes of herb, dried flower, chocolate and cherry. The palate offers a sense of sophistication and restraint, showing a lot of polish.
Fresh notes of ripe red and black cherry abound on nose and palate. This wine is juicy and bright, drawing on ample fruit that dances on the palate. The tannins are fine and have only the slightest grip, giving backbone to all this exuberance. Freshness brightens the flavors and gives tension to the sleek body. This juicy, utterly cherry-ish red will also work slightly chilled.
Rich and layered, this impressive wine is memorable in its full grasp of cherry grenadine and cola, the succulent flavors spiked in spicy clove. On the lengthy finish, it takes on a blueberry note that's welcome in its balance of sweet and sour.
Given that this is where Santa Barbara County's first Syrah was planted, it's no wonder that Zaca Mesa makes well-balanced expressions of the grape with stunning consistency. This bottling shows blackberry, black pepper, cola and purple flowers on the nose, leading into a tightly structured palate packed with tart black-plum skins, beef char and more black-pepper dust.
Sweet-seeming oak aromas and flavors match well with the full body and ripe cherry and berry notes, giving a broad, mouthcoating texture and sense of warmth. Winemaker Elizabeth Grant-Douglas aged the wine in French oak barrels, 30% new.
The aromas show appealing notes of orange peel, mortared flowers, spice, black olive and raspberry. The palate sports ripe but silky fruit and earth flavors, showing a very pretty sense of styling.
Broad aromas of cranberry and pomegranate are dusted with dried sage, tea and forest woods in this single-vineyard expression. The sagebrush and woody spice flavors show strongly on the sip, giving depth to the pomegranate and hibiscus notes. Quite dry and tangy, this should age well.
Hearty and plump aromas of plum and mulberry shine above the baked soil and cinnamon elements on the nose of this bottling from the Watsonville area. The texture is right down the middle, with even weight and expected acidity, allowing the flavors of anise and dark red fruit to arise.
Classic aromas of lemon custard, white-peach meringue, toasted oak and roasted nuts show on the nose of this bottling by the Carmel Valley-based producer. The fat lemon-cream flavors meet with savory smoked alder on the sip, with a sea-salt touch leading into the finish.
The wine, from one of the five Aubert family properties, is rich and full of great fruit. With ripe tannins and blackberry generosity over the wood aging, this is still structured yet ready to drink.
This 100% Pinot Nero offers aromas of wild red berry, bread crust and a whiff of light spice. The crisp, linear palate doles out crunchy cherry, strawberry, vanilla, tangerine zest and a hint of hazelnut. An elegant perlage lends finesse.
This blend of 83% Albariño and 17% Grenache Blanc is slightly incongruous from the juicy nose to the tight sip, but it works. Sunny aromas of honey, peach and white flowers hint at a sweeter wine, but the palate is tight, bright and bone dry, showing orange mousse, Key lime and grassy flavors.
Velvety, with a touch of grit, this wine is tart and tangy in acidity, with a firmness of structure and tannin. The boldly interwoven flavors are defined by wild strawberry, cranberry and black tea.
Principally Cabernet Franc, it's tight and reductive, with a tarry note. In the mouth it is surprisingly soft, almost silky, offering plummy fruit flavors that seem to be quickly maturing. Drink soon.
Hints of berries are accented with dusty mineral and herb notes on this sparkling Pinot Noir. On the palate, high-toned lemon acidity highlights flavors of fresh apple and pear. The bubbles are tiny in size, but accumulate rapidly on the palate in a rich, thick mousse.
Aromas of graphite, subtle oak and ripe woodland berries carry over to the palate, along with notes of vanilla and espresso. It has an almost sugary-sweet finish. It's already extremely accessible so drink now.
Warm whiffs of cinnamon and brioche accent aromas of black cherry and plum on this plush, fruit-forward Saperavi. Plummy and soft with black-fruit flavor, it's a straightforward, yet tasty wine. Finishes with a fringe of fine, delicate tannins.
Aromas include raisin, underbrush, tobacco leaf, vanilla and espresso. The palate delivers blueberry extract, mocha and subtle oak alongside soft acidity and fleeting tannins. It's forward and extremely accessible so enjoy throughout 2015.
Barbera, Sangiovese, Grenache and Graziano are in the blend. The Sangiovese was crushed and fermented conventionally, then blended with grapes that had been air-dried. Results are mixed at the moment; the wine carries a whiff of burnt rubber that shortens the finish. Some pretty strawberry and cherry fruit peeks through, but that tarry finish needs further bottle age to open it up a bit.
Berry and plum scents are clean, not rubbery. A grabby palate feels right, while flavors of plum and raspberry are basic. Loamy notes rise up on a fairly smooth finish that's devoid of overly hard tannins and shrill acidity.
Négrette gives its typical earthy character to this spicy, fruity wine. It's full in the mouth, aromatic with black fruits bolstered by a light tannic edge. Drink now.
This traditional Champagne-style blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier entices on the nose with hints of golden toast, vanilla and biscuit. It's dense on the palate with a thick, aggressively mouth-filling foam, but tart, sprightly acidity accents pleasant apple and pear flavors.
A lighter style of red blend, this is easy to drink and enjoy. It doesn't have a strong personality but is well-balanced, fruity and juicy, mild and smooth. It shows a light texture, moderately ripe cherry flavors and medium body.
Somewhat aromatically restrained with notes of kiwi, pineapple and citrus. It's somewhat sleek in style but has with a lightly creamy feel. The wine is enjoyable but the acidity doesn't quite seem to be there to pull it all together.
Wild berry aromas come with a cool hint of herbal mint. This is full, grabby and solid in the mouth. Flavors of dark fruits come across lightly stewed and pruny, while the finish dishes up a final taste of prune and foresty notes.
There's no shortage of black-fruit aromas on the nose. However, the palate is bumpy and jagged in feel, with hard-driving black currant, wild blackberry and licorice flavors. A shearing finish with punchy acidity is not congruent with the rest of the wine.
This offers fruit cocktail aromas, with canned pears and light honey, making for an inviting if not varietally typical nose. The flavors are light once sipped, closest to nectarine and apricot. This would be a very drinkable lunchtime wine.
Feral aromas of leather, Middle Eastern spices and roasted berry fruits give way to a chunky, tannic yet somewhat flat palate. Flavors of jammy berry fruits are infiltrated by a green-herb note, while the finish holds onto the wine's funky, herbal character.
While the brooding notes of dark cherries, herbs and barrel spices bring some interest, the palate comes off as quite astringent and distracts.
A blend of Syrah (52%), Grenache (35%) and Mourvèdre, this brings notes of vanilla, white pepper and cherry. It's tart and medium bodied with chocolaty flavors, but the concentration doesn't seem entirely there.
Dusty mineral tones accent bright peach and apricot flavors on this slightly off-dry Riesling. Tart lemon-lime acidity lends brightness to the palate, extending a finish flecked with dried, savory herbs.
This fruit and acidity-driven wine has bright red cherry and raspberry flavors. Young and fruity, it is best drunk now, although waiting until 2015 will soften the fresh tones.
Concentrated and ripe, this offers sensations of forest floor, vanilla, sweet oak, espresso, chocolate and black cherry extract. You'll also feel the burn of evident alcohol on the warm midpalate. It's already forward and evolved so drink now.
Black currant and dark cherry sensations are accented with notes of espresso and roasted coffee bean. The subdued palate is already evolved and has an abrupt finish.
Apple and pear aromas set up a lively, somewhat chunky feeling palate. Flavors of green citrus fruits and brine finish similarly, with briny notes sitting side by side with citrus flavors.
Aged in 100% new French oak, this has not (yet) come out from under the strong barrel influence. Butter pecan and vanilla scents dominate. The wine is light and generic, with a bit of heat in the finish.
This informal wine offers black cherry, crushed raspberry and floral sensations. It's light bodied and simple and would be perfect to accompany everyday fare, from dense tomato soups like passata al pomodoro to backyard barbecues.
An aromatic wine with gardenia, ripe nectarine and honey. It's medium-plus sweet with jasmine and stone fruit flavors with the grape's natural acidity playing along nicely.
This rounded wine adds richness to its herbaceous character. Apple and quince flavors are razor-sharp in freshness, bright and deliciously lively. Drink now.
This robust, simple Rosso delivers coconut, plum, raisin and vanilla aromas. The palate rests heavily on its oak, displaying espresso, toast, licorice and baking spices but not a lot of fruit richness. You'll also detect the evident alcohol sensations. It's warm and forward so drink now.
Ripe mulberry and grape jelly scent this rich, fruity blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is lush and pulpy, with rich black-fruit flavors kissed with the barest whisper of tannins.
Ripe and soft, it offers attractive acidity given richness by red berry fruits. It's ready to drink, with a final balanced, velvet texture.
This is a fruity, juicy and soft wine. It has plenty of red-currants that give the wine a crisper side. It comes from a vineyard just north of the Burgundian capital of Dijon, which produces the wine's cool fruity character. Drink from 2017.
A blend of fruit from Gunkel and Elephant Mountain vineyards, this wine offers light aromas of cherry and toasty barrel spice. The flavors are elegant, tart and juicy, with cocoa flavors lingering on the finish.
The oak (50% new French wood) seems a bit heavy handed, interjecting scents of wood, coffee and vanilla on the aromas and flavors. It's a shame as the cranberry flavors otherwise provide interest.
The aromas offer notes of cherry, baking and barrel spices and are topped off with partially amped-up volatiles. The flavors are lush and full bodied, lingering on the finish.
Ripe aromas of peach, nectarine and yellow pear meet with a hint of flint on the nose of this exuberant, well-priced and appealing bottling. Stone-fruit flavors show on the palate, with apple, pear and ripe lemon touches cut by dried grass. It's easy to quaff on a warm day.
This is a ripe and soft wine with pure apple and citrus fruit. It is crisp, juicy and bright with acidity and tangy orange zest flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
Pale straw to the eye, this wine offers a bouquet of lemon with a pleasant whiff of petrol. It is equal parts creamy and bright on the palate, with flavors of Granny Smith apple, apricot and lavender.
This straightforward Sangiovese opens with aromas of purple flower, woodland berry and a whiff of truffle. The bright, earthy palate offers tart cherry, cranberry, a hint of anise and a gamey note alongside zesty acidity.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, this marks the first offering of this rosé from this ranch in the heart of Carneros. Dry and simple in approach, it delivers a crispness of lemon, lime and strawberry, becoming rich on the palate as it lingers.
Aromas like honeydew melon and flavors recalling sweet cucumber create a very fruity profile for this medium-bodied, lightly sweet wine.
Both refreshing and nicely fruity, this wine blends bright apple and lemon flavors on a tangy texture that softens a bit on the finish.
Rough piercing aromas of tomato and herbs outweigh berry scents. This feels rugged and bumpy, with hard tannins. Generic berry flavors come with a hint of cinnamon and spice, while this reverts to being rough and abrasive on the finish.
From a warmer region about 27 miles inland from Monterey Bay, this bottling shows crushed black rocks, black cherry, light vanilla and the slightest bit of char on the nose. It's relatively demure on the palate, with touches of milk chocolate, red cherry, gravel and graphite.
This attractive, smoky wine has a soft, juicy texture that comes through the red fruits. Balanced and ripe, it finishes with acidity and is ready to drink.
Lifted floral and blackberry notes perfume this delicately textured Cabernet Franc. It's lighter and leaner in style than many 2014 Finger Lakes reds but still concentrated in flavor. Bright acidity, fine tannins and a swathe of rustic herbs and bramble extend on the finish.
Fleshy, sun-ripened black plum and currant flavors are rounded and rich in this elegant, slightly Old World Cabernet Sauvignon. It's squarely concentrated in fruit flavor but veins of crushed mineral and dried herb add gravitas. It's brisk in body with a cool, cutting finish. Drink now through 2021.
Dark dense tarry aromas of blackberry and cassis are a touch stewy and flat. This feels wide and grabby, with grapy flavors of blackberry and plum. A jammy feeling finish with berry flavors has a dark and toasty side to it.
Aromas of plum, chocolate, wood spice and smoke lead to sweet, medium-bodied fruit flavors. The tannins come off as somewhat dry.
Actor-proprietor Sam Neill isn't what you'd call a shy fellow, and neither is this wine. It's assertive from start to finish, offering roasted beet and toasty oak aromas, cedary flavors and a dry, astringent finish. Try it after 2018 to see if the oak has come into more harmonious balance.
A huge blast of hickory, clove and grainy oak controls the nose on this tannic, wide-bodied Malbec that's outright woody and resiny from front to back. Oak-driven flavors of savory spice and clove lead to a resiny tasting finish with sticky tannins.
Bright cherry and mellow menthol flavors dance on a smooth but firm texture of light tannins in this full-bodied wine. A cedary, minty character lasts into the finish.
Woody earthy blackberry aromas come with notes of latex and Band-Aid. This Bonarda is jammy in feel, with widespread hard tannins. Standard berry flavors finish with chunky weight before fading out.
Tasting mature and mellow, this deceptively full-bodied wine has sun-baked aromas, prune and dried-cherry flavors, and a smooth texture. It's lightly tart on the finish.
Earthy pollen and dusty mineral notes extend from nose to finish on this slightly rustic Gewürztraminer, casting a shadow to more classic tones of lychee, rose petal and grapefruit. Its delicate body and balanced alcohol lend a refreshing quaffability.
Straightforward sour cherry and red-plum flavors are delicately concentrated in this light-footed Lemberger. Pretty floral notes and bright acidity lend to its fresh easy-drinking style. Very fine feathery tannins cushion a moderately long finish. Drink now through 2020.
This opens with aromas of spirits, underbrush, menthol and dried tobacco leaf. The assertive palate displays dried sour cherry, raisin and licorice alongside astringent tannins. It lacks fruit richness while scorching alcohol dominates the finish.
A piercingly delicious, apples and cream wine. It has the youthful freshness of Chenin Blanc, its texture rounded with a great bright acidity. Almonds are a glint in the background. Drink now, or age for 4–5 years.
The aroma says wood, and that's what the taste confirms. To go with the wood, there is rounded apricot and peach-flavored fruit, open and rich. The wine has a youthful taut edge, finishing with the greatest acidity.
Weight and richness here, with attractive acidity, but also a ripe, creamy texture. The wine has some tight tannins, but is much more to do with opulent peaches and cream.
Supple, nicely balanced, but less meaty and full than the Merlot. The tannins are very well managed, and surprisingly smooth. Not satiny, given the wind beating that the vines take in the Horse Heaven Hills, but polished and ripe. Flavors of black olives and green tea come in behind the blackberry and cassis. There's a firm, Bordeaux-like profile.
Dark and plummy, with the characteristic black cherry fruit of the vineyard. There is also a streak of toffee that is a marker for the vineyard. Around 10% Cabernet Sauvignon was added; the aromas are fresh and sweet, with just a hint of coffee and herb. The tannins are smoothing out but will improve with more bottle age.
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 single-vineyard Malbec may come from a young vineyard (planted in 2000), but it's still dark, concentrated and masculine. Purple in color, with thick, grapey aromas that lead to lush blackberry, cola and chocolate flavors. Rich, deep and well developed for Chilean Malbec.
Kiona vineyard fruit, given 32 months in new French oak, yields a very smooth, chocolaty wine, loaded with mocha and caramel flavors. Black cherry and cassis fruit is nuanced with Red Mountain notes of iron and earth. It does a quick fade; perhaps extra decanting would lengthen it out a bit.
The Powers family are partners in the justly famed Champoux vineyard, and this is their 15th vintage making this wine. For some it will seem a bit too ripe, for others just right. Port-like aromas introduce flavors of fig, prune and kirsch. The wine seems to be drying out a bit; this is one to drink, not to cellar.
A powerful, dark and alluring specimen with chocolate, olive paste, road tar and blackberry aromas. The palate is tight, rubbery, tannic and fierce, with juicy, pumped-up boysenberry and dark plum flavors. Shows its varietal side, meaning herbs and olive, on the finish. Not spectacular but very good.
There is good density of fruit tannins here, boosted by wood. The wine has dried fruit, spice, perfumed blackberry and lively acidity. It could well age for 1–2 years.
Full of mango and starfruit flavors to go with the nuts, spice and ripe texture. The wine, made from organic grapes, has richness as much as sweetness, the acidity an important element. For long-term aging.
A soft, rounded wine, with spice and toast and a cushion of plump yellow fruit. Almonds and mandarin oranges fit well together with the fine acidity.
Supple purple fruits with hints of game, coffee and pepper demonstrate the validity of Mourvèdre as a stand-alone variety. Excellent definition and a character more sleek than Syrah, more gamy than Cabernet.
Though it lacks the broad, sweet fruit of the 2005 reserve, this is a fine reflection of the vintage. It's compact, tannic, and a bit unyielding, but structured with enough density to age for a few years. Light red fruits are somewhat overwhelmed by grainy, toasty tannins; that should balance out with a little more bottle age.
Crystalline in appearance, this wine offers ripe fruit aromas of nectarine, kiwi and crisp Pink Lady apples, without being too flowery. Lots of minerality and lime pith appear on the lively palate, showing just a touch of tropicality but honing in on the grassy lemon-peel line. Ripe apples show on the finish.
This medium-bodied wine is fresh and fruity, but also polished and sophisticated. It smells like raspberries and black plums, then adds chocolate and blackberry in the flavors. Rich and flavorful it also has welcome firm tannins and fruit acidity to keep it lively. Grenache is the leading grape ingredient.
This offers that tempting aroma of toasted baguette with a dab of butter, then the flavors flow fresh and peachy, while the texture feels smooth and the body not too full. Well balanced between flavors, acidity and body, it brings refreshment to sip after another.
Rosy cherry and plum aromas turn more rubbery and raisiny as this airs out. Solid, lifted and deep on the palate, this varietal Garnacha deals lightly herbal, floral flavors of plum and cherry cough drop, while the finish is oaky, resiny, raw, scouring and tough. Nothing about this is subtle or elegant, but it is dynamic. Drink through 2020.
This is 100% varietal, quite pretty in shades of pale pink, and perfectly dry without turning sour. Flavors of watermelon, pink grapefruit, rosewater and Jonathan apples all come into play. Drink it while the wine retains its youthful freshness.
Raspberry and lettuce aromas are fresh but a touch grassy. This rosé has a fresh, clean feel and dry flavors of citrus fruits and nectarine. Dryness is a repeated theme on the finish, which is long, pure and focused.
Deep blueberry, prune and dried purple aromas are made even more delicious by hints of bacon fat on this blend of 60% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre and 1% Grenache. The vintner lives in the historic Uvas Valley between Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Purple fruit juiciness is balanced by a sharp licorice edge, framed by judicious acidity and tannins.
Bloody meats, dried cherries, pressed purple flowers, vanilla and blackberry jam arise on the nose of this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot, which shows a little age. The purple flowers really come through once sipped, backed up by sour cherries, mocha and sanguine elements, cast across grippy tannins.
Aromas of latex, tire rubber, spice, cured meat and berry fruits are rugged and require patience to sift through. This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend is big and grabby, but not precise, with loud, herbal, muscular flavors of stewed plum, licorice and peppercorn.
This is a serious, wood-aged wine whose ripe fruits are dominated at the moment by heavy toast flavors. The fruit does offer weight and good potential, making it a structured, dark wine that is beginning to suggest a juicy future. Drink from 2017.
This is a herbal, earthy wine with as many tannins as fruit at this stage. That gives it a dense, dusty texture that seeps into the ripe, sweet plum flavors. With the wood giving an extra push of richness as well as spice, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.
This is a juicy wine, stuffed with soft berry fruits and jammy black currant flavors. It has some tannins, lightly integrated into the general fruitiness of this wine. With Dural and Braucol in dominance, it holds a touch of dryness at the center that will allow it age. Drink from 2016.
Subdued aromas of espresso, tobacco, cedar, tilled soil and mature black fruit waft out of the glass. Made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon, the elegant palate offers raw red currants, dried black cherries, clove and anise alongside silky but rather fleeting tannins.
Tempranillo is carving out an important role for itself in southern Oregon. This young wine has a strong mineral streak around flavors of wild berry, citrus oil, and chalk. A light and lovely tobacco scent adds interest.
This medium-bodied wine combines first impressions of bright raspberry aromas and flavors with a deeper, richer black cherry character on the palate. The texture is vivid; firm acidity and tannins provide appetizing mouthfeel.
Old vines of Tinta Francisca have produced a generous, full and concentrated wine. It is packed with forward berry fruits and as well as soft tannins that are finely integrated. The end is fresh, and always fruity.
Though still quite young, this cuvée is immediately flavorful and intriguing. Earthy and showing a whiff of leather, its tart berry fruit opens up quickly and broadens across the palate. Best guess is drink it young, now through 2018, for maximum pleasure.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Petit Verdot offers aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, blue flowers, vineyard dust and dark cooking spices. The firm palate delivers black currants, licorice, cinnamon, ground pepper and Mediterranean herbs. Bracing tannins offer support and leave an astringent, drying finish.
Fresh strawberry fruit with a bit of spice makes this an easy choice for warm-weather sipping. Tart, with lemony acidity, it's young and lively. Good as it is on its own, it would make an awesome punch.
Offered in a half-bottle size, this estate Cab-based wine also contains 6% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. The blend is crisp, dry and tannic in cranberry, barely ripe cherry and dried currant, swerving savory into dried herb and clove.
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese opens with aromas of crushed blackberry, ripe plum and blue flowers. On the palate, notes of anise and black pepper accent the core of fleshy black cherry while assertive but polished tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2016–2019.
A blend of fruit from three Rogue Valley sites, this is a fine example of the style of Pinot made in Southern Oregon. The estate vineyard sits at 2,100 feet on a steep, east-facing slope, with densely planted vines. It's a big, blocky, full-bodied wine, loaded with flavors of black cherry, black coffee and barrel toast. Tannins are substantial, but the flavors are full and forward. What it lacks in elegance it makes up for in immediate likeability.
Fruit from the Momtazi vineyard often has a strong herbal component, here matched to a tart cranberry base. This wine is young, tight, and slightly bitter in the finish, with a hint of pineapple in the acidity. Overall the winemaker's elegant hand lightens up the aggressive herbaceousness, but a bit more fruit would be welcome.
Right from the beginning, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend oozes old-school Chilean calling cards: The nose is full of eucalyptus and herbal berry aromas along with tobacco and spicy berry scents. A tannic, heavy palate is hard and grinding, while baked flavors of black fruits come with a reprise of herbaceous character. Drink through 2022.
One-third of the wine went through whole-cluster fermentation, giving an edge to a fresh herb and moist earth component. A streak of iron and a touch of licorice surrounds firm cherry fruit. It's a solid effort that fades a bit quickly.
The vineyard is in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, though the label does not indicate it. There is a welcome purity to the fruit expression, pretty cherry flavors with a suggestion of hard candy. Although it has light herb and stem highlights, nothing overshadows the lovely fruit.
A touch minty and herbal, but also there's chocolate and creamy richness to the nose. This is a big wine that's hugely flavorful. It rumbles from bold berry to smoky dryness, and along the way there are stops at chocolate, coffee and black pepper. Always one of Jumilla's better wines, assuming you like the extracted, modern style.
This is rather soft on entry, a buttery, meaty, forward and appealing Pinot, with a layered palate of black raspberry, black cherry, sassafras, cinnamon and vanilla bean. The tannins are substantial and a bit green, but the edges are nicely honed, and the green tea bitterness is largely held in abeyance. The wine carries its 14.5% alcohol with graceful charm.
Youthfully inexpressive on the nose, with just a hint of graham cracker showing at the moment. But in the mouth, there's plenty of weight and the fruit shines, blasting forth in cassis-laden glory. Try in 2010.
This is a lighter Schindler than in the past, reflecting the difficult, rain-soaked 2007 vintage. But it shows the character of the vineyard, with subtle hints of blood, rock and herb providing the foundation below the tangy, spicy and tart red fruits. Great winemakers make good wines in even the most difficult vintages; this is the proof.
The recent vintages of Rex Hill Pinots tend to be big, ripe wines, at times just on the border of raisiny, with fleshy, effusive fruit flavors matched to plenty of toasty oak. Despite the high alcohol, these are enjoyable and even seductive wines. The red fruit flavors are sharp and angular, with spicy tobacco and pepper highlights.
An Albariño with some body and complexity, Nora's single-vineyard, barrel-aged wine is definitely an oaky one. It has lots of wood dust, vanilla and lemon curd on the nose. The flavor profile is led by apples and cinnamon (from the oak), and it flows well. Not a sticky, overoaked load; instead it has balance and quasi-Burgundian feel.
Shows ample complexity on the nose, offering up hints of dried apricot and crushed stone to go alongside dominant notes of superripe apple. On the palate, although this lacks the zest and freshness of the very best auslese, it's still a leasing package, combining hints of honeyed richness with ripe pears and spice. Drink over the next 5–10 years.
Deep in color for an '01, with sweet aromas of vanilla, tobacco, leather and hickory. The palate is endowed with big berry fruit and flavors directed by wood spice, and the tannic level is just right given the wine's midterm age. With licorice, resin and additional hickory on the finish, 7 Viñas (vineyards) is one of Baron de Ley's better efforts.
Serious and huge, but talk about a ton of oak: this has a ton and a half, yielding sawdust-based aromas along with creamy plum notes. The thing is, once you realize that you're all-in with the wood, it tastes good, feels good and finishes good. A 3M wine: mint, molasses and medicine. But in this style it's done well.
This is deliciously crisp and steely, with an apple flavor and the weight of citrus and grapefruit. It has a minerally, chalky feel, and then the wine rounds out, with crisp fruit on the finish.
Aromas of balsam wood, dry spice, berries and vanilla are attractive and inviting. It feels lush and deep, with good layering and robust flavors of berry fruit, spice, herb and tobacco. Flush and slightly herbal tasting on the back end, this is a complex, quality blend of Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.
This is intoxicating on the nose with scents of white flowers, fresh herbs and honey, layered with hints of smoke and pine needles. Just a shade off-dry, the palate boasts ample peach and pear flavors that are tinged with a bitter lime-skin note and bristling minerality.
Pretty and deep, this has notes of juicy boysenberry, blueberry and cherry. The balanced acidity and racy tannins give it substance and style.
Norton Reserva is one of Argentina's best Cabernetss for the money. This vintage offers a mineral aroma along with rose petal, baked plum and spiced cherry scents. It feels deep, generous and balanced, with cassis, blackberry, earth and molasses flavors.
Brambly berry fruit, with a hint of herb around the edges, marks this wine. Along with the Cabernet, there are smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, showing well-integrated barrel notes of coffee and roasted walnuts, and smooth tannins.
This is a particularly fine vintage for the popular Dr. Wolfe's, maintaining the customary blend of Primitivo, Lemberger and Petite Sirah. Dark and smoky, with dense flavors of berry, cassis, licorice and dark chocolate, it is far more substantial than most red blends in this price range.
Ripe, succulent peach and melon flavors mark this dry but lusciously textured Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp and minerally, yet juicy and thirst quenching, this has so much dimension in each sip. It finishes quite floral, with just a touch of lime-pith astringency.
One whiff reveals billowing scents of purple flower, fresh apple, lemon peel and sea salt. Bone dry yet penetrating with flavors of lime skin, green apple and fresh herbs, this is a lush, textural Riesling with outstanding complexity. It finishes steely and crisp —a perfect pairing with fatty hamachi or salmon sashimi.
Hints of thyme, sage, violet and coffee are just a handful of the nuances that color this composed Bordeaux-style Blend. Brisk acidity balances the bold, ripe fruit, leading to a fresh, herbaceous finish with penetrating tannins. Drink now over a long evening, or better yet, cellar it for 3–5 years to let all of the components come together.
With 7% residual sugar and 11% alcohol, this is a Riesling to enjoy with spicy noodle dishes. Sweetness notwithstanding, it's a substantial wine with grip and definition. Melon and peach flavors roll smoothly into notes of caramel and honey. This is rich and delicious.
The small Côte de Léchet Premier Cru offers a steely vision of Chablis—crisp and driven by apple and grapefruit flavors. It is bright and taut; like any wine from this vineyard, it needs to age for at least three years.
Finely structured and aromatic, this is initially dense before opening up with ripe yellow fruit, becoming balanced by orange- and tangerine-like acidity. It has a young, zesty texture that pairs with the rich concentration, promising to age over 3–4 years.
Spice and cedar accent aromas of ripe red cherry and plum on this buoyantly aromatic Cabernet Franc. Dense and ruddy with black fruit flavors, it's unabashedly oaky and forward, yet surprisingly balanced. There's an irresistible freshness throughout, augmented by crisp acidity and a green, leafy edge.
Fresh apple and nectarine aromas are clean and appealing. This is round, lifted and correct in terms of mouthfeel. Fleshy nectarine and apple flavors finish minerally, a touch briny and long. Drink now.
Rubbery, mossy aromas of toasted black fruits, fresh asphalt and black olive come before a hard-driving palate with blackened berry, licorice and chocolate flavors. A heady, long finish tastes oaky and chocolaty as it unwinds. Drink through 2025.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah, this wine offers aromas of dark plums, blackberry, dark chocolate and asphalt, with floral and spice top notes. The fruit flavors are sweet and approachable, backed by lightly chalky tannins.
A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise, this wine brings an intriguing assortment of red and blue jammy fruit, herbs, cranberry and peppery spices. Reflective of the warm vintage it comes from, it's ripe, full bodied and in a sweet spot. Drink now.
This is an aromatically pleasing, fruit-forward wine, with notes of raspberry, spice and plum. The palate is supple in feel, with the fruit and oak flavors shining through.
Alongside the fresh red cherry fruit there are hints of iron oxide and pepper. None dominate, but they present themselves in beautiful waves making for a very intriguing palate with soft, pliable tannins and a fresh backbone. A very authentic rendition of Zweigelt. So fresh and so moreish.
Made with Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this opens with aromas of dried plum, scorched earth, exotic spice and a whiff of cedar. On the palate, ground black pepper, clove, mocha and espresso accent a core of dried black cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework.
This is almost all varietal, with just smidgeons of Merlot and Malbec (2% each) blended in. It displays an appealing mix of fruit and barrel, with aromas and flavors of coffee, spice, pencil lead, herbs and cherry, showing a sense of vibrancy and richness.
This bright, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is full of mouthwatering grapefruit and lemon flavors. It's delicately framed, yet cutting and spry with a mineral-tinged backbone that begs for pairing with oysters and other briny seafood.
A bouquet of floral cherry and plum aromas mixed with savory spice, fine oak and earth notes spans the full spectrum of Ribera del Duero. This has a jammy, wide, tannic mouthfeel and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and chocolate. A wide, tannic finish with light herbal notes is rock solid. Drink through 2019.
Showing signs of toastiness, this is a ripe and full-bodied wine. Rich with apples and yellow fruits shot through with lemon, it still could age. Drink from 2016.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this offers aromas of spicy plum, violet, blackberry, toast and a whiff of oak-driven spice. The firmly structured palate delivers black cherry, clove, anise and a note of grilled sage alongside assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish. Give it time to unwind. Drink 2017–2025.
Made with Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino, this opens with aromas of dark berry, grilled herb, menthol and a whiff of leather. The savory palate doles out juicy cherry, black raspberry, licorice, clove and mocha. Firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity hold it all together. Drink through 2018.
From the heart of the Napa Valley, this estate white is dry in floral lemon and lime, in addition to more voluptuous helpings of apricot and peach. Stainless-steel fermented, it offers crisp acidity before taking on complexity on the finish, more weighty than on the palate.
Perfumed berry, pressed violet, leather and a balsamic note lead the nose of this 100% Sangiovese. The sleek, savory palate doles out fleshy black cherry, licorice, clove and tobacco interwoven with lithe tannins and fresh acidity.
Rounded, earthy notes of ripe fruit are foremost in the aromatic stakes. On the palate they are joined by a yeastily textured savoriness and fresh citrus verve. This goes well beyond mere fruit and shows off the more earthy side of Grüner. Satisfyingly zesty finish.
Ripe green pear peel, soft hints of yellow plum and fresh grapefruit notes join for an appetizing opening. The palate is slender but concentrated and adds a yeasty, almost herbal touch. There is proper texture and mouthfeel, making this a wine to linger over. The finish echoes with lemony freshness.
Having spent no time in oak, this crisp, clean white is resplendent in lemon curd and vanilla, joined midway by additional layers of just-picked peach. Medium bodied, with the right texture to hold up to a range of spicy foods, it offers a vibrantly lively finish.
This grape is obscure for California but excels in this bottling, with intriguing aromas of yellow melon, crushed white rocks and an array of citrus, from tangerine peels to kumquats. The palate is a lime shade of green, featuring flavors of lime blossoms, Key lime pie and kaffir lime leaves, but also shows limestone minerality and a hint of passion fruit.
Mesmerizing aromas of toast, roasted pumpkin and spice are followed by medium-bodied, lightly spritzy feeling flavors and a citrus-filled finish. This drinks young now and will benefit from some additional time in the cellar.
It was fascinating to compare this to Two Paddocks' regular bottling. The Last Chance is slightly richer, but otherwise features many of the same elements: smoke, tart cherries and delicate herbal notes. Despite the extra concentration, it's still supple and approachable now.
This impressively concentrated, full-bodied and firmly tannic wine will be a great match for the next juicy steak or lasagna. It has a thick, inky, red color, attractive cedar and spice aromas, and full flavors like blackberries and pomegranate juice. The thick, velvety tannic feel is perfect for adventurous tastes. It's made with Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Freisa grapes.
The appellation continues to impress with this variety, well showcased by this producer. White flowers and waxy apple form its character foremost, followed by lemon peel and zest. A dry, salty finish makes for a conclusively satisfying end.
This bright and attractive dry wine has exotic floral and pistachio aromas, rich grapefruit and rosewater flavors, and a lively texture that seems to keep the flavors tripping over the tongue on the aftertaste. It will be a real treat for brunch or with spicy food.
This unusual rosé blends Merlot rosé with substantial portions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Gewürztraminer, highlighting textural and flavor attributes from each. It's luscious in mouthfeel with a dense concentration of tropical fruit flavors, yet brisk and effortlessly quaffable. A delightful new take on a Hamptons classic.
Named for the producer's French grandfather, who loved Merlot, this 100% varietal wine from a high-elevation site is leathery, meaty and quite debonair. With a scent of bacon grease giving a sense of rustic deliciousness, it's also soft and unctuous on the palate, medium to full bodied.
Ample blueberry and black cherry fruit is toned by fresh acidity and held in a concentrated body. Little by little the Zweigelt pepperiness creeps in and makes for a punchy, focused red with just the right amount of still perceptible tannins. Great clean finish.
Made in an attractive, drink-now style, this light- to medium-bodied Pinot Noir showcases pretty raspberry and strawberry fruit that is framed by  fresh-cut cedar and soft tannins.
Pretty floral notes mingle enticingly with smoke and nut aromas in this vanilla-kissed Chardonnay. It's rich and creamy on the palate, with concentrated apple flavors and bright, lemony acids that add vibrancy to the finish.
Aromatic, with notes of orange blossom and lemon zest, this dry, bracing Chardonnay boasts surprising depth and minerality. Vibrant with lemony acidity, it finishes briskly, with a hint of lime-zest-like astringency.
Aromas of cherry, spiced meat and plum start off this masculine red. Flavors of smoke, spice and red fruit are balanced and easy to embrace, and the wine offers ageable structure to boot. This is an impressive selection that will pair well with hearty dishes, but it will also be enjoyable on its own.
The 2010 vintage of Te Kahu is 80% Merlot, with only single-digit percentages of the other varieties. It's a darkly fruited wine, with notes of black cherry and blackberry that are impeccably clean and precise. Drink this silky-textured, medium-bodied wine over the next five years.
Despite having a lovely, silky texture, this wine is slightly disappointing given its pedigree. It's already bricking in color, and it offers evolved notes of earth, leather and charred beetroot and a lingering finish. Drink now.
One of the nice things about this Pinot Noir is that despite the considerable quantities produced (17,000 cases), it doesn't seem forced in any way. It's medium bodied and silky, with aromas and flavors of maraschino cherries and button mushrooms that leave a pretty, delicate impression behind on the palate.
This is a lightweight Pinot Noir with seductive aromas of pie cherries and dusty roses, and a delicate, almost lacy, texture. It's the kind of pretty, silky Pinot that would be at home with chicken and fish dishes. Drink now.
This bears apple and pear flavors that are set amidst buttery, toasty accents. It's smooth and easy to drink, and the mouthfeel has a certain oiliness.
Ripe and fruity, this is a round, soft wine that shows the jammy character of Pinot Noir. It has a straight line of acidity that cuts through the fruit, which makes for an attractive, light finish.
Light and fruity, this has flavors of creamed apple and ripe Williams pear. The wine is crisp and tangy, and it's shot through with lemon zest and acidity. Ready to drink in one year.
Fresh and floral on the nose and palate, this has loads of white flower and Meyer lemon tones. Dry in style, it builds in intensity on the palate, with hints of honey, wax and saline-like minerality that linger on the finish.
Aromatic and expressive, this wine starts with aromas of wildflower and peach, and it leads into balanced flavors of white fruit, orange peel and fresh berry. A pretty selection, with enough body to span the seasons.
Rubber, mushroom and smoke rise up on the hot, molten nose, while the palate is hard, tough to penetrate and narrow, with dark berry and piercing pepper accents. Tough to dig into and find higher qualities. Thus it comes across as a surface wine without much depth or elegance.
Almost red in color, and maybe already past its prime. Crios was a standout in 2006, but the '07 is chunky and sweet smelling, with ripe but dull apple, melon and nectarine flavors. Soft and already in its late stages; probably best to wait for the 2008.
The aromas are attractively fresh, while the palate is more towards full, fat fruits. So the green perfume gives way to melon and pear only just touched by citrus acidity. Treat this as a food wine, not an apèritif. This wine was formerly sold under the Cockburn Port brand.
Try as we might to understand very ripe Bonarda blended with low-acid Malbec, it doesn't make sense...and this example doesn't help much. It's a little green and funky, with mineral, asphalt and prune aromas. The palate is soft, semidark and baked, with chocolate and medium tannins on the finish. A strange blend that comes out strange.
This herbal, tannic Syrah is a serviceable bottle that would be especially good with a simple flank steak. Scents are a mix of grape blossom, cherry and coffee. The wine is solid and one dimensional and finishes with a strong herbal streak.
Santa Carolina of Chile is behind this Uco Valley producer, and for two years running this wine has rated the same. It starts with adequate but generic plum and blackberry aromas, yet the palate is acidic and tangy, with slightly herbal black fruit and raspberry flavors. Decent but not what you'd call a distinguished Cabernet. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA.
Clean and fruity--what can one reasonably ask of a wine at this price point? Pineapple and other tropical fruit flavors are delivered by a round, easy mouthfeel and soft finish.
A full, round wine that tastes of the hot, dry climate of the Alentejo, with its ripe fruits, light structure and low acidity. It is a wine for food, its simple textures a great accompaniment to spicy dishes.
This 68% Semillon and 32% Sauvignon is intensely herbal on the nose, and the green character persists throughout, yet never veers into vegetal. It's cleanly made and medium-bodied, with a crisp finish.
Shows good varietal character in its herb- and tobacco-accented cassis aromas and flavors, but lacks the intensity to put it in the top class. A well-priced Cabernet for near-term consumption or restaurant wine lists.
Not bad but fading. This Trebbiano-Chardonnay blend features apple aromas and flavors, and then some quince and orange around the edges. Soft, with some banana on the finish. Drink right away because it won't last much longer.
Floral and citrusy smelling, with a lightness of being. Feels equally lean and light in the mouth, with fresh, floral flavors revolving around lychee and lime. Tropical and basic on the finish, with an easygoing way about it.
Light, creamed apple fruits with a bright line of fresh acidity. The wine is exuberant in its citrus character, just broadened by an underlay of green apples.
White peach and papaya aromas are sweet and tropical, while saline notes play second fiddle. Feels tangy, juicy and lean, with dilute lemon and green banana flavors. Wet and watery on the finish.
Flashy aromas of toast and butter mingle with tropical fruit aromas and flavors. There's a touch of warmth on the nose, and the mouthfeel is round and fleshy. Drink now.
Every kind of pepper, from green to red to jalapeño, is present on the nose, along with red plum and spice aromas. Feels tight and zesty, with Italian-leaning flavors of tomato, oregano and basil along with cassis and strawberry. Crisp and agile on the finish, but tastes green.
Prickly smelling, with pointed red-fruit aromas. Feels snappy and high in acid, with quick, zippy flavors of tangy red plum and red currant. Not too much flavor or feel on the quick, crisp finish.
Gaseous smelling at first, then the nose transitions to rubbery plum and blackberry. Feels zesty and spunky, with tangy raspberry, pie cherry and tomato flavors. Feels racy and juicy, with a tomato-like flavor on the finish.
Baked, saucy aromas suggest the wine's overall character. It's ripe and stewy, with a grippy palate and a flavor profile full of tomato, herbs and red plum. Tastes herbal and roasted on the finish; aggressive, savory Rioja.
Labors from the start via soft, punchless aromas of generic red fruit. Feels a little flabby, with dry, basic flavors of red apple and cantaloupe. Turns pithy and slightly bitter on the finish. Drink now.
Quite dry, nicely structured, and sporting generous, fresh acidity, this food-friendly Pinot Gris has moderately ripe fruit flavors that emphasis citrus and lemon rind. The alcohol is just 13.5%.
Light and clean, this is a gentle take on Pinot Noir, comparable to a modest Bourgogne from a big shipper such as Bouchard. The alcohol rests comfortably at 13.5%, and the wine is done in a fruit-forward, drink-now style that fits the price point.
Attractive oily, fruity and fresh wine, mineral with green plum flavors touched with lemon. For drinking now to preserve its bright, ripe character.
Red fruits and spice along with mineral acidity give this wine interest as well as freshness. Juiciness dominates, with subdued tannins behind the wall of fruit. Age maybe for 1–2 years.
This starts off as a deceptively simple berry-cocktail sort of rosé, but then adds lime and crushed stone on the finish to provide added interest and refreshment. Drink now.
Fiery stuff with aromas that suggest cheese and leather. The mouth has a forward feel and then leafy, herbal berry flavors with sides of compost and leather. Lightly herbal on the finish, and while it's big, sweet and chunky, it doesn't click to the maximum.
A pure Cabernet aged in 100% new French oak with soft tannins, rich textures and inviting aromas of herbs, flowers and mushrooms. Worth checking out if you're interested in what Temecula Valley can do.
A bit warm and baked on the nose, with aromas of fruit cake and pastry. The palate is full-bodied and chewy, with ripe, sweet black fruit flavors that finish with vanilla and chocolate.
Earthy and a bit foresty on the nose, with a leather accent to the berry aromas. Full and reasonably sound across the palate, which offers baked berry and coffee flavors in front of a modest, leathery finish.
Made from vines planted in 1978 and 1983, this is a clean and fresh wine, a bit under-ripe with celery stalk, green apple and lemon flavors. Residual sugar is barely noticeable at 8g/L.
Softly scented, this offers aromas of spring blossom and summer orchard fruit. The luminous, easygoing palate shows pear and citrus alongside crisp acidity. It finishes clean and fresh.
Plum, raspberry and spice aromas stick out on this otherwise dusty smelling Cabernet. This is medium in body, with little in the midsection. Reedy, oaky red-berry flavors come with a cocoa powder note and a spicy finish.
Aromas of toast, nut, oak and yellow stone fruit emerge on this linear white. The palate is rather lean, offering grapefruit, mineral, thyme and a hint of roasted coffee bean alongside crisp acidity.
Aromas of black cherry and green frying peppers prepare the palate for flavors of cherry, blackberry, green bell pepper and licorice. Smooth tannins and strong fruit flavors are slightly overcome by green notes, and the cool bell pepper finish yields soft touches of cherry.
This opens with aromas suggesting white flower, orchard fruit and bread crust. The straightforward palate delivers Golden Delicious apple and a hint of peach alongside crisp acidity.
This offers aromas that recall acacia honey, pressed flower and beeswax. The mature, evolved palate shows candied citrus zest, toasted nut and bread crust while a mineral note closes the finish.
The Jaen grape, local to the Dão, has produced a perfumed juicy wine that is ripe and intensely full of acidity at the same time. It has only light tannins and red berry flavors that are right up front. The wine is ready to drink.
With Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this is a strongly structured wine. It is dark and tannic, acidity laced with dark plum flavors. This firm wine is still young and should be aged for at least a year, so drink from 2017.
Lightly scented with citrus blossom and orchard fruit, this racy white offers up delicate flavors of yellow apple and lemon zest. It's linear, with vibrant acidity that leaves a crisp finish.
From estate-grown grapes, this is a fulsome, generously expansive wine, rich in honeyed vanilla, caramel and toffee, and intense in oak. Peach and hazelnut figure into the mix, as does a taste of nutmeg, making for a warm, lengthy finish.
While there are not many acres of Gamay in Michigan, it seems to be an viable addition to the rows of Pinot throughout the the state's two northern AVAs. From a warmer vintage, this wine shows plenty of red cherry and strawberry alongside lightly toasted vanilla. While juicy and snappy, a light dusting of tannins offers just enough support.
Aromas of citrus, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of geranium lead open on the nose. The tangy palate offers apricot, yellow peach and candied nectarine zest along crisp acidity. A note of bitter almond signals the close.
Aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and nuts come together on this. The vibrant palate offers lemon zest, Kaiser pear and a hint of stony mineral accompanied by bracing acidity.
A limited production blend, this opens with tart, brambly fruit flavors accented with mild herbs. The finish continues down a brambly, peppery path. Best to give this until 2017 or so in bottle.
The wine is typically light and fruity, although a year from the harvest it has lost its total freshness and filled out. It is fruity with apples and zingy citrus that are softening and becoming more rich. Drink now.
This offers charming floral aromas while the reserved palate provides subtle sensations of yellow fruit, bitter almond, herb and a hint of nutmeg. Crisp acidity lifts the finish.
Subtle scents of white blossom, citrus and dried herb are delivered to the nose. The straightforward, refreshing palate offers pear and green apple alongside bracing acidity. A mineral note signals the finish.
This is a tight, tangy wine that has been rounded out by some wood aging (35%). Crisp apples and grapefruit flavors are lifted by tight acidity and a zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
Delicate but enticing aromas of white peach and wisteria float from the glass. The lively, linear palate shows Granny Smith apple, Kaiser pear, citrus zest and a ginger note alongside crisp—almost crackling—acidity.
Browned butter, roasted almonds and walnuts, kumquat cream and iodine show on the nose of this oxidative style from Bill Foley's large portfolio. The palate is rich with toasty brioche and peanut-butter notes.
Soft and smooth, this barrel-fermented wine remains fruit-driven. The barrel time seems to have rounded it off, rather than adding any noticeable toast. Pleasant flavors of apple sauce carry a hint of spice.
Scents of white spring flower, pear and a hint of nut come together on this lively wine. The racy palate shows pear, apple and white almond alongside firm acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
Fleshy and full-figured, this wine is made in a big, expansive style. It's rounded in vanillin oak and a bite of honeycomb, with lighter accompaniments of mango and pear.
Using shriveled, dried Cabernet Franc grapes, this appassimento-style wine is a new endeavor in the Michigan wine scene, yet it might merit further experimentation for such a cool climate growing region. Initial notes of balsamic blow off to reveal notes of brandied cherries and dried hay. Medium in weight, with fine, sandy tannins, the palate is condensed and ripe in fresh cherry tones that linger on the finish. As a result of the drying process, the alcohol hits over 15%, yet beyond the roundness on the palate, it's quite imperceptible.
Aromas of wisteria and green apple lead the way on this straightforward white. The tangy palate tastes of juicy pear, citrus and a hint of white almond while zesty acidity and a mineral note give the finish a slight lift.
Two fistfuls of Petite Sirah are added to the mix here, the wine a mix of black cherry and berry around soft, sinewy layers of black pepper and firm tannins. Never overbearing, this wine will do well at the table around plenty of meats.
Scents of ripe black cherry and raspberry are at the center of the bouquet, with attractive accents of fudgy brownie, caramel, coffee and baking spice. The palate boasts a velvety texture, with medium tannins and a lush, ripe black-fruit core. Hints of cured meat and toasty mocha linger long on the close.
At first a bit sharp and volatile, this has both substantial residual sugar (50 g/L) and significant alcohol for a late harvest wine. It's spicy and lightly honeyed, and opens nicely into a mix of candied pear and pineapple fruit, with streaks of vanilla running through.
From a warm vintage, this Syrah is raisiny and jammy up front but more staunch and structured as it opens. Aromas of baked fruits arrive at a big, saturated palate full of blackberry, vanilla and coconut flavors. Cherry, chocolate and graphite work the finish on this ripe, warm wine. Drink through 2016.
Boundary Breaks is an exciting new project from the Finger Lakes, and the No. 239 is one of its best. While ebulliently fruity, almost tropical, on the nose, it's elegantly dry on the palate with a rich, creamy palate full of ripe grapefruit and peach flavors. Vibrant lemon-lime acidity, it finishes long with a hint of lime-skin pith.
A deep smoky red in color, this exudes fresh but tart blackberry, with hints of cinnamon on the nose. These flavors are pleasantly present on the palate, where low-level tannins are sleek and elegant. A juicy, concentrated, vibrant and refreshing wine from one of Vienna's famous vineyards that delivers with its slender body, gentle tannins and good length.
Red and black cherry and crushed blackberry unite with hints of cinnamon and clove in this medium-bodied wine. With ample depth and elegance, this takes time to open up but provides a lovely, velvety texture, with ripe but still textured tannins. This is ready now but will also benefit from cellaring.
Notes of almonds and sweet fruit combine with steely acidity in this wine. It has both a bright, fresh character and honeyed smoothness. It is still quite youthful and could age well for 3–4 years.
This is a richly honeyed wine that has flavors of spice cake and sweet fruits that are balanced with a taut, firm texture. The wine is ripe, but has a delicate touch that makes it very attractive. Drink now.
While firmly tannic and structured, this wine shows youth with its concentrated fresh berry flavors and bright acidity. The dry core promises a long-term future, so don't drink before 2016.
This is a beautifully perfumed wine that's fragrant with white spring blossoms and flavored with bright fruit flavors. The palate has remarkable structure with intense acidity that lends zest and zing, and a fine, lively feeling on the finish. Drink until 2020.
Lamoreaux's standard-label Cabernet Franc spends 18 months in American oak, adopting layers of sweet spice, vanilla and smoke that penetrate deeply into its black cherry core. It's taut and unyielding on the palate, with bold acidity and big, brawny tannins, but should meld beautifully with 3–5 years in the cellar.
This attractive, bright white opens with aromas of orange, green apple flesh and barely-ripe white peach. The light-weight mouth offers more of the same, alongside notes of melon rind and soft brioche. A slight creaminess is countered by brisk acidity, ending clean and refreshing. Drink now.
This Cabernet Franc-dominant blend, with additional splashes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, leads with earthy tones of menthol, black-currant leaf and tobacco. There's ample black-fruit flavors to support the herbal core—think blackberry, plum and cassis—all framed by medium tannins and a clean, peppery finish. Drink now–2016.
Here's a dense and concentrated selection at an attractive price point, with direct aromas and flavors of black plum, boysenberry, bramble and violet. The palate is slightly lush and creamy, but texturized by medium tannins and spicy accents of licorice and toast on the close.
This is a sweet Pinot Gris that is honeyed and very rich. Light spice notes are buoyed by explosive apricot and pineapple flavors, yielding a wine that's great for capping off a meal.
This opens with attractive aromas of yellow spring flowers and an assortment of white tree fruits. The vibrant palate offers lemon, tangerine, apple and pineapple flavors alongside fresh acidity.
Layers of spice, lanolin and orange rind stand out curiously on this intriguing Riesling fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeast, and subject to 5 months on its lees. It's strikingly brisk with tart, lemony acidity, but rich with a rustic, savory apple flavor. It's a funky, thoroughly unique wine, but also a remarkably complex wine to savor through the course of a long evening.
Brick red in color, this toasty, oaky Zin is grippy and satisfying. Thick on the palate with sweet, ripe tannins and a dusty texture, it's nicely balanced with a long finish that's inviting with meaty foods.
Though labeled Columbia Valley, this is in fact 100% Merlot from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain. It's chewy and tannic, as is often the case with Red Mountain reds, with black cherry and cassis fruit wrapped by astringent tannins hinting at dark chocolate. In short, a fine steak wine, that needs some fat to cut the tannins.
While forward with stonefruit and honey, along with toasty oak and vanilla notes, this is a structured Viognier that's crisp and fresh. Drink with Thai food or buttery lobster.
A Merlot-dominated blend, this lush and appealing wine greets you with a pretty, toasty bouquet, leading into a mix of plum, stem, wood, coffee and toasted coconut flavors. The fruit thins out a bit more quickly than you'd hope, but the flavors are good and consistent throughout.
Zesty, grippy, dry and flinty are words that spring to mind for this straight-laced, very zingy white. It shows little more fruit than lime and Meyer lemon right now, but that makes it refreshing and a winner with seafood.
A concentrated palate of black cherry and wild blueberry combine to give a full-fruited midpalate, with supple tannins and a juicy, moreish freshness. This strikes a convincing balance between rounded richness and refreshing lightness.
Coming from a vineyard 2,100 feet high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this is quite light in color, with a fruit-punch aroma alongside graphite, vanilla and French toast. The easy-drinking flavors are tart and straightforward.
With this variety an extreme rarity in Oregon, this offering comes from 1972 plantings that were grafted over in 2006. It's medium bodied and drinks dry with notes of citrus and melon leading to a smoky finish.
Dense and extracted, this opens with aromas of cherry marinated in spirits, prune, ground black pepper and leather. The syrupy palate offers blackberry extract, licorice, espresso and toasted oak alongside teeth-coating tannins and almost searing alcohol.
Simple Chablis, but one that is full of ripe and creamy fruit. In the background, a more tangy, zesty and mineral texture brings out the northern cool vineyards. Otherwise it is about yellow fruits and sliced red apple. Drink now.
Smoke and mineral tones lend a savoriness to flavors of pressed apples and pears on this slightly rustic Riesling. The palate is sweet and sunny with brisk apple cider flavor touched with dried sage and spice.
Oak, resin, briary fruit and pasty notes characterize the bouquet. The palate is wiry due to pronounced tartaric acidity, but fair overall. Flavors of rooty berry and brown sugar taste sweet, while the finish is low in verve.
Aromas of pink grapefruit, candied red cherry and cinnamon carry on to the palate. Zesty acidity brightens the palate alongside vigorous bubbles.
Tasty and no-nonsense, this shows cherry and blackberry flavors along with leafy aromas. It is juicy, fresh, moderately tannic, firm-textured, appetizing and well made.
Oaky, slightly sweet and otherwise exhibiting rich tones of dirt and earth, this is soft in tannins and texture, the finish unveiling power.
A slightly prickly nose that offers hints of green herbs and cactus sets up the citrusy palate, brimming with grapefruit, orange and green-herb flavors. The finish is shear and citrusy, with cleansing acidity.
The fourth vintage of the BCD Estate, this offers high acidity around a core of ripe cherry fruit and earthy, pastoral overtones, the tannins nicely managed.
Spicy, jammy aromas of plum and blackberry are dense yet soft. This feels syrupy and rich, almost sticky, with grabby oak and blackened flavors of berry fruits that ultimately register as nondescript. A peppery, hot finish is plump but low on detail.
Wiry berry aromas are jacked up with spice as well as stalky notes. There's a fair amount of astringency to the palate, while flavors of plum and red berries finish juicy but also briny and a touch horsey in flavor.
This opens with aromas of resin, nail polish remover and prune. The warm palate delivers coffee, espresso and blueberry extract alongside astringent tannins and soft acidity. The fruit richness is evaporating and it has a drying, bitter close.
This ripe wine has currant aromas and a soft texture offering perfumed pears and ripe apricots. It's richly endowed, rounded with a layer of acidity at the end. Drink now.
This soft wine shows some of the Aligoté crispness that has become creamy and smooth. There are touches of yellow fruits as well as lively acidity and a gentle aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine leans toward the brown-orange side of the Pinot Noir scale, with burnt orange, cranberry and whiffs of anise. Cooked fruits dominate the palate, with fruitcake and gingerbread flavors.
From a former Gravenstein apple orchard, this Pinot is intense in white pepper and cherry pit, and not unlike the skin of an apple. The zesty acidity sizzles on the palate.
Dry, dusty berry aromas and a whiff of animal fur make up the nose on this flush, tannic Tempranillo. Grapy, gamy berry flavors are forceful, while this finishes dark in flavor, tannic and tough.
While exuberantly floral and fruity on the nose, this dry, full-bodied Riesling is surprisingly lean on the palate. It's briskly structured, showing delicate flavors of tart apple and lemon, and a crisp, biting finish.
This is an attractive, soft and fruity wine. Described as Extra Bruto—extra dry—it does in fact have a soft and gentle aftertaste that comes from creamed apple and ripe pear flavors. It is ready to drink.
Big and bitter, this has aromas of overripe plum, prune, espresso and resin with an acrid whiff of sweat that eventually burns off in the glass. The extracted palate offers blueberry, mocha, bitter prune and roasted coffee bean alongside astringent tannins that dry out the finish. Superior Wines, Wine Warehouse.
One might think that a seven-year-old crianza would be fading, but this one isn't. Sure, it's ready to drink now, and cellaring is unnecessary, but the fruit is pure and exciting. The cherry and raspberry character is exact and lively, while the feel is lean and easy. On the finish, which isn't huge, you get a nice reflection of the wine amid some healthy tannins and acids. Almost certainly good with food.
From a region on the rise, this is nice Tempranillo, made in a lighter, food-friendly style. Which doesn't mean it's weak. On the contrary, the wine has good concentration and purity to go with fresh acids and an approachable texture. The flavors are of plum, cherry and licorice, while the finish is tight and comes in a couple of layers. Well made and easy to drink.
Mt. Difficulty winemaker Matt Dicey has made another fine Otago Riesling, this from a single vineyard whose name is Gaelic for "Hill of Gold." It smells of honey and marmalade, with strong citrus overtones and a sweet attack. Zesty acids on the long, crisp finish provide balance.
The melon, apple and pear aromas aren't as distinctively Viognier as one might expect, but the wine itself is solid and satisfying. The flavor profile is spicy and melony, and feel-wise there's lots of size. (This whopper weighs in at 14.9%, so it should seem big.)  A large, chewy yet mildly buttery finish seals the package as full bodied and rich.
This bone-dry, poised wine is finely structured with floral aromas and flavors. It opens deliciously in the mouth, long-lasting and rich.
Smooth and round from the start, with aromas of plum, cassis and cola. In the mouth, there's cherry and more cassis, and as a whole it's downright tasty. On the back side, the finish is firm and chocolaty, with good tannins. After tasting many a mediocre Pinot Noir from this Eugene-based winery, this flavorful if one-dimensional Cabernet is a revelation. Only 150 cases produced.
Floral and fresh, with a supercharged personality and plenty of sugary sweetness. On the plus side, it's racy and lithe, and that's despite being as candied as it is. But ask yourself, what's not to like about lemon-lime and apple? And when there's smoothness and palate feel thrown in, you wind up with a warm-weather winner.
This is a sleek, medium-bodied Cabernet from inland Victoria. Oak use is restrained, leaving cassis, cassis and more cassis to stand largely on its own. The result is a bit simple, but well built, finishing with firm, dusty tannins.
This has subdued toasted oak, underbrush and dark spice aromas, accented by a whiff of menthol. The lean, medium-bodied palate offers black cherry, espresso and sweet oak flavors, framed by fine-grained but not very persistent tannins.
This wine fills the senses with notes of grass, lemon curd, slate and unripe green apple. Flavors of peach-ring candies and lemon come though on the zesty and tangy palate. The finish is long and tingly, although the flavors quickly dissipate.
Gritty leathery plum aromas are intense but also low on ripeness and charm. Par for 2013, which was quite cool and rainy, this wine feels racy, with abrasive tannins. Short standard black plum and berry flavors finish with controlled toasty oak notes.
This is a bright, edgy Chardonnay. Smoke and roasted nuts complement pineapple and citrus aromas and flavors, while the palate is medium bodied and taut with crisp acids. Drink now–2020.
Dusty orange aromas and a tight lime-driven palate set up lime and arugula flavors that show mild bitterness on the back side. A tangy finish with a note of white pepper is an appropriate ending.
This wine brings the funk (in a good, barnyard way) on the nose, along with some raspberry and blueberry aroams. The flavors are jammy, with plums and berries leading the way, but also contains baking spice and pie-crust accents. Edgy acidity and a dense body give way to a long, jammy finish that ends in a burst of spice.
This uncomplicated bottling is delicate and light, making for easy, pleasant sipping. Lime pith, nectarine and wet clay aromas show on the nose, while the palate offers tension and subtle stone fruit and citrus flavors.
As with the other single-vineyard wines from Brooks, this was give 18 months in French oak, and shows strong accents of baking spices and plum cake. The fruit leans toward raisins and figs—just on the edge of overripe—and continues into a finish with vanilla wafer and macaroons. There's a lot going on, but it has not (yet) knit together.
This is a balanced, steely white, showing minimal oak and simple layers of apple, pear and vanilla.
This all-Sangiovese Chianti boasts red fruit and blackberry aromas. Structured with laid-back tannins and fresh acidity, the palate offers black cherry flavor with a hint of baking spice.
This is a smooth and soft wine that will develop quickly. It has a light tannin structure behind the easy blackberry fruit. The chateau is owned by Castel, the largest drinks producer in France. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
Equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot give this wine a ripe character. The wood aging shows in the smoky flavors that underline the juicy black-currant fruits. The wine is attractive and will soon show its fruitiness. Drink from 2019.
This is a ripe wood-aged wine. It has tannins and layers of spice and toast from the wood aging. Happily, the fruit is also there, giving well-balanced black currants and acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from 2020.
Syrahs can be exceptional at this biodynamic estate, but this one is merely good. Tight and herbal, it shows traces of blackberry fruit, but the earthy components dominate. It was fermented with roughly two-fifths whole clusters, and spent nine months in 40% new French oak.
Baked bread and compost aromas compete with oak toastiness and ripe dark cherry in this wine, which veers into an almost liqueur-like density.
Candied cherry, cola, cinnamon and rose petal scents arise on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the eastern side of Santa Ynez. Red fruit and cinnamon are also present on the palate, which is framed by grippy tannins and ample acidity.
Clean floral, river stone and Asian pear aromas make for an inviting nose on this wine. There is moderate tension on the palate, where rounded Gala apple flavors meet with honeysuckle, jasmine and grapefruit pith.
This is a very solid wine for its price, with floral scents of apple blossom, key lime and honeysuckle on the nose. Asian pear, apple and nectarine show on the palate, where touches of jasmine round out a decently tense sip.
This opens with stewed plum, pressed rose, ground pepper and toast aromas. The palate is austere, with bracing tannins and dried cherry, star anise and sage flavors.
Spiced plum and oak aromas lead the nose of this firm red. The palate is lean, offering sour cherry, vanilla, sage and coconut notes over a frame of astringent tannins.
Lovely aromas of bramble berries, cassis, fennel and baking spice give way to similar notes on the palate. There is also a lovely cedar flavor that comes into play. The tannins are smooth and well integrated, while the medium-length finish offers a bright acidic lift.
This wine has an intriguing bouquet of mango, straw and toasted nuts. Concentrated flavors of chamomile, lemon and a stony minerality mix playfully. Round in feel, with delicate acidity, the finish is smooth and dry.
Concentrated aromas of pineapple, banana and papaya meld harmoniously with notes of new oak. The palate is more oaky and nutty than fruity. It's round and creamy in feel and offers a long and toasty finish.
A first-ever sparkling wine from this popular producer, it's a yeasty, toasty, rather thick 50-50 mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The grapes were fermented dry down to barely 11% alcohol, yet there's a heaviness to the palate that fights against the elegance characteristic of most sparkling wines. Pineapple and grapefruit are the dominant fruit flavors. Young and acidic, this will cellar well for many years.
Moist soil, menthol, new leather, violet and cellar floor aromas come together in this Rosso. The fresh, straightforward palate offers tart cherry and clove flavors, with both lithe tannins and brisk acidity.
Fresh and citrus-driven on the nose, this bottling—comprised of 88% Los Alamos estate fruit and 12% from Goodchild in the Santa Maria Valley—offers grapefruit, lemongrass, and key lime on the nose. On the palate, it's sour at first with pink grapefruit tones, opening up into riper orange and tangerine flavors.
Sweet spices and fresh raspberry flavors combine with a lightly tannic and lively texture in this medium-bodied wine. It's lighter, fresher and a touch more crisp and tangy than a typical Merlot or Cabernet.
This is the brand's first bottling under new ownership, and the result of this blend of Monterey, Sonoma and Santa Barbara county fruit is familiarly ripe—due in part to the inclusion of 10% Merlot, 6% Chardonnay and 2% Syrah. Pomegranate, clove, vanilla and rum aromas lead into a juicy palate of candied red fruit, slate, anise and Earl Grey tea. It's slightly sweet but easily enjoyable.
This is a mellow, richly fruity wine that feels smooth, is lightly tannic, and has full body and ripe raisin and black plum flavors. It flts the bill when you want a concentrated but easy-going wine.
Intensely aromatic of exotic spice, potpourri and dried fig, this dry Gewürztraminer is a bit atypical, but thought provoking and enjoyable. Lemon and apple flavors have a slightly yeasty tone, but brisk acidity and puckering tea-leaf tannins lend elegance and balance.
Pure Merlot from the Red Willow vineyard, this does not skimp on the scents and flavors of green herb. It's true to the vineyard's style and will require further bottle age to flesh out a bit and show its best strengths.
This is a seriously huge wine, tightly wound in dry tannins, brooding dark fruit and savory pepper. Decant or give this robust black juice some time to resolve itself in the cellar, 2019–2024 or more.
Espresso, toast and spice aromas lead the nose and carry over to the palate alongside notes of black cherry and compact tannins. Despite the tannic structure, this isn't an ager so drink soon to capture the remaining fruit flavors.
This straightforward, simple wine brings together sensations of violet, red cherry and light baking spices. The warm, forward palate finishes on a sweet note of cherry extract. It's made to be enjoyed young and will pair well with hearty pasta dishes.
Malbec from Marmande, between Cahors and Bordeaux, is softer and smoother than Cahors. It has the same ripe, juicy black fruits, with tannins that are already well integrated into the wine. The finish brings out spice and light acidity.
This is a rich, weighty red with a velvety texture and plenty of alcoholic warmth. The fruit is ripe to the point of turning chocolaty and even a bit fudge-like, lingering on the richly textured finish. Drink now.
This medium-bodied blend of 60% Roussanne, 30% Grenche Blanc and 10% Marsanne displays moderately fruity aromas of pineapple and honeydew. Some notes reminiscent of wet stones creep in on the palate, and bright citrus notes mark the finish. Drink now and over the next few months.
This medium-bodied rosé is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah drawn from the estate's young vines. Like its big brother, the Vieilles Vignes, it's gently textured, easily balancing red berry fruit against citrusy elements. It's a clean, refreshing, but somewhat simple quaffer at a bargain price.
This rich wine conveys pure fruitiness without any wood aging. That gives a ripe, black currant character, soft tannins and juicy acidity. It's wine to drink young, so start now.
Delicate cherry blossoms and green herbs lend freshness to tart red-cherry notes in this full-bodied yet brisk Cabernet Franc. It's a bit delicate in flavor concentration for it's bold body and alcohol content, but surprisingly refreshing and quaffable.
The wine is full of fresh fruits and crisp acidity. Alongside that, ripe plum skins and a mineral texture promise short-term aging. The old vines give concentration that adds a firm structure at the end.
Gritty apple and pear aromas show a touch of wood and smoke. This feels round and fresh, with lime, orange and briny flavors. A long, tangy, juicy, citrusy finish holds onto the flavors that came before.
Earthy aromas include notes of animal hide and leather along with herbal berry. This offers a good, round mouthfeel and bracing acidity, while flavors of berry and cassis are mildly green and herbal. A short finish is fresh in feel.
Lemon zest and honeysuckle aromas have a dusty, mineral edge on this bracing Riesling sparkling. Tart tangerine and peach flavors are pristine on the palate, but it's aggressively foamy with a dense, thick wall of froth that lingers.
Lots of Anjou pear and Fuji apple flavors enrich this medium-bodied and refreshing wine. It has a light straw color and open flavors of ripe fruit and citrus. The texture is very smooth, and the finish has a touch of ripe-fruit sweetness.
This Bordeaux-style red blend is pleasantly fruity, with blackberry and red cherry components buoyed by supporting acidity. A slight suggestion of tar and earth adds a bit of gravitas to what is otherwise a fruit-driven, simple quaffer.
Berry and cassis aromas are a bit raisiny and steer clear of the varietal-based green that Carmenère is known for. This feels ripe and meaty, with ample freshness. Flavors of olive, carob, pepper and black fruits finish clean and a touch hot.
Gorgeously perfumed, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay and Riesling poses bigger and bolder than it's delicate frame suggests. Blossom and peach tones are opulent on the palate, but it's refreshingly brisk and lemony with a steely, lean finish.
This offers a core of dense, rich fruit that's fairly intense, swirls of vanilla and baked apple tart come mostly to mind. The intensity builds up midpalate before lurking off the tongue on the finish.
Immense and perhaps too powerful, this is a mouthful of black fruits and dense tannins. It seems the producer tried to hard, with bitter extraction as well as very firm, superripe fruit. Pepper and spice show the alcohol.
A wine with mint and black fruits that has been produced to be drunk young. The tannins are light, enough to give structure to the fruits and acidity. It's a fruity, spicy wine that will be ready to drink in 2015.
A blend of Grenache (40%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre, this conveys notes of pepper, barrel spices, vanilla, potpourri and red fruit. It has tart fruit flavors with a slightly astringent feel.
A wine that has a light, delicate sweetness, keeping total freshness as well as baked apple and honey flavors. Floral and aromatic, it's a wine more for apéritif than food, and ready to drink.
This is a dark and tannic wine, very firm and dense. It has weight while also allowing room for acidity. The ripe blackberry fruits are still buried beneath this tannic character, needing more time to show through. It is likely to remain a dry wine with a tough aftertaste.
Berry and plum aromas are a touch oaky, foresty and spicy. This is a tight, drawing Tempranillo with tannic bite but also fruit in reserve. Flavors of raspberry and plum are more generic than elevated, while a toasty, slightly bitter finish with mild heat brings it home.
Aromas suggest truffle, meat juices, game and toasted notes. The informal palate offers cherry extract, black pepper, mocha and baking spices alongside assertive, drying tannins. It will be better after 2015 when tannins soften up but then drink it soon.
A fine Mendocino Petite Sirah that's mouth filling with blueberry and licorice and plenty structured to age longer than it already has. With pleasant layers of licorice and black tea, especially on the finish, it's also ready to drink now.
This Syrah smells meaty and roasted, with savory spice aromas and plenty of black fruit on the nose. It's chewy and creamy feeling, with blueberry and blackberry flavors in front of a short finish that's abrupt but clean.
Curious tones of red berry and grapefruit mark this intensely fruit-forward, semi-sweet Riesling. It's concentrated on the palate, but balanced with hints of smoky minerality and delicate dried herb notes.
This is a dark bomber with black cherry, kirsch, lemony oak and shoe polish aromas. The palate is creamy and big, with acid-derived lift boosting blackberry and licorice flavors. With tons of black-fruit character, this qualifies as a fruit-forward wine with sweet overtones.
For Argentina, this is about as fresh and clean as Chardonnay gets. The nose is pure but basic, with mineral and apple aromas. The palate feels good and correct, while flavors of banana, apple, melon and vanilla are solid but not overly powerful.
A stylistic offering of Pinot Gris with notes of spice, marzipan and lees along with lemony, sharp-edged acids. Not for everyone, but has much to enjoy.
A gamy accent adds depth to the blackberry-driven bouquet of this wine. Additional hints of curing spice, pepper, licorice root and charred cedar unfold on the palate and linger through to the medium-length close. It's firmly structured yet balanced, with medium acidity and gripping tannins.
This is unusual in that it's heavily oaked, as evidenced by aromas of varnish, hard spice and resin. The mouthfeel is fresh on top of resiny, while flavors of dry oak, spice and mild apple and citrus operate in the background. While this wine has depth of body and acidic lift, it's dominated by the barrel.
Lively cherry and berry aromas come with a touch of prickle and snap. The palate has a wiry, energetic feel, and the flavors of berry and cherry satisfy and come with aftertastes of molasses and baked sweetness.
A reduced nose only gives slight glimpses of cherry fruit. The palate is easy and fresh, needing time to breathe for its uncomplicated, juicy, red chery fruit to show through. Drink soon.
Fleshy apple and peach aromas lead to a medium-bodied palate. Standard flavors of stone fruits are nice but simple, while this blend of Viura and Malvasia finishes with light notes of apple and nectarine.
Initial aromas of chlorine and raw plum settle and become more fruity and attractive with airing. This shows a forward fresh sassy palate with clipped rugged tannins. Ample oak and salty berry flavors veer towards clove and cinnamon prior to a scraping tough finish.
Barrel notes of vanilla, baking spice and dill are at the fore, with dark fruit lurking in the background. The palate brings lingering creamy-feeling fruit and barrel flavors. It provides appeal but the oak seems too forward.
This bold densely structured Chardonnay suggests notes of candied orange peel, preserved apple and pears accented with caramel and sweet spice. Delicate acidity accentuates a warm spicy finish.
Any winemaker will tell you how difficult it is to make Pinot Noir in large volumes, so this is a notable achievement. Delicate herb and cherry aromas pick up vanilla shadings on the palate, then finish with a silky texture and a hint of tomato leaf. 10,000 cases imported.
This Tempranillo looks and smells ripe, and it's loaded with toasty minty oak aromas. In the mouth, this woody number is pushy and tannic. Barrel-driven flavors of smoky charred black plum are one-dimensional. This finishes tannic and with pounding oak.
A hint of reduction obfuscates this wine's nose. With a little air, it begins to show some of its red plum and red cherry notes. The palate is smooth, fresh and generous with fruit. Make sure to let it breathe.
This bottling from the Dwarf Oak Vineyard offers pear, struck flint and smoked nut aromas, with the slightest hint of tropicality. The palate is rich with melted butter and roasted macadamia nut flavors—due, perhaps, to the warmer valley climate.
Alluring graphite, apricot and flint aromas jump out of the glass, but the rounded palate is less expressive, evoking mature yellow peach, dried herb and grapefruit. A bitter, nutty note marks the close.
A full year of maceration on the skins has transformed primary fruit flavors into a kaleidoscope of savory tea leaf, bramble and earth tones here. This is a curious, deeply complex wine augmented by bold tannins and bristling acidity. Dry in style, it has a firm savory finish.
This wine seems to be quickly maturing. Scents of rose petals and cherries carry over into similar flavors, punctuated with a light dusting of cocoa powder. There's ample acidity, and the wine is completely ready for near-term drinking.
Tart cherry and cranberry flavors form a core of richly round fruit and texture in this late-released wine, which exudes both power and finesse.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec make up the bulk of this blend, which is thick with dusty mocha and blackberry jam flavors. Medium bodied, it shows its crisp acidity on the finish.
High-toned aromas of barrel spice, green pepper, cherry and herb lead to plump cherry flavors. It delivers enjoyment but seems a bit generic.
Pressed acacia flower, moist earth and aromatic herb scents mingle with fresh orchard fruit ntoes. The vibrant, ethereal palate is spare and subtle, offering yellow apple, tangy citrus and toasted nut nuances, with racy acidity.
Delicate varietal aromas including elderflower, grapefruit and tomato vine follow over to the bright, linear palate. A hint of graphite lends interest to the crisp finish.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot shows prominent black cherry, cedar and licorice flavors, along with a streak of tobacco. Full bodied and moderate in acidity, it finishes simply.
Pristine lime zest and lemon notes add lift to rounded apple and nectarine flavors on the palate of this full-bodied richly textured Riesling. There's a weightiness on the midpalate but the finish is refreshing and crisp.
Dense in its core with aromas of black fruit, rose buds, chipped slate and a touch of anise, this also has a cran-raspberry freshness that emerges on the nose with time. The palate is redolent with dried thyme, oregano, marjoram and fennel that meet with cooked cranberry fruit and turned-earth flavors.
This is a ripe, rich red-fruit-flavored wine. It has great concentration and a dense texture that spotlights bright fruit, plus a touch of tannin from the red wine used to give color. This bottling needs to age further, so drink from 2018.
Old vines in a field blend are the basis of this dense and concentrated wine. It is powered both by its tannins and by dark black fruits. This is solid, dark and powerful but still young needing plenty of time for the rich fruits to broaden out and mature. Drink starting from 2019.
Deep, earthy, ripe aromas of blackberry, cola and asphalt are potent. This varietal Syrah from Catalonia is fleshy and wide across the palate, with tannic grip and structure. Satisfying, lusty flavors of raspberry, plum and cassis come with peppery spice in front of a meaty, firm finish. Drink 2017–2023.
Typhoon Pabuk drenched the valley during harvest and botrytised these grapes. Making lemonade out of that lemon, the winery hand-sorted the grapes and crafted this ultrarich dessert wine. Dense flavors of butterscotch and sweet lemon candy make a potent combo. One half-size bottle will easily satisfy four sweet tooths.
Plum, currant and spice aromas are cool and lightly herbal. A bright, juicy palate delivers robust berry, plum and spice flavors. Dry, complex and harmonious on the finish, this is a shining example from a tough vintage. Drink this blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Merlot through 2020.
A classic Riojano blend of herbs, spice, pepper, vanilla and pure berry fruit completes the nose on this saturated, deeply built blend of mostly Tempranillo and Garnacha. Chocolaty blueberry flavors are backed by toast and mint notes. On the finish, this is balanced and medium-long. Drink through 2023.
American Brad Hickey has turned out a full-bodied, richly textured Shiraz that features a strong savory component. Hints of eucalyptus, roasted meat, espresso and plum all come together to finish long and velvety. Drink now through 2025.
From 30-year-old vines, this lively and thoroughly delightful wine pushes a swath of honey down the core. It's smooth and supple, with bright candied-citrus flavors. You'll find a lick of butterscotch also, as the wine has terrific penetration and length. It's perfect for solo sipping, slightly chilled.
Creamy and delicious, this offers aromas that recall ripe orchard fruit, bread crust and citrus. The elegant palate doles out mature yellow apple, tangerine zest, pastry and hazelnut, all lifted by a silky perlage that leaves you wanting more.
A rich, Merlot-dominated wine, this is opulent and packed with blackberry fruits. It has a great structure of tannins and ripe fruitiness. Bitter chocolate and coffee flavors give an extra complexity. The wine is still young, still full of juicy fruit. Drink from 2019.
Robust in color and aromas, this ripe varietal Tempranillo deals a shot of coconut-laced oak along with more subtle scents of crushed stones, brick and prune. High-toned acidity is just what a ripe palate requires, while toasty, woody flavors of dark plum and blackberry finish spicy and chocolaty, with a reverb of bracing acidity. Drink through 2025.
Goldridge honors the soil series so important in the appellation, offering floral aromas that lead into silky-smooth texture with tension. Earthy, it conjures notions of fresh-picked strawberry, black tea and kirsch, with an approachability that doesn't distract from its complexity.
An estate-grown vineyard-designate, this impressive offering is smooth in cherry, berry and clove, with wisps of black pepper dancing around its edges. The finish is long and spicy. It's complex yet fun, and will do well at the table though it's also easy enough to enjoy on its own.
Very dark, very rich and nicely dry, this is a concentrated wine with gobs of fruit flavor enhanced by luscious chocolate and coffee notes. The texture is full of fine-grained tannins and the body is full. A lot of the density and texture comes from 53% Petite Sirah.
Still young, this blend of Pinot Noir, with a small amount of Pinot Meunier, is crisp with bright citrus and white fruits. Richness and a touch of tannin give structure. The acidity cuts through at the end, offering a zesty, tight aftertaste. Drink this vintage from 2017.
Dark fruits carry a streak of gunmetal down the spine of this wine, which remains solidly anchored in its most youthful phase. Blueberry and raspberry flavors come with a crisp tart acid edge, and develop with lip-smacking precision as the wine lingers through a lengthy finish. Drink now and over the next 12–15 years, through 2030.
This wine astounds in big, juicy waves of jammy cherry, strawberry and forest floor, its fruit sourced from Gap's Crown, Dutton Ranch, Goldrock Ridge and Jenkins vineyards, among other sites. Textured and layered, with powerful force, it shows richness and concentration but also fresh acidity.
While slender in frame, this vibrantly zesty, herbal wine offers loads of intensity and vibe. Tart tangerine and apricot flavors are piercing and fresh, building in concentration and richness through a long, penetrating finish. It seems closed in its youth still, but should gain texture and complexity from 2020–2030.
The musky scent of botrytis bathes everything in its gold-tinged flavor: there are hints of maple syrup, bitter honeycomb and candied orange peel. The mouthfeel is viscous and rich, the flavours almost decadent but balanced by deliciously bitter and tart notes of citrus zest.
From a ripe vintage, this soft, generous wine has a good balance between its acidity and its smooth, creamy character. The wine is crisp now and could probably do with some bottle age to bring out its inherent richness. Wait until 2018.
The dense nose of this bottling intrigues as it unleashes dense blackberries, graphite, slate and a touch of licorice. The palate is tightly wound, with pomegranate, elderberry and tart plum enhanced by fennel, bay leaf and an aromatic lift on the finish. Bottle age will improve this wine immensely.
Earthy baked cherry and a strong streak of cardamom make for an impressive entry to this wine, flavors that persist on the palate. Beautifully rich without being ridiculous, it finds balance in complex, layered textures and nuanced characteristics, with a length of rose petals on the finish.
Rick Longoria is all about restraint in his winemaking, and that shows on the shy aromas of this bottling that allow hints of black plum, wildfire, roasted meat and light rosemary to emerge. Tart plum and cranberry fruit pop on the palate, where a feral, gamy component is laced by forest floor and wild herbs.
This is a light, nondescript white wine, with a trace of sweetness on the finish.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cinsault, Zinfandel and Syrah, this dry Rosé is dark pinkish-red. Otherwise it is light and straightforward, finishing quick.
Stalky, leathery aromas lack freshness and purity of fruit. This feels light to the point of dilute, while flavors of stalky raspberry finish salty and earthy, with a raw feel.
Stalky, baked aromas are bland. The wine feels tannic and scratchy, while flavors of generic berry fruits are herbal, reedy and wear a lot of cover-up oak. Minty, herbal notes drive the finish on this green-leaning Cab.
Aromas of white fruits and apple are slightly mealy and set up flavors of melon and tangy but pithy citrus. The finish is even more pithy. Overall this wine feels like it's starting to fade.
Up front, this barrel-aged Verdejo is showing aromas of nut skins, vanilla, saline, melon and papaya. But in the mouth, it's creamy, such that it feels cloying and candied. Flavors of sugary melon and corn finish with little pulse.
Rose oil and lychee aromas are pleasant on this off-dry Gewürztraminer, but whiffs of dust and oxidation distract. The palate boasts pretty potpourri notes brightened with fresh lemon acidity. Finishes warm with a soft alcoholic burn.
Smoke and spice meld into scents of custard and pressed apple on this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. The palate is a bit monotone with savory apple notes, but brightened by a streak of lemon on the finish.
Weight and a mealy character combine with bath soap aromas on the nose. This is pulpy in feel, with flavors of generic citrus and lychee. The finish is fresh at first and then turns hollow.
With barnyard aromas, this is a rustic wine. It does have some red fruit flavors and acidity but these are compromised by the earthy texture.
This wine is all structure and dark, dry tannins. The fruit is very subdued, giving a hard wine that could well remain tough.
A rather soapy, wine, it does not have enough fruitiness to sustain its tannins. It's hard edged and likely to remain that way.
Aromas of briny citrus and resiny oak don't blend together well. In the mouth, this oaky Viognier is grabby and resiny, with bitter green-fruit flavors. The finish is pithy with hard green notes.
Apricot, peach pit and matchstick are the lead aromas on this basic Chardonnay. Flavors of melon and apricot are lightly oxidized and nutty, while the finish is salty and slightly bitter, with a dab of honey for an offset.
Aromas are raisiny and baked to the max. Likewise, the palate seems chunky and heavy. Flavors of cooked berry fruits are loamy and flat, while the finish lacks pulse.
Apricot and nectarine notes rise up from the bouquet. This is juicy but bland, with melon and green-herb flavors. A soft finish renders this barely refreshing, and normally that's what Las Brisas is known for. The blend is Verdejo, Viura and Sauvignon Blanc.
Three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Syrah, Merlot and Malbec, it brings notes of bell pepper, herbs, plum and black currant. The flavors are sugar sweet and plump with distinct residual sugar remaining.
Intense perfume and floral notes overcome ripe apple aromas. It's dry on the palate with flavors of savory apple and green herbs, but feels a bit flat and heavy in mouthfeel.
This salmon-colored rosé is past its peak. Gritty aromas are turning oily, while the feel is chunky and sticky, with a touch of lasting citric acidity. Flavors of melon and almond skins finish bitter.
Made predominantly from Tempranillo, with 10% Pinot Noir and a splash of Syrah, this is a simple, generic red wine, with light berry flavors and touch of cracker but no specific varietal character.
This wine is high-toned with flamboyant aromas of pomegranate, cherry and grape. Cherry is front and center on the palate, with subdued notes of resinous oak and baking spice coming through. Mocha-tinged tannins lead on the finish.
Aromas of latex, iodine and stewed berry fruits are challenging. This Cab Franc feels jumbled, chunky and a bit out of shape. Herbal, woody notes ride heavily on top of saucy, lightly green berry flavors. It finishes with green-leaning mint, basil and fennel notes.
On the nose this wine gives off muted lemon and honeydew, leading to a palate of lemon curd, lime and green apple. This is a zippy wine with a crisp finish.
This has restrained black-skinned fruit and graphite aromas that carry over to the simple palate, with a touch of bitter almond. Drink soon.
This ripe, smooth wine is juicy with attractive red fruits. A barnyard character at the back spoils the natural fruitiness. Tannins and blackberry flavors provide a happier finish.
This wine is rich and spicy, with red fruits and soft tannins. Made to drink young, it is full of fruitiness with a layer of acidity. Drink now.
This small producer has adopted WWI motifs for its labels; the wines are less striking. Here, a soft entry followed by a thick streak of vanilla. Oak treatment buries the fruit, making it drink like a cheaper, more generic wine than it purports to be.
Sweet-leaning aromas of black cherry, cola and anise show on the nose of this appellation blend. The flavors are much more subtle, with touches of cherry, cranberry and gravel.
This is an easygoing, ripe and spicy wine. Red-berry fruits and ripe tannins combine to give a rounded wine that is ready to drink.
Jammy, roasted aromas are more savory and offbeat than common and fruity. This Malbec has a fresh but choppy mouthfeel and flavors of tomato, basil and herbal berry fruits. A savory finish conforms with the rest of the wine.
This is a lightly honeyed wine with attractive almond and apple fruits. It comes from vines owned by the Saget family since 2002. With final crisp acidity and a tangy texture, it is ready to drink.
Gooseberry and lychee candy pervade over subtle notes of lemon, lime and eucalyptus. Vibrant on the palate, lychee and gooseberry remain the stars but take on a bitterness. Racy acidity is prevalent and lends itself to a tart finish.
Soft, attractively fresh, but simple, this shows lively apple and cream flavors, rounded by light tannins. It's pleasant, but it does need to fill out.
You can literally smell the oak, right down to the wood's grain and resin. The palate is full and dense, with sweet, chewy berry fruit and lots of oak in support. Gets better with airing, but always holds onto the vanilla and cheese qualities that come straight from the barrel.
Fresh, simple, raspberry-flavored wine, this is very soft, candied and fruity. There is just enough tannin to give the wine some structure, but the crispness of 2007 shows right through.
A bit sweet and low in acidity, this is nevertheless a clean, well made Pinot Gris with straightforward apple and pear flavors. Imported by Pacific Wine Partners.
Given the price this is pretty good stuff. It's plush and offers enough body and ripe fruit to offset the fact that there isn't a whole lot of structure or backbone. For a soft, tasty plum-and-herb style of Carmenère, however, it gets the job done.
The wine has bold fruit and ripe tannins. There is still a strong flavor from the wood aging although this should integrate. The fruit is the dominant character of this red-berry flavored wine. Drink from 2021.
Lemon zest and grapefruit aromas seemingly float atop the mineral-laden nose of this wine. It's full of crushed limestone and soda scents and is dry on the palate, which is more about structure and texture than overt flavors.
Made of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino, this opens with blue-flower fragrance and a whiff of thyme. The savory palate delivers juicy black cherry and white pepper notes, framed by fresh acidity and firm tannins. Drink through 2022.
The nose of juicy plum promises ripe fruit. The palate follows with a generous softness. There is ease on this light body and lots of freshness. Enjoy while aromas are at their peak.
Both ripe mirabelle and yellow juicy pear appear on the nose. The palate brims with the same fruit. The body is precise and fresh with a lip-smacking citrus finish.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot boasts ripe black-skinned fruit and cedar aromas. The concentrated palate delivers smoke-laced black plum and tobacco flavors held together by firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2022.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo—organically farmed—this opens with violet and underbrush aromas. The palate delivers juicy red cherry and raspberry fruit, blanketed in smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made entirely from organically farmed Sangiovese, this opens with mature black plum, resin and vanilla aromas. The palate is concentrated, delivering blackberry jam, tobacco and oak-driven spice over a firm tannic frame. Drink now–2020.
The nose of this organically farmed Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) suggests ripe black plum and vanilla. On the palate, dried black cherry, licorice and cedar notes are bolstered by firm but chewy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This is a medium-bodied, crisp and tangy wine with fresh parsley aromas and lemon and Granny Smith apple flavors. It's well balanced, restrained and will be very versatile with food.
Enticing blue flower, rose, new leather and graphite scents lead the nose. The vibrant if rather slender palate offers tart cherry, chopped herb and a saline note, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins.
Blue flower, ripe plum, baking spice and pine forest scents lead the nose. The palate is still tense and tightly drawn, showing tart sour cherry, star anise and a hint of espresso through flexed, fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink after 2020.
Ripe fruit flavors and chocolate accents give opulent character to this full-bodied wine. The flavors are suggestive of late-picked grapes, raisins and ripe figs, while the texture is easy and almost soft, with no tannic bite.
Made of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Canaiolo, this opens with violet and leather aromas. The savory, straightforward palate offers mature black cherry, sage and anise flavors, supported by lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This is aged four years prior to release, which proves a benefit here, as it helps tame the spicy wild-berry flavors. The aromatics offer an olfactory tapestry of orange peel, violets, sandalwood, cherry cola and more. It's balanced and sophisticated, offering many subtle pleasures.
A big oaky can't-miss blast of clove and wood spice is more dominating than secondary berry aromas. This is resiny and full in body, with ample acidity. Oak plays a lead role on the flavor profile, which includes toast, mint and herbal black plum. A peppery toasty finish benefits from moderate juicy acidity. Drink through 2021.
Forest floor, truffle, new leather and woodland berry scents mingle in the glass. The palate is linear, taut and austere, offering sour cherry, licorice and sage notes, framed by firm acidity and assertive, close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink after 2019.
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend opens with black-skinned fruit and incense aromas. The palate is straightforward, delivering black plum and vanilla flavors with a hint of leather. Round tannins provide laid-back support. Enjoy through 2019.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot come together to offer black currant and vanilla aromas in this dense Bolgheri red. The palate doles out ripe black plum and cedar-inflected tobacco flavors, set against fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
A coniferous lift weaves through tart red-cherry notes. The slender, translucent and crunchy palate is pervaded by the same aromas and a lot of freshness. This is a light-bodied aromatic red wine that is ideal for lunch, for picnics or for serving chilled.
Sourced from an experimental vineyard planted in the early 1970s, this blends eight different varieties, all picked on the same day and co-fermented. At least one red grape (Cabernet Sauvignon), adds a touch of amber to the wine. It could be called rosé, though it's listed as a white wine. In any event, it's unique, with concentrated flavors of tree fruits, citrus peel and anise. Try it with charcuterie.
A nod to the winery's co-owner Judge Royce Lewellen, this bottling is full of campfire smoke, red cherry, hibiscus and roasted pork aromas. That smoky character, which is pleasant if a tad overbearing, follows through to the palate, accenting the plum and black pepper flavors.
This is a fine value in weeknight Cabernet, showing supple tannins, regionally distinct aromas and flavors of currants, sage and bay leaf, and subtle oak. Drink this fruit-driven, silky wine through 2020.
It's rare to find estate-grown, Willamette Valley Pinot, from a vineyard in high demand, made by a top-tier winemaker, at this price. Still young, tight and tart, this is a very pretty wine, with tangy cherry fruit, a touch of rhubarb pie, and plenty of acidity. Another year or two of bottle age would be optimal.
Australia used to make more blends like this, using the acids of Semillon to balance the ripeness of Chardonnay. In this case, they come together to offer toasty, honeyed notes backed by a strong lemony spine. It's crisp and tart on the finish at first, then relaxes rapidly with airing, so drink it over the next year or so.
A dark color and chunky aromas of black plum and animal hide set up a full tannic, rubbery palate. Herbal salty notes accent core plum and berry flavors, while this is long on the finish, with earthy notes and a sauvage hint of garrigue.
Despite it's considerable size, this silky wine is fresh and vibrant. Black currants and cherries lead the way, tinged with herbal notes suggestive of mint and lavender. Drink now–2020.
Taut and bracing yet unctuously concentrated, this blackberry-focused Bordeaux-style blend is worthy of holding for the next decade and beyond. Richly extracted black fruit flavors feel plush and pliant on the palate, framed by dense, big tannins and a lingering kiss of sweet spice.
Pale yellow-pink in color, this sparkler shows watermelon rind and flesh, red pear skins, orange zest and plush nectarine on the very accessible nose, which will please veterans and neophytes alike. The palate combines a baking soda character with stone fruit and ripe Asian pear slices.
This off-dry sparkling is made from 78% Flora, 13% Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay. It works in its inviting, rich array of stone-fruit and tropical accents, met by a floral underbelly of inviting aroma. Creamy, voluptuous and well-made, it'll pair well with spicy dishes and is perfectly refreshing and delightful on its own.
Ripe berry aromas intermingle with toast and maple notes on the nose of this saturated, tannic blend of Granacha, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Flavors of black plum, tomato, spice and herbs hint at Priorat's famous schisty soils, while this expands on an aggressive finish. Drink through 2023.
Sparkling Pointe's prestige cuvée is always a standout in an ever improving line up of New York sparkling wines. Distinctly autolytic notes of biscuit and brioche abound, accenting bracing tons of tart tangerine, apple and lime. It's a lean, impossibly elegant wine with fine, persistent pétillance.
Flush aromas of raisin, blackberry and cassis are ripe through and through. This wine feels tight, with tannic scrape. Spicy, reedy flavors of red plum and berry fruits are textbook for Carignan, while mixed black fruits and fig show on a chocolaty finish. Best from 2020–2025.
This wine's aromas are a bit locked up at present, revealing plum, herb, clove and barrel spice notes as it opens. The palate is dense and rich, full of dark fruit flavors and generous barrel accents. It pulls no punches.
This wine is a blend of all six Bordeaux varieties: 35% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carménère, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Its coffee, cranberry, herb, currant, barrel spice and anise aromas lead to tightly wound, layered red and black fruit flavors. Plump, silky tannins provide the frame.
The wine has density and a good structure. It also has the acidity that marks the vintage. Red-cherry fruits and a crisp texture are balanced by the firmer tannins and solid character at the end. Drink from 2020.
This blend of 47% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah is reminiscent of a walk through the dewy sagebrush, with dried wild herbs most prominent alongside cola, rustic plum and mulberry and a hint of pine forest. Those forest-like flavors show on the sip as well, with bay leaf, green peppercorn and a savory salts enhancing the baked berry and tangy plum skin elements—a GSM with teeth and structure.
Full and piquant aromas of black fruit, purple flowers, asphalt and pepper make for a rich and flowery nose on this bottling. Concentrated flavors of black currant and black plum ride a relatively light and airy body all the way into a grippy tannin-laced finish.
For those wondering what minerality means in a red wine, this bottling is the answer. Against the black cherry and dark strawberry on the nose rise powerful crushed slate and smashed graphite aromas. The palate starts with cranberry and pomegranate, but the slate and rocky-soil flavors swing back in, giving backbone to the hints of bay leaf and herbs.
This is a bold dry wine from one of Bonterra's biodynamically farmed vineyards, and it has plenty of tannin in the texture and an abundance of ripe black-cherry, wood smoke and baking spice flavors to fill out that firm frame. For all its power the wine is also polished and velvety enough to sip with pleasure. Best after 2020.
This wine's inviting aromas of tar, menthol and rose take shape in the glass. The elegant palate doles out red cherry, cranberry and dried herb flavors set against a backdrop of refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2021–2028.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It's subtle on the nose, with currant, flower, crushed rock and herb notes. The palate is firmly structured, punctuating the flavors on the finish. Best 2025–2030.
This wine is structured and concentrated with solid tannins. It has great ripe red fruits and plenty of berry flavors. It is going to be a fine wine, full of both fruit and structure as it develops. Drink from 2022.
The very inviting nose on this offering combines boysenberry and peppercorn with richer aromas of baked goods sprinkled with mocha, vanilla and caramel. There is a refreshing tartness to the palate and edgy firm tannins presenting black-plum-skin and brioche flavors. It needs a little more time in the bottle.
Big blackberry and pungent black-currant aromas meet with gooey fudge, black licorice and lilac on the large and lovely nose of this bottling, which is made with 5% Viognier. It's thick and juicy on the sip, with tons of anise, dill, baked blackberry, cassis and a well-integrated minty character.
From the winery's estate plantings above Seven Hills Vineyard in the new SeVein project, this wine is still closed aromatically, needing time or air to coax out its vanilla, toast, herb and dark cherry notes. The palate is dense, delivering layer upon layer of dark fruit flavors, with a compelling texture and impeccable balance. It has a long life ahead of it. Best 2022–2028.
The juiciness of this wine, made by a producer based in Savigny, is what makes it so good. It is so fruity, with the tannins really only in a supporting role. That means it will develop quickly with the typical Savigny generosity. There is an attractive sprinkling of spice at the end. Drink from 2020.
A blend from different vineyards of the Fleurie appellation, this wine is deliciously elegant and floral. Crisp red fruits are sustained by acidity and a juicy character. As often with this appellation, it is a wine to age and will be better from 2018.
Grapefruit rind, yogurt, sour cream and warm pear show on the nose of this bottling. There is great acidity on the sip, with a mango cream and tropical fruit touch, but those elements coalesce into a rich, roasted-almond-driven palate as the wine breathes.
This east-facing vineyard is in the village of Fuissé. With the wood-aging giving spice and toast flavors, it is a ripe wine. The wood marches well with the apple and green-plum fruits. Still young, this rich wine has a mineral texture that comes from chalky soil. Drink from 2019.
With ripe fruits and solid tannins, this is going to be a rich wine. It has plenty of acidity to balance this richness. At the same time, the tannins are going to allow it to age well. Drink from 2023.
The wine comes from a single vineyard in the large 90-acre Château de Chamirey estate. It is beautifully balanced, rich and generous. Great red-plum fruits are there along with acidity and finely textured tannins. This is going to be a warm wine with a fine future. Drink from 2022.
There's a strong menthol, juniper and pine needle kick to the nose of this bottling, alongside intriguing green tea and tart plum-skin aromas. Eucalyptus oil leads the lively herbal kick of the palate, giving intense depth to the hearty black-plum and tobacco flavors, all framed by a fresh acidity.
Light and fresh aromas of red cherry, dark strawberry and sagebrush make for a fairly easy but rather deep nose on this single-vineyard bottling. Rich cranberry and pomegranate flavors coat the palate, with compelling edges of fennel, root beer and light clove.
Tantalizing aromas of cherry, black olive and oregano usher in flavors of blueberry pie, smoked meat, orange peel and thyme. Alluring on the palate, it demonstrates strong teamwork between savory and fruit flavors. Tannins and acidity keep up through the lingering finish.
One of the “12 Zins of Lodi 2014,” it was chosen in a judging by the Lodi Winegrape Commission to represent the region's finest. The deep red-black color is saturated to the rim. Deep, evocative aromas lead to ripe cherry, boysenberry, chocolate and nutmeg flavors that echo on the finish. The texture is full and smooth.
The Lewis vineyard is already proven as a first-rate site for Syrah. This new entry in Va Piano's black label series verifies it once again. Elegant and complex, it sends up subtle citrus scents, along with concentrated flavors of bush and berry, licorice, mocha and smoke. The details pile on and the finish lingers gracefully.
Not overly full-bodied, not overly ripe, not overly wild, but just right for dinner time. It's well balanced, velvet textured and multilayered. Brambly, bright raspberry and blackberry flavors fill the mouth, supported by smooth tannins and good acidity that keep it lively and appetizing through the long finish.
Round and full-bodied, the wine is dominated by wood-aging flavors. That masks the fruit at this stage, leaving the impression of a wine that is still to focus and bring out the impressive ripe fruits and mineral structure. Give it until 2017 to pull itself together.
This finely made wine has weight and firm tannins, along with intense acidity. Faiveley owns 12 acres of this premier cru which produces structured wines with fruit tannins and smoky fruit. At the end, the wood aging gives a burnt edge that needs to soften. Drink from 2017.
Made with Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio, this structured but elegant wine opens with aromas of underbrush, mature black fruit and graphite. The balanced palate delivers black cherry, Mediterranean herb and mineral that are supported by a tannic backbone.
Spanish Broom, lemon blossom, pear, nectarine, candied citrus, Mediterranean herbs and intense mineral sensations are all woven together, lifted by bright acidity. Made with Carricante and Catarratto, this is already delicious now, but will develop complexity over the next few years.
This pure Merlot coats the mouth with opulent berry and cherry fruit and silky tannins. Crafted from Ciel du Cheval, Conner Lee and Stonetree vineyard grapes, the poise, balance, integration and persistence are outstanding, as is the value.
Ripe raspberry, slight minerality, mossy earthiness and a minty lift kick off this offering. On the palate, expect sour cherry, mocha and a pleasing espresso finish bolstered by tingling acidity. Though 2010 was considered a less-than-optimal year, the vintage look like a shining star now that wines like this have had time to come into their own.
Kathleen Inman has gained such a following with her Rosé that she's given it a special designation, a nod to her happy marriage. Made in a direct-press style, the dry, refreshing wine is light salmon in color and marked by aromatic grapefruit and strawberry, mouthfilling and juicy as a slice of watermelon in summer.
A fascinating wine, it was processed in a carbonic fashion, in which the juice is allowed to ferment inside the mostly intact grape skins, much like what's done in Beaujolais. The result is a transparent, ruby red wine that offers scents of a dust storm mixed with crushed rock and chile pepper herbaciousness. It's warm and soft on the mouth with a presence that suggests something between peppercorns and bell peppers.
Intense but classy aromas of berry fruits, minerality, vanilla and chocolate are milder and richer than the wine's racy, structured, acid-rich palate. Flavors of blackberry come with a shock of bracing tartness, while oaky aftershocks offer up chocolate and woodspice flavors. A zesty, firm, hard-driving finish brings a touch of sharpness. Drink through 2022.
Made entirely from the native grape Nerello Cappuccio grown on Mount Etna, this polished wine opens with aromas of ripe red berries, underbrush, violet and leather. The delicious palate delivers succulent wild cherry, ripe raspberry, carob, cocoa and orange peel alongside silky, smooth tannins.
Made from a blend of Nero d'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the 35th anniversary edition of this iconic wine opens with aromas of earth, leather, black currant and bell pepper. Black cherry, chocolate, cocoa and black pepper all weave together seamlessly on the elegant palate, alongside silky tannins.
Offering aromas of a warm berry cobbler with a touch of sagebrush spice, this delivers the flavorful balance promised by the appellation. Once sipped, there is violet, lavender, cola, rhubarb pie and candy-coated fennel seeds, a combination that comes across as uncomplicated and makes for easy, delicious drinking.
Sourced from a half dozen vineyards, it includes small amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. Balanced and complete, it conveys blackberry, coffee and a smooth, vivid streak of caramel, with silky, delicious tannins.
Numerous sites in the Horse Heaven Hills didn't produce fruit in 2011 due a late 2010 freeze. This wine bears witness to the glory of the vines that survived unscathed with its notes of huckleberry, dark coffee and smoked meat. The flavors are silky soft and glide along to a lingering, chocolate-filled finish.
Côte Bonneville releases this Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend quite late, so it's well into the maturing process. Pretty aromas of smoke, tea and mint accompany secondary fruit flavors. The vintage produced well-balanced wines, but many have slipped into a bit of a dumb phase at the moment, so try in 2015.
Creamy wild cherry, crushed strawberry, exotic incense, clove and cinnamon-spice spill from the glass when you pour this delicious wine made on the slopes of Mount Etna. It's very youthful, with fresh red-berry fruit and bright acidity balanced by polished tannins. A licorice notes signals the close.
Blackberry and blueberry juice aromas are lifted by vanilla and anise on the nose of this bottling from a Westside Paso producer. The tannins are strong and thick, and then smooth out into blackberry, mocha and vanilla flavors into the finish.
The numbers represent the grapes within: 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. High in acidity, it shows a crispness of red berry, its core juicy and easy to like. Integrated oak keeps things simple and round, with leather and tobacco poking their heads on the finish.
Dark and meaty, soft and full, with a very light touch of leather, this nicely catches hold of the varietal character, yet here it's coupled with vivid, fresh and ripe cherry fruit. It's a fine expression of the evolving style of Tempranillo in central Oregon, styled for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring over the next six to eight years.
This cool climate region is well-suited to this grape, producing aromatic, elegant wines such as this without the over-the-top perfume that can drive consumers away. Subtle aromas suggest light talc, acacia and calla lily, while in the mouth this is soft and smooth. Overall it's just plain pretty, with details of apple and apple skin.
For those who like a tangy lip-smacking style of Sauvignon Blanc, this is spot-on. Green melon, lemon, lime, grapefruit and green apple are all in play. It dances close to sourness, yet remains lively and refreshing, with terrific persistence. It's a classic palate-cleansing food wine.
Vivid fruit flavors meet spicy new oak accents in this full-bodied, extroverted GSM. It smells like toasted bread, cloves and cinnamon, and tastes like ripe blackberries and smoked bacon while a very firm, grippy, nicely tannic texture completes the picture.
Smoky tar is met by dark brick color in this serious, robust and 100% varietal wine. Jammy black cherry is complemented by chewy tannin. This is a steak wine in every way, rich and rewarding.
This is a simple, structured and grippy version of the variety, homegrown and delightfully floral. Relatively restrained, it shows hints of chocolate, blueberry, fig and dark cherry, unfettered by oak.
Smoky and minty, this full-bodied effort shows grit and oak, with tannin on the back of the palate. That grittiness continues in a gravelly way in texture, rounded by strawberry and black tea.
These two great grape varieties make interesting partners. The rich Alvarinho with its apples and cream character balances the perfumed, spicy Viognier to give a harmonious whole. It is a delicious wine, ready to drink.
This is a serious blend of Alfrocheiro, Syrah and Touriga Nacional from the Lagoalva estate. Spice and wood go with dark tannins and firm red fruits. It is still a young wine with fine potential. Drink from 2019.
Produced from 60-year-old vines, this wine has a great balance between crisp acidity and ripe yellow and white stone fruit flavors. It is rich with a touch of toast and spice from wood fermentation and aging. The wine is still young and will be better from 2018.
Smoke, dark plum, chopped herb, baking spice and pressed violet aromas escape the glass. The full-bodied rounded palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, licorice and dried herb framed in fine-grained tannins.
This blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre from a very promising winery in Paso shows both primary Concord grape tones alongside deeper elderberry fruit on the nose, with Dr. Pepper and baking spice aromas as well. The palate is very candied with blackberry fruit and caramel, proving quite easy to drink if a tad on the sweeter side of dry.
On first take, this small-batch blend of País and Cinsault is overtly oaky, with earthy berry and plum notes lurking in the background. A drawing tannic palate lets you know that País is in the house, while this tastes of oaky berry and plum. On the finish, this is more resiny and woody than toasty. Only 235 cases made. Drink through 2021.
Earthy, lightly herbal and stewed aromas of spiced plum, prune and raisin lead to a grabby, tannic, somewhat abrasive palate. Given that this is now seven years past harvest, it's interesting how ripped, gritty and lively it feels. Herbal chunky flavors of spiced berry fruits and residual oak close with energy. Drink through 2022.
This single-vineyard wine is rich and crisply fruity. It has the bright, tight texture of the vintage, giving a tense character while retaining the lush, poised fruit of the vintage. It's delicious now and ready to drink.
Produced from old, low-yielding vines, this delicious wine balances crisp acidity with intense white fruit. It's poised and stylish, with a cool character expressed in its acidity and lemon zest-like aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a soft, smooth and ethereally light red wine, bright and fresh in cassis and a wild element of sage. As it develops in the glass, the rounded approachability adds seasonings of leather and cinnamon.
The aromas are vibrant, with notes of dried pineapple and brown sugar. The palate is sweet but maintains a sleek well-balanced styling.
A blend from different Premier Cru vineyards across Chablis, this wine is the product of the wide choice of grapes available to this cooperative. It's soft and ripe yet shows the crisper edge typical of the vintage. Drink from 2018.
Racy and precise, this opens with scents of white spring flower and orchard fruit. The chiseled palate delivers yellow apple, peach, aromatic herb and flinty mineral set against vibrant acidity.
The nose is a bit shy but eventually reveals subdued aromas suggesting leather, underbrush, chopped herb and dark-skinned fruit. The robust, enveloping palate doles out fleshy blackberry, mature morello cherry, licorice and vanilla framed in solid tannins. Drink 2019–2026.
Subdued red fruit is kept fresh by moderate acidity in this boldly dense and grippy wine rich in violet aromas. Soft, integrated oak adds a spiciness of black pepper and vanilla, while the overall experience is balanced and relatively lean.
Dusty pencil shavings mark the nose of this fulsome, generously ripe wine, thick and soft in integrated layers of black licorice, sage and dark chocolate.
This off-dry Riesling's honey-kissed peach and nectarine flavors are lip-smackingly sweet. Its light, sprightly texture and high-toned acidity lend balance and refreshment. Brisk and easy-drinking, it offers loads of quaffable appeal.
Reduced on the nose, this massively intense and tannic wine is big, dense and juicy, broadly etched in leather, blackberry, currant and black licorice. Full-bodied and oaky, it shows the concentration of the vintage and the ripeness of the appellation and style.
Subdued on the nose, this is a thick, juicy red made in small amounts that offers affordability within its bright streak of cassis and currant. A backbone of tannin provides strength and concentrated power.
This wine sources from both Montecillo Vineyard in Sonoma County and Georges III in Napa, bringing together one barrel of each for an herbal, savory and edgy experience. Cedar, clove and a healthy dose of fresh herb make it compelling in a classical sense.
Tasted blind, this wasn't particularly different from the other Rieslings in its flight, which were predominantly South Australian. It's got those same wet stone and citrus tendencies and is made in the same medium-bodied, dry, high-acid style. There's a touch of pineapple as well, plus a long, dry crisp finish.
Barrel aromas of vanilla, coconut and toast are at the fore followed by luxurious coffee and plum flavors that linger. Grainy tannins back it all up.
Soft and spicy, this wine is a mix of full-bodied ripeness and edgier undertones of dried herb, black tea and tobacco leaf. Blackberry jam is the fruitier component, while the finish is sizable in tannin.
A full-bodied wine bursting in chocolate and leather, this also displays plenty of cooler vintage and cooler stylistic sensibilities, from jolts of black currant and cedar to a sanguine taste of game in the background. The finish is all about tannic power.
The color of this wine with 11.6% residual sugar is dark gold and the aromas all raisin and dried apricot. Thick and rich, it has a wealth of vanilla and caramel toffee to offer, with a need for cheese.
A densely layered nose shows boysenberry, plum blossoms, mocha, coffee, kola nut and purple flowers. More cola shows on the palate with black cherry, plum-skin tartness and uplifting purple flowers, all presented on smooth tannins.
This young wine still seems to be in its shell, with a whiff of matchstick along with herb aromas. The cherry flavors are light and tart with a supple feel. Try it with food to see it at its best.
One of the historic winery's more widely available bottlings, this blend of 50% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault plays the lighter red fruit side of the spectrum. Raspberry, cranberry, crushed rose petals and a touch of cinnamon show on the zesty nose. The palate conveys spiced raspberry, plum and cranberry, proving tight and light.
Made with 40% Nero d'Avola, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, this suggests aromas of toast, espresso, pressed violet and baked plum. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, black currant and a hint of cake spice alongside fine-grained but not very persistent tannins. Drink now to capture the remaining fruit.
Whiffs of dusty mineral and pollen lend savory accents to intense tangerine, grapefruit and pineapple flavors in this fresh, fruity Riesling. Just a shade off dry, it's approachable yet elegantly zesty. Drink now–2016.
Café au lait, ash and caramel aromas are followed by full-feeling dark-fruit flavors that lose their cohesion on the back half but still provide persistence.
Apple notes play with citrus overtones on this superfresh and light wine. This is a summer wine with great refreshment potential: light and lifted with spritzy citrus.
A fresh floral bouquet perfumes sweet-tart apple and pears in this bright, blossomy Riesling. Delicately sweet and vivaciously balanced in acidity, it's a lip smacking quaffer to drink young.
This wine has some richness, with ripe black currants and balanced acidity. The wood-aging just shows but, again, is balanced. With its fresh fruitiness, the wine will age quickly, so drink from 2017.
This ripe wine has light tannins to go with its red currant and blackberry fruits. The blend is 70% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. It is developing fast. With its acidity and gentle tannins it will be ready from 2017.
There is a good structure here, plenty to support the fresh fruits and red-berry flavors. This wine is full of fresh acidity with fruit and tannins in balance. It's going to develop well, always full of fruit and attractive acidity. Drink from 2018.
With Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle as part of the blend, this is an attractively perfumed wine. Apricot, pear and quince flavors are already well integrated. The texture is light, with just a touch of orange zest. Drink now.
This Fontana family wine is concentrated and ripe. Blackberry and red fruits go with balanced acidity to give a wine that's already drinkable. Tannins support the ripe, full foreground. Drink now, or, better, from late 2016.
This five-acre property has produced a ripe wine that is more about fruit than structure. Although there are tannins, the bold, black fruits and fresh acidity show best. The aftertaste is fruit with a generous texture. Drink from 2018.
This wine is well balanced between its juicy black-currant fruits and dry tannins. The high percentage of Petit Verdot (20%) gives both the color and the firmer tannic background. It is beginning to age well, so drink from 2017.
This wine is structured, packed with tannins and acidity. Blackberry flavors come from behind to give some flesh to the structure. For a difficult vintage, this is attractive and will be drinkable after 2016.
While unusual for the variety, the herb, lemon and orange zest, berry, green pepper and asphalt aromas provide intrigue. The fruit flavors are plump but light, showing good length. This wine provides enjoyment, though Merlot wouldn't be a first guess.
Stainless-steel fermented and given no time in oak, this wine is a nod to the producer's longstanding devotion to the Loire Valley and its aim to make a crisp, balanced, non-fussy white. It succeeds here in concocting a mix of lemon peel, apple and herb—a light pretty wine that's lovably quaffable.
Barrel aromas of vanilla and spice are initially in the lead on this Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) dominant blend along with blistered red pepper. The palate offers reserved cherry and herb flavors, bright acidity and grainy tannins.
This blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and a pinch of Malbec. Woodspice aromas and flavors take the lead followed by an assortment of red and black-fruit flavors that seem a bit dried out. The tannins bring some grit.
Fruit and barrel vie for attention on the aromas. The black licorice and spice flavors seem compact, with the tannins bringing some astringency. It needs time in the cellar to come into its own.
Bright aromas of freshly rubbed lime leaf, ripe peach and herbs lead to off-dry tangerine and stone-fruit flavors, perked up by tart acidity.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with subtle aromas of red berry, clove and blue flower. The easy drinking palate offers black cherry, mint and a hint of anise alongside polished tannins and racy acidity.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this charming, easy-drinking red is delicately scented with red berry and spice. The luminous, silky palate offers crushed strawberry, juicy cherry and white cinnamon alongside fresh acidity. Serve slightly chilled for the perfect summer red.
A blend of four native grapes, Nero d'Avola, Perricone, Frappato and Nerello Cappuccio, this opens with aromas of oak, espresso, dried herb, mature blackberry and dark spice. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, prune, licorice and ground pepper alongside tightly knit, close-grained tannins.
This simple, soft and fruity wine has attractive acidity as well as red currant fruit flavors. With its final tang of acidity, it's well placed as an apéritif.
A quick extraction yielded a pale peach color for this Vin Gris made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Delicate aromas of candied banana and peach lead to a palate driven by pink grapefruit.
Lemon and orange peel are right at the front of this wine. It's fruity, tangy and completely ready to drink.
Lemon rind and pressed apple on the nose carry through to a citron and melon palate. Medium bodied, this is a straightforward, easy-drinking Chardonnay.
The flavors of this wine follow the same light character as its pale, almost-white color. It does have some fresh juiciness, light acidity and a cut of lemon at the end. Crisp and clean, it's ready to drink.
Intense red berry and cherry notes shine through this Cabernet Franc rosé. Brisk acidity refreshes, but eight months of barrel aging and lees stirring lend an unusually lactic feel to the palate.
From organically grown fruit, this is a soft, lemon- and pear-flavored wine. It has plenty of fresh acidity as well as a warm, full-in-the-mouth character. The aftertaste brings out touches of vanilla as well as the acidity.
Intense floral aromas of acacia flower and jasmine lead the nose on this informal wine. The palate is rather lean, but offers notes of citrus zest and green pear alongside brisk acidity.
This lightly fruity wine brings in layers of the freshest acidity before broadening out with citrus and green fruits. The wine is all about crisp, light fruitiness. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, it benefits from warm days and cool nights from vineyards at nearly 1,200 feet.
Here's a bright, easygoing white that opens with a light peach scent. It's simple but well made, with delicate pear and apple flavors.
Lactic oak, wood grain, pencil lead, animal hide, lemon peel and berry aromas make for a challenging bouquet. This is a bit flabby and low on spine, while soft flavors of jammy berry fruits are herbal and suggest juniper. Eucalyptus and raspberry flavors are prominent on the finish.
A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot, this simple, informal red presents violet, berry and herbaceous aromas. The easy-drinking palate doles out blackberry and wild cherry with soft acidity.
Subdued currant aromas are met by a slight menthol note on the nose. The palate is slightly confected, with tart red currant leading to a richer cherry note towards the finish. Light tannins do little to prolong the short finish.
Classic overtones of olive and black pepper lend character to pulpy, ripe black cherry flavor in this bold, full-bodied Syrah. It's rich and yielding on the palate with just a faint fringe of tannins. It finishes on a slightly medicinal note.
This nonvintage blend seems to be showing some age with its pale salmon color displaying some bricking. It brings notes of strawberry, cherry and herbs. It's a solid easy drinker that drinks best at room temperature.
This smells a bit green and leathery, with a hint of volatility and jammy blueberry for an offset. A grabby, jammy palate is reasonably good in feel, while stewed berry flavors finish herbal, oaky and mildly bitter.
Sweet peach and poached pear are balanced with steely and chalky minerality on the nose of this wine. The palate is very sour right now, with bitter apple skins, lime pith and a strong malic acid presence. It may mellow with time but would be great with shellfish now.
Soft and light just off dry, this is an attractive and fruity wine. Strawberry flavors give a crispness to the background of the wine, finishing with a light, dancing aftertaste.
This medium-bodied white features balanced oak that manages to play off flavors of baked apple and butterscotch with compelling swathes of saltiness. This wine will work well with seafood as a result, and make for a decent match with midweek meals.
Citrus-driven on the nose, this stainless Chard brings green apple and tangy peach to the palate. A cheese-rind character lingers on the finish.
Although a bit stalky and weak on the nose, this offers reasonably fresh red-berry aromas in front of a fair, slightly jammy palate. Herbal red-berry and plum flavors show a hint of chocolate on the finish.
Aromas of green pepper, cigar box and dried herbs mix with red and blue berries. Flavors are sweet and lighter in style with the concentration waning toward the finish.
This simple, easy-drinking expression of Morellino offers aromas and flavors of black cherry and raspberry alongside fresh acidity and wispy, fleeting tannins.
Dusty, citrusy aromas form the greeting, while the palate is juicy in style, without much definition beyond zestiness. The flavors offer notes of papaya and nectarine. The finish sizzles for a moment, then fizzles.
Volatile aromas lead into fruit flavors that could be anything. It's more like Roussanne than Pinot Noir.
An obviously wood-aged wine, this shows a bitter toast character. The fruit is lean, struggling to show through the dark chocolate flavor. It has an austere finish, which is mitigated by its final acidity.
Full bodied and rich, this has flavors of spice, red plum and caramel. It's quite heavy and dense, so drink it with food.
Spicy, dry and leafy aromas control the lightweight bouquet. The palate on this wine feels dry and raw, while a buttery oak note supports the herbal, spicy and brambly flavors and the fiery, short finish.
This firmly tannic wine has all the structure of 2010 without the fruit. It's a skeleton without flesh, and it will be unlikely to soften in the coming years.
This is one heavily oaked wine: It smells like smoke, tar and baked berry. The palate is short on substance and high on acid, so the flavors are racy and angular, and with all the oak influence this wine smells and tastes charred, toasted and blackened.
This has clove, cinnamon, herb and rhubarb notes on the nose. It's creamy and pasty feeling, with a heavy dollop of wood resin. Flavorwise, it's sweet and candied, with caramel, mocha and stewed tomato notes.
Slight in aroma at first, this wine slowly reveals a waft of lemon. It's light in flavor, and it delivers crispness, with a hint of oak on the finish.
Light in color, this shows red cherry and strawberry flavors. The tannins are soft, creating an easy wine that is ready to drink.
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.
Decant this wine to help lessen the burnt match aroma that mars the nose initially. Once past that annoyance, this is a broad, very drinkable wine that blends pineapple notes with touches of honey, spice and alcoholic warmth. Drink now.
This wine is a bit on the lean side compared to most southern Rhône whites, but the plus side to that is its freshnesss and vivacity. Pear fruit is underlined by hints of spice, finishing clean and crisp. Drink now.
Blackberry and other fruits are presented clearly on the nose, while the rubbery, bouncy palate seems properly tight and balanced. Sweet, stretched-out flavors of black plum and berry are warm and youthful. Good for basic drinking.
Floral and a bit mineral, but also a tiny bit hot and rough. The palate is sweet, solid and slightly sharp in feel, with dark, baked-fruit flavors of plum and berry. A robust finish with a touch of burn closes things out.
Spicy wine from the wood and from the ripe berry fruits. The acidity is light, a sideshow to the juicy fruit, flavors of nutmeg and red cherries and a fine kick of dry tannin.
This 60% Agiorgitko/40% Syrah blend has a spicy masculine character from start to finish. On the nose, leather, spice and cherry; on the palate, leather, balsamic, rich red fruit and cherry unfold. It's not terribly complex but it's food friendly and assertive.
Light pear and apple flavors, with a dash of melon, comprise this simple, pleasantly acidic white wine. Though it does not have the density of many other Oregon Pinot Gris bottlings, it is reliable and fresh, with a screwcap for good measure.
This is Erath's big production white wine. It's well-balanced, with moderately ripe apple and pear flavors, some noticeable tannins, and firm acids. A solid, middle-of-the-road effort.
Spicy toast and wood aromas are the prelude to a wine that is extra soft, velvet almost, only hinting at tannins. The acidity is what gives structure to this wine, the berry and fig flavors rounding it out.
A caramel aroma sets the scene for a ripe, smooth wine. It has ripe red fruits that have a nutty, toasty character that balances with the crisp acidity and tight texture. Drink now.
Aromas of cherry Kool-Aid and fruit punch offer a sprinkle of spice in the background. This is simple in feel, with citrusy acidity. The red-fruit flavors are easy going and the finish is mild.
From the producer's Yountville vineyard, as well as sites in Rutherford and Calistoga, this Cab-based blend is grippy and herbal, rustic in baked bread, cassis and cedar. Full bodied, it finishes in thick, leathery tannin.
Briny tropical-fruit aromas suggest pickles and cactus. This is chunky in build, with citrusy acidity. Briny citrus flavors cannot be further defined, while citric acidity keeps this fresh through the finish.
Very light and shy on the nose, this wine with patience shows pomegranate punch and rain-slicked slate. The palate offers tart cranberry, a touch of Earl Grey tea and pencil-lead flavors.
From the coolish appellation of Coombsville, this wine offers industrial-strength tannin around herbal cedar, tar and currant, the finish strongly ripe and full bodied.
Muted aromatics tease on the nose before chewy texture and full-bodied weight enter the scene. Deceptively light and airy at first, the wine then delves into a hearty taste of marzipan and oak.
Briny, wiry red-fruit aromas are mild but saucy. This blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo feels ordinary, while flavors of briny plum are fresh but limited. A finish with a healthy pulse is fine for what this is.
Soft and fresh, this medium-bodied wine has clean, neutral flavors and is easy to sip. Aromas are a little peachy while flavors suggest pears. The texture is mild.
Intense ripeness opens this wine, followed by a rustic note of leather and horsehide. Puckering tannins show off the oak before a glimpse of blackberry and black currant fight for existence.
All tangy fruit, this wine was fermented in stainless steel to keep the freshness of the fruit. It is crisp and lively, full of apple and pink-grapefruit flavors with a clean, bright aftertaste. Drink from mid-2016.
A balanced, ripe wine, this offers a good contrast between the dusty tannins and bright red-berry fruits. It's ready to drink with its fruitiness, although it will develop a richer, fuller character as it ages over the next year. Drink from 2017.
This is soft, rounded and light. Baked apples and a creamy texture come with a refreshing burst of acidity tempered by a lightly toasty character. The wine is ready to drink.
Cherry and raspberry aromas are simple as pie, while this feels a touch astringent and drawing. Tart but fresh plum and raspberry flavors are slightly briny. Juicy and satisfactory on the finish.
Aromas of pear, red apple and pineapple lead to sweet green and red apple flavors with a tart finish.
From the Cognac region, this ripe, totally fruity wine has no suggestion of wood aging. Attractive apple and light citrus flavors are ripe and right up front. Acidity adds freshness to the end. Drink now.
This Merlot-centric wine brings aromas of herbs, soy and dried raisins, seeminlyg a bit past it prime. The flavors are lightly and the tannins seem dried out. Drink now.
Clear and lucid to the eye, this Verdejo shows pine, grapefruit, orange and apple aromas along with oily pith. The mouthfeel is more plump and wet than defined, while lychee and melon flavors are offset by tolerable bitter pyrazines and grapefruit flavors.
This wine is dull and diluted in nebulous black fruit and a medium-sized body, with plenty of supportive tannins. The finish is quick.
Stalky, bitter aromas of peach pit and white pepper dust announce a dilute palate with bitter flavors of citrus pith and stone-fruit pits along with oxidized notes. This is tired on the finish and seemingly past its prime.
The nose on this blend of Grenache, Carignan and other grapes burns and smells of iodine, mushroom, olive and rustic berry fruits. High acidity and an obtuse mouthfeel house salty, briny, minerally plum flavors, while the finish runs low on fruit.
This Merlot-based rosé smells cheesy and not all that fruity. Chunky and obtuse on the palate, this tastes of generic citrus and berry fruits. An adequate finish is par for the course.
This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon is softened by 19% Merlot, providing a sanguine experience marred by ponderously huge tannins that make the fruit almost impenetrable. Once pierced, expect currant, cedar and leather.
While the wine is ripe, it does have a barnyard aroma that needs to blow away before it is ready to drink. The aroma comes with firm, dry tannins and a ripe berry fruits that are just beginning to develop. Drink from 2017.
This is a fresh wine with caramel as well as ripe red-berry flavors. With its textured acidity and crisp, clean aftertaste, it's a wine to drink as an apéritif.
This smooth, soft wine is light and fruity. It has some tannins although fresh berry fruit and perfumed acidity are what characterize this wine. Immediately attractive, it's a light wine from a light year, and is ready to drink now.
A hearty, bombastically high-in-alcohol wine, this offers a combination of grape, plum and leather flavors around a syrupy sweetness of chocolate.
Rubbery smelling at first, this soon settles on medicinal berry and cassis aromas. It feels pretty tight and tannic but not overwhelmingly so, with baked, dark flavors of black fruit, hard spice and herb. It feels and finishes a bit warm.
The snap pea, tarragon, scallion and passion fruit aromas make this wine easy to identify as Sauvignon Blanc. It feels linear and razor sharp, with sizzling grapefruit and apple flavors. Tangy and very fresh, it turns to lime and green onion on the finish.
There's no denying this wine's green character, which blends with aromas of hay, red berry and scratchiness. On the palate, it feels a bit syrupy, countered by acidity. It tastes savory, with sweet, chocolaty and barbecued flavors. It turns oakier on the finish.
Cherry and plum aromas dominate the rather basic bouquet of this wine, which has a saucy, barbecued element to it. It shows tannic grip along with flavors of savory berry and barbeque sauce. The finish tastes spicy and roasted, with grip and push.
A classic Old World-style Sangiovese, this is boldly tannic and resplendent with notes of sage, leather, coffee and bittersweet chocolate, and traces of oak, cherry syrup and vanilla. It would pair expertly with a meaty pizza.
This is classic Vinho Verde from the Quinta das Arcas estate. It balances crispness with light sweetness and sparkle. Acidity and an apple-skin texture give it a dancing quality. Screwcap.
Fleshy and borderline mealy on the nose, with banana and melon as the primary aromas, this feels heavy even though firm acidity creates spine and depth. It tastes like a mash-up of apple, melon and baking spice before the chunky finish.
This blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Roussanne and Maca­beau is a tad closed and shy now, but should develop more intensity with time. Peach skin, white melon and orange notes are present on the nose and mouth, and are dusted with a lovely sweet-spice accent on the finish, but the mouthfeel comes across as slightly flabby.
With overtones of lemon, vanilla and oak, this fleshy Semillon tastes big and needs strong flavors to complement its heft. The finish features a lingering richness.
This wine carries aromas of blackberry and olive. Its dominant flavor of berry with an herbal-rhubarb twist is solid. The finish lifts, with a hint of tomato.
Fresh and floral, this is abundantly fragrant with notes of sweet cherry blossom and freshly cut herb. The palate is crisp and dry, with zesty hints of underripe stone fruit and lemon. Brisk and clean on the finish.
This bright, citrusy White Barbera has aromas and flavors of lemon, lime and baked bread. Its balance and tropical fruit finish will please a crowd.
Light aromas of red cherry and raspberry can be discovered upon deep nosing, but the fresh garrigue, tree bark and raw cocoa nib notes steal the show. A hint of vanilla-strawberry sweetens up the close. Drink now.
Warm, soft and fruity, this has notes of spices, soft tannins and a light touch of acidity. Reflecting the warm vineyards of the Alentejo, it is ready to drink now.
A lean, crisp style of Chardonnay, with citrusy flavors and a touch of honeyed development. Drink it over the next few months.
Smells big and full but also soupy, stewed and herbal. The texture and feel are commendable, while the flavor profile includes candied red fruit, herbal notes and stewed meat. Feels choppy on the finish, with chewiness and flavors of chocolate and herbs.
A fruit-driven Cabernet, with cheerful, bright cherry-berry flavors. Tannins are firm but ripe, accenting the cassis-tinged close with a slightly dusty texture.
An attractive, red-fruited wine, lightweight with acidity and smoothed with wood. It is fresh, with coffee and black cherry flavors, now ready to drink.
Smelling of fig, sweet plum, raspberry syrup and vanilla, this is a meaty, thick Syrah.
Aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels, this is dominated by their effusively toasty aromatics. But after the oak rush, the fruit seems a little light, just barely ripe enough to be present; the flavors run more to the herbal side of Syrah.
Whiffs of rising bread mingle with bright citrus notes on this full- bodied blanc de noir. Hints of sugar cookie and orange zest are balanced by bright acidity and a soft but exuberant petillance.
Spunky and lightly herbal up front, with exotic, lightweight aromas. Feels snappy, tight and lean in the mouth, with bouncy red plum and pie cherry flavors. Shows good juiciness, reasonably complex flavors and a dry, spicy finish.
The Barrel Select is given 26 months in 100% new oak, and it shows in both the nose and the mouth. Smoke and char are not accents here; they are the main event. The fruit flavors are simple cherry/berry, and thin out rather quickly in the finish.
A wine that shows firm tannins, fruit and wood acidity. It is now ready to drink, a wine that will remain firm and dry.
With its rich texture from aging on the lees, this is a Sauvignon Blanc that goes more to the tropical and pineapple fruit direction. It has refreshing acidity along with weight and concentration. The lemon acidity kicks in in the aftertaste.
A slightly herbal edge and floral notes mingle with the dark berry and cherry aromas. Hints of tobacco and soft sweet spice add depth to the mouth, which is otherwise bright and vibrant but also straightforward. Drink now.
This wine starts off a bit closed, but with time opens up to express attractive notes of small red berries, herbal twigs and whole baking spice. Medium weight with soft tannins and balanced acidity, this is a food-friendly wine that's sure to pair with most red meat or game dishes without overpopwering them.
Wood-dominated wine, very structured. It is spicy, firmly dry, with juicy black currant fruit behind the wood. Give a year or two for the wood to soften out and the fruit to come forward.
With stalky fruit and black currant acidity, the wine starts out lean. Then a richer, smoky wood character gives weight and sweeter flavors. Give the wine a year.
A field blend of the Enclos vineyard has given a superrich wine, densely packed with juicy black plum fruits and sweet tannins. Ripe, full-bodied with a slight alcohol burn.
A pronounced herbal note adds a weedy edge to this otherwise full-bodied, plush Cabernet. Cassis fruit is potent without being overbearing, while the oak is prominent, lending structure and vanilla. Drink now.
This branded wine produced by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages is ripe and rounded with dense tannins and sweet fruit. It has weight, spice from wood and a fine ready-to-drink balance.
Judicious use of oak makes Keuka Spring stand out in a line-up of Finger Lakes Chards. Subtle on the nose with whiffs of fresh apple and toasted hazelnuts, the wine's palate is quite full with luscious sweet melon, vanilla and cream. Hints of smoke and burnt sugar add a dimension of darkness to the finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend that is three-fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, has light berry flavors and a wash of new oak. Mocha and toast and chocolate smother the fruit, which fades quickly. If you love chocolaty reds, you will find this wine delightful.
Grapey and inky on the nose, this feels saturated and a bit hot on the palate, with a candied blueberry flavor leading to a grapey finish. Tasted twice, months apart, with similar findings; this score reflects both tastings.
Dry on the nose, this has light red-fruit aromas that are offset by spice and vanilla notes. It feels snappy and raw, with tart citrus, plum and tomato flavors. Crisp, quiet and vapid on the finish.
This is an oaky Merlot that's thick with black olive and blackberry flavors, encased in a wall of dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Somewhere in the midst of it all is also a taste of bread.
Earthy, rubbery aromas accompany rustic notes of stalk and leather. This feels astringent and grabby, with green berry and mint flavors. It finishes with size and power but not much agility.
The blackberry and cassis flavors, which are accented by a red licorice candy note, turn slightly bitter as the tannins kick in, leaving the impression of an artificial, chemical aftertaste.
This smells charred and burnt, with a leaf aroma following. It ranges from fresh to grating, with roasted tomato, plum, compost and earth flavors. Saucy and roasted on the finish, this is a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Syrah.
. Its mouthfeel smacks hard with acidity, leaving a crisp expression of strawberry, raspberry and herb flavors. It turns warm, lactic and chocolaty on the finish.
Asphalt, leather and paint aromas are present on the scratchy bouquet. It feels clacky, with pushy acidity and flavors of tomato, saline, herb plum and raspberry. It's lively, with a bite to the finish.
This is flat and lemony on the nose, with a hint of asparagus. It feels zesty and tastes of tart lemon-lime and green bean. Tangy but not edgy or razor-like on the finish. This is a classic cool-climate white with citrus and green elements running the show.
A black berry note and soft tannins, plus its just-off-dry character give this wine a juicy, jammy quality. It has a hint of spice while retaining its light, fruity touch.
Another Cahors from the stable of Alain-Dominque Perrin, this one is the entry-level wine, made to be more accessible than his flagship wine from Château Lagrezette or the luxury cuvée. There's still plenty of toasty oak, but also some raspberry-cherry fruit and green tobacco on the finish.
Features attractive aromas of chocolate, prunes, leather and soy sauce that are fairly complex and mature. The flavors are similar, with touches of earth and black cherries. Drink now.
From a vintage known for its readily-approachable wines, this grand cru Saint-Emilion shows surprising structure. Some toasty oak frames delicate black-cherry fruit. Black tea notes on the finish carry more tannins than the fruit can handle in the long run, so catch this one soon before it heads south.
Bears a striking resemblance to blueberry pie in its aromas. Lighter than expected on the palate, before fading on the finish. A pleasant lunch mate to pâté or charcouterie.
With a nose of spicy green herbs—notably tarragon—and flavors of lemon and pink grapefruit, this no-nonsense blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon goes down easy and clean. The crisp finish is a good palate-cleanser.
A dense purple color, with jammy, grapy fruit. Plenty of extraction, yielding a grapy, fruity wine with a little bit of fizz to it. The wine promises more depth than it delivers; the finish falls off quickly and feels flat.
Gamy flavors distinguish this wine, giving it a Rhônish flair. There's a good, meaty mouthfeel, red berries and cherries, with lots of tang. The finish falls off quickly though, making for a fairly light impression overall.
Beaucoup d'oak. Delicious, toasty, roasty, mocha-flavored oak. But the fruit is missing in action. The color suggests that there is some light, plummy fruit underlying all the oak, but it's hiding.
A real oddball that's musky, melony, sweet and–yes–bubbly. Vidal is a French-American hybrid with some strange petrolly aromatics that take some getting used to, and they're well-displayed in this example that gets its bubbles from fermentation in sealed tanks, trapping the naturally occurring carbon dioxide.
Dark and deep purple/black, with a Port-like nose. There's a little fizz on the palate, which seems odd in a wine this big, and the flavors are locked in tight. Flat, dry, tannic finish.
Soft, plum and cherry fruit scents, augmented with hints of rose petal and cranberry. In the mouth it's lean and insubstantial, with a hard, tannic finish.
A peppery nose, tart wine, with plenty of acid, perhaps too much acid. The mouthfeel is awkward, unbalanced, and the finish is odd. It tastes over-manipulated.
Starts out nice, with a good, fruity raspberry nose, but on the palate are tastes of tomatoes, with a dry, astringent, tannic finish.
Pretty strawberries and cherries are paired with softly minty nuances in this lightweight charmer. No, there's not a lot of intensity, but you could even serve it slightly chilled as a picnic wine.
A very interesting wine from a rarely-seen appellation. The fruit is distinctly wild berry—huckleberry maybe—with spice and good acid. But the finish has a bitter, metallic note that lingers unpleasantly.
Shows its Right Bank roots in Merlot and Cab Franc-derived red fruit and herb flavors: strawberry, tomato and rhubarb. Turns leathery and earthy, with some hints of toast on the finish.
Simple and fruity and forward, though still unbalanced from extreme youth. It's more like a Beaujolais nouveau, with an odd, disjointed, watery finish. The price seems way out of line for what's in the bottle.
A light, toffee-and-caramel-tinged red that seems to be fading. Some earth and cherry flavors provide for acceptable drinking now, but this wine is headed south. Get to it soon.
Smells like a shootout in a tomato factory. It's a strong whiff of tomatoes on the vine, followed by tannin and a little sweet, grapy fruit.
I know Bordeaux isn't known for being fruit-driven, but this paucity of fruit in a wine that's 50% Merlot (from a vintage that favored this variety's development) is hard to fathom. Leather and old wood combine with earth and mushrooms. There's decent weight and intensity here, so if these are flavors you look for this is an example to seek out.
While this Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend opens with fiery, herbal aromas of plum and cherry, time helps it along. A fairly raw and juicy palate is far from cushioned, while herbal, roasted flavors of plum and currant are spicy and fold in patented Chilean flavors of olive and herbs. Drink through 2020.
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.
Elegant white rose and peach aromas lead this delicate white from Greece. Fresh peach, grapefruit and delicate spice on the palate give the wine pretty poise. Overall, a great example of how refined the Greek wines can be.
A tang of black cherry and citrus elevates the palate of this light-bodied wine, which is soft and well integrated in terms of oak and tannin. With 10% Petite Sirah and 8% Carignane, it's strong in leather and black pepper, with a lean, juicy finish.
This is a full, spicy and rich wine from the foothills of the Pyrénées mountains, ripe with apricot and plum fruits. There is freshness as well, along with a toasty character that adds complexity. This full-bodied wine can be aged for several years, so drink from 2019.
This wine is thick, rich, ripe and full-throttled. Extremely opaque in color, it's intriguingly tasty in its waves of blackberry jam, spicy cinnamon and black pepper. Leathery on the palate, it imparts a faint hint of dried herb.
The aromas are smoky, toasted, and spicy, while the flavors blend sensations of bright notes cranberry alongside baking spices, light herbs and grilled beef. It's an excellent, chunky, beefy wine, with full body, ample tannins and a nicely astringent mouthfeel.
One of the promising wineries in the region presents this elegant blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, which shows dill, mint, black peppercorns, beef char and blackberry-blueberry fruit on the nose. The blackberry and plum-led palate picks up tobacco, oregano, dark spice and more charred-beef notes.
This is the most extravagant version of three wines in a range in which grower Didier Pelvillain uses the figure seven for its mystic qualities. Here, the wine is ripe, brimming with fresh black fruits and acidity. The structure is firm in the background, allowing the wine to age. Drink from 2019.
A blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this opens with aromas of French oak, blueberry and chopped Mediterranean herb. The soft, medium-bodied palate offers juicy black cherry, cassis, coffee and a hint of mint alongside round, polished tannins.
The appellation blend from this relatively young but widely regarded property, this offers gravel, wet clay, purple and red fruits and lots of earth tones on the nose. Cranberry and sour-cherry fruit show on the palate, with eucalyptus oil in the midpalate and wet river stones and orange zest on the finish.
The nose on this Zin, which is bolstered by 20% Petite Sirah and 5% Grenache, is rich and deep, with black cherry, crushed clove, cinnamon and loam aromas. The palate packs flavors of gingerbread with wild-berry filling, also mixing in allspice and nutmeg with more black-cherry fruit.
Bucelas is the home of Arinto and this impressive wood-aged wine from 40-year-old vines brings out the freshness of the grape while adding complexity with toast flavors. It is rich, creamy and smooth, full of green fruits and a layer of citrus. Drink now.
A new offering from the producer, this is a barrel-aged white chiseled in a complexity of melon, dried herb and lemongrass. With subtle hints of baked pineapple and papaya, it veers tropical without becoming overripe, finishing in refreshing waves of light, bright acidity.
Plump boysenberry and dewy sagebrush meet with a touch of wet asphalt on the nose of this bottling by Bob Lindquist, whose pioneering brand is now part of Charles Banks' portfolio. Dark purple fruits, from blueberry to blackberry, show on the palate, but with refreshing tartness, as do more complex nuances of menthol, eucalyptus and incense.
This generously proportioned wine offers brambly red raspberry and almond paste, especially on the nose. Buoyant acidity saves it from becoming overblown on the palate, balancing the ripe fruit with a smooth, soft and crisp palate.
An expertly balanced take on this variable grape, this bottling shows tight aromas of wet concrete, scratched Meyer-lemon skin, yellow melon, poached peach, almond and a touch of salted lime. The palate is high and tight, bound by citrusy acidity, slowly revealing sunflower-seed warmth and ripe nectarine flavors.
From a small producer in the heart of the appellation, this 100% varietal wine impresses in its plush, lush red fruit along with clove, nutmeg and gentle layering of vanilla. Full bodied and sturdy in tannin, it has enough softness over time to become food-friendly and approachable.
This is a dry, full-bodied deal of a wine, offering melon, papaya and zesty acidity around plenty of breadth and depth. Textured and luxurious, it finishes in ginger and Asian pear.
One of Adam Lee's more affordable appellation blends, this delivers a lot of bang for the buck, with aromas of extracted strawberry, rich plum, sandalwood and a slate backbone. Soft red fruit starts the palate, then sharpens into cranberry, with lots of herbal spice and acidic sizzle throughout.
The producer does a nice job with this concoction of 45% Merlot and 31% Malbec, with smaller percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot making up the rest. Dark, extracted color leads the way to thick, leathery textures atop aspects of baked bread, coffee and cedar that accent the big tannin and flavor.
For a large-production wine meant to be widely distributed and enjoyed, this brawler hits it out of the park in savory leather and juicy tannin. Just the right dusting of cinnamon appears atop the full-bodied black fruit.
Sometimes all that's required is a full-bodied, supple red to pair with dinner. And sometimes, the bottle exceeds expectations, like this one. Blackberry, cassis and hints of brown sugar and vanilla avoid getting too confectionary, framed by crisp acids and fine tannins on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This wine opens in a reduced way, with plenty of barrel influence apparent. It develops in the glass into a mix of chalky tannin and red and blue fruit, with accents of black licorice and white chocolate. Aged in new French, American and European oak, it has a tannic finish that should benefit with time. Drink now through 2021.
This wine from high-altitude inland Victoria is built around acids, not tannins. It's full bodied but bright, lively and refreshing, with crisp cherry and cassis fruit framed by hints of tobacco, vanilla and mint.
Made in a light-bodied, cooler-climate style, this wine has grip and tension yet is delicate on the palate, nuanced in lavender, blueberry, dried herb and a sprinkling of white pepper. Food-friendly, it's a good choice for the table.
This excellent vineyard has a proven track record, though here the grapes seem unevenly ripened, with brambly berry fruit that turns a little hot and raisined in the finish. Hints of cola and Dr. Pepper add some welcome depth to the flavors.
The winery's top cuvée, this offers barely ripe rhubarb and cranberry fruit flavors, with heavy tannins tasting of green coffee. The finish has a slight bitterness, but the wine overall shows medium concentration and depth, and could be cellared for a few more years to smooth it out.
This is a delightful and fresh Chianti, with a fragrance of violet, cherry and a whiff of underbrush. The palate offers bright wild cherry and raspberry along with notes of white pepper. Pair this with hearty Tuscan soups or grilled steaks.
This sparkling wine made from Chardonnay, opens with a yeasty fragrance of bread crust and pastry. The palate shows citrus and vanilla flavors, hints of oak and vigorous bubbles.
This 100% varietal wine—all hailing from the winery's Fault Line Vineyard—is aromatic with notes of wet stone, lime, and peach. It's sleek with a tart, lemon pith finish.
A pretty pale salmon color, this 100% varietal wine is direct and appealing with notes of watermelon rind and strawberry. It drinks with a sweet-tart finish that shows a bit of heat.
This is a solid, serviceable Pinot, though not a match for the very impressive 2010. Tart fruit carries a suggestion of over-ripeness as well, especially in the finish, which has an autumnal scent of fallen apples.
This soft and spicy Ripasso has a fragrance of plum and raisin along with spicy notes of clove and pepper. The plush palate offers ripe black cherry along with nutmeg and cinnamon and finishes on a note of bitter almond.
Here's a delightful Valpolicella that offers immediate drinkability. It features succulent black cherry, red currant and white pepper flavors along with smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Pair this with rich pastas or spicy grilled chicken.
A white with inviting floral aromas, this Lake County-sourced Sauvignon Blanc is layered with stone fruit and the region's signature tropical imprint. It's creamy in mouthfeel, to the point of being full-bodied, yet still bright.
This full, ripe wine is rich with strawberry and red plum fruit. It's weighty on the palate with flavors of orange zest and a touch of spice. Brisk acidity cuts through the palate adding freshness on the finish.
This is a deliciously easygoing Viognier bright with fresh apricot flavor, high in acidity and a finish of lemon-lime. Enjoy on its own or with spicy Thai or Vietnamese food.
This Riesling from Piedmont has a fragrance of white spring flowers accented by a hint of honey and beeswax. The palate is nervy and fresh, showing ripe pear, white pepper, clove and honey notes.
This is a floral, mineral, textured wine, crisp while also full and rounded. Citrus and crisp apple notes are dominant, the wine fragrantly fruity and ripe. A great food wine, with brilliant acidity at the end. Screwcap.
Here's a charming and fresh Barbera d'Asti with delicious cherry, raspberry and white pepper flavors. It's simple but well made, and is all about easy enjoyment. Pair this with mushroom risotto or hearty pasta dishes.
fruits touched with caramel and soft tannin. It's well balanced, with fruit and acidity integrating richly on the finish. It's a fine summer wine but also good for Thanksgiving turkey.
A Merlot-dominated wine, structured with stalky black currant fruits, solid tannins and attractive spiciness. With its firm, serious character, it does need to age a few years. Drink from 2015.
This clean, simple and tasty sparkling wine is a Chardonnay/Pinot Noir cuvée, done in the traditional methode Champenoise. Pale straw in color, it brings flavors of green apple and pink grapefruit, with a clean finish.
This is a soft, ripe and fruity wine, full of red berry fruits, soft spiciness and attractive acidity. Big, rich and bold, it is a full-bodied and immediately attractive wine that will easily charge through spicy foods.
A little roasted and leafy smelling, which is typical for base-level Chilean Merlot. The palate is sweet almost to the brink of being candied, with plum and chocolate flavors running the show. Not much structure or tannic bite here, but as a whole it's tasty and gets better as it opens up.
This Riesling offers ripe aromas of apricot, citrus and rose petals, and flavors of peach and spice. On the palate, the ripe fruit flavors are a bit heavy, as the wine lacks the acid and balance of a great Riesling. Overall, though, a pretty wine that's both appealing and approachable.
This crisp Riesling starts with elegant, floral aromas, followed by refreshing apple and pear flavors. Balanced by a refreshing acidity, the wine is friendly and versatile. Pair with Indian and Chinese cuisine.
Not sure why a five-year-old Syrah is being released in the spring of 2009, but it remains reasonably fresh. The primary fruit is fading, and the excessive, toasty, smoky barrel flavors tend to bury the subtleties that age may have provided. This is simple, peppery, and absolutely ready to drink right now.
Half Malbec, this medium-bodied red lacks the definition of its cheaper companion, the Velo. Maybe a vintage difference, but this just falls into the generic red blend category, without any defining features.
A bit on the tough and chewy side, this is a decent effort in a difficult year. There is a minty, cherry candy core, with some rougher and earthier, leafier tannins surrounding.
A dry, lightly oaked wine with aromas of cassis and other red fruits. The palate is center of the road, with plum and berry flavors and tangy, lively acidity. A basic style of Cab with freshness and sincerity but nothing out of the ordinary.
Dry, lean and sawdusted on the nose, with vanilla aromas blending with simple plum and berry notes. Whole on the palate, with a creamy, mildly tacky feel, while the flavors of red fruits are regular at best and smothered with butter and wood resin. Solid enough but probably too woody given the wine's weight and overall quality.
A little rubbery and harsh at first, but pretty good after it settles down. The palate is on the dry and tangy side, with spiky acids pushing red-fruit flavors. Clean and medium-bodied throughout, with few frills or thrills. Basic, competent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Less successful than the red Jacques Sans Souci, this nevertheless has some attractive fresh citrus and green plum flavors and bright fresh acidity. Simple fruits and a light green apple structure give it a good, crisp finish.
This wine offers aromas of white flowers, spice and citrus. On the palate are easygoing flavors of white fruit, flowers and minerally spice. A simply good white wine with a feminine touch.
Fresh, light aromas of raspberry and milk chocolate give the wine legitimacy, but for the most part it's simply a lean, sassy Pinot with racy red-fruit flavors, warmth and a touch of sweet oak. Rudimentary but varietally correct with few flaws or virtues. Good but wholly basic.
Restrained aromatically, with a slight minerally-graphite note, this is a pleasantly stony wine, perhaps a bit austere. It's medium bodied, ending with a touch of grapefruit pith.
Aromas of white fruit and citrus lead, followed by semi-sweet tropical fruit and citrus flavors with a touch of acidity. Fresh-tasting and friendly, this makes for a great summer sip. Serve with Asian cuisine, grilled foods.
Based on the number of 84s we've assigned to Aresti's Chardonnays over the years, that seems to be where this winery has settled. This vintage is more of the same: it's light, lemony and salinic, with flavors of green melon, grapefruit and lettuce. A little dilute on the finish, but decent as a whole.
Showing apricot and honey flavors with a refreshing dash of lemon acidity, this is an intensely sweet and rich wine. The texture is smooth, mellifluous, the dryness of botrytis providing just the right contrast. For aging over many years.
A terrific mouthfeel highlights this mix of berry and cherry fruits, toast and cinnamon. Tart and focused, it was aged in roughly half new French oak for the first 10 months, then transferred to neutral barrels for another five months. Fine-grained tannins give it an elegant finish.
Intense freshness and acidity follow the most delicious perfumes in this crisp wine. It shows considerable minerality, bursting with citric flavors and a mouthwatering aftertaste. Age for several years. Screwcap.
Fruity, dusty and soft, a dark cherry and plum Graciano grown and made in Lodi with great depth, balance and earthiness. The grape is native to Rioja where it is usually blended with Tempranillo, but does deliciously here on its own. From Lodi Rules Certified Green grapes.
A dark streak runs straight through this excellent Pinot. It's a whirl of smoke and chocolate, focused right through the core of rum-soaked cherries. Tannic and deep, big and bold—pull this out for your heartiest meal.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Blaufränkisch is dominated by the black currant flavors of the Cabernet. It is tight at this young stage with firm fruit tannins that lie under the acidity. This is a wine for long-term aging over at least 6 years.
Very smooth, concentrated blend of Merlot and Blaufränkisch. There are considerable smoky wood flavors along with ripe berry fruit notes and a dark, firm edge that will soften as the wine ages. It has power, density and finishes dry. Age for 5–6 years.
Rich without being overly sweet, this wine's aromas are redolent of dried apricots, with a hint of shiitake mushroom as well. Gingery spice balances the honeyed richness on the palate, and extends through the long finish.
The Tuenge (tongue-GEE) Vineyard was originally Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, first planted almost 40 years ago. A complex nose of spiced plums and cherries opens into a fruit-laden midpalate, adding blackberries and a thin vein of citrus. Firmly tannic, this precise, sculpted effort brings a refined structure, with just a whiff of volatility.
Edging towards minerality, this is a textured wine, its acidity penetrating right through. This intense, crisp character is complimented by the balanced fruit with its ripe apricot and kiwi flavors. Age for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
An impressive quality of Cahors is that you can find a wine as concentrated and dense as this without excessive alcohol. This 2006, wood aged, with touches of eucalyptus, is a big hearted, black fruit dominated wine, smooth and powerful, and just so well balanced for food. Can drink now, but better age for 3–5 years.
Fermented in a Taransaud French oak open top tank, using Maresh Vineyard grapes exclusively, this delicious wine combines pretty cherry and pomegranate fruit with dusty spices, leading into a finish dappled with cinnamon toast and coconut. Lovely now, or give it a few more years in bottle.
This is crisp, tight, still young. Hedgerow flower aromas are sustained in the fresh character of the wine. Zesty lemon shines while the steely, tight texture is still closed and waiting to blossom. Drink from 2015.
This serious red blend puts together a texture firmed up with gripping tannins and acidity, flavors brimming with blackberry and sweet spices and a lingering finish. Too structured to appreciate alone, it will need pairing with roast beef, lasagna, ribs or the like.
This wine is substantial enough for rich fish dishes and other entrees. It smells and tastes like almonds and apricots and has a nicely viscous texture. Full-bodied, it is complex, sophisticated, dry and has a lingering finish.
The aromas of moss, mineral and plum are light and elusive, providing contrast to the palate's broad, juicy, ripe fruit flavors. Perhaps additional time in the bottle will allow it to fully blossom.
The wine balances the sweet spiciness of Gewurztraminer with a good level of acidity. That gives the wine a light touch while allowing the rose and bergamot character of the grape to shine through. The wine is ready to drink.
While the wine is rich, it does show a more austere side, with tight acidity balancing superripe fruit tones. Big berry flavors are contrasted by ripe tannins and a chalky, firm texture. This wine might need to age, so drink after 2015.
Juicy pineapple, mango and citrus notes lend a tropical feel to this penetrating, yet light bodied, Pinot Gris. Off dry in style, it's dancingly light on its feet, with a revitalizing shower of acidity that lingers through the finish.
Good, solid fruit flavors fill out this light-colored but full-bodied Grenache. It has ripe plum, tart cherry and cedar nuances; a broad, firm texture helps flavors linger on the finish. It's the kind of wine that tastes better with each sip.
Peach, honeyed limes and apple sauce aromas lead the nose of this blend made with 62% Viognier, 26% Grenache Blanc and 12% Rousanne. Caliza's Carl Bowker demonstrates great restraint in these often bombastic white Rhônes, so the apple-led palate is subdued, showing bits of spice or a touch of mustard on the end.
Aromas recall crushed raspberry, anisette, tilled earth and a whiff of cellar must. The soft palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside polished tannins. It doesn't have much complexity but it's savory and already enjoyable. Drink through 2017.
Blackberry and cassis aromas show earthy and herbaceous hints, with coconut and vanilla tones coming on late. The acid-driven palate meets oaky flavors of coconut and vanilla, softened by plum and cherry notes on the finish.
Lemony and toasty, this approachable wine is rich and balanced, its texture soft and the flavors long-lasting, highlighted by a taste of lemon meringue.
Jammy blackberry and boysenberry aromas are fruity and full. This modern-style Tannat shows a saturated, tannic palate that's jammy in the center. Flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak and mint finish with hints of graphite, rubber and leftover oak-related char. Drink through 2018.
This complex wine has a touch of sweetness allowing the fruit to be ready to drink sooner. At the same time, it has structure, strong minerality and a floral, fragrant character. Drink from 2015 or wait for the full effect until 2018.
This wine shows the characteristic granitic texture of the region. Berry fruits smother the firm tannins to give a rich, juicy wine that's bold, ripe, and ready to drink.
Grapefruit pith, green apple and sea salt make for a striking nose from fruit grown on one of the appellation's older vineyards. Rich flavors of apple cream, lemon curd and salty caramel carry the palate.
Whiffs of pine forest lend a pristine alpine feel to this bold dry Riesling. The palate is concentrated, with sun-streaked tones of pineapple and peach balanced by bristling lemon-lime acidity. The finish is moderately long with a lingering honeycomb note.
Ripe, rich black cherries and berries are accented by layers crushed stone on this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh fruit concentrates the palate, but it's brightened by a jolt of acidity and fine, lingering tannins.
A blend from different Grand Cru vineyards has resulted in this fresh and still-young wine. It has perfumed acidity, crisp acidity and a bone-dry character. Needing to age, it is packed with white fruits and flavored with summer flowers. Drink from 2016.
Lemon-lime and lemon curd mark this wine. The lemon theme continues throughout the layers of apple, vanilla and oak, the oak not perceptible until near the round, voluptuous finish.
A direct-pressed rosé, cotton-candy pink in color, this wine is dry, light and under 13% alcohol. It offers touches of grass and herby minerality, faint swirls of white peach playful on the tongue. Served chilled, this makes for a delightful apéritif to go with oysters on the half shell.
A mix of red and black fruits pervade on the nose, with hints of roasted coffee beans bringing nuance. Flavors of black plum and freshly ground espresso dominate the palate.
Sangiovese is still rather rare in the Walla Walla Valley, but if this is any indication of the potential, it should become a distinctive and valued variety as the vines mature. Lovely aromatics of berry, spice, cedar and toast wrap into a pretty wine with flavors of light cherry, ash and a suggestion of underlying minerality.
Straightforward apple and melon aromas are lightly oaky, but mostly clean and elegant. This Chardonnay delivers a fresh, clean palate, with a mix of oak, vanilla, banana and melon flavors. A round, properly sized and balanced finish is the final piece of framework.
Extremely sharp scents of freshly cut grass morph into tart Granny Smith apple and hints of guava on this bottling from one of the most striking vineyards in California. It's bright and lively on the palate, proving easy-to-drink, uncomplicated and fresh.
While the nose is savory, dominated by smoke and mineral notes, this elegant yet quaffable off-dry Riesling is remarkably floral and fruity on the palate. Rich honeydew and apricot flavors are highlighted by a zing of lime acidity.
A bouquet of golden apple and honeydew melon sets the scene for flavors of melon, lilac, and barely ripe golden apple. It is smooth on the palate, with fruit and floral notes playing off each other. The lengthy, sophisticated finish wraps up on a nice bright note.
This pale apricot-colored semidry wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of butterscotch and nectarine get the taste buds prepared for flavors of butterscotch, peach, rose petal and nutmeg. It is a gently sweet wine that is not at all cloying, with nicely balanced acidity.
While dry in style, this ripe, lushly textured Riesling feels flush with peaches and nectarines glazed in caramelized sugar. It's bold in body, yet briskly acidic, finishing elegantly on a bitter lime-zest note.
This is a dry Pinot Gris, very mineral in character, with crisp acidity balanced by fragrant pear and quince topped with spice. It's a crisp wine, lighter than usual for this cuvée and fresher at the end.
John and Helen Falcone use Sierra Madre Vineyard fruit from the Santa Maria Valley for this wine, which offers straight-ahead aromas of sweet apple, oak and pineapple. A chalkiness emerges on the palate, with pear flesh providing fruit and red grapefruit pith providing a nicely bitter counterpoint.
This is a very peachy and fruit-forward take on the grape from Southern California. It's happily bright and tight on the palate, with chalkiness in the midpalate, and a tropical sense throughout, with banana and pineapple building towards a lemony and layered finish.
Although this is stalky and gritty-smelling up front, plum and berry aromas settle after airing. A solid mouthfeel with mild tannins is welcome, while flavors of lightly baked boysenberry are earthy and come with a note of cocoa. A plump finish offers a mix of milk-chocolate flavor and dry tannins.
Aromas of exotic spice, underbrush, leather and oak-driven vanilla waft out of the glass. The sleek palate offers sour cherry, raspberry jelly, vanilla, mocha and a hint of grilled sage alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
Very inviting aromas of blackberry-cherry pie with ice cream get floral lift from violet on this wine by Gianni Manucci. Grape candy flavors emerge at first, then find a nice tension with chopped herbs, dried oregano and a plum-skin bitterness.
Pretty cranberry and light red berry fruits are swathed in a decidedly herbal, earthy blanket. Nothing is over-matched however, as all these 2012 Winderlea Pinots show perfect balance. The finish brings a light dusting of cocoa.
Very sweet and honeyed, this dense wine almost has a botrytis character, sweet and dry together. Spice and yellow fruits are balanced with a touch of fresher lemon. This could age; drink from 2017.
Leather, cheesy oak, baked raspberry and mild herbal notes create a good bouquet. This is somewhat raw, choppy and pinched in feel, while flavors of loamy black fruits hint at prune. Finishing flavors of coffee and spice are offset by residual juicy acidity.
Scratchy black cherry aromas come with a strong hint of tree bark and cedar resin. This feels snappy at first, then more resiny and oaky upon airing. Woody black-fruit flavors get a boost from juicy acidity, while an oaky finish tastes like mint and licorice.
Prickly aromas of nettle, bell pepper, dust and white pepper set up a fresh yet plump palate. Melon, peach pit and green-herb flavors finish with a note of lemon-lime and juicy acidity.
Earthy, dusty aromas of sawdust and latex accent plum and blackberry scents. A juicy palate with fresh, kicking acidity renders this blend of Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon crisp and honest. Flavors of lightly herbal plum and currant finish tasty and mild.
Made entirely with Moscato, this has a rather inexpressive nose but the palate delivers dried apricot, grapefruit, citrus zest and marzipan.
This wine, which is enhanced with 6% Roussanne, is quite floral on the nose, with tuberose and stargazer lily trending toward ripe tropicality. The flavors are a little more subdued, with hints of guava jam on toasted brioche.
This blend of 49% Roussanne, 36% Grenache Blanc and 15% Viognier hits the nose with lemon zest, cooked apples and a bit of banana. It's very fresh on the palate, with honeysuckle, green apples and a pear skin tension, enhanced with wisps of smokiness.
Showing the warmth of an Alentejo wine, this is ripe and full in the mouth, offering red berry fruits cut with juicy acidity. It's a rich wine tinged with spice, finishing with a fresh aftertaste.
There's a freshness to this wine, a product of the cool 2013 vintage. It plays down the rich spice and pushes up the crisp apple flavors, giving a dry character that's refreshing. It can be drunk now.
Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it's satisfying and elegant.
Made entirely with Nerello Mascalese, this offers aromas of scorched earth, ripe berry and clove. The lithe palate delivers juicy cherry, crushed raspberry, ground white pepper and a mineral note alongside polished tannins.
This value-priced wine is a steal of a deal, layered enthusiastically in smoky bacon and soft, lavender-wrapped tannins and oak. Medium bodied, it'll satisfy as both a quaffer and a food-friendly wine, matching smoky meat against its smoky profile.
Underripe peach, candied lemon and white flower aromas are lifted and bright on the nose. The palate is zesty and crisp, with ripe red-apple flavors leading to a slightly chalky finish.
This juicy, exuberant 100% Cabernet comes from one of Northern California's special spots for the variety. Given 20 months in French oak, 60% of it new, the wine offers vanilla, black cherry and clove around sizable tannins and medium acidity. It finishes soft.
Named for the fact that the producer is one of 16 children, and the only one making wine, this Cab is entirely varietal, hailing from a St. Helena-based vineyard planted in 2001. The winery's inaugural vintage, it is herbaceous on the nose, followed by flavors of cedar and sweet tobacco. These provide a subtle, light tone and finish, with just the right amount of oak to give it backbone.
A blend of Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, this presents a bouquet of melon and grapefruit. Bold spice flavors, in particular clove, anise and spearmint, are nicely contrasted against flavors of lemon and lime. It offers a harmonious balance of baking spices and citrus notes backed by a strong vein of acidity.
Bright fruit flavors of pear and tangerine light up the palate, set against tangy acids. A versatile, fresh and quite tasty young white wine, it's best enjoyed right now.
Significantly riper than the elegant 2011, this well-priced cuvée has some real muscle. Plum and cherry fruit are set in a rather thick frame of earth and rock, buoyed by moderate acidity. Just 15% of the barrels were new.
With mild white-fruit aromas, dusty notes and a hint of banana, this is appealing up front. In the mouth, it's solid and pure feeling, with freshness and punchy acidity propelling tropical fruit flavors and oak-based vanilla. Oak spice, length and a full body make the finish impressive. 600 cases made.
Conner Lee is one of a small number of Washington vineyards that merits vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine lacks nothing, and the fruit is firm, sculpted, and varietally correct, with a touch of ripeness around flavors of plum and cherry. Enjoy it young, or cellar it for another five years.
This young and quite tart Pinot is subtly flecked with mineral, dried seaweed, and a dusty, saline character. It tastes much better than that may sound; it's complex, well structured, and unique.
Consistency across the entire portfolio is one of the strengths of Seven Hills, here expressed in a beautifully blended Cabernet that includes smaller percentages of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère. Smooth upon entry, showing pretty purple fruits through the mid-palate, it concludes with traces of smoke, cacao and espresso, all perfectly framed and balanced.
The best Kings Ridge Riesling since the 2007, this is a lickable, lipsmacking, sweet-tart bottle of lemon-lime fruits with a perfect blend of sugar and acid. It captures the refined elegance of the best Willamette Valley Rieslings, and the crisp minerality underscores the mouthwatering fruit.
For the price, this is an excellent Rioja to drink now or lay away for a few more years. Earthy cherry, plum and cola aromas set up a fresh and focused palate that's typical for the region. Flavors of mild oak, tobacco and dried raspberry end with clarity and elegance. Drink now–2019.
In this cool vintage the Celilo vineyard was not able to supply enough fruit for a single vineyard Chardonnay, so the blend includes grapes from Del Rio in southern Oregon. It's a fine mix, spicy and sharp, loaded with citrus and semi-tropical fruit. Bright acidity, hints of toast, and a lick of lime all combine to make a delicious and lingering finish.
Right away you know this Syrah-Petit Verdot is a powerful wine. The bouquet is pointed and blasts away with cherry, berry, spice and oak aromas. It's thick, pushy and full-bodied, with minty, toasty oak flavors running side by side with blackberry. On the finish, it's more charred and toasty, with peppery spice and some heat. Drink now–2015.
Comprised of 73% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre and 13% Syrah, Terre Rouge's L'Autre blend is a smooth rendition of lavender, tobacco and savory red plum—a touch of violet lurking within there too. Well intregrated and savory, with tightly woven tannins, this is a great example of how these grape three varieties can work together.
Entirely varietal, this Roussanne was whole-cluster fermented and is intense in its mushroomy, woodsy richness and layers of complexity and depth. With a lingering mineral finish, a fine case study in Roussanne's ability to stand out on its own.
Ripe berry and prune aromas come with spice and oaky notes. The palate is fresh and on the money, with mature but not tired flavors of tobacco, vanilla, cedar, plum and raspberry. For fans of fine Rioja, this will seem familiar and likable; it's smooth, oaky, elegant and vital. Drink now–2016.
This is a deliciously ripe wine, aged in wood to give roundness to the blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. It is full bodied and rich in the mouth with orange and pineapple flavors giving a great lift to the mineral texture.
A wood-aged Chenin Blanc from the Chinon region, this is a new departure for Charles Joguet. The wine is opulent and concentrated from lees stirring, giving power from the quince fruit and elegance from the smooth texture. It could age for several years.
A very firm wine, layering acidity, black currant fruits and dense tannins. It currently is dominated by its acidity and structure, needing several years to open out. But it's all there, a powerful, perfumed and textured wine.
A selection from the best parcels gives a rich, full-bodied and wood-aged white wine. With tropical fruit flavors laced with lemon zest, it's both concentrated and fresh. Impressive wine for aging over 2–3 years and definitely to be drunk with food.
An extra year in bottle may cut down on the crispness of a Muscadet, but it does bring out so many attractive flavors. This wine boasts nuttiness and floral acidity that complements notes of white fruits and red apples. Screwcap.
The second of two sweet wines produced by Marc Labat at Rousse, this certainly has a honey character, with flavors of dry fruits, a dancing acidity and a fruity aftertaste. Great as an aperitif.
The Layon valley vineyards produce deliciously honeyed wines like this one. There is botrytis here that gives a light texture to the wine, along with apricot fruit. With this richness, there is also refreshing crisp acidity. Worth aging 4–5 years but already delicious.
Light-gold in color, this blend of three indigenous grapes and a small amount of Chardonnay has a gentle aroma of citrus fruits and white flowers. On the palate there is also a nice interplay of citrus and flowers, with flavors of lemon, lime and orange blossom. The finish is marked with a note of salinity.
Oily citrus aromas are round and briny. This feels front-loaded, meaning there isn't much depth to the palate. Short, lightly stalky apple and citrus flavors turn pithy on the finish.
This soft wine features attractive citrus and creamed-apple flavors. It is round, full, lightly spicy and presents an easy, immediately drinkable character.
With its light prickle on the tongue and mineral texture, this is a crisp, dry wine. It is floral with pineapple and bright apple flavors. The acidity and the tangy orange zest all add to the freshness of the wine. Drink now.
A halo of waxy pollen lingers over fresh peach and lemon aromas. The palate is muddled with vague stone-fruit flavors, with crisp acidity leading to a short, simple finish.
Lean, tart, angular and edgy, this delivers just what some people are looking for in a Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is tinged with green throughout, focusing in on lime zest, although there is some yellow plum. It's crisp and clean on the finish.
Gamy aromas of rare beef and raw lamb show on the nose of this bottling, with black peppercorn, teriyaki and a touch of caramel. The flavors are a bit primary, with Concord grape jelly, blueberry jam and candied lilac, as well as a vanilla-bean oakiness.
A minty, menthol aroma and flavors like cherry cola make this an unusual, easy-drinking and full-bodied wine.
This tangy wine with spice and acidity has kiwi and lime flavors that give a fresh character. The aftertaste is lightly perfumed. Drink now.
This is a bold-flavored, medium-bodied rose. It starts with a bright pink color, then shows effusive floral and fruity aromas and jammy but dry flavors.
Waxy floral aromas are pretty, but suggest a slightly plastic note on this light-footed Riesling. It's delicately sweet, boasting flavors of fresh yellow peach and pear accented by hints of bramble and earth. The finish is crisp and clean.
Confected and slightly artificial, there's a thick aroma of canned pineapple syrup and rose petals on the nose, which feels a bit off balance from the much less-intense palate. Bright canned fruit lingers on the finish.
Fresh, fruity and with a tight texture, this attractive wine has crisp acidity, lemon and lime flavors, and a juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a fruity, crisp wine. Red currant and candied red-berry fruits fit into a balanced, just off-dry character. The wine is bright with a light sparkle at the end.
A soft wine with red-currant fruits and gentle tannins. It is very ready to drink with a smooth texture, just a hint of dryness and plenty of final acidity.
There's a hint of rusticity to the baked red berry aromas in this wine. Vanilla rooibos and brown sugar hover over a red-currant core. The palate is a bit flabby and jammy, with acidity struggling to snap everything into shape.
This is a light, streamlined Syrah, boasting brown sugar, baking spice and bramble berry notes over a stream of red currant and white pepper.
Mild tones of pollen, lemon, vanilla cream and sawdust carry the aromas and flavors. The palate is round and juicy, with appropriate balance of weight and acidity, yet the finish comes short. Perfectly enjoyable as an apéritif.
Overtly herbal on the nose, green peppercorn, anise and tarragon mask aromas of underripe mixed berries. There's a decent weight to this wine—smooth and almost thick—yet the red-berry palate is overtaken by geranium and green-stem flavors.
The 50% Malvasia in the blend gives this wine its perfumed character. It is ripe, touched by honey and spice. The wine has a fine, fresh streak at the end. Drink now.
This is a soft, ripe wine, full of fresh fruit. It is a warm blend of Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon, balancing tannins and black currant flavors. It is ready to drink.
Produced from organic grapes from the plateau above the prestigious slopes of Chablis, this is a cool and fresh wine with plenty of citrus as well as acidity. Drink now.
This wine is structured with red fruits. It has a thin texture, a metallic character that is less pleasant. It needs more weight and richness.
Fresh Anjou pear mixes with candied banana on the nose of this straight-forward Pinot Grigio. Light and zippy, the palate is green-apple focused, finishing on a creamy lemon note.
Aromas of white peach and apricot set the scene for flavors of white peach, freesia and thyme. This wine is full in the mouth, with a floral flourish on the bright finish.
A tough, dark wine, needing considerable aging to bring out its balanced fruits. It has the feel of a serious, impressive wine, dominated by powerful tannins. Underneath, the fruit is dark, brooding and firm. Give this wine at least five years.
Aromas of dark forest berry, smoke, cigar-box spice and tobacco leaf immediately waft from the glass of this forward and robust Pinotage. The wine's boldness continues to shine on the full palate, loaded with gripping tannins and layers of blackberry, boysenberry, roasted cocoa nib, pepper and toasted oak flavors. Drinkable now, but should benefit from some time in the cellar; try after 2015.
A pure, clean mineral-driven Champagne. It's very crisp, with a chalky texture, flavors of green apples and tight acidity. It's one of those Champagnes that needs time in the glass, because as it opens the flavors become more complex, bringing out yellow fruits as well as the underlying citrus.
The Suma Kaw Syrah from Hank Beckmeyer is an intriguing combination of great site and experimental winemaker. It's woody and herbal with a menthol sheen and an unexpectedly bright crispness contrasted by dark, savory meat and smoke. A wine that'll start conversations, enjoy it with roasted, herb-encrusted meats—the culinary equivalent of the wine.
Eenzaamheid—Dutch for solitude—is named in honor of the isolated vineyard that the grapes for this wine are sourced from. It leads with forward aromas of brambly forest berry, game and tree bark, alongside soft hints of cocoa and coffee. Medium weight with a ripe, fruity mouthfeel and earthy pepper notes that remain through the finish. Well balanced and structured; drink now–2016.
This Shiraz-based blend—with splashes of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier—is lush and rich, with notes of ripe blackberry, cherry and strawberry preserves backed by hints of fruit-cake spice and black pepper. The plush mouthfeel boasts similarly concentrated dark-fruit flavors, and the finish boasts a decadent fudgy chocolate note that shows good staying power. Drink now–2016.
Densely tannic while also fruity, this is a product of ripe fruits that give a black currant flavor as well as a solid structure. The acidity gives great lift to the end of this finely made wine.
This is a very complete wine, with all the fruit and tannin elements in place. There's a fine and rich character here as well as a more austere, mineral side. The combination results in supporting tannins, dark fruits and good aging potential.
An inverted GSM with Mourvèdre (80%) taking the lead followed by Syrah (15%) and Grenache, this aromatic wine offers notes of smoke, coffee and peppery spices. It's elegantly styled with a lithe feel.
The gold capsule Oldfield Series wines occupy a sort of reserve tier. This is principally a blend of Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with a splash of Viognier and Muscat adding aromatic highlights. Snappy citrus fruit and a light dusting of cinnamon makes this well-crafted wine a versatile, refreshing option for a variety of seafood and salad entrées.
Aromas of spiced prune, tilled earth, leather and clove lead the nose. The palate delivers black currant, dried blackberry, raw cranberry, nutmeg and grilled herb along with bracing tannins and brisk acidity.
A blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this savory wine offers aromas of blue flower, spiced plum, nutmeg and a whiff of game. The fresh, easy palate delivers juicy blackberry, crushed raspberry and cranberry alongside ground pepper and a licorice note. Velvety tannins give it a smooth texture.
A ripe, fruity wine that is bone-dry but so full of red fruits that it seems soft. It's a delicious, lightly textured wine with a good touch of minerality at the end. Drink now.
With small percentages of Merlot and Malbec, this Cab offers distinct herbal notes, its body medium in weight and acidity. Clove and fig round out the profile.
Wisps of smoke and char add nuance to tart red cherry and violet notes on this aromatic wine. It's juicy and fresh on the palate, yet amasses bitter, velvet tannins that blanket the finish. Enjoy now with a good decant, or better yet, hold back till at least 2016.
The Xavier Flouret brand covers the world, but its Sancerre is always among its most consistent. It is balanced, fruity and only lightly herbaceous. Touches of white currants add to the fruitiness of this ready-to-drink wine.
Oak, menthol, mature berry, dried sage and coffee aromas lead the nose. The palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, black pepper, licorice, espresso and a balsamic note alongside bracing, teeth-coating tannins.
For the price, this Merlot packs a delicious punch, offering soft, persistent layers of chocolate, tar and leather, the tannins present yet well-managed. Red fruit and smoke intermingle on the palate, playing well together.
This appealing wine features notes of woodspice, herbs, mint, coffee and jammy red fruit. It's full bodied in feel with coffee and red fruit flavors that linger.
This wine offers notes of vanilla, coconut, chocolate and cherry candy. It's richly flavored with a core of dark fruit backed by lightly grippy tannins.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon take the lead on this Bordeaux-style blend that brings overt notes of vanilla, coconut and dark fruit, with the barrel notes riding high. It's full bodied and rich with the oak overtaking the varietal flavors but still offering appeal.
A majority of new French oak nestled this wine, contributing to its dark golden color and oak intensity on the nose and palate. Slightly sweet in ripe apple and vanilla, it will benefit greatly from the enjoyment of food alongside.
Dusty raspberry and plum aromas are spicy, dry and attractive, leading to a fresh palate with kick. Flavors of spiced plum, raspberry and red cherry are a touch briny, while the finish has length and a pleasing texture.
A thread of dusty mushroom underlies some pretty raspberry and cream notes in this full-bodied Shiraz, adding an astringent note to the finish. Drink now–2025.
This is an earthy and somewhat savory wine, buoyed by level acidity. It offers stewed lemon and fennel around a feral nose.
Aromas of ripe black fruit, spicy plum, graphite and a whiff of brine lead the nose of this robust wine. The round, savory palate doles out juicy blackberry, blueberry, licorice and ground black pepper alongside brawny tannins. It ends on a bitter prune note.
Aromas of spicy plum, ripe berry, tilled soil and brown cooking spice meld together in the glass. The palate delivers dried black cherry, raisin, fig, clove and cracked black pepper alongside robust tannins. Drink through 2016.
Warm, earthy, dusty aromas of red plum and smoky oak turn toastier the longer this sits. A fresh but balanced palate offers equal amounts of snappy acidity and creamy weight, while tart plum and spice flavors finish toasty and charred, with crisp acidity generating length.
Oak, roasted coffee bean and coconut aromas lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, exotic spice, oak extract and espresso alongside astringent wood tannins that dry out the mouth. There's not quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak.
This bottle is quite unusual for a Washington Malbec with abundant notes of freshly squeezed Meyer lemon, plum and herbs. Still, it's well constructed with tart, plush plum flavors that keep you coming back to it.
With Merlot softening the power of Brau-col, this is a full-bodied while rounded wine. Juicy acidity gives a fresh character, and red berry fruits dominate the firm tannins. Balanced and concentrated, it will repay some good aging. Drink from 2017.
Earthy blackberry aromas come with a leafy note and rusticity. The palate on this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend is crimped and pinched, with linear flavors of boysenberry and herbs. On the finish, this tastes a bit green, with blueberry sweetness helping to balance things off.
Aromas of crushed blue flower, plum cake and ripe wild berry lead the nose. The palate offers prune, mature blackberry, vanilla, clove and a confectionary note alongside bracing tannins. It ends on a note of bitter cocoa.
Oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle give a full, rounded wine that may have lost some of its herbaceous character while gaining richness and full fruitiness. A hint of toast is just an adjunct to this mineral and fruit flavored wine. Drink now or until 2018.
This new Cabernet from Cono Sur opens with a mix of cedar and berry aromas. In the mouth, it's super crisp and high in acidity, which creates astringency and adds sourness to the wine's herbal plum core. It's punchy and almost citric on the finish.
Coming from a reliable vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley, this wine presents aromas of dried violet, blackberry, leather and espresso. Brooding dried-cherry fruit directs the palate, which benefits further from roasted game and crushed oregano and thyme. The tannins are still prominent.
Nearly garnet in color, this offers a very strong strawberry sauce aromas, with appealing hints of shortcake. Fruit flavors suggest pressed raspberry, but there is a shiso leaf bitterness as well.
Textbook aromas of lychee and quince jelly open this spritzy Asti-styled Moscato. Despite its bubble content, this is smooth and easy in the mouth. Creamy, sugary flavors of lime, lychee and melon finish easy. This should appeal to Moscato fans.
Tight, dry, minerally aromas of citrus and wet stones set up a snappy, alert palate with bright flavors of citrus fruits and nectarine. A long, racy, citric finish is crisp and refreshing. Drink now.
One of a series of single-clone offerings from Kason, this has the lowest alcohol, which somehow partially helps to overcome the aggressive barrel flavors. Chunky black fruits and sweet oak combine in a muscular wine that shows none of the subtlety of the grape. It's Pinot Noir on steroids.
Self-described as a “notable every day wine” this meets the challenge. Given the price, it's a winner, with 58% of the grapes coming from the Umpqua Valley AVA. The light strawberry fruit carries herbal and bitter green flavors, yet everything is in proper proportion.
Lemon, spice and pepper flavors are the keys to this easy, accessible wine. It is full of fresh fruit that has bitter almond and ripe pear flavors. With acidity and a crisp aftertaste, the wine is ripe and ready to drink.
This ripe, juicy red opens with aromas of mature berry, fragrant blue flower and a hint of dried herb. The easygoing palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise alongside round tannins. It's already reached its peak drinking window so enjoy soon.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, rose, menthol, leather and a whiff of grilled herb lead the nose. The ripe palate offers fleshy black cherry, chopped mint and licorice framed in close-grained tannins that dry out the finish.
Dark berry, oak and chopped mint scents lead the way. The straightforward palate shows toasted oak, espresso, dried black cherry and sage alongside grainy tannins that leave a somewhat raspy finish.
The 17-acre vineyard is situated right at the western end of the Cahors appellation, giving a fresh feel to the ripe blackberry fruit flavors. There is an attractive, juicy feel to this wine. Soft, dusty tannins and bright acidity contribute to a wine that is now ready to drink.
This is a fruity, juicy wine that Heifara Swartvagher made to be drunk young. With black currant freshness over firm, dry tannins, it's ripe, packed with attractive fruitiness and ready to drink.
This estate wine has 10% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and is made in small quantities. Big-boned tannins surround puckering red fruit like currant and cassis before a brawny dusting of clove and black pepper hit on the finish.
Spicy cranberry fruit pushes front and center, making a gulpable Southern Oregon Pinot. Bright and fruity, it's built for near-term enjoyment.
While there are some herbal, green flavors here, this wine is more about rich tropical flavors. So peach and pineapple dominate the soft texture and ripe acidity. The aftertaste brings out more minerality and a touch of pepper. Drink now.
Powerful punches of black licorice dominate in this stewy, chewy, generously oaked wine, grown on a mountainous appellation. It finds a softness and gentle fruit character midway through on the palate, finishing on supple notes of tobacco.
Rustic and mouth-coating in leathery tannin, this tri-appellation wine is ripe with sweetened oak. Surely crowd-pleasing, it's a good value for its quality and straightforward approachability.
This Basque Country white is quite particular and will not be to everyone's taste. Simple but fresh apple and apricot aromas are clean, while the palate is high in acidity, which is typical for the region. Flavors of blood orange and tangerine finish tart, bracing and angular.
Wiry plum and green-tobacco aromas transition to red-fruit scents as this breathes. A fresh, forward palate is medium in body, while a mix of spice, green herb, olive, plum and berry notes comprise the flavor package. A tight, juicy palate maintains the wine's core flavors.
This is a pale colored, attractively perfumed wine. With red berry fruit flavors, bright acidity and a lively orange zest texture, it is fruity and ready to drink.
Subtle aromas suggesting moist soil, violet, red berry and a whiff of leather come together on this light-bodied red. On the straightforward palate, lithe tannins and bright acidity provide easygoing support for juicy Morello cherry, clove and a touch of anise. Enjoy soon.
Vibrant and easygoing, this opens with aromas that recall woodland berry, violet and moist soil. The bright, simple palate offers tart sour cherry and a hint of white pepper alongside zesty acidity.
Here is a sturdy, fruit-driven wine, with a mix of quickly maturing mulberry and plum fruits. Add a dash of mocha and vanilla custard, and you have a solid, all-purpose red for lighter meats and poultry.
Fresh apple rinds, squeezed Mexican lime and a touch of guava show on the nose of this crisp yet tropical-tinged bottling. The flavors also start light with citrus and then delve into more guava-led tropicality, approaching ripe tuberose-flower pungency.
Bright cranberry and pomegranate notes meet with tart orange juice and zest on the nose of this fresh bottling from the artist-producer. That cran-orange flavor combo carries through the zesty and flavorful sip, with a touch of anise toward the finish.
The back label notes that this is the winery's reserve, sourced from Methven Family vineyards. It shows cranberry and blue-plum fruit of moderate ripeness, feeling a bit flat in the mouth. A year in 50% new French oak adds a touch of toastiness.
One of the most popular Portuguese brands, made since 1850, this latest vintage is fresh and fruity. It has attractive red berry fruits and a light structure of tannins. This wine is fresh and ready to drink.
Black fruits are fully ripe, then encased in massive barrel flavors. The overwhelming influence of oak brings a barrage of tobacco, smoke and charred wood. The tannins have a bitter edge.
At first taste, this seems soaked in wood (30 months in American, Hungarian and French oak; one-third new). Flavors suggest coffee over cassis, with a somewhat bitter, tannic finish. Let it breathe.
A smooth, deliciously drinkable blend of Mauzac and Loin de l'Oeil gives crisp acidity, green fruits and tangy acidity. It's a wine that's fresh and ripe at the same time, a very dry wine that will certainly be best with food. Drink from late 2016.
Light cherry red to the eye, this wine made of 100% Karalahna yields little on the nose, offering a soft aroma of cranberry. Flavors of cherry confiture, black currant, cranberry, spearmint and black pepper are set amidst ever-present tannins that linger on the front of the tongue.
Made with 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this straightforward red opens with aromas of fragrant blue flower and wild berry. The easy-drinking palate doles out juicy black cherry, black currant and a hint of white pepper framed in mellow tannins.
Dark berry, truffle, toast and kitchen spice aromas meld in the glass. On the palate, notes of roasted coffee bean, powdered sage and ground pepper accent a core of dried black cherry while assertive tannins provide the framework. It ends on an astringent note.
Laudun is considered one of the top communes for white varieties in the Southern Rhône. This cuvée, from the region's cooperative cellar, is a vibrant, refreshing wine that combines modest pineapple fruit, with hints of wet stone and honey. Drink now.
Dense and hearty, this has subtle aromas of stewed prune, espresso and French oak. The brawny palate offers blackberry extract, licorice, ground pepper and the heat of evident alcohol alongside tightly packed, close-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish. Give the tannins another year or two to unfurl then drink up before the remaining fruit dries up.
Aromas of wild red berry, pressed violet and a whiff of baking spice flow through this simple, easygoing wine. On the easy-drinking palate, round tannins support mature black cherry, cinnamon and a hint of mocha. Drink through 2017.
This wine is dry and smoky, with tannins that will allow it to age. The fruit, though, only hints at red berry fruits and should be more developed for a simple appellation wine such as this. Drink from 2017.
Aromas of marmalade, squeezed lime, red apple and apple blossoms hit the nose on this bottling from the Morgan Hill area producer. Ripe with Gala apple and pear flesh, the palate is also cut with lime juice and tangerine skin.
Underbrush, sunbaked earth, cured meat, menthol, toast and mature plum aromas unfold in the glass. The ripe palate is mature and offers dried black, cherry, truffle, licorice, espresso and a funky hint of game alongside firm but somewhat fleeting tannins that leave a drying finish.
This wine is scented with apple and peach and a whiff of white flowers. It's crisp on the tongue with white stone fruits, grapefruit and lemon peel.
This fruity, light wine is full of red berries. The tannins are there, playing a supporting role to the intense fruitiness and acidity that's typical of the vintage. This wine will develop quickly, so drink from 2017.
Chorey vineyards, on the plain close to Beaune, often produce good-value wines. This attractive wine is a good example from an uneven vintage. It has structure and fruit, maybe not enough, along with a fresh, tangy character. It is developing fast, so drink from 2017.
This wine is soft, lightly fruity and refreshing. Apple and ripe pear flavors contrast with the textured acidity. It's a balanced wine, full of fruitiness and ready to drink now.
Oak, coconut, toasted nut, porcini mushroom, steeped prune and dried sage aromas lead the nose on this robust wine. The warm, one-dimensional palate offers dried berry, raisin, vanilla, anise, oak-driven spice and mocha framed in velvety tannins. The heat of alcohol marks the close.
Glimpses of sunny yellow peach and apple peek through layers of heady spice, vanilla and toast in this brisk but oaky Chardonnay. It's polished but spry, revitalized by a spray of zesty acidity through the midpalate and finish. Drink now through 2020.
The aromas explore this variety's savory side, with notes of green herbs and dill followed by vanilla, char, burnt coffee and green wood. The palate shows flavors of char and game, with the tannins seeming gritty.
Lean and yeasty, this light-fruited effort seems almost beer-like. The hoppy flavors are fresh and palate-cleansing, the flavors very lightly suggesting green apples and citrus.
Cedar, herb, mushroom and woodspice aromas are followed by tart cranberry and flavors that show some astringency. The wood gets out front.
Medium-straw colored in the glass, this has a soft bouquet of guava and pineapple. It is slightly stiff at first, but tropical fruit flavors of guava and passion fruit with touches of lemon curd quickly wash across the palate. The citrus-laced finish offers long-lasting floral notes.
A bit thinner aromatically than some other Cabs, this shows black cherry, tobacco ash, soft cedar and rose petals on the nose. The palate is also relatively light, but offers complex black pepper, thyme, red cherry, turned earth and dried-mint flavors.
An extremely pungent florality hits the nose on this sweeter bottling, with orange blossoms, strong white flowers and a quinine character. The palate is brightly sweet but far from overly done, with perfumed night jasmine mixing into more orange-blossom elements. Perhaps this wine is an acquired taste, but it's clean and crisp.
In this wine, herbal, green flavors bring out a bright, fruity character. It's fresh and crisp, while also having ripe green fruits and a light touch of spice. Drink now.
Gravel, dark red berries and a raw beef character show on the nose of this accessibly priced wine. The palate offers beet and dark cranberry juice flavors, along with black sage and camphor. Still tightly wound, it will get better with patience.
Blueberry and raspberry aromas are ripe, grapy and feature a dash of cocoa. This is lively, punchy and healthy in feel. Medicinal plum and berry flavors are a touch salty, while this finishes with ripeness and good overall balance.
The nose doesn't give much away while the full-bodied, straightforward palate offers fleshy black cherry marinated in spirits and a hint of cooking spice. Tightly wound but fleeting tannins provide the framework. It's brawny but simple.
Attractive and fruity, this warm wine is crisp and fresh at the same time. Yellow fruits and tangy orange zest are complemented by minerality and a refreshing aftertaste. It is ready to drink.
Young and sharp-toned, this shows a strong streak of oak with a bitter edge to it. More bottle age may help to soften it up a bit, but for now it's all about oak and apple without much else. Cellar it awhile or give it extra aeration.
Light mineral and lemon-rind aromas are followed by dry, tart flavors. It should shine on the dinner table.
Wood aromas and spice show strongly in this wine. On the palate, there is a toasty character that gives a bitter edge to the ripe red fruits. That needs to go, so wait to drink this wine from 2019.
Showcasing the rich vintage, this is a generous fruit-driven wine. With red-berry flavors and plenty of acidity to balance, the wine is soft and juicy. Drink it from 2018.
Sweet cedar meets with dried blueberry, baked black currant and toasted pastry on the nose of this bottling. Dried pine needle and forest underbrush flavors show on the sip, spicing up the dried plum and cocoa-spice flavors.
Lightly roasted berry and cassis aromas are a touch hot but good. This wine is solid on the palate, with hard-smacking tannins. Flavors of chocolate, spicy berry fruit and a touch of campfire finish more roasted than fruity.
This appellation blend is nowhere near as amazing as the winery's single-vineyard expressions from this vintage, but it'll work for an everyday sipper. Light red cherry meets with damp herbs, wet hay and forest floor on the nose, while the simple palate combines red fruit with more herbs and orange peels.
This leads with mocha, herb and leather aromas. The palate is still tight and closed but offers red berry, clove and sage hints with some air. Clenched tannins grip the close.
At first shy on the nose, this opens to reveal baking spice and dried violet aromas. A tobacco note underscores its mature black plum and ripe blackberry flavors while smooth tannins offer easygoing support. Drink through 2019.
Crisp apple perfume builds on the palate, suggesting unusually lifted notes of raspberry, strawberry and cherry in this semidry Riesling. It's a plush, slightly rounded white with easy, juicy fruit and a brisk finish.
The freshness and concentration of the fruit flavors in this full-bodied wine is exceptional. It smells like Concord juice and tastes dark and grapy, forming a simple but appealing personality that's hard to resist.
This wine's sawdust, green herb, vanilla and spice aromas are brooding. The light- to medium-bodied palate delivers cherry flavor, bringing appeal but wanting more expression.
This large appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise can produce fruity wines like this. With red-berry fruits and light tannins, the wine has spice and crisp edge of acidity that comes from fruit that was just ripe, surprising in the rich 2015 vintage. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
This is a tight, textured wine, with plenty of acidity to balance the ripe fruit. It has the generous texture typical of the vintage and ripe yellow fruits, with an attractive crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is smooth, mature and rich with yellow fruits and a rounded texture. A hint of wood and spice has plenty of crisp acidity to balance. Drink now.
This wine's bright raspberry jam, pencil lead and barrel spice aromas lead to quite ripe, dried out fruit and barrel flavors. The tannins are a bit drying.
The nose has a bit of match stick, but mostly it revolves around green apple and flower blossom. The palate is just round enough, with fine acidity pushing green fruit and natural pithy flavors.
A little dull and disappointing given this winery's excellent track record with Pinot Gris, this wine may reflect the difficult, wet 2007 vintage. It's crisp and balanced, but does not show the ripe fruit flavors of previous vintages. Tart green berries, green apple and grapefruit flavors dominate, bone dry and high acid. A slightly metallic note creeps into the finish.
This is clean and fresh, with bright scents and flavors of pomegranate and raspberry. It feels good in the mouth, showing youthful punch and presence; the score could rise with another year or two in the bottle.
A little funky and jumpy at first, but it settles down. Rapsberry, pepper and a hint of green herb give it a snappy outlook, and while it's mostly solid, it may be a tiny bit stretched compared to others. In between the folds, there's mocha, pepper and a reedy bite. Nice wine with a couple of minor flaws.
A spicy, perfumed, soft wine. The hint of wood opens the wine and provides vanilla, lychee, ginger and artichoke flavors. The downside is a lack of freshness in a wine that feels quite fat.
A blend of Loin de l'Oeil, Mauzac and Sauvignon Blanc, this needs the shot of acidity from the Sauvignon—it gives a real lift to the ripe apricot fruits. The wine is structured, quite tight with apple skin flavors, creating an appetizing, juicy finish.
Cadus from Nieto Senetiner has not been overly consistent in recent years. This wine is black as night, with ultra-extracted aromas of black fruit and chocolate. The palate is hunky and chunky, with clumsy grape, cassis and blackberry flavors. Shows a blast of coconut and softness on the finish. A classic fruit bomb that's missing some key parts.
Sweet pear perfumes announce a ripe style of white wine. It is on the soft side, its acidity well under the pear and melon flavors, aided by nutmeg and tangerines. The finish is juicy, ripe, always soft.
Rose petal, red cherry and wild thyme scents show in this twist-top bottling from Kiler Canyon and Peachy Canyon vineyards, which is enhanced with 10% each of Mourvèdre and Counoise. Red spice and red berry flavors show on the palate, where zesty acidity cuts through chalky tannins.
This ripe Chardonnay is a successful example of its style, with honeysuckle, white peach and marshmallow aromas on the nose. The palate offers apple custard and lemon curd flavors, held together with savory smoke and sea salt aspects.
This small-production wine from the Lake County-based producer is made mostly of Petit Verdot, with 32% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its concentrated blackberry fruit is accented with smoky oak and dusty tannin.
This dry light-footed blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris offers zesty grapefruit and lemon flavors edged with white tea leaves. Balanced in alcohol, subtle and refreshing, it finishes on a clean, slightly mineral tone.
Juicy red fruit defines this blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Supportive tannins accent its cedar, oak and raisin notes.
Chocolate, cherry and coconut flavors make this mild-mannered wine inviting and luxurious. It shows soft tannin, plenty of toasted oak and a succulent finish.
Toasted oak, hazelnut and fresh herb aromas carry over to the lean, linear palate, along with lemon drop, yellow apple and a confected notes. Crisp acidity lends a racy elegance.
Easy to enjoy for its straightforward flavors and balance, this medium-bodied wine smells like black cherries and strawberries, tastes fruity and moderately rich and is also shaded by vanilla and maple, adding complexity and a touch of sweetness.
This Riesling's bold blossomy perfume accents honey and apple flavors on the palate. It's not deeply concentrated but its delicate sweetness and fresh cutting acidity are invigorating.
This Super Tuscan-style blend named “heart of the vineyard” shows baked black raspberry, black plum, thyme and bay leaf on the nose. It's light in body on the energetic and easygoing palate, with a tangy raspberry snap.
Blended with 10% Alicante Bouschet and aged for 20 months in French oak, this wine shows bright baked strawberry fruit that becomes brooding in the glass, layered with black licorice and peppered leather. Densely built, it finishes seductively smooth.
A light pretty wine, this brings a mix of strawberry and Bing cherry front and center. There's no real density or complexity; the fruit is fresh and clean and follows through in a light consistent finish.
Grapefruit, exotic fruit and tomato vine scents lead the nose of this wine while its linear, medium-bodied palate shows honeydew melon and succulent citrus notes. Fresh acidity gives it a clean, bright finish.
This single-vineyard cuvée is built upon own-rooted Pommard clone fruit, from vines that were planted in 1990. Scents and flavors of beet root, stem and herb poke through tart raspberry and pomegranate fruit. The mouthfeel is a bit stiff and tannic.
Pleasing aromas of herb, cherry, vanilla, and cocoa are followed by soft subtle cherry flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but still provides enjoyment.
From a cool climate region, this brings crisp raspberry fruit with underlying minerality. Aging in one-third new French oak adds in notes of dusty coffee grounds and a hint of milk chocolate. The wine starts out tight, then fans out through the finish.
Not terribly tannic or concentrated, this is nevertheless a charming, savory wine for near-term consumption. Red-skinned plums marry with grilled meat and toasty oak and glide to a soft, easygoing finish. Drink now–2020.
Gritty herbal aromas of olive, asphalt and compost announce a cool-vintage wine. This feels raw and massively tannic. Roasted barely ripe plum and berry flavors finish bone dry and pulling.
Ripe orchard fruit and pressed yellow flower aromas lead the nose while the medium-bodied palate offers yellow apple and pear flavors. A hint of orange zest lends a tangy finish.
Old Zinfandel plant material from Santa Cruz was propagated in one of the most inhospitable sites for grapes on Catalina Island to make this wine—a fascinating story for any history lover. The wine itself is somewhat simple, with generic red fruit, turned loam and black pepper scents, followed by cranberry, white pepper and crushed rock flavors on the palate.
Floral scents strike the nose with ferocity in this blend of 70% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 6% Carignane and 4% Counoise, meeting richer aromas of blackberry, candied grape and asphalt. Concord grape flavors carry into the palate, with candied violet and a light bit of sweet tobacco.
Concentrated black cherry notes on the nose and palate are accented by dark, mossy, bramble notes and hints of green and menthol. There's a faint tomato leaf note that lingers throughout, but a rich fruit profile combined with smooth tannins and bright acidity make this medium-bodied wine a pleasant, straightforward pick.
Beautifully perfumed with ripe pommelo, orange blossoms and a spray of fresh lemon zest. A rich, luscious mouthfeel on the palate is balanced with bright grapefruit acidity and a refreshing minerality. Finishes dry with a zesty lemon rind astringency.
This is an easy-drinking quaffer, the kind most people think of when they hear Riesling. It's off dry but well balanced, with slightly broad melon and peach notes. A nice patio sipper for summer 2011.
There's a delicate whiff of dried orange peel and apple cider vinegar on the nose of this unique Finger Lakes Riesling, but the palate is chock full of fresh apples accented by a sweet tangerine acidity and hints of clove and spice.
Burnt-field aromas are acrid and not that fruity. The wine is better on the palate, where it's spritzy and jumpy, with standard soda cracker and generic citrus and banana flavors. Scratchy on the finish but reasonably flavorful and legit.
A warm, aggressive wine with baked berry aromas, kirsch, bacon and rubber. The palate has hard, astringent tannins but the flavors are good once they air out; there's blackberry, plum and brown sugar. Firms up on the finish as the tannins do their thing. Tasted twice with divergent findings; this note reflects the common traits from both wines.
Peach, clove-spiked Anjou pear, orange rind and honeysuckle fill the overall character of this fresh white. Medium weight with a good toasty richness that lingers through the finish. Drink now.
Konrad's 2008 Pinot Noir shows quite a bit of toast and vanilla to go alongside its cherry fruit. Gently toasted marshmallows impart a sweet succulence to the wine, making it attractive despite some woody tannins on the finish. Drink now–2014.
Asian spice and licorice are interlaced into softly stewed fruit aromas and flavors of raspberry, plum and black berry. Silky and easy to drink with dusty tannins and medium acidity.
Apple and mineral aromas are basic but clean, and the palate is fresh and lithe, with little to no extra weight. Flavors of dry apple and fresh corn work well, and while the finish is short and shy, it's crisp and clean. A simple wine with light fruit and easy drinkability.
About three fifths Merlot, the rest a blend of Cabernet, Cab Franc and Syrah, this commemorates the winery's tenth vintage. It shows a substantial amount of oak—smoky and chewy and tannic—with tart red fruits leaving a trailing impression of raspberry candy.
Apple, pear, vanilla and toast aromas come at you strong but in a controlled way. The palate is fairly juicy, with good acidity to temper sweet vanilla, oak, banana and pineapple flavors. Finishes similarly, with vanilla and sweetness balanced by citric acids. Imported by GOS Wines and BMC Imports.
A bit of a muted nose on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (24%), Petit Verdot (22%), Cab Franc (11%) and Malbec (1%) out of the Livermore Valley. A good balance of fruit and tannic power here, but not a ton of depth. The finish drops off a bit, too.
Almost black in color, this is a wine with a tarry feel, its tannins soft. It is dense, spicy and smoky, with prune and tangy wood flavors. A tight layer of acidity emerges at the end.
Savory mint, prune and soy sauce blend nicely with notes of violet and rose. More fruit comes through on the palate, showing a bright cranberry note that livens everything up.
Unusually restrained for the varietal, this appetizing and firmly textured wine has moderate fruit and clove flavors, great balance and a good snap of tannin in the mouthfeel. Its sense of moderation will make it consistently likeable, bottle after bottle.
Woody in cedar and toasted oak, this mild-mannered red is juicy in red currant and plum, offering a lush and plush body and texture. Tannins coat the back of the palate as notes of clove and mocha spark the finish.
Inky purple in color, this wine has cassis and violet aromas. It's smooth on entry, with softly drying tannins that support wild berry, lavender and eucalyptus flavors. A nice touch of acidity accents the finish.
This leads with woodland berry, blue flower and dried herb aromas. The palate is rather closed and austere but eventually reveals cranberry, pomegranate and crushed mint flavors through its frame of tightly wound tannins and vibrant acidity. Give this a few more years to loosen up. Drink after 2021.
This lightly wood-aged wine is ripe in red-berry flavors. It is well structured, its tannins integrated into a broad, soft texture. Acidity and fruitiness dominate the finish.
Wood aging has given this wine a decidedly spicy character. The balance comes from the ripe berry fruit, acidity and general brightness. The wine is ready to drink.
Vineyards north of the Douro River deliver an attractive, fruity wine with bright red fruits and a generous core of tannins. The light wood-aging character has smoothed and filled out the fruitiness of the wine. Drink now.
Fleshy, dark-skinned berry, cooking spice and crushed herb scents lead the nose of this straightforward wine. The medium-bodied, accessible palate offers juicy black cherry, clove and cinnamon hints framed by solid, rounded tannins. It's rather evolved so enjoy sooner than later. Drink through 2022.
Intensely built, this is a big-boned and richly layered wine, dense and ripe in blackberry jam. The fruit is joined by smoky oak and further flavors of chocolate-covered coconut.
Very ripe and fruity and ultra smooth in texture, this wine is a treat to drink and a very good value. A touch of sweetness adds to the supple mouthfeel and helps carry the boysenberry and blueberry notes through the finish.
This is light to the point of feeling thin. It emphasizes clean, tangy raspberry flavors, with a touch of tangerine-like acidity and a cleansing mineral note that carries through the finish. It lacks concentration and shows no evidence of its aging in 50% new French oak.
This Nero d'Avola opens with ripe plum, black-skinned berry and vanilla aromas. The medium-bodied palate shows blackberry jam, espresso and tobacco flavors while close-grained tannins give the finish grip. Drink 2018–2022.
Base notes of vanilla, peach and honeysuckle linger on the nose as honeydew and chamomile show in the background. Tangerine, honeysuckle, peach, honeydew and ginger show on the rich palate, with a zip of acidity o the long, tingly finish.
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc displays aromas of cherry, blueberry and bramble berries, backed by aromas of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is medium bodied with supportive tannins and shows flavors of red berries and baking spices. Leather and cedar carry to the finish joined by a swath of acidity.
This deliciously perfumed wine originates from a small appellation west of Sancerre. With its crisp texture and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc grapes, it is a wine to appreciate as an apéritif rather than drink with food.
This medium-bodied wine has an abundance of spices in its aromas and flavors, along with a smooth texture and good balance between acidity and ripeness. The fruit flavors are plummy and straightforward and the easy drinkability is undeniable.
Ripe sweet peach and nectarine flavors are slightly caramelized in this semidry Riesling. Its spry zesty demeanor is deeply refreshing though, finishing on a revitalizing citrus note. Drink now through 2018.
This Syrah boasts of cherry-vanilla, blackberry and black plum aromas and sour cherry and blackberry flavors. The tannins are nicely round, and the finish is pleasantly acidic.
Muted aromatics slowly reveal a full-bodied gritty texture of minerality that becomes crisp in the glass. Floral apple blossom, green apple and vanilla combine for a juicy palate of fruit and succulence.
Modest cherry and plum aromas are weighty. This is holding onto its freshness, with flavors of citrus pulp and peel. Drink up now.
There is way too much acidity here, and it's exagerrated by the wine's soft, unfocused texture. Notes of bitter toast and dark tannins are rather unbalanced.
This wine seems rather unfocused with indistinct tannins and fruit. There is a soapy texture, and the red berry fruits seem awash with acidity.
Dry, firmly structured and tough, this is an austere wine that doesn't hold out much hope for improvement. Drink it soon with rich food to balance out its dense tannins and wood flavors.
Juicy and fruity, this wine has strong layers of acidity and extracted tannins. It has a hard, austere character that doesn't promise for the future.
Coming from the cool 2011 vintage, this 100% varietal wine doesn't seem entirely ripe with notes of green herbs, poblano and red fruit. It's tart and plump in feel with chalky tannins.
Rusty orange in color, aromas of grass and tomato suggest underripe fruit, while the mouthfeel is foamy and the flavors of fruit and mushroom are muted.
A rusty color is a give-away that this Garnacha isn't in the best shape. The nose smells of cotton candy and Kool-Aid. The feel is flat, grabby and tannic, while the flavors are scattershot, with brown sugar notes and dry leafiness on the finish.
In the mouth, this feels chunky, with sugary red-berry flavors coming in front of a sticky finish. The grape variety is the obscure Prieto Picudo.
Dull aromas of murky leaves and wet cement don't set things up well. This is clunky and scouring in feel, with leafy blackberry flavors that finish bitter.
This salmon-colored wine is powdery on the nose, with aromatic hints of apple skins and raspberry. The palate feels lean, pinched and rubbery, while flavors of pithy citrus fruits finish chalky, with some tang.
Blended with 7% Syrah and smaller proportions of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and other grapes, this well-made wine is restrained in style.It shows crisp red fruit, orange and cranberry loaded around dusty tannins, big oak and chocolate.
This is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot (38%) and Syrah. Aromas of vanilla, leafy herbs, barrel spices and dried cherries lead to full bodied fruit flavors with the oak showing prominently.
This wine is unusually taut and crisp for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with cherry and cranberry fruit framed by hints of earth and leather. Drink now–2020.
Charred-earth, espresso, French oak and menthol aromas unfold on this full-bodied red while a plum note lingers in the background. The subdued palate is rather evolved, showing raisin, toast, spirits and licorice but not much fruit richness. Assertive, close grained tannins provide the bracing framework.
This wine has aromas of freshly mowed grass, peaches and white flowers. It is slightly sweet with flavors of canned peach, white peach juice and apricot nectar.
Aged partially in old oak barrels, there's a distinctly savory, spicy tone to pressed apple and pear aromas on this reserve Riesling. Light-bodied and off-dry in style, the palate boasts honeyed apple flavors cut by a zesty streak of lemon-lime acidity. Lifted floral tones lift the finish.
Grapefruit, pear and vanilla mark this medium-bodied, moderately dense and youthful wine that also offers peeks of caramel and toffee midpalate. The weight and length give way to a zesty, pithy finish.
Scorched soil, black-skinned berry, worn leather and dried herb aromas come together here. The jammy palate is already rather evolved, offering dried black cherry, clove and star anise alongside bracing tannins. Give the tannins a few more years to unclench then drink up to catch the remaining fruit.
This is a fruity wine, full of herbal and apple flavors. The vines are planted on slopes across the Loire from Sancerre, giving minerality as well as juicy acidity. Young and fresh, the wine will benefit from waiting a few months more. Drink from early 2017.
A pleasant nose of peach, vanilla and pineapple custard grows quite boisterous and banana-like as this wine opens up. Peachy flavors show on the palate, where the vanilla and cake flavors are cut by a tight line of lime skin.
Juicy and ripe, yet briskly composed, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir boasts flavors of red cherry and strawberry preserves offset by crisp cranberry acidity. It's concentrated on the palate but finishes swiftly with just a feathery hint of tannins.
Plum and currant aromas are gaseous at first, then minerally. This is tight, high in acidity and tannic. Rubbery, lightly briny cherry and plum flavors are held together by firm acidity, while this feels tight and wiry late, with herbal notes and tannic grab.
Bold tannins and firm acidity make this wine a bit stiff to enjoy now, but it should benefit from aging through 2020. Aromas are lightly earthy, while flavors reflect cranberry and tart cherry. The texture carries a tooth-coating layer of tannins.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, blue flower and a whiff of chewing tobacco combine on this straightforward red. The bright, easygoing palate shows wild cherry, raspberry and a note of star anise alongside supple tannins. Drink soon.
Ripe, soft and full bodied, this wine has fresh citrus and gooseberry flavors along with zesty lemon and a bright aftertaste. It needs a few more months to fill out, so drink from 2017.
Based in Bué, one of the top villages of Sancerre, this producer has made a ripe, crisp and nervy wine that comes from chalk soil. Tangy with a mineral texture, it offers rich currant and lime flavors and full-throated final acidity. Drink now.
Soft Pinot Noir gives this warm, rounded wine. Red-berry fruits are freshly cut with acidity while keeping the fruitiness to the fore. This bright, juicy wine is ready to drink.
With its origins in the 17th century, this estate has 50 acres. This red with its ripe tannins and juicy red-berry fruits has the weight to give richness as well as fruit. A good structure supports the fruit while remaining discretely in the background. Drink now.
Smooth and soft, this has light, fresh red-berry fruits laced with acidity and perfumed by red cherries. The structure is gentle and with the bright fruits, this succulent wine is ready to drink.
A majority varietal with 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, this wine offers dusty tar, tobacco and chocolate around more succulent flavors of blackberry and black cherry. It finishes lean.
A pale orange-pink shade, this rosé shows watermelon, baked strawberries, orange cream and a touch of bubblegum on the welcoming nose. Once sipped, it's sleek and easy to drink, with rich red fruit cut by a tangy, almost sour orange zest.
Orange peel, dill, herb and red-fruit aromas lead to elegant, soft, sultry feeling fruit and barrel flavors with a smoky finish. The oak gets a bit in front of the fruit but it still brings plenty of interest.
Aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean, baked plum and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and a green note of sage alongside tightly packed, astringent tannins that leave a raspy finish. Give the tannins a few more years to soften then drink to capture the remaining fruit richness.
The green apple, apple skin and flower aromas pop. The off-dry peach flavors keep you coming back for more.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 28% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Sweet scents of cracker open into a wine with pretty red plum and details of coffee and chocolate. It does not in any way reflect the rather high-listed alcohol, but seems more elegant and lightly refined.
A bouquet of peach, melon and freesia sets the scene for flavors of white peach, apricot, watermelon and rose petal with a touch of spearmint. It is bright on entry and soft in the mouth, and the spearmint note holds strong into the bright finish.
Aromas of freshly cut wood, pickling spices, vanilla dark cherry lead to plentiful black-fruit flavors, supported by lightly astringent tannins. There are good things underneath but the wood gets in the way.
This blends grapes from four separate vineyards, matured in older barrels. It's best enjoyed young, with the freshness that brings to the sharp-edged, brambly berry fruit. A whiff of pine resin and ample herbal accents add further complexity.
This wine is all fruit, with bright acidity and refreshing apple and Rocha pear flavors. It is juicy, light and crisp, a fine apéritif style with its perfumed final acidity. Drink now.
Deep straw to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of lemon curd and apricot. Slightly savory flavors of pear, apricot, lavender and thyme are joined in the finish by the faintest hint of sweetness and a floral note.
We suggest very little time with this bulky, medicinal Tempranillo. Despite color and weight, it's prickly, sour and not too ripe. The flavors and finish are short, while the overriding impression is that it's underdeveloped.
A tart, foxy style of Rioja with sharp-edged aromas. The palate is crisp as ice chips, with lean, leafy flavors of pie cherry and raspberry. Tight on the finish, with a lasting scratch of peppercorn and acidity.
This is quite sharp and tannic; there are somewhat pickled spice flavors, clove and other suggestions of barrel aging, but where's the fruit?
Sweaty, austere and tannic, this wine has more depth and mass than the other reds from Goose Ridge, but still falls away quickly, leaving residual flavors of leaf, chalky acids and an unpleasant sweatiness.
The first 2007 reds from Spain are now appearing, and it seems like talk of a tough vintage are being confirmed. This wine is sheer and miserly. The nose is gaseous, while the flavors of blackberry and spice are seared by sharp, overt acidity. Shrill and not nearly as generous as the '06.
A thin, characterless red wine, this has a little spicy clove but nothing else that stands out. Dull, thin, ordinary.
Aromas of cabbage, tomato leaf and green berry fruits tell you all you need to know. The wine is green but thick, with an unctuous meeting of sweet and underripe flavors as well as a gooey mouthfeel. Just one of a million weak wines from the high plains of Spain.
Eggy, sulfuric and gritty on the nose, with acrid, burnt-field aromas. The palate runs toward grapefruit and bland citrus, and the finish is dull. Barely an acceptable effort given the norm these days.
A gaseous, barnyardy wine from several vintages ago. It's tart and scratchy, with thin herbal flavors of red fruit and tomato. Doesn't seem worth much these days.
An aggressive wine with very little charm or character to back up its edgy verve. The nose is skunky while the palate tastes of pickled red cabbage and sharp berry flavors. A weak product reflective of a cool, nongiving vintage.
Peach and nectarine aromas are only slightly minerally. The wine is spritzy and straightforward on the palate, with lightly candied flavors of lime, pineapple and mango. A finish with a touch of green suggests mild residual sugar. Drink before 2015.
Crisp fruit is broadened by caramel flavors and soft acidity. Ripe red cherries dominate along with a smooth texture. This is a fine apéritif style, ready to drink.
Shows a bit more age than its vintage might indicate with notes of dried cranberries and cherries accented by cinnamon and vanilla. The light fruit flavors are a mixture of sweet and tart with dry, chalky tannins.
Melony aromas are soft and friendly. This has youthful spritz to the palate and candied, tropical flavors of mango and dried, sweet pineapple. A sweet, citrusy character runs onto the finish, which goes pithy as it peters out.
Passion fruit, sweet peas and tomato leaf come together in a salty blend of fruit and veggies. It's medium-bodied, then finishes on a honeyed, soft note. Drink up.
An easy-drinking wine, it conveys pretty fragrances of white flowers and tropical fruit. The simple palate delivers white peach, apple and pineapple alongside fresh acidity.
A blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, slightly oxidized but still drinking nicely, this is bone dry and scented with lightly toasted grain. Ripe apple fruit and a whiff of honeysuckle add interest. Drink soon.
Subdued on the nose with hints of apple, pear and wet stones, this semi-sweet wine is stark and lean on the palate with flavors of pressed apple and lemons. It's refreshing and easy drinking with a tight, light-footed frame.
A fruity fragrance of berry and cherry carries over to the palate along with watermelon and a hint of spice. Its refreshing finish make this an ideal apéritif or pair it with spicy pasta dishes.
Waxy white floral notes accent fresh apple and pear aromas on this dry, medium-bodied wine. The palate is crisp with a refreshingly alpine coolness. Lime acidity pierces the finish.
Touches of vanilla accent flavors of freshly pressed apples and pears in this bold, full-bodied wine. Piercing lemon acidity adds freshness to the palate, but the finish is a bit warming overall.
An herbal, very crisp wine, it is unoaked and very bright. It's fresh, fruity, light in color and with citrus fruits running right through. Drink now.
Light and fresh, this is a crisp, red berry flavored wine with lively acidity and a dry, bright aftertaste. Ready to drink.
The fruit here is pure, fresh with the merest hints of its future richness. The green fruits, citrus and acidity are prominent, with a hint of toast and a finishing line of minerality. It needs to age, so drink from 2017.
This golden wine confounds in a mix of wet stone and caramel on the nose, the body creamy in vanilla. Fuller in style and body than some, it remains balanced in acidity and tangy citrus, maintaining a freshness and brightness throughout. The finish is intense with more of that citrus, plus an accent of ginger and lemongrass.
In this crisp, tangy white from a cool-climate home, tangerine and pineapple play off each other around a fluffy backbone and structured minerality. More of that tang comes to the fore on the finish, this being a bang-for-your-buck kind of wine that will delight at the dinner table or in the kitchen while cooking.
Caramelized apple and honey remain subtle enough to keep this wine balanced and restrained, a graceful representation of the true Sonoma Coast. From an estate vineyard, the wine shines in acidity with a mineral touch, offering a medium body with layers of crisp texture and a lingering, ripe pear-like finish.
Onion-skin pink in color, this wood-aged wine is opulent and ripe. It is textured, with generous red fruits that are given a great lift by the spice and pepper that fill the mouth and give the wine power and richness. The acidity is well integrated, finishing the wine with freshness. A far cry from so many fruity rosés, this is a serious wine.
Earthy aromas of blue flowers, game, tilled soil, red berry and leather come together in the glass. The elegant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and savory herb, while a backbone of firm but fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provides an age-worthy structure. It's still a bit austere, but will blossom into a beauty over the next several years. Drink 2016–2025.
Gorgeously lifted, fresh notes of lemon and mandarin peel make for a zesty opening. The midpalate fizzes with citric energy and is so tightly wound that this wine needs time in the cellar so the fruit can express itself. Drink 2017–2025.
Fermented with 80% whole clusters and aged 18 months in neutral French oak, this outright delicious wine offers aromas of black and green olive, mineral, moist earth and dried herbs. It's seamless in feel, delivering lithe, pillowy soft fruit, savory flavors and a hyperextended finish. It's a testament to the strength of Syrah from this region.
While this wine starts out a bit reductive, it subsequently explodes with aromas of dried herbs and generous amounts of black pepper. It's palate-coating and mesmerizing in feel, showing a dazzling sense of texture, lightness and richness.
All manners of sultry hibiscus greet the nose on this wine from Doug Margerum's cool-climate brand, alongside scents of crushed peppercorns, strawberry juice and a slightly barnyard smoked meat element. The palate shows olive-crusted smoked pork with orange rinds and crushed cranberries, proving lean in body yet lively in expression.
Dried strawberries, saddle leather, crushed violets and a hint of maple make for a fairly straightforward yet appealing nose on this wine. Pomegranate, raspberries and purple florals show on the palate, but the tannic structure still is a bit wound up, and will unfold into more anise and sage in years to come. Drink 2018–2024.
Aromas of blue flower, spiced plum, ripe berry and leather take shape in the glass. The delicious palate delivers layers of crushed black cherry, licorice, clove and grilled herb alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity. It's both structured and elegant. Drink through 2020.
Fragrant, with a floral lift in the nose, this is loaded with rich fruit flavors of pineapple, peach and citrus. A whiff of toast and just-sawn wood leads into a lengthy, beautifully balanced, tongue-coating finish.
Earthy aromas of leather, tilled soil, blue flower, mature black fruit and a balsamic note waft from the glass. The firm palate delivers spiced plum, ripe black cherry, menthol, vanilla, mocha and well-integrated oak alongside youthfully assertive tannins. Drink 2015–2025.
Scents of butterscotch candies, vanilla custard, apple mousse and sea salt greet the nose in a subtle manner on this wine by Steve Clifton. The palate is framed with bright acidity and tight minerality, with almonds and pecans slowly emerging toward a dynamic finish of white truffle and nectarine. It's a very intriguing, lovely wine.
A vineyard source since 2004, this Chenoweth is earthy and distinctly intense, rich and robust in blackberry and black cherry with strong elements of black pepper and cinnamon. The acidity is balanced and veering on mineral, with subtle oak on the finish and a rewarding touch of dark chocolate. The density of the tannins suggest further cellaring, through 2020.
Structured and polished, this opens with aromas that recall dark berry, leather, blue flowers, toasted oak, mint and spice. The firm palate offers ripe black cherry, espresso, cedar, menthol and licorice alongside assertive but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Made from 60-year-old vines from a property next door to Vosne-Romanée, this wine is both structured and rich. It has dark tannins, with juicy and jammy plum fruits that are layered with acidity. It is still firm, dense and needs time. Drink from 2020.
Winemaker Brian Loring's take on this coveted vineyard shows rhubarb, pencil lead and a very clove-y cinnamon aspect on the nose. Raspberries mark the core of the palate, but the edges are speckled with strong herbs, from oregano to juniper. It offers a great mix of fruit and spice.
The awesome nose of this wine is redolent with barbecue sauce, or perhaps a hickory-laced plum sauce, and it's incredibly distinctive if a little bizarre. The palate is full and rich with a similar saucy character, but also shows more complex notes of lush blackberries, rose hips and licorice.
The Marconnets vineyard on the slopes above Savigny-lès-Beaune produces some of the most perfumed wines in the appellation. This is typical, a wonderful medley of juicy, fruity aromas. It is still young, although temptingly attractive now. Drink ideally from 2018.
This beautifully perfumed wine has rounded tannins finely integrated into the opulent red cherry fruit. It's already a delicious wine, juicy and fragrant, although still with a long future. If you can wait, drink it from 2018.
Closed up and just hinting at its great potential, this wine is showing tannins and a dry, solid core. Slowly it reveals delicious, opulent red berry fruits and concentrated texture. It needs a lot of time before drinking; wait until 2019.
With its wonderful poise between dark structure and intensely fragrant fruit, this is firm, dry and packed with ripe blackberry fruits. It has great potential, as befits a concentrated wine from Vosne-Romanée, and is certainly not ready to drink before 2020.
A bit lighter in color than the producer's other 2012 bottling, this shows aromas of fresh-pressed raspberry juice, cola, white sage, graphite and a hint of wet asphalt. It's light and airy on the palate, with more raspberry and pomegranate fruit as well as sage, thyme and anise. It provides great balance between ripe juice and herbal seasonings.
Hard cinnamon candies, cherry juice, pomegranate extract and a touch of balsamic vinegar combine for sharp, nose-tickling aromas on this organically grown wine from pioneering vintner Josh Jensen. The flavor-forward palate explodes with dark fruits, noticeable tannins and solid acidity, showing allspice, Vietnamese coffee and black tea elements.
This is as serious as Provence rosé can get. It is a limited production wine, selected from the best Grenache (75%) and Syrah (25%) parcels. Structured and impressively dense, its red fruits are concentrated, bone-dry and with a textured character. It is ready to drink although it will become richer from early 2016. The Sumeire family arrived in the Sainte Victoire mountain range in the 13th century.
Seductive aromas of caramel, fresh-crushed soda rock and squeezed lemon introduce this Viognier from a historic vineyard by winemaker Steve Fennel. The palate releases flavors steadily, from tight lime juice and citrus pith in the midpalate to round nectarine and ripe apple flesh on the edges.
Winemaker Blair Walter has dialed up the intensity in this powerfully concentrated bottling, which packs ample black-cherry fruit and sturdy notes of hickory smoke, cured meat and dark coffee. Despite the wine's considerable weight, the tannins are supple enough to make it approachable now.
This blend showcases Grenache and Mourvèdre, with small amounts of Syrah, Counoise and Carignan. Raspberry, cherry and chocolate flavors combine with and are enlivened by a dash of white pepper. Excellent focus and length suggest that this can be cellared for at least five years.
Big, bold and cuddly, this wine's tannins are cushioned by the red berry fruit and attractive acidity. It has weight and a rich feeling, and the dry edge offers the possibility of aging. This small clos is exclusive to Jaffelin.
This is a closed, smoke-filled wine, and its tannins and toasty wood character currently dominate, which gives it a bitter edge. It has richness, with hints of juicy fruit that sit under the structure. Give it at least six years.
This powerful, intense Bordeaux-style blend includes (in decreasing amounts) Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is richly textured, and it offers ripe boysenberry and cassis fruit, layered with supple tannins and smoky oak. Approachable now, but it will probably be better in five years, and it could still be going strong in 10 years.
This is made from fruit that was sourced from the same vineyard and picked at the same brix level as Foundry's Stainless Chardonnay bottling. But here the toast of new oak adds a lovely flavor to the smooth butterscotch and apple notes. It opens gracefully and quickly, but the Stainless bottling has more grip and complexity.
Here you'll find a supple melding of red fruit flavors that are accented by a mocha note. The Red Mountain minerality is found in the muscular frame, which resolves into astringent, delicately chalky tannins.
From the beguiling aromatics to the thrilling palate that's saturated with flavors of citrus flesh and rind, tangerine and green apple, this Viognier offers superb focus. The length and detail are noteworthy, but the taste is simply delicious.
This is a rich, rounded wine, yet it also expresses a tight texture and nervy acidity. The toast influence is still dominating, although the fruitiness of this ripe selection is also showing. With its weight and structure, this is a prime candidate to age for several years.
Seemingly more candied and sweet than prior years, but still a reasonably good generic-style Cabernet if you don't mind a little sucking candy and gumball along the route. Flavors of strawberry and cassis are sticky but ripe, while the finish is chewy and sweet.
Soft and on the fat side, this is an easy wine, with its pear and melon flavors, spiced up by some pepper and lime. An attractive, ripe mouthful.
Somewhat smoky and earthy on the nose, but also with some harshness that could be chalked up to youth. Acidity is a bit too high and there's some pickle to the bouquet and flavor profile. On the plus side, as it opens core flavors of raspberry and red plum come across as solid.
Tropical aromas arise from the bouquet of this unoaked new Chardonnay, and there's some pineapple and lemon-lime thrown in. Flavors of apple sauce, cinnamon and lime juice are sweet and tasty, while the mouthfeel is simple and fleshy. Drink now for the wine's youthful jump.
This is spicy, woody and sharp, with good red fruits. However, there is a strong streak of bitter green vegetal flavors running through the tannins. The bitterness may subside with more cellar time, but at the moment it does kill a lot of the fruit sweetness.
Fresh fruits, flavors of bright red berries, with juicy plums and a wild acidity. This is a wine for drinking now, approachable with a sweet, soft aftertaste.
The aromas are on the rustic side for this simple, fresh wine. To taste, the juicy fruit offers a good barbecue wine, with its soft but dry tannins and bright red berry fruit flavors. Drink now.
A ripe, spicy wine, with attractive, easy black fruits. It is soft and full, with forward fruitiness and sweet tannins. Very ready, very drinkable.
Citrusy and fresh, with dominant aromas and flavors of lemon custard and pineapple. It's medium-bodied and cleanly made, just could use a touch more dimension and richness. Still, it's an easy-drinking Chardonnay suitable as an apéritif or alongside lighter dishes.
Fruity and ripe, this is a spicy wine, with red cherry and berry flavors, livened by dried raisins. There is a rustic edge that puts it simply in its place, but the acidity is fine and so is the dry tannic core.
Fresh strawberry flavors, followed by some vanilla and sweet acidity characterize this wine from the Lagrezette winery. With its blend of Malbec, Syrah and white Viognier, this has softness, ripeness and, despite its acidity, a definite sweet finish.
A wine that is all about crispness, with its green apple slices, pink grapefruit and lime flavors. The sweet acidity gives it shape.
Quite raisiny and pruny, from nose to palate to finish. But along the way there are touches of chocolate, earth, leather and cassis that help keep it afloat. And while we'd say it's probably too old and flat to warrant much of your time, it does have just enough pulse to still be alive. Imported by Vinecrest Co.
There aren't a lot of producers making this variety in America, let alone a Zinfandel and Rhone-wine specialist, but it works on every level, the wine offering a concentration of rich apple, pear and stone fruit, the texture rounded and complex.
This is a good reminder that Touriga Nacional comes from originally from the Dão. The wine has power and dense tannins while also having a strongly textured character that shows up the granite soil of the region. The wine is just maturing and will be at its best from 2017.
Notes of fresh honeysuckle, baking soda and shaved citron mix with tons of slate, gravel and wet rocks on the nose of this great bottling. There's the slightest touch of sweetness to the palate, where waves of vibrant acidity carry forth flavors of orange blossom and mandarin as well as a grapefruit peel twist. It's certainly drinkable now, but will mature and evolve well through 2034.
Attractively perfumed, this rich wine offers some dark tannins as well as forward black-currant fruits. The wood aging is still showing in the burnt toastiness of the wine, although this will diminish, leaving a broad wine packed with fruit. Drink from 2018.
Packed with red fruits, this wine has great potential, with attractive wild-strawberry fruits that are fresh and perfumed. Behind this fruitiness, the wine is tight and structured. It will be round, rich and ready to drink from 2019.
Fresh yellow peaches seem to be layered in honey and pollen throughout this lusciously sweet, lip-smacking Riesling. The midpalate bristles with acidity, but it's harmoniously balanced, bursting of fresh apples and lemons. The finish is elegant and long, laced in soft tea tannins.
This is a ripe powerful wine. It has layers of wood aging adding spice to the rich black-plum fruit. Smoky, rich and concentrated, it is an impressive wine that is going to need some long-term aging. Drink from 2019.
A normal five-barrel production was cut to two because of hail. This wine is firm, with hints of the generosity of the appellation waiting behind the dry texture. It's structured, with acidity and plum skins that will take some time. Drink from 2019.
This is full bodied and creamy textured, but still retains a sense of vibrancy and freshness. Black pepper notes help in that regard, spicing up the flavors of plum, mocha and roasted meat. It's plush, rich and long on the finish. Drink now–2025.
Subtle aromas of leafy underbrush, leather, truffle and red berry come together on this while the full-bodied palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, baking spice and grilled herb. Chewy tannins provide the framework while a note of star anise closes the finish.
This is a juicy wine, packed with red fruits. It has acidity along with an edge of tannins. The attractive fruitiness suggests the wine will develop quickly. Drink from 2019.
This is a fine wine, dominated by Alicante Bouschet and packed with black fruits and juicy acidity. It is rich, full while still keeping a great sense of balance and style. The wine can be drunk now, although it will be better from 2017.
Aromas of oak, licorice, ripe black plum, menthol and toasted hazelnut emerge on this. The structured but already accessible palate offers ripe black cherry, fleshy raspberry, vanilla, clove and a note of pipe tobacco alongside a backbone of firm, close-grained tannins. Drink from 2017 through 2022.
This engaging, full-bodied and densely textured wine has a great bouquet and structured yet fine-grained tannins. It exudes an engaging mix of spices, smoke and cedar in the aroma, and serves equally layered and complex fruit and spice flavors. Best after 2018.
Old vines planted in a small parcel at the base of the Corton hill give this ripe and rich wine. Full of jammy fruit, it has structure as well as strawberry and red-cherry flavors, packed with juiciness that comes from the acidity. This wine has a good future. Drink from 2020.
A seductive nose draws one in with tar, soy sauce, densely packed violets and blackberries on this bottling by Terry Culton. Tart and woody squashed elderberries pop on the palate, which is quite dense and also offers soy and dark-chocolate flavors.
Aromas of black cherry, roasted red pepper and leather prepare the palate for flavors of black cherry, black fig, cherry preserves, anise and orange peel. A network of velvety tannins provides a backdrop for an ongoing cool-mint sensation that drops away for final notes of anisette and orange peel.
Woodland berry, forest floor, blue flower, tobacco and a hint of leather come together in the glass. The chewy, accessible palate offers juicy wild cherry, fleshy raspberry, cake spice and star anise accompanied by velvety tannins.
Benefitting from 11 months in 40% new French oak, this opens with aromas of crushed raspberries, leading into full, round fruit flavors across the midpalate. It runs into some slightly chewy tannins, which is one of the differences between Southern Oregon and Willamette Valley Pinots.
This tangy, perfumed single-vineyard wine also has some ripe fruit. A zesty character dominates at this early stage, leaving room for richer yellow fruits to come through in time. The wine has good potential, so wait until 2017 to drink.
Enticing scents of violet, rose, leather and truffle take shape in the glass. The elegant, approachable palate offers toast, ripe raspberry and white pepper alongside firm, refined tannins. It closes on a note of star anise. Drink through 2022.
Fragrant blue flower, menthol and a hint of exotic spice aromas come together on this firmly structured wine. The elegant palate still needs to fully open up but already reveals ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of orange peel alongside firm, polished tannins. Drink after 2018–2023.
This wine has both structure and ripe red-plum fruits. It is dark and dense, solid and with good acidity. A clear line of freshness promises a good future. This needs time, so don't drink before 2020.
Smoky, spicy plum and berry aromas turn more stalky and herbal as this Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend unwinds. In the mouth, screechy acidity yields scratchiness, while flavors of mocha, black plum, vanilla and stalky berry fruits finish tough, with oversize residual tartaric acidity; drink through 2022.
Light, clear and varietal, this wine is pungent in earth, chocolate, black tea and leather, medium- to full-bodied with remarkable offerings of sage, rosemary and savory mushroom. Cherry and cinnamon add to the intrigue and flavor.
This ripe and full wine has hints of toast and baked bread along with rich apricot and peach flavors. The texture is warm while the aromatic aftertaste is immediately attractive.
Aged in 30% new French oak, this cuvée opens with full, round, tart berry and cherry fruit. It's textural and broad, with tart citrus underscoring the well-defined palate. It drinks well now but has the structure to age another six to eight years.
This family domaine has produced a rich, structured wine from its holding in Vosne-Romanée. It is firm, dark and concentrated with rich tannins and red-berry fruit. Spice, acidity and a dense aftertaste promise aging. Drink from 2018.
This wine has spice, concentrated yellow fruits and a delicious backbone of acidity. With its acidity firmly in place, the wine is beginning to reveal the richer yellow fruit and tangy lemon. Already delicious, it will be better from 2017.
Conventional wisdom is that 2004 was a better Margaret River vintage than 2003, but this wine suffers a bit in comparison to its older sibling. Thankfully, it's still very good, with plentiful cassis and red plum fruit, soft tannins and crisp acids.
The first sniffs show plenty of toasty oak, with brambly, tart red fruits and a bit of stem in the tannins. This is a nicely textural Pinot, with hints of barnyard and compost woven around the solid cherry fruit. It feels a bit unresolved, with plenty of interesting components that need more cellar time to knit themselves together.
Although it is not entirely laced together, this substantial wine makes a good impression with its ripe purple fruits and strong vanilla and coffee and coconut barrel notes. Big flavors and firm tannins create an impression of strength and weight; what the wine lacks in finesse it makes up for in muscle. It's chunky and rough-hewn, but carries plenty of flavor. Screwcap.
This global brand has a hit in Mendoza. The '06 Malbec is lively and made right, with hickory and charred steak aromas mixing nicely with the blueberry and blackberry character in the wine. It's a darn good New World red for not much cash, and it should hold up well for at least a couple of years.
From a higher elevation—and hence cooler—region of Australia, this is a light to medium-bodied Cabernet that avoids excessive leanness, offering up a mélange of plump cassis, leather and tobacco. It's not the most powerful Cab, but offers elegance and length at an affordable price.
This Coonawarra Cab is dark and earthy, yet a bit herbal and tobacco-y as well, marrying coffee and herb flavors in a firmly built, full-bodied wine that needs a few years in the cellar to develop greater textural richness.
Fairly smoky at first, with background aromas of varietally appropriate game, leather and animal. The palate mixes some earthy, more nuanced flavors such tree bark, baked plum and bitter chocolate; the finish is clean, stout and medium long. A good wine with pure dark fruit flavors.
This unusual and quite distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon makes a strong case for the specificity of the Rogue Valley in relation to this international grape. Pungently herbal, yet neither stemmy nor vegetal, this lights up the nose with penetrating, resinous scents. In the mouth it's mostly reminiscent of high altitude Argentine wines—rock, acid, spice and red currant—a product, no doubt of the 1200 foot vineyard site, which is littered with river rock.
Oregon has staked a claim on Pinot Gris, but most is from the north. This Rogue Valley bottling is crisp and creamy, with leesy textures and fruit that offers Asian pear and hints of tropical fruits as well. Terrific acids propel the wine and keep it lively and poised, the balance could not be better.
This estate-grown Riesling brings fresh apples and white peaches to the table. Fresh and concentrated, it hits a generous 13.6% alcohol, with suggestions of sweetness from the quite ripe fruit, although it is technically dry. It seems to have real potential for aging and developing over a decade or more.
A Western Australia offshoot of the Yalumba empire, Ringbolt's 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon offers solid quality at a reasonable price. It's medium-bodied and elegant, with prominent herbal notes balanced by cassis and chocolate. Long on the finish, where dried spice and vanilla notes emerge. Drink now–2012.
The color is a bit murky, but the wine offers sound, solid varietal aromas and plenty of sweet fruit. It's definitely front-loaded, with sweet cherry/berry and a nicely managed finish with a lick of chocolate. It shows the California influence of the winemaker, who is based in Santa Rosa.
With superripe fruit, fat and glossy, with rich white fruits, round, dense and concentrated, this is a wine to ooze into the glass. It is perhaps not very Chablis, but delicious as a fine Chardonnay.
A lot of different aromas are vying for attention; there's spearmint, potting soil, tobacco and black fruits. The palate is saturated and pretty deep for what can best be described as a “value” wine. Flavors of blackberry and dark plums are wholesome and tasty. It's nicely balanced on the whole, with medium tannins.
This Pinot overcomes a somewhat murky appearance by offering an interesting mix of earth, tomato leaf, pepper and granite, along with very tart red fruits. It's textural and chewy, with substantial tannins, but it's also flavorful and dense, and for the relatively modest price it shows some real muscle.
Clean, correct and undoubtedly well crafted, this blend of 82% Cabernet and 18% Merlot features aromas of cassis, graham crackers and mint, then adds hints of vanilla and chocolate on the palate. It's a friendly, balanced style that should have broad appeal. Drink now–2015.
A light, bright and breezy wine with an attractive citrus character and tight acidity. Great for an apéritif or with shellfish.
This wine is mild and lightly fruity up front, with aromas of pear, apple, vanilla and other warm-climate standards. Feels round, with pear, peach and white pepper flavors. Turns bitter on the short finish.
Aggressively oaky in the nose, it follows with a buttery, oaky palate that shows little fruit beyond green-apple tartness.
There is a somewhat disjointed aspect to the mouthfeel of this wine, and some light and unusual floral scents that don't follow through as flavors. Clean, simple fruit and light cracker flavors come and go rather quickly. Two bottles tasted.
A lovely floral streak adds interest to the bright red-berry and ripe rhubarb aromas. Cherry-skin and rich strawberry flavors fill the palate and remain through the clean finish. Light weight with soft tannins and an easy demeanor.
Broad across the palate, this brings flavors of orange soda and orange candy, with a grainy impression. It's fruit forward, with a quick fade.
An unfussy Syrah with black raspberry flavors and subtle use of oak. It finishes short.
Raspberry aromas mix with herbs and earth to give off a typically Chilean Cabernet bouquet. Feels sticky and a little grabby, with mild acidity and rubbery flavors of black cherry and herbs. Blends sweet fruit with green, herbal notes.
A smooth and soft wine that shows some weight to its ripe apricot and lime flavors. It is rounded, with a slight apple-skin texture, and is ready to drink. Screwcap.
Full in style, with sweet aromas of black fruit. Feels chunky, with fatty tasting oak leading herbal, simple flavors of blackberry and dark plum. A ripe wine with a round mouthfeel but not much in the way of elegance or refinement.
This is a crisp, fresh and fruity rosé, made from Touriga Nacional in the same region where Vinho Verde is produced. It's vivid acidity is bright, with raspberry flavors and low alcohol.
It's a bit chunky for a Mosel Riesling, but this wine also offers enough in the way of semisweet lime and pineapple flavors to compensate. There's a hint of struck flint on the nose and a slightly custardy texture. Drink now.
Jammy strawberry and raspberry notes fill the nose and mouth, and a soft accent of chocolate-covered cherry adds just the right amount of decadence. A slight peppery lift keeps things vibrant on the finish.
The lightly intense bouquet is laced with nuances of hard, underripe peach, yellow flower and a soft mineral streak. Medium weight but fresh and lively, with a clean, slightly tart finish reminiscent of lemon and green plum flavors.
Peppery notes of arugula and fresh lemon acidity add interest to this easy-drinking white.
A bold, fruity and juicy wine that is softly ripe. The tannins are well integrated into the black fruits and acidity. It's not a wine that needs to age.
Pleasant and straightforward, this displays true-to-varietal scents and fruit flavors plus good balance. It's a simple wine that does not reach past pleasant vin ordinaire.
The earlier release of Terre Rouge's two Viogniers, this one, in screwcap, is clearly the friendlier and more immediately accessible. It shows a pretty, fruity personality exuberant in almond, apricot and high acidity. Crisp, like a Sauvignon Blanc, it manifests its granitic beginnings in tasty ways.
Whole-cluster pressed and aged in barrel and stainless steel, this is fruity in ripe apricot and pear. It's medium-bodied, meaty but not overdone, with zingy acidity. More creamy than crisp, it lingers on the tongue and makes for a good food wine.
Briary, snappy, almost citric aromas set up a balanced palate with good body and acidic lift in this straightforward wine. Flavors of spiced, dry tomato, plum and earthiness finish with savory raspberry, spice and herbal hints.
A blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Malbec and Petite Sirah from Brassfield's Volcano Ridge Vineyard, this intensely bold wine has an herbal streak and generous layers of blueberry and leathery, mountain-tight tannin. On the finish expect tar and espresso.
For a $12 Chardonnay, one can do far worse than this juicy, fruity number. Opening aromas of vanilla, melon and saline water transition to flavors of tropical fruits and green table grapes. The finish is simple but full and ripe, with a touch of heat and burn.
This is brilliantly fruity, very crisp and fragrant, with delicious spice, perfumed red fruits and lively acidity. It's very dry, with a fresh aftertaste.
Oak, toast, butter, nectarine, vanilla and butterscotch sensations take center stage in this high-octane Chardonnay from Friuli. The palate is dominated by scorching alcohol that throws the wine out of balance.
Opening fragrances suggest lemon blossom and white tree fruit. The palate offers juicy apple, Bartlett pear and citrus alongside fresh acidity that gives a bright finish.
Here's a round and fruity, ready-right-now Pinot Noir, anchored in strawberry fruit and lightly dusted with coffee grounds. The finish turns a bit stiff and stemmy.
Compared with the the regular bottling, this reserve has a touch more concentration to the black cherry fruit. It pays for it with some hard, rather stemmy tannins that can turn bitter. Give this some extra time to breathe after being opened.
Breezy, light lemon freshness emanates from this refreshing wine that is as barely there as a cool mountain breeze. Very clean and totally fresh with the slightest amount of spritz.
Here's a friendly, accessible and value-priced rosé that's perfect for warm-weather entertaining. Ripe cherry, plum and raspberry flood the nose and mouth, with a soft dusting of cocoa that adds interest and decadence. The ripe flavors are full and jammy, but balanced by medium acidity that keeps the palate fresh and the finish clean.
A big, juicy, well-heeled Malbec, it holds dark blackberry flavor and dusty tannins. Swirling among the smoothness of the palate are rugged tobacco, tropical coconut and vanilla notes. The wine is structured and generously robust in every way.
Structured but straightforward, it opens with a pretty fragrance of white flowers, yellow apples and a whiff of bread crust, all of which carry over to the ripe, round palate.
It leads with aromas of jasmine, yellow peach and a balsamic note. The palate is more subtle, offering Bartlett pear and citrus lightly accented with sage, mint and bitter almond alongside invigorating acidity.
Smoky, toasty aromas rest on top of muscular plum and red berry scents. This is a fuller-bodied, chunky wine with good acidity and resiny, oak-based dryness to the palate. Berry and plum flavors are round and woody, while the finish is slightly tomatoey.
The Chardonnay and Alvarinho complement each other well, the one bringing a rounded texture, the other adding a fresh and mineral character. Together, they produce a refreshing, ripe wine that has attractive citrus and yellow fruits. Drink from 2015.
A crushed carnation aroma accents the ripe fruit core of strawberry, raspberry and mango on this selection. The palate is juicy and fruit forward, with red berry flavors, medium acidity and a subtle earthy spice that unfolds on the finish.
There are attractive floral and garrigue tones to the subtle fruit core of this wine, with hints of white cherry, melon rind and strawberry hull. The lively palate offers brisk acidity and lively tart-fruit flavors. A touch of white chocolate echos on the medium-length finish.
Bright and straightforward, it opens with aromas of tropical fruit and cut grass. The palate delivers flavors of white grapefruit and lime alongside zesty acidity. Pair with asparagus risotto.
Floral and fresh, this deliciously fragrant wine bursts with apricots and pineapple as well as lemon zest. Crisp and just plain attractive, it can be drunk now.
Muted aromatically, the wine is still generous in bright red fruit flavors, mostly strawberry-rhubarb and savory pomegranate, with accompanying layers of allspice. On the midpalate is the suggestion of vanilla before the finish delves into herbal, slightly sour territory.
A ripe straw-colored wine, it has a good freshness and attractive green acidity. There is a hint of vanilla as well as apple and pear fruits. It's fruity and ready to drink.
Ripe and rich, it's full of tropical fruit, pineapple and mango flavors. Fresh acidity balances the full fruitiness. The aftertaste brings out a more mineral character.
Apple, mineral and mild briny aromas are complex and interesting. Firm in body, with cutting acidity, this brut nature is bone dry, with white stone-fruit flavors that lean towards neutral except for a hint of salt. Minerality and cleansing acidity push an air-tight finish.
Intense blackberry and black-cherry aromas come with notes of licorice, espresso and barnyard. Huge across the palate, this starts out lush but quickly transitions to hard as rocks and tannic as nails. Toasty, blackened flavors of pepper, blackberry, cassis and chocolate finish spicy and chocolaty, with fierce, clamping tannins. Drink 2019–2028.
The slightest hint of marzipan joins notes of Bosc and Comice pear. A concentrated palate reveals rounded fluidity, bright lemon freshness and layers of earthy, green flavors that are reminiscent of pear peel. The finish is clean.
Within an enclave of adored cool-climate vineyard sites, just under five miles from the ocean, Taylor Ridge is planted to the Swan clone of Pinot Noir. In this bottling, the culmination of site and Swan comes together in complex, savory ways. Burnt orange meets blackberry tart in a brooding, tightly gripped wine that manages to hold on to a thicket of acidity, giving it balance and brightness.
Pretty and floral, this is a field blend of Gewürztraminer, Trousseau Gris, Riesling and other mixed whites, all farmed by organic guru Phil Coturri. Full-figured and lithe, it lingers in fruit sweetness, the right call as an apéritif with spicy nuts, but especially with chips and guacamole or any other piquant fare.
This small production wine is the equivalent of a second wine for Count Leo de Malet-Roquefort's Premier Grand Cru Classé estate. The wine is smooth, elegant and ripe. Black plums and perfumed acidity are accompanied by some wood aging flavors and fresher black-currant fruitiness. It is a sophisticated wine that still needs to age. Drink from 2019.
Aromas of underbrush, ripe dark-skinned berry, violet, leather and aromatic herb lead the nose. The ripe, full-bodied palate doles out black cherry, cranberry, licorice, espresso and a sprinkling of mocha alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2022.
This blend of 84% Grenache Blanc and 16% Roussanne combines the former's sharpness with the latter's lushness, showing thinly sliced lemon rinds, yellow pear, nectarine and light almond on the nose. The palate is light, delicate and quite quaffable, with chalky tension framing stone fruit and whipped-butter flavors.
This is part of a series of wines named after the subsoil in which the vines are planted. The soil in this case is formed from igneous rocks. It gives a fine, pure wine that has great richness as well as fresh apple and pear flavors. The wine with just that extra few months aging is ready to drink.
A ripe, still very young wine that has a rich, almost honeyed character while remaining bone dry and tightly textured. There is a mineral character to this wine that should disappear as it ages leaving the ripe pear and apple flavors and the elusive touch of honey. Drink from 2020.
The producer's smallest-production red from the vintage, and its fourth bottling from the east-sloping blocks of its estate vineyard, this wine is full and lush on the palate, yet elegantly crafted to reveal pine forest, grenadine and a persistence of floral and herbal notes. Smooth and integrated, it presents a rose garden's worth of beauty that lingers on the finish.
Bright aromas of raspberry jam, flowers and spice are followed by rich, full-bodied red and black-fruit flavors that show depth and focus.
Crushed lilacs, raw beef, dried tobacco and leather combine with very earthy and rocky aromas of potting soil on the deeply layered nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the eastside of the Salinas Valley. The palate combines rusty earth, dried sagebrush and dill with blackberry jam and blueberry jelly, with a serious savory boost into the finish.
Purple flowers, black cherries, licorice, black sesame, beef char and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling by David Parrish and family. The palate combines clean flavors of milk chocolate and espresso bean with tart boysenberry and more of a tarry tension.
From a well-loved, well-revered vineyard, this full-bodied, generously lush and plush wine was aged in French oak, a good proportion of it new, for 21 months. Licorice, lavender and exotically subtle spice—half-clove and half-white pepper—give it intrigue and delectability.
This Rhone winery's inaugural Bordeaux variety offering is a blend of 57% Cabernet and 43% Merlot. The aromas of dried and fresh herbs and barrel spice show nuance, leaning slightly into the green. The cherry and dark-fruit flavors display an exquisite sense of polish, detail and length that kicks it up a notch.
Winemaker Gavin Chanin's co-effort with Durell owner Bill Price aims to show vibrancy and freshness of fruit and succeeds on both counts in this light-bodied, complex wine. Clove, rich, dark cherry and bright acidity combine for a fresh take on a typically voluptuous vineyard, finding the layers of rocky minerality that lie beneath.
Some flinty reduction still hovers over the glass, underneath, riper, appetizing fruit like peach and yellow plum shimmers. There is a fresh, textured phenolic edge and brightening acidity which pulls everything in to a clear, taut focus. This is full of flavor and depth.
Principally blended from top sites that include Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Obelisco, this wine appeals with its fruit-forward aromas of black cherry, blackberry, barrel spice, herb and mineral. The flavors are rich but focused and well balanced, showing the brawny tannins that this region is known for. Just a baby now, it needs time in the cellar to grow up. Best after 2021.
A wonderfully light-footed Riesling that has an energetic, lively core fizzing with lemon freshness and verve. There is a very light touch here, but despite all this filigree structure there is depth and a profound sense of pure citrus flavor. This really gets under your skin with its very own, tiptoeing, featherlight way. The pure lemons last and last.
A yeasty funk still hovers over this richly flavored wine: there are hints of Bosc pear, of miso and white pepper. The palate is taut and bright with lime and lemon zest and has ample concentration. From Vienna itself it explains that capital's enduring love affair with Grüner.
This 100% Merlot could be mistaken at first for Cabernet, so structured and bold it initially appears. Cassis, blackberry, spicy clove and pepper combine effortlessly against a layered concentration of body and weight, finding structure along the way. Drink now through 2021.
Fresh and tight aromas of lemon-lime, baking soda, wet cement and Gala apple show on the nose of this crisp and nervy bottling. Grippy, mineral-driven tension frames the palate, with flavors of wet slate, green apple and Key-lime rind. The crisp and intriguing texture is the star here.
Aromatic, floral notes of fresh pear juice, chalky stone and citrus immediately speak of elegance, purity and poise. The palate is lightweight but textured and has that same chalk-stone depth and huge reserves of lemony citrus freshness. There is a counterweight of ripeness and warmth but overall this remains slender and toned. Very well done.
Zesty blackberry and boysenberry are lifted by white pepper and a touch of thyme on this wine's deep and dark yet fresh nose. Steadily growing acidity frames the palate, where flavors of wet clay and olallieberry paste dominate.
Hayflowers and savory lovage and arugula notes, inflected with piquant lime zest create an irresistibly spicy palate of such lightness and ease, there is a spring in the step of this light but intensely flavoured wine. If you want spicy refreshment, look no further.
The nose spells delicacy and the palate proves it: this is a light-footed filigree and yet has a firm, straight backbone of spice and zest. Its midpalate texture slowly grows on you and draws you in with mossy notes of pear and ivy.
At first this seems over the top (it's 15.8%). But give the wine time and you'll find the ultimate presentation of ripeness, richness and depth. The flavors are thick and black, with chunky black plum, prune, syrup and more. But it's also healthy and not flabby, with balance and a sense of being. Excellent if you like monster reds.
This is a gorgeous and superbly balanced Syrah that's a real joy to drink. Aromas of cherry, whole vanilla bean, berry preserves and black tea leaves fill the bouquet, while solid notes of raspberry and red plum fill the mouth. The crushed velvet texture with dusty but firm tannins transitions seamlessly to the long coffee and black-pepper infused finish.
With 4,300 bottles produced and only 110 cases imported, this is a gorgeous small production Cab that should be grabbed up when you find it. It's all dark fruit and sweet spice with notes of black currant, fig, plum, leather and cigar box. With firm tannins and a medium-full weight, this is a big but balanced wine that's easy to enjoy now or can be cellared for a couple of years.
From Long Shadows, a rare, barrel-fermented Riesling. Sappy, tart, juicy and stylish, this is loaded with pear, grapefruit and Meyer lemon. The acidity is generous but softened up a bit by the extra oxygen from the fuder.
Bee pollen, honey mead and lemon polish mingle in the bouquet; turning smooth and supple in the mouth. This is a rich and buttery wine, with excellent acidity behind the ripe fruit. The flavors gather strength as the wine pours over the tongue and down the back of the throat, finishing with a lick of butterscotch.
Potent Malbec with aromas of leather, bacon, blackberry and smoke. It's thick and dense, but well balanced, with flavors of blackberry, cola, pepper and nutmeg. More smooth and easy than complex, with a long, creamy, sweet finish that cements the wine's character. Probably the best Felino Malbec to date, and a good value at 20 bucks.
The latest Artist Series Cab is mostly old vine Champoux vineyard fruit, and displays single-vineyard character as a result. Big, powerful, full, round black cherry fruit grabs the center, just on the edge of jammy, supported with juicy acidity. This wine is still quite young and edgy, but will reward cellaring over a decade or more, as is usually the case with Woodward Canyon Cabs.
The best of Olsen's 2008 reds, this 100% Merlot is generous and forward, with rich cherry and raspberry fruit. Spicy in the nose and in the mouth, it is lightly herbal, adding texture and length, and has the concentration and depth to develop nicely over the next decade.
Dark, dusty, strongly scented with barrel toast, coffee grounds and incense, this is the most substantial and complete version to date. Balancing cherry and plum fruit against the pretty barrel-infused tannins, it glides gracefully across the palate into a seamless finish.   Saggi is the Long Shadows collaboration with Tuscany's Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. the blend in 2007 is 43% Sangiovese, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Syrah. With each new vintage, the percentage of Sangiovese climbs, putting more Tuscany in this new world super-Tuscan wine. Dark, dusty, strongly scented with barrel toast, coffee grounds and incense, this is the most substantial and complete version to date. Balancing cherry and plum fruit against the pretty barrel-infused tannins, it glides gracefully across the palate into a seamless finish.
Spicy and precise, this is a Bordeaux mix, with sharp-edged cassis, black cherry and blackberry fruit, encased in a strong, fortress-like, oak stockade. Clearly a wine to decant, it's got plenty of power and 15.3% alcohol, yet retains a supple mouthfeel and sense of proportion.
Brisk lemon freshness sets the tone on the nose. The very frothy mousse on the palate continues in this fruity, exuberant and fresh vein. The finish is superclean, brisk and dry, creating an ideal and invigorating apéritif-style for summer days.
Black-cherry fruit comes wreathed in light smoke, with a streak of root beer adding to the flavor. This is a wine of medium weight and concentration, with hints of fennel throughout.
This is a very distinct and unique Syrah, starting with subdued black fruit, minty chocolate, crushed pepper and grapeseed aromas. The palate is light and savory in style, with pepper, tar, roasted meat and burnt sugar flavors that finish with a cocoa and coffee touch.
This opens with subtle aromas suggesting wild flower and orchard fruit. Round and ripe, the palate shows tropical fruit, pineapple and citrus peel alongside a saline note.
Aromas have a pleasing toastiness, built around pretty strawberry fruit. The mouthfeel is a bit granular, balanced and highlighted with flavors of cocoa and coffee. It offers a relatively good value in Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
A lovely blend of tart berry and red-apple notes creates an inviting nose. The palate brings these lovely, almost autumnal berry notes even further as they are amplified by the lively frothy mousse. This is totally fruit driven, very appetizing and refreshing with an almost cleansing but lasting finish.
Musky, floral perfume introduces this bright, candied Riesling full of sweet pink grapefruit and tangerine flavors. Crisp acidity freshens the mid palate but the finish is a touch caramelized. Drink now.
Made in a careful, non-intrusive, natural style, this combines wild strawberry and peppery herb flavors. It offers moderate tannins and a strongly herbal finish.
Made from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, this offers juicy blackberry and black cherry flavors, with a tart underbelly of acidity. Firm tannins and oak notes support the rounded, brightly fresh fruit.
Brambly berry pushes front and center, with well-modulated notes of dried herb, black olive and bark. This is structured, balanced and immediately drinkable, but should keep through 2022.
Aromas of pressed spring flower, peach blossom and yellow stone fruit take center stage. The dense full-bodied palate offers ripe yellow plum, dried apricot and rosemary honey.
This bottling is extremely light in aroma and flavor (though both will increase with bottle age), so its texture is its strongest selling point. Faint peach skin, nectarine flesh, melon and citrus aromas lead into a perfectly grippy palate, where citrus peel and beeswax flavors crescendo into the finish.
Fairly elegant and reserved on the nose, this shows black raspberry and boysenberry notes, along with leather and baking spice. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with candied strawberry, fennel pollen and wild herb flavors.
This blend of Mourvèdre, Carignane and Syrah is still quite young but already shows lots of savory potential. Wild berry, underbrush, subtle game and crushed slate aromas lead into a palate of loaded with mulberry, sagebrush and cedar flavors. It has loads of energy out of the gate.
Waxy white-fruit aromas are a touch austere and harsh. This holds a tight, crisp palate with flavors of yeast, apple and citrus fruits. A short, clean finish ensures that this closes with ease and clarity.
Castelão is the grape of the Setúbal peninsula, which includes Palmela. This big, chunky, fruity wine gives a rich, maturing character, perfumed with layers of wood. Smoky and meaty, it is ready to drink.
Give this Cabernet Sauvignon  time in the glass for initial rubbery aromas to subside,  revealing berry and cassis scents. The mouthfeel is round and balanced, with flavors of graham cracker, blackberry and chocolate. A mellow finish that's fresh and friendly seals this wine's quality position.
Vall Llach is known for making ripe-styled wines, and this fits the bill. Embruix is ripe and raisiny on the nose, with black currant and prune-like aromas. A thick, jammy, stewy palate holds flavors of prune, blackberry and bitter chocolate, while the finish is hot and sticky, with molasses and chocolate flavors.
Minerally, oceanic aromas of sea shell, apple and nectarine are focused and fresh. In the mouth, this is easygoing and a bit plump, with good acidity pushing peach, citrus and apple flavors. A pithy finish with hints of almond skin is mildly bitter and tight.
Blackberry, rubber, leather and spice aromas roll out on a good bouquet. In the mouth, this blend of 80% Monastrell with Syrah and Garnacha is ripe, smooth and full in feel, with chocolaty flavors of blackberry, espresso and peppery spice. Finishing notes of coffee and blackened toast are right for the wine.
This is a varietally correct Cabernet with minty oak, mild herb aromas and toasty, solid berry fruit scents on the bouquet. Although it's a bit scouring and tough on the palate, flavors of raspberry, plum and herbs are spicy and right. On the finish, oaky vanilla and lemony notes settle in.
A fragrant, peach and pineapple flavored wine, it's soft, ripe and creamy with just a touch of smoky toast. Worth aging a few months, but delicious now.
With floral violet aromas, leather and meaty notes, this smells bold and ready. A firm, slightly reduced-feeling palate offers blue and black flavors of blueberry, prune and bitter chocolate. The finish is a bit hot and narrow, but shows power and intensity.
Subtle hints of toast, vanilla and spice add warmth to succulent black-cherry and blackberry flavors in this crowd-pleasing Bordeaux-style blend. It's boldly structured and textured on the palate, but balanced by brisk acidity and a veil of soft, finely-grained tannins.
A deliciously creamy wine, shining with apple and grapefruit flavors. The wine is light, bright, softly textured and hinting at wood aging, while displaying a more steely line of tight acidity at the end.
This rare library release from Jamesport is another great testament to how age worthy Long Island wine can be. At 12 years of age, it's remarkably fresh, with crisp, red cherry and plum flavors, layered with shades of clay, savory herbs and brine. Lively with acidity, it's powerful on the palate but elegant in style.
Hints of spice and leather add a savory tone to red cherry and plum flavors in this bold but elegantly structured red wine. The palate is juicy with fruit, but accented with a spray of green herbs and brisk acidity that lend freshness.
A high toast wine, the fruit and fresh acidity submerged beneath the wood. At the present, it is hard to enjoy, but in 2–3 years the fruit will kick in. It would be good if the producer had been less enthusiastic about the wood.
A richly textured wine, showing some attractive fresh fruits and soft berries mingling with a layer of firmer tannins. The wine has weight, an attractive edge of spice and a final sweet juicy character.
Here in the maritime climate north of Lisbon, Alfrocheiro works well to produce a rich, smooth and velvet textured wine, with a beautiful layer of acidity over the wood.
An attractive, fresh wine, the tannins and bright acidity giving a firm support to the lively berry fruits and dry tannin core. The aftertaste continues freshness.
Grove Mill's 2009 Sauvignon Blanc strikes a pleasant balance between zesty citrus and ripe stone fruit. It's medium-bodied and plump in the mouth, with a crisp, clean finish that invites another sip.
This somewhat broad, mouthcoating wine should prove attractive to consumers weaned on California Pinot Noirs. Dark, earthy, mocha notes lead into a round palate with flavors of cherry preserves and chocolate. Probably best over the next 1–2 years.
This estate is right in the south of the Vinho Verde. That gives the wine extra weight, with added richness from the Avesso grape. The aftertaste brings in crispness.
Light and frothy in the glass, this beautifully perfumed dry sparkling is redolent of orange blossoms, apples and pears. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, there's a delicious hint of buttery cashew nut and bitter almond amidst the floral, fresh apple and lemon flavors.
Youthful wine, full of rich berry and black plum flavors. It is concentrated while bursting with exuberant fruits, balanced with acidity. This is a true second wine of Malhadinha Nova, ready to drink now.
By contrast with some of the other powerful reds from Triguedina, this is a relatively soft, velvet-textured wine. But don't be deceived: beneath the smooth surface, there is a dark and mineral wine, all solid fruits and rich black berries.
This is a plump, medium-bodied rosé, vibrant with confected berry fruit and undertones of mossy stones and peppery spice. Should be versatile at the table, as it's fresh enough to handle fish yet intense enough to partner grilled meats.
More minerally and tight than most, with a bit of brine and lettuce to go with tropical fruit aromas. The palate is citrusy and features a beam of bright acidity that props up melon and citrus flavors. Full and forceful late, with some burn to the finish.
No mistaking the spicy Traminer aromas here, nor the ripe lychee flavored wine. It isnt just spice, with a good line of fresh acidity as well as attractive green plum fruit flavors. Screwcap.
Murrietta's Well is a partnership between Phil Wente and Sergio Traverso devoted mostly to Bordeaux varieties. This red blend, along with a sister white, called The Whip, are new this vintage. The result is sound and structured with notes of both blue and blackberry, a little licorice, a little chocolate and some oaky tannins.
Oak Knoll's Pinot Gris is a sturdy, steady expression of the grape's main strengths. Vintage in and vintage out, the wine has plenty of ripe apple and pear fruit flavors, with citrusy highlights and a splash of refreshing acidity.
This opens with a clean evocation of Pinot Noir aromas—delicate, almost ethereal, like a wisp of cherry and caramel and moist earth. It turns a bit hard and acidic in the mouth, suggestion that further cellaring is in order. The pieces are here to make a wine with genuine ageability.
The low alcohol suggests either grapes that were barely ripe, or some significant residual sugar. Flavors dont seem too green, certainly not vegetal, more to the citrus and fresh herb side of the spectrum. If there is r.s. it is masked by the acidity, and so you have a mellow, round, citrusy, mouth-pleasing all-purpose white wine.
This is a medium-bodied, fruit-driven Syrah that seems built for immediate consumption. Black cherry fruit is in the lead, with hints of chocolate and lavender to spice things up. Eminently quaffable, with bright fruit and a lingering finish.
). Phillip Zull's offering in the light, fresh Grüner Veltliner stakes is as light and fresh as they come. It's a burst of fruitiness across the palate, starring bright citrus and green fruits, with bone-dry acidity. Screwcap.
La Nerthe's white is a blend of Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The result is a slightly floral wine that's full bodied yet lacking flesh on the midpalate. The apricot and citrus flavors finish with surprising freshness.
Savory on the nose with pressed apple notes brightened by a dash of coriander spice, this semi-sweet Riesling is brisk with a lemony acidity and concentrated, honey-kissed apple flavors. Unusually spiced, it's a tempting companion for lighter South Indian fare.
Zesty lime skins meld with sweet honey and yellow florals on the nose of this semisweet Riesling. It's gorgeously concentrated yet elegant with a sheer, minerally midpalate and a hint of spice on the finish.
Warm, rounded and open style of wine with attractive fruits, hints of raisins and a smoky character. Not for aging.
This Moldovan Merlot has aromas of eucalyptus, dark chocolate and raspberry with flavors of cherry, black plum and a touch of baking spices. There's a nice minty lift in the midpalate, with a bright fruit finish and persistent tannins.
This is an attractively ripe wine that shows the richness of the vintage well. It has yellow fruits along with touches of sultana and sliced apple. The wine is fruity, soft and ready to drink.
This big bracing red opens with aromas of French oak, coconut and vanilla. Oak sensations dominate the dense assertive palate while astringent tannins leave a raspy finish.
Edgy, spicy and slightly green aromas suggest bell pepper and preserved Italian red pepper. A tight mouthfeel frames herbal flavors of plum, spice and tomato that carry over to the finish. This is 60% Tannat and 40% Merlot.
Floral raspberry aromas are jammy and funky, like many Cafayate Malbecs are prone to be. This feels juicy but high in acidity, so it's pointy on the palate. Exotic plum and raspberry flavors follow the nose, while the finish is fresh, high in acidity and low on cushion.
Made in an overtly oaky manner, this wine imitates the big barrel-fermented style pretty well. It has smoky, buttery aromas, good pear and peach flavors and a smooth, soft texture.
The aromas suggest notes of green herbs, vanilla, freshly hewn wood and cherry. The flavors are lighter in style, with the tannins bringing some grit.
Aromas of jasmine, herb and stone fruit are followed by medium-sweet, lightly spritzy stone fruit and ale flavors.
This opens with aromas of wild cherry, violet and an earthy whiff of truffle. The aromas carry over to the palate along with a hint of clove, sage and a gamey note. Racy acidity and close-grained tannins leave a somewhat gravelly, drying finish.
Light aromas of white flowers and freshly cut pear lead to off-dry fruit flavors, with the concentration seeming a bit wanting.
Aromas of cedar, vanilla and cassis are the best part of this hard, clampy, ultratannic Cabernet. Flavors of vanilla and coconut soften and enrich screechy plum and red-berry fruit, while this finishes with a dominating narrow, tartaric feel.
Reticent aromas of kiwi and herb are followed by tart, medium bodied citrus flavors. The concentration isn't as dense as it could be.
This rare intrusion of Sauvignon Blanc into Burgundy is in the small northern vineyard of Saint-Bris, close to Chablis. This wine is fruity with a herbal character that is balanced by the crisp citrus and melon flavors. Drink the wine now.
Bright and fruity, this is a crisp, herbal wine. From the Bougrier family estate it is perfumed, creamy and offers refreshing acidity, citrus and hints of apricots. The wine is ready to drink.
Gaseous rubbery aromas are earthy. This feels solid but wiry and angular. Berry, plum, vanilla and mocha flavors finish with a shock of acidity and flavors of chocolate, cherry and cassis.
This tiny-production wine made by Mark Jessup is tart in green pepper, cedar and clove, with an undercurrent of toasty oak. It persists in herbal characteristics on the finish, with suggestions of currant and sour cherry.
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.
The majority of grapes within this red are grown in Yountville and certified organic. Simple aromatics make way for a touch of reduction on the nose, while flavors of brushy sage, cedar and clove offer more spice than fruit. Sharp tannins lie beneath.
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.
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.
This relatively light wine smells and tastes like strawberries and raspberries. It has good balance and a straightforward texture.
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.
Harvested at 40.16 Brix and retaining a whopping 255 g/L residual sugar, this wine shows a complex medley of notes ranging from fresh baked apple pie to apricot and cinnamon. It's thick and rich in feel with stone fruit and dried orange rind flavors persisting through the long-drawn-out finish.
This delicious Amarone has both structure and finesse. It offers a fragrance of pressed iris petals along with dark, ripe fruit and spice. The silky smooth palate delivers black cherry layered with cocoa, nutmeg and black pepper along with a hint of dried fig.
This elegant Nebbiolo has an alluring fragrance of rose petal and ripe berry while the palate delivers succulent strawberry, mint and mineral notes. Silky smooth and very fresh, drink this young to catch the softer side of Nebbiolo in all its glory.
Made entirely with Sangiovese and aged in large Slavonian oak casks, this is a delicious and traditionally crafted Chianti Classico, showing a classic varietal fragrance of violet, berry and tobacco. The vibrant palate delivers a tight core of wild cherry layered with black pepper and cinnamon accents. Refined and perfectly balanced.
Medium cherry in color with notes of raspberry jam, wet stone, mint and cherry. This wine is viscous in mouthfeel with sweet, focused fruit flavors that almost reach excessive but pull back just in time.
High-toned aromas of raspberry and plum come with herbal, olive accents that are entirely normal for Chilean Bordeaux-style blends. This feels fresh and agile on the palate, with raspberry, cherry, plum and berry flavors offset by herb, mint and tobacco notes. An elegant feel and herbal shadings define the finish on this ready-to-drink blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Cab Franc.
Powerful and complex, this is solid and impressive, made from a selection of wines. It is dark, dense, full of blackberry fruit and dry tannins. The wood aging still shows in the spiciness, while the tight fruit flavors bring out the acidity. Drink this wine from 2016.
Rich, sweet, mouthcoating peach is accented by waxy tones of honeycomb, lanolin and spice in this delicately structured, yet powerfully fruity Riesling. It's sprightly with acidity, lingering long on the finish, with a flourish of spring blossoms. Gorgeous now, but bound to develop even more earthy richness over the next decade.
Smoke and savory nut aromas dissipate to reveal a dramatic backdrop of rose petal and peach on the nose of this dry, full-bodied Riesling. The palate is generously textured, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel, but finishes elegantly, with a murmur of lime-pith astringency.
This rich and creamy vintage wine boasts soft apples, fresh acidity and a fine, tight texture. There's just a hint of toast to round out the palate and add complexity. It could improve with age further, so drink through 2020.
Yet another fruit-powered, lip-smacking Riesling from Trisaetum, this brings a basket of yellow apples, tart limes, pears and a slice of pink grapefruit into perfect harmony. Leesy, textural, long and utterly refreshing, it finishes with a nice kick of bracing acidity.
Always a popular vineyard, Beaune Grèves has produces a full, ripe, intense wine. It shows some signs of wood aging as well as rich strawberry and red plum. It's delicious already, but this full and complex wine deserves aging. Drink now –2025.
Aged for four months in oak, this wine brings an explosion of complex aromas of tangerine, dried apricot, honey and a speckling of smoky oak spices. The palate is full, rich and luscious, with concentrated stone fruit flavors that linger long after the last sip.
This is a classic Barbaresco, offering a quintessential Nebbiolo fragrance of rose, tobacco and Alpine herbs. The palate delivers wild cherry and raspberry flavors, with notes of white pepper, mint and mineral. It boasts structure, elegance and depth.
A uniquely styled wine with notes of apple cider and caramel. It's rich and creamy with a panoply of fruit flavors that come in waves and linger long after the last sip. Offers as much in feel as it does in flavor.
Fermented in 225-liter barrels, this is a rich, full-flavored wine touched with hints of toast and brisk acidity. The palate is weighty, but there's a crisp, dry fruit quality on the palate. Still youthful, it's not quite integrated yet, so keep until 2016.
From a certified biodynamic vineyard planted by Bob and Louisa Lindquist, this bottling offers vivid red cherry fruit, black pepper and tons of clove spice on the nose. The palate is soft with more red fruit, but loaded with ample amounts of star anise and other baking spices. Zesty on all fronts.
Sercial produces the driest style of Madeira. This is certainly a dry wine that gets its richness from concentration and the wood aging. It has spice and old-wood taste as well as wonderfully perfumed spirits and candied lemon. Drink now.
The recent vintages from this Santa Maria-based winery of actress Challen Cates and winemaker Kevin Law are some of the most impressive wines out there. This is dark in the glass, with a rich bouquet of cinnamon-clove foam, black plum pudding and hot pastry. It hits the palate with panache and power, showing allspice, dried ginger and sharp cola notes atop rich black cherry fruit.
The half-bottle format has sped up the maturing of this wine. It rides a fine line between crisp red fruit and fuller, toastier character. With great acidity, layers of zingy citrus and a soft texture, it's delicate and ready to drink.
This wine, though still young, reveals much about the Deutz style as well as the vintage. It strikes a balance between softness and crispness that fits the ethos of the house. At the same time, it's an attractive medium-term bottling, in line with what many producers acheived in 2010. It should be kept until 2019.
The third of the winery's 2014 Pinots to be released is the best yet. Vibrant and captivating from the first sniff to the final sip, this deftly displays lightly spicy cherry fruit, lively acidity and a supple mouthfeel. There's just the right touch of new wood and the balance throughout to age long-term. Drink now through 2030.
While sylphlike in mouthfeel, this outrageously ripe, rich auslese packs a punch of dried apricot, peach and pineapple flavors. Its sweetness penetrates deeply, punctuated by earthy fennel notes. It's delicious already but should improve through 2040, likely beyond.
What this mature, ripe wine has lost in fruit, it has gained in richness and complexity. Its toasty, nutty character attracts, along with its tight acidity and taut, nervy texture. Nicely evolved and well-balanced, it is ready to drink now.
Baked strawberry pastry aromas meet with star anise, savory herbs and an earthy forest floor funk full of composting underbrush on the dynamic nose of this bottling by pioneer Bryan Babcock. There is lively energy to the sip, carrying flavors of bay leaf, eucalyptus and tobacco against a backbone of black plum fruit.
This winery atop the mountains overlooking Silicon Valley makes amazingly earthy and age-worthy wines. This bottling's nose is soil-driven, with sun-baked loam laid across red cherry, condensed lilacs, cola and sandalwood aromas. The sip is structured firmly and strategically like the frame of a well-built home, where dark mulberry and savory spices reside. Drink now–2028.
Planted in 2006, this vineyard is one of the newer sites for the “Queen of Pinot,” who coaxes a strong-willed, high-strung complement of charcuterie and wild lavender from its vines. Bright red currant and raspberry are met by floral, herbal competition, which vies for attention on the palate, girded by strong tannins and mellow oak.
From one of the producer's older vineyard sites, fully mature and steady, this wine shines in cranberry, rhubarb and strawberry before finding richer, riper streaks of blueberry and blackberry. Generous tannin is seasoned by layers of piquant cinnamon and vanilla. It's lush and bold.
The top red from Chocapalha, this comes from a single parcel. It has concentrated tannins, along with the minty flavors that come from new wood. Balancing that combination are the rich fruits: blackberry, damson along with a touch of licorice. It's a powerful wine that needs aging. Drink from 2018.
This exceptional vineyard, more than 35-years-old, brings a wealth of subtle details to a wine that has both grace and power. There's truffle, earth, mocha, plum, spice, coffee and on and on it goes, all well integrated already. Experience would suggest that wines from this vineyard, previously made for Sineann, are exceptionally ageworthy. Drink now if you must, or cellar and drink from 2022 to 2030.
Produced from old vines in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs, this is a beautifully crisp, ripe wine, showing taut fruit and fine, stylish acidity. As a Special Club bottling, it adheres to stringent qualitative guidelines set out by an elite group of growers. Still young, it will be best from 2019.
Dark and juicy, this selection comes out swinging with bold fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and black currant. Highlights of oranges, espresso and dark chocolate compound the scents and flavors. It builds into a gorgeous midpalate, that extends gracefully through a lingering finish. Supple and sensuous, it leaves you with a trace of sea salt caramel in the back of the palate.
Juicy, dusty and wrapped in cedar, this rarefied wine is classic in nature, with highlights of pencil shavings, red currant and a dose of dried cherry. The oak is robust and supportive, offering specks of vanilla and clove, the tannins thick and tenacious, ready to mellow in time. Drink best from 2023 through 2033.
Bright red currant is complemented by dark, brooding black fruit tones in this complex, nuanced and grippy wine, young and showy in its mountain genetics. Forest floor, mint, cedar and graphite fleck the fruit, with complexity knocking on the door.
Produced from vines high up the Grand Cru slope, this wine is finely textured and stylish while also full-bodied. It has weight, spice from wood aging, precise acidity and a strongly mineral, salty edge. Drink from 2021.
A light, ethereal quality ignites this wine's compelling high-toned acidity and subtle, integrated oak. Juicy orange and cranberry form its core, as roses permeate the nose. The texture is silky smooth and inviting.
Robust and richly layered, this block-designate from the producer's estate is sly in complexity, pumping its fist in ripeness and concentration before slowly unfurling elements of dusty black cherry, black olive and fig. The finish teases in white pepper and cardamom.
Bright and refreshing acidity is the star of this lovely, windswept wine, powerful yet integrated in tannin and oak. The racy, feral notes of anise, apple blossom and nutmeg are complemented by a teasingly voluptuous spirit that never overwhelms.
The sweetest style of Madeira still has that wonderful burnt acidity that keeps it from being cloying. So while there is an initial toffee character, the wine then tightens up with orange marmalade and an intense acidity. Drink this beautiful wine now.
Still very crisp and fruity with only a hint of maturity, this is a bright, apple- and citrus-driven wine. Light and stylish, it gets its generous minerality from the Chardonnay in the blend. While it's great now, it will be even better from 2018.
A stunner from this vineyard, made entirely varietal, and aged 20 months in new French oak. Floral and herbal, the wine is thick, dense and concentrated, still youthful in intensity. Smoked pepper accents meat and game, as rose petals come into play on the nose. Fully expressive in these savory characteristics, it ends in a burst of succulent blueberry and smoke.
From the rocky, volcanic soils of Durell, this white is exuberant in salty rock and sea spray, showing plenty of influence from the Pacific Ocean to its west. Sturdy in structure and length, the fruit is twisted in pink grapefruit and crisp apple, its underbelly a richer, warmer expression of toffee and caramel.
Though much lower in price than the single vineyard offerings—and without the microchip on the label—this bottling carries all of the earthy aspects that characterize this iconoclastic winery. Umami aromas of nori wrap meet with dried purple flowers and blackberry on the nose. The mouthfeel is soft and full, with flavors full of loam, beet juice, incense and crushed boysenberry.
On multiple passes this smells a touch earthy, but also reserved and rich. A dense, pure, silky palate is not rough in the least, while chocolaty, oaky flavors merge with berry and cassis and end in elegant notes of pepper, spice and herbs. This is more or less ready to go; drink through 2020.
Truffle, new leather, ripe plum, tilled soil and chopped herb are some of the aromas you'll find on this impressive red. Polished and powerfully structured, the palate delivers morello cherry, ripe blackberry, star anise and clove set against a backbone of tightly knit, velvety tannins that lend firm support and a smooth texture. Drink 2021–2031.
A concentrated wine, still just beginning its journey. The fruits are packed into a firm and tannic structure that shows edges of wood. Berry and plum fruits dominate this powerful but well-balanced wine. Keep for 3–4 years.
This inaugural release of Brian Carter's “Spanish Style Blend” is 70% Stone Tree vineyard Tempranillo. Carter is a supremely skillful and thoughtful blender, and the result is a luscious, mouthwatering bottle of wine that opens with a perfect mix of berries and light chocolate; scents of spice and mint; and a palate-pleasing streak of bacon fat that lingers happily in the mouth.
Still young, this is a complex wine. It has layers of dusty tannins, spiced fruits, ripe blackberries and a dark structure. Black chocolate and licorice feed extra richness into the wine. Very smooth aftertaste.
Thoroughly delicious. This captures a distinctive side of the grape that blends a sweet grassy herbaceousness with a lively mix of apple, lemongrass, citrus and orange peel, finished with the slightest suggestion of honey.
Really nice and lush, with an aromatic mix of tobacco, baked fruit, mocha, vanilla, shoe polish, earth and more. It displays a ripe, friendly feel and yummy flavors of mocha, chocolate and savory, subtle berry fruits. Layered on the finish, with lasting notes of fig, mocha and blackberry. Drink now through 2012.
A pure and intense rendition of Priorato. The nose is stacked with minerality, smoke, ink and tough but regal black fruit aromas. It's powerful and concentrated in the mouth, with bold cassis and blackberry flavors in front of a long, flavorful, slightly lemony finish. Needs a few years to show its best; drink from 2011 through 2017.
A big-time Priorato with tobacco, minerality and dark fruit aromas in front of a lush and smooth palate full of cola, blackberry and licorice flavors. There's all the power you could ask for but also complexity and layering that set up a minerally finish of mocha and coffee. Drink from 2011 through 2015.
This is a great vintage for this wine, pure Roussanne from Ciel du Cheval vineyard grapes. It opens with high-toned jasmine, lemon and chamomile aromas, lightly touched with honey. Limes, pears and orange marmalade fill the midpalate, opening into a long, lingering finish dotted with white pepper.
Silex is the French name for the flint over limestone soil that occurs in the Sancerre and Pouilly regions. There is a definite character of tight texture in this wine, very mineral while it also has ripe fruit. This is a new wine from Fournier, an impressive addition to the range.
This low-alcohol (10.4%) dessert wine, finished with 11% residual sugar, is absolutely spot-on. Layers of textural detail amplify the concentrated core of lemon drop and candied orange, and an orange pekoe tea character adds still more flavor interest through the finish.
Continuing the succession of fine wines from Aveleda's Quinta da Agueira in Bairrada, this is a powerful, firmly tannic but ultimately smooth wine. It has big ripe swathes of dark plums, figs and refreshing sweet acidity.
Potent vanilla announces a sizable oak presence on the entry of this wine, which follows somewhat on the palate before it weaves in a bite of preserved lemon and generous acidity.
This vibrant red opens with scents of small red berries and cherries, accented by touches of vanilla bean and black pepper. The medium-weight palate is well balanced and approachable, with fruit-skin flavors that harmonize with the fine tannins. A kiss of cocoa graces the finish.
An off-dry blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng, this comes from the French southwest. Named after a sandy beach in the Basque Country, the wine has that cool feel of ocean breezes. Honey and lemon flavors are right up front to give a wine that is both fresh and beautifully fragrant.
Rubbery, spicy berry aromas are distinctly herbal. This is a high-energy Pinot with snappy flavors of citrus, pomegranate and cherry. Tomatoey acidity blended with citric notes and spice make for a gritty finish.
Currant, cranberry, perfume and a sense of freshness make up this simple quaffer. Medium in body, with a hint of tannins, this tastes mostly of stone fruits. Papaya and apricot flavors round out the finish.
Wiry, pinched aromas of berry fruits are forward and direct. This feels chunky and a touch jammy, while herbal berry, plum and peppery flavors end with heat, power, rawness and medicinal berry notes.
Ripe blackberry aromas are welcoming and clean. This features a flush palate that hollows out while delivering generic but fresh black-fruit flavors. A tasty, fresh finish makes this good for everyday drinking.
This 100% varietal wine is both lean and dusty with a grip of firm, dry tannin. Chocolate, tar, cedar and pencil combine for a profile that's both rich and classically savory.
The age is showing on this wine, so drink up. The woody nose offers stewed red cherries, cedar and incense, while the palate blends strawberry-black cardamom jam, caramel, vanilla, Indian spice and lush red fruit. It's intriguing and tasty, but not improving.
This opens with subdued aromas of citrus, nut and a hint of honey. The tangy palate offers grapefruit, candied lemon peel, tangerine and bitter almond alongside zesty acidity.
This medium-bodied wine has dried herb and black olive aromas, fresh raspberry and cherry flavors that are a bit tart and a tangy balance. It's not overly big in style, but is bright and well-suited to go with a wide variety of foods.
Dry, spicy aromas of brick dust, cherry and plum announce a fairly full palate with earthy, savory plum and berry flavors backed by smoky bacon notes on a leathery but solid finish.
You'll discover earthy aromas of leather mature dark berry, flint and a whiff of brimstone on this solid, accessible red. The round, robust palate offers mature plum, ground pepper and clove accompanied by ripe tannins. Drink through 2017.
This wine combines opulent, ripe, almost sweet fruit flavors with good, firm tannins in an appealing way. It tastes full-bodied, drenched with blackberries and finds a good balance that makes it appetizing.
This opens with aromas that recall acacia flower, chamomile and a whiff of beeswax. The zesty palate offers grapefruit, green apple and hint of white almond alongside racy acidity.
A simple, fruity wine, this has light acidity and a touch of pepper at the end. It is a classic apéritif style of rosé.
This linear white opens with delicate aromas that recall citrus blossom, citrus peel and orchard fruit. The racy palate offers green Anjou pear, lime and a note of bitter almond alongside a backbone of firm acidity.
Clean, snappy aromas of apple and citrus are sharp but appealing. This fresh, healthy white offers tangerine, nectarine and stony flavors before a crisp, refreshing finish.
Overt floral and lychee aromas, lean peach and bosc pear flavors and a smooth, dry texture make an exotic mix for this medium-bodied wine.
Fresh for the summer season is this tutti-frutti Navarran Garnacha. Pink in color and pumped up, this tastes of pink grapefruit, nectarine and citrus pith. It's all about freshness and drinkability.
This bold, ripe blend even contains some Muscat that gives richness and a touch of honey and spice to what is otherwise a dry rosé. The acidity acts as a balance to this attractive wine.
Lighter in color than its colleagues, this Mourvèdre offers light clove, red cherry, fruit punch, rooibos tea and turned loam aromas. There is a strong acidic sizzle to the palate, where red fruit mixes with black pepper and coffee flavors that are very powerful.
Chocolate and caramel brace themselves against a crisper note of spearmint in this thick and near-syrupy wine, built with tremendous structure and weight, the finish somewhat puckering in coconut flakes.
Bacon meat and blackberry pie jump from the glass in this full-bodied, ripely concentrated vineyard-designate, a strong and powerful wine. Smoky oak and a thickness of body weight round out the big, bold experience.
A full-bodied, quite ripe expression of the variety with an abundance of baked apple offset by a zest of lime, this wine is rich in vanilla and marshmallow.
Named after the French author who came from Provence, this wine is a bright, fruity style with pepper and caramel flavors. It has plenty of red fruits and attractive final acidity.
Aromas of nettle, citrus fruits and stream water set up a minerally palate with some plumpness. Moderately intense stone fruit and citrus flavors finish melony.
A pretty purplish pink, this rose shows deep cherry, ripe strawberry and bubblegum-ish notes on the lush nose. The palate is slightly effervescent but with crisper flavors than the nose suggests, offering cherry blossom and steely minerality, finishing crisp and tart.
Strong scents of oak and butter come rushing out of the glass, with a medicinal edge. Though it has had some bottle age, this wine has not yet knit together. The ripe, soft, banana-flavored fruit and the forceful oak components are distinct and separate. Try it with pasta or poultry in a rich cream sauce that can pull everything together.
Light and tart, this brings cranberry and pepper flavors, which lead into a swift, sharp, tannic finish.
A touch of wood helps the wine's light fruit to deepen and become richer. The wine is well balanced, with fresh acidity giving a good lift.
Lightly tropical to begin with, then more sheering and acidic in the mouth, with high-toned, jacked-up flavors of green apple, pineapple and lemon. Quite snappy and fresh, with an aggressive but true and correct finish.
Dark in color and aromas. The nose starts out sulfuric and gassy, but settles on rubber and earthy black fruit. In the mouth, there's poking, prodding acidity and basic flavors of blackberry, herbal tea and leather. Grabby on the finish, with a mild acidic scour.
Just 730 cases were made of this dry, lightly fruity offering. Melon and white peach flavors seem to be dusted with powdered sugar, though there is no sweetness in the finish, just dry flavors of wet stone. A good, every day, all-purpose white.
Smells candied and gummy, with sweet, stewy red-berry aromas along with carob. The palate is fairly full and tannic, with cooked, herbal berry flavors that carry over onto the finish, which folds in coffee and grabby tannins. Good enough but sort of stewed and candied.
Charred and smells of coffee, toasted oak, minty berry fruit and earth. The palate is quite tannic, with creamy vanilla flavors along with candied berry fruit and lemony zest. Exhibits mostly faux oak and window dressing, but for $11 it isn't bad.
A mix of earthy berry, cassis and leather aromas sets up a grabby, rubbery palate that isn't very lush or cushioned. Flavors of roast plum, savory spice, olive and tobacco are more earthy than ripe, staying steady on a savory, roasted-tasting finish. Drink through 2022.
Richly oaked aromas of maple and mocha accent earthy, rubbery berry scents. This is muscled-up and edgy on the palate, with flavors of tobacco, mocha, plum and berry fruits. A grabby, slightly collapsed finish contains earthy, savory flavor remnants. Drink through 2020.
From the mighty site, this is aged in both French and American oak, half of it new. Rich, robust layers of Dr Pepper, vanilla and chocolate rise on the smoothly textured palate, impressing in power and density.
This elegant wine, one of very few brands from Humboldt County, strikes a good balance between a ripe, delicious fruit character and moderately spicy, buttery themes, without the influence of oak. Good, tangy acidity supports the flavors of vanilla, Anjou pear, and marzipan that come out first in the aroma and then spread to the palate.
A blend of three-quarters Malbec and one-quarter Cabernet Sauvignon, berry aromas are up front, along with notes of raspberry torte, dark chocolate and spice. The palate is flavorful and supremely smooth, sweetening on the warm and lingering finish. It offers a hedonistic sense of appeal.
A focused line of lemon balm meets with gardenia, soft jasmine, light butterscotch and green tea on the nose of this county blend by Colombian-born, French-trained Winemaker Bibiana González Rave. Lemon, light vanilla and a touch of warm pastry show on the palate.
The approachable nose of this wine shows baked blackberry pie in vanilla crust, with touches of dried purple flowers. The palate is similarly crowd-pleasing, with dark berry and baking spice flavors given intriguing depth through hints of game and rosemary.
Beautiful black-cherry aromas and flavors make this wine direct and focused. A slightly gripping texture of fine-grained tannins and good acidity keeps the mouthfeel lively. It has a wonderful sense of purity and focus.
Perfumed in rose, this wine from the higher elevations of the appellation is a study in understated freshness and stony mineral, offering too a thickness of cassis. Big oak asserts itself on the finish, with a streak of tart citrus adding to the intrigue.
A full six-years-old, this is a quality example of this extremely cool vintage. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, the aromas are vibrant but seem ever so slightly dried out, with notes of anise, cassis and blackberry. The red and black-fruit flavors display a fine sense of balance and length that keeps the interest high.
The second wine of Château Glana in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation is properly tannic with fruit in the background. The wine will develop well, but will still require some time. Its juicy black-currant fruitiness and acidity have power and concentration—enough to produce a ripe, while still elegant wine from 2020.
Here's a new wood-aged young wine, with ripe fruit and mint aromas. The wine does have a bitter edge of extraction that detracts from the generous black fruitiness. It is certainly firm at this stage—a full-bodied wine with a dark-fruit character at the end. Drink from 2020.
For what is essentially a second wine, generally blended from the estate's younger vines, this is a solid effort in a not-so-easy vintage. Vanilla and cinnamon from barrel-aging play a role hedre, but there's also plenty of juicy, plum-tinged fruit. There's ample body and texture, capped off by supple tannins and a lingering finish. Drink now–2022.
The wine comes from a tiny seven-acre estate to the east of the town of Saint-Emilion. Owned by the same family since 1847, it estate is making serious wine. This is a rich wine, perfumed by Cabernet Franc although firmly based in Merlot. Black plum and berries are strengthened by the firm tannins that will allow further aging. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of barrel spice, purple fruit and herb lead to well-balanced fruit and barrel flavors. It's an unusual interpretation of Cabernet. Still, it should have a long life in front of it, showing a lot of structure.
A velvety texture and extremely concentrated black-fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine delicious to savor. It has beautiful big tannins that are well integrated, luxurious blackberry, sage and cedar flavors, plus great length on the finish.
Fresh plum, tomato and spice aromas are integrated. On the palate, this wine is ripe and saturated but not heavy. Generous flavors of caramel, vanilla, plum and berry fruits are smooth and chocolaty across the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Made with equal parts Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah, this offers aromas of black currant, ground pepper and a whiff of graphite. The firm palate delivers ripe black plum, roasted coffee bean and allspice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.
This off-the-wall blend of 55% Zinfandel, 37% Barbera and 8% Shiraz works quite well, with aromas of pressed elderberries, crushed violets and dark chocolate. The sip starts off juicy, fresh and approachable for many palates, showing cooked black plum, more tart plum skin and salt and pepper spices.
This 100% varietal wine is a blend of fruit from The Benches, Dionysus and Pepper Bridge vineyards. Aromas of cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, blackberry and French-oak spice rise up from the glass. The palate brings rich, velvety dark fruit flavors backed by fine-grained tannins. It needs some time to fully settle in. Best after 2021.
The aromas are light, with notes of garden herb, pencil lead, barrel spice and dark fruit that are not yet ready to fully reveal their potential. The palate brings considerably more generosity, with lithe black-fruit flavors backed by fine-grained tannins. It's a very pretty expression of the variety.
This wine offers lush aromas of orange blossom, rock, saline and pear, with a hint of richness that plays out like crème brûlée. Complex and layered, it remains light on its feet, with an undeniable streak of mineral and lime that lifts the finish.
This is a luscious, butterscotchy, fresh, lime- and lemon-flavored Chardonnay; a true delight. Melon and peach fruit flavors thread into the core, and the wine has a wonderful richness without losing its finesse or acid base.
An impressive and elegant wine. It has a delicious line of juicy red and black berry fruits, powered with a fine balance of acidity and firm, chunky tannins. With good potential, give the wine 3–4 years.
Lower in price than Cenit's Old Vines, but to me this is a better, more open wine with bacon, spice and bold black-fruit aromas. The palate is full but retains finesse as well as big tannins; flavors of black fruits come with chocolate, coffee and spice. Full-force stuff but still fairly refined. Drink now through 2014.
This structured white opens with aromas of tropical fruit and sweet baking spice. The round palate offers mature peach, baked apple, toast and oak-driven spice. The finish closes with butterscotch and bitter nut.
Fragrant spring blossoms are dusted with pollen on the nose of this delicate dry Riesling. It's intensely mineral, meshing dusty earth tones against crisp apple and lime flavors. Racy and lithe, it finishes briskly.
This blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot seems slightly muddled, with notes of dried herbs, flowers, barrel spices and plum. Flavors are soft and chocolaty, with an elegant styling and grainy tannins.
This fresh, crisp, textured wine has pepper as well as red fruit flavors. It offers a touch of spice, ripe strawberries and delicious final acidity.
While the wine is full in the mouth with ripe fruits, it also has a delicious poise and freshness that makes it ready to drink. It's a well-balanced wine, full of fruitiness and acidity in harmony.
Full in the mouth, this is a soft caramel and orange zest-flavored wine. It has light acidity, although probably not enough to give a balance. The aftertaste brings pepper and spice.
A pale gray-pink color, this is fresh, crisp and bright in the mouth, with a touch of pepper to add interest. The aftertaste is full of ripe raspberries.
Bold, clean and straightforward, this is a tasty red wine with lots of fresh fruit flavors. It smells like blackberries and licorice, and tastes rich and full bodied. It finishes dry with a hint of tannin that makes it appetizing. It would make a good house red.
This is an upfront and vibrant rosé, showing ample stone fruit and watermelon aromas on the nose. Predominately Merlot, it offers a round and fleshy palate, balanced by a lively vein of lemon. These lead to a juicy peach and jasmine tea finish.
Blue flower, mature plum, dark soil and exotic spice aromas take shape in the glass. The rich palate offers black cherry marinated in spirits, espresso and anise notes alongside grippy tannins. Drink through 2016.
Aromas of spiced plum, dark berry, leather, game and moist soil waft out of the glass. The earthy palate offers up dried black cherry, truffle, grilled sage and ground black pepper alongside drying, rather fleeting tannins. It finishes on a licorice note.
Tasty, medium bodied and well balanced, this offers gushing red cherry, plum and spicy oak in the aromas and a touch of red bell pepper in the flavors. A slight bite of tannin keeps it from being one dimensional.
Fresh peach and apple aromas are rounded out by white jasmine notes. Silky on the palate, with well-integrated acids, peach and melon flavors focus around a lemon backbone.
Pressed yellow flower, ripe stone fruit, pear and Mediterranean herb aromas come together in the glass. The juicy palate boasts yellow peach, mature apple and honey accented with a spicy note of white pepper.
Baked apple and pressed white flower aromas take center stage on this structured white. The apple sensation follows through to the palate, along with nectarine, Mediterranean herb and a hint of nut. Bright acidity adds freshness.
Aromas of toasted oak, yellow apple and vanilla lead the nose and follow through to the bright palate along with notes of candied citrus and nut. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors while bitter almond marks the close.
Full-bodied ripeness and creamy oak combine for a forceful white wine, rich and textured, made from a selection of two vineyard sites, including Bow Tie, a vineyard-designate. Toasty spice adds complexity before the wine finishes in caramel.
The purity of the Pinot Noir in this wine is outstanding. It may not be particularly complex, but the beautiful ripe red cherry fruit is so good. Drink now, or keep until 2020.
Just a touch pink, this delicately hued rosé penetrates with fresh watermelon and raspberry flavors. Vivid and crisp, it's elegantly mineral and boasts a cool—almost alpine—freshness making it perfect for summer months.
Violet and lavender lend a floral tone to this very pretty Pinot. Brisk and bright, it balances delicate red berry and cherry flavors against subtle shades of toast and oak. It's irresistibly refreshing and quaffable.
Aromas of underbrush, tilled soil and ripe black fruit lead the nose. The palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, coffee and a confectionary note alongside ripe tannins. A licorice note marks the finish.
One of the first 2014s available, this obscure yet successful blend of 71% Grenache Blanc and 29% Albariño invites the nose with vanilla-laced apple custard, orange blossom and baking soda aromas. It's bright on the tight and pithy palate, with bouncy apple cider flavors as well as poached pear and kaffir lime.
This wine offers aromas of jammy red fruit, golden raisins and abundant barrel spices. It's full bodied in style with rich cherry flavors, sharp-edged acids and barrel notes that run throughout and linger on the finish.
Made from two vineyards, Windsor Oaks and Rockin'B, this wine offers delightfully floral aromas of rose petal and grenadine syrup before expressing a fuller-bodied structure of tannin and oak. Still, it finishes lean in black cherry and plum.
Initially this needs a lot of air, so swirl the glass. A simple, fruit-driven, unadulterated Zweigelt, this offers fresh red cherry fruit and a light, slightly rustic body. It makes a lovely picnic wine or accompaniment to cold meats. Drink this honest wine while it's young and fresh.
Give it air time and it'll give back floral raspberry and cherry aromas in front of a racy, forward-style palate that's got cherry and red plum flavors and integrated spice. Not overbearing; clean and dry on the finish. Atypical for a Carmenère-led prestige wine; it's more streamlined and red in character.
Soft Chardonnay, nicely balanced between ripe white fruits and some toast. It is an open, generous wine, enjoyable and ready to drink.
This value-priced Chard offers a medium-intense bouquet of orange rind, Granny Smith apple and white peach pit followed by a round mouth with accents of apple skins and buttercup. Balanced with a solid finish and low alcohol.
A soft wine that hints at the richness of Meursault, with caramel flavors giving weight, and a distinct citrus and apple character giving freshness. For early drinking.
Soft, lilting wine that is gentle, ripe and ready to drink. The fruits have some sweetness, the tannins are light, and the acidity is fresh and never too intrusive.
Pretty complex for an unoaked Chardonnay, with hints of anise, cinnamon and yogurt accenting apple and citrus flavors. It's plump in the mouth, and easy to drink.
Sweet, a bit candied and creamy on the nose, with marshmallow and other oak-driven aromas. The palate has a common, regular, comfortable feel as well as vanilla and boysenberry flavors. Dark and savory late; well made in the “value” class.
With its toasty nose of baked apples and popcorn, the wine gives off a barrely welcome. The palate is a touch resiny in feel, but it's stout and solid, with tropical flavors of pineapple and melon. Falls a little flat on the finish as banana notes enter the fray. Drink now.
Chunky smelling, with herb, tomato and roasted plum aromas. Acidity is the first impression in the mouth, followed by roasted flavors and herbal/tomato accents. A standard Navarra Tempranillo that's acidic and veers towards red and herbal.
Rusty in color for a young wine, with mulchy, faded berry fruit aromas. It has life on the palate, which tastes earthy, peppery and a little bit burnt. A dry, spicy wine with cherry flavors interspersed.
Basic tropical aromas feature a touch of citrus. The palate is melony and chunky, with tropical fruit flavors and sweet melon. Turns pithy and bitter on the finish. Soft and rapidly losing steam.
One of the rare white wine produced in Beaujolais from Chardonnay. This is fresh with an attractive mineral content, touches of lemon and a ripe final aftertaste.
Leather, earth and a vinegar-like volatility are the aromatics. The palate is, not surprisingly, choppy and crisp, with narrow berry fruit flavors and a lactic element courtesy of barrel aging. Linear and tight on the finish, with acidic snap
Well structured wine, the red cherry fruits laced with some banana hints. The wine is deliciously fruity, the tannin edge just a light coating.
Juicy, ripe, black fruit infused with vanilla and toasted oak are promising on this intensely concentrated North Fork Cabernet, but are hindered by green stem and leaf notes that trail from start to finish. The puckery, tart finish ends with a mouthful of big, chunky tannins.
Opens with funky, earthy aromas of juniper, herbs, green pepper and baked berry fruits. It's thick and grabby in the mouth, with roasted, herbal plum and berry flavors. Leathery and slightly burnt tasting on the finish.
With bright red fruits and acidity, this shows structure, piles of red cherry flavors, followed by firm tannins.
Bright and clean with scents of fresh apples and quince preserves, this dry, full bodied Chardonnay has pleasant apple and lemon flavors, but could use a boost of intensity in the midpalate. Finishes on a puckery, slightly bitter note.
Showing up-front fruit, with tense acidity, this is all about freshness. There's a cool, textured feel to the wine, more plum skin than juice.
Earthy, leafy and also damp smelling, with a raisiny quotient. The palate is heavy, with muddled, murky, damp-tasting berry fruit. Peppery and fairly dull on the finish, with a thick, meaty feel.
Smells jumpy and musky, like a wet dog in from the rain. The palate is brutally tannic and hard as rocks, with sweet, pasty berry flavors infused with vanilla. Finishes like the bouquet: foxy and funky.
Yes, there are notes of sweet plum and pepper, but otherwise the wine is soft, with wafts of bacon and meat, the smooth tannins a tad dull.
Smoke wafts over pressed apple and lemon notes on the nose and palate of this off-dry Riesling. Sugary sweetness on the midpalate infused with hints of soapy florals and brambly vines detract from an otherwise pleasant, balanced wine.
Sweet and pretty on the nose with scents of honey, lemon and pressed apples, there's an interesting white pepper spice enhancing the warm, apple cider palate. There's a hollowness in the midpalate, however, that could use a boost.
Tire rubber, heat and funky, oak-based spice aromas are ominous and foretelling. The palate on this Garnacha is creamy and feels sticky, while the flavors are sugary and emphasize vanilla and marshmallow over clean fruit. Flaccid on the finish, with candied flavors.
It's always a treat to discover a good, well-made but not overpowering wine. This one has nothing in excess, just moderate and crisp fruit flavors with light spicy accents. An appetizing texture backed by good acidity leads to a clean, dry finish. This unoaked wine from northern California should be a crowd pleaser.
Savory spice and roasted meat aromas lead into flavors of tomato, olives and roasted meat. The wine has a brisk acidity and a smoky finish, making it perfect for grilled burgers, steaks and sausages.
Plan de Dieu is a broad, stony plain near Gigondas that's an underrated commune. This is a firmly built, medium-bodied wine, with lifted, floral aromas and bright cherry and raspberry fruit. chocolate notes emerge on the finish, which simultaneously shows some dusty tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink now–2022.
Peppery spice, cassis fruit and some savory notes sum up this medium-bodied wine. It's just not that complex or concentrated, but it remains an attractive wine for near-term consumption. Drink it with grilled meats to help balance the dry, dusty tannins that poke out on the finish.
This medium- to full-bodied wine is smooth in texture, not overly firm or tannic. Floral and peppery notes accent cassis-tinged fruit, which finishes in a flourish of supple tannins. Drink now–2022.
Merlot (53%) makes up the majority of this wine, followed by Cabernet Franc (31%), with the balance being other Bordeaux varieties. It shows whiffs of reduction out of the gate which are followed by aromas of blackberry and spice. The palate brings a mouthful of black-fruit flavors backed by lightly dry grainy tannins. Black and purple-fruit flavors persist on the finish.
A nose of juicily ripe black cherries has both a white pepper and cinnamon edge. The palate continues these fruity notes, given precision by fresh acidity while the pepper continues to provide interest. This light-bodied red will benefit from chilling and is made for a picnic basket with its easy-drinking, utterly fruit-driven style.
This appellation blend is very light in color and also quite restrained aromatically, with the slightest hints of lime, lemongrass and vanilla on the nose. The sip is quite tense, powered by lime acidity and a chalky mouthfeel. A richer white-peach element arises toward the finish.
Underbrush, truffle and eucalyptus aromas take the lead. The full-bodied, no-frills palate shows spiced cranberry, dried cherry, sage and a hint of cinnamon while assertive, close-grained tannins provide robust support.
Cut with 25% Merlot, aromas of fresh herb, coffee, graphite, cocoa and cherry are followed by lightly styled fruit flavors that taper toward the finish. It shows a very pretty sense of elegance.
This variety remains an extreme rarity in the state but the early offerings show promise. Here, the aromas are light, with notes of citrus zest, lees and mineral. The flavors are broad and creamy in feel, extending on the finish. It should show well at the dinner table.
Tight black cherry and black-olive aromas meet with mocha and loam on the juicy, approachable nose of this bottling from the northern edge of Paso. The lively blackberry and boysenberry-juice flavors of the palate are framed by a chalky texture and bright acidity, rounded out by crushed gravel and cocoa dust.
Red berry, white chocolate, clove and dried sage aromas lead the nose along with a whiff of espresso. The medium-bodied palate doles out red raspberry, cranberry and coffee bean while firm tannins lead to a tight, astringent close. Drink 2021–2033.
Tight-grained tannin wraps around a firmness of oak and high acidity in this brawny, full-bodied wine. The fruit comes baked, like a strawberry-rhubarb pie, seasoned in cinnamon.
Plum and cherry aromas are riper than might be expected for a cool-vintage 2013 crianza. Chewy, drawing tannins lend grip to the palate that tastes of black plum, tea and dry spices. A bit of oaky chocolate is present on the finish.
Petit Verdot makes up a full 14% of this wine, which also includes 9% Cabernet Franc. Penetrating aromas of raspberries, fresh cherries, licorice, herb, vanilla and barrel spices are at the fore. The flavors are plush and juicy, bringing a sense of elegance and poise. The barrel aromas and flavors are prominent, but it still brings appeal.
Light aromas of white flowers and lemon show on the very restrained nose of this bottling by the pioneering Niven family. The acidity is well integrated on the sip, and there is subtle tannic framing, with delicate lemon water and chamomile flavors.
It opens with aromas of beeswax, acacia flower and lightly toasted oak. The smooth, structured palate offers lemon drop, white peach, papaya and a subtle note of vanilla and spice.
Here's a classic Sauvignon with intense varietal aromas of tomato vine, freshly cut grass and green melon. The linear palate delivers juicy cantaloupe and flint balanced by crisp acidity. It finishes on a note of roasted almond.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, it has aromas of ripe black fruit, tilled earth, toasted oak sweet vanilla and a hint of leather. The rich palate offers toasted oak, black berries, espresso and coffee alongside dusty, drying tannins
A big, ripe, still very young wine with black fruits that are right up front. It's jammy and juicy, with almost as much fruit as tannin. There is some aging potential, with the underlying dryness of the structure, but the wine is mostly about ripe fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
This is a warm and ripe Merlot-dominated wine. The chateau's position on the hill of Fronsac gives the wine structure and a mineral texture that does promise aging. With blackberry fruitiness developing well, drink from 2016.
Brick dust, tomato paste, oregano and basil aromas control the nose on this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend. The palate is narrow in feel, while flavors of roasted berry, vanilla, mocha and burnt caramel finish creamy and warm, with good texture and modest complexity.
This opens with intense floral aromas that recall white roses, lemon zest and apricot. The linear, vibrant palate offers pink grapefruit, white peach and a flint note alongside crisp acidity that leaves a refreshing finish. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.
For a (relatively) mass production Oregon Pinot, this offers excellent flavors and comparatively good value. A seductive nose leads into a plush palate mixing berries, cola, clean earth and rock. It's textural and balanced, with enough complexity to keep you coming back to the glass.
Subtle and crisp in minerality, this Pinot Blanc has a rich texture and a taste of apple and pear with a savory, herbal element throughout. It would serve nicely as an alternative to Chardonnay, especially on the dinner table.
The 2012 vintage brings rich fruit flavors to this estate bottling, with a core of cherries and streaks of kale and espresso. The tannins are ripe and sufficient, though the herbal elements may soften a bit with further bottle age.
Predominantly Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of wet soil, black fruit, toast and baking spices. The palate delivers fleshy black cherry and prune accented with black pepper, tobacco and a hint of mocha alongside solid tannins. It's reached its ideal drinking window so enjoy now.
A bright, red cherry flavored wine that has fresh fruitiness and a light, if dry, structure. With Trincadeira and Aragonez (aka Tempranillo) dominant, it's a naturally rich with a velvety texture. Drink from 2015.
A hint of waxy lemon skin lends an elegant tone to this dry, refreshingly crisp Riesling. The palate is bright, with Meyer-lemon acidity and hints of wet stone and crushed rock that linger on the finish.
Here's a round Sauvignon with subdued aromas of ripe tropical fruit, peach and cut grass. The mellow palate delivers papaya and pineapple accented with a note of paprika alongside fresh acidity.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Syrah, this robust but easy-drinking wine opens with aromas that recall blue flower, tilled soil, underbrush and ripe berries. The juicy palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper and a hint of espresso along side soft tannins.
The lightest feeling wine, attractive in its acidity, its slight sweetness and its creamed apple flavor. A perfect summer apéritif.
More austere and lighter in weight than other Australian Cabernets in this price range, perhaps reflecting its coolish Coonawarra origins. Herb and cherry notes finish dusty and crisp. Might surprise in a year or two.
A resiny, oily nose is barrel heavy and a strong clue of what's to come. The palate has a thick, syrupy feel and sweet, almost sugary flavors of pear and melon. By the time it's wrapping up, the wine veers towards cloying. Has its virtues but it's entirely too sweet in this critic's opinion.
Yeasty at first, this Lodi Zin from Napa's Cosentino Winery is dense and on the clove and ultraripe blackberry side of the Zin spectrum, decently simple in its intensity.
A medium-bodied Shiraz suited to everyday drinking, with cherry-berry fruit accented by hints of leather and smoke. It's a fresh, easy quaff to match with burgers or pizza.
Bright berry fruit is jammy and simply fruity, but clean and soft. Drink this medium-bodied, supple Shiraz over the next year or so.
Soft, easy drinking. This red has berry fruits, just the right amount of dusty and juicy flavors. Screwcap.
Light and fragrant, a perfumed wine, with flavors of almond and refreshing acidity. It feels warm, with pear and lime flavors combining well.
A straightforward but refreshing white with notes of green plum and underripe peach pit against a backbone of tropical fruit-driven acidity. Great zip and liveliness to the finish. Drink now.
Jammy and reduced on the nose, with medicinal red berry and plum aromas. The palate is high in acidity, with a mix of herbal berry, roasted plum and leathery, earthy flavors. Sheer on the finish, where the acidity and tannic bite are forceful.
There's a dusty texture to this wine, reminiscent of freeze-dried and crushed raspberry, black berry and plum pieces. Aromas of menthol and carnation add interest to the nose, while a touch of chocolate sweetens up the palate. Drink now.
There's a nice flinty character expressed throughout this wine, pairing harmoniously with the ripe red apple and orange notes. Though the mouth is rich and full, the finish exhibits great lift and clarity.
This Cabernet blend includes about 20% Syrah in the mix, which perhaps contributes to a lack of varietal character. It seems to be in a dumb phase, with no specific aromas and nondescript fruit. The finish turns acidic and chalky.
Sweet and jammy on the nose, then clampy and grabby on the palate, with woody, tight-grained flavors of pepper and clove. Turns more narrow and even more clove-dominated on the finish. Has its merits and good structure, but the fruit is blanketed by forceful clove and hickory flavors.
Muddled apple and spice aromas are o.k. and improve with familiarity. The palate runs narrow and tight, with sharp acidity and stalky flavors of lemon, green apple and lime. Finishes fresh and cutting, with controlled pithiness. 70% Chardonnay and 30% SB.
Wedge Mountain makes a Riesling that is as bone dry as any Riesling can possibly be. It's consistent, and styled for slurping with fresh oysters more than anything. Mouth-puckering acidity, lean citrus fruits and a lingering sense of sucking on a ripe lemon.
More than three quarters Syrah, this is made from young vines planted in the estate vineyard in the extreme western Yakima Valley. With such new vines it is difficult to point to specific varietal character. It's tart and lightly fruity, with a pleasant spicy edge.
Sulphuric at first, with citrus and air freshener aromas. The palate has a certain roundness and fleshy quality, while the flavors are sweet, melony and a little oily. Some almond-skin bitterness rises up late, most likely reflecting the 25% Viognier in the blend.
Jammy, baked aromas of pastry and berry are flat and dense. The palate is soft and beefy, with jammy, almost syrupy blackberry and raisin flavors. Stays sweet on the finish. Flavorful and meaty but doesn't show much spine.
A big and intense Zin with a pucker that holds on, this Livermore red is heavy and a bit dull aromatically, opening up to show spice, black fruit and cedar but overall it finishes short.
Ripe, fruity wine, it has sweet tannins, blackberry fruit, laced with acidity. The wine is all fruit, with only the lightest hint of wood.
The nose offers up aromas of sweet pea, honeysuckle and fresh sliced peaches. Light to medium body and strong crisp acidity lead into a clean, refreshing finish.
Blueberry, black cherry and red berries on the nose are followed by structured but slightly tart red fruit flavors on the palate.  Diverse spices and some oak add weight and balance the edge. The wine is generally food friendly and flavorful.
For lovers of the big California Chardonnays, this wine delivers. Bold aromas of buttery spice lead into full flavors of cream, butter and spice. The wine offers complexity and unfolds nicely on the palate. A white that can handle rich dishes and can age.
Oily and pungent, as if the cat were not let out of the house. But airing reveals a wide spectrum of green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. There's passion fruit, green pastures and some citrus in this varietally typical Rueda SB.
Dry black cherry and berry fruit shows some early chemical accents, and the wine stays sort of thin and hard all the way to the end. It's peppery and tight, with a simple dark-fruit personality. A little awkward at 14.5%.
Densely tannic, this has edgy black currant flavor emerging between a firmly dry structure  packed with dark berry fruits and fresh acidity. This is light in fruit and heavy on tannins.
Take the bubbles out of Cava and this is pretty much what's left. The nose is light, with peach and banana aromas. Tangy flavors of orange and pineapple are lively but lacking, and the finish is ripe but simple. For flush flavors and just enough zap, this is good.
A deep golden color and classic Chardonnay fruit and spice aromas, albeit with a touch of sweetness, begin this wine. On the palate, the fruit is fresh and good but lacks the layering and grounding that oak should offer. Overall it's a good everyday wine that just needs a touch of class to round out the rough edges; food may be the key.
A success in the sweeter Vinho Verde category. There is pleasant softness, flavors of green berries, grapefruit with sugar and freshness.
Rueda is best when it's fresh and dancing, but this 2006 is showing too many signs of the hot year from which it came. It's already tired and soft, with compost and mealy citrus aromas going head to head with grapefruit and marmalade notes. Tasted in December 2007, this was probably a tastier, fresher wine six months prior.
This is a nicely integrated wine with good balance and structure. Though the finish could be a bit longer, the forward red currant and plum flavors mingling with hints of tomato, tobacco and spice create just enough complexity.
Caramel and butter dominate the flavor mix, imparting the suggestion of movie popcorn and buttered toast, partially balanced by crisp pineapple and citrus fruit.
Shows a weaker side of the 2006 vintage, with an overly broad mouthfeel and a certain lack of precision, but still boasts ripe apple and melon flavors.
A round and spicy Merlot. Dark plum and blackberry flourish while fleeting nuances of tobacco glimmer on the medium-length finish. The silky texture and soft tannins are sure to please those with a gentler palate.
An extremely crisp Sauvignon Blanc with fresh lemony citrus aromas and flavors combined with subtle nuances of grass and underripe pineapple. A smooth texture and bracing acidity follow through to a slightly sour but clean, lingering finish.
Though the winery claims just 10% new French oak was used, the impact of smoky, charred wood is clear. Some bright, tart raspberry fruit is at the core. The tannins carry flavors of coffee grounds and dark chocolate.
A delicate fragrance of white spring flower, orchard fruit and a hint of light baking spice lead the way. Boasting copper-colored reflections, the lithe palate shows off crisp green apple, nectarine and a mineral note buoyed by racy acidity.
A rather subdued nose merely hints at ripe pear flavors. The palate is dry, just softly pear-fruited and balanced. There is a subtle, mature heat on the finish that is rather appetizing. Drink soon.
Fruity and fresh, this opens with scents of apple orchard and a whiff of citrus zest. The refined, straightforward palate offers pear and a touch of mineral alongside bright acidity. It closes crisp and clean.
Aromas suggesting white spring flower, gooseberry and stone fruit lead the nose. The crisp palate offers peach, grapefruit and pineapple alongside bracing acidity that leaves a clean, brisk finish.
Beeswax, yellow apple skin and acacia aromas lead the nose. The linear palate shows Kaiser pear, citrus zest, almond, toast and vanilla. A honeyed mineral note closes the finish.
This is a bold combination of 89% Dolcetto from the Napa side of Carneros and 11% Barbera from one of its happy spots in the state, El Dorado County. Big bodied and tannic on entry, it softens in the glass to reveal bright red cherry and spearmint, with a touch of bitterness on the finish.
Light notes of cut lemongrass and squeezed lemon show on the nose of this wine by former Harlan Estates cellar master Adam Henkel. Lime juice, wet cement and apple peels combine for a standard and straightforward flavor profile, which is clean, tight and packs a good acidic sizzle.
One of the winery's luxury-level releases, this doesn't play the massive Paso ripeness game, instead offering easy notes of black currant, violet, grape candy and burnt caramel on the nose. The palate is even more restrained, with black cherries, baking spice, a touch of asphalt and soft tannins.
Light and fresh smells of Key-lime pie, grapefruit rinds and ripe nectarine show on the nose of this versatile bottling from the veteran San Jose-based winery. The grippy, assertive flavors are bright, tight and pithy, with lime rinds, kumquat tang and chalky minerality, proving refreshingly sour.
From an estate vineyard, this is an impressive wine, fruity in plum and cherry with a plush juiciness and firm tannin structure. With aromas of baked bread along the way, it finishes as old vines should, full of leather and black pepper.
Aromatically elusive at first, with good, clear color, this wine then reveals dots of cranberry and cherry that give way to a crowd-pleasing juiciness that makes it approachable and likable with food. It veers into cola vanilla on the finish.
This all-stainless wine is crisp, clean and bright, with palate-pleasing fresh apple fruit. It went through full malolactic, taming the acidity, and offers highlights of mint and herb.
Dark fruit aromas of blackberry, plum and raspberry lead the nose of this clean yet ripe Pinotage, with supporting notes of curing spice, toasted oak and mocha that lend decadence. The slightly plush mouthfeel has a texture like crushed velvet, with mildly gripping tannins and flavors of black-fruit skin and licorice root that carry through to the finish.
Barrel-fermented Dijon clones make for a full-bodied wine with plenty of grip. It's fruity with chewy melon and ripe peach. Just 8% of the oak was new, but light, buttery notes soften up the finish.
Oily citrus and barrel-based smoke aromas set up a palate that's deep and powerful. Flavors of spiced apple, citrus and butterscotch are solid and don't fade over the course of a long, slightly pithy tasting finish.
Rustic on the nose, this is an earthy, herb-filled wine made in a robust style, juicy and exhibiting glassfuls of rhubarb and black tea. Integrated in terms of oak and tannin, it's youthful and may need some time to grow.
This uncommon Alsatian variety shares the same parentage as Chardonnay, which is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. Much like its Burgundian sibling, this grape seems to perform well in oak. This example is steely and citrus driven, with milky white-flower tones. Having spent one year in neutral French oak, the palate is broad and rich, yet impeccably balanced by crisp acidity.
After a bit of searching through a blanket of coffee and cocoa, fresh red currant and plum show on the nose. A solid concentration of crunchy red and black berries meets an enlivened vein of pencil lead, with pleasantly bitter cocoa lingering on the finish. There's a nice balance of plushness, medium-grained tannin and persistent acidity, making this wine easily enjoyable now.
This opaque, fully extracted blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon smells outright grapy, with a spunky pomegranate note. A syrupy laziness to the palate and jammy blackberry flavors finish chewy, with a leaning towards Concord grape. Tasted twice with similar findings.
Delicate scents of cut grass, fresh hay and whiff of tomato open on this vibrant wine. The bright, linear palate tastes of yellow grapefruit, green melon and citrus and offers up a lively acidity.
While the nose seems dominated by oak, with charred bacon and cola aromas, the palate shows plenty of fruit, offering velvety dark cherry in the lead. Savory spice notes streak across the plush, structured palate, giving way to a mocha finish. There's enough acidity and tannic structure to explore how this will develop in the years to come. Give it another year or two for the oak to integrate further.
Aromas of white spring flower and apple delicately lead the nose on this refreshing white. The apple note follows through to svelte, polished palate along with pear and mineral. Crisp acidity gives it a clean, invigorating finish.
Subdued aromas of hay, pineapple and crushed stone eventually unfold in the glass. The reserved but elegant palate shows honeydew melon, peach, citrus and mineral alongside crisp acidity.
White wildflower and Bosc pear aromas lead the nose. The bright, linear palate offers nectarine zest and crisp Granny Smith alongside zesty acidity. A mineral note closes the tangy finish.
Portal's vineyards high above the Douro Valley produce wines that are fresh and poised. This is structured while also fruity wine is firm with tannins and ripe with blackberry fruits. It has acidity, spice from wood aging and a dry aftertaste. The wine can be drunk soon, from late 2016.
This Bobal's dark, earthy berry and leather aromas are closed but presentable. On the palate, herbal plum, tomato and lightly baked berry flavors finish with the scrub of rustic tannins.
Honeyed crème brûlée flavor is the highlight of this salty, moderately structured wine that's fairly priced and simple in its approach.
Overripe stewy aromas of tomato, baked beans and raisin raise a red flag of caution. Following the nose, this Cabernet Sauvignon blend feels a bit flat and baked. Cooked, herbal berry and plum flavors finish chunky, with savory flavor notes of herbs and oak.
Lightly aged in oak for four months, this is a fruity wine, with its blackberries and attractive acidity. The tannins and the hints of wood are really a fine supporting act that give the wine shape. Drink this accessible wine now.
This is a good, middle-of-the-road, unoaked wine. It has moderate fruit concentration, medium body, a nice balance and a crisp sense of freshness.
The aromas are quite reticent, with notes of herb, purple fruit and abundant wood spices. Still, the palate delivers plush-feeling fruit flavors, speckled with attractive barrel accents.
There's a curious and compelling saline quality to the nose of this widely available, well-priced bottling, reminiscent of a kelp-lined seashore. It's underscored by Anjou pear, underripe orange and flint scents while a faint hay flavor meets warmer nectarine elements on the easygoing palate.
Gritty leather and cherry aromas pass quickly across the nose of this wine. It's chunky and meaty, with plum, berry and herbal flavors. A grippy, straightforward finish confirms it's well made but has limits.
Mild volatility and dry herbal scratchy aromas of nondescript berry fruits lead to a somewhat soft palate. Flavors of generic berry fruits and chocolate finish ripe and chunky, with leftover notes of chocolate.
Ripe peach on the nose has some earthy undertones. The palate is fresh but has the same earthy and slightly muddy aspect. Lemon freshness brightens the flavors and creates subtle balance. Drink soon.
A coming together of nearly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller additions of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this shows a confectionary streak of cherry-vanilla, its fruitiness offset by dry, dense tannins and cedar-tinged oak.
This is a pleasant, rather light-tasting wine with attractive, fresh raspberry aromas, red cherry flavors and good acidity to balance out the ripe fruitiness.
This wine from Southern Moldova is aged six months in oak barrels, which give it a creamy texture. There are aromas of apple and orange flowers, and flavors of lemon pith and Granny Smith apple juice.
This blocky Tempranillo smells dense and damp, with curry and earthy berry notes. Its chunky palate deals in heavy berry flavors that are low on elegance and high on tannin, and its finish is earthy and flat.
This opens with bold but faintly chemical berry aromas. Its chunky palate features hard tannins, tasting of roasted berries, oak and cured meat. On the finish, it feels rubbery and a touch flat.
Sautéed red cherries, hazelnut and pipe-smoke scents show on the nose of this blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. It's tangy on the sip with pickled red-fruit flavors. It also shows fudge with cherry syrup, cappuccino and mocha flavors.
This distinctive white starts with an aromatic, almost Riesling-like nose of flowers, with a touch of citrus focus. On the palate, vanilla spice and pronounced fruit mingles with the bracing edge of lemon peel and mineral. An elegant white with unique regional flair.
A firm texture, ripe flavors and good sense of balance help put this wine on an equal footing with very good wines from other grape varieties. Juicy blackberry meets dark chocolate on the palate and both linger on the finish.
This wine is drenched with dark fruit flavors, like blackberries and boysenberries, and fills the mouth with a velvety texture. It's just so expressive and generous, without much oak influence, that it comes off as simply delicious. Best after 2018.
This is a generous, mouth-filling and deftly complex wine that's also deep and concentrated. It seems to blend the meaty character of Mourvèdre, also known as Monastrell, with more fruity and spicy nuances.
From two superb vineyard sites, Charles Heinz and Dutton Ranch, both on the cool edges of the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, this is a thick, concentrated and delicious wine, which manages its richness with grace. Honey, vanilla and baked apple linger on the palate, finishing softly and with a note of nutmeg.
Record heat in the Dundee Hills in 2015 brings extra richness to this bone-dry rosé. Bright strawberry fruit flavors are set in a bed of racy acidity. It's as fresh and flavorful as a rosé can be, so enjoy it before 2016 draws to a close.
From a 30-year-old vineyard in the heart of the Dundee Hills, this toasty and forward wine shows excellent definition throughout. Tight cranberry/raspberry fruit flavors expand with airing, adding citrus and cherry components and a juicy underpinning of fresh acids.
Soléna really ups their PG game with this latest vintage, a super rich, succulent effort that is packed to the core with fresh pear fruit flavors. Light touches of cinnamon, and a sense of sweetness from ripe fruit, not residual sugar, keep the flavors expanding through a lush and creamy finish.
Strawberry and thyme show strongly on the nose of this bottling, as does a slate minerality and violet florality. It's soft and lush on the palate with dried strawberry, plum, black raspberry and a vanilla richness, but the wet-slate earthiness shines throughout.
Baked plum, red cherries, dried sage and a touch of gingerbread show on the nose of this appellation blend. Fresh and fruity red cherry and ripe pomegranate pop on the palate, where wet dirt, black sage and thyme combine for a very complex sip.
Here's reserve-level quality in a widely available, moderately priced bottle. It's entirely estate grown, ripe with bright cherry fruit, and a finish that resonates with granite and earth.
This delicate but plush bottling is of a rare grape known in the Rhône as Rolle. Sharp aromas of pear skin and Meyer lemon rind evolve into fleshier scents of stone fruit, white flowers and wet river stone. Lime juice and fine flavors are laced across sizzling acidity and grippy minerality on the palate.
This is an easy-drinking, roundly accessible vineyard designate, with a depth and breadth of black fruit, cedar, currant and cocoa powder. A juicy midpalate gives way to an integrated finish, unburdened by tannin and oak, despite the mountain provenance and full-bodied power of the wine.
The opening aromas spotlight vanilla and tobacco, with flavors of ripe, chunky red fruits. The 18 months in French oak bring those same accents of vanilla and tobacco into the lingering finish, which comes into focus as the wine breathes.
This is not an obvious wine, but one that creeps up slowly, takes time and impresses quietly. It delivers depth rather than power. Glints of pepper and allspice shine amid the restrained red, tart cherry fruit. The slightest of tannic grips stems from concentration rather than extraction. It's elegant Alsace Pinot, quiet but firm.
With light wood-aging flavors, this wine is both ripe and fresh. The touch of toast points up yellow fruits that are generous and rounded. Pineapple and peach are given an edge by the citrus acidity in the aftertaste. Drink from 2017. The family estate has been established since the 14th century.
This wine is soft and rounded with attractive red-cherry fruits, ripe strawberries and touches of wood and tannin. Acidity comes along behind this richness. It is going to develop quickly and will give great pleasure. Drink from 2018.
This wine has that warm, spicy, friendly feel of new oak that is well integrated with the fruit flavors, and a velvety texture to match. It smells like toasted baguette, nutmeg and vanilla and tastes almost as rich as blackberry jam, but stays dry and full-bodied. It's so easy to enjoy.
This small-quantity selection from within the Charles Vineyard was fermented by native yeast, and neither fined nor filtered. It is quite aromatic, full bodied and moderately fruity, and has a nice rounded mouthfeel, generous red-cherry and spice flavors and good structure from acidity and mild tannins. Tart cherry lingers on the finish.
This very limited production wine is Foursight's most expensive offering. It smells like red cherries and cinnamon, tastes warm and spicy, and feels broad and velvety. While not quite as impressive as the 2013, it has a plush and welcoming personality that's difficult to forget.
Very heady and earthy aromas of cedar, tobacco leaf, smoked cigar and the hint of ancho chile show on the nose this unique, cool-climate take on Merlot. The palate is quite woodsy with cedar and pine but also jammy with red fruit, bolstered by bitter dark chocolate and dried chile pepper.
While soft spoken on the nose, the palate of this effusively fresh, fruity Kabinett bursts with ripe, peach and apricot flavors. It's irresistibly juicy and delicately sweet, balanced by a shower of tart tangerine acidity that extends the finish.
Earthy black-fruit aromas are a bit tough and gritty. This feels rugged, full in body and tannic. Ripe, earthy blackberry and cassis flavors are spicy, with a strong back note of espresso. A full, toasty finish tastes mostly of straight black coffee. Drink through 2021.
Firmly touched by wood, this is a rich and also structured wine. It has spice as much as fruit at this stage, the juicy acidity lurking behind the toasty exterior. The wine should balance out but will need time. Drink from 2020.
Briny apple aromas are crisp and focused, with side notes of pickle juice and matchstick. A round but firm palate is in fine shape, while this tastes savory, dry and sophisticated, with notes of sea brine, melon and green apple. A touch of salt graces a pure finish. This certified organic bottling dwells at the high end of the Cava spectrum.
There's never more than a barrel of this outstanding wine to go around, but it's well worth hunting down. Powerful and lush, it's got a silky, voluptuously fruity mouthfeel. Candied citrus and apple pie come to mind, as the flavors continue rushing through, finishing with a spicy lift and a whiff of menthol.
Light raspberry fruit carries a suggestion of clean earth and dried herb. The tannins show some substantial grip. The overall balance is fine, though the wine drinks younger than most 2012s. Best after 2020.
Soft and fruity, as is the style throughout the Merry Cellars lineup of reds, this includes 18% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Strawberry preserves and a coating of milk chocolate work through a quick, smooth finish.
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.
This Monastrell is dark, youthful, concentrated and robust on the nose. In the mouth, it's rich, thick and borderline sticky, with creamy flavors of blackberry and chocolate. That same oak-based creaminess carries onto the finish, which is resiny in feel and chocolaty in flavor.
Very classic in style, it has firm tannins that come before black currant fruits. Its structure is dry, lightly smoky from wood aging and with a crisper fruit character underneath. The tannins need to soften before the wine can be drunk with pleasure, so wait until 2017.
Showing considerable wood flavor, this wine has some tough tannins to overcome before it really shows its best. The fruit is ripe, full and packed with blackberry flavors. Once fully integrated, the wine should reveal more of a luscious side. Drink from 2017.
With a majority of Merlot in the blend, this is a smooth and ripely rich wine. It has sweet berry fruits, soft tannins and good juicy acidity. At this stage, the wood shows strongly, but the fruit will soon develop. Drink from 2016.
A fruity and juicy wine, it also has a stalky, herbal element. That gives a fresh character to the wine while also showing lightness. The black currant fruits are strong and forward, with a hint of maturity that suggests this is for medium-term aging.
A gently perfumed wine, it has ripe, juicy black-fruit flavors and a backing of tannins. It's balanced with the dry core surrounded by rich fruitiness and a burst of final acidity. It could be drunk now, but will be better from 2016.
This is a bold, ripe and fruity wine. It has rich black currant fruits, solid tannins and a dense texture. Very aromatic, it is powered by its dry core that is showing signs of softening and rounding out. Drink from 2017.
Aromas of oak and sawdust come with notes of plum and vanilla. The palate shows plum and black cherry along with evident oak, espresso and toasted sensations.
Aromas of oak, toast, espresso, vanilla and coconut carry over to the palate along with dark berry flavors and milk chocolate. It closes on a sweet, almost sugary note but it lacks energy and intensity.
Judged against more familiar varietal wines, this Maturana comes across as unusual, but not bad. Herbal aromas of juniper and briny berry are typical for the grape. Flavors of stewed blueberry, juniper and herbs are naturally green-leaning and a bit odd. This is something to explore.
This almost translucent brick-colored Pinot offers aromas of lettuce leaf, orange peel and dried red fruits. It's light, edgy and fresh in feel, with flavors of salted meat and herbal plum. A tangy citric finish is primed with racy acidity. Fermented and aged in egg-shaped cement tanks.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this opens with aromas of raspberry, Alpine herb and a balsamic note. The juicy palate doles out ripe strawberry, mineral and a hint of baking spice alongside supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Smooth and full bodied, this wine smells like melted butter, tastes like butterscotch, and feels big and rich on the palate. Apple and pear elements contribute a juicy quality, while the acidity is soft.
This is quite oaky upfront, with bold scents of baked apple, toasted hazelnut and vanilla bean. The palate offers more of the same, in addition to a bright yet decadent lemon-custard flavor. Honey-drizzled apple pie comes to the fore on the finish, with just enough acidity to keep the opulence in check.
This variety is an extreme rarity in the state. It opens with aromas of plum, herb and spice that are followed by soft elegant fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This gold-colored sweet Xarello is lightly oxidized, with aromas of butterscotch, baked squash and honey. The longer it sits, the better it gets, and that's despite blazing acidity. Flavors of pears in syrup, melon and honey finish long due to intense acidity.
Jammy oaky blueberry and cardamon aromas are proprietary for Mendoza Malbec. In the mouth, hard tannins combined with high acidity make things a bit awkward, while this tastes of reedy plum, raspberry and raw oak. Unabsorbed tartaric acidity on the finish creates a wiry feel, while peppery, spicy flavors are lasting and herbal.
This 100% varietal wine comes from one of the state's top vineyards. Brooding aromas of pitted cherry, coffee, cocoa, vanilla and spice lead to tart cranberry and cherry flavors. The tannins bring a coarse feel. Perhaps they will soften with some additional time in bottle.
This opens with heady aromas of jasmine, lemon zest and apricot while the lively palate offers green apple, white peach, citrus and a whiff of flint. Crisp acidity leaves a refreshing finish.
This Viognier from the Danube Plain has aromas of yellow peach, freshly sliced apricot and jasmine flowers. In the mouth it is balanced with flavors of apricot and peach. The finish is pleasantly acidic and slightly perfumed.
Named after famed Horse Heaven Hills grower Mimi Nye, this wine brings aromas of toast, custard and pineapple. Fruit and barrel flavors weave together on the palate, carrying through the finish.
Produced by Cahors negociant and vineyard owner Georges Vigouroux, this wine from vines on the slopes of the Garonne valley has just enough tannic structure to give it richness and potential aging. The tannins are balanced by the generous black fruits. Drink from 2019.
Varietal Malbecs are a rarity from this tiny appellation. This one offers aromas of dark plum, herb and wood spice. The flavors are full bodied and hedonistic, showing the ripe, forward style of the vintage, finishing a bit sharp.
Made entirely with Merlot, this offers aromas of black-skinned fruit and baking spice. The straightforward approachable palate shows black plum, tobacco and a vanilla note framed in supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Hailing from the Danube Plain, this Bulgarian Chardonnay has aromas of citrus blossom and lemon curd that pave the way to zesty flavors of lemon and green apple in the mouth.
This is a fresh and full-bodied wine, with ripe yellow fruit and citrus tones—at once warm and with crisply edged. Still young, it shows a strong mineral side that will soften with time. Drink from 2018.
Fermented in open top lagares, this wine shows the smooth and fruity side of Portugal's flagship grape. The tannins are present but muted by ripe black fruit and generous texture. Drink from 2018.
Crushed slate and smoke notes mingle with zesty lime and lemon in this spine-tingling Riesling. It's a touch off-dry, with juicy white grapefruit flavor sweetening the midpalate. A Margarita-like ring of salt lingers on the finish.
This straw-colored Chardonnay has aromas of anise, fennel, ripe fig and vanilla that lead you to a fruit-filled palate of rich apricot and white peach. There's nice balance in the midpalate with a generous level of acidity in the finish.
This shows a fine, silky texture from a vintage that resulted in some tough-textured wines. Raspberry and garrigue combine on the nose, while the palate adds hints of sun-baked earth on the long, softly dusty finish. Drink now–2023.
Red plum, leather and toasted oak aromas emerge in the glass. The hearty robust palate offers blackberry jam, dried black cherry, toasted hazelnut and clove framed in tightly packed but polished tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Loaded with red berry, chopped herb and dark spice aromas, this zesty, medium-bodied red offers dried cherry, raspberry, ground pepper and clove flavors. It's savory but straightforward and not very persistent.
This organically produced wine is comprised of 86% Melnik, 8% Grenache Noir and 6% Petit Verdot. It has aromas of blueberry, tobacco leaf and leather and flavors of chocolate powder, cassis and blackberry. There is a long finish with a pleasant burst of acidity at the end.
Mature corny aromas of tortilla chips are particular and require a lot of air and swirling to show their best. This barrel-fermented old-vines Verdejo shows lightly oxidized flavors along with oak and apple. On the finish, this is plump, oaky and a bit bready tasting. Drink now.
Ripe, full-bodied and delicious, this wine is big and bold, pushing the envelope with late harvest flavors, seeming sweet on the palate and the finish. It tastes like blackberry jam and dark chocolate. It would make a fine after-dinner drink, too.
Full-bodied and lush in style, with aromas of cherries and spice. On the palate, it delivers waves of fresh fruit and hints of cocoa, but also enough complexity to hold your interest before finishing on a long, mouthwatering note. Drink now–2016.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, deep and sappy, with the dark, licorice and coffee-infused complexity of Walla Walla's best bottles. Sharp and young, with a potent, liquorous finish, this explosive bottle of cassis-driven fruit should cellar well for a decade or more.
A deliciously fruity wine, its bright apricot, pineapple and peach flavors open and generous. Of course, there is a more serious core of structure, lemon zest and dryness to promise aging. At the end, though, fruit and a light toastiness give immediate pleasure.
Winemaker Hank Beckmeyer goes where his vinous muses take him and this new wine of his is a perfect example of his “why not” attitude. It contains 56% Nebbiolo from the Sumu Kaw Vineyard as well as 30% Syrah from the same, 9% Mourvèdre, 2.5% Viognier and 2.5% Roussanne. It's jam-packed in a lilting way with fresh, bright strawberry and intense aromas of perfume and freshly picked herbs.
Full-bodied and richly textured, with Penfolds' hallmark weight and structure on full display, the 2008 RWT shows a touch of the vintage's characteristic warmth, but only a touch. The cassis and blackberry fruit is plush, velvety and superripe, ending with hints of tobacco, mint and vanilla. It should drink well for at least a decade.
From an especially cool vintage that favored acidity and citrus, this Poet's Leap is a pretty wine, vibrant and full across the palate, with a mix of apple and peach flavors. Clean and balanced, it adds nuances of tea and finally a hint of honey in the extended finish.
From one of the few producers to have estate-grown Syrah in the appellation, this wine comes from vines planted in Goldridge soils. It offers robust notions of tangy red fruit, leathery pepper and wild game, a worthy representative of the variety that could stand more time in bottle. Drink now through 2020.
Generous notes of ripe, juicy pear lead on nose and palate of this wine. An earthy, slightly bitter edge lends definition and texture but undereath it all lies the purity of fresh-cut Conference pear and lemon. This wine is bone-dry and lip-smackingly refreshing.
Pure notes of Conference pear define both nose and palate. The body is textured and concentrated but remains slender. Fresh acidity, dryness and slightly bitter pitch make for a beautiful, poised outline. Purity and length stand out.
This wine is dense and structured, showing it this is still a work in progress. It has richness rather than huge sweetness with a dry core of botrytis. Bitter honey and spice go with the ripe yellow fruit flavors. Drink from 2018.
Delicious flavors like those of a pear tart and a soft, expansive mousse make this wine easy to love. It combines richness and a luxurious texture with light flavors of butter, vanilla, pear and nutmeg.
This wine is well sourced, its grapes coming from Brown Ranch, Toyon and Trefethen, among other sites. Aging takes place partially in barrels that have been soaked in water before toasting to lessen the impact, and in stainless steel. Light, crisp honeyed apple, pear and vanilla star alongside caramel and a floral flourish.
Vanilla, baking spice, coconut and dark fruit aromas lead to plush, plentiful purple-fruit flavors. It provides a lot of enjoyment and appeal, showing equal parts fruit and barrel.
Perfumed aromas of flowers, orange peel and smoked meat are followed by full-bodied fruit and savory flavors. It delivers a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (76%), Grenache (21%) and Viognier (3%). Perfumed aromas of orange peel, flowers, spice and dark fruit lead to plump raspberry and smoked meat flavors. It needs time to unwind.
Spicy and fresh aromas lead this elegant but accessible white from Florina. Tropical fruit flavors are round and layered but the wine has a good spice and mineral mix. A great wine for the table?lots of food-pairing options here.
Plump black cherry and plum flavors resonate through the core of this juicy, ripe Cabernet Franc. Its fruity forward style is approachable and appealing but there's a good dose of elegance as well. Brisk cranberry notes brighten the midpalate, leading a delicately tannic finish.
Sweet-seeming oak aromas and spicy-sweet oak flavors bring excitement to this full-bodied wine. It smells like cedar and cinnamon, and tastes like blackberry jam on toast. A moderately tannic texture supports all that richness.
This wine shows the local Baga grape richly, full of black fruits as well as the more typical dark tannins. The structure is firm, balancing the ripe black plum and spice flavors. This wood-aged wine is now ready to drink.
The scent of fresh Bosc pear peel also conveys a sense of texture. This is confirmed on the rounded, juicy and full-fruited palate that balances the generous ripe pear with ample, off-dry freshness. Drink soon for maximum enjoyment of fruit.
A blend of 50% Bourboulenc, 30% Grenache, 10% Roussanne and 10% Marsanne, this boasts an enticing bouquet of field flowers, fresh fennel bulb, white peach and citrus zest. Unmistakable marine influences of mineral and saline notes shine throughout and become more pronounced with aging. The mouthfeel is smooth and rich, and while it is delightful now, it will mature and develop well through 2022.
Aged in wood for 18 months, this eucalyptus-perfumed wine is solid, structured and still packed with tannins. It is made for long-term aging with its rich black fruits and dark structure. The concentration and ripe fruit both promise a fine future. Drink from 2020.
The wine is all about its ripe blackberry fruits. With a small proportion of Merlot (10%) in the blend to smooth the Malbec tannins it is rich, generous, and finely structured with a good future. Drink this dense wine from 2018.
This single-parcel wine is rich and with layers of wood aging in the flavor, giving a spicy slightly toasty character. Behind that, there is a more herbal green-fruit character that is crisp with acidity and with a tangy, zesty aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
A generations-old farming family on the North Fork, Harbes has been producing wines of increasing elegance and consistency in recent vintages. This Merlot-dominated blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is especially refined. A subtle sexy wine, it's redolent of ripe sunkissed blackberries spiced with coffee and anise. Full bodied yet tautly structured, it lingers on a crisp cranberry finish marked by feathery tannins.
Cocoa, vanilla and herb aromas are followed by broad black-fruit flavors. The warmth of the vintage is on display but so is a sense of balance and polish.
The aromas leap out of the glass, with notes of fresh flowers, apricot and lime leaf. It drinks medium sweet with plentiful stone-fruit flavors.
Notions of ripe lemon and mandarin zest play upon nose and palate of this admirably dry Riesling, which has enough concentration to carry the riot of citrus perfectly. This refreshing, clean and bracing wine could be your rescue on a hot summer day.
Ripe, loamy cherry and blackberry aromas are moderately complex. Racy on the palate courtesy of punchy, fresh acidity, this barrel-select Syrah tastes spicy and a touch charred, with a black-fruit base. Smooth on the finish, with mild residual oak, this is elegant as a whole. Drink through 2020.
This thick, grippy wine is enveloped in sweet, sticky tannin, with full-bodied elements of kirsch and vanilla. Combining 64% Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Cabernet Franc and 12% Petit Verdot from an estate-farmed vineyard, it's intense.
A bitter streak of herbal tea seasons a tight grip of tannin in this mountainous wine, structured and burly in wild sage and black cherry. A smoky undercurrent adds intrigue and savory, meaty notes that should be paired with appropriately hearty fare.
This is a great showing of how Chardonnay can work in Temecula. Fresh Meyer-lemon blossoms meet with lemon curd, clarified butter and vanilla paste on a tangy yet rich nose. Marcona almonds, apple custard, white peach and lightly toasted marshmallows show on the palate, balanced by just enough acid.
The soft, gentle lift of lemon peel sets the pure tone, with concentrated yet light-footed freshness on the palate. This wine is dry, crystalline and friendly, with a zesty finish.
Strawberry and cherry aromas lead in to this layered but brisk rosé from Drama. On the palate, spices, tropical fruit and a finish of salinity give the wine elegant character. A delicious and versatile pour with exotic notes.
Pure and friendly notes of ripe Bosc pear entice the nose. The palate shows freshness and generosity in equal measure. Balance and zip makes this wine moreish and expressive, while the pithy, citric core lends structure and balance.
This crisp blend of Braucol and Syrah comes from a gravel terrace. While it has fine acidity, the wine also has ripe red fruits, sweet plum flavors and an attractive sprinkling of spice. Drink this wine from 2017.
Aromas of sunbaked earth, mature berry, leather, cooking spice and game unfold in the glass. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, anise and leather alongside rather austere, fine-grained tannins.
Tight, clean and refreshing aromas of sliced green apples, lemongrass, river rocks and a bit of chive power the nose of this bottling from a winery that owns estate vineyards in four of the new Paso sub-appellations. The palate is full of wound-up energy, with pear and apple skins and a grassy character quite prevalent.
Plummy aromas are light and subtle. The palate is tart, lithe and flavorful with the oak seeming dialed back, putting the focus on the freshness of the fruit. Put it on the dinner table to see it shine.
Fruity and perfumed, this is already an attractive wine. Dusty tannins are working with the black-currant fruitiness to produce a fresh, lightly structured wine. Like many wines of the vintage, it will develop quickly, so drink from 2018.
This wine is full of black-currant freshness. It is already delicious, crisp while just lit up by tannins. It is developing quickly, with a refreshing character that will make it drinkable from 2017.
Golden Delicious apple is the star in this wine, accented with a touch of honey. Despite the appearance of rocky minerality on the back of the palate, it exudes a robust, full-figured personality, lush and plush with a persistence of ginger on the finish.
Subdued aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, espresso and tobacco lead the nose while the soft, dense palate offers fleshy black cherry, blackberry extract, coffee and a hint of ground cooking spice. It's ripe and ready so enjoy soon.
From vineyards in Oak Knoll and Yountville, this wine begins with a tranche of thick tannin and smoky barrel-influenced char. In the glass it evolves into a juicy, fruity delight, rich in dark plum and raspberry. Made to please Cabernet Sauvignon fans, it finishes in cedar and chocolate.
All varietal, this wine leads with an unusual assortment of aromas that include anise, smoke, cigar box, vanilla and ripe blackberry. The flavors are tart and compact with a grainy feel. It provides intrigue but the variety seems to get lost.
Fruit mixes with barrel, with aromas of plum, coffee and exotic spices along with a kiss of vanilla. This wine is richly flavored, with the tannins bringing some astringency and dryness.
This solid red opens with aromas of dark-skinned berry, toast and underbrush. The firm palate offers wild cherry, ground pepper, coffee and a hint of mineral alongside polished, fine-grained tannins.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot shows very interesting aromas of cola, root beer, licorice, blackberry leather, violet and a hint of caramel. Black-cherry juice flavors are seasoned with lavender, black pepper and black tea, quite tasty, though not as intriguing as the nose.
A fifty-fifty blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah, this accessible wine offers aromas that recall tilled soil, black-skinned berry, blue flower and spice. Notes of chocolate and pepper accent a fleshy core of black cherry framed in soft, round tannins. Drink soon.
Movie popcorn is the first thing suggested by the nose of this wine, followed by firm, terse oak. Given time to unwind in the glass, the more delicate aspects of its personality start to appear, from crisp Asian pear to ginger spice.
Made with the native grape Perricone, this opens with fruity aromas of woodland berry, dark spice and a whiff of violet. The sleek, easygoing palate doles out mature black cherry, cinnamon and a white pepper note balanced by polished tannins. Drink through 2018.
From a property owned by Château Mongravey in Margaux, this firmly structured wine is solid with dark tannins and blackberry fruits. It has the stalky texture typical of the vintage, although this will soften to leave a firm while ripe wine. Drink from 2018.
This is rich with black fruits and layers of wood. It is structured and dense while also having the attractive fruitiness of the vintage. The wine will be ready to drink by summer 2016.
This wine is tough and structured, while still having plenty of weight and fruit for the future. As it integrates, ripe berry flavors will balance those tannins, giving a classic, structured Bordeaux. Drink from 2018.
Named after King Henri IV, this is a powerful, ripe and still-structured wine. Big, rich tannins push the structure forward and boost the full black-plum flavors. It is complex, dense and still needing time. Drink from 2018.
This rich, smoky wine has an appealing streak of ripe black-plum flavors. What it is missing in all this richness is enough acidity, although the tannins will certainly allow it to age. Drink this powerful, ripe Merlot from 2017.
This easy, early-developing wine has balanced tannins that lift the black-currant fruitiness and the fresh acidity. It is developing fast, with its fruit right to the front and the tannins in the background. Drink from 2017.
All spice, acidity and tangy herbal flavors, this rich wine is also very fresh. It's full of green fruits and lively acidity. The aftertaste is crisp but ripe. The property has been owned since 1999 by Sophie Lurton of neighbor Château Bouscaut.
From the same ownership as Larose Trintaudon, this wine is firm while also having juicy red-currant fruit and intense acidity. The two characteristics are still working it out in this young wine. Wait to drink until 2018.
Wild berry, black cooking spice and a whiff of Mediterranean brush come together on this soft, straightforward red. The medium-bodied, concentrated palate offers ripe blackberry, raspberry jam and a note of anise alongside round, compacted tannins.
Barrel aromas of vanilla, coconut, coffee and spice mix with black cherry on a wine that displays a whiff of volatility. The flavors are full and lush, with the Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Merlot (10%) helping to flesh it all out. The variety gets lost in the style but it delivers enjoyment.
This is a dense, complete wine with good Garnacha character and generous berry, spice, char and minty aromas and flavors. Rubbery tannins are fair and just, while flavors of grilled meat and baked plum finish oaky, with a slightly raw feel.
This 100% of Merlot from Tuscany opens with aromas of prune and raisin that recall uve passite or dried grapes. The palate offers concentrated fig, raisin and mocha and you'll also detect the warmth of evident alcohol. The overall lack of freshness makes this appear clunky and evolved.
Made from a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Colorino, this wine opens with aromas of forest floor, oak and toast. The palate is a bit flat and not very long, but offers notes of blackberry, red cherry, espresso and oak.
Bright, fragrant, youthful and fruity, this is an attractive wine. Almost purple in color, it has soft tannins that add just a light touch of texture. Enjoy this wine now. Screwcap.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Montelpulciano opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, blackberry and evident oak. The palate offers up plum, red berry and roasted coffee-bean flavors. It's soft and ready to drink.
Harkens back to the value days of the Diamond Label—but the style has been updated to reflect more freshness and focus. Pineapple and melon notes display cool, citrusy overtones, picking up just a hint of caramel on the finish. Drink now.
Made from the same blend as the dry Orvieto, in this version fermentation is stopped before all the sugars are converted to alcohol. A moderately sweet wine, it boasts apricot, honey and almond notes, with just enough acidity to avoid a cloying finish. Pair it with cream cheeses or almond cookies.
This blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot and Colorino opens with aromas of violet, red and black fruit, and cinnamon-spice. The palate offers ripe but one dimensional blackberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors.
Made from organically grown grapes, this Chardonnay imparts a taste of beeswax and lemon. It's robust in acidity and structured with a sizeable finish. Small percentages of Muscat, Viognier and Riesling are mingled in.
Delicate floral and honeydew aromas entice on this easy-drinking, everyday kabinett. Sweet, with stonefruit flavor and a bright, lemony acidity, it's straightforward, with just a hint of dusty mineral character.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from Tuscany is a bit closed, but it reveals subtle underbrush and violet aromas along with raspbberry and black cherry flavors. Pair this with pasta topped with meat sauces.
Full of red fruits, this solid and chunky, but juicy wine is ready to drink. It has a lightly tannic structure with notes of black-currant skin that brings shape to all of its forward fruitiness. Screwcap.
Soft and open, this is a fresh, fruity wine with a warm feel to it. Gentle tannins, red plum fruits and a good streak of acidity cuts through the texture. Drink now. Screwcap.
The unusual aromas on this wine are a confounding mix of fusel oil and grass, much like a Sauvignon Blanc. The wine has noticeable residual sugar as well. This seems way out of any varietal norm for Oregon Pinot Gris, but other than that, it's perfectly quaffable.
Firm and solid, this wine is more tannin than fruit at this stage. It does have some weight and acidity to it, showing potential for blackberry fruitiness with age.
While the nose seems a bit savory, with muted apple and honeycomb notes, this dry, full-bodied Riesling is quite fruity on the palate, with pleasant peach and nectarine flavors. It's brisk, with lemon-lime acidity and just a hint of astringency on the finish.
This charming blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano and Grechetto opens with pretty aromas of white spring flowers, tropical fruit and peach. The palate offers apricot, pear and citrus flavors, ending with a refreshing finish.
Full in the mouth, this is a ripe, currant- and gooseberry-flavored wine. It has a bright, forward, fruity feel that makes it delicious to drink. Very refreshing in character. Screwcap.
This Zin is rich with flavors of liqueur and spice with a suggestion of Dr. Pepper. Let this Zin open a bit in the glass. It's softly textured on the finish with a taste of raspberry and vanilla.
Made from 100% Muscat di Canelli grapes, retaining 9.5% residual sugar, this is a perfumed dessert wine, reminiscent of Gewürztraminer in its lychee aromas. It remains balanced and light on the palate, not overly sweet.
Aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, leather, wild berry and a balsamic note take the lead. The palate offers juicy Morello cherry, black raspberry, licorice and sage alongside rather astringent tannins.
This blend of Syrah (57%), Merlot (29%) and Sangiovese suggests candied raspberries, blue fruit, vanilla, cola and fruit leather. Rich, concentrated flavors give a sense of confection with the tannins providing a chalky feel.
The aromatic notes of vanilla, tire rubber, cocoa and woodspice don't seem in harmony. It's a shame because the rich cranberry and raspberry flavors serve up plenty of enjoyment.
Full bodied, rugged and intense, this is an earthy Shiraz that could use 2–3 years of cellaring. Coffee grounds, black olives and savory plums are framed by hints of vanilla and firm tannins that turn a bit drying on the finish.
This opens with funky, earthy notes of blueberry, juniper and animal hide. The palate is chunky and jammy, which is welcome given 2011's cold conditions. Flavors of herbal blackberry, baked plum and spice finish with a note of green and heat as well as with acidic freshness.
This comes from a popular vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley, and offers nose-tingling aromas of black pepper, tar and a slightly sour take on purple fruit. It's not as exciting as some of the winery's other wines, but still serves as a solid take on the grape, mixing ripe fruit, crushed herbs and brown spice.
From estate-grown grapes, this opens with sizable, grippy tannins and strong barrel-heavy aromas. It then settles down into layers of blackberry and blueberry, sprinkled with a hint of cinnamon. This wine will benefit from a decant or a few more years in bottle.
This savory red features aromas and flavors of violet, juicy blueberry, blackberry, plum and a whiff of cake spice. Firm but fine-grained tannins give support. While it's full-bodied, it's also easy to drink. A licorice note signals the close.
The bouquet of this wine takes time to fully open, but eventually reveals a lush mélange of pineapple, honeydew, yellow apple, buttered popcorn and orange creamsicle. Ample acidity keeps the mouthfeel fresh and the palate lifted, giving levity to the ripe fruit flavors. A hint of flintiness lingers on the close. Drink now.
This has an edge, a frame of herb and skin flavors that tightens the mouthfeel. Green pineapple, cilantro, cucumber and lemon verbena are in play, with a penetrating attack and a pleasantly soft finish. The wine has a density that somehow recalls extra-virgin olive oil.
Aromas of scorched earth, underbrush, spicy plum, allspice and graphite lead the nose. On the palate, notes of cracked pepper and clove accent the mature blackberry, raspberry and fig flavors. It's balanced with well-integrated tannins and finishes on a note of bitter almond. Drink through 2016.
Foresty blackberry aromas come with a whiff of mint and herbs. This has a lively, moderately tannic palate that's home to raspberry, plum and vanilla flavors. It's a basic, steady, satisfying blend of Cab Franc, Syrah and Merlot.
A blend of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera, this straightforward, savory wine leads with aromas of spicy plum, black cherry and freshly ground pepper that carry over to the palate. Fresh acidity and polished tannins balance the juicy fruit flavors.
Smoky meat marks the entry of this wine, followed by a thickness on the palate of tar and savory dark black fruit. Rounded and soft, it's an approachable Merlot that's ready to enjoy now.
This perfumed and fruity wine is a new concept from Jean-Luc Baldès of Clos Triguedina. It is rich, with the Malbec tannins cushioned by ripe black fruits and mint flavors. It's ready to drink.
Aromas of this robust wine recall resin, raisin, vanilla and plum cake. The warm, thick palate offers prune, licorice and ground black pepper alongside robust tannins. There's not much fruit richness and the heat of alcohol throws this off balance.
Dry, lightly oaked and mild on the nose, this Pinot from a cold vintage offers modest but honest plum and raspberry scents in front of a crisp, juicy, fresh palate. Flavors of raspberry and red plum come with dusting of spice on a zesty, light-bodied finish.
Mild citrus and raspberry aromas are appropriate for this light-colored, light-bodied Pinot. A medium-sized palate is balanced and hints at elegance, while true-to-Leyda flavors of pie cherry and red plum are peppery on the finish, which brings hints of vanilla and wood grain.
Rubbery blackberry aromas are concentrated but blunt. This has a pinched, saucy feel that's related to high acidity. Saucy, rubbery flavors of blackberry show graphite and raw oak accents in front of an earthy, almost briny finish.
An opening of spicy, borderline green and minty aromas announce a wine from a cool vintage. Freshness on the palate provides a racy quality, but more depth would be nice. Flavors of wild berry and oak finish sweet, with a slight sticky quality.
Raspberry and plum aromas come with notes of tea and spice. This is fresh and fairly light in body, with a touch of creaminess. Dry, spicy, modest red-fruit flavors finish spicy and with better-than-average length. For the money, this is quite good.
This is full, ripe and strongly mineral. Its young apricot and citrus fruits are very fresh, bright and have a sense of structure with minerality and zesty, tangy lemon peel. With its good depth of flavor, it is ready to drink.
Fred and Melody Burbank are producing a varied line of wines in the El Pomar district. This wine delivers aromas of ripe plum and nose-tickling spices that range from wet clove to marjoram to black tea. It is rich and ripe with purple fruit on the palate, but the initial pep dissipates quickly.
Potent up front, this deals juniper and olive aromas in spades. In the mouth, it shows good body and depth. Herbal berry and olive flavors are a touch green, which is standard for the variety, while vanilla and carob flavors on the finish are derived from heavy oak.
This bright rosato delivers a core of wild cherry, juicy strawberry and crushed raspberry, while notes of white pepper and clove add interest. Crisp acidity generates a clean, fresh finish.
A blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this opens with aromas of underbrush, violet, clove and spicy plum. The straightforward palate delivers mature blackberry and allspice alongside brawny tannins.
Abouriou is a grape found almost exclusively in southwest France. As here, it produces a wine that balances acidity and juicy red fruits with a herbal edge. A light layer of tannin gives a structured aftertaste. Drink now.
This is just right, balanced with plenty of crisp citrus fruit and a warmer, ripe background of green plums and even apricots. The combination gives the wine weight and even a touch of richness.
Lightly sweet and rich in both flavor and body, this wine has generous ripe pear and peach notes accented with coconut and vanilla. A layered effect to the flavors and an especially creamy texture make it very tempting.
Bright and light on its feet, this is a pleasant and sunny wine that's loaded with crisp citrus and green apple aromas and flavors. There's a subtle, surprising smoothness to the palate, though zippy acidity picks up on the midpalate and through the clean finish. Drink now.
This wood-aged wine has spicy aromas. On the palate, it's creamy and toasty, its ripe fruit and tangy texture giving it richness. Acidity keeps it crisp and fruity. Drink from late 2017.
Medium bodied and fresh-tasting, this well-balanced wine emphasizes its apple and lemon flavors without much oak intervention. It has refreshing acidity and a clean finish.
From the Bouyssou family estate, this structured wine is perfumed, ripe with black fruits and firmly based on serious tannins. It has weight and richness with spice and concentration. At the end, the acidity is crisp and juicy. Drink from 2019.
Organically grown fruit, aged in new wood for 12 months, creates this rich smooth wine. With a juicy oxidative character, it is soft and round. Yellow fruits and spice come together in a wine that is now ready to drink.
This is not nearly as rich and plush as La Nerthe's luxury-level Cuvée des Cadettes, but remains a very good wine. Red plum and red currant fruit is medium-bodied, supported by bright acids, while some slightly ashy notes and a hint of cocoa emerge on the crisp finish.
This is Alain Gayraud's estate wine. With 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot, it certainly shows some of the tannins typical of the grape. At the same time, it has attractive berry fruits and balanced acidity. It has a light touch that will make it ready to drink soon. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of honeysuckle and ripe peach lead to lightly spritzy medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors. It provides easy-drinking appeal.
This Zinfandel-based wine, which blends 13% Tempranillo and 6% Petite Sirah, shows strawberry, cherry, baking spice and cola aromas. There is decent tannic tension on the palate, and the flavors—sarsaparilla, cola, stewed plum and clove spice—are easily enjoyable.
This bottling from the Beckett brothers—bolstered with 14% Syrah—is yet another crowd-pleaser from their stylish, affordable label. Plump black-fruit aromas meet iodine and dried purple-flower notes on the nose. The palate is rich and soft at first, growing tannic over time, with dark purple-fruit flavors that last long into the finish, edged in bright acidity.
Grown at 1,800 feet, the vines for this wine benefit from the cool conditions needed to develop aromatic intensity. With crisp acidity combined with spiced pear and nutmeg flavors, it's both tightly textured and very fruity. Drink now.
Mild with raspberry flavor and soft, integrated oak and tannin, this full-bodied wine is comprised entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon and imparts a characteristic Rutherford dustiness on the palate.
From vineyards on the cooler south bank of the Serein, this wine is crisp and tightly coiled despite the warmth of the 2015 vintage. It's built on a backbone of sturdy minerality, fleshed out with crisp, citrus fruit, and will be ready to drink from late 2017.
This is a well-made and inviting wine, made from a majority of Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. Muted aromas give way to a dense palate laced with leather and dried cherry notes. Mild in tannin and oak, it's enjoyable now.
Fermentation on the grape skins has given this wine a pale gold color. The result is a smooth, oxidative wine with a lightly tannic structure, dominated by apple and citrus fruit. Ready to drink.
Black-skinned fruit, charred earth and a whiff of leather lead the nose. Ripe and straightforward, the palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco and a whiff of licorice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
Brown butter, white peach and pound cake aromas show on the nose of this easy-to-enjoy bottling. Those notes follow through to the palate, rounded out with vanilla and ripe stonefruit and held together by clean, firm tension and chalky minerality.
There's a pungent lanolin-like aroma on the nose of this bottling, while wet clay and char notes lend nuance to its black fruit. The palate offers density and tannic depth, with dried mint and blackberry jam flavors that extend into the finish.
While subdued on the nose, there's lots of lively lemon and tangerine flavor on the palate of this dainty Kabinett. It's zippy and spry but sharply penetrating with a lingering lime pith finish.
The nose is quite subdued, but the palate of this bargain Spätlese offers buoyant orange and apricot flavors. It's an easy, juicy wine, neatly balanced with brisk, citrusy acidity. Drink now.
Juicy approachable flavors of white grapefruit and sweet apple are juxtaposed by vibrant lemon zest and crushed mineral tones in this zippy off-dry Riesling. It's not a deeply complex wine but invigorating and fresh.
This refreshing wine offers aromas of honeydew melon and guava. A palate-pleasing combination of green apple, nectarine and eucalyptus culminate in a mint-tinged finish.
Stylistically focused in its clear embrace of fruit and cool-climate acidity, this balanced white is honeysuckle-inflected, with steely pear and orange blossom elements, unfettered by oak.
Fresh herbal tones of thyme and fynbos welcome you into the nose of this wine alongside fruity notes of lemon and white peach. The vibrant palate offers zippy, mouthwatering acidity, while a slightly bitter, pithy astringency lingers softly on the finish. Drink now–2018.
Nervy lemon-lime acidity amplifies the fresh apple and pear flavors in this spry dry white. Its invigorating freshness and easy-drinking style lends wide appeal for a value price. Drink now through 2020.
Volcanic ash over granite gives this vineyard its structured character, which carries over into this wine. Wood aged in large barrels, it has a rich firm character that will allow the wine to develop. Powered by acidity and tannins, the ripe black fruits are juicy and concentrated. Drink this wine from 2018.
This taut young wine needs time to show more personality. An aroma like fresh-baked bread and lightly toasted almonds leads to a firm mouthfeel and tight flavors like crisp green apples and peach skin. All this should soften and open up later, so drink after 2018.
Gritty, spicy, schisty berry aromas are composed, while this Garnacha-led blend feels saturated and layered. Spicy plum, herbal notes and black pepper make up the flavor profile, while this is strapping, peppery tasting and complex on the finish. Drink through 2022.
This Cabernet Franc blend opens with herbal oaky aromas of coffee and red fruits. The palate feels tartaric and shocking, with heavy extraction and an overall wiry feel. Jacked-up berry flavors come with more than enough oak, while this is steady but not finessed or elegant on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Aromas of underbrush, mature berry, new leather, blue flower and menthol emerge in the glass. On the firmly structured palate, an intense mineral vein of iron underscores dried black cherry, white pepper, dried sage and star anise. Austere fine-grained tannins provide the taut framework.
Named for nickel's number on the periodic table, this hillside vineyard site is located across Lake Hennessey on the eastern edge of the valley. Entirely varietal, it offers juicy layers highlighted in cedar, mountain sage and mellowed chocolate. The oak and tannin are well integrated and deeply embedded, providing support and structure.
A whiff of pine frond lends an invigorating alpine air to this lean, refreshingly mineral dry Riesling. The palate is crisp and cutting, bursting with fresh lime, gooseberry and quince flavors. Zesty acidity draws out a long, piercing finish. Drink now through 2020.
From the producer's younger hillside blocks, this is comprised of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percents of Malbec and Merlot. Blackberry and cherry are warmly wrapped in a blanket of chocolate and clove, while easy acidity provides softness and approachability to the texture and body weight, which are voluptuous.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant aromas of raspberries, orange peel, red currant and garden herbs lead to restrained but sumptuous fruit flavors backed by a lick of tart acidity. It brings a sense of presence and depth.
Lush and forward, this lovely wine is bursting with red and black-cherry fruit. It socks you (gently) in the nose and seduces you in the mouth, with streaks of cola and a dash of pepper. No need to wait on this wine, as it is already drinking like a dream.
This dark tannic Malbec with ripe black-fruit aromas hits the right notes on the nose. In the mouth, things are tight and rubbery in feel. Salty blackberry flavors are rustic but balanced by a note of sweet marzipan. On the finish, this is dry, drawing and fiercely tannic. Drink through 2023.
A blend of Merlot (62%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot, this wine opens with aromas of cocoa powder, spice, dark cherries, savory herbs and flowers, displaying pleasing complexities. The palate is full of exquisitely balanced red and black-fruit flavors that sail off into the distance on the finish.
This is a thick, dense and juicy Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, rich in currant, black cherry and blackberry. An approachable tannin structure allows for drinkability in its youth.
Full-bodied, lush and supple in the mouth, this blend of 40% Grenache, 38% Shiraz and 22% Mataro is the Australian version of a barbecue wine, bursting with rich, ripe fruit. Chocolate, mocha and plum shadings dominate, ending on a soft, warm note. Drink now–2020.
Full bodied and richly tannic, this gives lie to the notion that all Grenache-based blends are easy quaffers. Dried spices and mixed berries include hints of clove and cracked pepper, finishing with some dry, chewy tannins. The assemblage is 49% Grenache, 29% Shiraz and 22% Mourvèdre. Drink 2020–2030.
Zesty lemon and lime acidity takes center stage in this invigorating medium-dry kabinett. It's leaner and more linear than the producer's regular-label kabinett, but offers loads of cutting white grapefruit and red apple flavors. The finish is refreshing and penetrating, lingering on a note of sugar cookie.
Leather, mature dark-skinned berry, clove and star anise aromas lead into the velvety, surprisingly approachable palate. Solid but rounded tannins uphold the juicy flavors. Drink through 2022.
This Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blend opens with blueberry and currant aromas that hint at the exotic. A flush racy palate is high in acid and a touch abrasive. Plum and currant flavors are not what you'd call cushioned, while this ends with hard edgy tannins and a reprise of scouring acidity. In terms of aging, this will last a long time. Drink through 2027.
A woody, toasted note speaks to well-integrated yet present oak in this white that maintains medium-bodied texture on the palate. Bright, lemony acidity complements the creaminess, dashing in wet stone and undeniable floral notes of apple and orange blossom.
Merlot makes up just under two-thirds of this wine, with the rest Cabernet Franc. The aromas display a medley of fresh green herbs and flowers and cherry, while the palate brings poised cherry flavors that show elegance and persistence.
This is fruit-powered Riesling, finished dry but with a touch of residual sugar to soften the acids. Apple and Meyer lemon fruit flavors intermingle, sporting abundant, juicy natural acidity.
Initially shy, this opens up with a few swirls of the glass to reveal underbrush, truffle, pressed rose and a balsamic note. The tense palate is lean and linear, offering tart red cherry, strawberry, clove and mineral while bright acidity and firm noble tannins provide balance. Drink 2017–2022.
This structured wine is balanced with great fruit, firm tannins and ripe berry flavors. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Malbec (46%) makes up most of this blend followed by 23% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and finished with Cabernet Franc. It offers aromas of dark plum, currant, cocoa and spice that are followed by generous, textured and full blue and black-fruit flavors that bring a lot of hedonistic appeal. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
This is a delicious ripe wine, full of black fruits and with generous tannins. Mint flavors come from the new wood aging and enhance the ripe berry flavors and acidity. Drink this structured wine from 2018.
The wine is ripe and full of blackberry fruits. It has serious tannins still although these are well balanced by the fruitiness. The firm structure and wood aging flavor will soften over the next few years. Drink from 2020.
The ample fruitiness of this 80% Merlot wine is right up front. It comes from a large 116-acre estate on the extension of the Pomerol plateau. Firm tannins as well as generous black plum and berry fruits are well balanced, just needing time to soften and fill out. Drink this full, rich wine from 2018.
This is a ripe soft wine full of warm fruits and gentle tannins. The second wine of the always-impressive Château Smith Haut Lafitte, it is a rich wine its own right. With black currant and dark plum flavors, it has some solid tannins from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2018.
A firm, structured blend of 50-50 Pinot Noir and Touriga Nacional, this wine is rich and made to age. A dense texture underlies the ripe blackberry fruits and firm tannins. Aged for 18 months in wood, the wine needs time to mature further. Drink from 2018.
This innovative Cretan producer hits the mark with this pretty, fragrant white blend including the island's hallmark white, Vidiano. The nose is full of flowers, white peach fruit and rip citrus, while on the palate, an interplay of exotic fruit and minerality keep the wine focused but friendly. A great wine for spicy Indian cuisine or sushi.
This fluorescent pink rosé is fairly full on the nose, with a grape skins character. Lively, balanced and lightly oily in feel, this delivers plum and citrus flavors prior to a finish that's pithy and tastes like ripe pink grapefruit.
This unusual varietal wine has steely, mineral aromas and lively flavors like apricot and white peach, along with a relatively light body and lively acidity.
A pulsing core of dried plum and black-cherry flavors marks this buxom Petit Verdot. While bold and brawny, a balsamic edge and fine tannins lend subtlety. Its rich, mouth-filling silkiness clings pleasantly on the finish.
Notes of ripe but tart apples and pears tumble forth. The palate is off dry, underlining the rich fruitiness of the flavors. These are balanced by lemony freshness, leaving full-fruited, apple- and pear-scented generosity on the palate.
This 100% Syrah rosé is extremely pale in color and offers dainty aromas of pink peony, cherry, strawberry hull and barely ripe peach. The pristine palate offers more of the same, with additional hints of melon rind and peach skin that lend some bitterness and texture to the finish. Well balanced and refreshing; drink now.
Earthy, minty, herbal black-fruit aromas blend with a note of grass. This wine feels plump and grabby, with hard edges. Modest but solid black-fruit flavors are toasty but short, while the finish offers blackened spice notes and grapy flavors as it dissipates.
Richly oaked, this full-bodied wine wraps sweet baking-spice flavors around mouthfilling ripe, plump fruit. It has a smooth texture and persistent fruit and cinnamon flavors that linger on the finish.
Red-berry fruits and a full-bodied texture form the hallmark of this ripe wine. It has spice, a rich character that is generous and fruity. The wine is ready to drink.
Made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this has earthy aromas of dark berry, tilled soil and a whisper of violet. The straightforward, enjoyable palate offers black cherry, crushed plum and a hint of clove. Enjoy soon.
From yet another block of the Frediani Vineyard, a favorite source of the producer, Rosedale is juicy in plum ripeness and soft texture. An easygoing expression of a warm-climate red, it's structured and succulent.
Enticing aromas of red berry, violet, moist soil and a whiff of eucalyptus float from the glass. The medium-bodied palate offers sour cherry, espresso, white pepper and a touch of orange zest alongside bracing acidity and well-knit tannins.
Apple blossoms scent this fresh dry Riesling. The palate is invigorating and spry, bolstered by a breezy citrus and green-apple finish. It's not a deeply concentrated wine but effortlessly elegant.
This is a lushly concentrated, likable wine, soft in tannin and subtle in oak, with strong layers of black plum, berry and espresso.
Tender apple and pear notes make for a fresh, crunchy toned-down palate. The fresh fruit is highlighted by lemon freshness; likewise the almost fizzy midpalate finishes with off-dry lemon hints.
Sharp notes of lime zest and fresh, smashed citrus lead into fatter aromas of daffodil and guava on this minimally oaked bottling. Juicy flavors of tropical bubblegum pop on the palate, deftly restrained by grapefruit pith. It's fresh and vibrant though a bit ripe.
All Malbec aged in neutral oak, this wine opens with pure, penetrating aromas of plum, cedar, mushroom, spice and high-toned herbs. The palate is elegant in style—almost delicate—with bright, tart fruit flavors. Will show best at the dinner table.
This wine is mostly Roussanne (58%) with the rest equal parts Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. The aromas of herb and peach are light and are followed by elegant lightly styled fruit flavors.
This is made from a field blend of Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache, Zinfandel and Viognier. Medium bodied and medium in acidity, it offers a dry, fulfilling tartness of orange, grapefruit and raspberry, remaining light and bright on the palate.
Lavish heaps of blackberries and cherries are accented by nuances of nuts, dried herb and black tea leaves in this composed red wine. Full bodied but balanced in acidity and fruit, it's substantial without overpowering. The finish lingers on velvety tannins.
This wine is smoky and spicy in aroma, moderately sweet on the palate and nicely filled out with honey and peach flavors. A very good apéritif wine, it should pair well with spicy food.
Sweet cedar, cinnamon and plum aromas are followed by plush and pretty flavors of black cherry, raspberry and plum. The wine offers a good acid balance and a spicy, bright finish. This should pair well with tomato-based dishes and lamb.
With the fruit coming from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, the aromas offer notes of coffee, cocoa, smoke, vanilla and purple fruit. The flavors are elegant in style, with nubby tannins providing the frame.
While concentrated black-cherry flavors shine brightly, this herbaceous wine suggests a leaner, more savory expression of Long Island Pinot Noir. Bright acidity and firm tannins maintain a taut, tight feel.
Butterscotch, honey and spice aromas lead this white from Porto Carras. The wine has a slightly heavy feel with vanilla and spice overtones leasing. Overall though, a pretty wine with a serious character.
This gets special attention because winemaker Kevin Riley is one of the few to engage with old vines of the historic Mission grape variety. Light watermelon, orange spritz and wet cement show on the nose, while the slightly watery palate offers red fruit, crushed rock and citrus rinds on the finish.
Hints of smoke and bramble linger from nose to finish, lending a savory complexity to this dry-style Riesling. It's spry and invigorating, juxtaposing tart pineapple and lemon flavors against a backdrop of pressed apple and pear. The finish extends long with an elegant mineral tinge.
This tastes of brash dark fruit, sage and coffee. It will appeal to lovers of big wine and pair expertly with pizza—especially with meaty toppings.
The fruit isn't the star of this wine; instead, intense notes of forest floor and cola spice dominate the nose and palate. Sure, the red berry and cherry flavors are there, but they're just hanging in the background of this bright yet herbaceous selection.
From the earthquake-plagued harvest, which was also very cool by Chilean standards, this has notes of iodine, candied berry, and bramble. The feel is pointed and snappy, with earthy, funky red-berry flavors. It's zesty on the finish.
Fresh red-cherry and strawberry flavors are vibrant on this dry, mouth-quenching Romanian rosé. It is elegantly structured, with a splash of lemon-lime acidity and a hint of herbaceous green on the finish.
Notes of hickory smoke and clove open this heavy wine. Its flavors of wild berry and spice are a bit warm, while the finish simmers with firm tannins and minty oak.
Concentrated apple and pear flavors are flecked with notes of honey and tangerine skin on this dry blend of traditional Tokaji and international grapes. There's a trace vein of green, vegetal notes, but it's refreshing and easy drinking.
This thick, dusty and leathery Foothills Zinfandel is ready to drink now with bold, meaty foods.
This soft, off-dry wine has attractive flavors of tangy orange and lemon, softened by it's fruit-forward character. This is a wine for drinking now. Screwcap.
Nectarine and orange aromas create a clean bouquet. It's round and mouth filling in terms of weight, with pithy flavors of peach, honey and apple. The flavors remain concise on the mildly creamy finish.
Notes of red apple rind and orange oil lead the bouquet of this straightforward quaff. The bright palate offers more intense citrus flavors, leading nicely onto the brisk, clean finish. Drink now.
Vibrant notes of red cherry, plum and blueberry are partnered with earthy hints of forest floor and cocoa. This is a solid selection that's perfect for entertaining. It's well balanced, with light tannins, lifted acidity and a medium-length, black-pepper-kissed finish.
This is a particularly successful white Monte Velho. It is rich and creamy, full of ripe apple and refreshing acidity in equal measure. Fruity and fragrant, it is ready to drink and will be delicious this summer.
This has dark, hearty fruit that is framed mostly around a taste of dried cherry. It's a bit one-dimensional, finishing with a burst of leather.
This starts out with murky, leathery aromas that veer toward latex and rubber. It has tannic grip and decent structure. The wine tastes of roasted berry fruit and saucy plum, followed by a baked-tasting finish.
A light lime flavor comes with a pleasing hint of tangerine in this wine. It becomes quite slender as it rapidly runs into a slightly metallic finish.
The nose on this low-acid white is neutral at best. The palate feels soft and mushy, while the flavors are mealy, creamy and bland, with touches of passion fruit and citrus. This will have a very short shelf life.
Mushy peach, mealy pear and soft melon aromas flood the bouquet, and are accented by a hint of honeycomb. A touch of citrus flavor unfolds on the round, flabby palate, followed by a short finish. Drink up.
A southern yet herbal-feeling wine, this is ripe—maybe overripe—and missing real structure or fruitiness.
Pea and green bean aromas announce a heavy, somewhat vegetal wine. The mouthfeel is viscous and not easy to navigate, while overly sweet pineapple and mango flavors finish in a mash of banana.
Punchbowl sweetness and pineapple aromas come in front of a chunky palate with banana and oily green-fruit flavors. A short finish is heavy before it fades.
Sometimes you get what you pay for. This value-priced wine is feral smelling and strange on the nose. The palate feel is probably the best part, while the flavors are candied and foxy.
Stalky, burnt aromas are hardly the welcome mat one is looking for. In the mouth, this is sweet and soft, with a syrupy mouthfeel and candied flavors of berry fruits that come across fake in nature. This is 100% manipulated in style.
Mild, powdery and innocuous on the nose, this boxed wine is dilute and citrusy in the mouth, with tart orange and lime flavors.
In possibly the world's heaviest bottle comes this heavy Ancient Vine Zinfandel, greasy in bacon fat flavor, plus-sized in every way with a taste of sweet cigar smoke from beginning to end.
All of the new Epica wines from San Pedro seem highly manufactured and sweet. This blend is stalky and murky smelling, then heavy and cloying in the mouth, with sugar-meets-herbal flavors that finish hot and syrupy.
In this great year for white Burgundy, Bâtard-Montrachet shines out as the epitome of balance between superb fruit and intense mineral and terroir characters. Its subtle touch of wood highlights the unctuous surface texture while just hinting at the steel sharpness of the structure beneath. Age this superb wine for at least 10 years.
A superb wine from a great year, this is powerful and structured, with great acidity and solid, pronounced fruits. La Romanée is a small vineyard, wholly owned by Liger-Belair, next to Romanée-Conti. The wine is rich, spicy and very complex, with black fruits welling up from its depth. With great structure, it brings together opulent Pinot Noir fruits with firm, dense tannins with immense aging potential.
Since this is the winery's largest production Pinot, but still under 1,000 cases, buyers actually have a chance of finding this full-bodied beauty. Sly on the nose, it is tense in toasty oak and chewy cherry, venturing into black cherry, blackberry and root beer. It's amply structured and robust, yet with silky tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
The scent of very ripe Amalfi lemon hovers above everything but the second sniff immediately signals juicy Mirabelle plums edged with Golden Delicious apple. The palate is equally ripe and smooth—warm sunshine refracted through a prism of opulent fruit, yet toned and precise. Some exposure to air reveals a distinctly stony minerality. A keeper.
Streamlined, citric freshness dominates every delicious aspect of this wine: the fresh, zingy nose, the ripe and supremely juicy palate with its swirls of both ripe and tart apples, and the extended finish. This is mouth-watering stuff. It's cushioned but extremely sleek, apple-fruity, very moreish and so very pure.
Ripe top notes of apricot and peach seduce right from the start. The tenor here is ripe, luscious stonefruit, highlighted by pure lemon zestiness that gives the impression of dimension-transcending linearity. It entices you to drink and explore more of that hinted-at spiciness and minerality.
One of the more approachable of the d'Arenberg single-vineyard collection of wines, this opens with notes of brown sugar, tarry fruit and bright cassis. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with flavors of mocha, cassis and vanilla that culminate in a long, dusty finish. Drink now–2025.
Right now this speaks of earth, forest floor and oak leaf—but not in a mature way. This Pinot takes time to show the glorious red cherry that is there in abundance, caressed by gentle, smoky oak. This will take time to blossom but will reward patience. Balance between acidity and silken body is evident and the layers of leaf, earth, cherry, smoke and minerality will continue in their infinite Pinot alchemy. Drink as of 2016.
Fresh, bright pear on the nose gives way to far more focused, even linear lemon on an extremely streamlined palate. This is racy, ripe but laser-sharp. A wine of great precision and purity with immense impact and mileage.
Yellow plum and Amalfi lemon lead a merry dance on nose and palate. A yeasty edge pulls them down to earth, but their exuberance is evident, swirling and barely contained. This is lively, refreshing and totally invigorating. A celebration of ripe citrus draws a dynamic and dizzying fault line across the palate. Currently, minerality lurks in the background while the fruit dances. This will change intriguingly with time.
The palest of rosés, this crisp, bright and fruity wine is full of tight acidity, freshly picked raspberries and steely acidity. It could age a few more years to bring out a toastier character. The specially designed bottle has a hummingbird etched on the inside and gold on the outside.